Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention generally relates to bicycle (i.e., “bike”) security accessories and, in particular, devices used to prevent unauthorized utilization of the bike or removal of its components. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Bike locks, or devices which are designed to prevent bike theft or unauthorized bike operation, are well known in the art. Generally, bike locks take the form of a cable, bar, or other strong force-bearing body that is arranged around a portion of a bike and then secured to itself, often with a combination or key lock. Particularly as bike construction becomes more modular, the goal of preventing important bike components from theft reveals limitations on the prior art as those devices can only secure those bike components which are shaped or oriented in a way that allows a two-dimensional cable or bar body to prevent movement. While a bike&#39;s frame, wheels, and drivetrain may be secured together with a cable or chain-link, handlebars, the bike&#39;s seat, and bike accessories may be left unsecured. 
         [0003]    Furthermore, bike locks, depending on their construction, may be defeated by using a single tool. Bike locks which incorporate a plastic-insulated wire cable may be defeated by bolt cutters which use an overwhelming shearing force. Bike locks which specifically attempt to defeat bolt cutters, e.g., by using exaggerated bar or cable diameters to prevent bolt cutter jaws from engaging the lock, may yet be defeated by hand saw-type tools where the thief is given a sufficient amount of time. Other bike locks which utilize ultra-dense metal alloys to defeat both hand saws and bolt cutter-type tools are often prohibitively heavy. 
         [0004]    Installing bike locks may be a challenge at night where the user is attempting to thread a cable or chain-link member around and through bike components and against immobile ground-level objects (e.g., bike rack). Low-light environments hinder the user&#39;s ability to feed bike lock portions around bike components and secure the locking mechanism, leading to improperly-secured bike components and perhaps even injury where sharp drivetrain edges are exposed. 
         [0005]    Because bike locks are often made from dense materials or incorporate coils or links of stiff, strong steel alloys, transporting the locks themselves may be problematic. Bike locks may not be easily stowable on the bike itself and too bulky and/or heavy to be carried on the user&#39;s person. 
         [0006]    Certain examples in the prior art help illustrate common limitations. U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,831 discloses a Bicycle Cover with Lock Holes. This reference describes simply a four-portioned weatherproof covering for an entire bicycle. The covering is threaded with drawstring-type features to tightly enclose the covered bicycle when in use. The covering is provided with holes such that a locking means can be placed through the covering to secure the covered bicycle to an external immovable object. This reference does not describe any means by which the lock is self-contained or stowed. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,382 discloses a Bicycle Accessory for Carrying a Shackle. This reference is, at its most basic, a bicycle-attaching bracket with grooves which accept a coiled cable (i.e., “shackle”) and lock. The bracket is attached to the tubular bike frame via a clamp and secures the coiled cable/shackle between either clip-closed grooved jaws or one grooved lower jaw and elastic band. This reference does not describe a portion that may be used to cover the bike&#39;s seat or any illuminating means from which the user may benefit in low-light conditions. Further, this reference fails to describe how the invention may be removed by the user for transport. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,464 discloses a Bicycle Lock with Storable Reel Cable. This is pertinent mostly as prototypical example of a retractable cable lock container. The &#39;464 patent describes a cable housing around a tubular journal (accepting a part of the bicycle&#39;s frame) in which the cable is wound with the aid of a coil spring. The cable&#39;s ends feature a key or rotary lock to secure each other when the cable is deployed from the housing and in-use. This reference does not disclose any cover, for the bicycle&#39;s seat or otherwise, nor does it disclose any illuminating means for low-light conditions. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,288 discloses a Bicycle Cover. This reference describes a weatherproof protective covering that, when deployed, generally covers the bike&#39;s seat and handlebars. This reference incorporates an elastic member to allow for a tight fit around the bike&#39;s components as well as a securing strap locking the cover in place. This reference also describes a self-storage means by which the cover, when stowed, packs into itself with a zipper. This reference does not describe any illuminating means, self-stowage ability, or novel approach to defeating destructive theft threats. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,225,956 discloses a Rubber Locking Device for Bicycle Seat Bag. This reference generally discloses a means to secure a bike-transportable container under the bike seat. This reference describes a set of fasteners, spacers, and strips which engage the “U-frame” underneath the bike seat to secure the “seat bag.” This reference does not describe any cover, cable-type portion, cable locking means, or illuminating means. 
         [0011]    A review of the prior art reveals that existing bike lock technology is not designed in any fashion comprehensive of security threats and portability considerations. While no bike lock or other security feature will be invincible, an object to any such system is to at least make the user&#39;s bike a less vulnerable target than other bikes in the vicinity, particularly in urban environments. 
         [0012]    Generally, the present invention&#39;s innovations, as the Detailed Description will elaborate, address the shortcomings of the prior art without sacrificing the configuration requirements necessary to ensure the invention&#39;s universal compatibility. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The present invention is a bike lock comprising a lock body adapted to fit over a bike seat or other bike component. A plurality of arm members extends from the lock body to intertwine the bike frame and components. The arm members are secured together in tension, maintaining the lock body in a secured position over the bike seat. The lock body and arm members are made from shear and abrasion-resistant materials to prevent most security threats. The bike lock provides its bike with substantial theft protection for the bike itself and its components. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The accompanying figures and drawings, incorporated into and forming part of the specification, service to further illustrate the present invention, its various principles and advantages, and its varying embodiments: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1A  illustrates an un-deployed bike lock. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1B  illustrates a second embodiment of an un-deployed bike lock. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  illustrates a bike lock deployed onto a bike. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a partially self-stowed bike lock. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3B  illustrates a self-stowed bike lock. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3C  illustrates a second embodiment of a partially self-stowed bike lock. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4A  illustrates an enlarged view of a bike lock arm member end. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4B  illustrates a cross sectional view of a bike lock arm member end. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of a bike lock deployed onto a bike. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    Provided is a novel bike lock. The bike lock comprises first a lock body that has a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion has a first and second fastening edge, each located opposite the other along the perimeter of top portion. Fasteners are disposed onto the fastening edges. Arm members extend through journals on the bottom portion. Each arm member has at least two arm member ends, each arm member end having at least one locking surface. The locking surfaces may be hole-bearing (e.g., a grommet) to which a shackle may be adaptively inserted or pin-bearing, for insertion into a locking receptacle. A locking element secures the locking surfaces together. 
         [0025]      FIG. 1A  illustrates an exemplary bike lock. A lock body  100  is shown having two journals  107  on the lock body bottom surface  106 . An arm member  113  extends through journals  107  terminating in two arm member ends  114 . A grommet locking surface  116  is disposed on each arm member end  114 . A first fastening means  103  provides hook fasteners  110  and second fastening means  105  provides look fasteners  111 . A loop  129  is disposed onto one arm member end and a self-powered light emitting diode (“LED”) light source is attached to the loop  129 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 1B  illustrates a second embodiment of a bike lock. A top surface  101  of a lock body  100  has a first side  102  and a second side  104 . The first side  102  is provided with a first fastening means  103 . The second side  104  is provided with a second fastening means  105 . Two arm members  113  are provided each ending in two arm member ends  114 . One arm member end  114  of each arm member  113  is provided with a pin locking surface  117 . The other arm member end  114  of each arm member  113  is provided with a pin lock  123 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  illustrate an exemplary deployment of a bike lock. The lock body  100  is placed on a bike seat  124 . Two arm members  113  descend from the lock body and are interwoven with the bike frame surfaces  121  and against a bike rack  125 . The arm member ends  114  are collected and a shackle-bearing lock  122  secures the arm member ends  114  through grommets  116  disposed thereon. 
         [0028]      FIG. 3A  illustrates an exemplary bike lock in the process of being self-stowed. Two arm members  113  are collapsed within a folding lock body  100 . Grommets are disposed on the arm member ends  114  and collected substantially within the perimeter of the lock body lower surface  106 . Snaps  109  are disposed onto the first fastening means  103  and second fastening means  105 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 3B  illustrates an exemplary bike lock in a self-stowed configuration. Two arm members  113  are collapsed within a folded lock body  100 . Grommets  116  are disposed on the arm member ends  114  and kept substantially within the perimeter of the lock body lower surface  106 . A first fastening means is disposed on a first side  102  of the lock body top surface  101 . Snaps  109  secure the first fastening means  103  to a second fastening means  105 , keeping the lock body folded around and securing the arm members  113  and arm member ends  114 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 3C  illustrates an alternate embodiment of a self-stowed bike lock. A lock body  100  is substantially folded over an arm member  113 . A zipper first fastening means  103  is disposed along the perimeter of a first side  102  of the lock body top surface  101 . A zipper second fastening means  105  is disposed along the perimeter of a second side  104  of the top surface  101 . A slider  112  is disposed onto the perimeter of the lock body top surface  101 . The slider  112  can enclose the arm member  113  and arm member end  114  within the folded lock body  100 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 4A  illustrates an exemplary arm member end. A grommet  116  is disposed onto the arm member end  114  proximate to a glow-in-the-dark lighting element  126 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 4B  is a cross sectional view of the arm member end of  FIG. 4A . A steel cable  118  is disposed within a water impermeable layer  119 . A woven textile fiber jacket  120  envelopes the water impermeable layer  119  and steel cable  118  disposed therein. A grommet  116  perforates the woven textile fiber jacket  120  and allows a shackle to connect the arm member end  114  to another arm member end. 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary bike lock deployed onto a bike. A lock body  100  is placed onto a bike seat  124 . Two arm members  113  descend from the lock body  100 . The bike  115  is leaned against a tree  128 . The arm members  113  are intertwined around the bike surfaces  121 . The arm members each have an arm member end  114  terminating in a pin  117  and another arm member end  114  terminating in a pin lock  123 . The pins  117  and engaged to the pink lock  123 , securing the arm member ends  114  together and preventing the separation of bike components or the bike  115  itself from the tree  128 . 
         [0034]    A water impermeable (e.g., polymer) layer ensheaths the steel cable to prevent environmental moisture from compromising the steel cable. A woven textile fiber jacket surrounds the outer surface of the water impermeable layer to resist abrasion. Recycled fire hoses, polymer cable, metal fabric, or other durable materials which are flexible though abrasion-resistant may be used in the jacket. 
         [0035]    The lighting elements disposed onto the arm member ends and proximate to the locking surfaces enable the bike lock user to use the bike lock in low light conditions. The lighting elements may be battery powered light emitting diodes (LED), photoluminescent material. 
         [0036]    Fastening means may include snaps, zippers, or other removably-securable means such that the user can collapse the lock body around the arm members as the arm members themselves are collapsed. The locking element may be a standard key lock, combination lock, pin lock, or a shackle-bearing implement adapted to secure the locking surfaces together. 
         [0037]    When in use, the lock body is first placed onto a bike&#39;s seat or other bike component. The arm members are successively intertwined through the bike&#39;s components. The arm member ends are placed together and the locking elements secure the locking surfaces together. The arm members are kept in tension, forcing the lock body onto the bike seat. The lighting elements facilitate the user with engaging the bike components with the lock body and arm members. The bike lock&#39;s cable woven textile fiber jacket resists shear force and the internal cable resists saw-type threats. The bike lock may be used to render a bike inoperable alone, or along with a bike rack or stationary object against which the bike lock may secure the bike and its components. 
         [0038]    When the user desires to utilize the bike, the locking element is disengaged from the locking surfaces. The arm members are disengaged from the bike frame and components. The lock body is removed from the bike seat and the arm members are collapsed under the bottom portion of the lock body. The fasteners are used to self-securely collapse the lock body around and enclose the collapsed arm members, resulting in a self-contained bike lock package. 
         [0039]    While the bike lock invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, various modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Technology Category: 7