Other Element With Switch Patents (Class 70/255)
  • Patent number: 11840195
    Abstract: The invention relates to a driveshaft lock (10) and to a method (50) of retrofitting the driveshaft lock to a vehicle. The driveshaft lock (10) includes a rotor (17) which defines a star-shaped central aperture (20) which is configured to receive a non-circular, peripheral profile of a drive flange (13) therethrough such that the rotor (17) is configured to piggyback on the drive flange (13). The lock (10) includes a locking member (21) which is configured selectively to engage the rotor (17) in order to lock the rotor in position and prevent angular displacement thereof. Amongst other steps, the method (50) includes aligning the aperture (20) of the rotor with the profile of the drive flange, passing the rotor over the drive flange, rotating the rotor relative to the drive flange, and securing the rotor to the drive flange for rotation together with the drive flange, piggyback-style.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: HARDCORE AUTOMOTIVE LOCKING TECHNOLOGIES (PTY) LTD
    Inventor: Philippus Petrus Erasmus Taljaard
  • Patent number: 11780347
    Abstract: A charging connector connection determining method includes providing a locking pin at a charging inlet of an electric vehicle, in which the locking pin is configured to move to be in a first state that allows for attachment, to the charging inlet, of a charging connector provided at an end of a charging cable, a second state in which the locking pin is positioned more in an advancing direction than the first direction to be engaged with the charging connector, and a third state in which the locking pin is positioned more in the advancing direction than the second state and prevents the charging connector from being attached to the charging inlet, and determining presence of coupling of the charging connector to the charging inlet, by moving the locking pin in the advancing direction and detecting a state of the locking pin among the first, second, and third states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takahiro Ueki
  • Patent number: 11712976
    Abstract: A battery lockout device is provided. The battery lockout device may include a safety plug body adapted to engage a power port of the battery. The battery lockout device may further include a rotating member operatively connected to the safety plug body, the rotating member engaging a battery lip or battery lip housing. The rotating member, in a first rotated position, can be locked in the first rotated position preventing access to the power port of the battery and preventing removal of the safety body plug from the battery. To effectuate locking the rotating member in the first rotated position, a keyed lock can be used to maintain the first rotated position of the rotating member relative to the safety plug body and the battery/battery housing lip. In this way, no energy from the battery may be discharged until removal/disengagement of the battery lockout device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Blair C. Perkins
  • Patent number: 9728351
    Abstract: A simple kit of parts is provided that can be used to replace a few easily removed elements of a lockable push button actuator of a mechanical locking mechanism to convert the push button actuator to a lockable actuator for controlling a switch that can serve as a component of an electrical locking system. Other aspects of the invention relate to a method of making the mechanical to electrical conversion, and to a lockable actuator for operating an electrical switch connected to the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Inventors: Matthew D Schroll, Michael O Misner, Thomas Heinrich
  • Publication number: 20150059423
    Abstract: A cushion rubber provided independent from a flange of a fuel tank. A fuel tank is arranged above a main frame. A tank front stay, which is mounted on a front lower portion of the fuel tank, is made to overlap with a tank-front-side mounting boss, which is formed on a front end bent portion of the main frame, and is fastened to the tank-front-side mounting boss using a bolt from sideward. The tank front stay is provided independently from a flange, is welded to a bottom surface of the fuel tank, and projects downward from the inside of the flange. A sleeve portion is mounted on a lower end of the tank front stay, and a mount rubber is inserted into the sleeve portion thus providing a rubber mount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Yoichi Nishida, Mitsuya Kawamura
  • Patent number: 8848548
    Abstract: Aspects describe utilizing the Internet capability in mobile devices/networks to deliver broadcast multimedia to a device. The broadcast can be video, audio, and so forth. Initially the broadcast multimedia is transmitted at high data rates (and in unicast mode) in order for a buffer associated with mobile device to be built to a very long buffer length. When the long buffer length is reached, the multimedia can be delivered at real-time rates. The multimedia delivered at real times rates can be unicast mode or in multicast mode. If the buffer is depleted, a mobile device that is part of a multicast group can autonomously disassociated from the group until the buffer length is restored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Ahmad Jalali, Leonard N. Schiff, William G. Ames
  • Publication number: 20120234061
    Abstract: A power plug locking device used with a door lock drive source that locks a vehicle door includes a lock mechanism switched between a lock state, in which removal of a power plug from an inlet is prohibited, and an unlock state, in which the removal is permitted. A plug lock drive source performs an unlocking operation that switches the lock mechanism to the unlock state. A plug lock detector, which detects whether the lock mechanism is in the lock state, is connected between the plug lock drive source and an unlock terminal of the door lock drive source. A power supply circuit supplies the plug lock drive source with current and switches the lock mechanism to the unlock state when the door lock drive source is performing an unlocking operation while the plug lock detector is detecting that the lock mechanism is in the lock state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Tomohiro INOUE, Shuji OGATA, Keigo NISHIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20100064743
    Abstract: In order to enable a turning of a key of a lock cylinder onto a driven member (shaft 36) in the lock cylinder only when a proper key is inserted, yet to prohibit the turning in case of an overload, an overload lock is arranged therebetween. The driven member (shaft 36) should specifically actuate functions in the vehicle only if the correct key is used. A threshold rotation torque determines the change between the normal and the overload state. In order to improve the lock cylinder, it is furnished that a disengaging lever (40) is mounted in the cylinder housing (30) in a pivotable manner (42) and can be displaced between two pivot positions in a radial plane defined by the longitudinal axis (13) of the lock cylinder. A locking cam (41) belonging to the overload lock is arranged on the free end of the disengaging lever (40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventor: Matthias Habecke
  • Publication number: 20100050713
    Abstract: A door lock control apparatus includes a lock switch on an exterior of a vehicle, a controller, and a check device. The controller performs a first key check in response to a lock command inputted through the lock switch. The first key check determines whether an electronic key specific to the vehicle is located outside around the vehicle based on a response from the key. The check device performs a second key check, when the key is put into a situation in which the key can be moved from inside to outside the vehicle. The second key check determines whether the key is located inside the vehicle based on the response from the key. The check device stores a result of the second key check as a check record.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi NAGAO, Hironori Mitsubayashi, Daigo Akutsu, Taichi Yamaguchi, Mitsuru Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20090199604
    Abstract: A steering lock device and method of manufacturing the steering lock device, which is interoperated with an electronic authentication system via minimal structural changes, whose productivity is improved since coupling/decoupling is simple, and whose security against motor vehicle theft is improved, is provided. In the steering lock device, an actuator is coupled with a cam protrusion being coupled with a lock pin, and thereby moves the lock pin. The actuator is operated by an electronic authentication device being carried by a driver, moves the lock pin when receiving a driving signal, and selectively fixes a steering column. Due to the steering lock device and the method of manufacturing the steering device, productivity is improved since coupling/decoupling is simple, and security against motor vehicle theft is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventor: Eung Lyul Kim
  • Publication number: 20080250828
    Abstract: An ignition key switch mechanism for a vehicle having an automatic or semi-automatic gearbox comprises two solenoids and arranged at right angles to each other between which a slider or lever is disposed. The mechanism locks to prevent turning of the ignition key to the off position and removal of the key. Locking is effected by activating one solenoid to pull the shaft of that solenoid inside the armature of the solenoid. That in turn pulls the slider towards the solenoid and enables a locking pin on the slider to lock the mechanism. As the slider moves toward the solenoid a notch in the slider is brought into line with the shaft of the second solenoid. This shaft enters the notch under spring force to hold the mechanism in the locked position. Unlocking is effected by activating the second solenoid to withdraw the shaft from the notch allowing the first solenoid and the locking pin to return to unlocked positions which in turn permits the key to be turned to the off position and removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventor: Brian Bugeja
  • Patent number: 6598437
    Abstract: The invention provides a door unlocking system with the switch transmitting the signal to the central processing unit (10) according to the rotary direction of the key inserted into the key box to unlock the front and rear doors, wherein the switch is installed at the door latch (30) unlocking the driver door and the switch transmits the signal to the central processing unit according to the signal input in the key rod clip (31) to unlock the other doors, in the inserted status, the key turns to one direction to operate the switch, thereby installing the switch in the driver door regardless of the door chassis and the key rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jae Hong Choi
  • Patent number: 6418762
    Abstract: A switchgear cabinet closing device for locking a cabinet door on a switchgear cabinet. The closing device has a handle on which a closing mechanism is connected via an adjusting mechanism, whereby the handle is held on a housing mounted on an outer side of the cabinet door, and whereby the handle is secured in the lock position by a closing device. In order to adapt such a switchgear cabinet closing device to various closing systems in a simple manner, the housing has a primary housing for mounting the handle such that it can pivot, and a collar housing which can be connected to the primary housing. This invention also provides a collar housing that accommodates a lock of the closing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Rittal-Werk Rudolf Loh GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Udo Münch, Wolfgang Reuter
  • Patent number: 6131423
    Abstract: In a safety door-locking system for a switchgear cabinet, in which the electric operating state inside the switchgear cabinet is operationally connected to a locking device of a cabinet door of the switchgear cabinet, it is provided that a position of a switch in the switchgear cabinet is coupled via a mechanical connecting system (9, 10, 11, 12, 4, 5) to a locking linkage of the cabinet door. For this purpose, a rotatably (14a) mounted control disc (9) is permanently connected to the switch in the switchgear cabinet (1), the control disc (9) additionally representing the position of the switch. The control disc (9) and a locking rod (4) are operationally connected mechanically via a connecting rod (10) and a connecting angle (11) held between guide pins (12a, b) in the locking rod (4), and the locking rod (4) is mounted displaceably (19) for the purpose of locking the locking linkage of the cabinet door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AG
    Inventors: Georg Xenaki, Holmar Schietzsch
  • Patent number: 6098432
    Abstract: The invention concerns a closure with a closure cylinder whose cylinder core (33) can be moved by a key into different operating positions. The object of the invention is for at least one microswitch (50) to be actuated by switching cams (42) only once, even if the switching cam (42) continues to be moved when the microswitch (50) has been actuated. During the return movement, this microswitch (50) should not be triggered by the switching cam (42) again, and so faulty switching is avoided. To that end, a control member (40) cooperates via a separable coupling (35, 45) with a control member (40) on which the switching cam (42) is located. The control member (40) is acted upon by a restoring spring (46) which endeavors to move the control member into an initial position and simultaneously subject it to a force (43) in the coupling sense by the cylinder core (33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Uwe Spies
  • Patent number: 6040638
    Abstract: A vehicle immobilization system has an electronically controlled locking mechanism which requires interconnection with an electrical supply for it to be switched between a locked state and an unlocked state. The locking mechanism remains in the state to which it is switched when disconnected from the electrical supply. The immobilization system includes control means which operates to connect the locking mechanism to the electrical supply to switch it from one state to the other, and to disconnect the locking mechanism from the electrical supply when the vehicle engine is running or the vehicle is moving. The immobilization system also includes means to prevent cranking of the engine when the locking mechanism is in it's locked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Jaguar Cars, Limited, Whitley, Coventry
    Inventor: Steven Christopher Howell
  • Patent number: 5868017
    Abstract: A locking device for vehicles, particularly for vehicle doors has a mechanical revolving connection between a cylinder core of a lock cylinder and a safety lever of an assigned lock which comprises a driving coupling in the form of a lock nut. In order to achieve a simplification of the construction and mounting of the locking device while ensuring the operability of the locking device when it is operated mechanically as well as when the central locking system is operated, the lock nut is constructed in one piece. An end side of the lock nut facing an operating lever arm of the safety lever has two stops spaced angularly from one another and projecting from the end side. The operating lever arm engages between the stops, so that when the lock nut is rotated, a locking or unlocking position of the safety lever is achieved after an idling path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG
    Inventors: Stefan Ebersohn, Claus Topfer
  • Patent number: 5799516
    Abstract: In an apparatus for the unlocking of doors of a motor vehicle in the event of an accident, at least one device for tensioning a safety belt is, in the case of an accident, operatively connected with at least one door-unlocking device. Operation of the belt tensioning device during an accident initiates operation of the door unlocking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventor: Albert Zintler
  • Patent number: 5586457
    Abstract: A vehicle disablement system that prevents and deters the unauthorized use of a vehicle by limiting engine operation to idle speed. A pedal obstructing device is located beneath the accelerator pedal of the vehicle that is selectively movable between an obstructing position, engaging the pedal, and an enablement position, clearing the pedal. The pedal obstructing device is moved into the obstructing position by an electromagnetic actuator (e.g., a solenoid) or by a motor. The device is locked into the obstructing position by a locking arm which is electromagnetically activated. In an alternative embodiment of the system, the electromagnetic actuator or the motor is controlled from a remotely operated transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Inventor: Manuel L. Keener
  • Patent number: 5535607
    Abstract: A vehicle door latch includes an integral switch assembly which optionally includes a central locking switch and a central glass drive switch. The switches are responsive to movement of latch elements and perform the switching functions for circuitry that effects securement and unsecurement of the vehicle in a preselected manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Dzurko, Frank J. Arabia, Jr., Pat Santarelli
  • Patent number: 5224364
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for sensing the rotary angle of a key-actuated lock system which contains a lock cylinder of a door or flap of a vehicle which is rotatable by way of a key. A follower is coupled to the lock cylinder via a driving coupling allowing a free-wheel rotational play and to a protection element of a lock and is rotatably mounted in a door interior. A switch-actuating part is rotationally coupled to the lock cylinder virtually free of play and is rotatable synchronously with the lock cylinder and a control switch which is switchable by the switch-actuating part at a specific rotary angle of the part and directly spatially adjacent thereto. The switch-actuating part is mounted behind the follower in relation to the lock cylinder on a carrier facing the interior of the vehicle and is fixed to the door or flap. A control switch is retained at least indirectly on the same carrier, and at least these two parts are sealed off relative to the door interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: Mercedes-Benz AG
    Inventors: Klaus Claar, Jurgen Schrader, Martin Lindmayer
  • Patent number: 5050410
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle locking device having a mechanical rotary connection between a cylinder core of a lock cylinder and a lever system of an associated lock and comprises a driver coupling having two sleeve bodies which are mounted coaxially to one another and, in their installed position, are positively coupled to one another with the interposition of a rotary lost motion freewheeling connection. The rotary movement of the sleeve body drivable by the cylinder core, via a rotary connection element, is sensed for the purpose of controlling an additional locking function superposed on the rotation of the cylinder core. The other sleeve body is dynamically coupled to a securing element of the lever system of the lock. In order to achieve a substantial freedom in the arrangement of the control elements, the two sleeve bodies are rotatably connected to one another and are independently rotatably mounted on a support, spaced from the lock cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz AG
    Inventors: Klaus Claar, Hans Deischi, Kurt Raffelsiefer
  • Patent number: 5020344
    Abstract: An automobile antitheft device having a locking rod that locks the parking lock pawl of an automatic transmission in a position where it engages and locks a parking pawl gear. The locking rod is spring biassed so that it automatically becomes engaged when the automatic transmission is placed into Park. A separate lever is actuated and used to withdraw the locking rod from locking the pawl. The locking rod is provided with a transverse groove to prevent unlocking of the transmission except when the transmission is in Park. The device is also provided with an electric switch and regulator which is operatively coupled to the locking rod as is electrically connected between the fuel injectors and the car's computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Inventor: Gervasio B. Garcia
  • Patent number: 4982584
    Abstract: A steering lock system for locking a steering system of an automotive vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission. The steering lock system is comprised of a selector position sensor for detecting a selected position of a selector lever for the automatic transmission. The selector position sensor is adapted to produce a parking position signal when the selector lever is at a park position. A key cylinder is rotatable to take a LOCK position by an ignition key insertable into the key cylinder. The ignition key is enabled to be pulled out of the key cylinder at the LOCK position, upon which a steering shaft is locked. The ignition key is disabled from being pulled out of the key cylinder upon absence of the parking position signal from the selector position sensor while is enabled to be pulled out of the key cylinder only in response to the parking position signal from the selector position sensor, thereby improving reliability of operation of the steering lock system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Company, Ltd., Kinzoku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Takeda, Haruo Mochida, Toshio Kanai, Mikio Masaki
  • Patent number: 4969342
    Abstract: An anti-theft device for motor vehicles equipped with tubeless tires, a collar secured to the valve stem of a selected tire, a locking device adapted to be detachably secured to said collar, a cable carrier mounted on a selected body part or other supporting structure of said vehicle and connected to said locking device whereby upon unauthorized movement or attempted theft of said vehicle the valve stem is forceably removed, said tire is deflated, and said vehicle is more difficult to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Inventor: David P. Marchiori
  • Patent number: 4966019
    Abstract: An anti-theft arrangement for a motor vehicle comprising an electrically operable device associated with a system or component essential to operation of the engine of the vehicle and which in a first state permits normal operation of the associated system or component and which in a second state does not, and wherein the supply of electrical current to said device is controlled by combination or key-operated switching means and in which the arrangement is such that said electrically operable device is automatically placed in its state preventing normal operation of the engine upon disconnection of the device from a supply of electrical current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Inventors: David Hoffmann, Ralph L. Harris
  • Patent number: 4945740
    Abstract: A vehicle steering lock device mounted to an automotive vehicle, in which a rotor in a cylinder lock is rotated to a lock position by the operation relevant to the rotor, comprises switching means for detecting a specific pushing operation to the rotor, etc. and switching means for detecting the situation of a shift lever to a parking position or not, in which rotation of the rotor to the locking position is allowed or inhibited in accordance with signals from both of the switching means and which enable safe parking on a downward slope and can prevent erroneous steering lock operation during down hill running without engine driving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignees: Honda Lock Mfg. Co., Ltd., Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Minoru Kawano, Tatsuro Yamashita, Noboru Izu, Shunsuke Shibata, Norimithu Kurihara, Shigeo Hara, Kazuo Kojima, Masashi Takezawa
  • Patent number: 4665725
    Abstract: An anti-theft system for a vehicle having a starter motor with a pinion for engaging the flywheel of the vehicle's engine to start it. A sleeve is mounted on the starter motor shaft so as to be slideably moveable between a disabling position in which the sleeve is disposed in the path of motion of the pinion to prevent it from engaging the flywheel, and a retracted position in which the sleeve is spaced from the pinion to permit its normal operation. A metal sheathed cable is so connected between the sleeve and a handle mounted in the vehicle's passenger compartment to permit the user either to disable the starter motor or to permit its normal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1987
    Inventor: Edmund F. Machcinski
  • Patent number: 4649272
    Abstract: A lock with mixed mechanical and electrical control which utilizes a key device which includes mechanical notching for cooperatively engaging pistons carried within the lock stator and rotor and which also includes a signal emitter which is selectively alignable with a signal receiver which activates an electro-mechanical drive which is operatively connected to control the locking and unlocking of the lock bolt when the key device is at a position of the rotor which is different from the position at which the key device is introduced into the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Assignee: Neiman S.A.
    Inventor: Paul Lipschutz
  • Patent number: 4579202
    Abstract: Brake holding apparatus for use in a vehicle having a fluid pressure operated braking system including a master cylinder and at least one brake cylinder. The apparatus includes a trapping valve movable to an open position allowing fluid communication between the master and brake cylinders, and to a closed position blocking this fluid communication so as to trap fluid pressure in the brake cylinder. The trapping valve is biased for movement to its open position. Means are provided for moving the trapping valve to its closed position. A bypass valve allows fluid communication from the master cylinder to the brake cylinder, but blocks fluid communication in the opposite direction. The trapping valve is fluid pressure balanced such that fluid pressure trapped in the brake cylinder has no effect on the position of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Assignee: Borg-Warner Corporation
    Inventor: Arthur M. McIntosh
  • Patent number: 4466260
    Abstract: The invention relates to an antitheft device for trailers and semitrailers comprising a threaded rod which can be screwed in a block integral to a fixed portion of the trailer or semitrailer and having one end thereof idly engaged in a body integral to a linkage leading to the levers which actuate the brakes of an axle of the trailer or semitrailer. By screwing or unscrewing the threaded rod in said block it is possible to achieve the locking or the releasing of brakes. When brakes are in their locking position, acting on a latch control member operable by means of a key it is possible to engage one end of the latch within an annular groove formed in the threaded rod, so that the latter is prevented from moving axially. During this stage the other end of the latch acts on a non-return valve connected to the service brake circuit in order to allow the brake fluid to flow in one direction only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1984
    Assignee: Unifilter di D. Panetta
    Inventor: Domenico Panetta
  • Patent number: 4322959
    Abstract: A locking means for a trunk in an automobile is disclosed which can be unlocked by the rotation of a key inserted in a key cylinder of the trunk and which comprises a first switch provided at a proper location in the room of the automobile to open and close a D.C. circuit including an actuator means for unlocking the locking means. A second switch which is usually closed is provided in said D.C. circuit in such a way as to be opened by the rotation of said key inserted in the key cylinder of the trunk in a direction contrary to that for unlocking the locking means, thereby it becomes possible for a proprietor of the automobile who stands outside the automobile near the trunk to actuate the second switch so as to prevent the opening of the trunk by any other person against the will of the proprietor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1982
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, Limited
    Inventor: Haruo Mochida
  • Patent number: 4171630
    Abstract: A locking system for a cover for a hollow pipe includes a spring-biased latch and a latch defeating means operable by the cover to maintain the bolt of the latch disengaged from the cover after the latch is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1979
    Inventor: Jose L. A. Fernandez
  • Patent number: 4155420
    Abstract: A device for preventing the theft of a motor vehicle employs a casing that encloses the vehicle's distributor in a virtually impenetrable shell. A stack of rotatable discs in the casing must be properly set in the manner of a combination lock to enable the high voltage electrical signals from the distributor to fire the spark plugs of the engine. The discs in the casing are set by dials within the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The discs have contacts on their surfaces which align when the discs are properly set to provide electrical paths from the distributor to electrical connectors outside the casing. The high voltage electrical ignition harness wires for the spark plugs are attached to those outside connectors. A cover is secured to the casing in a manner that enables the casing to be opened only when the discs are aligned in a pre-established relation, which can be different from the relation that enables the engine to be started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1979
    Inventor: Clifford Staver
  • Patent number: 4154992
    Abstract: A headlight switch can engage an ignition switch to prevent the removal of the ignition key when the headlights are on, the headlight switch may be mounted in a downward slanting manner to engage the ignition key or the headlight switch can form a partial ring with a bottom narrow gap to hinder turning of the ignition key or grasp of the ignition key while the headlights are in the on position. Where the ignition switch is mounted on the steering column of the vehicle the partial ring headlight switch can be mounted thereon or where the headlight switch is on the dashboard a solenoid control catch and latch mechanism mounted in a partial ring can remind the operator that the headlight switch is pulled in the on position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1979
    Inventor: Harry C. Aspman
  • Patent number: 4149609
    Abstract: An anti-theft lock for use in automobile ignition systems having an ignition switch and a coil, the lock having a secondary switch, a flexible armoured tube surrounding electrical leads between the secondary switch and the coil, and an armour cap mounted on the coil. This arrangement makes it very difficult to obtain access to the ignition system for jumping the ignition to steal the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1979
    Assignee: Sav-Car, Inc.
    Inventor: George W. Flate, Jr.
  • Patent number: RE44785
    Abstract: A vehicle immobilization system has an electronically controlled locking mechanism which requires interconnection with an electrical supply for it to be switched between a locked state and an unlocked state. The locking mechanism remains in the state to which it is switched when disconnected from the electrical supply. The immobilization system includes control means which operates to connect the locking mechanism to the electrical supply to switch it from one state to the other, and to disconnect the locking mechanism from the electrical supply when the vehicle engine is running or the vehicle is moving. The immobilization system also includes means to prevent cranking of the engine when the locking mechanism is in it's locked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventors: Steven Christopher Howell, Nigel Clark