GB2268719A - Bicycle security device - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for securing a bicycle to an adjacent fixture is in the form of a rigid body having means (10, 11) for securing the body to the fixture, for example a wall, a generally flat surface extending outwardly from the securing means, and a tubular socket (16) disposed at an angle to the length of the flat surface. The device secures a bicycle by holding one bicycle pedal (18) upon the flat surface and locking (20, 21) the pedal spindle (22) to the socket (16). <IMAGE>

Description

Bicycle Security Device The present invention is concerned with the problem of securing a bicycle against possible theft and is a device for that purpose.

The increasing popularity of cycling generally and of so-called "mountain" bicycles and other relatively expensive bicycles in particular has in turn led to a major increase in bicycle theft.

In line with this trend, a number of devices have been developed aimed at combatting such theft.

However, many of these devices are little more than a deterrent against a determined thief.

Conventional chains and locks, even when made of specially hardened material, can still be breached.

Thus even when a bicycle has been securely chained to a substantial fixture or fitting, the cutting of the chain allows the bicycle to be stolen.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved device for securing a bicycle against theft, which is devised to make theft of the bicycle more difficult than in the case of many alternative available devices for this purpose.

The bicycle security device according to the present invention comprises a rigid body having means for securing the body to an adjacent fixture at a first end of said body, an elongated generally tubular socket at the second end of said body, and a generally flat surface extending between said ends, said socket being disposed with its axis generally transverse to the length of said surface. The device is used by mounting it with its first end upon a wall or other suitable fixture and by locating the bicycle with one of its pedals placed upon the generally flat surface and securing the pedal, at its end adjacent to the associated pedal crank, by means of the generally tubular socket.

The securing means, by which the device may be mounted upon a wall or the like, preferably takes the form of a generally flat bracket, essentially perpendicular to the flat surface of the device and provided with holes through which suitable strong bolts or screws may extend into the wall.

Two or three such bolt holes will usually suffice, especially three bolt holes, and it is preferred that one or two of them be located close to the flat surface, so that illicit access to the bolts or screws is impeded in use by the pedal upon that surface.

The generally flat surface which extends between the ends of the rigid body is provided to receive, and optionally to support, one of the bicycle pedals and its dimensions should reflect that function. That is, it will normally be of the same general size as the pedal or somewhat narrower. The surface may advantageously be braced by one or more suitable flanges or arms extending sideways or downwardly from the surface.

At the end of the flat surface remote from the securing means, an elongated generally tubular socket is mounted with its axis generally transverse to the length of the surface and preferably to the plane of the surface. In a preferred form of the invention, that axis is generally perpendicular to the flat surface. The intention is that a lock of the type with an elongated shackle may be employed to secure the pedal to the fiat surface by passing the lock shackle around the pedal spindle and through the tubular socket and then closing the lock in position. This action may be assisted by locating the tubular socket in a position in which it is displaced by a short distance laterally relative to the length of the flat surface.In one particularly preferred form of the device according to the invention, a generally flat plate is mounted at the second end of the flat surface, with the flat plate generally perpendicular to the flat surface, and the tubular socket is mounted in the region of one side of the flat plate.

If desired, further means may be provided to -receive a chain or lock, by means of which an additional attachment of a part of the bicycle to the device may be made. For example, a further hole may be provided in a support arm below the flat surface or in some other part of the device, by means of which the bicycle frame or wheels may also be attached to the device, to further impede theft of the bicycle or of a part of it.

It is particularly preferred that the device be a unitary whole, that is produced by casting and/or welding and not able to be subsequently disassembled. It may be made in a range of materials and is very preferably of metal or a hard reinforced plastic. An excellent balance of cost and effectiveness in use may be achieved by casting the device in aluminium or iron. An alternative is to make the device by machining it in malleable iron The device may be mounted upon a wall at a height above the ground which approximately corresponds to the position of a bicycle pedal, of a bicycle of typical size, at the top of the pedal stroke. However this is not essential since the pedal may readily be secured at a different position in its stroke. The device will equally readily accommodate the pedals of bicycles of different sizes.In addition, the device may, if desired, be mounted higher on the wall, to support and secure a bicycle above ground level.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one preferred embodiment of the bicycle security device according to the present invention and wherein: Fig. 1 is an elevation from the front of the device; Fig. 2 is an elevation from one side of the device; Fig. 3 is a plan view; Fig. 4 is a view corresponding to Fig. 2, with a bicycle pedal secured in position; and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the device.

The illustrated device is a unitary body in the form of an aluminium casting incorporating a back plate 10 having three bolt holes 11 by which the device may be secured to a wall, using suitable bolts or screws. Extending forwardly from the back plate 10 is a plate 12 having a flat upper surface. The plate is braced by side-wings or flanges 13 and by a support arm 14.

At the outer end of the plate 12 is a vertical end-plate 15 having mounted upon it towards one of its sides a vertical tubular socket 16. A hole 17 extends through the support arm 14.

The manner of use of the device is shown in Fig. 4. The device is mounted upon a wall at about the level of the top point of the traverse of a bicycle pedal and the bicycle is brought into position adjacent to the device, with the pedal 18 resting upon the plate 12 and the pedal crank 19 being in a generally upright position.

In this position, the U-shaped elongated shackle 20 of a lock 21 is passed around the spindle 22 of the pedal and through the socket 16, the lock then being closed.

In this manner, the bicycle pedal is securely held by the device and, since it is impossible in this position for the pedal to be detached from the bicycle, the bicycle itself is secured against theft. If, however, additional security is required, then a strong chain or the shackle of another lock may be passed through the hole 17 and around an accessible part of the bicycle, to secure that part to the device.

Claims (12)

1. A bicycle security device comprising a rigid body having means for securing the body to an adjacent fixture at a first end of said body, an elongated generally tubular socket at the second end of said body, and a generally flat surface extending between said ends, said socket being disposed with its axis generally transverse to the length of said surface.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said securing means is a generally flat bracket, essentially perpendicular to said flat surface and provided with holes through which bolts or screws may extend.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, having two or three said holes.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein one or two of said holes are located close to said flat surface.

5. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said surface is braced by one or more flanges or arms extending sideways or downwardly from said surface.

6. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the axis of said tubular socket is generally perpendicular to the plane of said flat surface.

7. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said tubular socket is located in a position displaced by a short distance laterally relative to the length of said flat surface.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein a generally flat plate is mounted at the second end of the flat surface, generally perpendicular to said surface, and the tubular socket is mounted in the region of one side of the flat plate.

9. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, having additional means for attachment of a part of the bicycle to the device.

10. A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said additional means is a further hole in the device.

11. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, formed as a casting in aluminium or iron.

12. A bicycle security device, substantially as hereinbefore ' described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.