GB2245238A

GB2245238A - Bicycle security device

Info

Publication number: GB2245238A
Application number: GB9006031A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Leslie Haig Hedges
Original assignee: OVALOK U K Ltd
Current assignee: OVALOK U K Ltd
Priority date: 1990-03-16
Filing date: 1990-03-16
Publication date: 1992-01-02
Also published as: GB9006031D0

Abstract

A bicycle security device comprising at least three locking arms 13, 16, 17 mounted on a common support rod 12 which is movable between first and second positions and is lockable in the second position. The locking arms and support are arranged such that a bicycle can be positioned adjacent a post 6 when the support is in the first position. If the support is subsequently moved to the second position and locked by passing a lock through holes in a plate 7 on post 6 and in arm 13, the locking arms prevent removal of either wheel or the frame from the support. A channel is provided adjacent the support to receive and locate the rims of the wheel of the bicycle, and the support is pivotally mounted on the channel by sleeves 8 to 11. <IMAGE>

Description

BICYCLE SECURITY DEVICE The present invention relates to a bicycle security device.

Anti-theft devices for bicycles generally take the form of a portable chain and lock. They are used to secure a bicycle to a fixed structure which may or may not be specifically provided for this purpose. Bicycles are secured to lamposts, drainpipes and fences amongst other structures.

Structures which are specifically provided for securing a bicycle generally provide for insufficient security. Such structures can be found for example outside public buildings e.g. libraries, in town centres and in car parks.

The existing structures generally provide for the security of the bicycle by either the frame, in which case the wheels are vulnerable to theft, or by one or both wheels, in which case the bicycle frame is vulnerable to theft.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the aforesaid disadvantages.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a bicycle security device comprising at least three locking arms mounted on a common support which is movable between first and second positions and is lockable in the second position, wherein the locking arms and support are arranged such that a bicycle can be positioned adjacent the support when the support is in the first position and such that if the support is subsequently moved to the second position the locking arms prevent removal of either wheel or the frame from the support.

Preferably, a channel is provided adjacent the support to receive and locate the rims of the wheels of a bicycle. The support may be pivotally mounted on the channel.

Preferably at least one of the said locking arms which passes over the wheel rims is movable relative to the first member to allow for different bicycle sizes.

Preferably a vertical post is provided against which a bicycle can be leant and to which a locking arm can be secured by a lock when the support is in the second position.

It is preferable that the first member is securely fixed to a large fixed structure.

A specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings in which Figure. 1 shows a perspective view of the embodiment Figure 2 is a partial end view of the embodiment, and Figure 3 illustrates in perspective a bicycle secured in position by the illustrated embodiment.

Referring to the drawings, in figure 1 an elongate channel member 1 of U-shaped cross-section is designed to be long enough to receive all the range of sizes of common bicycles. Walls 2, 3 of the channel member 1 are spaced far enough apart so as to receive all tyre widths. The bottom face of the channel member 1 is provided with three bolt holes 4 to enable the channel to be fixed to the ground or a suitable supporting structure.

At approximately midway along its length the channel member 1 supports a flat plate 5 extending from the bottom of wall 2 perpendicular to it such that it rests flat against the supporting structure. The flat plate 5 also defines a fixing hole.

The flat plate 5 supports a post 6 which extends vertically, parallel to the side wall 2. The post 6 is constructed from cylindrical tubing. At the end of the post 6, opposite the flat plate 5, the tubular walls of the post 6 are flattened together and bent over at substantially a right angle to the remainder of the post so as to form a flat surface 7 parallel to the flat plate 5. The flat surface 7 is bent in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the channel member 1. The flat surface 7 of the post 6 defines two through holes (not shown).

The outside face of side wall 3 of channel member 1 supports four substantially semi-circular sleeves 8,9,10,11. Sleeves 8,9 are positioned at either end of the channel member 1 and sleeves 10,11 are positioned apart at substantially the mid point of the channel member 1 such that the gap between the sleeves 10,11 is aligned with the position of post 6 and is of substantially the same width as the post 6.

The sleeves 8,9,10,11 support a rod 12 of substantially the same length as the channel member 1. Referring to the orientation shown in fig 1, the rod 12 is of circular cross-section for a length extending from the left hand sleeve 8 to a point beyond the second mid-point sleeve 11.

The cross section of the rod 12 to the right of this point is square for a length extending to just before the right hand sleeve 9 where it resumes a circular cross-section. The diameter of the circular parts of the rod 12 is less than that of the sleeves 8,9,10,11 in which it is received, thus allowing rotation of the rod 12 within the sleeves 8,9,10,11.

The rod 12 supports an arm 13 which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod 12 between the two mid-point sleeves 10,11. The diameter of the arm 13 is substantially the same as that of the post 6 and is such that it is clear of the sleeves 10,11 on either side. For approximately three-quarters of its length the arm 13 is substantially straight. The remainder of the length of the arm 13 curves over gradually to be at right angles to its own longitudinal axis and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the channel member 1. The end of the arm 13 is flattened to form a flat surface 14 parallel to the flat surface 7 of the post 6. The arm 13 thus extends over the width of the channel member 1 and is of such a length that the flat surface 14 bears directly on the flat surface 7 of the post 6.Through holes 15 in the flat plate 14 align with the through holes in the flat plate 7. Thus an enclosed loop is formed from one side of the channel member 1 to the other.

The left hand side of the rod 12 (as in the orientation depicted in fig 1) supports an arcuate member 16, to the right of sleeve 8. The arcuate member 16 extends from the rod 12 across the width of the channel member 1 and bears against the interior of side wall 2. A similar arcuate member 17 is supported on a square cross-section sleeve 18 which rides on the region of the rod 12 that has square cross-section. Thus the arcuate member 17 is slidable along the length of the square cross-section length of rod 12.

As indicated by the arrow in fig 1 the arm 13 can be moved between two positions substantially at right angles to each other. The chain-dotted outline shows the arm 13 in the other position. By moving the arms 13 the rod 12 is rotated within the sleeves 8,9,10,11 and the arcuate members 16,17 move in a similar manner to the arm 13 a shown in fig 2.

With the arm 13 in the chain-dotted position the arcuate members 16,17 are clear of the channel member 1. Thus in this position the bicycle is wheeled into the channel member 1 such that the point of contact at the front wheel with the channel member 1 is aligned with arcuate member 16.

Arcuate member 17 is then moved to be in alignment with the point of contact of the rear wheel with the channel member 1 (see Fig 3). By moving the arm 13 into its upright position the arcuate members 17,18 pass over the respective wheel rims to engage with the side wall 2 and the arm 13 passes over a frame member of the bicycle to engage with the post 6. In this position the bicycle is secured at three positions. The user can then secure the device by passing a suitable lock through the holes provided in the flat plates 7 and 14.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A bicycle security device comprising at least three locking arms mounted on a common support which is movable between first and second positions and is lockable in the second position, wherein the locking arms and support are arranged such that a bicycle can be positioned adjacent the support when the support is in the first position and such that if the support is subsequently moved to the second position the locking arms prevent removal of either wheel or a frame of the bicycle from the support.

2. A bicycle security device according to claim 1, wherein a channel is provided adjacent the support to receive and locate the rims of the wheels of the bicycle.

3. A bicycle security device according to claim 2, wherein the support is pivotally mounted on the channel.

4. A bicycle security device according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the said locking arms which passes over the wheel rims is movable relative to the support to allow for different bicycle sizes.

5. A bicycle security device according to any preceding claim, wherein a vertical post is provided against which a bicycle can be leant and to which a locking arm can be secured by a lock when the support is in the second position.

6. A bicycle security device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.