Locks – Special application – For control and machine elements
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-26
2001-12-04
Gall, Lloyd A. (Department: 3627)
Locks
Special application
For control and machine elements
C292S144000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06324878
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to locking devices used in automotive applications. The invention more particularly concerns the locking of a steering shaft to a steering column of an automobile so as to prevent rotation of the steering shaft during selected periods of time. Thus, the locking device can be used as a safety device and an anti-theft device.
2. Discussion of the Background
For years now, automobile manufacturers have been including, as a standard feature, the feature of an immobilized steering shaft when the ignition key is not inserted into the ignition switch. The immobilized steering shaft prevents the steering wheel from rotating, thus, someone not having the ignition key can not steer the car if the car is hot-wired or if someone attempts to push the car away. The theft deterrent function works so well that people who attempt to take a car without using a key, typically, employ a large screwdriver-type of device inserted into the opening for the ignition key to break, bust open, and remove the ignition device that immobilizes the steering shaft. Thus, in a single act of violence, the person breaking into the vehicle can disable both the ignition function and the steering immobilization function. Once, the person has successfully removed the device, the vehicle can then be easily hot-wired and driven away. Such a device that integrates the two functions is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,540.
FIG. 6
is a perspective view of a portion of a steering column 180 that accommodates a combined ignition switch and steering wheel anti-rotation device.
Attempts have been made to separate the ignition function and the anti-rotation of the steering wheel function in an attempt to make more complicated the act of automobile theft. The person attempting to steal an automobile will now need to disengage the anti-rotation device and the ignition switch separately, which will consume much more time and make it more likely that the person will be caught in the act. As such, it is presumed that a person inclined to steal the automobile of another person will not do so since the risk is not worth the effort. An example of a device that focuses on one of the functions, the anti-rotation function, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,896,765, and European Patent Application No. EP764566A1. However, the highly motivated car thief may take their chances and attempt to steal an automobile incorporating the steering wheel locking devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,896,765. The car thief would find that the locking element is one large piece of material. The car thief can beat or impact on it with push loads and either bend it, locally bend the steering shaft, or break the housing around the locking element, thus disarming the locking function.
An added benefit of placing the ignition switch in another location such as the dashboard is that the steering column area is made less busy for the driver of the vehicle. This is important since, currently, the steering column area is very busy, since it incorporates controls for directional indicators, head lamps, cruise control, windshield wipers, and etc.
Thus, there is a need for a steering lock device which is separate from the ignition switch and which prevents the destruction of the locking element when a thief attempts to disengage the steering lock device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a steering lock device with safety system that separates the ignition function from the anti-rotation function.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a device which decreases the probability that a thief will be able to steer the wheel of a hot-wired automobile.
It is another object of the invention to provide a device which is low in cost to produce.
It is still yet another object of the invention to provide a device which fits within a small envelope.
It is another object of the invention to provide a steering lock device which fits within the space currently allocated for a conventional key activated ignition system located on the steering column.
It is still further another object of the invention to provide a steering lock device which has few moving parts and as such is highly reliable.
In one form of the invention the steering lock device with safety system includes an override cam slidably attachable to a steering column of an automobile. The override cam is attached to a lock bolt by way of an override spring clutch. The lock bolt being engageable with a recess formed on the surface of the steering shaft. In a locked position, the lock bolt engages the recess of the steering shaft. In an unlocked position, the lock bolt is withdrawn and disengaged from the recess. When the ignition key is turned to start the automobile, the lock bolt moves away from the recess. When the ignition key is turned to stop the automobile engine from idling, the lock bolt moves toward and engages the recess.
In yet another form the invention, the device is mounted on an automobile. The automobile having a chassis, a motor mounted on the chassis, a steering shaft rotatably mounted on the chassis, a steering column substantially surrounding the steering shaft, the steering column attached to the chassis. The steering shaft having a recess formed on its surface. An override bolt being engageable with the recess of the steering shaft. An override cam slidably attached to the steering column. An override spring clutch attached to the override cam and to the lock bolt. In a locked position, the lock bolt engages the recess. In an unlocked position, the lock bolt is withdrawn from the recess.
Thus, the invention achieves the objectives set forth above. The invention provides a device which is physically separate from the ignition function and which increases the effort required to steal an automobile equipped with the steering lock device. Additionally, the device fits within existing real estate on the steering column and has few moving parts which are inexpensive to produce and assemble. Therefore, even in the most violent of environments, the steering lock device will perform as intended and deter the theft of the vehicle.
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Jergess Rafic
Khoury Joseph
Lin Yih-Chin
Pastwa Conrad
Ramamurthy Rajkumar
Gall Lloyd A.
Kovach Karl D.
Methode Electronics Inc.
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