GB2476267A - Cycle component anti-theft/anti-tamper cover - Google Patents

Abstract

To prevent the theft and/or tampering of cycle components such as saddles, the invention provide a cycle component anti-theft and /or anti-tamper device 200 for preventing unauthorised access to a cycle component such as a saddle 110. The device comprises an at least partially flexible portion of suitable size and shape for removably covering the cycle component 110, the device being lockable to itself, and/or the cycle component, and/or another object to prevent it from being removed by unauthorised means, wherein the device has properties which prevent, or substantially prevent, it being cut. The device may be lockable by means of eyelets 220. The resistance to cutting may be provided by means of wire mesh or a cut-resistant fabric.

Description

A cycle component anti-theft and/or ann-tamper device The present invenhon relates to a cycle component anti-theft and/or anti- tamper device, Tn particular, aithougn not exclusively, it relates to a bicycle saddle ann-theft/and-tamper device.

The term "cycles" used herein includes bicycles, umcycles. recumbenrs, tricycles, scooters, motorhkes, rnopeds, and any other wheel-based vehicle which is not a car.

A cycle typically has a saddle and a set of handlebars each of which can he raised and lowered. This is effected by the provision of a tube, on which the saddle or handlel:ars are mounted, being slidablv received in another tube of slightly greater diameter. The two tubes are locked to one another when the saddle or handlebars are at tnc aproptu e 1 red t fri rn ml gr ird Tim loekin r a Lu dye ted tile ro\ is on of a clatnp, or othe.r means. which may be tightened/loosened bra nut and bolt, or other such means. Some clamps are imown as quick-release clamps because they have a lever which may he used to clamp and unclamp riie two tubes, rather than a nut which requires a spanner or key.

Whatever the means of retaining the two tubes together, it is a straightforward and uncomplicared task for an unaurhorised person to remove the saddle or handlebars from the cycle when it is unattended by undoing the clamp or other such means, Accordingly, devices for deterdng the theft of saddles and other such cycle components have been produced. For instance, as described in U54,971,345, one device has a cable which nasses mhroug-h a portion of the support frame forming part of tue saddle and also through. or connected ti, the frame am some convenient potnt However, this metnod does not prevent tampering occurring and if the unauthorised person has enough time it mat-be possible to cut the cai:,ie, Accordingly, it is desirable to hay-c an improved device for preventing, or atlcast deterring, theft and/or tampering of cycle saddles, handlebars and other components arid' accessories.

In one aspect, the invention provides a cycle component anti-theft and/or anti-tamper device for preventing unauthorised access to a cycle comnponent, the device comprslng an at least partially flexible portion of suitable size and shape for removably coverine said cycle comnponent, said device being lockable to itself, and/or said cycle component, and/or another object, to prevent in from being removed by unauthorised means, \vherein said crevice has properties winch prevent, or substantially prevent, it being cut.

The properties which prevent, or substantially prevent, the device being cut may he at least partially provided by the device comprising metal and/or ceramic wires, hn one embodiment the device may comprise kevlar (RTM) and/or exomesh (RIM).

The cycle component may he a retaining-means for retaining a cycle accessory to a cycle. For instance, the retaining means may he a seat post clamp which retains a seat Post within a seat tube on a cycle. in this case, the device may extend from the saddle to the seat post clamp. Alternatively, the component may be retaining m cans for retaining a set of handlel:nrs onto a frame. These means may be comprised in or wtth the head tube.111 this case, the device may extend from the handlebars to the hr-ad tube, The cycle component may he a saddle, In this case, the device may cover the entire saddle or just a poruon thereof. It may also cover the retaining means used for retaining the saddle to the seat post and/or the seat post clamp.

The cycle component may be a set of handlebars. In this case, the device may cover the entire handlebars or just a portion thereof, It may also cover the retaining means used for retaining the handlebars in the head tube.

The device may include locking-means. Such locking-means may inchidc at least one eyelet which allo\v different portions of the device to be locked to one another or to.

another object such as a bicycle frame or street furniture such as a lamp post. The locking may he effected by a padlock, or other such means, passing-th.rough said at least one eyelet, The at least one eyelet may he reinforced ai'ouncl its perimeter. Other locking means are contemplated such as interlocking male and female members. These other locking means mar he integral with the device, The phrase "unauthorised means" may refer to a situation where the locking means is disabled by someone who is not authorised to do so.

The device may be arranged for locking in the space between the top tube, down tube and seat tube of a cycle. For instance, the device may extend around one or more of the top tube and seat tube and be locked together at least at one point in the space so described.

i-Iowever, other arrangetnents arc possible. i-or itistance, the device may he arranged for locking in the space between the scar stays, chain stays and seat tube of a cycle. Tn this case, the device mix extend around one or more of the seat stays and seat tube arid be lockeci together at least at one point in the space so described.

Anotner possibility is that the device may he arranged for locking in the space between the down tube and forks of a cycle. In this case, the device mar extend around one or more of the down tube and forks and he locked together at least at one point in the space so described.

The device max be arranged for locking to a wheel of a cycle. In this case, the device may extend around one or more of wheels and he locked together at least at one point inside the circumference of the wheel, In each of these eases it should be understood that the locking means, such as a padlock, may actually l::e::.ositened oursde of the spaces so described with, instead, a ortion of the device extending through one of said described spaces, At least a portion of the device may wrap at least partially around the cycle component. For instance, the device may take the form of a relatively long strip and be wrapped around the component to substantially or completely cover it. In this way the device may be used in a simdar manner to a bandage. The device mar he locked together or to another part of the cycle to prevent it being removed or tampered witta bt unauthorised persotis.

In the ease of the device being suitable for covering a saddle the device may include deterrent means for deterring a person from sittitlg on said saddle. The deterrent means may comprise at least one projection proviuecl adjacent the upper part, in use, of said saddle, said at least one projection projecting away from said upper part of said saddle, In other words, the at least one projection mar lie on top of the saddle seat projecttng upwaruiv, with the cycle in the. usual upright: use position.

The intention of the at least one projection is to deter the saddle l:eing sat on, For instance, if the projections are comprised of relatively hard material, such as plastics, and in the form of small pyramids (for example approxilriateiy I to 5 cm in height these would be uncomfortable for a person to sit on and thus act as a deterretit to being sat upoti. Other shaped projections are possible. The projections may be affixed to the outer and upper side, in use, of the device or lie underneath tile device, At least a portion of the device may be substantially waterproof. l-iowever, the device may comprise ati opeti tnesh in which ease its effectiveness at being waterproof may be compromised. j

The device may include an alarm for providing an audio and/or visual warning when the device is moved. This movement may be relative to the cycle or relative to the environment n which the cycle is situated. The alarm may he pressure sensitive.

The device may he considered portable in that it is relative lightweight (for instance less than SOt) grams), and flexible enough to he folded for ease of carrying.

in another aspect, the invention provides a bicycle saddle anti-theft device comprising an at least partially flexible portion of suitable size and shape for removably covering a btcycle saddle in use, said device being lockable to itself around a portion of said bicycle to prevent it 1:eing removed by unaurhorised means, wheretn said device has properties whtch prevent, or substantially prevent, it being cut.

The portion of said bicycle may lae the frame and/or a wheel of said bicycle.

The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present Invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjutiction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, byway of example, the principles of the invention. This description is given for tile sake ot example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted belo\v refer to the attached drawings.

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a typical bicycle; Figure 2 is a side view of one emhodment of the invention in posttion covering a bicycle saddle and saddle retaining means; Figure 3 is a side view of another embodiment of the invention in position covering a bicycle saddle seat Post and saddle retaining means; Figure 4 is a side view of vet another embodiment of the Invention in posItion covering a bicycle saddle retaining means; and Figure 5 is a side view of an alternative enilaodiment of the taventlonin position covering a nic dc saddle.

The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments arid with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but ordy by the claims. The drawings described are otily schematic and are rion-limnhing. in the dra\vings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and riot necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be utiderstood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention clescnbed herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate clrcutn stances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other ortentanons than described or illustrated herein.

It is to he ncticcd that the term "comprising", used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude oilier eletnents or steps. It is thus to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated IS features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but doesnot preclude the presence or addition of Otie or triore other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof, Thus, the scope of the expression "a device comprising means A and B" snould not be limited to devices consistitig otily of components A arid B. It tneans that with respect to tile present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B. Similarly, it is to he noticed that the term "connected", used in the deseriprion, should not he interpreted as being restricted to direct connections only. Thus, the scope of tue expressi n <a member A connected to a mernberB" should not be limited to devices or systems wherein member A is directly connected to menaber B. It means that there exists a path iaetween member A and member B which may be a path including other memlaers or means. "Connected" may mean chat rivo or more elements or members are either in direct physical or electrical contact, or tEat two or more elements or members are not in direct contact with each other hut yet still co-operate or interact with each other.

Reference throughout this specificatiot to <one etnhodiment" or "an embodimnent" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in eormectiori with the emboditnent is iteIuded in at least one embodiment of the preseni inventiotl. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one emboditnent" or "in an

D

embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are riot necessarily all referrine to the same embodiment, bum may refer to different embodiments.

Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this

disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

Similarly it should he appreciated that in the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped tog-ether in a sing-Ic embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of sercatrillnig the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various lnventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention tnat the claimed lnvention requires more features than arc cxpressiy recited: itt each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodimnent of this itivention.

Furthermore, while some etnhodiments described herein include sotne but nott other features included in other emboditnents, combitianons of features of different embodiments are meant to he within the scope of the invention, and form different embodimentt,as would he understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following-claims, any oF the claimed embodiments can he used in any combination.

In the descriptirn provided herein, numerous specific eletails are set forth.

However, it is understood that emlx:diments of the invention may he practised without these specific details. Tn other instances, well--known methods, structures anti techniques hasty not laeen shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of

this description.

The invention will nosy be described bya detailed description of several embodiments of the invention, It is clear that other emboditnents of the ins-etrdon cart be configured according to the imowledge of persons sirilled in the art without departing from the true spirit or technical teaching of the invention, the invention being htnimed only by the terms of the appended claims.

The bicycle IC shown in Figure 1 is of typical fortmt comprisIntg a frame 20 and two wheels 120. The frame 2C cc)tTtptses' a top tune 30, a down tube 4C, a seat tube 50, t seat stays 61) (one on either side of the rear wheel 12(t), tw chain stays 70 (one on either side of the rear wheel 120), and a head rube 90. Two forks 8') (one on either side of the front wheel 12(I) are also provided and are typic4 rotatably connected to the head tube 90.

Asctofhandlebarsl00isretainedintheheadtube90b3aheadsetl35whicli comprises an upper and lower bearing nce A saddle 110 is attached to a seat post 115 ahichis retained in the seattube S0bya seatpostclamp 130.

Tn Figure 2 a device 200 according to one embodiment of the invention is shown in place over the saddle 110. The de'ice 200 compriscs a bag with an opcn lover end for fitting over the saddle and scar post 115. The upper end and sides of the bag are closed. However the opening at the lower end extends a little way up one side up to a point 210 such that the bag will estcnd around either idc of the top tube. A titnilat extension of the opening is also provided on the opposite side to allow the bag to extend around either side of at lcast one seat stay 60.

Eyelets 220 are provided on either side of the opening and at the lowest most point of the brag. These may be locked together with a padlock (not shown) in a well understood manner.

flth the device 200 fitted in this way the saddle 110. the seat post 115, the seat post clamp 130 and the leser 140 for releasing the damp 130 are all covered by the bag.

Tf accessories, such as a tool bag or light, are located under the saddle 110, as is often the case, then the bag will also cover them. The device 200 prevents unauthorised access to an of these components/accessories. If the des ice is waterproof it will also keep the saddle dry in wet it cather.

Due to the qualities of the des ice 20(1 its cutting is prevented, or substantially presented.

Although sho' it as being locked together in the space between the scat stay' 60 and seat tube 50 it is a ntemplatcd that the device could be locked together around the becl 120 as shown by rthrcnce "sY' and "B". Furthermore, the device could be locked together in the space between the top tube 30 and cbnn tube 50 indicated by reference "C".

Another possibility, not shown, is that one of the sides of the bag adjacent the opening is longer than the other side such that the longer side extends through one of the spaces so described. If the other side is shorter than shown then the two eyelets 220 max be locked to one anotner at the side of the bicycle, for instance just underneath the seat post clamp 130.

Alternatvelv, the hag max have sides which are much longer than shown such that the eyelets 220 may be locked to one another at other points around the bicycle, or indeed, to another object. For instance, the eyelets 220 could he locked to one another about the chain ring, or an item of street furniture such as a railing or lamp post.

Althoug-h not shown, projections may he provided on the upper part of the device 200 in the vicinity of the top of the saddle 110 as indicated by reference "D" to deter the saddle lacing sat upon.

In Figure 3 an alternative embodiment of the device 300 is shown. This device 300 does not cover the upper part of the saddle 110.1 nstead it covers the entire length of the seat post 115 from the point at which the saddle 110 is mounted to its upper end, to where the seat post 115 is received by the seat tube 50. The device 300 also covers a portion of the seat tube 50 and: the seat post clamp 130 and 1ev er 140.

The device 301 is substantially cylindrical or tubular for the majority of its length, becoming wider towards its lo\ver end, This videned portioti allows it to fit around the seat post clamp 130 and lever 146 and at least one seat stay 60. The eyelets 320 may he locked together in the space between the seat stays 60 and the seat tube 50, although other positions A, B, C are possible in a similar manner as discussed above with regards to Figure 2.

The opening at the end of the widened porrion of the device 300 extends a little way uP 310 laoth of tile two substantially opposite sides to allow the hag to fit around the top tube 30 and at least one seat stay 66.

In one embodiment, the length of the upper substantially cylindrical onIon of tire device 300 may lae relatively long. This allows for it to lae fitted to a bicycle with the saddle at any height including its upper most position. In other words, the device 300 could renrain hi position otice fitted without the need ever to remove it other thati for access to the seat post clamp 130. Since access to the seat post clamp 130 is tiom often required the device 300 may be fitted and substatrtiallv forgotten about. However, with the device 300 in position access to the seat post clamp 130 is prevented and thus the seat post 115 catitiot he removed frotn the seat tube 51) by unauthorised persons.

If it is desired for the saddle 110 to he fixed at a lower height then the device 300 mnay merely concertina along its substantially cylindrical length. $

Moreover, the device 300 includes wings at the upper end which include eyelets 330. These wings may he locked to one another by means of a padlock passinri through the two eyelets 330. Tn this way, the means ot retaining 112 the saddle TIC to the seat post 115 are also covered. Accorditigly, with the device 300 fitted as shown the sadule cannot he removed by unauthorised persons and may remain in position once fitted.

It may he possible, in one embodiment, for the lever 140 to he turned even with the device 300 in place. This would allow adjustment of the saddle height without the need to remove the device 300. The device 300 would still prevent the saddle being stolen as ft fs anchored at the unper end to the saddle 110 and to the frame 20 at its lower end.

Fgure 4 shows a different embodiment of the invention, The device 400 shown takes the forrr of a relatively long strip similar to a bandage. It is shown wound around the seat post clamp 130 and lever 140 atid also a portion of the seat post 115 above. and below the seat post clamp 131).

IS The device 400 has two ends 410, 430. One end 430 is held itt place against the seat post 115 and a portion 415 of the strip extended up the seat post 115 to a point above the seat post clamp 130. The retnainder of the strip is then wound around and down the seat post 115 over the portion 415 of strip lyitig immediately above the etid 430 until itreaches a point below the seat post clamp 13G. The two ends 410, 430 include eyelets 420 and therefore may be locked: to one another to prevent the device 400 being removed by unauthorised persons.

If the device 41)0 is wound tightly around the seat post clamp 130 and seat tube in an overlapping manner sm:ular to that employed when winding handlebar tape around a set of handlebars then it will he very difficult for an unauthorised person to access the seat post clamp 130 orieier 140.

In Figure 5 the device 500 is a bag-like member which covers the saddle 110. ii has ati opening 515 on its utiderside (in use) which allosvs the hag to be fitted over the saddle 110. The device 500 also includes a strap 510, 530 and an aperture 520 provided on the underside iti usc) of the ba-*like member adjacent the opening 515.

Once the device 500 has been placed over the saddle ITO the strap 510, 530 is placed through the aperture 520. The strap Sit), 531) is then extended downwardly towards the top mhe 30. It iswrapped around the top tube 30 such that the length 510 between the saddle 110 and the top tube 30 is substantially taut. The strap 530 is then dl) brought back up to towards the saddle 110 and connected to a point 540 on the strap 511) near the aperture 520. The connection, or attachment is effected, in this example, ox means of eyelets 550 provided along the length of the strap 510, 530. Two eyelets are brought together arid a locking means, such as a padlock, is placed thtrough the two eyelets. By ensuring that the connection 540 between the straps 510, 530 is effected as close as possible to the aperture 520 the hag-like member of the device cannot he removed from the saddle ii I) even if the saddle 110 is lowered relative to the top tube creating slack in the strap 510,530. This is because either the locking means or eyelets 550, or some other means associated with the eyelets 550 or I1c1ing means, \vill not fit through the aperture 520. In this regard, the aperture 520 may have a size and shape such that only the strap 510, 530 will fit through it. Moreover, the edgcs of the aperture 520 may he reinfbrced or edged with metal or some other suitable relatively intlexible material to pre\e1it the aperture. 520 from being enlarged.

The strap 510, 530 includes eyelets 5Sf along its length to enable the peant of connecdon 540 between the strap Sit) and the free end of the strap 53C to be chosen depending on the distance of the saddle 110 frotn the top tube 30 and to ensure that the strap 510, 530 is maintained substantially taut.

Lockitig tneatis other thati a padlock are contemplated such as integral corresponding male and female members. Moreover, the strap Sit). 530 may be passed around objects other than the top tube 30. such as one or more seat stays 60 or indeed an object separate from the bicycle such as a piece of street furniture. 1-Ioxvever, the rovisiota of eyelets 550 in the example shown allow the length of the strap 510, and correspondingly the distance between the object to wnich the device 500 is locked/attached and the dence 500, to be varied/variable.

11)15 ernbodiment5 00 prevents unaurhorised access to any tools, lights or other accessones located under the rear of the saddle 110. it also prevents unauthorised access to any retaining means used to retain the saddle 110 to the seat post 115. If projections (not shown) are included ott the upper side of the device 500, above the saddle 110, then the device 500 would also deter the saddle 110 being sat upon.

It is to he understood that arty of the embodiments described herein could be etnployed to protect any cottiponent of' a cycle. For instance, it could be fitted around any of the means used to retain any of' the folloving: handlebars, lights, dynamo, panthers, tool kits, pumps, speedometers, etc. Itt this way unauthorIsed access to these means may be prevented thus preventing, or at least deterring, their theft and/or tampering of them.

I I

Claims (22)

1. (:lairns 1, A cycle component anti-theft and/or anti-tamper devrce for preventing unauthortsed access to a cycle component, the device comprising an at least partially flexible portion of suitable size and shape for removably covering said cycle component, said device being lockable to itself, and/or said cycle component, and/or another object, to prevent it from being removed by unauthorsed means, \vtiereri said device has properries which prevent, or sunstanirallv prevent, it being cut.
2. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said properties arc at least parttally proviclcc by the device comprising metal and/or ceramic wires.
3. 3. The device according to either one of claims I and 2, wherein the device comprises kevlar çRTiVI) and/or exomesh (RTNI).
4. 4. The device of any one of claims I to 3, wherein said cycle component is a retaining means for retaining a cycle accessory to a cycle.
5. 3. The device of claim 4. wherein the retaining means is a seat post clamp.
6. 6. The device of claim 4. wherein the remaining means is for retaining a set of handlel:iars onto a frame.
7. 7. The device of any one of claims I to 3, wherem said cycle component is a saddle,
8. 8. The device of* tiy one of claims I to 3, wherein said cycle component is a set of handlebars.
9. 9. The device of any preceding claim including locking means for enabling different portions of the device to he locked to one another or to another oH eet.
10. 10. The device of any preceding claim, wherem the device is arranged for locking in the space between the top tube, down tube and seat tune of a cycle.
11. 11. The device of any preceding claim, wherein the device is arranged for locking in the space between the seat str.ys, chain stays and seat tube of a cycle.
12. 12. The device of any preceding claim9 wherein the device is arranged fbr locking in the space between the down tulac and forks of a cycle.
13. 13. The device of any preceding claim, wherein the device is arranged for locking to a wheel of a cycle.
14. 14, The device of any preceding claim, wherein at least a portion of the device wraps at least partially around said cycle cotnponent.
15. 15. The device ot claim 7, and any preceding claim dependent ott ciaitn 7, wherejn the device includes deterrent means for deterring-a person from sitting on said saddle.
16. 16. The device of claim 15, wherein said deterrent means comprises at least one projection provided acliacent the upper part, in use, of said saddle, said at least one 1Droiectio1 pro)ecnng away from said tipper part of said saddle.
17. 17, The device of claim 16, wheretn said device comprises said at least one projection.
18. 18. The device of atly preceding claim, wherein at least a portion of said device is substantially waterproof.
19. 19. The device of any preceding claim including an alarmn for providing an audio and/or visual warning when said device is moved.
20. 20. The device of any preceding claim being portable.
21. 21, A bicycle saddle anti-theft device comprising an at least partially flexible portion of suitable size and shape for removably covering-a bicycle saddle in use, said device being-lockable to itself around a portion of said bicycle to prevent it being removed by unauthorised means, wherein said device has properties which prevent, or substantially prevent, it being-cut.
22. 22. A cycle component and-theft and/or anti-tamper device substantially as hereinhefore clesctibed with reference to the accompanying drawimygs.