US4284290A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bicycle lock
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-09-14
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Granted: 1981-08-18
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Expires: 1999-09-14
Abstract
Abstract A lock for a bicycle wherein a locking cable is stored in an upwardly extending frame tube of the bicycle. A weight on the cable within the frame tube has a triple function, in that: it prevents the cable from being pulled completely out of the frame tube when the bicycle is being locked; it pulls the cable back into the frame tube when not in use; and, it jams the pedal crank shaft against operation in the event a thief should cut the cable when the bicycle is locked.
Inventors
- 👤 Fred L. Ragsdale
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 08:31
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62H; B62H5/00; B62H5/08; B62H5/10; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/50; Y10T70/5872; Y10T70/5885
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
In a bicycle having an upwardly extending frame tube, the improvement comprising: means forming an opening at the upper end of said frame tube from the interior thereof to the exterior thereof, an elongated flexible cable extending through said opening and having a first end disposed within said frame tube and a second end disposed outside of said frame tube, said cable having a predetermined amount of weight, means comprising first stop means on said cable within said tube for limiting the amount of said cable that can be pulled out from within said frame tube, and further comprising bias means for pulling said first end of said cable through said frame tube in a direction to pull said cable into said frame tube and with a force greater than the weight of said cable outside of said frame tube when said cable has been pulled out from said frame tube to the extent permitted by said first stop means, second stop means on said cable outside of said frame tube for limiting the amount of said cable that can be pulled into said frame tube, attachment means at said second end of said cable for attachment of a lock thereto.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
In a bicycle having an upwardly extending frame tube, the improvement comprising: means forming an opening at the upper end of said frame tube from the interior thereof to the exterior thereof, an elongated flexible cable extending through said opening and having a first end disposed within said frame tube and a second end disposed outside of said frame tube, said cable having a predetermined amount of weight, means comprising first stop means on said cable within said tube for limiting the amount of said cable that can be pulled out from within said frame tube, and further comprising bias means for pulling said first end of said cable through said frame tube in a direction to pull said cable into said frame tube and with a force greater than the weight of said cable outside of said frame tube when said cable has been pulled out from said frame tube to the extent permitted by said first stop means, second stop means on said cable outside of said frame tube for limiting the amount of said cable that can be pulled into said frame tube, attachment means at said second end of said cable for attachment of a lock thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The improvement as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bias means comprises a weight secured to said first end of said cable, said weight having a mass which is relatively high as compared to the mass of said cable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
173 words
In a bicycle according to claim 1, wherein said bicycle has a pedal crank housing and a horizontal pedal crank shaft extending through said housing, there being a space between said pedal crank shaft and said pedal crank housing, wherein said frame tube extends upwardly from said pedal crank housing and wherein said frame tube opens at the lower end thereof into the space between said pedal crank shaft and said pedal crank housing, the improvement further comprising: said means comprising said first stop means and said bias means further comprising jamming means secured to said first end of said cable and movable through said frame tube and into said pedal crank housing for jamming between said pedal crank shaft and said pedal crank housing upon descent of said jamming means into said pedal crank housing, said cable having a length such that said jamming means is positioned above said pedal crank shaft where said second stop means has limited the amount of said cable that can be pulled into said frame tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
The improvement as set forth in claim 3, wherein said bias means comprises a weight secured to said first end of said cable and said jamming means comprises the outer surface of said weight, said outer surface being tapered to enter between said pedal crank shaft and said pedal crank housing and to then jam between said pedal crank shaft and pedal crank housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improvement as set forth in claim 4, wherein said weight and outer surface thereof is lead.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
In a bicycle according to claim 3 wherein said bicycle has a seat and a seat support tube, said seat support tube being telescoped into the upper end of said frame tube, the improvement further comprising that said means forming an opening forms said opening laterally through at least one of said tubes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
81 words
In a bicycle according to claim 3 wherein said bicycle has a seat and a seat support tube, said seat support tube being telescoped into the upper end of said frame tube, the improvement further comprising that said means forming an opening forms an opening laterally through the upper end of said frame tube and an elongated lengthwise slot laterally through said seat support tube, said frame tube opening and said seat support tube slot being in registration with each other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
The improvement as set forth in claim 7, wherein said bias means comprises a weight secured to said first end of said cable and said jamming means comprises the outer surface of said weight, said outer surface being tapered to enter between said pedal crank shaft and said pedal crank and then to jam between said pedal crank shaft and pedal crank housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improvement as set forth in claim 8, wherein said weight and outer surface thereof is lead.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The improvement as set forth in claim 9 and further including a bracket secured to said seat support tube, said bracket having an opening therethrough for receiving the shackle of a lock.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3910602A
Cited
US4007614A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-08-17 | 1985-02-16 | 1985-08-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-08-17 | 1989-02-16 | 1989-08-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-08-17 | 1993-02-16 | 1993-08-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |