GB2352252A - Secure storage apparatus, e.g. for bicycle - Google Patents

Abstract

Storage apparatus, e.g. for a motorcycle, cycle or like wheeled vehicle, comprises a housing 10, an access opening closeable by means of a closure 14, and a support 16 for receipt of the vehicle, the support comprising a tray moveable from a loading / unloading position (as shown) outside the housing to a position within the housing. The tray may pivot into the housing as shown or else it may slide into the housing in telescopic fashion (Fig 6, not shown).

Description

2352252 SECURE STORAGE APPARATUS The present invention relates to

apparatus for the secure storage of wheeled vehicles such as bicycles, motor bicycles and the like.

Conventional ly, these vehicles are either secured against theft by locking them to an immovable object, or by electronic immobility devices. Alternatively or additionally they may be kept within a locked garage or shed.

None of the aforementioned methods are really satisfactory as regards ease of use, level of security, and general convenience.

It is therefore the aim of the present invention to provide apparatus for secure and weatherproof storage of a wheeled vehicle which is both easy to use and offers a good degree of protection against theft of the vehicle stored therein.

The intention is particularly concerned with the storage of motorcycles or other bicycles such as push-bikes. All of these are referred to conveniently as bikes. Alternatively or in addition tricycles and even wheeled garden equipment such as lawnmowers and rotivators could be stored using apparatus in accordance with this invention.

Accordingly in a first aspect, the present invention provides a bike storage apparatus comprising a housing of a size sufficient to accommodate a bike, an access opening closeable by means of a closure in said housing and a support for engagement with a bike, the support being mounted on a tray, the tray being moveable between a loading/unloading position outside the housing and a storage position wherein the tray, support and bike engaged to the support are disposed within the housing.

Preferably the tray is adapted to pivot between loading and storage positions. Alternatively, the tray is adapted to slide between the loading and storage positions. The tray means preferably includes at least one track therein for receiving one or both of the wheels of the vehicle. The support may conveniently include a releasable locking device adapted to automatically capture and lock the foremost wheel of the bike as it is driven (or pushed) onto the tray. The locking device may include a latch arrangement adapted to engage and secure the wheel to hold the bike upright during storage. Alternatively the locking device ma) be dimensioned to frictionally engage the wheel.

There is preferably also provided a strap or other flexible, or semiflexible securing means by which the bike ma, be more securely held. The tray may include a channel or guideway above which the foremost wheel of the bike may roll as the bike is moved onto the tray.

The tray may be supported from beneath by one or more rollers, such that the bike, once locked onto the tray, may be easily pushed, along with the tray into the housing.

In a preferred embodiment the tray has laterally extending wheels adapted to engage the interior of the housing. Telescopic runners may be provided to facilitate smooth motion of the tray into and out of the housing.

The closure may comprise one or more lockable doors or shutters.

Once inside, the vehicle may be kept secure by means of any one (or a combination) of the following:mechanical locks, electronic (remotely operated) locks, smoke screen devices, alarms, tracer dye sprayers and the like.

When the authorised user wishes to use the bike, he unlocks the door and/or deactivates the security devices, pulls out the bike and can then simply drive or push it away, having first released the front wheel capturing/locking device.

in the preferred embodiment the operation is even easier - the act of opening the door itself brings the bike into a suitable position to be driven or pushed away (having released the front wheel previously described).

In order to enhance the security of the apparatus, the housing is preferably securely fixed to the floor by resin-bolts or similar secure fixings.

In addition to installations in the grounds or garages of private homes, it is also envisaged that a number of such units may be assembled together to provide secure storage for many vehicles, in public parking areas or on industrial/commercial sites.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a multiple bike secure storage facility, comprising a plurality of apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of this invention, and means for selectively accessing any one of said plurality of apparatuses.

Such a multiple bike secure storage facilit), may be based on a carousel type system.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:Figure I is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 comprises a plan, side and end views of the bike support means of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, Figures 3 and 3a illustrate in plan and side views the front wheel clamping mechanism; Figure 4 illustrates the pivoting action of the bike receiving means and integral dor with respect to the housing; Figure 4a illustrates the bolting means; Figure 5 illustrates the overall appearance of the invention, with the door closed; Figure 6 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention, shown 'Aith doors removed for clarity; Figure 7 illustrates the overall appearance of the second embodiment of the invention, with the doors closed; Figures 8 and 8a illustrate in more detail the vehicle receiving means and the bolting means, respectively of the second embodiment; Figure 9 illustrates in plan, side and end views, the vehicle receiving means of the second embodiment (without wheel clamping); and Figures 10 and I Oa illustrate in plan and side views the vehicle receiving means of the second embodiment (with wheel clamping); Referring to the drawings and in particular Figure 1, a secure storage apparatus 10, particularly for a motor bicycle, comprises a housing 12 of a size just slightly larger than the motor bicycle to be stored. The housing comprises a floor, roof, back and end walls with the open front closed by an internally hinged door 14. The roof 13 may be curved as illustrated, to shed water when used for outdoor storage.

The door 14 has mounted thereon vehicle receiving means in the form of a tray or platform protruding perpendicularly from the base of the door and comprising two "buffers" 16a which form therebetween a track or channel l6b within which the wheels of the motor bicycle will beheld. A motor bicycle (not shown) is driven onto the platform 16 on which it is held by the strap 18 (alternatively or additionally to the machine's own parking support) and front wheel clamping mechanism 20.

Once securely on the platform, the door 14 is swung shut, assisted by four rollers 17 showm in Figure 2 and the door is locked shut by a secure locking mechanism 15. The reverse procedure is carried out to remove the bicycle, namely the door 14 is unlocked, the door and integral platform and motor bicycle thereon is swung into the open, unloading position, and the strap 18 released.

In Figure 3 the wheel clamping mechanism is illustrated in more detail, and may comprise a front adjustable clamp 20a and rear swing clamp 20b such that the motor bicycle may be driven onto the platform until the front wheel 22 engages with front clamp 210a following which the rear clamp 20b is swung into position to engage rear wheel 24. (Alterriatively if the motor bicycle is reversed onto the platform the clamp/wheel engagement will be the reverse to that described above).

The housing 12 is secured to the ground by bolting as shown in Figure 4, by resin bolts or other suitable secure fixing means.

Referring to Figure 6 an alternative embodiment has a similar arrangement of housing 30 but instead of a pivoting platform there is provided a platform 32 which slides in and out of the housing 3 1, access to the housing being via one end which is closed by two doors 33, 34. The sliding mechanism of the tray or platforrn 3-1 is shown in more detail in Figure 8, the platform 32 being arranged for sliding movement with respect to floor 29 on which it is mounted. A spring loaded locating bolt 32a is mounted on floor'-19 such that the platform 32 may be temporarily secured in the open, loading/unloading position. as shown in Figure 10 the platform 3 2 may be fitted with the same front and rear wheel clamps 20a, 20b as in the first embodiment. To access the platform 32, the doors 33, 34 are opened, the platform is pulled out into the extended, loading/unloading position so that the motor bicycle may be driven thereon and secured by means of the clamps before pushing the trolley 32 back inside the housina 30 and locking the doors 33, 34.

0 The apparatus of the present invention thus provides secure storage for a motor bicycle which is both easy to use and offers a high degree of protection from theft or unauthorised use.

The apparatus is preferably made of steel or other sheet material, with the various parts being bolted, welded or otherwise joined together. Other methods of manufacture might also be possible using non-metallic structural materials or a mixture of metallic and nonmetallic substances.

Claims (15)

1. A bike storage apparatus comprising a housing of size sufficient to accommodate a bike; an access opening closeable by means of a closure in said housing; and a support for engagement with a bike, the support being mounted on a tray, the tray being moveable between a loadinglunloading position outside the housing and a storage position wherein the tray, support and bike engaged to the support are disposed with the housing.

C,

2. A bike storage apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tray is adapted to pivot between the loading and storage positions.

3. A bike storage apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tray is adapted to slide between the loading and storage positions.

4. A bike storage apparatus as claimed in any one of claims I to 3, wherein the tray includes at least one track therein for receiving one or both of the wheels of the vehicle.

5. A bike storage apparatus as claimed in any one of claims I to 4, wherein the support includes a releasable locking device adapted to automatically capture and lock the foremost wheel of the bike as it is driven (or pushed) onto the tray.

6. A bike storage apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the locking device includes a latch arrangement adapted to engage and secure the wheel to hold the bike upright during storage.

7. A bike storage apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the locking device is dimensioned to frictionally engage the wheel.

8. A bike storage apparatus as claimed in any one of claims I to 7, further comprising a strap or other flexible or semi-flexible securing means by which the bike may be more securely held.

9.. A bike storage apparatus as claimed in any one of claims I to 8, wherein the tray includes a channel or guide way above which the foremost wheel of the bike may roll as the bike is moved onto the tray.

10. A bike storage apparatus as claimed in any one of claims I to 9 wherein the bike is supported from beneath by one or more rollers.

11. A bike storage apparatus as claimed in any one of claims I to 9 wherein the tray comprises laterally extending wheels adapted to engage the interior of the housing.

12. A bike storage apparatus as claimed in any one of claims I to 11, further comprising telescopic runners to facilitate smooth motion of the tray into and out of the housing.

13. A bike storage apparatus as claimed in any one of claims I to 12, wherein the closure means comprises one or more lockable doors or shutters.

14. A bike storage apparatus substantially as herein before described.

15. A bike storage apparatus substantially as herein before described with reference to the drawings.