Locking device

Claim 2

In a locking device comprising: a. a lock body formed to receive a key-operated lock, b. a key-operated lock for assembly with the lock body and including a key-receiving member, c. bolt means mounted in the lock body and movable relative thereto by the key-operated lock, when the latter is assembled with the lock body, between a locking position and a releasing position, in the former of which it is adapted to co-operate with a further member which is required to be locked against movement and in the latter of which positions it is released from said further member to allow same to move, the improvement wherein: i. a first unit which includes at least said body, said bolt means and a reTaining means for holding the bolt means in its releasing position when the key-operated lock is out of assembled relation with the lock body, presents a chamber having an opening, ii. a second unit includes at least said key-receiving member, iii. said chamber and said second unit have respectively such external forms as to provide the capability of insertion of said second unit through said opening into said chamber, iv. said first and second units include respective securing means co-operable, when the second unit is inserted into said chamber, for securing the second unit therein, the securing means of the first unit being disposed entirely internally of said body whereby the securing means of both units are inaccessible from the exterior of the body when the first and second units are in assembled relation.

Claim 3

The improvement according to claim 1 wherein one of said securing means comprises a latch element resiliently biased to engage with the other securing means when the first and second units are in assembled relation, the latch element being displaceable against the action of the biasing means to admit of insertion of the second unit into said chamber.

Claim 4

In a locking device comprising: a. a lock body formed to receive a key-operated lock, b. a key-operated lock for assembly with the lock body and including a key-receiving member, c. bolt means mounted in the lock body and movable relative thereto by the key-operated lock, when the latter is assembled with the lock body, between a locking position and a releasing position, in the former of which it is adapted to co-operate with a further member which is required to be locked against movement and in the latter of which positions it is released from said further member to allow same to move, the improvement wherein: i. a first unit which includes at least said body, said bolt means, retaining means for holding the bolt means in its releasing position when the key-operated lock is out of assembled relation with the lock body, retainer biasing means and a cam rotatably mounted in the lock body for engagement with the bolt means for moving same from the locking position to the releasing position, presents a chamber having an opening, ii. the retaining means comprises a retaining element movable between an active position and an inactive position, in the former of which it is operative to hold the bolt means in the releasing position and in the latter of which it is so positioned that is does not impede movement of the bolt means to the locking position, iii. said retainer biasing means is adapted for resiliently biasing the retaining element from the inactive position to the active position, iv. said cam is provided with a socket for receiving an operating spindle and is adapted to be keyed to said spindle, v. a second unit includes at least said key-receiving member, coupling means for transmitting force from the key-operated lock, when the latter is assembled with the lock body, to the retaining element for moving the latter to the inactive position, and said spindle, the latter being secured on the key-receiving member vi. said chamber and said second unit have respectively such external forms as to provide the capability of insertion of said second unit through said opening into said chamber, and vii. the locking device further comprises means for securing the second unit in said chamber in assembled relation with the first unit.

Claim 5

In a locking device comprising: a. a lock body formed to receive a key-operated lock, b. a key-operated lock for assembly with the lock body and including a key-receiving member, c. bolt means mounted in the lock body and movable relative thereto by the key-operated lock, when the latter is assembled with the lock body, between a locking position and a releasing position, in the former of which it is adapted to co-operate with a further member which is required to be locked against movement and in the latter of which positions it is released from said further member to allow same to move, the improvement wherein: i. a first unit which includes at least said body, said bolt means, retaining means for holding the bolt means in its releasing position when the key-operated lock is out of assembled relation with the lock body, retainer biasing means and a cam rotatably mounted in the lock body for engagement with the bolt means for moving same from the locking position to the releasing position, presents a chamber having an opening, ii. the retaining means comprises a retaining element movable between an active position and an inactive position, in the former of which it is operative to hold the bolt means in the releasing position and in the latter of which it is so positioned that is does not impede movement of the bolt means to the locking position, iii. said retainer biasing means is adapted for resiliently biasing the retaining element from the inactive position to the active position, iv. said cam is provided with a socket for receiving an operating spindle and is adapted to be keyed to said spindle, v. a second unit includes at least said key-receiving member, coupling means for transmitting force from the key-operated lock, when the latter is assembled with the lock body, to the retaining element for moving the latter to the inactive position, and said spindle, the latter being secured on the key-receiving member vi. said chamber and said second unit have respectively such external forms as to provide the capability of insertion of said second unit through said opening into said chamber, and vii. the locking device further comprises means for securing the second unit in said chamber in assembled relation with the first unit.

Claim 6

A locking device according to claim 3 wherein said second unit further includes a housing within which the key-receiving member is mounted for rotation relative thereto.

Claim 7

In a locking device comprising a lock body, a key-operated lock secured in assembled relation therewith, bolt means mounted in the lock body and movable relative thereto by the key-operated lock between a locking position and a releasing position, in the former of which it is adapted to co-operate with a further member which is required to be locked against movement and in the latter of which positions it is released from said further member to allow same to move, the improvement wherein there is provided three distinct safety means, each of which must be rendered inoperative before the bolt means can move from the releasing position to the locking position, and each of which can be rendered inoperative only by movement transmitted from an operator to the safety means through the intermediary of the key-receiving member.

Claim 8

In a locking device comprising a lock body, a key-operated lock secured in assembled relation therewith, bolt means mounted in the lock body and movable relative thereto by the key-operated lock between a locking position and a releasing position, in the former of which it is adapted to co-operate with a further member which is required to be locked against movement and in the latter of which positions it is released from said further member to allow same to move, the improvement wherein there is provided three distinct safety means, each of which must be rendered inoperative before the bolt means can move from the releasing position to the locking position, and each of which can be rendered inoperative only by movement transmitted from an operator to the safety means through the intermediary of the key-receiving member.

Claim 9

The improvement according to claim 5 wherein: a. the first of said three safety means comprises a retaining element movable transversely of the direction of movement of the bolt means between an active position and an inactive position, in the former of which the retaining element is engaged with both the bolt means and the body and in the latter of which positions the retaining element is released from one of the body and the bolt means, b. coupling means is provided for transmitting force from the key-operated lock to the retaining element for moving the latter to the inactive position, c. means is provided for moving the retaining element to the active position upon movement of the bolt means to the releasing position.

Claim 10

The improvement according to claim 6 wherein retainer biasing means is provided for resiliently biasing the retaining element towards the active position.

Claim 11

The improvement according to claim 6 wherein: a. the key-operated lock includes a key-receiving member which is rotatable relative to the body, b. the second of said safety means comprises stop means carried on the key-operated lock and engageable with the retaining element for positively preventing movement of the latter out of the active position excepting when the key-operated lock is in a predetermined rotational position relative to the body.

Claim 12

The improvement according to claim 8 wherein the third of said safety means comprises drive means for transmitting drive between the bolt means and the key-operated lock only in a direction from the key-operated lock to the bolt means.

Claim 13

The improvement according to claim 9 wherein said drive means comprises a cam mounted in the body for rotation relative thereto and drivingly connected with the key-operated lock, the cam being engageable with the bolt means for moving the latter from the locking position to the releasing position, and the cam being so formed as to avoid transmission of drive from the bolt means to the key-operated lock through the intermediary of the cam.

Claim 14

The improvement according to claim 10 wherein: a. the key-operated lock includes a key-receiving member which is rotatable with said cam in one direction to bring about movement of the bolt means from the locking position to the releasing position, such rotation being: from a first rotational position which corresponds to the bolt means being in the locking position, through a second rotational position which corresponds to the bolt means being in the releasing position, to a third rotational position in which it remains whilst a vehicle to which the locking device is applied is being driven, b. the key-receiving member and the cam are rotatable in the other direction to bring about movement of the bolt means to the locking position, c. the form of the cam is such that when in the third rotational position, rotation of the cam towards the second rotational position is opposed more strongly than is rotation away from the second rotational position.

Claim 15

In a locking device comprising; a. a lock body, b. bolt means mounted in the lock body for movement relative thereto along a guideway between a locking position and a releasing position, in the former of which it is adapted to co-operate with a further member which is required to be locked against movement and in the latter of which positions it is released from said further member to allow same to move, c. bolt biasing means for biasing the bolt means towards the locking position, d. a retaining element mounted in the lock body and movable transversely of said guideway between an active position and an inactive position, in the former of which it is engaged with both the body and the bolt means positively to prevent movement of the bolt means to the locking position, and in the latter of which positions it is released from one of the body and bolt means, and e. a key-operated lock secured in assembled relation with the body, the key-operated lock comprising a key-receiving member formed with a key-receiving slot and movable relative to the body both rotationally and along the axis of rotation, tumbler means movable in relation to the key-receiving member between a locking position in which said tumbler means engages partly in the body and partly in the key-receiving member and a releasing position in which the tumbler means is disposed wholly within one of the body and the key-receiving member, the tumbler means being displaceable by the key, when the latter is inserted into the key-receiving slot, to the releasing position, and tumbler biasing means for urging the tumbler means into the locking position, the improvement wherein: f. the retaining element is pivotally mounted in the body for movement in a plane generally parallel to the axis of the key-receiving member, g. coupling means is provided on the key-receiving member for engagement with the retaining element when the latter is in the active position and when the key-receiving member is moved along its axis from an outer position to an inner position with respect to the body, h. said coupling means is adapted to transmit movement generally in a direction towards and away from the bolt means from the key-receiving member to the retaining element, whereby the retaining element can be moved to the inactive position by axial movement of the key receiving member.

Claim 16

In a locking device comprising; a. a lock body, b. bolt means mounted in the lock body for movement relative thereto along a guideway between a locking position and a releasing position, in the former of which it is adapted to co-operate with a further member which is required to be locked against movement and in the latter of which positions it is released from said further member to allow same to move, c. bolt biasing means for biasing the bolt means towards the locking position, d. a retaining element mounted in the lock body and movable transversely of said guideway between an active position and an inactive position, in the former of which it is engaged with both the body and the bolt means positively to prevent movement of the bolt means to the locking position, and in the latter of which positions it is released from one of the body and bolt means, and e. a key-operated lock secured in assembled relation with the body, the key-operated lock comprising a key-receiving member formed with a key-receiving slot and movable relative to the body both rotationally and along the axis of rotation, tumbler means movable in relation to the key-receiving member between a locking position in which said tumbler means engages partly in the body and partly in the key-receiving member and a releasing position in which the tumbler means is disposed wholly within one of the body and the key-receiving member, the tumbler means being displaceable by the key, when the latter is inserted into the key-receiving slot, to the releasing position, and tumbler biasing means for urging the tumbler means into the locking position, the improvement wherein: f. the retaining element is pivotally mounted in the body for movement in a plane generally parallel to the axis of the key-receiving member, g. coupling means is provided on the key-receiving member for engagement with the retaining element when the latter is in the active position and when the key-receiving member is moved along its axis from an outer position to an inner position with respect to the body, h. said coupling means is adapted to transmit movement generally in a direction towards and away from the bolt means from the key-receiving member to the retaining element, whereby the retaining element can be moved to the inactive position by axial movement of the key receiving member.

Claim 17

The improvement according to claim 12 wherein: a. the retaining element is mounted in the body for sliding movement in a direction generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the key-receiving member, and b. said coupling projection is adapted to transmit axial movement from the key-receiving member to the retaining element.

Claim 18

In a locking device comprising: a. a lock body, b. bolt means mounted in the lock body for movement relative thereto along a guideway between a locking position and a releasing position, in the former of which it is adapted to co-operate with a further member which is required to be locked against movement and in the latter of which positions it is released from said further member to allow same to move, c. bolt biasing means for biasing the bolt means towards the locking position, d. a retaining element mounted in the lock body and movable transversely of said guideway between an active position and an inactive position, in the former of which it is engaged with both the body and the bolt means positively to prevent movement of the bolt means to the locking position, and in the latter of which positions it is released from one of the body and bolt means, and e. a key-operated lock secured in assembled relation with the body, the key-operated lock comprising a key-receiving member formed with a key-receiving slot and movable relative to the body both rotationally and along the axis of rotation, and tumbler means movable relative to the key-receiving member by the key when the latter is inserted into the key-receiving slot and engageable only when the key-receiving member is in an outer axial position and a first rotational position in both of the key-receiving member and the housing thereby to prevent movement of the key-receiving member relative to the housing and to permit removal of the key from the key-receiving slot, the improvement wherein: f. there is provided on the key-receiving member a coupling projection which extends transversely of the axis thereof, g. there is provided on the retaining elemenT a tooth which also extends transversely of the axis of the key-receiving member and which lies at substantially the same distance from the axis as does the coupling projection, h. when the retaining element is in the active position and the key-receiving member is in the inner position, said coupling projection and said tooth are off-set relative to one another axially, the tooth lying between the coupling projection and the key-receiving member, whereby the key-receiving member can be coupled with the retaining element by rotation of the former in the inner position, and the retaining element can be withdrawn from the active position to the inactive position by movement of the key-receiving member from the inner position to the outer position, i. when the retaining element is in the active position and the key-receiving member is in the outer position the tooth is disposed in the path of rotational movement of the coupling projection, and j. the tooth and coupling projection are arranged to overlap axially when the key-receiving member is in said first rotational position, whereby rotation of the key-receiving member to the first rotational position is prevented whilst the retaining element is in the active position and the key-receiving member is in the outer position.

Claim 19

In a locking device comprising: a. a lock body, b. bolt means mounted in the lock body for movement relative thereto along a guideway between a locking position and a releasing position, in the former of which it is adapted to co-operate with a further member which is required to be locked against movement and in the latter of which positions it is released from said further member to allow same to move, c. bolt biasing means for biasing the bolt means towards the locking position, d. a retaining element mounted in the lock body and movable transversely of said guideway between an active position and an inactive position, in the former of which it is engaged with both the body and the bolt means positively to prevent movement of the bolt means to the locking position, and in the latter of which positions it is released from one of the body and bolt means, and e. a key-operated lock secured in assembled relation with the body, the key-operated lock comprising a key-receiving member formed with a key-receiving slot and movable relative to the body both rotationally and along the axis of rotation, and tumbler means movable relative to the key-receiving member by the key when the latter is inserted into the key-receiving slot and engageable only when the key-receiving member is in an outer axial position and a first rotational position in both of the key-receiving member and the housing thereby to prevent movement of the key-receiving member relative to the housing and to permit removal of the key from the key-receiving slot, the improvement wherein: f. there is provided on the key-receiving member a coupling projection which extends transversely of the axis thereof, g. there is provided on the retaining elemenT a tooth which also extends transversely of the axis of the key-receiving member and which lies at substantially the same distance from the axis as does the coupling projection, h. when the retaining element is in the active position and the key-receiving member is in the inner position, said coupling projection and said tooth are off-set relative to one another axially, the tooth lying between the coupling projection and the key-receiving member, whereby the key-receiving member can be coupled with the retaining element by rotation of the former in the inner position, and the retaining element can be withdrawn from the active position to the inactive position by movement of the key-receiving member from the inner position to the outer position, i. when the retaining element is in the active position and the key-receiving member is in the outer position the tooth is disposed in the path of rotational movement of the coupling projection, and j. the tooth and coupling projection are arranged to overlap axially when the key-receiving member is in said first rotational position, whereby rotation of the key-receiving member to the first rotational position is prevented whilst the retaining element is in the active position and the key-receiving member is in the outer position.

Claim 20

The improvement according to claim 14 wherein: a. the locking device further comprises switch means including ignition switch contacts for controlling energization of an ignition circuit in a vehicle when the locking device is fitted to the vehicle, b. said switch means is connected with the key-receiving member for operation by rotation thereof from said first rotational position when the key-receiving member is in the outer position, and c. co-operating means are provided on the key-receiving member and on the housing for preventing axial movement of the key-receiving member to the inner position whilst the key-receiving member is in a rotational position which corresponds to a closed condition of said ignition switch contacts.

Claim 21

The improvement according to claim 15 wherein stop means is provided for preventing rotation of said key-receiving member whilst in the outer position to close said ignition switch contacts, if the retaining element is in the inactive position.

Claim 22

The improvement according to claim 16 wherein said stop means is arranged for moving the retaining element positively into the active position upon rotation of the key-receiving member to close said ignition switch contacts.

Claim 23

The improvement according to claim 16 wherein: a. the locking device further includes a lock housing structurally separate from the body but rigidly secured thereto, and b. the key-receiving member is mounted in the housing for movement relative thereto both rotationally and along the axis of the key-receiving member.

Claim 24

In a locking device comprising: a. a lock body defining an internal guideway, b. bolt means mounted in the lock body for movement relative thereto along said guideway between a locking position and a releasing position, in the former of which it is adapted to co-operate with a further member which is required to be locked against movement and in the latter of which positions it is released from said further member to allow same to move, c. bolt biasing means for biasing the bolt means towards the locking position, d. a retaining element mounted in the lock body and movable transversely of said guideway between an active position and an inactive position, in the former of which it is engaged with both the body and the bolt means positively to prevent movement of the bolt means to the locking position, and in the latter of which positions it is released from one of the body and bolt means, and e. a key-operated lock secured in assembled relation with the body and comprising a key-receiving member formed with a key-receiving slot and movable relative to the body both rotationally and along the axis of roTation between an outer position and an inner position, the improvement wherein: f. the key-operated lock comprises tumbler means engageable with the key when the latter is present in the key-receiving member and engageable only when the key-receiving member is in a predetermined rotational position in both the body and the key-receiving member, thereby to prevent rotational movement of the key-receiving member and to permit removal of the key from the key-receiving slot, g. the locking device further comprises means defining a limit of rotational movement of the key-receiving member when in said inner axial position, h. the locking device further comprises means defining a limit of rotational movement of the key-receiving member when in said outer axial position which is further removed from said predetermined rotational position than is the limit when in the inner axial position, and i. coupling means is provided on the key-receiving member for coupling the latter releasably with the retaining element, whereby the retaining element can be moved to the inactive position by movement of the key-receiving member, and j. the respective forms of the coupling means and of the retaining element are such as to provide the capability of movement of the retaining element to the active position whilst the key-receiving member remains in said outer position, and of coupling of the key-receiving member with the retaining element when the latter is in the active position and the former is moved axially to said inner position.

Claim 25

In a locking device comprising: a. a lock body defining an internal guideway, b. bolt means mounted in the lock body for movement relative thereto along said guideway between a locking position and a releasing position, in the former of which it is adapted to co-operate with a further member which is required to be locked against movement and in the latter of which positions it is released from said further member to allow same to move, c. bolt biasing means for biasing the bolt means towards the locking position, d. a retaining element mounted in the lock body and movable transversely of said guideway between an active position and an inactive position, in the former of which it is engaged with both the body and the bolt means positively to prevent movement of the bolt means to the locking position, and in the latter of which positions it is released from one of the body and bolt means, and e. a key-operated lock secured in assembled relation with the body and comprising a key-receiving member formed with a key-receiving slot and movable relative to the body both rotationally and along the axis of roTation between an outer position and an inner position, the improvement wherein: f. the key-operated lock comprises tumbler means engageable with the key when the latter is present in the key-receiving member and engageable only when the key-receiving member is in a predetermined rotational position in both the body and the key-receiving member, thereby to prevent rotational movement of the key-receiving member and to permit removal of the key from the key-receiving slot, g. the locking device further comprises means defining a limit of rotational movement of the key-receiving member when in said inner axial position, h. the locking device further comprises means defining a limit of rotational movement of the key-receiving member when in said outer axial position which is further removed from said predetermined rotational position than is the limit when in the inner axial position, and i. coupling means is provided on the key-receiving member for coupling the latter releasably with the retaining element, whereby the retaining element can be moved to the inactive position by movement of the key-receiving member, and j. the respective forms of the coupling means and of the retaining element are such as to provide the capability of movement of the retaining element to the active position whilst the key-receiving member remains in said outer position, and of coupling of the key-receiving member with the retaining element when the latter is in the active position and the former is moved axially to said inner position.

Claim 26

In a locking device comprising a lock body, a key-operated lock secured in assembled relation therewith, bolt means mounted in the lock body and movable relative thereto between a locking position and a releasing position in the former of which it is adapted to co-operate with a further member which is required to be locked against movement and in the latter of which positions it is released from said further member to allow same to move, and switch means operable by the key-operated lock for controlling electrical circuit means of the vehicle, the improvement wherein: a. the key-operated lock comprises: i. a key-receiving member formed with a key-receiving slot and mounted in the body for both rotational movement relative to the body and for movement along the axis of rotation between an inner position and an outer position with respect to the body, ii. a plurality of locking tumblers movable in and relative to the key-receiving member for locking the key-receiving member against at least rotational movement relative to the body whilst the key is absent from the key-receiving slot, b. the key-receiving member is arranged for rotation when in said outer position only for operation of said switch means, and c. means is provided for retaining the bolt means in the releasing position, such means being so arranged as to be rendered inoperative upon performance of a predetermined sequence of movements of the key-receiving member relative to the body, said sequence including at least a rotational movement and an axial movement from the outer position to the inner position.

Claim 27

In a locking device comprising a lock body, a key-operated lock secured in assembled relation therewith, bolt means mounted in the lock body and movable relative thereto between a locking position and a releasing position in the former of which it is adapted to co-operate with a further member which is required to be locked against movement and in the latter of which positions it is released from said further member to allow same to move, and switch means operable by the key-operated lock for controlling electrical circuit means of the vehicle, the improvement wherein: a. the key-operated lock comprises: i. a key-receiving member formed with a key-receiving slot and mounted in the body for both rotational movement relative to the body and for movement along the axis of rotation between an inner position and an outer position with respect to the body, ii. a plurality of locking tumblers movable in and relative to the key-receiving member for locking the key-receiving member against at least rotational movement relative to the body whilst the key is absent from the key-receiving slot, b. the key-receiving member is arranged for rotation when in said outer position only for operation of said switch means, and c. means is provided for retaining the bolt means in the releasing position, such means being so arranged as to be rendered inoperative upon performance of a predetermined sequence of movements of the key-receiving member relative to the body, said sequence including at least a rotational movement and an axial movement from the outer position to the inner position.

Claim 28

The improvement according to claim 20 wherein the key-receiving slot is permanently closed at one end.

Claim 29

The improvement according to claim 20 wherein: a. the body is formed with a guideway along which the bolt means is movable, b. said means for retaining the bolt means comprises a retaining element movable transversely of said guideway between an active position and an inactive position, in the former of which it is engaged with both the body and the bolt means for positively preventing movement of the bolt means to the locking position, and in the inactive position the retaining element is released from one of the body and bolt means, and c. coupling means is provided on the key-receiving member for engagement with the retaining element when the latter is in the active position and when the key-receiving mEmber is moved along its axis from the outer position to the inner position, whereby the retaining element can be moved to the inactive position by movement of the key-receiving member.

Claim 30

The improvement according to claim 22 wherein the locking device further includes retainer biasing means for urging the retaining element towards the active position.

Claim 31

The improvement according to claim 22 wherein: a. the retaining element is mounted in the body for sliding movement in a direction generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the key-receiving member, and b. said coupling means is adapted to transmit axial movement from the key-receiving member to the retaining element.

Claim 32

The improvement according to claim 22 wherein: a. the retaining element is pivotally mounted in the body for movement in a plane generally parallel to the axis of the key-receiving member, b. said coupling means is adapted to transmit movement generally in a direction towards and away from the bolt means from the key-receiving member to the retaining element.

Claim 33

The improvement according to claim 22 wherein: a. said coupling means includes a coupling projecting extending transversely of the axis of the key-receiving member, b. said retaining element includes a tooth also extending transversely of the axis of the key-receiving member, c. said tooth and said coupling projection lie substantially at the same distance from the axis of rotation of the key-receiving member, and d. when the retaining element is in the active position and the key-receiving member is in the inner position the coupling projection and the tooth are off-set relative to one another axially, the tooth lying between the coupling projection and the key-receiving member, whereby the key-receiving member can be coupled with the retaining element by rotation of the former when in the inner position, and the retaining element can be withdrawn from the active position to the inactive position by movement of the key-receiving member from the inner position to the outer position.

Claim 34

The improvement according to claim 26 wherein: a. the tumblers are so formed that end portions of at least some of the tumblers are caused to project from the key-receiving member during insertion or withdrawal of the key into or from the key-receiving slot, and b. the housing is formed for receiving such projecting end portions of the tumblers only when the key-receiving member is in the outer position and is in a predetermined first rotational position, whereby projection of said end portions from the key-receiving member when in any other rotational or axial position is prevented by the housing and withdrawal of the key from the key-receiving member when in any other rotational or axial position is prevented.

Claim 35

The improvement according to claim 27 wherein: a. when the retaining element is in the active position and the key-receiving member is in the outer position said tooth is disposed in the path of rotational movement of the coupling projection, and b. the tooth and coupling projection are arranged to overlap axially when the key-receiving member is in the first position of rotation, whereby rotation of the key-receiving member to the first rotational position is prevented whilst the retaining element is in the active position and the key-receiving member is in the outer position.

Claim 36

The improvement according to claim 28 wherein: a. said switch means includes ignition switch contacts for controlling energization of an ignition circuit of a vehicle when the locking device is assembled thereon, said ignition switch contacts being closable by rotation of the key-receiving member, when in the outer position, from said first rotational position to a further rotational position, and b. co-operating means are provided on the key-receiving member and on the housing for preventing axial movement of the key-receiving member to the inner position whilst the key-receivinG member is in a rotational position corresponding to a closed condition of said ignition switch contacts.

Claim 37

The improvement according to claim 29 wherein stop means is provided for preventing rotation of said key-receiving member whilst in the outer position to close said ignition switch contacts, if the retaining element is in the inactive position.

Claim 38

The improvement according to claim 30 wherein said stop means is arranged for moving the retaining element positively into the active position upon rotation of the key-receiving member to close said ignition switch contacts.