FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for parking bicycles which is also provided with means for securing the bicycle against theft in combination with "stand-locks".

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bicycle stand-locks of various types and designs are generally known. For example, in US patent No. 3,918,279 dated Nov. 11, 1975 there has been described a stand-lock comprised of a ground anchored vertical post provided with a pivotable C- shaped arm. Once positioned beside the post, the arm is rotated so that the bicycle frame becomes surrounded and the arm can be locked by an ordinary padlock.

One serious disadvantage of the above described and most of the other prior art devices resides is that the front wheel of the bicycle remains unprotected and thus subject to theft. Moreover, in order to use the device one must use a padlock that fits the design of the stand irrespective of other, more sophisticated locking devices and means that the users possesses when parking in other places, such as heavy chains or the most popular U shaped locks (see Fig. la of the attached drawings). It is thus an object of the present invention to overcome these and other deficiencies of the conventional bicycle stand-locks.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a parking stand which is low-cost, easy to install, of unified structure and is automatically convertible from a non-locking position into a locking position.

It is still a further object of the invention that the locking operation will be established by a standard yoke or U shaped tubular lock (see Fig. 1A).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, provided according to the present invention a parking and locking device for bicycles having a front wheel and chassis framework, the device comprising: a rigid track like structure (also referred to hereinafter as: "rocking member") comprising a first section and a second section extending at an angle with respect to the other; means for articulating the rocking member to the ground located at about the crossing point of the first and second sections, whereby the rocking member is pivotal between a first, stand-by position wherein the first section extends horizontally at the ground level, and the second section extends upwardly, and a second, bicycle lockable position, wherein, the first section extends upwardly at an acute angle relative to the horizontal; the first section being bisected to form a pair of parallel extending rods distanced from each other to an extent suitable for receiving there between a portion of the bicycle chassis framework; lock receiving means provided at the free ends of the rods; and a separable locking device for bridging-over and locking to each other said free end the arrangement being such that when parking a bicycle while in the first position, and then rocking the member into the second position, the movement of the bicycle into the track causes the rods of the track to tilt and embrace the frame. Thus, the bicycle becomes ready to be locked by said locking device.

In some embodiments of the invention the second section comprises abutment means adapted to cause movement of the rocking member into the second position by the front wheel while parking the bicycle, is bisected to form a pair of parallel extending portions distanced from each other to an extent for receiving there between a portion of ttie bicycle chassis framework front wheel, and curves away from the first section.

There is further provided a ground anchored base configured to reversibly hold the two free ends of first rocking member sections.

The base may be generally U-shaped having two legs (also referred to hereinafter as: "base walls") and a ground anchored web (also referred to hereinafter as: "mounting base plate"), the inner sides of the base walls being each formed with a notches or channels, so that the two free ends of the first section will be capable to snap into and be held by said notches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and additional constructional features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily understood in light of the ensuing description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the figures, identical structures, elements or parts that appear in more than one figure are generally labeled with the same numeral in all the figures in which they appear. Dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are generally chosen for convenience and clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown to scale. Many of the figures presented are in the form of schematic illustrations and, as such, certain elements may be drawn greatly simplified or not-to-scale, for illustrative clarity. The figures are not intended to be production drawings.

Figure 1A is a general, schematic, three dimensioned view illustration of a bicycle parking and locking device 10 in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention;

Figure IB is a schematic illustration of a typical, known, U shaped bicycle lock; Figure 2 is a schematic side view illustration of the device illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a schematic cross section view taken along line III-III of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a schematic close-up top view illustration of a second ground anchored base holding to the ground the free ends of a a track like structure, in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

Figures 5A-5D are schematic illustrations of a sequence of steps required for converting bicycle parking and locking device 10 from a standby position into a locked position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with the present invention a bicycle device adapted to allow parking and locking of a bicycle by securing the bicycle's frame to said device is provided. More particularly, the device allows securing the down tube to the device by a standard lock-body of U shaped lock. In other words, locking the bicycle to the provided device is functionally performed by using a standard lock-body of U shaped lock.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention the bicycle device provided herein comprises: a track like structure adapted to hold a bicycle's front wheel and halt it from moving forward, said track like structure comprises free ends; a first ground anchored base adapted to support said track like structure and to allow its movement via an axle; a second ground anchored base adapted to be attach to said free ends of track like structure in a standby position; and a ground anchoring substance adapted to fix firmly said first and second bases to the ground.

The track like structure may comprise a first straight section extending horizontally, in parallel to said first and second bases, and a second section which curves away from first section to form an arc form with a radius compatible with the radius of a typical bicycle wheel.

In accordance with features of the invention, the first section rises up once a bicycle front wheel is entered over the second base through said track like structure, thereby detaching the free ends from second base and allowing further attachment of the free end to a standard lock-body of U shaped lock. Upon entrance of a bicycle into the track like structure, first section is detached from second base and rises up above the pedals wheel. In such position, the user may lock the bicycle inside the device of the invention by attaching a standard body lock to the free ends of track like structure. Thus, securing the bicycle frame, and more particularly, securing the bicycle down tube, to the parking device. In a preferred embodiment, second section of track like structure is narrower than the width of a typical bicycle front wheel so as to functionally halt a bicycle from moving forward and provide the bicycle a stable parking position.

It should be clear that, in an active position the free ends of track like structure are attached to a standard lock-body of U shaped lock, while in a standby position, the free end are attached to the second ground anchored base. Reference is now made to the figures:

As seen in Figs. 1 and 2, a parking and locking device 10 mainly comprise an elongated track like structure 12 (also referred to as: "rocking member" and "track like frame"). Track like frame 12 in the present example is composed of round rods 14, 16, 22 and 24, preferably but not necessarily made of a metal that are bent or otherwise shaped as a track. , Alternatively, rods 14, 16, 22 and 24 may be made of any rigid material suitable for the purposes of the present invention, i.e. suitable for stably holding and locking a bicycle. Alternatively, other structures can be employed such as flat arcuate bar or bars.

In accordance with the embodiment illustrated herein, track like structure 12 comprises a first, straight section SI extending horizontally, and a second section S2 which curves away from the proximal side of the first section to form an arc, preferably of a radius fitting with the radius of a typical front bicycle wheel. First section SI, comprises a pair of rounds rods 14 and 16 extending parallel to each other having their free, distal ends 14a and 16a formed with notches 14b and 16b to functionally allow clicking ends 14a and 16a either to tubular lock 20, when the device is in an operative mode, or to ground anchored base 60, when the device is in a none operative, standby mode. The distance between rods 14 and 16, as well as the design of ends 14a and 16a are adapted to conform that of a standard U shaped bicycle lock 18 illustrated in Fig. IB so as to allow tubular lock 20 or any other similar lock to be attached to ends 14a and 14b (instead of the U shaped lock tubules 19), to functionally lock and secure a bicycle frame as illustrated in figure 5D. While other types of lock bodies can be specifically designed for this purpose, the fact that any standard tubular lock is suitable and lockable onto ends 14a and 16a of track like structure 12 is one of the unique and prominent features of the present invention.

Integrally extending from rods 14 and 16, or separately provided, are arcuate rods 22 and 24 of second rocking member section S2, respectively, connected by bridging section 26. The distance between arcuate rods 22 and 24 can be the same as between rods 14 and 16, or smaller; It is however desirable that the distance between rods 22 and 24 will be narrower than the width of a typical bicycle front wheel, so as to functionally halt the bicycle from moving forward and provide them a stable parking position. In addition, the radius of the curvature of rods 22, 24 should preferably fit with the radius of a typical bicycle front wheel.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, rods 22, 24 can be replaced by a single, flat beam (i.e. the gap between the rods may be closed (not shown)).

Track like structure 12 as a whole is functionally and structurally connected to axle 30, which is supported by base 32.

According to the exemplified embodiment of Fig. 1, base 32 comprises a a mounting plate (web) 38, from which, two side walls (legs) 34 and 36 are arising. Plate 38 may be made of cast metal or durable plastics, or any other rigid material suitable for the purposes of the invention. Also illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 are: anchored bolts 54 that are functionally adapted to fix firmly base 32 to a substance 52 being prefixed in the ground such as concrete; head 48 adapted for fastening a shaft located inside axle 30; a concrete substrate 72 of base 60 and anchored bolt 74 that is functionally adapted to fix firmly base 60 to substance 72. In addition, the device may further comprise a metal plate 58 connecting base 32 to base 60. Plate 58 may be a flat metal plate optionally, with few welded cylinders for adding screws. Plate 58 may be buried under the ground and functionally, may serve as a placement for the two bases of the device. Also shown in Fig. 2 is line III-III corresponding to the cross section illustrated in details in Fig. 3 below.

Reference is now made to Figure 3 that schematically illustrates a cross section view along line III-III indicated on Rg. 2. Shown in this figure are base 32, base walls 34 and 36, base plate 38, substance 52, anchored bolt 54, axle 30 positioned between walls 34, 36 and sleeve 40 that freely rotates on shaft 42 between walls 34 and 36. Shaft 42 passes through openings 44, 46 and fastened by head 48 at one end and a screw 50 at the other end.

Mounting base plate (web) 38 is fixed to the ground, via a concrete substrate 52, by at least one anchored bolt 54.

Track like structure 12 is welded or otherwise affixed to sleeve 40 in a manner that rods 14, 16, 22 and 24 are physically attached to sleeve 40 as illustrated in the figure.

Reference is now made to Rgure 4 that illustrates a close-up top view of a second ground anchored base 60 that is functionally adapted for holding free ends 14a and 16a of rods 14 and 16 respectively to the ground. In a standby position of device 10, when no bicycles are attached to it, free ends 14a and 16a of first section rods 14 and 16 are preferably placed within second ground anchored base 60, so as to insure safe positioning of the free ends and avoid bumping of passersby into them, and also to keep device 10 in a standby position, ready to be used. Base 60 is designed similar to base 32 and comprises two side walls (legs) 62, 64 and a base mounting plate (web) 66. The base is firmly fixed (anchored) to a concrete substrate 72 by bolts 74 passing through plate 66.

In side walls 62, 64 there are formed shallow channels (troughs) or notches 68, 70, respectively, into which portions 14a and 16a are adapted to be attached, but easily to be detached should an upwardly directed force be applied onto section SI, for example, by rolling a bicycle into parking and locking device 10 via track like structure 12. This "clicking" attachment is recommended for normally keeping structure 12 in its non- operative, stand-by position for the reasons denoted above. Also shown in this figure are notches 14b and 16b.

The operation of stand-lock device 10 will now be described witti reference to Figs. 5A-5D.

Once a bicycle 80 is driven into device 10, when the front wheel is entered over base 60 and further inserted between rods 14 and 16, it applies a force against bridging member 26, and a rocking movement is initiated (counter-clockwise in Fig. 5B). Rods 14 and 16 become released, detached, from the grip of base 60 (troughs 68 and 70). The rotation continues, until part of the bicycle frame, the down tube DT is being placed between the free end of rods 14 and 16.

Locking bicycle 80 is completed by attaching tubular lock 20 to free ends 14a and 16a of rods 14 and 16. Consequently, releasing bicycle 80 from device 10 is prevented. In such position, the front wheel of bicycle 80 is also protected against dismantling by rods 22, 24 and bridging section 26, for further security and protection from theft.

The invention thus provides a most effective and friendly to use solution for the problem in question. Parking and locking device 10 is low-cost and minimal space consuming. The installation of the device in public spaces only involves the use of few anchoring bolts, especially in case that a battery of several devices is to be erected, side by side. In a further embodiment of the invention, device 10 further comprises a payment component, in order to provide a user a settled parking place for its bicycle, in a similar concept of settled parking places for cars, by private bodies or municipal authorities.

Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will readily appreciate that many of the details provided above are by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is to be interpreted with reference to the appended claims.