Latching Bolt Patents (Class 70/186)
  • Patent number: 8171763
    Abstract: A steering lock device-added structure includes: a steering shaft; a steering column which rotatably houses the steering shaft therein; and a steering lock unit which is disposed on an outside surface of the steering column, and disables rotation of the steering shaft. The steering lock unit is coupled to the steering column while interposing a fracture inducing portion therebetween. The steering lock device-added structure further includes: a steering lock protective member which covers an outside surface of the steering lock unit; and a column protective member which covers a lower surface of the steering column, and is provided adjacent to the steering lock protective member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyasu Tsunoda
  • Publication number: 20120096907
    Abstract: The invention relates to an antitheft device for a motor vehicle steering column, comprising: a housing (3) in which a movable bolt (5), configured so as to prevent the steering column from rotating, and a lock (7) for controlling the movement of said bolt (5), are arranged; a clamping collar (9) configured so as to be mounted on the steering column (2) and having a first half-collar (9a) rigidly connected to the housing (3), and a second half-collar (9b): a first end (11) of which is pivotably mounted relative to the first half-collar (9a) along a pivotal movement axis (A1) that is substantially parallel to the steering column; and a second end (13) of which is configured so as to be attached to the first half-collar (9a) when mounted on the steering column via a clamping means (37).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: VALEO SECURITE HABITACLE
    Inventors: Ludovic Fenayon, Christophe Perrin
  • Patent number: 8146396
    Abstract: The invention relates to a locking cylinder with a longitudinal housing, said housing containing a control sensor for triggering an electrical switch for detection of introduction of a key into the cylinder, said sensor being slideably mounted parallel to the axis (A) of introduction of the key, the front end section of the sensor, which may be pushed by the key, cooperates with the housing means to form a ramp to cause a displacement of said front end section in a direction inclined with relation to the axis (A) between a lower idle position and an upper trigger position in which the housing (2) further contains a switch trigger means, in contact with the rear end of the sensor, said trigger means being only able to move parallel to the axis (A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Valeo Securite Habitacle
    Inventor: Fabrice Giacomin
  • Patent number: 8141397
    Abstract: A driving section and a regulating member are easily mounted to a subject of assembly. In an interlock unit, a solenoid, a shaft, a link, a release link, and a torsion spring are integrated together by means of a unit box. By the interlock unit being mounted to a lock body, the solenoid, the shaft, the link, the release link and the torsion spring can be mounted to the lock body. For this reason, it is not necessary that the solenoid, the shaft, the link, the release link and the torsion spring are separately mounted to the lock body, and the solenoid, the shaft, the link, the release link and the torsion spring can be easily mounted to the lock body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventor: Yuji Nakamoto
  • Patent number: 8136376
    Abstract: An electric lock device including a movable member, a cam plate (5) rotated in an unlocking direction and a locking direction by the driving of a drive source, and a lock member (8) including a cam contact surface (10) in contact with a sliding surface (6) of the cam plate (5). The lock member (8) follows the sliding surface (6) to be displaced between a locking position for inhibiting the movement of the movable member and an unlocking position for allowing the movement of the movable member. The cam profile of the sliding surface (6) is set so that the rotary torque of the cam plate (5) necessary for moving the lock member (8) from the locking position to the unlocking position can be maintained at approximately a constant value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Alpha Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuyuki Tsukano, Takahiro Okada
  • Patent number: 8099986
    Abstract: A handlebars locking apparatus for locking and unlocking of the handlebars on the basis of a code collation is provided. A collation ECU releases a restriction of a rotor latched by a latch by driving a solenoid if an ignition switch is turned OFF while a lock pin is retracted. After releasing the restriction, rotation of the rotor is restricted by the latch and a code collation with a code stored in a portable key is carried out if a lock pin is in a protrusion state after the release of the restriction and the protrusion state is detected by a lock side switch. If the code collation is correctly carried out, the protrusion of the lock pin is maintained to lock the handlebars. If the code collation is not correctly completed, the restriction of the rotor is released so as to be returned into an unlocked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Honda Lock Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Takeuchi, Takeshi Konno, Tadashi Onozuka, Koichi Nozoe, Kazuo Yuhi
  • Patent number: 8079239
    Abstract: A key interlock device includes a body, a camshaft provided in the body so as to be rotated by manipulation of an ignition key, and at least an anti-rotation member provided in the camshaft and being engaged with the body when the camshaft rotates beyond a predetermined speed in one direction to restrict rotation of the camshaft but being disengaged with the body when the camshaft rotates in a reverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jin Sang Chung
  • Patent number: 8069694
    Abstract: Rotation of a rotating member to a predetermined rotational position is properly regulated by a regulating member even when a thickness of the regulating member in a rotating shaft direction is made smaller. In a steering lock device, a pair of restricting portions formed in a release frame of a release link is disposed at both-sides of a link in front- and rear-direction, so restricts tilt of the link to both-sides in the front- and rear-direction. For this reason, even if thickness of the link in the front- and rear-direction in the vicinity of the shaft is made smaller, when rotation of a cam shaft from an “ACC” position to a “LOCK” position is regulated by the link, tilt of the link to both-sides in the front- and rear-direction can be suppressed, so that the link can properly regulate rotation of the cam shaft from the “ACC” position to the “LOCK” position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventor: Yuji Nakamoto
  • Patent number: 8065896
    Abstract: A key ring according to embodiments is press-fitted onto a steering shaft (column shaft) at a position that is radially outer side of a fit portion at which multiple shaft members that constitute the steering shaft (column shaft) are fitted to each other, and that is substantially the same as the position of the key ring in the axial direction. When a lock bar is inserted into a lock bar insertion portion formed in an outer periphery of the key ring, the key ring restricts rotation of the steering shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Toshinobu Maeda, Atsushi Tano
  • Patent number: 8047028
    Abstract: A steering shaft lock actuator may include a motor having an output shaft, a drive train, and a lost motion device. The drive train may be coupled to the output shaft and may linearly urge a locking member to an unlocked position when the motor is energized. The lost motion device may be configured to store energy when the locking member is in the unlocked position and utilize the stored energy to drive the locking member toward a locked position with a steering shaft when the motor is de-energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: William Farmer, Sumit Sharma, William Fort, Brian Ganter, Todd Meaney
  • Patent number: 8033148
    Abstract: A rod guide portion (5) is protruded on a frame body (4), and a lock rod (10) is disposed in the rod guide portion (5) so as to be freely movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. A guide-side weak portion (13) and a rod-side weak portion (14) are provided on the rod guide portion (5) and the lock rod (10), respectively. A deadlock mechanism (15A) is provided, which locks a tip end side of the lock rod (10), the tip end side being cut off at the rod-side weak portion (14), at a position at a point of time when the lock rod (10) is cut off when the rod guide portion (5) and the lock rod (10) are cut off at positions of the guide-side weak portion (13) and the rod-side guide portion (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignees: Alpha Corporation, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Okada, Kenjirou Hayashi, Ryuichi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8006526
    Abstract: A steering shaft lock actuator including at least one motor having an output shaft; a drive train coupled to the output shaft, a locking pawl coupled to the drive train; and a housing for at least partially enclosing the motor, the drive train, the locking pawl and the locking pin. The drive train may be configured to linearly urge the locking pawl and a locking pin between a locked position wherein the locking pawl and the locking pin extend at least partially out of the housing and unlocked position wherein the locking pawl and the locking pin are retracted toward the housing relative to the locked position. The locking pawl may be positioned to prevent rotational movement of the steering shaft when in the locked position. The locking pin may be positioned to lock the actuator to a steering shaft interface when in the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Fort, Knight Ko
  • Patent number: 8001814
    Abstract: A motor unit (9) and the like are arranged on a frame body (3) covered with a cover (6). A rod guide portion (4) is protruded from the frame body (3). A lock rod (14) is disposed in this rod guide portion (4) so as to be freely movable. Weak portions (17, 18) are provided on the rod guide portion (4) and the lock rod (14), respectively. A deadlock mechanism (30) is disposed closer to a tip end side of the rod guide portion (4) than the guide-side weak portion (17) thereof. The deadlock mechanism (30) includes: a lock pin (31) urged to a deadlock engagement position where a region of the lock rod (14), which is closer to the tip end side than the rod-side weak portion (18), is locked; and a lock control member (33) that inhibits movement of the lock pin (31) to a locked position thereof before the weak portions (17, 18) are cut off, and releases such regulation to the lock pin (31) after the weak portion (17, 18) are cutoff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Alpha Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Okada, Kenjirou Hayashi, Ryuichi Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20110167885
    Abstract: A steering lock device includes a main frame, a lock insertion hole formed on the main frame, a lock member slidably disposed in the lock insertion hole, a pin insertion portion formed on the lock member, a stopper housing portion formed on the main frame, a stopper pin housed in the stopper housing portion, and a trigger detachably disposed on the main frame. The stopper pin is urged toward a latch position by a stopper, and engaged, in a state of positioning at the latch position, with the pin insertion portion of the lock member positioning at the lock position. The trigger holds, in a state of being attached on the main frame, the stopper pin at an unlatch position by contacting with the stopper pin. First stepped portions for engaging with the stopper pin positioning at the latch position are disposed in a side of the unlock position, around an opening of the stopper housing portion and on a wall surface of the lock insertion hole facing to the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: ALPHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koichiro Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 7975516
    Abstract: An electric steering lock apparatus includes a cam plate rotated in an unlocking direction and a locking direction by driving a motor unit, and a lock shaft shifting between a lock position at which the rotation of the steering shaft is prevented and an unlock position at which the rotation of the steering shaft is permitted, following to the sliding surface of the cam plate, wherein, at the position of the cam plate at which the lock shaft is located at the unlock position, the center of rotation of the cam plate is set at an eccentric position with respect to the position of the center of gravity of the cam plate so that the rotation torque resulting from the own weight of the cam plate acts in the unlocking direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignees: Alpha Corporation, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Okada, Tetsuyuki Tsukano, Ryuichi Yoshida, Yoshio Watanuki
  • Patent number: 7921684
    Abstract: A steering lock apparatus for locking a steering shaft of a vehicle. The steering lock apparatus includes a motor and a lock assembly that is moved by the motor. The lock assembly includes a lock bar that moves between a lock position at which the lock bar is engaged with the steering shaft and an unlock position at which the lock bar is disengaged from the steering shaft. A magnet receptacle portion is arranged on the lock assembly. A magnet is attached to the magnet receptacle portion and moved integrally with the lock assembly. A magnetic field detection element detects a present position of the lock assembly based on a magnetic field of the magnet. The magnet is magnetically held and positioned in the magnet receptacle portion by magnetic attraction force produced between the magnet and a part of the lock assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Masanari Okuno, Hiroyasu Hasegawa, Nobuhisa Inoue
  • Patent number: 7891221
    Abstract: An electric steering lock device of the invention includes: a rotating body (worm wheel) that is driven by a motor to rotate in an unlocking direction and a locking direction; a first cam section and a second cam section provided in the worm wheel; a lock member that follows the first cam section to be displaced between a lock position and an unlock position; and a lever member that follows the second cam section and that is positioned, when the lock member is positioned at the unlock position, at a waiting position at which the lock member is allowed to move and that is positioned, when the lock member is moved to the lock position, at a retention position at which the lock member is blocked from moving to the unlock position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Alpha Corporation
    Inventor: Koichiro Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 7870768
    Abstract: The present invention suppresses rattle and assembly inaccuracies of a magnet and magnet detection sensor, and detects with certainty the position of a lock bolt. The power steering lock unit includes a lock bolt, which is movable between lock and unlock positions, an actuator for causing the lock bolt to move; a transmission mechanism for transmitting the drive force of the actuator to the lock bolt; and position detection sensor for detecting the movement position of the lock bolt. The position detection sensor includes a movable member to which a magnet is fixed, a base plate on which a magnetic detection sensor for detecting the magnetic force of the magnet is disposed, and a holder for movably holding the movable member at a prescribed spacing from the base plate. A linking mechanism is provided for operating the movable member in response to operation of the lock bolt or the transmission mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: U-Shin Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Tanioka, Hideki Noma
  • Patent number: 7856858
    Abstract: A steering lock for locking the steering spindle of a motor vehicle steering system including a blocking element that pivots along a longitudinal axis from a locking to an unlocking position using an electromechanical drive and is maintained in the unlocking position by a spring-loaded lever. In order to enable the lever to maintain the blocking element in the unlocking position when a worm drive generates the displacement of the blocking element, a worm gear representing a first control contour is used. A first cam for pivoting the blocking element to the unlocking position and a second cam for actuating the lever are mounted on the worm gear. Prior to the pivoting of the blocking element from the unlocking to the locking position, the lever is pivoted from a rest into a release position and, only afterwards, the worm gear enables the blocking element to pivot to the locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Valeo Sicherheitssysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Anthony Laval, Harald Starken
  • Patent number: 7823426
    Abstract: A built-in step is conducted by building a drive part which generates a rotation drive power, a rotation shaft to be rotated by the rotation drive power of the drive part through a gear mechanism, a lock stopper to be screwed with the rotation shaft to move axially by rotating of the rotation shaft, a lock bar which moves between a lock position for locking a steering shaft by movement of the lock stopper and an unlock position for unlocking the steering shaft, and a first spring interposed between the lock stopper and the lock bar for giving a bias load, into a lock body to be installed in a mounting hole part of a steering column post of a vehicle from the same direction. Thereafter, a screwing step for screwing the rotation shaft and the lock stopper after the built-in step is conducted to assemble an electric steering lock device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Tokai Rika Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanari Okuno, Hiroyasu Hasegawa, Nobuhisa Inoue
  • Patent number: 7810363
    Abstract: An electric steering locking apparatus includes a cam plate (5) that rotates in an unlocking direction (R1) and a locking direction (R2) by driving operation of a motor unit, and a locking shaft (8) that follows a sliding surface (6) of the cam plate (5) and that moves between a locking position where the rotation of a steering shaft is prevented and an unlocking position where the rotation of the steering shaft is permitted. The cam plate (5) is set such that a rotation center (O) coincides with a center of gravity (G).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Alpha Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Okada, Tetsuyuki Tsukano
  • Patent number: 7802649
    Abstract: A steering lock device has a steering catch mechanism including a handlebar attached to a steering stem, and a locking arm attached to this handlebar and being equipped with a lock pin for engagement on the tip end portion thereof. The steering catch mechanism also includes a locking claw as an engaging portion that is engagable with the lock pin. The locking claw is usually biased in the unlocking direction. In this catch mechanism, the locking claw is disposed on a rotation track of the lock pin. Accordingly, when an external force is applied to the lock pin such that the lock pin is in contact with the locking claw of the catch mechanism, the locking claw is moved in the locking direction so that the locking claw can be engaged with the lock pin. Therefore, a steering-lock stand-by state is accomplished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Konno, Tadashi Onozuka, Yoshiaki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 7788955
    Abstract: An ignition switch and steering lock device for motor vehicles, comprising: a main body; an electronic control circuit provided with input/output interfaces; a locking mechanism; a mechanical actuator, for moving the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is mobile between a locked position in which its action blocks the vehicle steering in a fixed orientation relative to the frame, and an unlocked position in which the elements do not block the rotation of the steering relative to the frame. The locking mechanism can be moved into the locked position only at a minimum steering lock orientation. The device further comprises at least one unlocked position sensor to determine the position of the locking mechanism and at least one steering orientation sensor to determine the orientation of the steering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Zadi S.p.A.
    Inventors: Mauro Agostini, Marco Codeluppi
  • Patent number: 7762110
    Abstract: A steering lock unit in which it is possible to place priority on the operating speed or the extracting force of the lock member according to the engagement state of the lock member in the movable member. In a steering lock unit (10) including a transmission mechanism which transmits a power of an electric motor (22) to the lock shaft (30) which holds and releases engagement with a steering shaft. The transmission mechanism includes: a shaft portion (24a) which is adapted to rotate in response to operation of the electric motor (22); and a winder (26) which engages with the shaft portion (24a) and transmits the operation of the electric motor (22) to the lock shaft (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: U-Shin, Ltd.
    Inventor: Manabu Tsukazaki
  • Publication number: 20100170311
    Abstract: A lock assembly for use with a powered actuator includes a housing, a first barrel part, a torque transmitting member, a first cam, a drive device and a spring. The housing has at least a first axially extending recess therein. The first barrel part is within the first recess. The torque transmitting member is adapted for abutment and releasable rotational engagement with a key. The first cam is adapted to operate a lock or latch mechanism and for rotational movement with the torque transmitting member. The drive device is adapted for engagement with the powered actuator and releasable engagement with the torque transmitting member. The spring biases the torque transmitting member towards engagement with the drive device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: GAINSBOROUGH HARDWARE INDUSTRIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Sajan Velandi, Andrey Iliuk
  • Patent number: 7730752
    Abstract: A theft prevention apparatus for a leisure vehicle including a portable device, a lock device, a lock operation stopper member, a pull-out operation stopper member, a lock operation restricting actuator, a pull-out operation restricting actuator, and a controller including a memory, a receiver, and a processing unit configured to control the lock operation restricting actuator to cause a lock operation stopper member to be moved from the position where a protruded operation and a retracted operation of a lock bar are disabled to the position where the protruded operation and the retracted operation are enabled and to control the pull-out operation restricting actuator to cause a pull-out operation stopper member to be moved from the position where a pull-out operation of the mechanical key is disabled to the position where the pull-out operation of the mechanical key is enabled, when the user identification codes match.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideto Yoshitake, Tomoyuki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7716959
    Abstract: A steering lock device includes a supporting bracket which is attached to a steering lock body including a lock member restricting rotation of a steering shaft within a steering column and is fastened to the steering lock body to fix the steering lock body to the steering column. The supporting bracket includes a shaft supporting portion pivotally supported by a supporting shaft; a shaft support cancellation preventing portion preventing to cancel the pivotable support of the shaft supporting portion by the supporting shaft; and an engagement holding portion holding the shaft support cancellation preventing portion. The steering body is provided with bearing portions through which the supporting shaft is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Alpha Corporation
    Inventor: Takahiro Okada
  • Patent number: 7703309
    Abstract: An electric steering lock device has a lock body to be installed in a mounting hole part of a steering column post of a vehicle, a drive part which generates a rotation drive power, a rotation shaft to be rotated by the rotation drive power of the drive part through a gear mechanism, a lock stopper to be screwed with the rotation shaft to move axially by rotating of the rotation shaft, a lock bar which moves between a lock position for locking a steering shaft by movement of the lock stopper and an unlock position for unlocking the steering shaft, and a bush. The bush has a load receiving part to receive thrust loading of the rotation shaft at least at one side of the rotation shaft, an installation claw part to be installed by inserting in a hole part of the lock body, and a bearing claw part to receive radial load by fitting to be slidably rotatable with an external diameter of the rotation shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Tokai Rika Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanari Okuno, Hiroyasu Hasegawa, Nobuhisa Inoue
  • Publication number: 20100083716
    Abstract: An electric steering wheel lock device including a lock bar which moves between a lock position, at which the lock bar prohibits rotation of a steering shaft, and an unlock position, at which the lock bar permits rotation of the steering shaft. An electric motor generates drive force for moving the lock bar. A motor holding member for holding the electric motor includes a motor fastening portion having two contact portions, which face toward each other, to clamp a casing of the electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Fukatsu, Masanari Okuno, Nobuhisa Inoue
  • Patent number: 7681423
    Abstract: A column lock assembly for a vehicle including a steering shaft rotatable about a longitudinal axis is disclosed. A first abutment defining a plurality of recesses and a second abutment are mounted to the steering shaft. A sleeve is disposed between the abutments with a locking member movable between a locked position preventing rotation of the sleeve and an unlocked position allowing rotation of the sleeve. The sleeve includes a body portion and a first protrusion engaging one of the recesses to couple the sleeve to the steering shaft for concurrent rotation about the longitudinal axis with the body portion being deformable along the longitudinal axis to move the first protrusion from one of the recesses to an other one of the recesses for allowing rotation of the steering shaft relative to the sleeve when the locking member is in the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Cymbal, Douglas P. Wendling
  • Patent number: 7596976
    Abstract: An electric steering lock device of the invention includes: a rotating body (worm wheel) that is driven by a motor to rotate in an unlocking direction and a locking direction; a first cam section and a second cam section provided in the worm wheel; a lock member that follows the first cam section to be displaced between a lock position and an unlock position; and a lever member that follows the second cam section and that is positioned, when the lock member is positioned at the unlock position, at a waiting position at which the lock member is allowed to move, and that is positioned, when the lock member is moved to the lock position, at a retention position at which the lock member is blocked from moving to the unlock position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Alpha Corporation
    Inventor: Koichiro Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 7562548
    Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a steering shaft rotatable about a longitudinal axis with a plurality of first plates fixedly mounted to the steering shaft. The first plates are spaced from each other to define a gap therebetween. A plurality of second plates are disposed about the steering shaft with at least one of the second plates disposed in each of the gaps. The plates abut each other for providing a frictional engagement therebetween to cause concurrent rotation of the steering shaft and the plates when a locking member is in an unlocked position. The locking member engages the second plates when in a locked position for preventing rotation of the second plates with the steering shaft and the first plates continuing to be impeded from rotating until the frictional engagement is overcome thereby allowing relative rotation of the steering shaft and the first plates relative to the second plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Cymbal, Richard K. Riefe
  • Publication number: 20090139284
    Abstract: An electric steering lock device of the invention includes: a rotating body (worm wheel) that is driven by a motor to rotate in an unlocking direction and a locking direction; a first cam section and a second cam section provided in the worm wheel; a lock member that follows the first cam section to be displaced between a lock position and an unlock position; and a lever member that follows the second cam section and that is positioned, when the lock member is positioned at the unlock position, at a waiting position at which the lock member is allowed to move, and that is positioned, when the lock member is moved to the lock position, at a retention position at which the lock member is blocked from moving to the unlock position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: ALPHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koichiro Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 7536886
    Abstract: A steering lock assembly an assembly housing includes a non-linear passage that receives a cam shaft and/or cam pin. The non-linear passage provides a steering lock assembly that is shorter than steering lock assemblies having an assembly housing with a linear passage for receiving the cam shaft and cam pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Huf North America Automotive Parts Mfg. Corp.
    Inventor: Juan A. Fernández
  • Publication number: 20090084146
    Abstract: An electric steering lock device includes an operation relay for operating an electric motor, a pair of switching relays for switching the rotating direction of the electric motor, and diodes for energizing each relay connected to a port of a control unit respectively. A steering shaft is unlocked by providing the operation relay in an ON status to allow the electric motor to displace the locking rod in the unlocking direction. The steering shaft is locked by providing the operation relay and the pair of switching relays in an ON status respectively to allow the electric motor to displace the steering rod in the locking direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: ALPHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuhisa Yabumoto
  • Publication number: 20090084145
    Abstract: An electric steering lock device of the invention includes: a rotating body (worm wheel) that is driven by a motor to rotate in an unlocking direction and a locking direction; a first cam section and a second cam section provided in the worm wheel; a lock member that follows the first cam section to be displaced between a lock position and an unlock position; and a lever member that follows the second cam section and that is positioned, when the lock member is positioned at the unlock position, at a waiting position at which the lock member is allowed to move and that is positioned, when the lock member is moved to the lock position, at a retention position at which the lock member is blocked from moving to the unlock position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: ALPHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koichiro Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 7509826
    Abstract: An anti-theft device for vehicles steered by means of a handlebar fixed to a fork (2, 3) accepting a steered wheel, comprising first means (12) of connection with the handlebar and second means (4, 5, 6) of connection with the fork, coupling means (7, 11, 18, 19, 20, 24) between the said first and second connection means, a two-position actuation device (21, 22, 23) locking any relative movement between the first and second connection means in the position of use of the vehicle and allowing free rotation between the said first and second connection means in the engaged position of the said anti-theft device, the actuation device comprising an interlocking mechanism (18, 21, 26), locked when the actuation device is in the anti-theft position and activated when the actuation device is in the position of use, independently of the relative positions of the handlebar and fork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventor: Franklin Ferdinand Niedrig
  • Publication number: 20090025437
    Abstract: The invention relates to a jointed bar lock comprising a lock body and a jointed bar hoop which has a first end and a second end, said first end being permanently connected to the lock body and said second end being connectable to the lock body at a latching region of the lock body, with a bolt provided at the lock body selectively being movable into a latched position in which the bolt engages it the second end of the jointed bar hoop when it is connected to the lock body or is movable into a release position in which the second end of the jointed bar hoop is released for a removal from the lock body. The lock has an actuation device which is coupled to the bolt via a connection section and by which the bolt is movable from the latched position, into which the bolt is biased, into the release position. The lock body accommodates a combination locking mechanism to selectively block or release the bolt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: ABUS August Bremicker Soehne KG
    Inventors: Andreas Hentschel, Martin Hommel, Hans-Theo Schaefer
  • Patent number: 7475577
    Abstract: An electric steering lock system includes a planetary gear mechanism provided between a rotation member and an electric motor which operate to slide a locking member. The planetary gear mechanism includes: a first sun gear coupled to the electric motor in a relatively non-rotatable manner; a ring gear fixed to a casing and having inner teeth; first planetary gears carried on a first carrier and meshed with the first sun gear and the inner teeth; a second sun gear coupled to the first carrier in a relatively non-rotatable manner; a second sun gear which is carried on a second carrier connected to the rotation member in a relatively non-rotatable manner and which is meshed with the second sun gear and the inner teeth. A shaft has opposite ends coaxially coupled to the first sun gear and the rotation member respectively in a relatively rotatable manner. The first carrier and the second sun gear are supported on the shaft in a relatively rotatable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Honda Lock
    Inventors: Takeshi Taniguchi, Toshinari Tezuka
  • Patent number: 7475576
    Abstract: A steering lock assembly an assembly housing includes a non-linear passage that receives a cam shaft and/or cam pin. The non-linear passage provides a steering lock assembly that is shorter than steering lock assemblies having an assembly housing with a linear passage for receiving the cam shaft and cam pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Inventor: Juan A. Fernández
  • Publication number: 20080302147
    Abstract: A steering lock assembly an assembly housing includes a non-linear passage that receives a cam shaft and/or cam pin. The non-linear passage provides a steering lock assembly that is shorter than steering lock assemblies having an assembly housing with a linear passage for receiving the cam shaft and cam pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventor: Juan A. Fernandez
  • Patent number: 7437902
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises a steering column, a steering post, and a locking mechanism. The steering post comprises a first opening and a second opening and the first opening parallel to the second opening. The steering post is contained within the steering column. The locking mechanism is coupled to the steering column and comprises a first member including a first diameter; and a second member including a second diameter. The first diameter is larger than the second diameter, and the second member is to telescopically extend from the first member. The second member is to substantially fit inside the first member when the second member is not extended, and the second member is to extend through both the first opening and the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventor: Albert Monash
  • Patent number: 7412858
    Abstract: There are provided a cam plate (5) that rotates in an unlocking direction and a locking direction, and a locking shaft (8) that moves between a locking position where rotation of a steering shaft is prevented and an unlocking position where the rotation of the steering shaft is permitted by rotation of the cam plate (5). The cam plate (5) is provided with a steering lock preventing unit (20) through a spring (22). The steering lock preventing unit (20) holds the locking shaft (8) in the unlocking position. A ball (23) moves on a moving surface (24) of a motor unit (4) opposed to the cam plate (5) by rotation of the cam plate (5). A projecting wall (25) is provided on the moving surface (24) at a position before the unlocking position in a range where the ball (23) moves from the locking position to the unlocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Alpha Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuyuki Tsukano, Koichiro Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 7406845
    Abstract: A steering column lock assembly and a method of operating the same, the steering column lock assembly including a steering column having a gear portion and a rotatable shaft; an actuator operably attached to the steering column, the actuator being free to translate with respect to the steering column; and a lever arm operably attached to the steering column; wherein translation of the actuator engages the lever arm with the gear portion to lock the steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Chrysler LLC
    Inventors: Melonee Wise, Richard D Zielesch, Jr., Richard Stuedemann, Michael Laraia, Timothy Gasparski, William J Elliott, Mark O Minty, Travis D Bechtel
  • Patent number: 7377142
    Abstract: This invention relates to the cylinder lock with a coded key for blocking the steering wheel shaft and the protection of motor vehicle from theft. The lock consists of the housing (1), which is fastened on the bush (2) placed on the shaft (3) of the steering system, inside of which there is a sliding cylinder (4) with a coded key (5). In the cylinder (4) there is a keyway (14) in which there is peak of the pin (13) fastened in the housing (1). On the core (8) by the linchpin (16) a bush (15) is fastened, on which there is a ring eccentre (17) with the area (18). On the bush (15) there is placed a spiral spring (20). In the housing (1) along the eccentre (17) the pin (19) and the inductive switch (27) are placed. Inside the bush (15) the spiral spring (24) and the piston (25) are placed, while the peak of the piston (25) is fastened by the linchpin inside the piston (26) for locking. The free end of the piston (26) is placed in the keyway (28) of the bush (29) fastened in the shaft (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Inventor: Zdravko Rajacic
  • Patent number: 7363785
    Abstract: A device for locking the steering shaft of a motor vehicle against rotation by means of a locking bolt cooperating with locking recesses of the steering shaft. A control member that can be rotated back and forth displaces the locking bolt back and forth radially relative to the axis of rotation of the control member between a locking position and a release position. The locking bolt has a laterally protruding pin that engages a spiral groove of the control member on the front face of the control member adjacent to the locking bolt and that winds about the axis of rotation of the control member. The locking bolt has a pin which is is spring-loaded and movable in the direction towards the control member. The control member can be rotated as far as into the position corresponding to the locking position of the locking bolt even if no locking recess of the steering shaft is located in front of the locking bolt to receive same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: HUF Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Limburg, Horst Zillmann
  • Patent number: 7347071
    Abstract: To provide a key cylinder device equipped with a handle lock mechanism which can maintain a handle lock mechanism of a key cylinder unit with a shutter to provide an improved assembleability of the key cylinder device. The bolts for fixing a shutter housing are attached from the back surface of the top plate of an inverted angular U-shaped bracket. Thus, even when a gap is generated between the shutter housing and a vehicle body cover, the bolts are not exposed and hence cannot be easily loosened. In addition, by mounting the key cylinder device in the vehicle body cover and then mounting the vehicle body cover thereon, assembleability can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin Nakai, Susumu Michisaka
  • Patent number: 7328596
    Abstract: A steering lock that is easy to assemble but difficult for an automobile thief to dismantle. The steering lock includes a cover on which a support structure for supporting a lock mechanism is integrally formed. The lock mechanism is attached to the cover to assemble a first subunit. A steering lock ECU is attached to an ECU case to assemble a second subunit. The first subunit is attached to the second subunit to assemble a lock unit. The lock unit is attached to the housing. A bolt fastens the lock unit and the housing to each other. A second connector is then attached to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusha
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Hasegawa, Masanari Okuno, Takeshi Murakami, Mitsuo Murakami
  • Patent number: 7316138
    Abstract: A steering lock mechanism that is compact and effectively prevents vehicle theft. The steering lock mechanism includes a steering column for rotatably accommodating a steering shaft. The steering column is sandwiched by a lock body and a bracket, which are fastened to each other. A lock bar accommodated in the lock body restricts rotation of the steering shaft. A hinged fastening portion, which fastens the bracket to the lock body, includes a pin, a pin support arranged on the lock body to support the pin when the pin is inserted into the pin support in a partially exposed state, a hook arranged on the bracket and hooked to the exposed part of the pin, and a stopper, arranged on the bracket or the body, for preventing the hook from being unhooked from the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Hirofumi Goshima, Masanari Okuno
  • Patent number: 7310979
    Abstract: A compact steering lock that resists breakage includes a housing having an opening through which an internal component is inserted. The housing includes an exterior wall having a through hole for receiving a connector. The through hole is spaced from the opening. This prevents the housing from cracking at the end surface extending around the opening when external stress is applied to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Hiroyasu Hasegawa