Locks – Special application – For automotive vehicles
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-17
2001-05-29
Gall, Lloyd A. (Department: 3627)
Locks
Special application
For automotive vehicles
C070S186000, C070S365000, C070S441000, C070S491000, C070SDIG003
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237378
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention concerns an anti-theft device, applicable notably to motor vehicles.
More precisely, the invention concerns an anti-theft device of the type including an electric switch for the detection of the insertion of a key in the anti-theft device.
Such a switch is notably used in association with an electric circuit assuring various functions according to the manipulations of the anti-theft device by the driver of the vehicle. In particular, the insertion of the key in the anti-theft device is detected prior to other operations by the driver, for example starting the engine preheating, as quickly as possible, in the case of a diesel engine.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
According to a known design, the switch is of the type including a fixed contact and a mobile contact that can move relative to the fixed contact, between an open position in which the switch is held by elastic means, which is therefore the rest position, and a closed position of the switch obtained via a sliding pusher that is pressed by the key, acting against elastic means which return the pusher to its rest position in the absence of a key.
When the key is removed from the anti-theft device, the switch pusher on which the key acts directly or indirectly is returned elastically to a rest position because it must stop acting on the mobile contact to allow the re-opening of the switch.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention proposes a new design of anti-theft device in which the pusher is particularly simple and compact and which can notably be incorporated in the control rotor of the lock of the anti-theft device, while avoiding accidental jamming of the pusher in either of its two extreme positions.
The invention is therefore an anti-theft device, notably for a motor vehicle, of the type including an electric switch for the detection of insertion (conventionally from the rear towards the front) of a key in the anti-theft device through the action of a pusher that can slide in both directions parallel to the axis of insertion of said key and that activates said switch under the action of said key acting against an elastic force tending to move said pusher back against a stop in a retracted rest position when said key is withdrawn, wherein said pusher is free to slide longitudinally in a housing of a body including means of sliding guidance of the front end of said pusher, and wherein the rear end of said pusher, on which said key acts when it is inserted, cooperates with means on said body forming a ramp to cause a movement of this rear end, in an inclined direction relative to the sliding direction, between a low retracted position corresponding to the rest position of said pusher, and a high advanced activating position.
According to other characteristics of the invention:
The front end of the pusher takes the form of a transversal switch activating bar whose ends are guided in grooves formed in said body and running parallel to the sliding direction of said pusher;
The front transversal bar of said pusher is cylindrical;
The pusher includes a body in the form of a plate, substantially parallel to the direction of insertion of said key, including a longitudinal aperture through which extends vertically a stud of said body whose rear transversal face cooperates with a rear transversal edge of said aperture to constitute a ramp that causes movement of said rear end of said pusher from said low retracted rest position into said high advanced activating position;
The transversal rear face of said stud is inclined upwards from rear to front to constitute an ascending ramp for said pusher towards said high advanced activating position, and wherein the transversal rear edge of said aperture of said pusher is rounded to cooperate with said ascending ramp;
The transversal rear edge of the body of said pusher cooperates with said ascending ramp of the body to cause movement of said rear end of said pusher from said high advanced activating position into said low retracted rest position;
The transversal rear edge of said body of said pusher is rounded to cooperate with a transversal face of said body which is inclined downwards from front to rear to constitute a descending ramp, parallel to said ascending ramp, guiding said pusher towards said low retracted rest position;
The retracted rest position of said pusher is determined by the arrival of its rear end against a stop formed by part of a transversal face of said body;
The body is a rotor body mounted rotationally on an axis parallel to the direction of insertion of said key;
The plane containing the sliding direction of said front end of said pusher contains the axis of rotation of said rotor;
The pusher is a plastic molded part;
The pusher is returned elastically to said retracted rest position by elastic means of the electric switch.
REFERENCES:
patent: 774823 (1904-11-01), Birkedal
patent: 3404548 (1968-10-01), Keefer
patent: 3410123 (1968-11-01), Jacobi
patent: 3520161 (1970-07-01), Jacobi
patent: 3650131 (1972-03-01), Eichenauer
patent: 3661000 (1972-05-01), Kerr
patent: 3748881 (1973-07-01), Erickson
patent: 3826116 (1974-07-01), Messera et al.
patent: 3902341 (1975-09-01), Peitsmeier
patent: 4328692 (1982-05-01), Dice et al.
patent: 4414830 (1983-11-01), Maiocco
patent: 5457973 (1995-10-01), Grimmer et al.
patent: 380979 (1923-09-01), None
patent: 1133221 (1968-11-01), None
Gall Lloyd A.
Morgan & Finnegan , LLP
Valeo Securite Habitacle
LandOfFree
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