TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates to the field of bicycle and other vehicle anti-theft devices, and the components involved in the storage and use of the devices.

BACKGROUND

Previously, conventional anti-theft devices such as U-Locks, cable locks and chains as well as known folding locks suffered from inherently difficult and time consuming locking processes. Also the methods by which riders were asked to mount or carry these locks resulted in discomfort, excessive rattling or shaking while riding, difficulty of use, excessive additional weight while riding, or physically carrying the lock on your person while riding. There exists a need for a locking device that is compactable, easy to mount and stays out of the way when not in use.

SUMMARY

The device comprises of a plurality of elements joined together in a chain via non rigid joints, with a central element being attached to the bicycle or object which is desired to be secured via a hinge perpendicularly oriented relative to the other flexible joints between the elements. The central perpendicular hinge's attachment to the bicycle or object restricts the movement of the other flexibly joined elements of the device, effectively reducing the number of steps and time it takes to transition between the two modes, locked and secured to stored and ready for transit. This hinge also restricts the possible orientations and locations of the other flexibly joined elements of the device, preventing the device from being used improperly and helping to ensure proper locking and securing position to maximally deter theft.

In some example embodiments, what is described is lock system, including a base with a first end and a second end, a central hinge link configured at the first end of the base, two first arms, each of the two first arms including a first end and a second end, the first ends of the two first arms attached to the central hinge link by two respective wing hinges, the two respective wing hinges configured to pivot the two first arms about respective axes, wherein the central hinge link is configured to pivot up, away from the base, around an axis perpendicular to the axes of the two wing hinges of the two first arms, two second arms, each with a first end and a second end, the first ends of the two second arms attached to the two second ends of the first two arms with respective hinges, the two second arm hinges configured to pivot about axes parallel to the axes of the two wing hinges of the two first arms, a two part lock system with one respective component on the second ends of the two second arms, the two part lock system configured to lock together and be unlocked. In some examples, the two part lock mechanism includes an insert lock unit and a receiver lock unit, the insert lock unit attached to the second end of one of the two second arms, the receiver lock unit attached to the second end of the other of the two second arms, wherein the insert lock unit and the receiver lock unit are configured to couple together to lock and unlock. In some examples, the two first arm ends are configured to be able to pivot the first two arms back so the second ends of the first two arms approach the second end of the base forming a compact stowed system. In some examples, the central hinge link includes a central hinge bar, the central hinge bar forming the axis around which the central hinge link pivots about the base. In some examples, the link arms and central hinge link are made of steel or titanium. In some examples, the link arms are generally flat. In some examples, the two part lock mechanisms are each attached to the two second ends of the respective two second arms by a hinge. In some examples, the base configured to attach to a bicycle frame. In some examples, the base, link arms, and central hinge bar are made of steel or titanium.

Some example embodiments described here include, a lock system, including, a base bar with a top, bottom, first end and second end, the bottom of the base bar including an attachment mechanism, the first end of the base bar including a central link with two wing hinges, two link arms, each with a first end and a second end, the respective first ends of the two link arms extending from the two wing hinges, wherein the central link includes a central hinge configured to pivot about the base bar about an axis perpendicular to the direction of axes of the two link arm two wing hinges, two lock portions configured at the respective second ends of each of the two link arms, the two lock portions configured to lock and unlock with each another. In some example embodiments, the two link arms each include a second link arm connected to the two link arms, each by a respective hinge configured to allow the two second link arms to pivot about axes parallel to the axes of the two link arm two wing hinges. In some example embodiments, the base attachment mechanism includes two screws configured to attach to a vehicle frame. In some example embodiments, the two lock portions include one male and one female side, wherein the two lock portions are configured to couple together to lock and unlock with a key.

