The Skunklock is a brand of bicycle lock for securing a bicycle to a pole or other fixture. It is similar to a standard U-lock. Its cylindrical body contains a noxious chemical inside that is released if the body is cut. The chemical compound is meant to be a deterrent to someone attempting to cut the lock and steal the bicycle. The lock is being funded through crowdfunding, with an announced shipping date of June 2017.[2]
| Type | bicycle lock |
|---|---|
| Inventor | Daniel Idzkowski and Yves Perrenoud[1] |
| Inception | 2017 |
| Manufacturer | Skunklock |
| Available | June 2017 (announced)[2] |
| Website | http://skunklock.com/ |
Design
editThe Skunklock is constructed of medium-carbon steel like a typical U-Lock, but contains a pressurized gas that will spray out if the lock is cut.[3]
The makers of Skunklock compare the effects to those of pepper spray, but note that the formula for the chemical inside is proprietary. They say it will temporarily disable a thief by inducing vomiting in 99 percent of people, while making it difficult to see and breathe.[4] The chemicals used are food-grade and non-toxic, sharing chemical similarities to Swedish fermented herring.[5]
Skunklock is being financed through a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo, which launched in October 2016 with a goal of $20,000 in pre-orders. The makers announced later that month that they had achieved their funding goal.[6]
References
edit- ^ Takahashi, Dean (October 20, 2016). "SkunkLock fights back against bike thieves with pepper spray". VentureBeat. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
- ^ a b "Skunklock: The Bike Lock That Fights Back". indiegogo. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
We hope to be able to ship to our earliest backers as early as April 2017, but because the compliance process cannot be easily predicted, we are guaranteeing June 2017 in time for summer.
- ^ Pequenino, Karla (October 22, 2016). "The bicycle lock that fights thieves -- by making them sick". CNN. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
- ^ Yuhas, Alan (20 October 2016). "Bike lock developed that makes thieves immediately vomit". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
- ^ Graff, Amy (October 21, 2016). "SF company created a bike lock that makes thieves vomit". SF Gate. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
- ^ "SkunkLock Successfully Funds World's First Deterrent Bike Lock" (PDF) (Press release). San Francisco: Skunklock. October 22, 2016. p. 1. Retrieved November 18, 2016.