Housing-carried Lock Patents (Class 70/184)
  • Patent number: 11370474
    Abstract: Steering column for a motor vehicle including two telescopic drive shafts linked in rotation, allowing an axial sliding of a front shaft supporting a steering wheel, successively over, starting from the most forward position, a first range of depth adjustment of the position of this steering wheel, then a second damping range used in the case of an accident for damping an impact of the driver on the steering wheel, this column including an electric motorization for controlling the sliding, and an anti-theft blocking device blocking the rotation of one of the shafts, which is automatically engaged for an axial position for blocking the front shaft given by the motorization located in the second damping range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: JTEKT EUROPE
    Inventor: Laurent Rey
  • Patent number: 10882491
    Abstract: A lock device includes a locking member, a movable member, and a transmission mechanism. The locking member is moved between a lock position at which it locks a locking subject and an unlock position at which it unlocks the locking subject. The transmission mechanism transmits a drive force to the movable member and moves the movable member. A movement state of the movable member is shifted between a relative movement state in which it is moved relative to the locking member and an integral movement state in which it is moved together with the locking member to move the locking member toward the lock or unlock position. The lock device further includes a detector of which an output value varies in accordance with movement of the movable member or the transmission mechanism, and a controller that performs a failure determination based on a change in the output value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Takuma Morishita, Koji Okuda, Takanori Matsuyama
  • Patent number: 8960030
    Abstract: An actuator (A) of a steering lock device includes a tubular member (17) that is fitted around an outer periphery of a lock pin (14) and is rotated by an electric motor (19), a helical cam groove (14e) is provided, among an inner peripheral face of the tubular member (17) and an outer peripheral face of the lock pin (14), in the outer peripheral face of the lock pin (14), a ball (21) is disposed between the cam groove (14e) and a ball retaining groove (17a, 17a) of the tubular member (17), and a guide pin (23) implanted in the lock pin (14) opposes a cam face (17d) formed on the inner peripheral face of the tubular member (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiko Asakura
  • Patent number: 8955361
    Abstract: In a steering device having a steering lock device, stress applied to a base portion of a flange section is reduced. Relief portions have round corners formed where the relief portions meet the outer periphery of the outer column, respectively. With the relief portions concave by ?3 from the mounting surface, radius R1 of each of the round corners of the relief portions can be made larger than radius R2 of a round corner of the mounting surface. This makes it possible to avoid interference between the relief portions and the corner at an inner end, in the vehicle width direction, of the right clamping surface of the steering lock device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8919155
    Abstract: A padlock includes a housing and a shackle positionable between an open position and a closed position. The shackle may be retained in its closed position within the housing by a latch that is operatively connected to a key locking mechanism and a combination locking mechanism. The latch may be disengaged from the shackle so that the shackle may be placed into the open position when the key locking mechanism is placed in an unlocked orientation or the combination locking mechanism is placed in an unlocked configuration. The key locking mechanism may include a cylinder configured for operative engagement with the latch, and the combination locking mechanism may include a button configured for operative engagement with the latch and a spindle configured to restrict movement of the button. In the unlocked configuration of the combination locking mechanism, the combination used for the combination locking mechanism may be reset and/or reconfigured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: The Sun Lock Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Karl Lai
  • Patent number: 8281627
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for actuating a locking member (10) of a functionally essential component (40), particularly a steering column (40) of a motor vehicle, having a gear box (20), being operatively connected to the locking member (10), wherein the locking member (10) can be moved into a locked position (1) and into a released position (2), and vice versa, wherein the locking member (10) engages into the functionally essential component (40) in the locked position (1), the locking member (10) is released from the functionally essential component (40) in the released position (2), an actuation device (30) is provided that can be accessed by a user, said actuation device being signal-connected to the gear box (20) during normal operation, by means of which an electronic actuation of the gear box (20) can be effected via an intentional actuation of the actuation device (30), said gear box moving the locking member (10) into the respective position (1, 2) thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Huf Huelsbeck & Fuerst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Mönig, Mirko Schindler, Matthias Klein, Jörg Simon
  • Patent number: 8234895
    Abstract: There is provided a key apparatus, including: a key cylinder that is rotatable when a vehicle key is inserted; and an accommodating portion in which an assembling member is assembled in a body member, the body member and the assembling member form an inner surface, and the key cylinder is accommodated in the inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Yuji Nakamoto, Hirofumi Goshima, Tomonori Kawachi
  • Patent number: 8186190
    Abstract: A regulating member, an allowing member and an urging member are easily assembled to a subject to which these members are assembled. When assembling of an interlock unit is carried out, with a fitting convex portion of a link being fitted into a fitting concave portion of a release link, a torsion spring (particularly, a connecting portion) is temporarily elastically deformed, and a pair of spiral portions of the torsion spring are mounted to spring holding shafts of the link and the release link, respectively. As a result, the link, the release link and the torsion spring can be brought into a temporarily assembled state, and can be easily assembled to a unit box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventor: Yuji Nakamoto
  • 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
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20100242665
    Abstract: The invention provides a steering apparatus which includes: an inner column 3; an outer column 4 fitted with the inner column 3 in such a manner that it is movable in a telescopic manner; a steering shaft 102 which is rotatably supported on the inner column 3 and outer column 4, and on the vehicle body rearward side of which a steering wheel 103 can be mounted; a lock apparatus 7 including a lock pin 73A which can be operated by an actuator to thereby prevent the rotation of the steering shaft 102; and, a lock housing 71 which is formed integrally with the outer column 4 and stores the lock apparatus 7 therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomonao Nagamura, Naoki Sawada, Wataru Hagiwara, Masaki Tomaru, Seiichi Moriyama
  • 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: 7669444
    Abstract: A steering lock assembly that does not require tools for fixing a lock bolt cover relative to a housing to cover a cavity formed in the housing includes a housing having a cavity formed therein with a lock bolt received in the cavity. A lock bolt cover covering the cavity has an opening through which the lock bolt extends. A snap belt is fixed to one of the lock bolt cover and the housing and engages the other of the lock bolt cover and the housing to fix the lock bolt cover relative to the housing. In one embodiment, crush ribs formed on the snap belt minimizes contact between the cover and housing to minimize rattle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Huf North America Automotive Parts Mfg. Corp.
    Inventors: Juan A. Fernández, Donald J. Balazs
  • Patent number: 7604254
    Abstract: A device for blocking the steering shaft of a motor vehicle against rotation by a locking bolt which can be axially moved back and forth between locked and released positions via a two-directionally rotatable control member, and comprises a locking element and an actuating element. The control member surrounds the actuating element and has two helically extending interior grooves and a planar end surface adjoining the grooves and extending perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the control member. A transverse pin axially displaced in the actuating element cooperates with the grooves and the end surface. A helical compression spring is supported on the actuating element via a plunger having an oblong hole through which the transverse pin extends, and which plunger can be axially displaced in the actuating element by a stop so that the helical compression spring presses the transverse pin against the end surface via the locking element and the actuating element in the released position of the locking bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Martin Pieronczyk, Werner Trischberger
  • Patent number: 7591158
    Abstract: The keyless engine starting system includes a turning shaft 93 connected to a handle lock for locking and unlocking. The keyless engine starting system also includes a knob 92 having a cylindrical support portion which is turnably fitted along an outer periphery of the shaft 93. The shaft 93 is in engagement with a pawl 33 when the knob 92 is in a predetermined lock position to limit the turning motion of the shaft 93. The engagement of pawl 33 with respect to the shaft 93 is released in response to a releasing signal from outside. The keyless engine starting system also includes a click ball 95, a spring 94 and a recess 922 which form a torque limiter mechanism for connecting the knob 92 with the shaft 93. If the shaft 93 is forcibly turned, the knob 92 turns free without engaging the shaft 93.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., HondaLock Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Konno, Tadashi Onozuka, Kazuo Yuhi
  • Patent number: 7574940
    Abstract: A steering column assembly for a motor vehicle includes a steering shaft, a support bracket rotatably receiving the steering shaft for rotatably supporting the steering shaft on the motor vehicle, and an anti-rotation device. The anti-rotation device is supported by the support bracket and is moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the anti-rotation device prevents rotation of the steering shaft relative to the support bracket. The anti-rotation device may be moved from the engaged position to the disengaged position to allow rotation of the steering shaft relative to the support bracket. Prior to assembly of the steering column assembly to the motor vehicle, the anti-rotation device may be moved to the engaged position to lock the steering column in a common rotational position. After assembly, the anti-rotation device may be moved to the disengaged position to allow rotation of the steering shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason R. Ridgway, Marvin V. Manwaring, William D. Cymbal
  • Publication number: 20080178643
    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: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: TOKAI RIKA CO., LTD
    Inventors: Masanari OKUNO, Hiroyasu HASEGAWA, Nobuhisa INOUE
  • Patent number: 6826934
    Abstract: The invention provides a motor vehicle antitheft system of the type in which the latch bolt (36, 222) is held radially in the pulled-in retracted position by a member (254) for retaining the latch bolt (36, 222) which is mounted to move between an effaced or retracted position and an active latch bolt retaining position toward which it is elastically urged (262) and in which a retaining finger (252) belonging to the latch bolt retaining member (254) is accommodated in a complementary notch (250) of the latch bolt, wherein the member (254) for retaining the latch bolt (36, 222) is mounted to slide in the housing of the antitheft system (52, 54) parallel to the axis (A) of displacement and of rotation of a manual control member (24, 26, 38), and wherein the finger (252) for retaining the latch bolt (36, 222) is formed at the front free end of the latch bolt retaining member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Valeo Securite Habitacle
    Inventor: Louis Canard
  • Patent number: 6810702
    Abstract: A lock for irrotationally locking a motor-vehicle steering column enclosed by a tubular housing, the lock including a lock element displaceable to-and-fro between a locked and a released position and further a drive motor driving the locking element. For greater compactness, to offer enhanced security against theft, and to leave unhampered the telescoping of the steering pillar composed of steering column and tubular housing, further to reduce the danger of knee injury in case of accident, the locking element is mounted in the vicinity of the steering-wheel side end of the steering column inside the tubular housing, and the drive motor is mounted next to the foot-space side end of the steering column, and the drive motor cooperates with the locking element through a connecting element arrange inside the tubular housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignees: Audi AG, Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co., KG, Krupp Presta AG Press-und Stanzwerk
    Inventors: Carsten Fuchs, Friedrich Pieper, Patrik Jaillant, Günther Wagner
  • Publication number: 20040099082
    Abstract: A steering lock apparatus is composed of: a rotational member 2 having an engagement means 3; an operating portion 21 positioned on a front side of the rotational member 2 and connected to the rotational member 2; a holder 4 for holding the rotational member 2 rotatably in forward and backward direction and for holding the same rotatably in a rear position; an actuator 9 driven by a signal transmitted by a controller upon detection of the rotational member 2 being operated to a rear side; and a lock member 11 that is operated by the actuator 9 to be engaged with the engagement means 3 of the rotational member 2 in LOCK position for preventing rotation of the rotational member 2. The rotational member 2 is held rotatably in a rear position and disabled from moving to a front position when the rotational member 2 is operated to a rear position to release engagement between the engagement means 3 of the rotational member 2 and the lock member 11.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventor: Isao Ochi
  • Patent number: 6393880
    Abstract: A aircraft anti-theft device for immobilizing the yoke of an aircraft. The aircraft anti-theft device includes a device for immobilizing the yoke control of an aircraft. The yoke control has a gust lock hole for holding the yoke in a stationary position. The device has a sleeve for wrapping about the yoke control. The sleeve has an interior channel for receiving a portion of the yoke control. The sleeve is divided along its longitudinal axis to form a first and second sections. The first and second sections each have a pair of end edges, a first side edge, and a second side edge. A lock locks the first and second sections in a closed position. A pin for insertion into the gust lock is fixedly coupled to an interior surface of the first section of the sleeve. The pin protrudes from the interior surface of the sleeve. The first and second sections are placed around the yoke control such that the pin enters the gust lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: David E. Vance, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6389856
    Abstract: A lock apparatus includes: a control unit carrying out transmission and reception of an electronic signal between the electronic key and the control unfit so as to perform ID verification; a rotating member disposed rotatably inside a casing; a lock actuator receiving a lock release signal from the control unit so as to release a lock on the rotating member to the casing; a key insertion hole disposed to the rotating member; a slider hole going through the rotating member; a slider inserted into the slider hole and disposed such that its inner end is protruded into the key insertion hole; and a check lever supported rotatably and in which one end thereof is an operating portion activating the transmission and reception of the control unit and the other end makes contact with the outer end face of the slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Alpha Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Watanuki, Tetsuyuki Tsukano, Satoshi Ogata
  • Patent number: 6382003
    Abstract: A lock apparatus of the invention capable of being locked/unlocked by an electronic key, comprises: an electronic key having a circuit chip generating an electronic signal, and an insertion portion provided at an end thereof and comprised of a pair of opposing flat portions and slope portions on both sides so as to be formed in a tapered flat shape; and a rotating member having an insertion hole opening at an end face thereof and in which the insertion portion of the electronic key is to be inserted, an opening portion of the key insertion hole having a rectangular sectional shape corresponding to a cross section of the insertion portion and being larger than an end of the insertion portion, and an interior of the key insertion hole being formed in a tapered flat shape corresponding to the tapered flat shape of the insertion portion and having a slant wall as a side face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Alpha Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Watanuki, Tetsuyuki Tsukano, Satashi Ogata
  • Patent number: 6339630
    Abstract: A sealed operator is provided for operating an internal locking control element for a closure head for the inner container in a dual container hazardous waste storage system. The operator includes a cylindrical housing in which a bushing/operator element assembly is mounted for translational movement. The latter assembly includes a cylindrical bushing sealingly mounted in the housing, a spherical bearing assembly including an annular outer bearing press fit within the bushing and an annular inner bearing. An operator element is press fit within the inner surface of the inner bearing. The operator element includes a driving head which engages the locking control element for the closure head of the inner container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Michael S. Hartley
  • Patent number: 6234039
    Abstract: An antitheft device is provided for locking a motor vehicle steering column against rotation. The steering column includes a gear wheel which is fixed coaxially to the steering column shaft, and a pinion with an axis parallel to the steering column axis. The pinion is mounted for rotation in a moveable pinion support which is displaceable between a disengaged position, in which the pinion is disengaged from the gear wheel, and an engaged position in which the pinion is in mesh with the gear wheel. The steering lock also includes a clutch for preventing rotation of the pinion about its axis on the pinion support below a specific torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Valeo Securite Habitacle
    Inventors: Joël Garnault, Jean-Claude Boulay
  • Patent number: 6094951
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for a steering column shaft in a steering column housing of a vehicle, includes a smooth bore hollow cylindrical sleeve member overlying a smooth surface steering column shaft. A longitudinal locking slot in an outer surface of the cylindrical sleeve member is engagable with a locking pin member operated by an ignition switch on the steering column housing. Torque transmitted from the steering column shaft to the sleeve member is limited by a bushing member interposed between the steering column shaft and the sleeve member. The sleeve member is supported in the inner race of a steering column bearing mounted in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: Ward R. Cusati
  • Patent number: 6053067
    Abstract: An antitheft device is provided for locking a motor vehicle steering column against rotation. The steering column includes a gear wheel which is fixed coaxially to the steering column shaft, and a pinion with an axis parallel to the steering column axis. The pinion is mounted for rotation in a moveable pinion support which is displaceable between a disengaged position, in which the pinion is disengaged from the gear wheel, and an engaged position in which the pinion is in mesh with the gear wheel. The steering lock also includes a clutch for preventing rotation of the pinion about its axis on the pinion support below a specific torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Valeo Securite Habitacle
    Inventors: Joel Garnault, Jean-Claude Boulay
  • Patent number: 5906120
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle steering column lock assembly is disclosed for use with a steering wheel connected to a steering column passing through a steering column housing to which an ignition switch is mounted. The assembly has a lock ring adapted to be mounted to the steering column and having at least one lock recess on an end thereof and a lock pawl movable between a lock position engaged in the lock recess and an unlock position disengaged from the at least one lock recess. A tray is adapted for slidable movement within the steering column housing generally parallel to the steering column, the tray having a lock pawl bed allowing the lock pawl to slide therein generally parallel to the steering column. Tray control means operatively connecting the ignition switch and the tray move the tray between at least two positions in which the lock pawl alternately engages and disengages the lock ring to prevent and allow, respectively, rotation of the steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Clarke Fisk Thacker, Robert Daniel Restauri
  • Patent number: 5718131
    Abstract: A steering column locking assembly and method of making same includes swaging a steering column tube and a steering column lock collar in such a manner that relative movement between the two parts is resisted below a predetermined level of torque while relative rotation occurs at values of torque above the predetermined value. A layer of plastics material may be provided between the two parts. Once the predetermined torque is overcome, then rotation between the two parts occurs, but ceases once the torque level drops below the predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: The Torrington Company
    Inventor: John Thomas Bobbitt, III
  • Patent number: 4907427
    Abstract: A steering wheel lock assembly includes a plunger for mating engagement with an opening in a steering wheel shaft or a rack of a rack and pinion steering assembly and an actuating mechanism for selectively applying a force to move the plunger towards mating engagement with the shaft opening. A bi-directional biasing mechanism operatively connected between the actuating mechanism and the plunger biases the plunger towards engagement with the opening when the actuating mechanism applies force thereagainst and the plunger is unaligned with the opening and biasing the plunger out of engagement with the opening when force applied by the actuating mechanism is selectively removed and the opening is applying a torque on the plunger to retain the plunger therein such that release of the torque disengages the plunger. The assembly will prevent subsequent locking and unlocking of the device if an actuating cable to the device is disconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Inventor: Ennels D. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 4903511
    Abstract: An anti-theft steering shaft lock having a lost motion connection between the steering shaft and a stationary lock keeper on the steering column to dissipate restoring torque on the steering shaft after the driver locks the steering shaft so that subsequent withdrawal of a lock bolt from the lock keeper is not impeded. The lost motion connection includes a lost motion sleeve slidably and rotatably supported on the steering shaft and carrying the lock bolt thereon, a drive pin on the steering shaft received in a V-shaped notch in an end of the lost motion sleeve, a relatively low rate spring biasing the lost motion sleeve against the pin, and a relatively high rate spring which is engaged by the lost motion sleeve after a predetermined angular interval of relative rotation between the steering shaft and the lost motion sleeve to effectively prevent further relative rotation and thereby render the shaft unsteerable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Donald A. Niedzielski, Indulis Piziks, Dantar P. Oosterwal
  • Patent number: 4662196
    Abstract: An anti-theft lock for oilfield valves where a base member fits over and attaches to a valve so that the valve stem projects outwardly of the base member. A cover member has pins received in locking bores in the base member where independent keys operate independent locks to lock the cover member to the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1987
    Inventor: John M. Michon
  • Patent number: 4584857
    Abstract: A device for blocking the rotary movement of a steering column of a motor vehicle by means of a clamping lock acting in the two directions of rotation and having two sets of axis-parallel rollers which are guided in respective coaxial cages rotatable about the steering-column axis. The rollers of each set are clamped between a cylindrical running track and associated clamping surfaces inclined relative to the running track in a first position of the cage and run freely in a second position, one cage (9) with its rollers (7a) between the running track and the clamping surfaces serving for blocking the first direction of rotation, and a second cage (10) with its rollers (7b) serving for blocking the second direction of rotation. The two cages (9,10) are rotationally adjustable in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Assignee: Neiman S.A.
    Inventor: Gunter Weber
  • Patent number: 4403385
    Abstract: A process for forming a double wall heat exchanger. A first ductile tube is placed inside of a second ductile tube. The first tube tightly fitting inside of the second tube. The first tube is the inner tube and the second tube is the outer tube. The combination of the outer tube and the inner tube is finned in a finning apparatus. A helical fin is pressure formed on the outer surface of the outer tube and simultaneously a small helical groove is formed on the inside surface of the outer tube which follows the path of the helical path of the helical fin. The internal pressure being applied to the inner tube causes the inner tube to expand and conform to the inside surface and diameter of the outer tube, with a continuous helical protrusion forming which mates with the internal helical groove of the outer tube, but not entirely filling the internal groove. A helical passageway between the inner and outer tubes is thereby formed. Preferably the inner and outer tubes are made of copper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1983
    Assignee: Amtrol Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Kirk
  • Patent number: 4363228
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for ranges utilizes a bar extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the knob operated shafts controlling the operation of the individual valves of a gas range or the individual switches of an electric range. A plurality of arms are pivotably secured to the bar, each having fingers directed and biased towards the longitudinal axis of each shaft. Each shaft is rotatable and carries an opening at a discrete location in the surface thereof. Rotating the shaft to a position corresponding to deenergizing the associated heating element of the range into an off position permits the free end of the finger to enter the opening, preventing further rotation of the shaft when the bar is slidably positioned into a locked position by the operation of a key operated lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1982
    Inventor: Carlton Serrao
  • Patent number: 4282730
    Abstract: The invention relates to anti-theft devices for automobile vehicles in which such devices are fixed on the steering column of the vehicle and the aim of the invention is to provide anti-theft steering device which can be adapted to steering column of differing diameters while retaining the necessary security of the fixing. The device comprises a casing containing a locking bolt operated by a security lock and a base to which the casing is secured by means of screws with breakaway heads. The base has a half bore corresponding to the steering column to be equipped with the device and is secured by a flexible member whose first end is selectively fixed by a pin at one of several discrete locations and whose other end is secured to the base in an adjustable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1981
    Assignee: Neiman S.A.
    Inventor: Paul Lipschutz