GB2306930A - Bicycle lock - Google Patents

Abstract

A bicycle lock comprises a gripping device 10 adapted to hold a tubular portion 60 of a bicycle therein, a body portion 20 engaged with the gripping device 10, a key lock cylinder 40 arranged within the body portion 20 and connected with a bolt, a hook 50 extending through the body portion 20 and having a plurality annular grooves engageable with the bolt, with the hook 50 being adapted to engage a wheel rim 61 of the bicycle.

Description

TITLE: A HIGH SECURITY BICYCLE LOCK This invention relates to a high security bicycle lock, and in particular to one for attachment to a bicycle to prevent rotation of a wheel for securing against unauthorized riding.

It has been found that the conventional way to prevent a bicycle from being stolen is simply accomplished by looping the chain around the wheel rim and connecting to the lock on the other end of the chain. However, the chain of such a lock is easily severed by a pair of bolt cutters thereby rendering an unlocking of the lock.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a high security bicycle lock which can obviate and mitigate the above-mentioned drawbacks.

This invention relates to an improved bicycle lock.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a bicycle lock which is of high security.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a bicycle lock which is simple and sturdy in construction.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a bicycle lock which is convenient and reliable in use.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a bicycle lock which is facile to manufacture.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bicycle lock which is practical in use.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists of features of constructions and method, combination of elements, arrangement of parts and steps of the method which will be exemplified in the constructions and method hereinafter disclosed, the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims following.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the present invention; FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate the working principle of the present invention; FIG. 5 illustrates how to engage the hook with the wheel rim; and FIG. 6 shows the disengagement between the hook and the wheel rim.

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings. Specific language will be used to describe same. It will, nevertheless, be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alternations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein being contemplated as would nofmally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

With reference to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, the bicycle lock according to the present invention mainly comprises a gripping device 10 and a body portion 20. The gripping device 10 includes a base 11 and a fixing cover 12. The base 11 has an axial opening 111 formed with internal threads, a plurality of through holes 112 at the circumferential portion, a semi-cylindrical recess 115 at the right side, and a radial through hole 113. The radial through hole 113 has smaller diameter at the inner end. A ball 14 is disposed within the radial through hole 113 and is slightly larger than the inner end of the radial through hole 113 is diameter so that the ball 14 may partially protrude out of the inner end of the radial through hole 113. A spring 15 is fitted into the radial through hole 113, bearing against the ball 14 at an end.A plug 15 is fixedly fitted in the outer end of the radial through hole 113 so as to prevent the spring 15 from getting out therefrom.

The fixing cover 12 is formed with a plurality of threaded blind holes 121 aligned with the through holes 112 of the base 11 and a semi-circular recess 122 at the left side.

The fixing cover 12 is engaged with the base 11 by screws 30 extending through the through holes 112 of the base 11 into the threaded blind holes 121 of the fixing cover 12, thereby forming a cylindrical recess 17 therebetween.

The body portion 20 is provided with an externally threaded end 21 adapted to engage with the axial opening 111 of the base 11, a radial passage 22 extending through the body portion 20, and a vertical passage 28 (see FIG. 3) extending upwardly to intersect the radial passage 22. Further, the externally threaded end 21 of the body portion 20 is formed with a plurality of radial cavities 211 so that when the body portion 20 is turned with respect to the base 11, the spring-loaded ball 14 will engage one of the radial cavities 211 of the body portion 20 thereby enabling the body portion 20 to be kept in a predetermined position. A key lock cylinder 40 is fitted in the lower part of the body portion 20. The key lock cylinder 40 is provided with a semi-circular member 41 which will be turned by a key 8.The structure of the key lock cylinder 40 may be of any conventional design well known to the those skilled in the art and is not considered a part of the invention. A U-shaped member 42 is mounted under the semi-circular member 41 and located within the vertical passage 28. A bolt 43 is arranged within the vertical passage 28 of the body portion 20 and fitted between two arms of the U-shaped member 42. A pin 44 is inserted into the bolt 43 and located under the U-shaped member 42. A spring 45 is installed within the vertical passage 28 of the body portion 20, with its upper end bearing against the lower end of the bolt 43. A cover 46 is fitted in the lower end of the vertical passage 28 of the body portion 20 so as to prevent the spring 45 from getting out therefrom.

A hook 50 is inserted through the radial passage 22 of the body portion 20 to engage with a cap 52. A plurality of annular grooves 511 axially spaced are circumferentially provided along a major portion of the hook 50. Each of the annular grooves 511 consists of a vertical side wall substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hook 50 and a slope side wall relatively far from the cap 52. Normally, the spring 45 urges the bolt 43 to go upwardly to engage with the hook 50. As the tip 431 of the bolt 43 has an inclined surface which is parallel to the slope side wall of the annular groove 511 of the hook 50, the hook 50 can be pushed through the body portion 20 in one direction only (see FIG. 4).When desired to adjust the position of the hook 50 in both directions, it is only necessary to turn the key 8 which will in turn rotate the semi-circular member 41 of the key lock cylinder 40 to move down the U-shaped member 42. Then, the U-shaped member 42 will force the bolt 43 to go downwards thereby disengaging the bolt 43 from the hook 50 (see FIG. 4A) and therefore enabling the hook 50 to be adjusted in both directions with respect to the body portion 20.

In assembly, the fixing cover 12 is first disengaged from the base 11 and an appropriate tubular portion 60 of a bicycle is fitted therebetween. Then, the fixing cover 12 is fastened on the base 11 by screws 30 and the body portion 20 is turned in the base 11.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the working principle of the present invention. As shown, when in use, it is only necessary to turn the key 8 to disengage the bolt 43 from the lock hook 50, adjust the lock hook 50 to engage with the wheel 61, and then turn the key 8 to engage the bolt 43 with the lock hook 50 thereby keeping the lock hook 50 at a fixed position and therefore preventing the wheel 61 from rotating. When in use, simply turn the key 8 and disengage the lock hook 50 from the wheel 61. Thereafter, rotate the body portion 20 to a vertical position and use a fixing means 70 to keep the hook 50 at a fixed position thereby preventing the hook 50 from swinging and swaying.

The invention is naturally not limited in any sense to the particular features specified in the forgoing or to the details of the particular embodiment which has been chosen in order to illustrate the invention.

Consideration can be given to all kinds of variants of the particular embodiment which has been described by way of example and of its constituent elements without thereby departing from the scope of the invention. This invention accordingly includes all the means constituting technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations.

Claims (5)

CLAIMS:

1. A bicycle lock comprising: a gripping device adapted to hold a tubular portion of a bicycle therein; a body portion engaged with said gripping device; a key lock cylinder arranged within said body portion and connected with a bolt, a hook extending through said body portion and having a plurality annular grooves engageable with said bolt, said hook being adapted to engage a wheel rim of the bicycle.

2. The bicycle lock as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said gripping device includes a base and a fixing cover, said base having an axial opening formed with internal threads and a first semi-circular recess at an inner side, said fixing cover being fixedly mounted on said base and having a second semi-circular recess at an inner side associated with the first semi-circular recess to form a cylindrical recess adapted to receive said tubular portion.

3. The bicycle lock as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each of the annular grooves of said hook consists of a vertical side wall substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of said hook and a slope side wall relative to the vertical side wall.

4. The bicycle lock as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said base is provided with spring-loaded means engageable with a radial cavity of said body portion.

5. The bicycle lock as claimed in Claim 1, further comprising fastening means mounted on said body portion for keeping said hook at a fixed position.