GB2515346A

GB2515346A - The new look and transformation of barclays cycle hire

Info

Publication number: GB2515346A
Application number: GB1311132.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jose Antonio
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-06-21
Filing date: 2013-06-21
Publication date: 2014-12-24
Also published as: GB201311132D0

Abstract

An improved cycle hire system includes shelters 20 with advertisements 29. Hired bicycles 38 include two side mirrors mounted on the handle bar, front and rear indicators, bright colours, and large front and rear lamps. Shelters 20 are provided to park and protect the cycles 38 from bad weather conditions, vandalism etc. CCTV may also be installed. Glass doors 35 for entry into shelters also improve security. Safety helmets 43 with an operators logo can be included. Satellite navigation systems may also be installed on the bicycles.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Applicathin No. GBI3I 1132.3 RTM Dae:9 Dorcinbcr 2013 The following terms are registered trade marks and should he rcad as such wherever they occur in this document:

BARCLAYS

Inlelleclual Property Office is an operaling name of the Pateni Office www.ipo.gov.uk

TITLE

The new look and transformation of Barclays cycle hire.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to the safety of cyclists and other road users which include the car drivers, pedestrians and especially bus drivers because the cyclists use the bus lane. It also relates to the safety, appearance and hygiene of the cycles.

When the cyclists ride during the night, the back light is not bright enough which means they aren't seen especially in bad weather conditions such as fog, rain etc. The cycle has also got a front light (headlight) which flashes on and off this causes poor visibility for other road users because they won't be able to see the cyclists in bad weather conditions. The cycle doesn't have mirrors which means the cyclists have less visibility of what's happening behind them. At the moment all cyclists use the cycles without a safety helmet to protect them from head injury in case of an accident.

The docking station is not appropriate for the hygiene and safety of the cycles because it has no shelter to protect the cycles from rain, snow, rubbish/litter and vandalism so this has caused damage to the cycles such as rust, dust, rubbish and water inside the docking points. Docking stations are located in open space which means anyone has access to the cycles with or without permission so this has increased the vandalism to the cycles.

Having no CCTV at the docking stations has increased vandalism and misuse of cycles by members of the public.

The cycles have no navigator to give cyclists directions to their destination this means cyclists usually get lost or take longer to get to their destinations because they have no exact directions especially if they tourists.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

To improve the visibility and safety of cyclists and other road users, this invention will apply a steady brighter head light and brighter back light plus indicators two at the front and two at the back; the indicators will show what the cyclists intend to do. The invention suggests a change of colours (white, light blue and dark blue) on the mudguard and frame to make the cycle brighter. The invention also suggests two mirrors on the handle bar, one on the left and one on the right which will enable the cyclists to see what's happening behind them.

To prevent the cycles from rusting and being dusty this invention will build a glass shelter on each of the docking stations. On this glass shelter there will be advertisement on top and the sides of it for different businesses thus improving the revenue of TEL. Depending on the shape of the dock, the advertisement will be placed accordingly.

To tackle vandalism, the invention will place the terminal that gives casual users codes to have access to the shelter and cycles outside the shelters which means the casual users will be given two codes at the terminal and they will be shown as shelter code (to open the shelter) and release code to release cycle). Members will use the same key to gain access to the shelter and access to the docking point to release the cycle.

The installation of CCTV at all docking stations will reduce vandalism and any misuse of the cycles.

The invention will place an inbuilt navigator on the handle bar to help the cyclists have shorter and smooth journeys to their destinations.

To give cyclists a sense of safety and peace of mind, different shapes and sizes of helmets with the Barclays logo and the word cycle hire designed on them will be provided for their use and this will be mandatory. The invention suggests that a cyclist found riding a Barclays cycle without a helmet should be fined accordingly by TFL.

The invention also suggests that those customers that use the Barclays cycles regularly for instance the members, for the case of hygiene they can purchase their personal helmet from Barclays cycle hire helmets.

ADVANTAGE

The shelter will protect the cycles from the damages caused by rain which causes rust on the metal part of the cycles and peeling off of paint on cycles, terminals and docking points.

With the cycles under the shelter, they will not be dusty or filled with mad, also the tyres will not loose the pressure. Having the cycles under the shelter will mean that maintenance such as cleaning the docking station or even wiping off the dust/mad will not be as often as it's being done at the moment. The presence of the shelter over the cycle will give customers a different sense of care and responsibility towards the use of the cycles. The provision of helmets will give cyclists safety from head injury in the case of an accident.

The use of helmets for Barclays cycle users will encourage other non-Barclays cycle users to use helmets for their safety.

Since the cycles will only be accessed by casual users and members, vandalism will be less because the customers that are using the cycles have their details on the TFL system which impedes them to misuse the cycles otherwise they will be fined. Because damage through vandalism will be unlikely to take place, the TFL will have less expenses in repairing damages caused by vandalism.

Mirrors on the cycle will help cyclists to be aware of their surroundings such as dangerous manoeuvres performed by other motorists, drivers driving too close to the cyclist's back wheel and because the cyclist is aware this will minimize accidents that are caused by what goes on at the back.

Brighter front and back lights will make the cyclist more visible to other road users especially during the night and in bad weather conditions. The indicators will show which direction the cyclist intends to take and this helps other road users know the intentions of the cyclist thus preventing accidents/collision.

The satellite navigator will help the cyclist find their way easily, this applies more to the tourists that don't know the route to their destination. Satellite navigator will help cyclists have a peace of mind when using the cycle and help them get to their destination.

INTRODUCTION TO DRAWINGS

The example of the invention will be described by referring to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows the original Barclays cycle.

Figure 2 shows the front part of the modified cycle with the head light according to the new invention.

Figure 3 shows the fully new look and transformed Barclays cycle according to the new invention.

Figure 4 illustrates the first shelter with a glass storage for the safety helmets.

Figure 5 is the second shelter with the glass storage of safety helmets.

Figure 6 is the rear of the first shelter figures4 and second shelter figure 5.

Figure 7 is the third shelter which is a double version.

Figure 8 is the fourth shelter with a terminal beside it.

Figure 9 is the rear of the fourth shelter figure8.

Figure 10 is the first helmet Figure 11 is the second helmet Figure 12 is the third helmet Figure 13 is the fourth helmet Figure 14 is the fifth helmet Figure 15 is the sixth helmet Figure 16 is the seventh helmet

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

As illustrated in figure 2, the new invention has modified the front flashing light with a bigger steady headlight 1 to give a better view ahead for cyclists. The headlight 1 is mounted in the same position as the previous flashing light.

As illustrated in figure 3, the mirrors 9 are mounted on the handle bar, one on the left side and the other on the right side.

Figures 2 and 3 have the satellite navigator 49 mounted in middle of the handle bar.

The mudguards 10 have got two different colours where dark blue 2 is painted on the left section and right section of the rnudguards while white 3 is painted in the middle section of the mudguards.

Frame 4 is painted in two colours and these are light blue 12 which is the top section of the frame and dark blue 11 which is the lower section of the frame.

A steady back light 5 is mounted below the seat. A bigger reflective back light 6 is mounted on the back mudguard. The front indicators 8 are mounted on the left and right side of the carrier 50 whereas the back indicators 7 are mounted on the left and right side of the back frame.

Referring to figures 4, 5, 7 and 8 all have sliding glass doors 32,33,35,37. These glass doors are mounted into a metal 36 at the bottom and into another metal 28 at the top for their smooth movement. When the casual users or members enter the given codes or members touch the keys on the keypad fitted at the glass doors, the doors will be released automatically to give them access to the cycles. Casual users will enter the release code given to release the cycle where as members will simply touch there key at the docking station to release the cycle. The glass doors 32,33,35,37 are curved according to the shape of the each shelter. At the top of the sliding glass doors, a metal 28 helps with smooth movement of the doors.

Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 have pillars 23 mounted to the base 40 to support the entire shelters. Figure 8 has also got two thin-long pillars4s both on the left and right side; these long pillars 45 offer extra support to the shelter.

Figures 4, 5, and 7 have a glass roof with a cross shape running across, this roof is supported by the pillars23 on the left and the right plus the metal 27.

As shown in figures 5 along digital board 20 is screwed with nails 21 on top of the glass roof 26 to give it support to remain upright. In figures 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 digital screens 29 where all kinds of advertisements are placed are mounted on both shod digital board 30 and long digital boards 20. In figures 4, 5, 7 the glass roof has got a metal 27 underneath it that helps to keep it intact. Figures 4, 5 and 8 have the short digital board3O mounted on the base4O on the left and the other on the right. Figure7 has only one short digital board30 mounted just on one side of the shelter.

The digital screen in figure 6 is mounted at the top on a metal44, bottom mounted on the base 40, the right and left side are mounted to the Barclays logos 22 which are also mounted onto the pillars 23. Figure 9 being the rear of the shelter, has its short digital board30 mounted to the pillars 23.

In figure5 the glass storage3l is mounted onto the back of the shelter and in figure4 the glass storage 42 is right near the entrance of the shelter. In figureS there are two yellow paths34 that lead customers towards and from the glass storage for the helmets.

In figures arrows42 are painted onto the back wall of the shelter. The arrows42 point to the direction where sizes(S, M L and XL) of all helmets available for customers are located and Arrow43 is painted on the back wall of the shelter pointing to the direction where the helmets are located.

Figure 4, 5 and 7 consist of a path4l which permits the customers to walk around and choose what cycle they would hire. Figures 4, 5, 7 and 8 have cycle lanes38 in which the cycles are assembled waiting to be used.

Figure 8 has a terminal besides it. According to the new invention the terminal has lights46 that have been mounted at the top of terminal. These lights46 give customers a clear view of what they are doing at the terminal such as inputting card details, reading the screen on the terminal etc. The terminal has a base47, on which it rests and is supported by it.

Figures 10, 12, 13 and 15 have straps 52 that can be secured and fastened underneath the chin to prevent the helmet from falling off the cyclist's head.

Figures 10, 11, 12,13,14,15 and 16 have holes 53 on them to provide easy ventilation for the cyclists.

All helmets have logos 50 and 51 where 50 is the Barclays logo and 51 is the transport for London logo with words "cycle hire" on it. The Barclays logo indicates that the helmets are officially sponsored by Barclays.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A transformed Barclays cycle and built glass shelters to park the cycles The current Barclay cycle being transformed by adding side mirrors on the handle bar, headlight at the front. steady backlight at the back, reflective back light, indicators in the front and back on both left and right side, the colour of the Barclay cycle being transformed to a light blue, dark blue and white. Glass shelters with sliding doors and advertisement on digital boards and the cycles are parked inside of the glass shelters for safety.
2. A transformed Barclays cycle and shelters to park the cycles according to claim 1, in which the new colours light blue, white and dark blue are painted on the front and back mudguard for better reflection.
3. A transformed Barclays cycle and shelters to park the cycles according to claim 1! on which the bigger reflective backlight and bigger headlight make the cycles more visible when being used.
4. A transformed Barclays cycle and shelters to park the cycles according to claim 1, in which the front and back indicators show the intention of the cyclist.
5. A transformed Barclays cycle according to claim 1, in which the glass shelter where the docking points are mounted each on a single yellow lane.
6. A transformed Barclays cycle and shelters to park the cycles according to claim 1, in which the glass shelters comprise of glass doors that open once a key or code is entered.
7. A transformed Barclays cycle and shelters to park the cycles according to claim 1, further comprises of glass roof and digital boards with digital screens for advertisement.
8. A transformed Barclays cycle and shelters to park the cycles according to claim 1, comprises of an inbuilt satellite navigation between the handle bars so that cyclists can use it to find their destinations easily.
9. A transformed Barclays cycle and shelters to park the cycles according to claim 1, in which cyclists safety is catered for by providing different shapes and sizes of helmets with Barclays logo and the word cycle hire" designed on them.