GB2606171A

GB2606171A - Lock assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2606171A
Application number: GB2106011.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Fox Cheryl
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-04-27
Filing date: 2021-04-27
Publication date: 2022-11-02
Also published as: GB202106011D0

Abstract

A lock assembly (1 Fig 1) for a scooter having a stem (3) comprising: a housing with a lock 9, a retainer 11 extending from and returning to the housing to form a retainer loop, and locking linkage 13 extending from the housing and having a lock coupling 17 at a free end engageable with the lock 9; wherein the retainer loop length can be adjusted. Preferably the retainer and the locking linkage are a cable, preferably the same cable which leaves the housing at a first point 45, loops through the housing 65 with the free end engaging the lock at a second point. The part of the cable that passes through the housing may be engaged by a securing mechanism comprising first pivoting gripper 55 and a second gripper 59 each with teeth 61 63. The lock coupling on the locking linkage may be pivotably attached to the cable. In use the retainer 11 passes around the scooter stem and the locking linkage 13 passes around a fixed object. A hook and loop strap (19 Fig 3) may secure the locking assembly to the scooter when not in use.

Description

LOCK ASSEMBLY

Field

This disclosure relates to lock assemblies. One illustrative implementation provides a lock assembly for a two-or three-wheeled scooter. Human-powered variants of such scooters are also known as kick scooters, push scooters or y-shaped wiggle scooters; and electrically powered variants are often known as e-scooters. One illustrative retailer of such scooters is Micro Scooters Ltd, 110 Coast Road, West Mersea CO5 8NA, United Kingdom (see,g). Micro Scooters Ltd sell; amongst a large number of other models; a three-wheeled scooter known as the Mini Micro Eco Scooter, a two-wheeled variant known as the CLASSIC Micro Scooter, and an electric e-scooter known as the Merlin.

The term "scooter" as used herein is intended to include all of the various different types of scooter mentioned above, but not to include much higher powered e-mopeds (such as the Govecs Schwalbe (see: www.00ves-scooter corn)) or motor scooters (such as the VespaTM motor scooter) that typically require the rider to have a motorcycle or driver's licence.

Background

Scooters of the type described above typically comprise a front axle that carries one or two wheels, a stem that is coupled to the front axle and carries a pair of handlebars towards an end of the stem remote from the front axle, one or two footplates on which a user stands in use, and a rear axle per footplate carrying one or two rear wheels Scooters of the type mentioned above have been particularly popular amongst children, and it is not unusual on school days to see a number of such scooters left outside school buildings. A problem associated with their popularity is that it is common for several children to have the same type of scooter, and as a result for a given child to take the wrong scooter home with them at the end of the day. There is also, unfortunately, a propensity for scooters to be stolen.

In light of the foregoing it is apparent that it would be beneficial if one could lockup a scooter outside school to prevent it from being taken, but children cannot generally be relied upon to remember to take a separate lock with them to school, and there is also typically no easy way to couple a scooter to a lock.

To address such issues we have previously supplied the Scoot LockTM scooter lock (see www.scootlock.com). This scooter lock is configured to be attached to the stem of a scooter (so that it is always coupled to the scooter and cannot inadvertently be left at home), and includes a cable that can be deployed around a suitable structure (like a fence or bike rack, for example) and then locked into the main housing of the device.

Whilst our Scoot LockTM scooter lock device has proven to be extremely popular for conventional scooters such as the aforementioned CLASSIC Micro Scooter which has a circular cross-sectional stem, there now exists such a variety of scooters with widely differing stem designs that it is not always possible to attach our previously proposed Scoot Lock' scooter lock to the stem of the scooter.

Another issue with our previously proposed Scoot LockTM scooter lock is that the relative proximity of the combination reset button and the lock sometimes led users to inadvertently reset the combination without wanting to do so.

The lock assembly disclosed herein has been devised with the foregoing in mind.

Summary

In accordance with a presently preferred arrangement there is provided a lock assembly for a scooter having a stem, the assembly comprising: a housing carrying a lock; a retainer extending from the housing at a first point and returning into the housing at a second point spaced from the first so as to form a retainer loop; and locking linkage extending from the housing, the locking linkage having a lock coupling at a free end, the lock coupling being engageable with and disengageable from the lock; wherein the retainer loop length can be adjusted to enable the lock assembly to be fitted to a scooter with the stem between the housing and the retainer loop.

The assembly may comprise a fastener that can be passed through the housing and secured round the stem of the scooter. The retainer may comprise a cable. The locking linkage may comprise a cable. The retainer and locking linkage may comprise respective parts of the same cable.

The lock coupling may be pivotally coupled to the locking linkage.

In one implementation the retainer may be secured towards one end within the housing to provide a first securing point within the housing.

The lock assembly may comprise a retainer securing mechanism provided within the housing and operable to resist adjustment of the retainer loop length. The retainer securing mechanism may provide a second securing point within the housing.

The retainer securing mechanism may be operable to enable adjustment of the retainer loop length.

The retainer securing mechanism may comprise first and second grippers, at least one of which may be moved relative to the other to grip the retainer passing therebetween. The lock assembly may comprise an adjuster moveable to drive said at least one gripper into engagement with the retainer. The adjuster may be moveable to draw said at least one gripper out of engagement with the retainer.

In an envisaged implementation the housing may be configured so that access to said adjuster is obstructed when said lock coupling is engaged with said lock.

The lock may comprise a combination lock.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of mounting a lock assembly to a scooter having a stem and handlebars, the lock assembly comprising: a housing carrying a lock; a retainer extending from the housing at a first point and returning into the housing at a second point spaced from the first so as to form a retainer loop; and locking linkage extending from the housing, the locking linkage having a lock coupling at a free end, the lock coupling being engageable with and disengageable from the lock, said method comprising the steps of: passing the retainer loop over the handlebars so that the stem lies between the housing and the retainer; and adjusting the length of the retainer until the housing and the retainer each abut against the stem. Other features, aspects and advantages of the lock assembly herein disclose will be apparent from the following detailed description.

Brief Description of the Drawinos

Various aspects of the teachings of the present invention, and arrangements embodying those teachings, will hereafter be described by way of illustrative example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic front elevation of a lock assembly of the type disclosed herein attached to the stem of a scooter; Fig. 2 is a schematic side elevation of the lock assembly shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a schematic rear elevation of the lock assembly shown in Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 4 is a schematic front elevation of the lock assembly shown in Fig. 1 with a lock coupling decoupled from a lock; Figs. 5 and 6 are, respectively, front and rear isometric views of a housing of the lock assembly; Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the housing shown in Figs. 5 and 6; Fig. 8 is an underneath plan view of the housing shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7; and Fig. 9 is a schematic depiction of certain internal components of the lock assembly disclosed herein.

Detailed Description

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings, there is depicted a presently preferred embodiment of locking apparatus 1. The apparatus 1 is shown as having been secured to the stem 3 of a scooter, the foot plate 5 of which is also partly shown.

The locking apparatus 1 comprises a housing 7 that includes a lock 9 -in this particular example a combination lock. The combination lock 9 is conventional in the way that it is constructed and operated, and as such will not be described in detail herein. Other types of lock are also contemplated, some of which will be described below.

The lock assembly 1 further comprises a retainer 11 that is used to couple the lock assembly to the stem 3 of a scooter in such a way that unauthorised decoupling of the lock assembly from the scooter is at least resisted, and preferably prevented. In use, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 for example, the retainer 11 extends from the housing 7 (more specifically, from a wall of the housing that is uppermost when the lock assembly is installed on a scooter), passes behind the stem 3 and back into the housing 7. The retainer can be secured at two points within the housing to form a loop that extends around the stem 3 in use, and in a preferred arrangement can only be released when the lock assembly has been opened.

In a preferred arrangement, the length of retainer that extends from the housing is adjustable (once a retainer securing mechanism has been disengaged) so that the lock assembly can readily be used with scooters having stems of different shapes and/or radii. This is an important and advantageous distinction from our earlier Scoot LockTM scooter lock, which is only suitable for mounting to scooters having circular cross-section stems having one particular stem radius.

The retainer, in an envisaged implementation, comprises a cable. In a contemplated arrangement, the outer surface of the retainer is of a high-friction material, such as rubber, to resist sliding of the lock assembly up and down the stem in use. Referring again to Fig. 1, the lock assembly further comprises locking linkage 13 extending from the housing 7 (more particularly from a wall of the housing that is lowermost when the lock assembly is installed on a scooter). In a preferred arrangement, the locking linkage comprises a length of cable. A free end 15 of the locking linkage is provided with a lock coupling 17 (shown best in Fig. 5) that a user can engage with the lock 9 once the linkage has been wrapped round a structure that the scooter is to be locked to. In the depicted implementation, the lock coupling is pivotally connected to the locking linkage to facilitate engagement of the coupling with the lock 9, and to reduce stress on the housing 7 when the lock coupling is so engaged. In other arrangements, the pivot may be omitted.

Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3, the lock assembly also comprises a fastener 19 that extends through a rear part of the housing (in a manner that will later be described) and fastens the housing of the lock assembly to the stem. Unlike the retainer, the fastener 19 can be fastened or unfastened regardless of whether the lock assembly is locked (with the lock coupling secured in the lock as shown in Fig. 1) or unlocked (with the lock coupling disengaged from the lock as shown in Fig. 4).

In one envisaged implementation, the fastener comprises a length of webbing that can be passed through the housing and opposite end regions secured together so that the webbing surrounds the stem of the scooter. To facilitate this, one end region of the webbing may be provided with a first part of a two-part mechanical connector system, and the other end region of the webbing may be provided with a second part of the two-part mechanical connector system -preferably on the opposite side of the webbing to the side that carries the first part. The two-part mechanical connector system could be a hook-and-loop coupling system, such as VelcroTM.

In another envisaged implementation, one end of the webbing may be bifurcated into first and second overlapping portions. Adjacent faces of the first and second overlapping portions each carry a first part of the aforementioned two-part mechanical connector system, and the other end of the webbing remote from the bifurcated end carries a second part of the connector system on each surface of the webbing. In use, the inside surface of the end of the webbing that carries the second part of the connector system is first secured to the first overlapping portion around the stem, and then the second overlapping portion is secured to the outside surface of the end of the webbing that carries the second part of the connector system. This arrangement enhances the strength of the fastening around the stem of the scooter.

In either instance respective end portions of the fastener may be provided with lateral seams so that the user can more easily trim the length of the fastener to suit the scooter stem to which the lock assembly is being attached.

Figs. 5 to 8 are various enlarged views of the housing 7 of the lock assembly.

For clarity, in these figures we have omitted the retainer, the fastener and the locking linkage.

Referring now to Figs. 5 to 8, the housing 7 functions as a mount for the lock 9. The lock 9, in this instance, comprises a plurality of combination wheels 21 that can be turned by a user to set a combination, lock and unlock the locking linkage. A recessed reset pin 23 is provided which, when pushed with the lock coupling of the locking linkage disengaged, allows the combination wheels to be turned to set a new combination for the lock 9. The lock also includes a button 25 which, when pressed with the combination wheels set to show the combination for disengaging the lock coupling with the lock, allows the lock coupling of the locking linkage to be disengaged from the lock. Pushing the button 25 with the lock coupling removed from the lock also functions to set a new combination in circumstances where the reset pin has been pushed. The lock 9 is conventional, and as such the internal structure of the lock and the way in which it works will not be described in detail.

As depicted, the lock is orientated so that the reset pin is in a different face of the housing 7 to the face through which the lock coupling passes to engage with the lock 9.

This is advantageous, as compared to our previously proposed Scoot LockTM scooter lock as it is less likely for users to accidentally press the reset pin when engaging the lock coupling with the lock.

As mentioned above, the retainer is secured at two points within the housing to form a loop that extends around the stem 3 in use. Referring in particular to Figs. 7 and 8, a channel 27 is provided in the housing 7 for enabling the lock coupling of the locking linkage to be engaged with the lock 9. The channel 27 additionally provides a portal via which access can be had to an adjuster 29 for a retainer securing mechanism. The advantage of this arrangement is that when the lock coupling is secured in the lock, access to the adjuster 29 is obstructed and as a result the retainer securing mechanism cannot be disengaged to allow the lock assembly to be removed from the stem of the scooter when the lock assembly is locked with the lock coupling secured in the lock. As best shown in Figs. 6 and 8, the housing includes a generally C-shaped (in vertical cross-section) connector portion 31 that forms a passageway 33 for receiving the fastener 19. The connector portion 31 includes a face 35 that is adjacent the stem of the scooter when the housing is secured thereto. An elastomeric pad (not shown in the drawings), for example of rubber, may be coupled (for example, adhered) to the face 35 of the connector portion to enhance frictional forces between the connector portion 31 and the stem, and thus make it less likely for the housing to slip up and/or down the stem when the lock assembly is coupled to the stem of a scooter. The elastomeric pad may be slightly tacky, and may be covered by a removeable release layer. An outer face 37 of the housing, opposite the face 35 of the connector portion 31, may be treated so as to be reflective (for example painted with reflective paint or by carrying a reflective sticker) so that visibility of a scooter to which the lock assembly is fixed is improved at night.

As shown in Fig. 5, the housing 7 comprises a first portion 39 to which the aforementioned connection portion 31 is attached, and a second portion 41 which provides the aforementioned outer face 37. In the preferred arrangement the first and second portions are brought together in the manufacture of the lock assembly and permanently secured to one another (for example by adhesive or by welding), so that the housing cannot easily be disassembled by nefarious third parties.

Referring now to Fig. 9, there is depicted a schematic elevation of the first portion 39 of the housing with the aforementioned second portion 41 omitted so that the internal components of the housing can readily be viewed. In Fig. 9, the majority of the retainer 11 and the locking linkage 13 (represented respectively by the dashed lines) have been omitted so that the internal components of the housing can more easily be viewed.

As shown in Fig. 9, the first portion is configured to provide a space in which the lock 9 can be fitted, whilst enabling access to be had to the aforementioned wheels, reset pin and button.

The first portion 39 includes a peripheral wall 42 in which four ports are provided, a first port 43 and the channel 27 being provided in a part of the peripheral wall that will be lowermost when the lock assembly is in use; a second port 45 and a third port 47 being provided in a part of the peripheral wall that will be uppermost when the lock assembly is in use. The second port 45 opens to internal structure 49 within the housing with which one end portion 51 of the retainer 11 (part of which is shown) can securely be engaged.

Internal walls of the housing that define the aforementioned portal 53 are funnel-shaped to assist users in engaging an appropriate tool (such as an alien key, for example) with the adjuster 29. The adjuster is externally threaded and engaged with a block 54 that includes an internally threaded bore. An end portion of the adjuster 29 remote from the portal 53 is coupled to a first gripper 55 which is pivotally moveable about a peg 57 by winding the adjuster into and out of the block 54. A second gripper 59 having a gripping surface 61 extends inwardly from the peripheral wall 41 of the housing 7 at a position generally in the vicinity of a gripping portion 63 of the first gripper. In a contemplated arrangement the gripping surface 61 and the gripping portion 63 each comprise a toothed surface.

As shown in Fig. 9, in this implementation the retainer and the locking linkage are a unitary component, in this instance a cable 65, with a portion of that component which extends from an uppermost surface of the housing in use forming the retainer 11 and a portion of that component which extends from a lowermost surface of the housing in use forming the locking linkage 13.

With the first gripper 55 in the position depicted in Fig. 9, the cable 65 can be moved through the third port 47, through the housing 7 and through the first port 43 to vary the length of the retainer 11 and the locking linkage 13. In this instance, as the length of the retainer reduces, the length of the locking linkage increases -and vice versa.

Once the retainer is of a desired length, and with the lock coupling 17 disengaged from the lock 9, the adjuster 29 can be wound into the block 54 by means of a suitable tool, such as an alien key. As the adjuster 29 is wound into the block 54, the first gripper 55 pivots about the peg 57 and the gripping portion 63 moves towards the gripping surface 61 of the second gripper 59 to clamp the cable 65 therebetween. In this position, movement of the cable out of the housing to increase the length of the retainer (as would be required to remove the lock assembly from a scooter) is resisted. As aforementioned, in this position the retainer is secured at two points within the housing -namely at the internal structure 59 and between the first and second grippers 55, 59. When the lock coupling of the locking linkage is engaged with the lock (as shown in Fig. 9), as it would be when the scooter to which the lock assembly is coupled is locked up, access to the adjuster 29 is obstructed, and as a consequence nefarious third parties are discouraged from unwinding the adjuster from the block to unclamp the cable 65 from between the grippers 55, 59.

It is envisaged that the lock assembly will be supplied to users with the housing in the state depicted in Fig. 9. To fit the lock assembly to a scooter, a user need only pull the retainer until it is sufficiently long to allow the loop of retainer to be fitted over the handlebars of the scooter so that the stem lies within the retainer loop. Once the housing is located at the desired height on the stem, the user pulls the locking linkage out of the housing to reduce the length of the retainer until the housing abuts against the stem. At this point the user then decouples the lock coupling from the lock and uses a suitable tool to screw the adjuster into the block to drive the two grippers together to clamp the cable therebetween. The user can then couple the fastener around the stem (after having removed the optional release layer), following which the lock assembly is secured on the stem of the scooter ready for use.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the lock assembly detailed herein provides an effective means for locking up scooters, and also that the lock assembly disclosed herein provides several advantages over our previously proposed Scoot LockTM scooter lock.

It will also be appreciated that whilst various aspects and embodiments of lock assembly have heretofore been described, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the particular arrangements set out herein and instead extends to encompass all arrangements, and modifications and alterations thereto, which fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

For example, whilst in the preferred embodiment the retainer and the locking linkage are provided by one component, it will be appreciated that the retainer and locking linkage could comprise discrete separate components of the lock assembly. In such an arrangement, a length of retainer could be housed within the housing, for example coiled within the housing, so that a variable length of retainer cable can be withdrawn from the housing for coupling the lock assembly to a scooter. The retainer could be provided on a reel, and means could be provided to enable the reel to be turned to draw cable back into the housing. Means could then be provided to engage with the cable and/or the reel to obstruct unauthorised lengthening of the retainer.

It is also the case that whilst the lock assembly disclosed herein has a combination lock 9, any other type of lock could instead be employed. For example, instead of a combination lock with wheels, a combination lock with push-buttons could instead be provided. It is also envisaged for the lock assembly to be provided with an electronic lock that interfaces wirelessly with a smartphone, for example via BluetoothTM or other short-range wireless link, to enable the lock coupling to be disengaged from the lock. In this connection it is noted that some electric hire scooters require users to use an app on their smartphones to interact wirelessly with the scooter, and that app could also interact with the lock assembly, or the lock assembly could be wirelessly controlled by the electric hire scooter controller.

In another envisaged arrangement, the retainer securing mechanism need not be releasable to allow the retainer length to be increased. The lock assembly could be sold with the retainer extended to form a loop that can be fitted over the handlebars of a scooter. Once so fitted, the retainer can be withdrawn into the housing through a one-way retainer securing mechanism that allows the retainer to be withdrawn into the housing but prevents it from being pulled back out of the housing. Such an arrangement would allow the lock assembly to be fitted to a scooter, but would not allow the lock assembly to be removed from the scooter to which it is fitted for fitment to another scooter.

It should also be noted that whilst the accompanying claims set out particular combinations of features described herein, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the particular combinations hereafter claimed, but instead extends to encompass any combination of features herein disclosed.

Finally, it should be noted that any element in a claim that does not explicitly state "means for" performing a specified function, or "steps for" performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a "means" or "step" clause as specified in 35 U.S.C.

Sec. 112, par. 6. In particular, the use of "step of" in the claims appended hereto is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. Sec. 112, par. 6.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A lock assembly for a scooter having a stem, the assembly comprising: a housing carrying a lock; a retainer extending from the housing at a first point and returning into the housing at a second point spaced from the first so as to form a retainer loop; and locking linkage extending from the housing, the locking linkage having a lock coupling at a free end, the lock coupling being engageable with and disengageable from the lock; wherein the retainer loop length can be adjusted to enable the lock assembly to be fitted to a scooter with the stem between the housing and the retainer loop.
2. A lock assembly according to Claim 1, further comprising a fastener that can be passed through the housing and secured round the stem of the scooter.
3. A lock assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the retainer comprises a cable.
4. A lock assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the locking linkage comprises a cable.
5. A lock assembly according to claim 3 and 4, wherein the retainer and locking linkage comprise respective parts of the same cable.
6. A lock assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the lock coupling is pivotally coupled to the locking linkage.
7. A lock assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the retainer is secured towards one end within the housing to provide a first securing point within the 30 housing.
8. A lock assembly according to any preceding claim, further comprising a retainer securing mechanism provided within the housing and operable to resist adjustment of the retainer loop length.
9 A lock assembly according to Claim 8, wherein the retainer securing mechanism provides a second securing point within the housing.
10. A lock assembly according to Claim 8 or 9, wherein the retainer securing mechanism is operable to enable adjustment of the retainer loop length.
11. A lock assembly according to any of Claims 8 to 10, wherein the retainer securing mechanism comprises first and second grippers, at least one of which can be moved relative to the other to grip the retainer passing therebetween.
12. A lock assembly according to Claim 11, comprising an adjuster moveable to drive said at least one gripper into engagement with the retainer.
13. A lock assembly according to Claim 12, wherein said adjuster is moveable to draw said at least one gripper out of engagement with the retainer.
14. A lock assembly according to Claim 12 or 13, wherein the housing is configured so that access to said adjuster is obstructed when said lock coupling is engaged with said lock.
15. A lock assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein said lock comprises a combination lock.
16. A method of mounting a lock assembly to a scooter having a stem and handlebars, the lock assembly comprising: a housing carrying a lock; a retainer extending from the housing at a first point and returning into the housing at a second point spaced from the first so as to form a retainer loop; and locking linkage extending from the housing, the locking linkage having a lock coupling at a free end, the lock coupling being engageable with and disengageable from the lock, said method comprising the steps of: passing the retainer loop over the handlebars so that the stem lies between the housing and the retainer; and adjusting the length of the retainer until the housing and the retainer each abut against the stem.