The invention relates to a cycle lock.

Vehicles are known in various forms and can be used for transporting persons and goods between different locations. When the vehicle is left at the destination, it will often occur that the vehicle has to be left behind in a public space without being able to fully oversee the vehicle there. This creates a risk of theft,

particularly in the case of vehicles with a weight and volume such that they can be easily displaced by a person, such as in particular cycles.

In order to solve this problem it is known to provide a cycle with a lock. Known on the one hand are locks for impeding the rotation of the (driven) wheel of the cycle by placing a pin between the spokes of the wheel from the frame of the cycle. Known on the other hand are locks which generally comprise a chain or line with a lock, whereby the cycle can be anchored to a fixed object, particularly street furniture such as a lamppost or cycle racks intended

specifically for this purpose. When no suitable fixed object is available, for instance because racks are full or because lampposts have a thickness making it impossible to arrange the lock around the cycle and the lamppost, this latter type of lock is often also secured only to the cycle. The two types of lock are often used in combination.

Although it has generally been found possible for thieves to unlawfully remove such locks, this often requires effort and force, which puts the thief at risk of being caught, particularly in public spaces. It is for this reason that cycles which have not been anchored to a fixed object are often taken away from the public space including lock, and the lock is then removed out of sight of others . It is however generally the case that the currently known locks have a reasonably deterrent effect on thieves in respect of cycles of

relatively limited value, whereby these cycles are usually not stolen with these locks.

It is however often the case, particularly with more expensive cycles such as in particular cycles with pedal assist (so- called e-bikes), that the currently known locks are insufficiently able to prevent theft. Only very heavy locks, with lock weights of 3 kilograms being no exception and these locks in addition often also being very expensive, are generally able to provide any protection. The target group for these cycles, consisting to a considerable extent of people in a higher age group, will however often be unable to handle locks with such a high weight.

A number of other factors come into play in the case of sports cycles such as racing bikes. For a racing bike it is deemed important to reduce the mass of the racing bike and to improve the aerodynamics of the bike with a view to achieving a maximum speed.

Additional value is also placed on an optimal condition of the varnish of the bike. Using the currently known cycle locks however entails the risk of damage to the varnish, especially over a longer period of time. Locks offering reasonable protection against theft are herein often heavy and not very aerodynamic. It is for this reason that sports cycles and racing bikes in particular are currently often not locked.

It is now an object of the invention to reduce or even obviate the above stated problems .

This object is achieved by means of a cycle lock comprising a housing constructed from a first and a second elongate housing part, pivotable relative to each other between a closed position, in which a chamber for enclosing the crank of a cycle is formed by the first and second housing part, and an opened position in which the chamber is parted, and which cycle lock further comprises a first opening arranged on either side of and in the housing for allowing passage of a pedal axle of the cycle, and a second opening for allowing passage of the crank axle, whereby the pedal axle is mounted via a crank on the cycle.

In the cycle lock according to the invention a housing constructed from (at least) two housing parts is arranged around the crank. In the closed position a chamber is formed in the housing, in which the crank can be accommodated and in which this crank is

enclosed, while the pedal axle and the crank axle protrude outward through the respective first and second opening. These openings preferably fit to respectively the pedal axle and crank axle. In the opened position the parted housing can be removed from the crank and then be reused.

The first and second opening are preferably arranged in opposite side walls, wherein the first and second opening are preferably arranged close to outer ends, placed at a mutual distance along the wall, of these side walls.

Because the housing parts are attached to each other, the chance of losing one of the housing parts is reduced. This also facilitates the arranging of the cycle lock.

The chamber formed in the housing is preferably provided with a lining so as to prevent damage to the crank. Such a lining can for instance be made of silicone material.

In a preferred embodiment of the cycle lock according to the invention the first and the second housing part comprise a bottom, and at least the first housing part, and preferably also the second housing part, comprises a peripheral wall arranged all around the bottom, and the upper edge of the peripheral wall of the first housing part at least touches the second housing part in the closed position.

When the second housing part comprises a bottom and the first housing part comprises a bottom with a peripheral wall standing upright from the bottom and directed toward the second part, it is easy to have the two housing parts connect.

When the second housing part moreover also comprises a peripheral wall which is directed toward the first housing part, it is possible to further increase the sturdiness of the lock hereby in order to reduce the chance of theft.

The housing is preferably beam-shaped because this simplifies production and reduces the chance of the lock catching on anything or damaging parts.

In another preferred embodiment of the cycle lock according to the invention the housing further comprises a base plate with a parallel first and second edge, wherein the first housing part is mounted pivotally with a longitudinal end along the first edge, wherein the second housing part is mounted pivotally with a longitudinal end along the second edge, and wherein in the closed position the first and second housing part lie on the base plate between the first and the second edge.

In this embodiment the cycle lock is substantially U-shaped in the closed position, wherein the legs of the U-shape are formed by the first and second housing part and wherein the base plate forms the connection between these two legs, which can be mounted with outer ends of the first and second housing part on the base plate by means of a respective first and second hinge. Because of the U-shape, the first and second housing part need not be moved very far apart from the closed position in order to remove the crank from the housing.

The pivot point in this embodiment is preferably arranged close to the crank axle, which facilitates the arranging of the cycle lock .

This embodiment is easy to arrange, has a relatively limited weight, and need not be pulled apart far to enable it to be removed from the crank. With only two hinges there is only a limited number of places in the cycle lock where a thief could attempt to force the lock open, which increases the security. This also lowers the production costs .

In another preferred embodiment of the cycle lock according to the invention the first and second housing part are mounted

pivotally on each other close to a longitudinal end of the first and second housing part.

In this embodiment the first and the second housing part are directly connected to each other close to the outer ends of the two parts, wherein in the closed position the first and second housing part run substantially parallel, and in the opened position form a V-shape .

In this embodiment the pivot point is preferably also arranged close to the crank axle in order to facilitate the arranging of the cycle lock.

This embodiment has only a limited number of components, which can have a similar appearance, and is therefore inexpensive to produce and use. This embodiment can moreover be given a particularly lightweight form.

In another preferred embodiment of the cycle lock according to the invention the second housing part is constructed from at least a first half and a second half, wherein between the longitudinal ends of the first housing part the first half is mounted with a first end pivotally on the first housing part, and wherein the second part is mounted with a first end pivotally on the first part.

In this embodiment the pivot point between the first and the second housing part lies between the longitudinal ends of the first part. The second housing part is constructed from at least two halves, which are pivotable relative to each other. In the closed position the first and second part are preferably parallel to each other, and in the opened position the cycle lock is K-shaped.

In order to increase the stability of the pivoting movement it is possible in this embodiment to mount the second housing part pivotally on the first housing part at a plurality of points.

This embodiment has the advantage that it can be given a very compact form, and that the second housing part need not be removed far from the first housing part in order to enable the cycle lock to be removed from a crank accommodated in the chamber.

In a subsequent preferred embodiment of the cycle lock according to the invention the first and the second housing part overlap each other at least partially in the closed position.

When the first and second housing part overlap in the closed position, the double wall thickness in these areas increases the security of the lock. This overlap can for instance consist of a

(partial) overlap of the peripheral walls.

It can be advantageous here to conversely apply walls which do not overlap in the part of the cycle lock which is directed from the crank toward the frame, since space is limited here, and the space for a double wall would hereby detract from the space for the crank in the chamber .

In another preferred embodiment of the cycle lock according to the invention the cycle lock further comprises blocking means for blocking in the closed position around a crank mounted on a crank axle a complete rotation of the crank around the crank axle.

It is recommended to provide means on the cycle lock which prevent a cycle from being able to perform a rotation when standing on a ground surface. These means can for instance as it were extend the length of the crank such that a complete rotation is no longer

possible. In this way the drive of the cycle cannot be used when it is secured with the cycle lock.

In a subsequent preferred embodiment of the cycle lock according to the invention the blocking means comprise an elongate blocking bar arranged on the housing in line with at least one of the first and second housing part. An elongate blocking bar is simple to produce and can moreover serve as a handle by which to hold the cycle lock.

In a preferred embodiment of the cycle lock according to the invention the cycle lock further comprises a lock for interlocking the first and the second part relative to each other in the closed

position, such as a lock integrated into the housing, such as a cylinder lock.

When the cycle lock is provided with a lock, it is possible to lock the cycle lock in the closed position. This lock is preferably integrated into the housing of the cycle lock in order to reduce the chance of the lock being forced open.

'Cycle lock' must in this respect be understood to mean the whole device used to secure the cycle, wherein 'lock' is understood to mean the mechanism used to interlock the cycle lock in the closed position.

In a further preferred embodiment of the cycle lock according to the invention the lock is constructed from at least a first and a second mutually engaging lock part, wherein the first lock part is arranged in the first housing part and wherein the second lock part is arranged in the second housing part.

When the lock of the cycle lock is constructed from two parts, and when these parts are divided over the first and second housing part, it can be achieved in this way that the lock can only function when the first and second housing part have been brought into a position desired for functioning of the lock, preferably the closed position .

In a preferred embodiment of the cycle lock according to the invention at least one of the first and second housing part comprises metal .

It has been found that the use of metal improves the sturdiness of the cycle lock to such an extent that it would require a lot of effort to break open the lock. Metal is also understood to mean an alloy with a metal, such as for instance steel.

In a preferred embodiment of the cycle lock according to the invention the lock further comprises connecting means, such as a chain or cable, which can be attached with a first outer end to the cycle lock and preferably the housing of the cycle lock, and the second outer end of which is provided with securing means for anchoring the

connecting means to an object.

In this way it is possible to secure the cycle lock to a fixed object so as to reduce the chance of theft of the cycle lock and, with this, a crank and the cycle attached thereto which may be arranged in the chamber of the cycle lock. The securing means can for instance be a lock.

It is however also possible for the connecting means and the securing means to comprise a plug-in lock or plug-in chain, the plug-in part of which can be inserted into the cycle lock according to the invention and can be secured in the cycle lock, preferably using the lock of the cycle lock according to the invention.

The invention further relates to a combination of a cycle with a frame, a crank axle, a crank mounted on the crank axle, and a cycle lock according to the invention, wherein in the closed position the cycle lock encloses the crank.

In a preferred embodiment of the combination according to the invention the cycle lock comprises interconnected communication means and a location sensor, and the combination further comprises a server connected to the communication means of the cycle lock.

It is recommended to provide the cycle lock with a location sensor which is able to determine the geographical location of the location sensor and thereby the cycle lock, for instance using a satellite location determining system. This location can then be exchanged with a server by means of the communication means, for instance at a preset interval. In this way a user can always check the location of the cycle lock, also when he or she has forgotten the location of his or her cycle secured with the cycle lock, or in the unforeseen event that this cycle has been stolen.

Such a cycle lock is preferably provided for this purpose with a power supply such as a battery. In order to extend battery life it is possible for the communication means and location sensor to be activated only when the cycle lock is in the closed position. The communication means, location sensor and optional power supply are preferably arranged inside the housing so as not to make them easily accessible . These and other features of the invention are further elucidated with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a cycle lock according to the invention in the opened position.

Figure 2 shows a combination of a crank with a pedal with a portion of a variation of the first embodiment of a cycle lock

according to the invention in the opened position.

Figures 3A, 3B and 3C show respectively the first and second housing part and the base plate of the cycle lock according to the first embodiment in perspective view.

Figure 4 shows a combination of a crank with a pedal with a portion of a second embodiment of a cycle lock according to the invention in the opened position.

Figure 5 shows a combination of a crank with a pedal with a portion of a third embodiment of a cycle lock according to the

invention in the opened position.

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment 1 of a cycle lock according to the invention. Cycle lock 1 comprises a first housing part 2 and a second housing part 3 which are mounted around pivot points 4, 5 on base plate 6. In the closed position parts 2, 3 lie against each other on base plate 6. Part 7 in this case overlaps a portion of the wall of housing part 3. A lock with a keyhole 8 and interlocking element 9 are arranged in cycle lock 1. Housing parts 2, 3 are each provided with a blocking bar 10, 11 lying in line with the housing and also functioning as handle. Close to base plate 6 housing parts 2, 3 of cycle lock 1 are provided with an opening 12, 13 for allowing passage of a crank axle. Cycle lock 1 can connect via connection unit 14 to server 15 and to satellite location determining system 16 so that a user can track the location of lock 1.

Figure 2 shows a portion of a variation 20 of embodiment 1.

It is apparent here that, just as in embodiment 1, in the closed position a chamber is formed. This embodiment 20 also has a first and second housing part 21, 22 which overlap in the closed position, and a base plate 23 on which the housing parts 21, 22 are pivotally mounted. It is visible here that, in addition to opening 12, 13 for allowing passage of the crank axle, the cycle lock also has an opening 23, 24 for allowing passage of a pedal axle (not shown) between a pedal 30 and a crank 31 mounted on the pedal and accommodated in the housing of lock 20, as is otherwise also the case in the embodiment according to figure 1. Each of the housing parts 21, 22 comprises a bottom 25, 26 with upright peripheral walls 26, 28.

Figure 3 shows the main components of lock 1, namely the first housing part 2 in figure 3A, the second housing part 3 in figure 3B and the base plate 6 in figure 3C. Housing parts 2, 3 are mounted with pivot points 40, 41 on base plate 6 for pivoting about respective pivot shafts 42, 43. Housing part 2 comprises a bottom 44 with a peripheral wall 45, and housing part 3 likewise comprises a bottom 46 with a peripheral wall 47. In the closed position first housing part 2 and second housing part 3 lie with walls 48, 49 against each other and with contact walls 50, 51 on base plate 6. This creates a chamber in the housing, in which a crank can be enclosed. Two first openings 52, 53 are provided to allow passage of the pedal axle here, and two second openings 54, 55 are provided for allowing the crank axle to pass. Lock 8 is constructed from two lock parts 57, 58, divided over housing parts 2 and 3, so that lock 8 works only in the closed position of cycle lock 1. Lock 8 comprises for instance a keyhole 59 and a locking mechanism 60 which can engage on interlocking element 9 when this protrudes into recess 61. In the closed position wall 62 partially overlaps with wall 63. In addition, figure 3 shows two channels 64, 65 for receiving the plug-in part of a plug-in lock.

Figure 4 shows a second embodiment 70 with a first housing part 71 and a second housing part 72, which are mounted directly on each other for pivoting around pivot shaft 73. Accommodated once again in cycle lock 70 is a crank 31 with a pedal 30 mounted thereon, which crank is on the other side connected via a crank axle (not shown) to drive 32 of a cycle.

Figure 5 shows a third embodiment 80 with a first housing part 81 and a second housing part 82, constructed from a first half 83 and a second half 84. First half 83 is mounted on first housing part 81 for pivoting about a pivot shaft 85, and second half 84 is mounted on first half 83 for pivoting about pivot shaft 86. Second half 84 is mounted via rod 89 on first housing part 81 for pivoting about pivot shafts 87, 88.