US3649782A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automobile ignition lock
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-01-11
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Granted: 1972-03-14
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Expires: 1991-01-11
Abstract
Abstract A lock comprising a rotatable, key-turned cylinder having a split pin on its axis, one end of which is exposed at the keyhole. The two halves of the pin are electrically insulated from one another, and one-half is connected to the battery. The other half is connected to the ignition coil, and when the key is telescoped over the split pin, it closes the circuit to the coil. A rotatable switch on the cylinder selectively closes the circuit to either solenoid-actuated hood latches, electrical fuel pump, or starter relay, according to the angular position of the key. Inserting key in lock closes circuit to the ignition coil, and turning key actuates starter relay, fuel pump, or hood latches, as desired. Pick-proof lock has oppositely facing hooks on the outer edges of alternate lock tumblers, which engage lips on the tumbler cavity when torque is applied to cylinder, to prevent tumblers from being pulled down out of cavity. Key in lock also closes circuit to telltale lights visible from outside of car, notifying police so that citation can be issued for leaving car with keys in ignition lock.
Inventors
- 👤 Marshall H Feldman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 07:00
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H27/00; H01H27/06; B; B60; B60Q; B60Q9/00; B60Q9/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
For use with an automotive veHicle having a battery, an ignition system, a starter, and an electric fuel pump, a keyoperated ignition lock comprising: a stationary lock body; a cylinder lock rotatably disposed within said body; means telescopically engageable by a key when the latter is inserted in the lock, said means comprising a first member connected to said battery, and a second member connected to said ignition system, said ignition system being energized by said battery when said key is inserted in the lock; a rotatable switch body connected to said lock cylinder to be rotated thereby, said rotatable switch body having a movable contact member connected to said battery; a first stationary contact on said lock body engageable by said movable contact when said cylinder lock is turned to a first position, said first stationary contact being connected to said starter to energize the same; and a second stationary contact on said lock body engageable by said movable contact when said cylinder lock is turned to a second position, said second stationary contact being connected to said electric fuel pump to energize the same.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
For use with an automotive veHicle having a battery, an ignition system, a starter, and an electric fuel pump, a keyoperated ignition lock comprising: a stationary lock body; a cylinder lock rotatably disposed within said body; means telescopically engageable by a key when the latter is inserted in the lock, said means comprising a first member connected to said battery, and a second member connected to said ignition system, said ignition system being energized by said battery when said key is inserted in the lock; a rotatable switch body connected to said lock cylinder to be rotated thereby, said rotatable switch body having a movable contact member connected to said battery; a first stationary contact on said lock body engageable by said movable contact when said cylinder lock is turned to a first position, said first stationary contact being connected to said starter to energize the same; and a second stationary contact on said lock body engageable by said movable contact when said cylinder lock is turned to a second position, said second stationary contact being connected to said electric fuel pump to energize the same.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
An ignition lock as in claim 1, wherein said automotive vehicle has a solenoid-actuated hood latch, and said lock has a third stationary contact on said lock engageable by said movable contact when said cylinder lock is turned to a third position, said third stationary contact being connected to said solenoid-actuated hood latch to energize the same so as to release the latch when the lock cylinder is turned to said third position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
123 words
An ignition lock as in claim 1, wherein said means telescopically engageable by the key comprises a split pin of electrically conductive material extending longitudinally through the lock on the axis of rotation of said cylinder, the two halves of said pin being insulated from one another, and one of said halves being connected to said battery; the other of said halves of said pin being connected to said ignition system; said key including a barrel portion having a central bore; and an electrically conductive sleeve contained within said bore and electrically insulated therefrom, said sleeve forming an electrical connection between said pin halves when the key is inserted into the lock, thereby establishing the circuit from said battery to said ignition system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
174 words
An ignition lock as in claim 2, wherein said means telescopically engageable by the key comprises a split pin of electrically conductive material extending longitudinally through the lock on the axis of rotation of said cylinder, the two halves of said pin being insulated from one another, and one of said halves being connected to said battery; the other of said pin halves being connected to said ignition system; said key including a barrel portion having a central bore; an electrically conductive sleeve contained within said bore and electrically insulated therefrom, said sleeve forming an electrical connection between said pin halves when the key is inserted into the lock, thereby establishing a circuit from said battery to said ignition system; said rotatable switch body having a pair of movable contact members, one of which is selectively movable to said first, second and third stationary contacts; and the other of said movable contact members being electrically connected to said first movable contact member, and wiping on a distributor plate that is connected to said battery.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
88 words
An ignition lock as in claim 1, wherein said automotive vehicle has at least one telltale light mounted thereon at a prominently visible location, said telltale light being electrically connected to said means telescopically engageable by the key, whereby the light is caused to light up when the key is inserted in the lock, so as to call attention of any nearby police officer to the fact that the key has been left in the ignition lock of a parked car, for which a citation may be issued.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
144 words
An ignition lock as in claim 4, wherein said automotive vehicle has at least one telltale light mounted thereon at a prominently visible location, said light being electrically connected to said other pin half, whereby the light is caused to light up whenever the key is inserted in the lock; said cylinder having a plurality of spring-pressed tumblers slidably mounted therein for movement in the radial direction; each of said tumblers having one end that projects radially from said cylinder and seats within a tumbler cavity in said lock body, thereby locking the cylinder against rotation with respect to the lock body; and means on said tumblers engageable with companionate means on said lock body when said cylinder has a torque exerted thereon in one direction, whereby said tumblers are prevented from being withdrawn from said tumbler cavity by means of a lock-picking tool.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
111 words
An ignition lock as in claim 1, wherein said cylinder has a plurality of spring-pressed tumblers slidably mounted therein for movement in a plane passing radially through the axis of rotation of the cylinder; each of said tumblers having an end that projects radially from said cylinder and seats within a tumbler cavity in said lock body, thereby locking said cylinder against rotation with respect to the lock body; and means on said tumblers engageable with companionate means on said lock body when said cylinder has a torque exerted thereon in one direction, whereby said tumblers are prevented from being withdrawn from said tumbler cavity by means of a lock-picking tool.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
157 words
An ignition lock as in claim 1, wherein said cylinder has a plurality of spring-pressed tumblers slidably mounted therein for movement in a radial direction; each of said tumblers having one end that projects radially from said cylinder and seats within a tumbler cavity in said lock body, thereby locking said cylinder against rotation with respect to the lock body; alternate tumblers having oppositely facing hooks on said one end; said lock body having lips at opposite ends of said tumbler cavity, the lip on one end of said cavity being engageable by the hooks on one set of tumblers, and the lip on the other end of said cavity being engageable by the hooks on the other set of tumblers, whereby when said lock cylinder has a torque exerted thereon in either direction, one of said sets of tumblers engages its hooks on the corresponding lip, thereby preventing those tumblers from being withdrawn from said cavity.
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) | 1975-03-14 | 1975-09-13 | 1976-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-14 | 1979-09-13 | 1980-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-14 | 1983-09-13 | 1984-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |