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.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A bicycle sharing system, comprising:
 a stand including:
 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 pinning mechanism extending into the recess and moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position; 
 
 wherein the recess and the pinning mechanism are configured to be proximately aligned with an engagement member of a bicycle so that the bicycle can be selectively secured relative to the support member when the pinning mechanism is in the locked position and the bicycle can be removed from the support member only when the pinning mechanism is in the unlocked position; and 
 the pinning mechanism cooperates with a rotatable arm that directly interferes with at least a portion of the engagement member of the bicycle, the 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; and 
   a bicycle including:
 the engagement member extending from a fork of the bicycle that is configured to engage the at least one lock. 
   
     
     
         22 . The bicycle sharing system of  claim 21 , wherein motion of the pinning mechanism is hydraulically controlled. 
     
     
         23 . The bicycle sharing system of  claim 21 , wherein the pin pinning mechanism further into the recess when in the locked position than when in the unlocked position. 
     
     
         24 . The bicycle sharing system of  claim 21 , wherein the recess of the lock is shaped and adapted for receiving a portion of the bicycle. 
     
     
         25 . The bicycle sharing system of  claim 21 , wherein the engagement member is extends horizontally from the fork. 
     
     
         26 . The bicycle sharing system of  claim 21  wherein the engagement member comprises at least one of a loop; mushroom-shaped, frusto-conical cap; or a nut. 
     
     
         27 . The bicycle sharing system of  claim 21 , 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. 
     
     
         28 . The bicycle sharing system of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one lock comprises a pair of locks disposed on each of the side walls of the support member. 
     
     
         29 . The bicycle sharing system of  claim 21 , wherein a central kiosk is in electronic communication with the stand and is configured to lock and unlock the at least one lock locking and unlocking locks of the bicycle stand. 
     
     
         30 . The bicycle sharing system of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one lock is medially positioned on the one of the side walls.