Rapid securing bicycle lock

An improved bicycle locking mechanism, mounted on a bicycle, which minimizes manual manipulation and operation time. Mechanism consists of two main sections, a tubular connector(38) and a crescent-shaped housing(50). Mechanism is activated by a plunger(26), the vertical motion of which is translated to circular motion of a shackle(22) by a series of gears. The gear series rotates the shackle(22) into a locked position. A key frees the shackle(22) and a spring(28) resets the locking system. Mechanism stores safely within the frame of a bicycle. A spring hinge allows lock to be positioned for rapid activation and rapid storage.

BACKGROUND 
1. Field of Invention 
This invention relates to bicycles, specifically to securing bicycles 
against theft. 
2. Description of Prior Art 
Bicycles provide rapid, inexpensive, and reliable transportation due to 
their efficient design and ease of portability. Such portability and value 
make bicycles prime targets for thieves. 
To prevent bicycle theft, inventors have designed various types of bicycle 
locks. Some of these locks employ various techniques to temporarily bind 
bicycles to more permanently positioned objects. Others attempt simply to 
render the bicycle inoperable, if not immobile. Two locks which fall into 
the first category and are in popular use are the "U-shaped" lock and the 
"Cable and padlock" lock. Both locks are difficult to carry, clumsy to 
handle, and time-consuming to operate. For a bicycle lock to work as a 
theft deterrent, it must be with a bicycle. However, neither design has 
accounted for the lock's easy transport on a bicycle. "U-lock" designs are 
often sold with frame clamps which are designed as an afterthought and 
consequently often fail with repeated use. "U-locks" then must be carried 
by the rider, creating nuisance baggage at the very least, and at worst, a 
dangerous distraction to monitor. "Cable and padlock" devices are long and 
ungainly. They too have to be carried by the rider, or wrapped around the 
bicycle frame in a manner which secures the device for travel, but which 
makes their removal from the bicycle difficult and time-consuming. 
"U-shaped" locks and "Cable and padlock" devices are difficult and 
time-consuming to operate. Operating a "U-lock" requires handling of four 
parts: a U-shaped member, a cross-bar, a key, and the bicycle. It is 
difficult for any person to simultaneously steady and manipulate all four 
of these objects. Laboriously doing so takes valuable time from the rider. 
Operating a "Cable and padlock" device requires the rider to perform three 
separate manipulations. First, the rider must unlock and hold the padlock. 
Second, the rider must thread the cable around the bicycle and a post and 
through the lock shackle. Third, the rider must re-lock the padlock. 
Performing this sequence of tasks is time-consuming and awkward. 
Both "U-shaped" and "Cable and padlock" devices, when employed, fall 
haphazardly upon the frame of the bicycle. In this situation, the lock 
damages the surfaces of the bicycle by denting the metal of the frame, or 
scratching the paint. 
Several inventions which use various other encircling devices as theft 
prevention have been patented. Many of these aim solely to prevent 
rotation of one or other of the bicycle wheels. This is the case with U.S. 
Pat. No. 5,197,310 (1993) to Pedersen, U.S. Pat. No. 4,708,004 (1987) to 
Allen, U.S. Pat. No. 4,269,049 (1981) to Henderson, U.S. Pat. No. 
3,844,146 (1974) to Fouces, et al., European patent 0 443 217 A1 (1990) to 
Gerhard, German patent 803,697 (1949) to Hinkelmann, and Swedish patent 
73,264 (1930) to Heitmann. While all of these prevent a bicycle wheel from 
rotating, they do not actually fasten the bicycle down. The device in U.S. 
Pat. No. 4,033,160 (1977) to Mima attempts to solve this problem. This 
lock does fasten a wheel and fasten a bicycle, but uses an easily cut 
cable to lock a bicycle to a post. This cable must be manipulated by hand. 
Other encircling devices are intended to be mounted on a wall, to which the 
rider places his/her bicycle. This sort of device is intended for public 
use, and is documented in U.S. Pat. No. 634,441 (1899) to Capen, et al., 
U.S. Pat. No. 621,072 (1899) to Gregory, U.S. Pat. No. 611,401 (1898) to 
White, U.S. Pat. No. 607,545 (1898) to Martin, and German patent 193,650 
(1906) to Nielson. These devices are impractical for a rider, who cannot 
be assured that such a device will await at his/her destination. German 
patent 193,650 (1906) to Nielson and U.S. Pat. No. 621,072 (1899) to 
Gregory use plungers to activate encircling pincers to secure a bicycle. 
These pincers greatly enlarge the size of these locks, making the locks 
bulky and unwieldy. 
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present invention are: 
a) to provide a locking mechanism which can secure a bicycle rapidly; 
b) to provide a locking mechanism which can be operated with minimal manual 
manipulation; 
c) to provide a locking mechanism which stays attached to the bicycle at 
all times; 
d) to provide a locking mechanism which stores neatly within the plane of 
the bicycle frame; 
e) to provide a locking mechanism which can be regarded as an integral part 
of a bicycle; 
f) to provide a locking mechanism which can be regarded as an integral part 
of a bicycle's inherent security. 
Additional objects and advantages will become apparent upon thorough 
reading of the following description and drawings.