Column lock device
OwnerRobert A. Vitoinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A heavy duty steering wheel securing anti-theft device. Embodiments are described herein that also protect any air bag contained in the steering wheel.
Claims17
An anti-theft device for a vehicle, the anti-theft device being adapted to detachably engage a steering wheel rotatably mounted on a steering column, the steering wheel having a rim defining an outer perimeter of the steering wheel, the anti-theft device comprising:
- an elongated member having a first end and a longitudinal surface, the elongated member being adapted to be located proximate to the steering column, the first end extending generally radially outwardly away from the steering column past the outer perimeter of the steering wheel;
- at least one wheel engaging member disposed on the elongated member and adapted to engage the steering wheel and prevent rotation of the steering wheel relative to the elongated member;
- at least one rim engaging member detachably engageable with the at least one wheel engaging member and being adapted to engage a portion of the rim on an opposite side of the steering column from the elongated member to, in combination with the elongated member, secure the anti-theft device to the steering wheel in an installed configuration in which the wheel engaging member is engaged with the steering wheel;
- and
- a locking mechanism adapted to detachably lock the anti-theft device in the installed configuration.
A combination anti-theft device and steering wheel rotatably mounted on a steering column, the anti-theft device being detachably engageable with the steering wheel, the steering wheel having a rim defining an outer perimeter of the steering wheel, the combination comprising:
- the steering wheel mounted on the steering column;
- an elongated member having a first end and a longitudinal surface, the elongated member being located proximate to the steering column, the first end extending generally radially outwardly away from the steering column past the outer perimeter of the steering wheel;
- at least one wheel engaging member disposed on the elongated member and engaging the steering wheel to prevent rotation of the steering wheel relative to the elongated member;
- at least one rim engaging member detachably engageable with the at least one wheel engaging member, the at least one rim engaging member engaging a portion of the rim on an opposite side of the steering column from the elongated member to, in combination with the elongated member, secure the anti-theft device to the steering wheel in an installed configuration in which the wheel engaging member is engaged with the steering wheel;
- and
- a locking mechanism detachably locking the anti-theft device in the installed configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.