GB1578683A

GB1578683A - Anti-theft steering lock for two-wheeled vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB1578683A
Application number: GB1222/78A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Neiman SA
Current assignee: Valeo Neiman SA
Priority date: 1977-01-19
Filing date: 1978-01-12
Publication date: 1980-11-05
Also published as: JPS5648345B2; IT7819418A0; DE2802004A1; FR2377927B1; NL165421B; JPS5391241A; NL165421C; IT1092509B; NL7714345A; DE2802004C2; FR2377927A1

Description

(54) ANTI-THEFT STEERING LOCK FOR TWO-WHEELED VEHICLE (71) We, NEIMAN S.A., a French Body Corporate; of 39 Avenue Marceau, 92400 Courbevoie, France do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The invention relates to an anti-theft steering lock for a two-wheeled vehicle, especially for bicycles.

Numerous anti-theft devices intended for two-wheeled vehicle are known. Some comprise a member intended to shackle one wheel by penetrating between the spokes. Others lock the steering by cooperation with a hole in the steering tube. These known devices present numerous drawbacks. The former are relatively delicate in utilisation and attempts at breaking open result in damage to the wheel. The latter necessitate particular equipment of the vehicle, which practically prevents their use on unequipped vehicles.

The present invention aims to supply an anti-theft device ensuring locking of the steering of a two-wheeled vehicle, this device being easily usable on numerous types of vehicles without special equipment and further being easy in manufacture and use, of great reliability and great robustness.

According to the invention there is provided an anti-theft steering lock for a twowheeled vehicle, comprising a rod adapted for articulation at one end to one point of the vehicle characterised in that the said rod comprises at its other end a body on which there is articulated a jaw equipped with an opening, a security lock cylinder being mounted for rotation in the said body and controlling a bolt disposed so that in the locking position it penetrates into the said opening to lock the said jaw in relation to the said body.

The said bolt is preferably mounted for sliding in the said casing, while a spring acts upon the said bolt to displace it towards the said jaw.

In a preferred form of embodiment a closure member is mounted opposite to the said opening adjacent to the said bolt, on the end of a flexible blade fixed to the said jaw.

In one form of embodiment the said jaw is subject to the !action of elastic means which tend to bring it into the locking position towards the said body.

The said body is preferably articulated on the said rod.

The invention will be clearly understood on reading of the following description given with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein: FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an anti-theft lock according to one example of embodiment of the invention, mounted on a bicycle; FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, partially in elevation, of the anti-theft lock according to Figure 1 in the dosed but unlocked position; FIGURE 3 is a sectional view along the line III--III in Figure 2; FIGURE 4 is a sectional view along the line IV-IV in Figure 3, the anti-theft lock being unlocked; FIGURE 5 is a view analogous with the view in Figure 2 of a part of the anti-theft lock according to Figures 1 to 4 in the course of opening; FIGURE 6 is analogous with Figure 3 but for the position according to Figure 5; FIGURE 7 is analogous with Figure 5, the anti-theft lock being unlocked and FIGURE 8 is analogous with Figures 3 and 6, but for the position according to Figure 7.

The anti-theft lock as represented in the accompanying drawing comprises a fitting 1 fixed by screws having break-off heads 2 to the frame 3 of the bicycle. A rod 4 is mounted for pivoting at one extremity on a spindle 5 fast with a bracket 6 fixed to the fitting 1 by a rivet 7. The extremity of the rod 4 opposite to the rivet 7 pivots about a spindle 8 fast with a body 9.

A jaw 10 is mounted for pivoting about a spindle 11 fast with the body 9 and is subject to the action of a leaf spring 12 fixed to the body 9 by rivets 13. The spring 12 tends to move the jaw 10 towards the body 9, the whole being intended to be closed around the handle bar 14 of the bicycle. The jaw 10 comprises an opening 15 normally covered by a flag 16 fixed on one extremity of a leaf spring 17 the other extremity of which is fixed on the jaw 10 by rivets 18.

The body 9 comprises a bore 19 at rignt angles to the spindle 11, in which bore a security lock cylinder 20 rotates which is actuated by a key 21. The extremity of the cylinder 20 comprises an eccentric dog 22 which cooperates with the recess 23 in a bolt 24. The bolt 24 slides parallel with the spindle 11 in a chamber 25 of the body 9 and is subjected to the action of a spring 26 which tends to move it towards the jaw 10.

The operation of the anti-theft lock as just described is as follows. In the locking position (Figures 7 and 8), the bolt 24 is inside the opening 15 and the jaw 10 is locked in relation to the body 9, the assembly grasping the handle bar 14 and preventing it from turning.

This position of the bolt 24 is obtained by virtue of the fact that the eccentric dog 22 is moved towards the jaw 10 and the bolt 24 is thrust towards this jaw by the spring 26.

This position of the eccentric dog 22 corresponds to the locking position of the lock 20, in which position the key 21 can be withdrawn. A flag 16 presses upon the bolt 24 under the action of its spring 17.

If the key 21 is introduced into the lock 20 and turned, the dog 22 in turning moves the bolt 24 away from the jaw 10. As soon as the bolt 24 has left the opening 15 the flag 16 comes to close the opening 15 under the action of its spring 17 (Figures 2 and 3) so that the bolt 24 can no longer enter the opening if it is returned in the opposite direction by operation of the lock 20. In the unlocked position of the lock 20 (Figure 4) the bolt 24 is kept retracted by the dog 22. If the body 9 is pulled the jaw 10 departs from the body 9 against the action of the spring 12 (Figures 5 and 6) and the assembly can be removed from the handle bar 14 for normal use of the bicycle. An elastic fork 27 (Figure 1) can be provided on the frame 3 for the reception of the rod 4 in this position.

As soon as the jaw 10 and the body 9 have liberated the handle bar 14, the jaw 10 returns against the body 9 under the action of the spring 12. The flag 16, which had departed from the opening 15 in the course of the opening of the jaw 10 with which it is fast, then returns to close the opening 15.

If in this position the lock 20 is rotated to bring it into the locking position, the bolt 24 is liberated by the eccentric dog 22 and comes to abut under the action of the spring 26 against rhe flag 16. If in this position the anti-theft lock is pressed against the handle bar 14, the jaw 10 departs from the body 9 against the action of the spring 12, to permit the entry of the handlebar 14. The flag 16 fast with the jaw 10 moves therewith and is no longer opposite to the extremity of the bolt 24 which, under the action of its spring 26, comes to abut against the flank of the jaw 10. When the handlebar 14 has penetrated between rhe jaw 10 and the body 9, the jaw 10 closes again under the action of the spring 12. As soon as the opening 15 arrives opposite the extremity of the bolt 24 the latter pene trates into the opening 15 under the action of its spring 26 and locks the jaw 10 in rela tion to the body 9, imprisoning the handlebar 14. The flag 15 can abut against the bolt 24.

It can be seen that the user, after having liberated the handlebar 14 of his bicycle, can return the lock 20 into the locking position, remove the key 21 and place the rod 4 in the hook 27. If he wants to use the anti-theft lock he extracts the rod 4 from the clip 27 and simply presses the assembly of jaw 10 and body 9 against the handle bar 14, in order to cause locking automatically.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1.) Anti-theft steering lock for two-wheeled vehicle, comprising a rod adapted for arricu- lation at one extremity to a point of the vehicle, characterised in that the said rod comprises at its other extremity a body on which there is articulated a jlaw equipped with an opening, a security lock cylinder being mounted for rotation in the said body and controlling a bolt disposed so that in the locking position it penetrates into the said opening order to lock the said jaw in relation to the said body.

2.) Anti-theft lock according to Claim 1, wherein the said bolt is mounted for sliding in the said casing, a spring acting upon the said bolt to move it towards the said jaw.

3.) Anri-theft lock according to one of Claims 1 and 2, wherein a closure member is mounted opposite to the said opening adjacent to the said bolt, on the end of a flexible blade fixed to the said jaw.

4.) Anti-theft lock according to one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the said jaw is subject to the action of elastic means which tend to bring it into the locking position towards the said body.

5.) Anti-rheft lock according to one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the said body is articulated to the said rod.

6.) Anti-theft steering lock substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

body 9 by rivets 13. The spring 12 tends to move the jaw 10 towards the body 9, the whole being intended to be closed around the handle bar 14 of the bicycle. The jaw 10 comprises an opening 15 normally covered by a flag 16 fixed on one extremity of a leaf spring 17 the other extremity of which is fixed on the jaw 10 by rivets 18.

The body 9 comprises a bore 19 at rignt angles to the spindle 11, in which bore a security lock cylinder 20 rotates which is actuated by a key 21. The extremity of the cylinder 20 comprises an eccentric dog 22 which cooperates with the recess 23 in a bolt 24. The bolt 24 slides parallel with the spindle

11 in a chamber 25 of the body 9 and is subjected to the action of a spring 26 which tends to move it towards the jaw 10.

The operation of the anti-theft lock as just described is as follows. In the locking position (Figures 7 and 8), the bolt 24 is inside the opening 15 and the jaw 10 is locked in relation to the body 9, the assembly grasping the handle bar 14 and preventing it from turning.

This position of the bolt 24 is obtained by virtue of the fact that the eccentric dog 22 is moved towards the jaw 10 and the bolt 24 is thrust towards this jaw by the spring 26.

This position of the eccentric dog 22 corresponds to the locking position of the lock 20, in which position the key 21 can be withdrawn. A flag 16 presses upon the bolt 24 under the action of its spring 17.

If the key 21 is introduced into the lock 20 and turned, the dog 22 in turning moves the bolt 24 away from the jaw 10. As soon as the bolt 24 has left the opening 15 the flag 16 comes to close the opening 15 under the action of its spring 17 (Figures 2 and 3) so that the bolt 24 can no longer enter the opening if it is returned in the opposite direction by operation of the lock 20. In the unlocked position of the lock 20 (Figure 4) the bolt 24 is kept retracted by the dog 22. If the body 9 is pulled the jaw 10 departs from the body 9 against the action of the spring

12 (Figures 5 and 6) and the assembly can be removed from the handle bar 14 for normal use of the bicycle. An elastic fork 27 (Figure 1) can be provided on the frame 3 for the reception of the rod 4 in this position.

As soon as the jaw 10 and the body 9 have liberated the handle bar 14, the jaw 10 returns against the body 9 under the action of the spring 12. The flag 16, which had departed from the opening 15 in the course of the opening of the jaw 10 with which it is fast, then returns to close the opening 15.

If in this position the lock 20 is rotated to bring it into the locking position, the bolt

24 is liberated by the eccentric dog 22 and comes to abut under the action of the spring

26 against rhe flag 16. If in this position the anti-theft lock is pressed against the handle bar 14, the jaw 10 departs from the body 9 against the action of the spring 12, to permit the entry of the handlebar 14. The flag 16 fast with the jaw 10 moves therewith and is no longer opposite to the extremity of the bolt 24 which, under the action of its spring 26, comes to abut against the flank of the jaw 10. When the handlebar 14 has penetrated between rhe jaw 10 and the body 9, the jaw

10 closes again under the action of the spring 12. As soon as the opening 15 arrives opposite the extremity of the bolt 24 the latter pene trates into the opening 15 under the action of its spring 26 and locks the jaw 10 in rela tion to the body 9, imprisoning the handlebar 14. The flag 15 can abut against the bolt 24.

It can be seen that the user, after having liberated the handlebar 14 of his bicycle, can return the lock 20 into the locking position, remove the key 21 and place the rod 4 in the hook 27. If he wants to use the anti-theft lock he extracts the rod 4 from the clip 27 and simply presses the assembly of jaw 10 and body 9 against the handle bar 14, in order to cause locking automatically.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1.) Anti-theft steering lock for two-wheeled vehicle, comprising a rod adapted for arricu- lation at one extremity to a point of the vehicle, characterised in that the said rod comprises at its other extremity a body on which there is articulated a jlaw equipped with an opening, a security lock cylinder being mounted for rotation in the said body and controlling a bolt disposed so that in the locking position it penetrates into the said opening order to lock the said jaw in relation to the said body.
2.) Anti-theft lock according to Claim 1, wherein the said bolt is mounted for sliding in the said casing, a spring acting upon the said bolt to move it towards the said jaw.
3.) Anri-theft lock according to one of Claims 1 and 2, wherein a closure member is mounted opposite to the said opening adjacent to the said bolt, on the end of a flexible blade fixed to the said jaw.
4.) Anti-theft lock according to one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the said jaw is subject to the action of elastic means which tend to bring it into the locking position towards the said body.
5.) Anti-rheft lock according to one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the said body is articulated to the said rod.
6.) Anti-theft steering lock substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.