Abus Folding Lock: Adding Damping to Joints

Question

I want to add damping to the joints on an Abus Folding Lock, such that it maintains its shape if I stick it through a hole or something.

I received some brief feedback that I could use rubber bands or O-rings; however, I'm not familiar with what might work best, which options of that component are available (and might work best), or how to implement.

Would anyone have any suggestions?

Background:

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I began this question here, posted below. The people on bikeforums said it sounded like a DIY project, and thus I came to stackexchange thinking there would be a DIY community who could further advise me on how to approach this.

Instead, I only found Home Improvement (DIY for houses) and Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Repair (DIY for motor vehicles), so the question has been placed to Bicycles, where people seem to be familiar with the Abus Folding Lock.

Please inform me if there is a better board.

Original Post:

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I read about the Abus folding lock here, and then researched it in other places.

I since purchased it, and developed opinions about it. I sent feedback to the company, but wondered if I was alone in thinking that this feature would be a good idea:

[Feature Request]: Damping in the Links

I recently purchased an Abus folding lock for use with my bike. I like the extra versatility it has over traditional U-locks

Since my purchase, I have found several situations in which a U-lock can more easily wrap around an object.

When a U-lock is passed through an object which the user's hand cannot also pass, (such as a mesh wire fence) its shape allows it to wrap around an anchor (such as the wire mesh fence post) and easily return to the user.

A folding lock passes through these objects easily, but loses its form in areas where the user is unable to reach.

Have you considered placing a weak dampers in the links, such that users could form your lock into shapes and weakly maintain those shapes while they are setting up the lock?

Answer 1

I use an ABUS everyday. Keep the lock orientated on its side, the friction in the joints will help it keep its form. The friction is essentially the dampening units you interested in. If you maintain this orientation you can set a shape and carefully pass it around something. The moment you change the orientation, to something more vertical, the friction in the joints will lessen and the lock will take the lowest energy form (typically straight down, hitting you in the shin or chipping the paint on your frame - hrrmm...).

I am sure ABUS could add nylon washers to act as explicit dampers, furthering this friction effect, but this would likely increase the cost (for an already expensive lock) and could wear overtime adding slop to the joints. Slop could be bad as it could make it easier for theives to insert wedges to try and attack the joints (arguably the weakest point of the lock).