DE102022114052A1 - Handlebar lock for bicycles - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of security technology for two-wheelers. In particular, the invention relates to a handlebar lock for bicycles. The device comprises a base body (2), which is designed for installation in the steerer tube (3) of a bicycle fork and can be connected to it in a rotation-proof manner, and a locking cylinder (4), which is inserted into the upper end ( 2A) of the base body (2), where it is connected to its housing (4A) in a rotationally secure manner and secured against being pulled out, the locking cylinder (4) being rotatably adjustable between an open position and a locking position and an eccentric one at its lower end (4B). Has a rotary slide (5), which only interacts in the locking position with a locking bolt (6) which is displaceable in the radial direction in the lateral surface of the base body (2), so that this locking bolt (6) can be moved from a rest position in which its distal end ( 6A) is spaced from the control tube (7), can be advanced into a blocking position, in which its distal end (6A) interacts in a locking manner with the control tube (7), so that rotation between the steerer tube (3) and the control tube (7) can be blocked.

Description

Introduction

The invention relates to the field of security technology for two-wheelers. In particular, the invention relates to a handlebar lock for bicycles.

State of the art and disadvantages

Various aids are known for securing bicycles, which are intended to prevent or at least make it more difficult for the bicycle to be removed undesirably. Simple solutions are based on wire or chain loops, the ends of which are connected to a locking mechanism so that the bicycle can be removed or removed either “in itself” (e.g. wheel on the frame) or on a fixed object (fence, lantern, ...). can be connected. In the former case, the bicycle can no longer be moved by riding it, but only by carrying it; in the latter case, it can no longer be removed from the corresponding location.

A disadvantage of said wire or chain locks, in addition to the high weight that a sufficiently secure lock typically has, is the fact that it always has to be carried separately. If it is forgotten, the bike cannot be locked at all; If it is included, it must be stored in a suitable manner until it is needed. In addition, the metal parts of such locks can easily damage the paintwork or even the frame tubes of the bicycle. Since all parts of such locks are easily accessible, a thief has a variety of options for opening by destroying or manipulating the lock or the locking mechanism.

Locks that are permanently attached to the wheel are also known, so they cannot be forgotten or have to be stowed away in a laborious manner. An example of such a lock is a spoke lock that is attached to the rear structure, can be pivoted between the spokes of the rear wheel and can be locked in this position, disclosed in publications DE 25 16 791 A1 . However, such a lock can also be manipulated or destroyed by a thief due to its accessibility.

Task of the invention and solution

The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a device which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.

Accordingly, the device should make it difficult to move a bicycle, and should be attached so that it cannot be lost, and it should be light and robust. During use, damage to the bicycle being secured should be largely excluded.

The task is solved by a device according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments can be found in the dependent subclaims, the following description and the figures.

Description

The terms “top” and “bottom” are used below to refer to the operational installation position of the device. It is clear that the device can also be used in other orientations (e.g. lying down); The terms therefore only serve as an example. It is assumed that a bicycle equipped with the device is upright and the device can be operated from above.

The device is used to secure a bicycle against unwanted use by making the bicycle unsuitable for riding or pushing. According to the invention, this is done by blocking the handlebar in a fixed position, preferably resulting from cornering.

The device comprises a preferably cylindrical base body, which is designed for installation in the steerer tube of a bicycle fork and can be connected to it in a rotation-proof manner. Other shapes are also conceivable, for example square or polygonal basic shapes; However, the shape of a (hollow) cylinder is preferred because it also corresponds to the inner shape of the steerer tube and has maximum space to accommodate additional components. To prevent rotation, the base body can be clamped to the inner wall of the steerer tube by means of one or preferably several threaded pins (grub screws) distributed around the circumference. The latter can have round holes or elongated holes (running in the longitudinal axial direction to compensate for an axial offset) at the appropriate location. In addition to the force connection, this also provides a positive connection.

The device also includes a locking cylinder (eg a lever cylinder lock with, for example, 90° closing travel), which is inserted into the upper end of the base body, connected there to its housing in a rotationally secure manner and secured against being pulled out, for example by means of a snap ring. The locking cylinder therefore comprises an inner part which accommodates the key and which is then moved between the locking cylinder housing (outer part) by turning the key can be rotated around the longitudinal axis in a first (“open”) and a second (“locked”) position.

It is clear that instead of a mechanical locking cylinder with a key, electronic locking devices, for example, can also be used. The invention also offers sufficient space for any power supply required for this.

At its lower end (pointing towards the fork), the lock cylinder has an eccentric rotary slide. This is also twisted when the inner part of the lock cylinder is turned. The rotary slide is constructed and positioned in such a way that it only interacts in the locking position with a locking bolt arranged in the lateral surface of the base body so that it can be displaced in the radial direction, so that this locking bolt can be moved from a rest position in which its distal end is spaced from the head tube of the bicycle. can be advanced into a blocking position in which its distal end interacts directly or indirectly with the head tube in a locking manner, so that rotation between the steerer tube and the head tube can be blocked.

In other words, the rotary valve is used to move the locking pin; the locking pin is aligned and movable radially (from the longitudinal axis in the direction of the lateral surface of the base body).

In a rest position, the locking pin is retracted to such an extent that it does not, or only slightly, protrude beyond the lateral surface of the base body or the steerer tube. This means that the base body, the steerer tube connected to it, and thus also the fork with handlebars are freely movable in relation to the head tube and thus to the entire frame and the bicycle can be used in the usual way.

In a locking position of the locking cylinder, however, the rotary slide is positioned such that it has actuated the locking bolt, i.e. advanced it in the radial direction. The locking bolt then acts in a locking manner with the head tube. In this position, the steerer tube is no longer freely rotatable in the head tube, but its rotation is blocked by the locking interaction of the locking bolt with the head tube; steering is no longer possible.

It is clear that the steerer tube must have a corresponding opening for the locking bolt, through which it can be passed; It is also possible for the locking bolt to pass through this opening in the rest position, as long as it does not interact with the control tube. The opening can be designed as a round hole or as an elongated hole (running in the longitudinal axial direction).

The interaction may be possible in a position such that blocking occurs when the handlebars are turned (e.g. 45°); This means that it is hardly possible to push the bike away efficiently due to the continuous cornering.

If the locking bolt and the head tube work together as described, it is not possible to turn the handlebars without using a lot of force, which would damage not only the device but also the head tube. Destruction is therefore not attractive to a thief who would then like to use or sell the bicycle.

The invention thus avoids the disadvantages known from the prior art.

The invention efficiently makes the (unwanted) movement of a bicycle more difficult. Due to its integration into the control unit, it is securely attached and, due to its small size, it can be constructed in a lightweight and robust manner. Most parts of the device are not accessible from the outside and are therefore protected from manipulation or destruction; Destroying the device to render it unusable leads to destruction or at least significant damage to the bicycle. When using the device, damage to the bicycle to be secured is impossible because the device remains inside the control unit.

Various embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below.

According to one embodiment, the interaction takes place by means of positive “engagement” of the locking bolt in a locking hole arranged in the control tube. The locking hole is therefore in an extension of the longitudinal axis of the locking bolt; By immersing the locking bolt into the locking hole, it locks the steerer tube with the head tube. Shearing off the locking pin is only possible with considerable effort and (with a suitable choice of material) by destroying the material of the control tube surrounding the locking hole.

According to another embodiment, the interaction takes place by means of a non-positive “attack” of the locking bolt on the inside of the control tube. The locking pin therefore exerts (directly or by means of suitable intermediate parts) sufficiently high pressure on the inner wall of the head tube so that the handlebars can be turned in any case is made so difficult that the safe use of the bicycle is prevented.

It is also conceivable that the device has two or more locking bolts, preferably evenly distributed around the circumference.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that the locking takes place by means of clamping/wedging of suitably shaped components which are spaced apart from one another in the rest position and touch one another in the locking position.

It is also conceivable that the control tube has grooves, bores or other recesses in the area of the inner wall intended for interaction, which allow a combination of positive and frictional connection.

According to one embodiment, the base body is set up at its upper end to grip over the clamping fist of a bicycle stem, and at its lower end to cooperate with an impact claw of a thread-free fork stem headset system. Such tax rate systems are known as the “ahead” system.

Accordingly, from the perspective of the headset, the device according to the invention only structurally “extends” the tensioning screw, which is accessible from the outside and interacts in a tightening manner with the impact claw that is hammered into the steerer tube. There only needs to be enough space in the longitudinal axial direction in the steerer tube to accommodate the device between the upper edge of the clamping fist of the stem and the impact claw (which is moved downwards).

In the lower area of the device, more precisely, the base body, a hole is provided for this purpose, through which a clamping screw is inserted, which then interacts with the impact claw underneath in a known manner. It is clear that in order to assemble and adjust the stem, this tension screw must be made accessible; This is easily possible in that the components located in the base body can be removed upwards in order to access the screw if necessary.

In fact, a bicycle with an “Ahead” system only needs to be slightly adjusted (locking hole) in order to be able to be equipped with the device according to the invention. At the same time, the device also protects against unscrewing the stem or removing the fork, as the screw is no longer accessible during normal operation.

According to a further embodiment, the base body has an internal locking mechanism that interacts with the rotary slide to prevent the locking cylinder from being pulled out axially in the locking position.

The security can be in the form of a projection, such as in particular a pin. It is arranged in such a way that it only comes into contact with a groove in the rotary valve when it moves into the locking position. However, it then blocks it, and with it the locking cylinder, from being pulled out axially. Accordingly, the device can only be assembled, but especially dismantled, when it is in the rest position.

An inverted construction is also conceivable, i.e. the rotary valve has the projection and the inside of the base body has the corresponding (partial) groove.

According to a further embodiment, the device comprises a reducing sleeve suitable for installation in the open end of the top tube, which in turn has the locking bore for cooperation with the locking bolt. The reducing sleeve, or its locking bore, runs coaxially with the axis of the locking bolt, which is immersed in it in the locking position. On the one hand, the reducing sleeve reinforces (if the material is suitable) the locking hole, which can otherwise engage directly into the head tube or the opening of the top tube even without a reducing sleeve. However, since said opening can be quite large under certain circumstances and the material in modern frames is very thin-walled, it is advantageous to strengthen and reduce the size of the respective opening providing the locking hole using the reducing sleeve.

It should be noted that the locking hole in the head tube is preferably located in the area of the opening of the top or down tube, since in many cases openings already exist here and do not need to be made separately. In addition, the locking hole then remains invisible and inaccessible from the outside. However, it can also be installed elsewhere (outside the areas of welded pipes).

According to a further embodiment, the device comprises a reducing ring which can be inserted between the steerer tube and the head tube and can be detachably connected to the head tube. On the one hand, this has the task of reducing the gap that can sometimes be quite large between the steerer tube and the head tube and thus preventing the base body from buckling to the side under the influence of force.

At the same time, the reducing ring reinforces the wall of the head tube in the corresponding area, which further reduces protection against damage.

Set screws or the like distributed around the circumference can be used for fastening and can be screwed in and tightened from the inside for assembly and disassembly.

The reducing ring is preferably arranged in the area of the opening of the steerer tube, i.e. where the locking pin passes through it. This also strengthens this area of the steerer tube. It is clear that the opening must also extend through the reducing ring. Since the reducing ring is connected to the wall of the control tube, the area with which the locking pin can interact in a locking manner is increased.

In particular, it is also conceivable that the locking hole is only located in the reducing ring, which is then to be viewed as part of the control tube; This corresponds to an “indirect” interaction between the locking bolt and the control tube. In this way, the locking hole does not have to be made into the - possibly sensitive - material of the control tube. In addition, the device can be removed without leaving any residue if the reducing ring is also removed from the head tube.

The reducing ring can also provide a surface for frictional engagement (see above) instead of the locking hole for engagement.

According to a further embodiment, the device comprises an adapter tube which is arranged between the reducing ring and the steerer tube, with which it can be releasably connected. The adapter tube therefore reinforces the steerer tube. It is clear that it must have an opening allowing the locking pin to pass through when it is in the appropriate area. This is preferred because it also stabilizes and strengthens the critical area around the locking bolt. It is clear that the wall thicknesses of the reducing ring and adapter tube must be matched to each other and to the steerer tube and head tube. In particular, the adapter tube must be able to rotate freely on the reducing ring as long as the rotation is not blocked by the locking pin.

A further embodiment of the device provides that the rotary slide is arranged at one (lower) end of an extension, the other (upper) end of which is connected to the lower end of the locking cylinder.

Typically, standard versions of locking cylinders are only a few centimeters short. If the rotary valve were to be arranged directly at the lower end of the locking cylinder, the locking pin would ultimately also have to be located very close to the upper end of the steerer tube. However, in many cases the upper edge of the head tube is well below this high point, as the upper steering bearing, spacer and clamping fist of the stem are still located between this upper edge. Either the locking cylinder would have to be recessed accordingly, which would make access with a key more difficult, or the end of the locking cylinder underneath would be extended, as described. This is also not a problem because the shape of the rotary slide has little in common with the end of a standard locking cylinder and therefore normally has to be manufactured as a separate part anyway and then connected to the locking cylinder.

It is therefore possible to provide a corresponding extension without much additional effort. It is clear that the extension must be firmly connected to the end of the locking cylinder, for example by means of grub screws acting on both sides and clamping a pin with two lateral flats.

Preferably, a disc with locking points is arranged between the locking cylinder and the extension, which is connected to the housing of the locking cylinder so that it cannot rotate, and which interacts with locking balls (resilient pressure pieces) arranged in the end face of the extension facing the locking cylinder.

The disk can be U-shaped and the legs of the “U” encompass flats on both sides, as are typically found on the housing of a locking cylinder, so that the disk cannot be rotated. It has a hole through which the lock cylinder inner part and extension protrude and are connected to each other.

The locking balls are then arranged in the end face of the extension. When actuated, this rotates relative to the housing and thus to the disc. When the locking balls are in the locking points, the device is in the rest or locking position. The locking balls can have an offset of, for example, 5° to the end points specified by the locking cylinder in order to provide a play compensation for the locking cylinder.

According to a further embodiment of the device, the rotary valve, viewed in the axial direction, has an ellipsoid or lenticular shape profile. Accordingly, the rotary slide sits eccentrically on the end surface of the extension and is adapted to this lateral surface on its outer surface facing the inner lateral surface of the base body, i.e. rounded off as described. The rounding pointing towards the longitudinal axis is also advantageous because it is well suited to actuating the head of the locking bolt. However, it is clear that other types of mechanical interaction are also conceivable, which require or prefer other contact geometries.

Character description

• 1 eine Explosionsansicht der Baugruppe „Schließzylinder mit Drehschieber“;
• 2 eine Frontalsicht des Drehschiebers;
• 3 eine Schrägansicht des Drehschiebers;
• 4 eine Explosionsansicht der Baugruppe „Grundkörper mit Sperrbolzen“;
• 5 eine Schnittansicht durch eine Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung in Einbauposition.

The invention is explained below by way of example using figures. This shows

• 1 an exploded view of the “lock cylinder with rotary slide” assembly;
• 2 a front view of the rotary valve;
• 3 an oblique view of the rotary valve;
• 4 an exploded view of the “base body with locking pin” assembly;
• 5 a sectional view through an embodiment of the device according to the invention in the installed position.

In the 1 an exploded view of the “locking cylinder with rotary slide” assembly is shown. The lock cylinder 4 with its housing 4A is shown on the left in the picture. Its lower end 4B points in the direction of an extension 16, to the lower end of which the eccentric rotary valve 5 with mounting base 5A is screwed.

Between the lower end 4B of the locking cylinder 4 and the upper end of the extension 16 there is a disk 17 with locking points 17A. This is connected to the housing 4A of the locking cylinder 4 in a rotationally secure manner by being U-shaped and with its legs the flattened side surfaces of the Housing 4A encompasses. The locking points 17A cooperate with locking balls 17B, which are arranged in the end face of the extension 16 facing the locking cylinder 4 (the pressure pins in which the locking balls 17B are located can be seen).

2 and 3 devote themselves in detail to the rotary valve 5. In 2 A frontal view is shown, on which, in addition to the eccentric position, the approximately lens-shaped cross-sectional profile of the rotary valve 5 can be seen. 3 shows the groove arranged on the outside of the rotary slide 5, which interacts with a fuse 11 that is not shown here and will be discussed further below.

In 4 An exploded view of the “base body with locking bolt” assembly is shown. The base body 2 with a cylindrical basic shape has its upper end 2A in the installation position on the left in the picture. This can be done in 1 The assembly shown (not shown) can be inserted and secured against rotation. For this purpose, a pin 2C is inserted in the area of the upper end 2A, which interacts with a notch 4D in the housing 4A of the lock cylinder 4 (see Fig. 1 ). There is also a circumferential groove in which a snap ring can be inserted (not shown), which secures the assembly 1 secured against falling out or being pulled out.

The locking bolt 6 is inserted through a side opening. By means of a spring 6B, it is pressed in the radial direction towards the center of the base body 2. In order to prevent it from being completely pushed in, its distal end 6A, which is located outside the lateral surface of the base body in the installed position, has a circumferential groove for a locking ring (not shown). Accordingly, the locking bolt 6 is retracted as far as possible in its rest position (the end position is determined by the locking ring). A 2D lid is used to close the side opening.

On the right in the picture you can see the end 2E of the base body 2, which is located at the lower end 2B and can be firmly connected to it. A clamping screw 18 can be inserted through the launcher 2E, which - when the "locking cylinder with rotary slide" assembly is removed - is accessible through the upper end 2A of the base body 2. Thus - after inserting the base body into the steerer tube (not shown) - it can be clamped using the clamping screw 18 with an impact claw (not shown) in order to be able to adjust a corresponding headset system (not shown) without play.

In the 5 , in which not all components that have already been introduced and shown are provided with reference numbers, a sectional view of the device, installed in the head tube with steerer tube of a bicycle, is shown. The head tube 7 surrounds the steerer tube 3. The latter is rotatably connected via bearings (without reference numbers) by means of a headset that is not defined in more detail, but is preferably set up as a thread-free steerer tube headset system.

The base body 2 engages over the clamping fist 9 of a bicycle stem (not shown) at its upper end 2A. At its lower end 2B it interacts with an impact claw 10 by means of the clamping screw 18.

The fuse 11 can also be seen, which blocks the rotary slide 5, which is in the locking position in the present case, in the axial direction, so that it cannot be moved in the direction of the upper end 2A of the base body 2 when it is in the locking position. The rotary slide 5 interacts with the locking pin 6, which is arranged in the lateral surface of the base body 2 so that it can be displaced in the radial direction, so that it is from a rest position (not shown) in which its distal end 6A would be spaced from the control tube 7, as shown is advanced into a blocking position, in which its distal end 6A interacts in a locking manner with the control tube 7. Rotation between the steerer tube 3 and the head tube 7 is therefore blocked. Accordingly, the interaction takes place by means of positive engagement of the locking bolt 6 in the locking bore 8 arranged in the control tube 7.

Furthermore, a reducing sleeve 13 suitable for installation in the open end 12A of the top tube 12 can be seen, which in turn has the locking bore 8 for cooperation with the locking bolt 6. The reducing sleeve 13 also reinforces the head tube 7.

Also visible is a reducing ring 14 inserted between the steerer tube 3 and the head tube 7 and releasably connected to the head tube 7 via threaded pins, which also reinforces the head tube 7 and protects the inside of it.

Finally, there is an adapter tube 15, which is arranged between the reducing ring 14 and the steerer tube 3, to which it is detachably connected. The adapter tube 15 also uses grub screws for a detachable connection. It protects and stabilizes the steerer tube 3. It is clear that the adapter tube 15 and the reducing ring 14 each have an opening (on the right in the picture) for the locking pin 6, which must pass through these two components in order to be able to interact with the locking bore 8.

A cover 19 (shown unfolded) serves to close the upper end 2A of the base body 2 to protect the locking cylinder 4, which is only shown schematically.

Reference symbol list

1

contraption

2

Basic body

2A

top end

2 B

lower end

2C

Pen

2D

Lid

2E

Diploma

3

steerer tube

4

Lock cylinder

4A

Housing

4B

lower end

4C

side surface

4D

notch

5

Rotary valve

5A

Mounting foot

5B

Nut

6

Locking bolt

6A

distal end

6B

Feather

7

Control tube

8th

Locking hole

9

Clamp fist

10

impact claw

11

Backup

12

Top tube

12A

open end

13

reducing sleeve

14

reducing ring

15

Adapter tube

16

renewal

17

disc

17A

Rest points

17B

Locking balls

18

clamping screw

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 2516791 A1 [0004]

Claims (11)

Device (1) for securing a bicycle against unwanted use, comprising the device - a base body (2), which is designed for installation in the steerer tube (3) of a bicycle fork and can be connected to it in a rotation-proof manner, as well - a locking cylinder (4), which is inserted into the upper end (2A) of the base body (2), where it is connected to its housing (4A) in a rotationally secure manner and is secured against being pulled out, the locking cylinder (4) - is rotatably adjustable between an open position and a locking position and - has an eccentric rotary slide (5) at its lower end (4B), which only interacts in the locking position with a locking bolt (6) arranged in the lateral surface of the base body (2) so that it can be moved in the radial direction, so that this locking bolt (6) from a rest position, in which its distal end (6A) is spaced from the control tube (7), into a blocking position, in which its distal end (6A) interacts in a locking manner with the control tube (7), so that rotation between the steerer tube ( 3) and control tube (7) can be blocked. Device (1) according to Claim 1 , the interaction taking place by means of positive engagement of the locking bolt (6) in a locking bore (8) arranged in the control tube (7). Device (1) according to Claim 1 , the interaction taking place by means of frictional engagement of the locking bolt (6) on the interior of the control tube (7). Device (1) according to Claim 1 , wherein the base body (2) is set up at its upper end (2A) to grip over the clamping fist (9) of a bicycle stem, and at its lower end (2B) to cooperate with an impact claw (10) of a thread-free fork stem headset system. Device (1) according to one of the Claims 1 or 2 , wherein the base body (2) has an internal lock (11) which interacts with the rotary slide (5) to prevent the locking cylinder (4) from being pulled out axially in the locking position. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a reducing sleeve (13) suitable for installation in the open end (12A) of the top tube (12), which in turn has the locking bore (8) for cooperation with the locking bolt (6). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a reducing ring (14) which can be inserted between the steerer tube (3) and the control tube (7) and can be detachably connected to the control tube (7). Device (1) according to Claim 7 , further comprising an adapter tube (15), which is arranged between the reducing ring (14) and the steerer tube (3), with which it can be releasably connected. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotary slide (5) is arranged at one end of an extension (16), the other end of which is connected to the lower end (4B) of the locking cylinder (4). Device (1) according to Claim 9 , whereby a disk (17) with locking points (17A) is arranged between the locking cylinder (4) and the extension (16), which is connected to the housing (4A) of the locking cylinder (4) so that it cannot rotate, and in the locking cylinder (4) locking balls (17B) arranged on the end face of the extension (16). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotary slide (5) has an ellipsoidal or lenticular profile when viewed in the axial direction.

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