Electronic security device for a bicycle

• US 10,183,713 B1
• Filed: 11/06/2017
• Issued: 01/22/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Linka Group Limited
• Original Assignee: Linka Group Limited
• Inventors: Mohamed, Mohamed
• Primary Examiner(s): Knutson, Jacob D
• Application Number:
  US15/804,373
• Time in Patent Office: 442 Days
• Field of Search: 2802883, 2802884
• CPC Class Codes: B62H 5/14 preventing wheel rotation B62H5/003 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62H 5/147 by means of circular bolts padlocks E05B67/28
• CPC Class Codes: B62H 5/20 indicating unauthorised use, e.g. acting on signalling devices alarm locks in general E05B45/00, e.g. alarm cable or chain lock E05B45/005
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 43/30 for providing power to equipment other than for propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/00 Electrical equipment arrangements specially adapted for use as accessories on cycles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 19/34 Bottom brackets
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 19/40 for attaching accessories, e.g. article carriers, lamps

Abstract

A bicycle includes a frame and an electronic security device. The frame includes a hollow space and at least one opening. The hollow space is configured within the frame. The at least one opening is configured in the frame and the at least one opening is connected to the hollow space. The electronic security device is configured such that it is accommodated within the hollow space of the frame. The electronic security device includes a retractable locking shackle configured to assume a locked position and a retracted position by moving through the at least one opening configured in the frame. The locked position of the retractable locking shackle restricts a movement of a wheel of the bicycle and the retracted position enables free movement of the wheel of the bicycle.

Claims

1. A bicycle, the bicycle comprising:

a frame;

a hollow space configured within the frame;

at least one opening configured in the frame, the at least one opening connected to the hollow space;

an electronic security device configured to be accommodated within the hollow space of the frame, the electronic security device comprising a retractable locking shackle configured to assume a locked position and a retracted position by moving through the at least one opening configured in the frame,

wherein the locked position of the retractable locking shackle restricts a movement of a wheel of the bicycle, and the retracted position enables a free movement of the wheel of the bicycle;

a rechargeable battery for providing power to the electronic security device;

a charging port for recharging the rechargeable battery,

wherein the charging port comprises a first charging port connector disposed on the frame of the bicycle, the first charging port connector comprising one or more pins electrically coupled to the electronic security device; and

a second charging port connector comprising a first end and a second end, the second end configured to be electrically coupled to a power source and the first end comprising one or more pins configured to engage with the one or more pins of the first charging port connector for charging the rechargeable battery.

2. The bicycle as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

an electronic control module communicably coupled to the electronic security device, the electronic control module configured to provide a user signal to the electronic security device for assuming the locked position and the retracted position of the retractable locking shackle.

3. The bicycle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the charging port is at least one of a micro-USB, a USB-c, a pogo pin port, an inductive charging port or a solar panel.

4. The bicycle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame is a chain stay of the bicycle.

5. The bicycle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame is a seat stay of the bicycle.

6. The bicycle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame is a down tube of the bicycle.

7. The bicycle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame is a bottom bracket of the bicycle.

8. The bicycle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame is a front fork of the bicycle.

9. The bicycle as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

at least one fastening means, the at least one fastening means configured to hold the electronic security device inside the hollow space of the frame; and

a protective means for protecting the electronic security device from impacts to the electronic security device inside the hollow space of the frame while movement of the bicycle.

10. The bicycle as claimed in claim 9, wherein the protective means is at least one of a cushion, a spring or a bumper.

11. The bicycle as claimed in claim 1, further comprising one or more water shields disposed at the at least one opening configured in the frame of the bicycle for preventing water ingress into the electronic security device.

12. A bicycle comprising:

a bottom bracket operatively coupled to a rear wheel of the bicycle, the bottom bracket comprising a hollow space configured within the bottom bracket and at least one opening connected to the hollow space; and

an electronic security device configured to be accommodated within the hollow space, the electronic security device comprising a retractable locking shackle configured to move through the at least one opening to assume a locked position and a retracted position based on receipt of one or more user signals from a user device,

wherein in the locked position at least a portion of the retractable locking shackle is extended outwardly from the hollow space though the at least one opening to overlap with spokes of the rear wheel thereby restricting movement of the rear wheel, and

wherein in the retracted position the retractable locking shackle is within the hollow space thereby not overlapping with the spokes of the rear wheel.

13. The bicycle as claimed in claim 12, wherein the at least one opening comprises a first opening and a second opening, the first opening configured in a first arm of the bottom bracket and the second opening configured in a second arm of the bottom bracket, the first arm and the second arm positioned such that the rear wheel lie therebetween.

14. The bicycle as claimed in claim 12, further comprising:

an electronic control module communicably coupled to the electronic security device, the electronic control module configured to provide a user signal to the electronic security device for assuming the locked position and the retracted position of the retractable locking shackle.

15. The bicycle as claimed in claim 12, wherein the bicycle further comprises:

a rechargeable battery for providing power to the electronic security device;

a charging port for recharging the rechargeable battery,

wherein the charging port comprises a first charging port connector disposed on a frame of the bicycle, the first charging port connector comprising one or more pins electrically coupled to the electronic security device; and

a second charging port connector comprising a first end and a second end, the second end configured to be electrically coupled to a power source and the first end comprising one or more pins configured to engage with the one or more pins of the first charging port connector for charging the rechargeable battery.

16. A system comprising:

a hollow space configured within a bottom bracket connected to a rear wheel of a bicycle;

at least one opening configured in the bottom bracket, the at least one opening connected to the hollow space; and

an electronic security device configured to be accommodated within the hollow space of the bottom bracket, the electronic security device comprising a retractable locking shackle configured to

assume a locked position and a retracted position by moving through the at least one opening configured in the bottom bracket,

wherein the locked position of the retractable locking shackle restricts a movement of a wheel of the bicycle, and the retracted position enables a free movement of the wheel of the bicycle,

wherein the electronic security device further comprises

a battery for providing power to the electronic security device,

a worm gear, and

a motor,

wherein upon actuation the motor is configured to transmit rotational motion to the worm gear which in turn actuates motion of the retractable locking shackle to assume either the locked position or the retracted position.

17. The bicycle as claimed in claim 16, wherein the electronic security device further comprises at least one water shield disposed on the at least one opening, the at least one water shield covering the at least one opening when the retractable locking shackle is in the retracted position and when the retractable locking shackle is in the locked position then allowing free movement of the retractable locking shackle through a cut in a middle portion of the at least one water shield.

18. The bicycle as claimed in claim 16, wherein the motor is actuated upon biometric verification of a user.

19. The bicycle as claimed in claim 16, wherein the worm gear comprises worm threads of predetermined length disposed on a portion of the circumference of the retractable locking shackle.