GB2552314A

GB2552314A - A bicycle locking device

Info

Publication number: GB2552314A
Application number: GB1612264.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Abrahams John; Thomas Smith Benjamin
Original assignee: Plus 8 Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Plus 8 Industries Ltd
Priority date: 2016-07-14
Filing date: 2016-07-14
Publication date: 2018-01-24
Anticipated expiration: 2036-07-14
Also published as: GB201612264D0; GB2552314B

Abstract

A locking bicycle holder for anchoring a bicycle to a wall, comprising a frame 5 and cover 3, which defines a recess for holding a bike. The frame 5 is attached to a surface with the fastening elements, which are protected by the cover 3. The cover 3 is held in place by a securing bolt 8. The rod 8 also forms part of the closed loop which encircles the bicycle to secure it. The recess may be formed by upper and lower flanges on the head of the frame 5 and cover 3, each of which have an aperture to contain the securing element 8.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

PLUS 8 INDUSTRIES LIMITED

THE QPAC BUILDING, UNIT 23, ST MARYS ROAD,

LEAMINGTON SPA, CV31 1PR, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):

John William Abrahams Benjamin Thomas Smith (56) Documents Cited:

GB 2471468 A GB 2265127 A DE 102009056573 A (58) Field of Search:

INT CL B62H, E05B Other: EPODOC & WPI

GB 2269348 A DE 020217206 U (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

A.A. Thornton & CO.

Old Bailey, London, EC4M 7NG, United Kingdom (54) Title ofthe Invention: A bicycle locking device Abstract Title: A Bicycle Locking Device (57) A locking bicycle holder for anchoring a bicycle to a wall, comprising a frame 5 and cover 3, which defines a recess for holding a bike. The frame 5 is attached to a surface with the fastening elements, which are protected by the cover 3. The cover 3 is held in place by a securing bolt 8. The rod 8 also forms part of the closed loop which encircles the bicycle to secure it. The recess may be formed by upper and lower flanges on the head of the frame 5 and cover 3, each of which have an aperture to contain the securing element 8.

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FIGS

SECTION A-A

FIG 12

A Bicycle Locking Device

The invention relates to a bicycle locking device and the need to store and secure a bicycle when not in use. Particularly, the invention relates to a bicycle locking device that may be fastened to a surface, for example a wall.

Typically, when a cyclist returns home or arrives at the office they are faced with the problem of how to securely store their bicycle (bike) in an aesthetically pleasing way. Some houses and offices have separate bike rooms or lockers where people may store their bikes, but these have the obvious spatial disadvantage of requiring a separate, secure room specifically for this purpose. Alternatively, some cyclists opt for separate locks, such as chains, to secure their bike to a permanent fixture, for example a pole on the street. However, opportunist thieves possessing the right equipment can too easily sever such locks to gain access to the bicycle. This is also particularly true when cyclists use similar locks to secure their bike in their homes. For example, if cyclists simply leave their bike in their garage or house, a thief only has to break into the premises to gain access to the bike. However, if the bike is further secured to a fixture in their home or garage, then a thief only has the extra step of removing the lock to gain access to the bike, and depending on the type of lock used this may not pose enough of a deterrent.

It is therefore apparent that improvements are desirable in devices for locking bicycles.

The present invention concerns a bicycle locking device that is capable of being mounted to a surface, such as a wall, and can securely retain a bicycle.

The present invention provides a bicycle locking device comprising a frame, fastening means for fastening the frame to a surface, a recess for receipt of a part of a bicycle, a cover arranged in a concealing position in which at least part of the fastening means are concealed by the cover; and a securing mechanism for securing the cover in the concealing position, wherein the securing mechanism and the recess form a closed loop for retaining the part of the bicycle received therein.

That the cover of the bicycle locking device conceals the fastening means; and secured relative to the frame with the securing means; provides for a secure locking device because a would-be thief, in order to remove the device from the wall, would need access to the fastening means, which are concealed by the cover. Because the cover is secured relative to the frame by the fastening means and also forms a closed loop for retaining a bicycle, it is not easy for a would-be thief to remove the cover when locking device is retaining a bicycle. Therefore, it is not easy for a would-be thief to get access to the fastening means when the device is securing a bicycle. Since the fastening means provide means for fastening the locking device to a wall, the locking device cannot be easily removed by anyone minded to steal it.

The cover is arranged in a concealing position in which at least part of the fastening means are concealed by the cover. Here, by ‘at least part of the fastening means being concealed by the cover’ it is meant that easy access to the fastening means is prevented due to the position of the cover. For example, if the fastening means were a screw or bolt - that needed to be turned to be loosened - then the cover would conceal part of the screw or bolt that prevented access to it so that a would-be thief would not be able to turn or loosen the bolt.

The securing mechanism may secure the cover relative to the frame and the cover may be shaped so as to cover the frame. The bicycle locking device may further comprise means for retaining the cover in the concealing position independently of the securing means. This allows the cover and frame to be secured via a snap-fit, interference-fit, clipping means, or similar, independently of the securing mechanism so that the user does not solely have to rely on the securing mechanism to keep the locking device together.

All of the fastening means may be concealed by the cover. Having all of the fastening means concealed will make it particularly difficult for a would-be thief to have access to the fastening means.

The securing mechanism may be a bolt, and the securing mechanism may be lockable in a fixed position. The locking device may be configured such that removal of the bolt is in a downward direction - meaning that if the locking device is placed high on a vertical surface, such as a wall, the user only needs to be able to reach as high as the bottom of the device (and not above the top) to unscrew/unlock or otherwise remove the bolt.

The cover may comprise two protruding lips. The recess may be provided in the cover and may be defined by the protruding lips. The protruding lips may each comprise an opening for receipt of the securing mechanism. The frame may have as a head portion and a body portion. The head portion may comprise upper and lower limbs. The upper and lower limbs may each comprise an opening for receipt of the securing mechanism. The body portion may have two outwardly projecting limbs. The outwardly projecting limbs may comprise flanges for fastening the frame to the surface. The cover and/or the frame may comprises an aperture. The lips of the cover may be dimensioned so as to receive the upper and lower limbs. The openings of the cover and the openings of the head portion of the frame may be in alignment when the cover covers the frame. The openings may be sized to receive the securing mechanism.

This arrangement of complementary features may permit the frame to be securely retained inside the cover. It will be readily understood that the device may be of any shape, and may not necessarily have features of the frame and cover specifically designed to complement each other. Nevertheless, according to the needs of the user, certain elements of the frame and cover may be designed such that the cover has features corresponding to those of the frame and vice-versa.

The device may be substantially V-shaped or U-shaped, or triangular-shaped. Alternatively, the device may be substantially square, rectangular or circular shaped. The cover could for example be a substantially toroidal or donut-shaped cover that fits around a similarly designed frame (which may have a planar portion for ease of fastening to the surface). At the front of the toroidal device may be the securing mechanism.

The securing mechanism may comprise a stopping means for resisting removal from the bicycle locking device. Passage of the securing mechanism through the openings may be resisted by the stopping mechanism. The stopping means may comprise a bearing. The stopping means may comprise a recess sized to receive the bearing. The bearing may be biased by a biasing means.

This advantageously means that when the securing mechanism is placed through the openings to lock/secure the device (i.e. to retain, securely, a bike); when the user wishes to unlock or otherwise remove the securing mechanism it will not simple fall out of the openings onto the floor. If the securing mechanism is heavy having means to retain it inside the opening, preventing it from falling therethrough, also makes the device convenient and safe.

The securing mechanism may be a pivotal flap secured to the frame. The pivotal flap may extend beyond the depth of the cover. The pivotal flap may have a closed position, in which it forms a closed loop with the recess, and an open positon, in which it permits receipt of a bicycle into the recess of the bicycle locking device.

According to the present invention, a method of securing a bicycle using the bicycle locking device is provided. The method comprises the steps of placing a part of the bicycle in the recess, then using the securing mechanism to form a closed loop with the recess, thereby retaining the bicycle inside the bicycle locking device.

A better understanding of the present invention will be obtained from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment. The description is given by way of example only and makes reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1A and 1B are perspective views of a bicycle locking device according a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2A is a front view of the bicycle locking device of Fig. 1 in a locked configuration;

Figure 2B is a bottom view of the bicycle locking device of Fig. 1 in a locked configuration;

Figures 3A-3C are side views of the bicycle locking device of Fig. 1 in a locked configuration;

Figure 3D is a bottom view of the bicycle locking device of Fig. 1 in a locked configuration;

Figure 4A is a perspective view of the bicycle locking device of Fig. 1 retaining a bicycle;

Figure 4B is a front view of the bicycle locking device of Fig. 1 retaining a bicycle;

Figure 4C is a top view of the bicycle locking device of Fig. 1 retaining a bicycle;

Figures 5A and 5B are exploded perspective views ofthe bicycle locking device of Fig. 1;

Figure 6A is a perspective view of a frame of the bicycle locking device of Fig. 1;

Figure 6B is a top view of the frame of the bicycle locking device of Fig. 1;

Figure 7 is an exploded top view ofthe bicycle locking device of Fig. 1;

Figure 8 is an exploded side view ofthe bicycle locking device of Fig. 1;

Figure 9 is a side view of a securing mechanism of the bicycle locking device of Fig. 1.

Figure 10 is a sectional view of the securing means of Figure 9, taken along the line AA.

Figures 11 and 12 are schematic side views of a securing means according a second embodiment of the invention.

The orientations top, side, above, below etc. are taken from an arbitrary datum and are intended solely to simplify the description below.

Fig. 1A shows the underside of a bicycle locking device 1. The device 1 has a frame 5, and fastening means 7 for fastening the frame to a surface (not shown). A cover 3 covers the frame 5. A securing mechanism 8 in the form of a locking bolt secures the cover 3 relative to the frame 5. A recess 9 is formed in the cover 3, the recess being defined by two outwardly protruding lips, and upper lip 41 and a lower lip 43 of the cover 3. When the securing mechanism 8 secures the cover 3 and frame 5 (as depicted in Figs. 1A and 1B), the securing mechanism 8 forms a closed loop 11 with the recess 9. The recess 9 is sized to permit receipt of a part of a bicycle, for example, the frame of a bicycle so that the bicycle may be housed by the recess 9 and therefore the locking device 1. It will therefore be appreciated that when a part of a bicycle is located in the recess 9, which is ‘closed’ by the securing mechanism 8; the bicycle is retained in the closed loop formed by the securing mechanism 8 and the recess 9, and the bicycle is therefore retained in the locking device 1. It will further be appreciated that if the securing mechanism 8 were to be locked into place then the bicycle is lockably retained within the closed loop 11 and therefore essentially locked in the device 1. Although fastening means are depicted as screws, any suitable fastening means may be used, and preferably fastening means capable of fastening the device to a wall.

The securing mechanism 8 has a shaft 13 and head 15, the head 15 having a locking part 17 for receipt of a locking mechanism, for example a key, that can lock the securing mechanism 8 in a fixed position, as will be described in further detail later.

Fig. 1B shows the bicycle locking device of Fig. 1A from above.

The head 15 of the securing mechanism 8 is provided at the bottom of the locking device 1. The securing mechanism 8 can therefore be removed by the user from the bottom of the device 1. The user may grip the securing mechanism 8 by the head 15 and pull the mechanism 8 downwards from the device 1. When the user does this, this will effectively open the loop so that a bicycle can be inserted. Pushing upwardly on the securing mechanism 8 closes the loop - retaining the bicycle within the recess 9.

Fig. 2A shows the bicycle locking device 1 from the front, as would be seen by a user at eyelevel with the device 1 if it were fastened to a vertical surface (not shown). It will be appreciated that when the locking device 1 is fastened to a surface, the fastening means 7 would protrude into and through such a surface and would therefore not be visible in use, as they would be fastening the device 1 to the surface, as will be described in further detail later.

Fig. 2B is a view of the bottom of the bicycle locking device 1. It is readily seen from Figures 2A and 2B that when a locking mechanism (not shown) such as a key is employed to lock the securing mechanism 8 in a fixed position, the locking mechanism is inserted up and into the locking part 17 of the head 15 to lock the securing mechanism 8 in a fixed position. It can also be seen from Fig. 2A that once the securing mechanism 8 is removed, exposing the recess 9 in the device 1 as an ‘open loop,’ all or part of a bicycle may be slidably received in the recess 9.

The cover has two limbs 2, 4 giving the device a substantial V-shape. The limbs 2, 4 of the cover 3 extend outwardly, angularly offset from each other, defining a trapezoidal aperture 10 in the device. As will be described in more detail below, frame 5 has corresponding features. It will be appreciated however that the limbs may extend in any fashion, or, in embodiments when the locking device is a different shape, the cover may not have definable limbs (if, for example, the device is substantially circular).

As can be seen, the device is substantially U or V-shaped, but it will readily be appreciated that any shape is contemplated by the present disclosure. It will also be appreciated that alternate shapes may not contain an aperture, such as the aperture 10, or if they do the aperture may be any size or shape. For example, if the device is substantially circular, with part of the diameter being ‘squared-off’ to provide a flat part for ease of fastening to a wall, a substantially circular aperture may be provided in the middle of the device. When fastened to a wall the device may then protrude from the wall like a disk. Alternatively, the device may be square, rectangular, or a bar, rod or hook.

Figs. 3A and 3B show a side of the bicycle locking device 1. In Fig. 3B the device 1 is fastened to a vertical surface 21. It is readily seen from Fig. 3B that when the device 1 is fastened to a surface 21, the fastening means 7 are not visible, since they extend through the surface 21. Thus, in use, the cover 3 conceals the fastening means 7, and the cover 3 may be secured in this concealing position by the securing mechanism 8.

The frame comprises upper and lower limbs 61, 63 that abut lips 41, 43 of the cover 3. The cover 3 therefore covers substantially all of the main body of the frame but leaves the limbs 61, 63 of the frame exposed - as will be described in further detail later. The bicycle will therefore rest on the lower limb 63 when being retained within the locking device. The locking limb may therefore be made of a friction-enhancing, or slip-resistant material; or any material providing suitable cushioning for the bicycle, e.g. a padded material. Alternatively, the cover may completely cover the limbs 61,63 and the bicycle may then rest on the lower lip 43 of the cover 3. The lower lip 43 may be made of or comprise a friction-enhancing material or a padded-material or similar to minimise slipping and/or scratching and/or aid to retain the part of the bicycle slidably received therein.

Figs. 3C and 3D show the bicycle locking device 1 fastened to a wall 23. As above it is readily seen that the fastening means 7 extend through and into the wall 23 when the bicycle locking device 1 is fastened to the wall 23, the cover 3, when covering the frame 5, conceals the fastening means 7.

It will therefore be appreciated that, when the cover is covering the fame, and the locking device is mounted to a wall, a would-be thief does not easily have access to the fastening means that fix the device to the wall.

As can be seen from Fig. 3A-3C, the securing mechanism 8 is designed so that its movement is upward/downward, and that removal of the securing mechanism 8 from the locking device 1 entails moving the securing mechanism 8 downwards. This has the advantage that when the locking device 1 is placed high on a wall the user can unlock the device from the underside of the device. Furthermore, this means that the reach needed for the user in order to remove the pin is just the height of the underside of the locking device 1 on the wall. As will be explained later, the securing mechanism 8 is designed so that it does not simply fall out of the locking device when unlocked. As described above, when the locking device 1 is mounted high on a vertical surface, the user only needs reach to be able to touch the head 15 of the securing mechanism 8.

Figs. 4A-4C show the bicycle locking device 1 securely retaining a bicycle 20. As can be seen from Figs. 4A-4C, a part 21 of the bicycle is received in the recess 9 of the locking device 1, and a closed loop 11 is formed by the securing mechanism 8. In this way, if the bicycle were to be pulled away from the surface that the locking device 1 is secured to, the part 21 of the bicycle retained in the recess would abut the securing mechanism 8, and therefore the bicycle would be prevented from being removed from the locking device 1. Although the frame of the bicycle is depicted as being secured in the locking device, the recess may be sized to permit receipt of any part of the bicycle. For example, it may be desired to receive the tyre of the bicycle. A second locking device could be employed to receive the other tyre. In this way, the bicycle would be held against a surface preventing easy removal of the tyres.

Figs. 5A and 5B show the device 1 in an exploded view. The cover 3 has two openings 23, 25 which are sized to receive the securing mechanism 8. Lower opening 23 is provided in lower lip 43 and upper opening 25 is provided in upper lip 41. Openings 23 and 25 are substantially opposite one another.

The frame 5 has a head portion 27 and a body portion 29. The head portion 27 is secured to and protrudes from the body portion 29. The head portion 27 is sized and shaped complementarily with a corresponding part of the cover 3, and has upper and lower limbs 61, 63 projecting from planar portion 64. The body portion 29 comprises two outwardly projecting limbs 45, 47 angularly offset from one another projecting from a planar portion 46. The limbs 45 and 47 project outwardly from either side of the planar portion 46 and define a trapezoidal aperture 12, of size and shape corresponding to aperture 10 in the cover 3. The head portion 27 is secured to the body portion 29 via the two planar portions 64, 46. The head portion 27 may alternatively be integrally formed with the planar portion 46.

The frame 5 therefore takes the shape of a bracket with two outwardly extending angular limbs. The limbs 45, 47 each have two flanges 51, 53 through which are provided holes 55 for receipt of the fastening means 7. However, it will be appreciated that the frame could be any size and shape as desired. For example, in embodiments when the locking device is substantially circular, the frame and cover may be substantially circular. Additionally, the frame and/or cover may be provided in parts and may themselves be assembled into one piece.

The frame 5 also has a recess 31 which is sized and shaped complementarily with the recess 9 of the cover 3. The frame 5 and cover 3 are complementarily sized and shaped such that the cover can receive substantially the entire frame therein. Openings 33 and 35 are provided in the head portion 27. Lower opening 33 is provided on lower limb 63 and upper opening 35 is provided on upper limb 61 .In this way it may be appreciated that the lips 41 and 43 of the cover 3 are hollow and sized and shaped to receive the limbs 61, 63 of the head portion 27 of the frame 5.

The frame 5, in particular the body portion 29 of the frame, may be made of metal for example steel. The apertures 10, 12 in the device provide a number of advantages. For example, holes 70 may be used to fix or otherwise secure another article to the locking device 1. For example, hooks or clips may be provided on the inner surfaces of the apertures 10, 12 to store other articles, in which case the common aperture (formed by apertures 10, 12) acts as a part of the device that could be used for storage. In an exemplary example, the apertures 10, 12 could be sized to receive all or part of a bicycle helmet and so the user can use the device 1 to store both their bicycle and helmet. Alternatively, they may be used to hang/store an article of clothing, for example gloves or a coat.

Alternatively, one or more magnetic articles could be used to magnetically couple to a metallic inner surface of the aperture (formed by limbs 45, 47) and so metallic hooks, for example, could be used.

For assembly of the device 1, the frame 5 is placed against a surface such that the flanges 51, 53 abut a surface. Fastening means 7 extend through the holes 55 in the flanges 51, 53 thereby securing the frame 5 to the surface. Cover 3 is then placed over the frame 5 such that the head portion 27 of the frame is complementarily engaged and received within the cover 3. The limbs 61, 63 of the head portion are received within the lips 41,43 of the cover

3. In this way, the limbs of the head portion and cover act as male/female mating members. When the cover 3 covers the frame 7 the four openings 23, 25, 33, 35 will be aligned and form a passage for receipt of the securing mechanism 8. Lower opening 23 extends through lower lip 43. Openings 33, 35 extend through upper and lower limbs 61, 63. Upper opening 25 does not extend completely through the upper lip 45 but is a closed hole providing an abutting surface for the securing means 8 when the securing means 8 is pushed through all the openings in the order 23, 33, 35, 25. It will be readily seen that, to secure the cover 3 to the frame 7 the securing means 8 will first pass through and out of lower opening 23 in the lower lip 43 of the cover 3, via lower opening 33 of lower limb 63 of the frame 7; extend through the recesses 31 and 9 of the frame 7 and cover 3; through the upper opening 25 in the upper lip 41 of the cover 3, via upper opening 35 of the upper limb 61 of the frame 7 where the securing means 8 will abut the cover 3 in opening 25 (which is closed off) and be prevented from moving further.

Holes 70 are provided to allow the cover 3 to be secured to the frame 7 via nails, screws or the like. However, any means or mechanism of securing the cover to the frame is contemplated by the present invention, including the securing mechanism 8 alone.

Although substantially all of the frame 5 is depicted as being covered by cover 3 it will be appreciated that the cover may cover only part of the frame in use, depending on the requirements and aesthetics desired by the user.

When the securing mechanism 8 is moved downwards - to open the recess 9 for receipt of part of a bicycle - advantageously the head 15 of the securing mechanism 15 moves into the lower opening 23 and therefore the securing mechanism 8 does not prevent an obstacle for receipt of the bicycle. For example, securing mechanism 8 can be lowered such that none of securing mechanism 8 projects or protrudes into the recess 9, and so the user does not have to lift the bicycle over the securing mechanism 8 to get the bike into the recess. In this way, the bicycle may be easily slid in the recess 9, since the lower lip of the cover is essentially a smooth surface with no protrusions that the bike would need to manoeuvred around.

Fig. 5B also shows a clipping protrusion 110 of the cover 3 which can engage with corresponding clipping protrusion 120 of the frame 5 for retaining the cover in a position concealing the fastening means 7, even when the securing mechanism 8 is not engaging the cover 3 or frame 5. This means that when the user removes the securing mechanism 8 the cover 3 will remain attached to the frame 5. It will be appreciated that alternate means of securing the cover 3 and frame 5 are contemplated, for example clipping means may be provided on one or both of the cover 3 and frame 5. Alternatively, they may be dimensioned so as to provide an interference fit that secures the cover 3 to the frame 5. A push fit may alternatively be provided.

Fig. 6B shows bent-over end-flanges 81, 83 of the flanges 51, 53 to restrict ease of access to the fastening means 7 when the device 1 is fastened to a surface.

To provide stability, the body portion 29 of the frame 5 may be made of metal and the head portion 27 may be made of rubber. However, it will be appreciated that both the body portion and the head portion may be made of metal, plastic, rubber or any suitable material. It will also be appreciated that the cover 3 may be made of metal, rubber or plastic. Rather than having a friction-enhancing or slip-resistant or cushioning material on a lower lip of the cover, the cover itself may be made of any suitable material for holding part of a bicycle.

Referring to Figs. 9 and 10, the securing mechanism 8 is shown in more detail. The securing mechanism 8 comprises an inner shaft 71, bearings 72, 73 and outer sleeve 74. The bearings 72, 73 extend beyond the outer dimensions of the outer sleeve 74. The securing mechanism 8 contains an internal locking mechanism 75. In use, a key (not shown) may be inserted into the internal locking mechanism 75 to rotate the shaft 71 relative to the sleeve 74. Enough rotation will align two recesses (not shown) in the shaft 71 with the bearings 72, 73 which will then be free to ‘drop in’ to the recesses, thereby no longer extending beyond the outer dimensions of the outer sleeve 74. All of the securing mechanism 8 will then be substantially the same diameter and will be free to pass through a complementarily sized opening (such as openings 23, 25, 33, 35). Similarly, the locking mechanism 75 may be operated to ‘unalign’ the recesses with the bearings 72, 73 returning the securing mechanisms 8 to the configuration shown in Figure 10, in which it will not be able to be passed through an opening with dimensions substantially identical to the outer dimensions of the outer sleeve 74. The dimensions of the openings 23, 25, 33, 35 of the device 1 are substantially identical to the outer dimensions of the shaft 71 to enable the securing mechanism 8 to function as described above.

The securing means 8 may comprise a stopping mechanism preventing it from falling through the holes when it is in an unlocked position. For example, a further set of retractable bearings, or the like, may be provided on the outer surface of the outer sleeve 74 such that when the securing mechanism 8 is unlocked and not held by the user, the retractable bearings abut the cover 3 and prevent the securing mechanism 8 from falling through the lowest opening (since the retractable bearings mean the securing mechanism 8 has width greater than the opening). However, with enough force the bearings may retract, resulting in the securing mechanism 8 having width sufficient enough to pass through an opening. The force of gravity alone would not be sufficient to cause the bearings to retract and therefore if the securing mechanism 8 was unlocked and allowed to ‘fall’ it would not fall through the openings and be separated from the locking device. However, when the user wished to remove the securing mechanism 8 they can simply apply enough force to overcome any natural bias of the bearings so that they retreat and allow the mechanism to be removed. The bearings 72, 73 can functions as these bearings.

Alternatively, the bearings that comprise the stopping mechanism may be sprung bias such that the force of a user to pull the securing mechanism through the openings overcomes the spring bias, thereby permitting removal of the securing mechanism; the force of gravity being insufficient to overcome the spring bias. Further alternatively, the shaft 71 may comprise recesses that the bearings may retreat in to when being removed from the opening (the force of gravity being insufficient to cause the bearings to retreat into the recesses).

Alternatively, any suitable means may be used to ensure that the securing mechanism 8 does not detach or fall away from the locking device when the securing mechanism 8 is unlocked.

In a further alternative, the head 15 of the securing mechanism 8 may act as the stopping means. It may, for example, be able to retreat into the lower opening 23 such that it does not protrude into the recess, the but head 15 could be sized larger than a lower part of the lower opening 23, preventing removal of the securing mechanism 8 from the bottom of the device; and/or from the device entirely. In this way, all or part of the lower opening 23 can act as a shoulder preventing the securing mechanism 8 from falling through the opening 23.

Figs. 11 and 12 shows a bicycle locking device 1 where the securing mechanism 8 is a flap 100 pivotally secured to the frame 7 by a pivot 101. The closed loop in Figs. 11 and 12 is formed by the recess 9 and the flap 100. The flap 100 is secured to the upper limb 61 of the head portion 27 of the frame 5 and pivots away from the locking device 1 in order to give access to the recess 9. In this way the flap 100 may be pivoted away (shown in Fig. 12) from the device so that part of a bicycle may be slid into the recess 9. Closing of the flap 100 (returning the device into the configuration shown in Fig. 11) will close the loop. The flap 100 may then be locked in place by a locking means to thereby prevent removal of the bicycle. In this embodiment, the cover 3 does not cover all of the limbs 61, 63 of the frame, but only covers the external elements of the frame 5. It is therefore readily seen that the locking device 1 of Figs. 11 and 12 has its closed loop defined by flap 100, upper and lower limbs 61, 63 and planar portion 64 of the head portion 27 of the frame 5. Flap 100 has a greater length than the depth of the cover 3, causing the flap to extend beyond the cover 3, at points 102. It is therefore readily seen that when the flap 100 is secured forming the closed recess, as in Fig. 11, the cover 3 is secured relative to the frame 5.

The cover has a cutaway portion 104 to allow receipt of the flap 100 when it pivots away from the device (as shown in Fig. 12).

Although the fastening means 7 are depicted as screws or bolts, it will readily be appreciated that any suitable fastening means capable of fastening the locking device to a surface is contemplated by this disclosure, which is therefore not limited to the particular type of fastening means 7 shown in the figures. It will also be appreciated that the locking device may be fastened to a vertical surface, such as a wall in a home, at a height so that when the bicycle is securely retained in the locking device, the user may have enough room to get under the bicycle to, for example, perform maintenance. This also means that the user can use the locking device as a wall accessory above other pieces of furniture etc. The locking device may therefore be fastened to the wall, using fastening means, at such a height to permit this.

In one embodiment, the securing mechanism is an electromechanical lock; or comprises an electromechanical lock. Alternatively, the securing mechanism may be locked by an electromechanical lock. Alternatively, other similarly suitable electronic locking mechanisms could be used. In this way, the locking device 1 can be paired with a device, such as a smartphone, which could then be used to lock/unlock the device. For example, a unique paring between a smartphone and a locking device could be created such that only the holder of the smartphone can unlock the device. The smartphone could then have an indicator (an app or similar) that would allow the user to confirm whether or not the device was locked (a green display could indicate an unlocked configuration; a red display could indicate a locked configuration, for example).

Claims

1. A bicycle locking device comprising:

a frame;

fastening means for fastening the frame to a surface;

a recess for receipt of a part of a bicycle;

a cover arranged in a concealing position in which at least part of the fastening means are concealed by the cover; and a securing mechanism for securing the cover in the concealing position, wherein the securing mechanism and the recess form a closed loop for retaining the part of the bicycle received therein.

2. A bicycle locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the securing mechanism secures the cover relative to the frame and wherein the cover is shaped so as to cover the frame.

3. A bicycle locking device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, further comprising means for retaining the cover in the concealing position independently of the securing means.

4. A bicycle locking device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein all of the fastening means are concealed by the cover.

5. A bicycle locking device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the securing mechanism is a bolt.

6. A bicycle locking device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the securing mechanism is lockable in a fixed position.

7. A bicycle locking device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cover comprises two protruding lips.

8. A bicycle locking device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the recess is provide in the cover and is defined by the protruding lips.

9. A bicycle locking device as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein the protruding lips each comprise an opening for receipt of the securing mechanism.

10. A bicycle locking device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the frame has a head portion and a body portion.

11. A bicycle locking device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the head portion comprises upper and lower limbs.

12. A bicycle locking device as claimed in claim 11 wherein the upper and lower limbs each comprise an opening for receipt of the securing mechanism.

13. A bicycle locking device as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the body portion has two outwardly projecting limbs.

14. A bicycle locking device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the outwardly projecting limbs comprise flanges for fastening the frame to the surface.

15. A bicycle locking device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cover and/or the frame comprises an aperture.

16. A bicycle locking device as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the lips of the cover are dimensioned so as to receive the upper and lower limbs.

17. A bicycle locking device as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the openings of the cover and the openings of the head portion of the frame are in alignment when the cover covers the frame.

18. A bicycle locking device as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein the openings are sized to receive the securing mechanism.

19. A bicycle locking device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the securing mechanism comprises a stopping means for resisting removal from the bicycle locking device.

20. A bicycle locking device as claimed in claim 19, wherein passage of the securing mechanism through the openings is resisted by the stopping mechanism.

21. A bicycle locking device as claimed in claim 19 or 20, wherein the stopping means comprises a bearing.

22. A bicycle locking device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the stopping means comprises a recess sized to receive the bearing.

23. A bicycle locking device as claimed in claim 21 or 22, wherein the bearing is biased by a biasing means.

24. A bicycle locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the securing mechanism is a pivotal flap secured to the frame.

25. A bicycle locking device as claimed in claim 24, wherein the pivotal flap extends beyond the depth of the cover.

26. A bicycle locking device as claimed in claim 24 or 25, wherein the pivotal flap has a closed position, in which it forms a closed loop with the recess, and an open positon, in which it permits receipt of a bicycle into the recess of the bicycle locking device.

27 . A method of securing a bicycle using a bicycle locking device according to any of the preceding claims, the method comprising the steps of placing a part of the bicycle in the recess, then using the securing mechanism to form a closed loop with the recess, thereby retaining the bicycle inside the bicycle locking device.

28. A bicycle locking device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1612264.0 Examiner: Mr Robert Hunt