Bicycle Hub Locking Mechanism and Parking System

Abstract

A bicycle and bicycle parking and lock system wherein a hub locking device that is secured to a bicycle cooperates with a parking rack. The bicycle includes an engagement member that is secured to an axle of the bicycle. The engagement member selectively removably cooperates with a recess formed in the parking and lock system. The parking and lock system includes a number of upstanding members that are positioned to generally flank the front wheel of a bicycle to maintain the bicycle in a generally upright orientation. Each or select number of the upstanding members include a lock system that cooperates with the locking engagement member so as to secure the respective bicycle with respect to the parking system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bicycle comprising:
 a frame;   a plurality of wheels supported by the frame;   a hub assembly rotatably supporting one of the wheels, the hub assembly comprising,
 a hub concentrically positioned with respect to a tire of the wheel; 
 an axle passing through the hub so that opposite lateral sides of the axle are attached to the bicycle frame; and 
 an engagement member secured to at least one end of the axle and configured to engage a portion of a bicycle stand to selectively secure the bicycle to the bicycle stand. 
   
     
     
         2 . The bicycle of  claim 1 , wherein one of the wheels comprises a front wheel and the hub assembly comprises a front hub assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The bicycle of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement member comprises a mushroom-shaped, frusto-conical cap. 
     
     
         4 . The bicycle of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement member comprises a nut. 
     
     
         5 . The bicycle of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement member comprises a loop. 
     
     
         6 . The bicycle of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement member extends laterally outwardly with respect to the bicycle and is positioned outboard of the bicycle frame. 
     
     
         7 . The bicycle of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement member comprises a substantially circular cross section and is generally frustro-conical. 
     
     
         8 . The bicycle of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement member is integrally formed with one of the axle and a fork of the hub assembly. 
     
     
         9 . A bicycle stand comprising:
 at least one support member defining at least one parking space and having a pair of opposing side walls;   at least one lock attached to one of the side walls, the lock comprising:
 a body configured to engage the one of the side walls and having a recess formed through a vertically extending wall thereof; and 
 a pin extending into the recess and moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position; 
   wherein the pin is at least proximately aligned with an axle of a bicycle so that the bicycle can be selectively secured relative to the support member when the pin is in the locked position and the bicycle can be removed from the support member only when the pin is in the unlocked position.   
     
     
         10 . The bicycle stand of  claim 9 , wherein motion of the pin is hydraulically controlled. 
     
     
         11 . The bicycle stand of  claim 9 , wherein the pin extends further into the recess when in the locked position than when in the unlocked position. 
     
     
         12 . The bicycle stand of  claim 9 , wherein the pin cooperates with a rotatable level arm that directly interferes with a hub assembly of a bicycle, the lever arm being rotatable in either direction when the pin is in the unlocked position and rotatable in only one direction when the pin is in the locked position. 
     
     
         13 . The bicycle stand of  claim 9 , wherein the recess of the lock is shaped and adapted for receiving a portion of a bicycle hub assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The bicycle stand of  claim 13 , wherein the portion of the bicycle hub assembly comprises an engagement member attached to an end of an axle that is outboard of a frame of the bicycle. 
     
     
         15 . The bicycle stand of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one support member comprises a plurality of support members interconnected with one another and oriented for selectively securing with more than one bicycle. 
     
     
         16 . The bicycle stand of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one lock comprises a pair of locks disposed on each of the side walls of the support member. 
     
     
         17 . The bicycle stand of  claim 16 , wherein a central kiosk is in electronic communication with the bicycle stand for locking and unlocking locks of the bicycle stand. 
     
     
         18 . A bicycle hub assembly comprising:
 a hub concentrically positioned with respect to a tire of a wheel of the bicycle;   an axle passing through the hub so that opposite lateral sides of the axle are attached to a frame of the bicycle; and   an engagement member secured to at least one end of the axle and configured to engage a portion of a bicycle stand to selectively secure the bicycle to the bicycle stand.   
     
     
         19 . The bicycle hub assembly of  claim 18 , wherein at least one end of the axle passes through the hub and extends outboard of the frame of the bicycle. 
     
     
         20 . The bicycle hub of  claim 18 , wherein the engagement member comprises one of a cap, loop, and a nut.