CHAIN LOCK AND STORAGE SYSTEM

Abstract: A chain lock and storage system (1) that provides a convenient and permanent storage for a chain assembly (20) and a padlock (12) that together function to lock a bicycle (30) to prevent or minimize its unauthorized removal or theft. The system (1) in addition to the chain assembly (20) and padlock (12) consists of a chain container assembly further comprised of a chain container (2) and a container top (14). The chain container assembly, which is permanently mounted to a bicycle frame member by amounting bracket (17), is designed to house the entire chain assembly (20) and to keep one end of the chain assembly captive. When the system (1) is not in use, the chain assembly (20) remains within the container and the padlock (12) is attached to a padlock U-bolt (10) located on the side of the chain container (2). When it is desired to use the system (1), the chain assembly (20) is extracted from the chain container (2) and is looped and locked around the bicycle (30).

Description: CHAIN LOCK AND STORAGE SYSTEM TECHNICAL FIELD The invention pertains to the field of locking devices and especially to locking devices employing a chain assembly with a locking means and an attachable container for storing the chain assembly. The inven¬ tion is particularly adaptable for installation on a bicycle or the like to prevent or minimize its unauthorized removal. BACKGROUND ART One of the prevailing problems in owning a " bicycle or the like is the possibility of theft or unauthorized removal when the bicycle is left unat-...-. . tended. The most common method in use today for pre- venting theft is to loop a loose chain through a bicycle frame member and wheel and an adjacent stationary structure and locking the chain with a padlock. The use of a chain and lock is considered the best safeguard against theft- . However, the problem in using this method is that the padlock and chain must be carried by the rider or secured to the bicycle by wrapping the chain around the seat, structural member, or handle bars. This method is both cumbersome, can cause marks where chain is secured, the chain and lock may be misplaced and it is not aesthetically pleasing. Other prior art methods include automatic self coiling devices, large "U" clamps, and precoiled cables. The automatic self coiling devices employ a coiled cable housed within a container much like a standard tape measure. This device uses a complicated cable coiling and recoiling mechanism which is elimina¬ ted by the instant invention. The "ϋ" clamps are limited in their use due to their rigid shape and size, they are difficult to use when securing the frame and the wheels to a bike rack ,and they can not be used around large stationary structures. The precoiled cables are unruly, can be easily cut with a small bolt- cutter, and are frequently misplaced or lost. A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents or publications that directly read on the invention. However, the following U.S. patents are considered to be related: PATENT NUMBER INVENTOR ISSUED 3,824,540 Smith 16 July 1974 4,033,160 Mima 5 July 1977 4,086,795 Foster 2 May 1978 4,099,394 Joo 11 July 1978 The Smith patent discloses a bicycle lock and alarm apparatus which includes a continuous cable adapted to extend through the frame and wheels of a bicycle. The cable contains a continuous conductor which is an integral part of a circuit which includes an alarm. The Mima patent discloses a bicycle lock which includes a housing secured to the frame of the bicycle under the seat adjacent to the rear wheel. A C-shaped member is riveted to the housing structure for movement from an unlocked position to a locked position wherein the member passes under the rear tire and rim portion of the wheel. The Foster patent consists of a cable lock storage structure adapted to be mounted on a bicycle frame member. The structure incorporates a locking cable stored on a spring-loaded reel retractor assembly. The Joo patent discloses a locking device employing a flexible steel cable. A storage reel for the cable is hinged to the bicycle frame and is sized to contain loops of the cable when not in use. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The Chain Lock and Storage System (CLASS) provides a convenient and permanent'storage for a chain assembly and padlock used to lock a bicycle or the like to pre¬ vent or minimize its unauthorized removal or theft. •The major elements comprising the class include a chain assembly of sufficient length to allow the chain to be looped through a frame member and wheel of a bicycle and an adjacent stationary structure; a padlock for _- locking the looped chain; and a chain container assembly that is permanently mounted to a bicycle frame member with a mounting bracket. The chain container is design¬ ed to keep one end of the chain assembly captive within the container and is sized to allow the chain assembly to be completely housed within the container when the chain is not in use. The container is also equipped with a "U" bracket for storing the unused padlock and side shields for minimizing the movement of the unused padlock. In addition to providing an in: roved and simplified method for storing a chain assembly and locking a < &JKE Cϊ bicycle it is also an objective of the invention to provide a system that: • can be operated easily by anyone; • can be easily and permanently attached to the bicycle with conventional tools; e takes little space; β can be easily and inexpensively manufactured of many materials and in several colors and sizes to accommodate various lengths of chain assemblies, and β can be used to secure other types of vehicles and equipment such as motorcycles, boats and gates. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The details of the invention are described in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a cross-sectional side view of the invention shown mounted to a bicycle frame member with the chain assembly extended. FIGURE 2 is a side view of the invention showing the position of the side shields and padlock attached " • to the padlock U-bolt. FIGURE 3 is a top view of the invention. FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the invention showing the chain assembly retracted into the chain container. FIGURE 5 is a plan view showing the invention attached to a bicycle frame member with the chain assembly extracted and looped around a bicycle frame member and wheel and a stationary structure. FIGURE 6 is a plan view showing the invention attached to a bicycle frame member with the chain assembly retracted into the chain container. FIGURE 7 is a perspective view showing the tongue and groove arrangement of the top container and chain container respectively. FIGURE 8 is a persepctive view showing the inven¬ tion attached to a driveway post and the chain assembly extended and locked to a second driveway post. FIGURE 9 is a perspective view showing the inven¬ tion mounted to a towing vehicle. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The Chain Lock and Storage System (CLASS) can be used in a number of ways and locations where a security chain is required. Some typical uses include the prevention of unauthorized removal of objects, unautho¬ rized entry, and towing. Each of these exemplary uses of the CLASS are described herein. However, the best mode for carrying out the invention of the CLASS is described in terms of its adaptability to a bicycle and the like. The best mode of the CLASS 1, as shown in FIGURES 1 through 5, is comprised of six major elements: a chain assembly 20; a chain container 2; a padlock mounting U-bolt 10; a padlock 12; a container top 14; and a container mounting bracket 17. The chain assembly 20 as best shown in FIGURE 1 is comprised of a series of 0.635 centimeters (0.25 inch) case-hardened steel chain segments 21. At the top chain segment 21 there is attached an outside retaining ring 22 and at the bottom end there is attached a similar inside retaining ring 23. Both rings are also made of case-hardened s ' teel are of similar diameter as chain links and are attached by conventional methods known in the art. The length of the chain assembly, in the best mode, is 1.524 meters (five feet) . This length is sufficient to allow the chain assembly 20 to be lo¬ oped through a frame member and wheel of a bicycle 30 and an adjacent stationary structure 35 as shown in FIGURE 5- When the chain segment 21, completing the chain loop, is locked to another of the chain segments 21 by inserting a padlock 12 through the two chain segments the bicycle 30 cannot be moved. The CLASS 1 mounted to a bicycle frame member 31 with the chain assembly 20 in the retraced position is shown in .FIGURES 4 and 6. The chain container 2 in the best mode is impact molded of high-impact plastic or the like or may be investment casted of aluminum to produce, a container 2 as shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3. The chain container 2 has an opening 3 on its upper side and is sized to allow the entire chain assembly 20 to be housed (retracted) within the container 2 in a "puddle" fashion as best shown in FIGURE 4. On one side of the container 2 there is a thicker mounting surface that has a molded concave duct 8 extending vertically and centered along the mounting surface. Along each side wall of the con¬ cave duct 8 there is a threaded hole 5. The concave duct conforms generally to the tubular frame members 31 of a standard bicycle 30 or the like. Although not critical to the CLASS 1 the mounting surface in the best mode is angularly displaced from a vertical centerline by 17 . This angular displacement corresponds to the forward tubular member 31 of most bicycles and allows the container 2 to be mounted normal to the ground plane. It should be noted however, that the container 2 can be mounted to any bicycle member such as below 5 and behind the bicycle seat. On the opposite side of the mounting surface there is a set of side shields 4 integrally molded along each side of the chain container 2 as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. Within the channel formed by the two side shields 4 10 a padlock mounting U-bolt 10 is attached in a vertical direction, that is in line with the side shields 4 as also shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. The U-bolt 10 in the best mode may be attached by an ultrasonic weld or conventionally riveted to the chain container 2. How- 15. ever, the U-bolt 10 may be provided with other mounting means such as by having threaded holes into which a bolt is inserted from the inside of the container 2 to hold the U-bolt in place. The U-bolt 10 is used to mount a padlpck 12 when the CLASS 1 is not in use. The two side 0 shields 4 are laterally spaced and are of sufficient depth to enclose and restrain the lateral movement of the padlock 10 which may occur when the bicycle 30 is being ridden. To further restrain the movement of the padlock the CLASS 1 may- be made with a padlock wall 5 " that is inclined such that the padlock 10 rests upon " the wall. The chain container 2 also has a small diameter drain hole 7 located at the approximate center- of-gravity point of its bottom surface. The hole 7 functions to drain excess moisutre that may collect 0 within the container 2. The container top 14 is dimensioned to fit over the top of the opening 3 of the chain container 2. The container top 14 which is also impact molded of high- impact plastic or the like has a cavity 15 at its 5 approximate center. The cavity 15 is of sufficient diameter and depth to enclose the outside retaining ring 2 " 2 attached to the chain assembly 20. In the approxi¬ mate center of the cavity'15 there is a chain segment aperture 16 having a diameter that allows the chain segments 21 to easily pass but that impedes the passage of the outside and inside retaining rings. The container top 14 is designed to be permanently bonded to the top of the chain container 2. In the best mode the attachment is made by permanent moisture-proof cement. In one configuration of the chain container 2 and container top 14 the chain container has a groove 24 centered about the top surface of the container 2. The top container 14 has a tongue 25 on its bottom surface that is dimensioned to fit into the groove 24 in the chain container. This tongue and groove arrangement, shown in FIGURE 7, allows the chain container and con¬ tainer top to be easily aligned and attached. Before attaching the container top 14 to the chain container 2 the chain assembly 20 without the inside retaining ring 23 is inserted through the chain .segment aperture 16. The inside retainer ring 23 is then attached, by conven¬ tional methods, to the bottom chain segment 21. After the chain assembly 20 is inserted through the aperture 16 and the inside retaining ring is attached, the top container 14 is bonded to the chain container 2. Anr other embodiment of the CLASS 1 is disclosed where the container 2 is made in one piece with an opening on its bottom side. The opening is sealed by a corresponding bottom plate that is conventionally attached after the chain assembly 20 is inserted and the inside retaining ring 23 is attached. The inside volume of the container 2 and the length of the chain assembly 20 is selected so that the entire chain is "puddled" into the container, as shown in FIGURE 4, leaving a sufficient volume inside the chain container 2 to allow the outside retaining ring 22 'to rest within the chain segment aperture 16 as also shown in FIGURE 4. When the chain is ready to be used it is easily extracted from the cavity 15 by grasping and pulling the outside retaining ring 22. The chain assembly 20 is held captive within the chain container 2 since the inside retaining ring 23 cannot pass through the chain segment aperture 16. The container mounting bracket 17 provides the means by which the assembled chain container 2 and con- tainer top 14 are attached to a bicycle frame member. The bracket 17 which is also impact molded of high- impact plastic or the like has a mounting surface hav¬ ing a concave duct that also conforms to the tubular frame member 31 of a bicycle 30. Along the sides of the concave mounting surface there are holes 18 that cor¬ respond with the hole pattern of the threaded holes 5 located on the concave mounting surface 8 of the chain container 2. TO mount, the assembled chain container 2-and con- tainer top 14 to the tubular frame member 31 of a bicycle 30 the concave mounting surface 8 is pressed along the frame member 31 and the bracket 17 is aligned with the hole pattern of the container 2. Security bolts 19 are then inserted through the holes 18 in the mounting bracket 17 and are then threaded- into the threaded holes 5 in the container 2 and tightened. The security bolts 19 are of the type that have torque- limiting breakaway heads that shear off when tightened to a predetermined torque level. Once the head is off the bolt cannot be removed with conventional wrenches. Thus, by using this type of bolt unauthorized removal and/or tampering is prevented or minimized. As previously mentioned in addition to the best mode application, the CLASS 1 can be used in other applications such as to prevent unauthorized entry or for towing vehicles. To prevent unauthorized entry into a driveway, as shown in FIGURE 8, the assembled chain container 2 and container top 14 are mounted to a fixed structure 35 such as a driveway post by conventional mounting brack-. ets 27 which are well known in the art. When ready to be used the chain assembly 20 is pulled out of the chain container 2 and inserted and looped through the opposite driveway post or alternatively, a conventional U-bolt 28 may be attached to the second fixed structure 35 located on the other side of the driveway. The looped chain end is then secured by attaching a padlock 12 through two of the chain segments 21 as previously described. To use the CLASS 1 in towing operations, the as¬ sembled chain container 2 and container top 14 are conventionally attached to a supporting structure located on the back of a towing vehicle 33 as shown in FIGURE 9. The chain assembly 20 can then be extracted from the chain container 2 and looped around structural members of the towing vehicle 33 and the vehicle being towed. Although the invention has been described in com¬ plete detail and pictorally shown in the accompanying drawings it is not to be limited to such details since many changes and modifications may be made to the CLASS without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. " Hence, the CLASS is described to cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within the language and scope of the appended claims.

Claims: 11 CLAIMS 1. A chain lock and storage system comprising: a) a chain assembly consisting of a plurality of continuous chain segments where on one end of said chain assembly there is conventionally attached to the end chain segment an outside chain retaining ring and where on the opposite end there is conventionally attached to the end chain segment an inside chain retaining ring. b) means for locking one of the chain segments of said chain assembly to another of the chain segments of said chain assembly so as to provide continuous loop when so locked; c) a chain container having an opening on its upper side and sized to allow the chain segments to be housed within said, container and where. said chain con- tainer is constructed of a thickness that supports an integral mounting surface extending along one side of said chain container * d) a container top dimensioned to fit and be permanently attached over the opening in said chain container with said container top having a cavity of- sufficient diameter and depth to enclose the outside retaining ring and further having an aperture within the cavity of a diameter that allows the chain segments to easily pass through but that impedes the passage of the outsdie and inside retaining rings; e) means for attaching said container top to said chain container; and f) means for mounting said chain container to an extraneous fixed structure. 2. A chain lock and storage system comprising: a) a chain assembly consisting of a plurality 12 Of continous chain segments where on one end of said chain assembly there is conventionally attached to the end chain segment an outside chain retaining ring and where on the opposite end there is conventionally 5 attached to the end chain segment an inside chain retaining ring such that when the chain segments are looped through the frame and wheel of a bicycle and an adjacent stationary structure and one chain segment is locked to another chain segment the bicycle cannot be 10 moved; b) means for locking one of the chain segments of said chain assembly to another of the chain segments of said chain assembly so as to provide continous loop when so locked; 15 c) a chain container having an opening on its upper side and sized to allow the chain segments to be housed within said container and where said chain con¬ tainer is constructed of a thickness that supports an integral mounting surface extending along one side of 20. said container with the mounting surface having a vertically extending concave duct that conforms to a tubular frame member of a bicycle and also having a plurality of threaded holes located along each side of the concave duct; 25 d) a container top dimensioned to fit and be permanently attached over the opening in said chain container with said container top having a cavity of sufficient diameter and depth to enclose the outside retaining ring and further haying an aperture within 0 the cavity of a diameter that allows the chain segments to easily pass through but that impedes the passage of the outside and inside retaining rings; e) means for attaching said container top to said container; and 5 f) means for attaching said chain container to a bicycle frame member. 13 3. The chain lock and storage system as speci¬ fied in claims 1 or 2 wherein the means for locking one of the chain segments of said chain assembly to another of the chain segments of said chain assembly is by a padlock inserted through two of the chain segments and locked. 4. The chain lock and storage system as speci¬ fied in claims 1 or 2 wherein the means for attaching said container top to said chain container is by bonding the two with permanent moisture-proof cement. 5. The chain lock and storage system as speci¬ fied in claims 1 or 2 wherein top surface of said chain container having a groove therei - 6. The chain lock and storage system as speci¬ fied in claims 1 or 2 wherein bottom surface of said container top has a tongue dimensioned to fit tightly into the groove in said chain container such that said chain container and said container top are held in place and are easily aligned for their permanent attachment. 7. The chain lock and storage system as speci¬ fied in claim 1 further comprising a conventional mount¬ ing bracket which provides the means for mounting said chain container to an extraneous fixed structure. 8. The chain lock and storage system as speci¬ fied in claim 2 further comprising a container mounting bracket which provides the means for attaching said chain container to a bicycle frame member where said mounting bracket has a mounting surface having a concave duct conforming to a tubular frame member of a bicycle and having a plurality of holes with a hole pattern conforming to the plurality of the threaded hole pattern U ' REA 14 located on the concave mounting surface of the chain container. 9. The chain lock and storage system as speci¬ fied in claim 8- further comprising a plurality of security bolts of the type with torque-limiting break¬ away heads that prevent unauthorized removal or tampering where said b lts are inserted through the plurality of holes in said mounting bracket and threaded firmly into the plurality of the threaded holes in the mounting surface of said chain container to keep said chain container firmly mounted to a bicycle frame member. 10. The chain lock and storage system as speci¬ fied in claims 1 or 2 further comprising a padlock mounting U-bolt having attaching means for mounting in a vertical, direction to said chain container on side opposite the concave mounting. surface. 11. The chain lock and storage system as speci¬ fied in claim 10 wherein the attaching means for the padlock mounting U-bolt is by a conventional riveting technique. 12. The chain lock and storage system as speci¬ fied in .claim 1 further comprising a set of side shields integrally molded along each side of said chain container on side opposite the concave mounting surface where the shields are laterally spaced and are of suffi¬ cient depth to enclose and restrain the side movements of a padlock mounted to said padlock mounting U-bolt. 13. The chain lock and storage system as speci¬ fied in claim 1 wherein said chain container having a small diameter hole located at the center-of-gravity point on its bottom surface where said hole is used to drain any moisture collected within said chain '-«. container.

Inventors: BURNETT ARTHUR A, BURNETT, ARTHUR, A.
Applicants: BURNETT ARTHUR A, BURNETT, ARTHUR, A.
Application year: 1981
Main classification: E05B71
IPC codes: E05B73