GB1263362A - Steering lock assembly for vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

1,263,362. Vehicle steering column lock assembly. JOSEF VOSS K.G. 3 Oct., 1969 [3 Oct., 1968 (3); 20 Nov., 1968], No. 48771/69. Heading B7J. [Also in Divisions E2, G4 and H1] In a steerable vehicle, an assembly comprising a cylinder type steering lock, a first switch, a second switch and an alarm, said lock having a lockbolt which is movable between a locking position to lock the steering means of the vehicle and a released position in which the steering means is unlocked, the lock cylinder being rotatable by means of a key when such has been inserted into the lock, to move the lockbolt from its locking to its released position, the first switch remaining closed whilst the key is in the lock or the lockbolt is in its released position and being connected in series with the second switch which is closed as a result of the driver's door of the vehicle being opened, to close an alarm circuit through the first switch when the first switch is in its closed position. In one embodiment shown in Fig. 2 when the key is left in the cylinder lock thus depressing the pin 12 from the position 12<SP>1</SP> against the bias of a spring 10 and closing the contacts 15, 16 and when the door 19 of the vehicle is opened, the normally opened switch 18 is closed (as shown) and the alarm device 20 is activated. Fig. 4 shows a second embodiment in which the narrow end 23<SP>1</SP> of the segmental plate 23 projects into the keyhole 14 and on insertion of the key the arcuate outer edge 26 of the segmental plate extends radially outwards thus forcing contact 15 into contact with the fixed contact 16. The arcuate edge 26 is of sufficient length so that the contacts 15, 16 are closed by the key in the "garage" " and " off " position. In a further embodiment in Figs. 8 to 10 (not shown) a tumbler plate rather than a segmental plate operates the switch contacts. Two such switches in the body of the lock at the " garage " and " off " positions are connected in series, one of the switches being alternately closed by the arcuate edge of the cylinder of the lock and the other closed by the tumbler plate when the key is inserted. In the further embodiment shown in Fig. 21, the cylinder of the cylinder lock 82 is connected to a segmental cam 85 which operates the projection 88<SP>1</SP> on the lockbolt 88, thus engaging and disengaging the latter in an aperture 112 in the steering column 113. On disengaging the lockbolt 88 from the steering column 113 into the housing 86, the roller 105 rides over the step 107 out of the groove 106 in the lockbolt and the contact 102 on the resilient tongue 104 closes the electrical circuit, thus allowing activation of the alarm when the vehicle door is opened. Two variations of the switch on the lockbolt are described in one of which a first magnet replaces the wheel 105 and a second repulsing magnet is embedded in the lockbolt in a position corresponding to step 107 and on repulsion of the magnets a switch is closed. When the lockbolt is moved to engage in 112 the first magnet is attracted to the lockbolt and the switch is opened. In the second variation an oscillating arm is depending into the slot-in the lockbolt and the movement of the lockbolt causes contact to be made or broken between the oscillating arm and a fixed contact.