Patent Description:
The applicant's international patent application no. <CIT> discloses an external steering column lock for a bicycle. This known external steering column lock is a key lock commercially available under the trade name Velo Guard. The Velo Guard is an exterior lock mounted in connection with the fork crown, and it can be used as a replacement or as a supplement to the locking arrangement normally associated with the rear wheel of a bicycle. The Velo Guard steering lock locks the front wheel into a stable position and blocks the handlebars from turning which makes riding the bicycle impossible.

French patent application no. <CIT> discloses a lock arranged in the steering column to be operated from above. This known lock is capable of operating an actuating rod which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the steerer tube to control a locking end of an anti-theft cable to lock the head tube from rotation relative to the steerer tube. The actuating rod extends over the entire height of the steerer tube and into the crown. Installation of this known steering column lock requires a complete re-design of existing front forks and it cannot be mounted in the steering column without reconstruction of the front fork.

Russian patent application <CIT> discloses a simple manually operated steering column lock having an interior eccentric to, upon rotation, displacing opposite locking balls in and out of the locking holes in the steerer tube to achieve frictional engagement with the head tube. No lock components are placed in the space between the steerer tube and the head tube so the locking force is rather low and this known steering column lock is easy to break up. The steering column lock is mounted at the top of the steerer tube and it requires substantial modification of the bicycle steering column for its mounting.

German patent application no. <CIT> discloses a bicycle steering column lock of the kind mentioned in the preamble of claim <NUM>.

Chinese utility model no. <CIT> discloses a bicycle front tube bluetooth lockset that can be remotely controlled via a bluetooth lock system that includes a motor and a magnetic eccentric wheel. When the motor rotates the magnetic eccentric wheel to a certain angle, the magnetic eccentric wheel pushes the end of a lock core into a cavity of the front tube, so that rotation of the bicycle shaft and the front tube in the axial direction is restricted and the bicycle is locked and cannot be ridden. <CIT> is considered the closest prior art and discloses the following features of claim <NUM>; a bicycle steering column comprising a head tube, and a steerer tube, and incorporating a steering column lock, the steering column lock comprises a first lock part having a first lock means and a second lock part having a second lock means, the first lock means is arranged in a radial space between the head tube and the steerer tube, the second lock means is arranged in the steerer tube to co-operate with the first lock means, and the second lock means comprises an electric motor, wherein the second lock means comprises at least one magnet.

An electric bike, often called an E-bike, offers a fast, easy and convenient way to drive around in an eco-friendly manner, so electric bikes are becoming an increasingly popular solution for bicyclists. The front fork of most electric bikes can be a rigid front fork but is usually a suspension fork designed to provide extra comfort. The front fork of an electric bike typically has a larger steering column diameter than the classic road bike for which the Velo Guard is designed. Electric bikes are very expensive and it is important for the owner to be able to lock it properly when not in use.

It is accordingly a main aspect of the present invention to provide an improved steering column lock.

In a further aspect of the present invention is provided a steering column lock that can be hidden inside the front fork.

In a further aspect of the present invention is provided a keyless steering column lock.

In a further aspect of the present invention is provided an electric steering column lock.

In a further aspect of the present invention is provided an integrated steering column lock for a bicycle.

In a further aspect of the present invention is provided an integrated steering column lock for an electric bike.

In a further aspect of the present invention is provided an integrated steering column lock for an electric bike, wherein the installation of the steering column lock does not require drilling holes in the walls of any of the head tube and steerer tube.

The novel and unique features whereby these and other aspects are achieved according to the present invention consist in that the bicycle steering column comprises a head tube, a steerer tube, and incorporating an integral steering column lock.

The steering column lock comprises a first lock part having a first lock means, and a second lock part having a second lock means, wherein the first lock means is arranged in a radial space between the head tube and the steerer tube, the second lock means is arranged in the steerer tube to co-operate with the first lock means, and the second lock means comprises an electric motor. Thus the first lock part is exterior to the steerer tube and the second lock part is interior to the steerer tube.

The first lock means and the second lock means are configured to, in a locking position of the steering column lock, serve as an anti-rotation means that in co-operation prevents the steerer tube and the head tube from rotating in relation to each other about the central axis of the steerer tube, and allows said steerer tube to rotate in relation to the head tube about said axis in an unlocked position of the steering column lock.

The first lock means is advantageously arranged in the radial space between the head tube and the steerer tube, which radial space allows the steerer tube to turn about its central axis and thus about the central axis of the head tube. At least a part of the first lock part may be welded or glued to the head tube to prevent axial displacement of said part, whereby said part of the first lock means can be arranged in the bicycle steering column without making holes in any of the steerer tube and the head tube.

The steering column lock may comprise at least one first displaceable component that is displaceable along the diameter of the steerer tube. The at least one first displaceable component may be displaced along the diameter of the steerer tube to facilitate the locking or non-locking co-operation between the first lock means and the second lock means by arranging the second lock means in a locking or non-locking axial position inside the steerer tube, thus in a locking or non-locking position along the length of the steerer tube.

The steering column lock may comprise at least one second displaceable component that is axially displaceable along the length of the steerer tube to shift the co-operation of the first lock means and the second lock means between a locking co-operation and a non-locking co-operation. The at least one second displaceable component can be displaced axially whereby at least a part of the second lock means can reciprocate inside the steerer tube.

The at least one second displaceable component, which is axially displaceable along the length of the steerer tube, may be at least one second displaceable component arranged in the steerer tube, or at least one second displaceable component arranged in the radial space between the head tube and the steerer tube, or be a combination of the aforementioned at least one second displaceable components, as will be explained in further details below.

The second lock means of the second lock part may comprise a first lock component that may comprise the at least one first displaceable component.

In preferred embodiments the second lock means may comprise two first displaceable components that are displaceable along the diameter of the steerer tube towards and away from each other, and moving means to displace said two first displaceable components in relation to each other along the diameter of the steerer tube to make the first lock means and the second lock means to co-operate.

In some embodiments opposite lock openings are provided in the wall of the steerer tube for enabling the second lock means to pass through the steerer tube to engage and disengage the first lock means in direct contact in the radial space between the head tube and the steerer tube.

However in alternative embodiments the first lock means and the second lock means can co-operate without any holes are made in the steerer tube. So the steering column lock may also be arranged in the bicycle steering column as an integrated, fully functional part of the bicycle steering column without making any structural weakening of, or damages to, any of said head tube and/or steerer tube. Thus the manufacturers of e.g. E-bikes need not make structural changes to the steering column to integrate the steering column lock.

The first lock component may be the component, or part of the components, of the second lock means that are axially displaceable along the length of the steerer tube to bring the second lock means in and out of the locking co-operation with the first lock means, however in an alternative embodiment the first lock component is in a fixed axial position.

The moving means may comprise a rotating part interposed between said two opposite first displaceable components, which moving means advantageously may be operatively coupled to the motor for rotating the rotating part about the axis of the steerer tube.

In one embodiment this rotation can be actuated by the motor to make the second lock means lock together with the first lock means via the opposite lock openings provided in the wall of the steerer tube upon displacing said opposite first displaceable components along the diameter of the steerer tube away from each other in response to a rotational movement of the rotating part.

In one embodiment the rotation of the rotating part reduces the radial extent of the first lock component inside the steerer tube to allow said first lock component to move up and down inside said steerer tube to achieve the locking position in response to the motor rotating the rotating part, thus allowing a short axial displacement of said first lock component.

In a preferred embodiment the second lock means may have two opposite first displaceable components, such as a first displaceable component that may comprise a first locking pawl having a first pawl head, another first displaceable component that may comprise a second locking pawl having a second pawl head that faces the first pawl head, and wherein the moving means may be configured for moving the opposite first and second pawls heads in relation to each other along the diameter of the steerer tube. The size and shape of said pawl heads may differ between embodiments of the steering column lock.

The first lock means may comprise a lock ring configured to be disposed and secured in the radial space between the head tube and the steerer tube, which lock ring may have a plurality of annularly spaced apart apertures in level with the lock openings to serve for passage of a part of the second lock means, for said first lock means to interlock with the second lock part when the rotating part rotates the opposite first displaceable components apart. Preferably the apertures are axially oblong, a. to allow some axial displacement of the first lock component, and for optimizing aligning with the lock openings.

To achieve interlocking of the first lock part and the second lock part, said second lock means may in one embodiment thus have a first lock component that has at least one first displaceable component that is displaceable along the diameter of the steerer tube to pass in and out of the lock openings of the steerer tube and into the apertures of the lock ring when said apertures and lock openings are aligned axially and radially, such as aligned in response to rotation of the steerer tube about the axis of the head tube.

In such an embodiment having opposite lock openings in the wall of the steerer tube the first locking pawl may have a first pawl end part opposite the first pawl head, and the second locking pawl may have a second pawl end part opposite a second pawl head that faces the first pawl head, in which case the first pawl end part and the opposite second pawl end part may be rather long to be able to reach through the lock openings of the wall of the steerer tube and into apertures of the first lock ring when the opposite pawl heads have been moved apart by the moving means. So in the locked position of one embodiment of the steering column lock of the present invention the first pawl end part and the opposite second pawl end part are forced radially apart and inserted into apertures of the lock ring of the first lock part, which is situated in the radial space between the steerer tube and the head tube, via the aligned lock openings of the steerer tube, thereby serving as opposite barrel bolts that prevents the steerer tube from rotation about the axis of the head tube, thus prevent turning of the front fork, as is essential to be able so safely ride the bicycle.

In an advantageous embodiment the first pawl head may have a first lower pawl head part, which has a first seat, and a first upper pawl head part, which has a first projection extending along the pawl axis from the first lower pawl head part. Similarly the second pawl head may have a second lower pawl head part, which has a second seat and a second upper pawl head part, which has a second projection extending along the pawl axis from the second lower pawl head part. Furthermore the first projection may have a first notch, and the second projection may have a second notch.

The first locking pawl and the second locking pawl may be identical, but turned in the same plane in relation to each other so that the pawl head parts face each other thereby arranging the pawl end parts to follow a diameter of the steerer tube in a position to e.g. pass into aligned lock openings and apertures.

A locking pawl is however not symmetrical along its lengthwise axis but designed so that the pawl heads can overlap along their length without increasing the combined circumcircle to more than the circumcircle of a single pawl head.

To achieve this the first lower pawl head part may be configured to mate into the second seat, and the second lower pawl head part may be configured to mate into the first seat, to thereby arrange the first notch and the second notch in communication with each other to define a lock cavity. The notches may in combination define the lock cavity for receiving the rotating part in order to move the opposite pawl heads in relation to each other, e.g. apart and towards each other, along the diameter of the steerer tube by the action of the engaging rotating part, upon said rotating part rotating about the axis of the steerer tube. Thus the rotating part may serve as a part of the moving means for moving the opposite pawl heads apart and together. The same reciprocation towards and away from each other of the opposite pawl head parts also takes place in embodiments without long protruding pawl end parts.

The second lock part may thus in some embodiments be arranged inside the steerer tube of the steering column and be adapted to mechanically engage and disengage the first lock part through the lock openings in the wall of the steerer tube thereby locking the steerer tube to the first lock part to prevent it from turning about the axis of the head tube.

A locking pawl may be configured as one single unitary component, or be assembled of several components when mounted inside the steerer tube.

Optionally also an extra enforcing ring may be added to the first lock part to structurally enforce the steering column lock radially, and keep the axial position of the first lock part in the above embodiment of a steering column lock having a second lock part with long pawl heads.

The lock openings of the wall of the steerer tube allow passage of a part of the second lock part through said wall. These lock openings can have any design and outline that allow such passage. The lock openings may be axially oblong to allow some axial displacement of the second lock means of the second lock part inside the steerer tube.

In case the radial space is too narrow to mount the first lock part in the radial space of the above embodiment of a steering column, and if the wall thickness(ses) of the opposite tubes allows it without damaging the structural stability of the steering column, the first lock part may comprise circumferential recesses made in one or both of the walls of the head tube and the steerer tube for receiving the remainder of a first lock part that would otherwise be excessive in size. An interior circumferential recess can e.g. be made in the interior face of the wall of the head tube and/or an exterior circumferential recess can e.g. be made in the exterior face of the wall the steerer tube. In these embodiments having one or more recesses these recesses may suffice to prevent axial displacement of the lock ring when the steering column lock is operated. The recesses may however require milling off material of the tubes which is less preferred by some manufacturers and incompatible with some national or international standards for bicycle locks.

In a preferred embodiment the rotating part may be at least slightly S-shaped and having opposite curved engagement wing parts and a shaft hole for receiving a drive shaft of the motor to allow the motor to rotate the rotating part up to about <NUM>° about the rotation axis to push on the pawl heads when the opposite first pawl heads are to be spaced apart by being displaced along the diameter of the steerer tube. Optionally the rotating part may be configured similar to or partly as e.g. a wing nut.

An alternative embodiment of the steering column lock according to the present invention may utilize a first lock part and a second lock part that do not require holes in the wall of the steerer tube for passage of a first pawl end part and a opposite second pawl end part. So in this alternative embodiment of the steering column lock the first lock component has none, or substantially none, first pawl end part, and none, or substantially none, opposite second pawl end part, whereby the first lock component can be made very small and thus be fitted inside steerer tubes having very small diameters.

In such an embodiment of a steering column lock according to the present invention the first lock means may comprise at least one first magnet and the second lock means may comprise at least one second magnet, wherein said at least one first magnet and said at least one second magnet are arranged to be in magnetically attracted contact without being in direct contact. The magnetic attraction of the at least one second magnet to the at least one first magnet will make an axially displaceable component of the second lock part, to which the at least one second magnet is secured, to move along axially and bringing along an axially displaceable component of the first lock part to which the at least one first magnet is secured.

In this alternative embodiment of a steering column lock the second lock means may comprise an interior lock part having an exterior annular surface provided with the at least one second magnet. Preferably the interior lock part has at least three second magnets arranged annularly spaced apart on said exterior annular surface, more preferred four or more second magnets are provided annularly spaced apart on the exterior annular surface of said interior lock part, whereby the at least one second magnet can magnetically lock with the at least one first magnet in a strong and reliable manner. The number of magnets can be even or uneven. Preferably the number of first magnets and the number of second magnets are the same to achieve optimum magnetic attraction force.

The interior lock part may be an upper second displaceable component of the at least one second displaceable component that is axially displaceable along the length of the steerer tube. Preferably the interior lock part is hollow so that the electric motor, that is arranged to engage the rotating part of the first lock component, can be accommodated inside the interior lock part, thereby reducing the axial length of the steering column lock, as well as protecting and supporting the electric motor.

The second lock means may comprise a housing assembly in which the first lock component can be situated. Said housing assembly may comprise at least an upper housing, wherein said upper housing may have a top part with a socket part that provides for passage of at least a part of the electric motor for its drive shaft to engage a shaft hole of the rotating part of the first lock component. The socket part advantageously keeps the electric motor arranged vertically so that it does not vibrate or oscillate excessively, if at all, when it operates to rotate the rotating part of the first lock component. The top part of the socket part may be secured to the interior surface of the wall of the steerer tube to maintain a permanent optimum axial position of the upper housing, the first lock component and the electric motor. Thus in this alternative embodiment of a steering column lock the upper housing, the first lock component and the electric motor are not part of the components of the at least one second displaceable component that is axially displaceable along the length of the steerer tube.

The housing assembly may comprise a lower second displaceable component of the at least one second displaceable component, which lower second displaceable component can be an interior tubular housing having a breast means protruding towards the central axis of the steerer tube and being configured to engage the first lock component when said interior tubular housing is displaced axially in relation to the first lock component that is arranged inside said interior tubular housing. The interior tubular housing can be moved upwards in the steerer tube, thereby arranging the first lock component engaging below said breast means, whereby the first lock component will be arranged in a locked position in which the steering column lock is locked.

The interior tubular housing may have a tubular upper housing part above the breast means and an opposite tubular lower housing part below the breast means, which tubular upper housing part may engage the top part of the upper housing in anti-rotational manner. As said upper housing is firmly secured to the steerer tube it rotates when the steerer tube rotates. The interior tubular housing is displaced in relation to the upper housing to axially displace the interior lock part in response to displacement of said interior tubular housing axially.

The second lock part may comprise a holder adapted to hold the first lock component, which holder advantageously can be secured to the top part of the upper housing and have opposite slots for passage of opposite engagement wing parts of the rotating part upon forced rotation of the rotating part by the electric motor to unlock the steering column lock and set the first lock component free of the breast means, thereby allowing the interior tubular housing to move axially downwards away from the interior lock part. The holder prevents the first lock component from dropping off the electric motor, and thus the holder keeps the drive shaft of the electric motor in operative engagement with the shaft hole of the rotating part.

In an optional embodiment the upper housing may extend from the top part into a forked lower part having opposite upper housing legs configured to engage a female cable lock part of a cable lock coupling means, and/or engage a free end of the interior tubular housing, such as the tubular lower housing part, in case the steering column lock is provided without a cable lock coupling means. The opposite upper housing legs holds onto any of a female cable lock part or the free end of the tubular lower housing part to avoid unintended separation of upper housing and female cable lock part and/or tubular lower housing part.

The female cable lock part can preferably be configured to be situated protruding inside the tubular lower housing part and serve as an end closure of said tubular lower housing part, and/or serve as the push-button at which the operator pushes to move the second lock part inside the steerer tube to lock the steering column lock.

In an embodiment of a steering column lock having additional anti-theft means in form of a cable lock, the female cable lock part may comprise a cable lock ring surrounding the tubular lower housing part of the interior tubular housing, and a cable lock housing mounted at least partly inside the tubular lower housing part of the interior tubular housing and being configured to receive and interlock with a male locking part of a cable lock, wherein the cable lock ring is interconnected with the cable lock housing via assembling means, wherein at least a part of the assembling means extends through a circumferential wall of the tubular lower housing part of the interior tubular housing so that the cable lock housing does not come along when the female cable lock part is decoupled but so that the cable lock housing can be displaced axially in relation to cable lock ring, optionally pushed on, to displace the interior tubular housing.

In another preferred embodiment of the bicycle steering column according to the present invention the female cable lock part may comprises a traverse lock body, a cover part fixed in axial position along its circumference to the tubular upper housing part of a modified interior tubular housing, and a fifth spring having free ends secured to a chord of the circumference of the cover part and extending inclined and axially downwards below said cover part. The tubular lower housing part of the modified interior tubular housing may convieniently have opposite first slide tracks configured for receiving the cross bar arms when the modified interior tubular housing reciprocates axially to lock a cable lock part of a cable lock together with the traverse lock body.

For the purpose of such interlocking the traverse lock body may comprise an upper tubular cable housing wherefrom the opposite cross bar arms protrudes diametrically opposite. The upper tubular cable housing may have a plug hole adapted to accommodate the cable lock part of the cable lock, and the tubular lower housing part of the interior tubular housing may have opposite first slide tracks receiving the cross bar arms when the interior tubular housing reciprocates up and down inside the steerer tube.

An O-ring may be interposed between the tubular lower housing part of the interior tubular housing and a lower bushing collar part of a lock bushing that surrounds said tubular lower housing part of said the interior tubular housing to prevent entry of moisture and dirt between the interior tubular housing and the lock bushing.

The cover part may advantageously be disposed inside the modified interior tubular housing between the first lock component and the female cable lock part to prevent access to the functional components of the steering column lock via the female cable lock part provided for inserting the cable lock part, e.g. to deprive a thief the possibility of tampering with the first lock component, e.g. by using a screw driver to actuate the opposite locking pawls. Such a screw driver cannot pass by the cover part.

An O-ring my be interposed between the tubular lower housing part and the cable lock ring to further seal and prevent access of dirt and moisture into the steering column lock.

In the above alternative embodiment of a steering column lock according to the present invention the first lock means may comprise a first ring-shaped lock part and a second ring-shaped lock part arranged in a tubular casing of the first lock part. The tubular casing itself may be secured to an interior face of the head tube so that it neither rotates nor displace axially in relation to the head tube when the steering column lock is operated. Some components inside said tubular casing may however rotate and/or displace axially. The first ring-shaped lock part may be secured at a top part of the tubular casing and the second ring-shaped lock part may be arranged axially and reciprocatingly displaceable below the first ring-shaped lock part. So in contrast to the first ring-shaped lock part the second ring-shaped lock part can be arranged displaceable inside the tubular casing, with said second ring-shaped lock part surrounding the steerer tube and magnetically engaging the interior lock component which is situated around the steerer tube. So when the interior lock component rotates the second ring-shaped lock component rotates along about the axis of the steerer tube as well due to the magnetic attraction between the first and the second magnets.

The first lock part may comprise a lower lock ring, which is secured to the steerer tube at a bottom part of the tubular casing, as a means to prevent rotation of the second ring-shaped lock part in relation to the steerer tube.

Optionally the lower lock ring may be positioned to allow and/or control an axial displacement of the second ring-shaped lock part within the tubular casing, wherein such axial displacement may have a travel length shorter than a travel length at which the lower lock ring and the second ring-shaped lock part disengage axially.

The first ring-shaped lock part may have a first engagement means arranged at a lower first circumferential edge part and the second ring-shaped lock part may have a second engagement means arranged at an upper second circumferential edge part, which second engagement means faces the first engagement means.

The second engagement means may advantageously be configured for.

The first engagement means and the second engagement means may have any complementary structure suited for the mutual engagement. One of said engagement means may feature a female configuration or structural component configured to receive a mating male configuration or structural component of the other engagement means.

For example the first engagement means that is arranged at the lower first circumferential edge part of the first ring-shaped lock part can be the complementary spaces between a plurality of annularly spaced apart axially protruding first teeth, thus female structural components, and the second engagement means at the upper second circumferential edge part of the second ring-shaped lock part can be at least one axially protruding second tooth configured to engage such a complementary space, thus a male structural component, between adjacent first teeth of the first engagement means. The opposite arrangement is also possible and it is clear to the skilled person that a tooth/teeth of one engagement means fits/fit in the space between opposite teeth of the other engagement means.

The axially displaceable second ring-shaped lock part can travel a locking length that brings the first engagement means and the second engagement means in and out of engagement. Preferably said locking length corresponds to at least the length of the at least one axially protruding second tooth and is shorter than the travel length at which the lower lock ring and the second ring-shaped lock part may disengage.

The second ring-shaped lock part may comprise the at least one first magnet to thereby make the interior lock part, that has the at least one second magnets, the part of the second lock part that brings the second ring-shaped lock part along to make the first engagement means and the second engagement means interlock or not interlock, in the respective locking position and not locked position by turning of the steerer tube in relation to the head tube.

The at least one first magnet can be arranged on an interior annular surface of the second ring-shaped lock part. Preferably the second ring-shaped lock part may have at least three first magnets arranged annularly spaced apart along said interior annular surface. More preferred eight first magnets may be provided on an interior annular surface of the second ring-shaped lock part. The first magnet(s) can thus advantageously be arranged in magnetically attracted relationship with the at least one second magnet, and the steering column lock achieve a locked position in any desired rotated position of the steerer tube.

To achieve the locking position of this embodiment of a steering column lock the operator may manually move the interior tubular housing axially whereby the first lock component can be brought to engage below the breast means of said interior tubular housing and whereby the first engagement means and the second engagement means interlock to assume the locking position due to the interior lock part magnetically brings the second ring-shaped lock part along towards the first ring-shaped lock part. This manual action can be achieved by pushing from below at the tubular casing of the first lock part to move said interior tubular housing inside the steerer tube.

To release the steering column lock from the locking position the electric motor is started whereby the first lock component's at least one first displaceable component(s) is/are moved free of the breast means thereby allowing the interior tubular housing to move downwards whereby the interior lock part can also move downwards bringing the second ring-shaped lock part along due to the magnetic attraction between the first magnet (s) and second magnet (s). Thereby is the mutual engagement between the first engagement means of the first ring-shaped component and the second engagement means of the second ring-shaped component released, thereby allowing the steerer tube, and thus the front fork, to move from side to side when riding the bicycle or the E-bike.

The lower lock ring and the second ring-shaped lock part may be provided with co-operating first and second anti-rotation means, respectively. As a non-limiting example the first anti-rotation means may comprise a first slide means and the second anti-rotation means may comprise a second slide means for slidingly engaging the first slide means to control the axial travel of the second ring-shaped lock part between the lower lock ring and the first ring-shaped lock part inside the tubular casing, as described above.

The first slide means may comprise a plurality of protruding slide legs, and the second slide means may comprise a corresponding number of slide grooves configured for accommodating the plurality of protruding slide legs in axially sliding engagement.

The tubular casing should preferably be made of a non-magnetic material, such as a lightweight material such as a plastic composite material or aluminium, through which the strong magnetic attraction between the first magnet(s) and the second magnet(s) can take place to move the second ring-shaped lock part in response to moving the interior lock part, and without any holes are made in any of the walls of the steerer tube and the head tube. Thus the steering column lock can be installed and operated without the mechanical and physical structures of the steering column is adversely affected or needs mechanical deteriorating processing.

The bicycle steering column lock of the present invention may comprises one or more of that.

Another alternative steering column arrangement comprises both at least one first displaceable component that is displaceable along the diameter of the steerer tube and at least one second displaceable component that is axially displaceable along the length of the steerer tube. In this alternative embodiment of a first lock component the moving means for moving the opposite first pawl head and second pawl head in relation to each other along the diameter of the steerer tube may comprise a cone-shaped member that is axially displaceable inside the steerer tube and arranged to pass between the first locking pawl and the opposite second locking pawl that are arranged on same diameter of the steerer tube thereby moving the opposite pawl heads apart and the opposite first pawl end part and second pawl end part into the aligned lock openings of the steerer tube and apertures of the first lock part to lock the steering column lock in any desired rotated position of the steerer tube.

In this embodiment the first locking pawl and the second locking pawl can have a respective first tubular pawl head and second tubular pawl head that can extend via a first pawl collar and a second pawl collar, respectively, into its corresponding respective first pawl end part and second pawl end part.

Preferably, and in order to keep the locking force as high as possible, a third spring may be provided. Said third spring may be mounted on one or both of the first pawl end part and the second pawl end part to be compressed against the respective collars, and be dimensioned to oppositely abut the circumferential wall of the steerer tube. In this configuration a compression spring force may build up when the cone-shaped member moves the first locking pawl and the second locking pawl apart, which compression force subsequently can be utilized to force the pawl heads against each other again when the cone-shaped member is retracted from the locking position between the pawl heads, thus from its engagement with the pawl heads.

The means for displacing the opposite pawls heads along the diameter of the steerer tube in relation to each other may further comprise at least a spring-biased stanchion that is arranged axially displaceable inside the steerer tube to engage the second lock part, e.g. to actuate that the cone-shaped member or the rotating part displaces the locking pawls radially apart. The axial distance that the spring-biased stanchion can travel inside the steerer tube may e.g. correspond to the height of the lock openings.

All embodiments of the steering column lock of the present invention may further comprise one or more of a rechargeable battery to power the electric motor, a USB socket to charge the rechargeable battery, and a Bluetooth enabled printed circuit board, which has an antenna to receive first operation signals from a remote device and send second operation signal to the Bluetooth enabled printed circuit board to operate the electric motor to move the at least one first displaceable component that is displaceable along the diameter of the steerer tube.

The steering column lock may further comprise a push-button arranged accessible at a free end of the steerer tube to manually lock the steering column lock. The push-button may in one embodiment actuate the axial displacement of at least a part of the second lock part, e.g. the axial displacement of the interior housing or of the spring-biased stanchion.

Any embodiment of the steering column lock of the present invention may comprise a safety mechanism arranged at a free end of the steerer tube, and arranged in axial extension of the steering column lock, thereby facilitating mounting of the cable lock. The safety mechanism may comprise a lock bushing, a push-button in form of a cable lock housing, a trigger mechanism for axially displacing the cable lock housing upwards against the traverse lock body to compress a fourth spring upwards towards the first lock component. Advantageously the safety mechanism can have a safety button that is arranged in co-operative relationship with the cable lock housing, and being arranged to be released before the steering column lock can be finally locked, e.g. magnetically locked as described above.

The trigger mechanism may comprise a trigger housing, and a lever pivotably connected to the trigger housing to actuate displacing of the cable lock housing, wherein the lever may have a first through-going hole configured for passage of a lock part of a cable lock into the cable lock housing and into the plug hole of the traverse lock body to be held locked together with said the traverse lock body by the action of the fourth spring, which preferably is a U bend spring wire.

The trigger mechanism may further comprise a dust cover reciprocatingly arranged in relation to the longitudinal axis of the lever on top of said lever. The dust cover is thus arranged to cover the first through-going hole of said lever when no cable part is inserted into the plug hole of the traverse lock body, and to uncover the first through-going hole of said lever when a cable part is to be inserted into the plug hole of the traverse lock body.

The lever may conveniently be arranged to protrude between the lower legs of the front fork and radially towards the rider of the bike, so that the rider has easy access to the lever of the safety mechanism. The safety mechanism ensures that the steering column lock does not accidentally lock during a ride.

The rechargeable battery, the USB socket, the corresponding electric wires, and the Bluetooth enabled printed circuit may be accommodated in any appropriate accessible space of or between the components of the steering column lock, the head tube and/or steerer. In e.g. the embodiment provided with a stanchion, said stanchion may have a hollow stanchion leg thereby delimiting a bore, so that the USB socket can be mounted in the bore of the stanchion leg to charge the rechargeable battery that delivers power to the electric motor.

At least the unlocking of the steering column lock may be controlled by a Bluetooth enabled printed circuit board, that from its antenna can receive control and operation signals from a remote device, to in some embodiments of a steering column lock rotate the rotating part or in other embodiments move the cone-shaped member axially backwards towards the free end of the steerer tube. The remote device can e.g. be a mobile phone with a suitable software application or a remote control specifically designed to control the steering column lock.

The battery may supply power to the electric motor to unlock the steering column lock. Yet an option is that the push-button is powered, so that it only can be pushed upwards when power is switched on.

The steering column lock of the present invention may comprise a light-emitting diode (LED) or a beeper, e.g. arranged in or at the push-button to issue alerts when the first operation signals are received by the Bluetooth enabled printed circuit board to help the rider to identify the location of the bike.

The steering column lock of the present invention is in contrast to conventional steering column locks mounted integrated in the steering column opposite the handlebars of the bicycle in the front fork of said bicycle, not at the handlebars.

The steering column lock of the present invention is especially suited for an E-bike, in particular an E-bike with a suspension fork that has plenty of space for reaching the end of the steerer tube opposite the handlebars to touch and activate the push-button and the safety mechanism by hand, and to charge the battery via the USB socket. The push-button may be of the kind having fingerprint recognition.

The steering column lock of the present invention may be used on any vehicle having sufficient space for the first lock part and the second lock part.

The invention will now be described in further details by way of illustrative non-limiting examples shown in the drawing in which.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a fragment of a front fork <NUM>, e.g. a suspension front fork of an E-bike (not shown).

The front fork <NUM> has a bicycle steering column <NUM> comprising a head tube <NUM> and a steerer tube <NUM>. The steerer tube <NUM> extends via a crown member <NUM> and an arch member <NUM> into two opposite lower legs 6a,6b. The free ends of the opposite lower legs 6a, 6b are secured on the opposite sides of the shaft of the front wheel (not shown). A radial space <NUM> is delimited between the circumferential wall 3a of the steerer tube <NUM> and the circumferential wall 4a of the head tube <NUM>. According to the present invention the radial space <NUM> is utilized to arrange and secure a first lock part, as will be seen and described in the following in more details with references to the figures that show various embodiments of steering column locks of the present invention.

In <FIG> the front fork <NUM> is seen in partial, axial, sectional view to visualize that the front fork <NUM> has been equipped with an integrated first not claimed embodiment of a steering column lock <NUM> having a first lock part <NUM> having a first lock means and a second lock part <NUM> having a second lock means.

The first lock means of the first lock part <NUM> comprises a lock ring <NUM>, which is situated in the radial space <NUM> and being surrounded by a reinforcing ring 12a, which lock ring <NUM> has a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart oblong apertures <NUM>.

The second lock means comprises that the circumferential wall 3a of the steerer tube <NUM> has diametrically opposite lock openings 13a,13b to be aligned with the plurality of circumferentially spaced apart oblong apertures <NUM> of the lock ring <NUM> of the first lock means for receiving an interlocking component of the second lock means of the second lock part <NUM>, which second lock part <NUM> is seen mounted inside the steerer tube <NUM> in <FIG>. The opposite lock openings 13a,13b and the plurality of circumferentially spaced apart oblong apertures <NUM> ensures that the steerer tube can be locked in multiple rotated positions.

The second lock means of the second lock part <NUM> is shown in various modes of operation in <FIG>.

A part of the second lock means of the second lock part <NUM> of the first not claimed embodiment of a steering column lock <NUM> is configured as a first lock component <NUM> that comprises a first locking pawl <NUM> and a second locking pawl <NUM>, which are arranged spring-biased in relation to each other along a diameter of the steerer tube <NUM> by means of an interposed first spring <NUM>, and a rotating part <NUM> that engages with said locking pawls <NUM>,<NUM>. In <FIG>, the steering column lock <NUM> is unlocked, and the first spring <NUM>, which is not visible, is relaxed. The first spring <NUM> is however visual in the exploded view of <FIG> of the first lock component <NUM>, and the first spring <NUM> is also seen in <FIG> placed under tension by the rotating part <NUM> that moves the first locking pawl <NUM> and the second locking pawl <NUM> apart against the spring force of said first spring <NUM> when subjected to a rotation force about its central rotation axis R, e.g. when the rider of the bike starts an electric motor <NUM> to reverse the rotation of the rotating part <NUM> that resulted in the locking of the steering column lock <NUM>, thereby allowing the first spring <NUM> to relax again, as seen in <FIG>, and the second lock part <NUM> to disengage the first lock part <NUM>.

The complementary design of the locking pawls <NUM>,<NUM> and of the rotating part <NUM> allows the rotating part <NUM> to engage the locking pawls <NUM>,<NUM> to achieve the required radial displacement of said the locking pawls <NUM>,<NUM> for locking and unlocking the steering column lock <NUM>, whereby said opposite locking pawls constitute two first displaceable components that are displaceable towards and away from each other along the diameter of the steerer tube <NUM>.

The first locking pawl <NUM> has a first pawl end part 20a opposite a first pawl head 21a, and the second locking pawl <NUM> has a second pawl end part 20b opposite a second pawl head 21b. The first pawl head 21a has a first lower pawl head part 22a, which has a first seat 23a, and a first upper pawl head part 24a, which has a first projection 25a extending along and offset the pawl axis D from the first lower pawl head part 22a, which first projection 25a has a first notch 26a. The first seat 23a and the first projection 25a extend as opposite axial half parts of the first pawl head 21a lengthwise in extension of the first pawl end part 20a.

The second locking pawl <NUM> is identical to the first locking pawl <NUM>, but is turned <NUM>°. Like parts of the second locking pawl are indicated by replacing the "a" in the reference number by a "b".

Accordingly, the second pawl head 21b has a second lower pawl head part 22b, which has a second seat 23b, and a second upper pawl head part 24b, which has a second projection 25b extending along the pawl axis D from the second lower pawl head part 22b, which second projection has a second notch 26b. The second seat 23b and the second projection 25b extend as opposite axial half parts of the second pawl head 21b lengthwise in extension of the second pawl end part 20b.

Due to the seats 23a,23b and the projections 25a,25b being axial opposite half parts on opposite sides of the pawl axis D, as seen best in <FIG>, the first lower pawl head part 22a is configured to mate into the second seat 23b, and the second lower pawl head part 22b is configured to mate into the first seat 23a, to thereby arrange the first notch 26a and the second notch 26b in communication with each other to define a lock cavity <NUM> for accommodating and engaging the rotating part <NUM>. The rotating part <NUM> rotates about its rotation axis R, which preferably is substantially coaxial with the axis of the steerer tube <NUM>. In the exemplary first not claimed embodiment the rotating part <NUM> is slightly S-shaped having opposite curved engagement wing parts 19a,19b radiating from a central shaft hole <NUM>. It could be said that the rotating part is configured substantially as a wing nut <NUM> having a first wing part 19a, a second wing part 19b, and a central shaft hole <NUM> for receiving a drive shaft <NUM> of a drive means for unlocking the steering column lock <NUM>. The drive means is an electric motor <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. The electric motor <NUM> can be powered by a rechargeable battery <NUM> connected to an USB socket <NUM>, which USB socket <NUM> as an example can be arranged at an open end <NUM> of the steerer tube <NUM> that is disposed through the arch member <NUM>, thus opposite the handlebars (not shown), thereby facilitating charging the bicycle steering column lock from outside the bicycle, as seen in <FIG>.

As seen best in <FIG> the first lock component <NUM> of the second lock part <NUM> is situated in, and carried by, a forked upper housing <NUM>. The upper housing <NUM> has opposite upper housing legs 35a,35b with axially oblong upper housing holes 36a,36b. The pawl end parts 20a,20b pass through the oblong upper housing holes 36a,36b to be exterior to the opposite upper housing legs 35a,35b with the engaging pawl head parts 22a,22b arranged between said opposite upper housing legs 35a,35b. In the unlocked position seen in <FIG> the pawl end parts 20a,20b are at the top of the oblong upper housing holes 36a,36b but is able to travel axially a short length along the central axis of the upper housing <NUM> to enter the locked position. Thus the first lock component <NUM> with the electric motor <NUM> in the central shaft hole <NUM> constitute the least one second displaceable component that is axially displaceable along the length of the steerer tube <NUM>. The battery <NUM> is also arranged between the upper housing legs 35a,35b and is connected to the electric motor <NUM> via electric wires 37a,37b to rotate the rotating part <NUM> to unlock the steering column lock <NUM>.

The first lock component <NUM> seen in <FIG> has a first locking pawl <NUM> wherein the first pawl end part 20a is shown separate from its corresponding first pawl head 21a. Also the second locking pawl <NUM> has a second pawl end part 20b shown separate from its corresponding second pawl head 21b. In order to assemble the locking pawls <NUM>,<NUM> in relation to the upper housing legs 35a,35b, so that the pawl end part 20a,20b passes through the upper housing holes 36a,36b, the first pawl end part 20a has a first end plug 16a and the second pawl end part 20b has a second end plug 17a. Opposite the first projection 25a the first lower pawl head part 22a has a first pawl bore 16b that is configured to receive the first end plug 16a, and in this way assemble the first locking pawl <NUM> around the upper housing leg 35a. Similarly, opposite the second projection 25b the second lower pawl head part 22b has a second pawl bore 17b that is configured to receive the second end plug 17a, and in this way assemble the second locking pawl <NUM> around the upper housing leg 35b. An end plug 16a,17a may be secured by gluing into a respective pawl bore 16b,17b.

Alternatively a pawl end part and a pawl head may be integral, however by making the pawl end part and the pawl head part as separate parts mounting of the steering column lock may be easier to perform due to the limited space for manipulating the parts of the steering column lock.

The stanchion head <NUM> fits within the diameter of the steerer tube <NUM>. A hollow stanchion leg <NUM> that has a circumferential exterior shoulder <NUM> protrudes axially from the stanchion head <NUM> towards a free stanchion end <NUM>. The length of the hollow stanchion leg <NUM> between the shoulder <NUM> and the free stanchion end <NUM> delimits a mandrel <NUM> for holding a second spring <NUM>.

The mandrel <NUM> and the second spring <NUM> is accommodated in a lower housing <NUM>, which lower housing <NUM> is secured to the circumferential wall 3a of the steerer tube <NUM> by means of securing pins 47a,47b to keep the lower housing <NUM> in fixed axial position in relation to the steerer tube <NUM>. The lower housing <NUM> keeps the stanchion leg <NUM> centered in the steerer tube <NUM> due to a top plate <NUM> of the lower housing <NUM> having a top hole <NUM> for passage of the stanchion leg <NUM>. The circumferential exterior shoulder <NUM> rests on said top plate <NUM>. The top plate <NUM> also enforces the structure of the lower housing <NUM> radially. The hollow stanchion leg <NUM> has a bore <NUM> inside which the USB socket <NUM> is positioned. A push-button <NUM> that has a circumferential recess <NUM> opposite its exterior end <NUM> holds the USB socket <NUM> in place inside the bore <NUM>. The recess <NUM> serves for receiving an O-ring <NUM> to radially seal between the lower housing <NUM> and the push-button <NUM>.

The free ends 38a,38b of the upper housing legs 35a,35b are resting on top of a stanchion head <NUM> of a T-shaped stanchion <NUM> and is thereby able to also be displaced axially up and down an axial distance corresponding to the height of the oblong upper housing holes 36a,36b when pushing at the push-button <NUM> and compressing the second spring <NUM>, thus the upper housing, the push-button and the second spring <NUM> are also components of the least one second displaceable component that is axially displaceable along the length of the steerer tube.

To lock the bike having a steering column lock <NUM> in accordance with the first not claimed embodiment of the present invention the biker places the steerer tube in any desired turned orientation, pushes at the exterior end <NUM> of the push-button <NUM>, whereby the stanchion head <NUM> is displaced upwards thereby lifting the forked upper housing <NUM> so that the oblong upper housing holes 36a,36b are aligned with the apertures <NUM> and diametrically opposite lock openings 13a,13b, whereby the compression force of the first spring <NUM> is relieved and the first pawl end part 20a and the second pawl end part 20b spring apart along the diameter of the steerer tube and into the aligned apertures <NUM> of the first lock part <NUM> via diametrically opposite lock openings 13a,13b of said first lock part <NUM>, thus the first lock component assumes the position seen in <FIG>. The bike's steerer tube <NUM> is now locked and cannot rotate about its axis in relation to the head tube <NUM>. In said locked position the first pawl end part 20a and the second pawl end part 20b are in the lowest position of the oblong upper housing holes 36a,36b because the upper housing <NUM> has been moved upwards.

Opposite the free ends 38a,38b of the upper housing legs 35a,35b, said upper housing legs 35a,35b are joined in a socket part <NUM> that holds the drive shaft <NUM> of the motor <NUM> axially aligned with the central shaft hole <NUM> of the rotating part <NUM>.

In order to unlock the steering column lock <NUM> the motor <NUM> is actuated to turn the rotating part <NUM> about its rotation axis R in the lock cavity <NUM>. The engaging pawl head parts 22a,22b are in seated engagement with the communicating first notch 26a and second notch 26b, thus with the walls of the lock cavity <NUM>. The motor <NUM> turns the rotating part <NUM> and thereby forces or allowing the wing parts 19a,19b to move the locking pawls <NUM>,<NUM> towards and away from each other. The wing parts can apply a force against the first upper pawl head part 24a and the second upper pawl head part 24b, or against the first projection 25a and the second projection 25b, or release said force depending on the rotating part <NUM> rotates clock-wise or counter clockwise. So the pawl head parts 22a,22b move against the compression force of the first spring <NUM> by the opposite wing parts 19a,19b of said rotating part <NUM> pushing at the interior surfaces 56a,56b of the opposite notches 26a,26b that at least partly define the lock cavity <NUM>. Since the width of the rotating part <NUM> is smaller than its length, said rotating part <NUM> forces the pawl head parts 22a,22b in the direction against each other and sets the first pawl end part 20a and the second pawl end part 20b of the respective locking pawls <NUM>,<NUM> free of the apertures <NUM> of the lock ring <NUM> and back towards the oblong upper housing holes 36a,36b, whereby the first spring <NUM> is compressed again and enters a ready-to-lock position. The push-button is at the same time axially displaced back to the position it had prior to locking the steering column lock, thus into a position in which the push-button is easy accessible manually from the open end <NUM> of the steerer tube <NUM> opposite the handlebars (not shown). The steering column lock <NUM> is not fully and securely unlocked before the spring force applied to the second spring <NUM> has been relieved to an extent in which the first pawl end part 20a and the second pawl end part 20b are forced into the upmost position of the oblong upper housing holes 36a,36b and the upper housing <NUM> has returned axially downwards.

The interior surfaces 56a,56b of the projections 25a,25b may be curved and the confronting corresponding faces 57a,57b of the wing parts 19a,19b be complementarily curved, to facilitate a smooth guided turning of the rotating part <NUM> to push on the notches 26a,26b of the projections 25a,25b.

The electric wires 37a,37b also connects the motor <NUM> to a Bluetooth enabled printed circuit board <NUM> in order to remotely facilitate unlocking of the steering column lock <NUM>. In order for a remote device to communicate with the Bluetooth enabled printed circuit board <NUM> its antenna <NUM> is located at the open end <NUM> of the steerer tube <NUM>, e.g. in the vicinity of the USB socket <NUM>. The motor <NUM> may further be in electric communication with a fingerprint lock (not shown) for the push-button <NUM> via a Bluetooth enabled printed circuit board to enable the unlocking of the steering column lock in response to recognition of the biker's fingerprint.

Commercially available fingerprint locks and Bluetooth enabled printed circuit boards are available on the market. Their structure and function is within the knowledge of the skilled person and will not be discussed in further details herein.

Smooth turning of the steerer tube <NUM> inside the head tube <NUM> is achieved by means of the provision of an upper ball bearing <NUM> above the steering column lock <NUM> and a lower ball bearing <NUM> at the transition of the head tube <NUM> into the arch member <NUM>.

<FIG> show a second not claimed embodiment of a steering column lock <NUM>. The second not claimed embodiment of a steering column lock <NUM> corresponds substantially to the first not claimed embodiment of a steering column lock <NUM> both in terms of components and function, and for like parts same reference numerals are used. In <FIG> the second not claimed embodiment of a steering column lock <NUM> is seen without housings, USB socket, and Bluetooth enabled printed circuit board. Emphasis is made that such components may nevertheless be part of the second not claimed embodiment of a steering column lock <NUM>.

The main difference between the second not claimed embodiment of a steering column lock <NUM> and the first not claimed embodiment of a steering column lock <NUM> is the configuration of the first lock component <NUM>.

Instead of a rotating part the first lock component <NUM>, which is seen in exploded view in <FIG>, comprises a cone-shaped member <NUM> that is axially displaceable by means of a co-operating push-button <NUM> and a stanchion <NUM>, which are operated to move up and down inside the steerer tube <NUM> against a spring force from the second spring <NUM> on the stanchion leg <NUM> in the same manner as described for the first not claimed embodiment of a steering column lock <NUM>. This cone-shaped member <NUM>, the co-operating push-button <NUM>, and the stanchion <NUM> are components of the at least one second displaceable component that are axially displaceable along the length of the steerer tube <NUM>.

The cone-shaped member <NUM> has a cone part <NUM> that has a cone body <NUM>, which is arranged axially aligned on top of the stanchion head <NUM>. Opposite the cone base <NUM> the cone body <NUM> has a cone neck <NUM> with a cone head <NUM>. The cone neck <NUM> and cone body <NUM> may taper towards each other at the cone junction <NUM>.

The first lock component <NUM> further a first locking pawl <NUM> that has a first pawl end part 72a opposite a first pawl head 73a, and a second locking pawl <NUM> that has a second pawl end part 72b opposite a second pawl head 73b.

In contrast to the first not claimed embodiment of locking pawls <NUM>,<NUM>, the second not claimed embodiment of first and second locking pawls <NUM>,<NUM> does not have enlarged pawl heads, but tubular pawl heads 73a,73b having a respective first bias-cut push end 75a and a second bias-cut push end 75b. The bias-cut push ends 75a, 75b extend via respective first and second pawl collars <NUM>,<NUM> into corresponding respective first and second pawl end parts 20a,20b that serve to engage the apertures <NUM> of the lock ring <NUM> and the lock openings 13a,13b of the steerer tube, in a similar manner as for the first not claimed embodiment of a steering column lock. The first and second locking pawls <NUM>,<NUM> constitute at least one first displaceable component that is displaceable along the diameter of the steerer tube <NUM>.

The first and second pawl end part 20a,20b has third springs <NUM> mounted thereon facing the first and second pawl collars <NUM>,<NUM> and being compressed against the interior wall <NUM> of the steerer tube <NUM> or an upper housing (not shown) when the cone-shaped member <NUM> is moved upwards, thereby moving the first and second locking pawls <NUM>,<NUM> apart due to the increasing diameter of the cone part <NUM> entering between the respective first bias-cut push end 75a and second bias-cut push end 75b. The bias-cuts may have angles corresponding to the cone angle, but deviations therefrom are possible. The first and second pawl end parts 20a,20b are pushed into opposite apertures <NUM> and lock openings 13a,13b thereby locking the steerer tube <NUM> into its anti-rotational position, as seen in <FIG>, to assume a locked state of the steering column lock <NUM>.

Which of the annular spaced apart apertures that the first and second pawl end part 20a,20b are pushed into depend on the angle of rotation of the steerer tube <NUM> that the biker has placed the steerer tube <NUM> in, in relation to the head tube <NUM>.

The steerer tube <NUM> has a suspension means for the electric motor <NUM>. The suspension means is a disk member <NUM>, comprising a lower disk 81a and an upper disk 81b. The disk member <NUM> is inserted and secured inside the steerer tube <NUM> above the first lock component <NUM>' below the cone head <NUM>. The lower disk 81a has an off-center shaft hole <NUM> for receiving a drive shaft <NUM> of the electric motor <NUM>. A catch hook <NUM> has a hook hole <NUM> axially aligned with the off-center shaft hole <NUM> to arrange the catch hook <NUM> to rotate along with the drive shaft <NUM> when the drive shaft <NUM> is rotated by the electric motor <NUM>. When the cone head <NUM> of the cone-shaped member <NUM> is pushed through a head hole <NUM> of the lower disk 81a it contacts a press-button switch <NUM> that starts the electric motor <NUM>, whereby the hook <NUM> of the catch hook <NUM> catches below the cone head <NUM> and holds the cone head <NUM> on top of the lower disk 81a. The upper disk 81b, which is not seen in <FIG>, supports the electric motor <NUM> in upright position.

As for the first not claimed embodiment of a steering column lock <NUM>, in order to unlock the second not claimed embodiment of a steering column lock <NUM> the first and second pawl end parts 20a,20b must be moved at least out of the apertures <NUM> and free of the head tube <NUM>, e.g. by being retracted inside the lock openings 13a,13b again. This is done by reversing the rotation of the catch hook <NUM>, thereby setting the cone head <NUM> free and relieving the compression force of the second spring <NUM> and of the third springs <NUM>. So the third springs <NUM> are compressed when the steering column lock <NUM> is locked, whereas the first spring <NUM> is compressed when the steering column lock is unlocked.

This reversing of rotation of the electric motor <NUM> and catch hook <NUM> fixed thereto is seen in <FIG>, and can be done proactively by reversing the direction of the rotation of the drive shaft <NUM> of the electric motor <NUM>, e.g. initiated by a Bluetooth signal from e.g. a mobile phone or by an electronic key to a Bluetooth enabled printed circuit board.

Other kinds of wireless technology may be used instead of Bluetooth.

<FIG> and <FIG> show a modified first lock component <NUM> for the first not claimed embodiment of a steering column lock <NUM>.

The modified first lock component <NUM> differs from the first and second not claimed embodiments of a first lock component <NUM>,<NUM>', including in the design of the first and second pawl end parts, which are not entirely identical, however as for the first lock component <NUM>, the modified first lock component <NUM> is made up of a separate locking pawl head and a separate pawl end part that are to be assembled when the steering column lock is mounted inside the front fork.

The first locking pawl <NUM> has a first pawl end part <NUM> and a first pawl head <NUM>. The second locking pawl <NUM> has a second pawl end part <NUM> and a second pawl head <NUM>.

The first pawl head <NUM> has a first lower pawl head part 93a, which has a first seat 93b, and a first upper pawl head part 93c, which has a first projection 93d extending along and offset the pawl axis D from the first lower pawl head part 93a, which first projection 93d has a first notch 93e. The first seat 93b and the first projection 93d extend in parallel as opposite axial half parts of the first pawl head <NUM>.

The second pawl head <NUM> has a second lower pawl head part 96a, which has a second seat 96b, and a second upper pawl head part 96c, which has a second projection 96d extending along the pawl axis D from the second lower pawl head part 96a, which second projection 96d has a second notch 96e. The second seat 96b and the second projection 96d extend in parallel as opposite axial half parts of the second pawl head <NUM>.

Due to the seats 93b,96b and the projections 93d,96d being axial opposite half parts on opposite sides of the pawl axis D, as seen best in <FIG>, the first lower pawl head part 93a is configured to mate into the second seat 96b, and the second lower pawl head part 96a is configured to mate into the first seat 93b, to thereby arrange the first notch 93e and the second notch 96e in communication with each other to define a lock cavity <NUM>, as seen in <FIG>, for accommodating and engaging the rotating part <NUM>, in the same manner as described for the first not claimed embodiment of a first lock component <NUM>.

The first lower pawl head part 93a has a downwards protruding first dowel <NUM> and the second lower pawl head part 96a has a downwards protruding second dowel <NUM>, which dowels <NUM>,<NUM> serve for securing of the pawl heads <NUM>,<NUM> to the respective pawl end parts <NUM>,<NUM>.

The first pawl end part <NUM> has a first free end part 92a and an opposite first head engaging part 92b to be situated below and secured to the first lower pawl head part 93a in the assembled state of the first lock component <NUM>. The first head engaging part 92b has a first traverse hole 92c that receives the first dowel <NUM> when the first locking pawl <NUM> is assembled inside the front fork.

The second pawl end part <NUM> has a second free end part 95a and an opposite second head engaging part 95b to be situated below and secured to the second lower pawl head part 96a in the assembled state of the first lock component <NUM>. The second head engaging part 95b has a second traverse hole 95c that receives the second dowel <NUM> when the second locking pawl <NUM> is assembled inside the front fork to obtain the steering column lock.

The first head engaging part 92b has a lengthwise extending concave track 92d that faces towards and receives a complementarily shaped lengthwise extending convex part 95d of the second head engaging part 95b of the second pawl end part <NUM>.

In the assembled functional state of the first lock component <NUM> the concave track 92d and the convex part 95d extend lengthwise in parallel, but axially offset in relation to the first pawl end part <NUM> and second pawl end part <NUM>, whereby the first head engaging part 92b and the second head engaging part 95b constitute the at least one first displaceable component that is displaceable along the diameter of the steerer tube <NUM> and can be moved in a parallel mating arrangement next to each other without taking up extra space, as seen in <FIG> of the unlocked first lock component <NUM>, and described in relation thereto.

The pawl heads <NUM>,<NUM> are spring-biased in the same manner as described for the first not claimed embodiment of a first lock component <NUM>. To that aspect the convex part 95d has a bore 95e for receiving the first spring (not shown).

Due to the dowels <NUM>,<NUM> being secured in traverse holes 92c,95c the pawl end parts <NUM>,<NUM> are firmly secured to the respective pawl heads <NUM>,<NUM>, in the mounted state of the steering column lock of the present invention. The joint obtained by the engagement of the dowels <NUM>,<NUM> and the traverse holes 92c,95c do not easily break apart even when subjected to heavy forces and loads when the second lock part is moved in and out of engagement with the first lock part.

<FIG> and <FIG> show a front fork <NUM>' provided with a third embodiment of a steering column lock <NUM>, which is seen in locked state. The third embodiment of a steering column lock <NUM> has wirings, battery, and USB-socket just as the first and second not claimed embodiments of steering column locks <NUM>;<NUM> and as the modified first not claimed embodiment, as described above, as well as means for starting and stopping the electric motor <NUM>, however these components and means are not shown in the following figures purely for practical purposes to better visualize the co-operating functional features, components and arrangement of the first lock part <NUM> and the second lock part <NUM>. For same features and components same reference numbers are used.

In <FIG> the steering column lock <NUM> is used on an E-bike that has a head tube <NUM> that tapers towards the handlebars (not shown). The head tube <NUM> has a widest interior diameter towards the arch member <NUM> to make plenty of space for a first lock part <NUM> in the radial space <NUM> between the head tube <NUM> and the steerer tube <NUM>.

The individual main components of the first lock part <NUM> is seen better in the perspective exploded view of <FIG>.

The first lock part <NUM> of the first lock means of the steering column lock <NUM> has of a first ring-shaped lock part <NUM> and a second ring-shaped lock part <NUM> arranged in a tubular casing <NUM> of non-magnetic material. The diameters of one or more of the first ring-shaped lock part <NUM>, the second ring-shaped lock part <NUM> and the tubular casing <NUM> reduce axially from the front fork towards the handlebars (not shown), thus at least the second ring-shaped lock part <NUM> and the tubular casing <NUM> are substantially frustum-conical to fit complementarily inside the head tube <NUM> in the radial space <NUM> to the steerer tube <NUM>. The top part <NUM> of the tubular casing <NUM> has a further reduced exterior diameter d that leaves a clearance <NUM> between the tubular casing <NUM> and the interior face of the wall of the head tube <NUM>. The clearance <NUM> may be less than <NUM>, such a <NUM>. The first ring-shaped lock part <NUM> is secured inside the top part <NUM> of the tubular casing <NUM>, e.g. by means of glue, and cannot displace axially because the tubular casing <NUM> is secured to an interior face of the head tube, e.g. by means of glue.

The lower first circumferential edge part <NUM> of the first ring-shaped lock part <NUM> has a plurality of annularly spaced apart, axially protruding, first teeth <NUM> that serve as the first engagement means. The upper second circumferential edge part <NUM> has at least one axially protruding second tooth <NUM> configured to engage a complementary space <NUM> between adjacent first teeth <NUM>. In the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG> and <FIG> the at least one axially protruding second tooth <NUM> is provided as two diametrical opposite sets 112a,112b of three second teeth <NUM>.

The second ring-shaped lock part <NUM> has a plurality, such as e.g. eight, annularly spaced apart interior cavities <NUM> provided in an interior annular surface <NUM> for mounting, e.g. by means of glue, a corresponding number, optionally less than the corresponding number, of first magnets <NUM>.

The second ring-shaped lock part <NUM> is arranged in the tubular casing <NUM> to be axially displaceable towards and away from the first ring-shaped lock part, as indicated by arrow Z, with a locking length adjusted to allow the first teeth <NUM> and the second teach <NUM> engage in locked state of the steering column lock <NUM> and disengage in the un-locked state of the steering column lock <NUM>. This locking length may e.g. be about <NUM>.

The exterior annular surface <NUM> of the lower second circumferential edge part <NUM> of the second ring-shaped lock part <NUM> has a plurality of annularly spaced apart axially extending slide grooves <NUM> configured for accommodating a corresponding plurality of axially protruding slide legs <NUM> of a lower lock ring <NUM> arranged below the second ring-shaped lock part <NUM> inside the tubular casing <NUM>. The second ring-shaped lock part <NUM> is in axially sliding engagement with the lower lock ring <NUM> due to the slide legs <NUM> being adapted to slide in the slide grooves <NUM> of said second ring-shaped lock part <NUM> when said second ring-shaped lock part <NUM> undergoes an axial displacement. Such axial displacement has a travel length shorter than a travel length at which the lower lock ring <NUM> and the second ring-shaped lock part <NUM> disengage.

The lower lock ring <NUM> is secured to the steerer tube <NUM> at a bottom part <NUM> of the tubular casing <NUM> to serve as a means to prevent rotation of the second ring-shaped lock part <NUM> in relation to the steerer tube <NUM>, but in control of the travel length of the aforementioned axial displacement of the second ring-shaped lock part <NUM> inside the tubular casing <NUM>.

An annular interior face <NUM> of the lower lock ring <NUM> has first knurlings <NUM> that further serve to prevent said lower lock ring <NUM> from rotating about the steerer tube <NUM>. The bottom part <NUM> of the tubular casing <NUM> has a ring-shaped extension part <NUM>, optionally of steel to add weight to the tubular casing <NUM>, which ring-shaped extension part <NUM> has an annular exterior face <NUM> having second knurlings <NUM> that further serve to prevent said tubular casing <NUM> from rotating about the steerer tube <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective exploded view of an embodiment of a second lock part <NUM> for the third embodiment of a steering column lock <NUM>.

The second lock part <NUM> has a hollow interior lock part <NUM> to be mounted about the steerer tube <NUM> in axial displaceable relationship. The interior lock part <NUM> has an exterior annular surface <NUM> provided with a plurality of annularly spaced apart recesses <NUM> that accommodate a plurality of second magnets <NUM> that is/are in magnetic contact with the first magnets <NUM> of the second ring-shaped lock part <NUM> to move said second ring-shaped lock part <NUM> simultaneously with the interior lock part <NUM> along the axis of the steerer tube <NUM>.

The second lock part <NUM> further has a first lock component <NUM> substantially similar to the first lock component <NUM> for the first not claimed embodiment of a steering column lock <NUM>, and for like parts same reference numerals are used. The first lock component <NUM> has a first locking pawl <NUM>' and a second locking pawl <NUM>', which locking pawls <NUM>',<NUM>' differ from the respective first locking pawl <NUM> and second locking pawl <NUM> of the first not claimed embodiment of a first lock component <NUM> in not having long protruding pawl end parts, nor are such pawl end parts needed because no locking holes are made in the steerer tube <NUM> for passage of those. The engagement of the first lock part <NUM> and the second lock part <NUM> of the third embodiment of a steering column lock <NUM> rely on the magnetic attraction of the first magnets <NUM> and second magnets <NUM> provided on respective first and second lock parts <NUM>;<NUM> as respective engagement means.

As seen best in <FIG> the first pawl head 21a has a first upper pawl head part 24a being retracted from a free first pawl edge 132a thereby exposing a first shoulder <NUM>. The second pawl head 21b has a second upper pawl head part 24b being retracted from a free second pawl edge 132b thereby exposing a second shoulder <NUM>. For this third embodiment of a first lock component <NUM> the respective pawl end parts of the first lock component <NUM> are the respective free shoulders <NUM>,<NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective side view of the first lock component <NUM> equipped with an electric motor <NUM>. The drive shaft <NUM> of the electric motor <NUM> is received in the central shaft hole <NUM> of the rotating part <NUM> in similar manner as for the previously described embodiments. In <FIG> the rotating part <NUM> is in the same position as shown in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG> the second lock means of the second lock part <NUM> further comprises a housing assembly <NUM> in which the first lock component <NUM> is situated. The housing assembly <NUM> comprises at least an upper housing <NUM> and a lower second displaceable component in form of an interior tubular housing <NUM>.

As seen best in the enlarged scale views of <FIG> and in e.g. <FIG> the upper housing <NUM> has a top part <NUM> with a socket part <NUM> that extends into a forked lower part <NUM> having opposite upper housing legs 140a,140b configured to engage or otherwise connect to a female cable lock part <NUM> of a first not claimed embodiment of a cable lock coupling means, as seen in e.g. <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> shows the second lock part <NUM> in assembled state, wherein the female cable lock part <NUM> is seen arranged to receive a male cable lock part <NUM> of e.g. the cable lock <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. The engagement between the upper housing legs 140a,140b and the female cable lock part <NUM>, holds said female cable lock part <NUM> together with the other components of the second lock part <NUM> thereby preventing said female cable lock part <NUM> from dropping out of or be torn out of the steerer tube <NUM> when the cable lock <NUM> is operated, while on the other hand allowing the interior tubular housing <NUM> reciprocate axially, as will be described further below.

The socket part <NUM> spans the top part <NUM> as a bridge part <NUM> having a central oblong socket hole <NUM> through which the main body of the electric motor <NUM> passes and mates in anti-rotational relationship. As the main body of the electric motor <NUM> and the oblong socket hole <NUM> have substantially same cross-sections the main body of the electric motor <NUM> cannot rotate inside the socket hole <NUM> and stays in fixed position in said socket hole <NUM> while the drive shaft <NUM> rotates the rotating part <NUM> to move the first locking pawl <NUM>' and the second locking pawl <NUM>' along the diameter of the steerer tube <NUM>.

The second lock part <NUM> has a holder <NUM> adapted to couple to the socket part <NUM> of the top part <NUM> of the upper housing <NUM> between the opposite upper housing legs 140a,140b. The holder <NUM> is substantially U-shaped having opposite holder legs 146a,146b joined by a bottom holder leg <NUM> upon which the first lock component <NUM> may rest to be supported from below in order not to drop off its operative connection to the electric motor <NUM>. At least the bottom holder leg <NUM> may serve as a sufficient back-stop to avoid that the first lock component <NUM> unintentionally displaces axially in relation to the upper housing <NUM>, e.g. in response to vibrations of the bicycle or of the E-bike, such as when the steering column lock <NUM> is operated or when the bicycle or E-bike runs.

The opposite holder legs 146a,146b have free ends with respective holder hooks 148a,148b that can hook into corresponding hook holes 149a,149b of the bridge part <NUM> of the socket part <NUM>. The opposite holder legs 146a,146b also have respective slots 151a,151b that allow the engagement wings parts 19a,19b to pass, as seen in <FIG>, when the rotating part <NUM> rotates to move the opposite locking pawls <NUM>',<NUM>' along the diameter of the steerer tube <NUM>, thus to move said locking pawls <NUM>',<NUM>' towards and away from each other along the diameter of the steerer tube <NUM> when the steering column lock <NUM> is to be arranged in the locked position and in the unlocked position.

The interior tubular housing <NUM> has a breast means <NUM> protruding towards the central axis of the steerer tube <NUM> and being configured to engage below the shoulders <NUM>,<NUM> of the first lock component <NUM> when the interior tubular housing <NUM> is axially displaced downwards so that said breast means <NUM> engages below the opposite shoulders <NUM>,<NUM> of said first lock component <NUM>. The breast means <NUM> are visible in <FIG> and <FIG>, which figures also show the position of the first lock component <NUM> above and below the breast means <NUM> in the unlocked and locked positions, respectively.

The interior tubular housing <NUM> has a tubular upper housing part <NUM> above the breast means <NUM> and an opposite tubular lower housing part <NUM> below the breast means <NUM>, which tubular upper housing part <NUM> has coupling recesses 155a,155b that axially and slidingly engage the bridge part <NUM> of the socket part <NUM> of the upper housing <NUM> when the interior tubular housing <NUM> reciprocates during its axial displacement along the axis of the steerer tube <NUM>, but also to prevent the interior tubular housing <NUM> from rotating in relation to said upper housing <NUM> and said steerer tube <NUM>.

The female cable lock part <NUM> comprises a cable lock ring <NUM> and a cable lock housing <NUM>. The cable lock ring <NUM> is secured to the interior wall surface of a free end <NUM> of the steerer tube <NUM> and surrounds an annular recessed rim part <NUM> of the tubular lower housing part <NUM> of the interior tubular housing <NUM>. An O-ring <NUM>, which is interposed between the annular recessed rim part <NUM> of the tubular lower housing part <NUM> and the cable lock ring <NUM>, to prevent access of dirt and moisture into the steering column lock <NUM>.

The cable lock ring <NUM> has exterior third knurlings <NUM> to further prevent the cable lock ring <NUM> from rotating about the steerer tube <NUM>, whereto said cable lock ring <NUM> may be further secured by other securing means, e.g. by means of glue.

The cable lock ring <NUM> is interconnected with the cable lock housing <NUM> via assembling means. The assembling means comprises plate springs 162a,162b on the cable lock ring <NUM>, which plate springs 162a,162b protrude upright from the cable lock ring <NUM>, and diametrically opposite spring-biased first lock pins 163a,163b on the cable lock housing <NUM>, which spring-biased first lock pins 163a,163b protrude radially from a top cable lock housing part <NUM> of cable lock housing <NUM>. In the assembled state of the female cable lock part <NUM> opposite spring-biased first lock pins 163a,163b extend through opposite pin holes 165a,165b in the circumferential wall <NUM> of the interior tubular housing <NUM> so that the free ends 167a,167b of the first lock pins 163a,163b apply a force on the opposite plate springs 152a,162b.

The cable lock housing <NUM> has a bottom push plate <NUM> that engages below or is secured to a free end of the tubular lower housing part <NUM> of the interior tubular housing <NUM>. The bottom push plate <NUM> serve as a push-button that can push on the cable lock housing <NUM> and the interior tubular housing <NUM> when being pushed upwards inside the steerer tube <NUM> thereby actuating the locking of the steering column lock <NUM>. Thus both the interior tubular housing <NUM> and the cable lock housing <NUM> are second displaceable components that are axially displaceable along the length of the steerer tube <NUM>.

The cable lock ring <NUM> further has first coupling means for coupling with second coupling means at the free ends of the upper housing legs 140a,140b to ensure the engagement between the upper housing legs 140a,140b and the female cable lock part <NUM>, so that the components of the second lock part do not fall apart. Preferably the second coupling means may be first snap-coupling hooks 169a,169b that snaps with complementary second snap-coupling hooks or snap coupling recesses 170a,170b at or in the wall of the cable lock ring <NUM>.

The cable lock <NUM> seen in <FIG> has a male cable lock part <NUM> at a free end of a cable <NUM> and a loop <NUM> at the opposite end of the cable <NUM>. The cable <NUM> has sufficient length to pass e.g. through the front wheel of a bicycle or E-bike and reach back to the steering column lock <NUM> and arrange the male cable lock part <NUM> through the loop <NUM> and then snap said male cable lock part <NUM> into a plug hole <NUM> of the cable lock housing <NUM> of the female cable lock part <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view similar to the view of <FIG> but wherein the third embodiment of the steering column lock <NUM> is in unlocked state and the shoulders <NUM>,<NUM> of the first lock component <NUM> are above the breast means <NUM> and the interior tubular housing <NUM> is in its lower position wherein it does not move the opposite first and second magnets <NUM>,<NUM> by pushing at the interior lock part <NUM> to displace said interior lock part <NUM> and second ring-shaped lock part <NUM> in common to the locked position seen in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>.

The preferred magnets are neodymium magnets, e.g. NdFeB magnets that holds approx. Weaker or stronger magnets can also be used depending on the weight of the components of the steering column lock and the need for the first magnet and the second magnet to be in sufficient magnetic contact without being in direct mechanical contact.

The locking length that the interior tubular housing <NUM> can travel to make the first ring-shaped lock part <NUM> and the second ring-shaped lock part <NUM> engage to lock the steering column lock <NUM> may be as little as <NUM>. This locking length also suffices for the first ring-shaped lock part <NUM> and the second ring-shaped lock part <NUM> not to accidentally snap together when riding the bicycle or E-bike, or in response to vibrations and bumps.

<FIG> shows a modified interior tubular housing <NUM> configured to operate a second not claimed embodiment of a cable lock coupling means <NUM>. The second not claimed embodiment of a cable lock coupling means <NUM> is shown for use with the third embodiment of a steering column lock <NUM> and for like part same reference numerals are used.

The second not claimed embodiment of a cable lock coupling means <NUM> is configured to prevent accidental locking of the cable lock coupling means, and to easily allow the cable lock part <NUM> to be placed in the modified female cable lock part <NUM>'.

To that aspect the second not claimed embodiment of a cable lock coupling means <NUM> has a modified female cable lock part <NUM>' comprising a traverse lock body <NUM>. The traverse lock body <NUM> comprises an upper tubular cable housing <NUM> with diametrically opposite cross bar arms 180a,180b and a plug hole <NUM>. The tubular lower housing part <NUM> of the modified interior tubular housing <NUM> has opposite first slide tracks 181a,181b, for receiving the cross bar arms 180a,180b when the modified interior tubular housing <NUM> reciprocates, e.g. to allow reciprocation to lock and unlock the third embodiment of a steering column lock <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the upper position of the cross bar arms 180a,180b inside said respective opposite first slide tracks 181a,181b, in which upper position said cable lock coupling means <NUM> is in an open configuration and accessible for inserting the cable lock part <NUM> to achieve the locked position seen in <FIG> of said cable lock coupling means <NUM>. In the locked position seen in <FIG> the cable lock part <NUM> engages inside the upper tubular cable housing <NUM>.

The modified female cable lock part <NUM>' has a cover part <NUM> fixed to the tubular upper housing part <NUM> axially above the opposite first slide tracks 181a,181b to move axially along together with said modified interior tubular housing <NUM> in relation to the traverse lock body <NUM>. The traverse lock body <NUM> has an upper spring seat <NUM> and a modified holder <NUM>' has a lower spring seat <NUM> between which spring seats <NUM>;<NUM> a fourth spring <NUM> is axially confined to be arranged in a substantially relaxed condition when the modified interior tubular housing <NUM> is in the lower position and being compressed compared to the relaxed condition in the direction towards the first lock component <NUM>, thus when the modified interior tubular housing <NUM> is in the upper position.

The modified female cable lock part <NUM>' further has a U-bend fifth spring <NUM> having free ends 187a,187b secured to a chord of the circumference of the cover part <NUM>. The U-bend fifth spring <NUM> extends inclined and axially downwards below said cover part <NUM> so that the bottom leg <NUM> of the U-bend fifth spring <NUM> can engage a locking recess <NUM> of a tip part <NUM> of the cable lock part <NUM> in the upper position of the modified interior tubular housing <NUM> when said tip part is inserted into the upper tubular cable housing <NUM>, as seen in <FIG>, <FIG>. Said U-bend fifth spring <NUM> is inherently displaced radially away from said chord when the cover part <NUM> is forced against the first lock component, whereby the fifth spring <NUM> is placed under a spring force. In the lower position of the traverse lock body <NUM> the tip part <NUM> of the cable lock part <NUM> is allowed to be released, as seen in <FIG>, <FIG>. The upper tubular cable housing <NUM> has a blind end part <NUM>, as seen best in <FIG>, that serves as a stop for the inserted tip part <NUM> of the cable lock part <NUM> in the upper position, as seen in <FIG>. The bottom leg <NUM> of the U-bend fifth spring <NUM> has a protective sleeve <NUM> that serves to enforce and improve the engagement between said sleeved bottom leg <NUM> and the locking recess <NUM>, and to protect the bottom leg <NUM>.

The circumferential wall <NUM> of the upper tubular cable housing <NUM> has been partially resected axially to delimit an axially extending engagement opening <NUM> that facilitates achieving the engaging position between the inserted tip part <NUM> and the bottom leg <NUM>, as seen best in e.g. <FIG> and <FIG>. The bottom leg <NUM> is being held in the locking recess <NUM> pressed by the spring force of the fifth spring <NUM> against the wall segment <NUM> that delimits the engagement opening <NUM>.

For the modified female cable lock part <NUM>' a modified cable lock housing <NUM>' has a lower circumferential lock collar 196a in extension of and below a tubular top house part 196b that engages below or is secured to a free end of the tubular lower housing part <NUM> of the modified interior tubular housing <NUM>. The modified cable lock housing <NUM>' serves as a push-button, that, when actuated, makes the modified interior tubular housing <NUM> to move axially due to being secured thereto.

A lock bushing <NUM> has a lower bushing collar part <NUM>, a tubular upper bushing part <NUM>, and delimits a bushing bore <NUM> that circumferentially accommodates the modified cable lock housing <NUM>', the tubular lower housing part <NUM>, and the traverse lock body <NUM>.

The lower bushing collar part <NUM> is secured to the interior wall surface of a free end <NUM> of the steerer tube <NUM>. Both the modified interior tubular housing <NUM> and the modified cable lock housing <NUM>' are second displaceable components that are axially displaceable along the length of the steerer tube <NUM>. Thus the modified interior tubular housing <NUM> is arranged to reciprocate in the bushing bore <NUM> in relation to the lock bushing <NUM> when the cable lock part <NUM> is to be locked together with, and released from, the modified female cable lock part <NUM>' by being passed through a cable lock bore <NUM> of the modified cable lock housing <NUM>' into the upper tubular cable housing <NUM> of the traverse lock body <NUM>. A sealing gasket, such as an O-ring <NUM>, is disposed around the tubular lower housing part <NUM> to seal against the lower bushing collar part <NUM>.

The lock bushing <NUM> is part of a safety mechanism <NUM> for avoiding unintentionally locking of the steering column lock <NUM> during riding the bike. The safety mechanism <NUM> will now be described in further details with reference to <FIG> showing said safety mechanism <NUM> in further details.

As seen in <FIG> the safety mechanism <NUM> is arranged between the opposite lower legs 6a,6b of the front fork <NUM>', axially below the head tube <NUM> and the steerer tube <NUM> where said tubes <NUM>;<NUM> extends into the arch member <NUM>. A trigger mechanism <NUM> for the safety mechanism <NUM> protrudes substantially radially in relation to the front fork <NUM>' to thereby be easy to operate.

<FIG> is a perspective exploded view of the safety mechanism <NUM>. <FIG> shows the safety mechanism <NUM> seen in <FIG> in assembled state.

The safety mechanism <NUM> comprises the lock bushing <NUM>, the modified cable lock housing <NUM>', and the trigger mechanism <NUM>. The trigger mechanism <NUM> comprises a third lock pin <NUM>, a dust cover <NUM> and a lever <NUM>.

The lower bushing collar part <NUM> of the lock bushing <NUM> has diametrically arranged slot openings 208a,208b, and an upper trigger housing part <NUM> of the trigger housing <NUM> has correspondingly diametrically arranged pin holes 210a,210b provided with protruding second lock pins 211a,211b. The second lock pins 211a,211b engage inside said slot openings 208a,208b whereby the lower bushing collar part <NUM> becomes coupled to the lock bushing <NUM>.

The tubular upper bushing part <NUM> of the lock bushing <NUM> has opposite second slide tracks 212a,212b, which open into a free edge <NUM> of the tubular upper bushing part <NUM>. The second slide tracks 212a,212b are provided and arranged to be aligned with the opposite first slide tracks 181a,181b of the modified interior tubular housing <NUM> to allow free ends of the cross bar arms 180a,180b to be received by both the first slide tracks 181a,181b and the second slide tracks 212a,212b when the modified interior tubular housing <NUM> moves axially, e.g. to magnetically lock and unlock the steering column lock <NUM> when the need arises.

The free edge <NUM> of the tubular upper bushing part <NUM> of the lock bushing <NUM> further has opposite second snap-coupling hooks 214a,214b configured to snap together with the first snap-coupling hooks 169a,169b of the upper housing <NUM> of the housing assembly <NUM> thereby holding the lock bushing <NUM> and the opposite upper housing legs 140a,140b of the upper housing <NUM> of the second lock part <NUM> firmly together.

The upper trigger housing part <NUM> of the trigger housing <NUM> extends into a lower trigger housing part <NUM> that has a female shaft bearing means 216a,216b having spaced apart opposite female shaft bearing parts 216a,216b arranged substantially along a chord of the circumference of said upper trigger housing part <NUM>, and protruding radially therefrom at an axially recessed annular chord section <NUM> of said lower trigger housing part <NUM>. The lever <NUM> has a male shaft bearing means 218a,218b having spaced apart opposite male shaft bearing parts 218a,218b that, pivotably about a pivot axis P, mates into the female shaft bearing parts 216a,216b. A shaft <NUM> extends through the male shaft bearing parts 218a,218b and the female shaft bearing parts 216a,216b thereby arranging the lever <NUM> pivotable in relation to the trigger housing <NUM>. The shaft bearing means 216a,216b;218a,218b define the fulcrum, which is the support about which the lever <NUM> pivots.

The male shaft bearing means 218a,218b protrudes upright towards the trigger housing <NUM> from an elongate lever body <NUM> of the lever <NUM> on opposite long sides of a central elongate trigger cavity <NUM> in said elongate lever body <NUM>. The central elongate trigger cavity <NUM> has a first through-going hole <NUM> at a rounded lever front end part <NUM> of the lever body <NUM>, which first through-going hole <NUM> provides for passage of the lock part <NUM> of the cable lock <NUM>.

The trigger cavity <NUM> is adapted to accommodate a dust cover end part 206a of the dust cover <NUM>, as seen in e.g. <FIG> and <FIG>, to thereby close for entry of e.g. dirt via the first through-going hole <NUM> into the steerer tube <NUM> and into the components of the steering column lock <NUM> when no cable lock part <NUM> is inserted.

An interior, radially protruding breast <NUM> is provided at the transition between the lower trigger housing part <NUM> and the upper trigger housing part <NUM> of the trigger housing <NUM>, and the rounded lever front end part <NUM> protrudes inside the trigger housing <NUM> below said interior, radially protruding breast <NUM>, as seen in <FIG>, <FIG>.

The lever body <NUM> has a lever push part <NUM> opposite the rounded lever front end part <NUM>. When said lever push part <NUM> is pushed downwards, as indicated by arrow D in <FIG>, the lever <NUM> pivots inside the trigger housing <NUM> about the shaft <NUM>, and moves upwards until the rounded lever front end part <NUM> hits against the interior, radially protruding breast <NUM> thereby also displacing the modified cable lock housing <NUM>' upwards.

The lower circumferential lock collar 196a of the modified cable lock housing <NUM>' has a second through-going hole <NUM> that receives a third lock pin <NUM>, which third lock pin <NUM>, in the locking situation of <FIG>, is positioned spring-biased by means of a sixth spring <NUM> against a lock track <NUM> in the interior face of the lower bushing collar part <NUM>. The lock track <NUM> is open at the free end of the lower bushing collar part <NUM> and aligned with the third lock pin <NUM>, so that when the lever push part <NUM> is pushed downwards the modified cable lock housing <NUM>' is lifted so that the third lock pin <NUM> snaps into the lock track <NUM> and keeps the lifted position of the modified cable lock housing <NUM>' when the force on the lever push part <NUM> is relieved, as in the position seen in <FIG>.

The dust cover <NUM> has a handle pull part 206b in extension of the dust cover end part 206a via a step part <NUM>, which step part <NUM> offsets the parallel planes of the handle pull part 206b and dust cover end part 206a along a normal to said planes. A free end <NUM> of the handle pull part 206b has a pull tab <NUM> to facilitate moving the dust cover <NUM> to cover and uncover the first through-going hole <NUM> of the lever <NUM>. The bottom of the central elongate trigger cavity <NUM> has a spring groove <NUM> that accommodates a seventh spring <NUM> that spring-biases the step part <NUM> when the dust cover <NUM> is pulled along the lever push part <NUM> to obtain open access for entry of the lock part <NUM> into the modified cable lock housing <NUM>' via the first through-going hole <NUM>, as seen in <FIG>. The step part <NUM> is dimensioned so that the pull handle part 206b slides neatly on top of the lever push part <NUM>, and so that the dust cover <NUM> can pivot together with the lever <NUM>, as seen in <FIG>.

The lever front end part <NUM> has an engagement groove <NUM> at the corresponding terminal end <NUM> of the central elongate trigger cavity <NUM>, which engagement groove <NUM> receives a free end <NUM> of the dust cover end part 206a when the first through-going hole <NUM> of the rounded lever front end part <NUM> is to be in the covering closed position seen in <FIG> and <FIG>.

A safety button <NUM> has a safety button head <NUM> and a safety button shaft <NUM>. The safety button shaft <NUM> extends through a third through-going hole <NUM> that extends between the female shaft bearing parts 216a,216b radially through the circumferential wall <NUM> of the trigger housing <NUM>. In the unlocked situation seen in <FIG> the third lock pin <NUM> are situated partly inside the third through-going hole <NUM>, as said third through-going hole <NUM> is in axial alignment with the second through-going hole <NUM> and the third lock pin <NUM>.

The safety button <NUM> is easy to be radially displaced manually as the safety button head <NUM> is arranged exterior to the trigger housing <NUM>, and is enlarged in relation to the safety button shaft <NUM>. By pressing on the safety button head <NUM> towards the modified cable lock housing <NUM>' the third lock pin <NUM> is also pushed on. So by applying a pressure to the safety button head <NUM> towards the modified cable lock housing <NUM>' the third lock pin <NUM> can be radially moved from outside the trigger housing <NUM> so that the third lock pin <NUM> is set free of the third through-going hole <NUM> and can pass into the lock track <NUM> in the interior face of the lower bushing collar part <NUM> to allow the safety mechanism <NUM> to assume the positions seen in <FIG>.

To keep the safety button <NUM> from dropping out of the third through-going hole <NUM>, and to allow the above radial movement of the safety button shaft <NUM> of the safety button <NUM>, the safety button shaft <NUM> has an axially extended shaft recess <NUM> for receiving the perpendicularly arranged shaft <NUM>. During the radial displacement of the safety button, the shaft <NUM> slides along the shaft recess <NUM>.

The steering column locks of the present invention can be integrated in any bicycle that has sufficient radial space between the head tube and the steerer tube for mounting of the first lock part, and having a steerer tube of a sufficient internal diameter to have sufficient space for the second lock part, and for means to operate the steering column lock.

In all embodiments of the present invention the first lock part and the second lock part of the steering column lock are both fully integrated and hidden inside the steering column, and these lock parts cannot be manipulated unauthorized from outside the bike. A thief cannot reach any of the first lock part and the second lock part. Further, the mutual engagement between said lock parts are very strong, so in the exceptional circumstances that a thief successfully breaks the engagement between the lock parts by forcing the steerer tube to rotate despite the steering column lock being locked, components of the second lock part will still be present in the radial space and obstruct steering of the bicycle.

Claim 1:
A bicycle steering column comprising a head tube (<NUM>), and a steerer tube (<NUM>), and incorporating a steering column lock (<NUM>), the steering column lock (<NUM>) comprises
a first lock part (<NUM>) having a first lock means and
a second lock part (<NUM>) having a second lock means,
the first lock means is arranged in a radial space (<NUM>) between the head tube (<NUM>) and the steerer tube (<NUM>),
the second lock means is arranged in the steerer tube (<NUM>) to co-operate with the first lock means, and
the second lock means comprises an electric motor (<NUM>), wherein
the first lock means comprises at least one first magnet (<NUM>) and the second lock means comprises at least one second magnet (<NUM>), and
wherein said at least one first magnet (<NUM>) and said at least one second magnet (<NUM>) are arranged to be in magnetically attracting contact without being in direct contact, whereby the magnetic attraction of the at least one second magnet to the at least one first magnet (<NUM>) will make an axially displaceable component of the second lock part (<NUM>), to which the at least one second magnet (<NUM>) is secured, to move along axially and bringing along an axially displaceable component of the first lock part (<NUM>) to which the at least one first magnet (<NUM>) is secured.