The present invention relates to a device for park¬ ing bicycles which comprises at least one support for stable positioning of a bicycle, which bicycle is provid¬ ed with a lock. Such a device is generally known, wherein no further provisions are made to prevent theft of the bicycle.

The invention has for its object to obviate the above stated drawback and provides for this purpose a device which is distinguished by a coupling which in the situation of use co-acts with the lock of the bicycle.

As a result a bicycle can first be parked in stable manner, whereafter coupling in the situation co-acting with the lock of the bicycle can be realized without the danger of the bicycle falling over. An embodiment of the invention is such that the coupling contains at least one passage in which the lock engages in the situation of use. The coupling is for instance fixed to the support. In this case a bicycle chain can for instance be threaded as coupling through a ring fixed to the support before the padlock is arranged.

In another embodiment the device is such that the coupling comprises an elongate, movable body which can at least withstand cutting. A chain fixed to the support for instance serves herein as coupling, wherein a closing ring of a ring lock can be placed through a link of the chain before the closing ring reaches a locked position thereof.

In yet another embodiment the device is such that a substantially flat plate containing the passage is fixed to the free end of the body. The body can herein be designed as a chain, with the advantage that the plate containing the passage can be formed on the free extremi¬ ty of the chain in order to correspond with specific dimensions of the part of the lock for arranging through the passage, for instance a small round hole in the plate through which the closing ring of a ring lock can be

arranged. The body forming the coupling is herein prefer¬ ably displaceable along the support toward and away from the bicycle so that it can be moved in the direction of the bicycle for coupling to the lock. For this purpose the body is for instance displaceable along the support or a rod is fixed to the support. When the rod is fixed with both outer ends to the support, as a result of which an opening is formed between the rod and the support, the rod itself can serve as coupling, wherein a bicycle chain for instance can be placed through the thus formed pas¬ sage to secure the bicycle to the rod and therefore the support.

The invention will be further elucidated with refer¬ ence to the figure description hereinbelow of an embodi- ment of the invention. In the drawing figure 1 shows a perspective view of a device ac¬ cording to the invention; and figure 2 shows a detail of the device shown in figure 1. The device shown in the figures comprises: a support designed as post 3 with a beam 5 arranged thereon, where¬ in on the free outer ends of beam 5 are arranged elements 6 closable with cover plates 7; diagonal rods 4 fixed to post 3 and beam 5; and chains 8 which are slidable along rods 4 and to which are fixed plates 9 in which are arranged passages designed as round holes 10 wherein each assembly of a chain 8 with a plate 9 containing a hole 10 forms a coupling.

Post 3 is cast into a concrete block 2 and placed in a pavement 11. Beam 5 is fixed to post 3 at the top so as to form together therewith a T-shaped support.

The frame of a bicycle 1 is placeable in one of the elements 6, whereafter the cover plate 7 associated with the relevant element 6 can be rotated to a position enclosing the frame of bicycle 1. Enclosing of the frame of bicycle 1 in this manner results in a stable position¬ ing of bicycle 1. Bicycles parked in the supports are present in orderly manner in a street and the chaotic sight of bicycles parked at random on the pavement is avoided.

In the figure the bicycle has a cycle lock 12 which can be placed in the locked position in order to lock bicycle 1.

The rod 4 placed diagonally between post 3 and beam 5 forms a guide for a chain 8 which is slidable along rod 4 so that the free outer end of chain 9 has a greater range of movement than in the case of a single fixed attachment . A plate 9 is fixed to the free outer end of chain 8, wherein a round hole 10 is arranged in plate 9. The diameter of hole 10 is at least slightly larger than the diameter of the closing ring of the cycle lock 12 so that the closing ring can be placed through hole 10 when the cycle lock 12 is being placed in the locked position thereof. The cyclist who wishes to park his or her bicy- cie 1 has both hands available for this purpose since bicycle 1 is already positioned stably. As a result of locking of the cycle lock 12 of bicycle 1, wherein the closing ring of cycle lock 12 grips the plate 9 through hole 10, the bicycle 1 is coupled fixedly to the device, thus for instance preventing the bicycle 1 from being removed from the support and subsequently carried away.

In an alternative embodiment the device according to the present invention does not contain a plate on the outer end of chain 8, wherein the closing ring of cycle lock 12 is placed through one of the links of chain 8, whereafter bicycle 1 is coupled fixedly to the device. The advantage hereof is that coupling can be effected along the whole length of chain 8 so that the chain can be tensioned. It is also possible for the coupling to be formed by a cable or other similar elongate and movable body. It is particularly important herein that such a body can with¬ stand the use of industrial shears, a saw and other hand tools used for cycle theft. When the bicycle 1 is equipped with a bicycle chain or a U-shaped bracket lock, which are not shown here, the rod 4 functions as the coupling, wherein the bicycle chain or the U-shaped bracket lock can be placed through the passage formed by rod 4, post 3 and beam 5. A bicycle chain can then be trained round a tube of the frame of

bicycle 1, whereafter the ends can be mutually fastened using for instance a padlock or by placing the closing ring of a cycle lock 12 through links of the bicycle chain. A U-shaped bracket lock can be placed with a leg through the passage on either side of the rod 4 forming the coupling and be subsequently moved with a leg along either side of a tube of the frame of bicycle 1, whereaf¬ ter the closing block containing a lock can be placed on the legs to close the U-shaped bracket lock. In order to enhance the appearance of the street the support formed by post 3 and beam 5 can be manufactured from stainless steel and is then preferably polished. This in combination with the already existing street scene produces a colourful and clear appearance of the device.

The invention is described above with reference to an embodiment and several alternatives, wherein it is noted that the invention is not limited to these forms within the scope defined by the following claims.

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