Anti-theft system integrated in a bicycle

Abstract

An anti-theft device (2) incorporated into an integral bicycle frame (3) including an electronic communication / GPS unit (4) and a battery (5) to power the electronic unit (4). The electronic unit (4) and the battery (5) are configured to be mounted and held in a special compartment (6) in the frame (3). The integral structure of the frame (3) is made of composite material tubes and includes at least one substantially vertical tube (9) with a transverse end hole (11) for a bottom bracket of a pedal crank (12). The compartment (6) is located inside the substantially vertical tube (9) near the transverse end hole (11), and has a lower opening (15) hermetically sealed by an external lid (16) located in the lowest part of the frame (3). The external lid (16) is associated with a number of antennae (17, 18, 19) connected by means of first electrical conductors (20) to the electronic communication / GPS unit (4) in such a way as to receive and transmit electromagnetic signals for the operation of the electronic unit (4) in the absence of shielding.

Description

ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM INTEGRATED IN A BICYCLEDESCRIPTIONField of the Invention

[0001] The present invention is generally applicable to the technical field of bicycles and their accessories, and it particularly relates to an anti-theft system integrated in a bicycleBackground Art

[0002] It has been long known that pedal vehicles such as leisure bikes, city bikes, mountain bikes, racing bikes, tricycles and quadricycles are subject to theft, causing users not only economic damage and loss but also social and logistical damage and loss.

[0003] Numerous types of mechanical locking devices have been created to limit theft, essentially consisting of chains, anchors and locks that must be locked with keys.

[0004] Although these devices are relatively simple and cheap, they are easily susceptible of being broken, opened or destroyed, without being able to relid the vehicle on which they are installed.

[0005] An alternative to this type of mechanical anti-theft devices consists in electronic locking devices, often called ‘smart’ anti-theft devices or GPS antitheft devices because they are equipped with a geolocation sensor and allow the device and therefore the bicycle to be tracked.

[0006] These devices are generally designed to be permanently mounted on the bicycle, for example on an external or internal part of the frame.

[0007] An example of such arrangement is illustrated in the Korean application KR20180036030, in which the GPS anti-theft device, including the electronic part and the battery thereof, is inserted into the front tube of the frame, by making an opening therein and liding it with a lid held in place by screws.

[0008] A drawback of this solution is that at least part of the device must be placed outside the frame to allow the antenna of the electronic component to receive satellite and radio and telephone signals, making it easily accessible and vulnerable to tampering by a thief.

[0009] Another example of the same type is illustrated in KR20180049699 where the anti-theft device is similarly housed in a compartment of the inclined front tube of the bicycle frame and uses an additional electrical power source.

[0010] Nowadays, there is a need to house the anti-theft device inside the frame in positions that are difficult to be reached by thieves.

[0011] Recently, bicycles with monocoque frames, i.e. made monolithically of carbon fibre, have become increasingly popular due to their structural strength and lightness.

[0012] This type of structure does however present a problem because carbon fibre is practically a complete shield against electromagnetic waves. This shielding makes it practically impossible to house all the electronic parts of the anti-theft device, including the aerials, inside the frame, and limits the possibility of reducing the risk of theft and tampering with the device. On the other hand, it is extremely difficult to make holes and passages in the structure of the bicycle made as a carbon fibre monocoqueTechnical problem

[0013] In light of the background art, the technical problem of the invention can be considered as how to house an anti-theft device of the geolocation and wireless communication type inside an integral carbon fibre bicycle frame, which is in any case made of a material opaque to electromagnetic waves, while ensuring the reception and transmission of signals wirelesslySummary of the invention

[0014] A general object of the invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem by providing a highly efficient and relatively inexpensive anti-theft device integrated into a bicycle.

[0015] A particular object is to provide an anti-theft system that can be totally incorporated inside the frame of a bicycle, preferably made with tubes in a material that is not transparent to electromagnetic waves.

[0016] A further object is to create an anti-theft system integrated into the frame of a carbon fibre bicycle that is housed in positions that facilitate its assembly.

[0017] A further object is to create an anti-theft system integrated into the frame of a carbon fibre bicycle that does not interfere spatially and functionally with other electronic components of the bicycle, such as an electronic gear shift also housed in the frame.

[0018] The above-mentioned objects, as well as others that will appear more clearly hereinafter, are achieved by an anti-theft system integrated into a bicycle in accordance with claim 1 .

[0019] The aforementioned integrated anti-theft system comprises an antitheft device associated with an integral bicycle frame, which anti-theft device includes an electronic communication / GPS unit and a battery to power the electronic unit, all being configured to be mounted and maintained stably in a special compartment made in the frame, wherein the integral frame structure is formed from composite material tubes and includes at least one substantially vertical tube with a transverse end hole for a crank arm bottom bracket.

[0020] The system is characterised in that the compartment is located inside the substantially vertical tube in the vicinity of the transverse end hole; the compartment having a lower opening hermetically sealed by an external lid located in the lowest part of the frame, the external lid being associated with a plurality of antennas connected by first electrical conductors to said electronic communication / GPS unit in order to receive and transmit electromagnetic signals for the operation of the electronic unit without any shielding.

[0021] In one embodiment, the compartment is placed at a sufficient distance from the bottom bracket of the crank arm so as to be spaced apart and not interfere with a possible electronic gear shift control unit.

[0022] In one embodiment, the lid is a unitary, roughly shell-shaped element with a front portion configured to at least partially envelope the diagonal tube of the frame and with a pair of rear appendages located below the tubes that support the axis of rotation of the rear wheel of the bicycle.

[0023] Preferably, the lid is connected to the frame by means of special screws that can be unscrewed using appropriate dedicated tools to reducethe risk of tampering.

[0024] In one embodiment, the battery is rechargeable and is connected to two electrical terminals by means of second electrical conductors, positioned on the lid and equipped with a removable magnetic protection / cap.

[0025] In another embodiment, the battery is rechargeable and is connected to a wireless charging device by means of second electrical conductors, and the wireless charging device is positioned on the lid and includes a coil.

[0026] In one embodiment, the electronic unit is a microcontroller board on which a first GPS module, a second GPRS universal monitoring module, a third LTE mobile phone module with Bluetooth protocol and an accelerometer sensor are installed.

[0027] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are conceived in accordance with the dependent claimsBrief description of the drawings

[0028] Further features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent in the light of the detailed description of an anti-theft system integrated into a bicycle.

[0029] The system is illustrated by way of a non-limiting example with the aim of the following drawing tables in which:FIG. 1 is a schematic of a bicycle with a monocoque or monolithic frame incorporating an anti-theft system according to the invention;FIG. 2 is a partially sectioned view in a vertical plane of the anti-theft system according to the invention;FIG. 3 is a view of a detail of FIG. 2;FIG. 4 is a perspective view from below of the system of FIG. 2.Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

[0030] With reference to the aforementioned figures, the anti-theft system according to the invention, indicated globally with the reference number 1 , essentially includes an anti-theft device generally indicated 2 associated with a bicycle frame 3.

[0031] The anti-theft device 2 essentially comprises an electroniccommunication / GPS unit 4 and a battery 5 to power the electronic unit 4.

[0032] The electronic unit 4 and the battery 5 are configured to be mounted and kept stable inside a special compartment 6 made in the frame, possibly with the aid of a polyurethane foam gasket or other plastic material with shape memory, not illustrated in the figures.

[0033] The bicycle frame 3 can be made up of a monolithic lattice structure of a type known per se, called a diamond structure, formed by a plurality of essentially cylindrical tubes in composite material, connected to each other at the nodes of the structure.

[0034] In a per se known manner, the lattice structure of frame 3 includes a substantially horizontal tube 7 joined at the front ends to a diagonal tube 8, and at the rear end to a substantially vertical tube 9 forming a support for a seat post 10.

[0035] The substantially vertical tube 9 is joined to the diagonal tube 8 and has a substantially horizontal transverse end hole 11 at the lower end thereof, which serves to house a crank bottom bracket, generally provided with a pair of bearings, generally ball bearings, not visible in the figures.

[0036] For sake of completeness, a pair of tubes 12 extend from the lower end of the substantially vertical tube 9, forming a fork that supports the rear axle of the rear wheel 14 at the rear end.

[0037] In one embodiment, the composite material of the tubes of the integral structure of the frame 3 is carbon fibre, characterised by very high strength and lightness but which has the disadvantage of being impenetrable to electromagnetic waves, forming a shield to signals coming from outside.

[0038] To conceal the anti-theft device and reduce the risk of tampering from outside, the compartment 6 of the anti-theft device 2 is formed in the substantially vertical tube 9 near the transverse end hole 11 .

[0039] Since bicycles with an integral carbon fibre structure are predominantly equipped with an electronically operated derailleur and an electronic control unit 14, generally housed near the crank arm 12.

[0040] In one embodiment of the system, the compartment 6 is placed at a sufficient distance from the bottom bracket of the crank to be spaced apartand not interfere with the aforementioned electronic gearshift control unit 14.

[0041] According to the invention, the compartment 6 has a lower opening 15 hermetically sealed by an external lid 16 placed in the lower part of the frame.

[0042] In one embodiment, the external lid 16 is associated with a plurality of antennae 17, 18, 19 connected by first electrical conductors 20 to the electronic communication / GPS unit 4.

[0043] Thanks to the arrangement of the antennas 17, 18, 19 outside the substantially vertical tube 9, the electronic unit 4 is able to receive and transmit electromagnetic signals for its operation, without any electromagnetic shielding.

[0044] In one embodiment, the lid 16 is a unitary, roughly shell-shaped element with a front portion 21 configured to at least partially envelop the diagonal tube 8 of the frame, a central portion 22 and a pair of rear appendages 23 placed below the pair of tubes 13 of the rear fork.

[0045] In one embodiment, the lid 16 is connected to the tube 9 of the frame by means of special screws 24 that can be unscrewed using appropriate dedicated tools to reduce the risk of tampering.

[0046] Battery 4 is rechargeable and connected to a contact recharge system, by means of second electrical conductors 26 to two contact terminals 27.

[0047] In this embodiment, the charging contacts 27 are positioned on the central portion 22 of the lid 16 and are protected by a removable cap 28 held in the closed position by a magnetic system, not shown in the figures.

[0048] In another embodiment, the wireless charging device 25 is positioned on the central portion 22 of the lid 16 and includes a coil, not visible in the figures.

[0049] In a per se known manner, the electronic unit 4 is preferably a microcontroller board on which a first GPS module, a second universal GPRS monitoring module, a third LTE mobile telephone module with Bluetooth protocol and an accelerometric sensor are installed, not visible in the figures.

[0050] The aerials 17, 18, 19 are naturally connected to the three aforementioned modules.

[0051] In one embodiment, the antennas 17, 18 and 19 are formed in a flexible laminar material, preferably Kapton, and are integrated into the lid 16 and protect the compartment 6 from shocks and atmospheric agents.

[0052] Preferably, the plastic material in which the aerials 17, 18, 19 are integrated has a substantially uniform thickness of between 4 and 6 mm, and is preferably close to 5 mm.

[0053] In one preferred embodiment, an electronic programme is installed on the board's microcontroller to activate the system's operation in a first “standby” mode, a second “travel and fall detection” mode, a third ‘sentinel’ mode and a fourth “theft / alarm” mode.

[0054] The above operating modes can be selected by the user through a special interface device or through a mobile phone.

[0055] The first “standby” operating mode provides that the bicycle, with the anti-theft system according to the invention, be positioned within a pre- established perimeter, defined by the user by means of a special app. In this first operating mode, the LTE mobile phone module is configured to send the user a notification in the event that the accelerometer sensor detects movement of the bicycle. The notification is followed by the generation of an alarm and a position signal according to predetermined intervals in TX mode.

[0056] In the second “travel and fall detection” operating mode the accelerometer sensor is activated to detect any fall and interact with the LTE mobile phone module, after which a notification is sent to the user's mobile phone via a special app and, in the event of no response, the GPS and LTE modules are activated to communicate the location of the cyclist involved in the accident.

[0057] In the third “sentinel” operating mode, the system is armed by the user when the bicycle is unattended, keeping the accelerometric sensor activated to send a message to the user's mobile phone via an app and bluetooth or LTE in case the bicycle is moved. In this fourth operating mode, “theft / alarm”, a notification is sent to the user's mobile phone at regularintervals of a predetermined duration.

[0058] Finally, the electronic software programme installed on the microcontroller is compiled in such a way as to use loT and Artificial Intelligence to optimise management and increase battery life according to the needs of individual components.

[0059] Although the system has been described with particular reference to the attached figures, the reference numbers used in the description and claims are used to improve the intelligence of the invention and do not constitute any limitation to the scope of protection claimed. Industrial Applicability

[0060] The present invention is industrially applicable insofar as it can be produced on industrial scale by companies in the bicycle accessories field.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An integrated anti-theft system (1 ) for a bicycle, which system includes an anti-theft device (2) incorporated in an integrally-structured bicycle frame (3), wherein the anti-theft device (2) comprises an electronic communication / GPS unit (4) and a battery (5) to power said electronic unit (4); wherein said electronic unit (4) and said battery (5) are configured to be mounted and held firmly in a special compartment (6) formed in said frame (3); wherein the integral structure of the frame (3) is formed by tubes made of composite material forming a screen for electromagnetic waves and includes at least one substantially vertical tube (9) with a transverse end hole (11 ) for a bottom bracket of a pedal crank (12); characterised in that said compartment (6) is located inside said substantially vertical tube (9) in proximity of said transverse end hole (11), said compartment (6) having a lower opening (15) hermetically sealed by an external lid (16) placed in the lowest part of the frame (3), said external lid (16) being associated with a plurality of aerials (17, 18, 19) connected by means of first electrical conductors (20) to said electronic communication / GPS unit (4) in such a way as to receive and transmit electromagnetic signals for the operation of said electronic unit (4) in the absence of shielding.

2. Anti-theft system as in claim 1 , in which said compartment (6) is located at a distance from the bottom bracket of the crank arm sufficient to be spaced apart and not interfere with a possible electronic control unit (14) of the gear shift.

3. Anti-theft system as in claim 1 , in which said lid (16) is a unitary member approximately shell-shaped with a front portion (21 ) configured so as to at least partially wrap around the diagonal tube?) of the frame (3), a central portion (22) designed to lid said opening (15) and a pair of rear appendages (23) located below the tubes (12) that support the axis of rotation of the rear wheel (13) of the bicycle.

4. Anti-theft system as in claim 1 , in which said lid (16) is connected to said frame (3) by means of special screws (24) that can be unscrewed using appropriate dedicated tools to reduce the risk of tampering.

5. Anti-theft system as in claim 1 , wherein said battery (5) is rechargeable and is connected to charging terminals (27) by means of second electrical conductors (26).

6. Anti-theft system as in claim 5, in which the charging terminals (25) are positioned on said central portion (22) of said lid (16) and protected by a removable cap held in the closed position by a system of magnets.

7. Anti-theft system as in claim 1 , in which said electronic unit (4) includes a microcontroller board on which a first GPS module, a second LTE mobile telephone communication module and a third short-range Bluetooth communication module and an accelerometric sensor are installed.

8. Anti-theft system as in claim 1 , in which the plurality of antennas includes three antennas (17, 18, 19) connected respectively to the first, second and third modules of the electronic unit.

9. Anti-theft system as in claim 8, in which the three antennas (17, 18, 19) are integrated in a relatively rigid plastic material (suitable for making the lid (16) and protecting the compartment (6) from impact and atmospheric agents.

10. Anti-theft system as per claim 7, in which an electronic programme is installed on the microcontroller of said board to activate the operation of the system in a first ‘standby’ mode, a second ‘travel and fall detection’ mode, a third ‘sentinel’ mode and a fourth ‘theft / alarm’ mode, these operating modes being selectable by a user through a special interface device or through a mobile phone.11 . Anti-theft system as per claim 11 , in which the operation in the first “standby” operating mode provides that the bicycle is positioned within an enclosure established by the user and that said LTE mobile telephone module sends the user a notification in the event of movement of the bicycle detected by said accelerometric sensor, followed by the generation of an alarm and a position signal according to predetermined intervals in TX mode.

12. Anti-theft system as per claim 11 , in which the operation in the second “travel and fall detection” operating mode provides that said accelerometric sensor be active in order to detect a possible fall and interact with said LTE mobile phone module to send a notification to the user's mobile phone via a special app and, in case of no response, the GPS and LTE modules are activated to communicate the location of the injured cyclist.

13. Anti-theft system as per claim 11 , in which the functioning of the system in the third “sentinel”operating mode provides that the system is armed by the user when the bicycle is unattended and the accelerometric sensor is activated to send a message to the user's mobile phone via an app and Bluetooth or LTE in case the bicycle is moved.

14. Anti-theft system as per claim 11 , in which the operation of the system in the fourth “theft / alarm”operating mode involves sending a notification to the user's mobile phone at regular intervals of predetermined duration.