Patent GB-795833-A (GB)
Title: Theft preventing devices
IPC: B60R25/021
Filed: 1956-03-08
Abstract: 795,833. Locks. NEIMAN, A. March 8, 1956 [March 15, 1955], No. 7286/56. Class 44 [Also in Groups XXVII, XXXI and XXXII] A theft-preventing device for use in combination with a lockable part of a motor vehicle having an ignition circuit and a starter circuit, comprises a body 8 having a slot 5, 3, a bolt 9 axially displaceable in the slot and being settable in retracted positions and a position partly protruding from the body for locking engagement with the lockable part, and actuating member 12 rotatably mounted in the body 8 and having a passage for receiving a lock-key 11 for operation by the latter, a switch 51 including stationary and movable contacts for connection to the circuits, controlling means 13 operatively engaged with the actuating member 12, the bolt 9 and the movable contacts for causing simultaneous movement of the bolt and movable contacts in co-ordination with a rotation of the actuating member 12. the latter being settable in a "Stop" position wherein the movable contacts interrupt the ignition and starter circuits, in "Drive" position wherein the contacts close the ignition circuits and interrupt the starter circuit and in a "Start" position wherein the contacts close the ignition and starter circuits, the bolt being in a retracted position at the "Stop" "Drive" and "Start" positions, engaging means 22 on the bolt, a spring 25 urging the bolt into its protruding position, the engaging means 22 engaging the lock key 11 inserted into the actuating member 12 and projecting from the latter when the actuating member 12 is in the "Stop" position so as to hold the bolt in a retracted position and the spring being released to urge the bolt to its protruding position upon withdrawal of the key from the actuating member and disengagement of the engaging means 22. As shown, the device is used in combination with a steering column 1 of a motor vehicle, the steering column having attached thereto a slotted sleeve 2 for engagement by the bolt 9. The device is housed in a holder 6 rigidly connected to a steering column tube 4 having an opening 5 for the bolt 9. The member 12 is in the form of a disc attached to and operable by a cylinder lock 10 and carries the controlling means, in the form of a finger 13 which passes through a slot 14 of the bolt 9 and engages a rotatable portion of the switch 51. The engaging means 22 comprises a spring loaded pin slidably located in an aperture 21 of the bolt 9 and having a head 22<SP>1</SP> which is engagable by the inner end of the key. The switch 51 which is retained by a cap 37 comprises a rotatable member 15 and a stationary member 30 carrying terminals 31, 32 and 41 which are engaged by a contact plate 33 on a rotatable member. In operation, insertion and rotation of key 11 in a clockwise direction moves the bolt 9 to the position shown in Fig. 2 in which the finger 13 engages a wall 9a of the slot 14 of the bolt 9 to lock the bolt in the position corresponding to the "Drive" position of member 12. Also plate 33 engages contacts 31 and 41 to complete the ignition circuit and the key 11 cannot be withdrawn from the lock 10. Anti-clockwise rotation of the key from this position disconnects plate 33 from contact 31 to open the ignition circuit and stop the engine. The bolt 9 is prevented from engaging the slot 3 in the steering column by the head 22<SP>1</SP> of the pin 22 which engages the key 10 and holds the bolt in the "Stop" position shown in Fig. 3. In this position the key may be withdrawn to free the bolt. In an intermediate position between that of Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the key may be withdrawn without freeing the bolt. Upon clockwise rotation of the key beyond the "Drive" position of Fig. 2, a projection 38 rigid with the disc 12 engages a lug 20 on the bolt 9 to withdraw the latter to an extreme "Start" position in which the ignition and starter circuits are completed to start the engine of the vehicle. Subsequent release of the key 11 returns the device to the condition corresponding to Fig. 2. The inclined head 22<SP>1</SP> of the pin 22 serves also to prevent insertion of a false key or the like to hold the bolt 9 in retracted position. In a modification, Fig. 7 (not shown), the pin 22 is replaced by a resilient or spring- loaded plate interposed between the plates of which the bolt is formed and is provided with a head projecting through the top of the bolt to serve the purpose of the head 22<SP>1</SP> as above. In another arrangement Figs. 8 and 9 (not shown)., the bolt is prevented from being moved to its unlocked position by an unauthorized user by a spring-loaded pawl which blocks the bolt and is releasable by the lower end of the pin 22 upon insertion of the key.