Special receptacle or package – For a vehicle
Patent
1998-09-08
2000-05-30
Fidei, David T.
Special receptacle or package
For a vehicle
B65D 8568
Patent
active
060681209
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The instant invention relates generally to structures for storing and protecting small vehicles, such as bicycles, motorcycles, snowmobiles, personal watercraft (such as Jet Skis), all-terrain vehicles and the like. More specifically, the instant invention provides protection from the environment, theft and vandalism and is a durable, versatile, economical solution to problems encountered in small vehicle storage.
As municipalities, transit authorities and others are confronted with increasing auto congestion, they are being forced to explore alternative modes of transportation, both voluntarily and by government mandate. Various states and municipalities have enacted legislation providing tax incentives encouraging investment in or mandating measures to increase transportation alternatives.
One alternative means of transportation is the use of bicycles. However, people that commute by bicycle encounter a number of problems, including where to store the bicycle and how to protect it from the elements. In addition, bicycles are targets for theft of both the bicycle itself or it components, and vandalism. Providing adequate bicycle storage and security is an important way of encouraging alternative transportation.
2. Description of the Related Art
Prior to this invention there existed no satisfactory protection for bicycles for use in public areas. Conventional bicycle locks leave the bicycle exposed to the elements and do not stop stripping of components such as seats, saddle bags, pumps, etc. In sophisticated bicycles, some mechanical components of the bicycle are worth hundreds of dollars and are the targets of thieves. In addition, a conventional bicycle lock will not stop a determined thief, especially if the bicycle is left unattended for a long period of time.
Devices which rely on conventional bicycle locks or similar devices and which fail to provide protection from the elements and vandalism are disclosed in the following references: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,278,538 (Ainsworth et al. 1994), 4,433,787 (Cook et al. 1984), 4,379,393 (Schott et al. 1983), 3,989.327 (Candelaria 1976), 3,827,773 (Aiello 1974) and 3,762,569 (Spring 1973).
A device which relies on a conventional bicycle lock to deter theft is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,080,020 to Candelaria (1978). In its alternative embodiment Candelaria provides a cover element to provide further protection from theft and the elements. However, the cover in Candelaria protects only the top half of the bicycle, leaving at least the bottom half exposed to the elements. Further, the bicycle remains susceptible to vandalism and theft of components.
Various shipping containers for bicycles are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,991,715 (Williams 1991), 4,792,039 (Dayton 1988) and 4,378,883 (Profeta 1983), but these devices are limited to transporting bicycles. These devices do not address the requirements of bicycle commuters or those which need storage for only a short period, such as shoppers or those on errands, because the devices require the disassembly and subsequent reassembly of the bicycle.
The storage device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,734.272 to Galen (1973) is an indoor storage and shipping container, which fails to address the problems of security in public places because it is not designed for outside use or to be affixed to a specific site.
Protection from the elements is provided by soft bicycle covers such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,282,502 (Ballard 1994), 4,976,389 (McLellan et al. 1990), 4,715,646 (Goffi et al. 1987), 4,356,831 (Adams 1982), 4,009,744 (Joslyn 1977) and 3,968,913 (Weed et al.). However, these devices provide no more protection from theft than conventional bike locks and are not solutions to problems encountered by a community or business seeking to encourage bicycle commuting by providing storage.
The collapsible bicycle storage container assembly disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,352,363 to Wilson (1982) is similar to the soft bicycle covers discussed above, with the inclu
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BikeLid Systems LLC
Fidei David T.
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