GB2451655A

GB2451655A - Collapsible bicycle frame locking device

Info

Publication number: GB2451655A
Application number: GB0715389A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wei-Liang Chen; Kevin Chen
Original assignee: Giant Manufacturing Co Ltd
Current assignee: Giant Manufacturing Co Ltd
Priority date: 2007-08-07
Filing date: 2007-08-07
Publication date: 2009-02-11
Anticipated expiration: 2027-08-07
Also published as: GB0715389D0; GB2451655B

Abstract

A collapsible bicycle frame locking device 200, features a locking member 220 with a latching hook 223. As a body member 210 of the locking device 200 is rotated towards frame portion 100, the latch engages stationary locking member 240 on frame portion 100. To disengage the locking device, locking member 220 is slid against the force provided by resilient member 230, which may be a spring 230, to unlatch the latch 223, and the body member 210 is rotated away from frame portion 100.

Description

COLLAPSIBLE FRAME OF A BICYCLE AND LOCKING DEVICE FOR THE

SAME

The present invention relates to a bicycle technological field. More particularly, the present invention relates to a safety locking device for a collapsible frame of a bicycle. i0

Collapsible bicycles are able to be folded into a smaller size for convenient transportation and/or storage. Generally, a collapsible bicycle comprises a collapsible frame that comprises several tubes including a top tube, a down tube, a seat tube, a head tube etc. is The conventional designs for a collapsible frame mostly use a collapsible top tube and/or a collapsible down tube. That means each of the aforementioned tubes comprises a first section, a second section and a pivoting joint. The frame has a collapsed state and an extended state where the frame can be switched between the two states. The pivoting joint interconnects the two sections When the frame is kept in the extended state, the first section and the second section are substantially connected to each other and arranged along a common axis. On the other hand, when the frame is kept in the collapsed state, the first section is folded relative to the second section by means of the pivoting joint to reduce the size of the frame.

In order to prevent riders from accidents while riding on the bicycle, each of the collapsible tubes of the frame must have a safety locking device to firmly lock the first section with the second section when the frame is kept in the extended state. Otherwise, accidents will occur if the sections separate while the riders ride the bicycles.

Therefore there is a need to provide a safety locking device for a collapsible bicycle, and the safety locking device has easy operations, firmly locking effects etc. to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems. I0

An objective of the present invention is to provide a safety locking device that is capable of being mounted on a collapsible frame of a bicycle to lock and hold the collapsible frame in position when the collapsible frame is kept in an extended state.

is A collapsible frame of an embodiment in accordance with the present invention comprises a tube and a safety locking device. The tube comprises a first section, a second section and a pivoting joint where the pivoting joint is mounted between the first section and the second section.

The safety locking device comprises a body, a movable locking member, a resilient member and a stationary locking member. The body connects to the first section. The movable locking member is movably mounted on the body and comprising a latch hook. The resilient member is mounted on the body and has a first end and a second end. The first end connects to the body and the second connects to the movable locking member so that the resilient member is capable of providing a resilient force to the movable locking member relative to the body. The stationary locking member is formed on the second section corresponding to the latch hook. The latch hook engages the stationary locking member through the resilient force provided by the resilient member.

s A safety locking device of an embodiment in accordance with the present invention is adapted for a collapsible frame of a bicycle. The collapsible frame comprises a tube comprising a first section and a second section pivotally connected to each other. The safety locking device comprises a body, a movable locking member, a resilient member and a stationary locking member.

io The body is adapted to be mounted on the first section. The movable locking member is movably mounted on the body and comprises a latch hook. The resilient member is mounted between the body and the movable locking member. The stationary locking member is adapted to be formed on the second section corresponding to the latch hook. The latch hook is capable of is engaging the stationary locking member.

In an embodiment the latch hook has a guiding edge, such as an inclined edge.

When using the safety locking device to lock the tube in an extended state (i.e. a unfolded state), pushing the body towards the tube enables the guiding edge of the movable locking member to contact with the stationary locking member. Continuously pushing the body slides the movable locking member relative to the body because of the relative sliding movements between the guiding edge and the stationary locking member. The sliding movable locking member simultaneously elongates the resilient member to produce an elastic force until the stationary locking member slides out the guiding edge.

When the stationary locking member slides out the guiding edge, the elastic force of the resilient member pulls back (i.e. a reverse direction) the movable locking member. Hence, the latch hook of the movable locking member automatically hooks the stationary locking member.

s Since the resilient member is mounted between the body and the movable locking member, the latch hook does not disengage the stationary locking member after the latch hook hooks with the stationary locking member.

Hence, the safety locking device could firmly lock and hold the first section and the second section of the tube in position to ensure that there is. no separation or relative movement between the first section and the second section of the tube dunng biking. Thus, the safety locking device provides traffic safety for collapsible bicycles.

Additionally, the safety locking device is easy and convenient to operate.

Only using a single hand can lock or unlock the safety locking device, thus it is is convenient to use. Meanwhile, the body of the safety locking device hides all the components including the movable locking member, the resilient member, the stationary locking member, etc. The entire appearance of the safety locking device is beautiful. Accidental impacts that may open the safety locking device could be avoided.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a safety locking device of an embodiment in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a bottom perspective view of a tube of a collapsible frame with the safety locking device in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a bottom perspective view of the tube in Figure 2 taking another angle; Figure 4 is an operational, bottom perspective view of the tube in Figure 2 when the safety locking device is going to be opened; and Figure 5 is an operational, bottom perspective view of the tube in Figure 4 when the safety locking device is opened.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodtments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

Refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2. A collapsible frame of a bicycle of an embodiment in accordance with the present invention comprises a tube 100 and a safety locking device 200. The tube 100 may be a collapsible tube such as top tube, a down tube, a seat tube etc. For illustrative purposes only, the following disclosure takes a down tube for example.

The tube 100 comprises a first section 110, a second section 120 and a pivoting joint 130. The pivoting joint 130 is mounted between the first section and the second section 120 to interconnect the sections 110, 120.

Consequently, the first section 110 can be pivoted relative to the second section to collapse or extend the frame.

The safety locking device 200 is mounted on the tube 100 at a location adjacent to the pivoting joint 130. The safety locking device 200 comprises a body 210, a movable locking member 220, a resilient member 230 and a stationary locking member 240.

Further refer to Figure 3. The body 210 is pivotally mounted on the first section 110. The movable locking member 220 is movably mounted on the body 210 and includes a latch hook 221. In the embodiment, the latch hook io 221 is extended towards the tube 100. The movable locking member 220 is a flat piece and has an elongated hole 222. The latch hook 221 has a guiding edge 223, such as an inclined edge. The movable locking member 220 further comprises a releasing tab 224 through which the movable locking member 220 may be pulled to unlock the safety locking device 200.

is The safety locking device 200 further comprises multiple fasteners 250 and multiple sleeves 260. Each fastener 250 comprises a shank 251 and a head 252. The shanks 251 pass respectively through the sleeves 260, pass through the elongated hole 221 and are eventually fastened on the body 210 to enable the sleeves 260 held and sliding in the elongated hole 221. Thus, the movable locking member 220 is mounted on the body 210 and may slide on the body 210 with the fasteners 250 and the sleeves 260.

The resilient member 230 is mounted between the body 210 and the movable locking member 220. The resilient member 230 has a first end 231 and a second end 232. The first end 231 is secured to the body 210 while the 2S second 232 is secured to the movable locking member 220 so that the resilient member 230 is capable of providing a resilient force to pull the movable locking member 220. In the embodiment, the resilient member 230 is a spring and its first end 231 is secured to the body 210 by a fastener 233. The movable locking member 220 further comprises a hook 225 on which the second end 232 is hooked. The latch hook 221 and the hook 225 may be formed at the same end of the movable locking member 220.

The stationary locking member 240 is mounted on the second section associated with the latch hook 221. The latch hook 221 is capable of engaging the stationary locking member 240 to lock the movable locking member 220 in position. In the embodiment, the stationary locking member 240 is a stud. Thus, the latch hook 221 can engage the stationary locking member 240 by the resilient force provided by the resilient member 230.

Therefore, when the tube 100 is kept in an extended state (i.e. a unfolded state), pushing the body 210 towards the tube 100 enables the guiding edge 223 of the movable locking member 220 to contact with the stationary locking member 240. Continuously pushing the body 210 slides the movable locking member 220 relative to the body 210 because of the relative sliding movements between the guiding edge 223 and the stationary locking member 240. The sliding movable locking member 220 simultaneously elongates the resilient member 230 to produce an elastic force until the stationary locking member 240 shdes out the guiding edge 223. When the stationary locking member 240 slides out the guiding edge 223, the elastic force of the resilient member 230 pulls back (i.e. a reverse direction) the movable locking member 220. Hence, the latch hook 221 of the movable locking member 220 automatically hooks to the stationary locking member 240.

Since the resihent member 230 is mounted between the body 210 and the movable locking member 220, the latch hook 221 does not disengage the stationary locking member 240 after the latch hook 221 hooks with the stationary locking member 240. Hence, the safety locking device 200 could firmly lock and hold the first section 110 and the second section 120 of the tube in position to ensure that there is no separation or relative movement between the first section 110 and the second section 120 of the tube 100 during biking. Thus, the safety locking device 200 provides traffic safety for collapsible bicycles.

Refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5. When folding the bicycle is needed, i.e. folding the first section 110 relative to the second section 120, the movable locking member 220 is pushed toward the stationary locking device 240 through the releasing tab 224 until the latch hook 221 is apart from the stationary locking member 240 (as shown by the arrow in Figure 4). Then, pulling the body 210 away from the tube 100 (as shown by the arrow in Figure 5) opens the safety locking device 200. The operations are easy, convenient and quick. When the safety locking device 200 is opened and the releasing tab 224 is released, the resilient force provided by the resilient member 230 pulls the movable locking member 220 back to its initial position preparing for the next operation.

Another embodiment of a safety locking device for a bicycle in accordance with the present invention implements the stationary locking member with an engaging groove defined in the tube so that the latch hook is capable of engaging the engaging groove.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A safety locking device for a collapsible frame of a bicycle where the collapsible frame comprises a tube comprising a first section and a second section pivotally connected to each other, and the safety locking device comprising a body adapted to be mounted on the first section; a movable locking member movably mounted on the body and comprising a latch hook; a resilient member mounted between the body and the movable locking member; and a stationary locking member adapted to be formed on the second section corresponding to the latch hook; wherein the latch hook is capable of engaging the stationary locking member.
2. The safety locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the latch hook has a guiding edge, and the latch hook engages the stationary locking member by a relative sliding relationship between the guiding edge and the stationary locking member.
3. The safety locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the resilient member is a spring. l0
4. The safety locking device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of fasteners where the movable locking member has an elongated hole, and the fasteners pass through the elongated hole and fastening on the body.

s
5. The safety locking device as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a plurality of sleeves mounted respectively around the fasteners and sliding inside the elongated hole.
6. The safety locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movable locking member further comprises a releasing tab.
7. The safety locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stationary locking member is a stud I 5
8. The safety locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stationary locking member is an engaging groove defined in the second section.
9. The safety locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tube is a top tube.
10. The safety locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tube is a down tube.

II