Anti-theft device for bicycle, such as bicycle, and related procedures

Description

DOMAINE TECHNIQUE

[0001] The invention relates to anti-theft devices, particularly for cycle-type vehicles, such as bicycles. ETAT DE LA TECHNIQUE

[0002] Some bicycle locks, in particular, are highly regarded for their security features. This is especially true of U-locks, which are typically a type of lock with a locking mechanism. However, despite their effectiveness and ease of installation, cyclists may be discouraged from using them due to their bulk. Because these locks are completely rigid, it becomes difficult, if not impossible, to carry them without a storage solution. The user then adds an extra burden, for example, by carrying the lock in their bag or by loosely attaching it to the bike frame, causing it to swing from side to side due to inertial forces.

[0003] A solution is proposed in US patent 4,918,951, which describes a bicycle lock designed to reduce the size of the locking mechanism but not the shackle. The lock therefore still has a generally bulky shape for transport on a bicycle.

[0004] Document US2015 / 013399A1 shows the preamble to claim 1. EXPOSE GENERAL

[0005] One aim of this presentation is therefore to further reduce the bulk of rigid-structured locks, particularly the lock's shackle. A secondary objective is to enable the lock to be rigidly attached to the vehicle.

[0006] To this end, according to the first aspect of this presentation, an anti-theft device for two-wheeled vehicles, such as bicycles, is proposed; the device comprises: a stirrup comprising: two long bars extending mainly along two coplanar axes, these two bars forming arms of the stirrup, a base from which said bars extend, a locking housing, characterized in that at least one of the two bars has at least one bulge and is mounted on the stirrup base and is capable of being rotated about itself around the axis along which it extends principally, said bar having at least one bulge area and thus being able to take at least two positions, one which corresponds to a deployed configuration of the stirrup, the other which corresponds to a retracted configuration thereof, the spacing between said bulge area of ​​said bar and the other bar being maximum in the deployed position of the stirrup and being minimum in the retracted position of the stirrup,and in that the free ends of the bars are configured to be mutually engaged in the housing and to cooperate with it so as to lock said housing onto the bracket, firstly when the bars are in their position where the bracket is in the retracted configuration and secondly when the bars are in their position where the bracket is in the deployed configuration.

[0007] Thus, thanks to the rotating bars, the user can bring them closer together to retract the shackle. The lock then has a less bulky profile. Furthermore, the bars can be moved to adjust the lock to any frame. The lock is then stopped bilaterally by the contact of the bars against the frame. The connection between the lock and the frame is therefore reinforced.

[0008] In this application, "retract" means that the lock is capable of folding laterally. It is also said to be capable of retracting. Conversely, "deploy" means that the lock is capable of unfolding laterally. In other words, the bars of the shackle are able to move closer together or further apart by rotating around their axis. Therefore, the lock is not telescopic.

[0009] It can be envisaged that the bar will make a quarter turn around the axis along which it extends principally to move from one of the two positions to the other of the two positions.

[0010] It may be provided that the base and / or the two bars is / are configured to allow angular separation of the axes along which the two bars extend primarily when the housing is not engaged on the free ends of the bars.

[0011] Therefore, the bulk of the lock can be further reduced by decreasing the spacing at its ends. Indeed, the shackle rarely encircles the bicycle and a locking point along its entire length. It is thus possible to reduce the spacing of the bars at its ends. The bars are then spread apart when the locking point and bicycle are inserted into the lock, and then brought together to close the lock. The shackle then conforms locally to the bicycle and the locking point instead of along its entire length.

[0012] It may also be provided that the base of the stirrup includes two supports on which the two bars are respectively mounted, these two supports being articulated to form a hinge allowing an angular separation of the axes along which the two bars extend by rotation around a third axis perpendicular to the axes along which the two bars extend.

[0013] Thus, the base forms a hinge for the caliper. The caliper base can also be articulated by other means, notably by a ball joint or a bearing.

[0014] It may be provided that the locking housing includes ball locking means.

[0015] The ball locking means are also configured to hold the caliper in the housing.

[0016] The lock's bulk is further reduced by decreasing the size of the locking mechanism. Indeed, the ball bearing locking system is more compact than a traditional bolt and strike plate system. Therefore, the housing containing the locking mechanism is less bulky. Furthermore, the bulges in the bars also improve the compactness of the ball bearing locking system by reducing its width, particularly when the shackle is fully extended, compared to a U-shaped lock.

[0017] It can be expected that each of the two bars will include: a first segment and a second segment collinear with the first segment; two connecting segments; and a third segment which defines a bulge between the first and second segments, said third segment being parallel to and distant from the respective axis of the bar, said third segment being connected on both sides to the first and second segments by the two connecting segments so as to form the bulge.

[0018] The bars can therefore be chosen to adapt the dimensions of the lock according to its intended use. Indeed, the lock will not have the same characteristics depending on whether it is used for a bicycle or a motorcycle. Similarly, bicycles can be locked to different types of anchor points. It is therefore possible to design a lock that is perfectly suited to the intended use.

[0019] It can be assumed that the two bars are identical.

[0020] According to a second aspect of this presentation, a device is proposed for attaching an anti-theft device to a two-wheeled vehicle, such as a bicycle. the anti-theft device conforming to the first aspect, the fixing device comprising a first support and a second support configured to receive the anti-theft device, in particular when the stirrup is retracted, the first and second supports each forming a fixing point of the anti-theft device to the bicycle, motorcycle or similar.

[0021] Thus, the two brackets add two more locking points for the lock. It is therefore more securely attached to the frame.

[0022] It can be anticipated that: The first support is configured to receive the locking housing, the first support comprising a first attachment element to the bicycle, motorcycle or similar; and the second support, independent of the first support, is configured to receive the caliper, the second support comprising a second attachment element to the bicycle, motorcycle or similar.

[0023] Thus, the fastening device allows the anti-theft device to be attached and detached quickly and easily.

[0024] According to a third aspect of this presentation, a set is proposed comprising: a fastening device conforming to the second aspect; and an anti-theft device conforming to the first aspect, the anti-theft device being fixedly attached to the support.

[0025] According to a fourth aspect of this presentation, a two-wheeled vehicle, such as a bicycle, is proposed. the vehicle comprising: a frame; and an assembly according to the third aspect, the assembly being fixedly connected to the frame by the fastening device.

[0026] Thus, the mounting bracket, working in conjunction with the lock, allows the lock to be rigidly attached to the bicycle frame. Indeed, after retracting the lock to shift its center of mass closer to the frame, the lock is housed bilaterally within the fork tubes. The lock is therefore secured at four points: two by its contact with the brackets and two by its contact with the frame. It can therefore no longer move.

[0027] According to a fifth aspect of this presentation, a method is proposed for locking a two-wheeled vehicle, such as a bicycle, using an anti-theft device conforming to the first aspect, the method comprising the following steps: deployment of the caliper from a retracted position of the caliper; placement of the caliper both on a fixed attachment element, such as a post, and on the bicycle, motorcycle or similar; and placement of the locking housing on the free ends of the caliper bars and locking of the anti-theft device.

[0028] According to a sixth aspect, a method is proposed for unlocking a two-wheeled vehicle, such as a bicycle, using an anti-theft device conforming to the first aspect, the method comprising the following steps: unlocking and opening the anti-theft device; removing the bracket into which the vehicle and a fixed attachment point, for example a post, are threaded; and retracting the bracket from a deployed position of the bracket.

[0029] Of course, this presentation concerns two-wheeled vehicles of the bicycle type, but it also concerns those of the motorcycle or similar type.

[0030] Therefore, in what follows, the present explanation will be detailed for a bicycle and applies mutatis mutandis à a motorcycle or similar. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0031] Other features, purposes, and advantages will become apparent from the following description, which is purely illustrative and not exhaustive, and should be read in conjunction with the attached drawings on which: there figure 1 and the figure 2 illustrate an anti-theft device; the figure 3a and the figure 3b are close-up views of the anti-theft device; the figure 4 illustrates an anti-theft device mounted in a fixing bracket; the figure 5a and the figure 5b illustrate in detail parts of a mounting bracket; the figure 6a and the figure 6b illustrate respectively an anti-theft device mounted on a bicycle and a mounting bracket mounted on a bicycle; and the figure 7 illustrates an anti-theft device mounted on a bicycle; and the figure 8a and the figure 8b respectively illustrate a method of implementing a cycle locking process and a cycle unlocking process. DESCRIPTION DETAILLEE

[0032] We illustrated to figures 1 And 2 An example of an anti-theft device 1 comprising a bracket 2 and a locking mechanism 3. On the figure 1 , the locking housing 3 is separated from the bracket 2 which is deployed in order to thread a bicycle 11 and a fixing point, for example a post, into the bracket 2.

[0033] On the figure 2 , the locking box 3 is fixedly connected to the bracket 2 which is retracted in order to be able to store the lock 1 on the bicycle 11.

[0034] Stirrup 2 comprises a first bar 4a and a second bar 4b which are long and straight, and a base 6 from which bars 4a, 4b extend mainly along a first axis Xa and a second axis Xb respectively.

[0035] In the example shown on the figure 2 The bars 4a and 4b are identical. Each has a first segment 40a, 40b and a second segment 44a, 44b, collinear with each other and with the axis Xa, Xb. The bars 4a and 4b also include a third intermediate segment 42a, 42b, parallel to and distant from the other two segments 40a, 40b, 44a, 44b, as well as from the axis Xa, Xb. The intermediate segments 42a and 42b are connected to the first 40a, 40b and second 44a, 44b segments by angled connecting segments 41a, 41b, 43a, 43b, thus forming bulges. The bars 4a and 4b therefore have a curved shape.

[0036] Of course, other forms of bulge can be considered and the bars can exhibit other asymmetrical shapes around their Xa, Xb axis without going outside the scope of this presentation.

[0037] For example, bars 4a, 4b may have only one bend or, instead of extending along a broken line, they may extend in an arc.

[0038] Alternatively, only one of the 4a, 4b bars may have a bulge while the other is a straight bar. Also, a single 4a, 4b bar may have several bulges along its length.

[0039] Bars 4a and 4b are rigid, meaning they cannot be deformed by human force. In fact, they are not designed to deform. Furthermore, they exhibit high breaking strength, particularly for security reasons. For example, the material of bars 4a and 4b is a steel alloy suitable for burglary protection or any other material with similar characteristics. Since the other components of the anti-theft device 1, detailed later in this document, are also vulnerable to break-ins, they share the same characteristics in terms of rigidity, deformation resistance, breaking strength, and material.

[0040] The base 6 of the stirrup 2 can be a hinge. In this case, the hinge 6 comprises a pin 60 and two supports 61, 62 mounted for rotation on the same pin 60. The first bar 4a is mounted in one of the supports 61 and the second 4b in the other 62. Thus, the hinge 6 opens and closes by rotating the supports 61, 62 around the same third axis Xc. The stirrup 2 can then be extended or retracted by articulating the bars 4a, 4b around the third axis Xc via the hinge 6.

[0041] Each bar 4a, 4b is also free to rotate about its respective axis Xa, Xb within the hinge 6. Thus, the stirrup 2 can be extended or retracted by pivoting the bars, in this case by a quarter turn. Of course, the stirrup 2 can be extended or retracted by pivoting the bars by less than a quarter turn or by more than a quarter turn.

[0042] In this example, bars 4a, 4b are free to rotate, that is, they rotate 360° around their axis Xa, Xb. Alternatively, the bars can be limited in rotation, for example by means of stops, typically to 180°, or even 90° or less.

[0043] We illustrated in detail an example of a hinge 6 in figure 3a In this example, supports 61 and 62 are hollow parts obtained, for example, by molding. Supports 61 and 62 each have a first opening 614 and 624, extending respectively along the first and second axes Xa and Xb. Supports 61 and 62 also each have a second opening 613 and 623 extending perpendicularly to one of the first and second axes and to the third axis Xc. The second opening 613 and 623 intersects the first opening 614 and 624, creating an opening at their intersection.

[0044] Of course, the second orifice 613, 623 can be inclined in all directions as long as it intersects the second orifice. For example, instead of extending orthogonally to the third axis Xc, it can extend parallel to the third axis Xc.

[0045] A first end 7a, 7b of the bars 4a, 4b is housed in the first orifice 614, 624 and is supported on the support 61, 62 by means of a shoulder 71a, 71b arranged on the first end 7a and in contact against a main upper face 611, 621 of the support 61, 62.

[0046] A pin 63, 64 housed in the second orifice 613, 623 passes through a groove 70a, 70b arranged on the first end 7a and blocks in translation the bars 4a, 4b in the first orifices 614, 624.

[0047] The bars are positioned in the supports 61, 62 by the first holes 614, 624 and held in position by the pins 63, 64 housed in the grooves 70a, 70b. Thus, the bars 7a, 7b can continue to rotate on their axes Xa, Xb while being held in the hinge 6.

[0048] Of course, the bars 7a, 7b of the stirrup 2 can be mutually connected differently, for example, as a variant, the bars 7a, 7b can be connected directly by the pin 60.

[0049] We illustrated in detail an example of a 3-way locking mechanism figure 3b In this example, the housing 3 is a hollow part obtained, for example, by molding. The housing has a body 32 delimited by two end faces 30, 31. The housing 3 has two orifices 34, 35, extending respectively along the first and second axes Xa, Xb. The housing 3 also has a first conduit 37 passing through the first orifice 34 and a second conduit 38, concentric with the first conduit 37 and opening into the second orifice 35 so as to form an opening on a lateral face of the second orifice 35 at the intersection with the second conduit 38.

[0050] Of course, other arrangements of the conduits are possible. For example, the conduits 37, 38 can extend symmetrically in two oblique planes passing through the first and second axes Xa, Xb (in the shape of a "V") or in the same plane orthogonal to the axes Xa, Xb.

[0051] Conduits can also have different shapes, cylindrical, duct-like, or any other shape in which bilateral contact can be made with an object to guide it along the conduit 37, 38.

[0052] The housing 3 further includes locking means 8 for bars 4a, 4b in the housing 3.

[0053] In this case, the locking means 8 comprise balls 83, 84 housed in channels and a barrel 80 having a cam 81 at its end. The cam 81 is generally cylindrical in shape and has a flat 810 around its circumference. A disc 33 plugs the channels 37, 38 which open onto the housing 3, notably to access the balls 83, 84 during assembly of the housing 3 or for maintenance of the housing 3.

[0054] To assemble the housing 3 to the bracket 2, each bar 4a, 4b has a second end 5a, 5b with a shoulder 51a, 51b. Thus, the second ends 5a, 5b are inserted into the holes 34, 35 until the shoulders 51a, 51b are in contact with the first end face 30 of the housing 3. In addition, the holes 50, 51 are spaced apart so that the bars 4a, 4b inserted into the housing 3 are parallel to each other.

[0055] To fix the housing 3 to the bracket 2, each end 5a, 5b further has a groove 50a, 50b. Thus, by actuating the locking means 8, for example with a key, the balls 83, 84 are moved by means of the cam 81 until they are inserted into the grooves 50a, 50b.

[0056] The bars 4a, 4b are then put into position in the housing 3 through the orifices 34, 35 of the housing 3 and held in position by the balls 83, 84. Thus, the parallel bars 7a, 7b can continue to rotate around their axis Xa, Xb while being held in the housing 3.

[0057] The housing 3 further includes an orifice 36 formed on the second end face 31 of the housing 3. In order not to damage the locking means 8, the orifice 36 allows water that enters the housing 3 to be evacuated. It may be provided that a shutter (not shown in the figures) is pivotally mounted in the orifice 36 in order to limit, or even prevent, debris from entering the locking means 8.

[0058] We illustrated in figure 4 An example of a fastening device 10 for the anti-theft device 2. The fastening device 10 and the anti-theft device 2 mounted on the fastening device 10 form an assembly 100 connected to the frame 110 of the bicycle 11. The fastening device 10 comprises two supports 9a, 9b fixedly connected to a tube 111 of the frame 110. The supports 9a, 9b house the anti-theft device 1 on either side. The first support 9a receives the housing 3 and the second support 9b receives the bracket 2. The anti-theft device 1 is then constrained bilaterally by the supports 9a, 9b and no longer moves.

[0059] The first support 9a was illustrated in detail in figure 5a In this example, the first support 9a includes a base 90a suitable for receiving the bracket 2. The base 90a includes walls 900a, 901a, 902a, 903a in contact with the main faces 611, 621, 610, 620 of the hinge 6, as well as with the edges 612, 622, 613, 623 of the hinge 6. The walls 900a, 901a, 902a, 903a thus prevent the anti-theft device 1 from moving in any direction. The base 91a further includes a slot 904a suitable for receiving a flexible clamping means, for example, a hose clamp.

[0060] The first support 9a further includes a fixing member 91a, in this case a clamp, comprising a strand 910a and a ratchet 911a into which the strand 910a is inserted to tighten and lock the first support 9a onto the tube 111 of the frame 110. Thus, it is possible to quickly tighten the first support 9a onto the frame 110 by pulling on the strand 910a.

[0061] The second support 9b was illustrated in detail in figure 5b . In this example, the second support 9b includes a sleeve 90b suitable for receiving the housing 3. The sleeve 90b includes guide walls 900b, 901b on which the body 32 of the block slides and a bottom 902b against which the second face 32 of the housing 3 comes to rest.

[0062] Similar to the first support 9a, the second support 9b further includes a fixing member 91b, in this case a clamping collar, comprising a strand 910b and a ratchet 911b into which the strand 910b is inserted to tighten and lock the second support 9b onto the tubing 111 of the frame 110. Thus, it is possible to quickly tighten the second support 9b onto the frame 110 by pulling on the strand 910b.

[0063] Of course, other types of clamps can be used without departing from the scope of this presentation. Alternatively, the clamping means may have two shells, one monolithic with the base 90a, 90b and the other mounted on the first when the first 9a and second 9b supports are fixed to the tube 111 of the frame 110.

[0064] Therefore, the fixing device 10 can be quickly mounted on the frame 110 using the clamping means 91a, 91b of the supports 9a, 9b.

[0065] A first example of a bicycle 11 carrying the assembly 100 comprising the fastening device 10 and the anti-theft device 1 was illustrated. figures 6a et 6b and a second example of a bicycle in figure 7 As illustrated in these figures, the anti-theft device 1 can be mounted on different frame configurations.

[0066] On the figures 6a et 6b The anti-theft device 1 is mounted on a straight pipe 111. On the figure 7 The lock 1 is mounted on an arc-shaped tube. Thus, the lock 1 is suitable for carrying on most frames.

[0067] A method for implementing a bicycle locking technique 11 at the attachment point is described with reference to the figure 8a .

[0068] During step E10, the anti-theft device 1 is separated from the fastening device 10.

[0069] During an E11 step, the housing 3 is unlocked and separated from the bracket 2 and the bracket 2 is deployed, for example by rotating the bars 4a, 4b around their axis Xa, Xb.

[0070] During step E12, the stirrup 2 is placed both on a fixed attachment element, such as a post, and on the bicycle 11, for example by spreading the bars 4a, 4b apart using the hinge 6.

[0071] During a step E13, the locking housing 3 is placed on the free ends 5a, 5b of the bars 4a, 4b of the bracket 2 after bringing the bars 4a, 4b together using the hinge 6 and the anti-theft device 1 is locked, for example using the locking means 8.

[0072] A method for implementing a process for unlocking a bicycle 11 at the attachment point is described with reference to the figure 8b .

[0073] During an E20 step, device 1 is opened and unlocked, for example by unlocking housing 3 and separating it from bracket 2.

[0074] During a step E21, the stirrup 2, into which the bicycle 11 and the fixed attachment point are threaded, is removed, for example by spreading the bars 4a, 4b apart using the hinge 6.

[0075] During a step E22, the bracket 2 is retracted, for example by rotating the bars 4a, 4b around their axis Xa, Xb, then the device 1 is closed, for example by bringing the bars 4a, 4b together using the hinge 6 and then fixing the housing 3 to the bracket 2.

[0076] During step E23, the anti-theft device 1 is mounted on the fixing device 10.

[0077] The anti-theft device 1 and the fastening device 10 described above therefore have many advantages.

[0078] The anti-theft device 1 is less bulky. It can therefore be more easily transported on the frame 110 of the bicycle 11. It can also be transported on any bicycle 11. Finally, it is rigidly attached to the frame 11 and therefore does not move during transport.

Claims

1. Anti-theft device (1) for a two-wheeled vehicle (11), such as a bicycle, the device (1) comprising: - a bracket (2) comprising: - two elongated bars (4a, 4b) extending mainly along two coplanar axes (Xa, Xb), these two bars forming branches of the bracket (2), - a base (6) from which said bars (4a, 4b) extend, - a locking housing (3), where at least one of the two bars (4a, 4b) has at least one bulge and is mounted on the stirrup base (6) so that it can be rotated around the axis (Xa, Xb) along which it extends mainly, said bar (4a, 4b) having at least one bulge zone and thus being able to assume at least two positions, one corresponding to an extended configuration of the stirrup (2), the other corresponding to a retracted configuration thereof, the spacing between said bulge area of said bar and the other bar being maximum in the deployed position of the stirrup (2) and minimum in the retracted position of the stirrup (2), where the free ends of the bars (5a, 5b) are configured to be mutually engaged in the housing (3), characterized in that the free ends of the bars are configured to cooperate with the housing (3) so as to lock said housing (3) on the stirrup (2) on the one hand when the bars (4a, 4b) are in their position where the stirrup (2) is in the retracted configuration and, on the other hand, when the bars (4a, 4b) are in their position where the stirrup (2) is in the extended configuration.

2. Anti-theft device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the bar (4a, 4b) rotates a quarter turn about the axis (Xa, Xb) along which it extends mainly to move from one of the two positions to the other of the two positions.

3. Anti-theft device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the base (6) and / or the two bars (4a, 4b) are configured to allow angular separation of the axes (Xa, Xb) along which the two bars (4a, 4b) extend mainly when the housing (3) is not engaged on the free ends of the bars (5a, 5b).

4. Anti-theft device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the base (6) of the bracket (2) comprises two supports (61, 62) on which the two bars (4a, 4b) are respectively mounted, these two supports (61, 62) being articulated to form a hinge (6) allowing angular separation of the axes (Xa, Xb) along which the two bars extend by rotation around a third axis (Xc) perpendicular to the axes (Xa, Xb) along which the two bars (4a, 4b) extend.

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the locking box (3) comprises ball locking means (8).

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each of the two bars comprises: - a first segment (40a, 40b) and a second segment (44a, 44b) collinear with the first segment (40a, 40b); - two connecting segments (41a, 41b, 43a, 43b); and - a third segment (42a, 42b) which defines a bulge between the first (40a, 40b) and second segments (44a, 44b), said third segment (42a, 42b) being parallel to and spaced from the respective axis (Xa, Xb) of the bar (4a, 4b), said third segment (42a, 42b) being connected on both sides to the first (40a, 40b) and second (44a, 44b) segments by the two connecting segments (41a, 41b, 43a, 43b) so as to form the bulge.

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which the two bars are identical.

8. Assembly (100) comprising: - an anti-theft device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7; and - a device (10) for attaching the anti-theft device (1) to a two-wheeled vehicle, such as a bicycle, the fastening device (10) comprising a first support (9a) and a second support (9b) configured to receive the anti-theft device (1), in particular when the bracket (2) is retracted, the first and second supports (9a, 9b) each forming a point of attachment for the anti-theft device (1) to the bicycle, motorcycle, or similar vehicle, the anti-theft device (1) being fixedly connected to the fastening device (10).

9. Two-wheeled vehicle, such as a bicycle, the vehicle comprising: - a frame (110); and - an assembly (100) according to claim 8, the assembly (100) being fixedly connected to the frame (110) by the fastening device (91a, 91b).

10. Method for locking a two-wheeled vehicle, such as a bicycle, using an anti-theft device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, the method comprising the following steps: - deploying (E11) the bracket (2) from a retracted position of the bracket (2); - placing (E12) the bracket (2) both on a fixed attachment element, such as a post, and on the bicycle, motorcycle, or similar vehicle; and - placing the locking housing (3) on the free ends (5a, 5b) of the bars (4a, 4b) of the bracket (2) and locking (E13) the anti-theft device (1).

11. Method for unlocking a two-wheeled vehicle, such as a bicycle, using an anti-theft device (1) in accordance with one of claims 1 to 7, the method comprising the following steps: - unlocking and opening (E20) the anti-theft device (1); - removing (E21) the clamp (2) in which the vehicle (11) and a fixed attachment point, for example a post, are threaded; and - retracting (E22) the shackle (2) from a deployed position of the shackle (2).