Bicycle handlebar-stored cable lock

A lock assembly for a bicycle may comprise a shackle and a lock body. The shackle may have first and second end portions, and a central portion. The shackle may include a cable disposed in a cushioning sleeve extending between the first and second end portions. A resilient member may be disposed on or included in the central portion of the shackle. The first end portion may include a locking member, and the second end portion may be connected to the lock body. The lock assembly may be operable between stowed position corresponding to the shackle and a portion of the lock assembly contained within a bore of a handlebar of the bicycle, and a removed position corresponding to the lock assembly removed from the bore.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to security devices, specifically to portable cable locks for securing from theft articles such as bicycles, vehicles and devices employing tubular handlebars and tubular elements, and the accessories of said articles.

INTRODUCTION

Previously, bicycle cable locks when not in use have primarily been stored in either a cargo bag or device attached to the bicycle, coiled around the tubes comprising the frame, or on the body of the rider. This makes use (retrieving, uncoiling, locking, and subsequent stowing of the lock after use) time consuming and difficult. External storage of the lock can also cause chipping of the bike's paint finish. External storage of the coiled or uncoiled cable lock is also aesthetically undesirable for appreciating the overall design of the bicycle. External storage is also unfavorable aerodynamically and weight wise for those riders concerned with optimum equipment performance.

Thereafter inventors created several lock designs that addressed ways to conceal the lock and cable attached thereto. U.S. Pat. No. 4,024,741 shows a solution to the concealment and stowing need, employing the internal bore of the handle bars as the storage area; however this lock is: prohibitively heavy, involves permanently installing lock components to the handle bars, and requires a complicated multi-stage process to deploy and use involving unattached parts. Further, it features a short maximum cable length, an inability to detach the lock completely from the bike to allow for minimum bicycle weight and other security uses, and substantially adds to the length of one of the distal ends of the handlebar, which may be a safety concern due to interference with the rider's knees during peddling. Additionally, the complicated design of the locking mechanism would be expensive to manufacture and adds unnecessary weight and difficulty in its permanent installation needs.

Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,273 proposes a simpler design that is primarily aimed at securing ski poles by using the tubular bore of the pole for a storage location. Its application would not be applicable in its proposed design due to the exposed metal components that would allow for paint damage to expensive bicycle frame members along with potential for injury to the rider. Its design is also unable to comply with the need of secure affixment in the handle bar during the vibration caused by riding. Additionally, the long loop created by the crimped and folded end of the non-locking end of the cable would not successfully navigate the multiple curves of the interior bore of road bicycle handlebars during insertion and retrieval.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,693,098 allows for insertion and retrieval of the cable into multiple curved handlebars but requires the use of a clamp-on, heavy, keyed lock that is shown attached to the outside of a bicycle frame tube member. This defeats the need for aerodynamic and aesthetic invisibility. No provisions have been included to keep the cable from moving out of the handlebar due to vibration during bicycle use.

A lightweight combination lock and concealed storage in the tubular interior of vehicle handlebars is featured in U.S. Pat. No. 4,870,843. However, in the design additional weight is added by making the design a self-retracting one utilizing linked chain and having the chain retract for storage in two parts utilizing both open ends of the handlebar. This design is prone to failure due to its use of springs and additionally introduces safety concerns due to the exposed combination lock and its mating toothed lock pin exposed during bicycle use. This configuration of the design exposes the rider's body to sharp metal surfaces and makes that eventuality more likely as it adds to the effective length of the handlebar toward the rider. This design additionally requires permanent installation, difficulty in retrieval of failed components, the inability to remove the lock entirely for maximum bicycle lightness, and the inability to remove and employ the lock for securing accessories or other bike components away from the immediate area of the handlebar. Noise and rattling would probably be a detraction during use in the lock's storage mode as the chain and retraction springs would interact with the interior bore of the handlebar.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,186,576 the safety problem regarding rider's knees of the previously addressed designs is solved but weight continues to be a design problem due to the use of a keyed lock utilized and its need for large metal components. The lock is cumbersome to use due to the need to unlock and retract a lock body, flip of one of the cables from rear to front orientation, remove one cable ball end, carefully replace the ball end after wrapping the cable about the item to be secured, and reinsert the lock and lock with a key. The design necessitates a manufacturer's alteration of the handlebar end to have a close tolerance hole drilled into the dorsal side of the aluminum or carbon fiber handlebar near one end opening. This is an operation that few bicycle owners would be prone to do themselves or have done. Having handlebar tape on the bars would prevent visual inspection of the locked or not locked nature of the locking pin positioning. The user is also tasked with finding the location of the hole to align with the locking pin to allow insertion and securing by key turning. The design also presupposes that one size lock body fits all handlebar interior bores, which is decidedly not the case. No aspect of the design allows for adaptation of the lock body to varying interior bores of existing handlebars. A close tolerance fit is essential for the reliable operation of this lock.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,970,883 addresses some of the drawbacks of the aforementioned prior art but introduces its own distinct disadvantaging features. A more compact design is proposed utilizing a combination lock with a flexible shackle cable and a depressing button release to free the cable end from the lock body. This design again needs to be constructed with substantial amounts of metal, making it heavy for weight conscious riders and requiring portions of it to be permanently attached to the handlebar. In this design the inventor suggests that a needed sleeve mounted permanently inside of the handlebar for lock storage should be attached with adhesive. The inventor does not account for the many different interior diameters found in the range of handlebars available and the need to supply the needed close tolerance fit for the aforementioned sleeve.

The depressing button needed to release the cable end is shown protruding out of the end of the end of the handle bar, raising the aforementioned safety concerns for the rider. Spring loaded detent balls engaging into annular grooves in the interior bore of the sleeve are proposed to secure the lock housing. The ball idea, magnets, spring fingers or thread solutions additionally offered as securing options would all pose problems in the available space available in the interior bore of most handlebars. These complicated mechanical solutions for securing the lock housing introduces the likelihood for common failure due to the miniaturization needed, the relatively high amounts of contaminates exposed to outdoor equipment, and the tolerances needed between the sleeve and the lock housing. The proposed design again exposes the rider to injury due to the metal protuberances and the considerable additional effective length of one end of the handlebar facing the rider.

Undesired weight is added from the design's additional components to the traditional two piece combination lock design featuring a toothed pin mating axially into a lock body with spinning numbered lock rings, see U.S. Pat. No. 1,472,206. Additional lock parts are needed to interact with the pawl mechanism associated with the cable end caps. Contamination commonly found in outdoor environments is sure to hinder reliability of this device due to the many additional moving parts and reliance on small spring components.

The shown length needed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,970,883 for the entire sleeve-lock body-cable caps configuration would not fit into the approximately 2 inches of length available in the straight distal section of most road, or “rams horn” shaped bicycle handlebar ends. After this straight approximate two inches, the interior bore bends acutely upwards and prevents insertion of rigid straight objects.

A similar invention idea was proposed with U.S. Pat. No. 5,289,704 using a combination lock that controls the release of a latch body on a free end of a flexible shackle and inserted in one end of a tube, typically a bicycle frame member or ski pole. This effort suffers from the same weight gains as U.S. Pat. No. 4,970,883 as it requires additional locking components than a common cylinder combination lock and additionally features a screw operated mechanical securing feature.

The distal end of the lock features a large round knob that must be turned to secure or release the lock from the interior bore of the tube. The twisting either expands a rubber plug that engages the interior bore and locks the lock in place or releases the squeezing on the plug which contracts and assumes a smaller diameter and releases, and allowing the lock to be pulled out of the bore of the tube. This time consuming, mechanical solution requires additional components such as the screw, a mating threaded nut, a sufficiently large knob to turn, and a large, dense rubber plug. The more moving parts of this design with its springs, plunge pins, screws, friction surfaces, rubber components and small in size locking surfaces all add up to more reliability and maintenance problems which add up to reduced security, all undesirable for a locking security device.

SUMMARY

In one example, a lock assembly for a bicycle may include a shackle, a resilient member, and a lock body. The shackle may have a first end portion, a second end portion, and a central portion between the first and second end portions. The first end portion may include a locking member. The shackle may include a cable disposed in a cushioning sleeve such that an outer surface of the cable faces an inner surface of the cushioning sleeve and an outer surface of the cushioning sleeve faces away from the outer surface of the cable. The cable and the cushioning sleeve may extend between the first and second end portions. The resilient member may have a first end, a second end, an inner surface, and an outer surface. The inner surface of the resilient member may be disposed on the central portion of the shackle. The lock body may be connected to the second end portion of the shackle. The lock body may include a plurality of rotating tumblers, and a hole for receiving the locking member when the plurality of rotating tumblers are in an open position. The lock body may be configured to prevent removal of the locking member from the hole when the plurality of rotating tumblers are in a locked position. The lock assembly may be operable between a stowed position and a removed position. The stowed position may correspond to the central portion of the shackle contained within a bore of a handlebar of the bicycle, the resilient member in a compressed state to hold the shackle against opposing sides of an interior surface of the bore by the first end of the resilient member pressing against one of the opposing sides and the second end of the resilient member pressing against the other of the opposing sides to reduce movement of the shackle relative to the interior surface during vibrations of the handlebar thereby reducing noise produced by the shackle in the stowed position during such vibrations, and the cushioning sleeve disposed between the cable and the interior surface and in contact with the interior surface to reduce acceleration of the cable relative to the interior surface caused by such vibrations of the handlebar thereby further reducing noise produced by the shackle in the stowed position during such vibrations. The removed position may correspond to the lock assembly removed from the bore, and the resilient member in an expanded state.

In another example, a lock assembly for a bicycle may include a flexible shackle and a lock body. The shackle may have a long axis, and a first end portion, a resilient central portion, and a second end portion serially disposed along the long axis. The resilient central portion may have a greater thickness than the first and second end portions proximal the resilient central portion in a direction perpendicular to the long axis. The first end portion may include a locking member. The lock body may be connected to the second end portion of the shackle. The lock body may include a plurality of rotating tumblers, and a hole for receiving the locking member when the plurality of rotating tumblers are in an open position. The lock body may be configured to prevent removal of the locking member from the hole when the plurality of rotating tumblers are in a locked position. The lock assembly may be operable between a stowed position and a removed position. The stowed position may correspond to the shackle and a rear end portion of the lock body being contained within a bore of a handlebar of the bicycle, and the resilient central portion in a substantially folded state to press the shackle against opposing sides of the bore and thereby reduce noise produced by the shackle in the stowed position during vibrations of the handlebar. The removed position may correspond to the lock assembly removed from the bore, and the resilient central portion in a substantially unfolded state.

In another example, a lock assembly for a bicycle may include a shackle having first and second end portions, and a lock body connected to the second end portion of the shackle. The first end portion may include a locking member. The shackle may include a cable and a layer of cushioning material surrounding the cable. The cable and the cushioning material may extend between the first and second end portions. The lock body may include a plurality of rotating tumblers, and a hole for receiving the locking member when the plurality of rotating tumblers are in an open position. The lock body may be configured to prevent removal of the locking member from the hole when the plurality of rotating tumblers are in a locked position. The lock assembly may be operable between a stowed position and a removed position. The stowed position may correspond to the shackle and a rear end portion of the lock body being contained within a bore of a handlebar of the bicycle, and the cushioning material being disposed between the cable and an interior surface of the bore to reduce accelerations of the cable relative to the interior surface caused by vibration of the handlebar thereby reducing noise produced by the shackle in the stowed position. The removed position may correspond to the lock assembly removed from the bore of the handlebar.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure generally relates to a cable lock and its storage in a bicycle handlebar with no modifications of said handlebar. Embodiments disclosed herein may provide a lock that is lightweight for use with light bicycles; a lock that stores within the existing handlebar of a bike that is discreet and does not add any aerodynamic drag; a lock that simply adapts to all common handlebar interior bores without modification of said bores; a lock that is simple to use and does not require any more than a simple pull to deploy the lock; a lock that has few moving parts and is simple to produce and maintain; a lock that can be removed away from the bike to secure other articles; a lock that in use does not mar or damage the article it is securing; and/or a lock that does not add any rider safety issues over commonly found bicycle components and accessories.

According to the present teachings, an improved cable lock which can be used to lock a vehicle such as a bicycle and can be stored within the bike handle, the lock housing may be cylindrical in shape and elongated on its axis including a locking means comprising a dial type combination lock having a plurality of rotating tumblers and a cable having one end secured near the posterior of the locking housing and the second end having a toothed pin either removably attachable through a small opening in the anterior of the locking housing into the combination lock to lock the bike to an object or removably held in a rubber toothed pin holder in the posterior of the locking housing when the cable and the lock housing are stored in the bicycle handle bar. To hold the cable lock in place in the handlebar, rings may be located at both ends of the lock housing having radially outwardly extending resilient friction fingers that contort to conform to the interior bore of the handlebar. To reduce the length of the cable when inserted into the vehicle or bicycle handlebar and better facilitate the insertion, the cable may be bent substantially 180 degrees at its midpoint where a small ball is attached to the cable. In other embodiments, the cable may be disposed in a cushioning sleeve and a resilient member may be disposed on a central portion of the cable and/or the cushioning sleeve to reduce noise produced by the cable when inserted inside the handlebar. The resilient member may also provide for easier insertion of the cable into the handlebar and/or reduce abrasion of the cushioning sleeve by an interior surface of the handlebar.

Embodiments of the present teachings may solve all the above problems of discussed in the above introduction by completely storing the entire cable lock within the unused interior bore of the bicycle's handlebar while allowing for lightweight, simple design, low cost and ease and speed of use plus additional advantages. Their features allow for easy retrieval, use, and stowing with no additional aerodynamic drag added to the bike. Embodiments of the present disclosure may not introduce any sources of potential injury to the rider. These embodiments may have completely disappearing storage modes, enabling the bicycle owner to have a visually unencumbered machine and the ability to carry a discreet security device to protect from theft. These locks may adapt to any of the common interior bore sizes of handlebars. The embodiments may not compromise the structure of any bicycle component as no portion of it is permanently attached to the bicycle. The deployed lock can also be used for any number of security applications beyond use with a bicycle. These could include helmets, gloves, packs, clothing, etc.

While embodiments have been described above and will be described below with many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments. It is to be understood that the scope of this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, the present teachings are intended to cover various modifications and equivalent structures included with the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of the basic version of the handlebar stowing cable lock and the bicycle tape wrapped handlebar10with the exposed end of the handlebar opening18the cable lock will be inserted into.FIG. 1shows lock assembly8in a removed position (e.g.,FIG. 1shows lock assembly8completely removed from a bore of handlebar10). The lock assembly8is formed from a lock body9and a folded cable or shackle compromising separate portions28,28a. A toothed pin26is crimped onto the end of one of the plastic coated metal cable portion28a. The toothed pin26is shown not yet inserted into the rubber toothed pin holder20in preparation for storing the lock within the tape wrapped handlebar10. The end of the other plastic coated cable portion28is mechanically crimped inside an integrated crimping ferrule21affixed onto the posterior of the lock body9. The rubber toothed pin holder20both encapsulates the cable end and crimping ferrule21along with providing a shaped chamber to accept and hold the toothed pin26during the storage configuration of the lock. The rubber toothed pin holder20is shown attached to the rear of the three-tumbler combination lock22. Because the lock is intended to be stored in the narrow bore of a handlebar, the mid-point of the cable is fastened in a plastic ball end30with both cable halves exiting the same side of the ball in close proximity and parallel. The two cable portions28and28aare thus held in narrow profile to easily slip into the handlebar. The cable is bent 180° back on itself to form a bend roughly at its midpoint with the small plastic ball end30secured at the bend. In other words, a first portion of the cable extends into ball end30where the cable forms a 180° bend from which a second portion of the cable extends out of ball end30, as shown inFIG. 1. This ball is inserted first and allows for the easy travel of the doubled cable past the interior bends and any obstructions in the interior of the handlebar. The toothed pin holder20is secured to the posterior of the lock body9and removably secures the toothed pin while the lock assembly is stored within the handlebar. The pin holder20and the lock body9with its rubber rings of friction fingers36follows the ball and doubled cable into the bar opening and is inserted until it is entirely within the interior of the bar and the back side of the rubber bar end cap24is in contact with and sealing the handlebar opening18.

The rigidity of the cable portions28and28aand ball30allow for the user to insert the lock in short strokes until the entire length of the cables are within the handle bar bore and successfully navigated past the bends in the bar. The strong yet flexible plastic covered metal cable28and28ais adequate enough to afford security against theft for the owner of an expensive bicycle and to allow for an occasional short absence away from the bike during a ride. Situations where there is needed security for overnight, long term, or within an area of high theft risk, the bicycle owner will employ appropriately more robust locks not made for carrying on rides where performance and aesthetics are an issue.

The stored configuration of the lock is seen inFIG. 2in a perspective view of the lock end cap24in position at the handlebar opening18. In this view the toothed pin26has been inserted into the toothed pin holder20and the ball end30with the two cable halves has been inserted into the end of the handlebar opening18. The ball end30with its smooth surfaces allows easy navigation of the shackle past the bends in the handlebar. One such bend is adjacent to the handbrake12attachment point on the outside of the handlebar. The shackle is guided into the bar until the entire length of the lock assembly8is within the bar and only the lock end cap24is seen. The handlebar tape14is shown wound around the outside surface of the handlebar and has its final winding at the end of the handlebar capped and protected by the lock cap end24when it is in place in the handlebar opening18. This is also shown in the cross-section ofFIG. 5. In this stored position only the lock end cap24with its axial positioned toothed pin hole32is exposed.

The lock's existence in place is only revealed by the small toothed pin hole32in the rubber lock end cap24made to accept the insertion of the lock's toothed pin26. Other than this hole, the cap is the same shape, size, and usual material as a standard handlebar end cap. Thus concealed, it protects from its theft and aesthetically does not detract from standard aerodynamic and compact bicycle components. The end cap's rubber material is soft and non-marring to the bicycle when in use and safely protects the rider's body from injurious contact with the handlebar ends. The lock design allows the complete removal of all components of the lock and the selective use of a standard bar end plug to seal the end of the handlebar18. This option allows the rider to have the lightest weight bicycle as possible for maximum performance and for rides where the rider does not anticipate the need to lock the bike for security.

The lock assembly8and toothed pin26are best seen inFIG. 3in a perspective view of the lock assembly with lock mechanism. The preferred mechanism is a combination-style lock having a plurality of individual tumblers34. The toothed pin26is a well-known lock element found in cylindrical combination locks. This pin has a plurality of spaced apart teeth arranged in a line parallel to the axis of the pin. Each numbered tumbler is rotatable on a hollow shaft that terminates on its anterior end in the toothed pin hole. The shaft is a slotted cylinder with the slot the approximate width of the width of the teeth on the toothed pin26. The shaft accepts the toothed pin26and allows the projection of each of the teeth through the slot and beyond the outside diameter of the shaft. In a conventional manner, each of the tumblers34rotating on the shaft allows axial movement of its respective tooth only when in one relative position of rotation with respect to the shaft. As shown inFIG. 3, plurality of rotating tumblers34are serially disposed along an elongate axis of combination lock22. The lock can be shifted selectively between locked and open configurations. Otherwise the lock remains in a locked configuration with the toothed pin26locked within the lock body9. With the toothed pin26inserted into the lock end cap24and locked into the shaft on the anterior end of the lock assembly8and the other cable end attached to the posterior end of the lock assembly8, a circular shackle loop is created to secure the bicycle or an accessory.

The rings of resilient friction fingers36are axially arranged on the lock body9. The fingers are the preferred means to provide friction to secure the lock body within the handlebar after insertion. Alternately, these could be formed, for example, of neoprene rubber, soft polyurethane, or spring metal. In this embodiment three rubber rings are employed. A single anterior ring of friction fingers36is positioned just to the rear of the lock end cap24. As shown inFIG. 3, plurality of tumblers34are disposed between a first set or plurality of fingers36and a second set or plurality of fingers36(e.g., fingers36disposed between tumblers34and an upper portion of end cap24inFIG. 3may be described as the first set of fingers36, and fingers36disposed between tumblers34and a lower portion of pin holder20inFIG. 3may be described as the second set of fingers36). It is an integral part of a molded piece that also incorporates the lock end cap24. The fingers are radially arranged to the axis of the lock and present flat resilient surfaces that contort to conform to the interior bore of the handlebar10. Each individual finger36is able to bend in both directions of the line of axis of the lock assembly8. In the stored configuration the fingers36on all of the rings will be bent over in the direction of the lock end cap24and the anterior of the lock. As shown inFIG. 5, the direction from fingers36toward lock end cap24may be described as a direction from fingers36toward opening18, as end cap24is shown disposed in opening18. Upon the grasping of the lock end cap and the beginning of the extraction of the lock assembly8from the handlebar bore, the fingers36will contort and simultaneously flip to the axially opposite position then pointing to the posterior of the lock assembly8until they are released from the lock bore and assume a neutral, unbent position. As shown inFIG. 5, a direction pointing from fingers36toward the posterior of lock assembly8may be described as a direction from fingers36away from opening18, as the posterior of lock assembly8is shown disposed opposite opening18relative to fingers36. No other motions other than pushing or pulling are needed to respectively insert or retract the lock assembly8from the handlebar10. Rings of fingers36may be dimensioned to adapt to inside diameters of all commonly available handlebars to provide securing friction. Other materials and configurations for the detent function performed by these axially arranged rows of fingers36are possible in alternate embodiments. The novel feature of rings of rubber friction fingers36not only allows use of the lock with most interior handlebar diameters but also adds the least amount of weight to accomplish this feat. The rings of bent friction fingers36secure the lock within the handlebar, prevent the backward motion of the lock and its falling out, and also prevent vibration and noise generated from contact to the hard materials of the bars. The close spacing of the resilient rings of friction fingers36on adjacent sides of the combination lock tumblers34helps in keeping the metal rotating tumblers from contacting and marring bicycle surfaces during its employment in the lock configuration.

FIG. 4is a perspective view of the cable lock assembly8in the locked mode and as it would be in use, forming a loop of cable allowing the locking of the bicycle to a secure object or to itself to prevent movement.FIG. 4shows lock assembly8in the removed position. The toothed pin26has been pulled out of its storage position, inserted in the rubber toothed pin holder20attached to the rear of the three-tumbler combination lock22and is shown in the locked configuration inserted into the toothed pin hole32in the face of the lock end cap24. The insertion of the toothed pin26into the rubber bar end cap24for the locking position and use is advantageous as it maximizes the length and circular shape of the deployed cable versus previous designs that have both ends of the cable attached to and emerging from the same end of the lock housing9in the locked configuration.

FIG. 5is a cross-sectional view of the tape wrapped handlebar10end with the lock assembly8in its stowed position inserted into the handlebar opening18. A rear resilient flange27behind the anterior annular knob of the end cap24provides a seal against the handlebar opening18and handlebar tape14to protect the lock from moisture and dust. The rubber toothed pin holder20is attached to the rear of the lock body9. The toothed pin26is in its stowed position inserted into the rubber toothed pin holder20. As shown inFIG. 5, pin holder20includes a slot extending substantially parallel to the elongate axis of combination lock22, and the plurality of teeth of pin26are positioned between first and second opposing sidewalls of the slot in the stowed position. The rubber pin holder20affixed to the rear of the lock securely holds the two strands of the cable together during the stowing, removing, and storage within the handlebar of the lock. This aids in the insertion and extraction process and keeps the toothed pin26secure during storage so vibration and noise is not produced by its interaction with the interior of the handlebar. One of the plastic coated cables28is crimped into a crimping ferrule21cast into the lock body9. The rubber toothed pin holder20is shown in cross section surrounding the end of the plastic coated cable28, the crimping ferrule21, and the stowed toothed pin26. The other plastic coated cable28ais crimped into the end of the toothed pin26.

The two rings of resilient friction fingers36near the posterior of the lock assembly9share the same material and design features of the anterior ring. As shown inFIG. 5, fingers36project substantially perpendicular to the elongate axis of combination lock22. The rear rings are stacked in close proximity to each other and have their sets of fingers in the same position rotationally in respect to the axis of the lock body. The two rings36are an integral part of the molded resilient toothed pin holder20. Directly anterior to the rings and similarly part of the same resilient molded toothed pin holder20is a cylindrical flange25that is secured in a cylindrical groove in the posterior end of the lock body9. It is this attachment that secures the entire toothed pin holder20to the lock body9.

The insertion of the toothed pin26into the rubber bar end cap24for the locking position and use is advantageous as it maximizes the length and circular shape of the deployed cable versus previous designs that have both ends of the cable attached to and emerging from the same end of the lock assembly8in the locked configuration.

While the lock can be stored in any tube of suitable size, this disclosure contemplates an alternative embodiment that provides friction to secure the lock body within the handlebar after insertion.FIG. 6is a perspective view of a rubber cap end118and the exposed end of handlebar16which the rubber end cap118is slid onto the outside surface during installation. The handlebar tape14is then wound around the plurality of tapered rubber end cap flaps118a, securing the rubber end cap118to the end of the handlebar16. The installed rubber end cap118with the securing handlebar tape14is shown also in cross-section inFIG. 7. The internal diameter of the anterior end of the rubber end cap118is sized to grip the fixed diameter of the exterior surfaces of a plurality of the combination lock tumblers34. This embodiment provides the needed friction to secure the lock assembly8within the handlebar10during storage.

The alternate embodiment for providing friction to secure the lock can be seen inFIG. 7in a cross-sectional view of the tape wrapped handle bar10end with the three tumbler combination lock22in its stowed position inserted in the rubber bar end cap118. A metal lock end cap124with a toothed pin hole forms the anterior end of the lock body9. Rubber bar end flaps118aare seen lying on the outside of the handlebar16and secured by wraps of the handlebar tape14. The resilient bar end cap118is shown in cross-section and in contact with combination lock tumblers34. A rubber toothed pin holder120is attached to the rear of the metal lock body9. In this embodiment, the friction fingers36shown inFIG. 3attached to the front and rear of the lock body9in the preferred embodiment are absent. The toothed pin26is in its stowed position inserted into the rubber toothed pin holder120. One of the plastic coated cables28is crimped into a crimping ferrule121cast into the rear of the lock body9. The rubber toothed pin holder120is shown in cross-section surrounding the end of the plastic coated cable28, the crimping ferrule121, and the stowed toothed pin26. The other plastic coated cable28ais shown crimped into the end of the toothed pin26.

Operation

To Lock: The cable lock assembly8is taken from its stowed position by grasping the lock end cap24and pulling the lock assembly out of the taped handlebar10. The correct three number combination is set on the three-tumbler combination lock22. The toothed pin26is pulled out of the rubber toothed pin holder20and the cable is then wrapped around both a secure object and the desired bicycle component. The toothed pin26is then fully inserted into the toothed pin hole32with all three tumblers34set to the proper combination. The three tumblers34are then spun to random positions. The bicycle is thus locked.

To Unlock and Stow: The proper three number combination is set on the three tumbler combination lock22and the toothed pin26removed from the toothed pin hole32. The toothed pin26is inserted into the rubber toothed pin holder20on the rear of the lock body9. Starting with the plastic ball end30, the lock assembly is inserted into the handlebar opening18until the entire lock body9and three-tumbler combination lock22is fully inserted into the handlebar opening18and only the lock end cap24is exposed. The lock is thus stowed.

FIGS. 8-11show a lock assembly, generally indicated at100. Lock assembly100may include one or more features, as described below, which may be configured to reduce noise produced by lock assembly100during vibrations of the handlebar when lock assembly100is in a stowed position therein, as shown inFIG. 11, and/or reduce abrasion of one or more components of the lock assembly as the lock assembly is being operated to the stowed position.

Referring toFIGS. 8 and 9, lock assembly100may include a lock body, generally indicated at104, and a shackle, generally indicated at108. Shackle108may have a first end portion108a, a second end portion108b, and a central portion108cbetween first and second end portions108a,108b. For example, first end portion108a, central portion108c, and second end portion108bmay be serially disposed along a long axis A1of shackle108. As shown, shackle108may be a flexible shackle, and as such, long axis A1may bend when shackle108is bent, and may be straight when shackle108is straight.

Portion108amay include (or be connected to) a locking member112, which may be similar to pin26described above with reference toFIGS. 1-7. For example, locking member112is shown here as a toothed pin, which may be crimped or otherwise secured to portion108a. Portion108bmay be connected to lock body104(e.g., to a rear end portion of lock body104). For example, portion108bmay be crimped or otherwise secured to lock body104. As shown, shackle108may include a cable116, a cable housing120, and a layer of cushioning material124extending between the portions108a,108b.

Cushioning material124may be configured to cushion impacts of shackle108against the handlebar when in the stowed position, as described below in more detail, thereby reducing noise produced by shackle108during vibrations of the handlebar. For example, cushioning material124may be a woven material, as is shown. The woven material may form a sleeve (e.g., a cushioning sleeve) that surrounds cable116from first end portion108ato second end portion108b. The woven material of the sleeve may be made of a plurality of woven fibers, which may be substantially cut-resistant. For example, the woven fibers may be woven aramid fibers (or other substantially cut-resistant material) configured to hinder cutting of shackle108, which may increase the security of lock assembly100. An example of such woven material is Aramid Armor produced by Techflex, Inc. (see, www.techflex.com/prod_kvx.asp).

However, in some embodiments, cushioning material124may not be a woven material, but may still provide noise reduction by slowing down accelerations of the cable relative to the handlebar. For example, cushioning material124may be a polymer foam material.

Cable116, cable housing120, and/or cushioning material124may extend between first and second end portions108a,108bof cable108. In the example shown, cable116, cable housing120, and cushioning material124may extend continuously from first end portion108a(e.g., from a location or region where shackle108connects to locking member112) to second end portion108b(e.g., to a location or region where shackle108connects to the rear end portion of lock body104), which may further improve security and sound-dampening characteristics of lock assembly100. However, in some embodiments, one or more of these components may not extend continuously from first end portion108ato second end portion108b. For example, cable116may include discrete first and second cable sections spaced apart from one another by a gap, with the first cable section extending from first end portion108ato a first location proximal central portion108c, and the second cable section extending from second end portion108bto a second location proximal central portion108cand spaced apart from the first location by the gap or other suitable distance.

Cushioning material124may surround cable116along axis A1between first and second end portions108a,108b. For example, as shown inFIG. 9, cushioning material124may be (or form) the cushioning sleeve in which cable116is disposed, as described above. In particular, an outer surface116aof cable116may face an inner surface124aof the cushioning sleeve and an outer surface124bof the cushioning sleeve may face away from outer surface116aof cable116.

Cable housing120may surround cable116(e.g., along axis A1), and may be disposed between cushioning material124and cable116. For example, cushioning material124may surround cable housing120opposite cable116. In particular, as shown inFIG. 9, outer surface116aof cable116may contact an inner surface120aof cable housing120, and an outer surface120bof cable housing120may contact inner surface124aof cushioning material124.

Central portion108cmay be a resilient central portion. For example, a resilient member128may be disposed on (or included in) central portion108c. Resilient member128may have a first end128a, a second end128b, an inner surface128c, and an outer surface128d. Inner surface128cmay be disposed on central portion108c. In particular, resilient member128may be a layer of resilient material (e.g., elastomer) that forms a sleeve surrounding outer surface116aof cable116. As shown inFIG. 9, a portion of cushioning material124may be sandwiched between resilient member128and cable116. For example, inner surface128cof resilient member128may contact outer surface124balong the portion of cushioning material124.

Sandwiching cushioning material124between resilient member128and cable116may streamline a process of manufacturing lock assembly100. For example, cable housing120may be a layer of polymer material extruded over cable116. The sleeve formed by cushioning material124may then be slid over cable116and extruded cable housing120. Resilient member128, which may be a section of resilient shrink wrap sleeving, may be slid over cushioning material124and placed in a position approximately centrally disposed between first and second end portions108a,108bon central portion108c. The shrink wrap sleeving may then be heated to reduce a diameter of the shrink wrap sleeving to secure the shrink wrap sleeving in position by sandwiching (or gripping) cushioning material124between the shrink wrap sleeving and cable116.

Alternatively, cushioning material124may include first and second sections of cushioning material, and the shrink wrap sleeving may be secured to cable housing120in a gap separating the first and second sections of cushioning material in central portion108c. However, as compared to the above described sandwiched configuration, such a non-sandwiched configuration may be less secure (e.g., more easily cut in central portion108cdue to a lack of cut-resistant cushioning material in that portion) and/or may result in increased abrasion of cushioning material124when lock assembly100is operated from a removed position (as shown inFIG. 8) to the stowed position (as shown inFIG. 11), for example, by edges of the cushioning material dragging against and being abraded by the interior surface of the handlebar.

Resilient central portion108cmay have a thickness T1in a direction perpendicular to the long axis of shackle108. Similarly, portions108a,108bproximal portion108cmay have respective thicknesses T2, T3in the direction perpendicular to the long axis of shackle108. Thickness T1being greater than either of thicknesses T2, T3may provide resilient central portion108cwith a greater resiliency as compared to either of first or second end portions108a,108bproximal resilient central portion108c, and/or may prevent either of portions108a,108bproximal central portion108cfrom contacting the interior surface of the bore of the handlebar when the lock assembly is inserted therein, as will be described below in more detail.

Also as shown inFIG. 8, shackle108may have a length that extends from a distal end112aof locking member112to a location131where second end portion108bof shackle108connects to lock body104. Resilient member128may have an overall length (e.g., extending from first end128ato second end128b) that is less than a minority of the length of the shackle. Such a configuration may reduce noise produced by shackle108in the stowed position, as will also be described below in further detail.

Lock body104may be similar in structure and function to lock body9and components connected thereto, such as those shown and described with reference toFIGS. 1-7. For example, lock body104may include a plurality of rotating tumblers132(e.g., similar to tumblers34), and a hole136(e.g., similar to hole32). In particular, hole136may be configured to receive locking member112when tumblers132are in an open position, and lock body104may be configured to prevent removal of locking member112from hole136when tumblers132are in a locked position. WhileFIGS. 8 and 11show tumblers132to be included in a combination lock, other embodiments may include the tumblers in a keyed lock, or any other suitable mechanism for selectively securing locking member112in hole136.

An end cap140(e.g., similar to end cap24) may be connected to (or included in) a front end portion of lock body104, and locking member holder144(e.g., similar to pin holder20) may be connected to (or included in) a rear end portion of lock body104. Hole136may extend through end cap140, and holder144may include a shaped chamber148for selective reception of locking member112. As also shown inFIG. 8, lock body104may include first, second, and third rings152,156, and160of resilient friction fingers. These friction fingers may be similar both in structure and function to fingers36described above with reference toFIGS. 1-7.

As mentioned above, lock assembly100may be operable between the removed position, as shown inFIG. 8, and the stowed position, as shown inFIG. 11. For example, operating lock assembly100from the removed position toward the stowed position may involve a user inserting locking member112into shaped chamber148of holder144, folding shackle108to move resilient member128from a substantially expanded (and/or unfolded) state, as shown inFIG. 8, to a substantially compressed (and/or folded) state, as shown in solid lines inFIG. 10, and placing folded shackle108in opening18of handlebar10. As shown, opening18is an opening to the bore of handlebar10, with the bore having an interior surface180with opposing sides180a,180b.

As shown in dash double dot lines inFIG. 10, the lock assembly may then be operated further toward the stowed position by (the user) inserting the shackle further into the bore and moving resilient member128to a further substantially compressed (and/or folded) state. In some examples, the user may pinch the shackle together to move resilient member128to the further substantially compressed state. In other examples, resilient member128may be moved to the further substantially compressed state by the user inserting the folded shackle into the bore to cause ends128a,128bof resilient member128to press against respective opposing sides180a,180bto move resilient member128to the further substantially compressed state.

As mentioned above with reference toFIG. 8, thickness T1of central portion108cmay be greater than either of thicknesses T2, T3of respective first and second end portions108a,108bproximal central portion108c. Such a configuration may prevent or reduce contact between leading portions190,192of cushioning material124in respective first and second end portions108a,108bas shackle108is being inserted into the bore, which may reduce abrasion of cushioning material124by interior surface180of the bore, particularly in embodiments wherein cushioning material124is a woven material, but also in embodiments wherein cushioning material is another material that is susceptible to abrasion.

The user may continue inserting the lock assembly into the bore of handlebar10until the lock assembly is operated (or inserted) to the stowed position. First and second ends128a,128bof resilient member128may continually (or substantially continually) slide against respective opposing surfaces180a,180bof the bore, as lock assembly100is being inserted from the removed position to the stowed position. As shown inFIG. 11, the lock assembly in the stowed position may correspond to the shackle (including central portion108c) and the rear end portion of lock body104contained within the bore, a rear end of end cap140contacting (or proximate) the opening, and/or the friction fingers pressing against opposing sides180a,180bto prevent lock body104from inadvertently slipping out of the handlebar bore. The stowed position may correspond to the resilient member128in the further compressed state to hold shackle108against opposing sides180a,180bby first end128apressing against one of the opposing sides (e.g., side180a) and by second end128bpressing against the other of the opposing sides (e.g., side180b). By holding the shackle against opposing sides180a,180bof the bore, resilient member128may reduce movement of shackle108relative to interior surface180of the bore during vibrations of handlebar10, thereby reducing noise produced by shackle108in the stowed position.

InFIG. 11, a section of cushioning material124has been sectioned away to indicate an orientation of cable116relative to interior surface180and cushioning material124. Accordingly, the stowed position may correspond to cushioning material124(e.g., the cushioning sleeve) disposed between cable116and interior surface180of the bore, and/or cushioning material in contact with interior surface180, which may reduce accelerations of cable116relative to interior surface180caused by vibrations of the handlebar thereby (further) reducing noise produced by the shackle in the stowed position during such vibrations. For example, a change in momentum Δp of cable116relative to interior surface180as interior surface180exerts a force F on cable116(e.g., via the cable housing and the cushioning material) in a duration of time Δt may be described mathematically as Δp=F ΔM. Thus, for a given change of momentum Δp of cable116, increasing the associated duration of time Δt will decrease an equal and opposite associated force F exerted on interior surface180by cable116. Similarly, for the given change of momentum Δp of cable116, decreasing the associated duration of time Δt will increase the associated force F exerted on interior surface180by cable116. As such, a louder noise may be produced by the shackle in the stowed position during vibrations of the handlebar when cable116exerts a larger force on the interior surface over a shorter duration of time (e.g., a sudden, strong impact), and a quieter noise may be produced by the shackle in the stowed position during vibrations of the handlebar when cable116exerts a smaller force on the interior surface over a longer duration of time (e.g., a gradual, less-strong impact). Accordingly, reducing associated force F and increasing Δt may be accomplished by disposing a compressible material, such as cushioning material124, between cable116and interior surface180.

For example, fibers of cushioning material124may be less compressed together in the direction perpendicular to axis A1when cable116is not pressing cushioning material124against interior surface180. During a change of momentum of cable116relative to interior surface180, cable116may press cushioning material124against interior surface180(e.g., via cable housing120), such that the fibers of cushioning material124become more compressed together in the direction perpendicular to axis A1, thereby slowing acceleration of cable116(e.g., by reducing the associated force F and increasing Δt for a given Δp) toward interior surface180, resulting in less noise than would otherwise be produced.

Cushioning material124may be more compressible than cable116and/or cable housing120in the direction perpendicular to axis A1. For example, cable housing120may be made of a polymer material that is less compressible than cushioning material124in the direction perpendicular to axis A1, and cable116may be made of a metallic material, such as steel, which is less compressible that cushioning material124and cable housing120in the direction perpendicular to axis A1.

In the stowed position, shackle108may extend through a length L1of the bore of handlebar10, which is shown inFIG. 11as a curved length. In this stowed position, outer surface124bof cushioning sleeve124may be exposed to interior surface180of the bore through a majority of length L1, and outer surface128dof resilient member128may contact a minority of length L1, as shown. Such a configuration may be preferable, for example, because the outer surface of resilient member128may be harder than the outer surface of cushioning material124, and if such a harder outer surface of resilient member128where exposed to (or in contact with) a majority of length L1, then that harder outer surface may rattle against interior surface180during handlebar vibrations, thereby undesirably increasing noise produced by the shackle in the stowed position.

While cushioning material124may be configured to reduce noise caused by accelerations of cable116relative to interior surface180, the outer surface of cushioning material124may be more susceptible to abrasion by interior surface180than either of the respective outer surfaces of cable housing120or cable116. Thus, when operating lock assembly between the removed and stowed positions, it may be preferable to reduce frictional forces between the outer surface of cushioning material124and interior surface180thereby reducing abrasion of cushioning material124by interior surface180, which may extend the operational life and visual appearance of cushioning material124. To this end, resilient member128may be configured to reduce such frictional forces between the outer surface of cushioning material124and interior surface180. For example, resilient member128may be configured to smoothly guide the shackle through the bore, and reduce the force required for insertion as the lock assembly is being operated from the removed position to the stowed position. In particular, the outer surface of resilient member128may have a lower coefficient of friction than the outer surface of cushioning material124. More specifically, a coefficient of friction between the outer surface of resilient member128and interior surface180may be less than a coefficient of friction between the outer surface of cushioning material124and interior surface180. Further, shackle108(e.g., including such coefficients of friction) may be configured such that the outer surface of resilient member128and the outer surface of cushioning material124both contact interior surface180of the bore as the lock assembly is being operated toward the stowed position, and such that the outer surface of the resilient member128contacts a given location on interior surface180, such as a location200(seeFIG. 11), before the outer surface of cushioning material124contacts the given location. Such a guiding configuration of resilient member128relative to cushioning material124may prevent shackle108from “bunching-up” inside of the bore, and reduce a frictional force between the outer surface of cushioning material124and interior surface180which might otherwise occur (e.g., if the shackle was to bunch up inside of the bore). Moreover, the portion of cushioning material124sandwiched between resilient member128and cable116may be continually prevented from contacting interior surface180, as resilient member128is continually disposed between interior surface180and that portion of cushioning material124as the lock assembly is being operated from the removed position to the stowed position.

To remove (e.g., completely remove) lock assembly100from handlebar10(e.g., to operate lock assembly100from the stowed position to the removed position shown inFIG. 8), the user may grasp end cap140and withdraw lock assembly100from the bore. As lock assembly100is being withdrawn, first and second ends128a,128bof resilient member128may continually (or substantially continually) slide against respective opposing surfaces180a,180bof the bore. Once lock assembly100is operated to the removed position, the resiliency of the material of resilient member128may restore (or substantially return) resilient member128to the substantially uncompressed state, as shown inFIG. 8. The user may then wrap shackle108around a first object, such as a portion of the bicycle or a portion of a helmet, and secure the first object to a second object, such as a bench or a pole, by also wrapping shackle108around the second object and inserting locking member112into hole136(e.g., with tumblers132in the open position) to form a loop in lock assembly100that wraps around both the first and second objects, and then operating tumblers132to the locked position to prevent removal of locking member112from hole136.

A0. A lock assembly for a bicycle, the lock assembly comprising: a shackle having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a central portion between the first and second end portions, the first end portion including a locking member, the shackle including a cable disposed in a cushioning sleeve such that an outer surface of the cable faces an inner surface of the cushioning sleeve and an outer surface of the cushioning sleeve faces away from the outer surface of the cable, the cable and the cushioning sleeve extending between the first and second end portions; a resilient member having a first end, a second end, an inner surface, and an outer surface, the inner surface of the resilient member being disposed on the central portion of the shackle; and a lock body connected to the second end portion of the shackle, the lock body including a plurality of rotating tumblers, the lock body including a hole for receiving the locking member when the plurality of rotating tumblers are in an open position, the lock body being configured to prevent removal of the locking member from the hole when the plurality of rotating tumblers are in a locked position; wherein the lock assembly is operable between a stowed position and a removed position, the stowed position corresponding to the central portion of the shackle contained within a bore of a handlebar of the bicycle, the resilient member in a compressed state to hold the shackle against opposing sides of an interior surface of the bore by the first end of the resilient member pressing against one of the opposing sides and the second end of the resilient member pressing against the other of the opposing sides to reduce movement of the shackle relative to the interior surface during vibrations of the handlebar thereby reducing noise produced by the shackle in the stowed position during such vibrations, and the cushioning sleeve disposed between the cable and the interior surface and in contact with the interior surface to reduce acceleration of the cable relative to the interior surface caused by such vibrations of the handlebar thereby further reducing noise produced by the shackle in the stowed position during such vibrations, the removed position corresponding to the lock assembly removed from the bore, and the resilient member in an expanded state.

A1. The lock assembly of paragraph A0, wherein the shackle has a length extending from a distal end of the locking member to a location where the second end portion of the shackle connects to the lock body, the resilient member having an overall length that is less than a minority of the length of the shackle.

A2. The lock assembly of paragraph A0, wherein a coefficient of friction between the outer surface of the resilient member and the interior surface of the bore is less than a coefficient of friction between the outer surface of the cushioning sleeve and the interior surface of the bore.

A3. The lock assembly of paragraph A2, wherein in the stowed position the shackle extends through a length of the bore, the outer surface of the cushioning sleeve being exposed to the interior surface of the bore through a majority of the length in the stowed position, the outer surface of the resilient member contacting a minority of the length in the stowed position.

A4. The lock assembly of paragraph A3, wherein the cushioning sleeve is made of woven aramid fibers.

B0. A lock assembly for a bicycle, the lock assembly comprising: a flexible shackle having a long axis, and a first end portion, a resilient central portion, and a second end portion serially disposed along the long axis, the resilient central portion having a greater thickness than the first and second end portions proximal the resilient central portion in a direction perpendicular to the long axis, the first end portion including a locking member; and a lock body connected to the second end portion of the shackle, the lock body including a plurality of rotating tumblers, the lock body including a hole for receiving the locking member when the plurality of rotating tumblers are in an open position, the lock body being configured to prevent removal of the locking member from the hole when the plurality of rotating tumblers are in a locked position; wherein the lock assembly is operable between a stowed position and a removed position, the stowed position corresponding to the shackle and a rear end portion of the lock body being contained within a bore of a handlebar of the bicycle, and the resilient central portion in a substantially folded state to press the shackle against opposing sides of the bore and thereby reduce noise produced by the shackle in the stowed position during vibrations of the handlebar; the removed position corresponding to the lock assembly removed from the bore, and the resilient central portion in a substantially unfolded state.

B1. The lock assembly of paragraph B0, wherein the shackle includes a cable extending between the first and second end portions, the resilient central portion being formed by a layer of resilient material surrounding an outer surface of the cable.

B2. The lock assembly of paragraph B1, wherein the shackle includes a layer of cushioning material surrounding the cable, the layer of cushioning material being configured to reduce accelerations of the cable relative to an interior surface of the bore caused by the vibrations of the handlebar thereby further reducing noise produced by the shackle in the stowed position.

B3. The lock assembly of paragraph B2, wherein a portion of the cushioning material is sandwiched between the layer of resilient material and the cable.

B4. The lock assembly of paragraph B3, wherein the cushioning material is a sleeve of woven fibers.

B5. The lock assembly of paragraph B4, wherein the shackle includes a polymer cable housing surrounding the cable along the long axis, the sleeve surrounding the polymer cable housing opposite the cable, the sleeve being more compressible than the polymer cable housing in the direction perpendicular to the long axis.

B6. The lock assembly of paragraph B4, wherein the woven fibers are substantially cut-resistant.

B7. The lock assembly of paragraph B6, wherein the woven fibers are woven aramid fibers.

C0. A lock assembly for a bicycle, the lock assembly comprising: a shackle having first and second end portions, the first end portion including a locking member, the shackle including a cable and a layer of cushioning material surrounding the cable, the cable and the cushioning material extending between the first and second end portions; and a lock body connected to the second end portion of the shackle, the lock body including a plurality of rotating tumblers, the lock body including a hole for receiving the locking member when the plurality of rotating tumblers are in an open position, the lock body being configured to prevent removal of the locking member from the hole when the plurality of rotating tumblers are in a locked position; wherein the lock assembly is operable between a stowed position and a removed position, the stowed position corresponding to the shackle and a rear end portion of the lock body being contained within a bore of a handlebar of the bicycle, and the cushioning material being disposed between the cable and an interior surface of the bore to reduce accelerations of the cable relative to the interior surface caused by vibration of the handlebar thereby reducing noise produced by the shackle in the stowed position, the removed position corresponding to the lock assembly removed from the bore of the handlebar.

C1. The lock assembly of paragraph C0, wherein the shackle includes a cable housing surrounding the cable between the cushioning material and the cable.

C2. The lock assembly of paragraph C0, wherein the cushioning material is a woven material.

C3. The lock assembly of paragraph C2, wherein the woven material forms a sleeve surrounding the cable from the first end portion to the second end portion.

C4. The lock assembly of paragraph C3, wherein the sleeve is made of woven aramid fibers configured to hinder cutting of the shackle.

C5. The lock assembly of paragraph C4, the shackle including a central portion between the first and second end portions, the central portion including a resilient material layer disposed on the sleeve opposite the cable in the central portion, the resilient material layer being configured to hold the shackle against opposing sides of the interior surface of the bore when the lock assembly is in the stowed position.

C6. The lock assembly of paragraph C5, wherein an outer surface of the resilient material layer has a lower coefficient of friction than an outer surface of the sleeve, the shackle being configured such that the outer surface of the resilient material layer and the outer surface of the sleeve both contact the interior surface of the bore as the lock assembly is being inserted into the bore toward the stowed position, and such that the outer surface of the resilient material layer contacts a given location on the interior surface of the bore before the outer surface of the sleeve contacts the given location as the lock assembly is being inserted into the bore toward the stowed position.

The disclosure set forth above may encompass multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. Although each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form(s), the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense, because numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and nonobvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions, and/or properties disclosed herein. The following claims particularly point out certain combinations and subcombinations regarded as novel and nonobvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed in applications claiming priority from this or a related application. Such claims, whether directed to a different invention or to the same invention, and whether broader, narrower, equal, or different in scope to the original claims, also are regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure.