Identification device for a cycle or the like

Abstract: The invention relates to an identification device for a bicycle and the like, comprising a housing with in it a tag or transponder with a transmission and receiver portion. According to the invention the housing is designed such that the housing can be undetachably arranged in a free space of the bicycle and the like. According to a preferred embodiment the identification device consists of two parts 1, 2 which are arranged in the free space 6 between the frame tubes 7, 8 and which keep the transponder 5 confined.

Description: The invention relates to an identification device for a bicycle and the like, comprising a housing with in it a tag or transponder with a transmission and receiver portion. Such an identification device is known from the Dutch patent application 91-01758. This document shows an identification device which can be arranged around a frame tube of a bicycle frame and which consists of two parts. After arranging around the tube the two parts form a hollow housing running around the tube, in which housing the electronics of the transponder are situated. The hollow space is filled with a self-hardening moulding material, so that after hardening of the moulding material the housing can only be removed from the bicycle in a destructive manner, because of which the transponder will be damaged and cannot be identified by a transmission/receiver device suitable for that purpose. A check and passage system of for instance an unguarded bicycle shed will then refuse passage to the bicycle. Passage for that matter is only granted to the bicycle with identification device when the owner also identifies him/herself. Such a security system is known from the Dutch patent application 91-00212. A disadvantage of the known identification device is that this device cannot be arranged in a simple way on the bicycle by the owner him/herself. Another disadvantage is that the known identification device protrudes because it is arranged around a tube of the bicycle frame, because of which the chance of damages as a result of external factors such as vandalism and damage because of accidents is not negligible. The transponder can get damaged in that way too. It is an objective of the invention to provide an identification device for a bicycle and the like which is simple and can be arranged in a simple manner and which can be used on a bicycle and the like with little chance of damage. According to the invention at least one of these objectives is achieved with an identification device according to claim 1. Because of this design the identification device according to the invention is at least partly surrounded by the bicycle after arranging, because of which the chance of damage is small. In this way the identification device is less easily accessible as well, which makes it more difficult to remove the identification device from the bicycle in a destructive manner. The identification device for identifying an object in which an opening or hole is present can in this way also be used for identifying other objects than bicycles and vehicles. Consumer goods that need to be protected from theft can be thought of here. The identification device for identifying a vehicle, the housing being designed such that the housing can be undetachably arranged in an opening or hole, which is present in a construction part of the vehicle, e.g. a car, can for instance be arranged in a bottom plate, and can be used for an unguarded garage. The vehicle can also be a trolley, in which the identification device can be arranged in an opening of the frame or the wire netting of the accommodation space, for instance to warn when the trolley is taken to far away from the shop. According to an advantageous embodiment the housing can be arranged in the free space between two frame tubes of the bicycle and the like, so that the frame tubes can offer a firm support of the housing. Preferably the housing is designed such that the housing can be arranged in the free space between the two frame tubes of a rear fork of the bicycle and the like. The free space between the frame tubes of the rear fork offers a suitable place to accommodate the identification device relatively inconspicuously. According to an advantageous embodiment the housing can be arranged in the free space between the two frame tubes of the horizontal rear fork of the bicycle and the like, directly behind the crankshaft house. By arranging the identification device on this place it is situated near the ground level, that is to say the ground in which the transmission receiver device is situated. Preferably the transponder is accommodated in the housing such that the transmission and receiver portion substantially protrudes under the frame tubes after arrangement. In this way the identification device can be detected well by a detection device which is arranged in or on road surface. Thus the signal transmitted to the identification device and which is subsequently transmitted back by the transponder is interfered as little as possible by the metal frame tubes. Preferably the transponder is accommodated in the housing such that it will be irretrievably damaged when the housing is removed from the bicycle and the like in a destructive manner. Because of this the transponder cannot be used anymore for another (stolen) bicycle. According to an advantageous embodiment, the housing comprises two parts, which can be undetachably attached to one another. An owner of a bicycle can for that reason easily arrange the housing on his/her bicycle him/herself. Preferably the housing is made of plastic such as polycarbonate, which has a high hardness and breaking-strength. According to a preferred embodiment a recess is present in the one part in which the transponder can be arranged, and a recess is present in the other part in which the one part, provided with the transponder, can at least partly be accommodated. As a result of this construction the transponder can be accommodated in the housing in a reliable way. According to an embodiment both parts can be fastened to one another by means of a glued connection. In this way the identification device can be arranged on the bicycle in a simple way and without having to apply force. Disadvantageous is that the gluing requires a certain skilfullness. Preferably both parts can be fastened to one another by means of a snap connection. The bicycle owner then does not have to use additional means to secure the identification device to his/her bicycle. In this case the one part is preferably provided with a number of hooking means, which can be hooked in groove means in the recess of the other part. In this way the identification device can be snapped around the frame tubes at various lengths, which tubes can have a different thickness with different bicycles. Preferably the transponder is irremovably accommodated in the housing after it has been placed in the one part and the one part has been fastened in the other part. The transponder then cannot be reached from outside and is only accessible by destructing the housing. Preferably the housing is designed such that it can be arranged in various free spaces of the bicycle and the like, if necessary with the help of filling pieces or sealing rings. In this way the identification device can also be arranged on different types of bicycles. Preferably the housing is designed as described in claim 11. In the following the invention will be elucidated on the basis of the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the geometry of the identification device according to the invention. Figure 2 shows an identification device according to figure 1, arranged in the free space of the horizontal rear fork of a bicycle, behind the crankshaft house. Figure 3 shows a view from above of figure 2. Figure 4 shows the identification device of figure 1, arranged in a hole of an arbitrary object. Figure 5 shows another exemplary embodiment of the identification device according to the invention. In figure 1 a possible geometry of the fastening construction annex housing of the transponder is schematically shown. The housing here is built from two plastic parts 1 and 2, which both have a round recess. The recess 3 of the plastic part 1 can be provided with a transponder and in the recess 4 of plastic part 2 plastic part 1 can be slid. The recesses 3 and 4 of the plastic parts 1 and 2 comply with such dimensions that various types of transponders can be placed in this space, as the housing should also be used as secondary housing for other transponder uses. In figure 2 it is schematically shown how the plastic parts 1 and 2 slid into one another are situated between the frame tubes of a bicycle. By providing the transponder 5 with a soft enveloping of a variable thickness, various types of transponders can be arranged within the standard-sized recess 3 in the plastic parts 1 and 2. In figure 3 in a view from above, that is to say a view from a position on a longitudinal axis of the frame tube, a possible positioning within the free space 6 between two frame tubes 7 and 8 is shown. By the words "free space 6" the portion is meant where there is room for a fastening construction, but the rotation of the rear wheel 9 is not hindered by the arrangement of the construction. The fastening location of the system in said free space 6 is defined by the fact that here on the frame of the bicycle there is possibility for fastening which is close to the ground level. By the ground level the surface on which the bicycle rides is meant, which is of importance for the distance of detection of the transmission and receiver device. As a result of the presence of metal frame tubes 7 and 8 on both sides of the transponder 5, the fastening location also offers more protection against damage through external factors such as vandalism and damages through accidents. Starting point with the design of the fastening construction annex secondary housing is the principle that the owner of the bicycle should be able to arrange the system on the bicycle in a simple way him/herself. To that end first plastic part 1, in which beforehand the transponder 5 has been arranged, is pushed from above through the free space 6 after which from below plastic part 2 is pushed over the plastic part 1 sticking through. Both plastic parts are fastened to each other by means of a so-called snap connection or by means of a glued connection. Figure 4 shows another form of use, in which the identification device is arranged on another object which has to be identified. By means of boring a hole of the desired diameter in the product to be identified the fastening construction can be fastened on many other products with the help of so-called fitting blocks 10. Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the housing of the identification device, consisting of an upper part 11 with a projection 12 in which transponder 5 of figure 2 can for the greater part be accommodated in bore hole 13, and a lower part 14 in which the projection 12 of the upper part 11 can for the greater part be accommodated in recess 15. By inserting the upper part 11 through an accommodation space of a bicycle or a hole in an object and arranging the lower part 14 undetachably, the transponder in the bore hole 13 will largely protrude below the accommodation space or the hole, and be very well detectable. Both parts 11, 14 can be fastened to each other by gluing. It is also possible to provide the projection 12 and the recess 15 with hooking means (which are not shown), which when they are slid into each other hook behind each other to undetachably fasten both parts to each other.

Claims: Identification device for identifying an object, a vehicle or a bicycle and the like, comprising a housing with in it a tag or transponder with a transmission and receiver portion, characterized in that the housing is designed such that the housing can be undetachably arranged in an opening (6) of the bicycle and the like, or in an opening or hole present in the construction part of the vehicle or in the object. Identification device according to claim 1, in which the housing can be arranged in the opening (6) between two frame tubes (7,8) of the bicycle and the like, preferably in the opening between the two frame tubes of a rear fork of the bicycle and the like. Identification device according to claim 2, in which the housing can be arranged in the opening (6) between the two frame tubes (7,8) of the horizontal rear fork of the bicycle and the like, directly behind the crankshaft house, the transponder preferably being accommodated in the housing such that the transmission and receiver portion substantially protrudes under the frame tubes after arrangement. Identification device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the transponder is accommodated in the housing such that it will be irretrievably damaged when the housing is removed from the bicycle and the like in a destructive manner. Identification device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the housing comprises two parts (1,2; 11,14), which can be undetachably attached to one another, the housing preferably being made of plastic such as polycarbonate. Identification device according to claim 5, a recess (3,13) being present in the one part (1,11) in which the transponder (5) can be arranged, and a recess (4,15) being present in the other part (2,14) in which the one part, provided with the transponder, can at least partly be accommodated. Identification device according to claim 6, in which both parts (1,2; 11,14) can be fastened to one another by means of a glued connection. Identification device according to claim 6, in which both parts (1,2; 11,14) can be fastened to one another by means of a snap connection, preferably the one part being provided with a number of hooking means, which can be hooked in groove means in the recess of the other part. Identification device according to claim 6, 7 or 8, in which the transponder is irremovably accommodated in the housing after it has been placed in the one part and the one part has been fastened in the other part. Identification device according to any one of the claims 5-9, in which the housing is designed such that it can be arranged in various free spaces of the bicycle and the like, if necessary with the help of filling pieces (10) or sealing rings. Identification device according to any one of the preceding claims 5-10, both parts having an elongated projection (12) having a cross-section adapted to fit in the hole or opening and a thickened end having a cross-section adapted to prevent the entire part from passing the hole or opening, the elongated projections (12) of both parts being provided with means for undetachably attaching the parts to one another with their elongated projections arranged in the hole or opening and one thickened end at each side of the hole or opening. Check and passage system for a vehicle, preferably a bicycle, comprising an identification device according to any one of the preceding claims fastened to the vehicle close to the ground level, and a detection device situated in or on the road surface. Use of an identification device according to any one of the preceding claims fastened to a vehicle, preferably a bicycle, close to the ground level, in a check and passage system futher comprising a detection device situated in or on the road surface.

Inventors: DIKKEN ARNOLD, KERSSEN ABRAHAM JAN, DIKKEN, ARNOLD, KERSSEN, ABRAHAM JAN
Applicants: DIKKEN A, KERSSEN ABRAHAM JAN, DIKKEN, A., KERSSEN, ABRAHAM JAN
Application year: 1998
Main classification: B62H5
IPC codes: B62H5