| DE102007052911A1 | 2009-01-29 | |||
| US20150020558A1 | 2015-01-22 | |||
| US6389853B1 | 2002-05-21 |
| CLAIMS: 1. A locking device for an object, particularly a vehicle, comprising a lock (21 ) for attachment to the fixed world, and a cable (3) which with one end (5) can be attached to the fixed world or the object or the lock, and of which the other free end (7) is equipped with a pin (9) which can be inserted in a recess (23) present in the lock and can be locked in the recess, characterised in that the pin (9) is provided with an identification chip and the lock is provided with an ID-reader. 2. A locking device according to claim 1, characterised in that the cable (3) comprises an insulated electrical conductor and an electrical connector connected to the conductor and the lock comprises a further counter connector for the power supply of the object and/or the exchange of data with an external device, such as a docking station or back office. 3. An object, in particular a vehicle, provided with a cable (3) which with one end (5) is attached to the object, and of which the other free end (7) is provided with a pin (9) that can be inserted in a recess (23) present in a lock (21) and can be locked in the recess, characterised in that the pin (9) is provided with an identification chip. 4. An object according to claim 3, characterised in that the cable (3) comprises an insulated electrical conductor and an electrical connector connected to the conductor for the power supply of the device and/or the exchange of data with an external device, such as a back office or docking station. 5. An object according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the object comprises a further lock which is provided with a further opening in which the pin can be inserted and locked. |
DESCRIPTION:
Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a locking device for an object, particularly a vehicle, comprising a lock for attachment to the fixed world, and a cable which with one end can be attached to the fixed world or the object or the lock, and of which the other free end is equipped with a pin which can be inserted in a recess present in the lock and can be locked in the recess.
Description of the Prior Art
Such a locking device is generally known as a cable lock. Summary of the Invention
An objective of the invention is to provide a locking device of the kind described in the opening paragraph which is multi-functional. To this end, the locking device according to the invention is characterised in that the pin is provided with an identification chip and the lock is provided with an ID-reader. The lock and cable can, for example, be attached to the fixed world so that an own vehicle can be locked/secured whilst parking. The cable can, however, also be attached to the vehicle, so that the vehicle (via the cable) can be locked, for example, to a pole/post or a fence. Once a person has identified himself or herself, this person can as a result rent a vehicle. When the vehicle is rented out the identification chip will indicate whether the cable is still secured in the lock. Furthermore, during the return of the vehicle, when the pin is secured in the lock, the identification chip allows to establish what kind of vehicle it is and to check whether the vehicle is permitted to be returned to the present location.
A preferred embodiment of the locking device according to the invention is characterised, in that the cable comprises an insulated electrical conductor and an electrical connector connected to the conductor and the lock comprises a further counter connector for the power supply of the object and/or the exchange of data with an external device, such as a docking station or back office.
The invention also relates to an object, in particular a vehicle, provided with a cable which with one end is attached to the object, and of which the other free end is provided with a pin that can be inserted in a recess present in a lock and can be locked in the recess. With regard to the object, the invention is chaiacterised in that the pin is provided with an identification chip.
An embodiment of the object according to the invention is characterised, in that the cable comprises an insulated electrical conductor and an electrical connector connected to the conductor for the power supply of the device and/or the exchange of data with an external device, such as a back office or docking station.
A further embodiment of the object according to the invention is characterised, in that the object comprises a further lock, which is provided with a further opening in which the pin can be inserted and locked. This further lock is a mechanical lock without an ID reader, and is by preference, employed when there is an existing lock present on the bicycle/object. As a result, this allows the object/bicycle to be at any time, for example during a break, secured to an external object, such as a fence.
Brief description of the drawings
Below, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings of the locking device according to the present invention. In these drawings:
Figure 1 illustrates a cable of a first embodiment of the locking device according to the invention, with one pin present;
Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the locking device according to the invention, in which both the cable and the lock are secured to the fixed world;
Figure 3 shows a connector, of a third embodiment of the locking device according to the invention in perspective, provided with a cable and a pin; and
Figure 4 illustrates the connector shown in Figure 3 in a side view. Detailed description of the drawings
Figure 1 is a perspective of a cable 3 of a first embodiment of the locking device according to the present invention, whereby one pin 9 is present. One end of the cable is attached to a vehicle 5, for example a bicycle not shown) and at the free end 7 a pin 9 is present, which is equipped with an identification chip. Further, the cable 3 comprises an insulated electrical conductor for the power supply of the device and/or the exchange of data with an external device, such as a docking station or back office.
In Figure 2 a second embodiment of the locking device according to the present invention is shown. In this locking device 11 both the cable 13 as well as the lock 23 is attached to the fixed world. At one end 15, the cable is attached to a pole/housing 25. This pole is attached to a base plate 27, which is anchored to the fixed world (floor). Once again, here, the free end 17 of the cable consists of a pin 19 with ID; whereby the lock 21 comprises an opening 23 in which the pin 19 can be inserted. The cable can be applied to, for example, a tube of the bicycle frame, and then secured in the lock.
The Housing 25 with lock 21 may not be provided with a cable; in which case, this housing can be part of the first embodiment of the locking device shown in Figure 1.
Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the connector 31 of a third embodiment of the locking device according to the present invention in a side view perspective, whereby the connector 31 comprises a cable 33 with one pin 39. The connector 31 has a housing 41 to which the pin 39 is attached. In turn, the pin is attached to the cable 33, which runs through the housing and exits the housing through opening 43. With its other end, the cable is attached to a vehicle, preferably, a bicycle (not shown). Furthermore, during storage, the connector 31 is placed against a counter-connector 45 (which is part of the lock) for the transfer of data or power supply for the bicycle.
Although in the above, the present invention is elucidated with reference to the drawings, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown in the drawings. The invention also extends to all embodiments deviating from the embodiment shown in the drawings within the context defined by the claims.