WO2009013408A2

WO2009013408A2 - Anti-theft device for two-wheeled vehicles and, more specifically, motorcycles

Info

Publication number: WO2009013408A2
Application number: PCT/FR2008/000866
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christian Soldan-Berger
Original assignee: Christian Soldan-Berger
Priority date: 2007-06-21
Filing date: 2008-06-20
Publication date: 2009-01-29
Also published as: FR2917704B1; FR2917704A1; EP2170687A2; WO2009013408A3

Abstract

The invention relates to an anti-theft device for two-wheeled vehicles, particularly motorcycles, consisting of a clamp comprising two clamping jaws (1, 2) which can pivot between an open clamp position and a closed clamp position and which are arranged so as to define a space in the closed clamp position, in which a section of the transmission chain of the vehicle and the supporting ring gear thereof can be housed, said space being formed such that, in the closed position, the clamp is retained on the transmission chain by said chain. Means for locking the anti-theft device in place on a vehicle are also provided. In addition to the clamping jaws (1, 2), the clamp also includes two arms which extend beyond the pivot axis of the clamp and which, in the closed clamp position, define a space therebetween, in relation to which space the locking means can be locked/unlocked in order to prevent the clamp from pivoting and opening when the anti-theft device is in place on the vehicle.

Description

Anti-theft device for two wheels and more particularly for motorcycles.

The present invention relates to an antitheft device for two wheels and more particularly for motorcycles.

For several decades, two-wheelers and especially motorcycles benefit from improved anti-theft means. Several types of antitheft devices for two wheels are available on the market. Indeed, there are devices consisting mainly of a chain that passes at least through the wheel and potentially around another object such as street furniture. It thus prevents the potential thief from rolling. Unfortunately such a device lacks performance because these types of chains can be broken quite easily when the metal constituting them is cooled or using powerful cutting means. In addition, such a device has the disadvantage of a high weight and a relatively large size.

Other rigid U-shaped antitheft devices are widely used by two-wheel owners. These devices are also placed through the wheel and prevent it from rotating. Unfortunately, these devices do not allow the same adaptability as chain anti-theft devices and although great progress has been made it still has a certain fragility and a lack of burglary resistance.

There are also particular locks for locking the handlebar of the vehicle as described in WO2007040376 or the direction of the vehicle as described in WO2006053482.

Another anti-theft device is called a disk block and, as its name suggests, it locks the disc of the two-wheeled vehicle. It can be attached to the front or rear wheel of the bike. This device has the advantage of its compactness but on the other hand it can not be attached to an anchor point which does not exclude theft by driving of the motorcycle. In addition, it is very discreet and is unfortunately often forgotten by the owner of the vehicle. This oversight usually causes a lot of damage (warping, destruction of brake caliper) because the wheel can make a full turn before it locks. Moreover, it does not offer a sufficiently effective and satisfactory resistance and security. Indeed, it only takes 15 seconds to 1 minute 30 to the specialists to neutralize it, a time much too short for deter thieves. It is obvious that the number of thefts decreases with the time of resistance of the antitheft to the kidnappers.

It then appears essential to design anti-theft extremely difficult to destroy or remove to better secure the two-wheeled vehicle. In addition, the lock must be fixed on essential and / or expensive parts to replace the motorcycle to deter theft.

The transmission chain is an essential element of a two-wheeled vehicle such as a motorcycle. Also the inventors are interested in this element especially in the design of their antitheft device. Indeed, no antitheft on the market blocks the chain of transmission.

It has been proposed in US 4,409,804, an antitheft device for two-wheeled vehicle, such as a motorcycle that is relatively compact. This device consists of a clamp comprising two jaws hinged between an open position of the clamp and a closed position of the clamp, said two jaws being arranged for, in the closed position of the clamp, define a space between which is a section of the transmission chain of the vehicle and the crown carrying it. This space is shaped so that, in the closed position, said clamp is retained on the transmission chain by said transmission chain, locking means being further provided to block the articulation of the clamp and prevent the opening of the latter. ci, when the antitheft device is in place on a vehicle.

This clamp therefore comprises two clamping jaws articulated in the manner of a pair of scissors and extended beyond the axis of articulation by two branches. These two flat branches, in the closed position of the clamp, extend against one another and in the open position move away from each other to spread the clamping jaws, in the manner of a pair of scissors substantially in the form of X.

Thus, to lock the closure of the clamp set up on a motorcycle chain, each branch has a matched light so that in the closed position of the clamp, we can engage the rod of a padlock through the branches and thus block the articulation of the antitheft device. Such a clamp has a major drawback in that such a device can easily be removed by simply cutting the padlock. It is therefore easy to understand that such a lock has not been successful.

The present invention therefore has the main purpose of providing a simple antitheft device to use and high reliability.

Thus, the present invention relates to an antitheft device for a two-wheeled vehicle, in particular a motorcycle, consisting of a clamp comprising two clamping jaws articulated between an opening position of the clamp and a closing position of said clamp, said two clamping jaws being arranged for, in the closed position of the clamp, defining a space in which is a housing section of the transmission chain of the vehicle and the ring bearing, said space being shaped so that, in the closed position, said clamp is retained on the transmission chain by said transmission chain, locking means of the antitheft device in place on a vehicle being further provided, characterized in that the clamp has in addition to the two clamping jaws, two branches extending beyond the axis of articulation of the clamp and defining, in the closed position of the clamp, a space between them in which the locking means are arranged to be lockably / releasably housed, to block the articulation of the clamp and prevent opening thereof, when the antitheft device is in place on a vehicle.

Advantageously, the antitheft device according to the invention is of simple use since it is sufficient to open the clamp to place it on a section of the transmission chain of a motorcycle and a section of the crown, then closing said clamp to hold it in place on said chain and said ring, the locking means blocking the opening of said clamp.

Preferably, the space defined between the clamping jaws of the clamp has a first portion in which is housed a section of the transmission chain and a smaller dimension portion being housed under the transmission chain at the crown. Thus according to one embodiment, it can be provided that the inner face of each clamping jaw has a groove which, when the jaws are facing one another, defines the first part of the space in which is accommodable the transmission chain while the end of the clamping jaws defines the second part of said space, this end forming therefore a return which, when the clamp is mounted on the transmission chain and the crown, is housed under said transmission chain at the crown.

This return prevents the withdrawal of the clamp from the device, which has the advantage that it can be placed anywhere on the chain, without it falling from said chain.

Advantageously, the locking means of the device according to the invention are arranged to be housed in a lockable / unlockable manner between the two branches of the clamp. Thus, preferably, the locking means consist in particular of a bar that can be placed between the two branches of the clamp opposite the gap between the clamping jaws, in which a section of the transmission chain is housed and a part of the crown, above the pivot axis and parallel to the latter.

Preferably, the locking means that can be accommodated in the space between the branches of the clamp comprise locking / locking members cooperating with complementary members formed on the clamp so that when they are accommodated in said space between the two branches of the clamp, these locking / locking members are not or hardly accessible and thus, the forcing or the fracture of the locking means of the clamp are extremely difficult or even impossible.

Said bar preferably has a stepped lower face, the end of the bar engaging first between the branches of the clamp being recessed relative to said clamp, leaving a space, while the other end of the bar rests against the clamp, the bar, carrying at its end, a lock and in the extension of said lock, as locking / locking member, a locking rod for locking said bar on the clamp, by cooperation of a rib, as a complementary member, extending transversely between the arms of the clamp and at least one lug formed on the locking rod. Under the effect of the actuation of the lock, the rod is rotated which causes the positioning of the pin of the rod projecting behind said rib of the clamp. This positioning of the protruding lug is possible thanks to the space between the clamp and the bar in the distal part, away from the lock and it thus allows immobilization and locked locking of the bar on the clamp. According to a preferred embodiment, one of the clamping jaws has a radially projecting portion provided with a pin intended to project inwardly of the clamp, substantially perpendicular to the axis of pivoting of said clamp and suitable for lodging in a light of the crown carrying the transmission chain.

Preferably, the clamp is held in the closed position by an elastic return means such as a spring, so that it is sufficient to exert pressure on the branches of the clamp to bring them together so as to spread the clamping jaws , releasing this pressure bringing the clamping jaws facing each other in the closed position under the effect of the elastic return means while the branches depart again.

One of the advantages of this antitheft device according to the present invention with respect to antitheft locks of the prior art is that it is impossible to advance the motorcycle when the antitheft device is in place or of a very limited displacement (of the order of centimeters) corresponding at most to the length of the light in which the antitheft pin is inserted. This has the advantage, compared to the already marketed anti-theft locks and especially block-disc locks, do not destroy or distort part of the bike when the owner forgets to remove the lock before starting, which is quite common .

In a particular embodiment of the present invention, said antitheft device is equipped with a system for alerting persons that a motorcycle theft is occurring. This system can be, for example, an electronic warning system, an at least auditory and / or visual alarm inserted in the device and which is deactivated when the device is unlocked appropriately. For example, when a burglary is committed, at least one battery delivering a certain sound level (about 110 dB) is actuated and / or a visual alarm such as flashing lights are activated. This device also allows people who are hearing impaired or deaf to be notified of the break-in.

From this description, it is well understood that the main advantages of this antitheft device according to the present invention are increased reliability, inviolability, robustness, with ease of use and construction, a very reasonable weight, a very small footprint and a very affordable cost. The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of an antitheft device according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view of the other side of the device of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a top view of the device of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a top view of the clamp of the device of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a view from below of the locking means of the device of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a top view of the device of Figure 1 at the time of assembly of the locking means on the clamp;

Figure 8 is a front perspective view of the clamp of the device according to Figure 1 in the open position;

Figure 9 is a front perspective view of the device of Figure 1 mounted on a transmission chain and a motorcycle crown.

The antitheft device according to the invention consists of a clamp A having two clamping jaws 1, 2 and two branches 10, 20, pivoting about an axis 3 and articulated by a return spring 4. Said clamping jaws 1, 2 can thus pivot and open, in the manner of a hair clip, releasing a space 5 in which can accommodate a section of the transmission chain 6 and a portion of the ring 13 carrying said chain 6 while that the branches 10, 20 come closer to each other. These two jaws 1, 2 are thus arranged to form in the closed position of the clamp A, the space 5 to accommodate between them a section of the transmission chain 6 and a portion of the crown 13 as can be seen at Figure 9.

The space 5 is further shaped to accommodate a section of the transmission chain 6 and a portion of the ring 13 but also so that said clamp A is retained on the transmission chain 6 by said transmission chain 6. Thus, in Figure 2, it can be seen that this space 5 has a first portion 5a in which is housed a section of the transmission chain 6 and a portion 5b of smaller dimension housed under the transmission chain 6 at the crown 13.

Thus, the inner face of each clamping jaw 1, 2 preferably has a groove 7 which, when the jaws 1, 2 are facing one another, define the first part 5a of the space in which is the transmission chain 6 while the end 8 of the clamping jaws 1, 2 defines the second part 5b of the space 5. This end 8 therefore forms a return which, when the clamp A is mounted on a section of the transmission chain 6 and the ring 13, is housed under said transmission chain 6 preventing the withdrawal of the clamp A.

The axis of pivoting 3 or articulation of the clamp A is a conventional axis consisting of a forged steel rod passing through orifices provided in each of the branches 10, 20. The pivoting of the branches by bringing the ends together opposite to the clamping jaws 1, 2 causes an opening of the clamp A and a spacing of the clamping jaws 1, 2. The opening of the jaws 1, 2 then allows the placement of the anti-theft device on the transmission chain 6 or withdrawal thereof .

Like all parts of said antitheft device according to the present invention, the clamp A is designed forged steel, a material that offers good hardness and good strength while minimizing the weight.

The main objectives of the present invention are the reliability and the inviolability of this lock.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Figure 2, one of the clamping jaws 1, 2 has a radially projecting portion 8a provided with a pin 9 intended to come into protrusion inwardly of the clamp A, substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis

3 of said gripper A. This pin 9 is intended to be housed in one of the lights 11 of the ring 13 carrying the transmission chain 6. When the transmission chain 6 rotates or advances, the antitheft device can not progress to the maximum than the length of the light 11 because the pin 9 abuts against one of the ends of said light 11.

Said anti-theft device also comprises locking means B consisting in particular of a bar 14 which is placed in the space 50 between the two branches 10, 20 of the clamp A opposite space 5, above the pivot axis 3 and parallel to the latter.

This bar 14 is arranged to engage between the branches 10, 20 of the clamp A and so that once engaged on said clamp A, the upper part of said bar 14 is in alignment with the ends of the branches 10, 20 of the clamp A as can be seen in FIG.

Thus, when said bar 14 is in place in the lock, it prevents the opening of the jaws 1, 2 by pivoting about the axis 3 described above. The bar 14 further comprises locking / locking members of said bar on the clamp thus allowing the locking of the clamp A.

Thus, the lower portion of said bar 14 is stepped, that is to say that the end 14a of the bar 14 engaging first between the legs 10, 20 of the clamp A is set back relative to the clamp A while the other end 14b of the bar 14 rests against the clamp A.

This bar 14 also carries at one of its ends 14b, a lock 15 housed back from the surface of the bar 14 to provide maximum safety especially in terms of drilling, sawing and cutting. The locking means B further comprise housed in the bar 14 and in the extension of the lock 15, a locking rod 16 for locking said bar 14 on the clamp A. This locking rod 16 is a metal rod containing the minus a lug 17 protruding. Said locking rod is rotated at the same time as the rotation of the key in the lock 15.

In one embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, this locking rod 16 is an unmachined cylinder housed in part 14b (hidden stem) and then machined with at least one plate in part 14a. The cylinder in this portion 14a is therefore in the form of a half-cylinder forming a lug 17 and provided with a notch 16a. During the pivoting of the locking rod 16 by actuation of the lock 15, said notch 16a comes opposite the rib 18 formed protruding from the clamp A extending transversely between the branches 10, 20 of said clamp A and the pin 17 is brought into projecting in the space left free by the lower portion 14a set back from said bar 14 and comes in the extension of the lower projecting portion 14b of said bar 14, it is housed behind this rib 18 thus locking the means of lock B on the clamp A.

Thus, when inserting the bar 14 on the clamp A between the branches 10, 20, the lock 15 must be in the open or unlocked position so that the pin 17 is erased in the bar 14 so as to pass over the rib 18 has between the branches 10, 20 of the clamp A. Then the bar 14 by its projecting lower part abuts against said rib 18. The bar 14 is then in place on the clamp and the lock is actuated 15 so that the lug 17 of the locking rod 16 is projecting behind said rib 18, preventing any removal of the bar 14, thereby locking the establishment of the antitheft device.

Only an actuation and unlocking of the lock 15 will release and make 'independent each of the clamp A and locking means B. One of the main advantages of a lock according to the present application lies in the fact that once the locked lock, access to the structure and its forcing or fracture are extremely difficult or impossible, because of the compact structure of said antitheft device.

The lock used has a mechanism known to those skilled in the art. It is for example blocked by pins and has drive members of the cylinder forming the locking rod 16. -

The invention is of course not limited to the embodiment described but encompasses all the variants defined in the dependent claims.

Claims

1. Antitheft device for a two-wheeled vehicle, in particular a motorcycle, consisting of a clamp (A) comprising two clamping jaws (1, 2) articulated between an opening position of the clamp (A) and a position of closure of said clamp (A), said two clamping jaws (1, 2) being arranged for, in the closed position of the clamp (A), defining a space (5) in which is housed a section of the transmission chain of the vehicle and crown bearing, said space (5) being shaped so that, in the closed position, said clamp (A) is retained on the transmission chain by said transmission chain, locking means (B) of the antitheft device in place on a vehicle being further provided, characterized in that the clamp (A) has in addition to the two clamping jaws (1, 2), two legs (10, 20) extending beyond the axis of articulation (3) of the clamp (A) and defining, in the closed position of the clamp (A), a space (50) between they, wherein the locking means (B) are arranged to be housed in a lockable / unlockable manner, to block the articulation of the clamp (A) and prevent the opening thereof, when the antitheft device is in place on a vehicle.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the space (5) has a first portion (5a) in which is housed a section of the transmission chain (6) and a portion (5b) of smaller dimension is housing under the transmission chain (6) at the crown (13).

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the inner face of each clamping jaw (1, 2) has a groove (7) which, when the jaws (1, 2) are facing one of the other, defines the first part (5a) of the space (5) in which a section of the transmission chain (6) is accommodable while the end (8) of the clamping jaws (1, 2) defines the second part (5b) of the space (5), this end (8) thus forming a return which, when the clamp (A) is mounted on the transmission chain (6) and the ring (13), is housed under said transmission chain (6).

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the locking means (B) consist in particular of a bar (14) accommodable between the two legs (10, 20) of the clamp (A) at the opposite of the space (5), above the axis of pivoting or articulation (3) and parallel to the latter.

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the locking means (B) which can be accommodated between the branches of the clamp (A) comprise locking / locking members cooperating with complementary members arranged on the clamp ( A) such that when they are accommodated in said space (50) between the two legs (10, 20) of the clamp (A), these locking / locking members are not or not very accessible.

6. Device according to one of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that said bar (14) has a stepped lower face, the end (14a) of the bar (14) engaging first between the legs (10, 20) of the clamp (A) being set back from the clamp (A) while the other end (14b) of the bar (14) rests against the clamp (A), the bar (14) bearing at its end (14b ) a lock (15) and in the extension of said lock (15), as locking / locking member, a locking rod (16) for locking said bar (14) on the clamp (A), by cooperation of at least one lug (17) carried by the rod (16) and a rib (18) as a complementary member extending transversely between the legs (10, 20) of the clamp (A ).

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that one of the clamping jaws (1) has a radially projecting portion (8a) provided with a pin (9) intended to protrude towards the inside of the clamp (A), substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis (3) of said clamp (A).

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said device is provided with an alarm system at least auditory and / or visual.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made of forged steel.