Automotive steering security arrangement
AssigneeC. E. Marshall (Wolverhamption) (Limited)
InventorsMichael G. Qualters, Derek H. Poole
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An anti-theft security arrangement for the steering column of a motor vehicle includes a clutch which is adapted to resist turning of the steering up to a certain torque but thereafter to slip to avoid damage to the parts while still making control of the vehicle impractical. The clutch is arranged on a parallel axis to the steering column and is connected to the column through a high-ratio gear train comprising a gear wheel fast with the steering column and a pinion fast with the clutch. It is engaged and disengaged by sliding the assembly of clutch and pinion into and out of mesh with the other gear wheel. The clutch includes a rotatable shaft with teeth engaging between spring steel rods so as to turn in a series of discrete jerks if the limiting torque is exceeded.
Claims7
An automotive steering security arrangement comprising:
- a steering train comprising a steering wheel and a steering column adapted to turn therewith;
- a first gear wheel fast with the steering train;
- a second gear wheel separate from the steering train and adapted to mesh with the first gear wheel whereby to be turned by the steering train through selected gear ratio;
- a slippable, torque-resisting clutch associated with the second gear wheel whereby to resist turning thereof up to a limited torque;
- and code-input responsive means for selectively engaging and disengaging said clutch with the steering train through said first and second gear wheels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.