US3791182A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steering column locking device
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp
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Filing: 1972-05-18
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Granted: 1974-02-12
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Expires: 1992-05-18
Abstract
Abstract Ignition and steering column lock for motor vehicles operated by a key controlling both the ignition switch and steering column locking element. The lock comprises a bolt biased by a spring to engage a keeper hole in a sleeve secured to the steering column. The bolt is withdrawn by a cam operated by turning movement of the key and key cylinder. The ignition switch is operated by a rod rectilinearly moved by turning movement of the key cylinder through a rack and pinion connection. A blocking plunger is guided in the lock housing to block movement of the rod and key cylinder when moving in a direction to lock the steering column. The plunger is depressible by the operator to free movement of the rod to accommodate movement of the key cylinder to effect locking of the steering column.
Inventors
- 👤 G Oxley
- 👤 M Shah
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:18
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
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
388 words
In a steering column and ignition lock, a housing enclosing the steering column and forming a bearing support therefor, a sleeve extending about the steering column and fixedly secured thereto and having a series of circumferentially spaced radially extending keeper holes leading therethrough, said steering housing having an opening leading therethrough in registry with said sleeve, a lock casing extending about said housing and having a passageway extending radially thereof in registry with said opening in said housing, a latch bolt guided in said passageway and extending to the interior of said housing and movable into and out of locking association with said sleeve, spring means biasing said latch bolt into engagement with said sleeve to come into locking engagement with a keeper hole upon turning of the steering column to register a keeper hole with said latch bolt, a key cylinder rotatably mounted in said casing, said latch bolt having a passageway leading therethrough and extending transversely thereof, a cam coaxial with the axis of said key cylinder, turnable by turning movement of said key cylinder, and extending through said passageway and having camming engagement therewith, and movable by turning movement of the key cylinder to withdraw said latch bolt from a keeper hole and unlock the steering column and to accommodate said spring means to move said latch bolt into locking engagement with a keeper hole, an ignition switch remote from said housing and key cylinder, means for operating said ignition switch comprising a rod mounted in saId housing and guided for movement perpendicular to the axis of turning movement of said key cylinder, a rack and pinion drive connection between said key cylinder and rod for rectilinearly moving said rod to position said ignition switch in its various positions and to accommodate said latch bolt to move into locking relation with said sleeve, and a depressible plunger biased in position to prevent rectilinear movement of said rod and turning movement of said key cylinder to the off position of the lock, said plunger extending to the outside of said housing to accommodate depression of said plunger separate from turning movement of the key cylinder and blocking movement of said key cylinder in an on direction, except by an overt act of the operator of the vehicle in addition to turning movement of said key cylinder.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
388 words
In a steering column and ignition lock, a housing enclosing the steering column and forming a bearing support therefor, a sleeve extending about the steering column and fixedly secured thereto and having a series of circumferentially spaced radially extending keeper holes leading therethrough, said steering housing having an opening leading therethrough in registry with said sleeve, a lock casing extending about said housing and having a passageway extending radially thereof in registry with said opening in said housing, a latch bolt guided in said passageway and extending to the interior of said housing and movable into and out of locking association with said sleeve, spring means biasing said latch bolt into engagement with said sleeve to come into locking engagement with a keeper hole upon turning of the steering column to register a keeper hole with said latch bolt, a key cylinder rotatably mounted in said casing, said latch bolt having a passageway leading therethrough and extending transversely thereof, a cam coaxial with the axis of said key cylinder, turnable by turning movement of said key cylinder, and extending through said passageway and having camming engagement therewith, and movable by turning movement of the key cylinder to withdraw said latch bolt from a keeper hole and unlock the steering column and to accommodate said spring means to move said latch bolt into locking engagement with a keeper hole, an ignition switch remote from said housing and key cylinder, means for operating said ignition switch comprising a rod mounted in saId housing and guided for movement perpendicular to the axis of turning movement of said key cylinder, a rack and pinion drive connection between said key cylinder and rod for rectilinearly moving said rod to position said ignition switch in its various positions and to accommodate said latch bolt to move into locking relation with said sleeve, and a depressible plunger biased in position to prevent rectilinear movement of said rod and turning movement of said key cylinder to the off position of the lock, said plunger extending to the outside of said housing to accommodate depression of said plunger separate from turning movement of the key cylinder and blocking movement of said key cylinder in an on direction, except by an overt act of the operator of the vehicle in addition to turning movement of said key cylinder.
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) | 1977-02-11 | 1977-08-13 | 1978-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-11 | 1981-08-13 | 1982-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-11 | 1985-08-13 | 1986-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |