Auto steering wheel lock protector

An anti-theft device mountable around a steering post column of an automotive vehicle so to enclose the vehicle ignition lock and prevent insertion of a key thereinto by an unauthorized person; the device consisting of strong metal case having an opening on one side into which the ignition lock protrudes from the steering post column, the case being secured to the column by means of a U-shaped rod that fits around the column and into openings in the case wherein toothed notches along the rod are engaged by a sliding plate rigidly prevented from sliding by being stationarily locked with a padlock.

This invention relates generally to automobile anti-theft locks. 
A principal object of the present invention is to provide a locking device 
that is attachable on a steering post of a car and which covers the 
ignition lock of the vehicle so that no prospective thief can insert a key 
thereinto and start the car engine. 
Another object is to provide a locking device that is quickly and readily 
attachable or removable, and which does not need any tools to install nor 
deface or alter any of the vehicle existing structure. 
Other objects are to provide an auto steering wheel lock protector which is 
simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy 
to use and efficient in operation. 
Further objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects this invention may 
be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, 
attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are 
illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific 
construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended 
claims.

Referring now to the drawing in greater detail, the reference numeral 10 
represents an auto steering wheel lock protector according to the present 
invention, and which serves to securely cover an ignition lock 11 that 
protrudes from a side of a steering post column 12. 
The lock protector 10 includes a strong metal case 13 having a 
semi-cylindrical notch 14 on one side for positioning against a side of 
the column 12, the notch having a cavity 15 into which the ignition lock 
11 is fitted. 
The case 13 is then secured to the column 12 by means of a U-shaped hasp or 
rod 16 having a row of ratchet teeth 17 at each end 18 and 19. The end 18 
of the rod is freely pivotable and slidable in an opening 20 in the case. 
An enlarged head 21 on the end 18 of the rod prevents removal of the rod 
from the case. The other end 19 of the rod is removably slidable in an 
opening 22 of the case. 
A flat metal plate 23 is slidable in a slot 24 of the case 13, the plate 
having a pair of slots 25 and 26 through which the rod ends 18 and 19 
extend. A shank 27 integral with one end of the plate has an enlarged head 
28 on its end, and a compression coil spring 29 around the shank bears at 
one end against the head 28 and bears at its other end against an end wall 
30 of the case so to normally urge the plate to be slided into a position 
wherein the ratchet teeth 17 on each end of the rod are engaged or hooked 
with end edge 31 of each slot 25 and 26, thus locking the rod in a fixed 
position in the case. 
An opening 32 in the case aligns with an opening 33 of the plate when the 
teeth 17 and slot end edge 31 are engaged; the openings 32 and 33 thus 
being able to receive a padlock 34 for securing the parts in their 
interlocked position. 
In operative use, the case is fitted against a side of the steering post so 
to rest in the notch 14, and the ignition lock seat inside the cavity 15. 
The rod 16 is then swinged around the steering post 12 and the rod end 19 
is inserted into opening 22 of the case. The teeth 17 on both ends 18 and 
19 then hook under slot edges 31. A padlock is then fitted through 
openings 32 and 33 preventing the plate to slide and disengage teeth 17 
with the slot edges 31. The ignition lock is thus covered so an 
unauthorized person cannot try to start up the vehicle engine. 
While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and 
described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood 
that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the forms and details 
of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those 
skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.