GB2335458A

GB2335458A - Lock for drive chain or toothed belt

Info

Publication number: GB2335458A
Application number: GB9805678A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Clive David Logan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-03-17
Filing date: 1998-03-17
Publication date: 1999-09-22
Anticipated expiration: 2018-03-17
Also published as: GB9805678D0; GB2335458B

Abstract

The lock comprises a main body formed by separable upper and lower halves, A and F respectively. The upper half is lockable to the lower half and accommodates a removable insert G, retained to it by a screw H. The insert G having a profiled lower surface made to fit between the link plates and rollers of a drive chain, or between the corrugations of a drive belt (fig. 9, not shown), being locked. The half A also has three bolts D, E and J permanently secured to it, two of which, D and E, secure the two halves together by sliding into in-line holes in the lower half F and are locked in place in the lower half by a key operated lock, not shown, provided in the lower half. The third bolt J slides into another in-line hole in the lower half, leaving its centre region exposed, thereby acting as an additional padlock hasp when both halves are locked together. The upper half A may preferably be provided with a sprocket protector B to prevent damage when any part of the lock comes into contact with the sprocket when in place.

Description

Title of Invention. Drive Chain Lock

2335458 Technical Field:

This invention relates to a Drive Chain Lock which works in conjunction with associated drive chains and sprockets.

Background:

Drive Cha ins, and sometimes referred to as roller chains, are well known devices which comprise essentially of steel links joined to one another. These links are made up of link plates, rollers and pins, manufactured in various sizes, widths and lengths with different pitches (the distance between the centres of the rollers). They are used to propel various types of vehicles and machinery, working in conjunction with associated drive and driven sprockets. Examples of their use can be found mainly on bicycles and on various makes of motorcycles and engines.

Theft of chain driven vehicles, particularly motorcycles and bicycles, is always on the increase and various anti-theft devices have been developed in order to help prevent this. These devices include brake disc locks, 'D'or V locks, cable locks and chains accompanied by padlocks or combination locks. The Drive Chain Lock has been designed to be used on all vehicles using drive chains and, when locked to the drive chain, it makes it impossible to ride or push a vehicle that is chain driven if the drive chain is restricted from moving or functioffing normally. Also, with a drive chain being a 'rion-dgid' device (i.e. having a certain degree of some vertical, and to some extent horizontal, movement when stationary) it makes it very difficult indeed to remove the lock- from the chain without using the appropriate key for releasing the locking mechanism.

Essential Technical Features According to the present invention there is provided a Drive Chain Lock comprising a body of two halves, the upper half and the lower half. The upper half is designed to accommodate an insert which is retained by a screw. This insert has a formed profile on its lower part made to specific dimensions to accurately fit between the link- plates and the rollers of the drive chain being locked. Specific dimensions of the upper part of the insert together with its overall height, length and width remains common to every insert, regardless of the chain size, in order for it to fit into the upper half of the body. The upper half also houses two vertical bolts. Each bolt is made of steel, containing a notch at the bottom which is known as a talon. These two bolts connect the upper half to the lower half by way of sliding into in-line holes. the same diameter as the bolts, in the lower half, enabling the device to slide open and close vertically. When closed, both halves of the device are locked together by means of the two talons of the bolts being intercepted and engaged by a latch and, in turn, being locked in place by a key operated lock housed in the body of the lower half. The insert is also locked in place, securing the respective drive chain to the device. The upper half also accommodates a third vertical steel bolt but with no talon. The bottom of this bolt locates into an inline hole. the same diameter as the bolt, in the lower half of the device, thereby acting as a padlock when both halves are closed. The purpose of this belt is to provide the option of locking an additional security device (e.g. hardened steel chain) to the device for additional security on the vehicle being locked, if required by the user. The upper half also accommodates a sprocket protector, which is self-aligning when it comes into contact with the face of the respective sprocket by pivoting on the fixing pin. Its purpose is to stop the sprocket from coming into contact with the main body of the device when locked into position, thereby assisting in the prevention of damage to the sprocket teeth and the device itself. The back of the upper half is designed to interlock with the lower half. thereby encasing the drive chain completely and preventing tampering with the insert when the device is in place.

1 1 - Example A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 - Shows the components (excluding the drive chain) in exploded view which makes up the device in its entirety.

Fig. 2 - Shows the front view of the device with both halves (A and F) in the open position, with the self-aligning sprocket protector (B) held in place by the fixing pin (C), the insert (G) and the three bolts (I), E and J).

Fig. 3 - Shows the front view of the device in its closed position secured to a drive chain and also illustrating the function of the sprocket protector. You will see that the sprocket protector can be mounted on either side of the upper half (A) depending on which side the sprocket is situated.

Fig. 4 - Shows a section of a typical drive chain together with its profile and essential dimensions.

Fig. 5 - Shows two examples (1 and 2) of the insert (G) together with the formed profiles on their lower part to accommodate two different sizes of drive chain and how the dimensions of the chain relate to the profile of the insert. Inserts will vary in size and dimensions depending on the drive chain it is fitting, with the exceptions of dimensions a, b, c, d and e, which will remain cc-nmon to all inserts in order for it to fit into the upper half (A) and also to ensure that the height of the insert is the same as the distance between the two horizontal inner surfaces of the upper and lower half of the device when closed. It also shows the position of the hole for the screw'(H) for the purpose of fixing to the upper half (A) and the 'lips' on the top at each end of the insert which slot into place when flixed to the upper half, preventing the device from moving back and forth when locked in position.

Fig. 6 - Shows an example of the basic working principle of the device with the insert (G) fixed to the upper half (A) with the screw " and also the bolts (1), E and J) when the device is in the open position.

Fig. 7 - Shows the same example as figure 6 but with the device in the closed position, illustrating how the insert fits the chain being locked and how the bolt (J) acts as a padlock.

This device can also be used on belt driven vehicles with the appropriate insert fitted to accommodate the profile of the drive belt being locked. Referring to the following figures:

Fig. 8 - Shows an example of two typical drive belt profiles.

Fig. 9 - Shows an example of an insert to accommodate a drive belt with the dimensions on the upper part of the insert remaining the same for reasons described in Fig. 5 above. The overall height (c), however, will vary according to the thickness of the drive belt being locked together with the profile on the lower part.

Fig. 10 - Shows the insert locked in position in relation to the drive belt. Although not shown on this Figure, but shown on Figure 1, the back of the upper half (A) which interlocks with the lower half (F) will prevent the device from being removed from the drive belt when locked in position.

All pieces, with the exception or the sprocket protector and the keyllock are made from materials deemed suitable for a security device of this nature. The sprocket protector is made from a material which is either softer than or the same as the sprocket being protected.

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Claims

Drive Chain Lock A drive chain lock comprising of a main body of two halves, the upper half of the body which houses a separate insert, and the lower half of the body which when secured together completes the drive chain lock.

2) The lower half of the body as claimed in claim 1 which contains a key operated lock to secure the upper half of the body to the lower half of the body.

3) lle upper half of the body as claimed in claim 1 which houses two steel bolts, each with a talon, to locate the upper half of the body to the lower half of the body and secured by means of a key operated lock as claimed in claim 2.

4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10) Tle upper half of the body as claimed in claim 1 or claim 3 that has fixed onto an area of its upper surface a sprocket protector.

lle upper half of the body as claimed in claim 1 or claim 3 or claim 4 which has a recess on its base to accommodate the separate insert as claimed in claim 1.

A separate insert as claimed in claim 1 or claim 5 of which its lower part can be made to fit a drive chain or drive belt or any other device deemed suitable.

A separate insert as claimed in claim 1 or claim 5 or claim 6, its upper part of which is made to fit in the recess on the base of the upper half of the body as claimed in claim 1 or claim 3 or claim 4 or claim 5.

A separate insert as claimed in any preceding claim which is retained to the upper half of the body by means of a countersunk screw.

71e upper half of the body as claimed in claim 5 which houses a solid steel bolt, the lower part of which locates into a hole in the lower half of the body.

A solid steel bolt as claimed in claim 9 part of which remains exposed between the upper and lower half of the body which when secured together acts as a padlock and which may be used in addition to secure a padlock chain to the drive chain lock.

11) A drive chain lock as claimed in any preceding claim which is made from metal.

12) A separate insert as claimed in any preceding claim which is made from metal.

13) A sprocket protector as claimed in claim 4 which is made from a material other than metal.

14) A drive chain lock substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

2- Amendments to the claims have been ffied as foRows CLAIMS Lock for Drive Chain or Toothed Drive Belt 1) A Lock for Drive Chain or Toothed Drive Belt which is a device comprising a main body in the form of an upper and lower half which are releasably secured together onto either a drive chain or toothed drive belt by two vertical clasps working in conjunction with a key operated lock, and'an interchangeable insert which is retained and interlocked between the two halves, the lower part of said i engaging and interlocking with the drive chain or toothed drive belt when both halves are secured together, and a vertical bolt which is secured between protruding sections from the front of the upper and lower halves of the device, providing the means for attaching a security chain or similar to the device when both halves are secured together, and a sprocket protector which is fixed on an area of the upper half.

2) A Lock for Drive Chain or Toothed Drive Belt as claimed in claim 1 in which the key operated lock providing the means for releasably securing the two halves of the main body is housed in the lower half of the main body.

3) A Lock for Drive Chain or Toothed Drive Belt as claimed in claim 1 in which the upper part of the two vertical clasps are fixed in the front part of the upper half of the main body, are dovniward facing and are of a pre-detern-dned d;anicter and length with ench clasp having a talon on its lower part.

4) A Lock for Drive Chain or T oothed Drive Belt as claimed in claim 1 in which the upper part of the vertical bolt is fixed in the front protruding section of the upper half of the main body, is downward 0 facing and of a pre-determined diameter and length.

0 A Lock for Drive Chain c: Toothed Drive Belt as claimed in claim 1 in which the upper part of the interchangeable insert has a formed profile to engage and interlock with the upper half of the main body.

6) A Lock for Drive Chain or Toothed Drive Belt as claimed in claim 1 or claim 5 in which the lower part of the interchangeable insert has a suitably formed profile to engage and interlock with a pre-defined area of the toothed surface of a toothed drive belt, or which has a suitably formed profile to engage and interlock between a pre-defined number of rollers and link plates of a drive chain, whichever is being locked.

A Lock for Drive Chain or Toothed Drive Belt as claimed in claim 6 in which the lower part of the interchangeable insert can have a suitably formed profile to engage and interlock with any other device deemed suitable to be lockably secured in addition to a drive chain or toothed drive belt.

8) A Lock for Drive Chain or Toothed Drive Belt as claimed in claim 1 or claim 5 or claim 6 or claim 7 in which the interchangeable insert has vertically through its centre a countersunk clearance hole of a pre-determined size.

9) 12) A Lock for Drive Chain or Toothed Drive Belt as claimed in claim 1 or claim 5 in which the lower surface of the upper half of the main body has a formed profile to engage and interlock with the upper cl part of the interchangeable in-,ert and the upper surface of the lower half of the main body.

10) A Lock for Drive Chain or Toothed Drive belt as claimed in claim 1 or claim 9 in which the upper surface of the lower half of the main body has a formed profile to engage and interlock with the lower surface of the upper half of the main body.

A Lock for Drive Chain or Toothed Drive Belt as clahned in any preceding claim in which the interchangeable insert is engaged and interlocked by its upper part with the upper half of the main body and retained to said half by rneans of a compatible countersunk screw of a pre-determined size, the threaded part of which passing through the clearance hole of the interchangeable insert and screwed into a vertically threaded hole of a predetermined size, depth and position in the lower surface of the upper half of the main body.

A Lock for Drive Chain or Toothed Drive Belt as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 in which the front part of the lower half of the main body has two vertical holes into its upper surface of a suitable depth for the talons of the clasps to engage and interlock with the lock, and which are in-line with the two clasps fixed in the upper half of the main body, the diameter of the holes being that of a sliding fit for the clasps to locate into.

13) A Lock for Drive Chain or Toothed Drive Belt as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 4 or claim 12 in which the front protruding section of the lower half of the main body has a hole into its upper surface of a pre-defined depli and which is in- line with the bolt fixed in the front protruding section of the upper half of the main body, the diameter of the hole being that of a sliding fit for the lower part of the bolt to locate in to when both halves are secured together.

14) A Lock for Drive Chain or Toothed Drive Belt as claimed in claim 13 in which the lower part of the vertical bolt locates and engages into the inline hole in the front protruding section of the lower half of the main body and the middle part of said bolt remaining exposed between the front protruding section of the upper and lower halves of the main body when secured together.

15) A Lock for Drive Chain or Toothed Drive Belt as claimed in claim 14 in which the exposed middle part of the vertical bolt provides the option, and a means, for locking a heavy duty security chain or similar to the Lock for Drive Chain or Toothed Drive Belt as an added security measure.

16) A Lock for Drive Chain or Toothed Drive Belt as claimed in any preceding claim in which the back and front of the upper half is designed to engage and interlock with the back and front of the lower half when both said halves are locked together thereby covering and encasing the section of the drive chain or toothed. drive belt that the Lock for Drive Chain or Toothed Drive Belt occupies.

17) A Lock for Drive Chain or Toothed Drive Belt as claimed in claim 1 in which the sprocket protector is fixed on a pre-defined area of the upper half of the main body thereby assisting in the prevertion of damage to both sprocket and main body, or part thereof, when the Lock for Drive Chain or Toothed Drive Belt is secured and locked in place.

18) A Lock for Drive Chain or Toothed Drive Belt as claimed in any preceding claim whereby the upper and lower halves of the main.body is made from hardened metal.

A Lock for Drive Chain or Toothed Drive Belt as claimed in any preceding clairn,,xtereby the interchangeable insert is made from hardened metal.

19) 20) A Lock for Drive Chain or Toothed Drive Belt as claimed in any preceding claim whereby the sprocket protector is made from metal and its contact surface area made from a material softer than that of the sprocket, or part thereof, being protected from damage.

21) A Lock for Drive Chain or Toothed Drive Belt as claimed in any preceding claim,,,,tereby the clasps are made from hardened steel.

22) A Lock for Drive Chain or Toothed Drive Belt as claimed in any preceding claimwtereby the bolt is made from hardened steel.

23) A Lock for Drive Chain or Toothed Drive Belt substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

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