Patent ID: 6076381
Filing Date: 2000-06-20
Classification: B62H,Y10T

Abstract:
A locking system for a bicycle having steering components to prevent unauthorized usage or theft of the bicycle through the locking of the steering components comprising, in combination:a bicycle having a frame including a hollow tubular portion adjacent the front thereof with a cylindrical interior surface and a cylindrical exterior surface and at least one aperture extending therethrough;a drive shaft in a cylindrical configuration rotatably mounted within the frame with an upper end having steering mechanisms and the lower end having a front wheel rotatable for directional purposes, the drive shaft having an exterior surface located within the interior surface of the frame with two radial apertures extending therethrough of a diameter essentially equal to the diameter of the aperture in the frame, one of the apertures of the drive shaft being alignable with the aperture of the frame when the wheel is in a forward orientation and the other being alignable with the aperture in the frame when the wheel is turned ninety degrees;a separate interior locking component with a semi-cylindrical surface positionable around the frame at an elevation adjacent to the elevation of the aperture therethrough;a separate intermediate locking component with a semi-cylindrical surface positioned around the frame in mating contact with the interior locking component whereby the semi-cylindrical surfaces of the interior locking component and the intermediate locking component form a cylindrical component around the frame, the intermediate component having a radial aperture positioned in alignment with the aperture of the frame;a separate exterior locking component positionable adjacent to the intermediate locking component, the exterior locking component having a recess; said exterior locking component including outer wall surfaces which are substantially flush with outer wall surfaces of the intermediate locking component threaded fasteners extending into each of said interior locking component, said intermediate locking component, and said exterior locking component, for coupling said components together; anda lock located within the recess with a locking pin movable from a withdrawn inoperative orientation wherein the bicycle may be ridden normally and an extended orientation wherein the pin extends through the radial aperture of the intermediate component and one of the apertures of the drive shaft, the lock also having a locking cylinder with an exposed face with an aperture for receiving a locking key, the opposed face of the lock adapted to be pressed inwardly to depress the pin into a locking orientation with respect to the drive shaft but to withdraw upon the insertion of the key with a spring urging the lock to a withdrawn unlocked orientation.