Ignition rack and sector gear for a steering column

A kit for a steering column in a vehicle to operate an electrical switch and a steering wheel locking bolt mounted in the vehicle, the vehicle having an inner structure and a key receiving assembly rotatably mounted to the inner structure proximate an aperture extending through the inner structure to a surface opposite the key receiving assembly, the kit comprising:

• a sector gear having a recess for receiving an end of the locking bolt and having teeth disposable on a side of the inner structure opposite the key receiving assembly and having an integral shaft portion extendable through the aperture in the inner structure and coupleable to the key receiving assembly;
• a separate fastener securable to an end of the shaft portion remote from the teeth for preventing axial displacement of the shaft portion from the key receiving assembly out of the aperture, said fastener having an outer diameter greater than the diameter of the shaft portion between the fastener and the sector gear;
• and
• an ignition rack having a longitudinal member with teeth thereon engageable with the teeth of the sector gear, the ignition rack being linearly displaceable with rotation of the sector gear and coupleable to the electrical switch to operate the electrical switch.

A steering column having a steering shaft for turning wheels of a vehicle, the vehicle having an electrical switch mounted therein, the steering column comprising:

• an inner structure;
• a locking bolt slidably disposed in the inner structure to selectively lock rotation of the steering shaft;
• a key receiving assembly disposed on the inner structure and rotatable to a locked position wherein the steering shaft is locked;
• a shaft having a first end coupled to the key receiving assembly to rotate with the key receiving assembly, wherein the shaft extends into the inner structure;
• a sector gear disposed on a side of the inner structure opposite the key receiving assembly and coupled to a second end of the shaft to rotate with the shaft to control movement of the locking bolt, the sector gear having teeth located on a portion of an outer perimeter;
• and
• an ignition rack comprising:
• a longitudinal member with teeth thereon mating with the teeth of the sector gear, the ignition rack being linearly displaceable with rotation of the sector gear and coupled to the electrical switch to operate the electrical switch;
• and
• a guard flange disposed on the longitudinal member to limit axial displacement of the sector gear on the shaft away from the inner structure when the key receiving assembly is in the locked position.

A steering column having a steering shaft for turning wheels of a vehicle, the vehicle having an electrical switch mounted therein, the steering column comprising:

• an inner structure;
• an outer casing disposed about the inner structure;
• a switch rod having a first end coupleable to the electrical switch and a second end;
• a rotatable key receiving assembly disposed on the inner structure;
• a shaft having a first end coupled to the key receiving assembly to rotate with the key receiving assembly, wherein the shaft extends into the inner structure;
• a sector gear disposed on a side of the inner structure opposite the key receiving assembly and coupled to a second end of the shaft to rotate with the shaft, the sector gear having teeth located on a portion of an outer perimeter;
• and
• an ignition rack having a longitudinal member with teeth thereon mating with the teeth of the sector gear, the ignition rack being linearly displaceable with rotation of the sector gear and an enlarged head portion connected to an end of the longitudinal member, the enlarged head portion having a first surface facing the inner structure and the steering shaft, and a second surface, on a side opposite the first surface, facing an inner wall of the outer casing, the first surface having a channel formed therein opening only to the first surface, wherein the channel receives the second end of the switch rod.

A steering column having a steering shaft for turning wheels of a vehicle, the vehicle having an electrical switch mounted therein, the steering column comprising:

• an inner structure;
• a locking bolt slidably disposed in the inner structure to selectively lock rotation of the steering shaft;
• a key receiving assembly disposed on the inner structure and rotatable to a locked position wherein the steering shaft is locked;
• a shaft having a first end coupled to the key receiving assembly to rotate with the key receiving assembly, wherein the shaft extends into the inner structure;
• a sector gear disposed on a side of the inner structure opposite the key receiving assembly and coupled to a second end of the shaft through an aperture on a first surface facing the inner structure to rotate with the shaft, the sector gear having a second surface formed on a side opposite the first surface and facing away from the inner structure wherein a portion of the second surface extends beyond an annular edge of the first surface and with an interconnecting shoulder form a recess for an end of the locking bolt, the sector gear including teeth located on a portion of an outer perimeter;
• and
• an ignition rack having a longitudinal member with teeth thereon mating with the teeth of the sector gear, the ignition rack being linearly displaceable with rotation of the sector gear and coupled to the electrical switch to operate the electrical switch.