For Automotive Vehicles Patents (Class 70/237)
  • Patent number: 6779372
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door lock with mechanical lock elements in a lock unit, the door lock includes a lock mechanism with several interacting elements in a control unit which is arranged at a location that is spatially separate from the lock unit in or on a motor vehicle door or hatch. The lock unit is connected to the control unit by a remote power transmission in the form of a Bowden cable, and the lock element in the lock unit can be mechanically actuated from an element of the lock mechanism in the control unit by the remote power transmission. In the lock unit, there is at least one component which is to be supplied with electricity to be triggered and/or to be interrogated, the at least one component is electrically connected by an electrical connecting element to lock electronics in the control unit, and the electrical connecting element is integrated into or combined with the mechanical power transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Horst Arlt, Rainer Berger, Bernhard Kordowski, Bernd Weyerstall, Peter Bartel, Edgar Budzynski, Christian Lippold
  • Publication number: 20040144142
    Abstract: A locking and latching system is disclosed in which some of the components of the system can be pre-assembled prior to installation into the structural framework of a vehicle door. The construction of the lock and latch system of the present invention can include outside and inside door handles, outside and inside locks, the door latch itself, as well as linkages between these components. The components of the present invention can further facilitate the assembly process by being of a design which simplifies the process of installing them into the structural framework of a vehicle door without requiring the use of specialized tools, thereby reducing labor costs associated with assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Applicant: STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven J. Dimig, John K. Feuerstein
  • Patent number: 6768413
    Abstract: A closing device for a vehicle door lock is actuated by a hand lever. The lock can be switched between a secured, inoperative position of the hand lever and an operative position in which the lock can be opened by the hand lever. An electric control device arranged within the vehicle effects via an antenna of a vehicle-correlated transmission and reception unit a data request directed to a data carrier external to the vehicle held by a vehicle user. The data carrier has a transmission and reception unit transmitting a data reply via the antenna of the vehicle-correlated transmission and reception unit to the control device which, for a positive identification of the data carrier, triggers securing, respectively, release of the lock. The antenna of the transmission and reception unit is arranged in the hand lever in addition to at least some further components of the transmission and reception unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Harald Kemmann, Andreas van den Boom, Stefan Lange
  • Patent number: 6766674
    Abstract: A motor vehicle anti-theft device adapted to disable the brake pedal of the vehicle. In a first embodiment the device includes an outer housing and an inner shaft member mounted within the housing for relative rotary and telescopic movement. A first clamp structure is journaled on the shaft and a second clamp structure is threaded on the shaft so that as the shaft is rotated in the housing the clamp members are moved toward and away from each other into an out of locking engagement with the brake pedal. The inner shaft and outer housing are slid telescopically relative to each other to firmly engage the fire wall of the vehicle with the clamp members clamped about the brake pedal and a lock structure is provided to preclude relative rotary and relative longitudinal movement of the housing and the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Inventor: David A. Simon
  • Publication number: 20040129041
    Abstract: In a steerage locking system for a vehicle, including a control knob mounted to a rotor capable of being turned from a LOCK position via an ACC position and an ON position to a START position, the control knob is detachably fastened to a front end of the rotor by a screw member from axially outside the rotor. Thus, the maintenance such as exchange of the control knob is facilitated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Katsuyoshi Shigeyama, Takeshi Taniguchi, Mitsuo Sasaki, Kentaro Yoshimura, Tomoaki Nakai, Kenichi Takizawa, Masashi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6758072
    Abstract: A vehicular steering wheel lock includes a hollow tube and a rod. The tube has a lock core transverse through one end, a pair of slots close to the center portion, and a cross bar extending from one end to the center of the tube and above the slots. The rod comprises a pair of posts extending from one side corresponding to the slots and aligning with the cross bar to form an enclosure for confining the movement of the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Inventor: David Michael Elam
  • Patent number: 6758071
    Abstract: An automobile anti-theft device comprises a decoupling assembly having a first decoupling portion that couples to an accelerator system and a second decoupling portion that couples to a throttle system. The first decoupling portion and the second decoupling portion are removably rotatingly coupled together. The first decoupling portion comprises a first decoupling disc having a locking pin aperture. A locking pin assembly is configured to removably couple with the first decoupling portion. The locking pin assembly comprises a locking pin removably extendable into the locking pin aperture, such that when the locking pin is not extended into the locking pin aperture the accelerator system may operate the throttle system and the automobile's engine can rev above idle, and when the locking pin is extended into the locking pin aperture the accelerator system is prevented from operating the throttle system and the automobile's engine cannot rev above idle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Inventors: Rex Reeb, Colin G. O'Hair
  • Patent number: 6734578
    Abstract: To prevent exhaustion of a battery by minimizing standby current while maintaining maximum response of a remote control lock apparatus. A lock control means for controlling an actuator for actuating and de-actuating a steering lock device of a vehicle by means of a remote control transmitter is provided, and power is saved by intermittently supplying a standby current to the lock control means while the steering lock device is actuated. In a normal mode for a short standby time shown in the figure, the standby current is supplied to an ID code obtaining means at a high intermittent supply ratio to thereby save power while maintaining quick response in de-actuating the steering lock device. In a long leaving mode for a long standby time, the standby current is supplied to both the ID code obtaining means and an ID code verifying means at a low intermittent supply ratio to thereby further save power while slightly sacrificing response in de-actuating the steering lock device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Konno, Atsuo Ota
  • Patent number: 6725694
    Abstract: A heavy duty steering wheel securing anti-theft device. Embodiments are described herein that also protect any air bag contained in the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Inventor: Robert A. Vito
  • Patent number: 6725695
    Abstract: A heavy duty steering wheel securing anti-theft device. Embodiments are described herein that also protect any air bag contained in the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Inventor: Robert A. Vito
  • Publication number: 20040050121
    Abstract: A lock system is provided with a function controlling mechanism for control of the lock states unlocked, locked and optionally theft secure and child safety. The lock system is characterized by very short times for controlling the desired locking states and good suitability to various requirements with regard to construction space and functionality. The lock system comprises locking pieces, for example a turning latch or lock handle, in a lock for the mechanical locking of the door, at least one operating device in the form of an external door opener and/or an internal door opener, an optional locking cylinder, and elements for transmitting the operating force from the operating device to the locking pieces. The pieces of the function controlling mechanism (FSM), involved in controlling the locking state are not involved in the force path between the operating device and the locking pieces of the lock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Rolf Bucker, Uwe Sommer, Jorg Ubelein, Andre Gortz
  • Patent number: 6705665
    Abstract: An electromotively activated locking system for a motor vehicle door includes an outer door opener, at least one inner door opener, a lock mechanism that can be regulated by a motor drive and an element separating the wet and dry areas. The lock parts of the primary lock mechanism (3) are located in the damp area. An electrical device for determining the locking state of the primary and secondary lock mechanisms (3, 5) and the motor drive (2) are located in the dry area. For controlling the locking system, a logic alignment is carried out between the locking states of the primary locking mechanism and the locking states of the secondary locking mechanism and certain lock functions are then released or blocked for control in dependence on this logic alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Coburg
    Inventors: Rolf Buecker, Juergen Seeberger, Joerg Uebelein
  • Patent number: 6705137
    Abstract: A lock device is provided for use with a truck semi-trailer. The semitrailer has a dolly wheel or landing gear system alternately configurable between a trailer support configuration and a trailer travel configuration. The lock device comprises a rigid, one-piece hollow box adapted to fit over and enclose portions of both a crankshaft and a drive shaft of a dolly wheel or landing gear system so as to prohibit movement of a crank into a crank operating position. The box has first and second adjacent but mutually perpendicular closed sides which are adapted to be located adjacent to portions of the crankshaft and the drive shaft. Third and fourth adjacent but mutually perpendicular box sides are at least partially open and are adapted to permit the crankshaft and the drive shaft to extend therethrough. Fifth and sixth mutually parallel sides are located perpendicularly to and at the edges of the first, second, third and fourth sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: American Lock Company
    Inventors: Edward H. Saladin, Edward C. Flory
  • Patent number: 6698262
    Abstract: The invention relates to an access system in which an access authorization that can be disposed of outside of the vehicle communicates with identification means located inside the vehicle. If the identification means respond, control means which operate a door lock (40) from a door handle (10) are transferred out of their inoperative position into an operative position. To this end, the door handle (10) can move between three different positions (10.1, 10.2). In the first position, the door handle (10) is located in a retracted position (10.1), which cannot be grasped by the human hand, but rather is streamlined. Only when the door handle (10) is in a protruding extended position (10.2) is the latter possible. The door handle is then manually displaced into a third protracted position in which the door lock (40) is opened. According to the invention, this mode of operation is ensured by an actuator (30) configured, for example, as an eccentric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Reinhard Wittwer
  • Patent number: 6698256
    Abstract: A ball and ring hitch lock to reversibly obstruct a ball socket or ring of a trailer hitch in order to prevent the theft of an unhitched trailer. The ball and ring hitch lock comprises an upper plate and a base plate attached by means of a secure rachet type system. A male hitch anchor is attached to the base plate. The male hitch anchor is sized to fit into a ball or a ring type hitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Inventor: Bryan Witchey
  • Patent number: 6694785
    Abstract: An automobile lock has a body, an ejecting shaft assembly, a retaining rod, a fixing seat and a lock body. When in using, push the assembly inwardly to make a locating pin of the retaining rod disengaged from the body, pull the retaining rod outwardly to form a gap for making a steering wheel rim embraced by a holding member of the body and a retaining member of the retaining rod, and stretch the assembly outwardly to be fixed in place without being collapsed inwardly into the body, thus providing a secure lock on the steering wheel. When not in use, unlock the lock core to collapse the assembly into the body, pull the retaining rod outwardly to remove the automobile lock from the steering wheel, and withdraw the retaining rod into the body, thereby reducing the automobile lock to a minimum dimension convenient for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventor: Hui-Hua Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20040031301
    Abstract: The invention relates to a door handle device which is arranged to be moved between at least a first position and a second position. Said handle device comprises an actuator, being substantially made of shape memory alloy (SMA), for effecting the movement of said handle device between said at least first and second positions. The invention also relates to a vehicle and a door system comprising said handle device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Christer Gustav Dominique
  • Patent number: 6679089
    Abstract: An automobile anti-theft device that has its parts straddling over the spoke(s) of a steering wheel, with one side tightly wrapped around by the device, Traditional steering wheel locks, such as the trademarked product The Club®, PTO registration number 872404, allows a maximum of two cuts on the steering wheel to remove the anti-theft device and thus is not a very effective theft deterrent. The present anti-theft device eliminates the two-cuts needed to easily steal because one side of the steering wheel is completely wrapped around, allowing no cuts to be made by the would-be-thieves. Theft can only be attained by extreme force to break the present device, destroying the key/lock mechanism, or chopping away the steering wheel from the steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Inventor: Paul Moreton
  • Patent number: 6666052
    Abstract: An automobile pedal lockset with vertical entry includes a lockset and a locking rod; a hollow primary and a secondary locking pipes being provided to the lockset; two slipways on opposite inner sides of the two locking pipes; two retainers at the lower end of both locking pipes; the locking rod in the primary locking pipe; a trough defined between both locking pipes connecting through two retainers to define a gap for direct entry of locking the lockset to a connection rod of brake pedal or clutch pedal to avoid impedance from other components in the car during the lateral operation of the lockset; walls on both sides of the slipways of both locking pipes; two circular channels on both sides of the stopper to hold against inner walls of the two circular channels of the stopper for both locking pipes to be firmly joined without being subject to forced open for burglar-proof results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Chia-Lin Chen
    Inventor: Chun-Hsien Wu
  • Patent number: 6662894
    Abstract: A pedal locking device for locking and securing a brake and/or clutch pedal of a vehicle includes a dual locking mechanism. The dual locking mechanism provides a first locking mechanism which is movable to engage a locking bracket with the pedals and a second locking mechanism which is actuatable to lock the first locking mechanism in its locked position. The locking device is adjustably mounted to a steering column of the vehicle and is adapted for use with different vehicles, without requiring any alteration of the length of the locking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventors: Watchara Chantrasuwan, Suwat Petcharapirat
  • Patent number: 6655179
    Abstract: A so-called super-lock condition of a door lock is achieved with a simple and compact construction. The door lock includes first and second lock/unlock mechanisms which establish the super-lock condition when assuming lock conditions respectively. The first and second lock/unlock mechanisms are actuated by an electric actuator mounted to the door lock. In a housing of the electric actuator, there are installed first and second electric motors and first and second operation levers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Ohi Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumio Kobayashi, Ryoji Shimura
  • Publication number: 20030177796
    Abstract: A locking and latching system of modular construction in which some of the components of the system are pre-assembled prior to their installation into the structural framework of a vehicle door. The modular construction of the lock and latch system of the present invention can include the outside and inside door handles, the outside and inside locks, the door latch itself, as well as linkages between these components. The modular components of the present invention can further facilitate the assembly process by being of a design which simplifies the process of installing them into the structural framework of a vehicle door without requiring the use of specialized tools, thereby reducing the labor costs associated with assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Applicant: STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Steven J. Dimig
  • Patent number: 6615624
    Abstract: An anti-theft system for motor vehicles. The preferred embodiment is designed to prevent theft by preventing a vehicle's wheels from turning when the system is activated. In the preferred embodiment, there are inhibitors in the disc rotors of each wheel. Next to each wheel, there is a solenoid, within which is a locking pin or piston rod. When the user enters an activation coded key in an ignition, the solenoids are energized, causing the piston rods to move outward into arcuate recesses, thus preventing the rotor discs from turning. A deactivation code must be entered in the ignition to de-energize the solenoids, causing the piston rods to move back into the solenoids and releasing the rotor discs. Optionally, the parking brake may also be locked when the system is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: Douglas C. Cardwell
  • Publication number: 20030122426
    Abstract: A vehicle door opening/closing control apparatus includes a first operating member assembled to an inner side of a vehicle door for operating an actuator capable of opening/closing the vehicle door by manual operation, a controlling means for controlling the actuator to be in an operable or non-operable condition in response to the manual operation of the first operating member, a second operating member assembled to the inner side of the vehicle door for switching the condition of the actuator to be the operable or non-operable condition by manual operation of the second operating member, and an indicating means for indicating the controlled condition of the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Takaya Aiyama, Norikazu Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6575002
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle pedal lock having two elongated members that slide relative to each other. A stationary member has a base plate at one terminal end for placement on the floor of the vehicle. The stationary member defines a longitudinal channel through which slides the second, movable member. An upper pedal bracket supported by a yoke is mounted on the stationary member near the end of the longitudinal channel. The movable member has a lower pedal bracket at its terminal end. The movable member includes lock detents used to lock the movable member relative to the stationary member via a key-lock mounted to the stationary member. The key-lock includes a locking pin engageable with the locking detents. The pedal lock is adapted to capture and lock the vehicle pedal between the upper and lower pedal brackets such that the pedal may not be depressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: American Auto Accessories, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry T. H. Hsu
  • Patent number: 6575001
    Abstract: A motor vehicle anti-theft device adapted to disable the brake pedal of the vehicle. The device includes a tubular strut with an opening sized to receive the pedal arm of the brake pedal and a lock bar which may be slid forwardly following movement of the pedal arm into the opening to trap the pedal arm in the opening. The device further includes an actuator rod and a strut rod interconnected by a gear and rack structure so that rearward movement of the actuator rod generates forward movement of the strut rod to plant a foot carried on the forward end of the strut rod against the fire wall of the vehicle following entrapment of the pedal arm. A lock structure is provided to preclude retraction of the lock bar and to preclude retraction of the strut rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Inventors: David A. Simon, Michael T. Laba
  • Patent number: 6570267
    Abstract: In the construction machinery equipped with an engine, a hydraulic control unit and a machine controller, there is provided an antitheft device for the construction machinery, which can prevent the engine from starting and the hydraulic control unit from working with reliability no matter how the starter circuit of the engine is modified. The initial state of the machine controller is so set that the fuel injection by a fuel injection unit of the engine is halted and that the operations of control units in the hydraulic control unit are halted, and an antitheft control unit is provided to release the initial state of the machine controller upon receiving a release signal from the antitheft control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoyuki Moriya, Hideto Furuta
  • Patent number: 6564599
    Abstract: A tailgate limiter for restricting a pickup truck tailgate from being opened. A vertical post is removably mounted in a base which is mounted to the truck. The post impedes the tailgate from opening, thereby preventing theft of objects in the truck bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventors: Mark T. Eagleson, Curt M. Luburgh
  • Patent number: 6560999
    Abstract: A heavy duty steering wheel securing anti-theft device. Embodiments are described herein that also protect any air bag contained in the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Inventor: Robert A. Vito
  • Patent number: 6553797
    Abstract: A skid steer lock for preventing the use of the drive control levers of a skid steer loader. The device consists of an extendable shaft which has an end plate at each end. Cage engaging means are welded to each plate. When in use the skid steer lock is positioned inside the cab of a skid steer loader above the driver's seat. The shaft is extended to force the cage engagement means through the safety cage present on the skid loader. Once the cage engagement are fully extended into the cage the extendable shaft is locked in position with a locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Bryan Witchey
  • Patent number: 6550297
    Abstract: An automobile steering wheel lock with alarm function in the invention has a locking means combined in a lock housing of a lock body and comprising a sleeve, several core plates, two actuating rods, a driving member, a shell, a moving member and an alarm device having a circuit plate connecting a buzzer plate with electric cords and two actuating pieces corresponding to the actuating rods. The actuating rods can pass through the core plates and the driving member having an axle rod fixed with the circuit plate and an end inserted in the moving member. The alarm device will sound when a tool is inserted to push one of the actuating rods to contact with one of the actuating pieces, but not sound when a matching key is inserted to match with the core plates to make both actuating rods contact with or withdraw from the actuating pieces simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Inventor: Tian-Yuan Chen
  • Patent number: 6546767
    Abstract: A vehicle door lock assembly has a latch (12) for mounting on a vehicle door. The latch (12) has at least one release lever for effecting releasing of the latch and at least one locking lever (14) for locking the latch, disabling the release lever, and unlocking the latch, enabling the release lever. A compound linkage (20, 24; 20, 124) operatively engages the locking lever (14). A lock cylinder (30, 130) has a spindle (28) which engages the linkage. The spindle (28) rotates in response to keyed rotation of a matched key being received by the lock cylinder (30; 130) which drives the linkage (20, 24; 20, 124) to effect movement of the locking lever (14). The spindle (28) is axially slidable to disengage the spindle from the linkage. A hollow shield (34) shrouds the locking lever (14), the linkage (20, 24; 20, 124) and the engagement between the linkage and the spindle (28), preventing access thereto. If the spindle is removed, the linkage will pivot away preventing manipulation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Atoma International Corp.
    Inventors: Juliusz Kirejczyk, Douglas G. Overbury, Krzysztof Groszkowski
  • Patent number: 6543263
    Abstract: A heavy duty steering wheel securing anti-theft device. Embodiments are described herein that also protect any air bag contained in the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: Robert A. Vito
  • Patent number: 6530251
    Abstract: An improved modular vehicle door lock and latch system is disclosed which includes a door latch mechanism, an inside door latch and door lock handle, and a unique outside door handle and door lock interface member, all of which are assembled into a pre-connected configuration together with all necessary control cables, thereby significantly reducing the labor required to assemble the lock and latch system into a door of a motor vehicle and correspondingly resulting in a significant cost reduction. A first module includes the inside door handle, the outside and inside locks, the door latch, and an outside door lock and door handle interface member, as well as linkages between these components. A second component is an outside door handle assembly which will be operatively connected to the outside door lock and door handle interface member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Strattec Security Corporation
    Inventor: Steven J. Dimig
  • Patent number: 6519986
    Abstract: A locking device, in particular for a vehicle, having a rotary catch (1), which encloses a locking bolt (2) and can be arrested or released by a pawl (7), the pawl (7), via a lever which is connected to a grip via connecting elements, being actuable by the grip, which locking device is distinguished by the fact that the at least one lever is mounted about a fixed pivot (8), at least one grip acting on the lever, which is formed as an actuating lever (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventor: Herbert Wicker
  • Patent number: 6516642
    Abstract: An anti-theft device for securing a steering wheel of a vehicle. The anti-theft device includes at least one bracing member adapted to be positioned over a portion of a steering column and over a portion of the steering wheel. A column engaging member is detachably engageable with the bracing member to, in combination with the bracing member, form a linkage adapted to substantially surround the steering column in an installed configuration. A locking mechanism is adapted to detachably lock the anti-theft device in the installed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventor: Robert A. Vito
  • Patent number: 6513355
    Abstract: An automobile steering lock includes a protective plate, a lock member, a block plate and an activating rod. The protective plate covers the steering wheel of an automobile and is connected with other components. The lock member fixed on a side of the protective plate and has a lower portion provided with a projection to extend out of or shrink into its outer surface by a key. The block plate is pivotally connected with a side of the protective plate and possible to swing for a preset angle to press a portion of the steering wheel. The activating rod has a tubular portion formed in an upper end and the tubular portion has an inner annular groove for the projection of the lower portion of the lock member to extend in and lock or shrink and unlock the lock member by handling a key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Inventor: Chuan-Chuan Lin
  • Patent number: 6510718
    Abstract: An anti-theft device for a steering wheel of a vehicle includes a base plate and a casing each having a hook for engaging onto the steering wheel. A housing is secured on the base plate. The casing includes a beam slidably received in the housing and having a channel formed between a stop shoulder and an end rib. A lever has one end slidably received in the housing and has a catch slidably engaged in the channel of the beam. A lock may lock the lever to the housing and the base plate, to secure the casing and the base plate together on the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Inventor: Tsao Chia Chang
  • Patent number: 6508090
    Abstract: A shift lever device in which, by the integration with a key cylinder, a reduction in the use of space, simplification, cost reduction and weight lightening can be achieved. The shift lever device is such that the lever supported by a lock body that houses the key cylinder, and a first cam and second cam are provided integrally with the key cylinder. A shift lock pin and starter lock pin are provided in the lock body, and the first insertion hole, in which the shift lock pin is inserted by the first cam, and a second insertion hole and third insertion hole in which a starter lock pin is inserted by the second cam, are provided in a detent plate fixed in the shift lever. As a result, the shift lever device is integrated with the key cylinder and, for this reason, a reduction in the space for the mounting thereof, and moreover, as the connector components with the vehicle become unnecessary, a simplification, cost reduction and weight lightening, can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Hasegawa, Masaki Hayashi, Shozo Kito
  • Patent number: 6502437
    Abstract: A heavy duty steering wheel securing anti-theft device. Embodiments are described herein that also protect any air bag contained in the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Inventor: Robert A. Vito
  • Patent number: 6499324
    Abstract: A remote-controllable automobile anti-theft device replaces a common connection between the accelerator and the throttle of an automobile with a locking main shaft connector between an accelerator shaft and a throttle shaft. The locking main shaft rotates about a central axis in response to motion from the accelerator, and translates that motion to the throttle. The locking main shaft contains a hole. The remote control activates a push-pull solenoid which reversibly inserts a solenoid locking pin into the hole in the locking main shaft. When the solenoid locking pin is inserted into the hole in the locking main shaft, the locking main shaft is prevented from rotating around a pivot axis of the locking main shaft. Therefore, when the locking pin is inserted into the hole in the locking main shaft, motion of an accelerator shaft does not translate to the throttle shaft, and the automobile's engine cannot rev.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Inventors: Rex Reeb, Colin G. O'Hair
  • Publication number: 20020184931
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a locking device, especially for the doors of motor vehicles, with a locking cylinder, which can be actuated by a key, with a lock mechanism for locking and unlocking the door, and with a transmission element between the locking cylinder and the lock mechanism, where rotating parts, on which the transmission element acts, are attached nonrotatably to the locking cylinder and to the lock mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventor: Reinhard Wittwer
  • Patent number: 6490897
    Abstract: A heavy duty steering wheel securing anti-theft device. Embodiments are described herein that also protect any air bag contained in the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Inventor: Robert A. Vito
  • Patent number: 6484543
    Abstract: A heavy duty steering wheel securing anti-theft device. Embodiments are described herein that also protect any air bag contained in the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Inventor: Robert A. Vito
  • Patent number: 6477874
    Abstract: A heavy duty steering wheel securing anti-theft device. Embodiments are described herein that also protect any air bag contained in the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Inventor: Robert A. Vito
  • Publication number: 20020157435
    Abstract: The invention relates to a locking device, in particular for a vehicle, having a rotary catch (1), which encloses a locking bolt (2) and can be arrested or released by a pawl (7), the pawl (7), via a lever which is connected to a grip via connecting elements, being actuable by the grip, which locking device is distinguished by the fact that the at least one lever is mounting about a fixed pivot (8), at least one grip acting on the lever, which is designed as actuating lever (17).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 1999
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: HERBERT WICKER
  • Patent number: 6463772
    Abstract: A device to lock a brake or clutch pedal of a vehicle so as to deter theft of the vehicle includes a base for placement on the floor of the vehicle beneath the pedal of the vehicle being locked and beneath a pedal shaft supporting the pedal. The device includes a generally U-shaped housing with a second leg attached to the base, a first leg shorter than the second leg, and a cross member connecting the first and second legs to define an opening between the first leg and the base and a slot between the first and second legs to receive the pedal shaft and permit travel of the pedal shaft through the slot. A locking mechanism includes a locking pin and a lock. The locking pin is selectively movable on the U-shaped housing between a raised locked position sufficiently close to a lower side of the pedal shaft to prevent the pedal shaft from being operably depressed, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Inventor: Robert A. Vito
  • Patent number: 6460385
    Abstract: A heavy duty steering wheel securing anti-theft device. Embodiments are described herein that also protect any air bag contained in the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Inventor: Robert A. Vito
  • Publication number: 20020124609
    Abstract: A vehicle including a seat lock-out assembly which discourages the unauthorized use of a seat on the vehicle. The vehicle includes a chassis and at least one seat having a body support fixed relative to the chassis. The seat includes a body support. The seat lock-out assembly has first and second ends fixed to the chassis, and extends over the body support to discourage unauthorized use of the seat. In one embodiment, the seat lock-out assembly includes an elongated member and a shield fixed to the elongated member. The elongated member has a first end and a second end which are fixable relative to the seat. The shield is fixed to the elongated member between the first and seconds ends, wherein when the first and second ends are fixed relative to the seat, the shield is disposed over the body support to discourage use of the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Jack H. Takerian, Daniel G. Radler
  • Patent number: 6439013
    Abstract: An automobile lock includes a tubular body having on an upper portion a lock housing with a lock member, and a bottom base fixed on the bottom of the tubular body. The tubular body has an elongate slot extending to the bottom base, a telescopic rod fitted inside the tubular body and having a plurality of grooves extend circularly around the rod, and a pull grip bending to a certain angle on top. Besides, the telescopic rod is provided with a toggle near its bottom, and a stop member bends to one side having a vertical stop plate fixed on an end. In handling, place the bottom base under a pedal brake, and then pull up the telescopic rod to permit its stop member to restrict and hold against the pedal brake tightly so as to acquire effectiveness of antitheft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventor: Tian-Yuan Chen