Automobile steering lock

• US 4,738,127 A
• Filed: 02/17/1987
• Issued: 04/19/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Winner International Royalty LLC
• Original Assignee: James E. Winner
• Inventors: Johnson, Charles R.
• Primary Examiner(s): MOORE, RICHARD
• Application Number:
  US07/015,596
• Time in Patent Office: 427 Days
• Field of Search: 70/14, 70/18, 70/19, 70/26, 70/33, 70/39, 70/181, 70/209, 70/211, 70/212, 70/218, 70/226, 70/238, 70/252, 70/253, 70/295, 70/386, 292/147
• US Class Current: 70/209
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/0225 using a rod locked on the steering wheel rim B60R25/0221 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5765 Rotary or swinging

Abstract

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 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 adapted to move in telescopic fashion in the passageway of the body member along the axis, second hook means secured to the rod member for engaging the inside portion of the steering wheel diametrically opposed to the first hook means, and means 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.

Claims

1. An antitheft device for attachment to a steering wheel of an automotive vehicle comprising:

an elongated tubular member having an inner end, an outer end and an elongated passageway extending along its axis therethrough, said tubular member having a generally U-shaped hook portion extending therefrom with the closed end of the U-shaped portion generally adjacent to but slightly spaced from the inner end of said tubular member and the open end of said U-shaped portion facing said outer end of said tubular member but substantially removed therefrom, said U-shaped hook portion of said tubular member further defined by a bottom leg portion generally extending in the direction of said tubular member'"'"'s axis and terminating at a distance substantially removed from said outer end of said tubular member, said U-shaped hook portion of said tubular member adapted to engage said wheel from the inside thereof with said outer end of said tubular member extending a substantial distance beyond the periphery of said wheel;

an elongated rod member having an inner and an outer end, said inner end adapted to extend in a telescopic manner within said passageway of said tubular member, said outer end of said member being formed into a generally U-shaped portion with the opening of said U-shaped portion at said outer end of said rod member, said U-shaped portion of said rod member adapted to engage said wheel from the inside thereof, said rod member further including a plurality of spaced annular grooves disposed about a portion thereof;

a lock, and

means for securing said lock to said inner end of said tubular member including (i) locating means permitting telescopic movement of said rod member in a yieldably resisting manner and (ii) locking means rotatable from an unlocking position permitting telescopic movement of said rod member within said tubular member to a locking position preventing relative movement between said rod member and said tubular member,

said locking means including said tubular member having a circular opening formed in said inner end thereof, said lock having a blind passageway aligned with and opening to said circular opening when said lock is assembled to said tubular member, a spherical bearing contained within said passageway, said bearing having a diameter slightly greater than said circular opening and biased into said circular opening to partially intersect said passageway and said annular grooves in said rod member to connect said lock to said tubular member and said locking means further including said tubular member having a slot formed therein diametrically opposite said circular opening, a generally cylindrical locking member rotatably mounted within said lock and aligned with said slot in said tubular member, said locking member having a flat portion on one side thereof and an accurate portion opposite thereto and rotatable from said unlocking position whereat said flat portion is approximately flush with said slot to a locking position whereat said accurate portion extends through said slot to contact one of said annular grooves of said rod member to connect said lock to said tubular member in both said locking and unlocking positions.

2. An antitheft device for attachment between two points defining a chord on the rim of an automobile steering wheel comprising:

a tubular member, said tubular member having an inner open end adapted to be positioned within said rim, first hook means on said tubular member for securing said device to one of said points on said steering wheel;

a rod member telescopingly received within said tubular member, said rod member having regularly spaced grooves extending from one end thereof over a longitudinal portion of said rod member, second hook means on said rod member for securing said device to the other one of said points on said steering wheel;

one of said members having a predetermined length so that when said first and second hook means secure said device to said rim said member'"'"'s length prevents continued rotation of said steering wheel;

a lock on said tubular member;

means for securing said lock to said inner end of said tubular member including locating means permitting telescopic movement of said rod member in a yieldably ratcheting manner and locking means rotatable from an unlocking position permitting telescopic movement of said rod member within said tubular member to a locking position preventing relative movement between said rod member and said tubular member;

said locating means including said tubular member having a circular opening formed in said inner end thereof, said lock having a closed passageway aligned with and opening to said circular opening when said lock is assembled to said tubular member, a spherical bearing contained within said passageway, said bearing having a diameter slightly greater than said circular opening and biased into said circular opening to partially intersect said passageway and contact said grooves in said rod member to connect said lock to said tubular member while restraining lateral movement of said rod member within said tubular member; and

said locking means including said tubular member having a slot formed therein diametrically opposite said circular opening, a generally cylindrical locking member rotatably mounted within said lock and aligned with said slot in said tubular member, said locking member having a flat portion on one side thereof and an arcuate portion opposite thereto and rotatable from said unlocking position whereat said flat portion is approximately flush with said slot to a locking position whereat said accurate portion extends through said slot to contact one of said annular grooves of said rod member thus locking said rod member to said tubular member in said locking position while connecting said lock to said tubular member in both said locking and unlocking positions.

3. The antitheft device of claim 2 wherein said grooves are annular grooves extending transversely to the end of said rod member and generally semi-circular in profile, said grooves separated from one another by intermediate cylindrical surfaces whereby said locating means assures positive engagement of said locking member.