Key ejecting vehicle ignition switch

Claim 1

In an ignition starter switch assembly, for use in an automotive ignition system of the type employing an electrical energy source, the combination of A. a main housing having a forward end and a rearward end, 1. said main housing being provided with a longitudinal bore, 2. a fixed electrical contact carried in the said rearward end, said fixed electrical contact connecting to the electrical energy source which is exterior of the said ignition starter switch assembly; B. a motion transmitting cylinder positioned within the main housing and being rotatable therewithin in response to key lock operation, 1. said cylinder being provided with an eccentric longitudinal bore, 2. said cylinder having a forward end And a rearward end, 3. said rearward end terminating rearwardly in an eccentric drive lug. a. the said longitudinal bore and the drive lug being positioned in longitudinal alignment, 4. said forward end being provided with an eccentric opening; C. a switch unit rearwardly connecting to the cylinder, 1. said switch unit being provided with a forwardly facing eccentric socket, a. said eccentric drive lug of the cylinder positioning within the eccentric socket to transmit rotary motion to the switch unit when the cylinder is rotated, 2. a forwardly facing spring contact carried by the switch unit, a. said spring contact being rotated into electrically conductive engagement with the fixed contact when the cylinder is rotated; D. a tumbler lock forwardly connected to the cylinder, 1. said tumbler lock carrying a rearwardly projecting, eccentric drive pin, 2. said drive pin being inserted into the eccentric opening of the cylinder to turn the cylinder when the tumbler lock is key operated, 3. said tumbler lock being provided with a key receiving slot to receive a key therein, a. said tumbler lock further being provided with an eccentric opening communicating between the key slot and the said longitudinal bore of the cylinder; E. a spring biased push bar positioned within the eccentric bore of the cylinder and having longitudinal movement into the key slot, 1. said push bar being continuously biased forwardly into the key slot by a compression spring, a. said compression spring acting within the eccentric bore of the cylinder.