Abstract: A steering shaft assembly being composed of an upper part and a lower part. The lower part is cylindrical in shape and is rotatably received by a cylindrical outer housing with the upper part fixedly secured thereabove on the outer housing. The lower part is integral with a steering shaft. An engaging block assembly is freely rotatable and is longitudinally slidable within the steering shaft assembly between an upper limit position and a lower limit position. The engaging block assembly comprises an engaging block and an actuating block. A number of balls are disposed between the steering shaft assembly and the engaging block assembly as well as between the engaging block and the actuating block for transmitting rotational movement. A steering wheel is fixedly mounted on the engaging block assembly by a lock assembly which further controls releasing and engaging between the engaging block assembly and the steering shaft assembly.

Abstract: A mechanism which releases the steering wheel of an automobile from engagement with the steering shaft of the automobile and which locks the steering wheel in this position. The mechanism is composed of a substantially cylindrical block with prongs on its lower side, an actuating disk which is engageable with the prongs, a steering column with a lock housing on it. The lock housing receives a bolt which is actuated by a user key to lock in one of two tracks on the cylindrical steering block. When the bolt is placed in the lower track, the prongs are disengaged from the actuating disk. When the bolt is placed in the upper track, the prongs are engaged in the actuating disk and allow for normal steering.