Locks for bicycles and the like

• US 5,598,727 A
• Filed: 01/25/1995
• Issued: 02/04/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Peter A. White
• Original Assignee: Peter A. White
• Inventors: White, Peter A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Meyers, Steven N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LUU, TUYET PHUONG PHAM
• Application Number:
  US08/374,699
• Time in Patent Office: 741 Days
• Field of Search: 70/30, 70/49, 70/58, 70/233-236
• US Class Current: 70/233
• CPC Class Codes: B62H 5/003 using chains or cables chain or cable locks per se E05B67/003; with alarm E05B45/005
• 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 70/483 Flexible shackle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5872 For cycles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5876 Anchors

Abstract

A lock for a bicycle or the like comprises a first fixed casing member which is adapted to be secured to the frame member of a bicycle or the like and a second casing member which is movable relative to the first casing member. The first casing member is cup-shaped and is provided with frame mounting means on the outer surface of the cup wall. A raised boss extends from the base of the cup-shaped member. The second casing member is adapted to fit into the first casing member and to engage with the boss in such a manner that the second member is rotatable with respect to the first member. One end of a wire or cable is secured to the second casing member and the wire or cable is wound around the periphery of the second member. The other end of the wire or cable extends through a slot in the side wall of the first casing member. A lock is provided with which the other end of the wire or cable is engageable and a coil spring is arranged to act on the second casing member, to cause it to rotate with inspect to the first casing member to draw the wire or cable into the first casing member by being wound around the periphery of the second member as the latter is rotated by the coil spring. Visual and audible alarm means are desirably provided which are arranged to be activated if the wire or cable is pulled or cut.

Claims

1. A lock for a bicycle, said lock comprising:

a first fixed casing member adapted to be secured to a frame member of a bicycle and a second casing member which is movable relative to said first casing member;

said first casing member being cup-shaped having a base and a cup wall, wherein frame member mounting means are provided on an outer surface of said cup wall and a raised boss extends from said base at a central region thereof, wherein said second casing member is adapted to fit into said first casing member and to engage with said raised boss in such a manner that said second casing member is rotatable with respect to said first casing member;

a wire cable, one end of which is secured to said second casing member and said wire cable then being wound around said second casing member when said lock is not in use, the other end of said wire cable extending through a slot in said cup wall of said first casing member;

locking means being provided with which said other end of said wire cable is engageable; and

retracting means being provided whereby said second casing member is arranged to rotate with respect to said first casing member to draw said wire cable into said first casing member by being wound round said second casing member as the latter is rotated by said retracting means, wherein said wire cable is arranged to complete an electric circuit when said other end of said wire cable is engaged in said locking means and wherein said lock is provided with an alarm means with an annunciator selected from the group including audible and visual alarms, said alarm means activated by vibration for only a limit pre-set period of time if attempts are made to move said lock and to be activated continually if said wire cable is cut.

2. A lock according to claim 1, wherein said raised boss is formed integrally with said first casing member and wherein said locking means are located within said raised boss, said locking means being desirably arranged to be operated by a key.

3. A lock according to claim 1 wherein said retracting member comprises a coil spring which is attached at one end to said raised boss, is wound round said raised boss and is attached at its other end to said second casing member.

4. A lock according to claim 1, wherein said second casing member comprises a circular disc provided with a peripheral flange around which said wire cable can be wound.

5. A lock according to claim 4, wherein said circular disc has a central region provided with a second casing member raised boss which is engageable with said locking means.

6. A lock according to claim 1, wherein said lock is adapted to be activated by a remote infra-red source.

7. A lock according to claim 1, wherein said wire cable consists of a plurality of strands and is provided with a central core consisting of a material which is a good conductor of electricity.