Lock case and arrangement comprising a lock case

Abstract

The invention relates to a lock box (1) for attachment to an elongated tube (2) of a one-person vehicle, and to an arrangement comprising such a lock box (1). The lock case (1) is characterized by the fact that both the insertion opening (21) for the key and the insertion opening (31) for the insertion bolt (41) of a safety cable are angled relative to each other and to the axis (2') of the tube (2), to which the lock case (1) is detachably attached at least when the lock (20) is open, and that the two insertion openings (21, 31) are located on the same side of the tube axis (2'). As a result, the lock (20) can be conveniently operated from only one side of the single-person vehicle. The arrangement adds a safety cable (40) with an insertion bolt (41) to the lock case (1), which can be secured in the insertion opening (31) of the lock case (1) by the lock (20).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a lock case for fastening to an elongated tube of a single-person vehicle, as well as an arrangement comprising such a lock case.

[0002] Single-person vehicles, i.e., vehicles whose typical design is for transporting one person and also includes an elongated tube, are known from the state of the art. Scooters and bicycles, for example, meet these criteria.

[0003] Such scooters typically have two axles, each with a ground roller, between which a footboard is arranged. One of the ground rollers is steered via a handlebar whose handlebar is connected to a handlebar rod via a stem and guided by a steering column that, when the scooter is in running order, extends upwards essentially perpendicular to the footboard. The handlebars usually extend with their grips on either side of the handlebar and are often height-adjustable. Both the steering column and the handlebar—especially the section protruding from the steering column—can be considered an elongated tube.

[0004] The frame of a bicycle is usually made up of several tubes, with the top tube (if present), the seat tube and the down tube in particular being considered as a long, stretched tube.

[0005] Both scooters and bicycles can be equipped with a drive, especially an electric one.

[0006] Scooters, bicycles, and similar single-person vehicles have in common that they are generally easy to carry. As a result, to prevent theft, it is often necessary to secure a bicycle or scooter to a fixed object, such as a lamppost, bike rack, fence post, etc. Various suitable locks, such as cable locks, chain locks, or folding locks, are available for this purpose.

[0007] The disadvantage of these locks is that they can be cumbersome to use. In the case of a bicycle, these locks must first be threaded through the spokes or wheel frame and then around a fixed object before the lock can be closed by bringing the two free ends together. In the case of a scooter, there is often no suitable opening on the vehicle through which the lock could be threaded to ensure secure locking.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a device for connecting single-person vehicles in which the disadvantages of the prior art no longer occur or only occur to a reduced extent.

[0009] This object is achieved by a lock case according to claim 1 and an arrangement according to claim 10. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0010] Accordingly, the invention relates to a lock case for fastening to a tube of a single-person vehicle which is elongated along a tube axis, comprising a fastening area for the fixed location and angle of the lock case to an elongated tube, a lock which is arranged in the lock case in a non-detachable manner, at least in the closed state, with an insertion opening accessible from outside the lock case for inserting a key along a key axis and an insertion opening accessible from outside the lock case for inserting a mortise bolt along a bolt axis, wherein the insertion opening and lock are designed such that the lock, in the closed state, secures a mortise bolt inserted into the insertion opening by engaging in an undercut of the mortise bolt and, in the open state of the lock, a mortise bolt located in the insertion opening can be pulled out, wherein - at least when the lock is closed, a fastening element arranged in the fastening area is covered by the lock and thus cannot be removed, and a top view of the lock case mounted on an elongated tube - the key axis and the bolt axis are each at an angle to the pipe axis and to each other, and - the insertion openings for the key and for the insertion bolt are arranged on a common side opposite the pipe axis.

[0011] Furthermore, the invention relates to an arrangement comprising a lock case according to one of the preceding claims and a safety cable, wherein the safety cable has at one end a plug-in bolt with an undercut for interaction with the lock on the lock case.

[0012] The invention recognizes that by providing a lock case permanently mounted to a tube of a single-person vehicle, in combination with a specially designed safety cable, bicycles, but especially scooters, can be easily and securely locked to fixed objects. The inventive design of the lock case, with the key insertion openings and the safety cable insertion pins on the same side of the tube, the axes of which are each at an angle to the tube axis, makes operation of the lock and final connection particularly simple and convenient: The insertion pin of a safety cable looped around or permanently mounted to a fixed object simply needs to be inserted into the opening provided on the lock case and then secured by the lock.The lock can be operated from the same side of the single-person vehicle from which the safety cable is inserted. There's no need to thread the safety cable through openings in the frame or wheels of the single-person vehicle, nor is it necessary to reach around the frame of the single-person vehicle to operate the lock.

[0013] In order to ensure the necessary security when connecting the single-person vehicle, it is provided that a fastening element with which the lock case is connected to the pipe in its fastening area is covered by the lock after the lock has been inserted into the lock case and / or at least when the lock is in the closed position in such a way that it can no longer be released.

[0014] The angle between the key axis and the bolt axis in plan view is preferably 60° to 120°, more preferably 75° to 105°, particularly preferably 90°. The angle between the key axis and the tube axis in plan view is preferably 30° to 60°, more preferably 40° to 50°, particularly preferably 45°.

[0015] It is preferred if at least the key axis and the insertion axis run parallel to the planar plane or the plane of the top view. With such an arrangement of the axes, the top view is clearly defined—if necessary at all.

[0016] It is further preferred if the key axis, insertion axis, and tube axis each run parallel to a virtual plane. The angles between the individual axes are then fully mapped when projected onto this virtual plane. The virtual plane can, in particular, be the plane of the top view.

[0017] It is preferred if the fastening area has a through-hole for a screw as a fastening element, which is arranged such that an inserted screw is concealed, at least when the lock is closed, by the lock itself or by a mortise bolt secured by the lock. This prevents the use of a screwdriver and / or the complete loosening of the screw and thus the lock case (at least in the closed position).

[0018] It is preferred if the fastening area has two through-holes, each for a screw as a fastening element, wherein the arrangement and diameter of the through-holes are preferably adapted to the screw connection of drinking bottle cages on bicycles. The lock case can thus be easily attached to bicycles designed for the attachment of drinking bottle cages.

[0019] To accommodate pipes of different diameters or special shapes, the lock case's mounting area can feature interchangeable shims, each adapted to the different diameters of the pipe to which the lock case is to be attached. When installing the lock case, simply select a shim that matches the pipe diameter. The shims are preferably designed so that they are also permanently attached once the lock case is attached. For example, a shim can have through holes for the fasteners securing the lock case, so that the shim is also held in place by the fasteners.

[0020] The lock case itself, any existing compensating piece, or a separate element positioned between the lock case and the compensating piece and attached to the tube together with the lock case can be shaped to fulfill an additional function. For example, a hook or a water bottle holder can be formed. If the lock case is attached to the handlebar or steering tube of a scooter, the hook can be used, for example, to hold a safety cable that can be used with the lock case when not in use. For bicycles, a design that serves as a water bottle holder is a good option.

[0021] The lock case according to the invention is preferably part of an assembly further comprising a safety cable, at one end of which a mortise bolt with an undercut is provided for interaction with the lock case's bolt. In other words, the safety cable should be adapted to the mortise opening of the lock case and be able to be secured therein by the lock. The undercut can, for example, be a groove running circumferentially around the bolt.

[0022] The safety rope preferably has a loop or eyelet at the other end—that is, the end remote from the insertion bolt—for optionally forming a loop with the safety rope. The design of the safety rope allows for easy securing of the single-person vehicle to a fixed object, around which the safety rope can be guided before forming the loop.

[0023] The safety rope can have a metal wire core and / or an internal metal chain. A suitable core protects the safety rope from attacks, for example, from bolt cutters or gas torches.

[0024] The single-person vehicle is preferably a bicycle or a scooter, preferably with an electric drive.

[0025] The invention also extends to the special case where the inner diameter of the pipe is zero.

[0026] The invention will now be described by way of example using advantageous embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show: Fig. 1: a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a lock case according to the invention in the state mounted on a pipe; Fig. 2: a schematic plan view of the lock case according to Fig. 1; Fig. 3: a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a lock case according to the invention; Fig. 4: a schematic representation of a third embodiment of a lock case according to the invention; and Fig. 5: a schematic representation of a safety rope for use with one of the lock cases of Fig. 1 to 4.

[0027] In Fig. 1 schematically shows a first embodiment of a lock case 1 according to the invention in a state mounted on a tube 2 of a single-person vehicle (not shown) that is elongated along the tube axis 2'. Fig. 2 shows the lock case 1 in plan view, where in Fig. 1 the top view 3 is sketched together with the sheet plane 3', onto which the top view 3 is projected parallel.

[0028] In Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, individual elements located inside the lock case 1 are shown in dashed lines.

[0029] The lock case 1 is connected to the tube 2 at its fastening area 10 in a fixed position and angle by means of two screws 11, 11'. One of the two screws 11 is guided inside the lock case 1 through a designated through-opening and can generally be operated via an access opening provided with a suitable cover 12. The screw 11 is guided not only through a through-opening in the lock case 1 itself, but also through a corresponding opening in a compensating piece 13 and an element 14 arranged between the lock case 1 and the compensating piece 13, whereby the lock case 1, the compensating piece 13, and the intermediate element 14 interact in such a form-fitting manner that, when fastened together with the screw 11, they are angularly fixed to one another.

[0030] The compensating piece 13 serves to convert the essentially flat underside of the lock case 1 into a curved contact surface adapted to the radius of the tube 2 in order to achieve a precise fit.

[0031] The element 14 extends beyond the lock case 11 and comprises an extension arm 15 with a further through-opening as part of the fastening area 10, through which the other screw 11' is guided. The fastening area 10 is thus fastened to the tube 2 with two screws 11, 11', whereby the lock case 1 is not only fixed in position but also fixed in angle to the tube 2. The spacing of the screws 11, 11' or the openings through which they are guided corresponds to the spacing known from bottle cages for bicycles.

[0032] In order to prevent unauthorized loosening and removal of the lock case 1 from the tube 2, the screw 11 is secured in the fully assembled state by a bolt arranged inside the lock case 1 and therefore in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the lock 20, shown only in dashed lines, is concealed and thus no longer accessible through the opening provided with the cover 12. Although the screw 11' can in principle be easily loosened, due to the existing fastening with the screw 11, which cannot be loosened, the lock case 1 cannot be removed but remains secured to the tube 2.

[0033] It is possible for the lock 20 to completely conceal the screw 11, in which case the lock case 1 must first be installed before the lock 20 is inserted into it. Alternatively, the lock 20 can be designed such that it only conceals the screw 11 when closed. In this case, the screw 11 is accessible when the lock 20 is open, so that the lock case 1 can be installed and removed—but only when the lock 20 is in the open position.

[0034] The lock 20 has a mortise opening 21 accessible from outside the lock case 1 (see in particular Fig. 3 and Fig. 4) for inserting a key along a key axis 22.

[0035] Furthermore, in the lock case 1 there is an insertion opening 31 accessible from outside the lock case 1 for inserting an insertion bolt 41 (cf. Fig. 5) along a bolt axis 32. The insertion opening 31 and the lock 20 are designed and arranged such that the lock 20, in the closed state, engages an insertion bolt 41 inserted into the insertion opening 31 by engaging in an undercut 42 of the insertion bolt 41 (cf. Fig. 5) and when the lock 20 is open, a plug-in bolt 41 located in the plug-in opening 31 can be pulled out.

[0036] The lock case 1 according to the invention is characterized by the special position of the various axes 2', 22, 32 and insertion openings 21, 31 relative to each other. The position in question is defined in the plan view, as shown in Fig. 2. Both the tube axis 2' and the two insertion axes 22, 32 run parallel to the sheet plane 3'.

[0037] As from Fig. 2, the angle between the key axis and the bolt axis is 90°, and the angle between the key axis and the tube axis is 45°. Furthermore, the two insertion openings 21, 31 for keys and insert bolts are arranged on the same side opposite the tube axis 2. This allows for particularly simple and convenient locking of the lock 20 arranged in the lock case 1 with simultaneous insertion of an insert bolt 41 (cf. Fig. 5) is possible.

[0038] In Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 shows further embodiments of a lock case 1 according to the invention, which largely correspond to the embodiment according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, which is why reference is made to the above explanations and only the relevant differences are discussed below.

[0039] In the embodiment according to Fig. 3, the element 14 arranged between the lock case 1 and the compensating piece 13 extends beyond the opening provided for the screw 11' and is shaped as a hook 15. A safety cable 20, for example, can be hung from the hook when not in use.

[0040] In the embodiment according to Fig. 4, the element 14 in question is not designed as a hook 15, but rather as a drinking bottle holder 16 for receiving a drinking bottle 4.

[0041] A lock case 1 according to Fig. 1 to 4 usable safety rope 40 is in Fig. 5. The safety cable 40 can be designed, for example, according to WO 2019 / 115430 A1 and comprises a core cable made of metal wire or an internal chain, which is surrounded by a textile mesh, braid, or fabric. An eyelet 43 is provided at the end of the safety cable 40 remote from the insertion bolt 41 with undercut 42. With the aid of the eyelet 43, a loop can be created by passing the cable end with the insertion bolt 41 through, for example, to be placed around fixed objects to secure a one-person vehicle, and by inserting the insertion bolt 41 into the insertion opening 31 of a lock case according to the Fig. 1, Fig. 3 or Fig. 4 can be secured. A joint representation of the safety cable 40 and the lock case 1 is unnecessary for the specialist. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 2019 / 115430 A1

[0041]

Claims

[1] Lock case (1) for fastening to a tube (2) of a single-person vehicle which is elongated along a tube axis (2'), comprising a fastening area (10) for the fixed location and angle of the lock case (1) to an elongated tube (2), a lock (20) which is arranged in the lock case (1) in a non-detachable manner, at least in the closed state, with an insertion opening (21) accessible from outside the lock case (1) for inserting a key along a key axis (22) and an insertion opening (31) accessible from outside the lock case (1) for inserting an insertion bolt (41) along a bolt axis (32), wherein the insertion opening (31) and the lock (20) are designed in such a way,that the lock (20) in the closed state secures a plug-in bolt (41) inserted into the insertion opening (31) by engaging in an undercut (42) of the plug-in bolt (41) and in the open state of the lock (20) a plug-in bolt (41) located in the insertion opening (31) can be pulled out, wherein, - at least in the closed state of the lock (20), a fastening element (11) arranged in the fastening area (10) is covered by the lock (20) and thus cannot be removed, and in a plan view (3) of the lock case (1) mounted on an elongated tube (2) - the key axis (22) and the bolt axis (32) each extend at an angle to the tube axis (2') and to each other, and - the insertion openings (21, 31) for the key and for the insertion bolt are arranged on a common side opposite the tube axis (2'). [2] Lock case according to claim 1, characterized bythat the angle between the key axis (22) and the bolt axis (32) is 60° to 120°, preferably 75° to 105°, more preferably 90°. [3] Lock case according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the angle between the key axis (22) and the pipe axis (2') is 30° to 60°, preferably 40° to 50°, more preferably 45°. [4] Lock case according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least the key axis (22) and the insertion axis (32) run parallel to the planar plane (3') of the top view (3). [5] Lock case according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the key axis (22), insertion axis (32) and tube axis (2') each run parallel to a virtual plane and / or to the planar plane (3') of the top view (3). [6] Lock case according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the fastening area (10) has a through-opening for a screw (11) as a fastening element, which is arranged such that an inserted screw (11) is covered by the lock (20) or an insert bolt (40) secured thereby, at least in the closed state of the lock (20). [7] Lock case according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the fastening area (10) has two through-openings for one screw each (11, 11') as a fastening element, wherein the through-openings are preferably adapted in arrangement and diameter to the screw connection of drinking bottle holders on bicycles. [8] Lock case according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the fastening area (10) of the lock case (1) has an exchangeable compensating piece (13) for adapting the fastening area (10) to the diameter of the tube (2). [9] Lock case according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the lock case (1), a compensating piece (13) or a separate element (14) to be arranged between the lock case (1) and a compensating piece (14) or between the lock case (1) and the tube (2) and to be fastened to the tube (2) together with the lock case (10) is shaped to fulfil an additional function, preferably as a hook (15) or drinking bottle holder (16). [10] Arrangement comprising a lock case (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a safety cable (40), wherein the safety cable (40) has at one end an insert bolt (41) with an undercut (42) for cooperating with the lock (20) on the lock case (1). [11] Arrangement according to claim 10, characterized by that the safety rope (40) has a loop or an eyelet (43) at the end remote from the insertion bolt (41) for optionally forming a loop with the safety rope (40). [12] Arrangement according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by that the safety rope (40) has a core rope made of metal wire and / or an internal chain made of metal.

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