Planetary gear transmission systems or components – With means to vary drive ratio or disconnect drive – Plural drive ratios other than unity
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-18
2001-04-10
Estremsky, Sherry (Department: 3681)
Planetary gear transmission systems or components
With means to vary drive ratio or disconnect drive
Plural drive ratios other than unity
C070S233000, C340S427000, C340S432000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06213910
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to bicycle accessories and, more particularly, to an antitheft control device for a bicycle.
Bicycles, particularly recreational bicycles referred to as city cruisers, are inexpensive and are easy to ride, and are thus widely used to commute to work or school. This type of recreational bicycle is sometimes equipped with an internal gear shifter to ride at high speeds over flat terrain or to ride uphill with minimal exertion. Such internal gear shifters commonly use planet reduction mechanisms, which are compactly housed in the wheel hub.
Unfortunately, such recreational bicycles are often stolen from bike stands or the like in front of train stations, not out of any particular ill will, but as a kind of “quick borrow.” Bicycles which are obviously equipped with internal gear shifters are a particular target of such thefts. To prevent this type of theft, bicycle locks such as box-shaped locks and horseshoe-shaped locks are attached to the front or back fork to lock the wheel. However, the simple structure of bicycle locks makes them easy to unlock and remove. Two bicycle locks are thus sometimes attached to the front and back forks. For example, a box-shaped lock is attached to the front fork, and a horseshoe-shaped lock or chain lock is attached to the back fork. When two bicycle locks are used, there is less of a probability of theft because it is more trouble for a potential thief to unlock and take off two locks than just one. On the other hand, it is a nuisance for the owner to lock and unlock them. Similarly, when a rider is in a hurry, it is a burden to lock two locks. And even when two locks are used, bicycles can still be pedaled away and stolen by unlocking and taking off the locks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an antitheft device for a bicycle wherein the antitheft device can be easily activated or deactivated by the owner while also being very difficult for a thief to defeat. In one embodiment of the present invention, a bicycle antitheft device includes an antitheft mechanism switchable between an antitheft state and a release state, wherein the antitheft mechanism includes a first member that moves relative to a second member to move the bicycle forward and backward. A movement controlling mechanism hinders the first member from moving relative to the second member when the antitheft mechanism is in the antitheft state, and a selection mechanism is provided for selecting one of the antitheft state and the release state. Alternatively, the antitheft mechanism may include a sound generator for generating a sound when the first member moves relative to the second member and the antitheft mechanism is in the antitheft state. Furthermore, if desired, the movement controlling mechanism and the sound generator may be combined into a single antitheft mechanism. The movement controlling mechanism and/or sound generator may be installed inside of an internal transmission such as a hub or crank transmission, or they could be installed inside a handlebar control for the transmission.
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Kishimoto Hitoshi
Matsuo Nobuyuki
Ookouchi Hiroyuki
Yamane Takuro
Deland James A.
Estremsky Sherry
Shimano Inc.
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