Locks – Special application – For automotive vehicles
Patent
1983-12-02
1986-03-18
Wolfe, Robert L.
Locks
Special application
For automotive vehicles
70186, B60R 2502
Patent
active
045760241
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to a device for blocking the rotary movement of a steering column in a motor vehicle by means of a blocking bolt which is actuated by a lock and in the blocking position engages in a recess in the steering column.
It is known to prevent rotation of a steering column by means of a radial bar-shaped blocking bolt. These blocking bolts are moved by conventional steering locks, the blocking bolt dropping into a recess in a socket located on the steering column, after the key has been fully withdrawn. After withdrawal of the key, the front end of the blocking bolt then rests on the socket until the recess in the socket has been reached by rotating the steering wheel. The blocking bolt then drops into the recess under spring action.
As long as the block bolt has not dropped in, the vehicle is steerable to a limited extent. Moreover, while the blocking bolt has not dropped in, the steering wheel can be rotated by an unauthorised person with such force that, in particular due to the inertial mass (or even an additional inertial mass), the blocking bolt can be sheared off. The blocking bolt which has not dropped in can also be held back by manipulation, so that the vehicle becomes steerable without restriction.
It is the object of the invention to improve a device of the type set forth above, in such a way that, when the steering lock has been locked, blocking of the rotary movement occurs in any position of the steering column. A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the type set forth above, which is of small construction in the radial and axial directions relative to the steering column.
These objects are achieved according to the invention when at least one further blocking bolt is provided which can be actuated by the same lock and, like the first blocking bolt, in the blocking position engages in recesses arranged at regular spacings around the periphery of the steering column, the material located between the recesses forming, as protrusions, side faces for blocking the blocking bolts.
After the key has been withdrawn, this blocking device always leads to at least one of the two blocking bolts dropping in, without the steering wheel having to be rotated after withdrawal of the key. Depending on the desired force input, two or more blocking bolts can be provided.
Particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention are indicated in the sub-claims. These embodiments show, inter alia, the following advantages:
small dimensions in the radial and axial directions
if only one blocking lever should have dropped in, the second blocking lever will drop in immediately after the steering wheel has been rotated by only a few degrees of angle.
The recesses in the steering column can be larger than the width of the blocking bolts, and also larger than the width of the material (protrusions, teeth) located between the recesses, so that there is little remaining protruding area on which blocking bolts can seat before they block, so that the chance of non-blocking seating is reduced.
The arrangement of blocking bolts in only one plane at right angles to the steering column
few components
simple assembly
simple manufacture
reliable functioning
easy and comfortable handling; in particular, no forces generated by the steering column and acting on the steering lock have to be overcome
low wear
versatile connections due to the blocking bolts
feasibility of manufacturing most of the components from a lower strength metal or plastic, in particular the blocking bolts and the components adjacent to the blocking bolts, especially a socket, tube or ring which are seated on the steering column and form the protrusions
low weight
Production of the blocking bolt and those parts on the steering column which interact with the blocking bolt is particularly advantageous, since the number of the blocking bolts and/or the length of the blocking bolts in the direction parallel to the axis of the steering column can be large, so that the forces acting thereon can be favourably distributed and absorbed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1348802 (1920-08-01), Jensen
patent: 1363285 (1920-12-01), Stabler
patent: 1363676 (1920-12-01), Schwemmer
patent: 1394872 (1921-10-01), White
patent: 1452879 (1923-04-01), King
patent: 2964935 (1960-12-01), Lombardi
patent: 3400563 (1968-09-01), Lempke et al.
Dubno Herbert
Neimann S.A.
Ross Karl F.
Wolfe Robert L.
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