Vehicle ignition system capable of continued engine running after removal of ignition key
First Claim
1. In a vehicle having an engine, an ignition system comprising a cylinder and a key movable in the cylinder between an engine running position and an engine off position, the key being insertable into and removable from the cylinder both in the engine off position and in the engine running position, and including first disabling means for automatically disabling the vehicle so that it cannot be driven when the key is removed from the cylinder in the engine running position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle ignition system comprises a key cylinder and a key arranged such that the vehicle can be put in a state in which the key is removed from the cylinder leaving the engine running. The system includes a first safety check system which prevents operation to said state unless one or more of a first set of safeguard conditions is met. A timer is arranged to be automatically started to measure a predetermined time delay from removal of the key when the engine is running, and a second safety check system operates when the vehicle is in said state to shut down the engine automatically if one of a second set of safeguard conditions occurs, the second set of safeguard conditions including that the time delay has expired.
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Citations
12 Claims
- 1. In a vehicle having an engine, an ignition system comprising a cylinder and a key movable in the cylinder between an engine running position and an engine off position, the key being insertable into and removable from the cylinder both in the engine off position and in the engine running position, and including first disabling means for automatically disabling the vehicle so that it cannot be driven when the key is removed from the cylinder in the engine running position.
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8. In a vehicle having an engine, an ignition system comprising a key cylinder and a key arranged such that the vehicle can be put in a state in which the key is removed from the cylinder leaving the engine running, the system including a first safety check system which prevents the vehicle from being put into said state unless a first set of safeguard conditions is met, the first set of safeguard conditions comprising at least four of the following:
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a) a parking brake is on, b) the vehicle is in a parked condition (for automatic gears) and a foot is on the brake, c) the vehicle has a gear lever in neutral and a clutch which is not depressed (for non-automatic vehicles), d) the vehicle has a driver'"'"'s side door and window which are closed, e) the engine is in idle RPM, f) the vehicle has wheels which are not rotating, and g) there are no bodily motions in the vehicle; the system further comprising a timer, timer initiation means arranged to be automatically started by the removal of the key from the cylinder when the engine is running, the timer being arranged to measure a predetermined time delay from the time of removal of the key, and a second safety check system operable when the vehicle is in said state to shut down the engine automatically if one of a second set of safeguard conditions occurs, the second set of safeguard conditions including that the time delay has expired. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification