GB2327069A

GB2327069A - Device for stationing and locking cycles

Info

Publication number: GB2327069A
Application number: GB9710876A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ursy Pattyn; Karen Pattyn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-05-26
Filing date: 1997-05-27
Publication date: 1999-01-13
Also published as: GB9710876D0; IES80151B2; IES970377A2

Abstract

A device for the stationing and locking of cycles, comprising several support means (1) for cycles and for each supporting means (1) a locking device (2) with a movable bar which can be fixed in a closed position so that it locks in a part (4) of a cycle stationed in the supporting means (1), the bar being held fixed in the closed position by an obstructing device (6) that can be moved by a drive mechanism (5). Moreover, the drive mechanisms (5) of several locking devices (2) can be operated separately by one singular control mechanism (7) in order to lock or unlock a cycle. The operating means of the control mechanism (7) are provided to allow the unlocking only after a means of payment, such as coins, a magnetic card or a chipcard, has been inserted.

Description

Device for stationing and locking cycles" This invention relates to a device to be fixed firmly for the stationing and locking of cycles, such as bicycles, motorcycles, mopeds and the like, so as to prevent them from being stolen.

Until today, the means for locking cycles consist of a chain, a cable or a shackle of which both ends can be linked by means of a lock.

To lock a cycle, the chain, the cable or the shackle is put for instance around the rim and the tyre of the wheel. Next, both ends are linked through the lock. This measure prevents the wheel from turning which makes it impossible to ride the cycle without opening the lock and removing the chain, the cable or the shackle.

The lock can be an ordinary lock that needs opening with a key, or a combination lock requiring a certain combination of figures to be opened.

Every day, though, it has to be noticed that a cycle locked in that way is not efficiently secured against theft. By means of tools, most locks can relatively easily be forced. Furthermore, in many cases, the cable, the chain or the shackle can be cut through with an adequate pair of wire-cutters.

Moreover, the locked cycle can be lifted up and transported.

To prevent this, the chain, the cable or the shackle is put around a part of the cycle as well as around a part of a firmly fixed or heavy construction (such as for instance a post, a fence or a construction for stationing cycles) before both ends can be linked through the lock. This measure, however, does not prevent the lock from being forced or the chain, the cable or the shackle from being cut through.

One of the aims of this invention is to remedy the disadvantages mentioned above.

Another aim of this invention is to provide a device for stationing and locking cycles. The existing constructions for stationing cycles do not allow them to be locked. Up till now, the abovementioned locking means have to be used separately.

There exist guarded multi-stand cycle sheds where - mostly against payment - a cycle can be put up and picked up later. Yet, these cycle sheds are always situated inside a building or a fence in order to allow supervision over the putting up and the picking up. In addition, the guard also has to check - for instance through a system of numbered proofs of delivery - whether each cycle is actually picked up by the person who put it up.

A disadvantage of such cycle sheds is that every time a cycle is being picked up, the supervisor has to go to the cycle to check whether the correct cycle is taken. This is a time-consuming and labourious activity.

Another disadvantage of such cycle sheds is that a building or a fenced place is required, which is expensive and often impossible due to a lack of space.

This invention also intends to remedy these disadvantages.

The abovementioned aims were achieved by providing a device to be fixed firmly for the stationing and locking of cycles, comprising at least two supporting means to be fixed firmly and a locking device to be fixed firmly for each supporting means. The locking device comprises on the one hand a movably fixed bar, with two positions - open and closed - to respectively lock in and open a part of a cycle stationed in the supporting means and on the other hand of an obstructing device which can be moved by a drive mechanism to block the bar in its closed position or to open it. Moreover, the drive mechanisms of several locking devices can be operated separately by one singular control mechanism.

The choice of materials and the construction of the locking device make forcing practically impossible.

If such a device is used in a guarded multi-stand cycle shed, a fence or a building will no longer be imperative as the locking of each cycle is separately assured and can be checked centrally.

Moreover, a supervisor can lock and unlock each cycle separately from the control point. Consequently, he can be sure that the right cycle is picked up without having to go and check. Hence, the number of cycles of which the stationing, the picking up and the payment can be checked by one person increase considerably.

An additional aim of the invention consists of providing a device of which the use should be paid. Payment would be checked by a control panel and not by a supervisor.

This aim is reached by equipping the aforementioned control panel with means for the insertion of a means of payment or data, while the control panel is equipped to control a drive mechanism after one or more means of payment (e.g. coins) or data guaranteeing payment or permission for use have been inserted.

The device meant by the invention preferably has a control panel consisting of a card reader, and electrical and/or electronic control devices to control the drive mechanisms based on the data read by the card reader, mentioned on the magnetic strip of a card that is inserted in the card reader.

Such a system is extremely user-friendly.

A highly preferred embodiment of the device according to this invention can be operated by means of a card with a data supporting means, comprising identification data and a variable quantity, the value of which corresponds to a certain stationing time, while the electrical and/or electronic operating means comprise a memory and a means for measuring the elapsed time, while being equipped to control a drive mechanism, allowing to lock the mechanism regardless of the position of the bar, so as to block the bar in its closed position; after having inserted a card in the card reader, on which card the variable quantity is larger than zero; while these operating devices are also suited to store identification data in the memory when the card is inserted in the card reader to block the bar and to control the same drive mechanism so as to open the lock, after inserting the same card in the card reader, on which card the value of the variable quantity corresponds with a certain stationing time which is bigger than or equals the actual stationing time determined by the operating means; and while the operating means are also equipped to reduce the value of the variable quantity on the card with a value corresponding with the actual stationing time, when the card is inserted in the card reader to unblock the bar.

To use the cycle shed the user only has to dispose of a card guaranteeing enough stationing time. These cards are for sale. Payment of the actually used stationing time is made very quickly; moreover the system is very user-friendly, as one does not have to dispose of any coins.

In case the card inserted in the abovementioned device should correspond to a stationing time that is smaller than the shortest stationing time to be paid, the system will refuse stationing and the user will have to load new values onto his card.

In case the stationing time, guaranteed by the card inserted afterwards, should still be smaller than the reduced actual stationing time, the abovementioned procedure will be repeated. In case the stationing time should be bigger than or equal to the reduced actual stationing time, the drive mechanism, identified on the basis of the identification data, is controlled to unblock the bar.

To prevent fraud the electrical and/or electronic means are equipped to reduce the value of the variable quantity on the card to zero when the card is inserted in the card reader to block the bar, to save the value of this variable quantity in the memory and to copy the reduced value of this quantity on the magnetic strip of the card when it is inserted in the card reader to unblock the bar.

Special embodiments of the device according to the invention with features contributing to the ease of use and/or, an efficient functioning of the device are described in the claims 7 to 12.

The features of the device according to this invention are explained in the following detailed description of a highly preferred embodiment of the device.

This limits by no means the invention to this possible embodiment.

This description refers to the enclosed figure 1, which is a schematic, sectional representation of a device according to the invention of the supporting means (1) and the locking devices (2).

In a preferable embodiment the device comprises several stands (i.e.

stationing devices (1) and locking devices (2) for bikes). Each of these devices consists of a steel plate ground plate (not depicted on the figure) provided to be fixed in (or on) the ground. The locking device (2), enveloped by a solid covering, is fixed on this ground plate. A profiled steel shackle (1) is fixed at the side plate of this envelop. This shackle is placed in such a way that the bike can be put up straight with the frame in the shackle (1). The insides of the shackle (1) are covered with a sheeting (e.g. plastic) to prevent the bike from being damaged.

The locking device (2) contains a rustproof pin (3) which can be slid into a closed position in which the pin is extended between the standing legs of the shackle (2) and into an open position in which the pin is not extended between the standing legs. The pin (3) is fixed slidably in the covering of the locking device (2).

The covering has openings on both sides allowing the pin (3) to pass while sliding. In the open position, the end of the pin (3) situated at the side of the shackle (1), is almost completely withdrawn in the covering. The other end of the pin (3) sticks out, both in open and closed position. The pin is to be grabbed at this end in order to slide it.

The pin (3) has a wider (3') and a smaller (3") part. At the transition from the wider part (3') to the smaller part (3") an edge is formed.

On the inside of the covering, the locking device (2) also contains an electric motor (5) or a solenoid allowing to move an axle (5') upwards or downwards. Within reach of this axle (5') a blocking part (6) is fixed hingeably, so as to allow the axle (5') to hinge the blocking part (6) upwards by an upward movement till it is pressed against the wider part (3') of the pin (3). A spring (13) presses the blocking part against the wider part of the pin (3). After having stationed the cycle, the user presses the pin in its closed position, as a result of which the blocking part (6) claps up against the smaller part (3"). If the blocking piece (6) is in that position, the pin (3) cannot be slid out of the closed position because the edge of the pin (3) knocks against the blocking piece (6).

If the pin (3) is in the closed position, a tube (4) of the frame of a bike put in the shackle (1) is locked in by the shackle (1) and the pin (3). If the pin (3) is blocked in this position, the bike is locked.

If the pin (3) is in the open position, the frame tube (4) is released and the bike is unlocked.

The electric motors (5) or solenoids of several locking devices (2) can be operated by one and the same operating panel (7).

The operating panel (7) contains a chipcard reader (8), a display (9) and three push buttons (10), (11) and (12).

The chipcards required to use the device are for sale and contain a magnetic strip with identification data and/or property data and an amount, corresponding with a certain stationing time proportional to the price of the card.

The operating panel (7) also contains electrical an/or electronic means to operate the electric motors (5) (or solenoids) based on the data read by the card reader (8) on the magnetic strip of the card.

The operating panel (7) is equipped with push buttons (10), (11) and (12) indicated respectively as "stop", "number" and "continue".

The electrical and/or electronic operating means are meant to assure the following functioning of the device: When a user inserts his chipcard in the card reader (8) of the operating panel (7), the system verifies whether the identification data of this card are stored in the memory. If not so, it does not involve the picking up of a bike.

On the display appears an indication of the "stationing time followed by the amount to be paid or the number of units".

If the "stop" button (10) is pushed, the card can be withdrawn. In that case the user only wanted to check the "determined stationing time or the amount" on his card.

If the user pushes the "number" button (11), the number of wanted stands has to be entered.

This can be done for instance by pushing the "number" button (11) as many times as the number of stands wanted. After having indicated the number of stands wanted the addresses (e.g. place numbers) of the desired number of free stands will be indicated on the display (9). (It is arranged that the stands are situated as close to each other as possible).

After pushing the "continue" button (12) the electric motors (5) (or solenoids) of the indicated free stands are controlled to block the respective pins (3) in the closed position.

The identification data of the card are stored in the memory and the "actual stationing time" is kept (by storing the moment of stationing of the bike).

If the identification data of an inserted chipcard are stored in the memory, it concerns the picking up of one or more bikes. The actual stationing time is calculated and converted into an amount or a number of units and the amount or units on the card is reduced by the respective amount or number of units. The card can now be withdrawn. On the display (9) appear the addresses of the stands where the bikes to be picked up are stationed.

The electric motor (5) (or solenoid) of each stand is controlled to open the blocking part (6).

If the card does not contain enough units, this is also indicated on the display (9). The card can be loaded, either by the competent services or by a slot machine. In the mean time, the "actual stationing time" continues running.

When the loaded card is inserted, the corresponding number of units will be deducted and the bike will be unlocked.

It is preferable to deduct all units from the card when a free stand is attributed. When picking up the bike, the actual stationing time is converted into a number of consumed units. This number of units is then deducted from the original number of units on the card. This difference comes back on the card.

The bicycle shed consists for instance of a number of modules each having five stands (stationing and locking device). By coupling several modules, bicycle sheds of 10, 15, 20, 25 or more stands can be created. Each stand is equipped with a micro-controller con-trolling the closing device - the electric motor (5) or solenoid. The device contains an RS 485 network to which a control console (7) is connected and to which all stands are connected in parallel. Each stand has a unique address which makes it possible to communicate with the stand from the control console (7).

The micro-controller of each stand receives its tension from the console (7). This tension is an unregulated tension. It is the supply unit on the micro-controller of the stand itself which ensures a stabilized power supply.

This procedure allows to bridge large distances without difficulties because of loss of tension and of external interference sources.

The operating console (7) contains a LCD display, a keyboard and a pay unit. All these elements are controlled by the micro-controller which is connected to the RS 485 network and is in connection with the bicycle shed. The tension supply of the console is guaranteed by a battery. The console can for instances be connected to the street lighting, which reloads the battery when the street lighting is put on. It can also be reloaded by solar panels. Supplying the tension from the console to the controllers of the stands and the connection between the console and the stands through the RS 485 network is effected by a single four-wire circuit from the console to the shed. This way of working enormously simplifies the cabling and also allows each stand to be precabled thus making the installation very simple.

The user pays at the console. This can be done with coins, a magnetic card or a chipcard depending on the kind of console (7).

The controller of the operating console (7) is equipped with a memory saving the card numbers with their number of units, their stand number and the moment of stationing and picking up. It is also kept how often a card is inserted containing not enough units. All these data are kept for one month and every month, during the service, these data are stored in a portable PC. These data are then used to check the occupancy of the stands. The statistics of these data aim at optimizing the sheds in terms of efficiency and user comfort.

The console also allows the use of a master card, which can unlock each stand. If a master card is used, it will be saved in the memory. The use of the master card is connected to a procedure that can only be started after identification of the user (e.g. the police). The procedure for the use of the master card after identification is arranged by an algorithm generating a number on the basis of the date.

This number is a variable in a particular formula and needs to be introduced in the formula. The outcome of this formula then is the number that is to be inserted in the console together with the master card. If everything is all right, the master card gives access to every stand in the shed. If the master card is used ten times for the same shed, it will be destroyed by the console.

Claims

1. A device to be fixed firmly for the stationing and locking of cycles, characterised in that it comprises at least two supporting means (1) for a cycle and a locking device (2) for each supporting means (1), each locking device (2) contains a movably fixed bar (3) that can be put in an open or closed position to respectively enclose or release a part (4) of a cycle stationed in the supporting means (1), and a blocking system (6) that can be moved by a drive mechanism (5) to block or unblock the bar (3); and in that the drive mechanism (5) of several locking devices (2) can be operated separately by means of the same operating device (7).

2. A device to be fixed firmly for the stationing of and locking of cycles, according to claim 1, characterised in that the operating device (7) comprises means (8) for the input of a means of payment or data; and the operating device (7) is equipped to control a drive mechanism (5) after the input of one or more means of payment or data guaranteeing payment or permission of use.

3. A device to be fixed firmly for the stationing and locking of cycles, according to claim 2, characterised in that the operating device (7) comprises a card reader (8) and electrical and/or electronic operating means to control the drive mechanisms (5) on the basis of data read by the card reader (8) on data supporting means of a card inserted in the card reader (8).

4. A device to be fixed firmly for the stationing and locking of cycles, according to claim 3, characterised in that the data supporting means of the card comprise identification data and a variable quantity of units the value of which corresponds to a certain stationing time, in that the electrical and /or electronic operating means comprise a memory and means for measuring the elapsed time, in that the operating means are equipped to control a drive mechanism (5) so that the bar (3) is blocked in its closed position after inserting a card in the card reader (8), on which card the value of the variable quantity of units is bigger than zero, in that the operating means are equipped to store the identification data in the memory when the card is inserted in the card reader to block the bar, in that the operating means are equipped to control the same drive mechanism (5) so as to unblock the bar (3) after inserting in the card reader (8) the same card, on which the value of the variable quantity of units corresponds to a certain stationing time, bigger than or equal to the acual stationing time calculated by the operating means, and in that the operating means are equipped to reduce the value of the variable quantity of units with a value corresponding to the actual stationing time, when the card is inserted in the card reader to unblock the bar (3).

5. A device to be fixed firmly for the stationing and locking of cycles, according to claim 4, characterised in that the operating means are equipped to - in case the calculated stationing time should be smaller than the actual stationing time - reduce the value of the variable quantity on the card to zero, and to reduce the actual stationing time, kept by the operating means, with a time corresponding to the value of the variable quantity of units the card contained.

6 .A device to be fixed firmly for the stationing and locking of cycles, according to claims 4 and 5, characterised in that the value of the variable quantity on the card is reduced to zero when the card is inserted in the card reader (8) to block the bar (3), the value of this variable quantity being stored in the memory, and in that the reduced value of this quantity is copied to the data supporting means of the card when the card is inserted in the card reader (8) to unblock the bar (3).

7. A device to be fixed firmly for the stationing and locking of cycles, according to any of the preceding claims characterised in that the operating device (7) comprises a display (9), in that the operating device (7) is equipped to remember for each locking device (2) whether the bar (3) is blocked or not in the closed position, and to indicate on the display (9) the address of a stand for cycles, with a locking device (2), of which the bar (3) is unblocked.

8. A device to be fixed firmly for the stationing and locking of cycles, according to any of the preceding claims characterised in that the operating device comprises a display (9) and is equipped to indicate on this display how much stationing time corresponds to the means of payment or data guaranteeing payment or permission of use inserted in the operating panel (7).

9. A device to be fixed firmly for the stationing and locking of cycles characterised in that the card reader (8) and the card, respectively are a chipcard reader and a chipcard or a magnetic card reader and a magnetic card.

10 A device to be fixed firmly for the stationing and locking of cycles according to any of the preceding claims characterised in that the drive mechanism (5) is an electric motor or a solenoid.

11 A device to be fixed firmly for the stationing and locking of cycles according to any of the precedng claims characterised in that each locking device comprises a supply unit to convert an unregulated tension to a stabilized tension.

12 A device to be fixed firmly for the stationing and locking of cycles according to any of the preceding claims characterised in that the bar (3) comprises an elongated pin fitted with an edge protruding from the side, in that the supporting means (1) comprises an U-shaped shackle, in that in relation to the shackle, the pin can be slid to a closed position in which this pin extends from one standing leg of the shackle to the other; and to an open position in which the pin does not extend between said standing legs, and in that the blocking means (6) can be moved to a position in which it holds said edge such that the pin cannot slide from the closed position.

13. A system for storing bicycles comprising a plurality of lockable stands, each stand having electrically operated means for lockingly engaging part of a bicycle; and a control unit capable of selectively opening any of said stands in accordance with predetermined criteria.

14. A stand for receiving a bicycle comprising locking means arranged to engage around part of said bicycle, said locking means being arranged so as to be unlocked in response to a signal from a control unit.

15. A stand as claimed in claim 15, wherein said locking means comprises a sliding member and electrically operated means arranged to bear on the sliding member to prevent it being retracted.

16. A system for storing bicycles substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

17. A stand for receiving a bicycle substantially as hereinbefore described with refernce to the accompanying drawings.