Supports: racks – Article locking – Velocipede type
Reexamination Certificate
2001-01-26
2002-11-26
Stodola, Daniel P. (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Article locking
Velocipede type
C248S551000, C248S303000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06484888
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of storing a bicycle or other two-wheeled vehicle and, more particularly, to conveniently and securely storing such vehicles in a manner that permits their easy positioning for storage and easy removal for use while also providing a deterrence to theft of the bicycle or other two-wheeled vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The bicycle remains an extraordinary useful and important device around the world despite its relative mechanical simplicity. Notwithstanding the undeniable dominance of the automobile as a mode of transportation on American highways, the bicycle continues to provide transportation, entertainment, and exercise for millions of Americans. In many other countries, the bicycle continues to be the primary source of affordable transportation, and in a world growing ever more concerned about the detrimental effect of the automobile on the environment, the bicycle along with public transportation is seen as a socially valuable alternative to the automobile. Moreover, the bicycle is a valuable exercise tool for increasingly health conscious American adults. And, of course, for the foreseeable future, the bicycle will remain a ubiquitous feature of childhood for millions of America's youth.
One persistent problem regarding bicycles, however, concerns their temporary storage. If one desires to use a bicycle frequently, then the bicycle cannot be packed away conveniently in permanent storage, and yet, it can be quite inconvenient simply to prop the bicycle against a wall in cramped garage or in a limited-space apartment or office. In addition to posing temporary storage problems, bicycles also continue to be easy targets for theft. According to national crime statistics, an estimated 5.6 million bicycles are stolen every year (source: NBC Dateline, Sep. 30, 1997). Indeed, the resale market for stolen bicycles is a billion dollar-a-year industry, according to these same statistics. The same risk pertains to many useful devices found in the garage of the average American home, including other lightweight vehicles, such as mopeds and scooters. Such devices, 30 like the bicycle, are valuable because they are relatively compact and mobile, but this is also what makes such devices so vulnerable to a would-be thief going past an open door to a garage where these devices are invariably stored.
Over the years, a number of bicycle storing devices have been proposed in an attempt to provide convenient storage and theft deterrence for a bicycle. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,828,936, issued to Hoenig and titled Bicycle Hanger, describes a vertical, wall-mountable device for holding a two-wheeled bicycle in a vertical position with one bicycle tire held on a narrow hook at the top of the device and the second tire resting within a near-floor level loop along with a third loop on the device to hold a lock and chain. U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,461, issued to Heffley and titled Bicycle Locking Device, describes a device mounted to a wall or other surface and having at its base a support arm attached to a locking arm, both of which can pivot upwardly or remain locked in place in a horizontal position. At the end of the locking arm, a “jaw-like” fastener capable of holding a bicycle crossbar is attached.
The Hoenig device requires a plurality of spaced-apart connections in order to hold an extended curved section flatly against a wall surface along with a back tire loop necessary to provide “vertical stability” to a mounted bicycle hung by its first wheel on a narrow hook; the loop holds the back tire of the bicycle to prevent movement that would cause the front tire to disengage from the narrow hook.
Considerable effort is required for positioning a bicycle so as to mount it for storage using a narrow Hoenig-style hook. In order to position the bicycle tire within the hook, one has to thread the tire over the hook and lift the bicycle frame up high enough so that the portion of the tire rim that is to be positioned within the hook is well above the hook. Having threaded the tire over the hook and lifted up the frame so that the portion of the tire rim that is to be placed within is held above the hook, one must then carefully align the tire so that, as it is lowered, the tire rim comes down exactly within the cradle of the hook. This sequence of movements is cumbersome and time consuming, especially for those of smaller stature such as young children. The process can be quite frustrating: if the tire is not aligned exactly, the tire will miss the hook when the bicycle frame is lowered. If so, the least of one's problems is that the sequence will have to be repeated. At worst, if one is not careful, and if the tire is not caught upon the hook as the bicycle is lowered, the tire and frame can slip out of one's grasp and fall to the ground. This is not only frustrating but could be injurious to any one attempting to place the bicycle for storage or anyone who happens to be nearby. The problem is especially worrisome whenever young bicycle riders or other children are involved.
Heffley also requires one wishing to store a bicycle to lift the entire bicycle vertically upward, because the bicycle must be mounted for storage by placing the crossbar of the bicycle into the vise-like grip positioned at the end of the locking arm extending from a base. But whereas Hoenig provides only a wall mountable device, the base of the Heffley device could be attached, say, to the ceiling of a structure as well as a wall. Like the Hoenig device, however, the Heffley device also requires a plurality of connections to secure the device to the structure.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,702,007, issued to Fritz et al., and titled Rack Especially Adapted For Use With Bicycles, describes an L-shaped rack mounted on a wall and having a centered arcuate well within which a bicycle tire can be supported. U.S. Pat. No. 5,292,009, issued to Smith and simply titled Bicycle Rack, also describes a rack—one which can be mounted to a wall or ceiling surface and which provides a right-angled channel to which a bicycle tire can be attached using separate clips, straps, or pins. U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,715 issued to Brotz and titled Bicycle Stand describes a stand embedded in the ground and having a vise-like gripper for holding the diagonal bar of a bicycle frame.
Like other conventional devices, though, these too provide little in the way of easy mounting of the bicycle to be stored. They are also difficult and cumbersome to install. Both the Smith-style mounting and pinning, as well as the bicycle holding and locking of Fritz et al. can be awkward and difficult, as well as time consuming. Both kinds of devices impose cumbersome constraints, in that each type requires one to hold a bicycle in place while fastening a lock or 20 other fastening member to hold the bicycle from slipping out of position. Also, like a Heffley-type device, Brotz-type device utilizes vise-like grippers that, although, within easy reach, require positioning the crossbar of a bicycle within the saddle of the gripper. With both devices, the gripper cannot be threaded through the spokes of a bicycle to provide other storing positions, such as suspending the stored bicycle on one wheel; the Brotz-type device does not have enough lengthwise extension along the bottom clamp to hold a conventionally sized bicycle rim, whereas the Heffley-type device requires too much lateral extension to thread through the spokes of a conventional bicycle tire.
Additional problems with such conventional devices arise with respect to making, installing, and maintaining the devices. Conventional devices generally involve complex connections of multiple pieces. This increases the complexity and hence the cost of manufacturing such devices. It also adds to the burden of maintaining the devices because there are more pieces that can wear out and require replacement. Installation is also a problem with most of these conventional devices. All require the mounting of a frame to a surface or the encasement of a base in the grou
Bracewell & Patterson LLP
Harris Erica B.
Stodola Daniel P.
LandOfFree
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