Patent Publication Number: US-11377876-B2

Title: Magnetic keeper for bicycle lock element

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to locks that use linking elements, such as chains or cables, and particularly to a combination chain and cable lock, which may be used for bicycles and other items. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There are many types of utility locks and/or locking devices used for securing objects such as bicycles, to poles, stands and the like. Known devices include U-shaped locks, cable, chain, padlock and folding link member lock devices. Other known locking devices which use various other encircling components as means for securing objects such as a bicycle and aimed at theft prevention, include cuff locks, as well as hinged locks that are circular, oval, and square relatives to the U-lock. 
     In all of the known prior art bicycle locks, some lock element, such as one of the links of a chain lock, or one of the folding link members of a folding lock or the shackle of a U-lock or padlock, etc., is inserted into a receptacle of the bicycle lock. This lock element must be held by the user until the lock is brought into locking engagement with the lock element; otherwise, if not held by the user, the lock element can fall out of the receptacle. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention seeks to provide an improved locking device, which may be used for bicycles and other items, such as but not limited to, strollers, carriages and the like, as is described in detail further hereinbelow. The term “bicycle lock” is used to encompass a lock for bicycles and these other items. 
     In the present invention, unlike the prior art, the element does not have to be held by the user until the lock is brought into locking engagement with the lock element; instead, a magnet holds the lock element in place and the lock element cannot fall out of the receptacle in the unlocked configuration. The magnet is strong enough to hold the lock element in place against the force of gravity, yet the magnet is weak enough to permit the user to grasp the lock element and pull the lock element out of the receptacle. 
     Thus, the present invention eliminates any aggravating situation in which the user has to struggle keeping the lock element in place with one hand and lock the device with the other hand. 
     There is thus provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a lock assembly including a lock element, a lock housing including a receptacle for receiving therein the lock element, the lock housing including a lock device that in a locked configuration is in locking engagement with the lock element and in an unlocked configuration is not in locking engagement with the lock element, and a magnetic member that magnetically holds the lock element in the receptacle against a force of gravity in the unlocked configuration. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1A  is a simplified pictorial illustration of a lock assembly, constructed and operative in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the lock assembly being a chain lock; 
         FIG. 1B  is a simplified pictorial illustration of the lock assembly, with the lock housing case removed to reveal the components of the lock device; 
         FIG. 1C  is a simplified sectional illustration of the lock assembly of  FIG. 1B ; 
         FIG. 2A  is a simplified pictorial illustration of a lock assembly, constructed and operative in accordance with another non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the lock assembly being a U-lock; 
         FIG. 2B  is a simplified sectional illustration of the lock assembly of  FIG. 2A ; and 
         FIG. 3  is a simplified sectional illustration of a lock assembly, constructed and operative in accordance with another non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the lock assembly being a folding lock. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 1A-1C , which illustrates lock assembly  10 , constructed and operative in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. Here the lock assembly is a chain lock, but the invention is not limited to this type of lock. 
     The lock assembly  10  includes a lock element  12 , which in this case, is a link of a chain  14 . The lock assembly  10  includes a lock housing  16  that has a receptacle  18  for receiving therein lock element  12 . (As seen in  FIG. 1A , lock housing  16  may include an outer casing  17  made of a strong steel alloy and the like, to prevent tampering by vandals.) Lock housing  16  includes a lock device  20  ( FIG. 1C ) that in a locked configuration is in locking engagement with lock element  12  and in an unlocked configuration is not in locking engagement with lock element  12 . 
     Lock device  20  may be a cylinder lock operated by a key  24  or any other type of lock, such as but not limited to, a combination lock, cylinder lock, wafer lock, or wireless communication lock (that operates with a transponder that communicates with identification circuitry in the lock to gain authorized access to the lock), e.g., an RFID lock, NFC lock, Bluetooth lock, Wi-Fi lock, mobile device, and others. Other locking types can also be used. 
     For example, lock device  20  may include a cam or other locking member  22  which can be moved linearly by turning key  24  in the lock device  20 . Locking member  22  includes a tongue  26 , which in the locked configuration is moved over lock element  12  (in the direction of an arrow  23  in  FIG. 1B ) so as to prevent lock element  12  from being pulled out of receptacle  18 . In the unlocked configuration, tongue  26  is moved away from lock element  12  (in the direction of an arrow  25  in  FIG. 1B ) so as to permit lock element  12  to be pulled out of receptacle  18 . 
     In accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, lock assembly  10  includes a magnetic member  30  that magnetically holds lock element  12  in receptacle  18  against a force of gravity in the unlocked configuration. The magnetic member  30  is strong enough to hold lock element  12  in place in receptacle  18  against the force of gravity, yet magnetic member  30  is weak enough to permit the user to grasp lock element  12  and pull lock element  12  out of receptacle  18 . The magnetic member  30  may be made of neodymium-iron-boron or other magnetic materials. 
     The magnetic member  30  is useful not only for holding lock element  12  in place in receptacle  18  against the force of gravity; it also ensures that lock element  12  is properly seated in receptacle  18  so that lock element  12  is not misaligned with the locking mechanism of lock device  20 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 2A-2B , which illustrate a lock assembly  40 , constructed and operative in accordance with another non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the lock assembly  40  is a U-lock with a U-shackle  42  which is also referred to as lock element  42 . Once again, there is a lock housing  41  that includes a receptacle  48  for receiving therein the lock element  42 . The lock housing  41  includes a key-operated lock device  43  that in a locked configuration is in locking engagement with the lock element  42  and in an unlocked configuration is not in locking engagement with the lock element  42 . A magnetic member  46  magnetically holds the lock element  42  in the receptacle  48  against a force of gravity in the unlocked configuration. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 3 , which illustrates a lock assembly  50 , constructed and operative in accordance with another non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the lock assembly  50  is a folding lock with a link member  52 , which is also referred to as lock element  52 . Once again, there is a lock housing  51  that includes a receptacle  58  for receiving therein the lock element  52 . The lock housing  51  includes a lock device  53  that in a locked configuration is in locking engagement with the lock element  52  and in an unlocked configuration is not in locking engagement with the lock element  52 . A magnetic member  56  magnetically holds the lock element  52  in the receptacle  58  against a force of gravity in the unlocked configuration.