Device in an automobile for preventing an accidental locking of a steering shaft

Claim 1

In a locking system for the steering shaft of an automotive vehicle, including: a cylinder lock device including a stationary housing and keyoperated rotor means rotatably supported within said housing for rotation between a plurality of positions, said rotor means having a locking bolt associated therewith, said rotor means being angularly movable by a key from a first position wherein the vehicle ignition switch is off to a second position wherein said steering shaft is locked against rotation; said lock device also including a locking member operatively connected to said rotor means and movable from a released position to a locked position in response to movement of said rotor means from said first to said second position, said locking member when in said locked position having a portion thereof projecting into engagement with said steering shaft for preventing rotation thereof; a safety device for preventing accidental locking of said steering shaft, said safety device including a stop mounted on said rotor means and rotatable therewith, manually operable release member movably supported on said housing and normally maintained in a location for engaging said stop for preventing movement of said rotor means from said first to said second position, and spring means normally urging said release member into said location; the improvement wHerein said release member comprises an elongated lever pivotally mounted intermediate the ends thereof on said housing for swinging movement about an axis substantially transverse to the rotational axis of said rotor means, said lever having one end thereof positioned for engagement with said stop and the other end thereof projecting outwardly of said housing and having knob means thereon adapted to be manually engaged by the vehicle operator, said knob means being spaced sidewardly and axially inwardly a substantial distance from the key-receiving end of said rotor means, whereby movement of the rotor means from said first to said second position for permitting locking of said steering shaft requires, first, engaging said knob means with one hand and manually swinging said lever for causing said one end thereof to move away from said location to disengage same from said stop and, second, engaging said key with the other hand and manually turning said rotor means and said key from said first to said second position, whereby said locking member is moved into locking engagement with said steering shaft.