LOCKING APPARATUS COMBINED WITH IGNITION SWITCH IN A MOTORCAR
United States Patent 3739610
A locking apparatus in a motorcar comprises an operating portion connected between a cylinder lock and an electric ignition switch, the operating portion acting on a locking member which is moved back and forth by rotation of the operation member between a locking position and a released position. An engaging member is advanced by the rotation of the cylinder lock to engage the locking member in the released position and prevent movement thereof to the locking position. A stop member is arranged to project when a key is inserted into the lock to block return movement of the engaging member. When the key is removed, the stop member returns to its original position and allows the engaging member to move and free the locking member for movement to its locking position.
US Patent References:
Coincidental lock
Fitzgerald - December 1936 - 2063088
/3613412.html
Yamaguchi - October 1971 - 3613412
IGNITION AND STEERING LOCK FOR MOTOR CAR
Eichenauer - March 1972 - 3650131
Coincidental lock
Fitzgerald - December 1936 - 2063088
/3613412.html
Yamaguchi - October 1971 - 3613412
IGNITION AND STEERING LOCK FOR MOTOR CAR
Eichenauer - March 1972 - 3650131
Application Number:
05/163302
Publication Date:
06/19/1973
Filing Date:
07/16/1971
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Assignee:
Kabushiki Kaisha Honda Rokku (Miyazaki-gun, Miyazaki-ken, JA)
Primary Class:
International Classes:
B60R25/02; B60R25/02
Field of Search:
70/252
Primary Examiner:
Craig Jr., Albert G.
Claims:
What is claimed is
1. A locking apparatus for a motorcar having an ignition switch, said apparatus comprising a cylinder lock with a keyway for insertion of a key, the lock including a rotatable operating portion coupled to the switch such that rotation of the operating portion will produce operation of the switch, a locking member having locking and released positions and coupled with said operating portion to be moved between said locking and released positions when the operating portion is rotated, a displaceable engaging member operatively coupled with said cylinder lock to be moved between a first position in which the engaging member locks said locking member in the released position and a second position in which the locking member is released for movement to the locking position, and stop means for blocking movement of the engaging member to said second position when said key is inserted in the keyway, said stop means comprising a pivotal lever having an initial position partly projecting into said keyway, and a pivotal stop member acted on by said lever for movement into blocking position to prevent movement of the engaging member to said second position.
2. A locking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said operating portion includes a cam engaging said locking member, the apparatus further comprising spring means acting on said locking member urging the same to said locking position.
3. A locking apparatus as claimed in claim 2 comprising a projection on said engaging member, said locking member having a recess in which said projection is received when the locking member has been displaced to released position and the engaging member is in said first position.
4. A locking apparatus as claimed in claim 3 comprising a second spring means, said second spring means acting on said engaging member and urging the same to its second position, and a second cam on said cylinder lock, said second cam being positioned to displace the engaging member to said first position against the action of the second spring means when the lock is turned.
5. A locking apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said locking member and engaging member are supported for movement at right angles to one another.
6. A locking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said engaging member is slidable on said cylinder lock and said stop member is pivotal to a raised position external of the cylinder lock to edgewise abut said engaging member in said blocking position.
7. A locking apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said pivotal lever is eccentrically connected to said cylinder lock for pivotal movement in a slot therein.
8. A locking apparatus as claimed in claim 7 comprising a fixed pivot for said stop member external of the cylinder lock, said engaging member resting on said stop member when the engaging member is in said second position.
9. A locking apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said pivotal lever and stop member are pivotal about perpendicular axes.
1. A locking apparatus for a motorcar having an ignition switch, said apparatus comprising a cylinder lock with a keyway for insertion of a key, the lock including a rotatable operating portion coupled to the switch such that rotation of the operating portion will produce operation of the switch, a locking member having locking and released positions and coupled with said operating portion to be moved between said locking and released positions when the operating portion is rotated, a displaceable engaging member operatively coupled with said cylinder lock to be moved between a first position in which the engaging member locks said locking member in the released position and a second position in which the locking member is released for movement to the locking position, and stop means for blocking movement of the engaging member to said second position when said key is inserted in the keyway, said stop means comprising a pivotal lever having an initial position partly projecting into said keyway, and a pivotal stop member acted on by said lever for movement into blocking position to prevent movement of the engaging member to said second position.
2. A locking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said operating portion includes a cam engaging said locking member, the apparatus further comprising spring means acting on said locking member urging the same to said locking position.
3. A locking apparatus as claimed in claim 2 comprising a projection on said engaging member, said locking member having a recess in which said projection is received when the locking member has been displaced to released position and the engaging member is in said first position.
4. A locking apparatus as claimed in claim 3 comprising a second spring means, said second spring means acting on said engaging member and urging the same to its second position, and a second cam on said cylinder lock, said second cam being positioned to displace the engaging member to said first position against the action of the second spring means when the lock is turned.
5. A locking apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said locking member and engaging member are supported for movement at right angles to one another.
6. A locking apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said engaging member is slidable on said cylinder lock and said stop member is pivotal to a raised position external of the cylinder lock to edgewise abut said engaging member in said blocking position.
7. A locking apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said pivotal lever is eccentrically connected to said cylinder lock for pivotal movement in a slot therein.
8. A locking apparatus as claimed in claim 7 comprising a fixed pivot for said stop member external of the cylinder lock, said engaging member resting on said stop member when the engaging member is in said second position.
9. A locking apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said pivotal lever and stop member are pivotal about perpendicular axes.
Description:
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a locking apparatus in a motorcar of the type in which the operation of a locking member for a steering wheel, a parking brake or the like is effected by a cylinder lock for operating an electric ignition switch for an internal combustion engine of the motorcar.
An object of the invention is to provide locking apparatus of the foregoing type in which the locking member can be brought to its locking position only when the cylinder lock is rotated to the OFF position of the electric switch and the key is completely removed.
The invention is characterized in that an operating portion connected between a cylinder lock and an electric ignition switch is provided with a locking member so engaged therewith as to be movable back and forth by rotation of the operating portion between locking and released positions. An engaging member is arranged to engage the locking member by the rotation of the cylinder lock, for preventing movement of the locking member to locking position. A stop member is arranged to project at the front end of the engaging member when the key is inserted into the lock to prevent return movement of the engaging member whereby the locking member is held in its released position. When the key is removed, the stop member is retracted to allow the engaging member to move to its original position and the locking member is allowed to move toward its locking position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of one embodiment according to this invention ;
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional side view thereof;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III -- III in FIG. 2; and
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional side view of the apparatus in a locking condition.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Numeral 1 denotes a lock casing secured to the body of a motorcar, and a cylinder lock 2 is mounted in the front portion of the lock casing 1 and is provided with an operating rod 3 integrally extended therefrom so as to be connected at its rear end to an electric ignition switch 4 for an internal combustion engine of the motorcar. A semi-circular cam 5 is formed on the operating rod 3 and a locking member 6, into which the cam 5 is inserted, is provided at one end with a locking rod 7 for engaging a steering wheel shaft to lock the same against rotation. The locking member 6 is urged from its other end by a spring 8, so that the rod 7 is moved back and forth by the rotation of the operating rod 3. An engaging member 9 is mounted for slidable movement in the longitudinal direction along the outer surface of the casing of the cylinder lock 2, and a receiving member 10 projecting from the inner surface of member 9 is engaged against a cam plate 11 provided on the periphery of the rear surface of the cylinder lock 2. A shoulder portion 12 is formed on the outer surface of the engaging member 9 and member 9 is urged forwards by the action of a spring 14 against the shoulder portion 12 through a ball 13. Upon rotation of the cylinder lock 2, the engaging member 9 is moved rearwardly by displacement of a projecting portion 15 of the cam plate 11, against the action of the spring 14 and the engaging member 9 comes into engagement in an engaging recess 17 in the side surface of the locking member 6 previously displaced along a guide opening 16 in the lock casing 1.
Numeral 18 denotes a cap mounted on the cylinder lock 2, and on the inside thereof a lever 20 is pivotally attached to the cylinder lock 2 through an eccentric pin 21, such that lever 20 projects at its back end into a keyhole 19 in casing 2. A stop member 22 is pivotally attached to the lock casing 1 on the outside through a pin 23 such that stop member 22 rests on the lever 20 and is at right angles thereto while at the same time the stop member is positioned below the front end portion of the engaging member 9.
When a key is inserted in the keyhole 19, the lever 20 swings outwards and the stop member 22 is pushed outwards so as to raise the front end of the engaging member 9, as shown in chain-dotted lines in FIG. 2. If, then, the cylinder lock 2 is rotated by the key, the locking member 6 is raised by the cam 5 while the engaging member 9 is pushed by cam plate 11 against the action of the spring 14, and a projection on member 9 is inserted in the engaging recess 17 of the displaced locking member 6 so as to be in engagement therewith as shown in FIG. 4. At this time, the stop member 22 is released from its support of the front end portion of the engaging member 9 and is positioned behind the front end of engaging member 9 so as to prevent return movement of the engaging member 9. Thus, the engaging member 9 is kept in engagement with the displaced locking member 6 and any displacement of the locking member 6 towards its locking position is prevented. This condition is maintained even after the cylinder lock 2 is rotated by the key and the engagement between the receiving member 10 of the engaging member 9 and the projecting portion 15 of the cam plate 11 is released, and thus this condition is maintained when the key is rotated to any of the ON positions in FIG. 1. Additionally this condition is maintained even if the key is rotated in the reverse direction to the OFF position. If, however, the key is removed at this OFF position, the support of the lever 20 by the key is released and the blocking of the engaging member 9 by the stop member 22 is removed, so that the engaging member 9 is retracted by the action of the spring 14 and is released from engagement with the locking member 6, and thus the locking member 6 is displaced by the action of the spring 8 to the locking position.
Thus, according to this invention, even if the cylinder lock is rotated to the OFF position the locking member cannot be brought to its locking position as long as the key is not removed from the keyhole. Thus there is no danger that the steering wheel will become locked during operation of the motorcar when the ignition switch is turned off. Thereby safety of operation and the avoidance of accidents can be obtained.
This invention relates to a locking apparatus in a motorcar of the type in which the operation of a locking member for a steering wheel, a parking brake or the like is effected by a cylinder lock for operating an electric ignition switch for an internal combustion engine of the motorcar.
An object of the invention is to provide locking apparatus of the foregoing type in which the locking member can be brought to its locking position only when the cylinder lock is rotated to the OFF position of the electric switch and the key is completely removed.
The invention is characterized in that an operating portion connected between a cylinder lock and an electric ignition switch is provided with a locking member so engaged therewith as to be movable back and forth by rotation of the operating portion between locking and released positions. An engaging member is arranged to engage the locking member by the rotation of the cylinder lock, for preventing movement of the locking member to locking position. A stop member is arranged to project at the front end of the engaging member when the key is inserted into the lock to prevent return movement of the engaging member whereby the locking member is held in its released position. When the key is removed, the stop member is retracted to allow the engaging member to move to its original position and the locking member is allowed to move toward its locking position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of one embodiment according to this invention ;
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional side view thereof;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III -- III in FIG. 2; and
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional side view of the apparatus in a locking condition.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Numeral 1 denotes a lock casing secured to the body of a motorcar, and a cylinder lock 2 is mounted in the front portion of the lock casing 1 and is provided with an operating rod 3 integrally extended therefrom so as to be connected at its rear end to an electric ignition switch 4 for an internal combustion engine of the motorcar. A semi-circular cam 5 is formed on the operating rod 3 and a locking member 6, into which the cam 5 is inserted, is provided at one end with a locking rod 7 for engaging a steering wheel shaft to lock the same against rotation. The locking member 6 is urged from its other end by a spring 8, so that the rod 7 is moved back and forth by the rotation of the operating rod 3. An engaging member 9 is mounted for slidable movement in the longitudinal direction along the outer surface of the casing of the cylinder lock 2, and a receiving member 10 projecting from the inner surface of member 9 is engaged against a cam plate 11 provided on the periphery of the rear surface of the cylinder lock 2. A shoulder portion 12 is formed on the outer surface of the engaging member 9 and member 9 is urged forwards by the action of a spring 14 against the shoulder portion 12 through a ball 13. Upon rotation of the cylinder lock 2, the engaging member 9 is moved rearwardly by displacement of a projecting portion 15 of the cam plate 11, against the action of the spring 14 and the engaging member 9 comes into engagement in an engaging recess 17 in the side surface of the locking member 6 previously displaced along a guide opening 16 in the lock casing 1.
Numeral 18 denotes a cap mounted on the cylinder lock 2, and on the inside thereof a lever 20 is pivotally attached to the cylinder lock 2 through an eccentric pin 21, such that lever 20 projects at its back end into a keyhole 19 in casing 2. A stop member 22 is pivotally attached to the lock casing 1 on the outside through a pin 23 such that stop member 22 rests on the lever 20 and is at right angles thereto while at the same time the stop member is positioned below the front end portion of the engaging member 9.
When a key is inserted in the keyhole 19, the lever 20 swings outwards and the stop member 22 is pushed outwards so as to raise the front end of the engaging member 9, as shown in chain-dotted lines in FIG. 2. If, then, the cylinder lock 2 is rotated by the key, the locking member 6 is raised by the cam 5 while the engaging member 9 is pushed by cam plate 11 against the action of the spring 14, and a projection on member 9 is inserted in the engaging recess 17 of the displaced locking member 6 so as to be in engagement therewith as shown in FIG. 4. At this time, the stop member 22 is released from its support of the front end portion of the engaging member 9 and is positioned behind the front end of engaging member 9 so as to prevent return movement of the engaging member 9. Thus, the engaging member 9 is kept in engagement with the displaced locking member 6 and any displacement of the locking member 6 towards its locking position is prevented. This condition is maintained even after the cylinder lock 2 is rotated by the key and the engagement between the receiving member 10 of the engaging member 9 and the projecting portion 15 of the cam plate 11 is released, and thus this condition is maintained when the key is rotated to any of the ON positions in FIG. 1. Additionally this condition is maintained even if the key is rotated in the reverse direction to the OFF position. If, however, the key is removed at this OFF position, the support of the lever 20 by the key is released and the blocking of the engaging member 9 by the stop member 22 is removed, so that the engaging member 9 is retracted by the action of the spring 14 and is released from engagement with the locking member 6, and thus the locking member 6 is displaced by the action of the spring 8 to the locking position.
Thus, according to this invention, even if the cylinder lock is rotated to the OFF position the locking member cannot be brought to its locking position as long as the key is not removed from the keyhole. Thus there is no danger that the steering wheel will become locked during operation of the motorcar when the ignition switch is turned off. Thereby safety of operation and the avoidance of accidents can be obtained.