Patent ID: 6189647
Filing Date: 2001-02-20
Classification: B60R,Y10T

Abstract:
An anti-theft steering wheel assembly, comprising:a rotatable steering wheel shaft having an upper end;a steering wheel having a central transverse hub portion surrounded by an annular ring portion;a generally rectangular metal housing in said transverse hub portion disposed below the plane of said annular ring portion;said housing secured to said steering wheel shaft upper end to rotate therewith and having at least one longitudinal tubular passageway therein;a metal security rod telescopically mounted in said tubular passageway movable between a fully retracted position within said tubular passageway and a fully extended position with a portion extending radially outward from either side of said steering wheel hub portion a sufficient distance beyond said annular ring portion to obstruct and prevent effective rotation of said steering wheel;first latch means in said housing movable between a latched position engaged with said security rod to maintain said security rod in said fully retracted position and an unlatched position disengaged from said security rod;a rod release button operatively connected with said first latch means and having a portion protruding from a surface of said steering wheel transverse hub portion for moving said first latch means between said latched and unlatched positions;second latch means in said housing movable between a latched position engaged with said security rod to maintain said security rod in said fully extended position and an unlatched position disengaged therefrom to allow retraction of said security rod;key lock means operatively connected with said second latch means and having a key receiving portion on a surface of said steering wheel transverse hub portion for receiving a key to move said second latch means to said unlatched position to allow retraction of said security rod.