GB2459937A - Cycle lockers - Google Patents

Abstract

Secure enclosed individual bicycle/motorcycle lockers 1 have locks 2 operated by a computer program activated by a swipe card or pass card. The locks 2 may lock automatically to ensure safety as well as preventing the lockers 1 from being left open. Two differently coloured lights 4, preferably red and green, provided with the lock may indicate whether the locker 1 is vacant or occupied. An audible sound is emitted if the door is left open after the automatic lock 2 has activated. A push-button lock release is preferably provided inside the locker 1. An administration computer may be provided with the locker operator to collect data from the lockers 1 and to assist users recover their cycles if their card is lost or stolen. The lockers 1 may be made in various shapes and sizes and located in many locations.

Description

I

Safe Cycles This invention relates to keeping your bicycle/motorcycle safe and untouched whilst unattended.

in todays society there is a need for a solution to prevent any-.

body from stealing or damageing your bike.

This invention enables you to be assured your cycle is secure, with the advantage of not locking it up and removing every detachable part.

Shopping, personnal possessions etc may be left in panniers.

Knowing you can leave your bike safe may encourage more people to cycle,especia].ly with the congestion charges being enforced in many cities.

Also the environment & health issues.

Nottingham,s city council propose introducing a parking levy at places of work. Any company with more than six parking spaces the employees will be charged from �150.00 eventually rising up to �385.00 per year.

This and other schemes could easily be regionally adopted creating more expense for using the car. As most cities are trying to discourage motorists.

After the parking levy announcement was made local small towns and villages are worried about increased parking pressures, in which was mentioned in the local press that more bicycle spaces with increased security was needed.

This invention proposes individual lockers for bikes, whereas no one can physically interfere with your bike.

The opperation of running this scheme is controlled by a computer program.

Cyclists apply for swipe/pass card which will only activate an Unoccupied space, it then can only be used for your designated lock, This prevnts you or anyone else exchanging bikes.

Automatic locking doors will keep you safe whilst attending to your bike, also preventing the door being left open accidentally.

A push button device from the inside will release the lock.

If you need to return to your bike for any reason the lock must be reactivated, as the system will think it is now vacant. Hence preferably a light and an audible warning. To reactivate all you do is use the card once more.

It will preferably have a red light for vacant and green for occupied.

As all the information is held on the computer if a card gets lost or stolen once informed it can be annuled, and a replacement sent. Similarly if you lose your card and your bike is locked in then it can be opened. Obviously after you have given relevant information.

Your card will enable you to use as many vacant spaces as and when desired. You are not limited to one card. In the event of commuting to a station then to work etc and require more than one bike. As by using two bikes it would save all the hassel there is of trying to accomadate your bike on public transport.

Cycles will be safe to be left over-.night.

The system will detect if you abuse this service for example somewhere to keep your bike permanently, therefore preventing other cyclists a space.

Separate units can be erected for motorcycles or a mixture of both depending on the circumstances.

Each unit will preferably have protection from the rain.

Lighting can be fitted in badly lit areas. Cycle supports to fit all widths of wheels will preferably be installed in each one to keep the cycle erect. These can be of a varied design.

Most work places do provide adequate bike sheds. The problems arise when you lock your bike up in public areas. If nobody has stolen it or any part of it, more than like'ly the wheels have been kicked in or the tyres have been slashed.

The prime locations for these units would be Train and Bus Stations, shopping areas, then where ever there is a demand.

People are also put off cycling by dangerous road users.

Statistics show that the more that cyclists use the roads the safer it will become.

Examples will now be described by referring to the accompaning drawings.

Figure I I Automatic locking device 2 Lock opperated by swipe/pass card 3 Support frame If Indication light for vacant or occupied Cycle support Figure 2 6 Frame base 7 Ground level Figure 6 8 Dividing barrier Figure 7 9 Audible warning signal The units erected with support frames will preferably be set in concrete below ground level to prevent theft and vandalism.

6&7 Figure 2 The overall design can be varied and be incorporated under steps, ramps, disused archways and such like. figures 3&4 Also any shape such as hexagonal or circular etc as Figure 5 Each unit will be divided for individual use. 8 Figure 6 The lock will be secure preferably with a built in audible warning sound, 9 Figure 7 Each unit will have an impregnable roof.

Claims (4)

1. claims I. Secure enclosed individual bicycle/motorcycle lockers protected from theft and vandalism, in which the locks are controlled by a computer program that are activated by the cyclists swipe/pass card.
2. 2. Secure enclosed individual lockers for bikes according to claim I, with automatic locking doors to ensure the cyclist and cycle are kept safe as well as preventing the door being left open accidentally.
3. 3 Secure enclosed individual lockers for bikes according to claim I., in which your swipe/pass card enables you to use as many vacant spaces as and when desired at various locations in the United Kingdom.
4. 4. Secure enclosed individual lockers for bikes according to claim 2, in which within the lock two different coloured lights indicating vacant or occupied together with an audible sound if the door is left open longer than it takes to close automaticly.