GB2306421A - An anti-theft bicycle rack - Google Patents

Abstract

An anti-theft bicycle rack comprising a wall-mountable support 3. A pair of locking members 5, 6 extend from the support. A lower locking arm 6 is designed to support a bicycle B and an upper locking arm 5 is pivotal thereto between open and closed positions. In an open position part of a bicycle frame may be received between the locking members. In a closed position locking members form a closed loop and enclose said part of a bicycle frame. The locking members have a locking mechanism 7 to lock them in the closed position. The rack is designed to provide neat storage and security for a bicycle.

Description

ANTI-THEFT BICYCLE RACK The present invention relates to an anti-theft bicycle rack It is an object of the present invention to provide a rack for a bicycle which rack permits convenient storage of the bicycle and is also securable to prevent theft of the bicycle.

According to the present invention there is provided an anti-theft bicycle rack comprising a wall-mountable support having a pair of locking members extending therefrom, at least one member being designed to support a bicycle, wherein the locking members are pivotal relative to one another between an open position in which part of a bicycle frame may be received between the locking members and a closed position in which the locking members enclose said part of a bicycle frame the locking members having a locking mechanism to lock them in the closed position.

First and second locking members may be provided, the first member being fixed relative to the support and the second member being pivotal relative thereto. The first and second locking members are conveniently designed to form a closed loop when in the closed position.

Preferably the first member has an upstanding limb to prevent a bicycle moving clear of the rack when the locking members are open. The first member preferably has an aperture in which an end of the second locking member is received in the closed position.

Preferably the first locking member has a protective cover to prevent damage to the bicycle during storage.

The second locking member may be hollow and preferably has an internal rotary security bar. The second locking member may have an internal coil spring.

In one embodiment of the present invention there may be two pairs of first and second locking members, the pairs being spaced apart on said wall mountable support.

Preferably the second members are pivotal together on a common shaft.

Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an anti-theft bicycle rack according to the present invention shown in an open configuration; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the anti-theft bicycle rack of Figure 1 shown in a closed configuration; Figure 3 is a sectioned side view of an upper locking arm of the rack of figure 1; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, Figures 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of an anti-theft bicycle rack, indicated generally by arrow 1, mounted securely to a wall 2 (figure 1 only).

The rack 1, manufactured typically from steel, comprises a rear mounting plate 3 having apertures 4 by which the rack is bolted or screwed securely to the wall 2.

Vertically spaced upper and lower tubular arms 5,6 project from the rear mounting plate 3.

The lower arm 6 is rectilinear and is welded perpendicularly to the rear plate 3.

A terminal key-operated locking mechanism 7 is fitted axially inside the arm 6 at its end opposite the rear plate 3. Towards the locking mechanism end of the lower arm 6 is an upright post 8 and between the post 8 and the locking mechanism 7 is an upwardly directed aperture 9 in which an end of the upper arm 5 may be received as described below. The length of the lower arm 6 between the rear plate 3 and the upright post 8 is fitted with a protective sleeve 10 of, for example, rubber material.

The upper arm 5 has a substantially rectilinear portion 5a an end of which is pivotally connected to the rear plate 3 by means of a perpendicular stub shaft 11 located between two ears 12 on the rear plate 3. The opposite end of the upper arm 5 is downwardly bent through substantially a right angle. As shown in figure 3. the upper arm 5 is hollow and the rectilinear portion is fitted internally with a rotary solid concentric bar 12. The curved portion 5b of the arm 5 houses an internal coil spring 13.

In use the upper arm 5 is pivotal about said stub shaft 11 between closed and open positions. In the closed position the free end of the upper arm 5 is received in the aperture 9 in the lower arm 6 so that the arms form a closed loop which encompasses the upright post 8. In the open position the upper arm 5 is pivoted upwardly away from the lower arm 6 and a bicycle B (see figure 1) may be introduced to the rack 1 so that its main cross frame member rests on the protective sleeve of the lower arm 6 and its wheels contact the ground. The upper arm 5 can then be pivoted downwardly to the closed position where it is locked to the lower arm 6 by means of the key-operated locking mechanism 7. When the arms are locked in the closed position part of the locking mechanism 7 securely engages the free end of the upper arm 5 in the aperture 9.The upright post 8 prevents the frame of the bicycle moving clear of the rack 1 before it is locked. The bicycle B is thus stored and secured safely by the rack 1 adjacent a wall of, for example, domestic premises.

The protective sleeve 10 prevents damage to the paintwork of the bicycle during storage on the rack.

The internal bar 12 and coil spring 13 in the upper arm 5 prevent a potential thief from cutting through the arm to remove the bicycle. If the thief attempts to cut through the straight portion Sa of the arm 5 the cutting tool blade saw will pass through the outer tube of the arm and will encounter the bar 12 which will rotate to prevent the blade from passing therethrough. Alternatively, if the thief should attempt to cut through the curved part 5b of the arm 5, the blade will snag on the coil spring 13.

It will be appreciated that one or more bicycles could be stored on a single rack and the length of the arms of the rack could be varied to accommodate them.

An alternative embodiment of the bicycle rack is shown in figure 3. Features common to the previous described embodiment will be referred to with the same reference numerals but incremented by 100. The rack 101 of this embodiment comprises two pairs of upper and lower arms 105,106. The pairs are spaced horizontally and are each mounted to a common rear plate 103. The lower arms 106 of each pair are inter-connected by a horizontal member 115 adjacent each of the post uprights 108. The upper arms 105 are inter-connected by a common horizontal axle 116 on which the arms 105 pivot together. This embodiment of the rack 101 provides greater support to the bicycle thus enabling it to be supported above ground level so as to provide access to the ground area below when space is at a premium.

It will be appreciated that numerous modifications to the above described design may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, three or more pairs of locking arms may be provided and a rotary internal bar may be provided in the lower arm(s) instead of or in addition to the upper arm(s).

Claims (11)

1. An anti-theft bicycle rack comprising a wall-mountable support having a pair of locking members extending therefrom, at least one member being designed to support a bicycle, wherein the locking members are pivotal relative to one another between an open position in which part of a bicycle frame may be received between the locking members and a closed position in which the locking members enclose said part of a bicycle frarne, the locking members having a locking mechanism to lock them in the closed position.

2. An anti-theft bicycle rack according to claim 1, wherein there is provided first and second locking members, the first member being fixed relative to the support and a second member being pivotal relative thereto.

3. An anti-theft bicycle rack according to claim 2 wherein the first and second locking members form a closed loop in the closed position.

4. An anti-theft bicycle rack according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first member has an upstanding limb extending from the first locking member towards the second locking member to prevent a bicycle moving clear of the rack when the locking members are open.

5. An anti-theft bicycle rack according to claim 2, 3 or 4. wherein the first locking member has an aperture in which an end of the second locking member is received in the closed position.

6. An anti-theft bicycle rack according to an! one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the first locking member has a protective cover to prevent damage to the bicycle during storage.

7. An anti-theft bicycle rack according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the second locking member is hollow and has an internal rotary security bar.

8. An anti-theft bicycle rack according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the second locking member has an internal coil spring.

9. An anti-theft bicycle locking rack according to any preceding claim, wherein there is provided two pairs of locking members, the pairs being spaced apart on said wall mountable support.

10. An anti-theft bicycle locking rack according to claim 9, wherein each pair of locking members comprises first and second members. each first locking member being fixed relative to the support and the second locking members being pivotal together on a common axis between said open and closed positions.

11. An anti-theft bicycle locking rack substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 1 to 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.