WO1999012801A1

WO1999012801A1 - Electronic antitheft device for two-wheel vehicles

Info

Publication number: WO1999012801A1
Application number: PCT/IT1998/000243
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paolo Degl'innocenti
Original assignee: Mariplast SpA
Current assignee: Mariplast SpA
Priority date: 1997-09-09
Filing date: 1998-09-09
Publication date: 1999-03-18
Anticipated expiration: 2000-03-09
Also published as: AU9184298A; ITTO970191U1; IT236320Y1

Abstract

The antitheft device (5) has an oblong casing (8) containing the functional elements (16, 27, 32) and having two opposite cylindrical appendixes (9, 11) which are fitted to the saddle (7) and to a battery-holder sleeve (13) connected removably to the frame (6) of the vehicle. The casing (8) is defined by two aluminium half-shells (14), and houses a multipurpose assembly (38) formed in one piece from plastic material and for supporting a lock (21) witha key (22) by which to activate the antitheft device (5) and the functional elements (16, 27, 32). The sleeve (13) houses a support (66) formed in one piece from plastic material and for removably supporting a series of electric batteries (65).

Description

ELECTRONIC ANTITHEFT DEVICE FOR TWO-WHEEL VEHICLES

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an electronic antitheft device for two-wheel vehicles comprising a frame and a saddle.

BACKGROUND ART

Various types of electronic antitheft devices for two-wheel vehicles, particularly bicycles, are known, and which normally comprise an electronic control circuit activated by the user when the vehicle is parked, and an acoustic alarm, which is controlled by the activated circuit under the control of a vehicle-displacement sensor. One known antitheft device is fully housed inside a tubular casing, to which the saddle is fitted, and comprises an electronic lock for enabling the device itself. This type of device has several drawbacks. In particular, the casing is easily broken into, and affords very little space in which to assemble the various components of the device. Moreover, comprising a large number of parts, the device is difficult to assemble and service and therefore fairly expensive. And finally, the device components are subject to severe wear caused by water seeping through the electronic lock into the casing, and by vibration when the vehicle is moving.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a straightforward, low-cost electronic antitheft device for two-wheel vehicles, designed to eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks typically associated with known devices.

According to the present invention, there is provided an electronic antitheft device for two-wheel vehicles having a frame and a saddle, which antitheft device comprises a casing connected between said frame and said saddle and containing a series of functional elements of the antitheft device; characterized in that said casing is oblong in the traveling direction of the vehicle; and said casing having two opposite cylindrical appendixes fitted respectively to said saddle and to a battery-holder sleeve in turn connectable to said frame.

According to a further characteristic of the invention, the casing is defined by two die cast metal half-shells, and houses supporting and shielding means comprising a multipurpose assembly molded in one piece from plastic material.

According to a further characteristic of the invention, said sleeve houses a support for a series of electric batteries, said support being formed in one piece from plastic material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

A preferred, non-limiting embodiment of the invention will be described by way of example with 'reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a side view of an electronic antitheft device for a two-wheel vehicle in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows a section along line II-II of the

Figure 1 casing;

Figure 3 shows a slightly larger-scale section, with parts removed for clarity, along line III-III in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a larger-scale partial section of a detail along line IV-IV in Figure 3 ;

Figure 5 shows a section along line V-V in Figure 3;

Figure 6 shows a multipurpose assembly of the antitheft device;

Figure 7 shows a section along line VII-VII in Figure 6;

Figure 8 shows the Figure 6 assembly in an intermediate assembly position; Figure 9 shows a plan view of a detail in Figure

5;

Figure 10 shows a larger-scale partial diametrical section of the battery-holder sleeve; Figure 11 shows a front view of a support inserted inside the Figure 10 sleeve;

Figure 12 shows a section along line XII-XII in Figure 11; Figure 13 shows an underside view of Figure 11.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Number 5 in Figure 1 indicates as a whole an electronic antitheft device for a two-wheel vehicle, in particular a bicycle, having a frame 6, of which Figure 1 shows the portion fitted to the saddle 7 (both indicated by dash lines) . Device 5 comprises an outer casing 8 for housing a series of functional elements, described in detail later on, of the device.

According to the invention, casing 8 is oblong in the traveling direction of the vehicle, and comprises two opposite cylindrical appendixes 9 and 11. The upper appendix 9 is connected to the usual tube 12 connected in articulated manner to saddle 7, while the lower appendix 11 is knurled and, in the embodiment shown, has a smaller (normally different) diameter with respect to appendix 9.

Appendix 11 is force fitted to battery-holder sleeve 13, which in turn is connected to said portion of frame 6; sleeve 13 may be of different diameters to adapt to different types of frame 6; and appendix 11 must have a corresponding diameter, which may also be equal to or greater than that of appendix 9.

More specifically, casing 8 is defined by two half-shells 14 (Figures 2 and 3) which are symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry S and may be connected to each other along plane S in any known manner. To reduce production and assembly cost, half-shells 14 are connected to each other by 'appropriate press-in connection points 88, and are held together by the pressure of sleeve 13 on appendix 11 and by the pressure of tube 12 on appendix 9. Casing 8 is fitted to frame 6 with plane S oriented vertically and parallel to the traveling direction of the vehicle; and both half-shells 14 are die cast from metal, such as aluminium or light alloy.

The functional elements of device 5 comprise an electronic microprocessor control circuit on a printed circuit board 16, the bottom surface of which is fitted with all the electronic components, in particular, a voltage transformer-booster 17 (Figures 4 and 5) , an electrolytic capacitor 18, and a microprocessor 19. The top surface of board 16 is printed with a series of electric conductors, which are covered with an insulating layer, with the exception of a contact pad for enabling the electronic circuit.

For which purpose, half-shells 14 (Figure 2) of casing 8 each comprise a semicircular cavity 20 at the front; the two cavities 20 form a seat for a cylindrical lock 21 (Figure 1) user-activated by means of a mechanical key 22; and lock 21 is fitted inside seat 20 by means of an airtight seal 25 (Figure 5) . When key 22 is turned, a dog 23 is rotated to act on a portion of an elastic phosphor bronze frame 24 (Figure 4) , and a V-shaped appendix 26 of frame 24 is brought into contact with said contact pad, thus acting as a turn-on switch. At this point, key 22 may be 'withdrawn from lock 21, and device 5 remains turned on by dog 23.

The functional elements of device 5 also comprise a vehicle displacement and vibration sensor 27, which is spherical, is housed and retained inside a metalized opening 28 (Figure 3) on board 16 by at least one phosphor bronze turn 29 (Figure 5) , and acts as an electric switch between metalized opening 28 and turn 29 to signal movement of the vehicle to microprocessor 19. Finally, the functional elements of the antitheft device comprise a piezoelectric capsule 32, which is excited under control of microprocessor 19 to emit an acoustic alarm signal, and is housed inside a compartment 33 formed in casing 8, as described in detail later on, and defining an acoustic resonance chamber for the emissions of capsule 32.

At resonance chamber 33, each half-shell 14 of casing 8 comprises three transverse openings 34 (Figures 1 and 3) at the respective ends of three longitudinal slots 36 forming two longitudinal ribs 37; and openings 34 and slots 36 provide for conveying the sound waves of resonance chamber 33 outwards.

Functional elements 16, 27, 32 and lock 21 are held inside casing 8 by supporting and shielding means comprising a multipurpose assembly 38 made of plastic material. Assembly 38 (Figures 6 and 7) is so designed as to be molded in one piece by means of two molds, and comprises two thin parallel transverse portions 39 and '41 along which the assembly is folded as shown in Figure 8.

At one end, assembly 38 has a tab 42 which fits inside an opening 43 at the other end to close assembly 38 and form a sort of box before the assembly is inserted inside casing 8. Assembly 38 also comprises two central longitudinal ribs 44 and 45, which, in use, form an airtight seal along plane of symmetry S of casing 8, at which half-shells 14 are connected (Figure 3) , and at the top and rear surfaces of casing 8, so as to seal the inside of casing 8 from the outside.

Assembly 38 also comprises a seat 46 for housing and retaining board 16, and which in turn comprises a substantially rectangular edge 47, and appendixes 48, 49 for retaining board 16. Assembly 38 also provides for damping vibration of the heavier, larger components 17, 18 of board 16, and comprises a sleeve 52 located between portions 39 and 41, and which, in use, so houses cylindrical lock 21 (Figure 5) as to ensure the correct turn-on-contact distance between dog 23 and frame 24.

Assembly 38 also comprises a flat wall 53 supporting rib 44, and which, in use, is located at the top and acts as an umbrella or shield to protect functional elements 16, 27 and 32 of device 5 from any water seeping through the joint between half shells 14. Wall 53 in turn comprises a substantially cylindrical hollow portion 54; a further hollow portion 56 is located at seat 46 of board 16; and, in use, the two hollow portions 54, 56 form a compartment located at metalized opening 28 of board 16 (Figure 3) , and which provides for housing displacement sensor 27.

Finally, assembly 38 (Figures 6 and 7) comprises a cup-shaped portion 57 for housing piezoelectric capsule 32 and forming resonance chamber 33, from which the acoustic signal travels through a cavity 58 (Figure 3) located behind resonance chamber 33 in casing 8. Portion 57 has a stepped edge 59, and, as is known, capsule 32 may be of the type enclosed in a plastic container, with the necessary electric contacts for connection to board 16.

Alternatively, capsule 32 may be a "bare" type, in which case, capsule 32 is retained inside cup-shaped portion 57 by a lid 61 engaging edge 59 (Figures 5 and 9) . Lid 61 provides for holding capsule 32 still, and is integral with two sleeves 62 located at two holes 63 in lid 61. Two compression springs 64 of electrically conducting material are inserted inside respective sleeves 62, and provide for electrically connecting capsule 32 and board 16.

Assembly 38 and the components of casing 8 are assembled as follows. First of all, components 17, 18, 19, 24, 27 and 29 are fitted to board 16, and piezoelectric capsule 32 is inserted inside cup-shaped portion 57 and, if the capsule is a "bare" type, is closed by lid 61. At this point, springs 64 are inserted inside sleeves 62, and 'board 16 is inserted inside seat 46 with sensor 27 inside hollow portion 56 so as to compress springs 64. Assembly 38 is then folded along portions 39 and 41, as shown in Figure 8, and closed by inserting tab 42 inside opening 43; seal 25 is inserted inside the seat on lock 21; assembly 38 is inserted inside one of half-shells 14; and, finally, the other half-shell 14 is pressed onto connection points 88 to close casing 8.

Device 5 is powered by a series of electric batteries 65, e.g. three 1.5 V batteries (Figure 10), which are advantageously housed inside sleeve 13 by means of a support 66 made of plastic material and so designed as to be molded in one piece by means of two molds. More specifically, support 66 (Figures 11-13) comprises two parallel ribs 67 connected by two series of curved elements 68 and 69 for housing batteries 65 in series; and the elements 68 and 69 in the two series are offset axially and diametrically opposite each other.

At series of elements 68, support 66 also comprises at least two elastic tongues 71 for elastically engaging the inner surface of sleeve 13; and elements 68, with the exception of the first from the top, all advantageously comprise respective tongues 71 facing upwards and normally inclined with respect to ribs 67.

Close to the bottom end, support 66 comprises a circumferential slot 72, which is engaged by a first bent end 73 (Figure 10) of a substantially U-shaped 'spring 74 having another bent end 76 slightly shorter than end 73. Ends 73 and 74 engage two circular holes 77 and 78 close to the bottom end of sleeve 13; and spring 74 is engaged by one (e.g. the negative) pole of the first battery 65 from the bottom.

The two top ends of ribs 67 of support 66 are connected by a disk 79 supporting a downward-extending pin 81, which provides for holding in position a compression spring 82 engaged by the other (e.g. positive) pole of the first battery 65 from the top, and comprises a transverse hole 83 (Figures 11-13) in which is inserted one end of a cable 84 of the (e.g. positive) pole.

Battery support 66 is assembled inside sleeve 13 as follows.

First of all, the cable, conveniently stripped of the insulating sheath, is threaded through hole 83 so as to project sufficiently; the cable is fixed inside a slot 86, and spring 82 is fitted onto pin 81 so as to engage the cable projecting on either side of hole 83 and so form an electric contact with the cable; cable 84 is inserted through a hole 87 (Figure 5) in appendix 11 of casing 8, and connected in any known manner to board 16 of the electronic circuit; support 66 is inserted inside sleeve 13 through the top end so that slot 72 is on a level with holes 77 and 78, and elastic tongues 71 flex to ensure sufficient friction with the wall of sleeve 13; end 76 of spring 74 is inserted inside hole 78; and end 73 is inserted inside slot 72 of support 66 and inside hole 77 in sleeve 13. Slot 72 is of such a length as to compensate for any rotation of support 66 when it is inserted inside sleeve 13. At this point, knurled appendix 11 of casing 8 is force fitted inside the end of sleeve 13 to close half-shells 14 with no screws required; and the whole so formed is now ready for assembly to the vehicle. For example, the usual tube 12 of saddle 7 is fitted onto appendix 9 of casing 8 and secured in any known manner; and the assembly defined by saddle 7, casing 8 and sleeve 13 is connected to the vehicle by inserting the bottom end of sleeve 13 in any known axially adjustable manner inside frame 6. Saddle 7 may, of course, be assembled before or after inserting sleeve 13 inside frame 6.

To insert or change batteries 65 (Figure 10) inside sleeve 13, assembly 7, 8, 13 is removed from frame 6, and spring 74 is rotated with ends 73 and 76 inside holes 77 and 78 to free the inlet of support 66.

As compared with known devices , the advantages of antitheft device 5 according to the invention will be clear from the foregoing description. In particular, casing 8 affords ample space in which to house the components; and multipurpose assembly 38 provides for assembling the components easily inside casing 8, for reducing production and assembly cost, for safeguarding against assembly errors - such as partial or incorrect 'assembly of mechanical or support components, which may easily occur using different parts to achieve the same functions - and so enabling fast reliable assembly.

Metal casing 8 protects device 5 against acts of vandalism, even using a hammer or other tools; airtight connection to casing 8 of lock 21 with mechanical key 22 makes the device waterproof; one-piece support 66 is cheap to produce, and provides for easily housing and changing batteries 65; and tongues 71 enable support 66 to adapt to the inside diameter of sleeves 13 of different frames 6.

Clearly, changes may be made to the antitheft device as described and illustrated herein without, however, departing from the scope of the accompanying Claims.

For example, casing 8 may differ in shape, and longitudinal ribs 37 may be eliminated.

Moreover, elastic tongues 71 of support 66 may be replaced by rigid appendixes. Finally, the various functional components of device 5 may differ as to form and size. For example, sensor 27 may advantageously be replaced by a sensor defined by two spheres operating respectively on two opposite metalized faces of a printed circuit, and by two respective conducting half-spheres, so that each sphere acts as a vibration switch between the respective half-sphere and the respective metalized face of the printed circuit. Moreover, capsule 32 with retaining lid '61 and springs 64 may be replaced by a capsule complete with casing and reophores and soldered directly to printed circuit 16.

Claims

1) An electronic antitheft device for two-wheel vehicles having a frame (6) and a saddle (7) , which antitheft device comprises a casing (8) connected 'between said frame (6) and said saddle (7) and containing a series of functional elements (16, 27, 32) of the antitheft device; characterized in that said casing (8) is oblong in the traveling direction of the vehicle; and said casing (8) having two opposite cylindrical appendixes (9, 11) fitted respectively to said saddle (7) and to a battery-holder sleeve (13) in turn connectable to said frame (6) .

2) An antitheft device as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that said casing (8) is defined by two half-shells (14) connected to each other along a plane of symmetry (S) which is oriented vertically parallel to said direction.

3) An antitheft device as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said series of functional elements (16, 27, 32) comprises an electronic control circuit (16) activated by the user; and signaling means (32) controlled by said circuit (16) so activated and under the control of sensor means (27) for detecting displacement of the vehicle; characterized in that said signaling means comprise a piezoelectric capsule (32) for emitting an acoustic signal; said casing (8) comprising a resonance chamber (33) for the acoustic signal emitted by said capsule ( 32 ) .

4) An antitheft device as claimed in Claim 3, characterized in that each of said half-shells (14) comprises, at said resonance chamber (33) , a series of openings (34) adjacent to a series of longitudinal 'sound-conveying slots (36) .

5) An antitheft device as claimed in Claim 4, characterized in that said resonance chamber (33) is closed by a lid (61) ; said capsule (32) being retained in said resonance chamber (33) by said lid (61), and being connected to said electronic circuit (16) by two springs (64) .

6) An antitheft device as claimed in one of the foregoing Claims from 3 to 5 , characterized in that said electronic circuit (16) is activated by an activating element (23) fitted to a cylindrical lock (21) with a mechanical key (22) ; said lock (21) being housed in airtight manner inside a front opening (20) formed between said half-shells (14) . 7) An antitheft device as claimed in Claim 6, characterized in that said electronic circuit comprises a printed circuit board (16) ; said activating element (23) acting on an elastic frame (24) for establishing an electric contact with a contact pad on said board (16) . 8) An antitheft device as claimed in Claim 6 or 7 , characterized in that said sensor means comprise a substantially spherical displacement sensor (27) housed in a metalized opening (28) on said board (16) ; said sensor (27) cooperating with at least one turn (29) of an electrically conducting wire to act as an electric switch between said turn (29) and said metalized opening (28). 9) An antitheft device as claimed in Claim 6 or 7 ,

'characterized in that said sensor means comprise a sensor defined by two spheres operating respectively on two opposite metalized faces of a printed circuit, and by two respective conducting half-spheres, so that each said sphere acts as a vibration switch between the respective said half-sphere and the corresponding metalized face of said printed circuit.

10) An antitheft device as claimed in one of the foregoing Claims from 2 to 9, characterized by comprising supporting and shielding means (38) for supporting and shielding said functional elements (16, 27, 32); said supporting and shielding means (38) also functioning as a seal between said half-shells (14) in said plane of symmetry (S) . 11) An antitheft device as claimed in Claim 11, characterized in that said half-shells (14) are made of light alloy; said supporting and shielding means comprising a multipurpose assembly (38) molded in one piece from plastic material. 12) An antitheft device as claimed in Claim 11, characterized in that said assembly (38) is molded by means of two molds, and comprises a pair of transverse portions (39, 41) parallel to each other and of limited thickness to enable said assembly (38) to be folded along said pair of transverse portions (39, 41) .

13) An antitheft device as claimed in Claim 12, characterized in that said assembly (38) comprises at least one longitudinal rib (44, 45) for engaging said half-shells (14) in said plane of symmetry (S) to form a seal between the inside and the outside of said casing (8) .

14) An antitheft device as claimed in Claim 7 and Claim 12 or 13, characterized in that said assembly (38) houses a board (16) , and comprises a sleeve (52) located between said pair of transverse portions (39, 41) to house a lock (21) with a key (22) by which to activate said board (16) . 15) An antitheft device as claimed in one of the foregoing Claims from 12 to 14, characterized in that said assembly (38) comprises a wall (53) for shielding the top of said functional elements (16, 27, 32) .

16) An antitheft device as claimed in Claim 3 and one of the foregoing Claims from 12 to 15, characterized in that said assembly (38) comprises a cup-shaped portion (57) for housing said piezoelectric capsule (32) and forming an acoustic resonance chamber (33); said cup-shaped portion (57) being closed by a retaining lid (61) supporting electric connections (64) between said capsule (32) and said printed circuit board (16) .

17) An antitheft device as claimed in Claim 3 and one of the foregoing Claims from 12 to 15, characterized in that said assembly (38) comprises a cup-shaped portion (57) for housing said piezoelectric capsule (32) and forming an acoustic resonance chamber (33); said capsule comprising an enclosure and reophores, and being soldered directly to said printed circuit board (16) .

18) An antitheft device as claimed in Claim 8 and one of the foregoing Claims from 12 to 17, characterized in that said assembly (38) comprises a pair of hollow portions (54, 56) forming, in use, a compartment located at said metalized opening (28) and for housing said sensor (27) .

19) An antitheft device as claimed in one of the foregoing Claims from 12 to 18, characterized in that said assembly (38) comprises two mutually engaging elements (42, 43), which, in use, keep said assembly folded in the form of a box; said mutually engaging elements (42, 43) being located at two opposite ends of said assembly (38) with respect to said pair of transverse portions (39, 41). 20) An antitheft device as claimed in one of the foregoing Claims, characterized in that said battery-holder sleeve (13) houses a support (66) for a series of electric batteries (65) ; said support (66) being formed in one piece from plastic material. 21) An antitheft device as claimed in Claim 20, characterized in that said support (66) is molded by means of two molds, and comprises two parallel ribs (67) supporting two series of axially-offset curved elements — y —

(68, 69); said series of curved elements (68, 69) being diametrically opposite each other with respect to said ribs (67) .

22) An antitheft device as claimed in Claim 21, characterized in that said support (66) also comprises 'at least two elastic tongues (71) for engaging the inner surface of said battery-holder sleeve (13) ; said tongues (71) being carried longitudinally by the curved elements (68) in one of said series (68, 69).

23) An antitheft device as claimed in Claim 22, characterized in that said support (66) is connected to said battery-holder sleeve (13) by means of a U-shaped elastic element (74) having two appendixes (73, 76) engaging respective holes (77, 78) in said battery-holder sleeve (13); one of said appendixes (73, 76) also engaging an opening (72) in said support (66) .

24) An antitheft device as claimed in Claim 23, characterized in that said elastic element (74) is electrically conductive, and is engaged by a first pole, preferably the negative pole, of one of said batteries (65) ; said elastic element (74) being rotatable inside said holes (77, 78) to change said batteries (65) .

25) An antitheft device as claimed in Claim 23 or 24, characterized in that said support (66) comprises a disk (79) for arresting said batteries (65) and supporting a pin (81) ; a coil spring (82) being fitted about said pin (81) , and being engaged by a second pole, preferably the positive pole, of one of said batteries ( 65 ) .

26) An antitheft device as claimed in Claim 25, characterized in that said coil spring (82) is connected electrically to said board (16) by a cable (84) engaged inside a V-shaped slot (86) in said disk (79) and

'extending through an axial hole (87) in said casing (8) .