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The present invention relates to a station for parking a two-wheeled vehicle, in particular a bicycle.

The object of the invention is to provide a station of the type indicated above that will have a simple structure, will be convenient to use, will enable a certain degree of protection of the bicycle accommodated in the station, and finally will preferably enable also simultaneous accommodation of objects and personal effects of the cyclist (such as the helmet and/or other equipment).

According to its main characteristic, the parking station according to the invention comprises a fixed structure, designed to be anchored to the ground, and a movable structure, which is connected to the fixed structure and can be displaced between an inoperative position and an operative position, wherein the movable structure covers from above, at least partially, a bicycle received in the station.

According to a further characteristic, the aforesaid fixed structure defines a space designed to receive a bicycle wheel, whereas the movable structure prevents access to said space for receiving the wheel when the movable structure is in its inoperative position.

According to a further non-essential but preferable characteristic, associated to the fixed structure is a locker for housing objects. In this case, preferably the movable structure is adapted for preventing access to the locker when it is in its inoperative position.

In a preferred example of embodiment, the aforesaid movable structure is substantially in the form of an elongated beam, which in its inoperative position is set substantially vertical, in front of the space for receiving the wheel and in its operative position is set substantially horizontal and extends in cantilever fashion from the fixed structure so as to cover from above, at least partially, and protect a bicycle received in the station.

In this example of embodiment, the aforesaid beam is mounted articulated about a horizontal axis on the fixed structure. Means for blocking the beam in the operative position may be provided or, alternatively, it may be envisaged that in its operative position the beam rests on the bicycle that is received in the station.

In a variant, the movable structure is mounted on a fixed structure, which can be positioned adjacent to a pre-existing stationary bicycle- parking station, which makes it possible to equip this pre-existing structure with a movable structure that in its operative position functions as cover for the bicycle.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the ensuing description with reference to the annexed drawings, which are provided purely by way of non-limiting example and in which:

- Figure 1.1 is a perspective view of a first example of embodiment of the parking station according to the invention, with the movable structure in its inoperative position;

- Figure 1 .2 illustrates a further perspective view of the station of Figure 1 .1 , with the movable structure in its operative position;

- Figures 1.3A and 1.3B illustrate details of the movable structure, with the device for blocking the movable structure in its operative position;

- Figure 1.4 illustrates the aforesaid station with a bicycle received therein;

- Figure 2.1 is a perspective view of a second example of embodiment of the parking station according to the invention, with the movable structure in its inoperative position;

- Figure 2.2 is a further perspective view of the station of Figure 2.1 ;

- Figure 2.3 illustrates the station of Figures 2.1 and 2.2 with the movable structure in its operative position;

- Figure 2.4 illustrates the movable structure of the station of Figures 2.1 -2.3 in a position intermediate between its inoperative position and its operative position;

- Figure 2.5 illustrates the station of Figures 2.1 -2.4 with a bicycle received therein;

- Figure 3.1 is a perspective view of a third example of embodiment of the station according to the invention, with the movable structure in its inoperative position;

- Figure 3.2 illustrates the station of Figure 3.1 with the movable structure in its operative position; - Figure 3.3 illustrates the station of Figures 3.1 , 3.2 with a bicycle received therein;

- Figure 4.1 is a perspective view that illustrates a further example of embodiment of the station according to the invention including a double station designed to receive two bicycles, with the movable structure of one of the two stations in its inoperative position, and the other movable structure in its operative position and with a bicycle received therein; and

- Figures 5.1 , 5.2, 6, 7.1 -7.3, and 8.1 , 8.2 are perspective views of further examples of embodiment of the station according to the invention.

In the annexed drawings, the parts in common or that correspond to one another are designated by the same reference numbers. In the drawings, the reference number 1 designates as a whole a station for bicycles comprising a fixed structure 2 and a movable structure 3, which is connected to the fixed structure 2 and can be displaced between an inoperative position and an operative position.

The fixed structure 2 comprises a base plate 201 designed to be anchored to the ground, rising from which is a structure 203 that defines a space 204 that is to receive and support a bicycle wheel laterally. The movable structure 3 is constituted by a substantially plane and elongated beam. In the example of Figures 1 .1 -1 .4, the fixed structure includes two lateral portal structures 205, each of which comprises two uprights connected at the top by an arched portion 206. The uprights of the portal structures 205 are parallel to one another and oriented according to a direction inclined with respect to the vertical direction.

The beam 3 is mounted articulated about a horizontal axis on the two front uprights of the lateral portal structures 205, by means of two articulation pins 207. The beam 3 can consequently be displaced between an inoperative position, which is substantially vertical and coplanar to the front uprights of the two lateral portal structures 205 (see Figure 1 .1 ), and an operative position, which is substantially horizontal and projects in cantilever fashion from the fixed structure 2 (Figure 1 .2). In this operative position, the beam 3 can be blocked by means of a blocking device provided on each side of the beam 3. In the example illustrated, this blocking device comprises a ball 208 recalled by a helical spring 209 (Figures 1 .3A, 1 .3B) that is carried by each lateral structure 205 and is designed to engage in a corresponding seat provided on the side of the beam 3. Alternatively, the blocking device constituted by the elastically recalled ball 208 may be provided on the side of the beam 3 to co-operate with a seat provided in the corresponding lateral structure 205.

Figure 1 .4 illustrates the station described above with a bicycle received therein. In this condition, a wheel of the bicycle is received in the receiving space 204. In the example illustrated, the beam 3 is not blocked in its operative position, but rather is left free to rest above the bicycle. Provided on the free end of the beam 3 is a handle 30 that can be used for anchoring a cable lock or security chain of any type adapted for engaging a part of the bicycle.

As may be seen in the drawings, in the example illustrated the fixed structure 2 is also equipped with a locker 4 for housing objects provided with a door 5. The structure of the locker 4 is supported by the two lateral portal structures 205.

There may of course be provided a device for locking the door 5 in the closed condition, for example a device with bolt, or a lock that can be operated by a key, or a lock that can be operated by a coin-lock or token- lock device. Moreover, preferably, the device according to the invention envisages, as in the case of the example illustrated in Figures 1 .1 -1 .4, that when the movable structure 3 is in its inoperative position it will prevent access to the receiving compartment 204 and will prevent also access to the locker 4, in the case where the latter is provided.

There may of course be provided a device for blocking the movable structure 3 in its inoperative position, which can be operated for example by a key, or else with an electronic badge, or else by means of a coin-lock or token-lock device, so as to render the station suited to being used in parking areas where use of the station is subject to control and/or to payment.

Figures 2.1 -2.5 refer to a second example of embodiment of the invention. In these figures, the parts corresponding to those of Figures 1 .1 - 1 .4 are designated by the same reference numbers. The main difference with respect to the first example of embodiment described above lies in the fact that in this case the fixed structure is constituted by a box-like structure shaped like a vertical locker and in that the beam 3 is connected to the top of the fixed structure by means of a connection element 50 with double articulation (see Figure 2.4) in such a way that the beam 3 can be positioned either in its vertical inoperative position, in which it prevents access to the compartment for receiving the wheel and to the locker 4, or in a horizontal position where it rests on the top of the fixed structure (Figure 2.3), or else again in an operative position in which it rests on a bicycle received within the station, as illustrated in Figure 2.5. This figure also shows a first antitheft cable 6 that secures the bicycle to the handle 30, and a second antitheft cable 7 that secures the bicycle to the fixed structure 2.

The example of embodiment of Figures 3.1 -3.3 envisages a fixed structure 2 constituted by a single portal element, with two uprights 208 connected at the top by a cross member 209 on which the movable beam 3 is anchored in an articulated way. Fixed to the uprights 208 are two convergent vertical walls 210, which define the space 204 for receiving the wheel of the bicycle. The locker 4 is supported by the two uprights 208 immediately underneath the cross member 209.

Figure 4.1 illustrates a further example of embodiment that envisages a double station with the fixed structure in the form of a locker 2 defining two areas for receiving respective bicycles. Each locker is closed at the front by the respective beam 3 when the latter is in its inoperative position (see the station represented on the right in Figure 4.1 ), whereas, when the beam 3 is raised in its operative position, also access to the locker 4 is freed. Also for this embodiment it is possible to provide a system for blocking the beam 3 in the operative position, or, alternatively, it may be envisaged that the beam 3 simply rests on the bicycle received in the station.

As is evident from the foregoing description, in all the examples of embodiment described above, the station is characterized in that it includes a movable structure 3 that in its operative position performs a function of covering and, at least partial, protection from above of the bicycle received in the station. In this way, the bicycle and in particular the saddle of the bicycle are protected from adverse weather conditions and from dust or foreign bodies.

In its operative position, the movable structure also defines an extensive surface that may, for example, be exploited for affixing tourist indications or advertising messages.

Figures 5.1 and 5.2 illustrate an embodiment in which the beam 3 has a portion 31 that is articulated to the top structure of the locker 4 and that extends with a further articulated portion 32. The portion 32 in the inoperative condition is rotated over the portion 31 . In the operating condition, the portion 32 is rotated and lowered so as to set itself on the prolongation of the portion 31 and rest on the saddle of the bicycle accommodated in the station (Figure 5.2). In the example illustrated in Figure 5.2, an antitheft cable 6 that engages the handle 30 and an antitheft cable 60 that engages a ring 5a carried by the door 5 of the locker 4 are used. The fixed structure is constituted by a single portal with uprights 208 that at the top have the shape of an L set upside down and join up in a top cross member (not visible), set behind the locker 4. The uprights 208 support the locker 4, to which the beam portion 31 is in turn articulated. The structure 204 for receiving the bicycle has an upright 204a, shaped like a U turned upside down, with two bottom side walls 210, which converge towards the upright.

Figure 6 shows an embodiment with a fixed structure 2 similar to that of Figure 5.1 , but having an increased width, for receiving a tricycle equipped with a rear box.

Figures 7.1 , 7.2, and 7.3 show a front view and a rear view of a further variant, in its inoperative condition. Figure 7.3 shows this variant in its inoperative condition. In the case of this variant, the movable structure 3 is mounted on a fixed structure constituted by an upright 2, which may be positioned adjacent to a pre-existing stationary bicycle-parking station 500, which makes it possible to equip this pre-existing structure with a movable structure 3 that in its operative position functions so as to cover the bicycle. In the example illustrated, the pre-existing structure includes a post 500 of the type used in public parking lots that can be used with an electronic badge, which enables release of a bicycle from a blocking device carried by the post 500. In the example illustrated, the fixed structure 2 forming part of the device according to the invention is an upright made of sheet metal, the bottom part of which is anchored to the post 500. The movable structure 3 is a table mounted articulated to the top end of the upright 2. In the inoperative condition, the table 3 is set vertically adjacent of the post 500, whereas in its inoperative condition it is raised and rests on the saddle of the bicycle received and blocked in the proximity of the post 500.

The movable table 3 may be made of any suitable material, also of transparent material and may be exploited for affixing advertising messages and/or public notices.

Figures 8.1 , 8.2 show another solution similar to that of Figures 7.1 - 7.3, which presents a table 3 and a fixed structure 2 comprising two tubular uprights joined together at the top by a cross member articulated to which is the table 3.

Of course, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the details of construction may vary widely with respect to what has been described herein purely by way of example.