GB2267877A - Steering locks - Google Patents

Abstract

Security device protected by casings actuated by key lock which moves the complete slidable assembly 15, 16, and 14 SIMULTANEOUSLY interconnecting the non-return segments 15, inside the sleeve 15 with the ratchet assembly 26 mounted on the steering shaft 10. Slots in the casing prevents rotation, of the sleeve 15, however, leaving axially slidable movement by the sleeve 15. <IMAGE>

Description

THE CHARLOTTE SECURITY DEVICE SERIES TWO This invention relates to a vehicle security device.

Various types of vehicle security device have been proposed which interfere with or lock the vehicle's steering and has no fail safe mechanism incorporated should the device malfunction.

One such device comprises a lock which engages with the steering column when the vehicle ignition key, is removed to lock the steering against movement when the vehicle is not in use. These steering locks can easily be broken by applying sufficient turning force to the steering wheel allowing the vehicle to be steered.

I have now devised a security device which alleviates the problems with the known vehicle security devices noted above.

The security device series two which the invention proposes is based on a completely different philosophy, specifically the RATCHET function of the device and in respect of my previous Patent "The Charlotte Security Device Patent Number GB-9303900.6" the suitability for a wide range of applications.

One such applications substantially described herein.

In accordance with this invention there is provided a security device preferably for mounting to the vehicle's steering column which does NOT affect the integrity of the existing steering wheel assembly or steering mechanism's i.e steering box or rack and pinion assemblies.

The steering column, comprising means for engaging a ratchet mechanism to the steering column shaft, allowing rotational movement of the centre shaft only in one direction, until the road wheels are turned fully to the right or left.

Thus if a thief attempts to steal the vehicle he will only be able to steer the vehicle, in one direction furthermore he will not be able to apply direct force to break the lock which prevents the road wheels from returning to give directional movement and steering controllability of the vehicle.

Preferably the vehicle security device is operated by a lock which carries an external security disk together with a safety device if desired. Advantageously the device may also be arranged to operate the electrical ignition switch, all operated simultaneously by the lock key or locking device.

Preferably the security device is connected in series with the steering column shaft and includes an element which is axially slidable along the steering column shaft between a first position in which the two parts of the ratchet device are interlocked. In one embodiment, an actuating gear engages with teeth formed on the axially slidable element so that rotation of the gear causes the element to slide axially along the centre shaft. In an alternative embodiment a selector fork is provided for causing axial movement of the slidable element along the centre shaft.

Preferably the axially slidable element carries a member which engages with the sleeve and centre column shaft when the element is in said position so as to lock that part of the centre column shaft to one-way rotational movement.

A casing is provided which prevents tampering with the security device. The casing preferably comprises of inner and outer sleeves. The outer sleeve maybe constructed in layers of metal, rubber even urethanes to enhance security and protect the whole mechanism against applied impact force by the would-be thief.

Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of vehicle security device in accordance with this invention with some parts shown cut-away; Figure 2 is an isometric view of internal components of the vehicle security device of figure 1, with some parts shown cut-away and; Figure 3 is an isometric view of internal components in an alternative embodiment of vehicle security device in accordance with this invention.

Figure 4 is an isometric view of internal components referring to the fail-safe section in accordance with this invention.

Figure 5 is an isometric view of internal components providing additional security and safety in accordance with this invention.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a vehicle security device-preferably for mounting in series with the vehicles steering column.

The steering column comprises a shaft 10 to which the steering wheel preferably is connected, and the vehicle's road wheels via a steering mechanism.

As shown in Figure 2, the ratchet mechanism 26 is mounted or formed to the shaft 10 these are connected via a sleeve 15 which interlocks the two components 23 and 24, which are disposed on opposite ends of the non-return segments 16 and the locking block 25. a spring 27 is mounted to the locking block 25 to enable operation of the ratchet mechanism. The sleeve 15 comprises a tubular element having an annulus of axially extending non-return segments 16 formed on its interior. The end of the non-return segments 23 engage with the end of the locking block 24 and lock them together so that rotational movement can only be transmitted in one direction by the shaft 10.

The periphery of the sleeve 15 is formed with a plurality of annular groove, grooves or a section of grooved rack 13 which engages with a actuating gear 21 which is mounted transversely relative to the sleeve 15. The actuating gear 21 is supported by a shaft 20 which is connected at one end to a lock 17 and at the other to an electrical ignition switch (not shown).

The slidable sleeve 15 has a provided section suitable for a safety device. When the sleeve 15 is disengaged from the ratchet mechanism 26 to its full disengaged position the actuating gear 21 teeth 33 moves along the annular grooves or rack section 13 to the end of the sleeve 32 automatically leaving the lobe 22 of the actuating gear 21 to hold the sleeve 15 in the disengaged position allowing the centre shaft 10 to rotate in the usual manner. Thus preventing the nonreturn segments 16 of the sleeve 15 from engaging with the ratchet mechanism 26.

Advantageously the actuating gear 21 may continue to turn in the desired direction C or D to operate the electrical ignition switch (not shown) without causing further axially slidable movement to the sleeve 15.

When the driver turns off the vehicle's ignition by turning a key in the lock 17: this action also turns the actuation gear 21 in the direction D and the key lock shaft 20 together with the actuating gear teeth 33 engaging with the annular grooves or grooved rack 13 on the sleeve 15, moving 15, 16 and 25 SIMULTANEOUSLY to the off position in direction E as shown in Figure 1.

The axial movement of the sleeve 15 serves to engage the annulus of non-return segments 16 on the interior of the sleeve 15 with the ratchet mechanism locking block 25 disposed on the shaft 10: this connects the shaft 10 with the ratchet mechanism 26.

Also provided in the security device for simultaneously locking the vehicle's road wheels, via shaft 10.

The sleeve 15 is prevented from rotational movement by pins e.g 14 which engage with a slot 31 formed in an inner casing 11 of the security device. It will be appreciated that when the ratchet mechanism locking block e.g 25 engages with the non-return segments e.g 16, the shaft 10 is prevented from rotational movement in both directions.

Figure 3 shown an alternative mechanism for moving the sleeve 15 axially along the shaft 10. A bifurcated selector fork 28 engages with an annular groove 29 formed on the periphery of the sleeve 15. A keyed plate 30 is mounted perpendicularly to the selector fork 28 and connects it to the output shaft 20 of the lock 17.

Advantageously there is provision for additional security and safety components if desired by the manufacturer or user as shown in Figure 5. The security disc 18 prevents the would-be thief from attaching instruments to forceable gain access to the key lock 17.

Advantageously there is a provided lobe 37 attached to the security disc 18 which controls the spring loaded shaft 19 to operate in the direction A when the key lock 17 is operated in the direction C. The coil spring 36 projects the shaft 19 outwardly over a section of the lobe 37 thus preventing the key lock 17 to return to the final off position until the shaft 19 is depressed in the direction B making clear the way for the lobe 37 to continue turning in the direction D to the final off position. This will allow the key to be removed from the lock 17. This safety feature alleviates the problem of accidentally actuating the whole lock mechanism when all is required for the electrical ignition switch to be re operated to restart the vehicle.

A outer casing 12 is mounted coaxially with the steering column and the inner casing 11. An aperture is formed in the side wall of the outer casing 12 for access to the lock 17 by the key. The double casing 11,12 makes it difficult for a would-be thief to tamper with the security device. The casings 11 and 12 can be constructed in a layer or layers of metal, rubber even urethanes to enhance security and protect the whole mechanism against impact applied force and making the device even more difficult to gain access to the internal components of the lock mechanism.

Advantageously there is provided for additional safety an electrical contact device, suitable for crash safety air-bag systems. The contact plate 40 preferably is mounted or formed to the steering wheel (not shown) in turn the wiring 42 from the contact plate 40 can then be connected to the desired air-bag systems inside the steering wheel (not shown). The electrical switch unit 38 preferably is mounted or incorporated to the security device figure 1. The spring loaded electrical connector or connectors 39 or other conducting projections maybe charged with electrical currents via a wiring loom 41. This will ensure a constant electrical circuit will be maintained to the steering wheel air-bag system at all times by the spring loaded connector projections 39 when the steering wheel is continually rotated in any direction or any unlimited amount of revolutions in the same direction. This will alleviate the current problem of the clock spring device being exchanged at regular service intervals and illuminate the possibility of failure. It is envisaged that electrically or mechanically switches may also be mounted to the device in various positions activated by the complete slidable element of the mechanism.

Considering that this is a full description of the components constituting the improvements for greater security devices to which we have referred.

Advantageously the invention describe herein may also be suitable for several applications. It may also be possible to manufacture various components in a variety of materials, sizes and shapes and other constructional variations can be made as found useful in practice to the preferred application, always provided the same are not capable of altering THE ESSENTIAL POINTS of the present filed patent of invention.

Claims (11)

1. A security device designed and built preferably for vehicles comprising of MECHANICAL components which SIMULTANEOUSLY engages one said shaft to rotate only in one direction via a ratchet mechanism when the device is activated to the immobilised position.

2. According to claims 1 where preferably the shaft has mounted or formed to it a ratchet mechanism, comprising means for a spring loaded locking section to inter-connect with the corresponding non-return segments to allow rotation in only one direction of the said centre shaft.

3. According to claims 1 and 2 where preferably a sleeve element with an annulus of non-return segments formed on its interior slides axially along with indexing means to SIMULTANEOUSLY engage the non-return segments of the ratchet mechanism. The ratchet mechanism is preferably mounted or formed to the said centre shaft, alternatively the whole ratchet mechanism maybe constructed in reverse order i.e the sleeve element would have the spring loaded actuating assembly constructed into its interior and the annulus of nonreturn segments maybe mounted or formed to the said centre shaft. The sleeve element also has projecting pins or other projections mounted or formed to it to inter-connect the sleeve element with the elongated slots provided in the inner security casing thus preventing the sleeve from rotating

4. According to claims 1 to 3 where the periphery of the sleeve has a plurality of annular grooves, groove or rack. The said sleeve also carries a fail safe section.

5. According to claims 1 to 4 where the said selector fork or drive gear with projections or teeth locate into the appropriate annular grooves, groove or rack provided on the periphery of the said sleeve to enable axially slidable operation preferably actuated by the drive shaft projecting from key lock.

6. According to claims 1 to 5 where the drive gear preferably has means for disengaging the drive gear teeth from the annular grooves of the sleeve and may continue turning into its fail safe position automatically engaging the lobe of the drive gear with the provided fail safe section of the sleeve. Thus ensuring the main shafts can rotate in the usual manner and the sleeve remains in the disengaged position allowing the drive gear to continue turning in the desired direction to operate the electrical switch without causing axially slidable movement to the sleeve.

7. According to claims 1 to 6 where preferably an additional security disc is mounted externally to the lock The disc will prevent unauthorised instruments from being attached to the main key lock to forceable gain access.

8. According to claims 1 to 7 where preferably a security disc and spring loaded shaft is provided. The disc can also have mounted or formed to it, a section of lobe. The lobe together with the corresponding spring loaded shaft becomes an additional safety device. Thus allowing the electrical ignition switch to be operated by the key, however, alleviating the problem of accidentally operating the whole lock mechanism.

9. According to claims 1 to 8 where preferably inner and outer casings are provided for additional security.

The inner casing maybe mounted or formed over the shaft lock mechanism which carries slots to receive the said slidable sleeve pins. The other casing maybe mounted or formed to the whole lock mechanism both held in a fixed stationary position to its application, however, allowing the shaft to rotate in the desired direction through each end in the usual manner.

Preferably the security casings may be constructed in a layer or layers using a combination and variety of materials i.e metal, rubber even urethanes protecting the mechanism against impact, force and unauthorised use. Also provided in the casing is a section (i.e a hole) for access with the correct key. This will operate the complete security device mechanism simultaneously.

10. According to claims 1 to 9 where preferably an electrical contact device will ensure continuous electrical supply to the steering wheel safety air-bag systems, unaffected by the unlimited number of revolutions of the steering wheel in any one direction.

The contact plate with one or several tracks is mounted or formed to the said part of the steering wheel assembly. The electrical current is supplied to the contact plate or plates by one or several electrical spring-loaded connector pins or other conducting projections and held into the desired position by the main housing of the electrical switch, preferably which is mounted or formed to the main security device. the desired wiring loom connects to the electrical switch supplying the electrical charge through the desired number of connectors and into the safety crash air-bag systems contained within the steering wheel assembly.

11. A security mechanism designed and built for several applications. One such application substantially as herein - described with reference to the accompanying drawings