WO1993011024A1

WO1993011024A1 - A security and storage device

Info

Publication number: WO1993011024A1
Application number: PCT/GB1992/002177
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ian Nigel Harold Allington
Original assignee: Broadribb Limited
Priority date: 1991-11-27
Filing date: 1992-11-25
Publication date: 1993-06-10
Also published as: GB9125214D0; GB9224668D0; GB2261909A; EP0613435A1

Abstract

A securing and storage device, primarily for use with bicycles in conjunction with a known shackle lock which comprises a U-shaped wheel securing member or stay (21) with apertures (47) therein to receive one arm of the U-shaped locking member (15) of the lock (14). First mounting means (23) on the bicycle frame (7) support one end of the shackle lock (14) when not in use, the other end being supported by the U-shaped locking member (21) whose free ends are attached to the forks (3) of the bicycle by second mounting means (23a) whereby a load carrying platform is provided on the bicycle. The shackle lock can be mounted over either the front or rear wheels (2, 4) using the device of the invention.

Description

A SECURITY AND STC-.AGE DEVICE

This invention relates to a security device for two or three wheeled vehicles and more particularly to an assembly for use in combination with a shackle or similar type of lock to lock and secure both wheels of a two wheeled vehicle or two wheels of a three wheeled vehicle and mount said shackle lock on the vehicle frame when not in use.

The following discussion of the invention will be in relation to two wheeled bicycles for ease of description but it is to be understood that the scope of protection afforded by this patent application is also intended to cover three wheeled bicycles and motorcycles.

It is becoming increasingly important to secure bicycles these days due to the high number of thefts. It is common practice to achieve this by using a shackle lock to secure the bicycle fi.ame and rear wheel to an immovable object such as a lamp-post or railing. One of the draw backs with the use of shackle locks is that they leave the front wheel unlocked and it is therefore easy for a thief to remove it, particularly as many front wheels are secured to the bicycle frame using quick-release nuts.

Another problem with using shackle locks is that, when they are not in use, they are conventionally mounted on the rear upright of the cycle frame to extend forwardly thereof in the plane of the cycle frame. Whilst this provides a convenient stowage location for the shackle lock, it is nevertheless inconvenient since it means that the space within the frame defined by the front forks, the crossbar and the rear upright cannot be used for the storage of other accessories such as pumps, water bottles etc. which have traditionally been stored there.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a security assembly which can be used in conjunction with a lock device to secure both the front wheel or one rear wheel and the vehicle frame to a fixed immovable object. It is a further object of the invention to provide an assembly which facilitates storage of the wheel securing member and the lock device on the vehicle frame in a convenient manner.

According to the invention there is provided a security and storage assembly for use with a lock of the type in which a rigid securing member is shaped to pass through a wheel and the fr me of the vehicle, its free end or ends being received in and secured by a lockable member, said assembly being constructed and arranged to secure one of the wheels of a two or three wheeled vehicle and mount said lock on the vehicle frame when not in use, the assembly comprising:

a) a U-shaped wheel securing member with apertures therein adapted to receive the rigid securing member of said lock, and b) mounting means for storing said lock on the vehicle frame, when not in use, comprising: i) first mounting means for releasably mounting one end of said lock on the frame so that it extends from said frame over and above the vehicle wheel, and ii) second mounting means for releasably mounting the U-shaped wheel securing member on the frame to support the lock in a generally horizontal position.

Conveniently, the lock is a shackle lock comprising a generally U-shaped locking member which is received in and secured by a lockable cross-piece, the U-shaped wheel securing member with the apertures therein being adapted to receive one arm of the U-shaped locking member of said shackle lock. In the preferred embodiment, an aperture is provided adjacent each free end of the U-shaped wheel locking member.

If the lock is a shackle lock, the first mounting means can comprise a support attachable to the vehicle frame and constructed to receive and hold the cross-piece of the shackle lock substantially normal to the plane of the vehicle frame. Said first mounting means could however receive and hold the other end of the shackle lock.

The first mounting means can comprise a tube which can either has a continuous wall or is split along its length, clamping means being associated with said split tube cradle member to draw the sides thereof together to grip the part of the lock received therein when said clamping means are tightened.

Preferably, however the f_rst mounting means is an open topped cradle member which may be V-shaped in cross section. In a preferred arrangement, holding means retain the shackle lock in the cradle member. Conveniently, said means comprise a length of webbing with means thereon for securing one end of said webbing to the remainder thereof and thereby, in use, tightly g ip and retain the shackle lock in the cradle member.

Preferably, the U-shaped wheel securing member is provided with attachment means for connecting said member to the lock when the lock is mounted on the vehicle frame when not in use. Conveniently, said attachment means is an eye located midway between the free ends of the U-shaped wheel securing member.

The second mounting means can comprise a pair of clamps mountable on the vehicle frame on either side of the vehicle wheel, each clamp being constructed to locate and hold one free end of the U-shaped wheel securing member on the frame to retain said member thereon. Conveniently, each clamp comprises a pair of gripping members which can be tightened to clamp the free end of the U-shaped wheel securing member therebetween. Alternatively, each clamp has a threaded shaft extending therefrom which is received, in use, in the hole at the end of the U-shaped securing member, a nut being screwed on said shaft to clamp the free end thereof in position.

In another embodiment, each clamp has a threaded shaft extending therefrom which, in use, is received in the hole at the end of the U-shaped securing member, said threaded shaft being received in a threaded hole provided on the vehicle frame.

Alternatively, each clamp has a threaded shaft extending therefrom which, in use, is received and secured to a link member pivotally attached at one end to the vehicle frame. Preferably, the threaded shaft is screwed directly into a tapped hole in the link member.

The security and storage assembly of the present inventi is primarily intended for use with two wheeled bicycles, the mounting means being adapted to store the lock at th rear of the cycle frame so as to extend substantially horizontally over the rear wheel. It can however be used at the front of the cycle to extend forwardly over the front wheel.

Furthermore the security and storage assembly of the present invention is primarily intended to secure the front wheel of the wheeled vehicle, the shackle lock securing the or one of the rear wheels. However, it can be used in-the reverse way if desired. It can also be used to secure the cyclist's helmet to the cycle frame and/or wheel.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a bicycle secured to an immovable object using a known prior art shackle lock. The lock is also shown in its stored position in phantom; Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but illustrates the security and storage assembly of the present invention in its locked condition when used with a known shackle lock;

Figure 3 is a scrap view similar to Figure 2 but showing the security and storage assembly in its locked condition but additionally securing a rider's crash helmet;

Figure 4 is a view of the security and storage assembly shown in Figure 2 in its stored condition at the rear of a bicycle;

Figure 5 is a view of the security and storage assembly shown in Figure 2 in its stored condition at the front of a bicycle;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one form of mounting means for holding the shackle lock shown in Figures 2-4 on the cycle frame; Figure 7 is a scrap view of one form of mounting assembly for the free ends of the stay of the security and storage assembly shown in Figures 2-5; and

Figure 8 is a scrap view of another form of mounting assembly for the free ends of the stay of the security and storage assembly shown in Figures 2-5 but as an integral part of the bicycle frame.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a bicycle having a frame including front forks 1 rotatably mounting a front wheel 2. Rear forks 3 rotatably mount rear wheel 4. The frame also includes a rear upright frame member 5 supporting saddle 6 Handlebars 8 are mounted in the usual way in front portion 9 of the frame member, the handlebars being connected to the front forks 1. The front wheel 2 is held in the front forks 1 by means of nuts 10 which may be of the quick-release type. The rear wheel 4 is retained in the rear forks 3 by means of nuts 11 which may also be of the quick-release type. A known shackle lock 14 is illustrated in the drawings and it can be seen that it comprises a U-shaped locking member 15, the free ends of which are received in apertures in a cross-piece 16 which includes a lock mechanism 17, usually operated by a key. In order to secure the illustrated bicycle to an immovable object 20, the U-shaped locking member 15 is placed through the rear wheel 4 and around the immovable object 20. The lockable cross-piece 16 can then be attached to it in known manner and locked.

It will be noted that the U-shaped locking member 15 can only pass round the immovable object 20 and through the rear wheel 4 in the illustrated arrangement. It does not pass through the front wheel 2 and therefore the front wheel can be readily removed by a thief by simply undoing the nuts 10. Figure 1 also shows in dotted line the shackle lock 14 mounted on the rear upright frame member 5 for storage purposes, the lock lying in the plane of the frame. For obvious reasons, with this arrangement, articles cannot be stored or carried in the space defined between crossbar 12, rear upright 5, front portion 9 and inclined down member 13 of the frame.

Referring now to Figure 2 of the drawings, there is shown the improved wheel security and storage assembly of the present invention. The main component of the assembly is U-shaped wheel locking member or stay 21. This can be made from any suitable material such as steel, aluminium, carbon fibre, plastics or Kevlar. Apertures are provided at the free ends of the U-shaped member to receive one arm of the U-shaped locking member 15 of the shackle lock 14. It will be seen that the addition of the wheel locking member 21 of the present invention provides a much improved locking arrangement for the bicycle as both the rear wheel and the front wheel are secured.

The security and storage assembly of the present inventio also includes mounting means for storing the lock 14 on the bicycle frame when not in use. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting means comprises first and second mounting means 23 and 23a. A preferred form of first mounting means 23 is shown in Figures 2, 4 and 6 fitted on cross member 8 between the rear fork uprights 7. The mounting means comprises a generally L-shaped mounting bracket 24 with an aperture 24a in one end and an upstanding lug 26 at its other end with a hole (not shown) therethrough. The mounting bracket 24 is secured to the frame cross member 8 by means of nut and bolt arrangement 27.

A cross-piece 25 and a V-shaped lock support or cradle member 26 are clamped together by nut and bolt arrangement 28 to grip a length of webbing 29 between them. The V-shaped lock support member 36 has a laterally extending lip 30 extending along one edge which fits through ring 31 to engage on top edge 32 of the cross-piece 25 and locate and clamp the webbing 29 against pivotal movement relative to the mounting bracket 24. The webbing 29 is attached at one end to a ring 31 and has a piece of "VELCRO" 32 at its other end which is attachable to a second piece of "VELCRO" fixing material 33 positioned on the webbing 29 intermediate its ends. The mounting means 23 operates as follows:- When the shackle lock 14 is to be stored in position above the rear wheel 4, the lock cross-piece 16 is placed in the V-shaped lock support member 36. Because of its V-shaped cross section, the support 36 can receive, support and locate lock cross-pieces of a variety of diameters. Once the lock cross-piece is in position, the webbing 29 is folded back over the lock cross-piece 16 and then fed through the ring 31 and back over the ring 31 so that the "VELCRO" strip 32 can engage with the other "VELCRO" strip 33 to attach it thereto. The lock cross-piece 36 is then securely held in position as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 5 shows an identical arrangement to that shown in Figure 4 except that the shackle lock 14 is mounted above the front wheel, the mounting means being the same as that just described with reference to Figure 6.

Instead of using the mounting arrangement 23 just described, a hollow tube could be mounted to the fork cross member 8 and the lock cross-piece 16 fitted therein The hollow tube would preferably be of an internal diameter slightly greater than that of the lock cross-piece 16 and of a length substantially equal to t distance between the two arms of the U-shaped locking member 15. The tube can however take any convenient configuration. For instance, it could be split along its length and be of a diameter much greater than the outside diameter of the lock cross-piece 16 so that a variety of shackle lock sizes^can be accommodated in it. With such an arrangement^rclamping means would be provided to close the longitudinal slot in the +"ube and thereby clamp and grip the shackle lock cross-piece housed therein.

The particular construction or point of mounting on the vehicle frame of the first mounting means 23 is not important provided that it functions to receive and hol one end of the lock therein. In the case of the illustrated shackle lock this is the shackle lock cross-piece 16. It could however mount the other end of the shackle lock part 15. Referring now to Figures 2, 4, 7 and 8, it will be seen that the security and storage assembly of the present invention also includes second mounting means 23a for releasably mounting the U-shaped wheel securing member 21 on the rear fork parts 7.

Figure 7 shows a preferred form of second mounting means 23a which comprises a link 40 which is pivotally attached at one end 41 to a tapped mounting eye 42 provided on the end of the rear forks 3 by means of an Allen bolt 43 which engages in the threaded mounting eye 42. The other end of the link 40 has an upstanding lug 44 which has a threaded hole in it to receive thread 45 on knob 46. The U-shaped wheel securing member or stay 21 has a hole 47 in its free end of a diameter which will engage and fit over the lug 44. It is then retained in position thereon by tightening the knob 46. Because the link 40 is pivotally mounted with respect to the forks 3 and 7, it will be appreciated that a variety of sizes of shackle lock can be accommodated by the stay because the link 41 provides a movable anchor point for the assembly of the stay 21 and the shackle lock 14.

Figure 8 shows a slightly different arrangement to that just described with reference to Figure 7 in that an enlarged mounting eye 42 is provided as original equipment by the bicycle frame manufacturer. This is an integral part of the rear forks 3 adjacent drop-out 49 in which the rear wheel 4 (not shown) is mounted. The knob 46 has a threaded shank 45 which screws into the eye 42 and an enlarged cylindrical section 51 of a diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of the hole 47 in the stay 21. As a result, the stay 21 can be fixed in position relative to the eye 42 by the engagement of the portion 51 in the hole 47.

Referring now to Figure 4, there is illustrated the security and storage assembly shown in Figure 2 when it is not being used to lock the bicycle to a post. It can be seen that the cross-piece 16 of the shackle lock is mounted in the first mounting means 23 and the U-shaped locking member 15 of the shackle lock 14 extends generally horizontally in a rearward direction over the rear wheel 4. The free ends of the wheel locking member or stay 21 are mounted in the second mounting means 23a which retain them in a fixed position in relation to the rear forks 3 and 7. The arrangement illustrated is that shown in Figure 7 using the link 40. The other end of the locking member 21 is attached to the U-shaped locking member 15 of the shackle lock by means of the eye 38 but other means of attachment could be used such as a piece of webbing incorporating a VELCRO strip. A plastic snap-on clip could also be used.

Figure 3 shows the arrangement shown in Figure 2 but with the stay 21 fed through the ventilation holes in a cyclist's helmet 50 thereby securing it to the bicycle which is particularly advantageous.

As an alternative to the illustrated generally U-shaped construction, the wheel securing member 21 could be formed in an H configuration to provide a pair of upstanding projections at its top member between which the shackle lc<-;k locking member 14 can be located. Such an arrangement would provide additional lateral location for the combined assembly of the locking member 15 and the wheel locking member 21.

It should be noted that the preferred embodiment of the invention just described and illustrated in the drawings involves the use of a known shackle lock. It will be appreciated however that the invention would work equally well with any other form of lock utilising a rigid wheel securing member which can be mounted on the frame to extend over the front or rear wheel and be supported in a generally horizontal orientation by the U-shaped wheel securing member or stay 21.

Claims

1. A security and storage assembly for use with a lock of the type in which a rigid securing member is shaped to pass through a wheel and the frame of the vehicle, its free end or ends being received in and secured by a lockable member, said assembly being constructed and arranged to secure one of the wheels of a two or three wheeled vehicle and mount said lock on the vehicle frame when not in use, the assembly comprising: a) a U-shaped wheel securing member with apertures therein adapted to receive the rigid securing member of said lock, and b) mounting means for storing said lock on the vehicle frame, when not in use, comprising: i) first mounting means for releasably mounting one end of said lock on the frame so that it extends from said frame over and above the vehicle wheel, and ii) second mounting means for releasably mounting the U-shaped wheel securing member on the frame to support the lock in a generally horizontal position.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 w =?in the lock is a shackle lock comprising a generally -shaped locking member which is received in and secured by a lockable cross-piece, the apertures in the U-shaped wheel securing member being adapted to receive one arm of the U-shaped locking member of said shackle lock.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein an aperture is provided adjacent each free end of the U-shaped wheel locking member.

4. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the first mounting means comprises a support attachable to the vehicle frame and constructed to receive and hold the cross-piece of the shackle lock substantially normal to the plane of the vehicle frame,

5. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said first mounting means comprises a tube split along its length, clamping means being associated with said split tube to draw the sides thereof together to grip the part of the lock received therein when said clamping means are tightened.

6. An assembly as claimed in any of claims 1-4 wherein the first mounting means is an open topped cradle member.

7. An assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein the cradle member is V-shaped in cross section.

8. An assembly as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 further including holding means which, in use, retain the shackle lock in the cradle member.

9. An assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein the holding means is a length of webbing with means thereon for securing one end of said webbing to the remainder thereof and thereby, in use, tightly grip and retain the shackle lock in the cradle member.

10. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the U-shaped wheel securing member is provided with attachment means for connecting said member to the lock when the lock is mounted on the vehicle frame when not in use.

11. An assembly as claimed in claim 10 wherein the attachment means is an eye located midway between the free ends of the U-shaped wheel securing member.

12. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the second mounting means comprises a pair of clamps mountable on the vehicle frame on either side of the vehicle wheel, each clamp being constructed to locate and hold one free end of the U-shaped wheel securing member on the frame to retain said member thereon.

13. An assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein each clamp comprises a pair of gripping members which can be tightened to clamp the free end of the U-shaped wheel securing member therebetween.

14. An assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein each clamp has a threaded shaft extending therefrom which is received, in use, in the hole at^' the end of the U-shaped securing member, a nut being screwed on said shaft to clamp the free end thereof in position.

15. An assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein each clamp has a threaded shaft extending therefrom which, in use, is received in the hole at the end of the U-shaped securing member, said threaded shaft being received in a threaded hole provided on the vehicle frame.

16. An assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein each clamp has a threaded shaft extending therefrom which, in use, is received and secured to a link member pivotally attached at one end to the vehicle frame.

17. An assembly as claimed in claim 16 wherein the threaded shaft is screwed directly into a threaded hole in the link member.

18. A security and storage assembly substantially as herein described with reference to any one of Figures 2-8 of the accompanying drawings.