FRAME LOCK

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a frame lock for a bicycle. A frame lock according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from DE 103 09 599 A1. Another frame lock is disclosed, for example, in DE 18 42 230 U.

[0002] Frame locks typically differ from mobile bicycle locks in that they are firmly and usually permanently connected to the frame of the bicycle, for example screwed to the struts of a bicycle's frame. The frame lock is arranged in such a way that a locking shackle of the frame lock can be selectively adjusted from an open position, in which it does not lock the wheels of the bicycle against rotation, to a closed position in which it engages between the spokes of one of the wheels to prevent the bicycle from being ridden. In this closed position, the locking shackle can expediently be locked by means of a locking device on the frame lock, i.e. secured against leaving the closed position, whereby a user must have a locking secret, such as a key, to unlock the locking device.Typical designs for the locking bracket are, on the one hand, a swivel bracket with a straight course and, on the other hand, a rotating bracket with a circular arc.

[0003] To ensure that the locking shackle of the frame lock can reliably lock the respective wheel of the bicycle in its closed position, but is safely positioned outside the path of movement of the wheel in its open position, and to ensure that the locking shackle can be adjusted freely between these positions, the frame lock must be attached to the bicycle in a suitable position for this purpose. It is particularly common to attach a frame lock to the two rear stays of the bicycle, i.e. to the two stays of the rear frame of the bicycle that connect the seat tube to the hub of the rear wheel on opposite sides of the rear wheel. For attaching accessories, the rear stays often have threaded bushings to which the frame lock can be screwed.However, due to the multitude of different types of bicycles and the general trend toward greater customization, bicycles can have very different frame geometries, so the positions of the threaded bushings relative to each other and to the respective bicycle can vary considerably. Furthermore, it may also happen that a bicycle has no threaded bushings or none suitable for attaching the respective frame lock.

[0004] It is an object of the invention to provide a frame lock for a two-wheeler, the attachment of which to the two-wheeler is simple and particularly flexible in that it can be adapted to a large number of different frame geometries, and to provide a method for the simple and flexible attachment of the frame lock to a two-wheeler.

[0005] The object is achieved by a frame lock having the features of claim 1 and by a method according to claim 15. Advantageous embodiments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims, the present description and the figures.

[0006] The frame lock for a bicycle according to the invention comprises a housing, a locking device accommodated in the housing, and a locking bar that is movably mounted on the housing between an open position and a closed position and can be locked in the closed position by means of the locking device. The locking bar can be designed, for example, as a pivoting bar or a rotating bar.

[0007] In keeping with the usual function of a frame lock, the frame lock can in particular be designed to be arranged on the two-wheeler in such a way that the locking bracket, in its closed position, locks a wheel of the two-wheeler against rotation, whereas in its open position it allows it to rotate. The locking bracket is in principle movable between the closed and open positions, for example, adjustable by hand. However, this fundamental mobility can be eliminated by the locking device, which can lock the locking bracket in the closed position. For this purpose, the locking device can be adjustable between a locked state, in which it locks the locking bracket in its closed position, and a released state, in which it allows the locking bracket to move between its closed and open positions.Changing the locking device from the locked state to the unlocked state preferably requires the use of a locking secret. This ensures that only an authorized person can unlock the locking bar and thus open the frame lock.

[0008] The locking device can, for example, comprise a bolt that can cooperate with the striker to form a locking mechanism. Furthermore, the locking device can comprise a locking cylinder via which the bolt can be actuated, in which case the locking secret can be in the form of a key assigned to the locking cylinder. The bolt can also be motor-adjustable, which can enable remote operation. For this purpose, the locking device can comprise a motor and, if necessary, communication means.

[0009] The type of mobility of the locking bracket is defined in particular by its mounting on the housing. For example, the locking bracket can be pivotally mounted on the housing. Alternatively, the locking bracket can be at least partially received in a bracket receptacle of the housing and can be displaced therein by the bracket receptacle along its course. In principle, this can involve linear displaceability along a straight path. Preferably, the locking bracket is a rotating bracket that extends along a circular path and can be displaced along this circular path between its open position and its closed position. Such a displacement of the rotating bracket along the circular path is not linear, as it is not a pure translation, but corresponds to a rotation about an axis of rotation that runs perpendicular to the plane of the circular path through the center of the circular path.

[0010] For attachment to the two-wheeler, the frame lock has two attachment sections, each with at least one hole. At least one such hole is formed in each of the two attachment sections. The frame lock is designed to be attached to the two-wheeler by screwing screws through the holes in a screwing-in direction into threaded bushings provided on the two-wheeler, in particular on the rear stays of the two-wheeler. In other words, the attachment sections and in particular their respective holes are designed and arranged on the frame lock in such a way that such attachment is possible by means of screws screwed through the holes into the threaded bushings. For this purpose, the attachment sections can be arranged in particular on a rear side of the frame lock or of its housing, which is designed to rest on the rear stays of the two-wheeler.

[0011] The holes formed in the fastening sections are in particular shaped and aligned within the respective fastening section such that a respective screw can extend through them in the said screwing direction. For example, an inlet cross-section and an outlet cross-section of the respective hole, which the respective hole has at its opposite ends, can be perpendicular to the screwing direction. Preferably, the holes extend continuously through the respective fastening section such that a screwed-in screw can rest against the hole with its head on one side of the hole and can protrude from the hole with its shank on the opposite side of the hole. The screw can in particular be a screw with a metric ISO thread of size M 5. The holes in the fastening sections then expediently have corresponding dimensions.

[0012] The number of fastening sections (and thus also the number of holes provided for fastening the frame lock using screws) is not limited to two. However, the frame lock preferably has exactly two fastening sections of the type mentioned, in each of which exactly one hole is formed to accommodate a respective screw, as this reduces the complexity of the fastening. A screw can then be screwed through the hole of one of the two fastening sections into a threaded bushing provided on one side of the respective wheel of the two-wheeler, in particular on one of two rear stays of the two-wheeler, and a screw can be screwed through the hole of the other fastening section into a threaded bushing provided on the other side of the respective wheel, in particular on the other of the two rear stays.

[0013] The threaded bushings can, for example, each be designed as a base with an internal thread, whereby the base can be welded or soldered to the two-wheeler, in particular to a respective rear strut of the two-wheeler. In principle, the threaded bushings can also be retrofitted, for example as screw-on bases with an internal thread that are initially independent of the two-wheeler and can be attached to the two-wheeler, and can be fastened to the two-wheeler in the desired position using fastening means. Such retrofittable threaded bushings can be provided as accessories for the frame lock. In principle, however, the threaded bushings are not an integral part of the frame lock and, in particular, are not provided on its housing or its fastening pieces.

[0014] According to the invention, each of the two fastening sections is designed as a fastening piece formed separately from the housing, in which the respective hole is formed and which is mounted on the housing so as to be linearly displaceable along a displacement direction. Since the two fastening sections are each designed as such a fastening piece, the frame lock comprises at least two, in particular exactly two, such fastening pieces. The fastening pieces are preferably structurally identical to one another, which simplifies their manufacture.

[0015] The fact that the two fastening pieces are formed separately from the housing does not mean that they have no connection to the housing or are spaced apart from the housing, but rather that they are formed as components that are fundamentally independent of the housing, which in particular can be manufactured separately from the housing and can also be made of a different material than the housing. In fact, the two fastening pieces are connected to the housing, namely are movably mounted on the housing. This mobility involves displaceability along a displacement direction. In other words, the respective fastening piece can be displaced relative to the housing both in the displacement direction and also in the opposite direction.

[0016] The direction of displacement can be identical for both fastening pieces. However, this is not necessarily the case; rather, each of the two fastening pieces can be mounted on the housing so that it can move along a respective direction of displacement, whereby the directions of displacement of the two fastening pieces can differ. In both cases, it can be advantageous if the (respective) direction of displacement is perpendicular to the screwing direction in which, in order to attach the frame lock to the two-wheeler, screws can be screwed through the hole in the respective fastening piece into threaded bushings provided on the two-wheeler. In principle, however, it is also conceivable for the (respective) direction of displacement to deviate from an orientation perpendicular to the screwing direction, for example by an angle of no more than 15°, preferably of no more than 10°, in particular of no more than 5°.It may be advantageous if both displacement directions deviate from an orientation perpendicular to the screw-in direction by the same angle, but in opposite directions. In particular, the two displacement directions can be aligned mirror-symmetrically to each other with respect to the screw-in direction or a plane parallel to the screw-in direction.

[0017] The displaceability of the fastening pieces is linear in particular insofar as each of the fastening pieces can be displaced in a straight line along the respective displacement direction. In this case, the respective fastening piece is guided along the respective displacement direction, in particular by the type of its mounting on the housing. This can in particular mean that the respective fastening piece, within the scope of its displaceability, can only be displaced along the respective displacement direction and is not movable in any other direction or manner relative to the housing (apart from any play that may be present). In particular, it can be provided that the respective fastening piece is neither rotatable nor pivotable relative to the housing. Overall, the mobility of the fastening piece resulting from the mounting of the respective fastening piece on the housing preferably has exactly one degree of freedom.

[0018] To enable the mounting pieces to serve as fastening sections for attaching the frame lock to the bicycle, they are preferably mounted on an outer side of the housing. In particular, the mounting pieces can be arranged entirely outside the housing and can be movable.

[0019] Furthermore, it is preferred that the two fastening pieces are at least substantially rigid. As rigid components, they are not designed to be deformed for attachment to the two-wheeler. Rather, each of the fastening pieces is designed to retain its shape, in which it is mounted on the housing for linear displacement, both during and after attachment to the two-wheeler.

[0020] While in conventional frame locks, fastening sections for fastening the respective frame lock to the two-wheeler are generally formed as an integral part of the housing, with the holes formed in the fastening sections being formed, for example, in a rear wall of the housing or in flange sections of the housing, in the frame lock according to the invention, the fastening sections are formed separately from the housing and, moreover, are mounted in a guided, displaceable manner relative to the housing. In this way, it is achieved that the position of the fastening sections, in particular of the holes formed therein, can be adapted to the frame geometry of the respective two-wheeler, so that the frame lock according to the invention can be attached to two-wheelers with different frame geometries in a particularly flexible manner.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment, the displacement directions of both fastening pieces are at least substantially parallel to one another. Effectively, in such an embodiment, both fastening pieces are mounted on the housing in a guided, displaceable manner along the same displacement direction common to both fastening pieces. As a result, the two fastening pieces can be displaced toward or away from one another relative to one another along the common displacement direction, so that the distance between the holes formed in the two fastening pieces can be flexibly adjusted. Furthermore, the two fastening pieces can be displaced together in the same direction relative to the housing.Therefore, the frame lock as a whole (apart from the fastening pieces) can be moved relative to both fastening pieces, which allows for subsequent adjustment of the position of the frame lock relative to the threaded bushings, even after screwing screws through the holes in the fastening pieces into the threaded bushings. In principle, however, it is also possible for the two displacement directions to be aligned at an angle to each other. For example, they can enclose an angle of no more than 30°, preferably no more than 20°, and in particular no more than 10°. The plane spanned by the two displacement directions is preferably parallel to the screwing direction.

[0022] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the respective hole is designed as an elongated hole whose longitudinal extent is transverse, in particular perpendicular, to the direction of displacement of the respective fastening piece. In particular, the elongated hole can have a straight course and, with respect to the direction of this course, can be oriented transversely, in particular perpendicular, to the direction of displacement of the respective fastening piece. Preferably, the longitudinal extent of the elongated hole is also transversely, in particular perpendicular, to the aforementioned screw-in direction. If a fastening piece has more than one hole that can be used to attach the frame lock to the two-wheeler, each of these holes is preferably designed as an elongated hole and oriented transversely, in particular perpendicular, to the direction of displacement of the respective fastening piece. In particular, the multiple elongated holes of a respective fastening piece can then be aligned parallel to one another.

[0023] By combining the linear displacement of the fastening pieces with elongated holes formed in the fastening pieces and aligned transversely to this displacement, the flexible adaptability of the frame lock to different frame geometries of various two-wheelers is significantly improved.Because the screws within the elongated holes can be moved along the longitudinal extent of the respective elongated hole and, in addition, the fastening pieces in which the elongated holes are formed can be moved transversely thereto, not only can the distance between the elongated holes be adapted to the distance between the threaded bushings, but the housing of the frame lock can also be moved into a suitable position relative to the threaded bushings in the manner of a cross slide, both along the direction of movement of the fastening pieces and transversely thereto along the longitudinal extent of the elongated holes (at least as long as the screws have not yet been tightened).This applies in particular if the fastening pieces can be moved parallel to one another, in which case the elongated holes formed in the two fastening pieces are preferably also aligned parallel to one another.

[0024] Furthermore, it is preferred that the fastening pieces are captively mounted on the housing so that they cannot detach themselves from the housing (e.g., due to gravity), even when the frame lock is not yet attached to the bicycle. Within the distance along which they are mounted on the housing in a guided, displaceable manner relative to the latter, they can be held to the housing precisely by this guide. To prevent the fastening pieces from detaching from the housing at the ends of their guided displacement, means can be provided that prevent the fastening pieces from being moved beyond these ends.

[0025] Accordingly, according to a further advantageous embodiment, stops can be formed on the housing and / or on the fastening pieces, which limit the displaceability of the fastening pieces to a defined distance along the displacement direction of the respective fastening piece. Thus, the fastening pieces can generally be moved freely within the distance along the respective displacement direction, but at the ends of the distance they abut against a stop formed on the respective fastening piece and / or against a stop formed on the housing, so that they cannot be moved beyond the defined distance and cannot detach from the housing (at least not automatically).

[0026] It can be provided that at least one respective stop can be elastically pushed back, for example in order to be able to mount the respective fastening piece on the housing, in particular to insert it into the bearing on the housing, and / or to be able to detach it from the housing, for example for replacement. During assembly of the fastening piece on the housing, the respective stop can elastically return from its pushed-back position to its normal position after the fastening piece has been attached to the housing. In this way, the fastening piece can engage in its displaceable bearing on the housing.

[0027] According to a further advantageous embodiment, each of the fastening pieces is designed as a flat fastening plate aligned parallel to a fastening plane, wherein the displacement direction of the respective fastening piece is parallel to the fastening plane. In principle, if the fastening pieces are designed as fastening plates, one fastening plate can be aligned and displaceable parallel to a different respective fastening plane than another. Preferably, however, it is the same fastening plane in each case, so that the fastening plates are aligned and displaceable parallel to a common fastening plane.

[0028] The fastening plates are flat in particular in that they each have two side surfaces that are perpendicular to a normal direction and opposite with respect to the normal direction, the distance between which side surfaces along the normal direction is significantly smaller than their respective extension in two spatial directions that are perpendicular to one another and to the normal direction. In particular, this distance amounts to a maximum of 50%, preferably a maximum of 40%, of the smallest extension of a respective side surface in a spatial direction perpendicular to the normal direction. The fact that a respective fastening plate is parallel to a plane means in particular that the direction of smallest extension of the respective fastening plate (which may correspond to the said normal direction) is perpendicular to this plane. One of the two said side surfaces of the respective fastening plate that are perpendicular to the normal direction can lie in the fastening plane.In particular, both such a side surface of one fastening plate and such a side surface of the other fastening plate can lie in a common fastening plane.

[0029] For a frame lock, it is expedient if the housing has a C- or U-shape so that the frame lock can be arranged on the two-wheeler in such a way that the housing of the frame lock, with the C- or U-shaped legs, can engage around the tire and rim of a wheel of the two-wheeler, and the locking bracket of the frame lock, in its closed position, can extend between the spokes of the wheel from one leg to the other, thus locking the wheel against rotation. The C- or U-shape of the housing can be at least substantially mirror-symmetrical with respect to a central plane running between the two legs of the C- or U-shape. In particular, this central plane can be parallel to the screwing direction in which, for fastening the frame lock to the two-wheeler, screws can be screwed through the holes in the fastening sections into threaded bushings provided on the two-wheeler.

[0030] The mentioned mirror symmetry does not imply that the housing as a whole must be exactly mirror-symmetrical, but refers to the idealized C- or U-shape to which the housing can be reduced when viewed in a simplified manner.

[0031] According to an advantageous embodiment, the paths along which the two fastening pieces are displaceable are mirror-symmetrical to each other with respect to the aforementioned center plane. In particular, the displacement directions of both fastening pieces can be perpendicular to this center plane (and thus also parallel to each other). If the holes formed in the fastening pieces are each designed as elongated holes, their respective longitudinal extension is preferably parallel to the aforementioned center plane. Such symmetries and alignments allow the frame lock to be positioned equally flexibly in both directions perpendicular to the center plane.

[0032] According to a further advantageous embodiment, each of the fastening pieces is designed in at least two parts and comprises a first fastening part and a second fastening part, which are firmly connected to one another, wherein the first fastening part has a hole and the second fastening part has a hole, and the holes of the two fastening parts are arranged to overlap with respect to the screwing-in direction such that they together form the at least one hole of the respective fastening piece. The respective fastening piece is designed in two parts in that the first fastening part and the second fastening part are two separate parts that are manufactured from one another and together form the fastening piece, although it is not fundamentally excluded that the fastening piece may also comprise further parts.

[0033] The first fastening part can be a front part in the screw-in direction, and the second fastening part can be a rear part in the screw-in direction, so that the second fastening part is arranged further in the screw-in direction than the first fastening part. The first fastening part preferably comprises a metal as its material and can be designed, for example, as a stamped sheet metal plate. The second fastening part can be made, for example, of a plastic as its material and can be designed, for example, as an injection-molded part.

[0034] The fact that the two fastening parts are firmly connected to one another means, in particular, that they are permanently connected to one another, meaning that they are not intended to be detached from one another during normal use of the frame lock. Furthermore, the fastening parts are preferably connected to one another in such a way that they are not movable relative to one another, at least along the sliding direction. Furthermore, it is preferred that the first fastening part and the second fastening part are connected to one another in a form-fitting manner. In particular, they can be clipped together so that when the two fastening parts are connected, one engages the other in a form-fitting manner.

[0035] The at least one hole formed in the respective fastening piece extends through the two fastening parts of the respective fastening piece, so that both fastening parts each have a hole themselves and the hole in the fastening piece results from the overlap of the two holes formed in a respective one of the two fastening parts. The holes overlap in this case with regard to the screw-in direction in that they are located one behind the other along the screw-in direction, so that when viewed along the screw-in direction one hole covers the other. The through hole in the fastening piece has the shape of the intersection of the shapes of the holes in the fastening parts from which the fastening piece is formed. The holes in the fastening parts are preferably at least substantially congruent.In particular, they can each be designed as an elongated hole and have the same length (extension along the longitudinal direction) and width (extension perpendicular to the longitudinal direction). The holes of the two fastening parts do not necessarily have to be directly adjacent to each other along the screw-in direction, but can also be arranged at a certain distance from each other.

[0036] The fastening pieces can be mounted on the housing in a linearly guided manner along their respective displacement direction by forming grooves on the fastening pieces or on the housing into which webs provided on the respective other component engage. Preferably, the grooves and webs have a straight profile and are aligned parallel to the displacement direction with respect to their respective profiles.

[0037] According to a further advantageous embodiment, each of the fastening pieces has one or more grooves aligned parallel to the direction of displacement, with a respective web formed on the housing engaging in each of the grooves. The alignment of the grooves parallel to the direction of displacement refers to their respective course. The webs engaging in the grooves are aligned accordingly to enable the respective fastening piece to be displaced relative to the housing. The webs can, for example, be formed as sheet metal edges that protrude from an outer side of the housing.

[0038] Preferably, each of the fastening pieces has two grooves arranged opposite one another, in particular with respect to a direction perpendicular to the displacement direction. The grooves can be provided, for example, on two opposite edges of the respective fastening part, in particular on opposite edge sides of a respective fastening part designed as a flat fastening plate. The grooves are arranged opposite one another, in particular, in that they extend into the fastening piece from opposite directions, in particular toward one another, and accordingly point with the open side of their respective cross-sections in opposite directions, in particular away from one another.

[0039] The webs formed on the housing, which engage in the grooves of a respective fastening piece, can in particular be arranged such that they engage in a respective groove from opposite directions toward each other. The respective fastening piece can thus be arranged between the webs. In particular, the respective fastening piece can be inserted between the webs formed on the housing for mounting on the housing.

[0040] The grooves can be designed to be open at at least one of their ends or at both ends in order to enable the aforementioned insertion. However, it can also be provided that one or more of the grooves, in particular all of the grooves, are closed at at least one of their ends by a locking section, so that the web engaging in the respective groove cannot leave the groove at this end. The locking section can therefore function as a stop, as described above, and as such limit the displaceability of the respective fastening piece in at least one direction. The locking section can be designed to be elastically retractable so that the respective web can be guided past the locking section for assembly or replacement of the respective fastening piece.

[0041] If the fastening pieces are formed in two parts as explained, it is advantageous if one or more of the grooves are formed between the two fastening parts of the respective fastening piece. The groove can then be defined transversely to its course on one side by one fastening part and on the other side by the other fastening part. The bottom of the groove can be formed partially by one and partially by the other fastening part, or even by just one of the two fastening parts. In principle, the bottom of the groove can also be at least partially open.

[0042] In such an embodiment, in which one or more grooves are formed between the two fastening parts of the respective fastening piece, it is further advantageous if the fastening parts of the respective fastening piece, at least as long as the frame lock is not yet fastened to the two-wheeler, have play with respect to one another in the screwing-in direction, i.e. are movable relative to one another in the screwing-in direction at least to a certain extent, and are designed to be tensioned against one another along the screwing-in direction by the screw screwed through the hole in the fastening piece when the frame lock is fastened to the two-wheeler in such a way that at least one of the webs of the housing engaging in a respective groove in the fastening piece is clamped in the respective groove.In this way, tightening the screw allows for a frictional locking of the fastening piece's position along its displacement direction. However, as long as the screw is only screwed in but not yet tightened, the fastening piece can still be moved relative to the housing, allowing the housing to be flexibly positioned relative to the threaded bushings provided on the bicycle.

[0043] According to a further advantageous embodiment, a receptacle for receiving a screw-on base with an internal thread is formed in each of the fastening pieces on the side facing in the screw-in direction, which receptacle widens the hole of the respective fastening piece on one side in some areas. Such screw-on bases with an internal thread can replace threaded bushings on two-wheelers that do not have threaded bushings in a suitable location and can be retrofitted to a respective two-wheeler for this purpose. The frame lock can then be designed to be attached to the two-wheeler by screwing screws through the holes in the screw-in direction into the screw-on bases with an internal thread attached to the two-wheeler. For this purpose, the receptacle can be formed in particular in the region of the hole of the respective fastening piece.

[0044] Since the screw-on bases (unlike threaded bushings permanently formed on the bicycle) are not fixed to a precisely defined position on the bicycle, it may be expedient to instead clearly define their position relative to a respective fastening piece of the frame lock. For this purpose, the aforementioned receptacle can be designed to complement the shape of the screw-on base, so that the screw-on base can be accommodated in the receptacle transversely to the screw-in direction with at least essentially no play.

[0045] While the hole does not need to be significantly wider than the diameter of the internal thread of the screw-on base to accommodate the screw, the receptacle must be able to accommodate the screw-on base, which is wider than the internal thread, and is therefore wider than the hole, at least in some areas. If the hole is designed as an elongated hole, the receptacle can serve, in particular, to fix the screw-on base to a specific position along the longitudinal extent of the elongated hole. For this purpose, the elongated hole is preferably widened by the receptacle not along its entire longitudinal extent, but only in a region of the longitudinal extent corresponding to the position, for example, in the central area.

[0046] In order to be able to accommodate the screw-on base, it is sufficient if the receptacle is formed on the side of the respective fastening piece pointing in the screwing direction and the hole in the fastening piece is therefore only widened on one side, i.e. only on the said side and in particular not continuously, especially since a continuous widening would pose the risk that the screw could pass through the hole with its head and thus the fastening piece could not be fastened to the screw-on base.

[0047] The screw-on bases can be independent of the frame lock. However, it is expedient for a user of the frame lock if the screw-on bases are included with the frame lock. Therefore, in the above embodiment, it is further advantageous if the frame lock comprises two strap clamps designed for attachment to a respective strut, in particular the rear strut, of the bicycle. Each of the strap clamps has a screw-on base with an internal thread arranged on the respective strap clamp, which has a shape complementary to the receptacles formed in the fastening pieces.

[0048] The screw-on bases can be attached to the bicycle using the strap clamps. The screw-on bases are preferably arranged so that they can be moved on the respective strap clamp. After the screw-on bases are attached to the bicycle, the frame lock with the fastening pieces can be placed on the screw-on bases in such a way that they engage in the receptacles formed in the fastening pieces. The complementary shapes of the screw-on bases and the receptacles advantageously ensure a precise fit. The screw-on base can, for example, have the shape of a conical dome, which facilitates the insertion of the screw-on base into the complementary receptacle.

[0049] The method according to the invention for fastening a frame lock according to the invention (which can in particular be designed in one of the ways described above) to a two-wheeler comprises the following steps: Moving the fastening pieces relative to one another until the distance between the holes formed in the fastening pieces corresponds to the distance between two threaded bushings provided on the two-wheeler or two screw-on bases with internal threads attached to the two-wheeler; Screwing two screws through the holes into the threaded bushings or into the screw-on bases; Moving the housing of the frame lock relative to the threaded bushings or the screw-on bases until a desired position of the frame lock relative to the two-wheeler is reached; Tightening the screws to fix the position.

[0050] The displacement of the fastening pieces relative to one another can be limited to one of the two fastening pieces being moved. In addition, due to the linearly guided, movable mounting of the fastening pieces on the housing of the frame lock, the displacement is limited to displacement along the direction of displacement of the respective fastening piece. The displacement of the housing of the frame lock relative to the threaded bushings, on the other hand, does not have to be limited to the direction of displacement. In particular, if the holes in the fastening pieces are elongated holes whose longitudinal extent is transverse to the direction of displacement, the housing can also be displaced along the respective longitudinal extent of the elongated holes relative to the threaded bushings due to the mobility of the screws within the elongated holes.If, instead of threaded bushings provided on the bicycle, screw-on bases are attached to the struts of the bicycle, these can be displaceable parallel to the path of the struts, which is preferably transverse to the direction of displacement. By superimposing such displaceabilities with the displaceability along the direction of displacement, the housing can advantageously be positioned at least substantially freely within an entire two-dimensional surface area before the position is fixed by tightening the screws.

[0051] The invention is further explained below by way of example only with reference to the figures. Fig. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of the frame lock according to the invention, each in a front view with two different positions of the fastening pieces. Fig. 3 and 4 show the same embodiment of the frame lock according to the invention, each in a diagonal view from the rear with the same two different positions of the fastening pieces as in the Fig. 1 and 2 . Fig. 5 and 6 show one of the fastening pieces of the Fig. 1 to 4 shown embodiment of the frame lock according to the invention separately once in the assembled state ( Fig. 5 ) and once with separate fastening parts from which the fastening piece is formed ( Fig. 6 ). Fig. 7 shows a band clamp that can be provided with a frame lock according to the invention to provide a fastening option for the frame lock to a strut of a bicycle. Fig. 8 shows a section of the Fig. 1 to 4shown embodiment of the frame lock according to the invention, which can be opened by means of the Fig. 7 shown band clamp is attached to a strut of a bicycle, with the fastening area shown in section. Fig. 9 shows the Fig. 1 to 4 shown embodiment of the frame lock according to the invention, which is secured by means of two band clamps of the type shown in Fig. 7 shown type is attached to two struts of a two-wheeler, in a view obliquely from behind.

[0052] The figures each depict the same embodiment of a frame lock 11 according to the invention, although the frame lock 11 is not shown completely in all figures. The frame lock 11 comprises a housing 13 having a C-shape with a cuboid central section and two circular arc-shaped legs extending opposite to each other from the central section. With respect to the idealized C-shape, the frame lock 11 is arranged at a center plane M (only in Fig. 1 (marked) is mirror-symmetrical. Also, as far as its actual external design is concerned, the frame lock 11 is at least largely mirror-symmetrical to the center plane M.

[0053] In a bracket holder, which runs along a circular path through the Fig. 1 and 2A locking bracket of the frame lock 11, designed as a rotating bracket, is received in the frame lock 11, which extends from the leg shown on the left to the central section and, if necessary, beyond it into the other leg. The locking bracket extends along a circular path. The locking bracket is adjustable along the circular path between an open position, in which it is arranged completely within the bracket receptacle of the housing 13, and a closed position, in which it protrudes from the housing 13 at the end face of the first leg and extends to the end face of the second leg or, if necessary, through the end face of the second leg into an engagement opening provided there. The open position is shown in each of the figures.

[0054] The frame lock 11 is designed to be attached to a wheel of a respective two-wheeler such that the housing 13 of the frame lock engages the tire and rim of the wheel, with the C-shaped legs of the housing 13 arranged on opposite sides of the wheel. In its closed position, the locking bar can then engage the spokes of the wheel to lock the wheel against rotation. In the open position, however, the area between the end faces of the C-shaped legs of the housing 13 remains free, allowing the wheel to rotate freely.

[0055] Furthermore, a locking device 15 is accommodated in the housing 13, of which only one end section of a locking cylinder encompassed by the locking device 15 can be seen in the figures. The locking device 15 protrudes from the central section of the housing 13 with the locking cylinder and into which a key 17 can be inserted to actuate the locking device 15. The majority of the locking device 15 is arranged within the housing 13 and, in particular, comprises a bolt (not visible in the figures), which can be adjusted between an unlocked position and a locked position by means of the key 17 and is designed to lock the striker in its closed position in the locked position, so that the frame lock 11 can only be opened by means of the key 17.

[0056] In order to be able to be attached to the bicycle, the frame lock 11 has two fastening sections 19, which in the frame lock 11 according to the invention, unlike conventional frame locks, are not designed as an integral part of the housing 13, but as fastening pieces 21 formed separately from the housing 13. Each of the fastening pieces 21 has a respective hole 23, which is designed as an elongated hole. By means of screws 25, which are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the image plane of the Fig. 1 and 2 vertical screwing direction through the holes 23 on the two-wheeler, the frame lock 11 can then be attached to the two-wheeler.

[0057] The fastening pieces 21 are arranged in two flange areas of the housing 13, which adjoin the respective leg on the concave side of each of the two legs of the C-shaped housing 13. The holes 23 formed in the fastening pieces 21 are thus also arranged in each of the two flange areas.

[0058] As particularly in the Fig. 3, 4 and 5 As can be seen, the fastening pieces 21 are each designed as two flat fastening plates that are arranged parallel to each other. In particular, the fastening pieces 21 lie with a respective rear side 27 in a common fastening plane that corresponds to the image plane of the Fig. 1 and 2 is parallel.

[0059] As a comparison of the Fig. 1 and 2 with the Fig. 3 and 4 shows, the fastening pieces 21 are linear relative to the housing 13 along a displacement direction V (only in Fig. 1marked) that is parallel to the aforementioned fastening plane. As a result, the rear sides 27 of the two fastening pieces 21 are always located in the fastening plane, regardless of the respective position of the fastening pieces 21. Furthermore, the fastening pieces 21 are arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to the aforementioned center plane M, with their displacement direction V being oriented perpendicular to the center plane M, so that both fastening pieces 21 can be displaced parallel to one another along a continuous line.

[0060] The fastening pieces 21 are displaceable independently of each other both in the displacement direction V and against the displacement direction V. However, for both fastening pieces 21, the displaceability is limited to a defined distance along the displacement direction V. In the Fig. 1 to 4The fastening pieces 21 are located at a respective end of this defined distance, ie at a respective end of their respective displaceability. In the Fig. 1 and 3 the fastening pieces 21 are displaced furthest away from each other, so that they have their greatest possible distance from each other, in the Fig. 2 and 4 the fastening pieces 21 are, however, shifted furthest towards each other so that they have their smallest possible distance from each other.

[0061] The holes 23 of the fastening pieces 21, which are designed as elongated holes, are aligned parallel to one another with respect to their respective longitudinal extent and also perpendicular to the direction of displacement V. In this way, a screw 25 can be movable within a respective hole 23 along a direction perpendicular to the screwing direction and the direction of displacement V. As a result, the housing 13 of the frame lock 11 can also be moved relative to the screws 25 that may be screwed into the two-wheeler along the direction of the longitudinal extent of the holes 21 and thus perpendicular to the direction of displacement V. The housing 13 of the frame lock 11 can also be moved parallel to the direction of displacement V relative to the screws 25 due to the displaceability of the fastening pieces 21.The superposition of these two mobility features results in the housing 13 being essentially freely positioned after the screws 25 have been screwed onto the bicycle, at least as long as the screws 25 are not yet tightened, within a two-dimensional surface area parallel to the mounting plane, which is defined by the mutually perpendicular mobility features. By tightening the screws 25, the position of the frame lock 11 can then be fixed to the position assumed during this time.

[0062] The displaceability of the fastening pieces 21 results from the type of their mounting on the housing 13. Each of the two fastening pieces 21, which are structurally identical to one another, has two grooves 29 formed in opposite edge sides of the respective fastening piece 21, which grooves run parallel to the direction of displacement V and have essentially the same length. In each of the two flange areas, two webs 31 designed as sheet metal edges are also provided on the housing 13, which protrude from the housing 13 and are aligned towards one another, at least with their respective free ends. The distance between the two webs 31 from one another essentially corresponds to the distance between the two grooves 29 of a respective fastening piece 21.As a result, a respective fastening piece 21 can be inserted between the two webs 31 along the displacement direction V such that a respective one of the webs 31 engages in each of the two grooves 29 of the fastening piece 21. As a result of this engagement, the fastening piece 21 is mounted on the housing 13 and can be displaced in a guided manner relative to the housing 13.

[0063] As particularly in the Figs. 5 and 6can be seen, in each of which only one of the two identical fastening pieces 21 is shown, the fastening pieces 21 are designed in two parts and each comprise a first fastening part 33 and a second fastening part 35. The two fastening parts 33, 35 are designed to be clipped together. For this purpose, the second fastening part 35 has a locking receptacle 37 in which a locking projection (not visible in the figures) is formed, which engages behind a locking tab 39 formed on the first fastening part 33 when the locking tab 39 is inserted into the locking receptacle 37.

[0064] The first fastening part 33 is formed as a stamped sheet metal plate, while the second fastening part 35 is made as an injection-molded plastic part. The rear side 27 of the respective fastening piece 21, which lies in the fastening plane and faces in the screw-in direction, is formed on the second fastening part 35 (see FIG. Fig. 3 and 4 ). Both fastening parts 33, 35 each have a hole 41 or 43, which is designed as an elongated hole. The holes 41, 43 of the two fastening parts 33, 35 are congruent with respect to the screwing direction, thus in particular have the same length and the same width, and are arranged such that together they form the continuous hole 23, designed as an elongated hole, of the respective fastening piece 21, which also has the same length and the same width.

[0065] The grooves 29 of a respective fastening piece 21 are formed between the two fastening parts 33, 35. The side wall of the groove 29 delimiting the respective groove 29 against the screwing direction is formed by the first fastening part 33, while the side wall delimiting the groove 29 in the screwing direction is formed by the second fastening part 35. Part of a bottom of the groove 29 is also formed by the second fastening part 35. However, a free space remains in the bottom of the groove 29 between the first fastening part 33 and the second fastening part 35. As a result of this and the way in which the two fastening parts 33, 35 are connected to one another, the fastening parts 33, 35 have play relative to one another in the screwing direction, so that the width of the groove 29 (i.e. its extension along the screwing direction) is variable to a certain extent.

[0066] The result is that the two fastening parts 33, 35 are tensioned against each other along the screwing direction by tightening a screw 25 screwed through the holes 41, 43 of the two fastening parts 33, 35 on the two-wheeler, so that the width of the groove 29 is reduced and the respective web 31 engaging in the groove 29 is clamped between the two fastening parts 33, 35 (cf. Fig. 8). This frictionally inhibits the displaceability of the respective fastening piece 21, and the fastening piece 21 is fixed in its position along the displacement direction V relative to the housing 13. By tightening the screw 25, the position of the screw 25 along the longitudinal extent of the respective hole 23, designed as an elongated hole, of the respective fastening piece 21 is also frictionally fixed. Overall, the frame lock 11 can thus be fixed to the position then assumed within the aforementioned two-dimensional surface area relative to the two-wheeler.

[0067] Structures are formed on the second fastening part 35 of a respective fastening piece 21, which function as stops 45, 47 in order to limit the displaceability of the fastening piece 21, which is guided and displaceably mounted on the housing 13, to a defined distance.

[0068] Structures of the second fastening part 35, which are provided in the corner regions of the side of the respective fastening piece 21 oriented towards the respective other fastening piece 21, form two inner stops 45, with which the respective fastening piece 21 ultimately strikes a respective one of the two legs of the housing 13 when it is displaced outwards relative to the housing 13, ie in the direction pointing away from the central plane M. The respective fastening piece 21 is thus not displaced beyond the Fig. 1 and 3 shown position can be moved outwards.

[0069] In addition, the second fastening part 35 has further structures which are provided in the corner regions of the side of the respective fastening piece 21 facing away from the other fastening piece 21 and which form two outer stops 47. Both grooves 29 formed on the respective fastening piece 21 are blocked at one of the two ends of their extension by a respective one of the outer stops 47, so that the web 31 engaging in the respective groove 29 ultimately strikes against the outer stop 47 when the respective fastening piece 21 is displaced inwards relative to the housing 13, i.e. in the direction of the central plane M. In this respect, the outer stops 47 form blocking sections for the grooves 29. Due to the abutment of the webs 31 on the outer stops 47, the respective fastening piece 21 (within the scope of normal use of the frame lock 11) cannot be moved beyond the Fig. 2 and 4shown position can be moved inwards.

[0070] The outer stops 47 can be pushed laterally out of their position blocking one end of the respective groove 29, so that the web 31 engaging in the groove 29 can be guided past the respective stop 47. In this way, the fastening pieces 21 can be pushed between the corresponding two webs 31 during their assembly on the housing 13. The outer stops 47 are advantageously shaped such that they can be pushed back relatively easily into the respective groove 29 when subjected to a load along the displacement direction V from the outside, but not out of the groove 29 when the respective web 31 is subjected to a load in the opposite direction. For this purpose, a run-on bevel is formed on the side of the stops 47 facing away from the respective groove 29.

[0071] If no threaded bushings are provided on the bicycle, corresponding screw-in options can be retrofitted. The frame lock 11 comprises two band clamps 49, which are Fig. 7 to 9 are shown. Each of the band clamps 49 has a screw-on base 51, which is arranged displaceably along the longitudinal extent of the respective band clamp 49 and has an internal thread in the manner of a threaded bushing. In the embodiment shown, the internal thread is designed to fit screws with a metric ISO thread of size M 5.

[0072] The strap clamps 49 can be wrapped around a respective rear stay 53 of a bicycle. As long as they are not yet tightened, they can be moved along the length of the respective rear stay 53. In this way, the position of the screw-on base 51 on the respective rear stay 53 can be flexibly determined.

[0073] The screw-on base 51 has (at least partially) the shape of a conical dome. The two fastening pieces 21 each have a receptacle 55 formed in the rear side 27 of the second fastening part 35 of the respective fastening piece 21. The receptacles 55 are each formed in the region of the hole 23 of the respective fastening piece 21, namely in the middle of the longitudinal extent of this hole 23 designed as an elongated hole. The hole 23 is widened on both sides by the respective receptacle 55. The shape of the receptacles 55 is complementary to the aforementioned shape of the screw-on bases 51. As a result, the housing 13 of the frame lock 11 with the fastening pieces 21 can be arranged on the band clamps 49 attached to the bicycle in such a way that the screw-on bases 51 are received precisely in the receptacles 55 (cf. Fig. 8 ).

[0074] Although the screw-on bases 51 are inserted into the receptacles 55, the mobility of the screws 25 within the holes 23, which are designed as elongated holes, of the two fastening pieces 21 is prevented. This is compensated, however, by the fact that the band clamps 49 are movable parallel to the path of the rear stays 53 as long as they are not yet tightened. Regardless of whether the screwing takes place on screw-on bases 51 subsequently attached to the two-wheeler or on threaded bushings already provided on the two-wheeler, the frame lock 11 can thus be movable parallel to the longitudinal extent of the elongated holes before it is finally secured. The displaceability of the two fastening pieces 21 also has the effect of making the frame lock 11 movable along the displacement direction V.As a result, the frame lock 11 according to the invention thus has a particularly flexible positioning capability, which allows a largely free positioning within a two-dimensional surface area. Reference symbol

[0075] 11Frame lock 13Housing 15Locking device 17Key 19Fastening section 21Fastening piece 23Hole 25Screw 27Rear 29Groove 31Bridge 33First fastening part 35Second fastening part 37Locking receptacle 39Locking tab 41Hole of the first fastening part 43Hole of the second fastening part 45Inner stop 47Outer stop 49Band clamp 51Screw-on base 53Rear stay 55Receptacle MCenter plane VDisplacement direction

Claims

1. A frame lock (11) for a two-wheeler, said frame lock (11) comprising a housing (13); a locking apparatus (15) which is received in the housing (13); and a closing hoop which is movably supported at the housing (13) between an open position and a closed position and which can be blocked in the closed position by means of the locking apparatus (15), wherein the frame lock (11) has two fastening sections (19) having at least one respective hole (23) and is configured to be fastened to the two-wheeler by screwing screws (25) in a screw-in direction through the holes (23) into threaded bushings provided at the two-wheeler, wherein each of the two fastening sections (19) is configured as a fastening piece (21) which is formed separately from the housing (13) and in which the respective hole (23) is formed, characterized in that the fastening piece (21) is in each case displaceably supported at the housing (13) linearly guided along a displacement direction (V).

2. A frame lock according to claim 1, wherein the displacement directions (V) of both fastening pieces (21) are at least substantially in parallel with one another.

3. A frame lock according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the respective hole (23) is formed as an elongate hole whose longitudinal extent is transverse, in particular perpendicular, to the displacement direction (V) of the respective fastening piece (21).

4. A frame lock according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein abutments (45, 47) are formed at the housing (13) and / or at the fastening pieces (21), said abutments (45, 47) limiting the displaceability of the fastening pieces (21) to a defined path along the displacement direction (V) of the respective fastening piece (21).

5. A frame lock according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the fastening pieces (21) is configured as an areal fastening plate aligned in parallel with a fastening plane, and wherein the displacement direction (V) of the respective fastening piece (21) is in parallel with the fastening plane.

6. A frame lock according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (13) has a C shape or a U shape which is at least substantially mirror-symmetrical with respect to a center plane (M) in parallel with the screw-in direction.

7. A frame lock according to claim 6, wherein the paths along which the two fastening pieces (21) are displaceable are mirror-symmetrical to one another with respect to the center plane (M).

8. A frame lock according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the displacement directions (V) of both fastening pieces (21) are perpendicular to the center plane (M).

9. A frame lock according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the fastening pieces (21) is formed at least in two parts and comprises a first fastening part (33) and a second fastening part (35) which are fixedly connected to one another, wherein the first fastening part (33) has a hole (41) and the second fastening part (35) has a hole (43) and the holes (41, 43) of the two fastening parts (33, 35) are arranged overlapping with respect to the screw-in direction such that they jointly form the at least one hole (23) of the respective fastening piece (21).

10. A frame lock according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the fastening pieces (21) has one or more grooves (29) aligned in parallel with the displacement direction (V), preferably two grooves (29) arranged opposite one another, and a respective web (31) formed at the housing (13) engages into each of the grooves (29).

11. A frame lock according to claims 9 and 10, wherein one or more of the grooves (29) are formed between the two fastening parts (33, 35) of the respective fastening piece (21).

12. A frame lock according to claim 11, wherein the fastening parts (33, 35) of the respective fastening piece (21) have a clearance with respect to one another in the screw-in direction and are configured, when the frame lock (11) is fastened to the two-wheeler, to be clamped against one another along the screw-in direction by the screw (25) screwed through the hole (23) of the fastening piece (21) such that at least one of the webs (31) of the housing (13) engaging into a respective groove (29) of the fastening piece (21) is clamped in the respective groove (29).

13. A frame lock according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in each of the fastening pieces (21) in its side (27) facing in the screw-in direction, a receiver (55) for receiving a screw-on base (51) having an internal thread is formed, said receiver (55) regionally widening the hole (23) of the respective fastening piece (21) at one side.

14. A frame lock according to claim 13, wherein the frame lock (11) comprises two band clamps (49) which are configured for fastening to a respective stay (53) of the two-wheeler, wherein each of the band clamps (49) has a screw-on base (51) which is arranged at the respective band clamp (49), which has an internal thread, and which has a shape complementary to the receivers (55) formed in the fastening pieces (21).

15. A method of fastening a frame lock (11) according to any one of the preceding claims to a two-wheeler comprising the following steps: - displacing the fastening pieces (21) relative to one another until the spacing of the holes (23) formed in the fastening pieces (21) corresponds to the spacing of two threaded bushings provided at the two-wheeler or to the spacing of two screw-on bases (51) which are attached to the two-wheeler and which have internal threads; - screwing two screws (25) through the holes (23) into the threaded bushings or into the screw-on bases (51); - displacing the housing (13) of the frame lock (11) relative to the threaded bushings or to the screw-on bases (51) until a desired position of the frame lock (11) relative to the two-wheeler is reached; and - tightening the screws (25) to fix the position.