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US 6,543,263 B1Granted
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.
Claims14
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 column engaging member having a generally transverse part and at least one connecting part that is pivotally connected to the elongated member for movement between a first position, in which the anti-theft device is not securable to the steering column, and a second position, in which the at least one column engaging member, in combination with the elongated member, is adapted to substantially surround the steering column 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, wherein a portion of the longitudinal surface of the elongated member is in facing opposition with a portion of the transverse part of the at least one column engaging member.
2 more elements
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 combination comprising:
- the steering wheel rotatably 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 to engage the steering wheel and reduce rotation of the steering wheel relative to the elongated member;
- at least one column engaging member having a generally transverse part and at least one connecting part that is pivotally connected to the elongated member for movement between a first position, in which the anti-theft device is not secured to the steering column, and a second position, in which the at least one column engaging member, in combination with the elongated member, substantially surround the steering column 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.
3 more elements
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 combination comprising:
- the steering wheel rotatably mounted on the steering column;
- an elongated member having a free end and a longitudinal surface, the elongated member being located to abut the steering column, the free 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 to engage the steering wheel and reduce rotation of the steering wheel relative to the elongated member;
- at least one column engaging member having a generally transverse part and at least one connecting part that is pivotally connected to the elongated member for movement between a first position, in which the anti-theft device is not secured to the steering column, and a second position, in which the at least one column engaging member, in combination with the elongated member, substantially surround the steering column 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.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.