Method and arrangement for locking bicycles, in particular during transport

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for secure fastening of bicycles, in particular in the transport thereof with motor vehicles or trailers of all types. However, it can also be used as a reliable anti-theft device in the parked bicycles.

The bicycles are secured today with different devices on and on motor vehicles, but also on trailers. In by far the most common applications, the bicycles are fixed on one point of its frame by a mechanical device. With the development of ever more exclusive bikes the variety of frame and whose cross-sectional shapes impossible to use a single fixture. Furthermore the ever thinner walls of the frame tubes are also more sensitive to any kind of clamping forces.

A common method is also securing the bicycles with straps, belts or straps. This rather time-consuming nature requires that the user often also have some knowledge of how and where the straps must be attached.

The object was thus to develop a transport device, which can accommodate the whole variety of bicycles reliably and without matching or retrofitting. Further was required that the device can be operated quickly and safely with no prior knowledge of each user.

The object could be achieved with the method described in the patent claims and the derived devices. The approach is based on the fact that each bike (4a) and two extremely stable cranks (4b) has two pedals. In the following these elements as an active pedal mechanism (4) are referred to. If the latter on both sides to a suitable support and blocks, unnecessary, except for a simple management of the two wheels, each additional fixing of the bicycle.

The various dimensions and models of bicycles are only small differences in the size of the active pedal mechanism (4) and capable of the fulcrum (4c). The invention described with reference to the drawings invention utilizes these advantages for a simple and reliable practical application. Show it:<dl id="dl0001"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>Principle of fixing in a schematic representation with an oblique or even vertical mounting position of the bicycle</dd><dt>FIG. 2</dt><dd>Principle of fixing in a schematic view in a horizontal or nearly horizontal installation position of the bicycle</dd><dt>Fig. 3</dt><dd>Embodiment for mounting in almost vertical mounting position</dd><dt>Fig. 4</dt><dd>Variant to Fig. 3</dd></dl>

Fig. 1 schematically shows the basic method of attachment, in the event that the bicycle (1) is transported at an angle or even vertically. Before attaching the bicycle, the clamping device (12) is pivoted into its open position. The bicycle is lifted by the user and added to the active pedal mechanism (4) on both sides of the support beams (11). Both wheels (2) and (3) are in - no further interest for the invention - guide (10). Already now, the user has both hands free for other handles. With the closing of the pivotable clamping device (12) of the active pedal mechanism (4) is clamped on both sides. The lock (13) prevents particularly when strong vibrations - such as may occur during transport - involuntary opening. With the safety lock (14) shown as an example in Fig. 3, the bicycle can be protected against theft.

Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows the basic method of attachment, in the event that the bicycle is transported horizontally or almost horizontally. The bicycle (1) is on its two wheels (2) and (3) in a - no further interest for the invention - guide (10). Side of this guide is arranged on both sides of the slanted support beams (11). The bike is so placed that its active pedal mechanism (4) is applied on both sides of support beams (11). With the closing of the clamping device (12) of the active pedal mechanism (4) of the bicycle is clamped on both sides. The lock (13) prevents unintentional opening during transport. As described for FIG. 1, the bicycle can be protected against theft with a safety lock (14).

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment, wherein the bicycle (1) is nearly vertically hung and fixed. The bicycle is with two wheels (2) and (3) in a guide (10). The active pedal mechanism (4) lies with the pedals (4a) and / or the pedal cranks (4b) on both sides of the two adjacent support beams (11). The clamping device (12), the latch (13) and if used, the safety lock (14) in this embodiment, the left and right of the bicycle in the same design available. At this point, therefore, is described only in Fig. 3 located at the front side. The mounted in the pivot point (15) pivotable clamping device (12) consists of the rigid part (12a) and the movable part (12b). The rigid part (12a) is hooked with the latch (13) on the support carrier (11) and secured. The movable part (12b) are handled by the spring (12c), the required preload on the pedal mechanism (4) so ​​that the bike is held without play and safely even when shaken of all kinds. With the safety lock (14), the clamping device can be secured against unauthorized opening and thus the bicycle to be protected from theft.

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment variant of Figur3, with the difference that the pivotal movement of one side of the clamping device (121) with the other side (12r) is rigidly coupled. The lock (13) and the anti-theft with a safety lock (14) are thereby required only on one side. In this shown example, the left side of the support carrier (111) and the clamping device (121) is made shorter than the right-hand sides (11R) and (12R). In this case, the user must pay attention though when loading or inserting of the bicycle to the correct orientation of the pedal mechanism (4), but this is the retraction itself easier because it can also be done laterally.