GB2377916A

GB2377916A - Bicycle cover

Info

Publication number: GB2377916A
Application number: GB0118175A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Beverley Lovell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-07-26
Filing date: 2001-07-26
Publication date: 2003-01-29
Anticipated expiration: 2021-07-26
Also published as: GB2377916B; GB0118175D0

Abstract

A bicycle cover (10) is formed of flexible sheet material and comprises opposite side panels and an open bottom, with at least one pair of aligned apertures (16) formed through the opposite side panels to permit the insertion of the respective limbs of the U-shaped member of a locking shackle.

Description

BICYCLE COVER The present invention relates to a cover for a bicycle.

I have devised a bicycle cover which is of simple construction and easy to position over a bicycle, and which allows a lock to be applied to lock the cover onto the bicycle and optionally lock the bicycle to an appropriate fixed structure.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a bicycle cover formed of flexible sheet material and having opposite side panels and an open bottom, and a pair of aligned apertures formed through the opposite side panels of the cover, to permit the insertion of the respective limbs of a U-shaped member of a locking shackle.

In use, the cover is positioned over the bicycle and then the locking shackle is applied, inserting the U-shaped shackle member through the aligned pairs of apertures of the cover. The two limbs of the shackle member will pass either side of some part of the bicycle, to lock the cover onto the bicycle: for example, the shackle member may pass either side of some part of the bicycle frame, or one limb between the spokes of a wheel and the other limb to the outside of the wheel rim. Optionally, the locking shackle may serve to further lock to some convenient fixed structure (e. g. an upright post) against which the bicycle is stood.

The opposite side panels of the cover may be formed with a number of pairs of aligned apertures, distributed over its opposite sides: the user then has a choice of which pair of apertures to use when applying the locking shackle.

Preferably the apertures are provided with a sealing arrangement to prevent or resist the ingress of water, yet allowing the insertion of the locking shackle when required.

Preferably a draw-string arrangement is provided around the open bottom of the cover.

Preferably an envelope or other enclosure is provided, into which the cover may be folded, optionally together with

the locking shackle. The enclosed cover may then be stowed on the bicycle, for example suspended under the rear of the bicycle saddle.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of a bicycle cover in accordance with the present invention ; FIGURE 2 is a side view of a bicycle having the cover being positioned over it ; and FIGURE 3 is a schematic showing of the cover, an envelope into which it is folded and stored, and the bicycle with the folded-up cover stowed under the rear of the saddle.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a bicycle cover 10 formed of flexible, waterproof sheet material. The cover 10 has an open bottom 12 provided with a draw-string arrangement: a clip 14 is carried on the opposite ends of the draw-string.

A pair of apertures 16 are formed in each of the two opposite sides of the cover, the pair of apertures in one side being aligned with the pair of apertures in the opposite side.

The apertures allow the insertion of the U-shaped member 18 of a locking shackle, which further comprises a cross-piece 20 into which the ends of the member 18 engage.

In use, and referring to Figure 2 of the drawings, the cover 10 is brought down over the bicycle B, to completely cover the latter. The opposite ends of the draw-string are then pulled taut, to close the bottom 12 of the cover, as much as possible, around the bicycle at ground level: the ends of the draw-string are held in the taut position by means of the clip 14.

The locking shackle is then applied, inserting the ends of the U-shaped member 18 through the aligned pairs of apertures 16 in the opposite sides of the cover, and engaging the cross-piece 20. The limbs of the U-shaped member 18 pass

either side of some part of the bicycle frame, or preferably one between the spokes of a wheel and one to the outside of the wheel rim, and so lock the cover to the bicycle. Optionally, the shackle may serve to further lock the bicycle to a convenient fixed structure (e. g. an upright post) against which the bicycle stands.

As shown in Figure 3, the cover 10 may be folded up and enclosed within an envelope 20, together with the locking shackle. The envelope 20, with the cover and shackle enclosed within it, may then be stowed on the bicycle, suspended under the saddle at its rear end.

Although the cover which has been described has only one pair of aligned apertures 16 in its opposite sides, it may instead have a number of such aligned pairs of apertures, distributed over its opposite sides, to give the user a choice as to where to apply the locking shackle. Preferably the apertures are formed with a sealing arrangement, to prevent or resist the ingress of water.

Claims

Claims 1) A bicycle cover formed of flexible sheet material and having opposite side panels and an open bottom, and a pair of aligned apertures formed through opposite side panels of the cover, to permit the insertion of the respective limbs of a Ushaped member of a locking shackle.
2) A cover as claimed in Claim 1, in which the opposite side panels are formed, distributed thereover, with a plurality of pairs of aligned apertures.
3) A cover as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, in which said apertures are provided with sealing arrangements to prevent or resist the ingress of water.
4) A cover as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a draw-string arrangement is provided around the open bottom thereof.
5) A bicycle cover substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
6) A cover as claimed in any preceding claim, in combination with one or more locking shackles.
7) A cover as claimed in any preceding claim, in combination with an envelope or other enclosure into which the cover may be folded.