GB2477137A - Bicycle locker - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for storing a bicycle is disclosed comprising: a cubicle; standardized locking means; personal locking means; and at least one advertisement screen. The arrangement is such that a user must be given access to a standardized locking means to access the locker but when leaving their bike in the locker can lock the locker using a personalized locking means so that no other holders of the standardized access means can gain access to the bike secured therein. The locking means may comprise a key and key hole, a padlock eye, which may be retractable, and aperture, a PIN input keyboard or a card and cardslot. The cubicles can be triangular, and can be arranged in a circle or can be square or rectangular and may be arranged in a line or grid.

Description

Urban bicycle storage locker

Background of the Invention

[1] The present invention relates to bicycle storage and protection in urban spaces.

[2] Means for storing a bicycle in a public place are known in the art, and many are directed towards saving space in urban centres. In particular, WO 9714861 to Jenkins discloses a storage unit for storing a bicycle. The enclosure is designed to mate with an identical storage enclosure, and comprises a wedge-shaped compartment including a door portion for access to the compartment; and a mounting means provided in the compartment to support the bicycle in a vertical position. Two such enclosures can be coupled together to provide a generally rectangular storage unit, with access doors to each unit in the front and rear faces. A plurality of units is contained with a frame provided with end panels, and covered by an overall roof. By storing the bicycle vertically the space required is minimised, and movement of the bicycle into and out of the unit is simplified. Additionally both gear storage and a changing space can be provided for the user.

[3] Similarly, FR 2762343 to Cormier discloses a storage locker in the form of a cage with a door at one end to allow the cycle to be placed in the cage and removed from it. A lock is fitted to the door, with a device to identify the owner of the cycle. Two guide rails fitted inside the cage support a carrier which slides on the rails. The cycle is placed on the carrier and pushed into the cage, with the two rails guiding the carrier into the interior of the cage. Upright rails support the cycle in the vertical position. On removal the carrier comes to the door to allow easy removal of the cycle.

[4] Furthermore, DE 4110780 to Gotto discloses a space-saving bicycle storage system for use at commuter railway stations and the like, comprising several circular platforms, arranged vertically around a central shaft. Each level is split into two or more equal segments for storage of a bicycle therein.

A vacant segment in the top section allows vertical and horizontal movement of the layers, such that any segment can be moved to be accessible from a fixed position, such as an opening on ground level. The bicycles are stored in racks in the various segments. The stack is located in a secure and weatherproof housing.

Brief Sununary of the Invention [5] It can be seen from the forgoing that there is a prevalent need to store bicycles in public places. It can further be seen that it would be advantageous to have bicycle storage means which were easy to use and inexpensive to maintain.

[6] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide bicycle storage means for use in public places, which generate their own revenue.

[7] To this end, an apparatus for storing a bicycle is disclosed comprising: a cubicle; standardized locking means; personal locking means; and at least one advertisement screen.

[8] An advantage of the present invention is that bicycles stored in them are protected from theft and vandalism. A further advantage is that they provide a place for cyclists to change clothes.

[9] A further advantage of the invention is that, since an initial user investment is required to access the cubicles, there is a reduced risk of misuse of the cubicles. A further advantage is that the user has the ability to add personal security measures, further securing the bicycle.

[10] A further advantage of the invention is that they generate ongoing revenue for the owners, both via users and via advertising on the cubicles, thus making them cheap and even profitable to maintain.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawing [11] The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings, in which: [12] Figure 1 shows the cubicle of the present invention.

[13] Figure 2 shows rectangular banks of the present invention.

[14] Figure 3 shows circular and sector shaped banks of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[15] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 1-3, an apparatus for safely storing a bicycle is disclosed comprising: a cubicle 100; standardized locking means; personal locking means; and at least one advertisement screen 109.

[16] The cubicle comprises a door 101, at least two walls 102 and a roof 105. Preferably the cubicle is higher than the length bicycle, an advantage of this being that the bicycle can be stored upended, requiring less space which is at a premium in urban areas and the like. The width and depth of the cubicle are preferably such that an upended bicycle and user can comfortably occupy the cubicle.

[17] The cubicle preferably comprises galvanized steel, which is a strong material resistant to weather conditions and to external vandalism. Furthermore it is relatively cheap, lightweight and easy to produce in sheets from which to construct the cubicles quickly. Alternatively other materials known in the art may be used. The base of the cubicle is preferably set into concrete for maximal stability, although this may not be the case, and the door or at least one wall is preferably slightly raised from the floor to permit drainage, although this may not be the case.

[18] In one embodiment, the cubicle has a square or rectangular cross section. Multiple cubicles may be arranged in banks, in a single line for access from one side of the bank, or back to back in two lines such that cubicles are accessed from both sides of the bank.

[19] In another embodiment, the cubicle has a triangular shaped cross section as shown in Figure 2. The cubicle may have the shape of a right angled triangle, such that two cubicles together form a square or rectangle 200. Such square or rectangular arrangements may be arranged in a line to form a bank of cubicles 201, half of which can be accessed from one side of the line, and the other half from the other side of the line.

[20] Alternatively the cubicles may have a cross sectional shape of an isosceles triangle as shown in Figure 3, and may be arranged such that the angles cx between their two equal sides are adjacent, to form a polygon approximating a circle 300 or circle sector 301 as shown in Figure 3.

[21] Alternatively, cubicles having any type of triangular, rectangular or square cross section may be arranged in banks in any format, or may be individually arranged. Furthermore, the cubicles may have other shapes. An advantage of the shapes mentioned is that they require only flat sheets which are cheaper and easier to produce, and that they tessellate for minimal space occupation when arranged in banks.

[22] Furthermore, cubicles may be sized to accommodate two or more bicycles, that is, adapted for group or family use.

[23) Preferably, the cubicles contain a bicycle bracket 110.

This is preferably as shown in the figures, although it may be any bracket as known in the art. An advantage of the bracket shown is that it enables the bicycles to be stored upended, which occupies minimal space. Further advantages are that it is easy to use, grips the wheel without putting excess pressure on any part of the wheel, and cheap to install. Alternatively there may be no bracket, and the bicycle may simply be leaned against the walls of the cubicle.

[24] Preferably the apparatus further comprises a clothes hook 112, or a bar, shelf, or other clothing and baggage storage means. This may be any known in the art and is preferably mounted to the door or wall of the cubicle at a height at which it can be reached easily and will hold clothes above ground level.

Alternatively there may be no hook, bar, shelf, or clothing storage means.

[25] Preferably the door comprises a handle 114 whereby the cubicle can be opened. More preferably, there is a handle on the inside and outside of the cubicle, whereby the cubicle can be opened from the inside and outside of the cubicle.

[26] The apparatus comprises both standardized locking means and personal locking means. In this way, an initial investment is required to purchase the standardized locking means, so that a user can unlock and access any cubicle in their area. An area may be a district, a university or college campus, a holiday resort, or other area. An advantage of standardized locking means is that it prevents vandals from damaging the insides of the cubicles, homeless people from sleeping in the cubicles, or other unauthorized use of the cubicles. Furthermore, having paid for the use of the cubicles, authorized users will be more motivated to take appropriate care of the cubicles.

[27] Having purchased the standardized locking means, a user then has the option of using the personalized locking means to ensure that only the user can access the cubicle. This increases security for the user. The cubicle may also be used without the personalized locking means, which still provides a measure of security since only other authorized users can access the cubicles.

[28] The standardized locking means may be any key (not shown) and keyhole 103 as widely known in the art. All keys and keyholes are identical thus any key opens any cubicle. The standardized locking means may also be a readable card such as a magnetic or chip-and-PIN card, and a card reader or slot for reading the card. Identical cards may be given to all users which, when read by the reader, electronically opens the cubicle.

The card may also comprise the personalized locking means, since a card could be programmed by means widely known in the art to admit only a particular user to a particular cubicle.

[29] The personal locking means may be a padlock eye 104 on the cubicle frame which corresponds with a padlock aperture (not shown) for admitting the eye, on the door. A user or the cubicle owner may provide a unique padlock and key. Alternatively, the personal locking means may be a PIN for entering into a keypad disposed on the cubicle. The user may may be assigned a unique PIN, or may programme their own PIN into the cubicle upon use, or in the case where the standardized locking means is a readable card, a particular PIN may be associated with a particular card.

The technology required for this is widely known in the art.

[30] In the case where padlock eyes and apertures are used, the padlock eye may be retractable into the wall or the inside of the cubicle. There may be several such padlock eyes and apertures in a cubicle. An advantage of having several eyes and apertures is that more padlocks can be attached for added security. An advantage of retractable apertures is that it prevents unauthorized users from adding padlocks after a bicycle has been left in the cubicle, with the intent of later removing the authorized padlocks and stealing the bicycle.

[31] The at least one advertisement screen preferably comprises a Perspex sheet mounted on a frame, wherein the frame has bolt holes at its corners. Anti-vandal bolts may be used to prevent unauthorized access to the advertisements. The cubicle walls may be recessed slightly to accommodate the advertisements.

Alternatively any advertisement screen known in the art may be used. An advantage of the advertisement screens is that advertisers pay for their use, generating revenue for the owners of the cubicles and making them cheaper or even profitable to maintain. Therefore, it is preferably that the entire outer surface of the cubicles comprises advertisement screens, that is, all outer walls and the door, although alternatively, there may be fewer screens. Furthermore, screens are known in the art which alternate the advertisement displayed thereon by rotating sections of the advertisement, scrolling the advertisement, or other means. These screens may also be used on the cubicles under the scope of the invention. Furthermore, advertisement screens may also be disposed inside the cubicles. An advantage of this is that it may attract bicycle-specific advertisements and may attract a higher revenue, due to the specialist audience it will attract.

Claims (10)

1. Claims 1. An apparatus for safely storing a bicycle comprising: a cubicle; standardized locking means; personal locking means; and at least one advertisement screen.
2. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cubicle has a cross sectional shape selected from the list comprising: square, rectangular, triangular.
3. 3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one selected from the list comprising: a bicycle bracket, a clothes hook, a door handle.
4. 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said personal locking means comprises a padlock eye and padlock eye aperture.
5. 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said padlock eye isretractable.
6. 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said personal locking means comprises a PIN and PIN input keypad.
7. 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said standardized locking means comprises a key and keyhole;
8. 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said standardized locking means comprises a card and card slot.
9. 9. A bank of bicycle storage cubicles comprising a multiplicity of triangular cubicles of claim 2 arranged in a circle.
10. 10. A bank of bicycle storage cubicles comprising a multiplicity of square or rectangular cubicles of claim 2 arranged in a line or grid.