US1101117A

US1101117A - Lever-lock for automobiles.

Info

Publication number: US1101117A
Authority: US
Inventors: Earnest H Bryant
Original assignee: E H BRYANT Co
Current assignee: E H BRYANT Co
Publication date: 1914-06-23
Anticipated expiration: 1931-06-23

Description

E. H. BRYANT.

LEVER LOCK FOR AUTOMOBILES. APPLIUATIONVHLBD MAR. 1, 1913.

1,101, 1 1 7. Patented June 23,1914.

AAAA AAA-l erases @naar este EARNEST H. BRYANT, F CLEVELAND, OHID, ASSIGNOR T0 THE E. H. BRYANT COMANY, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO, ACO'RPORATIGH 0F OHIO.

LEVEBPLOCK FOR ATOfTOBEEE-.

momie.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, EARNEST. H. BRYANT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county or' Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lever-Locks for Automobiles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention appertains to lever locks for automobiles ormotor vehicles, and is especially an improvement or reiinement ot the lock disclosed in my eopending application, Serial No. (342,990, tiled August 8, 1911.

This invention contemplates the provision of a novel and improved lock oiI the character indicated, which may be attached to the hand or gear shift levers of variousinacliines and which shall be operable to engage the speed gate', segment or quadrant in which the lever Works, so as to lock the lever in neutral position and to thereby prevent the shifting er inter-meshing of the transmission or speed change gears.

It is also the object of the invention to provide a lock ot the type suggested, which shall embody a spring-pressed speed gate engaging member that may be readily pressed,

pushed or forced into depressed or speed gate-engaging position, and which shall embody key-controlled means for retaining the gate-engaging member in operative or locking position, so that unwarranted` releasing or liberating of' the lever b those maliciously or mischievously inc ined is prev vented, and so that the introduction or iiisertion of a proper key will permit the gateengaging Amember to release the speed gate and return to normal or initial position due to the tension of its spring.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a lever lock constituting a novel, compact and improved assemblage ot parts to increase the etliciency, utility and other characteristics generally, and to provide a highly desirable, meritorious and serviceable lock.

A further object'of the invention is to provide a lock of the nature specified which shall be applicable to various levers in such a manner as not to be capable of ready displacement or distortion by malicious persons or due to the conditions to Which the lock is otherwise subjected in use.

Ar still further object 1s to provide a novel Specification of Letters Estant.

Application. filed. March l, 1913. Seriallo. 751.4;@L

Patented June 23, i914.

concealed spring for norinally raising the speed-gate engaging member.

It is also the object of the invention to provide a novel-closure for the lock which shall conceal and render inaccessible the interior Working parts of the lock when it is engaged to the casing of the lock, but which shall permit of the ready assemblage of the parts prior to its engagement With the cas- With the foregoing general objects outlined and With other objects in view, which will appear as the nature of the invention is better' understood, the present invention resides in the construction, arrangement and combination of partshereina'fter described and claimed, it being understood this invention may be susceptible to various alterations and modilications within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention and Without sacrificing the benelits derived.

The invention has been illustrated in its' preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure l is a perspective View of the lock as applied to a lever and showing th'e parts in position to dead-lock the lever. Fig. 2. is a vertical section of the lock. Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are sectional views taken on the respective lines 3--3, 4--4 and 5-5 of Fig. 2. Fig. G is a sectional detail.

ln carrying out the present invention, reference being had to the drawing in detail, there is provided a case or body 6, which is attachable to the lever L which Works in the speed gate Gr, it being understood that when the transmission is idle or at neutral, the

`lever will stand at such a position that it must be shifted laterally and then swung in order to operate the transmission gearing so as to connect the. motor with the propel ling Wheels. It is to be understood, however, that the present lock may be applied to various levers and speed gates.

The case 6 has an opening '7 extending from one side to the other around the front, and terminating adjoining 'the back of the case, and a closure, capor cover 8 is provided for the opening. The cap is U-shaped and the edges ot' the cap and opening are provided vvith the interengaging rabbets or grooves 9, which facilitate the positioning of the cap, as Well as holding the cap rigid when slid to position. The ends of the cap are adapted to abut against the ends oi the opening, as at l0, and it is to be noted that the opening 7 is completely closed and that the cap is flush with the case. At the ends of the opening 7 the case is provided with the inturned or inwardly projecting cars or lugs 2l, while the ends of the cap are provided with the complementary hooks or catches 26. The hooks Q6 are designed to snap or lock into engagement with the ears 2l when the cap is slid home, so as to prevent the subsequent removal of the cap. It is to be understood that the cap is not made fast until the case has been properly applied to the lever, as will be described.

As a. means for attaching the case to the lever, there has been provided the following essentials: The back of the case is provided with a pair of outwardly projecting flanges 1l, which are preferably tapered `from their lower ends to their upper ends, and which are designed` to straddle the sides of the lever, while the back ol2 the case rests or ahnte against the edge of the lever. rlhe back of the case is also provided with a transverse rib ,l2 between the flanges. which is designed to engage in a transve se notch or groove cut or filed in the edge ot the lever. Thus, the rib prevents the case from climbing or sliding on the lever, while the flanges resist any twisting or lateral strain applied to tnc case. A lcl ip 13 embraces the lever and is provided with bolt or tlireaded ends piercing the back ot' the case nextout side the respective flanges. Nuts llare threaded onto the ends ol the clip so as to clamp the backoit the case tightly against the lever. Lock washers l5 are preferably interposed between the nuts andthe back of the case to prevent the retrograde movement or unscrewing of the nuts when tightened. It is to be observed that the opening l' provides ready access into the case for Atightening the nuts.

A plunger is slidable through. the top and bottom ofthe case adjoining the back,

y and has a longitudinal llore extending from its .lower end to a point short of the upper end, the upper end of the plunger being formed into a hcaffl or button for the engagement of the operator`s linger to depress the plunger. To the lower end oit the plunger there is secured the speed gate en gaging meniber proper, wl'iich c il' :dies a head 18 having a shank or tang threaded, welded,` lorazcd, or i'lhcrwim pcrnninrntly secured within thc lower end olf the plunger, as at 17, after the plunger has heen inserted through the case. The head 18 adapted to normally seat' against. the lower end or bcttom of the case, and is provided with an integral fork 19. The fork is odset so that its arms overlap or straddle the sides ot the lever and the arms have the outer dowi i e l wardly-tapered ribs or wedges 20. The butt ends of the arms are relatively wide, while the free ends are pointed.

The plunger is provided with slots 27 in its sides and within the case. and through which a pin 23 is passed. The pin 23 is carried by a pair of lingers 16 projecting from the back of the case and between which the plunger ts. A coiled wire compression spring is disposed within the bore Tl-'land is seated between the pin Q3 and the upper end of the"plunger, so as to give an upward tension to the plunger. The spring may be readily inserted into the plunger prior to the. introduction of the plunger through the case, and the pin 23 may be readily inserted underthe spring,as permitted by theopening 7. Thus, the spring is effectively concealed and still has a considerable latitude of play, and the pin will be concealed by the cap. The plunger is also formed with a series of ratchet. teeth 28 along its forward side below the. top of the case.

The case is provided with a socket Q9 at its front ortion. fthe' socket. oneniinr ui! wardly or through the top, and a liey controlled mechanism 30 is seated in the said socket. This mechanism embodies a case or body tting snugly in the socket'. QS) flush with the top of the case (3. The oase (l is further provided with a horizontal passage or slideway 3l directly below the socket, and which extends from the liront to the plunger. rThe `key-cimtrolled mechanism 30 includes an upright barrel 32 designed to receive and be turned or rotated by a key, the lower end of the barrel projecting through the bottom of the socket and having an eccentric 33 depending therefrom within the. slideway 3l. lNithin the slideway 3l there is disposed a latch bolt 3d which has its inner nend beveled to engage the ratchet teeth 28 to hold the plunger in depressed position. The latch bolt has an upper notch or recess 35 in which the eccentric 33 is engaged, so that the latch bolt may be retracted by the barrel. .il coiled wire spring 53; is also disposed in the slideway 3l bel'iind the latch bolt, and a pin 2li) is engaged tl'irough the outer or forward end of the slideway, the spring 86 being seated between the piu Si) and the outer or forward end oi' the latch bolt to pressv the latch bolt into engagement with ithe plunger. The lingers lll are connected to the inner or rear end of the slidcway. It is evident that the mechanism 30, latch bolt, spring 36 and pin 39 may be easily inserted into the case.

The key-controlled mechanism 3() may be adapted for any number of keys, that is, various mechanisms 30 may be provided for various locks so that the several locke. will require separate or distinct keys, and in -order that one lock may not be opened by the holder of a key for vanother locli.

iso

tangier The key 'changes 'may thus "be indefinite in number. To secure the case of the mechanism v30 in place, a pin or 'securing menibery 37 is engaged through 'one side df the socket:y 29 Aand takes into vthe said case, the pin -be` ing inclosed by the cap alter the cap is ap'-` pli-ed. It is also desirable to provide a; pivoted cap or cover 38 for the mechanism? 30, in order to normally "exclude dust and to conceal thebarrel 32. This cover 38 may, be readilyI swung intoand out of position.`

In use, z#the present lock may be quickly and leasily applied to the lever, it only loe-g ing necessary to le a small notch inv theI proper yedge of the lever to receive the lrib;

12. The application oi the lock tothe level" does not unduly encumber the lever or injure 'or `impair it in anyway. rThe case is-allso so' secured to 'the lever that undue' strains willy not Itend to distort or ybreak the lock, this being particularly true in connection withj the 'fork 'straddling 'the lever so that its;

arms may wedge between the sides of the lever and gate when the plunger is de-i pressed. After the case has been secured in osition and the various parts placed in. position, the cap may be secured to the oase` so as to prevent tampering 'with the working parts within lthe case. The lever may be readily locked by simply depressing the plunger until the fork properly engages within the speed gate, the latch bolt engaging 'the ratchet teeth 28 to prevent the .plunger `from rising until the barrel 32 is,

turned by the proper key inserted thereinto.v The ratchet permits j the fork to lock at various positions as is necessary with the various levers, and by turning the barrel, the latch bolt may be retracted so that the spring 25 will raise or release the fork with the plunger.

The many advantages and capabilities of the invention will be manifest from the foregoing.

What is claimed is y l. ln a lever lock for automobiles, a case, a hollow plunger slidable therethrough and having a speed gate .engaging member at one end, means within the case for locking the plunger', and a coiled. wire spring housed within the plunger and seated between the plunger and case.

2. ln a lever lock for automobiles, a case, a hollow plunger slidable therethrough and having a speed gate engaging member at one end, means within the caseior locking the plunger, a member carried by the case and projecting into the plunger, and a coiled wire spring housed within Ithe plunger and seated between the said member and the plunger.

In a lever lock for automobiles, a case, a hollow plunger slidable through the case and having speed gate engaging means at one end, the case having portions at the sides 'of the plunger and the plunger having slots in itsI sides, 'a 'pin vcarried by thefsaid portions and passing 'through thesaid slots, a coiled spring 'housed within the plunger and seated against the said pin, and means within the case for locking the plunger.

4. ln alever lock for automobiles, a case having an opening extending from side to side, Ia. hollow plunger 'slidable `through the 'top 'and 'bottom of the =case and having slots in its sides within the case, the case having portionsat the sides o'f the plunger, a pin engaged :through the saidportions and passing-through the said slots, fa coiled spring housed within the plunger and seated against the said pin, a Ll-shaped cap for the opening in the case, and means for locking the plunger. e

5. ln a lever lock for automobiles, a case, \a plunger slidable therethrough, the plunger having a bore extending fromone end to a point short of the other end and a slot within the case, a member-carried by the case and projecting throughthe slot 'of 'the plunger, a coiled spring housed within the said bore and seated between the latter end ot the plunger and the saidmember, means within lthe case for locking the plunger, and a speed gate engaging member secured to the former,

'end ofthe p unger.

6. -In alever lock for automobiles, a case having anopening in its side, a plunger slidable through the top and bottom of the case, the plunger having a bore lextending from its lower end to 'a point short of the upper end and slots in its sides within the case, the case having portions at the sides. of the plunger, a pin engaged through the said portions and passing through the said slots,

a coiled wire sprin'gvhoused within the said bore and seated between the upper end of the plunger and the said pin, a speed gate engaging member having a shank secured within the lower end of the plunger, means4 within the case for locking the plunger, and a closure for the said opening.

7 In a lever lock for automobiles, a case having a socket opening through its top and aslideway below the socket, a plunger slidable through the case and having speed gate engaging means at one end, a latch bolt slidable in the said slideway, keytfcontrolled means disposed within the said socket for actuating the latch bolt, the bolt serving to lock the plunger, and means engaging through one side of the socket within the case to secure the key contr0lled\ means within the socket.

8. ln a lever lock for automobiles, a case having a socket opening through its top and a slideway below the socket, a plunger slidable through the case and having speed gate engaging means at one end, a spring-pressed viis l side to side around the front, and a slideway below the socket, a plunger slidable through the top and bottom of the case adjoining the back, a latch boltslidable' in the slideway and engageable withthe plunger, a spring tting in the slideway behind the latch bolt, key-controlled means including a case fitting in the socket and a barrel having its lower end engaged to the latch bolt, securing means engaged through the side of the socket and taking into the last mentioned case, and a U-shaped closure for the opening in the case.

l0. In a lever lock for automobiles, a case adapted to abut against a lever, the case having members to straddle the lever and a member therebetween to engage a notch in the lever, a clip for embracing the lever and terminally securable within the ease, a plunger slidable through the case and having speed gate engaging means at one end, and means disposed within the case tor locking the plunger.

11. In a lever lock for automobiles, a ease adapted to abut against one edge of a lever, the case having a-pair of flanges to overlap the sides of the lever and a transverse rib between the tianges to engage a transverse notch in the edge of the lever, a clip for embracing the lever, the ends of the clip piercing the case next outside the flanges and being secured wit-hin the case, a plunger slid able through the case and having speed gate `pngaging means at one end, and means with ln the case' for looking the last mentioned member.

12. In a lever lock for automobiles, a case adapted to abut against a lever and having an opening extending from side to side around theront and terminating adjoining the baci; of the case, a clip for embracing the lever and having its ends piercing the back of the ease, nuts threaded onto the ends of the clip to clamp the back of the case against the lever, a plunger slidable through the top and bottom of the case and having speed gate engaging means at one end, means within the case tor locking the plunger, and a U-'shaped cap for the opening.

13. In a lever lock for automobiles, a case having an opening extending from side to side around the front and terminating adjoining the back, a plunger slidable through the top and bottom ofthe case and having speed gate engaging means at one end, means within the case for lockingthe plunger, and a U-shaped cap for the opening, the ease having inwardly projecting ears at the ends of the opening and the ends of the cap having hooks to snap over the ears.

In testimony whereof I do hereby aliX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' EARNEST H. BRYANT.

Witnesses Louis ENGLANDER, Davis l). Bowman.