GB2239117A

GB2239117A - Bicycle anti-theft device

Info

Publication number: GB2239117A
Application number: GB9026260A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Flatley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-12-08
Filing date: 1990-12-03
Publication date: 1991-06-19
Also published as: GB8927838D0; GB9026260D0

Abstract

The anti-theft device is adapted for connection with the frame of a bicycle and comprises a control box, an electrically conducting cord 21 extensible therefrom against the action of resilient recoil means 24 to connect with a socket 14 to complete an electrical circuit, and means adapted to give a warning signal if said circuit is broken without the device having first been disarmed. A bracket 28 and associated screws 29, 30 for connecting the device to the bicycle frame also forms part of the electrical circuit. Separate batteries 25, 27 may be provided and are preferably recharged from a dynamo. <IMAGE>

Description

BICYCLE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE This- invention relates to anti-theft devices.

The incidence of bicycle thefts has increased dramatically in recent times. Unfortunately the potential for such thefts is likely to increase still further as more people recognise the exercise benefits that cycling can provide, and as more people recognise the environmental benefits accruing from using bicycles as a mode of transport, particularly within cities and large towns.

Many bicycles, in particular the high-tech variety such as "Mountain Bikes" and elaborate racing cycles, are very costly.

Many bicycle anti-theft devices are known, and include U shaped tubes further comprising a lockable cross member which are made from super hard alloys and which can, if long enough, serve to attach the bicycle to a fixed structure.

This form of anti theft device, whilst relatively effective, is heavy, especially in comparison with the alloys in which many quality cycles are now fabricated. Anti-theft devices which comprise a flexible light chain, to which a lock can be attached, suffer from the disadvantage of being relatively easy to cut through.

The present invention provides a bicycle anti-theft device largely free of the problems characterising prior anti-theft devices, and which additionally draws the activities of the would-be cycle thief to the attention of those in his vicinity.

According to the present invention there is provided an anti-theft device adapted for connection with the frame of a bicycle, comprising a control box, an electrically conducting cord extensible therefrom against the action of resilient recoil means to connect with a socket to complete an electrical circuit, and means adapted to give a warning signal if said circuit is broken without the device having first been disarmed.

The circuit may include a bracket member which is adapted to secure the control box to the frame of the bicycle.

Said means adapted to give a warning signal may be a siren.

The circuit may include a self latching relay or similar device to ensure that the means giving the warning signal remains operative notwithstanding re-establishment of the circuit without the device being disarmed.

The device may be armed and disarmed by means of a key insertable into and removable from a lock or by input of a code number through a numeric key-pad, or by any other suitable known means.

The electrical circuit may be maintained from, and the siren powered by battery means rechargeable from a dynamo arrangement driven by the bicycle so as to reduce the possibility that said siren will fail to operate.

The invention will be further apparent from the following description, with reference to the several figures of the accompanying drawing, which show, by way of example only, one form of bicycle anti-theft device embodying the invention.

Of the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device; and Figure 2 is a diagram of the electrical circuit of the device.

Referring to Figure 1, it will be seen that the device includes a control box 10 adapted to be secured to the bicycle in which are mounted a key operable ganged two-pole switch lla, lib and latching switch llc, an electrically energisable siren 12 and a single pin socket 14.

An electrically conducting cord 21 having a single pin plug 23 on its free end is extendible from resilient recoil means 24 to enable the plug 23 to be engaged with the socket 14 to complete a circuit is provided. The cord 21 is long enough to be passed around a suitable fixed structure such as a lamp post or drain pipe adjacent the position where the cycle is located, or through the spokes of a wheel of the bicycle itself, should no suitable fixed structure be to hand.

Referring now to Figure 2, it will be seen that the siren 12 is in series with a battery 25 the upper and central movable contacts of a self-latching relay 26 and the pole 11a of the switch.

The other pole of the switch llb, the central movable and lower contacts of the relay 26, the relay coil, a second battery 27 the socket 14, cord 21 (when plug 23 is engaged with socket 14) and a bracket member 28 for securing the box 10 to the bicycle frame via its connecting screws 29 and 30 are connected in series.

The device is armed and disarmed by operating the key operable switch.

In a first, off or disarmed position and from which the key may be withdrawn, lla, llb and 11c are all open. In a second position to which the key may be turned and removed 11c is closed momentarily and re-opened and 11a and 11b are closed to arm the device.

In the disarmed condition, the central movable contact of the relay is urged mechanically to connect with the upper contact of the relay. When the device is armed, the central movable contact of the relay is urged to connect with the lower contact of the relay. Should the circuit including the relay coil be broken as by removing the plug 23 from the socket 14, or by cutting the cord 21 or removing one of the screws 29, without first disarming the device, the central movable contact of the relay is released to connect with the upper contact of the relay, and the siren 12 will sound as a consequence.

Restoration of the circuit will not deactivate the siren 12. The switch 11 must be operated with the key to disarm the device and deactivate the siren 12 once it has been activated.

It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention to the above only, many variations, such as might readily occur to one skilled in the art, being possible, without departing from the scope thereof.

Claims

1. An anti-theft device adapted for connection with the frame of a bicycle comprising a control box, an electrically conducting cord extensible therefrom against the action of resilient recoil means to connect with a socket to complete an electrical circuit, and means adapted to give a warning signal if said circuit is broken without the device having first been disarmed.

2. An anti-theft device according to claim 1, in which the electrical circuit includes a bracket member which is adapted to secure the control box to the frame of the bicycle.

3. An anti-theft device according to claim 2, in which the electrical circuit is completed through the bracket by its securing screws.

4. An anti-theft device according to any preceding claim, in which the means adapted to give a warning signal is a siren.

5. An anti-theft device according to any preceding claim, in which the electrical circuit includes a self latching relay.

6. An anti-theft device according to any preceding claim, in which the device is armed and disarmed by means of a key insertableinto and removable from a lock.

7. An anti-theft device according to any one of claims 1-5, in which the device is armed and disarmed by means of input of a code number through a numeric key-pad.

8. An anti-theft device according to claim 5, in which the electrical circuit and the means for giving a warning signal are powered by separate battery means.

9. An anti-theft device according to claim 10, in which the battery means are rechargeable from a dynamo arrangement driven by the bicycle.