Abstract:
In one embodiment, a retrofit bicycle cable locking system includes an L shaped tube having a first straight part, a second straight part and a third arcuate part joining the first and second parts. The tube is configured for attachment to a frame of a bicycle such that the first part of the tube extends along the top tube of the bicycle frame and the second part of the tube extends along the seat tube of the bicycle frame. A double length cable extends from and automatically retracts into the tube.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/666,162 filed Sep. 20, 2000 and entitled Bicycle Cable Locking System. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The invention relates to bicycle locks.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0003]    Bicycle theft is a long-standing and serious problem for bicycle owners. The need for an effective theft deterrent has lead to the design of many different bicycle locks and locking systems. One of the most popular bicycle locks is a flexible cable looped at each end and secured with a padlock. The cable is usually snaked around part of the bicycle frame and sometimes through the front wheel and around a bicycle rack, lamp post or other fixed object. The cable is secured with a padlock through the end loops. Some cable locks use an in-line lock integral to the cable instead of the padlock with looped ends. While these types of cable locks are inexpensive and uncomplicated, they have several disadvantages. First, because these cable locks are not tethered to the bicycle, they can be lost. In fact, I first began working on a new locking system because my son kept losing his cable. Second, cables and locks must be stored apart from the bicycle, in a saddle bag or backpack for example, or wound around the bicycle frame. In either case, the cable and lock must be unpacked or unwound or both to lock the bicycle. Self coiling cables present added difficulties—it is often a struggle to unwind the cable from the frame, get it straight enough to thread through the frame and front wheel and then around the bike rack and locked. Also, cable locks stored wound around the bicycle frame are generally not considered aesthetically pleasing, particularly for the newer ultra-high tech way expensive bicycles decked out in super-duper high definition color graphics.  
           [0004]    Several designs have been developed in an effort to overcome some of the disadvantages of bicycle cable locks. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,970,882, 4,188,808 and 4,126,024 disclose cable type retractable bicycle locking systems typical of the prior art. In these retractable locking systems, the locking cable is retracted and stored on a reel that is mounted to the bicycle frame. While these systems make the cable easier to store and difficult to lose, the relatively large size and weight of the reel and reel housing necessary to contain the locking cable impede performance of the bicycle and are unsightly. U.S. Pat. No. 5,289,704 discloses a seemingly simple and more practical cable lock storage arrangement. The &#39;704 patent discloses a cable lock configured for storage in the seat tube of a bicycle. The cable slides into the seat tube for storage and is withdrawn from the seat tube for use. This cable lock uses a conventional locking cable doubled over and secured at the ends by a specially constructed bullet shaped combination lock. This specially constructed lock is designed to fit into and cap an extension of the bicycle seat tube to present a streamlined unobtrusive aesthetically pleasing look. One obvious disadvantage of the locking system of the &#39;704 patent, however, is the need for a specially constructed lock. Also, because the cable is not tethered to the bicycle, it can be lost and is not automatically retracted into the stowed position within the seat tube.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0005]    The present invention is directed to a bicycle cable locking system that helps overcome some of the disadvantages of conventional cable locking systems. Various embodiments of the invention implement several novel features, including a double length cable stowed in one of the frame tubes that automatically surrounds the head as it is withdrawn from a stowed position to an extended position, a double or single length cable stowed in one of the frame tubes that automatically retracts back into the stowed position when it is released from an extended position, and a retrofit assembly utilizing a retractible cable stowed in a tube that can be attached to the bicycle frame.  
           [0006]    In one embodiment of the invention, the cable locking system includes a cable extendible from and automatically retractable into a frame tube of a bicycle.  
           [0007]    In another embodiment, the cable locking system includes a double length cable extendible from and automatically retractable into at least one of the frame tubes of a bicycle and each length of the cable extends along opposite sides of the head such that the cable straddles the head when the cable is withdrawn from the tube.  
           [0008]    In another embodiment, a retrofit bicycle cable locking system includes an L shaped tube having a first straight part, a second straight part and a third arcuate part joining the first and second parts. The tube is configured for attachment to a frame of a bicycle such that the first part of the tube extends along the top tube of the bicycle frame and the second part of the tube extends along the seat tube of the bicycle frame. A double length cable extends from and automatically retracts into the tube.  
           [0009]    The ends of the cable may be secured with an in-line lock integral to the cable or with a pad lock by constructing the or ends the cable as a loop.  
           [0010]    The foregoing summary is not intended to be an inclusive list of all aspects and features of the invention nor should any limitation on the scope of the invention be implied from this summary. The summary is provided in accordance with the requirements of 37 C.F.R. § 1.73 and the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (MPEP) 608.01 (d) merely to apprise the public of the nature of the invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a bicycle secured to a rack showing one embodiment of the invented cable lock in the extended position.  
         [0012]    FIGS.  2 - 4  are partial cut-away detail views of three alternative configurations of one embodiment of the invented cable lock in which a folded double length of cable is automatically retracted into the bicycle frame along the top tube and down along the seat tube using an extension type coil spring. FIGS.  2 - 4  show the cable in the retracted and stowed position in the bicycle frame.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 5 is a partial cut-away view of one embodiment in which a flat reel type coil spring automatically retracts the double length cable into the bicycle frame. FIG. 5 shows the cable in the retracted and stowed position.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIGS. 6 and 7 are partial cut-away views of one embodiment of the invention in which a flat reel type coil spring automatically retracts a single length of cable into the bicycle frame. FIG. 6 shows the cable in the retracted and stowed position. FIG. 7 shows the cable in the extended position secured to a bicycle rack.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIGS. 8 and 9 are partial cut-away views of one embodiment in which a double length cable is stowed fully within the top tube of the bicycle frame. FIG. 8 shows the cable in the stowed position. FIG. 9 shows the cable in the extended position secured to a bicycle rack.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 10 is a partial cut-away view of one embodiment in which the cable is manually extended and retracted.  
         [0017]    FIGS.  11 - 13  illustrate alternative embodiments of the invention in which the cable locking system includes a storage tube retrofit to an existing bicycle frame. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0018]    FIGS.  1 - 4  illustrates various configurations of one embodiment of the invention in which a retractable double length cable is used to secure a bicycle  10  to a bicycle rack  12 . Referring to FIGS.  1 - 4 , bicycle  10  includes a frame  14 , seat  16 , handlebars  18 , front wheel  20 , rear wheel  22  and pedal crank  24 . A typical bicycle frame, such as frame  14 , includes a top tube  26 , head  28 , down tube  30 , seat tube  32 , seat stays  34  and chain stays  36 . Seat  16  is mounted to frame  14  through a seat post  38  in seat tube  32 . Handlebars  18  and front forks  40  are mounted to frame  14  through head  28 . The “head” of the bicycle frame refers generally to that part of the frame  14  mounts or supports the handle bars and the front forks. The head is usually structurally connected to the front of the top tube and the down tube.  
         [0019]    The top, down and seat tubes  26 ,  30  and  32  outline what is commonly referred to as the front triangle  42  of bicycle  10 . The seat tube  32  and seat and chain stays  34  and  36  outline what is commonly referred to as the rear triangle  44  of bicycle  10 .  
         [0020]    The components of bicycle frame  14  described above appear on most conventional bicycle frames. The front triangle of a conventional bicycle frame is modified somewhat to provide a storage compartment and smooth passageway for the cable locking system of the present invention. Top tube  26  and seat tube  32  are joined at the upper rear corner of front triangle  42  by an upper curved tube segment  46  to form a storage compartment and continuous smooth passageway  48 . In the configuration of FIG. 2, compartment/passageway  48  extends from head  28  along top tube  26 , through curved tube segment  46  and down seat tube  32 . In the configurations of FIGS. 3 and 4, compartment/passageway  48  extends from head  28  along top tube  26 , through curved tube segment  46 , down seat tube  32 , through a lower curved tube segment  47  and up down tube  30 .  
         [0021]    Still referring to FIGS.  1 - 4 , a cable assembly  50  housed in compartment  48  includes a cable  52 , spring  54  and anchor  56 . Anchor  56  anchors spring  54  near the bottom of seat tube  32  in the configuration of FIG. 2 and near the top of down tube  30  in the configurations of FIGS. 3 and 4. Anchor  56  represents generally any stationary component affixed to or integral with seat tube  32  sufficient to withstand the forces exerted by spring  54  when cable  52  is fully extended outside bicycle frame  14 . The location of anchor  56  will vary depending on the size of frame  14  and the lengths of spring  54  and cable  52  deemed necessary or desirable for a particular application. Cable  52  is constructed from a length of wire rope or some other suitably strong flexible material. Cable  52  is doubled over or otherwise constructed in two parallel lengths or pieces  58  and  60  and secured to spring  54  approximately at its midpoint. As with the cables used in conventional cable locks, it is expected that a wire rope cable  52  will usually include a plastic coating or sleeve to protect the wire rope from corrosive environmental effects and to protect frame  14  and other parts of the bicycle from the abrasive effects of the wire rope. Although spring  54  is depicted in FIGS.  2 - 4  as an extension type coil spring, other types of springs could be used. What is important is that spring  54  is capable of returning the cable to its stowed position. Therefore, “spring” as that term is used in the Summary, Detailed Description and in the Claims is to be construed broadly to cover any component, device or mechanism that returns the cable to a stowed position in bicycle frame  14 .  
         [0022]    The free ends  62  and  64  of each length  58  and  60  of cable  52  protrude from storage compartment  48  through a pair of holes  66  and  68  at the front of top tube  26  as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and  3 . Holes  62  and  64  are positioned on opposite sides of top tube  26  so that each length of cable  58  and  60  comes out of compartment  48  on opposite sides of head  28 . Using this configuration, cable  52  is automatically secured to bicycle frame  14  at head  28  as it is withdrawn from storage in compartment  48 . The free ends  66  and  68  of cable  52  may be fitted with a conventional in-line lock  70  as shown in FIGS.  1 - 4  or they may be constructed as open loops and secured with a padlock.  
         [0023]    In an alternative configuration shown in FIG. 3, the free ends  62  and  64  of cable  52  protrude from storage compartment  48  through a pair of holes  66  and  68  near the middle of top tube  26 .  
         [0024]    Although tube segments  46  and  47  are called out as curved tube segments, any tube configuration that transitions between the top tube or bottom tube and the seat tube and allows the cable to move back and forth in passageway  48  may be used. Also, segments  46  and  47  need not be discrete components. Upper tube segment  46 , for example, might be integral to a top tube that curves or angles down through transition tube segment  46  and into seat tube  32  without also extending horizontally back to the seat tube as in conventional designs.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the invention in which a flat reel type coil spring is used to automatically retract a double length cable into the bicycle frame. Referring to FIG. 5, a reel  72  energized by a flat coil spring (not shown) is located in a cavity  74  formed in frame  14  at the bottom of front triangle  42 . Cable  52  is operatively connected to reel  72  through a small diameter cord  76 . When cable  52  is pulled out of frame  14  to lock bicycle  10 , cord  76  unwinds from reel  72  to tightens and thereby energize the flat coil spring. When cable  52  is released, it is retracted into frame  14  as cord  76  is wound back on to reel  72  at the urging of the energized coil spring.  
         [0026]    A single cable version of the invented cable locking system using a reel-type retraction mechanism is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 shows the cable in the retracted and stowed position. FIG. 7 shows the cable in the extended position secured to a bicycle rack. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a reel  72  energized by a flat coil spring (not shown) is located in a cavity  78  formed in frame  14  at the top front of triangle  42 . A single length cable  80  is operatively connected to reel  72  through a small diameter cord  76 . When cable  80  is pulled out of frame  14  to lock bicycle  10  as shown in FIG. 7, cord  76  unwinds from reel  72  to tightens and thereby energize the flat coil spring. When cable  80  is released, it is retracted into frame  14  as cord  76  is wound back on to reel  72  at the urging of the energized coil spring.  
         [0027]    The reel type retraction mechanism  72 , the small diameter retracting cord  76  and the extended compartment/passageway  48  all combine to provide sufficient extension capacity to allow the use of a single length cable  80  with a small diameter reel that can easily be housed within bicycle frame  14 . By contrast, conventional reel type retracting mechanisms such as those disclosed in the patents discussed in the Background wind and unwind the locking cable. Hence, these prior art reels must be large to contain a standard size locking cable in which case they cannot be housed within the bicycle frame, or they may be made smaller but only by using a sub-standard or less effective smaller diameter locking cable. In either case, the reel type retraction mechanism of the present invention offers superior functional and cosmetic performance over prior art devices.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate another embodiment of the invention in which a double length cable  52  is stowed fully within the top tube  26  of bicycle frame  14 . FIG. 8 shows cable  52  in the stowed position. FIG. 9 shows cable  52  in the extended position secured to a bicycle rack  82 . Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, anchor  56  anchors spring  54  at the rearward end of top tube  26 . This configuration, which eliminates the need for adding the curved segments  46  and  47  of the embodiments shown in FIGS.  1 - 7 , could be used where a shorter locking cable  52  will suffice. A shorter cable may be used, for example, if it is not necessary to lock secure front wheel  20  when bicycle  10  is lock or with serpentine bicycle racks such as rack  82  shown in FIG. 9 in which the bicycle can be positioned along side the rack or other stationary object.  
         [0029]    In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, cable  52  is manually extended and retracted. In this embodiment, and referring to FIG. 10, the folded mid-point or stowed ends of double length cable  52  are, preferably, secured with a ferrule  84  or other suitable clamp to facilitate cable  52  sliding along compartment/passageway  48 . The weight of cable  52 , its downward trajectory and friction in passageway  48  combine to help prevent cable  52  from inadvertently being jostled out of its stowed position.  
         [0030]    In the embodiments shown in FIGS.  11 - 13 , the cable locking system includes a storage tube  86  retrofit to a conventional bicycle frame  88 . Anchor  56 , spring  54  and double length cable  52  (single length cable  80  in FIG. 12) are positioned in tube  86  as described above and tube  86  is strapped or otherwise secured to top tube  90  and seat tube  92  in FIGS. 11 and 13 or down tube  30  and chain stay  36  in FIG. 12. Cables  52  and  80  are partially withdrawn from tube  86  in FIG. 11 to better illustrate how each length  58  and  60  of cable  52  is preferably withdrawn on opposite sides of head  28  to automatically secure the bicycle frame  14  at head  28  when cable  52  is locked to a bicycle rack or other stationary object. Tube  86  may be constructed as a flexible tube that will conform to the shape of the one or more of the components of a bicycle frame so that one retrofit locking system can be made to fit more than one model or type of bicycle. Alternatively, tube  86  may be a rigid tube that conforms to the shape of one or more components of a bicycle frame such as might be used for a particular model, size or type of bicycle. In the embodiment of FIG. 13, tube  86  includes a spring or other flexible member  94  that joins rigid upper tube member  96  and lower tube member  98 .  
         [0031]    A double length cable is a cable having two adjacent lengths or pieces such as cable  52  shown in the figures and includes a single cable doubled over or discrete lengths of cable. A single length cable is a cable having only one length or piece such as cable  80  shown in the figures.  
         [0032]    Although the invention has been shown and described with reference to the foregoing exemplary embodiments, various other embodiments of the invention are possible. It is to be understood, therefore, that these and other embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which is defined in the following claims.