US3702550A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steering lock device
Assignee: Nissan Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1971-05-05
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Granted: 1972-11-14
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Expires: 1991-05-05
Abstract
Abstract A combination ignition control and steering lock device for motor vehicles adapted to lock a steering column in two mutually independent steps. To lock the steering column, an ignition key is first rotated to the lock position and then a retaining means which has been in engagement with the key is rotated to a position in which the key can be disengaged therefrom and withdrawn from key cylinder. An accidental or erroneous locking of the steering column during operation of the motor vehicle is avoided in this manner.
Inventors
- 👤 Yasushi Shimizu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:59
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R25/00; B60R25/01; B60R25/02; B60R25/021; B60R25/02142; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/50; Y10T70/5889; Y10T70/5956; Y10T70/70; Y10T70/7441; Y10T70/7486; Y10T70/7508; Y10T70/7559; Y10T70/7667; Y10T70/7768
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
A combination ignition control and steering lock device comprising a rotatable key cylinder which is rotated by an ignition key inserted thereinto, said key cylinder being operatively connected to an ignition switch, a generally cylindrical housing accommodating said key cylinder rotatable therein, a frame structure in which said housing is securely encased, a locking means for locking a steering column when said key is withdrawn from said key cylinder, and a retaining means rotatably mounted on a front end portion of said frame structure and retaining said key inserted into and rotated with said key cylinder, said retaining means being rotated together with said key when the key is rotated to accordingly rotate said key cylinder to an operating position in which said ignition switch is moved to turn on the ignition or to energize an engine starting motor and being left in situ when said key is rotated in a reverse direction to accordingly rotated said key cylinder from said position, said retaining means being manually rotated in the reverse direction to a position in which said key can be released from the retaining means and withdrawn from said kEy cylinder when said key and accordingly said key cylinder is in a lock position to lock said steering column.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
A combination ignition control and steering lock device comprising a rotatable key cylinder which is rotated by an ignition key inserted thereinto, said key cylinder being operatively connected to an ignition switch, a generally cylindrical housing accommodating said key cylinder rotatable therein, a frame structure in which said housing is securely encased, a locking means for locking a steering column when said key is withdrawn from said key cylinder, and a retaining means rotatably mounted on a front end portion of said frame structure and retaining said key inserted into and rotated with said key cylinder, said retaining means being rotated together with said key when the key is rotated to accordingly rotate said key cylinder to an operating position in which said ignition switch is moved to turn on the ignition or to energize an engine starting motor and being left in situ when said key is rotated in a reverse direction to accordingly rotated said key cylinder from said position, said retaining means being manually rotated in the reverse direction to a position in which said key can be released from the retaining means and withdrawn from said kEy cylinder when said key and accordingly said key cylinder is in a lock position to lock said steering column.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
81 words
A combination ignition control and steering lock device according to claim 1, in which said retaining means has formed therein a recess for slidably receiving a top edge of said key and a land angularly spaced apart from said recess for engaging with said key when the key is moved to rotate said key cylinder to said operating position, said land being left in situ when said key is rotated in the reverse to rotate said key cylinder from said position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
147 words
A combination ignition control and steering lock device according to claim 2, in which said retaining means includes an outer annular member rotatably mounted on the front end portion of said frame structure, an inner disc member which is substantially concentric with said annular member and connecting members securely connecting said disc member to said annular member, said disc member having formed therein an opening to admit passage of said key and an annular sunk portion formed on a rear face of the disc member to surround said opening, said recess being formed radially in said annular sunk portion and forming part of said opening and said land being mounted radially on said annular sunk portion, said angular spacing between said recess and land being selected to permit said key to rotate between said lock position and a position intermediate the lock position and said operating position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A combination ignition control and steering lock device according to claim 2, in which said key has formed in its top edge an engaging portion for circumferentially slidably receiving said top edge of the key when the key is rotated from said lock position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
A combination ignition control and steering lock device according to claim 3, in which at least one spring-loaded steel ball is positioned between said disc member and said key cylinder, said ball being biased toward said rotating member and captured in a rounded depression formed in said retaining member when said key cylinder is rotated with said retaining means to said operating position in which said starting motor is energized.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
A combination ignition control and steering lock device according to claim 5, in which said rounded depression is formed in the rear wall of said retaining member and spring-loaded steel ball being captured in said rounded depression when said retaining member is manually rotated to a position in which said key can be released from said retaining member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
A combination ignition control and steering lock device according to claim 3, in which said frame structure includes front extensions extending from a front end of the frame structure for engagement with said connecting members to limit rotation of said retaining means to a position corresponding to said operating position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A combination ignition control and steering lock device according to claim 1, further comprising a cap member securely mounted on said frame structure to provide visual indication of the positions of the device.
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) | 1975-11-14 | 1976-05-15 | 1976-11-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-11-14 | 1980-05-15 | 1980-11-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-11-14 | 1984-05-15 | 1984-11-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |