GB750405A - Improvements in or relating to safety locks - Google Patents

Abstract

750,405. Locks. NEIMAN, A. Oct. 21, 1952 [Oct. 27, 1951], No. 26407/52. Class 44. [Also in Group XXXI] A safety lock for vehicle steering gear comprises a housing secured to the steering column, a lock rotatable within the housing by means of a key and carrying a bolt engageable within an opening in the steering pillar upon inward movement of the lock, the latter also carrying a transverse stud engageable by rotational movement of the lock within a recess in the lock housing into which it is then urged by spring means thereby to secure the lock in its operative position against the action of a return spring tending to move the lock outwardly of the housing into an inoperative position, and means to secure the lock against outward movement beyond the inoperative position. In the arrangement according to Fig. 1, in which an insertion lock 3 of known type having a bolt 5 is slidably mounted in a housing 1 secured to a vehicle steering head tube 2 and in which the bolt 5 is adapted to engage a steering column 4, against a return spring 9, a stud 7 is received in a recess 8 or 13 on the housing to lock the lock in the housing, the outward movement being limited by a projection 15 which engages a pin 16 in the housing. In a modification, Fig. 3, a cap 17 pivoted about a fixing screw 18 forms a stop for the look when the cap is swung to the open position. A ball catch, Fig. 5 (not shown), in the housing prevents inward movement of the lock until the key has been inserted and turned. In a modification, the ball catch may be replaced by a crescent-shape spring having claw-like ends. In another modification, Fig. 6 (not shown), an additional spring is located between the lock and its housing. According to Fig. 3, the bolt which is not rotatable with respect to the housing, is coupled to a rotary part of the lock by a spring 35 which effects the engagement of the stud 7 with the recess 8 or 13 in the housing.