Patent ID: 6234039
Filing Date: 2001-05-22
Classification: B60R,Y10T

Abstract:
A steering lock for a motor vehicle having a steering column defining a first axis and a gear wheel mounted coaxially on the steering column for rotation with the steering column, the steering lock comprising:a pinion defining a second axis parallel to the first axis;a pinion support carrying the pinion configured to allow rotation of the pinion on the pinion support and adapted to be displaced between an unlocked position and a locked position, the pinion being disengaged from the gear wheel in said unlocked position and engaged with the gear wheel in said locked position; andstop means operatively interposed between the pinion support and the pinion adapted to immobilize the pinion against rotation about the second axis with respect to the pinion support, and to prevent rotation of the steering column about said first axis when the pinion is in the locked position;said displacement of the pinion support between said unlocked position and locked position defining a path substantially parallel to a common tangent which is common to the pinion and the gear wheel when the pinion and gear wheel mesh.