GB2393944A

GB2393944A - Apparatus for storing at least one cycle

Info

Publication number: GB2393944A
Application number: GB0323353A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Aldous
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-10-09
Filing date: 2003-10-06
Publication date: 2004-04-14
Also published as: GB0323353D0; WO2004033278A1; AU2003271929A1; GB0223442D0

Abstract

An apparatus 2 for storing at least one cycle 4 comprises an elongated holding member 6 on which a cycle rests, a drive motor and chain 8 for moving the holding member between a first position 10 in which a user 26 may attach a cycle to the holding member and a second position 12 in which the holding member is raised above the reach of thieves and vandals. The holding member may contain securing devices 18 to enable the cycle wheel 22 to be secured to the elongated holding member. The apparatus also comprises a controlling device 14 for controlling the operation of the drive motor and chain. The controlling device may be operated by use of a smartcard or mobile telephone.

Description

APPARATUS FOR STORING AT LEAST ONE CYCLE

This invention relates to apparatus for storing at least one cycle.

A substantial amount of space is required to store a cycle. Often this space is not available. This is especially so where lots of people park the cycles together, for example outside stations, offices and factories. Even if the space is available, the cycles are often vandalised and/or have parts such as cycle lamps stolen.

It is an aim of the present invention to obviate or reduce the above mentioned problem.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided apparatus for storing at least one cycle, which apparatus comprises holder means for holding the cycle; mover means for moving the holder means between a first position at which the holder means is at user level for enabling the cycle to be attached to the holder means, and a second position at which the holder means is at a raised position above the user level for enabling the cycle to be stored out of reach of thieves and vandals; and control means for controlling the operation of the mover means. With the apparatus of the present invention, the cycle can easily be stored out of the way, and it can easily be retrieved when required. In the storage position, the cycle does not block the ground and occupy otherwise wanted space. Also, the cycle is not readily available for being stolen or

vandalised. There is no need for the cycle to be secured to railings, which often causes annoyance to people who own the railings.

The cycle may be one in which the holder means is an elongate member on which the cycle rests, and at least one securing device for securing the cycle to the elongate member.

There may be two of the securing devices, one for securing a front wheel of the cycle to the elongate member, and one of the securing a rear wheel of the cycle to the elongate member.

Preferably the securing device is a two-part clamp device. Other types of securing device may be employed.

Preferably, the mover means is a drive motor and a chain, the chain being connected between the drive motor and the holder means. The chain may be connected directly or indirectly between the drive motor and the holder means. The chain may alternatively be a cable. Other types of mover means may be employed.

Preferably, the control means is a smartcard-operated control means.

This gives good security. Other types of control means such for example as key-operated control means or combination-operated control means may be employed. If desired, the control means is a mobile telephone-operated control means. Such a mobile telephone-operated control means may include a charging facility for use of the apparatus of the invention.

The apparatus may be one in which the holder means holds the cycle at right angles to a vertical support surface. The vertical support surface may be a wall. Other angles may be employed.

The apparatus may be for storing a plurality of the cycles, the apparatus then comprising a plurality of the holder means with there being one of the holder means for each cycle, and the apparatus then being one in which the mover means is able to raise and lower the cycles individually.

This type of apparatus may be useful for parking, and also for general storage in factories making cycles, and in shops selling cycles.

If desired, the apparatus may be for storing a single cycle. The apparatus may then find use in garages of homes, or on outside walls of homes, for example houses or flats.

The cycle will usually be a bicycle. It may be a tricycle or of another construction if desired.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows first apparatus for storing a plurality of cycles; Figure 2 shows in more detail holder means forming part of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows in more detail control means forming part of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; and Figure 4 shows part of second apparatus for storing a plurality of cycles. Referring to Figures 1 - 3 there is shown apparatus 2 for storing a plurality of cycles 4. The apparatus 2 comprises holder means 6 for holding the cycles 4 and mover means 8. The mover means 8 is for moving the holder means 6 between a first position 10 at which the holder means is at

user level for enabling the cycles 4 to be attached to the holder means 6, and a second position 12 at which the holder means 6 is at a raised position above the user level for enabling the cycle to be stored out of reach of thieves and vandals. The apparatus 2 also comprises control means 14 for controlling the operation of the mover means 8.

The holder means 6 is an elongate member 16 on which the cycle rests, and two securing devices 18, one for securing a front wheel 20 of each cycle 4 to the elongate member 16, and one of securing a rear wheel 22 of each cycle 4 to the elongate member 16.

The securing device 18 is a two-part clamp device as shown in Figure 2. The mover means 8 is a drive motor (not shown) and a chain 24, the chain 24 being connected between the drive motor and the holder means 6.

The control means 14 is a smartcard-operated control means as shown in Figure 3. All a user 26 has to do is to enter their PIN number and swipe their card 28. Their cycle 4 can then be raised or lowered as required with respect to a support member 30. The support member 30 may form part of a frame 32 which is secured to a vertical support surface 34, for example to a wall.

Referring to Figure 4, there is shown part of apparatus 36 for storing a plurality of cycles 4. In the apparatus 36, similar parts as in Figures 1 - 3 have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. In Figure 4, the holder means 6 and the mover means 8 have not been shown, and they are the same as in Figure 1. In Figure 4, it will be seen that the user 26 is using the apparatus 36 by means of a mobile

telephone 38. This enables the user 26 to be billed as part of their mobile telephone bill or other bill, using a service provider server 40 which is able to generate an appropriate billing system 42.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the chain 24 may be a cable. The control means 14 may be a key-operated control means or a combination-operated control means.

Claims

1. Apparatus for storing at least one cycle, which apparatus comprises holder means for holding the cycle; mover means for moving the holder means between a first position at which the holder means is at user level for enabling the cycle to be attached to the holder means, and a second position at which the holder means is at a raised position above the user level for enabling the cycle to be stored out of reach of thieves and vandals; and control means for controlling the operation of the mover means.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the holder means is an elongate member on which the cycle rests, and at least one securing device for securing the cycle to the elongate member.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which there are two of the securing devices, one for securing a front wheel of the cycle to the elongate member, and one of the securing a rear wheel of the cycle to the elongate member.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3 in which the securing device is a two-part clamp device.

5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which mover means is a drive motor and a chain, the chain being connected between the drive motor and the holder means.

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the control means is a smartcard-operated control means.

7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 - 5 in which the control means is a mobile telephone-operated control means.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 in which the mobile telephone-

operated control means includes a charging facility for use of the apparatus.

9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the holder means holds the cycle at right angles to a vertical support surface.

10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and which is for storing a plurality of the cycles, the apparatus comprising a plurality of the holder means with there being one of the holder means for each cycle, and the apparatus then being one in which the mover means is able to raise and lower the cycles individually.

11. Apparatus for storing at least one cycle, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.