Bicycle locating system

• US 5,955,965 A
• Filed: 03/10/1997
• Issued: 09/21/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael J. Calandruccio
• Original Assignee: Michael J. Calandruccio
• Inventors: Calandruccio, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dalencourt, Yves
• Application Number:
  US08/808,445
• Time in Patent Office: 925 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.49, 340/572, 340/573, 340/825.54
• US Class Current: 340/8.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/33 of global position, e.g. by providing GPS coordinates
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/50 of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data
• 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: B62K 19/40 for attaching accessories, e.g. article carriers, lamps

Abstract

A bicycle having a locating system attached thereto. The locating system responds to a call signal from a call station by transmitting a locator signal to a locator station. This allows for quick and easy tracking and recovery of missing or stolen bicycles.

Claims

1. A bicycle comprising a frame, and a locating system attached to said frame, wherein said locating system comprises a transponder, a power supply, and an electrical connection between said transponder and said power supply, wherein the transponder and/or the power supply are located within a frame tubing, and wherein said locating system responds to a call signal from a call station by transmitting a locator signal to a locator station.

2. A bicycle as in claim 1 wherein the transponder and the power supply are located within the frame tubing.

3. A bicycle as in claim 1 wherein the frame tubing comprises an opening system to access the transponder and/or the power supply.

4. A bicycle as in claim 2 wherein the frame tubing comprises opening systems to access the transponder and the power supply.

5. A bicycle as in claim 1 wherein the transponder is located within the frame tubing and the power supply is attached to the underside of a bicycle seat.

6. A bicycle as in claim 3 wherein the transponder is located within the frame tubing and the power supply is attached to the underside of a bicycle seat.

7. A bicycle as in claim 1 wherein the electrical connection is located within the frame tubing.

8. A bicycle as in claim 2 wherein the electrical connection is located within the frame tubing.

9. A bicycle as in claim 1 wherein the bicycle is powered by electricity.

10. A bicycle comprising a frame, and a locating system attached to said frame, wherein said locating system comprises a transponder, a sower supply, and an electrical connection between said transponder and said power supply, wherein the transponder and/or the power supply are attached to the underside of a bicycle seat, and wherein said locating system responds to a call signal from a call station by transmitting a locator signal to a locator station.

11. A bicycle as in claim 10 wherein the underside of the bicycle seat is concealed by a metal seat plate.

12. A bicycle as in claim 11 wherein said metal seat plate comprises an opening system to access the transponder and/or the power supply.

13. A bicycle as in claim 10 wherein the bicycle is powered by electricity.

14. A bicycle comprising a frame, and a locating system attached to said frame, wherein said locating system comprises a transponder, a power supply, and an electrical connection between said transponder and said power supply, wherein the electrical connection is located within a frame tubing, and wherein said locating system responds to a call signal from a call station by transmitting a locator signal to a locator station.

15. A bicycle as in claim 14 wherein the bicycle is powered by electricity.