US20030110820A1 - Anti-theft apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A wheel includes spokes attaching a rim to a hub. An assembly attaches a frame to the hub. A device is secured to the frame and has an intermediate portion that is capable of being used to encircle a fixed object and being disposed through the spokes preventing rotation of the wheel.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• This invention relates to quick release devices for bicycles and to anti-theft devices for use with quick release devices and to other similar assemblies for removably attaching elements to a frame.[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• Many road and mountain bikes incorporate wheels having hubs that are furnished with quick release assemblies that are useful for quickly attaching and detaching the wheels to and from the bicycle frame. Quick release assemblies are also utilized for seat posts and other removable components of bicycles. Most quick release assemblies incorporate a hand-operated lever that interacts with a cam, securing and releasing, for instance, the hub to and from the fork of a bicycle frame in response to operation of the lever. Because quick release assemblies allow removable components such as wheels to be removed from a bicycle frame very quickly, such removable components, especially wheels, are often stolen. Although skilled artisans have devoted considerable effort toward improving the structure and function of quick release assemblies, relatively little effort has been directed toward quick release assemblies that are designed to resist unwanted and unauthorized operation and to associated anti-theft attachments.[0002]
• Thus, there is a need for a new and improved quick release assembly that is easy to make, easy to use, inexpensive and highly efficient and that incorporates unique features and attachments that prevent theft and unwanted and unauthorized use.[0003]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The above problems and others are at least partially solved and the above purposes and others realized in new and improved preferred embodiments of an invention that relate to devices anti-theft devices for bicycles and other wheeled frameworks. Apparatus of the invention includes an assembly attached to a frame and a device having first and second attachment ends secured to the frame by the assembly and an intermediate portion. The assembly includes a handle having a key and an axle carried by the frame. The axle has opposing first and second ends extending away from the frame. The first end of the axle carries a piston. The piston has a bore. A cam has first and second ends held by a cap for rotation in the bore. One of the first and second ends of the cam has a keyway that is capable of receiving the key. The frame disposed on the axle adjacent the cap and the second end of the axle. In one embodiment, the first and second attachment ends of the device are secured between the cap and the frame. In another embodiment, the first attachment end secured between the cap and the frame and the second attachment end secured between the second end of the axle and the frame with an attachment nut. In yet another embodiment, the first and second attachment ends secured between the second end of the axle and the frame with an attachment nut. In one manner of installation, the intermediate portion of the device encircles a fixed object. In another manner of installation, the intermediate portion disposed to interfere with rotation of a wheel rotated to the frame.[0004]
• Another apparatus of the invention is a wheel including spokes attaching a rim to a hub, an assembly attaching a frame to the hub, and a device having an attachment end secured to the hub by the assembly and an abutment end disposed through the spokes interfering with rotation of the wheel. The assembly includes a handle having a key and an axle carried by the frame. The axle has opposing first and second ends extending away from the frame. The first end of the axle carries a piston. The piston has a bore. A cam has first and second ends held by a cap for rotation in the bore. One of the first and second ends of the cam has a keyway that is capable of receiving the key. The frame disposed on the axle adjacent the cap and the second end of the axle. In one embodiment, the attachment end is secured between the cap and the frame. In another embodiment, the attachment end is secured between the secured between the second end of the axle and the frame with an attachment nut.[0005]
• The invention also contemplates associated methods.[0006]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• Referring to the drawings:[0007]
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a quick release assembly, in accordance with the principle of the invention, the quick release assembly disposed with a hub that is attached to a wheel and to a frame, each partially depicted;[0008]
• FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the quick release assembly of FIG. 1, the quick release assembly including a handle having a key, a piston having a bore and a cam held by a cap for rotation in the bore and having a keyway that is capable of receiving the key;[0009]
• FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the quick release assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2;[0010]
• FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the handle of FIG. 3, the opposite side elevation being a mirror image thereof;[0011]
• FIG. 5 is a bottom plan of the handle of FIG. 3;[0012]
• FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the cam of FIG. 3 depicting elements of a catch assembly of the invention;[0013]
• FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the elements of the catch assembly depicted in FIG. 6;[0014]
• FIG. 8 is a top plan of the cam of FIG. 3;[0015]
• FIG. 9 is a side elevation of the cam of FIG. 3;[0016]
• FIG. 10 is a bottom plan of the cam of FIG. 3;[0017]
• FIG. 11 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the handle of FIG. 3 illustrating the key;[0018]
• FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a quick release assembly, in accordance with the principle of the invention;[0019]
• FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the quick release assembly of FIG. 12;[0020]
• FIG. 14 is a fragmented perspective view of yet another embodiment of a quick release assembly, in accordance with the principle of the invention;[0021]
• FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a cam of the quick release assembly of FIG. 14 with a key of a handle thereof depicted adjacent the cam;[0022]
• FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a quick release assembly disposed with a hub that is attached to a wheel and to a frame, each partially depicted, and an attached anti-theft device, in accordance with the principle of the invention;[0023]
• FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the quick release assembly of FIG. 16, the quick release assembly including a handle having a key, a piston having a bore and a cam held by a cap for rotation in the bore and having a keyway that is capable of receiving the key, with an attachment end of the antitheft device shown secured between the cap and the frame;[0024]
• FIG. 18 is a fragmented perspective view of the antitheft device of FIG. 16;[0025]
• FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an antitheft device like that of FIG. 16 securing a bicycle to a fixed object;[0026]
• FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a quick release assembly disposed with a hub that is attached to a wheel and to a frame, each partially depicted, and another embodiment of an attached antitheft, in accordance with the principle of the invention;[0027]
• FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the antitheft device of FIG. 20;[0028]
• FIG. 22 is a front elevation of the antitheft device of FIG. 20;[0029]
• FIG. 23 is a side elevation of the antitheft device of FIG. 20, the opposing side elevation being a substantial mirror image;[0030]
• FIG. 24 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of an antitheft device, in accordance with the principle of the invention; and[0031]
• FIG. 25 is a front elevation of the antitheft device of FIG. 24.[0032]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to FIG. 1 in which is seen a perspective view of a[0033]quick release assembly20, embodying the principle of the invention.Assembly20 is disposed with ahub21 that is attached to awheel22 and to afork23 of aframe24, each partially depicted. In FIG. 1,frame24 is a bicycle frame of a bicycle,fork23 is the front fork offrame24 andwheel22 is the front wheel of the bicycle.Hub21 is attached tospokes25 ofwheel22 in a conventional manner.
• Looking to FIGS. 2 and 3,[0034]assembly20 includeshandle30 having a key31, apiston32 having abore40, acap34 having anopen end34A and aclosed end34B, acam33 held bycap34 for rotation inbore40 and having akeyway56 that is capable of receivingkey31, and a catch assembly70 (FIG. 3). FIG. 4 is a side elevation ofhandle30, the opposite side elevation being a mirror image thereof. FIG. 5 is a bottom plan ofhandle30. With specific regard to FIG. 2, ahollow axle35 extends throughhub21. Anut36 threadably securesaxle35 tohub21, andassembly20 attaches toaxle35 immediatelyadjacent fork23.Open end34A ofcap34 is directed towardfork23, andclosed end34B ofcap34 is directed away fromfork23. Anaxle37 is slideably disposed throughaxle35 and, in this embodiment, is attached topiston32.Axle37 is capable of reciprocating throughaxle35 and is considered reciprocated tohub21. Becauseaxle37 is reciprocated tohub21,piston32 is also considered reciprocally mounted. Although not shown by way of illustration,axle37 extends through and slightly beyondaxle35, and a nut threadably secures this exposed end ofaxle37 to fork23.Bore40 extends throughpiston32 andcap34 fits over and surroundspiston32.Cam33 is rotatably disposed throughbore40 and is rotated to cap34. Included incam33 is acam body45 that is rotatably disposed throughbore40 ofpiston32. The outer diameter ofcam body45 that extends throughbore40 is slightly less than the inner diameter ofbore40, and this permitscam body45 to rotate withinbore40.Cam body45 has opposing ends50,51 disposed on either side ofpiston32 that are held bycap34 for rotation.End50 extends into and is held for rotation by anopening52 ofcap34 and end51 extends into and is held for rotation by arecess53 ofcap34 opposingopening52.End51 can be fashioned with a recess and cap34 can be fashioned with an extension or protuberance for rotatably accommodating the recess ofend51 if desired. Aclamp58 located adjacent the underside ofpiston32 attaches and secures anannular groove59 formed intocam33proximate end51, which, in cooperation withpiston32, securespiston33 to cap34 preventing it from discharging throughopening52.
• [0035]End50 ofcam33 is cylindrical and enlarged relative tocam body45, and this is readily visualized in FIGS. 2 and 3.End50 is capable of being rotated in opening52 and defines an axis of rotation A (FIGS.2,9,10) that is substantially concentric with the geometric center of opening52 (FIG. 2).Keyway56 extends intoend50 and defines a geometric center that is substantially concentric with axis of rotation A, as defined byend50. Accordingly, the geometric center ofkeyway56 is eccentric tocam body45 and, more particularly, to axis ofrotation B. End50 is considered a key receiving member ofcam33.Cam body45 is capable of being rotated inbore40 at its axis of rotation B (FIGS.2,9,10), which is substantially concentric with the geometric center ofbore40 and eccentric to the geometric center ofopening52. As a result, the geometric center ofbore40 is eccentric to the geometric center ofopening52. Aspring60 is located betweenfork23 andpiston32, encirclesaxle37 andbiases piston32 away fromfork23 and otherwise towardcap34.
• To[0036]secure wheel22 to fork23, a cyclist takes uphandle30 and inserts key31 intokeyway56 ofcam33 as shown in FIG. 2. Rotation ofhandle30rotates cam33rotating cam body45 withinbore40 ofpiston32 causingpiston32,cam33 andcap34 to move. By selectively rotatingcam33,assembly20 is capable of being moved between an openposition releasing fork23 and a closedposition securing fork23. In the open position ofassembly20,cap34 is disposed away fromfork23 allowing removal ofwheel22. In the closed position ofassembly20,end34A ofcap34 bears tightly up againstfork23 preventing removal ofwheel22.
• [0037]Handle30 is not provided with an attached cam as with prior art quick release assemblies, but is provided with key31, which permits handle30 to function not only to rotatecam33 as previously explained but also to lockassembly20 to prevent the likelihood of theft ofwheel22. With regard to FIG. 11, key31 demonstrates a specific shape and keyway56 (FIGS. 3,9) is correspondingly shaped to accept key31.Key31 andkeyway56 can embody a potentially infinite variety of complementing shapes. In the immediate embodiment, a central blind bore62 extends intokey31, which is capable of accepting aguide pin63 disposed centrally ofkeyway56.
• When[0038]assembly20 is in its closedposition securing fork23, removing handle fromassembly20 preventswheel22 from be stolen because unless one has a handle with a duplicate key rotation ofcam33 is not possible and removal ofwheel22 becomes extremely difficult if not impossible.Handle30 usually removed fromassembly20 when the bicycle is unattended. When thebicycle incorporating assembly20 is in use, most cyclists prefer to keephandle30 attached toassembly20. However, it has been noticed that because there isnothing locking handle30 toassembly20, handle30 is free to fall away fromassembly20, causing it to be lost. In accordance with the principle of the invention, key31 andcam33 are furnished withcatch assembly70, which locks key31 tokeyway56, preventing key31 from inadvertently falling away fromkeyway56 except with a force that is sufficient to overcome the locking action ofcatch assembly70.
• In the immediate embodiment,[0039]catch assembly70 includes a protuberance71 (FIGS.6-8) carried bycam33 and a detachably engageable recess72 (FIGS.3,4,11) carried bykey31. Regarding FIG. 6, abore73 extends throughend50 ofcam33 to an opening74 (FIG. 8) leading tokeyway56.Protuberance71 is located at opening74, and although opening permitsprotuberance71 to extend partially intokeyway56 as depicted in FIG. 8, opening74 is too small to permit protuberance to fall away frombore74 intokeyway56. Aspring75 is captured inbore73 betweenprotuberance71 and a nut threadably attached to the outer opening leading to bore73.Spring75 bears againstnut76 andprotuberance71 and biases protuberance toward or otherwise intokeyway56.Key31 encounters protuberance71 when inserted intokeyway56. Exerting a force against key31 towardkeyway56 that is sufficient to overcome the bias ofspring75 allows key31 to pushprotuberance71 away fromkeyway56 forcing it into bore73 allowing key31 to pass thereby intokeyway56 until the point whenprotuberance71encounters recess72. When protuberance71encounters recess72, the bias provided byspring75 forces protuberance71 into engagement into and againstrecess72 securingkey31 tocam33, securinghandle30 tocam33 to prevent handle30 from inadvertently falling away fromcam30. In this way, abicycle incorporating assembly20 can be used and ridden withhandle30 attached without risk ofhandle30 inadvertently becoming detached fromcam33. The only way to removehandle30 is to reverse the foregoing operation by taking uphandle30 and pulling on it with a force that is sufficient31 to overcome the bias provided byspring75, detachingprotuberance71 fromrecess72. The positioning ofprotuberance71 andrecess72 can be reversed, withrecess72 carried bycam33 atkeyway56 andprotuberance71 carried by key31 in a fashion like that ofcam33 so as to extend outwardly of, and be biased away from, key31. Also, although only one protuberance and complementing recess are immediately depicted, any reasonable number of protuberances and complementing recesses can be employed if desired.
• In sum, when key[0040]31 is inserted intokeyway56 andprotuberance71 engagesrecess72, handle30 is prevented from falling out ofassembly20. Accordingly, a cyclist can use the bicycle withhandle30 in place. When the cyclist wants to park the bicycle and remove the front wheel, handle30 may be used to release the wheel from the fork. However, if the cyclist removes handle30 while the wheel is locked in place to the fork, it would be extremely difficult for someone without the key to remove the wheel.
• Attention is now directed to FIGS. 12 and 13, in which there is seen an alternate embodiment of a quick release assembly of the invention, generally designated by the[0041]reference character100. In common with the previously described embodiment designated20, the immediate embodiment shares handle30, key31,piston32, bore40 (FIG. 13),axle37,cap34,cam33 includingcam body45 and ends50 and51 andkeyway56,clamp58,spring60,pin63 and other common structural components. However,cam33 is fabricated of magnetic material and key31 is fabricated of iron or steel. The magnetism ofcam33 has the property of attractingkey31. In this way, abicycle incorporating assembly100 can be used and ridden withhandle30 attached without risk ofhandle30 inadvertently becoming detached fromcam33, with the magnetic coupling or engagement betweenkey31 andcam33 functioning to prevent handle from inadvertently becoming detached fromcam33. The only way to removehandle30 is to pull on it with a force that is sufficient31 to overcome the magnetic attraction betweenkey31 andcam33, detaching key31 fromcam33.Key31 can be constructed from magnetic material andcam33 from iron or steel if desired. Also, key31 andcam33 can each be constructed from magnets if desired for increasing the magnetic attraction between them. The magnetic attraction/engageability betweenkey30 ofhandle30 andcam33 is considered an alternate embodiment of a catch assembly of the invention. Becausekey31 is considered part ofhandle30, the magnetic coupling attribute ofassembly100 is considered between and facilitated byhandle30 andcam33.
• In[0042]sum regarding assembly100, when key31 is inserted intokeyway56 andkey31 ofhandle30 is magnetically coupled tocam33, handle30 is prevented from falling out ofassembly100. Accordingly, a cyclist can use the bicycle withhandle30 in place. When the cyclist wants to park the bicycle and remove the front wheel, handle30 may be used to release the wheel from the fork. However, if the cyclist removes handle30 while the wheel is locked in place to the fork, it would be extremely difficult for someone without the key to remove the wheel.
• Attention is now directed to FIGS. 14 and 15, in which there is seen an alternate embodiment of a quick release assembly of the invention, generally designated by the[0043]reference character110. Looking to FIG. 14, and in common with the previously described embodiment designated20, the immediate embodiment shares handle30, key31,piston32, bore40,axle37,cap34,cam33 including cam body45 (FIG. 15),keyway56,pin63 and other common structural components. However,assembly110 is furnished with acatch assembly111 that includes a pair ofprotuberances120,121 carried bycam33 and a pair of detachably engageable recesses122,123 carried bykey31.Protuberances120,121 are elongate, extend intokeyway56 along either side ofpin63 and are the opposing sides of aU-shaped spring124 attached tocam33.Spring124 extends through openings125,126 formed into and throughend50 ofcam30, which actually blend intorecess130,131 (FIG. 15) located atkeyway56 on either side ofpin63.Protuberances120,121 reside atrecesses130,131 and are biased toward or otherwise intokeyway56 away fromrecesses130,131, respectively.Recesses122,123 are located on either side ofkey31.
• [0044]Key31encounters protuberances120,121 when inserted intokeyway56. Exerting a force against key31 towardkeyway56 that is sufficient to overcome the bias ofprotuberances120,121 allows key31 to pushprotuberances120,121 away fromkeyway56 forcing them intorecesses130,131, respectively, allowing key31 to pass thereby intokeyway56 until the point whenprotuberances120,121 encounter recesses122,123, respectively. Whenprotuberances120,121 encounter recesses122,123, the bias provided byspring124forces protuberances120,121 into engagement into and againstrecesses122,123, respectively, clamping and securing key31 tocam33, securinghandle30 tocam33 to prevent handle30 from inadvertently falling away fromcam30. In this way, abicycle incorporating assembly110 can be used and ridden withhandle30 attached without risk ofhandle30 inadvertently becoming detached fromcam33. The only way to removehandle30 is to reverse the foregoing operation by taking uphandle30 and pulling on it with a force that is sufficient31 to overcome the bias provided byspring124, detachingprotuberances120,121 fromrecesses122,123. The positioning ofprotuberances120,121 and recesses122,123 can be reversed, withrecesses122,123 carried bycam33 atkeyway56 andprotuberances120,121 (spring124) carried by key31 so as to extend outwardly of, and be biased away from, key31.
• In sum, when key[0045]31 is inserted intokeyway56 andprotuberances120,121 engagerecesses122,123, respectively, handle30 is prevented from falling out ofassembly110. Accordingly, a cyclist can use the bicycle withhandle30 in place. When the cyclist wants to park the bicycle and remove the front wheel, handle30 may be used to release the wheel from the fork. However, if the cyclist removes handle30 while the wheel is locked in place to the fork, it would be extremely difficult for someone without the key to remove the wheel.
• Attention is now directed to FIGS. 16 and 17, in which there is seen a perspective view of a[0046]quick release assembly150 disposed with ahub152 that is attached to awheel153 and to afork154 of aframe155, each partially depicted, and anantitheft device156 attached to frame155 andhub152 withassembly150, in accordance with the principle of the invention.Assembly150 removably secureswheel153 to frame155. Whenassembly150 secureswheel153 to frame155,assembly150 is attached to frame155.Wheel153 is simply an element attached to frame155.Assembly150 can be attached to frame155 at other locations for removably attaching another element to frame155, such as a seat, another wheel, etc.Hub152 can be considered part of or otherwise an extension offrame155 when it is attached thereto. In FIG. 16,frame155 is a bicycle frame of abicycle158, and yet frame155 can, in accordance with the present embodiment of the invention, be another type of frame. In the instant embodiment,fork154 is the front fork offrame155 andwheel153 is the front wheel ofbicycle158.Hub152 is attached tospokes157 ofwheel153 in a conventional manner.Spokes157 attach a rim (not shown) tohub152 in a conventional manner. In common with the previously described embodiment designated20,assembly150, as illustrated in FIG. 17, shares handle30, key31,piston32, bore40,axle37,cap34,nut36,cam33 includingcam body45 and ends50 and51 andkeyway56,clamp58,spring60 and other common structural components.Axle37 extends through and is carried byhub21.Axle37 has opposing ends that extend slightly beyondhub21.Piston32 is carried by one of the opposing ends ofaxle37 and a threaded attachment nut is carried by the other of the opposing ends ofaxle37 in a conventional and well known manner. In attachingframe155 tohub152, afree end160 offork154 is disposed onaxle37 betweencap34 andhub21, receivesaxle37 and is secured by and betweencap34 andhub21, and the other free end161 (FIG. 16) offork154 is disposed onaxle37 between the attachment nut andhub21, receivesaxle37 and is secured by and between the attachment nut andhub21. To securewheel153 to fork154, a cyclist takes uphandle30 and inserts key31 intokeyway56 ofcam33. Rotation ofhandle30rotates cam33rotating cam body45 withinbore40 ofpiston32 causingpiston32,cam33 andcap34 to move. By selectively rotatingcam33,assembly150 is capable of being moved between an openposition releasing fork154 and a closedposition securing fork154. In the open position ofassembly150,cap34 and the opposing attachment nut are disposed away fromfork23 allowing removal ofwheel22. In the closed position ofassembly20,cap34 bears tightly up againstfree end160 offork154 and the opposing attachment nut bears tightly up againstfree end161 offork154, preventing removal ofwheel153.Assembly150 is used on conjunction withdevice156 and is disclosed as a matter of example and not as a matter of limitation to the scope of the invention relating todevice156.Device156 can be employed with other assembly forms that removably attach elements to a frame in any way, whether similar toassembly150 or different. This is also the case the antitheft device depicted in FIGS.20-23 and the device depicted in FIGS. 24 and 25, which are both discussed later in this specification.
• Turning to FIG. 18,[0047]device156 is anelongate element170 having opposing ends171,172 and an intermediate portion therebetween, which is denoted generally at170A.Ends171,172support attachment members173,174, respectively. In this embodiment,attachment members173,174 are fashioned from steel andelement170 is cordage fashioned from twisted strands of steel, namely, steel cable. As a result,element170 is flexible, as is the case with steel cable. Steel cable is rugged and strong. Accordingly, other forms of cable that are similarly strong and rugged can be used.Element170 can be fashioned from rigid steel if desired, such as steel bar stock.Element170 can also be fashioned from titanium, aluminum, a selected metal alloy, etc.Element170 can be any desired length.Attachment members173,174 have forward ends173A,174A and rearward ends173B,174B andsockets175,176 disposed at rearward ends173B,174B, respectively. Ends173B,174B are considered attachment ends.Sockets175,176 receive and secure ends171,172, respectively, are crimped against ends171,172 and also welded thereto for facilitating a rugged engagement.Ends173A,174A are formed with forwardlydisposed slots177,178, respectively, and are therefore bifurcated so as to be capable of receiving an element such as an axle. Rather than slots, ends173A,174A can be furnished with closed openings so as to be boxed ends, through which an axle is capable of being disposed, and this is also the case with the attachment end of the device depicted in FIGS.20-23 and FIGS. 24 and 25, which are discussed later in this specification.
• [0048]Device156 is capable of being attached tohub152 withassembly150 in a number of ways and serves many useful functions. In the open position ofassembly150, one manner of use ofdevice156 involves attachingdevice156 to a bicycle and securing the bicycle to a fixed object withdevice156 for inhibiting theft of the bicycle. One manner of accomplishing this includes disposingattachment member173 uponaxle37 betweencap34 andfree end160 offork154 locatingaxle37 inslot177, wrappingintermediate portion170A around a fixed object such as a lamppost, atree180 as shown in FIG. 19 or other fixed object, disposingattachment member174 uponaxle37 between the attachment member andfree end161 offork154 locatingaxle37 inslot178, and then closingassembly150. Becauseelongate element170 is preferably cordage, it is capable of flexed and manipulated allowing a user to wrap it around a fixed object.Intermediate portion170A can be wrapped around a fixed object before disposingattachment members173,174 onaxle37 for securement. In the closed position ofassembly150,attachment member173 is clamped tightly betweencap34 andfree end160 offork154 andattachment member174 is clamped tightly between the attachment nut andfree end161 offork154, preventing removal of not only ofwheel153 but alsodevice156 and securingbicycle158 totree180 withdevice156 thus preventing theft ofbicycle158. By removing key31 fromkeyway56 and reducing handle30 (and thus key31) to a secure place such as a pocket or purse,bicycle158 is essentially secured from theft, because withouthandle30 and its attached key31 it would be very difficult to openassembly150. Reversing the foregoing operation removesdevice156 permitting normal use of the bicycle. Although the immediate example illustratesattachment members173,174 secured at either side ofhub152 outboard offork154, they can be secured inboard of free ends160,161 of fork between free ends160,161 andhub21.Attachments members173 can also each be together attached and secured betweencap34 andfree end160 offork154, or between the attachment nut andfree end161 offork154.Attachment members173,174 can each be disposed at any one of or combination of the foregoing attachment locations.
• It is within the scope of the invention that one end of[0049]device156 be secured to frame155 at a selected location, such as to fork154 or some other location, and the other end ofdevice156 be furnished with an attachment member that is capable of being secured byassembly150 as disclosed, and that this arrangement would allow such a device to be employed for encircling a fixed object and disposed so as to prevent a wheel from rotating. As a matter of example, an end ofdevice156 could be reciprocally secured to frame155 in a receptacle attached to frame166 permitting movement ofdevice156 between a retracted condition so as to be stored and deployed condition permitting the other end of device to be secured withassembly150.
• In the open position of[0050]assembly150, another manner of use ofdevice156 involves usingdevice156 to inhibitwheel153 from rotating for inhibiting unauthorized use ofbicycle158. One manner of accomplishing this includes passing device throughspokes157 disposingintermediate portion170A between spokes157 (FIG. 16) withattachment members173,174 disposed at either side ofwheel153, disposingattachment member173 uponaxle37 betweencap34 andfree end160 offork154 locatingaxle37 inslot177, disposingattachment member174 uponaxle37 between the attachment member andfree end161 offork154 locatingaxle37 inslot178, and then closingassembly150. In the closed position ofassembly150,attachment member173 is clamped tightly betweencap34 andfree end160 offork154 andattachment member174 is clamped tightly between the attachment nut andfree end161 offork154, preventing removal of not only ofwheel153 but alsodevice156. Withintermediate portion170A, which is considered an abutment element in this instance, disposed through or otherwise atspokes157 betweenfork154,intermediate portion170A is capable of interacting withspokes157 preventingwheel153 from rotating. By removing key31 fromkeyway56 and reducing handle30 (and thus key31) to a secure place such as a pocket or purse,bicycle158 is essentially secured from unauthorized use, because withouthandle30 and its attached key31 it would be very difficult to openassembly150. Reversing the foregoing operation removesdevice156 permitting normal use of the bicycle. Although the immediate example illustratesattachment members173,174 secured at either side ofhub152 outboard offork154, they can be secured inboard of free ends160,161 offork154 between free ends160,161 andhub21. One attachment member can be attached outboard of one of the free ends of the fork and the other inboard of the other of the free ends of the fork if desired. To enhance the frictional engagement ofattachment members173,174, their surfaces can be knurled. In this manner of use,element170 can be formed of rigid stock, such as rigid steel or other form of rigid, rugged bar stock.
• In the open position of[0051]assembly150, still another manner of installment ofdevice156 includes disposingattachment member173 uponaxle37 betweencap34 andfree end160 offork154 locatingaxle37 inslot177, passingattachment member174 throughspokes157 from one side ofwheel153 to the other disposing a length ofintermediate portion170A betweenspokes157, passingattachment member174 back betweenspokes157 towardattachment member173 at another location disposing another length ofintermediate portion170A betweenspokes157, disposingattachment member174 next toattachment member173 uponaxle37 betweencap34 andfree end160 offork154 locatingaxle37 inslot178, and then closingassembly150. In the closed position ofassembly150,attachment members173,174 is clamped tightly betweencap34 andfree end160 offork154, preventing removal of not only ofwheel153 but alsodevice156. With the lengths ofintermediate portion170A disposed atspokes157 between the outer extremities ofhub152, the lengths ofintermediate portion170A, which are considered abutment elements, interact withspokes157 preventingwheel153 from rotating. Reversing the foregoing operation removesdevice156 permitting normal use of the bicycle. This manner of installment can also be employed at the other end ofaxle37 with the attachment nut.
• Attention is now directed to FIG. 20, in which there is seen a perspective view of a[0052]quick release assembly150 disposed withhub152 that is attached towheel153 and to fork154 offrame155 ofbicycle158, each partially depicted, and anantitheft device195 attached tohub152 withassembly150, in accordance with the principle of the invention. Turning to FIG. 21,device195 includes a generally L-shapedelement200 having anattachment end201 and an abutment element or end202 extending away fromattachment end201. An attachedattachment member203 characterizesattachment end201.Attachment member203 has aforward end204, arearward end205, and asocket206 disposed atrearward end205.Socket206 receives and securesend201, is crimped againstend201 and also welded thereto for facilitating a rugged engagement.Element200 andattachment member203 are rugged and strong and preferably constructed of steel, titanium, aluminum, a selected metal alloy, or other similarly rugged and strong material and they can be integrally formed if desired.Attachment member203 is flat and somewhat thin in cross section, and is formed with a forwardlydisposed slot207, bifurcating forward end204. FIG. 22 illustrates a front elevation ofdevice195 and FIG. 23 illustrates a side elevation ofdevice195, the opposite side elevation being a substantial mirror image.
• [0053]Device195 is capable of being attached to frame155 and tohub152 withassembly150 in a number of ways and serves the useful function of inhibiting unauthorized use ofbicycle158. In the open position ofassembly150, wherein its structural features are best seen in FIG. 17, one manner of installation and use ofdevice195 involves disposingattachment member203 uponaxle37 betweencap34 andfree end160 offork154 locatingaxle37 inslot207 directingabutment end202 throughspokes157 confrontingfork154 as depicted in FIG. 20 and then closingassembly150. In the closed position ofassembly150,attachment member203 is clamped tightly betweencap34 andfree end160 offork154 preventing removal of not only ofwheel153 but alsodevice195. Becauseabutment end202 extends into or otherwise throughspokes157 confrontingfork154 as depicted in FIG. 20,abutment end202 interacts withspokes157 preventingwheel153 from rotating, which prevents unauthorized use ofbicycle158. By removing key31 fromkeyway56 and reducing handle30 (and thus key31) to a secure place such as a pocket or purse,bicycle158 is essentially secured from unauthorized use, because withouthandle30 and its attached key31 it would be very difficult to openassembly150. Reversing the foregoing operation removesdevice195 permitting normal use of the bicycle. Although the immediate example illustratesattachment member203 secured betweencap34 andfree end160 offork154, it can be similarly secured betweenfree end161 offork154 and the attachment nut if desired. To enhance the frictional engagement ofattachment member203, its surfaces can be knurled.
• Although[0054]device195 incorporates only asingle abutment end202,device195 can be fashioned with more if desired. As a matter of example, FIG. 24 depicts a perspective view of a such adevice210 incorporating two abutment ends. FIG. 25 is a front elevation ofdevice210. It will be further understood that althoughdevices156 and195 are disclosed as employed in connection with a quick release assembly like that of the embodiment designated20, they can be used in connection with the embodiment designated100.
• This specification discloses preferred embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art will further recognize that changes and modifications may be made to the described embodiments without departing from nature and scope of the invention. Accordingly, any such changes and modifications to the preferred embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as assessed only by a fair interpretation of the ensuing claims.[0055]
• Having fully described the various embodiments of the invention in such clear and concise terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same, the invention claimed is:[0056]

Claims (18)

1. Apparatus comprising:

an assembly attached to a frame; and

a device having first and second attachment ends secured to the frame by the assembly and an intermediate portion.

2. Apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising:

the assembly comprising

a handle having a key,

a piston carried by an axle attached to the frame, the piston having a bore, and

a cam having first and second ends held by a cap for rotation in the bore, one of the first and second ends of the cam having a keyway capable of receiving the key; and

the first and second attachment ends secured between the cap and the frame.

3. Apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising:

the assembly comprising

a handle having a key,

an axle carried by the frame, the axle having opposing first and second ends extending away from the frame,

a piston carried by the first end of the axle, the piston having a bore, and

a cam having first and second ends held by a cap for rotation in the bore, one of the first and second ends of the cam having a keyway capable of receiving the key;

the frame disposed on the axle adjacent the cap and the second end of the axle;

the first attachment end secured between the cap and the frame; and

the second attachment end secured between the second end of the axle and the frame with an attachment nut.

4. Apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising:

the assembly comprising

a handle having a key,

an axle carried by the frame, the axle having opposing first and second ends extending away from the frame,

a piston carried by the first end of the axle, the piston having a bore, and

a cam having first and second ends held by a cap for rotation in the bore, one of the first and second ends of the cam having a keyway capable of receiving the key;

the frame disposed on the axle adjacent the cap and the second end of the axle;

the first and second attachment ends secured between the second end of the axle and the frame with an attachment nut.

5. Apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising the intermediate portion encircling a fixed object.

6. Apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a wheel rotated to the frame and the intermediate portion disposed to interfere with rotation of the wheel.

7. Apparatus comprising:

a wheel including spokes attaching a rim to a hub;

an assembly attaching a frame to the hub;

a device having an attachment end secured to the hub by the assembly and an abutment end disposed through the spokes interfering with rotation of the wheel.

8. Apparatus ofclaim 7, further comprising:

the assembly comprising

a handle having a key,

a piston carried by an axle attached to the frame, the piston having a bore, and

a cam having first and second ends held by a cap for rotation in the bore, one of the first and second ends of the cam having a keyway capable of receiving the key;

the attachment end secured between the cap and the frame.

9. Apparatus ofclaim 7, further comprising:

the assembly comprising

a handle having a key,

an axle carried by the frame, the axle having opposing first and second ends extending away from the frame,

a piston carried by the first end of the axle, the piston having a bore, and

a cam having first and second ends held by a cap for rotation in the bore, one of the first and second ends of the cam having a keyway capable of receiving the key; and

the frame disposed on the axle adjacent the cap and the second end of the axle;

the attachment end secured between the second end of the axle and the frame with an attachment nut.

10. In an element having an assembly attaching a frame, a method comprising steps of:

providing a device having first and second attachment ends and an intermediate portion therebetween;

wrapping the intermediate portion around a fixed object;

securing the first attachment end to the frame with the assembly; and

securing the second attachment end to the frame with the assembly.

11. The method ofclaim 10,

the assembly comprising

a handle having a key,

a piston carried by an axle attached to the frame, the piston having a bore, and

a cam having first and second ends held by a cap for rotation in the bore, one of the first and second ends of the cam having a keyway capable of receiving the key:

wherein the step of securing the first attachment end to the frame with the assembly comprises securing the first attachment end between the cap and the frame.

12. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the step of securing the second attachment end to the frame with the assembly comprises securing the second attachment end between the cap and the frame.

13. The method ofclaim 10,

the assembly comprising

a handle having a key,

an axle carried by the frame, the axle having opposing first and second ends extending away from the frame,

a piston carried by the first end of the axle, the piston having a bore, and

a cam having first and second ends held by a cap for rotation in the bore, one of the first and second ends of the cam having a keyway capable of receiving the key; and

the frame disposed on the axle adjacent the cap and the second end of the axle:

wherein the step of securing the first attachment end to the frame with the assembly comprises securing the first attachment end one of a)between the cap and the frame and b)between the second end of the axle and the frame with an attachment nut.

14. The method ofclaim 13, wherein the step of securing the second attachment end to the frame with the assembly comprises securing the second attachment end one of a)between the cap and the frame and b)between the second end of the axle and the frame with an attachment nut.

15. The method ofclaim 10,

the assembly comprising

a handle having a key,

an axle carried by the frame, the axle having opposing first and second ends extending away from the frame,

a piston carried by the first end of the axle, the piston having a bore, and

a cam having first and second ends held by a cap for rotation in the bore, one of the first and second ends of the cam having a keyway capable of receiving the key; and

the frame disposed on the axle adjacent the cap and the second end of the axle:

wherein the step of securing the first attachment end to the frame with the assembly comprises securing the first attachment end one of a)between the cap and the frame and b)between the second end of the axle and the frame; and

wherein the step of securing the second attachment end to the frame with the assembly comprises securing the second attachment end the other of a)between the cap and the frame and b)between the second end of the axle and the frame with an attachment nut.

16. In a wheel including spokes attaching a rim to a hub and an assembly attaching a frame to the hub, a method comprising steps of:

providing a device having an attachment end and an abutment end extending away from the attachment end; and

securing the attachment end to the frame with the assembly disposing the abutment through the spokes.

17. The method ofclaim 16,

the assembly comprising

a handle having a key,

a piston carried by an axle attached to the frame, the piston having a bore, and

a cam having first and second ends held by a cap for rotation in the bore, one of the first and second ends of the cam having a keyway capable of receiving the key;

wherein the step of securing the attachment end to the frame with the assembly comprises securing the attachment end between the cap and the frame.

18. The method ofclaim 16,

the assembly comprising

a handle having a key,

an axle carried by the frame, the axle having opposing first and second ends extending away from the frame,

a piston carried by the first end of the axle, the piston having a bore, and

a cam having first and second ends held by a cap for rotation in the bore, one of the first and second ends of the cam having a keyway capable of receiving the key; and

the frame disposed on the axle adjacent the cap and the second end of the axle;

wherein the step of securing the attachment end to the frame with the assembly comprises securing the attachment end between the second end of the axle and the frame with an attachment nut.

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