| 摘要 |
<p>An improved ignition rack (60, 120) and an improved sector gear (122, 202) for a steering column (10) in a vehicle inhibits theft of the vehicle. The ignition rack (60, 120) is used to operate an electrical switch mounted in the vehicle. The vehicle has a key receiving assembly (18) rotatably mounted in the steering column (10) and a shaft (26) with a first end joined to the key receiving assembly (18) for rotation therewith. A second end of the shaft (26) is joined to the sector gear (30, 122, 202), the sector gear (30, 122, 202) having teeth located on a portion of an outer perimeter. In a first embodiment, the ignition rack (60, 120) includes a guard flange (78, 134) for inhibiting removal of the sector gear (30, 122, 202) from the shaft (26). The sector gear (122, 202) also includes a guard flange (160) that forms a recess (163) which opens to a surface (174) opposite the guard flange (78, 134) of the ignition rack (60, 120). The sector gear (122, 202) with the guard flange (160) formed thereon protect a spring connected to the sector gear (122, 202) and a locking bolt (166) from attack.</p> |
