Parking apparatus

Abstract: An apparatus for parking a two wheeled vehicle, the apparatus comprising a base unit having at least one arcuate groove therein for engaging one of the wheels of the vehicle over a substantial portion of its perimeter; and, releasable retaining means for retaining the wheels in said groove.

Description: The present invention relates to apparatus for the secure parking of two wheeled vehicles, particularly but not exclusively, motorcycles. There is presently a shortage of secure parking for motorcycles and as in the United Kingdom it has recently become an offence to attach a motorcycle to any local authority-owned structure such as a lamp post, fence or the like, it would be advantageous to all concerned to provide suitable apparatus for the secure and organised parking of motorcycles. Existing designs of apparatus for this purpose are complex and difficult to use and in some cases are large structures which if placed on a pavement or other public right of way would present a tripping hazard to pedestrians, particularly those who are partially sighted. It is therefore one of the aims of the present invention to provide parking apparatus which overcomes the above mentioned disadvantages. US-A0-5 702 007 discloses a rack especially adapted for use with bicycles. The rack comprises upper and lower intersecting leg portions each including side walls for engaging one of the wheels of the vehicle over a substantial portion of its perimeter. In one embodiment the rack includes a tubular member extending transversely through the upper leg for receiving cables for locking the cycle to the rack. According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for parking a two wheeled vehicle, the apparatus comprising a base unit having at least one arcuate groove therein for engaging one of the wheels of the vehicle over a substantial portion of its perimeter, and a releasable retaining means for retaining the wheel in said groove; characterised in that the apparatus further comprises a holding gimbal pivotally mounted within the groove at its lowermost edge adapted to hold the wheel in place and steady the vehicle. Preferable, the base unit is of a size and weight sufficient to ensure that the apparatus could not be lifted without mechanical assistance. The base unit is conveniently manufactured from the reinforced pre-cast concrete and the moulding is preferably shaped such as to have smooth contours which are both aesthetically pleasing and safe for pedestrians and users of the apparatus alike. The releasable retaining means preferably comprise a clamp of hardened steel or similar material, which may be operated by a lock. Conveniently, the clamp is located towards the upper region of the base, and spans the groove and, when locked, passes through the wheel retained in the groove. Although in the preferred embodiment the base unit has just one groove in it, the invention also encompasses more than one groove, for example "double" and "triplet" base units with two or three grooves, respectively. Preferably, the base unit is adapted at its upper end to receive a parking meter or similar device and where such a device is attached the retaining means may be operatively linked to the device such that the retaining means may serve as a punitive clamping mechanism in the event that the vehicle is not removed when the purchased parking time expires. Alternatively or additionally the retaining means may have additional fixing points for another lock to be fitted (by the owner of the apparatus) for the purposes of punitive clamping. Preferably the base unit includes means by which a number of such base units may be joined together. The "footprint" of the base unit is preferably of standard shape and size so as to allow the unit to be incorporated into standing amenity paving/flooring and cobble effect flooring. If desired, the units may be installed side by side in herringbone fashion in designated areas within towns, cities and other public areas. An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figure 1, illustrating the apparatus of the invention in perspective view. According to the drawing, apparatus 10 for parking a two-wheeled vehicle such as a motorcycle comprises a base unit 12 of pre-cast reinforced concrete having a lower surface 12a which is generally rectangular and an upper surface 12b which is generally square and of small area than the lower surface 12a. The sides of the unit are cast so as to curve concavely down from the upper to the lower surface, but the "front" side 13, that is to say the side of the unit which faces the user of the apparatus, as well as being concavely curved is extended and has an arcuate groove 14 therein which is just wide and deep enough to receive and engage with the front wheel of the motorcycle. The groove extends from the lower to the upper surface, such that the wheel is engaged in the groove over a substantial portion (for example a quarter or more) of the wheel perimeter such that the wheel, and hence the entire motorcycle is securely held in the upright position. This stability is further enhanced by a rear holding gimbal 15 mounted in the groove at its lowermost edge. Close to the upper end of the groove there is provided releasable retaining means in the form of a hardened steel clamp 16 which may include additional fixing points for further locking means. The clamp 16 is passed through the wheel within groove 14 and locked by means of either a user-owned lock such as a standard padlock, or lock specifically provided for the apparatus and owned by the owner of the apparatus to be sold or rented to the user. It can be seen from the drawing that the base unit, being made of concrete, would be sufficiently heavy to provide security for a motorcycle parked within it even when the unit is free standing, but for additional security the unit may be bolted to or permanently installed within the paved or concreted in the ground. In the preferred embodiment the base unit may be provided with means 17 for fixing a parking meter or other suitable timing/payment device to the base unit, and in this embodiment the clamp 16 may be operatively linked to the parking meter or similar device such that the clamp 16 could only be unlocked upon payment and the clamp would only remain openable during the purchased parking time. Should the user fail to return and remove the motorcycle within the purchased time, an official would have to be summoned to open the clamp and the user would then have to pay a fine. Alternatively, the clamp 16 may include means whereby a separate punitive clamping device may be attached by an official. A number of units 12, preferably each with a parking meter attached, may be installed side by side or may be joined together by suitable coupling means (not shown) provided on each base unit. This is made possible by virtue of the fact that the motorcycle is held securely in the base unit without the use of the stand, thus reducing the effective width of the motorcycle when parked in the apparatus compared with conventional parking using the stand. Thus, it can be seen that the invention provides a number of advantages. The motorcycle user is provided with a secure parking place for his vehicle, whilst at the same time the owner of the apparatus (eg the local authority) retains full control of motorcycle parking and may obtain an income either from the metering of the device, or unclamping fees, or both (alternatively the local authority might rent the units, on a quarterly or annual basis, to individuals or companies in the case of regular use outside a place of work).

Claims: An apparatus (10) for parking a two wheeled vehicle, the apparatus comprising a base unit (12) having at least one arcuate groove (14) therein for engaging one of the wheels of the vehicle over a substantial portion of its perimeter, and a releasable retaining means (16) for retaining the wheel in said groove; characterised in that the apparatus further comprises a holding gimbal (15) pivotally mounted within the groove (14) at its iowermost edge adapted to hold the wheel in place and steady the vehicle. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base unit (12) is of a size and weight to ensure that the apparatus (10) could not be lifted without mechanical assistance. An apparatus as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the base unit (12) is manufactured from reinforced pre-cast concrete. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims i to 3,wherein the base unit (12) has smooth contours. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the retaining means (16) comprises a clamp, preferably which may be operated by a lock. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the clamp is located towards the upper region of the base and spans the groove (14) and, when locked, passes through the wheel retained in the groove. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the base unit (12) is adapted to receive a parking meter, the parking meter being operatively linked to the base unit (12) such that the retaining means (16) may serve as a punitive clamping mechanism in the event that the vehicle is not removed when the purchased parking time expires. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the base unit (12) includes means by which a number of such units may be joined together.

Inventors: HUGHES DEREK, HUGHES, DEREK
Applicants: VM FABRICATIONS LTD, VM FABRICATIONS LIMITED
Application year: 2000
Main classification: B62H3
IPC codes: B62H3