Multi-mode combination alarm and locking apparatus for bicycles, motorcycles and the like

• US 5,408,212 A
• Filed: 09/18/1992
• Issued: 04/18/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brio Corporation
• Original Assignee: Brio Corporation
• Inventors: Schmidt, Frederick W., Meyers, Chip E. R., Andersen, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Peng, John K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEFKOWITZ, EDWARD
• Application Number:
  US07/946,844
• Time in Patent Office: 942 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426, 340/427, 340/432, 70/18, 70/30, 70/38, 70/39, 70/49, 70/233
• US Class Current: 340/427
• 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 3/14 indicating functioning of other devices, e.g. acoustic warnings indicating that lights are switched on
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2067/386 Padlock holders
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 45/005 Chain-locks, cable-locks or padlocks with alarms
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 67/063 Padlocks with removable shackles
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0011 with retraction of the flexible element for storage E05B73/0029 takes precedence; for padlocks E05B67/006
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/454 Removable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5872 For cycles

Abstract

The present invention is a multi-mode combination alarm and locking apparatus for bicycles, motorcycles and the like. The case of the combination alarm and locking apparatus can be attached to a bicycle or the like by a hollow bracket which can detachably mounted to a tubular section of the bicycle frame. In the preferred embodiment the combination alarm and locking apparatus includes a U-bolt lock. In an alternative embodiment the combination alarm and locking apparatus can be used in conjunction with a U-bolt lock. The combination alarm and locking apparatus also has a cable lock which has an elongated flexible cable with a conductive core and is retained by a retractable spool. The spool is releasibly engaged with a releasible rachet mechanism which controls the retraction of the spool. The combination alarm and locking apparatus further provides a multi-mode alarm protection to the bicycle, including the motion detection, the battery compartment door tampering detection and the cable lock continuity detection, all operable with a single key.

Claims

1. A multi-mode combination alarm and locking apparatus for bicycles and motorcycles having a frame structure with a tubular section, the multi-mode combination alarm and locking apparatus comprising:

a. a hollow tubular bracket mounted to said tubular section of said frame structure of a cycle, the bracket including two separable halves and means for securing the two halves once they embrace the tubular section;

b. a case slidably engaged with said bracket from outside of the case, said bracket connects the case to the cycle, the case completely separable from said bracket even as said bracket remains attached to said tubular section of said frame structure, the case when fully engaged shielding said securing means on said bracket and being lockable to said bracket;

c. a U-bolt lock including a base rod and a U-shaped yoke lockable to the base rod, the base rod rotatably retained in a through bore of said case, find the U-shaped yoke for snug engagement with two opposite lateral members made of resilient material and mounted on said case;

d. a cable lock including an elongated flexible cable which has a conductive core, the cable being wound on a retractable spool and extendable to outside of said case;

e. said spool being biased by a coil spring and engaged with a rachet mechanism which controls the retraction of said spring, the rachet mechanism being released by means accessible from outside of said case;

f. said case further retaining a key switch, a power supply, a motion sensor, a tamper sensor, a cable continuity sensor, an auditory alarm and a visual indicator, all electrically connected with an electronic circuitry contained within said case;

g. said key switch being switched from outside of said case by a single key for locking or unlocking said U-bolt lock, locking or unlocking said cable lock, and locking or unlocking said case with said bracket, and being switched to a position at which said circuitry is energized and said visual indicator blinks;

h. said power supply contained within a power supply compartment of said case, and said tamper sensor detecting unauthorized tampering with the power supply compartment and triggering said auditory alarm;

i. said motion sensor detecting unauthorized movement of said cycle or said combination alarm and locking apparatus and triggering said auditory alarm; and

j. said cable continuity sensor detecting unauthorized cutting or disconnecting of said cable lock and triggering said auditory alarm;

k. whereby when said combination alarm and locking apparatus is detachably mounted to said cycle and includes both said U-bolt lock and said cable lock for locking said cycle, it can provide multi-mode alarm protection including motion detection, power compartment tamper detection and cable lock continuity detection, all operable with said single key.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said auditory alarm is a piezoelectric sound transducer.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said visual alarm is a light emitting diode (LED).

4. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said power supply is a direct current (DC) battery.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said motion sensor is a mercury switch motion sensor.

6. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said two opposite lateral members made of resilient material and mounted on said case are snug snaps made of rubber type material.

7. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said two opposite lateral members made of resilient material and mounted on said case are U-shaped receivers made of rubber type material.

8. A multi-mode combination alarm and locking apparatus for bicycles and motorcycles having a frame structure with a tubular section, the multi-mode combination alarm and locking apparatus comprising:

a. a hollow bracket which can be detachably mounted to said tubular section of said frame structure of a cycle;

b. a case slidably mounted to said bracket from outside of the case, the case being locked to said bracket but completely separable from said bracket even as said bracket remains attached to said tubular section of said frame structure;

c. a U-bolt lock including a base rod which is rotatably retained by said case and a U-shaped yoke locked to the base rod;

d. a cable lock having an elongated flexible cable with a conductive core and retained by a retractable spool which is releasibly engaged with means for controlling the retraction of the spool;

e. a key switch, a power supply, a motion sensor, a tamper sensor, a cable continuity sensor, an auditory alarm and a visual indicator, all retained by said case and electrically connected to an electronic circuitry located within said case;

f. said key switch being switched from outside of said case by a single key for locking or unlocking said U-bolt lock, locking or unlocking said cable lock, locking or unlocking said case with said bracket, and for switching on said circuitry and said visual indicator;

g. said power supply contained within a power supply compartment of said case, and said tamper sensor detecting unauthorized tampering with the power supply compartment and triggering said auditory alarm;

h. said motion sensor detecting unauthorized movement of said cycle or said combination alarm and locking apparatus and triggering said auditory alarm; and

i. said cable continuity sensor detecting unauthorized cutting or disconnecting of said cable lock and triggering said auditory alarm;

j. whereby when said combination alarm and locking apparatus is be detachably mounted to said cycle and includes both said U-bolt lock and said cable lock for locking said cycle, it can provide multi-mode alarm protection including motion detection, power compartment tamper detection and cable lock continuity detection, all operable with said single key.

9. The invention in accordance with claim 8 wherein said auditory alarm is a piezoelectric sound transducer.

10. The invention in accordance with claim 8 wherein said visual alarm is a light emitting diode (LED).

11. The invention in accordance with claim 8 wherein said power supply is a direct current (DC) battery.

12. The invention in accordance with claim 8 wherein said motion sensor is a mercury switch motion sensor.

13. A multi-mode combination alarm and locking apparatus for bicycles and motorcycles, comprising:

a. a bracket detachably attached to said frame structure of a cycle;

b. a case slidably attached to said bracket from outside of the case, the case being completely separable from said bracket even as said bracket remains attached to said frame structure;

c. a U-bolt lock including a base rod which is rotatably retained by said case and a U-shaped yoke locked to the base rod;

d. a cable lock having an elongated flexible cable wound on a retractable spool which is releasibly engaged with means for controlling the retraction of the spool;

e. a key switch, a power supply, a tamper sensor and an auditory alarm all retained by said case and electrically connected to an electronic circuitry located within said case;

f. said key switch being switched from outside of said case by a single key for locking or unlocking said U-bolt lock, locking or unlocking said cable lock, locking or unlocking said case with said bracket, and for switching on said circuitry; and

g. said power supply contained within a power supply compartment of said case, and said tamper sensor detecting unauthorized tampering with the power supply compartment and triggering said auditory alarm;

h. whereby when said combination alarm and locking apparatus is be detachably mounted to said cycle and includes both said U-bolt lock and said cable lock for locking said cycle, it also provides alarm protection including power compartment tamper detection, all operable with said single key.

14. The invention in accordance with claim 13 further comprising a motion sensor for detecting Unauthorized movement of said cycle or said combination alarm and locking apparatus and triggering said auditory alarm.

15. The invention in accordance with claim 14 wherein said motion sensor is a mercury switch motion sensor.

16. The invention in accordance with claim 13 further comprising a cable continuity sensor detecting unauthorized cutting or disconnecting of said cable lock and triggering said auditory alarm.

17. The invention in accordance with claim 13 further comprising a visual indicator which blinks when said circuitry is energized.

18. A multi-mode combination alarm and locking apparatus for bicycles and motorcycles, comprising:

a. a case slidably attached to a bracket from outside of the case, said bracket is detachably attached to a cycle, the case being completely separable from said bracket even as said bracket remains attached to said tubular section of said frame structure;

b. a U-bolt lock retained by said case;

c. a cable lock retained by said case;

d. a key switch, a power supply, a motion sensor, a cable continuity sensor, and an auditory alarm all retained by said case and electrically connected to an electronic circuitry located within said case;

e. said key switch being switched from outside of said case by a single key for locking or unlocking said U-bolt lock, locking or unlocking said cable lock, and for switching on said circuitry;

f. said motion sensor detecting unauthorized movement of said cycle or said combination alarm and locking apparatus and triggering said auditory alarm; and

g. said cable continuity sensor detecting unauthorized cutting or disconnecting of said cable lock and triggering said auditory alarm;

h. whereby when said combination alarm and locking apparatus is detachably mounted to said cycle and includes both said U-bolt lock and said cable lock for locking said cycle, it also provides alarm protection including motion detection and cable continuity detection, all operable with said single key.

19. The invention in accordance with claim 18 wherein said case is attached to said cycle through a hollow bracket which can be detachably mounted to a tubular section of the frame structure of said cycle.

20. The invention in accordance with claim 18 wherein said motion sensor is a mercury switch motion sensor.

21. The invention in accordance with claim 18 further comprising a power supply tamper sensor for detecting unauthorized tampering with said power supply and triggering said auditory alarm.

22. The invention in accordance with claim 18 further comprising a visual indicator which blinks when said circuitry is energized.

23. A multi-mode combination alarm and locking apparatus used in conjunction with a U-bolt lock which has a base rod and a U-shaped yoke locked to the base rod, for protecting bicycles and motorcycles having a frame structure with a tubular section, the multi-mode combination alarm and locking apparatus comprising:

a. a hollow tubular bracket mounted to said tubular section of said frame structure of a cycle, the bracket including two separable halves and means for securing the two halves once they embrace the tubular section;

b. a case slidably engaged with said bracket from outside of the case, said bracket connects the case to the cycle, the case completely separable from said bracket even as said bracket remains attached to said tubular section of said frame structure, the case when fully engaged shielding said securing means on said bracket and being locked to said bracket;

c. said case having a smooth through bore for rotatably retaining said base rod of said U-bolt, and two opposite lateral members made of resilient material for snug engagement with said U-shaped yoke of said U-bolt;

d. a cable lock including an elongated flexible cable which has a conductive core, the cable being wound on a retractable spool and extendable to outside of said case;

e. said spool being biased by a coil spring and engaged with a rachet mechanism which controls the retraction of said spring, the rachet mechanism being released by means accessible from outside of said case;

f. said case further retaining a key switch, a power supply, a motion sensor, a tamper sensor, a cable continuity sensor, an auditory alarm and a visual indicator, all electrically connected with an electronic circuitry contained within said case;

g. said key switch being switched from outside of said case by a single key for locking or unlocking said cable lock, and locking or unlocking said case with said bracket, and being switched to a position at which said circuitry is energized and said visual indicator blinks;

h. said power supply contained within a power supply compartment of said case, and said tamper sensor detecting unauthorized tampering with the power supply compartment and triggering said auditory alarm;

i. said motion sensor detecting unauthorized movement of said cycle or said combination alarm and locking apparatus and triggering said auditory alarm; and

j. said cable continuity sensor detecting unauthorized cutting or disconnecting of said cable lock and triggering said auditory alarm;

k. whereby when said combination alarm and locking apparatus is detachably mounted to said cycle and used together with said U-bolt lock, and further provides said cable lock for locking said cycle, it can provide multi-mode alarm protection including motion detection, power compartment tamper detection and cable lock continuity detection, all operable with said single key.

24. The invention in accordance with claim 23 wherein said auditory alarm is a piezoelectric sound transducer.

25. The invention in accordance with claim 23 wherein said visual alarm is a light emitting diode (LED).

26. The invention in accordance with claim 23 wherein said power supply is a direct current (DC) battery.

27. The invention in accordance with claim 23 wherein said motion sensor is a mercury switch motion sensor.

28. The invention in accordance with claim 23 wherein said two opposite lateral members made of resilient material and mounted on said case are snug snaps made of rubber type material.

29. The invention in accordance with claim 23 wherein said two opposite lateral members made of resilient material and mounted on said case are U-shaped receivers made of rubber type material.

30. A multi-mode combination alarm and locking apparatus used in conjunction with a U-bolt lock which has a base rod and a U-shaped yoke for protecting bicycles and motorcycles, the multi-mode combination alarm and locking apparatus comprising:

a. a case slidably attached to a bracket from outside of the case, said bracket is detachably attached to a cycle, the case being completely separable from said bracket even as said bracket remains attached to said tubular section of said frame structure;

b. said case having a through bore for rotatably retaining said base rod of said U-bolt such that when said U-bolt is locked, said case is locked with said U-bolt lock;

c. a cable lock retained by said case;

d. a key switch, a power supply, a motion sensor, a cable continuity sensor, and an auditory alarm all retained by said case and electrically connected to an electronic circuitry located within said case;

e. said key switch being switched from outside of said case by a single key for locking or unlocking said cable lock, and for switching on said circuitry;

f. said motion sensor detecting unauthorized movement of said cycle or said combination alarm and locking apparatus and triggering said auditory alarm; and

g. said cable continuity sensor detecting unauthorized cutting or disconnecting of said cable lock and triggering said auditory alarm;

h. whereby when said combination alarm and locking apparatus is detachably mounted to said cycle and used together with said U-bolt lock, and further has said cable lock for locking said cycle, it can provide multi-mode alarm protection including motion detection, power compartment tamper detection and cable lock continuity detection, all operable with said single key.

31. The invention in accordance with claim 30 wherein said case is attached to said cycle through a hollow bracket which can be detachably mounted to a tubular section of the frame structure of said cycle.

32. The invention in accordance with claim 30 wherein said motion sensor is a mercury switch motion sensor.

33. The invention in accordance with claim 30 further comprising a power supply tamper sensor for detecting unauthorized tampering with said power supply and triggering said auditory alarm.

34. The invention in accordance with claim 30 further comprising a visual indicator which blinks when said circuitry is energized.

35. A multi-mode combination alarm and locking apparatus for bicycles and motorcycles having a frame structure with a tubular section, the multi-mode combination alarm and locking apparatus comprising:

a. a bracket mounted to said tubular section of said frame structure of a cycle, the bracket including two flexible upper straps and a rigid lower half block, where the rigid lower half block has a lengthwise groove for accommodating said tubular section, and the two flexible upper straps can be releasibly fastened around said tubular section and to the lower half block by securing means;

b. a case slidably engaged with said lower half block of said bracket from outside of the case, said bracket connects the case to the cycle, the case completely separable from said bracket even as said bracket remains attached to said tubular section of said frame structure, the case when fully engaged shielding said securing means on said bracket and being lockable to said bracket;

c. a U-bolt lock including a base rod and a U-shaped yoke locked to the base rod, the base rod rotatably retained in a through bore of said case, and the U-shaped yoke for snug engagement with two opposite lateral members made of resilient material and mounted on said case;

d. a cable lock including an elongated flexible cable which has a conductive core, the cable being wound on a retractable spool and extendable to outside of said case;

e. said spool being biased by a coil spring and engaged with a rachet mechanism which controls the retraction of said spring, the rachet mechanism being released by means accessible from outside of said case;

f. said case further retaining a key switch, a power supply, a motion sensor, a tamper sensor, a cable continuity sensor, an auditory alarm and a visual indicator, all electrically connected with an electronic circuitry contained within said case;

g. said key switch being switched from outside of said case by a single key for locking or unlocking said U-bolt lock, locking or unlocking said cable lock, and locking or unlocking said case with said bracket, and being switched to a position at which said circuitry is energized and said visual indicator blinks;

h. said power supply contained within a power supply compartment of said case, and said tamper sensor detecting unauthorized tampering with the power supply compartment and triggering said auditory alarm;

i. said motion sensor detecting unauthorized movement of said cycle or said combination alarm and locking apparatus and triggering said auditory alarm; and

j. said cable continuity sensor detecting unauthorized cutting or disconnecting of said cable lock and triggering said auditory alarm;

k. whereby when said combination alarm and locking apparatus is detachably mounted to said cycle and includes both said U-bolt lock and said cable lock for locking said cycle, it can provide multi-mode alarm protection including motion detection, power compartment tamper detection and cable lock continuity detection, all operable with said single key.

36. The invention in accordance with claim 35 wherein said two opposite lateral members made of resilient material and mounted on said case are snug snaps made of rubber type material.

37. The invention in accordance with claim 35 wherein said two opposite lateral members made of resilient material and mounted on said case are U-shaped receivers made of rubber type material.

39. The invention in accordance with claim 37 wherein said two opposite lateral members made of resilient material and mounted on said case are snug snaps made of rubber type material.

40. The invention in accordance with claim 37 wherein said two opposite lateral members made of resilient material and mounted on said case are U-shaped receivers made of rubber type material.

38. A multi-mode combination alarm and locking apparatus used in conjunction with a U-bolt lock which has a base rod and a U-shaped yoke locked to the base rod, for protecting bicycles and motorcycles having a frame structure with a tubular section, the multi-mode combination alarm and locking apparatus comprising:

a. a bracket mounted to said tubular section of said frame structure of a cycle, the bracket including two flexible upper straps and a rigid lower half block, where the rigid lower half block has a lengthwise groove for accommodating said tubular section, and the two flexible upper straps can be releasibly fastened around said tubular section and to the lower hag block by securing means;

b. a case slidably engaged with said lower half block of said bracket from outside of the case, said bracket connects the case to the cycle, the case completely separable from said bracket even as said bracket remains attached to said tubular section of said frame structure, the case when fully engaged shielding said securing means on said bracket and being lockable to said bracket;

c. said case having a smooth through bore for rotatably retaining said base rod of said U-bolt, and two opposite lateral members made of resilient material for snug engagement with said U-shaped yoke of said U-bolt;

d. a cable lock including an elongated flexible cable which has a conductive core, the cable being wound on a retractable spool and extendable to outside of said case;

e. said spool being biased by a coil spring and engaged with a rachet mechanism which controls the retraction of said spring, the rachet mechanism being released by means accessible from outside of said case;

f. said case further retaining a key switch, a power supply, a motion sensor, a tamper sensor, a cable continuity sensor, an auditory alarm and a visual indicator, all electrically connected with an electronic circuitry contained within said case;

g. said key switch being switched from outside of said case by a single key for locking or unlocking said cable lock, and locking or unlocking said case with said bracket, and being switched to a position at which said circuitry is energized and said visual indicator blinks;

h. said power supply contained within a power supply compartment of said case, and, said tamper sensor detecting unauthorized tampering with the power supply compartment and triggering said auditory alarm;

i. said motion sensor detecting unauthorized movement of said cycle or said combination alarm and locking apparatus and triggering said auditory alarm; and

j. said cable continuity sensor detecting unauthorized cutting or disconnecting of said cable lock and triggering said auditory alarm;

k. whereby when said combination alarm and locking apparatus is detachably mounted to said cycle and used together with said U-bolt lock, and further provides said cable lock for locking said cycle, it can provide multi-mode alarm protection including motion detection, power compartment tamper detection and cable lock continuity detection, all operable with said single key.

41. A multi-mode combination alarm and locking apparatus for bicycles and motorcycles, comprising a case slidably attached to a separate bracket from outside of the case, said bracket is detachably attached to a cycle, where the case is completely separable from said bracket even as said bracket remains attached to said cycle, a U-bolt lock having a base rod rotatably retained in a through bore of the case and a U-shaped yoke locked to the base rod, and an electronic alarm for detecting unauthorized movement of the cycle or the case and providing an auditory siren thereupon.

42. The invention in accordance with claim 41 further comprising a bracket which can be detachably mounted to a tubular section of the frame structure of said cycle, such that said case can be attached to said cycle through the bracket.

43. The invention in accordance with claim 41 further comprising an exclusive key switch, which is switchable from outside of said case by a single key, for locking or unlocking said U-bolt lock and switching on or off said electronic alarm.

44. The invention in accordance with claim 41 further comprising a visual indicator which blinks when said electronic alarm is energized.

45. The invention in accordance with claim 41 further comprising two opposite lateral members made of resilient material and mounted on said case for accommodating said U-bolt lock.

46. The invention in accordance with claim 41 wherein said electronic alarm incorporates a motion sensor for detecting unauthorized movement of said cycle or said case and triggering said auditory siren.

47. The invention in accordance with claim 41 further comprising a power supply disposed inside said case for energizing said electronic alarm.

48. The invention in accordance with claim 47 wherein said electronic alarm further incorporates a power tamper sensor for detecting unauthorized tampering with said power supply and triggering said auditory siren.

49. The invention in accordance with claim 41 further comprising a retractable cable lock.

50. The invention in accordance with claim 49 wherein said electronic alarm further incorporates a cable continuity sensor for detecting unauthorized tampering of said retractable cable lock and triggering said auditory siren.

51. A multi-mode combination alarm and locking apparatus for bicycles and motorcycles, comprising a case slidably attached to a separate bracket from outside of the case, detachably attached to a cycle, where the case is completely separable from said bracket even as said bracket remains attached to said cycle, a U-bolt lock having a base rod rotatably retained in a through bore of the case and a U-shaped yoke locked to the base rod, a retractable cable lock, and an electronic alarm for detecting unauthorized movement of the cycle or the case or tampering of the retractable cable lock and providing an auditory siren thereupon.

52. The invention in accordance with claim 51 further comprising a bracket which can be detachably mounted to a tubular section of the frame structure of said cycle, such that said case can be attached to said cycle through the bracket.

53. The invention in accordance with claim 51 further comprising an exclusive key switch, which is switchable from outside of said case by a single key, for locking or unlocking said U-bolt lock and said retractable cable lock, and switching on or off said electronic alarm.

54. The invention in accordance with claim 51 further comprising two opposite lateral members made of resilient material and mounted on said case, such that said U-shaped yoke of said U-bolt lock can be engaged therewith.

55. The invention in accordance with claim 51 wherein said retractable cable lock includes an elongated flexible cable wound on a retractable spool and extendable to outside of said case.

56. The invention in accordance with claim 55 wherein said spool is biased by a coil spring and engaged with an one-way rachet mechanism, which controls the retraction of said spool can be releasible by pressing a release button which is accessible from outside of said case.

57. The invention in accordance with claim 51 wherein said electronic alarm incorporates a motion sensor for detecting unauthorized movement of said cycle or said case and triggering said auditory siren.

58. The invention in accordance with claim 51 wherein said electronic alarm further incorporates a cable continuity sensor for detecting unauthorized tampering of said retractable cable lock and triggering said auditory siren.

59. The invention in accordance with claim 51 further comprising a power supply disposed inside said case for energizing said electronic alarm.

60. The invention in accordance with claim 59 wherein said electronic alarm further incorporates a power tamper sensor for detecting unauthorized tampering with said power supply and triggering said auditory siren.