# US 6,723,934 B2 · Method and apparatus for assisting left-handed manipulation of a vehicle ignition switch

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- Number: US 6,723,934 B2
- Document ID: US6723934B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 10/091,213
- Filed: 2002-03-04
- Published: 2003-09-04
- Granted: 2004-04-20
- Earliest claimed: 2002-03-04
- Inventors: Marybeth Enright
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6723934B2

## CPC

- B60R 25/2063: {Ignition switch geometry}
- B60R 25/00: Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles (locks for vehicles E05B77/00-E05B85/00)
- B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

A system is provided for aiding left-handed individuals or individuals whose right hands are immobilized to be able to start a vehicle by turning an ignition key in which the key slot is movable or placeable to the left of the steering wheel at the driver's option to permit starting of the vehicle utilizing an individual's left hand only. In one embodiment a duplicate key slot is positioned to the left of the steering wheel on the dash of the car or, in a further embodiment, for key slots mounted to the steering column, the column is provided with a duplicate key slot to the left-hand side of the column. In another embodiment, a rotatable sleeve or collar is made part of the steering column, which when rotated rotates the key slot from an initial right-hand position to a left-hand position, thus to enable the starting of the vehicle only utilizing one's left hand.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for assisting left-handed manipulation of a vehicle ignition switch by an individual for a vehicle having a steering wheel, comprising the steps of:
providing the vehicle with a steering wheel column having a rotatable collar containing an ignition switch; and,
rotating the collar so as to provide the ignition switch to the left or right side of the steering wheel such that the ignition switch can be located for convenient ignition key insertion by a left- or right-handed person such that the ignition switch may be turned on by insertion of an ignition key into the key slot with the left hand of the individual, whereby the vehicle may be started by only using the left hand.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the steering wheel is lockable and unlocked by manipulation of the ignition switch, and wherein the ignition key manipulation also results in unlocking the steering wheel.

### Claim 3

A vehicle ignition system for a vehicle having a steering wheel, comprising, an ignition switch mounted to the left of said wheel, said vehicle having a dashboard, said ignition switch mounted at said dashboard to the left of said steering wheel.

### Claim 4

A vehicle ignition system for a vehicle having a steering wheel and a steering column and further including a rotatable collar on said steering column, said ignition switch being mounted on said collar such that said key slot may be made to face right or left depending on the rotational position of said collar.

### Claim 5

A method of assisting left-handed manipulation of a vehicle ignition switch by an individual for a vehicle having a steering station, comprising the step of providing an ignition switch on the dashboard of the vehicle to the left of the steering station at a position easily accessible by a left-handed individual seated at the steering station.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, and further including providing an ignition switch on the dashboard to the right of the steering station at a position easily accessible to a right-handed individual seated at the steering station, thereby to provide a universal left-handed/right-handed dashboard-mounted ignition system.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, wherein the ignition switches are mounted during the manufacture of the vehicle.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, wherein the ignition switches are connected in parallel.