US3560673A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Anti-theft ignition system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1969-02-24
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Granted: 1971-02-02
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Expires: 1989-02-24
Abstract
Abstract An antitheft ignition system which includes a simple, tamperproof, switch assembly connected in series in a conventional ignition system comprised of a battery, ignition key operator switch, and starter. The switch assembly includes a housing within which is a key operated rotatable contact carrier which carries a set of movable contacts which engage or disengage a pair of stationary contacts carried on the interior of the housing depending on the position of the contact carrier. Thus, the operator must have both the automobile ignition key and a switch assembly operating key in order to start the vehicle. In addition, the switch assembly also carries an actuating member for permitting the trunk or hood to be opened, which actuating member can only be operated when the switch assembly key is inserted in the switch to rotate the contact carrier from a ''''break'''' to a ''''make'''' position.
Inventors
- 👤 Max Norman Schweizer
- 👤 Sam Barmherzig
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 00:51
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R25/00; B60R25/01; B60R25/04; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/08; Y10T292/1043; Y10T292/1075; Y10T292/1082; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/50; Y10T70/5889; Y10T70/5903; Y10T70/5907
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
239 words
A switching apparatus comprising: a housing, having an opening therethrough and having stationary contacts with end portions which protrude into said opening and conductive portions which pass through said housing to the exterior thereof; a cylindrical shaped contact carrier mounted for rotational movement within said opening of said housing, said contact carrier having movable contact means secured thereto for rotational movement therewith, whereby rotation of said contact carrier from a first position to a second position thereby moves said movable contact means from a nonengaging to an engaging position with respect to said stationary contacts, respectively, said carrier further including a front and rear surface between which is defined a cavity which houses said movable contact means whereby said movable contact means is inaccessible from the front and rear surface of said housing; said end portions of said stationary contacts being spaced apart slightly less than the thickness of said movable contact means and positioned on opposite sides of said movable contact means such that a wiping action is effected as said movable contact means is moved from said nonengaging to said engaging position; a removable key means comprising a flat planar surface with a projecting planar pattern of a preselected shape; and said carrier includes a key means comprising a recess in said front surface thereof, said recess having a planar pattern corresponding to said preselected shape of said key means which is adapted to be received therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
239 words
A switching apparatus comprising: a housing, having an opening therethrough and having stationary contacts with end portions which protrude into said opening and conductive portions which pass through said housing to the exterior thereof; a cylindrical shaped contact carrier mounted for rotational movement within said opening of said housing, said contact carrier having movable contact means secured thereto for rotational movement therewith, whereby rotation of said contact carrier from a first position to a second position thereby moves said movable contact means from a nonengaging to an engaging position with respect to said stationary contacts, respectively, said carrier further including a front and rear surface between which is defined a cavity which houses said movable contact means whereby said movable contact means is inaccessible from the front and rear surface of said housing; said end portions of said stationary contacts being spaced apart slightly less than the thickness of said movable contact means and positioned on opposite sides of said movable contact means such that a wiping action is effected as said movable contact means is moved from said nonengaging to said engaging position; a removable key means comprising a flat planar surface with a projecting planar pattern of a preselected shape; and said carrier includes a key means comprising a recess in said front surface thereof, said recess having a planar pattern corresponding to said preselected shape of said key means which is adapted to be received therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The switching apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said keyway is defined by a first and second stop surfaces which limit the rotational travel of said key means to an arcuate path of movement and thereby define at opposite ends thereof said first and second positions of said carrier.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
177 words
The switching apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said housing includes an elongated passageway completely therethrough and a hole which communicates with both said opening and said elongated passageway; said apparatus further comprises an actuating means partially carried in said passageway, said actuating means being movable from a nonactuated to an actuated position Only if said carrier has been rotated from said first to said second position, said actuating means comprising an elongated rod having a gradually reduced cross-sectional area portion; said carrier further including a stop member receiving notch which is aligned with said hole when said carrier is in said second position, and a stop member which is located in said hole and in said elongated passageway against said gradually reduced cross-sectional area portion of said elongated rod when said actuating means is in its nonactuating position and which stop member is moved in said hole against said stop member receiving notch of said carrier when said carrier is rotated to its second position and said elongated rod is moved to its actuated position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
229 words
A switching apparatus for coupling and uncoupling a pair of electrical contacts comprising: a removable key; a housing having a circular opening and an elongated passageway therein and a hole which communicates with said opening and said elongated passageway; a cylindrical carrier rotatably carried within said opening of said housing and having a surface adapted to receive said key and a surface with a stop member receiving notch, said carrier adapted to be rotated from a first position to a second position when said key is inserted and rotated therewith; an actuating means partially carried in said elongated passageway of said housing, said actuating means being movable from a nonactuating to an actuating position only if said carrier has been rotated from said first to said second position, said actuating means comprising an elongated rod having a gradually reduced cross-sectional area portion and having one end connected to a latching mechanism and; a stop member; which is located in said hole and in said elongated passageway against said gradually reduced cross-sectional area portion of said elongated rod when said actuating means is in its nonactuating position and which stop member is moved in said hole against said stop member receiving notch of said carrier when said carrier is rotated to its second position and said elongated rod is moved to its actuated position to couple together said electrical contacts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
229 words
A switching apparatus for coupling and uncoupling a pair of electrical contacts comprising: a removable key; a housing having a circular opening and an elongated passageway therein and a hole which communicates with said opening and said elongated passageway; a cylindrical carrier rotatably carried within said opening of said housing and having a surface adapted to receive said key and a surface with a stop member receiving notch, said carrier adapted to be rotated from a first position to a second position when said key is inserted and rotated therewith; an actuating means partially carried in said elongated passageway of said housing, said actuating means being movable from a nonactuating to an actuating position only if said carrier has been rotated from said first to said second position, said actuating means comprising an elongated rod having a gradually reduced cross-sectional area portion and having one end connected to a latching mechanism and; a stop member; which is located in said hole and in said elongated passageway against said gradually reduced cross-sectional area portion of said elongated rod when said actuating means is in its nonactuating position and which stop member is moved in said hole against said stop member receiving notch of said carrier when said carrier is rotated to its second position and said elongated rod is moved to its actuated position to couple together said electrical contacts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
The switching apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein said rod further includes a bushing positioned mediate the ends of said rod, said bushing having a conductive portion and a nonconductive portion whereby said nonconductive portion is positioned between said contacts when said actuating means is in said nonactuating position and said conductive portion is positioned between said contacts when said actuating means is in said actuating position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-01 | 1974-08-03 | 1975-02-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-01 | 1978-08-03 | 1979-02-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-01 | 1982-08-03 | 1983-02-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |