Self-locking wheel chock device for receiving and holding a wheel of a cycle, and cycle parking unit equipped with such devices

Abstract

The invention relates to a self-locking wheel chock device (1) comprising a base plate (2), a first part (4) which comprises two portions (5, 6) forming an obtuse angle and which receives a wheel, the first part pivoting about a first axis (X1) between a first close position allowing the wheel to be introduced into the first portion (5) and a second distant position in which the second portion (6) is close to the base plate. The device (1) comprises a second part (10) which also receives the wheel and moves along a second axis (X2), perpendicular to the first axis, when the wheel comes into contact with the second part while the first part is pivoting into its second position. The device comprises an automatic locking system which is configured to lock the relative position of the second part and the first part when the first part reaches its second position.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Title: Self-locking wheel-blocking device for receiving and holding a wheel of a cycle and cycle parking installation equipped with such devices.

[0003] technical field

[0004] The present invention relates to a self-locking wheel chock device that receives and holds a bicycle wheel, particularly a front wheel, to stabilize the bicycle without the use of a kickstand and thus prevent it from falling over. The invention will find application, for example, in homes, where the self-locking wheel chock device can be installed in a garage, or on a private or public road, in a bicycle parking area. To this end, the invention also relates to a bicycle parking facility equipped with such self-locking wheel chocks.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] Wheel-locking devices are known to receive and hold a front wheel of a cycle in order to keep it balanced and, in some cases, to ensure that the front wheel is locked onto said wheel-locking device.

[0007] In this respect, the applicant is aware of the prior securities published under the following numbers: US3785517; FR2414437; US5301817; WO9511154; GB2303109; WO9638336; FR2763909; US6241104; KR100520742; US6095746; US6640979; US2003160423; GB2394928; FR2860485; US7150359; JP2006062517; US2007068881; JP2007118642; US2009001031; JP2009083738; W02009066110; CA2729670; US2011233154;

[0008] WO201 1141694; WO2013164501; ES2550531; W02016005828; US2018334073; US2019218809; CN108756350; and US2020331551.

[0009] Among the aforementioned prior art, international patent application WO9511154 describes a self-locking wheel-locking device comprising a first part, forming a shoe, designed to receive the front wheel and to pivot from a first position for receiving the wheel to a second position for locking the wheel in said first part. The transition from the first position to the second position is achieved by means of a mechanism equipped with a jack-type actuator, which also allows a second part, located in front of the first part and also designed to receive a portion of the wheel, to move closer to the first part in its second position, so that said first and second parts clamp the front wheel tire.Among the aforementioned prior art, French patent application FR2860485 describes a self-locking wheel-locking device comprising a first part, forming a shoe, designed to receive the front wheel and to pivot from a first position for receiving the wheel to a second position for locking the wheel within said first part. In the second position, the first part cooperates with a second, stationary part, positioned in front of the first part and also designed to receive a front portion of the wheel, said first and second parts clamping the front tire. The first part can be moved relative to the second part to adjust the distance between these two parts and adapt their positions relative to the diameter of the wheel.Self-locking wheel-locking devices, exhibiting similar characteristics, are also described in US patent application US2009001031, Canadian patent application CA2729670A1, international patent applications WO2011141694 and W02016005828, and patent application ES2550531.

[0010] The applicant is also aware of title KR101466948, which describes a self-locking wheel-locking device comprising a first groove, forming a shoe, designed to receive the front wheel and to pivot relative to a base, from a first position for receiving the wheel to a second position for locking the wheel in said first groove. In the second position, the first groove cooperates with a second groove located in front of the first groove and also designed to receive a front portion of the wheel, the first and second grooves clamping the front tire. The second groove is mounted on the base and can be manually moved and locked onto the base to adjust the spacing between these first and second grooves and adapt their positions relative to the diameter of the wheel.

[0011] Summary of the invention

[0012] The present invention aims to design a self-locking wheel chock device which allows simple adjustment to different diameters of cycle wheels, without requiring manual intervention by the users of said self-locking wheel chock device.

[0013] According to the invention, the self-locking wheel-locking device comprises a base, a first part, and a second part. The first part comprises a first portion and a second portion forming an obtuse angle in a longitudinal cross-section of said first part. Furthermore, the first part forms a first groove configured to house a first portion of a bicycle wheel. A first pivot joint is arranged between the first part and the base along a first axis transverse to said first part and defined in a plane of junction between the first and second parts.The first part is configured to pivot about the first axis, from a first position where the first portion comes into contact with the sole or, at the very least, is brought close to said sole, in order to allow the wheel to be inserted into the first part, to a second position where the first portion is away from the sole and, conversely, the second portion is brought closer to the sole due to said pivoting, the first portion of the wheel then being housed in said first groove. The second part forms a second groove configured to house a second portion of the bicycle wheel.

[0014] According to the invention, the self-locking wheel-locking device comprises a sliding link arranged between the second part and the base to move said second part along a second axis, perpendicular to the first axis, when the second wheel portion comes into contact with the second groove during the pivoting of the first part to its second position. Furthermore, according to the invention, the self-locking wheel-locking device comprises an automatic locking system configured to lock the relative position of the second part and the first part when said first part reaches its second position.

[0015] In practice, the bicycle wheel, preferably the front wheel, is inserted into the first part, initially in its first position. The forward movement of the bicycle and wheel then rotates the first part, while the second part remains temporarily stationary until the wheel makes contact with it. The second part then translates along the second axis as the wheel continues to move forward. The first part also continues to rotate until it reaches its second position, at which point the automatic locking system engages and prevents the second part from moving further, as well as the first part from rotating beyond this second position. Thus, the distance between the first and second parts adjusts naturally to the diameter of the bicycle wheel, without any intervention on the self-locking wheel-locking device.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the self-locking wheel-locking device of the invention, the device comprises two rods arranged respectively on the transverse sides of the first part and mounted to slide on the base in the direction of the second axis. The two rods are attached to the second part, at least one of the two rods comprising a rack. Furthermore, the second part of the first part comprises at least one locking member configured to engage in a notch of the rack present on at least one of the two rods when said first part reaches its second position. Preferably, according to this embodiment, each of the two rods comprises a rack, the second part of the first part comprising two locking members configured to engage respectively in the notches of the two racks when said first part reaches its second position.

[0017] Variations can be considered for mounting the second part to the base via a sliding connection along the second axis. For example, a guide rail mounted on the base along the second axis can slide the underside of the second part into position. Variations of the automatic locking system are also possible, such as a locking element on the second part of the first part that engages with a complementary locking element mounted directly on the second part when the first part reaches the second position.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the self-locking wheel-blocking device, it includes a first return system arranged between the sole and the second piece and configured to translate the second piece along the second axis towards a position close to the first piece, when said first piece pivots towards its first position.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the self-locking wheel lock device, comprising the first return system and the two rods mentioned above, the first return system includes at least one spring arranged on at least one of the two rods, with at least one spring mounted in compression between the second rod and at least one bearing of the sliding joint. Preferably, two springs are arranged respectively on the two rods. Variations of the first return system are conceivable, for example, a spring arranged between the second rod and the base to operate in tension rather than compression.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the self-locking wheel chock device of the invention, the device comprises a second return mechanism arranged between the base and the first part and configured to return said first part to its initial position when the wheel is released. Thus, this second return mechanism exerts a force on the first part to force it to pivot around the first axis, from the second position to the first position, when the wheel of a parked bicycle is released from said self-locking wheel chock device, said first part then being suitably positioned, in its initial position, to receive a wheel from a subsequent bicycle.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the self-locking wheel chock device of the invention, it is configured to receive a wheel with a diameter between 550 mm and 700 mm. This is not limiting; other wheel diameter ranges that could be accommodated by the self-locking wheel chock device remain conceivable.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the self-locking wheel-locking device of the invention, this device comprises a locking system configured to prevent the removal of a wheel locked between the first and second parts when the first part is in its second position. Preferably, in this embodiment, the locking system comprises two arms forming a jaw, arranged respectively on the transverse sides of the first part, downstream of said first part. The two arms are pivotally mounted about two axes parallel to the second axis, each of the two arms comprising a stop element configured to contact the second part of the first part when it pivots into the second position.These two arms are configured to pivot from a spread position when the first part is in its first position, allowing the wheel to pass between the two arms, to a close position when the first part reaches its second position. The two arms then clamp a rim of the wheel, preventing its removal. Preferably, in this embodiment, the locking system includes a latch configured to prevent the pivoting of the first part when it is in its second position. Other variations of the locking system are possible, for example, by providing a specific shape for the second part configured to lock the wheel clamped by the first and second parts in the second position of the second part, with a latch then locking the first part in its second position.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the self-locking wheel chock device of the invention, the device comprises a shield attached to the base and including at least two side walls arranged side by side on the sides of the first and second parts. These side walls are configured to prevent access to the axle of a wheel placed in the self-locking wheel chock device in the second position of the first part. Thus, it is impossible to remove the wheel from the rest of the bicycle once the wheel is placed in the self-locking wheel chock device. The shield preferably has a bottom wall connecting the side walls, so as to form a rigid shell that encloses the other parts of the self-locking wheel chock device on its sides and rear.Preferably, according to this embodiment of the self-locking wheel chock, each of the two side walls includes an opening configured to accommodate a chain or padlock for locking a wheel to the self-locking wheel chock. This enhances the security of the self-locking wheel chock.

[0024] The invention also relates to a bicycle parking installation, which includes at least one self-locking wheel chock device having at least the aforementioned essential characteristics. Brief description of the figures

[0025] The features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which is supported by figures, including:

[0026] [Fig. 1] - Figure 1 illustrates an overview of the self-locking wheel-blocking device that is the subject of the invention, according to a first embodiment;

[0027] [Fig. 2] - Figure 2 illustrates another overview of the self-locking wheel-block device according to this first embodiment;

[0028] [Fig. 3] - Figure 3 illustrates the self-locking wheel-blocking device of figures 1 and 2, with a wheel of a cycle in the process of being introduced onto the first part of said self-locking wheel-blocking device;

[0029] [Fig. 4] - Figure 4 illustrates the self-locking wheel-blocking device of figures 1 and 2, with the wheel of the cycle coming into contact with the second part of said self-locking wheel-blocking device, the first part being in the process of pivoting towards the second position;

[0030] [Fig. 5] - Figure 5 illustrates the self-locking wheel-blocking device of figures 1 and 2, with the wheel of the cycle moving the second part of said self-locking wheel-blocking device, the first part continuing to pivot towards the second position;

[0031] [Fig. 6] - Figure 6 illustrates the self-locking wheel-blocking device of figures 1 and 2, with the cycle wheel wedged between the first part and the second part, the first part having reached its second position, the automatic locking system blocking the relative position of the second part and the first part;

[0032] [Fig. 7] - Figure 7 illustrates a locking member on the second part of the first part, said locking member being engaged in a notch of a rack on a rod of the sliding connection implemented between the second part and the base. ;

[0033] [Fig. 8] - Figure 8 illustrates three wheels of different diameters, engaged in the self-locking wheel-block device of figures 1 and 2;

[0034] [Fig. 9] - Figure 9 illustrates an overview of the self-locking wheel-blocking device of the invention, according to a second embodiment, which includes a wheel locking system when it is wedged between the first part and the second part, said locking system being in the open position;

[0035] [Fig. 10] - Figure 10 illustrates another overall view of the self-locking wheel-blocking device of the invention, according to this second embodiment, said locking system being in the closed position;

[0036] [Fig. 11] - Figure 11 illustrates another overall view of the self-locking wheel-blocking device of the invention, according to this second embodiment, said locking system being in the closed position;

[0037] [Fig. 12] - Figure 12 illustrates a third embodiment of the self-locking wheel-blocking device that is the subject of the invention;

[0038] [Fig. 13] - Figure 13 schematically illustrates a bicycle parking installation which includes self-locking wheel-blocking devices according to the invention.

[0039] Detailed description

[0040] Further in the description:

[0041] - the term device refers to the self-locking wheel-blocking device according to the invention, unless otherwise indicated in the description;

[0042] - the same references are used to describe the same characteristics on the different illustrated variants, unless otherwise indicated in the text;

[0043] - terms such as "top", "bottom", "lower", "upper", "front", "back", "lateral"... which may be used, will be in consideration of a position of use of the device resting on a horizontal surface, for example a slab or the ground, the user being placed opposite the device and ready to insert a wheel of the cycle into the first part of said device.

[0044] With regard in particular to figures 1 and 2, the device 1 includes a base 2 which is intended to rest on a surface, for example a floor covered with asphalt, a concrete slab or paving stones, said base 2 being able for example to include passage holes 32 on its peripheral portion 3, for example in the four corners of the base 2 when it has a rectangular shape, as illustrated by these figures 1 and 2.

[0045] With regard in particular to figures 1 and 2, the device 1 comprises a first part 4 which has a first part 5 and a second part 6. The first part 4 has in a longitudinal cutting plane, for example the median plane PI illustrated in figure 1, a V shape, the first part 5 and the second part 6 forming between them an obtuse angle a illustrated in figures 3 and 6, this obtuse angle a being preferably between 140° and 150°, preferably equal to 145°.As shown in Figures 1 to 6, this first part 4 has, in a transverse section plane P2 illustrated in Figure 1, a U- or V-shaped form. This first part 4 thus forms a first groove whose shape and dimensions allow it to accommodate a first portion of a bicycle wheel, preferably a front wheel of said bicycle, or preferably a front wheel of a motorcycle or scooter. The device 1 can, however, be adapted to accommodate bicycle wheels, or even a wheel from a motorcycle, scooter, or bicycle. The first part 4 is mounted by means of a pivot joint 7 along a first axis XI with respect to the base 2, as shown in Figures 1 to 6.The pivot joint 7 along the first axis XI, implemented between the first piece 4 and the base 2, comprises two bearings 8 arranged respectively on the two transverse sides 4a, 4b of the first piece 4 and fixed to the base 2, these two bearings 8 receiving by pivoting along the first axis XI, the two ends of an axis 9 which extends transversely at the level of a junction plane J1 between the first part 5 and the second part 6 of said first piece 4.

[0046] With particular reference to Figures 1 and 2, the device 1 comprises a second part 10 which, in a transverse section plane P3 illustrated in Figure 1, has a U- or V-shaped form. This second part 10 thus forms a second trough whose shape and dimensions allow it to accommodate a second portion of a bicycle wheel, while the first part 4 receives a first portion of said wheel. The U- or V-shaped form of the second part 10 may be identical to the U- or V-shaped form of the first part. Preferably, the U- or V-shaped form of the second part 4 is slightly larger than the U- or V-shaped form of the first part 4 and includes two lateral extensions 11, 12 extending the V- or U-shaped form along its sides, as shown in particular in Figures 1 and 2. These lateral extensions 11, 12 allow the second portion of the wheel housed in said second part 10 to be properly retained.The second piece 10 extends vertically and perpendicularly to the base 2, as shown in figures 1 to 6, but it would be possible to provide for an inclination in one direction or the other with respect to the vertical.

[0047] With regard in particular to figures 1 and 2, the second part 10 is mounted in translation along a second axis X2, opposite the base 2. For this purpose, the device 1 comprises two rods 13, 14 which extend respectively along two axes X3, X4 parallel to the axis X2, these two rods 13, 14 being respectively mounted in two second bearings 15, 15', 16, 16'. The second bearing 15' receiving the first rod 13 is partially visible, but this second bearing 15' will be arranged similarly to the second bearing 16' receiving the second rod 14. The second bearings 15, 15', 16, 16' and the rods 13, 14 are slightly offset on the transverse sides 4a, 4b of the first part 4 and the second part 10, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Thus, the rods 13, 14 are mounted to slide along the axes X3, X4. With reference, in particular, to Figures 1 and 2, the second part 10 is mounted on these two rods 13, 14 so as to move with them.For this purpose, the base 18 of the second piece 10 is fixed by means of a crossbar 19 with the ends 13a, 14a of the two rods 13, 14. In addition, the lateral extensions 11, 12 of the second piece 10 are also fixed respectively to the two rods 13, 14 by means of fixing brackets 20, 20'. The fixing bracket 20', which allows the lateral extension 11 to be fixed to the rod 13, appears partially in Figure 1, but it is preferably identical to the fixing bracket 20 which allows the lateral extension 12 to be fixed to the rod 14. Thus, a sliding of the rods 13, 14 vis-à-vis the bearings 15, 15', 16, 16' along the axes X3, X4 generates a translation of the second part 10 along the axis X2, and vice versa.

[0048] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the rods 13 and 14 each include a rack 21. Only the rack 21 on rod 14 is visible in Figures 1 and 2, but an identical rack is also provided on the other rod 13. The second part 6 of the first part 4 comprises two locking members 22 and 23, preferably L-shaped. These two locking members 22 and 23 extend transversely along the respective transverse sides of the first part 4, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. A leg 24 on each of these two locking members 22 and 23 is dimensioned to engage in a notch of the rack 21, as shown in Figure 7 and will be detailed below. The L-shaped design of these two locking members 22 and 23 provides good rigidity to the legs 24.

[0049] With particular reference to Figures 3 to 6, a wheel 100 of a cycle (not shown) is presented in front of the device 1, the first part 4 being pivoted in a first position in which the first part 5 of the first part is in contact with the sole 2 or, at least, with the surface on which this sole 2 is placed, as shown in Figure 3. The wheel 100 is then introduced onto the first part 5 of the first part 4 and then engaged with the second part 6 of this first part 4. A forward movement of the wheel 100, in the direction of arrow Fl, allows a first portion 101 of said wheel 100 to pivot the first part 4 about the first axis XI, until a second portion 102 of said wheel 100 enters the second part 10 and comes into contact with it, which corresponds to a position illustrated in Figure 4.The forward movement of the wheel 100 in the direction of arrow Fl then allows simultaneously to continue the pivoting of the first around the first axis XI and to translate the second part 10 around the second axis X2, in the direction of said arrow Fl, as well as the rods 13, 14 and the racks 21 present on these rods 13, 14, as shown in figure 6.The movements of the first part 4, the second part 10, the rods 13, 14 and their racks 21 continue with that of the wheel 100 until the first part 4 reaches a second position in which the second part 6 of said first part 4 is brought closer to the base 2, the arms 24 on the locking members 22, 23 engaging respectively in a notch 25 of rack 21 on the rods 13, 14, as shown in figures 6 and 7, position in which the wheel 100 is wedged in the device 1, a first portion 101 being wedged opposite the first part 4 and a second portion 102 being wedged opposite the second part 10.The weight of the cycle transferred to the wheel 100 allows the first part 4 to be kept in the second position, the locking members 22, 23 engaged in the racks 21 thus allowing the relative position between the first part 4 and the second part 10 to be locked, the wheel 100 thus remaining properly wedged in the device 1.

[0050] This design, described above with reference to Figures 1 to 7, advantageously allows for the implementation of an automatic locking system that adjusts perfectly to the wheel 100, which can have different diameters, without requiring manual intervention from the operator to adapt the device 1 to the diameter of the wheel 100. As shown in Figure 8, the device 1 can accommodate a wheel 100a with a large diameter D1, a wheel 100b with a small diameter D2, and a wheel 100c with a diameter D3 intermediate between diameters D1 and D2. Preferably, the parameters of the device 1, in particular the obtuse angle α of the first part 4, the initial position of the second part 10, and the stroke of the second part 10, will be chosen so that the device 1 can accommodate a wheel 100 whose diameter is between a diameter D1 of 700 mm and a diameter D2 of 550 mm.

[0051] With regard to figures 3 to 6, the device 1 includes a return spring 26 which is arranged on the rod 14, between the fixing bracket 20 and the second bearing 16, said return spring 26 being mounted in compression. This return spring 26 not only keeps the second part 10 pressed against the wheel 100 when the latter is engaged on the device 1, but also automatically returns the second part 10 to a position close to the first part 4, when the wheel 100 is removed from the device 1. The removal of the wheel 100 is carried out by pulling on it in a direction illustrated by the second arrow F2, opposite to the first arrow Fl, which allows the first part 4 to pivot towards its first position illustrated in figure 3, said pivoting allowing the arms 24 of the locking members 22, 23 to be released from the notch 25 of the racks 21 on the rods 13, 14.This releases rods 13, 14, and the second part 10, which can then translate in the direction of the second arrow F2 under the action of spring 26. Thus, wheel 100 remains perfectly held in the first part 4 and in the second part 10 during its disengagement from device 1, which helps maintain a stable cycle during operation. Preferably, a second return spring is arranged in the same way between the mounting bracket and the bearing 15 on the side of the other rod 13, in order to balance the forces on the second part 10 during its return to a position closer to the first part 4.

[0052] A version of device 1 without a return spring could be considered, but would require maintaining the cycle stable with the hands during its release and also manually bringing the second part 10 back into a position closer to the first part, before the next use of said device 1.

[0053] Other variants with a return spring are also possible, in particular by providing a return spring mounted between the sole 2 and the second part 10, which would work in tension instead of working in compression.

[0054] Figures 9 to 11 show a second embodiment of device 1 which, in addition to the features described previously for the embodiment of Figures 1 to 7, includes a locking system 27. The locking system 27 comprises two arms 28, 29 arranged respectively on the transverse sides of the first part 4, downstream of it. Upstream and downstream are defined by the direction of insertion of the wheel 100 onto device 1, that is, by the direction of the first arrow Fl indicated previously. The two arms 28, 29 are mounted by pivot joint on two third bearings 30, 31 along two axes X5, X6 parallel to axis X2. The two branches 28, 29 can pivot from a spread-out position, illustrated in figure 9, to a close-up position, illustrated in figure 10, said pivoting being initiated by the first part 4 during its pivoting towards its second position illustrated in figure 10.To this end, end portions 28a, 29a of the two arms 28, 29 abut against two walls 6a, 6b of the second part 6 of the first part 4, during the pivoting of said first part 4 towards its second position. Second return springs (not shown) are arranged between the end portions 28a, 29a of the arms 28, 29 and the third bearings 30, 31 in order to return said arms 28, 29 to the spread position when the first part 4 pivots towards its first position illustrated in Figure 9. In said spread position, the arms 28, 29 have a spacing greater than the width of the rim 103 of the wheel 100, thus allowing said wheel 100 to pass through and house the second portion 102 of this wheel 100 in the second part 10 of the device 1.When the arms 28, 29 pivot towards the close position under the action of the first part 4 pivoting towards the second position, said arms 28, 29 come to grip the rim 103 of the wheel 100, which prevents the removal of the wheel 100, wedged in the device 1 as explained previously with reference to figures 3 to 6. A lock (not shown) can be arranged in the axis 9 of the first part 4, so as to lock said first part in its second position, thus allowing the wheel 100 to be held locked on the device 1 by means of the locking system 27.

[0055] Figure 12 shows a third embodiment of device 1 which, in addition to the features described previously for the embodiment of Figures 1 to 7, or even for the embodiment of Figures 9 to 11, includes a shield 33. This shield 33 comprises a rigid shell 34 having two side walls 35, 36 and a bottom wall 37 which define an open perimeter 38 allowing the wheel 100 of the cycle to be housed in said rigid shell 34. This rigid shell 34 is fixed to the base 2, for example by welding, and encloses all the other elements of said device 1, namely in particular the first part 4, the second part 10, the rods 13, 14, while allowing the movement of the second part 10 and the rods 13, 14 when a wheel 100 is introduced, in the manner already explained previously.The shape of the rigid shell 34 as illustrated in figure 12 allows, when a wheel 100 is introduced into the first part 4 and the second part 10 and when the second position of the first part 4 is reached, the axle 104 of the wheel 100 (shown in figure 8) to be housed inside the rigid shell 34, the two lateral walls 35, 36 being juxtaposed with the sides of the wheel 100, which prevents any possibility of dismantling the axle of the wheel 100 in order to detach it from the rest of the cycle. In addition, lights 39, 40 are provided on the side walls 35, 36, as illustrated in figure 12, these lights 39, 40 allowing the passage of a chain and / or a padlock to chain the wheel 100 to the rigid shell 34. These lights 39, 40 will therefore allow the cycle to be attached to the device 1 by means of a chain and / or a padlock.A variant of the shield 33, without these lights 39, 40 on the rigid shell 34, may be envisaged, in particular when the device 1 also includes a locking system 27 as described previously with reference to figures 9 to 11. It would be possible to consider a variant of the shield 33 with only the two rigid side walls 35, 36 fixed to the base 2, for example by welding, the two side walls 35, 36 being arranged juxtaposed to the transverse sides 4a, 4b of the first part 4 and to the lateral extensions 11, 12 of the second part 10, so that these two side walls 35, 36 are juxtaposed to the flanks of the wheel 100 placed in said device 1.

[0056] For these three embodiments of device 1 described above with reference to figures 1 to 7, figures 9 to 11 and figure 12, a return system (not illustrated) is preferably provided between the base 2 and the first part 4 in order to automatically return it to its first position when the wheel 100 is disengaged from device 1, i.e. during the disengagement of this wheel 100 from said first part 4.This return system may consist of a torsion spring (not illustrated), also called a spiral spring, mounted inside a housing 42 (illustrated in Figures 7 and 11 and also valid for the third embodiment) on one of the two bearings 8, or even a torsion spring in each of the two bearings 8, said or said torsion spring(s) being arranged between, on the one hand, the shaft 9 attached to the first part 4 and, on the other hand, the base 2, either directly or indirectly by means of said or said bearing(s) 8 attached to said base 2. Other variants of the return system of the first part 4 are possible, for example a compression spring mounted between a bottom 41 of the second part 6 of the first part 4 and the base 2, or a leaf spring mounted in compression between the bottom 41 of the second part 6 of the first part 4 and the base 2.

[0057] Device 1 may also include a chain (not shown) which will be fixed for example to the second part 10 or to the base 2 and which will allow the wheel 100 to be locked to device 1 using a padlock (not shown) which will be inserted into two links of the chain which form a loop by passing through the wheel and which can also be passed through the slots 39, 40 on the rigid shell 34, in the presence of the shield 33. The fixing of the chain to the second part 10 or to the base 2 will preferably be done by welding.

[0058] The invention also relates to an installation 200. In the diagram of Figure 13, the installation 200 comprises five devices 1, but a single device 1 or a different number, for example, from two to thirty, could be envisaged for the installation 200. This installation 200 can be implemented in a public or private garage, on a public or private road, on a trailer that will be coupled to a vehicle, or directly in a vehicle, for example, a truck, van, ferry, or railcar. In Figure 13, the devices 1 illustrated correspond to those described previously with reference to Figures 1 to 7, but they could be any of the alternative embodiments described with reference to Figures 9 to 11 or to Figure 12.Installation 200 could also include two or three of the previously described variants of device 1, for example, to adapt said installation 200 to different types of cycle (bicycle, motorcycle, or scooter, in particular) that it is likely to accommodate. Device 1 will preferably be made of stainless steel, although other materials remain conceivable, for example, aluminum or composite materials.

Claims

Demands 1. Self-locking wheel-locking device (1) comprising a base (2), a first part (4) comprising a first portion (5) and a second portion (6) forming an obtuse angle (a) in a longitudinal cross-sectional plane of said first part (4), the first part (4) forming a first groove configured to house a first portion (101) of a wheel (100) of a bicycle, a first pivot joint (7) being arranged between the first part (4) and the base (2) along a first axis (XI) transverse to said first part (4) and defined in a junction plane (Jl) between the first portion (5) and the second portion (6), said first part (4) being configured to pivot about the first axis (XI) from a first position where the first portion (5) is at least close to the base (2) in order to allow the introduction of the wheel (100) into the first part (4), to a second position where the first portion (5) is far from the sole (2) and, conversely,the second part (6) is brought closer to the sole (2) by virtue of said pivoting, the first portion (101) of the wheel (100) then being housed in said first groove, said self-locking wheel-blocking device (1) comprising a second part (10) which forms a second groove configured to house a second portion (102) of the wheel (100) of the cycle, characterized in that the self-locking wheel-blocking device (1) comprises a sliding link which is arranged between the second part (10) and the sole (2) to move said second part (10) along a second axis (X2) perpendicular to the first axis (XI), when the second portion (102) of wheel (100) comes into contact with the second part (10) during the pivoting of the first part (4) towards its second position,said self-locking wheel-locking device (1) further comprising an automatic locking system configured to lock the relative position of the second part (10) and the first part (4) when said first part (4) reaches its second position.

2. Self-locking wheel-locking device (1) according to claim 1, which comprises two rods (13, 14) disposed respectively on the transverse sides of the first part (4) and mounted to slide on the base (2) in the direction of the second axis (X2), the two rods (13, 14) being secured to the second part (10), at least one of the two rods (13, 14) comprising a rack (21), the second part (6) of the first part (4) comprising at least one locking member (22, 23) configured to engage in a notch (25) of the rack (21) present on at least one of the two rods (13, 14), when said first part (4) reaches its second position.

3. Self-locking wheel-locking device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the two rods (13, 14) each comprise a rack (21), the second part (6) of the first part (4) comprising two locking members (22, 23) configured to engage respectively in the notches (25) of the two racks (21) when said first part (4) reaches its second position.

4. Self-locking wheel-locking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which includes a first return system arranged between the sole (2) and the second part (10) and configured to translate the second part (10) along the second axis (X2) towards a position close to the first part (4), when said first part (4) pivots towards its first position.

5. Self-locking wheel-locking device (1) according to claim 4 depending on one of claim 2 or 3, in which the first return system comprises at least one spring (26) arranged on at least one of the two rods (13, 14), the at least one spring (26) being mounted in compression between the second part (10) and at least one bearing (15, 16) of the sliding joint.

6. Self-locking wheel-blocking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is configured to receive a wheel with a diameter between 700mm and 550mm.

7. Self-locking wheel-locking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which includes a second return system arranged between the base (2) and the first part (4) and configured to return said first part (4) to its first position when the wheel (100) is released.

8. Self-locking wheel-locking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which includes a locking system (27) configured to prevent the removal of a wheel (100) locked between the first part (4) and the second part (10) when said first part (4) is in its second position.

9. Self-locking wheel-locking device (1) according to claim 8, wherein the locking system (7) comprises two arms (28, 29) forming a jaw, disposed respectively on the transverse sides of the first part (4), downstream of said first part (4), the two arms (28, 29) being pivotally mounted about two axes (X5, X6) parallel to the second axis (X2), each of the two arms (28, 29) comprising a stop member configured to come into contact with the second part (6) of the first part (4) when it pivots towards the second position, said two arms (28, 29) being configured to pivot from a spread-out position when the first part (4) is in its first position, allowing the wheel (100) to pass between the two arms (28, 29), to a close-up position when the first part (4) reaches its second position, the two arms (28,29) clamping a rim (103) of the wheel (100) to prevent the removal of said wheel (100).

10. Self-locking wheel-locking device (1) according to claim 9, wherein the locking system (7) includes a lock configured to block the pivoting of the first part (4) when said first part (4) is in its second position.

11. A self-locking wheel locking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein it comprises a shield (33) attached to the base (2) and comprising at least two side walls (35, 36) arranged juxtaposed to the lateral sides of the first part (4) and the second part (10), said side walls (35, 36) being configured to prevent access to an axle (104) of a wheel (100) placed in said self-locking wheel locking device in the second position of the first part (4).

12. A self-locking wheel locking device (1) according to claim 11, wherein the two side walls (35, 36) each comprise an opening (39, 40) configured to accommodate a chain or padlock for locking a wheel (100) to said self-locking wheel locking device (1).

13. Bicycle parking installation (200), comprising at least one self-locking wheel-blocking device (1) having the characteristics of any one of claims 1

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