GB2310182A

GB2310182A - Cycle parking apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2310182A
Application number: GB9603154A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Barry Daryl Crowther
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-02-15
Filing date: 1996-02-15
Publication date: 1997-08-20
Anticipated expiration: 2016-02-15
Also published as: GB2310182B; GB9603154D0

Description

CYCLE OR LIKE PARKING APPARATUS The present invention relates to cycle or like parking apparatus which enables a cycle or, for example, a moped or motorised scooter, to be parked securely.

Known cycle parking apparatus includes a pair of generally U-shaped bars having the free ends thereof secured to an upright post such that the two bars are arranged in a V formation. The front wheel of a bicycle is received between the two bars in a manner such that the tyre of the bicycle becomes engaged with the two bars and is frictionally retained thereby. The bicycle can be locked in position by means of a padlock and chain passing around the front wheel of the bicycle and around at least one of the bars, but this effectively only secures the front wheel of the bicycle and it is not uncommon for the front wheel to be removed by a thief and the remainder of the bicycle stolen. There is therefore a need to provide a means by which a cycle can be parked and left in the knowledge that the cycle will be relatively safe.

According to the present invention there is provided a cycle or like parking apparatus comprising a first member adapted to be secured in a stationary position and a second member movable upwardly and downwardly relative to the first member and adapted to be lockable in a plurality of positions relative thereto, the second member comprising means for engaging with a part of a cycle or the like.

The engaging means may comprise a channel member. The channel member may be provided internally thereof with cushion means.

Two channel members may be provided, one channel member being pivotably mounted at each end of a generally horizontal member. Such an arrangement provides a particularly effective way of securing a wide range of different cycles.

The second member may be spaced laterally from the first member. Such an arrangement permits a cycle to be parked in a substantially upright position without first member interfering with movement of the second member.

The first and second members may be lockable relative to each other by way of at least one aperture provided in one of the first and second members and a plurality of apertures provided in the other of the first and second members, the at least one aperture being capable of registering with each of the plurality of apertures for receiving locking means therethrough.

The second member and/or the first member may include means preventing removal of the second member from the first member.

The parking apparatus may include means for inhibiting lateral movement of at least one wheel of a cycle secured in the apparatus. The means for inhibiting lateral movement may comprise a pair of spaced parallel rails for engaging on opposite sides of a cycle wheel.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a first part of one embodiment of a cycle parking apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 2 is an end elevational view of the first part of a cycle parking apparatus shown in Figure 1 with a pivoting member removed; Figure 3 is an end elevational view of a pivoting member of the first part of the cycle parking apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a second part of a cycle parking apparatus according to the present invention; and Figure 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a second part of a cycle parking apparatus according to the present invention.

Figures 1 to 3 show a movable part of a cycle parking apparatus which comprises a generally horizontal member 1, for example of square section tubular material, which is mounted at one end of a laterally extending, in this case generally horizontal, arm 3 which may be made of the same or similar material as the member 1. The other end of the laterally extending arm is mounted on an upright post 5 which may be of the same material as the laterally extending arm 3. Of course, the laterally extending arm 3 and the upright post 5 could be made as an integral component by bending a suitable material.

The upright post 5 is provided with an aperture 7 the purpose of which will be explained in more detail hereinafter.

The generally horizontal member is provided at each end thereof with an axially extending flange 9 which is provided with an aperture therethrough. A channel member 11 is pivotably mounted on the flange 9 by way of a flange 13 provided on the channel member, such that the channel member can pivot in a generally vertical plane. The flange is positioned substantially intermediate the ends of the channel member 11 and extends away from the base thereof (that is, the part of the channel member that interconnects the side members thereof). The flange 11 is provided with an aperture therethrough and the channel member is pivotably mounted on the generally horizontal member 1, for example by means that prevents ready removal of the channel member from the generally horizontal member 1. Such connections are well known and require no further description here.The channel member is provided along the channel thereof with a cushion 15, for example of elastomeric material, in order to reduce as far as possible the likelihood of damage to a bicycle using the parking apparatus. For like reasons, the ends of the channel member may be rounded as shown in Figure 1.

The movable part of the cycle parking apparatus shown in Figures 1 to 3 is co-operable with a stationary part which may be secured, for example, to the ground or to a wall.

The movable part and the stationary part are constructed such that the movable part may be mounted at a plurality of different heights in order to be adjustable to cycles of different sizes. Once positioned, the movable part and the stationary part may then be locked together by any convenient means. Clearly, such a stationary part may take many forms.

One embodiment of a stationary part of the cycle parking apparatus is shown in Figure 4 and comprises an upright hollow tubular member 17 dimensioned to receive the upright post 5 of the movable part, preferably in a manner that prevents relative rotation of the tubular member 17 and the post 5. In the illustrated embodiment, this is accomplished by making both the tubular member and the post of square section material. The tubular member 17 is mounted at its lower end on a base 19 which is formed with a plurality of apertures to enable the base to be secured by metal screws to threaded members mounted, for example in concrete, in the ground. The tubular member 17 is provided with a plurality of apertures 21 formed therethrough, each of which apertures is capable of registering with the aperture 7 formed through the post 5 so as to permit securement of the post 5 to the tubular member 17 at a number of predetermined heights as will be explained in more detail hereinafter.

Another embodiment of a stationary part of the cycle parking apparatus is shown in Figure 5 and comprises an upright hollow tubular member 23 dimensioned to receive the upright post 5 of the movable part in a manner that prevents relative rotation. In the region of each end of the tubular member 23, mounting plates 25 are secured to one side of the tubular member so as to protrude from each side thereof. Each protrusion of the mounting plates is formed with an aperture to permit the stationary part to be secured to a wall or the like in any suitable manner. The tubular member 23 is provided with a plurality of apertures 27 formed therethrough, each of which apertures is capable of registering with the aperture 7 formed through the post 5 so as to permit securement of the post 5 to the tubular member 23 at a number of predetermined heights.

In use of the cycle parking apparatus according to the present invention, the user will position his cycle adjacent to the upright tubular member 17 or 23 and the upright post 5 such that the frame of the cycle is beneath the horizontal member 1 of the movable part of the apparatus. The laterally extending arm 3 facilitates positioning of the cycle beneath the horizontal member 1.

The horizontal member 1 is then lowered, with the post sliding within the tubular member, until such time as the two channel members 11 engage with the angled members conventionally provided as part of a cycle frame. The frame is then received within the channel members 11 and is cushioned thereagainst by the cushion 15 to avoid as far as possible damage to the cycle frame. The horizontal member 1 is then urged downwardly until the aperture 7 in the upright post 5 is in registry with one of the apertures 21 or 27 formed through the tubular member and locking means is inserted through the apertures and locked to prevent removal of the cycle and its wheels from the apparatus.

The locking means may comprise, for example, a padlock having suitable dimensions or a cylinder lock adapted to pass through the apertures when unlocked, but to be secured therein when locked. A cylinder lock may be received within a shield, for example a cylindrical shield, to reduce the likelihood of the lock being broken.

The pivotal arrangement of the channel members 11 on the horizontal member 1 enables the parking apparatus to be adapted to a wide range of different cycle designs. Should there be sufficient vertical adjustment, the apparatus can be used in conjunction with cycles having crossbars (with the channel members arranged generally horizontally), but in any event the pivotal nature of the channel members is important in adapting the parking apparatus to different cycles.

I have found that friction between the cycle tyres and the ground effectively prevents a cycle being removed from the parking apparatus, even if the cycle tyres are deflated.

However, should this be seen to be a potential problem, a pair of parallel rails can be secured to the ground beneath the horizontal member and spaced apart by a distance sufficient to receive the cycle wheels therebetween. With one or both of the cycle wheels positioned between the two rails, removal of the cycle from the parking apparatus is even more difficult. Clearly, the rails could be substituted by other means that inhibits lateral movement of one or more of the cycle wheels.

Advantageously, the upright post 5 should be mounted in the tubular member 17 or 23 in a manner which prevents removal of the post from the tubular member. In the case of the tubular member 23 this can be accomplished simply by securing a plate to the lower end of the post 5, the plate being dimensioned so as not to pass through the tubular member. In the case of the tubular member 17, the lower end of the post may be provided with a bar that protrudes through one or more elongate slots formed in the tubular member, the extent of movement of the bar along the slot(s) determining the extent of movement of the post 5.

The parking apparatus according to the present invention has been described above in connection with cycles.

However, it is clear that the apparatus can readily be adapted to other, similar forms of transport such as mopeds and motorised scooters.

The parking apparatus according to the invention can be positioned outside schools, colleges or businesses or even in local authority car parks and private dwellings.

Claims

1. A cycle or like parking apparatus comprising a first member adapted to be secured in a stationary position and a second member movable upwardly and downwardly relative to the first member and adapted to be lockable in a plurality of positions relative thereto, the second member comprising means for engaging with a part of a cycle or the like.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engaging means comprises a channel member.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the channel member is provided internally thereof with cushion means.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein two channel members are provided, one channel member being pivotably mounted at each end of a generally horizontal member.

5. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second member is spaced laterally from the first member.

6. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first and second members are lockable relative to each other by way of at least one aperture provided in one of the first and second members and a plurality of apertures provided in the other of the first and second members, the at least one aperture being capable of registering with each of the plurality of apertures for receiving locking means therethrough.

7. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second member and/or the first member includes means preventing removal of the second member from the first member.

8. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim and including means for inhibiting lateral movement of at least one wheel of a cycle secured in the apparatus.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the means for inhibiting lateral movement comprises a pair of spaced parallel rails for engaging on opposite sides of a cycle wheel.

10. A cycle or like parking apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.