US1774098A - Combination locked switch - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 26, 1930. E. E. JOHNSON COIBINATION LOCKED SWITCH F'ilod Sept. 11, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 urr'rcRY l DYSTRIB U TC MAONEYQ AD MT Aug. 26, 1930.- E. E. JOHNSON COIBINATION LOCKED SWITCH l'ilcd Sept. 11, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 26, 1930 1,774,098

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EMIL E. JOHNSON, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA COMBINATION LOOKED swrrcn Application filed September 11, 1925. Serial No. 55,750.

This invention relates to an improved apthe circumstances mentioned without detecparatus for controlling and rendering inoption. While in the second instance, the car r erative the ignition circuits on automobiles being comparatively free from general obserand the like, but is applicable to the control of vation, a trespasser might easily bring to his any multiple or single circuits for any other aid a perfect set of tools and spend some time 65 purpose where such circuits are subject to in an effort to get through the lock and manipunlawful manipulation or tampering and is ulate the circuits so the car could be operated. an improvement on the ap aratus covered by In this second instance the entire apparatus my pending application erial No. 649,189 including the spark coil is enclosed and sefiled July 2, 1923. curely locked inside of a thief proof metal 60 In this description I will refer particularly or other casing and controlled by a combito the application of the invention to the connation locking device that cannot be picked trol of automobile ignition circuits. or the combination found by manipulation.

In the operation of the modern automobile V This enclosed unit is so mounted on the the general arrangement and control of the instrument board of the automobile that it 05 ordinarily used circuits are so well and widecannot be removed without some measure of 1y known that a highly efficient thief proof destruction. ignition lockin and controlling device is In addition to the highly efficient locking greatly desired by the manufacturers as well means provided I have also provided an autoas the users of automobiles to in a measure, matic alarm system that will sound continu- 1Q prevent the frequent loss of cars by theft. ously if the hood over the engine is lifted The higher priced cars are usually equip while the ignition is locked, as well as a means ped with the best and latest of such devices, to lock the apparatus against further operawhile the lower priced cars, if equipped at all, tion of the car by simply turning the switch are supplied with much less expensive, and. that stops the engine and without the neces- 75 sometimes much less effective apparatus. sity of thinking to set the combination dial Where cars are left standing along the from its operative position, as well further street in the midst of other cars and passing to lock the casing holding the spark coil people a simpler device is applicable and efagainst removal except the combination is set fective than where cars are parked away from at a certain predetermined point and the so the notice or observation of passing people. switch lever moved to a certain place or posi- In the first instance a car purloiner could tion. not well expend much time tinkering with an It is therefore a principal object of my inignition locking device in open daylightbevention to provide an ignition locking device fore the notice of passing crowds in an effort that will be effective as a low or moderate 85 to pick a combination or short circuit the priced unit for the cheaper cars and as a ignition in a manner to permit of operating higher priced unit for the most expensive cars, the car, while in the second instance, if a car the general principle of operation being the was parked in some secluded place or out of same in either case, but the construction dif- 40 the direct notice ofpas'ser'sby a person might fering to suit the differing conditions. no spend some time and effort with a complete It is also an object of the invention to prokit of appropriate tools in an endeavor to get vide an ignition locking device having comthrough the lock and thus be able to operate plete control over the ignition and operating 1 the car. i circuits of an automobile whether operated I have provided a device, through this by battery or magneto or both. I 95 invention, that is a plicable to each of these It is also an object of my invention to prosituations. In the rst, the ignition is locked vide. an ignition locking and controlling deagainst invasion by a trespasser except by vice having a combination locking arrangemeans of tools adapted to the work which ment that is set by means of a number combicould not be easily or conveniently used under nation and that will be disrupted when turn- F00 ing the switch to stop the engine so that the driver cannot leave his car unprotected if he stops his engine which might easily occur if it was necessary for him to also turn the setting dial to lock the car against operation.

It is also an object of the invention to pro vide an ignition locking and control unit containing within a thief proof casing all of the operative electrical contacts as well as the spark coil and s0 mount this unit on the instrument board of an automobile that it cannot be removed or tampered with within the time a trespasser would ordinarily have at his command, or without some measure of destruction to the apparatus.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a circuit control device in which the ignition and operating circuits are operable only through manipulation of a combination look while the lighting circuits are free for use, through the same apparatus at any time whether the car is operating or parked and locked against operation.

With such objects in view as well as other advantages inherent in the invention, the novel structural peculiarities, novel organization of elements, and the separate and collective operations involved in carrying out the recited objects of my invention, which will be made the subject matter of claims hereto appended, I wish it to be understood that the several necessary elements and combinations constituting the same may be varied in their proportions, placement, general arrangement and operative relation without departing from the scope and nature of my invntion.

In carrying out the objects of my invention in a concrete form or apparatus, further objects, advantages and improvements have been evolved than have been recited, and in order to make the invention more clearly understood there are shown in the accompanying drawings means and mechanism embodying the preferred structural arrangement and the preferred disposition of the d fferent parts and combinations, without limiting the claims to the details of construction shown, in which I have simply illustrated one way of embodying the creative part or conception of the invention in a concrete form or'apparatus. The described devices are simply embodiments of the invention which other structures might also employ and some of the parts or combinations of parts may be used without the others in different types of such apparatus without departure from the purview of my invention and I regard myself as entitled to all such variations from the shown and described devices as fall within the scope and meaning of the claims hereto appended.

By reference now to the drawings llustrating an embodiment of my invention, a better understanding may be had of the operation and construction;

Fig. 1 is a plan of the simpler device showing the combination dial, the lighting and ignition switches and the general appearance of the device on an instrument board.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation on mately the line 22 of Fig. 1. This view shows the interior of the apparatus and the arrangement of the combination disks and electrical contacts.

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan on approximately the line 33 of Fig. 2. This view is intended to show a plan of the combination disks in relation to the ignition contacts when set against operation of the car and also the position of the lighting switch and contacts.

Fig. 4 is a sectional plan on the same plane as Fig. 3 but with the parts in the position of operation, the combination disks being positioned to permit movement of the ignition switch into operative position.

Fig. 5 is a sectional plan on approximately line 55 of Fig. 2 with arts broken away to show the manner of loc ing the unit parts together when the switch lever is set against operation.

Fig. 6 is a diagram of the circuit arrangement of both the operating and lighting circuits.

Fig. 7 is a plan of the more elaborate unit and shows the combination dial, the ignition and lighting switches and the switch for looking the spark coil casing to the combination element.

F ig. 8 is a sectional elevation of the apparatus taken on approximately the line 88 of Fig. 7 showing the location and mounting of the combination disks; the manner of securing the unit to the instrument board so it cannot be removed, and the manner of attaching the spark coil element to the ignition element to make a complete unit. This view also shows the circuiting through the spark coil when using a high tension magneto.

Fig. 9 is a sectional plan on approximately the line 9-9 of Fig. 8 and shows the parts in the operative position with the ignition switch set on the magneto circuit, and illustrating the mechanism for locking the ignition and spark coil elements together.

Fig. 10 is a sectional elevation on approximately the line 1010 of Fig. 9 and shows the casing locking mechanism in elevation.

Fig. 11 is a detail of one of the combination disks showing the spring disrupter for automatically disrupting the combination and locking the ignition circuits against operation when the switch lever is turned to stop the engine.

Fig. 12 is a detail plan of the casing locking lever and connections shown in the same approxiposition as in Fig. 9 but detached from the other parts of the apparatus so as to show its construction and arrangement more clearly.

It is to be understood that the drawings accompanying this application are more or less diagrammatic, in character; are not necessarily drawn to scale, neither do they necessarily represent the best or the preferred engineering practices in connection with the construction of apparatus of this type or-nature, also the proportions and relations of some of the parts may be more or less exaggerated in size or shape to better-illustrate the application of the invention to an operative apparatus.

I have mentioned that my invention has been so designed and so embodied in a construction that enables me to make two complete units, either of which is completely effective in protecting a car against theft through'normal operation, but which are so modified in their operation and general arrangement that one or the other is adaptable to any make or type of car in use, the simpler construction being adapted to the lighter and cheaper cars where first cost is a consideration and the more elaborate device being adapted to those cars where the first cost is not considered. I do not Wish to infer by this that the cost in any case is excessive but by eliminating the cost of the large casing for containing the spark coil and the several attachments necessary to make a complete unit the first cost is reduced somewhat and a highly efficient protective device is produced. Either of the constructions is applicable to any car, the only limitation being in finding room back of the instrument board for the spark coil casing Where the device is sold as an accessory to be attached after the car leaves the factory, Where a factory installation takes place during the construction of the car of course room may be made for either type the manufacturer desires to apply.

With this understanding of the situation in mind I will first describe the simpler device wherein the same figures of reference in the various views will represent like parts.

The numeral 1 represents the instrument board of any automobile. It may be made of wood as I have shown or it may be made of metal or any other suitable material and it may vary in thickness from a quarter of an inch up. 2 represents a casing containing the operative mechanism of the apparatus, while 3 represents a back cover to the casing for finally closing the mechanism against ingress except by proper means. I have shown the unit secured to the instrument board by wood screws 4, this is merely to illustrate one mode of attachment. Flush head bolts might be passed throu h the instrument board from the front an the nuts riveted on the back the unit from the board by a simple removal of v the screws 4. The shield 5 is held in place by the combination dial and the two switch levers. The shield also serves to cover the boltheads 6 that secure the back 3 to the casing. The combination dial 7 and the switch levers 8 and 9 are or may be secured by means of special screws or pins requiring special tools for removing, so they could not be removed easily. The section line on which Fig. 2 is taken happens to cut off a good view of the screws 6, the only one showing in this view lying directly back of the center spindle 10 is only partly shown by dotted lines. The lower threaded end is shown under the contact plate 11. The plan views show the location of these screws very clearly so that a further reference .to them seems unnecessary.

The casing 2 carries a central hub 12 on which are mounted for free rotation the combination disks 13, 14 and 15. Each of these disks carries on its peripheral edge pins or extensions 13 14 and 15 as best seen in Figs. 3 and 4. Extending down centrally through the hub 12 is an operating spindle.

10, the upper end of which extends through the setting dial 7 and to which the dial 7 is securely fastened while the lower end finds bearing in the contact plate 11. Just under the hub 12 is a collar, 17 secured to the spindle 10 and carrying a bent arm 16 the upper extension of which sweeps around the peripheries of the combination disks 13, 14 and 15 and engages in turn the pins or extensions 13*, 14 and 15' whenever the setting dial is turned and thus the disks are set in the proper positions to permit of closing the ignition switch to operate the car. Each of'the disks 13, 14 and 15 have slots 13, 14 and 15 as per Fig. 3 and in order to permit of movement of the ignition switch 8 to a position that will permit of starting the engine the disks 13, 14 and 15 must all be aligned so that the slots 13, 14 and 15 are in alignment as per Fig. 4. The spindle 18 extends down through the unit carrying on its upper end the switch lever 8 and intermediately of its length the contact member 19. Also inter:

is accoin lished by the spring contact member 19 igs. 2 and 4. The slots in the disks 'being in alignment the contact member 19 may be moved at will to any position desired and as long as the arm 20 remains in the slots the combination disks cannot be moved from their operative positions. The slots 13", 14 and 15 are aligned by setting the dial 7 successively into certain predetermined positions required by the combination adopted for each unit, in the same manner as any combination is set when operating combination locking devices. In the positions of Fig. 3 the disks 13, 14: and 15 are shown out of operative alignment so that the contact member 12 is held from movement into an operative position.

The spring contact plate 19 being held in contact with the two outer contacts of Fig. 6,

the car being now locked against normal operation and the alarm signal set. By reference now to Fig. 6 it will be seen that the outer contact leads to the horn while the second contact leads to the battery. when the control unit i locked against operation as per Fig. 3 the contact member 19 is in the position oilFig. 6. The hood 21 being closed pushes a pin 22 down against a spring contact 23 breaking connection with the grounded circuit and setting the alarm against operation. If'now the hood is raised just a little in an effort to get at the wiring to short circuit the ignition system or to wire around the control unit to operate the car the horn will be sounded and will continue to sound as long as the hood is held up. from its normal position enclosing the engine and wiring. If this happens on the street or any place within hearing of passing people it will attract some attention and a car thief would be reluctant to try and steal a car protected in this manner. If the car was in the owners garage or any other place or" storage and the horn began to sound continuously it would also attract attention and again the car thief would hesitate to attempt to tamper with the car. The contact 23 being placed up close to the hinge on the under side of the hood and covered by a suitable shield would not be easily accessible, so that if the thief decided to risk the alarm sounding continuously it would take some time to get through the shield and silence the alarm, so that the protection by this means would be quite effective. I

The lighting circuits are carried in the same housing with the ignition circuits but are free for operation at any time independent of the locking device. This is a desirable condition to inaugurate in a system of this kind as it is necessary at night to have the car protected against illicit operation and at the same time have lights when parking along the street. By having the lighting switch ar ranged for free operation this is easily accomplished. Fig. 6 shows how the lighting switch member 24; is manipulated to cover whichever lights are desired. The battery circuit runs to a continuous contact 25 and through the connection 26 to the 5 ring contact member 27 through any two 0 the lighting circuits desired.

When the casing back 3 is in position it is desirable to lock it against removal when the car is locked against operation. Secured to the inside of the back 3 is a button 28 and on the lower end of the spindle 18 is a locking arm 29. When the i nition control device is set in the position 0 Fi 3 the locking arm 29 is in the position of Fig. 5 with its end engaged under the head of the button 28 looking the back against removal at the same time the 'car is locked against operation. l/Vhen the ignition switch is set to the position of Fig. 4 the arm 29 swings partiallyout of contact with the button 28 and when the ignition switch is swung as far into the combination disks as the slots will permit the arm 29 will be entirely tree from the button 28 and the back 3 may then be removed. This arrangement locks the control unit against the invasion through the back and if the back cannot be removed it is practically impossible to tamper with the enclosed control mechanism without more or less destructive action.

I will now describe the device as disclosed by Figs. 7 to 12 inclusive.

- In these figures there is disclosed a device of more elaborate arrangement than the one just dscribed although the operating mechanism is practically the same as the simpler device but with the addition of some refinements and an automatic means for disrupting the combination by merely turning the ignition switch to stop the engine, so that it the driver stops the engine he automatically sets the car against further normal operation without again setting the combination to permit movement of the ignition switch. The spark coil of the ignition circuit is also included in the casing containingthe ignition control mechanism so that it W111 be impossible to wire around the spark coil and thus operate the engine as might be possible in the other instrument, and without the spark coil .the car cannot be operated except it be equipped with a high tension magneto, but since I carry the magneto circuit through the ignition control contacts within. the instrument casing, these contacts must be closed in order to run the engine or magneto.

In this design of apparatus I have also provided means for locking the spark coil casing IOU to the control unit casing in a manner that will prevent removal therefrom except the ignition lever switch is set in exactly a certain position. If it is set to the extreme in either direction the casing cannot be removed or the casing lock released.

In this design I have also provided a very eiiective and efiicient means of locking the car against further normal operation that is automatically set into operation by the simple movement of the switch leverin turning it to stop the engine, thus the driver need give no thought whatever as to whether he disrupted the combination when he left his car, this movement of the ignition switch lever to its off position moves one of the combination disks out of alignment so that the switch lever cannot again be set to operative position without first again setting the combifiation through manipulation of the setting I also show in this design of apparatus means for disruptingthe combination by moving the setting dial just a little from its set position such as is often done with safe combinations, so that a movement of the dial back to set position will permit of moving the switch lever and obviates the necessity of completely disrupting-the combination and then having to go through the complete operation of resetting. This arrangement gives protection to the car and may serve every purpose but of course is not as complete a protection as if the combination is fully disrupted.

I contemplate supplying these devices in unit form as accessories to be attached to cars by garages or drivers themselves, wherever the cars have not originally been supplied with the device. In the case of an accessory some means must be provided to insure the device being properly applied to the instrument board and have the parts in proper alignment and position.

In assembly the unit ton an instrument board the outer face plate is separate from the unit proper that goes back of the board and it is necessary to have some accurate and positive aligning means to bring the face plate in proper register with the mechanism of the combination sothat the dial readings will be the same as was determined in the factory, otherwise the stated combination as set by the dial will not set the combination disks in roper positions to permit ofmovement of the switch lever, because the slots in the disks will be slightly out of lineand if theyare out,

ever so little the switch lever will be locked against movement, thus it becomes necessary to devise some means of assembling in inex-- perienced hands that will assure accuracy.

Referring more particularly to the exact details of construction the numeral 30 represents an instrument board of wood or other material. 31 represents the casing proper of the instrument and 32 represents the face late that is secured to the outer face of, the

1nstrument board and 33 represents the contact plate forming the back of the casing 31.

After the instrument has been constructed and properly assembled at'the factory it is highly desirable that it remain in this condition, means have therefore been provided to ing through the front and rear of the casing,

one of which is threaded and screwed into place and the other is riveted. The riveted end passes through the contact plate 33 while the screwed end passes through the front face of the casing 31.

The upper end of the spacing tube 34 carries a pilot member 35 extendin a matter of a quarter of an inch above the front face of the casing 31. There are three of these spacing tubes 34 as shown in Figs. 7 and 9, so that there are three of the pilots 35 spaced about equidistant around the casing.

The face plate 32 is provided with integral hubs 36 having counterbores to exactly fit over the pilotsv 35. These pilots and the counterbores are adjusted in the construction of the apparatus to align and fit perfectly and the combination is determined after this is done. The hubs 36 are made in length to accommodate the different thickness of in strument boards in use so that only special face plates are necessary to attach the device to any thickness instrument board and as these are all produced by interchangeable manufacture a supply of face plates can be carried by the supply house so that any condition may be quickly met in attaching the device to anycar. Bolts 37 secure the face plate '32 in place and since the ends of the bolts are secured into a blind hole there is no means of approaching the bolts from this end for removal without *destructive action. The bolts 37 are locked against turning by the lock nuts 38. v

It is now seen that in attaching the device to an instrument board of a car the mechanic has only to bore three holes for the attaching bolts. and four holes for the spindles, all of which are located for him by a suitable template plate sent with the instrument. These holesare all bored a little large so there will be no'bin'ding when the device is secured in place, the hubs 36 fitting over the pilots 35 will align the face plate to the instrument in the properly adjusted position.

It is also necessary be located exactly in relation tothe combination mechanism inside the casing, since this dial and the switch levers 40. 41, and 42 must be removed when the device is attached toan instrument board. In order to replace the dial 39 in properly adjusted position I have that the setting dial 39 provided aligning lugs on the under side of,

insuring proper alignment of the dial 39. Insteadof the washer 44 which is an extra part, the top end of the spindle 45 might be flattened and the hple in the dial 39 moulded to fit tightly and secured in place by the retaining screw 47. The face plate 32 and the dial 39 must always go into their proper adjusted positions regardless of the skill or carefulness of the person attaching theinstrument to the car, and the means disclosed for accomplishing this will do so effectively and accurately.

The circuiting of this apparatus is the same as shown in Fig. 6. The ignition switch, the lighting switch and the parts carried thereby functioning in the same manner as has been described.

In this design of the instrument the spark coil 48 is fully enclosed in a suitable casing 49. The main instrument casing 31 has a rear extension carrying bayonet joint means for attaching the spark coil casing thereto as indicated at 50. All of the operating circuits pass through this spark coil casing 49 and are controlled by the switches and contacts previously described. In Fig. 8 I have shown the apparatus wired for a high tension mag neto, using one coil of the spark coil for the circuit to the distributor.

The combination disks in this instrument I will number 51, 52 and 53 and the pins or lugs on their peripheries 54, 55 and 56.

The feature I mention of being able to move the setting dial just a little 03 of proper setting to lock the ignition switch against operation is illustrated in Fig. 9.

It will be noted that the arm 57 which is moved by the manipulation of the dial 39 is located between two closely positioned lugs 54 on one of the combination disks, therefore the slightest movement of the dial from its proper setting will move this disk slightly from its correct setting and place the slot out of alignment with the slots of the other disks and thus lock the ignition switch a ainst movement into operative position without completely disrupting the combination. In order to be able to move the ignition switch the driver need only set the dial back to its last correct setting in order to have it again in operative position. This is a quick way of locking the car and then quickly getting under way where it is only left standing for a few minutes. This plan, however, is not effective where the device I will now describe is in operation.

I mentioned means for completely disrupting the combination by the simple movement of turning the ignition switch. This feature is most desirable as it eliminates all possibility of the driver leaving his car unprotected by neglecting or forgetting to disrupt the combination.

This condition is brou ht about through the incorporation of a kic spring 58 Figs. 9

and 11 secured to one of the combination disks. The point of the spring extends up into the slot of the disk and is moved both inward and outward when the arm 20 moves into the slot or out of it. In moving into the slot the arm bends the spring inward, but no action takes place because the arm in the slot locks the disk against movement, but when the arm is moved out of the slot when turning the switch to stop the engine the point of the spring is moved outward and is not disengaged from the arm until the arm is fully out of the slot, the rebound of the spring after release from contact with the arm gives the disk a shove and moves it considerable out of alignment with the other disks so that the whole combination must be gone over by proper manipulation of the setting dial before the car can again be operated by normal means.

When assembling the unit on the instrument board of a car it is necessary to lock the spark coil casing to the ignition casing in a manner that will prohibit removal except by legitimate means.

I accomplish this by means of a locking pin 59 Figs. 9, 10 and 12 passing through holes in the casing 31 and the casing 49. The casing 49, however carries a lug plate 60 that normally lies inside the casing 31, while the casing 31 carries a plate 61. The pin 59 passing first through the plate 61, then through the plate 60 and then through the wall of the casing 31, thus the end of the pin 59 is not exposed through the casing 49. This locking pin is manipulated through movement of the locking lever 42, spindle 62, actuating arm 63 and link 64, and is 1ocked against movement except when the disks 51, 52 and 53 are set for operation of the car. In this setting however it is only possible to mani ulate the locking lever 42 when the switc lever is in a certain position.

By reference to Fig. 9 it will be observed that one of the aligned slots in one f the disks is slightly out of alignment with the other slots when the ignition lever is fully ositioned within the slots as at 65. The ocking lever 42 and spindle 62 carry a bent arm 66 which is adapted to enter the aligned slots 67 in the disks 51, 52 and 53 when the slots are all in alignment. In Fig. 9 they are shown out of perfect alignment so the arm 66 will not enter until they are perfectly aligned. This perfect alignment is accomplished by moving the ignition switch to about the position of Fig. 4 which will align all of the slots in the disks and the arm 66 will enter the slots 67 and the pin 59 will be pulled out of the holes in the plates 60 and 61 thus releasing the casing 49 so it may be turned and removed from the casing 31. On

account of the setting lugs on the peripheries, of the disks 51, 52 and 53 the arm 66-must move far enough away from the edges of the disks to allow the lugs to'pass in setting the combination. This occasions a little lost motion in the locking mechanism and in order to prevent the pin 59 from being partially withdrawn from the locking holes dueslots the misaligned disk will be moved into alignment so the openings of the slots 67 will all be aligned so the arm 66 may enter.

The operation of an automobile having either of the appliances installed that have just been described would be'somewhat as follows.

In leaving his car, a driver would see that the combination was fully disrupted by turning the setting dial away from its operative position with the switch levers in the positions of Figs. 1 or 7, unless the car. was being left on the street at night in which case he would leave the proper lights burning by setting the lighting switch to the proper position. Since this switch is not controlled by the locking mechanism it can be manipu lated in any manner desirable with the ignition system locked against operation.

- With either one of the devices attached to the car an unlawful attempt to operate the car would immediately be disclosed by the alarm signal if the hood is raised in order to tamper with the circuits, if the hood is not raised the trespasser would probably I try to find the combination by feeling as he rotated the dial. The combination cannot be found in this manner on account of the manner of rotating the combination disks inside the casing. The lugs on the periphcries of the disks are so arranged that the disks must be set in a. predetermined regular order or the slots will never align, so that it would be impossible for the trespasser to gain any headway in this manner. Itwould require a kit of tools and some time to get into the simpler of the appliances and even then access would have to be made to the wiring under the hood to silence the alarm if the hood were raised for any purpose.

If the tr'espasser succeeded in getting the instrument off the instrument board of the car he would still be uninformed as to setting of the combination and he would have disconnected the circuits by intention or by.

necessity. If he opened the casing of the instrument by destructive means he might at the same time defeat the very purpose he is after by at the same time destroying the operation of the device so that in the end he would not be able to operate the car through the control, his only recourse now would be to rewire the ignition system and in order to do this he must have access to the spark coil which in many cases is installed under the hood, so that lifting the hood might sound the signal unless the contacts through the control device were broken. All of this, however would take considerable time and a very complete knowledge of the ignition and wiringsystem employed on that particular car. The probabilities are, however that when the trespasser found the car protected by such a device he would waste little time with it but would seek profit and adventure in other more likely fields.

The more elaborate device is much more secure against invasion. The spark coil be ing enclosed with the operating mechanism of the control device renders it impractical to wire around the control device. 7 The hood being set against the alarm signal will discourage anyone trying to get to the wiring about the engine and the casings enclosing the entire apparatus are so well fortified that ingress therethrough is next to impossible with the ordinary tools available for the purpose.

The casings containing the control mechanisms are made of a material that will resist attack from either cold chisel, file, saw or drill and the conduit for the wiring extending from the back of the spark coil casing to and through the dash to the distributor and engine is also made of a material that will resist the tools mentioned so that with no means of gaining access to the inside of the control instrument and an alarm signal set against movement of the hood it will be quite difficult to purloin a car so protected.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An ignition lock for automobiles comprising a closed casing, an ignition switch and a manually manipulative mechanism for locking said switch against movement comprising a series of rotatable disks mounted on a common axis, each disk having a slot therein open at itsperiphery and extending toward its center, manually manipulative means for aligning said slots, means forming a part of said switch for entering said aligned slots and thus permitting operation of said switch, and means actedupon by the movement of said switch for disrupting the setting of said disks. I

2. An ignition lock for automobiles comprising a closed casing, an ignition switc normally held out. of operative relation, a manually manipulative mechanism for looking said switch against movement comprising a plurality of rotatable disks mounted on a common axis and manipulative means for rotating said disks independently, each disk having a slot opening at its periphery and a PI'OJQCtlOD on its periphery for coacting with said manipulative means to align said slots in said disks, means forming a part of said switch for entering said aligned slots and thus permitting operation of said switch, and means acted upon by said switch for disrupting the operative setting of said disks.

3. An ignition lock mechanism for automobiles comprising a closed casing carrying an ignition switch and a lighting switch and manually manipulative means for locking said ignition switch against movement, said manipulative means comprising a series of rotatable disks mounted on a common axis, each disk having an open ended slot and a projection on its periphery, said manipulative means including a rotatable member for engaging the projections on said disks and aligning said slots, means forming a part of said ignition switch for entering said aligned slots and thus permitting operation of said ignition switch, and means acted upon by said switch for disrupting the operative setting of said disks.

4. An electric controlling device for automobiles comprising a closed casing for containing a lighting switch and an ignition switch each independently operated, manually manipulative mechanism tor locking said ignition switch against normal operative movement comprising a plurality of super posed disks each having a slot extending inward from its periphery, and each having mechanical contact means, manually manipulative means for successively contacting with each disk to align the slots of all disks, means carried by said ignition switch for entering the aligned slots of said disks'to permit normal manipulation of said switch, and means moved by said switch means for disrupting the setting of said disks when moved to the inoperative position, said lighting switch being free for normal operation.

5. An electrical controlling devicefor automobiles comprising a closed casing for containing against invasion a lighting switch and an ignition switch each independently operated, a hand controlled indicator on the outside of said casing, a spindle extending into said casing from said hand control and carrying a finger, rotatable disks within said casing mounted coaxial with said spindle, means on said disks for successively engaging with said finger to derive movement therefrom, slots in said disks capable of alignment when said disks are rotated in a prescribedmanner and means forming a part of said ignition switch for entering said slots when they are aligned permitting normaloperation of said switch, and means coacting with said switch means when moved to inoperative position to disrupt the setting of said disks, the

said lighting switch being free for movement at all times;

6. An ignition lock for automobiles comprising a closed detachable casing, an ignition switch carrying electrical contacts and a casing locking device, rotative disks within said casing, means without said casing for rotating said disks, each disk having a pcripheral slot capable of alignment with all other disks, means forming a part of said ignition switch for entering said slots when aligned to permit normal movement ofsaid switch, means also forming a part of said switch for locking said casing against removal when the said switch is locked against normal movement and for releasing said casing for removal when said switch is capable of normal movement, and means coacting with said switch means for disrupting the setting ofsaid disks when said ignition switch is moved to inoperative position.

7. A circuit control device for automobiles comprising a closed and locked casing and including contacts to operate a signal device, an ignition switch in said casing having contacts for closing the ignition circuit when in one position and other contacts for closing the circuit of said signal device when in the other position, means manipulative from without said casing for locking said ignition switch in its position, and means coacting with said switch means for automatically preventing moving it into operative position, it it has been moved to inoperative position and the said locking means has nht been moved to lock it.

8. A circuit and signal control device for automobiles comprising a locked casing, a signal device located without said casing, an ignition switch in said casing, means within said casing for locking said switch in one position, ignition contacts within the operative zone of said switch and signal contacts within the operative zone of said switch, the means for lockin said switch comprising means coacting with said switch to disrupt a predetermined setting of said device.

9. A circuit and signal control device for automobiles comprising a closed casing, an ignition circuit, a signal circuit and a casing locking device, an ignition switch member within said casing comprising acontact member capable of alternate contact with said ignition circuit or said signal circuit, said switch member also carrying a casing locking member, means within said casing for locking said switch member in one position and being operated by movement 01": said switch member, said casing locking device being in looking position when said signal circuit is closed and being in unlocking position when said ignition circuit is closed.

10. A circuit control device for automobiles or the like comprising a locked casing, means within said casing for controlling said circuits comprising a switch member, a device for locking said switch member against movement, manipulative means for adjusting said locking device to permit movement of said switch member, means coacting with said switch member for automatically disrupting said locking device when said switch member is moved out of operative into inoperative position to prevent said switch member from again being moved into operative position without first again adjusting said locking means.

11. A circuit control device for automobiles or the like comprising a locked casing, ignition contacts within said casing, a movable switch carryingcompanion contacts within said casing, a locking mechanism adapted to lock said movable switch against movement or to be adjusted to permit movement of said switch, means coacting wit said switch during one of its movements to disrupt said locking mechanism and prevent further movement of said switch.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

EMIL E. JOHNSON.

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