Abstract:
A bicycle stand including a frame, a flexible cable or chain for securing a bicycle to the frame, and a lockable container which is attached to the frame, the flexible cable or chain having at least one end secured within the container.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to bicycles and more particularly, relates to temporary bicycle storage and parking for cyclists. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Bicycling has increased in popularity over the last several years and the use of a bicycle as a mode of transportation is increasing. Also increasingly popular is the use of the bicycle for recreational purposes. 
         [0003]    The problem of bicycle storage is one which has existed for many years. Since bicycles are readily portable, bicycle theft has always been a problem and particularly with some of the more expensive bicycles which are increasingly common. In order to overcome this, the typical cyclist will carry a cable and a lock which will assist in securing the bicycle to an immovable. The immovable is typically a post of one sort or another such as a parking meter post. However, any suitable device around which a cable can be entwined can be used. 
         [0004]    The locating of a suitable immovable can sometimes be problematic. Accordingly, the provision of public bicycle racks is evolving. These bicycle racks can be used wherever cyclists will tend to temporarily leave their bicycle such as near restaurants, convenience stores, shopping malls, schools of various types, parks, near public transportation, etc. 
         [0005]    One further problem which arises is that the cyclist usually has personal equipment which is ideally stored rather than carried by the cyclist. The personal equipment can include such things like a helmet, backpack, books, etc. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    According to the present invention, there is provided a bicycle stand comprising a frame, a flexible cable for securing a bicycle to the frame, and a lockable container, the lockable container being attached to the frame, the flexible cable having at least one end thereof secured within the container. 
         [0007]    According to the present invention, there is also provided a stand or support to which a bicycle may be secured and which will include a closed cabinet or container into which the cyclist&#39;s personal belongings may be placed. The container will be associated with a locking arrangement which will secure both the bicycle and the belongings of the cyclist. 
         [0008]    The stand or support to receive the bicycle may come in many different forms and sizes. Thus, it could range from a single unit to units capable of receiving two or four bicycles or even further, they may be formed to receive a multiplicity of bicycles, either in a row or in a circular pattern. It suffices to say that any number of storage spaces may be provided with the storage spaces being of a size to accommodate all bicycle types—i.e. from children to adults, commuter bicycles, competitors&#39; bicycles, etc. 
         [0009]    As above mentioned, the storage unit will include a container into which the cyclist&#39;s belongings may be placed. There will also be provided a cable or chain which will extend exteriorly thereof and which may be wrapped around the various components of the bicycle as is presently known in the art. 
         [0010]    The cable will be flexible and of a material/size sufficient to withstand normal cutting tools used by bicycle thieves. Preferably both ends of the cable will lock interiorly of the storage cabinet so that access will be denied thereto. 
         [0011]    The cabinet or container will be locked. This can either be accomplished utilizing the lock of the user (well known in the art) or any other equivalent arrangement. Thus, there may be the capability for the user to rent a lock on site or alternatively, a locking mechanism may be utilized using a person&#39;s credit card or other identifying element such as numerical ID, etc. Thus, if used by a company for its employees, the identifying element or card may be issued by the company to its employees. The identifying element would be personal to the one person. 
         [0012]    Naturally, the storage unit can include accessory equipment such as an alarm system. The units are preferably sufficiently rugged and weather resistant. 
         [0013]    Each unit would be of a size/weight sufficient to prevent theft of the unit per se. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating embodiments thereof, in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first arrangement of a bicycle stand; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of another embodiment thereof; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a still further embodiment thereof; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a view illustrating the locking of the device within a storage cabinet; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a further embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, there is illustrated in  FIG. 1  a bicycle storage device generally designated by reference numeral  10  and which may be used to securely store one or more bicycles. 
         [0021]    Bicycle storage device  10  includes a plurality of frame members  12 ,  112 ,  212  which are each similar and thus only one will be described herein. 
         [0022]    Frame member  12  includes a vertical upper portion  14  and a horizontal lower portion  18 . Horizontal lower portion  18  and vertical upper portion  14  are connected by an arcuate shaped middle portion or segment  16 . 
         [0023]    The bicycle storage device  10  includes a storage container which is generally designated by reference numeral  20 . Storage container  20  is defined by a plurality of walls as is conventional in the art; shown herein are side wall  22  and top wall  24 . A door  26  provides access to the interior of storage container  20  and a handle  28  may be provided. The storage container  20  will also include a locking arrangement which is not illustrated in this embodiment. It suffices to say that any number of known locking devices and/or locks may be utilized in the practice of the invention. 
         [0024]    Bicycle storage  10  is designed to receive one or more bicycles with a single one  30  being illustrated in dotted lines herein. A locking cable  110  is utilized to lock about one or more portions of bicycle  30  and is locked interiorly of storage container  20  as will be illustrated hereinbelow. 
         [0025]    A further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . A bicycle storage device is generally designated by reference numeral  32 . Bicycle storage device  32  includes a platform or base  34 . Sitting on base  34  is an inverted U-shaped frame generally designated by reference numeral  36 . Connected to and extending upwardly from inverted U-shaped frame  36  is a vertical post  38 . Vertical post  38  is used to mount a storage container generally designated by reference numeral  40  and which includes a cylindrical side wall  42 . A door  44  with a handle  46  is provided at one end thereof. As was the case in the previous embodiment, a suitable locking arrangement is provided between door  44  and cylindrical wall  42 . 
         [0026]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , there is provided a bicycle storage device generally designated by reference numeral  50 . Bicycle storage device  50  includes a number of individual storage slots  52  defined within a frame and housing. Each individual storage slot  52  has a storage container  54  associated therewith. Each storage container  54  includes a sliding door  56  along with a suitable locking arrangement. 
         [0027]    A further bicycle storage device is illustrated in  FIG. 5  and reference will now be had thereto. A bicycle storage device is generally designated by reference numeral  60 . Bicycle storage device  60  includes a platform or base  62  which is designed to sit on a substrate surface. In this embodiment, bicycle storage device  60  includes a center frame member generally designated by reference numeral  64 . Center frame member  64  has an upper portion  66  and a lower portion  68 . As may be seen, lower portion  68  includes a circular cut-out  70  to permit the passing of a cable therethrough. 
         [0028]    A first side frame member generally designated by reference numeral  72  has an attachment rod  74  which is connected to center frame member  64 . Side frame member  72  also has a cutout  76 . 
         [0029]    A second side frame member  78  is provided on the other side of center frame member  64  and is substantially identical to side frame member  72  save and except that it is reversed in position. Storage compartments  80  are provided and are mounted to the upper portion  66  of center frame member  64 . It will be noted that extending downwardly from storage compartments  80  are hooks  82  which may be utilized to receive accessories. Doors  84  have handles  86  associated therewith. As is the case in the previously described embodiments, a suitable locking arrangement is provided for doors  84 . 
         [0030]    A typical storage compartment is illustrated in  FIG. 4  and is designated by reference numeral  90 . Storage compartment includes first and second side walls  92 ,  94 , a top wall  96 , a bottom wall  98 , and a back wall  100 . A door  102  is provided to gain access to storage compartment  90 . Door  102  has a locking mechanism  104  thereon which will engage with a mating locking mechanism  106  on side wall  92 . 
         [0031]    An interior lock  108  is provided to which a flexible cable  110  may be connected. Cable  110  may extend outwardly through openings between side wall  94  and bottom wall  98 . 
         [0032]    It will be understood that the above described embodiment is for purposes of illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.