| 摘要 |
<p>1340994 Anti-theft devices FORD MOTOR CO Ltd 4 May 1972 [25 June 1971] 20823/72 Heading B7J [Also in Division E2] A lockable steering column assembly for an automotive vehicle comprises an outer tube 16 shrouded by a trim element 14 and fixable to the body portion of the vehicle; a shift selector tube 17 within the tube 16 and rotatable relative thereto; a steering shaft 18, having a steering wheel 11 secured thereto, mounted within the tube 17 for rotation relative to the tubes 16, 17; and a sleeve 23 non-rotatably but slidably mounted on the tube 17 whereby when moved in one axial direction relative to the tube 17, the sleeve engages with the outer tube 16 and with a collar 19, non-rotatably but slidably mounted on the shaft 18 to thereby prevent rotation of the shaft and shift selector tube relative to the outer tube and when the sleeve is moved in the other axial direction, rotation of the shift selector tube and the shaft relative to the outer tube is permitted. Axial movement of the sleeve is effected by the ignition key 33 rotating a rotatable portion 36 of a lock cylinder 34, the portion 36 having mounted thereon a gear pinion 37 engaging a rack 38 connected by a finger 39 with an annular groove 41 on the sleeve 23. The rack 38 is also connected by an arm 48 to operate an electrical switch 47 for closing the starter motor circuit of the vehicle engine. Inward radial studs 24 on the sleeve 23 slide in slots 26 in the shift selector tube 17 and fingers 28 on the sleeve are engageable in notches 29 in an apertured disc 31 secured to tabs 32 on the outer tube 16. When the fingers 28 are engaged in the notches 29 the studs 24 are engageable in notches 27 in the collar 27 which has a slot 20 engaging a pin 21 fixed to the steering shaft 18. A compression spring 22 around the shaft urges the collar 19 against the pin 21. The sleeve end face 46 remote from the fingers 28 has notches 43 and 44. One of the notches slidably receives a tab 42 on the fixed outer tube 16 when the shift selector lever (not shown) is in " Park " or " Neutral " position in which position the switch 47 can be operated. When the lever is in any other position the sleeve face 46 abuts the tab 42 and switch cannot be operated. If the studs are not aligned with the notches 27 during movement of the sleeve to the locking position, the collar 19 will be depressed against the spring 22 by the action of the slot 20 and pin 21 and when the wheel 11 is turned the collar will snap back to engage the notches 27 with the studs 24 so that the shaft 8 tubes 16, 17 and the sleeve 23 are all locked together.</p> |
