A steering locking device for an automotive steering system, whereby the steering shaft is locked when the key cylinder is held in its "lock" position and when the key is removed from the key cylinder and whereby a warning signal such as sound or light is produced when the vehicle door is opened with the steering shaft left unlocked and/or the key left inserted into the key cylinder. The warning signal is produced through operation of an electric switch mechanism which is compactly accommodated in the housing of the locking device.
An apparatus for warning that a key-operated device in a vehicle is inoperative. The vehicle is provided with a warning buzzer connected in series with one or more door switches that are closed by opening a door. A vibrating member of the buzzer is so arranged that the same is restrained by a control pin which is moved with the key-operated device provided on the vehicle. Additional, optional features of the apparatus are also disclosed.
A spring-loaded lever assembly for engaging an ignition related cam or slide for preventing the return of a key and ignition to a key release position, without previously setting the parking brake. For dash-mounted ignitions, a cylinder related cam is engaged via a spring-loaded lock lever head and cable actuated lock lever handle. For column ignitions, the cable actuated lock lever handle and head act in concert with a key actuated linear slide. A buzzer and warning light, in turn, warn of the failure to set the parking brake.
A key-in-ignition warning switch (10) is integrally mounted within an ignition switch (11). The warning switch (10), positioned along the rotational axis (17) of the ignition switch (10), comprises an inner plunger (15), an outer plunger (16), a plunger spring (28), and a housing spring (31). As the ignition key (26) is inserted into the key cylinder (12), a linkage (14) between the key cylinder (12) and the warning switch (10) pushes against the inner plunger (15), which in turn pushes against the outer plunger (16). As the key (26) is inserted completely into the key cylinder (12), contacts (24,25) attached to the plungers (15,16) make contact with terminals (34,36) located within a terminal block (35) attached to the ignition switch (11). When both plunger contacts (24,25) and mating terminals (34,36) are in contact, the key-in-ignition warning circuit is completed, thereby enabling the associated warning devices.
The switch housing for a combined ignition and starting switch of a motor vehicle has a peripheral housing wall (8) having a substantially circular transverse cross-section and a central axis (9) substantially parallel to it, an extended portion (5) laterally projecting approximately tangentially to the peripheral housing wall (8) and displaced laterally from the central axis (9), an insert device (7) held releasably in the extended portion (5) and a snap lock device (16,17,20,21) for releasably holding the insert device (7) in the extended portion (5). The extended portion (5) is provided with a receptacle (2) for the insert device (7) and the receptacle opening (6) for the receptacle (2) is of a size and shape so as to be completely covered by the insert device (7) received in it.
An anti-theft system for sensing the removal of an ignition lock assembly from its housing utilizing a grounding switch within the housing that is biased to disconnect an electrical path when the ignition switch is forcibly removed. An associated circuit provides continuous monitoring of the conduction path within the housing when the ignition switch it turned off.
