GB1129183A - Improved anti-theft device for motor vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

1,129,183. Vehicle anti-theft devices. L. C. H. JUY. 9 June, 1966 [11 June, 1965; 26 July, 1965; 29 July, 1965], No. 25833/66. Heading B7J. [Also in Divisions E2, F1 and H1] An anti-theft device which may be fixed to a motor car steering column comprises a lock mechanism which may move a bolt transversely to lock into the steering shaft, and a mechanism which may operate an electric switch in the ignition circuit. The device comprises a cylindrical body having a bore 1a housing a known type of key lock 2, the lock having a rotatable part 2a and a slot 2c in the part 2b which cooperates with a pin 4 to angularly fix the part 2b but permit limited axial displacement. The part 2a is integral with a plate 5 carrying an eccentric stud 5a which on rotation of the plate 5 displaces a slide 6 and a jointed bolt in a slot 1b into the steering column. The bolt 10 is mounted to slide in the slot (6r), Fig. 11 (not shown), and is retained therein by a screw (11) in a slot (6s). The slide in plan, see Fig. 7, has a slot 6f through which a rod 9 mounting a rotary switch may pass, the other flatted end 9a of the rod engaging in the plate 5. The eccentric stud 5a engages in a recess 6h in the upper face of the slide 6 and a face 6k is provided so that the stud may urge the slide into the locking position. A face 6m and shoulder 6n limit angular travel of the stud and a recess 6p may be engaged by the stud to permit axial displacement of the lock 2 and the rod 9 only when the stud is in a particular position. In order to prevent axial and angular displacement of the lock 2 and the rod 9 into further positions the stud 5a has an upper heel 5c which does not prevent the stud from entering the hole 6p but abuts against the upper face 6i of the slide during the entire portion of the angular travel during which the stud 5a abuts against the face 6k of the notch 6h. The slide has a recess 6c, Fig. 8 (not shown), in one corner which houses a spring 7 retained by a block 1c so that the slide is urged to the right in Fig. 5 by the spring to an unlocked position where a screw 8 abuts in the bottom of a notch 6g in the slide. The rod 9 rotates with but has limited relative axial movement with respect to a switch member 14 of insulating material having a collar 14a engaged by pins 15 and guided in a seating 1f. The rod 9 is keyed or pin-connected to the member 14 and retained therein by a spring 17 and mounts an insulated end which when the rod is moved axially may make contacts 23b, 23. A fixed part 19 of the rotary switch, Figs. 4 and 21, carries fixed arcuate terminals 21a, 22a and a plate 23a fixed to 21a, these terminals being connected to running and starting circuits, and bosses 21b and 22b make and position the switch in recesses 16a, 16b, 16c in a conducting ring 16 surrounding and fixed to the rotatable member 14. Ball and spring devices co-operating with recesses could, however, be used. In operation, Figs. 13-15 (not shown), the stud 5a in the "locked" position is held against the face 6k of the notch in the slide 6, and since the heel 5c on the stud 5 engages the face 6i of the slide the rod 9 cannot move axially and no electrical connections are made the boss 21b engages the recess 16a and the boss 22b engages an insulating sector 14c. In Figs. 16 and 17 (not shown), the device is in an intermediate position in which the steering column is no longer locked and the vehicle may be moved but the electrical contacts cannot be connected so that the vehicle may not be started. In this position the key may be withdrawn. In Figs. 18 and 19 (not shown), the device is not locked and the running circuit between 21 and 22 is made, the stud 5a having been further displaced and the switch rotated. The key may not be withdrawn. In Figs. 20-22 (not shown), the running circuit between 21 and 22 is made and the key 3 and rod 9 have been given an axial thrust by the operator against the action of spring 17, the stud 5a being able to enter the hole 6p, since the heel 5c does not prevent this. Movement of the rod 9 makes the contacts 23b and 23, but as soon as the pressure on the lock and the rod 9 is released the spring 17 returns the circuit to a running position only. In Figs. 23-26 (not shown), a spring (24) urges a ball (25) to a position where the key is obstructed so that positive turning must be given to move the key further on from the intermediate position so indicated. In Figs. 27-28 (not shown), a sprung ball engages one edge of the key to produce the same effect, or a leaf-spring may be provided. In Figs. 29-40 (not shown), a pin (28) extends through the outer casing of the device into a slot (5d) in the lock body plate 5 to limit angular and axial displacements of the switch body and the key, so that making of the electrical circuits and the locking and unlocking may only take place with certain definite movements of the key.