IES981069A2

IES981069A2 - Apparatus for supporting and locking a bicycle

Info

Publication number: IES981069A2
Authority: IE
Inventors: Antoin O'looney
Original assignee: Antoin O Looney
Priority date: 1998-12-18
Filing date: 1998-12-18
Publication date: 1999-08-11

Abstract

An apparatus for supporting and locking a bicycle comprises a body (11) formed of a moulded material having a plurality of parallel recesses (12) each of which receives a bicycle wheel (16). A plurality of metallic members (12) are embedded in the body to provide a locking a point adjacent to each recess to which a locking mechanism (17) can be secured, such that a bicycle wheel can be locked to the apparatus. The body is hollow and is provided with an aperture (18) for communication with the interior (19) of the body, whereby the hollow interior may be filled with weighted material such as sand or water. The apparatus can provide a temporary but secure bicycle stand which, when emptied of the weighted material, is lightweight enough to be easily lifted.

Description

This invention relates to an apparatus for supporting and locking a bicycle.

Such apparatus typically comprises a metal rack having parallel spaces into which wheels of a bicycle can be inserted, with the user typically locking a chain or cycle lock around the wheel and the framework of the rack. Such stands are permanent in nature and are typically embedded in concrete or bolted to a surface.

The present invention has as an object the provision of an apparatus for supporting and locking a bicycle which is easier to install and can be installed temporarily, e.g. to provide secure bicycle facilities at individual sporting or musical events.

The invention provides an apparatus for supporting and 20 locking a bicycle, the apparatus comprising a body having a recess adapted to receive a bicycle wheel, and a locking point adjacent the recess to which a locking mechanism can be secured whereby the wheel can be locked to the apparatus.

Preferably, the body is hollow and is provided with an aperture for communication with the interior of the body, whereby the hollow interior may be filled with weighted material.

Further, preferably, the body is formed of a moulded material and the locking point is provided by a metallic member embedded, INT CL the body OPEN TO PUBLiC INSPECTION I uNDEB ’ SSCTXW. W an.; .RULE 23 I ! JAR W) JEtC.....OF.lL/S/S IE 981069 The invention will now be further illustrated by the following description of an embodiment thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Fig. 1 is a top perspective view of an apparatus for supporting and locking a bicycle; Fig. 2 is a cut-away perspective view of a detail of the apparatus of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a partial sectional elevation of the apparatus of Fig. 1.

In Fig. 1 there is indicated, generally at 10, an apparatus according to the invention for supporting and locking a bicycle. The apparatus 10 comprises a body 11 formed of a tough moulded thermoplastic material.

The mould shape provides a row of parallel recesses 12 each of which is adapted to receive, a wheel of a bicycle. A plurality of hardened steel bars 13 are embedded in the body adjacent to the recesses 12. The steel bars 13 are provided in depressions 14 in the top surface 15 of the body 11, so as to providing a locking point in the form of an eye through which a bicycle lock can be secured.

Fig. 2 shows the apparatus in use, with a bicycle wheel 16 and lock 17 (both shown in dotted outline in Fig. 2) secured to the body 11 by passing the lock 17 through the bar 13 (see also Fig. 3).

IE 981069 A removable plug 18 (Figs. 1-3) provides access to the hollow interior 19 of the body 11, allowing the body to be filled with weighted material such as water or sand. When empty, the apparatus 10 is sufficiently lightweight to be easily lifted, but when filled with weighted material the body is effectively secured to the ground 20 (Fig. 3). A further plug may be provided adjacent the base of the apparatus for draining the weighted material from the apparatus, and this further plug is preferably removable only with the aid of a specific tool.

The body is also provided with a pair of formations on either side for receiving bolts or stakes if the device is to be secured in a permanent or semi-permanent location.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment described herein which may be modified or varied without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims :

1. An apparatus for supporting and locking a bicycle, the apparatus comprising a body having a recess adapted to receive a bicycle wheel, and a locking point adjacent the recess to which a locking mechanism can be 'secured whereby the wheel can be locked to the apparatus.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the body is hollow and is provided with an aperture for communication with the interior of the body, whereby the hollow interior may be filled with weighted material.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the body is formed of a moulded material and the locking point is provided by a metallic member embedded in the body.

4. An apparatus according to any one of claims 13, wherein a plurality of said recesses are provided parallel to one another in said body.

5. An apparatus for supporting and locking a bicycle, substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 1-3 of the accompanying Drawings.