Patent ID: 7997107

Claim:
An ignition key switch mechanism for a vehicle comprising a lock barrel connected to an ignition switch, the lock barrel defining an ignition key aperture for an ignition key and having an off position means preventing removal of an inserted key from the lock barrel in any position of the barrel other than the off position and means preventing turning of the barrel to the off position unless the gear shifter of an associated gearbox is in a park position, wherein the means for preventing turning of the barrel comprises first and second solenoids and an intermediate member disposed between the solenoids, the first solenoid being operable to move the intermediate member between a first position in which turning of the ignition key in the ignition key aperture to the off position is permitted and a second position in which turning of the ignition key in the ignition key aperture is prevented to correspondingly permit or prevent removal of the ignition key from the ignition key aperture and the second solenoid being arranged to lock the intermediate member in the second position and operable to release the intermediate member from the second position.