GB2285780A - Wheel lock - Google Patents

Abstract

A lock for a wheel 2 comprises an elongate bar 4 for obstructing the rotation of the wheel, and a portion for securely fastening the lock to a first mounting arm 1 of the wheel. The lock may be mounted in a locking position with the elongate bar obstructing rotation of the wheel by passing through the wheel. The lock may be secured in a carrying position on the chassis or bodywork of the vehicle. The lock is appropriate for mounting on the swinging arm assembly associated with the rear wheel of the motorcycle. <IMAGE>

Description

WHEEL LOCK The present invention relates to locks for use with vehicle wheels mounted on arms, mounting arm assemblies, motorcycle chassis and methods of locking a wheel.

Wheel locks for vehicles such as cycles or motorcycles are known in which chains or U-shaped locks are passed through the wheel to prevent its rotation.

Such devices are loose and therefore easily accessible to tampering. If tampering shields are incorporated, as in wheel clamps for cars, the device becomes too bulky to be transported easily, especially if the lock is for a small vehicle, such as a motorcycle. On such vehicles, even a U-shaped lock is awkward for a rider to carry.

It is a first object of the present invention to provide a lock which is easily carried. It is a second object of the present invention to improve the security of a lock against tampering.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a lock for a vehicle wheel comprising: a first portion for obstructing the rotation of the wheel, and a second portion for securely fastening the lock to a first mounting arm of the wheel in a locking position in which the first portion interacts with the wheel to obstruct rotation of the wheel relative to the mounting arm.

This enables the lock to be smaller and lighter since it need not pass around the rim of the wheel.

Greater security is achieved by fixing the lock to the mounting arm as the mounting arm serves to obstruct efforts to tamper with the lock.

Preferably the first portion comprises an elongate bar.

Preferably the first portion passes through the wheel and interacts with a second mounting arm on the other side of the wheel, when in the locking position.

Preferably the lock further comprises means for securely mounting the first portion on the second mounting arm when the lock is in the locking position.

Preferably the second portion comprises a shaft arranged to pass through a ring on the first mounting arm or a hole through the first mounting arm.

Preferably the fastening means comprises a shackle lock.

Preferably a head of the shackle lock and/or the shaft of the second portion is/are rebated into the ring or the hole.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a mounting arm assembly for a vehicle wheel comprising: means for securely fastening a lock in a locking position for obstructing rotation of the wheel; and means for fastening the lock in a carrying position on the mounting arm.

Preferably the mounting arm assembly comprises a swinging arm assembly.

Preferably the carrying position is substantially along a central axis of the spindle of the swinging arm assembly.

Preferably the swinging arm is part of a motorcycle chassis.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a motorcycle chassis comprising: a mounting arm for a wheel; a means 'on the mounting arm for securely, removably fastening a lock in a locking position for obstructing rotation of the wheel, and means for fastening the lock in a carrying position in a recess in the chassis.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of locking a wheel using the lock as recited above.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a section of a swinging arm with a hole drilled through, and a ring attached.

Figure 2 shows a swinging arm spindle adapted to accept a bar suitable for a single sided swing arm.

Figure 3 shows a swinging arm spindle adapted to accept a bar suitable for a twin fork swing arm.

Figure 4 shows an alternate arrangement for the bar end, to accept an alternative lock.

Figure 5A and 5B show cross sections of an end of a bar locked to a swing arm. Fig 5A illustrates rebating of the lock and bar to prevent tampering.

Figure 5B shows an alternative arrangement with lips surrounding the lock and bar to prevent tampering.

Figure 6 illustrates a bar passing through a twin fork swinging arm in plan view.

Figure 7 illustrates a bar passing through a single sided swinging arm.

Figure 8 shows a side view of a motorcycle illustrating various carrying positions of the bar and lock.

The invention will now be described in more detail, with particular reference to its application to a motorcycle, specifically the rear wheel of a motorcycle, normally mounted on an assembly such as a swinging arm assembly. In principle the invention could be applied to other types of mounting arms such as telescopic forks as used on motorcycles. The swinging arm assembly may comprise a single fork on one side of the wheel 2 as shown in plan view in Figure 7. Alternatively, the swinging arm assembly may additionally comprise a second fork 3 on the other side of the wheel, as shown in plan view in Figure 6.

In order to lock the wheel to prevent rotation, the first portion, in the form of an elongate locking bar 4, is provided. In a locking position as shown in Figure 7, the locking bar 4 is securely fastened to the fork 1 in such a position that it protrudes through the spokes 5 of the wheel so as to impede rotation.

For the case where there is only a single fork, the locking bar should be secured sufficiently rigidly to the first fork to ensure the wheel cannot be rotated.

Where there is only one fixing point, the locking bar should preferably be relatively thick to withstand greater bending forces.

The portion for fastening the locking bar to the first fork of the swinging arm assembly is comprised of a narrower diameter shaft of the locking bar which cooperates with a hole or ring on the fork.

Figure 1 shows an example of a ring 6 on the top surface of the fork 1. There is also shown in the same figure another way of achieving the same purpose, using a hole in the fork.

To fix the bar securely but releasably to the fork, either the bar may protrude through the fork, with a hole being provided on the protruding portion to receive a conventional padlock as shown in Figure 7, or an alternative arrangement shown in Figures 5A and 5B may be used. These figures show a steel post shackle lock 7, which can grip an end of the locking bar 4.

Various configurations or shapes for the locking bar 4 can be envisaged, but it should be substantially straight in order to give maximum strength for a given weight and size, while being easy to store.

For a motorcycle having two forks on the swinging arm, as shown in Figure 3, the lock will be stronger if the bar is arranged to pass through the wheel and cooperate with the second fork of the swinging arm assembly. As shown in Figure 6, the bar may pass through both forks. A flange 8 is provided at either end of the bar to restrain longitudinal movement of the bar in one direction. A lock can be provided at the other end of the bar to restrain longitudinal movement in the other direction. In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the flange is provided at the same end of the bar as the lock. Having two points of support, the bar shown in Figure 6 may be made thinner than the bar shown in Figure 7, and yet give the same level of security.

Making the bar substantially straight enables easier storage of the bar in a non-locking or carrying position. Being rigid, it is easier to store than a chain, which requires a bag or numerous fixing points to avoid the chain flapping. Being substantially straight, the locking bar of the present invention is easier to store than a cumbersome u-shaped lock.

Figure 8 shows various possibilities for carrying positions on a motorcycle. Firstly, the bar could be stored in a horizontal transverse hole provided in a main chassis member, or indeed anywhere convenient in the body of the motorcycle. A vertical mounting position beneath the seat of the motorcycle can also be envisaged. These and other positions in recesses in the chassis enable the lock to be stored securely and conveniently.

Finally, the locking bar could be mounted in a carrying position on the swinging arm assembly. It could be arranged either along a fork of the swinging arm assembly, or along a central axis of a spindle 9 of the swinging arm assembly.

Figure 2 shows a locking bar suitable for a single fork swinging arm assembly, inside the swinging arm spindle, in a carrying position.

Figure 3 shows a locking bar suitable for a twin fork swinging arm assembly, in the carrying position inside a spindle 9.

In Figures 2 and 3, the locking bars are shown with a hole at one end for receiving a padlock. They could also be shaped to receive a shackle lock as shown in Figures 4, 5A and 5B.

In summary, the invention provides a better means of preventing rotation of the wheel, and provides means for carrying it when it is not used for immobilizing the vehicle.

The locking device may comprise a bar composed of resistant material flanged at one end, the other end being shaped to accept a suitable lock. Either a closed shackle padlock or a steel post shackle lock can be used.

In the locking position, the bar is passed through holes in the forks of the swinging arm assembly (or rings attached to the forks,) and locked into position obstructing the plane of rotation of the wheel. Longitudinal movement of the bar through the rings is prevented by the flange at one end and by the lock.

The flange and the lock may be rebated into the mounting rings or holes 'to prevent the use of levers to break the lock. The same effect can be achieved by forming lips on the forks, to surround the flange and lock. The lips may be formed when manufacturing the fork, for example, or be added later.

When in the carrying position, the lock is mounted on the chassis or bodywork of the vehicle and may be locked in place with the padlock or shacklelock.

Claims (17)

CLAIMS:

1. A lock for a vehicle wheel comprising: a first portion for obstructing the rotation of the wheel, and a second portion for securely fastening the lock to a first mounting arm of the wheel in a locking position in which the first portion interacts with the wheel to obstruct rotation of the wheel relative to the mounting arm.

2. A lock as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first portion comprises an elongate bar.

3. A lock as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the first portion passes through the wheel and interacts with a second mounting arm on the other side of the wheel, when in the locking position.

4. A lock as claimed in claim 3 further comprising means for securely mounting the first portion on the second mounting arm when the lock is in the locking position.

5. A lock as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the second portion comprises a shaft arranged to pass through a ring on the first mounting arm or a hole through the first mounting arm.

6. A lock as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the second portion comprises a shackle lock.

7. A lock as claimed in claim 6 when dependent on claim 5, wherein a head of the shackle lock and/or the shaft of the second portion is/are rebated into the ring or the hole.

8. A mounting arm assembly for a vehicle wheel comprising: means for securely fastening a lock in a locking position for obstructing rotation of the wheel; and means for fastening the lock in a carrying position on the mounting arm.

9. A mounting arm assembly as claimed in claim 8 comprising a swinging arm assembly.

10. A mounting arm assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein the carrying position is substantially along a central axis of the spindle of the swinging arm assembly.

11. A motorcycle chassis comprising a mounting arm assembly as claimed in any of claims 8 to 10.

12. A motorcycle chassis comprising: a mounting arm for a wheel; a means on the mounting arm for securely, removably fastening a lock in a locking position for obstructing rotation of the wheel, and means for fastening the lock in a carrying position in a recess in the chassis.

13. A method of locking a wheel using the lock as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7 or a mounting arm assembly as claimed in claims 8 to 10.

14. A lock substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. A mounting arm substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

16. A motorcycle chassis substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

17. A method of locking a wheel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.