Claims:We Claim:
(1) A bicycle docking system 10 for parking a bicycle 50, unparking the bicycle 50 or an equivalent bicycle 50, characterized in that the bicycle docking system 10 comprises
- a modular docking arrangement 20, further comprising
o a left raiser pillar assembly 21 having a left vertical channel 23 with a vertical opening 25, a left entry opening 27 on one side, a left entry guide 33 attached below the left entry opening 27.
o a right raiser pillar assembly 22 having a right vertical channel 24 with a vertical opening 26, a right entry opening 28 on one side, a right entry guide 34 attached below the right entry opening 28.
o a base 29 on which the left raiser pillar 21 and the right raiser pillar 22 are disposed, and
o a docking mechanism 31 having a rotary means 32 and a raising means 36.
- a scalable locking system 100,
- an extension 70 having a gripping means 77 at its axle end 78, the extension 70 disposed on either side of an axle 52 of a front wheel 51 of the bicycle 50, and
- a self-guiding arrangement;
wherein, the raising means 36 disposed on the left raiser pillar assembly 21 and the right raiser pillar assembly 22, a slider 30 comprising a trapping valley 35 and a docking position 35A travels up and down inside the left vertical channel 23 / right vertical channel 24 by the raising means 36.
(2) The bicycle docking system 10 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modular docking arrangement 20 is in plurality.
(3) The bicycle docking system 10 as claimed in claim 2, wherein the modular docking arrangement 20 in plurality have a plurality of middle pillar 49, each middle pillar 49 having a left vertical channel 43, a right vertical channel 44 each with a left vertical opening 45 and a right vertical opening 46, a left entry opening 47 and a right entry opening 48.
(4) The bicycle docking system 10 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the self-guiding arrangement is a the left entry guide 33 and the right entry guide 34 provided with a gravity assisted guiding profile wherein the gravity assisted guiding profile is an inclined profile that facilitates downward movement of an object due to a downward gravitational force, the left entry guide 33 and the right entry guide 34 at an acute angle 39 on the left vertical channel 23 and the right vertical channel 24 respectively, or the modular docking arrangement 20 disposed below a bicycle level 40.
(5) The bicycle docking system 10 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the left vertical channel 23 and the right vertical channel 24 has an enabling profile arrangement 60 comprising a cam profile 61 and an active link 65, wherein the active link 65 occupies one of a transient position 66 and a blocking position 67.
(6) The bicycle docking system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gripping means 77 is one of a hexagonal collet 74 and a ring clamp 75 disposed thereon, a springy jaws 71 that engulf accessible part of existing axle 52, or is a flexible hexagonal opening 72 followed by an internal threads 73 that negotiates with existing fastener arrangement provided on the existing axle 52.
(7) The bicycle docking system 10 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the extension 70 is integral to the axle 52 of the front wheel 51.
(8) The bicycle docking system 10 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the raising means 36 is one of a motorized arrangement, actuated by a switching device, or a manual arrangement.
(9) The bicycle docking system 10 as claimed in claim 2, wherein the scalable locking system 100 outputs a different prescribed height 41, 42 for alternate bicycles 50 and a sinusoidal pattern of docking heights is formed.
(10) The bicycle docking system 10 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the scalable locking system 100 cross validates a vital parameters with reference to a database and assigns an exchange code 111, disposed on either or both of the extensions 70 of the bicycle 50.
(11) The bicycle docking system 10 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bicycle 50 is an e-bike 50E, a complementary connector 83 is disposed on the extension 70, which is electrically connected to a battery 81 of the e-bike 50E.
(12) The bicycle docking system 10 as claimed in claim 2, wherein bicycles 50 are at identical upward inclination.
(13) The bicycle docking system 10 as claimed in claim 2, wherein alternate bicycles 50 are at identical upward inclination.
(14) The bicycle docking system 10 as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bicycles 50 are docked alternately from either side of the modular docking arrangement 20.
(15) A process to dock and undock a bicycle 50 in the docking system 10, the bicycle docking system 10 comprising a modular docking arrangement 20, a docking mechanism 31 having a rotary means 32 and a raising means 36, and a scalable locking system 100, the process comprising the steps of
(a) Guiding and pushing the front wheel 51 in between a left raiser pillar 21 and a right raiser pillar 22 of the modular docking arrangement 20,
(b) Travelling of the extensions 70 on either side of the bicycle 50 on a left entry guide 33 and a right entry guide 34,
(c) Landing of the extensions 70 in the valley 35 of the slider 30 on either side.
(d) Raising of the bicycle 50 up to a prescribed height 41, 42.
(e) Trapping of the extensions 70 in between the left raiser pillar 21 and the right raiser pillar 22
(f) Inputting the exchange code 111 to undock a bicycle 50.
(g) Unlocking of the bicycle 50
(h) Lowering of the bicycle 50.
(i) Alternatively, unlocking of an equivalent bicycle 50.
(j) Lowering of the equivalent bicycle 50.
(16) The process to dock and undock a bicycle 50 in the docking system 10 as claimed in claim 15, wherein the landing of the extensions 70 is in a docking position 35A of the slider 30.
(17) The process to dock and undock a bicycle 50 in the docking system 10 as claimed in claim 15, wherein the trapping of the extensions 70 of an e-bike 50E causes engaging mechanically a complementary connector 83 with an electric connector, establishing an electric connection supplying an electric charge to the battery 81, and communicating a plurality of confirmatory control signals.
, Description:Form 2
The Patent Act 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patent Rules 2003
Complete Specification
(See section 10 and rule 13)

Title of the Invention:
A Bicycle Docking System with Exchange Intelligence

Applicant: Zest Smart Solutions Private Limited
Nationality: Indian
Address: H.No.27, Vallabh Nagar CO-OP HSG,
Society, Malegaon Road, Dhule,
Dhule - 424001, Maharashtra, India.

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a parking device, particularly for bicycles, e-bikes, unicycles and motorized cycles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a parking system with exchangeability.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Bicycles are gaining popularity, both because they are environment friendly and because they are becoming better and better for medium distance travel. With their increasing number in use, there are also innovative solutions possible by which they can be parked safely and with minimal floor space required.
There are commonly known bicycle storage practices for parking the bicycle conventionally, that is, with both bicycle wheels on the ground. There are available racks for conventional bicycle parking.
Parking solutions with bicycle lifted from one wheel are also known.
A prior art device which is directed to a vertical storage rack for bicycles is disclosed in Patent no. US 4352432 titled Bicycle Storage Rack. The rack uses a U- channel having walls and there are a number of restraint means for engagement with tires and rim of the bicycle. The bicycle is secured with a pin which passes through hole in a channel and an inside of the rim of front wheel.
Patent no. CN201621410288 titled Perpendicular Parking Equipment of Bicycle discloses a parking rack with a locking mechanism which has L type pillar wherein the lock groove moves 90 degrees to load the cycle and locking pawl which is engaged with the ratchet is used to secure the bicycle in vertical position.
Patent no. CN206317911 titled Perpendicular Parking Equipment of Bicycle with inflator is also vertical docking system like the above prior art which has L type pillar and it also discloses a vertical pump to assist the bicycle for docking. It has an exhaust vent port to control the deflation and thereby the speed of the downward movement of the wheel holder.
Patent no. US 4047614A titled Bicycle Rack discloses one or more standard wheel-retaining modules arranged in multiples of any desired number and configuration on a suitable support, e.g., radial or horizontal, so as to provide maximum bicycle parking facility for a given outdoor or indoor area. The module is of simple, inexpensive mass-produced construction capable of supporting any standard wheel and cooperating with any standard bicycle lock. A preferred form of module comprises a pair of parallel bent rods or the like, vertically disposed.
Patent no. US 7946432 titled Dual Level Bicycle Parking System discloses a parking device wherein the frame supports the lower and upper level to receive the bicycles. The bicycle is advanced on the guide which has spring assembly to facilitate the movement of upper support and it has look loop to secure the bicycle in position.
Patent no. US 5238125 titled Bicycle Parking and Storage Rack discloses a locking means for the rear wheel through a U- shaped bar which passes through the wheel and rails. To secure the bicycle in place a support pad is provided, also the brackets are designed to prevent the movement of the rod and L- shaped finger extension bar which secures the front wheel.
Patent no. 5743411 titled Open Frame Self Standing Bicycle Parking Module discloses a docking system where the U-Lock is engaged with the wheel of the bicycle together with the frame with the help of U- Member and the wheel is secured in position through security arm.
Patent no. 6336562 titled Bicycle Parking Device discloses adjacent parking of bicycles on pair of guide rails, U-shaped rails receive a wheel and a fence which prevents the bicycle from falling down together with a stopper engaged in one of the wheels.
One of the practices gaining popularity is to dock a bicycle at a secure place and pick up an equivalent bicycle at another collaborating place. Most of the arrangements disclosed above are inadequate for a plurality of bicycles and cannot cater to bicycle exchange situation.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION
- An objective is to invent a secure docking arrangement for bicycles.
- Another objective is to invent a docking arrangement that demands minimum effort of the user.
- Yet another objective is to invent a docking arrangement that requires minimum floor space.
- Yet another objective is to invent a docking arrangement which causes no stress or deformation in the bicycle.
- Yet another objective is to invent a docking arrangement that caters to e-bikes.
- Yet another objective is to invent a docking arrangement that facilitates bicycle interchangeability.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention is a bicycle docking system with intelligence for exchange wherein the bicycles are securely docked in a near vertical orientation. An axle of front wheel of the bicycle has an extension on its either side. The extension is preferably cylindrical externally. The extension is disposed on existing axle. The extension has a gripping means at its axle end, which accommodates a pre-existing axle nut and or a hanging end of the axle. The bicycle docking system with intelligence for interchangeability comprises a modular docking arrangement and a scalable locking system. The modular docking arrangement comprises a left raiser pillar assembly, a right raiser pillar assembly, a base and a docking mechanism. Several modular docking arrangements are disposed adjacently depending on need. As a variation, a left raiser pillar and a right raiser pillar is integrated to form a middle pillar when several modular locking arrangements are provided. A slider comprises a trapping valley. The slider travels up and down inside the left vertical channel right vertical channel. The docking mechanism comprises a rotary means and a raising means. The raising means raises the slider to a locking level, and lowers the slider to an unlocking level inside the vertical channel. The raising means is preferably disposed in the left raiser pillar assembly and or the right raiser pillar assembly. The rotary means drives the raising means. In a preferred embodiment, the rotary means is a geared motorized arrangement. Such arrangements are known prior art, therefore not elaborated here. The geared motorized arrangement is actuated by a switching device.
The scalable locking system cross validates vital parameters with reference to a database and assigns an exchange code. The exchange code is disposed on the bicycle. In a preferred embodiment, the exchange code is disposed on either or both of the extensions thus making such extensions a smart extension. To undock a bicycle, user inputs the exchange code to the scalable locking system and a bicycle, either his own or an equivalent bicycle undocks. Docking in near vertical orientation saves floor space. In order to further save on floor space the scalable locking system works out a different prescribed height for alternate bicycles such that a minimal pitch is obtainable since a maximum width dimension of bicycles is staggered wherein a sinusoidal pattern of docking heights is formed.
When the bicycle is an e-bike, there is a provision to charge a battery of the e-bike. An electric connector is disposed in the left raiser pillar assembly and or the right raiser pillar assembly. A complementary connector is disposed on the extension, which is electrically connected to the battery of the e-bike. The electric connection between the complementary connector and the battery is a wired connection or a wireless connection. When the e-bike is docked or parked in the docking system 100, the complementary connector gets mechanically engaged with the electric connector. An electric connection thus established supplies electric charge to the battery. The electric connection also has another provision to communicate a plurality of confirmatory control signals. The confirmatory control signal is one or more of e-bike docking confirmation, battery charging state, and or over voltage.

Brief Description of Drawings
1) Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bicycle docking system while Figure 1A is a side view
2) Figure 2 is a representative sectional view of a front wheel with its axle having extensions
3) Figure 3 is an exploded view of an extension while Figures 3A and 3B are the views of embodiments of the extension.
4) Figure 4 is a perspective view of a left raiser pillar assembly and a right raiser pillar assembly disposed on a base.
5) Figure 5 is a perspective view a middle pillar.
6) Figure 6 is a perspective view of a slider.
7) Figure 7 is a perspective view of a raising means.
8) Figure 8 is a side view of a bicycle being docked.
9) Figure 9 is a logic diagram of a scalable locking system.
10) Figure 10A and 10B are views of another variation of the slider while Figure 10C and 10D are front views of an enabling profile arrangement.
11) Figure 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the bicycle docking system.
12) Figure 12 is a perspective exploded view showing a complementary connector disposed on the extension 70.
13) Figure 13 is an electrical cum mechanical drawing showing a charging arrangement of a battery of an e-bike.

Detailed Description of Drawings
The invention shall now be described with the help of drawings. The terms and illustration are merely for describing the invention and should not be construed to limit the invention.
Figure 1, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is a bicycle docking system 10 with intelligence for exchange wherein the bicycles are securely docked in a near vertical orientation.
Figure 2, an axle 52 of front wheel 51 of the bicycle 50 has an extension 70 on its either side. The extension 70 is preferably cylindrical externally. The extension 70 is disposed on existing axle 52.
Figure 3, the extension 70 has a gripping means 77 at its axle end 78, which accommodates a pre-existing axle nut and or a hanging end of the axle 52. The gripping means, as a preferred embodiment is a hexagonal collet 74 and a ring clamp 75 disposed thereon.
As another embodiment, Figure 3A, the gripping means 77 is a springy jaws 71 that engulf accessible part of existing axle 52. As yet another embodiment, Figure 3B, the gripping means 77 is a flexible hexagonal opening 72 followed by an internal threads 73 that negotiates with existing fastener arrangement provided on the existing axle 52 by bicycle 50 manufacturer.
A far end 76 of extension 70 is made of ceramic and houses a sensor chip therein.
As a variation, the extension 70 is integral to the axle 52 of the front wheel 51.
Figure 1, 4, 9 the bicycle docking system 10 with intelligence for interchangeability comprises
o a modular docking arrangement 20
o a scalable locking system 100
The modular docking arrangement 20 comprises a left raiser pillar assembly 21, a right raiser pillar assembly 22, a base 29 and a docking mechanism 31. Several modular docking arrangements 20 are disposed adjacently depending on need. As a variation, a left raiser pillar 21 and a right raiser pillar 22 is integrated to form a middle pillar 49 when several modular locking arrangements 20 are provided.

The left raiser pillar assembly 21 comprises a left vertical channel 23 with a left vertical opening 25, disposed on the base 29. The left vertical channel 23 has a left entry opening 27 on one side. A left entry guide 33 is attached below the left entry opening 27.

The right raiser pillar assembly 22 likewise comprises a right vertical channel 24 with a right vertical opening 26, disposed on the base 29. The right vertical channel 24 has a right entry opening 28 on one side. A right entry guide 34 is attached below the right entry opening 28.

The middle pillar 49 has a left vertical channel 43, a right vertical channel 44 each with a left vertical opening 45 ( a mirror of right vertical opening 46, referenced but not visible in Figure 5) and a right vertical opening 46, a left entry opening 47 and a right entry opening 48 likewise.

Figure 6, a slider 30 comprises a trapping valley 35. The slider 30 travels up and down inside the left vertical channel 23/ right vertical channel 24.

The docking mechanism 31 comprises a rotary means 32 and a raising means 36. Figure 7, the raising means 36 raises the slider 30 to a locking level 37, and lowers the slider 30 to an unlocking level 38 inside the vertical channel 23, 24. The raising means 36 is preferably disposed in the left raiser pillar assembly 21 and or the right raiser pillar assembly 22.

The rotary means 32 drives the raising means 36. In a preferred embodiment, the rotary means 32 is a geared motorized arrangement. Such arrangements are known prior art, therefore not elaborated here. The geared motorized arrangement is actuated by a switching device.

As another variation the rotary means 32 is a simplified manual arrangement.

To dock or park a bicycle 50 in the bicycle docking system 10, the front wheel 51 is guided in between the left raiser pillar assembly 21 and the right raiser pillar assembly 22 by user, till more than half of the front wheel 51 of the bicycle 50 is between the left entry guide 33 and the right entry guide 34. The extensions 70 are either already provided on the axle 52 of the front wheel 51 of the bicycle 50, or is such disposed on the left entry guide 33 and the right entry guide 34 that the extensions 70 gets self-disposed on the axle 52 of the front wheel 51 as the front wheel 51 is manually guided in. Further, the extensions 70, now situate on either side of the bicycle 50 start travelling on the left entry guide 33 and the right entry guide 34 and the extensions 70 self-guidedly land themselves in the valley 35 of the slider 30 on either side,
The extensions 70 self-guidedly land themselves in the valley 35 due to a self-guiding arrangement. The self-guiding arrangement is achieved by the left entry guide 33 and or the right entry guide 34, which are provided with a gravity assisted guiding profile. The gravity assisted guiding profile is an inclined profile that facilitates downward movement of an object due to a downward gravitational force. As another variation, the self-guiding arrangement is achieved by disposing the left entry guide 33 and the right entry guide 34 at an acute angle 39 on the left vertical channel 23 and the right vertical channel 24 respectively. The self-guiding arrangement is achieved also when the modular docking arrangement 20 is disposed below a bicycle level 40 as shown in Figure 8, or by a combination of any or all of such arrangement possibilities.
Next, the bicycle 50 is raised up to a prescribed height 41, 42 of the locking level 37. The extensions 70 are securely trapped in between the left raiser pillar 21 and the right raiser pillar 22 and cannot be separated from the bicycle 50 without extensively damaging the modular docking arrangement 20 or bicycle 50 or both. In other words, the docking is secure. Further, the modular docking arrangement 20 does not at all touch or hold any regular part of the bicycle and thus the bicycle 50 cannot get scratched or mutilated or soiled.
Figure 9, the scalable locking system 100 is custom built for one or more modular docking arrangements 20 which may or may not be equipped with exchange intelligence 110.

Exchange Intelligence 110 – It is a term coined to denote a method by which bicycles 50 are assigned an Exchange Code 111 based on an equivalent value. With such exchange intelligence 110, owner of any bicycle 50 can dock his or her bicycle 50 at one place and undock another equivalent bicycle 50 at a remote place.
To use exchange intelligence 110, user keys in vital parameters of his or her bicycle 50 including but not limited to
a) Make and year of manufacture
b) Major damages value
c) Major accessory
d) Monetary value of bicycle 50
The scalable locking system 100 cross validates vital parameters with reference to a database and assigns an exchange code 111. The exchange code 111 is disposed on the bicycle 50. In a preferred embodiment, the exchange code 111 is disposed on either or both of the extensions 70 thus making such extensions a smart extension.
To undock a bicycle 50, user inputs the exchange code 111 to the scalable locking system 100 and a bicycle 50, either his own or an equivalent bicycle 50 undocks.
Docking in near vertical orientation saves floor space. In order to further save on floor space the scalable locking system 100 works out a different prescribed height 41, 42 for alternate bicycles 50 such that a minimal pitch 22 is obtainable since a maximum width dimension 12 of bicycles 50 is staggered as shown in Figure 1 wherein a sinusoidal pattern of docking heights is formed.
To facilitate independent docking and undocking of staggered bicycles 50 to and from their respective prescribed height 41, 42, the docked bicycles 50 are situate in a docking position 35A of another embodiment of the slider 30, as shown in Figure 10A, 10B. Figure 10C and 10D, an enabling profile arrangement 60 is provided on the left vertical channel 23 and the right vertical channel 24. The enabling profile arrangement 60, in a preferred embodiment comprises a cam profile 61 carved in the left vertical channel 23 and the right vertical channel 24. The enabling profile arrangement 60 further comprises an active link 65. The active link 65 occupies one of a transient position 66 and a blocking position 67. When the bicycle 50 is raised, the extensions 70 push the active link 65 to the transient position 66 and the extensions 70 follow the cam profile 61 due to gravity, thus the extensions 70 reach a docking position 35A of the slider 30. When the bicycle 50 is to be lowered, the slider 30 is first raised up, and the extension 70 pushes the active link 65 to the transient position 66 and frees itself from the cam profile 61. The slider 30 then is lowered and the extensions 70 follow the vertical opening 45,46 of the channels 43,44 since the active link 65, having returned to the blocking position 67, blocks an opening of the cam profile 61.
While staggering, either all the bicycles 50 are at identical upward inclination and only alternate bicycles 50 touching a floor level, or all bicycles 50 touch the floor while alternate bicycles 50 are at an identical upward inclination, Figure 1A. As another embodiment, the bicycles 50 are docked alternately from either side of the docking arrangement 20, as shown in Figure 11. The bicycles 50 are arrange-able in several other permutations.
Figure 11, 12, when the bicycle 50 is an e-bike 50E, there is a provision to charge a battery 81 of the e-bike 50E. An electric connector bringing commensurate electric power is disposed in the left raiser pillar assembly 21 and or the right raiser pillar assembly 22. A complementary connector 83 is disposed on the extension 70, which is electrically connected to the battery of the e-bike. An electric connection between the complementary connector 83 and the battery 81 is a wired connection 84 or a wireless connection. When the e-bike 50E is docked or parked in the docking system 100, the complementary connector 83 gets mechanically engaged with the electric connector. The electric connection thus established supplies electric charge to the battery 81. The electric connection also has another provision to communicate a plurality of confirmatory control signals. The confirmatory control signal is one or more of e-bike docking confirmation, battery charging state, and or over voltage.