Vehicle safety lock

• US 4,313,519 A
• Filed: 01/05/1979
• Issued: 02/02/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Societe De Participations Neiman
• Original Assignee: Neiman SA (Valeo SE)
• Inventors: Lipschutz, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Spar, Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOLAND, KENNETH W
• Application Number:
  US06/001,135
• Time in Patent Office: 1,124 Days
• Field of Search: 180/270, 180/287, 70/252, 70/389
• US Class Current: 180/270
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4816 for sensing locking of buckle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/48 Control systems, alarms, or interlock systems, for the correct application of the belt or harness
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/02142 comprising externally controlled safety devices for preventing locking during vehicle running condition
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5956 Steering mechanism with switch

Abstract

The invention relates to security devices with which automobile vehicles are equipped, and more especially to a controlling connection between the anti-theft device locking an element essential to the driving of the vehicle (such as the steering column) and the safety belt the wearing of which is obligatory for the driver in most cases.

In order to ensure his safety and respect regulations it is desirable that the driver should not be able to start his vehicle until he has fastened his belt.

An anti-theft device according to the present invention comprising a cylinder lock operated by a key, a bolt controlled by said cylinder lock for locking an element essential to the driving of the vehicle, and a device for locking the lock cylinder in rotation, the device being arranged to be unlocked by the fastening of the buckle of the vehicle safety belt.

Claims

1. An anti-theft device for a vehicle having a safety belt incorporating a buckle having cooperating fixed and movable parts, comprising:

(a) a cylinder lock operated by a key and movable between a "parked" position to another position for control of the vehicle engine,

(b) a bolt controlled by said cylinder lock for locking an element essential to the driving of the vehicle,

(c) a plate attached to said cylinder lock for rotation therewith, and having an aperture therein,

(d) a plunger capable of entering said aperture only when said cylinder lock is in the "parked" position where the aperture is opposite to said plunger to effect locking of said plate and hence said cylinder,

(e) spring means for urging said plunger in a direction to effect entry thereof into said aperture,

(f) actuating means controlled by the buckle of said safety belt for effecting withdrawal of said plunger from said aperture to a retracted position when said safety belt is fastened within said buckle,

(g) a security blade controlled by said bolt, and

(h) further spring means to thrust said blade towards the said plunger, which comprises a notch which, in the retracted position, is opposite to said blade.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the actuating means comprise a solenoid having a bore receiving said plunger capable of moving said plunger into a retracted position against the action of said spring means when an electric current flows through the said solenoid, a direct-current source for connection to said solenoid, and a switch for completing the circuit between said source and said solenoid closable by the fastening of the said safety belt.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the said security blade cooperates directly with the bolt and with a notch formed in said bolt, whereby the latter is held in a withdrawn position from said element until said security blade leaves the notch in the bolt.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein said actuating means comprise a lever lodged in the fixed part of the said buckle and pivoting on fastening of said fixed part, a cable one extremity of which is fixed to the said lever and the other extremity of which is fixed to said plunger.