Folding Bicycle Lock Joint Protection Against Bolt Cutters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Folding bicycle locks are vulnerable to theft due to the weakness of their joints, which can be cut using bolt cutters, lacking effective tamper protection.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a joint member protector, such as a protective sleeve or cap, around or over the rivets or pins to prevent cutting and drilling, using hardened materials and designs like rings, balls, or cylindrical protectors that are difficult to cut or drill through.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the joint members (rivets) are made smaller to allow folding, then the lock can be folded into a compact configuration, but the joint members become vulnerable to cutting by bolt cutters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding capabilityVSAvoidresistance to cutting

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The protective system is divided into two separate components: a sleeve that surrounds the joint member and a cap that covers the end of the joint member. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific protective function optimally while maintaining the overall compact folding capability of the lock.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sleeve and cap act as intermediary protective elements between the bolt cutter blades and the joint member. These intermediaries absorb and distribute the cutting forces, preventing direct contact between the cutter and the vulnerable rivet, thus protecting the joint member while allowing the lock to remain compact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If larger diameter joint members are used to resist bolt cutters, then cutting resistance improves, but the weight and price of the lock increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to bolt cuttersVSAvoidlock weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The protective system combines different materials with complementary properties: the sleeve is made of hardened steel to resist cutting forces, while the cap provides additional end protection. This composite approach creates a multi-layered defense system that offers superior cutting resistance compared to a single large-diameter joint member, while keeping the overall weight lower.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If protective sleeves and caps are added to protect joint members, then resistance to cutting and drilling improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetamper protectionVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sleeve and cap are designed to work together as an integrated protective system. The sleeve surrounds the joint member along its length, while the cap seals the end, creating a unified protective enclosure. This merging of protective functions into two coordinated components provides comprehensive protection without requiring multiple separate elements, thus limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10766553B2Folding bicycle lock with joint protection

Publication Date: 2020.09.08 INO VISION

AI summary

A bicycle lock (10) includes a plurality of link members (12), which are pivotally connected to one another by joint members (14). Each joint member (14) passes through an aperture (24) formed in each link member (12). One of the link members (12) is connected to a locking device (16). A joint member protector (203-217), which has a rounded surface, is adjacent each joint member (14).