Abstract:
A lock for steering wheels of vehicles includes a seat with an aperture formed at one end to receive a detent tube. The detent tube has a flute to hold an inner lining. The inner lining has a third pin hole. A latch bar is provided and insertable into a first holding hole of the detent tube and a second holding hole of the inner lining. The third pin hole is insertable by a third pin to anchor the latch bar. The latch bar can clamp two sides of a reinforced spoke of a steering wheel. The invention can be assembled quickly and easily, and provide improved theft-thwarting effect, and is adaptable to various steering wheels installed on varying locations of vehicles in different countries.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a lock for steering wheels of vehicles and particularly to a lock that has a latch bar inserting into a first holding hole of a detent tube and a second holding hole of an inner lining and confined by an inserting third pin. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   With people&#39;s living standard rising gradually for ROC, ownership of vehicles also increases. Loss of vehicles due to theft also occurs more frequently. Hence various types of locks for vehicles also have been developed and introduced. Among them locks for steering wheels are most popular. One example is R.O.C. utility publication No. 559149 entitled “Lock for steering wheels of vehicles” (referring to  FIG. 12 ). It mainly has a hollow and tubular latch bar A with two slots A 1  formed thereon and a detent bar A 2  corresponding to the two slots A 1 . The latch bar A is coupled with a turnable element A 3  which has two jutting latch elements A 4  corresponding to the two slots A 1 . The detent bar A 2  straddles the periphery of a steering wheel B, and the turnable element A 3  is turned in a reverse direction for anchoring and driving the two latch elements A 4  from one side to another side to latch on one side of the detent bar A 2 . And the steering wheel B has a reinforced spoke B 1  clamped between the two latch elements A 4  to achieve theft-thwarting effect. The turnable element A 3  is located on the right side of the latch bar A. Thus it is adoptable to the steering wheel B located on the left hand side of the vehicle. But in some countries the steering wheel of the vehicles is located on the right hand side. The slots A 1  have to be formed in the opposite direction. The steering wheel B is easily cut off at such a location. Moreover, after the turnable element A 3  is held in the latch bar A the latch elements A 4  have to be installed and fastened. Alignment and installation are troublesome. Fabrication also is more difficult. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In view of the aforesaid problems occurred to the conventional lock for steering wheels of vehicles that are not very effective to thwart theft and not adaptable to steering wheels installed on different locations, the present invention aims to provide an improved lock for steering wheels of vehicles. It has a seat formed with a housing chamber covered by an upper cap and an aperture located thereon, a latch core assembly located in the seat to drive a latch lever, and a detent tube inserting in the seat through the aperture at one side. The detent tube has a flute and a first holding hole leading to the flute and a first latch trough. There is also an inner lining held in the flute of the detent tube. The inner lining has a third pin hole insertable by a third pin and a second holding hole leading to the third pin hole. A latch bar is provided and insertable into the first holding hole of the detent tube and the second holding hole of the inner lining. The latch bar has an anchor portion at one end. There is further a lateral plug held in the aperture of the seat. 
   In one aspect the upper cap has a holding trough to hold the latch core assembly. The holding trough has a first pin hole to receive a first pin to anchor the latch core assembly. 
   In another aspect the upper cap has a retaining notch. 
   In yet another aspect the aperture has a first anchor trough formed on an inner wall at one end thereof. The lateral plug has a first anchor lug on the periphery thereof to wedge in the first anchor trough. 
   In yet another aspect the seat has a second pin hole leading to the aperture. The lateral plug has a pin hole on the periphery. The second pin hole and the pin hole are insertable by a second pin. 
   In yet another aspect the upper cap has an anchor strut. The latch core assembly has a latch core. The latch core is incorporated with the anchor strut coupling with a first elastic element, and the latch lever is hinged on the anchor strut. 
   In yet another aspect one end of the detent tube where the flute is formed has a second anchor trough. The inner lining has a jutting second anchor lug at one end to wedge in the second anchor trough. 
   In yet another aspect the inner lining has a second latch trough at one end. The lateral plug has a cavity to hold a second elastic element and a steel ball. The steel ball is held in the second latch trough. 
   In yet another aspect the anchor portion is an annular groove. 
   In yet another aspect the anchor portion is a cavity. 
   In yet another aspect the latch core assembly has a latch core to drive a flipping element which has a first elastic element to drive the latch lever. 
   In yet another aspect the seat has a latch trough. 
   The invention thus formed can provide many advantages, notably: 
   1. The latch bar is insertable into the first holding hole of the detent tube and the second holding hole of the inner lining, and the third pin is insertable in the third pin hole to confine the latch bar. Assembly can be done easily and quickly. 
   2. The latch bar can be fastened to the reinforced spoke of the steering wheel. Even if the steering wheel is cut off, the latch bar still latches two sides of the reinforced spoke. Thus theft-thwarting effect can be accomplished. 
   3. The detent tube is inserted and installed through the aperture formed on any end of the seat. It is adaptable to different locations where the steering wheel is installed (right side or left side) in different countries, thus is more versatile. 
   The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded view of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a fragmentary sectional view of the invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic view of the invention showing the latch bar not yet being turned in a latch condition. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic view of the invention in use condition. 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic view of the invention showing the latch bar being turned in a latch condition. 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic view of the invention showing the latch lever pressing the detent tube. 
       FIG. 7  is an exploded view of another embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a fragmentary sectional view of another embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 9  is a schematic view of another embodiment of the invention showing the latch bar not yet being turned in a latch condition. 
       FIG. 10  is a schematic view of another embodiment of the invention showing the latch lever pressing the detent tube. 
       FIG. 11  is a schematic view of another embodiment of the invention showing the latch bar being turned in a latch condition. 
       FIG. 12  is a schematic view of a conventional lock for a steering wheel of a vehicle in a use condition. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Please referring to  FIG. 1 , the invention mainly includes a seat  1 , a latch core assembly  2 , a detent tube  3 , an inner lining  4 , a latch bar  5  and a lateral plug  6 . 
   The seat  1  has a housing chamber  11  at the top end coupling with an upper cap  12 . The upper cap  12  has a jutting anchor strut  121 , a holding trough  13  and a retaining notch  14 . The holding trough  13  communicates with a first pin hole  131  which is insertable by a first pin  132 . The seat  1  further has an aperture  15  running through the housing chamber  11  and an arched latch trough  16 . One end of the seat where the aperture  15  is formed has a first anchor trough  17  and a second pin hole  18  on an inner wall. The second pin hole  18  is insertable by a second pin  181 . 
   The latch core assembly  2  is located in the upper cap  12 , and has a latch core  21  held and anchored in the holding trough  13  of the upper cap  12  by inserting the first pin  132  into the first pin hole  131 . The latch core  21  can drive a latch lever  22  which is hinged on the anchor strut  121  through a first elastic element  23 . Thus the latch lever  22  can be rocked to and fro about the anchor strut  121  through the first elastic element  23 . 
   The detent tube  3  is inserted in the seat  1  through the aperture  15  at any side thereof. It has an axial flute  31  at one end. The one end where the flute  31  is formed has a second anchor trough  32  formed on the end surface and a first holding hole  33  leading to the flute  31 . The detent tube  3  further has a first latch trough  34  formed on the periphery to be latched by the latch lever  22 . 
   The inner lining  4  is fixedly held in the flute  31  of the detent tube  3 , and has a third pin hole  41  axially formed at one end thereof insertable by a third pin  42 . The inner lining  4  also has a second holding hole  43  formed on the periphery leading to the third pin hole  41  and corresponding to the first holding hole  33  of the detent tube  3 , and a jutting second anchor lug  44  at one end to wedge in the second anchor trough  32  of the detent tube  3 , and a second latch trough  45  at one end. 
   The latch bar  5  is fixedly inserted in the first holding hole  33  of the detent tube  3  and the second holding hole  43  of the inner lining  4 , and has an anchor portion  51  at one end thereof. The anchor portion  51  may be an annular groove. 
   The lateral plug  6  is fixedly held in the aperture  15  at one end of the seat  1 , and has a cavity  61  to hold a second elastic element  62  and a steel ball  63 , and a first anchor lug  64  and a pin hole  65  on the periphery thereof. The first anchor lug  64  is wedged in the first anchor trough  17  of the seat  1 . The pin hole  65  is insertable by the second pin  181 . 
   For assembly, referring to  FIG. 2 , first, dispose the latch core assembly  2  on the upper cap  12 , and place the upper cap  12  in the housing chamber  11  of the seat  1  to hold the latch core assembly  2 ; insert the detent tube  3  through the aperture  15  at a desired end of the seat  1  to run through the retaining notch  14  of the upper cap  1  so that the upper cap  12  does not escape from the seat  1 ; such a structure is adaptable to steering wheels located either on the left side or right side of vehicles in different countries; next, dispose the inner lining  4  in the flute  31  of the detent tube  3  with the second anchor lug  44  wedged in the second anchor trough  32  of the detent tube  3  such that the second holding hole  43  is rapidly aligned with the first holding hole  33  of the detent tube  3 ; then the latch bar  5  is inserted in the first holding hole  33  and the second holding hole  43 , while the third pin  42  is inserted into the third pin hole  41  to transversely latch on the anchor portion  51  to anchor the latch bar  5  on the detent tube  3 . Meanwhile the detent tube  3  is positioned on the seat  1 , and the lateral plug  6  is disposed in the aperture  15  of the seat  1  such that the first anchor lug  64  is wedged in the first anchor trough  17  of the seat  1 , while the second pin  181  is inserted into the second pin hole  18  and the pin hole  65  so that the lateral plug  6  seals the detent tube  3  at a desired location. Such a structure makes assembly simpler and easier. 
   When in use, referring to  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6 , couple the latch trough  16  of the seat  1  on a reinforced spoke B 1  of a steering wheel B; turn the detent tube  3  about 90 degrees to allow the latch bar  5  to clamp two sides of the reinforced spoke B 1 ; the latch lever  22  presses the first latch trough  34  of the detent tube  3  through the elastic force of the first elastic element  23  so that the seat  1  is latched on the steering wheel B. In such a condition even if the steering wheel B is cut off by a theft, the latch bar  5  still clamps the two sides of the reinforced spoke B 1 . Thus a theft-thwarting effect can be accomplished. For unlocking, referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , insert a key (not shown in the drawings) into the latch core  21  of the latch core assembly  2 ; turn the key to drive the latch lever  22  to escape from the first latch trough  34  so that it is retracted to compress the first elastic element  23 ; next, turn the detent tube  3  reversely about 90 degrees so that the latch bar  5  no longer clamps the two sides of the reinforced spoke B 1 , and the steel ball  63  in the lateral plug  6  is wedged in the second latch trough  45  of the inner lining  4  because of the elastic force of the second elastic element  62 , and anchored and cannot be turned freely. Then the seat  1  can be disengaged and removed from the steering wheel B. 
   Refer to  FIG. 7  for another embodiment of the invention. It mainly includes: 
   a seat  1 A which has a housing chamber  11 A at the top end coupling with an upper cap  12 A; an aperture  15 A running through the housing chamber  11 A and an arched latch trough  16 A. One end of the seat where the aperture  15 A is formed has a first anchor trough  17 A and a second pin hole  18 A formed on an inner wall thereof. The second pin hole  18 A is insertable by a second pin  181 A; 
   a latch core assembly  2 A which is located on the upper cap  12 A, and has a latch core  21 A held in the housing chamber  11 A to drive a flipping element  211 A which is coupled with a first elastic element  23 A to drive a latch lever  22 A to move to and fro; 
   a detent tube  3 A which is inserted in the seat  1 A through the aperture  15 A at any side thereof. It has an axial flute  31 A at one end. The one end where the flute  31 A is formed has a second anchor trough  32 A on the end surface and a first holding hole  33 A leading to the flute  31 A. The detent tube  3 A further has a first latch trough  34 A formed on the periphery to be latched by the latch lever  22 A; 
   an inner lining  4 A which is fixedly held in the flute  31 A of the detent tube  3 A, and has a third pin hole  41 A axially formed at one end thereof insertable by a third pin  42 A. The inner lining  4 A also has a second holding hole  43 A formed on the periphery leading to the third pin hole  41 A and corresponding to the first holding hole  33 A of the detent tube  3 , a jutting second anchor lug  44 A at one end to wedge in the second anchor trough  32 A of the detent tube  3 A, and a second latch trough  45 A at the one end; 
   a latch bar  5 A which is fixedly inserted in the first holding hole  33 A of the detent tube  3 A and the second holding hole  43 A of the inner lining  4 A, and has an anchor portion  51 A at one end thereof. The anchor portion  51 A may be a cavity. 
   a lateral plug  6 A which is fixedly held in the aperture  15 A at one end of the seat  1 A, and has a cavity  61 A to hold a second elastic element  62 A and a steel ball  63 A, and a first anchor lug  64 A and a pin hole  65 A on the periphery thereof. The first anchor lug  64 A is wedged in the first anchor trough  17 A of the seat  1 A. The pin hole  65 A is insertable by the second pin  181 A. 
   For assembly, referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , first, dispose the latch core assembly  2 A in the housing chamber  11 A of the seat  1 A and place the upper cap  12 A in the housing chamber  11 A to hold the latch core assembly  2 A; insert the detent tube  3 A through the aperture  15 A at a desired end of the seat  1 A; such a structure is adaptable to steering wheels located either on the left side or right side of vehicles in different countries; next, dispose the inner lining  4 A in the flute  31 A of the detent tube  3 A with the second anchor lug  44 A wedged in the second anchor trough  32 A of the detent tube  3 A such that the second holding hole  43 A is rapidly aligned with the first holding hole  33 A of the detent tube  3 A, then the latch bar  5 A is inserted in the first holding hole  33 A and the second holding hole  43 A, while the third pin  42 A is inserted into the third pin hole  41 A to transversely latch on the anchor portion  51 A to anchor the latch bar  5 A on the detent tube  3 A. Meanwhile the detent tube  3 A is positioned on the seat  1 A, and the lateral plug  6 A is disposed in the aperture  15 A of the seat  1 A such that the first anchor lug  64 A is wedged in the first anchor trough  17 A of the seat  1 A, while the second pin  181 A is inserted into the second pin hole  18 A and the pin hole  65 A so that the lateral plug  6 A seals the detent tube  3  at a desired location. Such a structure makes assembly simpler and easier. 
   When in use, referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , couple the latch trough  16 A of the seat  1 A on a reinforced spoke B 1  of a steering wheel B; turn the detent tube  3 A about 90 degrees to allow the latch bar  5 A to clamp two sides of the reinforced spoke B 1 ; the latch lever  22 A presses the first latch trough  34 A of the detent tube  3 A through the elastic force of the first elastic element  23 A so that the seat  1 A is latched on the steering wheel B. In such a condition, even if the steering wheel B is cut off by a theft, the latch bar  5 A still clamps the two sides of the reinforced spoke B 1 . Thus a theft-thwarting effect can be accomplished. For unlocking, referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , insert a key (not shown in the drawings) into the latch core  21 A of the latch core assembly  2 A; turn the key to drive the latch lever  22 A to escape from the first latch trough  34 A so that it is retracted to compress the first elastic element  23 A; next, turn the detent tube  3 A reversely about 90 degrees so that the latch bar  5 A no longer clamps the two sides of the reinforced spoke B 1 , and the steel ball  63 A in the lateral plug  6 A is wedged in the second latch trough  45 A of the inner lining  4 A because of the elastic force of the second elastic element  62 A, and anchored and cannot be turned freely. Then the seat  1 A can be disengaged and removed from the steering wheel B.