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US4823573A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Steering wheel lock

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1988-07-29
•
Granted: 1989-04-25
•
Expires: 2008-07-29
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Abstract

Abstract A steering wheel locking mechanism comprises an elongated bar. One end of the bar is positioned adjacent the center of the steering wheel. An arcuate boot having the same radius of curvature as the curvature of the steering wheel and the same cross sectional curvature as the curvature of the cross section of the steering wheel is mounted over an arcuate segment of the periphery of the steering wheel. The concave surface of the boot embraces the outer periphery of the steering wheel. The steering wheel has at least one spoke connecting the steering wheel shaft at the center of the steering wheel with the periphery of the steering wheel. A portion of the elongated bar lies over the spoke. A chain is welded to the bar and is wrapped around the spoke and is attached to the chain lock with the concave surface of the boot embracing the outer surface of the steering wheel. The length of the bar is such that the bar extends beyond the periphery of the steering wheel a distance such that if an attempt is made to turn the steering wheel with the steering wheel locking mechanism in place, the end of the bar remote from the steering wheel will engage a portion of the interior of the motor vehicle or the driver, thus preventing further rotation of the steering wheel and, hence, preventing steering of the motor vehicle.

Inventors

  • 👤 Lee M. Latta

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 08:58
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R25/00; B60R25/01; B60R25/02; B60R25/022; B60R25/0225; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/50; Y10T70/5611; Y10T70/5757; Y10T70/5765; Y10T70/5836; Y10T70/5841

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim 264 words
A locking mechanism for the steering wheel of a vehicle, including: a rigid, hollow bar having first and second ends and a central portion, said bar having a length significantly exceeding the radius of the steering wheel to which it is to be applied; an arcuate boot having a radius of curvature of the steering wheel to which it is to be applied and having a cross-sectional curvature corresponding to the cross-sectional curvature of such steering wheel, said boot being positioned on said bar a distance from said first end thereof corresponding to the outer radius of such steering wheel, whereby, when said boot is in firm engagement with the outer surface of said steering wheel, said first end of said bar lies over the center of the steering wheel to which it is applied; said bar, in use, being positioned over one spoke of the steering wheel to which it is applied; a chain lock fixedly carried by said bar proximate to the central portion thereof; and, a chain having a first end fixedly carried by said bar proximate the central portion thereof, having a second end free to pass around a proximate spoke of the steering wheel to which it is to be applied and having a length sufficient to permit said second end of said chain to be engaged by said chain lock; said first end of said bar carrying a rod extending at right angles to said bar a distance approximately the radius of the central hub of the steering wheel to which the locking mechanism is to be applied.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 264 words
A locking mechanism for the steering wheel of a vehicle, including: a rigid, hollow bar having first and second ends and a central portion, said bar having a length significantly exceeding the radius of the steering wheel to which it is to be applied; an arcuate boot having a radius of curvature of the steering wheel to which it is to be applied and having a cross-sectional curvature corresponding to the cross-sectional curvature of such steering wheel, said boot being positioned on said bar a distance from said first end thereof corresponding to the outer radius of such steering wheel, whereby, when said boot is in firm engagement with the outer surface of said steering wheel, said first end of said bar lies over the center of the steering wheel to which it is applied; said bar, in use, being positioned over one spoke of the steering wheel to which it is applied; a chain lock fixedly carried by said bar proximate to the central portion thereof; and, a chain having a first end fixedly carried by said bar proximate the central portion thereof, having a second end free to pass around a proximate spoke of the steering wheel to which it is to be applied and having a length sufficient to permit said second end of said chain to be engaged by said chain lock; said first end of said bar carrying a rod extending at right angles to said bar a distance approximately the radius of the central hub of the steering wheel to which the locking mechanism is to be applied.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 18 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said arcuate boot carries a U-shaped stabilizer at one extremity thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 20 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 which includes, in addition, a freely rotatable metal bar carried within said rigid, hollow bar.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 13 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said chain lock is selectively operable.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US1438656A Cited
US1421401A Cited
US1395532A Cited
US1467353A Cited
US1443285A Cited
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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) 1992-04-24 1992-10-24 1993-04-25 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1996-04-24 1996-10-24 1997-04-25 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2000-04-24 2000-10-24 2001-04-25 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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