Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to security devices, in particular anti-theft locks. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Theft of vehicles, in particular two-wheeled vehicles such as motorcycles and the like, which can be easily rolled away, continues to be a safety concern, a personal annoyance, and an economic issue. 
         [0003]    Examples of mechanically actuated anti-theft devices are disclosed in: GB2481061, WO2009/113103, WO2007/099501, WO2009/147690, GB2284188, US2010/013186, and US2012/139221, which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention provides a motorcycle anti-theft device, for a motorcycle of the type including a pivotable kickstand and a chassis and an electrical power source, which may be the motorcycle&#39;s battery. The device includes a mechanism for locking the kickstand after being set to a lowered position, and an actuator unit including an electromechanical device connected to the power source for directly driving, when activated, an element to unlock the kickstand. 
         [0005]    As referred to herein, the term “motorcycle” includes any two wheeled vehicle having an electrical power source such as, but not limited to, a motor-scooter; an electric bicycle; a moped and the like. The term “kickstand” also includes any pivotal device for supporting the motorcycle when not in use, such as a jackstand. 
         [0006]    It is a particular feature of the present invention to provide a lock that includes a locking mechanism for locking the kickstand of a motorcycle wherein the locking operation is actuated by lowering the kickstand and the unlocking operation is actuated by the ignition key. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is an upper perspective view of a motorcycle anti-theft device, according to one embodiment of the present invention, attached to the motorcycle&#39;s chassis and kickstand, wherein the kickstand is in the up position; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a view of  FIG. 1 , wherein the kickstand is in the down position; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a lower perspective view of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a lower perspective view of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a side view of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a side view of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 7A-7C  are respective side, perspective and perspective exploded views of the motorcycle anti-theft device; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a perspective exploded view of an embodiment of a kickstand engagement mechanism of the motorcycle anti-theft device; 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the kickstand engagement mechanism attached to the kickstand; 
           [0016]      FIG. 10A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a chassis engagement mechanism and lock buckle of the motorcycle anti-theft device, attached to the motorcycle&#39;s chassis; 
           [0017]      FIG. 10B  is a exploded perspective view of the chassis engagement mechanism and view of the lock buckle of  FIG. 10A ; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 11A-11F  are side views of the lock buckle components,  FIGS. 11A, 11E and 11F  showing unlocked configurations and  FIGS. 11B-11D  in locked configurations; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 12A and 12B  are side views illustrating the position of a locking band of the device in unlocked and locked positions, respectively; 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  is an internal side view of an embodiment of a lock buckle illustrating an exemplary band-locking mechanism of the device; 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a motorcycle anti-theft device, according to another embodiment of the invention, showing the kickstand in a raised position; 
           [0022]      FIG. 15  is a front view of the device of  FIG. 14 , showing the kickstand in a lowered position; 
           [0023]      FIG. 16  is a schematic illustration of an actuator unit, according to one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 17  is a schematic illustration of an actuator unit, according to another embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 18  is a schematic illustration of an actuator unit by which the initiating signal is generated by an ultrasonic sensor. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features/components of an actual implementation are necessarily described. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 1-4  show perspective views and  FIGS. 5-6  show side views of a motorcycle anti-theft device  10 , according to one embodiment of the invention, which can alternatively be referred to as a kickstand lock apparatus  10  for a motorcycle, attached to a portion of a common type of chassis C, including a kickstand J, of the motorcycle.  FIGS. 1, 3, and 5  show kickstand J in the “up” position; and  FIGS. 2, 4 and 6  show kickstand J in the “down” position. It should be understood that the device (lock apparatus) can be designed to fit a variety of chassis types and kickstands, mutatis mutandis; and the invention is not limited in scope by the actual embodiments shown and association with the exemplary chassis illustrated merely for the purpose of providing an enabling description. 
         [0028]    With further reference to  FIGS. 7A-7C , showing respective isolated side, perspective and exploded perspective views of lock apparatus  10 , the lock apparatus includes a chassis engaging mechanism  12  including a chassis engaging bracket  14 , for fixing one end of the lock apparatus to chassis C; a kickstand engaging mechanism  16 , including a kickstand engaging bracket  18 , for attaching the other end of the lock apparatus to kickstand J; and a typically sturdy and semi-rigid locking strap or locking band  20 , which at one end thereof is attached to kickstand engaging bracket  18  and at the other end of the band is at least one, and, for convenience of assembly, typically a plurality of openings  22  (seen clearly in  FIG. 10 ). 
         [0029]      FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate an embodiment of a band-to-kickstand engaging bracket fastening mechanism, exemplified by a fastening loop  24  and corresponding kickstand engaging bracket pin  26  for affixing locking band  20  to kickstand engaging bracket  18 . As can be seen, kickstand engaging bracket  18  is attached to kickstand J whereby raising the kickstand pulls on locking band  20  in a direction toward the kickstand and lowering the kickstand relieves the tension, in fact provides a pushing effect on the semi-rigid band. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  show the portion of lock apparatus  10  associated with chassis C. A lock buckle  28  is directly or indirectly attached to chassis engaging bracket  14 , for example by a lock buckle holder  29 , which is rigidly attached to the chassis bracket. 
         [0031]    With further reference to  FIGS. 11A-11F , lock buckle  28  includes a band-locking mechanism  30 ; and typically a lock-buckle housing  32 . Band-locking mechanism  30  includes an electromagnet  34  operably connected to the motorcycle&#39;s battery (not shown), for example via electrical wires  36  and a lock-arm or lever  38  having a pivot  40  and biased by a biasing member such as leaf spring  42 . Lever  38  has a one-way locking tooth  44  with a generally flat locking step or surface  46  and an angled or sloped surface  48 , the surfaces  46  and  48  being typically similar to a ratchet gear tooth so that motion is one direction is allowed and in the other direction is by default prevented. In some embodiments, lever  38  is made of iron, or has, preferably at a top surface thereof; or in other embodiments the lever includes one or more iron members (not shown) so as to be attracted by electromagnet  34  when the electromagnet is powered. 
         [0032]      FIG. 13  shows another exemplary band-locking mechanism  30  wherein instead of electromagnet  34 , the band-locking mechanism  30  incorporates a solenoid  50 . Upon being powered, solenoid  50  pushes a lever-engaging rod  52  that lifts lever  38  removing tooth  44  from one of the openings  22  whereby locking band  20  is unlocked/released. When not powered, the default position is that rod  52  is retracted and does not push lever  38  so that band  20  can be inserted into band-locking mechanism  30  and tooth  44  enters one of the openings  22 . It should be understood that electromagnet  34  and solenoid  50  represent exemplary electrically powered actuators and that in some embodiments, other equivalent mechanisms or components may be used. 
         [0033]    In some embodiments, lock apparatus  10  further includes a mechanism (not shown) for stopping power to band-locking mechanism  30 ; in particular to electromagnet  34  (or solenoid  50  or other equivalent member) after a predetermined time, for example via a relay or timer. As a result, electromagnet  34  (solenoid  50 , etc.) would not continue to draw power from the motorcycle&#39;s battery and thus lever  38  (and tooth  44 ) would be moved downward by leaf spring  42 , after the aforementioned predetermined time. 
         [0034]    When one wishes to park the motorcycle, the motorcycle is turned off and kickstand J is lowered. Lowering kickstand J pushes band  20  from a position shown in  FIGS. 5 and 12A , to a position shown in  FIGS. 6 and 12B . As a result, openings  22  move (to the left in  FIGS. 11A-11D and 12A and 12B ) and interface with sloped surface  48  of tooth  44  pushing the tooth upward so band  20  can continue to slide in band-locking mechanism  30 . When kickstand J is in its ultimate downward position, the lever&#39;s locking tooth  44  is urged downward by leaf spring  42  so that the tooth typically projects into one of the openings  22 . 
         [0035]    However, even if tooth  44  is not aligned with an opening  22 , raising the kickstand again, without first activating electromagnet  34  will cause band  20  to be withdrawn from band-locking mechanism  30 , thereby moving openings  22  until tooth  44  projects into one of openings  22 , as any similar ratcheting-type mechanism would do. Thus, kickstand J cannot be significantly raised; i.e. is locked. 
         [0036]    To use the motorcycle again, one powers the motorcycle battery, typically by turning an ignition key. This powers electromagnet  34 , which overpowers leaf spring  42  and attracts/raises lever  38  upward so that its tooth  44  will be clear of the openings  22  of band  20 . Thus, kickstand J can be fully raised and the motorcycle can be ridden. 
         [0037]      FIGS. 14 and 15  illustrate another embodiment of the invention, wherein the kickstand is shown in a raised position in  FIG. 14  and in a lowered position in  FIG. 15 . 
         [0038]    The anti-theft device includes an actuator housing  55 , fixedly attached to the bottom of a chassis portion  53 ; and a bracket  62 , attached to pivotable kickstand  60 . In some embodiments, actuator housing  55  is made of a substantially impenetrable metallic casing. 
         [0039]    A rectilinear block  64  integrally formed with, or connected to, kickstand  60  is coupled with a substantially horizontal rod  66  that is rotatably mounted in a stationary mount  61 , which is in abutting relation with chassis portion  53 . Bracket  62  is downwardly extending and substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of block  64 , which is considered to be the “upper surface” when kickstand  60  is in a raised position. An aperture  63  is formed in bracket  62 . 
         [0040]    An electrically displaceable pin  58  is biased to normally protrude from a side wall  54  ( FIG. 18 ) of actuator housing  55 . Pin  58  is substantially parallel to bracket  62  when kickstand  60  is in a raised position, as illustrated in  FIG. 15 . Bracket  62  is engageable with pin  58 , which is receivable in aperture  63 , when kickstand  60  is lowered while being pivoted about rod  66 . While kickstand  60  is in the lowered position and in contact with the underlying ground surface, pin  58  is caused to become immobilized with respect to actuator housing  55 , as will be described hereinafter. This immobilization prevents disengagement of bracket  62  from pin  58 , and therefore prevents the motorcycle from being driven, particularly by an unlawful person. Thus the anti-theft device functions as a deterrent to thieves. 
         [0041]      FIG. 15  schematically illustrates actuator unit  70 , according to one embodiment of the invention. Actuator unit  70  includes an immobilizing device  72  for fixating pin  58  after having been engaged with bracket  62 , to retain the kickstand in the lowered position even if pin  58  is tampered with by an unlawful person. Immobilizing device  72  may be electrically actuated, or may be a mechanical lock connectible with pin  58  and mounted in actuator housing  55 . Also, a release device  74  for releasing pin  58  from side wall  54  of actuator housing  55  when a user desires to ride the motorcycle is provided. In addition, actuator unit  70  has a controller  77  for commanding operation, by a wired or wireless command signal S, of one or more of immobilizing device  72  and release device  74  in response to the transmission thereto of an initiating signal I, as well as relevant circuitry  78 . 
         [0042]    Actuator unit  70  may also include an antenna  79  for receiving an externally originated initiating signal, such as a radio wave signal or an infrared signal generated by a remote control device. Antenna  79  may be a printed antenna which is fitted in an interface with the metallic casing, in order to suitably receive the externally originated initiating signal. Alternatively, antenna  79  may include a short range transceiver, e.g. a Bluetooth transceiver. Initiating signal I is transferred in turn to controller  77  by circuitry  78 . 
         [0043]    Alternatively, initiating signal I may be transmitted via a wired connection, for example after a key in the ignition switch has been turned and a relevant actuator/button has been actuated/pressed. 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIGS. 16-18 , pin  58  typically has a rounded proximal end  59  to facilitate engagement with bracket  62  being pivoted when the kickstand is being set to a lowered position. Bracket  62  therefore displaces pin  58  distally during initial contact; however, since pin  58  is proximally biased by spring  67 , which is preferably connected to both the pin and the wall of actuator housing  55 , the pin will be subsequently proximally displaced to facilitate engagement with the bracket. Pin  58  is shown to have a distal flange  71  for engagement with release device  74  and an intermediate collar  76  to prevent excessive pin movement through an aperture  73  formed in side wall  54  of the actuator housing  55  through which pin  58  normally protrudes, although other pin configurations are also within the scope of the invention. 
         [0045]    In actuator unit  80 , the immobilizing device  72  shown in  FIG. 16  is embodied by an electromagnetic device  81  ( FIGS. 17 and 18 ) in abuttable relation with flange  71  of pin  58  and secured to a stationary surface of the actuator housing, such as a bottom surface thereof. When the multi-coiled electromagnetic device  81  is energized, e.g. by the motorcycle battery, upon being commanded by controller  77 , a magnetic field is induced for effecting electromagnetic engagement with pin  58 , when made of ferromagnetic material and functioning as the magnetized armature. This electromagnetic engagement immobilizes pin  58  and prevents unwanted displacement thereof. Likewise electromagnetic device  81  is de-energized upon being commanded by the controller, for example in order to operate release device  74 . 
         [0046]    Release device  74  may include a linear solenoid  83 , e.g. of the push-pull type, connected to side wall  54  of actuator housing  55 . When commanded by controller  77 , following de-energization of electromagnetic device  81 , such as after transmission of an initiating signal, a plunger of linear solenoid  83  is extended by a sufficient stroke to apply a force to pin flange  71  that causes the pin to become disengaged from bracket  62 . 
         [0047]    In actuator unit  80  illustrated in  FIG. 18 , the initiating signal is generated by ultrasonic sensor  87  mounted on side wall  54  of actuator housing  55 . Ultrasonic waves U are generated by sensor  87  and directed to flange  71  of pin  58 . Sensor  87  also receives the waves U reflected from flange  71 , and is thereby able to determine the instantaneous distance L between side wall  54  and flange  71 . Normally distance L is a nominal unchanged value, but increases when pin  58  is distally displaced upon engagement of bracket  62  therewith. Thus, ultrasonic sensor  87  will transmit initiating signal Ito the controller  77  upon detecting that distance L has increased more than a predetermined value. Electromagnetic device  81  will then be energized at a predetermined time following transmission of initiating signal I. 
         [0048]    It will be appreciated that any other sensor well known to those skilled in the art, such as a proximity sensor, may be employed to generate initiating signal I, in response to kickstand lowering. 
         [0049]    It will be appreciated that any embodiment described herein may be provided with any combination of the aforementioned immobilizing device and release device. 
         [0050]    While some embodiments of the invention have been described by way of illustration, it will be apparent that the invention can be carried out with many modifications, variations and adaptations, and with the use of numerous equivalents or alternative solutions that are within the scope of persons skilled in the art, without exceeding the scope of the claims.

Technology Category: 7