The present invention relates to a lock assembly, more specifically relates
to a wheel lock assembly.
BACKGROUND
5 [002] Two wheelers generally come with a lock assembly in order to
lock/unlock the vehicle. The lock assembly locks/unlocks the handle of the
vehicle in order to operate the vehicle. However, a lock assembly may be
unauthentically accessed and may cause unwanted mobilization of the vehicle. In
order to prevent such situation from happening, an additional security may be
10 required. Such additional security to the vehicle may be provided by a wheel
lock.
[003] Conventional wheel locks may include a straight key receiving portion.
Such key receiving portion in the conventional wheel lock may pose various
limitations such as it may require a user to bend more in order to effectively
15 insert/remove the key leading to poor ergonomics. Further, the conventional
wheel lock may have less surface area of contact on the vehicle leading to
loosening of the wheel lock due to continuous use over a course of time.
[004] Thus, there exists a need for an improved wheel lock which may
overcome limitations of the conventional ones.
20 SUMMARY
[005] The present invention relates to a wheel lock which includes a plurality of
components disposed with respect to a longitudinal axis. The components are
operatively coupled to each other in such a way that a wheel lock exists in one
of, a locked configuration or an unlocked configuration. The components include
25 a lock cover, a locking unit and a locking hook.
[006] The lock cover includes a plurality of openings, a back surface and a key
receiving portion. The plurality of openings include a first pair of openings and a
3
second pair of openings. The key receiving portion is inclined at a predefined
angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the wheel lock.
[007] The locking unit is disposed within the lock cover. The locking unit
includes a locking bar. The locking hook includes at least two pair of slots having
5 a first pair of slots and a second pair of slots.
[008] In the locked configuration, the locking hook is inserted through the
second pair of openings and the locking bar is fixed in the second pair of slots of
the locking hook. While in the unlocked configuration, the locking hook is
inserted through the first pair of openings and the locking bar is fixed in the first
10 pair of slots of the locking hook.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[009] The summary above, as well as the following detailed description of
illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with
the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure,
15 exemplary constructions of the disclosure are shown in the drawings. However,
the disclosure is not limited to specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed
herein. Moreover, those in the art will understand that the drawings are not to
scale.
[010] FIG. 1 illustrates a wheel lock 100 having an angled key receiving portion
20 10a in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[011] FIG. 1a illustrates a back surface of the wheel lock in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[012] FIG. 1b represents the wheel lock 100 coupled to a wheel of a twowheeler in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
25 [013] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the wheel lock 100 in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
4
[014] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a locking unit 40 of the wheel lock 100
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[015] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a locking hook 20 of the wheel lock
100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
5 [016] FIG. 5a illustrates a perspective view of the unlocked state of the wheel
lock 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[017] FIG. 5b illustrates a perspective view of the locked state of the wheel lock
100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[018] FIG. 6a illustrates a cross-sectional view of the wheel lock 100 when the
10 locking bar 40b is in a compressed state in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention.
[019] FIG. 6b illustrates a cross-sectional view of the wheel lock 100 when the
locking bar 40b is in a relaxed state in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
15 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[020] Prior to describing the invention in detail, definitions of certain words or
phrases used throughout this patent document will be defined: the terms
"include" and "comprise", as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without
limitation; the term "or" is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases "coupled with"
20 and "associated therewith", as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include,
be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to
or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave,
juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the
like; Definitions of certain words and phrases are provided throughout this
25 patent document, and those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that such
definitions apply in many, if not most, instances to prior as well as future uses of
such defined words and phrases.
5
[021] Wherever possible, same reference numbers will be used throughout the
drawings to refer to same or like parts. Moreover, references to various
elements described herein are made collectively or individually when there may
be more than one element of the same type. However, such references are
5 merely exemplary in nature. It may be noted that any reference to elements in
the singular may also be construed to relate to the plural and vice-versa without
limiting the scope of the disclosure to the exact number or type of such elements
unless set forth explicitly in the appended claims.
[022] Particular embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein
10 below with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, it is to be
understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the
disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms. Well-known functions or
constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present
disclosure in unnecessary detail. Therefore, specific structural and functional
15 details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a
basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the
art to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately
detailed structure.
[023] In accordance with the present disclosure, a wheel lock is disclosed. The
20 wheel lock may be used in two wheeler vehicles. The wheel lock may be
provided with at least one wheel of a two-wheeler. The wheel lock of the present
invention may include a key receiving portion. The key receiving portion of the
wheel lock is inclined in an upward direction at a predefined angle with respect
to a longitudinal axis of the wheel lock. The inclination of the key receiving
25 portion of the wheel lock at the pre-defined angle provides better ergonomics
for a user. Apart from comfort, the inclination helps in improving the efficiency
of locking/unlocking the wheel lock. Further, the inclination of the key receiving
portion prevents damage to the key receiving portion of the wheel lock as well as
a locking key.
6
[024] Moreover, the wheel lock of the present invention has a greater surface
area for attachment of the wheel lock on the wheel(s) of the vehicle. The greater
surface area prevents loosening of the wheel lock due to continuous use over a
course of time. Owing to the firm grip of the wheel lock, production of any
5 unwanted noise that might be generated in case of loose gripping, is prevented.
Further, the shelf life of the wheel lock is enhanced.
[025] Now referring specifically to drawings, FIG. 1 represents a perspective
view of the wheel lock 100. The wheel lock 100 of the present invention may be
used for locking/unlocking a vehicle. In an embodiment, the wheel lock 100 is
10 used to lock/unlock two wheeler vehicles such as bike, motorcycles, etc. which
do not include a disc brake.
[026] As shown in FIG. 1, the wheel lock 100 may include a lock cover 10 and a
locking hook 20. The wheel lock 100 may also include a longitudinal axis ‘L’.
[027] The lock cover 10 may be a structural body made of a durable material
15 such as a polymer or a metal/metal alloy including, aluminium alloy, zinc alloy,
steel, etc. In an embodiment, the lock cover 10 is made of aluminium alloy. The
lock cover 10 of the present invention may include properties such as resistance
against wear and tear, high tensile strength, corrosion resistance, etc. The said
properties may be conferred by the material from which the lock cover 10 is
20 made. For example, the said properties may be dependent upon the grade of the
aluminium used. Alternately, the said properties may be a by-product of a predefined coating which is provided over the lock cover 10.
[028] The lock cover 10 may include a pre-defined shape and dimensions. The
shape and dimensions of the lock cover 10 may be dependent upon one or more
25 components of the wheel lock 100 to be enclosed within the lock cover 10,
dimensions of a part of the vehicle on which the wheel lock 100 is to be
disposed/integrated/coupled, etc.
7
[029] The lock cover 10 may include a key receiving portion 10a. The key
receiving portion 10a may include a slot 10a1 for receiving a lock key 1
corresponding to the wheel lock 100. The slot 10a1 may be dimensioned and
shaped depending upon the dimensions and shape of the lock key 1. Hence, the
5 key receiving portion 10a may allow the insertion of the lock key 1 for
locking/unlocking the vehicle using the wheel lock 100.
[030] The key receiving portion 10a may be angled with respect to the
longitudinal axis ‘L’ of the wheel lock 100. The key receiving portion 10a of the
wheel lock 100 may be inclined at a predefined angle. The predefined angle may
10 be in a range of 40 to 50 degrees. In an embodiment, the predefined angle is 45
degrees. The inclination of the key receiving portion 10a helps a user in accessing
the wheel lock 100 and locking/unlocking the wheel lock 100 conveniently,
thereby providing better ergonomics. Apart from comfort, the inclination helps
in improving the efficiency of locking/unlocking the wheel lock 100. Further, the
15 inclination of the key receiving portion 10a prevents damage to the key receiving
portion 10a and the lock key 1 of the wheel lock 100.
[031] The lock cover 10 may include a back surface 10’ as shown in FIG. 1a. The
lock cover 10 may be disposed over the vehicle in a manner that the back surface
10’ of the lock cover 10 is in contact with the vehicle. The back surface 10’ of the
20 lock cover 10 includes a predefined surface area. The surface area of the back
surface 10’ plays a crucial role in order to achieve adequate attachment of the
wheel lock 100 on the vehicle. In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 1a, the back
surface 10’ has a greater surface area which provides improved attachment and
enhances the grip of the wheel lock 100 over the vehicle. Therefore, the
25 increased surface area of the back surface 10’ in the present invention prevents
loosening of the wheel lock 100 due to continuous use over a course of time.
Owing to the firm grip of the wheel lock 100, production of any unwanted noise
that might be generated in case of loose gripping, is prevented. The predefined
surface area of the back surface 10’ of the wheel lock 100 may be in a range of
8
1500 mm2 to 1900 mm2. In an embodiment, the surface area of the back surface
10’ is 1700mm2.
[032] The lock cover 10 may be temporarily or permanently coupled to the
vehicle. In an embodiment, the lock cover 10 may be temporarily coupled to the
5 front wheel of the two wheeler vehicle as shown in FIG. 1b. As shown in FIG. 1, a
back cover 30 is provided with the lock cover 10. The back cover 30 may help the
wheel lock 100 to be fixed onto the two-wheeler vehicle. The back cover 30 as
well as the back surface 10’ may optionally/additionally be provided with a
cushion ‘c’, say a rubber cushion (as shown in FIG. 2). Such a cushion helps to
10 reduce wear and tear or any other structural damage caused by the wheel lock
100 to the vehicle.
[033] The back cover 30 and the lock cover 10 may be coupled using a predefined means. In an embodiment of the present invention, the back cover 30
and lock cover 10 are screwed together with the help of screws 1a for
15 temporarily fixing the wheel lock 100.
[034] The lock cover 10 may include a plurality of openings. In an embodiment,
the lock cover 10 includes a first pair of openings 10b. The first pair of openings
10b may be disposed adjacent to the key receiving area 10a. The first pair of
openings 10b may be provided to allow the passage of the locking hook 20
20 through them to attain an unlocked configuration of the wheel lock 100
(described below in detail).
[035] Further, the lock cover 10 includes a second pair of openings 10c. The
second pair of openings 10c may extend from the back surface 10’ of the wheel
lock 100 to the front surface of the wheel lock 100 as depicted in FIG. 1a. The
25 second pair of openings 10c may be provided to allow the passage of the locking
hook 20 to attain a locked configuration of the wheel lock 100 (as depicted
below).
9
[036] The lock cover 10 acts as an enclosure and houses the components of the
wheel lock 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the locking unit 40 is disposed within the lock
cover 10. The locking unit 40 may be temporarily or permanently coupled to the
lock cover 10 by a pre-defined method such as welding, soldering, dowel fixing,
5 engaging with spring loaded plate, etc.
[037] The locking unit 40 may include a pre-defined structure formed by one or
more components. As an exemplary embodiment, the locking unit 40 includes a
key holder 40a and a locking bar 40b as shown in FIG. 3. The key holder 40a and
the locking bar 40b may be disposed in such a way that the key holder 40a makes
10 an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the locking bar 40b as shown in FIGs. 2
and 3. However, the disposition of the key holder 40a and the locking bar 40b
may be different than the disclosed embodiment and such alternate
embodiments are within the teachings of the present invention.
[038] The key holder 40a may be provided as an extension of the key receiving
15 portion 10a within the lock cover 10. Hence, the key holder 40a may be inclined
at an angle similar to the key receiving portion 10a. The key receiving portion
10a may be integral component of the key holder 40a and the key receiving
portion 10a and the key holder 40a may form a single entity. Alternately, the key
receiving portion 10a may be provided over an end of the key holder 40a.
20 [039] The key holder 40a may be shaped and dimensioned to allow the locking
key 1 to rest within the key holder 40a. In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, the
key holder 40a includes a cylindrical shape. The key holder 40a may be made of
metal alloys such as zinc alloy, or polymer, etc.
[040] The key holder 40a may include a first end a1 and a second end a2. The
25 first end a1 of the key holder 40a may be placed adjacent to the key receiving
portion 10a while the second end a2 may be placed towards the locking bar 40b.
[041] The second end a2 of the key holder 40a may include a plurality of
protrusions. In an embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 3, the key holder 40a
10
includes a protrusion 40a’. The protrusion 40a’ may be provided to engage with
the locking bar 40b. The protrusion 40a’ may be shaped and dimensioned
according to the shape and dimensions of the locking bar 40b.
[042] The locking bar 40b may include a pre-defined shape and dimensions. In
5 an embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, the locking bar 40b includes a cylindrical
shape.
[043] The locking bar 40b may include a first end b1 and a second end b2. The
first and second ends b1, b2 of the locking bar 40b may be configured to fit
within the locking hook 20 (described below) to promote the locking/unlocking
10 mechanism of the wheel lock 100.
[044] The locking bar 40b may also include a groove 40b’ as shown in FIG. 3.
The locking bar 40b may be operatively coupled to the key holder 40a by way of
the protrusion 40a’. The groove 40b’ of the locking bar 40b may mate with the
protrusion 40a’. Such mating between the groove 40b’ and protrusion 40a’ may
15 cause compression and expansion of the locking bar 40b to allow locking and
unlocking of the wheel lock 100.
[045] To allow compression and expansion of the locking bar 40b, the locking
bar 40b includes a resilient member 40b”. The resilient member 40b” may be a
pre-defined structure which is elastic in nature, i.e., it regains its original shape
20 post removing a force responsible for its deformation. In an embodiment, the
resilient member 40b’’ is the spring.
[046] The locking hook 20 may be removably inserted within the lock cover 10
through the aforesaid openings of the lock cover 10. The locking hook 20
promotes the locking/unlocking of the vehicle with wheel lock 100.
25 [047] The locking hook 20 may be made of a durable material such as polymer,
zinc, steel, etc. In an embodiment, the locking hook 20 is made of steel. The
locking hook 20 may include a pre-defined shape. The pre-defined shape of the
11
locking hook 20 may depend upon various factors, such as, disposition site of the
wheel lock 100, type of vehicle in which the wheel lock 100 has to be used, etc.
The pre-defined shape may be U shape, rectangular shape, etc. Alternately, the
locking hook 20 may include two parallel rods connected by a flexible chain
5 structure. In an embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the locking hook 20 has a U shaped
structure.
[048] A perspective view of the locking hook 20 is depicted in FIG. 4. The
locking hook 20 may include a plurality of arms. As an exemplary embodiment,
the locking hook 20 may include a first arm 20a and a second arm 20b connected
10 via a connector 20c. Each of the two arms 20a and 20b of the locking hook 20
may be structurally same or different. In an embodiment, the first arm 20a and
the second arm 20b are structurally similar.
[049] The first arm 20a and the second arm 20b may include one or more slots.
The slots may be provided to facilitate locking/unlocking of the wheel lock 100.
15 In an embodiment, the first arm 20a and the second arm 20b includes two pairs
of slots i.e. a first pair of slots 20a’ and a second pair of slots 20a’’.
[050] The said slots 20a’, 20a” may be disposed in a pre-defined manner. As an
exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 4, the first pair of slots 20a’ may be
provided towards the connector 20c of the locking hook 20 while the second pair
20 of slots 20a” may be disposed away from connector 20c. The first pair of slots
20a’ and the second pair of slots 20a” may be separated by a pre-defined
distance.
[051] Each of the slots of the first pair of slots 20a’ may be disposed over
respective arms 20a/20b of the locking hook 20. Likewise, each of the slots of the
25 second pair of slots 20a” may be disposed over respective arms 20a/20b of the
locking hook 20.
[052] In an embodiment, the locking of the vehicle via the wheel lock 100 as
disclosed above is attained by fixing the second pair of slots 20a” of the locking
12
hook 20 in the openings 10c of the lock cover 10 as shown in FIG. 5b (locked
configuration). Likewise, unlocking of the vehicle is attained by fixing the first
pair of slots 20a’ of the locking hook 20 in the first pair of openings 10b of the
lock cover 10 as shown in FIG. 5a.
5 [053] In order to unlock/lock the vehicle using the wheel lock 100, the locking
key 1 may be inserted in the key holder 40a through the slot 10a1. Owing to the
inclination of the key receiving portion 10a (and in turn the key holder 40a), the
locking key 1 is inserted in the wheel lock 100 at a pre-defined angle equivalent
to the pre-defined angle at which the key receiving portion 10a (and in turn the
10 key holder 40a) is inclined. Such an arrangement allows the user to easily and
conveniently access the wheel lock 100 to lock/unlock the vehicle. Apart from
comfort, the inclination helps in improving the efficiency of locking/unlocking the
wheel lock 100. Further, the inclination of the key receiving portion 10a prevents
damage to the key receiving portion 10a of the wheel lock 100 as well as the lock
15 key 1.
[054] The locking key 1 is rotated in a pre-defined direction. For example, for
unlocking the vehicle, the locking key 1 is rotated in a clockwise direction. The
rotation of the locking key 1 may case rotation of the key holder 40a which in
turn results in compression of the resilient member 40b’’. The compression of
20 the resilient member 40b” may also compress the locking bar 40b. FIG. 6a
represents a compressed state of the locking bar 40b. The compression of the
resilient member 40b” results in release of the locking bar 40b from the second
pair of slots 20a” of the locking hook 20. The locking hook 20 may then be
manually pulled from the lock cover 10 and is inserted within the first pair of
25 openings 10b, of the lock cover 10 for attaining the unlocked configuration of the
wheel lock 100.
[055] Once the first pair of slots 20a’ of the locking hook 20 are aligned with the
ends b1, b2 of the locking bar 40b, the locking key 1 may be released to
13
automatically cause rotation of the key holder 40a in an anti-clockwise direction
due to the action of resilient member 40b”. The resilient member 40b” regains
its original length as shown in FIG. 6b thereby expanding the locking bar 40b. FIG.
6b represents a relaxed state of the locking bar 40b. The first and second ends
5 b1, b2 of the locking bar 40b are fixed in the first pair of slots 20a’ of the locking
hook 20 (as shown in FIG. 5b).
[056] The aforesaid mechanism may be replicated for locking the vehicle using
the wheel lock 100 from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration
of the wheel lock 100.
10 [057] The above-described preferred embodiments of the present invention is
not intended to limit the present invention, any modification within the spirit
and principles of the present invention, made by the equivalent replacement,
improvement, etc., should be included in the protection of the present invention
within the range.
15 [058] The scope of the invention is only limited by the appended patent claims.
More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all
parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are
meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials,
and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications
20 for which the teachings of the present invention is/are used.

WE CLAIM:
1. A wheel lock (100) comprising:
a plurality of components disposed along a longitudinal axis (‘L’),
the components operatively coupled to each other in such a way that
5 a wheel lock (100) exists in one of, a locked configuration or a
unlocked configuration, the components including:
a lock cover (10) having a plurality of openings, a back surface
(10’) and a key receiving portion (10a), the plurality of openings
including a first pair of openings (10b) and a second pair of
10 openings (10c), wherein the key receiving portion (10a) is inclined
at a pre-defined angle with respect to the longitudinal axis (‘L’) of
the wheel lock (100);
a locking unit (40) disposed within the lock cover (10), the locking
unit (40) including a locking bar (40b); and
15 a locking hook (20) including at least two pair of slots having a first
pair of slots (20a’) and a second pair of slots (20a’’),
wherein in the locked configuration, the locking hook (20) is inserted
through the second pair of openings (10c) and the locking bar (40b) is
fixed in the second pair of slots (20a’’) of the locking hook (20),
20 wherein in the unlocked configuration, the locking hook (20) is inserted
through the first pair of openings (10b) and the locking bar (40b) is fixed
in the first pair of slots (20a’) of the locking hook (20).
2. The wheel lock (100) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the key receiving portion
(10a) is provided with a key holder (40a).
25 3. The wheel lock (100) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pre-defined angle
ranges between 40-50 degrees.
4. The wheel lock (100) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the back surface (10’)
includes a surface area ranging between 1500 mm2 and 1900 mm2.
15
5. The wheel lock (100) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the locking bar (40b)
includes a resilient member (40b”).