An Electric Lock

Abstract

The present invention relates to electric lock.

The electric lock has a housing with a lockable clamp for securing the housing to a cycle that is adapted to receive part of a cycle frame. A tethering connector extends from the housing having first and second ends; the second end of the tethering connector is fixed to the housing and the first end of the tethering connector is secured to the housing by a lock.

An alert means is provided in/on the housing. The tethering connector and the housing define an electrical circuit which is operative to trigger the alert means when the circuit is broken.

Claims

1. An electric lock comprises a housing with a lockable clamp that secures the housing to a frame of a cycle, the housing receives and locks at least one of a first and a second end of a tethering connector, the tethering connector has a conductive portion so that when the two ends are locked with respect to the housing, a circuit is completed which receives electric current from a source; a sensor detects continuity in the circuit; and an alert means is operative under control of a processor to trigger an alarm when an unauthorised break of continuity is detected.

2. The electric lock according to claim 1 wherein the alert means is a visual alarm.

3. The electric lock according to claim 1 wherein the alert means is an audible alarm.

4. The electric lock according to claim 1 wherein the alert means is a haptic device.

5. The electric lock according to claim 1 includes a wireless communication means which is operative to transmit an alert signal to a remote receiver.

6. The electric lock according to claim 1 includes a geo-location means, such as a tracking device.

7. The electric lock according to claim 1 includes at least one imaging means that is initiated to capture images when an unauthorised break of continuity is detected.

8. The electric lock according to claim 1 includes an electronic memory to store data.

9. The electric lock according to claim 1 wherein the current source comprises at least one rechargeable battery.

10. The electric lock according to claim 1 wherein the electric lock includes a transmitter.

11. The electric lock according to claim 10 wherein the electric lock includes a wireless receiver.

12. A remote controller for use with the electric lock according to claim 1.

13. The remote controller according to claim 12 includes a means for attaching the remote controller to a user.

14. The remote controller according to claim 12 includes a button that issues a notification to at last one remote device when pressed.

15. A system includes an electric lock according to claim 1 and a remote controller for use with the electric lock, wherein the remote controller is operative to transmit a signal to the receiver in the lock in order to configure the lock to a user defined status.

16. The system according to claim 15 includes a GPS device which when configured establishes a geo-fenced zone around the location of the lock and an alarm is triggered when the lock is moved outside the geo-fenced region.

17. The system according to claim 15 includes a mobile communication device, such as mobile telephone, tablet or laptop, which is operated in accordance with computer implemented software.

18. The system according to claim 15 includes a personal alarm or security module which is operated in accordance with computer implemented software.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0078] FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention;

[0079] FIG. 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 1;

[0080] FIG. 3 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 1;

[0081] FIG. 4 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 1;

[0082] FIG. 5A shows a diagrammatical overview of an embodiment of the bicycle lock; and

[0083] FIG. 5B shows a diagrammatical overview of a system including the bicycle lock.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0084] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 there is shown one preferred embodiment of the electric lock 99, comprising a tethering connector 2 extending from a housing 4.

[0085] The housing 4 is locked to a cycle by a lockable clamp 3 that is formed integrally with the housing 4 and engages with one or more locks 1 to attach the housing 4 to the cycle. The housing 4 and lockable clamp 3 are shaped to receive a down tube portion of a bicycle frame, preferably the seat stay (shown in FIG. 5B).

[0086] The tethering connector 2 has a first end 2A and a second end 2B (see FIG. 4). The first end 2A has a connector 21 that is received by lock 6. The second end of the tethering connector 2B is fixed to the lock 6 within the housing 4.

[0087] The tethering connector 2 has a conductive portion 12 so that when the two ends 2A, 2B are locked in the housing 4 in lock holes 5 that are in connection with the lock 6. A circuit is completed when both ends 2A, 2B of the tethering connector 2 are received in the lock holes 5. The circuit receives electric current from a source of electricity in the form of a battery 13.

[0088] A sensor (not shown) that is mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) 14 and detects continuity of electric current in the circuit. An alert means is operative to trigger an alarm when an unauthorised break in continuity is detected. The alert means includes a light emitting diode (LED) 11 and a loudspeaker (not shown).

[0089] With particular reference to the embodiment in FIG. 2 there is shown an elongate tubular housing 4, with a clamp 3 at a first end on a first side which allows the housing 4 to wrap around a tube of the cycle. The tethering connector 2 is shown extending from the second, opposed side.

[0090] The housing 4 encases electronic sensors and components which are sealed in the housing to protect them from shock and prevent ingress of water which might damage them.

[0091] The electric lock 99 also includes a location means, in the form of a GPS tracker in addition to the alert means and this when configured under instruction of a microprocessor enables a user to establish a geo-fenced zone or region around the cycle.

[0092] The microprocessor is ideally also mounted on the PCB 14 and oversees and controls components of the electric lock 99 such as the GPS tracker, sensors and the LED 11 alert means.

[0093] The electric lock 99 has a receiver that enables it to be controlled remotely by a remote electronic device such as a smartphone or tablet.

[0094] The microprocessor is ideally operable in accordance with computer implemented software that is stored on and operates with the electronic device such as application specific software (APP) on a smartphone.

[0095] The LEDs 11 are arranged to illuminate from a panel on one second side of the housing so as to illuminate both the tethering connector 2 and an area away from the cycle.

[0096] The electric lock 99 may be provided with one or more rubber clamp inserts 41 to enable the housing 4 to clamp to a range of seats or cycle tube sizes, to prevent damage and to prevent slippage of the lock.

[0097] The lockable clamp 3 includes a U-shaped lock member 42 which clips into a seat provided in the housing 4. The U-shaped member 42 is received by the lock 1 so as to be fixed to the cycle. The U-shaped member and lock 1 can be separated by a key that is inserted into a keyhole 10 to rear of the housing 4.

[0098] The rear of the housing (first side) has a vertical channel 40 in which the down tube of the cycle sits and wherein the clamp insert 41 is located. In use the lock 1 and keyhole 10 are mounted on the opposed side of the down tube.

[0099] It is appreciated that the same key, or a different key, may operate each lock that secures ends of the tether or the lockable clamp 1 that clamps the housing 4 to the down tube and the lock mechanism 6 for securing the cycle to a structure.

[0100] For enhanced security, different keys, codes or other authentication may be used for each lock.

[0101] The conductive material in the connector is ideally an internal copper or steel element 12 that forms part of the continuity circuit. The sensor senses when the circuit is broken or is being tampered with. The conductive material is wrapped in a smooth non-conductive polyester material or sleeve. The, or each, end of the tethering connector 2 has a steel terminal 21 for engagement with the lock 6 which locks each end of the tethering connector to the housing 4.

[0102] Lockable fastening bolts or other connector retain the housing together. These are positioned so they are only accessible when not mounted on the cycle. In this way the housing cannot be removed by disassembling the housing.

[0103] Inside the housing has a rechargeable battery 13 that is preferably a lithium-Ion battery which may be charged via a micro USB port 9 on the rear (first side) of the housing 4.

[0104] A loudspeaker (not shown) is included in the housing to provide an audible alert means which would be able to sound an alarm if the circuit is broken whilst the electric lock is armed. It may be envisaged that this could also give other noise alerts such as when it becomes locked or unlocked.

[0105] In the pictured embodiment Red, Green, Blue (RGB) LEDs 11 are enclosed by a translucent panel 7 on the housing 4 and are arranged to flash when the lock 99 is tampered with. The microprocessor may be programmed so that the LEDs 11 give various visual cues.

[0106] In some embodiments the electric lock 99 forms part of an alarm system that includes a personal alarm which may be mounted on or carried by the user.

[0107] The personal alarm may have a plurality of buttons, to include having a button interface. Each button may have its own function. In use a user may press button, press and hold a button or press one or more buttons sequentially to perform different functions to include, but are not limited to: sending as signal to the electric lock to sound an alarm on the electric lock; sending a command signal to the electric lock to transmit its GPS location; and sending a signal that activates/deactivates the theft detection system on the lock.

[0108] One preferred method of operation of the alarm system is now described.

[0109] In use the user performs the following: [0110] 1—Secures the electric lock to the cycle by the lockable clamp, using an appropriate clamp seat tube insert and the lock. [0111] 2—Once at cycle parking location, deploys the tethering connector and wraps this around the cycle and an object in an effective manner. [0112] 3—Secures a free end of the tethering connector through a lock hole so that the free end engages with the lock within the housing to form a closed circuit which may be indicated by a visual and/or audible confirmation signal. [0113] 4—Logs into a smartphone APP and uses this to activate the electric lock in order to configure it into an armed status so that the alert means is active and so that an alert means is triggered if the circuit is broken. [0114] 5—When use of the cycle is required, the user disarms the lock either directly or by using the APP which then also disarms the alert means. [0115] 6—The tethering connector is then unlocked so that the cycle is able to be used.

[0116] Referring now to FIG. 5A which shows a diagrammatical overview of another embodiment of the bicycle lock 2020. The housing 2020 has recesses 210A and 210B each for receiving a connector (not shown) at each end of the tether. A lock 212 is depicted which engages with the ends in order to lock them to the housing 2020. Located in the recesses 210A and 210B are contacts 220 and 222 respectively. The contacts 220 and 222 are connected to a continuity sensor 230 and a battery 240. When both the connectors are inserted into the into the recesses 210A and 210B a circuit is made, as described above, which is sensed by the sensor 230 and communicated to a controller in microprocessor 250.

[0117] When the microprocessor 250 is switched to alert mode any disruption in current flowing in the continuity circuit is detected and a signal is sent to the microprocessor 250. Upon verifying that the disruption in current flow (or current level) occurs as a consequence of an attempt to steal the cycle, the microprocessor 250 sends an alert signal to one or more alert means which are then activated.

[0118] One of the alert means is an audio output device, such as loudspeaker 260. Another alert means is a light source, such as a light emitting diode or LED 270.

[0119] A further alert means is optionally relayed to a wireless transmitter 280 for transmission to a remote device, such as the aforementioned personal alarm or a mobile communication device, such as a smartphone (as shown in FIG. 5B).

[0120] FIG. 5B shows a diagrammatical overview of a system including a bicycle 444 with a lock housing 2020 fitted to its downtube 50. The bicycle 44 is tethered to a lamppost 500 by way of tether 555. In this embodiment two ends 333 and 334 of the tether 555 both are separate from the housing and are both locked therein by way of a secure connection.

[0121] A Bluetooth® transceiver 300 receives commands from microprocessor 250 or other device. Battery 24 is shown connected to audio device 260. A hand-held remote device 200 shows a display on which options are represented as a user defined menu. The handheld device 200 has a Bluetooth® transceiver to send and receive signals to/from the lock.

[0122] The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims.