WO2017081661A1

WO2017081661A1 - Anti-theft device for a bicycle and bicycle provided with said anti-theft device

Info

Publication number: WO2017081661A1
Application number: PCT/IB2016/056819
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stefano Torelli
Original assignee: Stefano Torelli
Priority date: 2015-11-12
Filing date: 2016-11-11
Publication date: 2017-05-18
Also published as: ITUB20155507A1

Abstract

An anti-theft device (21) for a bicycle (1), provided with a pair of cranks (18) which support a pair of pedals (19) and are mutually connected through a central pin (20) which extends along and is rotatable about a longitudinal axis (X); the anti-theft device (21) is provided with a locking pin (22) having an engagement portion (25) and movable between an opening position (A) and a locking position (B) where the engagement portion (25) engages a locking portion (26) of the central pin (20) to prevent its translation along and its rotation about the longitudinal axis (X), and vice versa; an actuator (24) designed to control the movement of the locking pin (22) from the opening position (A) to the locking position (B), and vice versa; and a key (23) designed to control the actuator (24).

Description

"ANTI-THEFT DEVICE FOR A BICYCLE AND BICYCLE PROVIDED WITH SAID ANTI-THEFT DEVICE"

Technical field

The present invention relates to an anti-theft device for a bicycle and to a bicycle provided with said anti- theft device.

Prior art

As already known, the more common and widespread anti- theft devices for two-wheeled vehicles (and in particular for bicycles) are simply chains locked by padlocks, which, however, can be easily tampered with by means of nippers (or similar tools) .

Moreover, the anti-theft devices of the prior art have further significant disadvantages. First, they are too bulky to be carried about during the normal use of the bicycle, in particular if the bicycle lacks a basket or a rack where storing it comfortably without hindering the pedalling .

Secondly, the hygienic factor and the time consumption linked to the use of these types of anti-theft devices must not be underestimated. Typically, such devices are in fact very dirty due to the presence of lubricating grease, and their removal requires a significant amount of time.

To solve these problems it has been proposed the use of anti-theft devices provided with a radiofrequency tag for the traceability of the bicycle, that can however be easily shielded, or of last generation anti-theft devices integrated within the frame of the bicycle or, in certain cases, devices where precisely the frame acts as anti-theft device; all these cases involve invasive changes of the bicycle frame and the antitheft devices are not even easily adaptable to any kind of bicycle. Moreover, once violated and tampered with, no aforesaid anti-theft devices prevent the use of the vehicle.

In order to solve these problems it has been proposed the use of anti-theft devices for bicycles comprising a central pin which extends along a longitudinal axis, is rotatable about the longitudinal axis and connects the two pedal cranks and a locking pin inserted in the bicycle frame and provided with an engagement portion at one of its ends. The locking pin is movable between an opening position and a locking position where the engagement portion is inserted in a seat formed in the central pin to lock the movement of the pedals. For example, the documents DE102014204742, NL1020525, DE20301554, DE9214669 and DE102013013087 describe anti-theft devices of the aforesaid type which, however, have the drawback of allowing the locking of the pedals only in the position where the engagement portion is directly facing the seat formed in the central pin.

Description of the invention

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an anti-theft device for bicycles that is free from the drawbacks of the prior art and which is easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle provided with an anti-theft device, which is free from the drawbacks of the prior art and which is, at the same time, easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

According to the present invention, it is provided an anti-theft device for a bicycle and a bicycle provided with an anti-theft device as claimed in the appended claims.

Brief description of the drawings

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings showing a non- limiting embodiment, wherein:

- Figure 1 is a schematic view of a bicycle;

- Figure 2 is an enlarged schematic view, with parts removed for clarity's sake, of a crankset of the bicycle of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 3 is a schematic view of the anti-theft device according to the present invention;

- Figure 4 is a schematic view of the different positions of application of the anti-theft device of Figure 3; and

- Figures 5a-5d show alternative embodiments of a detail of the anti-theft device of Figure 3. Preferred embodiments of the invention

In Figure 1, the reference number 1 indicates a bicycle 1 able to advance along a direction F and provided with a frame 2, a saddle 3, two wheels 4, of which a front wheel 4 and a rear drive wheel 4*, a handlebar 5, a crankset 6 and a transmission 7 which transmits movement from the crankset 6 to the drive wheel 4*.

The frame 2 is formed by a plurality of suitably connected tubes (by welding, by slotting or bonding) . In particular, the frame 2 comprises an oblique tube 8 that extends from a steering tube 9 to the crankset 6 as better described below, a seat tube 10 housing at one end a saddle tube 11 for the saddle 3, a horizontal tube 12 connecting the seat tube 10 and the steering tube 9, and finally an oblique rear sheath 13 and a horizontal rear sheath 14 that, starting from the ends of the seat tube 10, are joined together forming the attachment point of the rear drive wheel 4*.

As more clearly shown in Figure 4, at the junction between the seat tube 10 and the oblique tube 8 it is arranged a tube 15 having an axis perpendicular to the feeding direction F and designed to house a central movement 16 (shown in Figure 2) of the crankset 6.

Figure 2 shows in detail the crankset 6 that comprises a central movement 16, front crowns 17 (shown in Figure 1) and a pair of cranks 18, each of them supporting a respective pedal 19. In particular, the central movement 16 comprises a central pin 20 rotatable about the longitudinal axis X and bearings (not shown) . The central pin 20 is designed to be arranged inside the tube 15. The central pin 20 is connected at its ends to the pedal cranks 18. The thrust applied to the pedals 19 by the cyclist riding the bicycle 1 is transmitted by means of the pedal cranks 18 to the central pin 20 of the central movement 16 that is brought into rotation about the longitudinal axis X.

The bicycle 1 is also provided with an anti-theft device 21 embedded inside a tube of the frame 2 at the central movement 16 so that it is not visible from the outside and does not compromise aesthetically and structurally the bicycle 1.

As shown in Figure 3, the anti-theft device 21 is preferably arranged in the oblique tube 8 or in the seat tube 10.

The anti-theft device 21, schematically shown in Figures 3 and 4, comprises a locking pin 22 made of a resistant and elastic material (preferably steel), a key 23 and an actuator 24, which is activated by the key 23 and which controls the movement of the locking pin 22.

The locking pin 22 extends inside the oblique tube 8 or the seat tube 10 and is provided with an engagement portion 25, which is configured to engage a portion 26 for receiving the central pin 20. The locking pin 22 is movable between an opening position A and a locking position B, wherein the engagement portion 25 engages the receiving portion 26 to prevent both the translation along and the rotation about the longitudinal axis X of the central pin 20, and vice versa.

According to a first embodiment, the engagement portion 25 has an at least partially polygonal shape (from three to n sides), or a circular or elliptical shape. As shown in Figure 5a, the portion 26 for receiving the central pin 20 is shaped as a seat 27 to receive the engagement portion 25 and has a shape complementary to the one of the engagement portion 25. In other words, the receiving portion 26 is defined by the seat 27, having a shape complementary to the shape of the engagement portion 25. The housing 27 has preferably a size approximating the one of the engagement portion 25.

When, due to the rotation of the pedals 19, the seat 27 is facing the engagement portion 25, the locking pin 22 can engage the seat 27 and take the locking position B in order to prevent both the rotation and the translation (i.e. the extraction for disassembly) of the central pin 20.

According to a second embodiment shown in Figure 5b, the locking pin 22 has a rectangular section. The central pin 20 is provided with an intermediate area having a polygonal section (from three to n sides) smaller than the end portions E. In other words, the intermediate area I has a transverse dimension smaller than the diameter of the two end portions E providing the connection with the cranks 18 so as to define two shoulders.

In this case, the locking in the locking position B occurs in any relative position between the central pin 20 and the locking pin 22. In fact, the lowering of the locking pin 22 causes the rotation of the central pin 20 until it reaches a position where an end surface 28 of the engagement portion 25 is arranged above and in contact with a flat surface 29 of the intermediate area I to prevent the rotation of the central pin 20 about the longitudinal axis x. The two shoulders, defining a stop surface for the central pin 20, prevent the translation along the longitudinal axis X.

According to a third embodiment shown in Figure 5c, the engagement portion 25 is rounded. The central pin 20 is provided with an intermediate area having a smaller circular section than the end portions E. In other words, the intermediate area has a diameter smaller than the one of the two end portions E providing the connection with the cranks 18 and thus defining two shoulders.

In this case, the locking in the locking position B occurs thanks to the friction between the central pin 20 and the locking pin 22, thus hindering the rotation about the longitudinal axis X of the central pin 20. Two shoulders defining a stop surface for the central pin 20 prevent the translation along the longitudinal axis X.

According to a fourth embodiment shown in Figure 5d, the central pin 20 has, at the receiving portion 26, a toothing 30 configured as a grooved profile formed at the outer surface and having an extension along the longitudinal axis X. Analogously, the locking pin 22 has at the engagement portion 25 a toothing 31, formed with at least one tooth, wherein the profile of the toothing 31 is complementary to the profile of the toothing 30. When the anti-theft device 21 is activated, the toothing 31 of the locking pin 22 engages the toothing 30 of the central pin 20, thus preventing the rotation of the central pin 20 about the longitudinal axis X.

According to a preferred variant, the central pin 20 is provided with an intermediate area I provided with the toothing 30 and having a section smaller than the end portions E; in other words, the intermediate area has a transverse dimension smaller than the diameter of the two end portions E providing the connection with the cranks 18 so as to define two shoulders forming a stop surface for the translation along the longitudinal axis X of the central pin 20.

According to a preferred variant, to increase the friction and improve the locking between the portion 26 for receiving the central pin 20 and the engagement portion 25 of the locking pin 22, a coating is applied at the engagement portion 25.

Moreover, according to a further variant, when the central pin 20 is made of a ferromagnetic material, the engagement portion 25 is provided with a magnet (not shown) , which is adapted to increase the effectiveness of the coupling between the receiving portion 26 and the engagement portion 25.

According to a further variant, the locking pin 22 is provided with an end portion predisposed to break. In case of breakage, the end portion predisposed to break is free inside the central movement 16, thus hindering the rotation of the central pin 20 about the longitudinal axis X; the remaining portion of the central pin 20 prevents the translation along the longitudinal axis X of the central pin 20.

As previously described, the actuator 24 is designed to control the movement of the locking pin 22. In particular, the actuator 24 moves the locking pin 22 from an opening position A to a locking position B, and vice versa. The actuator 24 may be any actuator 24 similar, for example, to those used in common locks, or may alternatively comprise a worm screw.

Both types of actuator 24 described above are suitable in case of a mechanical key 23. In the case of a mechanical key 23, a lock (not shown) is housed at the frame 2.

In the case of a contact or wireless electronic key

23, it is advantageous to use the worm screw actuator 24 (as shown in Figure 3) . In this case, the anti-theft device 21 is provided with an electric motor (not shown) which drives the worm screw and is connected to an ECU control unit. The worm screw allows converting the high number of revolutions of the electric motor driving the worm screw into slow rectilinear movements with high forces.

When using the electronic key 23, a tag containing a ciphered code (with a number of bits suitable for the desired security level) is embedded in the frame 2 of the bicycle 1. A mobile device (not shown), such as for example a card with a microchip, a remote control, a smartphone, is provided with an additional tag and the ECU control unit is designed to compare the two tags and verify their compatibility. When the key 23 is electronic and wireless, the communication protocol with the ECU control unit may be a Bluetooth protocol, a Wi-Fi protocol or may belong to any other radio technology widespread on the market.

When working with the electronic key 23, the anti- theft device 21 also comprises a battery (not shown) for the power supply of the electric motor. The battery can also be directly housed in a wired electric key. To ensure a continuous operation of the anti-theft device 21, a battery-recharging system is provided, or there is a spare battery as well.

In particular, according to a preferred embodiment, the key 23 is electronic and the actuator 24 is a worm screw; the anti-theft device 21 is also provided with the electric motor driving the worm screw and with the battery powering the electric motor, preferably arranged inside the electronic key 23.

To improve the reliability, it is provided a sensor (not shown) connected to the ECU control unit and configured to measure the battery charge level L in order to indicate when the residual charge falls below a threshold value.

In use, when the anti-theft device 21 is activated by means of the key 23, the actuator 24 moves the locking pin 22 until it is coupled with the central pin 20. In other words, when the anti-theft device 21 is activated, the actuator 24 controls the movement of the locking pin 22 moving in the oblique tube 8 or in the seat tube 10 from the opening position A to the locking position B, where the engagement portion 25 engages the receiving portion 26 in order to prevent both the translation along and the rotation about the longitudinal axis X of the central pin 20.

On the other hand, when the anti-theft device 21 is deactivated by means of the key 23, the actuator 24 raises the locking pin 22 until the central pin 20 and the locking pin 22 are no longer coupled. In other words, when the anti-theft device 21 is off, the locking pin 22 is raised by means of the actuator 24 from the locking position B to the opening position A.

According to the embodiments shown in Figures 5b, 5c and 5d, the movement of the pedals 19 can be blocked in any position of the pedals 19.

In the aforesaid description, explicit reference is made to an anti-theft device 21 applied to the central movement 16 of a bicycle 1, but the anti-theft device 21 can find advantageous application on any bicycle provided with a crankset 6 for cycling, such as for example a tandem, a rickshaw, a lightweight three-wheeled wagon, an electric bike equipped with a central movement, etc.

The anti-theft device 21 described heretofore has numerous advantages. First of all, the anti-theft device 21 is small and is not visible from the outside. The anti-theft device 21 is also effective both in preventing the rotation of the central pin 20 and in preventing the disassembly/extraction of the central pin 20 of the central movement 16 of the bicycle 1. The anti-theft device 21 has the further advantage of being easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

Claims

1. An anti-theft device (21) for a bicycle (1) provided with a pair of cranks (18), which support a pair of pedals (19), comprising:

a central pin (20), which extends along and can rotate about a longitudinal axis (X) and connects the two cranks (18) ;

a locking pin (22), which is provided, at one of its ends, with an engagement portion (25) and is movable between an opening position (A) and a locking position (B) where the engagement portion (25) engages a locking portion (26) of the central pin (20) to prevent it from shifting along and rotating about the longitudinal axis (X) , and vice versa; and

an actuator (24), which is designed to control the movement of the locking pin (22) from the opening position (A) to the locking position (B) , and vice versa;

the device being characterized in that the locking portion (26) is defined in an intermediate area (I) with a polygonal section of the central pin (20); and wherein the locking portion (26) defines, with the two end portions (E) of the central pin (20) providing the connection with the cranks (18), two shoulders to prevent the translation along the longitudinal axis (X) of the locking pin (22) .

2. An anti-theft device according to claim 1, wherein in the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis (X), the locking portion (26) is smaller than the two end portions (E) .

3. An anti-theft device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking pin (22) has a coating to increase the friction at the engagement portion (25) .

4. An anti-theft device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking pin (22) is provided with a magnet at the engagement portion (25) .

5. An anti-theft device according to claim 4, wherein the central pin (20) is provided with at least one portion made of ferromagnetic material in correspondence of the locking portion (26) .

6. An anti-theft device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking pin (22) is provided with an end portion predisposed to break, which in case of breakage avoids the translation along and the rotation about the longitudinal axis (X) of the locking pin (22) .

7. An anti-theft device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein it is provided a mechanical key (23) for controlling the actuator (24) .

8. An anti-theft device according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein it is provided an electronic key (23) for controlling the actuator (24) and the actuator (24) is of the worm screw type; the anti-theft device (21) being further provided with an electric motor driving the worm screw and with a battery powering the electric motor, preferably arranged inside the key (23) .

9. An anti-theft device according to claim 8 and comprising a sensor measuring the battery charge level in order to indicate when the residual charge falls below a threshold value.

10. An anti-theft device (21) for a bicycle (1) provided with a pair of cranks (18) which support a pair of pedals (19), comprising:

a central pin (20) which extends along a longitudinal axis (X) , is rotatable about the longitudinal axis (X) and connects the two cranks (18);

a locking pin (22) provided, at one of its ends, with an engagement portion (25) movable between an opening position (A) and a locking position (B) where the engagement portion (25) engages a locking portion (26) of the central pin (20) to prevent it from shifting along and rotating about the longitudinal axis (X) , and vice versa; and

an actuator (24) designed to control the movement of the locking pin (22) from the opening position (A) to the locking position (B) , and vice versa;

the device being characterized in that the locking portion (26) is provided with a first toothing (30) designed to engage with a second toothing (31) of the engagement portion (25) of the locking pin (22) .

11. An anti-theft device according to claim 10, wherein the locking portion (26) is defined in an intermediate area (I) of the central pin (20); wherein the locking portion (26) form, with the two end portions (E) of the central pin (20) providing the connection with the cranks (18), two shoulders to prevent the translation along the longitudinal axis (X) of the locking pin (22) .

12. An anti-theft device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the locking pin (22) is provided with an end portion predisposed to break, which in case of breakage hinders the translation along and the rotation about the longitudinal axis (X) of the locking pin (22) .

13. An anti-theft device according to any one of claims 10-12, wherein it is provided a mechanical key (23) for controlling the actuator (24) .

14. An anti-theft device according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein it is provided an electronic key

(23) for controlling the actuator (24) and the actuator

(24) is of the worm screw type; the anti-theft device (21) being further provided with an electric motor driving the worm screw and with a battery powering the electric motor, preferably arranged inside the key (23) .

15. An anti-theft device according to claim 14 and comprising a sensor designed to measure the battery charge level in order to indicate when the residual charge falls below a threshold value.

16. A bicycle (1) provided with an anti-theft device

(21) according to any one of claims 1-15, wherein the bicycle (1) comprises a crankset (6) comprising a central movement (16) provided with the central pin (20) .

17. A bicycle according to claim 16, wherein the anti-theft device (21) is arranged inside a frame (2) of the bicycle (1), in particular the locking pin (22) is arranged inside an oblique tube (8) or a seat tube (10) .