Patent ID: 6382004
Filing Date: 2002-05-07
Classification: B60R,Y10T

Abstract:
An anti-theft device for a vehicle, said device being mechanically coupled to an ignition lock, wherein a key placed into the ignition lock actuates said device, said device selectively disabling the mechanical connection between a steering wheel and the steering column of the vehicle, said device comprising:a shaft having a first end and a second end, said first end being adapted for securely attaching to the steering wheel; a boss being integrally coupled to said second end of said shaft, said boss having a perimeter wall having a well extending therein, said well being orientated generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said shaft, said well having a bottom wall, said well having a top edge having a flange integrally coupled thereto and extending toward an axis of said well, said boss having a generally cylindrical shape such that said boss has a longitudinal axis orientated generally perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said shaft; a rod being mounted in said well and having a top end and a bottom end, said rod having a shoulder, said shoulder being generally positioned between said top and bottom ends, said shoulder being abuttable against said flange, wherein said top end of said rod may extend outwardly beyond said peripheral wall of said boss, said top end of said rod being convex; a biasing means for biasing said shoulder toward said flange being positioned between said bottom wall of said well and said bottom end of said rod, said biasing means comprising a spring; a saddle member adapted for receiving said boss being integrally coupled to a free end of the steering column and positioned such that said boss is positioned in a bore in said saddle member, wherein said boss may rotate with respect to said saddle member, said saddle member having a hole therethrough, said hole extending into said bore, said hole being generally located such that said top end of said rod may extend through said hole, said saddle member having a generally cylindrical shape, said saddle member having a free edge extending beyond said second end of said shaft such that said boss is located within said saddle member; a ring member, said shaft extending though said ring member, such that said ring member is rotatably mounted on said shaft, said ring member having a perimeter edge securely attached to an interior surface of said saddle member and positioned generally adjacent to said free edge of said saddle member; a housing having a proximal end, a distal end and peripheral wall extending therebetween, said distal and proximal ends having openings therein, said shaft extending through said opening in said peripheral end, said steering column extending through said opening in said proximal end, a protruding member being coupled to and extending away from said peripheral wall, said protruding member having a lumen therein, said peripheral wall having a hole therein extending into said lumen, said hole in said peripheral wall of said housing being opposed to said hole in said saddle member; a pin being positioned in said lumen, said pin having a first end and a second end, said first end being positioned in said hole in said peripheral wall of said housing, an ignition lock engaging member being integrally coupled to said second end of said pin; an urging means for urging said first end of said pin into said hole in said saddle member being positioned in said lumen and abutted against said ignition lock engaging member, said urging means comprising a spring; and wherein said ignition lock is securely mounted to said protruding member and mechanically coupled to said ignition lock engaging member, wherein placing said key in said device and unlocking said ignition lock pulls said second end of said pin away from said saddle member such that said rod may enter said hole in said saddle member and enable a connection between said shaft and said steering column.