| 摘要 |
<p>An anti-theft device (10) for motor vehicles which selectively disables the vehicle by interrupting the operative connection of the steering wheel (29) to the steering column (17). The device includes an outer cylindrical boss (14) which is fixed to the steering wheel (29) and rotatably mounted on and about an inner cylindrical boss (12) affixed to the steering column (17). A key (62) actuated locking mechanism (16) is carried by the outer boss (14) which includes a spring (50) biased bolt (52) which selectively engages the inner boss (12) upon the outer boss (14) being rotationally aligned with the inner boss (12) to operatively connect the steering wheel (29) to the steering column (17). By unlocking the locking mechanism (16), this operative connection is interrupted and the vehicle cannot be controlled by the steering wheel and is thus disabled. As the disabling of the vehicle is obtained, when the locking mechanism (16) is in an unlocked position, as opposed to a locked position, damaging the mechanism (16) by the application of excessive force will not overcome its disabling effects.</p> |
