Abstract:
An anti-theft locking device for a vehicle steering wheel includes, specially an anti-theft locking device locking the steering column ( 10 ) so that it cannot rotate when it is arranged on the rotation shaft ( 15 ) of the steering column ( 10 ). The anti-theft locking device includes a limit unit ( 30 ) and a locking unit ( 40 ). The locking unit ( 40 ) may be actuated by a driving unit ( 50 ). After affirming the signal is correct through electrical detection, the driving unit ( 50 ) make the locking unit ( 40 ) be selectively locked or disengaged relative to the limit unit ( 30 ).

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates to anti-theft locking devices for vehicles and more particularly to an anti-theft locking device for a vehicle steering wheel with improved characteristics. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Thieves steal vehicles for various purposes. Some of the thieves drive stolen vehicles for fun. Some others drive stolen vehicles for worse crimes. Some others sell stolen vehicles. Some others dismantle stolen vehicles and sell the parts. Some others extort ransom from vehicle owners. A lot of thieves steal a lot of vehicles. To stop thieves, a lot of anti-theft locking devices have been devised. 
         [0005]    There have been crane-shaped locks, gear stick locks and steering wheel locks in early days. However, none of these locks has enjoyed a long term of success. For example, a steering wheel can be released by picking a steering wheel lock. Alternatively, the steering wheel can be cut from a steering column. The steering column can be clamped and maneuvered by a tool. The tool can be maneuvered to rotate the steering column and therefore steer a vehicle. 
         [0006]    Engine code locks, GPS devices, and chip locks (e.g., RFID type locks) are becoming popular nowadays. They are, however, expensive. Moreover, none of them has enjoyed a long term of success. Each of these anti-theft locking devices or locks is integrated with a steering wheel. The anti-theft locking device is used to allow the rotation of the steering wheel relative to the steering column. Thus, a thief can maneuver the steering wheel but cannot maneuver the steering column. 
         [0007]    The invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    It is therefore one object of the invention to provide an anti-theft locking device for a vehicle steering wheel, the anti-theft locking device being capable of locking the steering column after stopping but prior to parking. 
         [0009]    To achieve the above and other objects, the invention provides an anti-theft locking device for a steering column having a rotation shaft operatively connected to a car lock and a universal joint respectively, comprising a limit unit affixed to the steering column; a locking unit affixed to the steering column and comprising a lock member; and a driving unit affixed to the steering column and comprising a drive member operatively connected to the lock member, wherein in response to locking the car lock, the drive member is adapted to move the lock member in a first direction to engage with the limit unit for locking the steering column; or in response to unlocking the car lock, the drive member is adapted to move the lock member in a second direction opposing the first direction to disengage from the limit unit for unlocking the steering column. 
         [0010]    By utilizing the invention, five advantages can be obtained as follows. 
         [0011]    1) The limit unit comprises a ring plate including a plurality of longitudinal apertures spaced around, and wherein the locking unit further comprises a hollow guide affixed to the steering column, the guide being disposed above the ring plate and adapted to register with one of the apertures, the guide having a longitudinal slot, a lock element moveably disposed in the guide, the lock element having a laterally projecting neck and a nut at an open end of the neck, and al peg extending downward from the bottom of the lock element. 
         [0012]    2) The locking unit further comprises a hollow guide, the guide including an opening, wherein the lock member is slidably disposed in the guide and comprises teeth having a portion facing the opening, and wherein the driving unit further comprises a pinion rotatably connected to the drive member, the pinion being engaged with the teeth, and a housing with the drive member mounted therein, the housing being disposed on the guide and affixed to the steering column. 
         [0013]    3) The limit unit comprises a collar including a plurality of spaced parallel grooves on an outer surface, and wherein the lock member comprises a lock section at one end, the lock section being adapted to move into the groove for locking or disengage from the groove for unlocking. 
         [0014]    4) Further comprises a plurality of means including password identification and biometric identifications including fingerprint identification, pupil identification, and voice recognition for activating the driving unit. 
         [0015]    5) The drive member is one of a servo motor, a servo motor with a reduction gear, a motor, or a motor with a reduction gear. 
         [0016]    The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of an anti-theft locking device for a vehicle steering wheel according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the assembled anti-theft locking device; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of an intermediate portion of the anti-theft locking device of  FIG. 2  in an unlocked state; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 3  showing the anti-theft locking device in a locked state; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of an anti-theft locking device for a vehicle steering wheel according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of an intermediate portion of the assembled anti-theft locking device of  FIG. 5  in an unlocked state; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a view similar to  FIG. 6  showing the anti-theft locking device in a locked state; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of an anti-theft locking device for a vehicle steering wheel according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention in an unlocked state; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a view similar to  FIG. 8  showing the anti-theft locking device in a locked state. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an anti-theft locking device for a vehicle steering wheel in accordance with the invention is shown. The anti-theft locking device is mounted in a steering column  10  which has a rotation shaft  15  obliquely extending upward to rotatably connect to a steering wheel (not shown) at an upper end. A lower end of the rotation shaft  15  is secured to a universal joint  20 . The anti-theft locking device is mounted on the steering column  10  proximate to the universal joint  20 . 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , the anti-theft locking device comprises a limit unit  30 , a locking unit  40 , a driving unit  50 , and an actuation unit  60 . The limit unit  30  is provided on a lower portion the rotation shaft  15 . The locking unit  40  can be actuated by the driving unit  50  to either lock the limit unit  30  for anti-theft or unlock same for driving a motor vehicle. 
         [0028]    The limit unit  30  is mounted on the steering column proximate to the end of the rotation shaft  15  connecting to the universal joint  20 . The limit unit  30  is implemented as a collar  31  having a plurality of spaced parallel grooves  32  on an outer surface. The collar  31  can co-rotate with a collar member  16  in the steering column  10 . The collar member  16  is provided on the rotation shaft  15  in the steering column  10 . The collar member  16  can be turned by turning a car key inserted into a keyhole. As a result, the collar  31  turns. 
         [0029]    The locking unit  40  comprises a hollow guide  41  of rectangular section, a rectangular opening  42  on one side of the guide  41 , a lock rack  45  slidably provided in the guide  41 , the lock rack  45  including teeth  46  on one side and a lock section  47  at one end, the lock section  47  being adapted to move into the groove  32  or not. 
         [0030]    The driving unit  50  is electrically connected to an electrical system of the car and can be actuated by turning a car key in a keyhole of a car lock  14 . The driving unit  50  comprises a battery powered drive member (e.g., servo motor, servo motor with a reduction gear, motor, or motor with a reduction gear)  51 , a parallelepiped housing  55  with the drive member  51  mounted therein, the housing  55  being provided on top of the guide  41  and affixed to the steering column  10 , and a pinion  52  rotatably connected to a driving shaft of the drive member  51 , the pinion  52  engaging the teeth  46  and being disposed under the housing  55 . 
         [0031]    The actuation unit  60  comprises a guide pipe  61  mounted between top and bottom of the housing  55 , a lock pin  62  provided in the guide pipe  61  and having a cable  620  extending upward, a helical spring  64  provided in the guide pipe  61  and put on portions of the lock pin  62  and the cable  620 , a sleeve  63  put on a portion of the cable  620  externally of the housing  55 , and a locking hole  65  on top of the lock section  47 . The cable  620  is connected to a hand brake of an automobile. The lock rack  45  is either held motionless when the bottom end of the lock pin  62  enters the locking hole  65  or allowed to move when the lock pin  62  clears the locking hole  65  by pulling the cable  620 . 
         [0032]    A protective cover  70  is provided to house the locking unit  40 , the driving unit  50 , and all components of the actuation unit  60  except the sleeve  63 . 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3  and  4 , operations of the invention are described in detail below. A driver may clockwise pivot a hand brake for parking after stopping. The lock pin  62  is thus pulled upward to clear the locking hole  65  with the spring  64  being compressed as a result of the pulling of the cable  620  which is connected to the hand brake. After the lock pin  62  has cleared the locking hole  65 , the driver may counterclockwise turn the car key in the car lock  14  (i.e., locked) to activate the driving unit  50  via the electrical system of the car. Alternatively, the driver may operate one of a plurality of means including password identification and biometric identifications including fingerprint identification, pupil identification, and voice recognition to activate the driving unit  50  via the electrical system of the car. And in turn (see  FIG. 4 ), the drive member  51  is activated to counterclockwise rotate the pinion  52  which in turn moves the lock rack  45  leftward due to meshing with the teeth  46 . The movement of the lock rack  45  will be stopped when the lock section  47  fully engages with the groove  32 . As a result, the steering column  10  is locked. 
         [0034]    For driving the car, the driver may insert the car key in the car lock  14  and turn the same clockwise (i.e., unlocked) to activate the driving unit  50  via the electrical system of the car. Alternatively, the driver may operate one of a plurality of means including password identification and biometric identifications including fingerprint identification, pupil identification, and voice recognition to activate the driving unit  50  via the electrical system of the car. And in turn (see  FIG. 3 ), the drive member  51  is activated to clockwise rotate the pinion  52  which in turn moves the lock rack  45  rightward due to meshing with the teeth  46 . The movement of the lock rack  45  will be stopped when the lock section  47  fully disengages with the groove  32  after a predetermined period of time (e.g., a number of seconds). As a result, the steering column  10  is unlocked. Thereafter, the driver may counterclockwise pivot the hand brake (i.e., release the hand brake). The lock pin  62  is thus pulled downward to enter the locking hole  65  due to the expansion of the spring  64  and the loosening of the cable  620 . As a result, the lock rack  45  is kept motionless (i.e., locked). Note that the above operations are equally applicable to motorcycles. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7 , an anti-theft locking device for a vehicle steering wheel in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The second embodiment is substantially the same as the first embodiment except the followings: The limit unit  30  is implemented as a ring plate  35  including a plurality of longitudinal apertures  36  spaced around. The apertures  36 , functioning similar to the grooves of the first preferred embodiment, correspond to the collar member  16  and are adapted to co-rotate therewith. The locking unit  40  comprises a hollow guide  43  affixed to the steering column  10 . The guide  43  is provided above the ring plate  35  and is adapted to register with one of the apertures  36 . The guide  43  has a longitudinal slot  44  on one surface. The locking unit  40  further comprises a lock member  48  moveably provided in the guide  43 , the lock member  48  having a laterally projecting neck  481  and a nut  480  at an open end of the neck  481 , and a cylindrical peg  49  extending downward from the bottom of the lock member  48 . The driving unit  50  is affixed to the steering column  10  and comprises a battery powered drive member (e.g., servo motor, servo motor with a reduction gear, motor, or motor with a reduction gear)  53  and a threaded driving shaft  54  driven through the nut  480 . A protective cover  70  is affixed to the steering column  10  for housing the locking unit  40  and the driving unit  50 . 
         [0036]    Operations of the invention are described in detail below. A driver may counterclockwise turn the car key in the car lock  14  (i.e., locked) to activate the driving unit  50  via the electrical system of the car. Alternatively, the driver may operate one of a plurality of means including password identification and biometric identifications including fingerprint identification, pupil identification, and voice recognition to activate the driving unit  50  via the electrical system of the car. And in turn (see  FIG. 7 ), the drive member  53  is activated to counterclockwise rotate the driving shaft  54  which in turn moves the nut  480  downward by threading. The peg  49  thus moves into one of the apertures  36  for lock. The movement of the peg  49  will be stopped when the neck  481  contacts the bottom end of the slot  44 . As a result, the steering column  10  is locked. For driving the car, the driver may insert the car key in the car lock  14  and turn the same clockwise (i.e., unlocked) to activate the driving unit  50  via the electrical system of the car. Alternatively, the driver may operate one of a plurality of means including password identification and biometric identifications including fingerprint identification, pupil identification, and voice recognition to activate the driving unit  50  via the electrical system of the car. And in turn (see  FIG. 6 ), the drive member  53  is activated to clockwise rotate the driving shaft  54  which in turn moves the nut  480  upward by threading. The peg  49  thus clears the aperture  36 . The movement of the peg  49  will be stopped when the lock member  48  contacts the steering column  10 . As a result, the steering column  10  is unlocked. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , an anti-theft locking device for a vehicle steering wheel in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The third embodiment is substantially the same as the second embodiment except the followings: The locking unit  40  comprises a hollow guide  43  affixed to the steering column  10 . The guide  43  is provided above the ring plate  35  and is adapted to register with one of the apertures  36 . The guide  43  has a longitudinal slot (not shown) on one surface. The locking unit  40  further comprises a lock member  48  moveably provided in the guide  43 , and a cylindrical peg  49  extending downward from the bottom of the lock member  48 . The driving unit  50  comprises a battery powered drive member (e.g., servo motor, servo motor with a reduction gear, motor, or motor with a reduction gear)  56 , a crankshaft  58  connected to the driving shaft of the drive member  56 , and a flywheel  57  connected to the crankshaft  58 . The crankshaft  58  has the other end connected to the top of the lock member  48 . 
         [0038]    Operations of the invention are described in detail below. A driver may counterclockwise turn the car key in the car lock (i.e., locked) to activate the driving unit  50  via the electrical system of the car. Alternatively, the driver may operate one of a plurality of means including password identification and biometric identifications including fingerprint identification, pupil identification, and voice recognition to activate the driving unit  50  via the electrical system of the car. And in turn (see  FIG. 9 ), the drive member  56  is activated to clockwise rotate both the crankshaft  58  and the flywheel  57  about 180 degrees. The peg  49  thus moves into one of the apertures  36  for lock. As a result, the steering column  10  is locked. For driving the car, the driver may insert the car key in the car lock and turn the same clockwise (i.e., unlocked) to activate the driving unit  50  via the electrical system of the car. Alternatively, the driver may operate one of a plurality of means including password identification and biometric identifications including fingerprint identification, pupil identification, and voice recognition to activate the driving unit  50  via the electrical system of the car. And in turn (see  FIG. 8 ), the drive member  56  is activated to clockwise rotate both the crankshaft  58  and the flywheel  57  about another 180 degrees. The peg  49  thus clears the aperture  36 . As a result, the steering column  10  is unlocked. 
         [0039]    While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.