Abstract:
There is disclosed a bicycle rack with channel means to receive the wheels, and latching means including a plurality of arms to simultaneously latch the wheels in the channel, and the frame to the channel. An upstanding support arm is operative to support the bicycle in the upright position and to cooperate with the latching means to provide locking means for the rack.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to bicycle racks and pertains more particularly to a combined bicycle rack and locking means. 
     Bicycles and motorcycles have become quite popular as a mode of transportation and a means of recreation. Because of this popularity and the ease of transportability of these vehicles, they have become a common target for thieves. 
     Many proposals have been made for locking these vehicles to prevent theft. These proposals, however, are generally ineffective. For example, if the wheels are locked to prevent riding the vehicle, the thief simply loads it in a truck and hauls it away. If the frame of the cycle is locked by means of a chain to a stationary object, the thief simply removes the wheels and leaves the frame if he cannot cut the chain. If he should find that a cycle is locked by a wheel to a stationary object, he simply takes the frame and remaining wheel. Thus, he simply takes individual wheels and frames, where available, and assembles them into complete units later. 
     Examples of the prior art approach to this problem are illustrated in the following patents: 
     U.s. pat. No. 557,900 issued Apr. 7, 1896 to Shannon 
     U.s. pat. No. 590,425 issued Sept. 21, 1897 to Smart 
     U.s. pat. No. 597,507 issued Jan. 18, 1898 to McIntosh 
     U.s. pat. No. 605,628 issued June 14, 1898 to Bradley 
     U.s. pat. No. 636,629 issued Nov. 7, 1899 to Butcher 
     U.s. pat. No. 698,277 issued Apr. 22, 1902 to Hammond 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a bicycle support rack that includes means to effectively lock the major components of the bicycle to the rack. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive bicycle support rack that overcomes the above problems of the prior art. 
     In accordance with a primary aspect of the present invention there is provided a bicycle rack that includes channel means to receive the wheels of a bicycle with means to support the bicycle in a vertical position and lock it to the channel means. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a bicycle rack in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rack of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an end view of the rack of FIG. 2; and, 
     FIG. 4 is a partial section taken generally along lines IV--IV of FIG. 3. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings there is illustrated in FIG. 1 an elevational view of a rack in accordance with the present invention generally designated by the numeral 10 and shown supporting a bicycle of generally conventional design designated by the numeral 12. Although the present invention is to be described with respect to a bicycle it is to be understood that the present rack may be adapted to use for motorcycles and the like. The bicycle 12 has the usual chassis defined by a tubular frame having a lower frame portion 14 wherein is journaled the main drive sprocket and pedals. Rotatably secured to the ends of the frame are the usual front wheel 16 and rear wheel 18. 
     The rack itself comprises a base member defined by a generally U-shaped channel member having a bottom 20, and sidewalls 22 and 24 respectively. The channel member opens upwardly and receives the wheels 16 and 18 of the bicycle as illustrated in FIG. 1. 
     The base or channel member may be secured directly to a concrete slab or the like for stationary mounting or may be secured to a vehicle for transporting bicycles and the like. Bolts 26 and 28 for securing the channel are disposed directly beneath the wheels 16 and 18 so that they may not be removed. when the bicycle is locked into position therein. 
     A support arm 30 is secured in a suitable manner but preferably by pinning as by means of a rivet or the like 32 near the center of the base member and extends upward therefrom to engage and support the bicycle in the upright position as shown in FIG. 1. The support arm 30 is preferably pivoted to accommodate differences in position of the lower frame portion of different bicycles and also so that it may be folded down alongside the sidewall 22 to make it more compact for packaging or shipping. The support arm 30 also includes locking means in form of a slot 34 for receiving a lock portion to be described. A shield member 36 is formed as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 to shield a padlock as shown best in FIG. 3. This lock shield is for the purpose of preventing the lock from being cut such as by means of bolt cutters or the like. 
     Suitable latching means for the bicycle comprises a pair of generally L-shaped arms 38 and 40 operatively interconnected by means of a shaft 42 rotatably mounted such as by means of a plurality of brackets 44 to the sidewall 24 of the channel member. A third L-shaped arm 46 is pivotally secured in a suitable manner such as by bracket and pin 48 to the rotatable shaft 42 near the center thereof. This pivotal connection permits the arm 46 to fold down along the channel as with arm 30 for ease in storing or packaging. The arm 46 includes a loop 50 formed on the outer end thereof and cooperatively with the slot 34 and support arm 30 to define locking means as shown in FIG. 3 for receiving a conventional padlock 52. The loop 50 extends through slot 34 as shown. Other suitable lock means may be provided. 
     Suitable spring means such as a tension spring 52 is operatively connected between sidewall 24 and arm 46 to pivot the latching means into the upright or latched position as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3. 
     The rack and lock assembly is prepared to receive a bicycle by folding the latching means comprising the arms 38, 40 and 46 in a downward position as shown in FIG. 2. The bicycle is then placed with the wheels 16 and 18 within the channel between sidewalls 22 and 24 and leaned against the upright arm 30 to support it in the upright position. The latching means is then permitted to pivot upward so that the arms 38 and 40 extend across the open channel as shown in FIG. 3 and over the lower portion of the wheels 15 and 18 as seen in FIG. 1. At the same time, or simultaneously therewith, arm 46 extends through the frame over the lower portion 14 thereof and extends into slot 34 to a position as shown in FIG. 3 to receive a padlock 52. The bicycle is then supported and locked into a position in the rack as shown in FIG. 1. By this arrangement it is seen that the three major components of the bicycle are simultaneously locked into position by means of the respective locking means. Thus, the wheels 16 and 17 are locked by the arms 38 and 40 respectively and the frame is locked into position by means of arms 46 and 30 cooperating. 
     Thus, from the above description it is seen that we have provided a simple inexpensive bike rack and locking assembly that is operative to simultaneously lock the two wheels of the bicycle and the frame assembly into position in the rack. 
     While the present invention has been described with respect to a specific embodiment, it is to be understood that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.