Automatic Cycle Storage System

• US 20080042811A1
• Filed: 11/29/2004
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JCDecaux SA (JCDecaux Group)
• Original Assignee: JCDecaux SA (JCDecaux Group)
• Inventors: Le Gars, Jacques
• Granted Patent: US 7,471,191 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/432
• CPC Class Codes: B62H 2003/005 Supports or holders associated with means for bike rental
• CPC Class Codes: B62H 3/00 Separate supports or holders for parking or storing cycles cycle supports used during maintenance B25H; building aspects E04H
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/10 for means for safe-keeping of property, left temporarily, e.g. by fastening the property
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5872 For cycles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/625 Operation and control

Abstract

An automatic cycle storage system comprising cycles, each of which carries a blocking device and an electronic circuit; a cycle storage area serving to receive the cycles while they are not being used; and a control device adapted to authorize, selectively, cycles to be borrowed from the storage area. The control device and the cycle are each provided with a respective short-range wireless communications interface, and the cycle includes an electrical lock device adapted to lock the blocking device in the blocking position.

Claims

1. An automatic cycle storage system comprising:

a plurality of cycles, each of which carries a blocking device and an electronic circuit;

at least one cycle storage area serving to receive the cycles while they are not being used; and

at least one control device adapted to authorize, selectively, cycles to be borrowed from the storage area;

wherein the blocking device of each cycle is mounted to move between firstly a blocking position in which the blocking device blocks at least one moving member of the cycle so as to prevent the cycle from being used normally, and secondly a releasing position in which the blocking device does not interfere with said moving member and makes it possible for the cycle to be used normally;

wherein the control device is provided with a first short-range wireless communications interface, said first communications interface being stationary and having range limited substantially to the storage area;

wherein each cycle is provided with second short-range wireless communications means adapted to communicate with the first communications interface, said second communications interface being connected to the electronic circuit of the cycle;

wherein the cycle includes an electrical lock device controlled by the electronic circuit of the cycle and adapted to lock the blocking device in the blocking position;

and wherein the control device is adapted to control the blocking device of each cycle via the first communications interface and via the second communications interface of said cycle.

2. A system according to claim 1, in which each cycle has a frame which carries handlebars connected via a fork to a front wheel, and the blocking device comprises a bracket mounted to pivot on the frame, said bracket being provided with a U-shaped recess and being adapted to come to engage over the fork of the cycle, thereby blocking said fork, when the blocking device is in the blocking position.

3. A system according to claim 1, in which the control device includes interfaces adapted to enable a user to cause a cycle stored in the storage area to be unlocked.

4. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a server adapted to communicate with a radiotelephone belonging to a user, said server communicating with the control device and being adapted to cause a cycle in the storage area to be unlocked by said control device as a function of information received by the radiotelephone of the user.

5. A system according to claim 1, in which each cycle is provided with indicator means adapted to indicate that the electrical lock device is unlocked.

6. A system according to claim 1, in which the first and second communications interfaces are adapted to communicate with each other by radio.

7. A system according to claim 6, in which the first and second communications interfaces are adapted to communicate with each other using a short-range radio-communications protocol chosen from the Bluetooth, WiFi, and DECT protocols.