US3703704A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automotive vehicle warning device with all position ignition key circuit actuation via steering lock
Assignee: Daimler Benz AG
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Filing: 1970-02-13
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Granted: 1972-11-21
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Expires: 1990-02-13
Abstract
Abstract A steering lock for a motor vehicle which includes a makecontact to actuate a warning installation when the ignition key is left inserted in the lock and a vehicle door is opened; the locking cylinder of the steering lock includes a mounting support made from insulating material which contains two opposite pins or spring-ring parts projecting into the path of the key but without contacting one another; the inner ends of the pins or spring-ring parts may be constructed ball-shaped, conical, or the like, and are in contact with their outer ends at a slip-ring that is connected with the warning installation.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerhard Schiesterl
- 👤 Josef Eibl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 09:39
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R25/00; B60R25/01; B60R25/02; B60R25/021
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A warning device for automotive vehicles comprising an electrically actuable alarm means disposed in a circuit, vehicle door actuated switch means in said circuit such that said switch means is closed when a vehicle door is open, a current source connected to said circuit, said circuit terminating in a steering lock assembly having ignition key receiving means, said lock assembly including insulation means for operably insulating said circuit with respect to ground when said key receiving means is empty, and a removable ignition key having conducting means for connecting said circuit to ground upon insertion into said receiving means, said conducting means and said key receiving means being configured for connecting said circuit to ground for all positions of said key within said receiving means, whereby the alarm is actuated whenever said vehicle door is open and said key is in said receiving means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A warning device for automotive vehicles comprising an electrically actuable alarm means disposed in a circuit, vehicle door actuated switch means in said circuit such that said switch means is closed when a vehicle door is open, a current source connected to said circuit, said circuit terminating in a steering lock assembly having ignition key receiving means, said lock assembly including insulation means for operably insulating said circuit with respect to ground when said key receiving means is empty, and a removable ignition key having conducting means for connecting said circuit to ground upon insertion into said receiving means, said conducting means and said key receiving means being configured for connecting said circuit to ground for all positions of said key within said receiving means, whereby the alarm is actuated whenever said vehicle door is open and said key is in said receiving means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
144 words
A warning device for automotive vehicles comprising an electrically actuable alarm means disposed in a circuit, vehicle door actuated switch means in said circuit such that said switch means is closed when a vehicle door is open, a current source connected to said circuit, said circuit terminating in a steering lock assembly having ignition key receiving means, said lock assembly including insulation means for operably insulating said circuit with respect to ground when said key receiving means is empty, and a removable ignition key having conducting means for connecting said circuit to ground upon insertion into said receiving means, said conducting means and said key receiving means being configured for connecting said circuit to ground for all positions of said key within said receiving means, whereby the alarm is actuated whenever said vehicle door is open and said key is in said receiving means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
144 words
A warning device for automotive vehicles comprising an electrically actuable alarm means disposed in a circuit, vehicle door actuated switch means in said circuit such that said switch means is closed when a vehicle door is open, a current source connected to said circuit, said circuit terminating in a steering lock assembly having ignition key receiving means, said lock assembly including insulation means for operably insulating said circuit with respect to ground when said key receiving means is empty, and a removable ignition key having conducting means for connecting said circuit to ground upon insertion into said receiving means, said conducting means and said key receiving means being configured for connecting said circuit to ground for all positions of said key within said receiving means, whereby the alarm is actuated whenever said vehicle door is open and said key is in said receiving means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
91 words
A warning device according to claim 1, wherein said lock assembly includes slip ring means electrically connected at all times to said circuit and spring biased contact-making means protruding into said key receiving means for engagement with said key, said contact-making means being arranged to form a conductive path between said slip ring means and said key when said key is in said key receiving means, and wherein said key includes conductive material for conducting current from said contact-making means to portions of the lock assembly which are connected to ground.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
A warning device according to claim 2, wherein said key receiving means is a slot extending through a substantially cylindrical block of insulating material and said contact-making means are pins extending radially through said block, said pins having inner ends for engaging said key and outer ends conductively connected to said slip ring means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
A warning device according to claim 3, wherein each of said pins include two telescoping parts with a spring means therebetween for biasing said parts away from one another, the outer ends of said pins directly contacting said slip ring means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
A warning device according to claim 3, wherein each of said pins is a unitary part, the outer ends of said pins being in direct contact with a flat spring which biases the pins inwardly toward the key receiving means, said flat spring being in direct electrical contact with said slip ring means at all times.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A warning device according to claim 2, wherein said contact-making means is a single unitary spring member having portions in contact with said slip ring means at all times.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A warning device according to claim 2, wherein said slip ring means is embedded in an insulating ring of an outer cover cap covering the locking assembly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A warning device according to claim 2, wherein said contact-making means are provided with abutment means for limiting the movement of said contact-making means in the direction of the key receiving means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-11-21 | 1976-05-22 | 1976-11-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-11-21 | 1980-05-22 | 1980-11-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-11-21 | 1984-05-22 | 1984-11-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |