Abstract:
A stand for securely parking a wheeled vehicle, particularly a bicycle, motorcycle, motor scooter or the like, is itself provided with a locking mechanism for locking the vehicle relative to the stand. This conveniently obviates the need for a vehicle owner to carry his own locking devices and related equipment, such as chains and cables, all of which can be cumbersome and heavy. The stand uses cable-actuated latch mechanisms to either provide the locking functionality directly or as a mechanism for securely retaining a cable or chain provided as part of the stand in a locking state.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to lockable stand for parking a bicycle or similar wheeled vehicle, such as a motorcycle or motor scooter. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventional stands for parking (and locking) bicycles are typical fixed structures such as racks or particularly shaped bollard-like posts that to which a bicycle is locked, usually using the bicycle owner&#39;s chain and lock or lock alone. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a stand for parking a bicycle or the like, the stand itself being provided with elements for retaining and securely locking the bicycle to the stand. This permits the bicycle rider to avoid carrying locks, chains, and/or cables for locking the bicycle, all of which can be burdensomely heavy and/or awkward to transport. 
     The present invention relates to both a manually-operated variant and an electrically-powered variant of a first embodiment, and a second embodiment having multiple locking points actuable from a central actuation mechanism. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be even more clearly understandable in view of the written description herein and the figures appended hereto, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view generally illustrating a first variant of the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial schematic cutaway view illustrating certain details of the locking mechanism of the first variant of the first embodiment; 
         FIGS. 3 a -3 c    illustrate various aspects of a mechanism for selectively pulling a connecting wire or cable for operating the locking features of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a view of a latch mechanism according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a second variant of the first embodiment of the present invention, which is, generally, electrically powered; 
         FIG. 6  is a functional illustration describing part of the functioning of the second variant of the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a partly schematic perspective view of an example of a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a partly schematic reverse perspective view of the second embodiment of the present invention, relative to  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a view of the second embodiment of the present invention similar to that seen in  FIG. 7  but illustrating a state in which the stand can receive a bicycle (or similar wheeled vehicle therein); and 
         FIG. 10  is a view of the second embodiment of the present invention similar to that seen in  FIG. 8 , illustrating by way of example a bicycle received in the stand. 
     
    
    
     It is noted that not all of the figures are necessarily drawn to the same scale, including elements shown in multiple-part figures. In addition, any given figure may not necessarily illustrate all physical features that are present according to the present invention, especially where it is desirable to clearly illustrate certain features being discussed in parallel with the written description. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Unless mutually exclusive, features of the present invention described and/or illustrated herein may be used in combination with other features of the present invention, even without expressly or exhaustively disclosing every possible combination of features disclosed herein. 
     For the sake of clarity and simplicity, the present invention is principally set forth hereinbelow with reference to a bicycle. However, it is expressly noted that the present invention contemplates use with any comparable wheeled vehicle (including, by way of example and without limitation, motorcycles and motor scooters (some of which having more than two wheels)). 
     A first embodiment of the present invention is generally illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6 . A first variant of the first embodiment is manually actuated, and a second variant thereof has an electrically-actuated locking mechanism (as described in detail hereinbelow). 
       FIG. 1  generally illustrates a first variant of the first embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, a stand for lockingly receiving a bicycle or similar wheeled vehicle (including, for example and without limitation, a motorcycle or a motor scooter)  100  is shown in  FIG. 1 . Stand  100  is sized (particularly in a height sense) to at least partly receive a wheel of a bicycle (not shown) in a slot  102 . Generally, the lateral width of slot  102  is sufficient to easily receive a wheel of a bicycle or the like therein (including a variety of bicycle wheel widths, such as “road” tires to “off-road” tires). The stand  100  further includes a locking cable or chain or the like  104 . In order to simplify the present disclosure, reference will be made henceforth to a “cable”  104 , but it should be clearly understand that the present invention equally contemplates any flexible anti-theft element, particularly including a chain. Furthermore, cut-resistant chains (for example, presenting links having flattened surfaces (instead of a generally round cross-sections)) and cut-resistant cables (including, for example, braided or twisted metal wire) are known in the art, and the optional use of such elements is contemplated in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     An end of cable  104  opposite the end provided with locking key  106  is generally housed within the structure of stand  100  and extends externally from stand  100  via an aperture  112 . See, for example,  FIG. 2 , discussed below. 
     The locking cable  104  may be provided with a rigid locking key  106  on a distal end thereof. The locking key  106  is made of any rigid material appropriate for the environment and the use described. In a particular example, locking key  106  is made from rigid metal, such as steel or alloy. In an example, locking key  106  is provided with an opening or an aperture  106   a  therethrough. 
     Generally, the length of locking cable  104  is sufficient to permit a user to pass the locking cable  104  through at least the spokes of a bicycle wheel received in slot  102  and back around so that the locking key  106  can be inserted into locking slot  108 , thereby forming a retaining loop that restrains the bicycle wheel (and thus the bicycle) in the slot  102  of stand  100 . In another example of the present invention, the locking cable  104  is passed through both the spokes of the bicycle wheel and around the fork of the bicycle frame that supports the bicycle wheel. In yet another example, the locking cable  104  is passed through the “front triangle” of the bicycle frame, as is referred to in the art, which is defined by the top tube, the down tube and the seat tube of the bicycle frame. This arrangement increases protection of the bicycle frame, especially when the bicycle wheel may be relatively easy to separate from the bicycle frame. 
     It is noted that locking slot  108  is illustrated in  FIG. 1  as being on the same side of slot  102  as the locking cable  104 . However, locking slot  108  may obviously be provided on the other (lateral) side of slot  102 . 
     A first variant of the first embodiment is manually actuated, as mentioned above. For example,  FIG. 1  illustrates a manually graspable handle  110  that rotates between a locking position and a release position, as is discussed in further detail below, particularly with respect to  FIGS. 3 a -3 c    and  FIG. 4 . 
     The overall structure of stand  100  is preferably rigid frame that can be fixedly mounted in a specific location. For example and without limitation, frame of stand  100  may be made from rigid sheet metal. In one example of the present invention, the framework of stand  100  is constructed with tabs or flanges or the like in a manner that permits several like stands  100  to be ganged together (usually side-by-side) and fixed as an assembly (such as by bolts, rivets, welding, etc.) to provide a combined stand having multiple places to park and lock several bicycles. 
     At least a part of the frame of stand  100  is double-walled, with an exterior wall  100   a  and an interior wall  100   b , as seen in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  is a schematic cross-sectional view of an upper portion of stand  100 , but is not necessarily to the same scale as that of the equivalent elements illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 2  again illustrates a generic manually graspable handle  110 , rotatable about an axis A between a locking position and a release position. Handle  110  is a generic representation, and is meant to encompass equivalent rotatable knobs and grips and the like. In an example of the present invention, the handle  110  and a corresponding portion of the adjacent frame of stand  110  may be provided with respective, fixedly placed eyelets or the like (not seen here) that come into adjoining correspondence in the locking position of handle  110  so that a locking device (such as a padlock) can be passed therethrough to lock the handle  110  in the locking position. In addition, other rotational locking mechanisms can be substituted for handle  110  in accordance with the present invention, such as providing a locking cylinder (such as a key-operated cylinder) directly in the handle  110  as is known in the art. 
     Handle  110  is operably connected to actuation mechanism  300 ′ (discussed in further detail below). Actuation mechanism  300 ′ is operably connected (via flexible connector  502 ) to a latch mechanism  500  (also described in detail below). Latch mechanism  500  includes, in pertinent part, a selectively extensible and retractable latch member  508  that selectively engages aperture  106   a  of the locking key  106  when the locking key  106  is inserted in locking slot  108  (along direction B), so as to retain the locking key  106  (and therefore the cable  104  connected thereto). Locking slot  108  may be shaped and positioned, relative to latch mechanism  500 , in a manner to ensure that aperture  106   a  is assuredly positioned relative to latch member  508  when the locking key  106  is inserted into locking slot  108 . 
     As mentioned above, a portion of cable  104  extends on an exterior side of stand  100  between locking key  106  and aperture  112  so as to effectively define a loop for retaining one or more parts of a bicycle therein. (The illustrated size of the loop defined by cable  104  in  FIG. 2  is clearly meant to be illustrative, and its actual size and/or extent in actual use is appropriate to provide extend around one or more parts of the bicycle being locked.) The remaining portion of cable  104  passes back into an interior of stand  100  via aperture  112  as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Of course, the opposite end of the cable  104  is fixedly connected by a known method (such as bolting, welding, etc.) to an interior of stand  100  so that that end of the cable  104  cannot be pulled out of the stand  100 , such that a locking functionality can be preserved. 
     Optionally, a mechanism can be provided to bias the cable  104  towards retraction (back into aperture  112 ) when the locking key  106  is not engaged in locking slot  108 . For example, if the portion of stand  100  where locking slot  108  and aperture  112  are provided has a vertical aspect (such as the angled portion schematically illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ), a weight element (not shown) could be attached to an intermediate part of cable  104  within the frame of stand  100  (i.e., relatively “below” aperture  112 , on the opposite side thereof from locking slot  108 ), which will tend to slide downward and thereby retract cable  104  in through aperture  112 . Similarly, cable  104  could be resiliently biased towards retraction, for example, by way of a resilient member like a coil spring (not shown) attached to an intermediate portion of cable  104  and a lower interior portion of the frame of stand  100 . 
     An example of a latch mechanism and actuation mechanism combination suitable for the present invention is disclosed, for example, in commonly owned published patent application WO 2014/088633. 
     Generally, the first embodiment uses a latch mechanism  300 ′ including an axially retractable and extensible latching member (see, for example,  508  in  FIG. 4 ) to selectively engage the locking key  106  of locking cable  104 . The latching member  508  is, for example, resiliently biased towards axial extension (i.e., the orientation in which the pin member lockingly engages the locking key  106 ). The first variant uses mechanical actuation to selectively retract the pin member (to unlock the stand), and the second variant uses, in pertinent part, an electric motor to selectively retract the latching member  508 . 
     An example of a latch mechanism  500  according to the present invention is connected to a flexible connector  502 , as seen in  FIG. 4 . The flexible connector  502  has generally an outer flexible sheath  504 , and a freely slidable cable (for example, a metal cable)  506  disposed within the sheath  504 . The opposite end of cable  506  from the latch mechanism  500  terminates at, for example, an anchor provided on an opposite end of cable  506 . (See  FIG. 3 c    and the written description below corresponding thereto.) An elongate latching member  508  is fixedly attached to an end of cable  506  by a suitable connector  510 . Connector  510  may be, for example, a sleeve or ferrule having one end having a diameter suitable for fixedly receiving an end of cable  506  and a second end having a diameter having a diameter suitable for fixedly receiving an end of latching member  508 , bearing in mind that these respective diameters may differ. Connector  510  may be attached to cable  506  and latching member  508  in any known matter suitable for the intended use, including without limitation, crimping the connector  510  onto one or both of the cable  506  and latching member  508 , adhesive, welding, etc. 
     The latching member  508  is preferably made of a generally rigid material that resists bending that is appropriate for the actual and commercial environment. As such, the latching member  508  could be made from, without limitation, hard polymer resin, plastic, metal, or even wood. 
     Strictly by way of example,  FIG. 4  illustrates a mounting bracket/housing  512  to which the flexible connector  502  may be fixed or through which it may be threaded (via an aperture or the like provided in an end of the housing  512 ). Preferably, an axially resilient member, such as coil spring  516 , is provided in a conventional manner in order resiliently bias latching member  508  into extension. As seen in  FIG. 4 , latch mechanism  500  includes a housing  512  that is generally rigid and may be made from, for example, metal or hard plastic. Optionally, the flexible connector  502  is connected to the housing  512  such that some or all of the portion of the cable  506  extending outside of the sheath  504 , a proximal end of latching member  508 , and the connector  510  connecting the cable  506  and latching member  508  is disposed within the housing  512 . This may be helpful in order to avoid entry of contaminants (such as dirt particles) into the mechanism where they could impede operation of the assembly. In general, the latch mechanism  500  can be fixed in a desired location by screws, nails, staples, etc. driven through peripheral portions of housing  512  into an underlying surface. See, for example, fixation points (for example, mounting holes)  514  schematically indicated in  FIG. 4 . 
       FIGS. 3 a -3 c    illustrate an example an actuation mechanism  300 ′ by which the cable  506  in  FIG. 4  can be selectively pulled within sheath  504 . It includes a base plate  300  on which a drive member  302  is rotatably mounted. A cover plate  304  is mounted on base plate  300  and is shaped so as to be spaced away from (generally along a direction parallel to an axis of rotation of drive member  302 ) base plate  300 , particularly in order to permit drive member  302  to be rotatably mounted between base plate  300  and cover plate  304 . In one example of the present invention, at least a part of cover plate  304  is generally parallel to and spaced away from base plate  300  to define a space in which drive member  302  is disposed. Furthermore, the drive member  302  may be partly rotatably mounted on the base plate  300  and partly supported by cover plate  304 . Base plate  300  and cover plate  304  may be attached to each other in any conventional manner suitable to space and environmental concerns, such as, without limitation, screws, bolts, welding, gluing, etc. 
     Drive member  302  is illustrated as being circular, this being useful relative to addressing certain features of its rotational movement. However, the particular shape of the drive member  302  is not overly critical to the present invention to the extent it satisfies space, size, and environmental limitations. 
     The axis of rotation of drive member  302  corresponds with the axis of rotation A of the handle  110  in  FIG. 2  so that rotation of the handle  110  drives rotation of drive member  302 . In one example of the present invention, drive member  302  is provided with a central bore  306  (which is, for example, square) that is shaped to conformingly receive a mounting shaft of the handle  110  therein. The handle shaft may be fixed in place in central bore  306  if desired in any conventionally known manner. The shape of the handle is not specifically critical to the present invention as long as it facilitates being manually gripped, so a knob, t-shaped handle, etc. could also be used. 
     In an example of operation, the handle  110  is rotatable through an arc of about 90°. Because the handle  110  is operably connected to drive member  302  as described above, drive member  302  also rotates through an arc of about 90°. 
     The present invention is not necessarily limited to manual actuation via a handle. The drive member  302  could also be selectively actuated via, for example, a selectively operated motor (as described elsewhere herein with respect to the second variant of the first embodiment) suitably coupled to the drive member  302 . 
     Drive member  302  is provided with first and second nubs  308 ,  310  on diametrically opposed edges of drive member  302 , which is circular by way of example in the figures. If the drive member  302  is not circular, the nubs  308 ,  310  are provided on diametrically opposite sides of an imaginary circle of a given radius centered on the axis of rotation of drive member  302  (and handle  110 ). 
     As seen in  FIGS. 3 a  and 3 b   , the drive member  302  may desirably be biased towards rotation by way of a spring member  312  that is under tension at the extreme rotational positions of the drive member  302 /handle  110 . For example, a coil spring  312  may be fixedly attached at one end to an end portion of cover plate  304 , and attached at its other end to a third nub  314  provided on drive member  302 . Nub  314  is provided circumferentially about halfway (or about 90° in a rotational sense) between nubs  308 ,  310  such that when the drive member  302  is rotated, nub  314  travels along a lower (as seen in  FIGS. 3 a  and 3 b   ) edge of drive member  302 . According to the present invention, the spring member  312  is useful and desirable, but not critical to operation. 
     In a particular example of the present invention, nubs  308 ,  310  extend (along the direction of the axis of rotation of drive member  302 ) beyond the cover plate  304  (see  FIG. 3 b   ). Cover plate  304  is therefore desirably provided with arcuate cutouts  304   a  at its edges corresponding with the respective paths of travel of nubs  308 ,  310  in order to accommodate the movement of these protruding nubs  308 ,  310 . The cutouts  304   a  are about 90° in circumferential arc, corresponding to the limits of rotation of the drive member  302 . The opposing ends of cutouts  304   a  may therefore desirably act as rotation limiters when the nubs  308 , 310  abut them. 
     When spring  312  is provided under tension as shown in  FIG. 3 a   , drive member  302  is biased towards counterclockwise rotation (relative to  FIG. 3 a   ) until nub  310  is about at the position where nub  314  is shown in  FIG. 3 a   . By this rotation of drive member  302 , nub  314  in turn moves to the position previously occupied by nub  308  in  FIG. 3 a   . As a result, spring  312  will then bias the drive member  302  into clockwise rotation, similar to the manner in which it initially biased the drive member  302  into counterclockwise rotation. Preferably the tension in spring  312  is relatively light—only enough to assist or encourage rotation of drive member  302 /handle  110  without causing drive member  302 /handle  110  to rotate independently without actual operation of the handle  110 . 
     A pull arm  316  (see  FIG. 3 c   ) is connected to, for example, nub  310  so that the pull arm  316  is selectively retracted (when nub  310  is in the relatively higher position seen in  FIG. 3 a   ) or extended (when the mechanism is rotated as described above, so that nub  310  is moved to the position of nub  314  in  FIG. 3 a   ). The pull arm  316  is for example a rigid member that is operably connected at its opposite end to a proximal end of cable  506  (such as being engaged to the anchor provided at the proximal end of cable  506 ), so as to selectively pull the cable  506  within sheath  504 . In general, the pull arm  316  is pivotably mounted (in any known manner) relative to nub  310  (in order to provide a linear pulling force component while accommodating rotation of drive member  302 ). As drive member  302  (and thus, in pertinent part, nub  310 ) moves, the pull arm  316  is correspondingly moved in opposite directions. The distal end of the pull arm  316  (that is, opposite the end connected to nub  310 ) is, for example, a hooked portion  316 ′ having a slot into which an end of metal cable  506  is retained. In  FIG. 3 c   , several cables are illustrated (as will be applicable in the second embodiment of the invention discussed later), but of course the arrangement being described can be used with a single cable  506 . The cable  506  is provided with a knob or anchor (indicated by  210 ′,  212 ′, etc. in  FIG. 3 c   ) at its end, which allows the cable to be retained by the hooked portion  316 ′. 
     In a particular example of the present invention, the flexible connector  502  is a flexible cable having a structure similar to conventional (and commercially available) cables used in bicycles and motorcycles to actuate brakes, gear shifting and clutch mechanisms, and the like. Most generally, cables of this type include a metal central cable (for example, braided steel wire) that is freely slidable along its length within an outer flexible rubber, plastic, polymer, etc. tubular sheath. That is, the metal central cable can be pulled/released at one end to cause the metal cable to move freely relative to its surrounding sheath. In a common example of such cables, the internal metal cable is provided at at least one end with an enlarged anchor or head mounted thereon or attached thereto, by which a cooperating engaging portion can more easily engage and retain the metal cable to provide a selective pulling action relative to the sheath. Cables of this type used in motorcycles are comparatively thicker (with respect to overall cross section) than those used in bicycle applications and may considered desirably more mechanically durable than bicycle cables. 
     When cable  506  is thusly connected to latching member  508 , the latching member  508  can be extended and retracted relative to housing  512  (see arrow C in  FIG. 4 ) in accordance with the tension selectively applied at the other end of the flexible connector via the operation of the actuation mechanism  300 ′ that selectively applies tension to the cable  506 . 
     In one example of the present invention, a resilient biasing member, such as a coil spring  516  may be included in the latch mechanism  500  in order to bias the latching member  508  towards an extended direction. For example, the coil spring  516  may be provided such that a portion of cable  506  extends axially therethrough as seen by way of example in  FIG. 5 . One end of the coil spring may be disposed in abutting relationship with, for example, a proximal wall of housing  512 . The other end of coil spring  516  may abut, for example, a radially outward extending portion of connector  510 . The coil spring  516  may be in a neutral state of tension when the latching member  508  is at its fully extended position or it may be under relatively light compressive tension, such that retracting the latching member  508  (by pulling cable  506 ) compresses or further compresses coil spring  516  so that the latching member  508  is biased towards an extended latching position along direction C. 
     It will be recalled that  FIG. 3 a    corresponds to an unlatched position of the system, in which the latching member (like  508 ) is retracted from a latching position. The pull arm  316  is pulled relative to the flexible connector  502  in  FIG. 4 , such that the metal cable  506  therein is pulled within its sheath  504 , and the latching member  508  at the other end is retracted. 
     When the pull arm is lowered (i.e., nub  310  is moved to the position of nub  314  shown in  FIG. 3 a   ) tension on the metal cable  506  is released. However it should be understood that the tension on the metal cable is merely released, and the cable is not, alone, “pushed” into extension. For this reason, the provision of a biasing member, such as coil spring  516  in  FIG. 4 , assists in the latching member attaining an extended position when tension on metal cable  506  is released. 
     Returning to  FIG. 4 , latching member  508  may be arranged to protrude from a similarly sized bore or opening (not specifically illustrated in the view of  FIG. 4 ) formed in a corresponding end of housing  512 . The bore may thus serve to allow the latching member  508  to extend and retract axially (that is, along arrow C) while at least partly limiting lateral movement of the latching member  508 . It may be useful to limit the extent to which the latching member  508  extends outside of housing  512  so as to limit bending forces on the latching member  508  that could snap the latching member. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a second variant of the first embodiment of the present invention. The features of stand  1000  in  FIG. 5  share the features of stand  100  discussed hereinabove and with respect to  FIGS. 1-4 . In the second variant, the actuation mechanism of stand  1000  is electrically operated instead of manually operated as in the first variant. 
     More particularly,  FIG. 5  illustrates a stand  1000 , which, like the stand  100  of  FIGS. 1-4 , has a slot  1020  for receiving a wheel of a bicycle or the like; a locking cable (or chain or the like)  1040 ; and a locking key  1060  provided at the end of the locking cable  1040 , for selective engagement in locking slot  1080 . In  FIG. 5 , the stand  1000  is provided with an electromechanical unit  1500  instead of the handle  110  of stand  1000 . Generally, the electromechanical unit  1500  includes an electric motor or the like for actuating the actuating mechanism described above, instead of by way of the manual handle  110 . The electromechanical unit  1500  also generally includes a control mechanism and a power source for the motor. 
     For example, unit  1500  in  FIG. 5  may include a conventional payment card reader (such as credit, debit, and prepaid cards, readable by way of electronic chip, magnetic strip, or by contactless (for example, RFID) mechanisms), generically indicated at  1502 . The unit  1500  may, strictly by way of example and without limitation, include a conventional photovoltaic unit  1504 , which can be used to charge a conventional battery or other electric storage cell (not shown), for powering a conventional electric servo motor (not shown). The provision of a payment card reader is appropriate when the stand  1000  is used to provide a lockable bicycle stand as a paid service. 
     In an example of the operation of the second variant, the payment card reader  1502  can function both as a payment terminal and as a control mechanism for locking and unlocking the stand  1000 . For example, upon arrival, a user&#39;s payment card is read (in any conventional manner in the field of payment systems) which both initiates a payment process and (after passing the cable  1040  through the wheel and/or frame of the bicycle and inserting the locking key  1060  back into locking slot  1080 ) sends an electrical actuation signal to a conventional servo motor (represented generally at  1506 ) which may, for example, drive the actuation mechanism (as described above) from a release position into a locking position (in which latching member  508  is left extended through the aperture of the locking key  1060 , to thereby lockingly engage the locking key  1060  in locking slot  1080  and thereby lock a bicycle or the like in the stand  1000 . 
     When departing, the user&#39;s payment card is read a second time. This operates to conclude the payment operation (for example, calculating a payment to be charged based on the time spent parked at the stand). In addition, the second operation can include sending a second actuation signal to the electric servo motor  1506  that causes the actuation mechanism  300 ′ to move to a release position (as described above) wherein the latching member  508  is retracted and disengaged from locking key  1060 , so that locking key  1060  can be withdrawn from the locking slot  1080  and the bicycle (or the like) can be removed from the stand  1000 . If the locking key  1060  is retained in the locking slot  1080  even when the stand  1000  is not in use, the first and second payment card reading operations discussed above may each be further modified to include providing both disengage and engage signals to the electric servo motor. 
     In an alternative manner of operation of the first embodiment, the latch member  508  may by default always be put in the extended position (for example, by way of the resilient bias of coil spring  516 . Upon arriving at the bike stand of the present invention, a user parks the bike with a wheel located in the wheel slot, threads the cable  104  through the wheel and/or frame and inserts the locking key back into the locking slot. The act of insertion of the locking key into the lock slot in this example forces the latch member into slight retraction (against the resilient bias towards extension) to permit the locking key to move into a correct position where the aperture in the locking key is put into alignment with the latch member, whereupon the latch member is allowed to resilient extend, and thereby retain the locking key in place. This mechanical action may be facilitated by providing a beveled or wedged leading edge on the locking key and/or on a side of a tip of the latch member, to help the locking key force the latch member into temporary retraction. With this arrangement, therefore, the user only engages in an unlocking operation upon departing to retract the latch mechanism and withdraw the locking key, whether by turning the handle  110  or by the unit  1500  sending an unlock signal to the servo motor when the user&#39;s payment card is read a second time. 
       FIGS. 7-10  illustrate a second embodiment of a lockable bicycle stand that uses the actuation and latch mechanisms described above relative to  FIGS. 1-6 . In effect, the second embodiment uses several latch mechanisms of the type described above and illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective somewhat schematic view of a stand  2000  adapted for receiving a two-wheeled vehicle such as a bicycle. Generally, stand  2000  includes a rigid frame (for example, made from rigid sheet metal or a durable and rigid plastic or other polymer material). Stand  2000  may include a wheel groove  2002  along which wheels of a bicycle are guided into and out of the stand  2000 . Generally the stand  2000  includes a first locking position  2004  and a second locking position  2006 . At the first locking position  2004 , one or more latch members (in accordance with the arrangement described and illustrated relative to  FIG. 4 ) are arranged to selectively extend across the width of the wheel groove  2002 . Preferably, the latch members at first locking position are arranged relatively above the bottom of the wheel groove  2002  (that is, the surface on which the wheels roll and rest) sufficiently high to pass over a lower portion of the wheel and through the spokes of the wheel into engagement with the other side of the wheel groove  2002 . Preferably, the frame of stand  2000  on the side of wheel groove  2002  into which the latch members are selectively retracted is sufficiently wide to permit sufficient room for retraction into the interior of the frame. 
     Second locking position  2006  is elevated relative to the wheel groove  2002  (and the first locking position  2004 ), for example by way of opposing vertical walls  2006   a  and  2006   b  on opposing sides of wheel groove  2002 . The stand  2000  includes a pivotably mounted (for example, hinged) locking flap or member  2006   c  that pivots from a locking position in which it is generally horizontal and spans the distance between walls  2006   a ,  2006   b , and a release position in which it pivots upwardly and out of the space between walls  2006   a ,  2006   b . See, for example,  FIG. 9  compared to  FIG. 7 . In the locking position, the locking flap  2006   c  is locked into engagement with the opposing wall ( 2006   a  in the figures, by way of example) by providing one or more of the latch mechanisms, also of the type described above relative to  FIG. 4 . In  FIG. 9 , two such latch mechanisms are shown by way of example. 
     The latch mechanisms used at the first and second locking positions are in accordance with the description of the latch mechanism illustrated in  FIG. 4 , and may be centrally actuated by a manually graspable handle  2010 , for example located on a side of the stand  2000 . See, for example  FIG. 8 , which is a reverse perspective view of stand  2000  compared to the view of  FIG. 7 . Flexible connectors  502  are at least schematically indicated in  FIG. 8 . The handle  2010  is associated with an actuation mechanism in accordance with the description of actuation mechanism  300 ′ disclosed with respect to  FIGS. 2 and 3   a - 3   c  above. In particular, reference is made to the pull member  316  illustrated in  FIG. 3 c    and engaging multiple flexible connectors  502 . By the use of such a pull member, the plurality of latch mechanisms contemplated by this second embodiment can be conveniently operated in unison from a single central location. 
     As mentioned above relative to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the rotatable handle  2010  can be locked into place (to thereby lock the bicycle into place) for example by passing a lock (such as a padlock) through corresponding adjacent eyelets provided on the handle and the stand frame respectively when the handle is in a locking position. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates an example of a bicycle  3000  parked and locked in the stand  2000 . Although not visible in  FIG. 10 , the front wheel  3002  of bicycle  3000  is locked at the first locking position  2004  in accordance with the foregoing description. In addition, the locking flap  2006   c  is locked into position by extending through the front triangle (see above) of the frame of bicycle  3000 . This provides a similar extra level of protection for the bicycle as described relative to the first embodiment, beyond merely engaging one of the wheels. 
     Although the present invention is described above with reference to certain particular examples for the purpose of illustrating and explaining the invention, it must be understood that the invention is not limited solely with reference to the specific details of those examples. More particularly, the person skilled in the art will readily understand that modifications and developments that can be carried out in the preferred embodiments without thereby going beyond the ambit of the invention.