AUTOMOBILE STEERING LOCK

Abstract: An antitheft device for attachment to a steering wheel of an automobile comprising an elongated body member (10) having a passage (38) extending along an axis therethrough, first hook means (16) secured to the body member for engagement with a portion of the steering wheel wherein the first hook means engage the wheel from the inside thereof with the body member extending outward beyond the periphery of the steering wheel, an elongated rod member (12) adapted to move in telescopic fashion in the passageway of the body member along the axis, second hook means (18) secured to the rod member for engaging the inside portion of the steering wheel diametrically opposed to the first hook means, and means (20, 22) associated with the body member engaging the rod within the passage for locking the rod member stationary with respect to the body member at any of a plurality of positions.

Description: Field of the Invention The present invention pertains to the art of automobile antitheft devices, and more particularly to a device for attachment to an automobile steering wheel to prevent com­ plete rotation thereof. Background of the Invention Antitheft devices which attach to an automobile steer­ ing wheel have been known heretofore, as shown in U.S. Letters Patent No. 4,304,110 to Fain; No. 4,103,524 to Mitchell et al; and 3,462,982 to Moore. Such devices include a section which extends outwardly beyond the peri­ phery of the steering wheel a predetermined distance, wherein rotation of the wheel is limited by engagement of such section with an interior surface of the vehicle or the operator. While devices known heretofore are functional, they include several undesirable features. For example, these devices are limited by their construc­ tion to steering wheels of specific sizes. Moore 3,462,982 discloses a device wherein the spacing between the steering wheel engaging hooks is restricted by the length of a rat­ chet bar over which a locking mechanism and a movable hook travel. Mitchell et al 4,103,524 and Fain 4,304,110 dis­ close devices wherein the spacing between the hooks is fixed. Although Fain 4,304,110 discloses an alternate embodiment wherein the spacing between the hooks and lugs is adjustable, the amount of adjustment is limited. Accord­ ingly, the sizes of steering wheels to which these devices can be attached is limited. Another problem with such devices is that they appear susceptible to being overcome by physical force or mani­ pulation. The locking mechanisms of Moore 3,462,982 and Mitchell et al 4,103,524 are exposed, and include pry points thereabout in which a crowbar may be inserted in an attempt to overcome such mechanisms. Irrespective of whether such a device can be overcome by physical manipulation, they present prospective thieves with the appearance of being breakable. In this respect, sub­ stantial damage to the steering wheel or steering column can result from an attempt to pry such devices. In addition to these problems, such devices are inconvenient, and at times difficult to use. As is readily apparent, the devices disclosed heretofore each include a relatively long bar for traversing a steering wheel. Due to their length, these devices cannot be stored conveniently in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, and therefore generally require storage in the trunk area. In this respect, they are not readily accessible to the vehicle operator for quick installation. In addition to the incon­ venience of storing and retrieving such devices from the trunk area of the vehicle, their length and configuration make attempts to install such devices while the driver remains seated awkward and difficult. In summary, devices for attachment to steering wheels known heretofore are, because of their configuration, awkward and inconvenient to use. In addition, such devices are not adjustable for use over a wide range of steering wheel sizes. These and other problems are overcome by the preferred em­ bodiment of the present invention which comprises an antitheft device for attachment to a steering wheel, which device is quick and easy to use, collapsible to a compact size for convenient storage, and is designed to prohibit attempts to pry or disengage such device. Summary of the Preferred Embodiment of the Invention The preferred embodiment of the present invention com­ prises an antitheft device for attachment to a steering wheel of an automobile, which device includes an elongated tubular body member of predeterminded length having a central axis there­ through. First and second longitudinally spaced hooks movable along such axis are provided for engaging diametrically opposed seg­ ments of the steering wheel from the inside. The first hook is secured to one end of the body member such that the body extends beyond the circumference of the steering wheel, and the second hook has means extending within the body member to effect movement therein in telescopic fashion. Means associated with the body is provided for releasably locking the hooks with respect to each other at any one of a plurality of positions. More specifically, the preferred embodiment includes a tubular body member having an elongated passage extending along an axis therethrough. The second hook includes an elongated rod member movable within such passage in tele­ scopic fashion, wherein the hooks are movable relative to each other. Means to lock the rod member within the passage of the body member is provided to limit movement of the rod relative thereto. Further, the preferred embodiment includes a housing associated with the body member, which housing encases a portion of the body member and has the passage extending therethrough. The means for locking the rod member within the passage is contained within such housing. More specifically, the body member is comprised of a metallic material and the housing is die cast around an end thereof to provide an integral structure with the body member, which structure has locking means contained therein. Still further, the preferred embodiment includes transverse and axially spaced grooves provided along the length of the rod member. A locking member within the housing, and stationary with respect thereto, is movable between a locking first position wherein a portion thereof intersects the passage extending through the body member and a second position wherein such lock­ ing member does not intersect the passage. The locking member is designed to matingly engage in loose fashion the grooves on the rod member, such that when in the first posi­ tion, the locking member intersects the grooves on the rod member and restrict movement of the rod member through the passage. In this respect, the rod may be locked in any one of a plu­ rality of positions along the length of the rod member. One of the primary features of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is the provision of an antitheft dev­ ice for attachment to an automobile steering wheel, which device prevents complete rotation thereof and is strong, inexpensive and easy to use. Another feature of the preferred embodiment is that the device will not damage or injure the steering wheel and can be installed quickly. A still further feature of the preferred embodiment is that the device requires no modification or alteration to the automobile steering wheel. A still further feature of the preferred embodiment is that the device includes longitudinally spaced hooks movable in telescopic fashion relative to each other for engagement with diametrically opposed segments of a steer­ ing wheel. Another feature of the preferred embodiment is that the spacing between the hooks is adjustable over a wide range to accommodate most automotive steering wheels. Another feature of the preferred embodiment is that the overall length of the device can be reduced to a size which is compact and easily stored. A still further feature of the preferred embodiment is that the hooks can be releaseably locked with respect to each other at any one of the plurality of positions. A still further feature of the preferred embodiment is that the locking mechanism is totally enclosed in the device and includes no area susceptible to prying by a crowbar or the like. In order that the invention, whose scope is defined in the appended claims, may be better understood, the preferred embodi­ ment thereof, which has been referred to above and which is giv­ en by way of example only, will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is an exploded view shown in perspective of an antitheft device illustrating the preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a top view of the antitheft device shown in FIGURE 1 showing the device assembled; FIGURE 3 is a side view of the antitheft device shown in FIGURE 1 as assembled; FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 4-4 of the FIGURE 3; and FIGURE 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIGURE 3. Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for the purpose of limiting the same, FIGURE 1 shows an exploded view of an antitheft device according to the present invention. Broadly stated, the antitheft device is comprised of an elongated body member 10, an elongated rod member 12 which is dimensioned to move in telescopic fashion within body member 10, and a housing 14. Hooks 16, 18, for engaging diametrically opposed portions of the steering wheel from the inside thereof, are provided on body member 10 and rod member 12, respectively. Locating means 20 and locking means 22 are provided within housing 14 to position and lock rod member 12 stationary with respect to body member 10 at any one of a plurality of positions. More specifically, body member 10 is comprised of an elongated tube 30 of circular cross-section. Tube 30 defines a central passage 38 of circular cross-section concentric about an axis A through body member 10. Accord­ ing to the preferred embodiment, tube 30 is surrounded by an outer sleeve 32 to provide a double-walled section 36, as best seen in FIGURE 5. A portion 34 of tube 30 extends beyond the end of section 36. U-shaped hook 16 is fixedly secured to sleeve 32 adjacent portion 34 such that it opens along section 36 of body member 10. In the preferred embodi­ ment, tube 30 and sleeve 32 are comprised of lengths of standard structural steel pipe welded together. Hook 16 is a length of standard pipe bent or otherwise formed into a U-shaped configuration and welded to sleeve 32. A durable plastic coating 40 is provided over sleeve 32 and hook 16 to provide a nonabrasive surface over section 36. A handle or grip 42 is secured to the free end of double-walled section 36. Rod member 12 is comprised of an elongated rod 46 of circular cross-section. The outer diameter of rod 46 is dimensioned slightly less than the diameter of passage 38 in body member 10 to enable rod 46 to move freely in tele­ scopic fashion in body member 10. A generally L-shaped member 48, shown in phantom in FIGURE 3, is fixedly secured to the ends of rod 46 to form hook 18 which opens opposite hook 16 for engagement with a diametrically opposed portion of a steering wheel. Annular grooves 50, transverse to the axis of rod 46 are provided along a major portion thereof. Grooves 50 are generally semi-circular and are axially spaced along rod 46 to provide intermediate surfaces 52. The hook end or rod member 12 is provided with a plastic coating 54 similar to that provided on section 36 of body portion 10. In the preferred embodiment, rod 46 and L-shaped member 48 are comprised of case-hardened steel. Referring now to FIGURE 5, housing 14 is formed around extending portion 34 of tube 30 to form an integral structure therewith wherein passage 38 extends therethrough. As set forth above, housing 14 contains locating means 20 and locking means 22. Locating means 20 is generally comprised of a spherical bearing 60, and biasing springs 62 disposed within a bore 64 in housing 14. Bore 64 communicates with passage 38 as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5. In this respect, bore 64 extends through portion 34 of tube 30. An annular flange 66 is provided at the end of bore 64 to restrict complete access of bearing 60 into passage 38. Bearing 60 and spring 62 are maintained in bore 64 by retainer 68. Spring member 62 is confined within bore 64 in com­ pression such that bearing 60 is biased towards, and partially exposed in, passage 38. With respect to locking means 22, housing 14 includes a boss 70 laterally offset with respect to axis A of body member 10. Locking means 22 is comprised of a conventionally known key lock 72 and a locking member 74. Locking member 74 is generally cylindrical in shape and includes an arcuate outer surface 76 of a diameter generally matching the semi­ circular grooves 50 in rod 46, and a flat or recessed portion 78. A washer member (not shown) is provided between lock 72 and a locking member 74 to effect rotational movement of locking member 74 about its axis when lock 72 is locked and unlocked. To accomodate lock 72 and locking member 74, bore 84 of varying diameter is provided through boss 70 into housing 14. Bore 84 intersects tube 30 and produces a slot or aperture 86 which intersects passage 38, as shown in FIGURE 1. Bore 84 is aligned relative to passage 38 such that arcuate surface 76 of locking member 74 is partially disposed within passage 38 when locking member 74 is in a first position, and recess 78 is oriented toward passage 38 when member 74 is rotated 180° to a second position. Further in this respect, bore 84 is disposed relative to bore 64 such that when spherical member 60 is aligned with a groove 50 on rod 46, locking member 74 is likewise aligned with a groove 50 on rod 46. According to the present invention, spherical bearings 60 and locking member 74 are disposed opposite each other in housing 14 such that they align with the same groove 50 on rod 46. As set forth above, tube 30 and sleeve 32 of body member 10 are comprised of lengths of standard steel pipe. In accordance with the present invention, housing 14 is comprised of steel and is die-cast around portion 34 of tube 30 to form an integral structure therewith. Bores 64 and 68 for locating means 20 and locking means 22 are machined or otherwise formed in housing 12 while tube 30 is part thereof. Accordingly, aperture 84 in tube 30 would be formed within housing 14, and is shown in FIGURE 1 merely for the purposes of illustration. In operation, when flat or recess portion 78 of locking member 74 is oriented toward passage 38 as shown in FIGURE 5, rod member 12 can move in telescopic fashion within passage 38 of body member 10 by overcoming the ratcheting effect of spherical bearing 60 engaging grooves 50. In this unlocked condition, hook 16 is positioned to engage a portion of a steering wheel from the inside thereof. Rod member 12 is then telescoped out of body member 10 until hook 18 engages a diametrically opposed portion of the steering wheel. Locating means 20 will indicate the most advantageous position at which locking member 74 can be rotated to lock rod member 12 stationary in body member 10. The outward extending portion of body member 10, i.e. section 36, prevents complete rotation of the steer­ ing wheel by engaging the interior surface of the vehicle or the operator. To this end, the length of body member 10 which extends beyond the periphery of the steering wheel need only be long enough to engage the interior surface or the operator. As will be appreciated, this dimension can vary. In the preferred embodiment, the outward extending portion of body member 10 is approxi­ mately 11 inches. Accordingly, the present invention provides an anti­ theft device which is quick and simply to use. It will also be appreciated that the present invention because of its configuration presents a formidable obstacle to a potential thief. In this respect, a device according to the present invention provides no external pry points wherein a crowbar or screwdriver can be inserted. Further, the device cannot be easily sawed because of the double wall construction of the body member, the steel cast housing, and the case-hardened steel rod. More importantly, the telescoping arrangement of the present invention provides an antitheft device which can be collapsed to a length suitable for easy storage within the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Still further, the telescoping arrangement makes the present device compatible for use with almost all sizes of automobile steering wheels. The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment. It will be appreciated that modifications or alterations could be made without deviat­ ing from the present invention. For example, the body member and rod member need not have circular cross­ sections. A rod having rectangular cross-section could be provided and matched with the body member having a rectangular passage without deviating from the present invention. Likewise, other locating arrangements could be provided to effect locking of the rod member within the body member. These and other modifications and alterations will occur to others upon their reading and understanding of this specification. It is intended that all such modifications and alterations be included insofar as they come within the scope of the patent as claimed or the equivalence thereof.

Claims: 1. An antitheft device for attachment to a steering wheel of an automobile comprising: an elongated body member having a passage extending along an axis therethrough, first hook means secured to said body member for engagement with a portion of said steering wheel wherein said first hook means engages said wheel from the inside thereof with said body member extending outward beyond the periphery of said steering wheel, an elongated rod member adapted to move in telescopic fashion in said passage of said body member along said axis, second hook means secured to said rod member for engaging from the inside a portion of said steering wheel diametrically opposed to said first hook means, and means associated with said body member engaging said rod within said passage for locking said rod member stationary with respect to said body member at any of a plurality of positions. 2. A device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a housing associated with said body member having said passage extending therethrough, and having said means for locking contained therein. 3. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein said housing encases a portion of said body member. 4. A device as defined in claim 3, wherein said body member is a tubular member of metallic material having a circular cross-section, and said housing is metal and die cast around an end of said body member. 5. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said rod includes transverse grooves, axially spaced along the length thereof, and said locking means includes a locking member within said housing movable between a rod locking first position and a rod releasing second position, said locking member in said first position intersecting said passage and positioned within one of said plurality of grooves in a manner which limits movement of said rod through said passage. 6. A device as defined in claim 5, wherein said passage in said body member has a circular cross-section, said rod is generally circular in cross-section for sliding engagement within said passage and said grooves are arcuate and extend in annular fashion about the axis of said rod, and said locking member is generally cylindrical in shape having a flat portion on one side thereof and an arcuate portion opposite thereto, said locking member rotatable about an axis through said housing wherein said first position said arcuate portion of said locking member communicates with said annular grooves on said rods. 7. A device as defined in claim 1 further comprising means associated with said body member for locating said rod member at one of said plurality of positions. 8. An antitheft device for attachment to a steering wheel in an automobile comprising: an elongated, tubular body member having first hook means at one end thereof, said hook portion opening along the length of said body member for engaging the inner edge of said wheel when said body member extends beyond the periphery thereof, an elongated telescoping member movable in telescoping fashion in said body member, said telescoping member having second hook means opening opposite to said first hook means for engaging an opposed inner segment of said steering wheel, and means for locking said telescoping member with respect to said body member at any one of a plurality of positions. 9. An antitheft device as defined in claim 8, wherein said telescoping member is an elongated rod of circular cross-section having a plurality of spaced annular grooves disposed along the length thereof. 10. A device as defined in claim 8, wherein stationary means is a housing encasing the end of said body member, said housing having said means for locking contained therein. 11. A device as defined in claim 8 further including means associated with said body member for locating said telescoping member at any one of a plurality of positions. 12. An antitheft device for attachment to a steering wheel in an automobile comprising: an elongated tubular body member of predetermined length having a central axis; first and second longitudinally spaced hooks movable along said axis for engaging diametrically opposed segments of said steering wheel from the inside, said first hook secured to one end of said body member such that said body member extends beyond the circumference of said steering wheel, and said second hook having means extending within said body member to effect telescopic movement therebetween; and means associated with said body member for releasably locking said hooks with respect to each other at any one of a plurality of positions. 13. An antitheft device as defined in claim 12, further comprising a housing associated with said tubular body member, said housing including locking means for locking said second hook stationary with respect to said body portion. 14. An antitheft device as defined in claim 12 wherein; said tubular body has a passage of circular cross-­ section extending along an axis therethrough, said extending means comprise an elongated rod of circular cross-section dimensioned for sliding engagement within said passage, said rod including a plurality of spaced annular grooves disposed along the length thereof, and said means for locking including means stationary with respect to said tubular member for selectively intersecting within said passage one of said grooves on said rod to restrict movement of said rod relative to said body member. 15. An antitheft device as defined in claim 14 further comprising a housing die-cast around the end of said tubular member having said passage extending there­ through, said housing contain said means for locking. 16. A device as defined in claim 12 further including means associated with said tubular body for locating said extending means at any of a plurality of positions. 17. A device as defined in claim 16 wherein, said tubular body has a passage extending along an axis therethrough, said extending means comprise an elongated rod dimen­ sional for sliding engagement within said passage, said rod including a plurality of transverse spaced grooves disposed along the length thereof, and said locating means including a spherical bearing biased to partially intersect said passage and said grooves in said rod. 18. A device as defined in claim 17 wherein said passage and said rod are of circular cross-section.

Inventors: JOHNSON, CHARLES R.
Applicants: WINNER, JAMES
Application year: 1986
Main classification: B60R25
IPC codes: G05G5, F16B7, G05G1, B60R25