WO2016135685A1

WO2016135685A1 - A stall for a vehicle with two wheels and pedals

Info

Publication number: WO2016135685A1
Application number: PCT/IB2016/051059
Authority: WO
Inventors: Davide TOMMASIN
Original assignee: Tommasin Davide
Priority date: 2015-02-27
Filing date: 2016-02-26
Publication date: 2016-09-01
Also published as: EP3206941A1

Abstract

A stall for quick immobilization of a vehicle (V) with two wheels (W) and pedals (P), which comprises a rigid frame (2) defining a longitudinal axis (L) and adapted to be secured to the ground (G) or a wall and having a hollow rail (19) substantially parallel to the axis (L) for receiving the wheels (W) of the vehicle (V), immobilization means (30) for immobilizing the vehicle (V) relative to the frame (2). The latter comprises a pair of locking elements (13) which are placed above and on opposite sides with respect to the rail (19) to interfere with the pedals (P) of the vehicle (V) when the latter is received in the rail (19), such rail (19) is designed to be selectively moved from a lowered position in which said locking elements (13) do not interfere with the pedals (P), thereby allowing introduction and removal of the vehicle (V), to a raised position in which the locking elements (13) contact the pedals (P) thereby immobilizing the vehicle (V) relative to the frame (2), and vice versa.

Description

A STALL FOR A VEHICLE WITH TWO WHEELS AND PEDALS

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention generally finds application in the field of parking equipment and particularly relates to a stall for quick immobilization of two-wheeled pedal vehicles, such as bicycles.

Background art

[0002] Stalls are known to be used in the field of sustainable mobility for supporting and allowing safe parking of bicycles or similar vehicles.

[0003] These devices, which are typically referred to as racks, afford orderly parking of a plurality of bicycles by stably maintaining them in a vertical or slightly angled position to prevent them from accidentally falling to the ground.

[0004] The racks are secured to the ground or the wall of a building and have a support framework through which locks or chains can pass, for the user to lock the vehicle and prevent theft thereof.

[0005] Nevertheless, the vehicle can be only locked to the rack if the user is already equipped with a lock or a chain, and this may be a major limit for vehicle safety during parking.

[0006] In an attempt to obviate this drawback two-wheeled vehicle parking devices have been developed having independent locking systems for selective immobilization of the vehicle during parking.

[0007] US 5,278,538 discloses a bicycle stall comprising a framework which consists of a vertical post with an elongated base joined thereto, the latter having a channel formed therein for receiving the wheels of the bicycle, as well as a median extension which vertically level with the pedal crank. The stall further comprises a pair of electromechanical actuators accommodated in the elongated base level with the wheels and a second electromagnetic actuator located at the top end of the extension. The actuators are controlled by a control unit and each comprises a moving pin for selectively locking the bicycle at the wheel rim and at the central triangle of the frame. In order to lock and unlock the vehicle to and from the stall the user may use a magnetic credit card, which will be debited for an amount corresponding to a predetermined variable value, according to the bicycle parking time.

[0008] A first drawback of this arrangement is that these devices only provide a maximum degree of safety with bicycles falling within a range between predetermined minimum and maximum sizes. This is because the interaction of all the pins with the various sections of the frame can be only promoted if the bicycle has such a length that both wheels and the main triangle can be placed exactly level with the actuators.

[0009] Therefore, due to this restriction, stall devices are needed that can be scaled to the size of the type of bicycle to be immobilized, which involves the drawback that there cannot be a universal device that fits all the vehicles.

[0010] A further drawback of these devices is that they have a relatively complex construction, as each actuator has a lever system associated therewith, which is connected to a user-actuatable pedal for causing simultaneous ejection of the pins once the wheels have been introduced into the channel.

[0011] Also, while the presence of the pins ensures mechanical connection of the bicycle to the stall even during an attempted theft, their interaction with the rims and the main triangle profile can damage or ruin the wheels or the frame of the bicycle.

[0012] Furthermore, an additional drawback of this arrangement is that the presence of three distinct electromechanical actuators may increase the risk of malfunction, especially electrical malfunction.

[0013] Particularly, any electrical malfunction that should occur to one of the actuators while the bicycle is being locked would be a serious disadvantage, because the vehicle could not be released to the user.

[0014] Finally, another important drawback of this arrangement is that these devices only afford a maximum degree of efficiency if they immobilize bicycles whose frames have a main triangle.

[0015] For bicycles that do not have frames of this type, locking safety is considerably reduced, as only the wheels may be immobilized, and all the parts of the frame can be stolen or tampered. Technical Problem

[0016] In the light of the prior art, the technical problem addressed by the present invention is to provide a universal stall for quick immobilization of a two-wheeled pedal vehicle, that can be used with vehicles of different sizes, and can ensure a highly safe locking effect, to prevent theft and/or tamper. Disclosure of the invention

[0017] The object of the present invention is to obviate the above drawbacks, by providing a stall for quick immobilization of a two-wheeled pedal vehicle that is highly efficient and relatively cost-effective.

[0018] A particular object of the present invention is to provide a stall for quick immobilization of a two-wheeled pedal vehicle that can thus immobilize two-wheeled vehicles of any type and size.

[0019] A particular object of the present invention is to provide a stall for quick immobilization of a two-wheeled pedal vehicle that will cause no damage to the vehicle, even during an attempted theft.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide a stall for quick immobilization of a two-wheeled pedal vehicle that can be manufactured in a very easy manner and always ensures release of the vehicle even in case of malfunction of one or more of its parts.

[0021 ] Also, a further object of the present invention is to provide a stall for quick immobilization of a two-wheeled pedal vehicle that affords high-safety locking of the wheels and the frame of the vehicles, and also prevents them from being separately stolen.

[0022] These and other objects, as better explained hereafter, are fulfilled by a stall for quick immobilization of a two-wheeled pedal vehicle as defined in claim 1 .

[0023] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are obtained in accordance with the dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

[0024] Further features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent upon reading the detailed description of a preferred, non-exclusive embodiment of a stall for quick immobilization of a two-wheeled pedal vehicle of the invention, which is described as a non-limiting example with the help of the annexed drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stall of the invention, which is used for quick immobilization of pedal-driven vehicles;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the stall of Fig. 1 , in which a pedal- driven vehicle has been introduced;

FIG. 3 is a partial side view of the stall of Fig. 1 , in a first operating position, in which a first enlarged detail can be seen;

FIG. 4 is a partial side view of the stall of Fig. 2 in a second operating position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the stall of Fig. 2, in which a second detail of Fig. 2 can be seen;

FIG. 6 is a sectional front view of the stall of Fig. 1 , in which the section plane passes through the second detail of Fig. 5;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the electronic control of the stall of Fig, 2.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

[0025] Referring to the above mentioned figures, a stall for quick immobilization of a vehicle V having two wheels W and pedals P, such as a bicycle or the like, is shown, and designated by numeral 1 . Furthermore, the stall 1 is configured to be stably secured to either a stationary or movable wall of a building or the ground G.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the stall 1 of the invention comprises a rigid frame 2 which defines a longitudinal axis L and is designed to be secured to the ground G or the wall.

[0027] The frame 2 may comprise a pair of substantially parallel longitudinal members 2 having respective ends 4, 5 connected by a pair of cross members 6, 7 to define a substantially rectangular anchor base 8.

[0028] Furthermore, as best shown in FIG. 2, the ends 4, 5 of the longitudinal members 3 may be also joined to respective end posts 9, perpendicular to the cross members 6, 7 to define a hollow compartment 1 0 within the frame 2, having a substantially constant width , for easy accommodation of the vehicle V to be immobilized. [0029] The compartment 1 0 has an open end portion 1 1 , to define a single entry and exit area for the vehicle V, referenced 1 2.

[0030] According to a further aspect of the invention, the frame 2 comprises a pair of locking elements 13, which are adapted to interfere with the pedals P of the vehicle V when the latter is within the compartment 10.

[0031 ] Particularly, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the locking elements 13 may comprise a pair of substantially longitudinal sections 14 having an outer surface 1 5 designed for interaction with the pedals P.

[0032] For example, the sections 14 may extend parallel to the longitudinal members 3 and may be fixed to the posts 9 such that their outer surface 15 is kept at a distance di from the ground G, which is greater than the height h from the ground G of the axis of rotation X of the pedals P.

[0033] Thus, as best shown in FIG. 2, each pedal P may interact with the corresponding section 14 thereby actually preventing any rotation of the pedal crank of the vehicle V in both directions, and locking the latter to the frame 2.

[0034] Preferably, the sections 14 may have a curved end portion 16 proximate to the entry area 1 2 and adapted to interact with a respective pedal P.

[0035] Particularly, the end portion 1 6 may have a substantially outwardly curved semicircular shape to act as a lead-in for the pedals P, promoting rotation thereof and moving them to contact with the outer surface 1 5 of the section 14 during introduction of the vehicle V.

[0036] Furthermore, the other end portions 17 of the sections 14 may be mutually joined by a curved or straight connecting portion 1 8, which defines a stop member for the vehicle V within the compartment 1 0.

[0037] Conveniently, the frame 1 has a substantially longitudinal hollow rail

1 9 which contacts or is proximate to the support surface S and is adapted to receive the wheels W of the vehicle V.

[0038] The rail 1 9 is located within the compartment 10 in a substantially central position, whereas the sections 14 are placed above and on opposite sides with respect to it. This position of such parts will allow the user to easily introduce or remove the wheels W into and from the rail 1 9 before immobilization of the vehicle V or after release thereof.

[0039] Advantageously, the rail 1 9 may be controlled to move from a raised position, in which the locking elements 1 3 do not interfere with the pedals P of the vehicle, to a raised position in which the locking elements 13 contact the pedals P to immobilize the vehicle V to the frame 2, and vice versa.

[0040] When the vehicle V is introduced into the rail 1 9 and the latter is in the raised position, the pedals P directly contact the outer surface 1 5 of the sections 14 with no mutual clearance, such that the vehicle V forms a one- piece and compact assembly with the stall 1 .

[0041 ] Particularly, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rail 19 may have one end 20 hinged to the cross member 6 which is located opposite with respect to the entry area 12.

[0042] The other end 21 of the rail is level with the entry area 1 2 and appropriate drive means 22 allow it to selectively rotate between the lowered position and the raised position.

[0043] The drive means 22 may be interposed between one of the longitudinal members 3 and the rail 1 9 respectively, and may be also configured to allow rotation of the latter about a first axis of rotation R substantially transverse and parallel to the axis of extension Y of the cross member 6 to which it is hinged.

[0044] Furthermore, the drive means 22 may comprise a pair of springs 23 having ends 24, 25 secured to the frame 2 and the rail 1 9 respectively, to cause the latter to be raised once the vehicle V has been removed.

[0045] However, as the wheel W is introduced into the rail 1 9, the latter will automatically fall to the lowered position due to the weight force of the vehicle V acting on its free end 21 .

[0046] As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the drive means 21 may comprise a lever 26, which is hinged to one of the posts 9 and may have one end 27 interacting with the rail 1 9 and an opposite end 28 connected to a foot pedal 29, that can be directly actuated by the user.

[0047] A pressure on the foot pedal 29 will cause the lever 26 to pivot about the hinge, and this will in turn lead to a further rotation of the rail 1 9 to the raised position.

[0048] Conveniently, the stall 1 has means 30 for immobilization of the vehicle V to the frame 2, which will preferably cause the rail 1 9 to be selectively locked in its rotation from the raised position to the lowered position.

[0049] In the particular configuration of the invention as shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the immobilization means 30 may be of the rack-and-pinion type.

[0050] Particularly, two pinions 31 may be used, which are located on opposite sides with respect to the rail 1 9, each meshing with a corresponding rack.

[0051 ] The pinions 31 may be fitted onto the end portions 33 of a cylindrical shaft 34, which defines for both a second common axis of rotation R₂ substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation Ri of the rail 1 9.

[0052] As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the shaft 34 may in turn fit into two passages 35 formed on a pair of plate-like brackets 36 which are directly secured to the bottom surface of the rail 1 9. Alternatively, the brackets 36 may be mounted to a plate 37 joined to the bottom surface of the rail 1 9.

[0053] Thus, while the pinions 31 and the shaft 34 are free to rotate about the second axis of rotation R₂, they are driven by the rail 1 9 when the free end 22 thereof rotates between the lowered position and the raised position.

[0054] The immobilization means 30 may further comprise a pair of free wheels 38 having an inner ring 39 that is adapted to be fitted into the free end 33 of the shaft 34, and an outer ring 40 that is adapted to be fitted into the central passage 41 of the respective pinion 31 .

[0055] The outer ring 40 of these free wheels 38 may freely rotate clockwise whereas its counterclockwise rotation is locked.

[0056] Therefore, as the rail 1 9 is raised, the free wheels 28 will allow idle rotation of the pinions 31 relative to the shaft 34 about the second axis of rotation R₂ whereas as the rail 19 is lowered they will transfer the rotation imparted to the pinion 31 to the shaft 34.

[0057] Conveniently, a prismatic block 42 may be fitted onto the shaft 34, with a central through hole 43 allowing idle rotation of the shaft 34.

[0058] In order to immobilize the vehicle V in a safe position, to prevent it from being stolen or tampered, the immobilization means 30 comprise a mechanism 44, which is rigidly joined to the rail 1 9 and is adapted to selectively engage the block 42 to lock its descent when the free end 22 of the rail 19 is in the raised position.

[0059] This mechanism 44, as best shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, comprises a L- shaped lever 45 which is pivoted on the rail 1 9 and has a fork-shaped end portion 46, for receiving the block 42 therein. The other end portion 47 of the specially shaped lever 45 may be formed with a slot 48, which is slidably engaged with a connecting rod 49 in turn connected to the shaft 52 of an electric motor 50. The latter may be mounted to the plate 37, at the side of the rail 19.

[0060] Through the connecting rod 49, the electric motor 50 will cause the the specially-shaped lever 45 to pivot about its fulcrum between an unlocking position, in which the fork-shaped end 46 is distal from the block 42 an a locking position in which the for-shaped end 46 engages the block 42.

[0061 ] In the locking position, the fork-shaped end 46 of the specially- shaped lever 45 holds the block and prevents the descent of the cylindrical shaft 34 and the pinions 31 . Therefore, in this position the vehicle V is immobilized in a safe position.

[0062] However, the presence of the free wheels 38 will still allow the rail 19 to rise, irrespective of whether the fork 46 is in the unlocking or locking position.

[0063] Nevertheless, in an alternative configuration of the invention, not shown, the mechanism 44 and the electric motor 50 may be replaced by at least one linear actuator having a cylinder secured to the frame 2 and a movable shaft fixed to the rail 1 9.

[0064] These actuators may be selected from the group comprising pneumatic, electric, hydraulic or the like actuators, and may be designed to allow free ejection of the shaft, for the rail 19 to freely rise upon actuation of the drive means 21 by the user. Nevertheless, these actuators are adapted to selectively lock the shaft against reintroduction into the cylinder, thereby preventing unconditional descent of the rail 19.

[0065] Conveniently, the immobilization means 30, regardless of whether the mechanism 44 is provided, or actuators are used, may have unlocking means, not shown, allowing selective rotation of the rail 1 9 from the raised position to the lowered position, such that the vehicle V may be thus removed from the stall 1 .

[0066] The unlocking means may be manually actuated by the user, e.g. using a key or a lever, or may be automatically controlled by an electronic control unit 54, as schematically shown in FIG. 7, which is connected to appropriate interface means 55 interacting with the user.

[0067] The electronic control unit 54 may be connected to the electric motor

50 to control the rotation of the specially-shaped lever 45 between the unlocking position and the locking position. Alternatively, the electronic unit 54 may directly control the electric actuators or the controller for supplying power to the pneumatic or hydraulic actuators.

[0068] Particularly, the immobilization means 30 may be locked and unlocked by the electronic control unit 54 upon actuation of the interface means 55 by the user.

[0069] In the configuration of the invention as schematically shown in the figures, the electronic control unit 54 may comprise a microprocessor logic 56, placed within the frame 2, whereas the interface means 55 may be of local type, e.g. a display located outside the frame 2, or of remote type.

[0070] The remote interface means 55 may consist, for instance, of smart phones, tablets, laptops or similar electronic devices, and the vehicle V in the stall 1 may be locked or unlocked also remotely by executing a particular computer program installed both in the interface means 55 and in the electronic control unit 54.

[0071 ] Furthermore, in an alternative configuration of the invention, not shown, the electronic control unit may be connected to a plurality of electric or electronic sensors for detecting the instantaneous position of the rail or any impulsive stress applied to the stall. In addition, the electronic unit may be also connected to a webcam that faces the vehicle. The presence of the sensors and the webcam will allow the user to monitor the vehicle immobilized in the stall in real time, and to receive an alarm signal in case of an attempt to steal or tamper the vehicle.

[0072] The electronic control unit may comprise a network adapter, not shown, which is adapted to be connected to a twisted-pair cable, an optical fiber or other similar communication means to allow the processor 56 to connect with the Internet by an ADSL connection.

[0073] Alternatively, the electronic control unit 54 may comprise an additional smart phone having an operating system acting as a server, to transmit and receive data to and from remote interface means 55 through mobile Internet connections, such as Wi-Fi, xG, e.g. 3G or 4G, Bluetooth or the like.

[0074] The stall of the invention is susceptible of a number of changes and variants, within the inventive concept disclosed in the appended claims. All the details thereof may be replaced by other technically equivalent parts, and the materials may vary depending on different needs, without departure from the scope of the invention. While the stall has been described with particular reference to the accompanying figures, the numerals referred to in the disclosure and claims are only used for the sake of a better intelligibility of the invention and shall not be intended to limit the claimed scope in any manner.

Industrial applicability

[0075] The present invention may find application in industry, because it can be produced on an industrial scale in factories within the field of parking equipment for pedal-driven vehicles.

Claims

1 . A stall for quick immobilization of a vehicle (V) having two wheels (W) and pedals (P), such as a bicycle, comprising:

a rigid frame (2) defining a longitudinal axis (L), which is designed to be secured to the ground (G) or a moving or stationary wall, said frame (2) having a hollow rail (1 9) substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis (L) and adapted to receive the wheels (W) of the vehicle (V);

immobilization means (30) for immobilizing the vehicle (V) relative to said frame (2);

characterized in that said frame (2) comprises a pair of locking elements (13) which are placed above and on opposite sides with respect to said rail (1 9) and are adapted to interfere with the pedals (P) of the vehicle (V) when the latter is located in the rail (1 9), said rail (1 9) being designed to be selectively moved from a lowered position in which said locking elements (1 3) do not interfere with the pedals (P), thereby allowing introduction and removal of the vehicle (V), to a raised position in which said locking elements (1 3) contact the pedals (P) to immobilize the vehicle (V) relative to the frame (2), and vice versa.

2. Stall as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that said locking elements (1 3) comprise a pair of sections (14) substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis (L) and having an outer surface (15) adapted to interact with the pedals (P), each section (14) being fixed to a pair of end posts (9) substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis (L), to keep said outer surface (1 5) at a distance (d-i) from the ground (G) or the wall, which is greater than the height (h¹) of the axis of rotation (X) of the pedals (P) from the ground (G).

3. Stall as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that each pair of said posts (9) is joined to a longitudinal member (3), which is designed to be secured to the ground (G) or the wall, said longitudinal members (3) being connected to each other by cross members (6, 7) to thereby define a hollow compartment (1 0) having a substantially constant width ( ) for accommodating the vehicle (V) to be immobilized.

4. Stall as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that said compartment (1 0) has an entry area (1 2) for the vehicle (V), each of said sections (14) having a curved end portion (16) proximate to said entry area (1 2) and adapted to interact with a respective pedal (P) to cause rotation thereof and move it to engage the outer surface (1 5) of said sections (14) upon introduction of the vehicle (V) into said compartment (1 0).

5. Stall as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that said rail (1 9) has one end (20) hinged to one of said cross members (6), drive means (21 ) being provided between one of said longitudinal members (3) and said rail (1 9), for promoting rotation of the latter to control the corresponding lifting/lowering movement of the vehicle (V).

6. Stall as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that said drive means (21 ) are of lever type and have one user-actuatable foot pedal (29) .

7. Stall as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that said immobilization means (30) are of rack-and-pinion type (31 ; 32) and comprise a mechanism (44) for selectively locking the rotation of said pinion (31 ) on said rack (32) when said rail (1 9) is in the raised position.

8. A stall as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that said immobilization means (30) comprise at least one linear actuator, having a cylinder secured to said frame (2) and a moving shaft secured to said rail (1 9) said at least one linear actuator being adapted to selectively lock said shaft against its back movement once said rail (1 9) has been raised.

9. A stall as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that said linear actuators are selected from the group comprising pneumatic, electric or the like actuators.

1 0. A stall as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an electronic control unit (54) connected to local and/or remote user-actuatable interface means (55), said electronic control unit (54) being connected to said linear actuators or said mechanism (44) for causing the vehicle (V) to be automatically locked and unlocked upon actuation of the interface means (55) by the user.