US 2011/0209508 A1Published application

Public Facility Bicycle Lock

AssigneeAndersen Holdings, LLC

InventorJacob Silas Lee Andersen

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Abstract

A bicycle lock device for public use is disclosed. The device is comprised of an enclosure, a retractable reel with a retractable cable, a lock/unlock device having a first member attached to the cable free end, and a second member secured in the enclosure, and a lock control device. The user accesses the device by inserting a payment such as a coin or credit card in a user interface of the device. If the payment is accepted, the user then enters a user-specified key code in a keypad on the lock control device. The lock control device unlocks the lock/unlock device. The retractable cable may then be extended. The user weaves the cable through the bicycle components and then enters the cable free end into the lock/unlock device, thereby locking the lock/unlock device and securing the bicycle. When the user later enters the key-code, the device unlocks the cable.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A bicycle locking system comprising:

an enclosure, the enclosure having an interior and an exterior;
a lock/unlock assembly having a first lock/unlock member and a second lock/unlock member,
wherein the second lock/unlock member is attached to the interior of the enclosure, and
wherein the first lock/unlock member and the second lock/unlock member having a locked mode that locks the first lock/unlock member to the second lock/unlock member, and an unlocked mode that unlocks the first lock/unlock member from the second lock/unlock member, and
wherein the first member of the lock/unlock assembly includes a notch, and the second member of the lock/unlock assembly comprises a linear actuator and a locking mechanism that includes two protruding portions, the linear actuator configured to linearly slide the protruding portions in the same direction toward the notch, the locking mechanism engaging the notch by linearly sliding protruding portions of the locking mechanism in the same direction to engage the first member within the notch, and
a retractable reel, the retractable reel having a retractable cable with a free end,
wherein the retractable reel is rotationally attached to the interior of the enclosure, and
wherein the free end is attached to the first lock/unlock member, and
wherein the cable passing through a hole located on the enclosure such that the free end may be extended exterior to the enclosure a first distance and additionally the free end may be retracted exterior to the enclosure to a second distance, and
wherein the retractable reel having a means for extending the cable the first distance, and
wherein the retractable reel having a means for retracting the cable to the second distance;
and
a lock control assembly, wherein the lock control assembly enables a user to unlock the lock/unlock assembly, and such that the lock/ unlock assembly enables a user to lock the lock/unlock assembly.

10 more elements

A locking system comprising:

an enclosure, the enclosure having an interior and an exterior;
a lock/unlock assembly having a first lock/unlock member and a second lock/unlock member,
wherein the second lock/unlock member is attached to the interior of the enclosure,
wherein the first lock/unlock member and the second lock/unlock member having a locked mode that locks the first lock/unlock member to the second lock/unlock member, and an unlocked mode that unlocks the first lock/unlock member from the second lock/unlock member,
wherein the first member of the lock/unlock assembly includes a notch, and the second member of the lock/unlock assembly comprises a linear actuator and a locking mechanism that includes two protruding portions, the linear actuator configured to linearly slide the protruding portions in the same direction toward the notch, the locking mechanism engaging the notch by linearly sliding protruding portions of the locking mechanism in the same direction to engage the first member within the notch, and
a retractable reel, the retractable reel having a retractable cable with a free end,
wherein the retractable reel is rotationally attached to the interior of the enclosure,
wherein the free end is attached to the first lock/unlock member,
wherein the cable passing through a first passage located on a first surface of the enclosure such that the free end may be extended exterior to the enclosure a first distance and additionally the free end may be retracted exterior to the enclosure to a second distance,
wherein the first lock/unlock member may engage the second lock/unlock member through a second passage located on a second surface of the enclosure, wherein the first surface of the enclosure is different from the second surface of the enclosure;
and
a lock control assembly, wherein the lock control assembly enables a user to unlock the lock/unlock assembly, and such that the lock/unlock assembly enables a user to lock the lock/unlock assembly.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 12/713,975Filed 26 Feb 2010
Published: 1 Sep 2011
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification17 codes

G07B 15/00
Arrangements or apparatus for collecting fares, tolls or entrance fees at one
B62H 3/04
Separate supports or holders for parking or storing cycles: involving forked supports of brackets for holding a wheel
B62H 5/003
Appliances preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of cycles; Locks integral with cycles: using chains or cables
G07F 7/08
Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus:…