FIELD

The present disclosure relates to vehicles, particularly tractors.

BACKGROUND

The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
Conventionally, a tractor is not provided with a foolproof safety arrangement to prevent theft. The tractor can be easily started without an ignition key by using any "Bypass starting" method. The starter of the tractor is easily accessible from outside. One of the bypass starting methods is the use of a spanner or any other metal object to short-circuit terminals of the starter, so as to crank the engine of the tractor. Therefore, the tractor when parked in an open space can be easily stolen, without much hassle.
Further, starting the tractor by any bypass method is unsafe. If the tractor is in a geared state and the operator tries to start the tractor using any bypass method, the operator can get pulled down or get crushed under rear wheels of the tractor. This may lead to serious injuries and even death in some cases. The tractor, if accidentally set in motion while using the bypass method can cause damage to surroundings or other people standing around it.
Currently, there is no locking feature available on tractors, which can simultaneously kill the ignition and lock the steering of the tractor.
Therefore, there is felt a need of a steering lock for a tractor that alleviates the above-mentioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a steering lock for a tractor.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a steering lock that facilitates locking of the turning or steering movement of a tractor.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a steering lock that prevents theft of a tractor.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a steering lock that reduces the safety hazard arising due to the starting of the tractor using any by-pass method.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages a steering lock for a tractor.
The steering lock for locking a steering column of a steering column assembly comprises a latch mechanism fixed to an outer pipe of the steering column assembly. The latch mechanism is displaced by the ignition key, from an engaging position in which the latch mechanism locks the angular movement of a steering column to a disengaging position in which the steering column is free to displace angularly.
The steering lock further comprises a lock body enclosing the latch mechanism. The latch mechanism comprises a latch configured to reciprocate inside the lock body, a cam-follower mechanism for enabling the movement of the latch, an angularly displaceable cylinder placed in the lock body, and a keyhole formed on the cylinder along the axis of the cylinder. The cylinder is angularly displaced via the ignition key inserted in the keyhole. The cam-follower mechanism is coupled to the cylinder.

The reciprocating movement of the latch is effected via the cam-follower mechanism in relation to the angular movement of the cylinder.
The outer pipe is fixedly attached to the tractor and is configured for supporting the steering column therein. At least one bush is welded on the outer surface of the outer pipe for fixing the longitudinal position of the steering lock on the outer pipe. A sleeve having at least one slot provided on it is welded on the outer surface of the steering column and a hole is formed on the surface of the outer pipe for receiving the latch during the engaging configuration.
A back plate and a plurality of fastening elements are used for fixing the steering lock to the steering column assembly. The head of the fastening elements is a button head, a truss head, a socket head, an oval head, or a raised head.
The slots provided on the sleeve are positioned diagonally opposite to each other for arresting the angular displacement of the steering column at two different positions.
A collar is provided on the side of the lock body for facilitate fixing of the lock body on the outer surface of the steering column assembly. Further, a projection is provided on the inner surface of the collar. The projection cooperates with a slot provided on the bush when the lock body is being fixed to the outer pipe to ensure proper positioning of the lock body.
According to an aspect of present disclosure, the sleeve is provided with more than two slots that are equally spaced along the circumference of the sleeve. A plurality of bearing assemblies is provided between the steering column and the outer pipe to facilitate smooth relative angular displacement between them.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A steering lock for a tractor, of the present disclosure, will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a tractor with a steering wheel and related components along with a steering lock;
Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of the steering lock of Figure 1 fixed to a steering column assembly;
Figure 3 illustrates a detail and exploded view of Figure 2;
Figure 4 illustrates an isometric view of a steering column assembly;
Figure 5 illustrates an isometric view of a steering column with an annular sleeve mounted thereon;
Figure 6 illustrates an isometric view of the annular sleeve of Figure 5;
Figure 7 illustrates a sectional view of the steering lock in an unlocked configuration; and
Figure 8 illustrates a sectional view of the steering lock of Figure 7 in a locked configuration.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
100 - Steering column assembly
105 - Steering column
110- Outer pipe
112 - Hole on the outer pipe
115-Bush
116- Slot on bush
120 - Sleeve
120a, 120b - Sleeve slots

130 – Steering wheel
135 – Steering column housing
140 – Tractor body
200 – Steering lock
5 201 – Key hole
202 – Latch mechanism
203 – Cam-follower mechanism
204 – Cylinder
205 – Lock body 10 211 – Ignition key

212 – Key hole
213 – Fasteners
214 – Back-plate
215 – Latch
15 220 – Projection
225 – Collar of the lock body
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
20 Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the
present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth,
6

relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete
understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the
person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be
construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-
5 known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques
are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the
10 forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well,
unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “including” and “having” are open-ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or
15 addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,
components, and/or groups thereof. The particular order of steps disclosed in the method and process of the present disclosure is not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
20 When an element is referred to as being “mounted on”, “engaged to”, “connected
to” or “coupled to” another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of
25 the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to
distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another component, region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, third etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.
7

Terms such as “inner”, “outer”, “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a tractor with a steering wheel 130 and
5 associates components along with a steering lock 200.
The steering lock 200 in combination with the ignition key 211 is used to lock the
turning of the tractor. The tractor steering will remain locked even if the tractor is
started by a “bypass method”. The tractor can function normally only when the
steering column is unlocked using the ignition key 211. A steering column
10 housing 135 is used for covering the steering column assembly 100 in the
mounted configuration and for protecting the legs of the driver against any injury during normal operation.
The steering lock 200 is fixed to the side of a steering column assembly 100. The detailed construction of the same is illustrated using Figure 2 through Figure 8.
The steering lock 200 comprises a lock body 205, a rotatable cylinder 204 provided in the lock body 205, a latch 215, and a collar 225 provided on the side of the lock body 205. The collar 225 is in the form of a semi-circular arc. Internal threads or nuts are provided near the ends of the collar 225. The latch 215 is configured to reciprocate inside the lock body 205. The reciprocating movement of the latch 215 is achieved through a latch mechanism 202 which is operated by the ignition key 211.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the latch mechanism 202 includes a cam-follower mechanism 203 for enabling the reciprocating movement of the latch 215.
15 The steering column assembly 100 comprises a steering column 105, an outer
pipe 110, and a sleeve 120 welded on the outer surface of the steering column 105. The sleeve 120 is having at least one slot (120a, 120b) provided on it. The
8

slots (120a, 120b) are positioned diagonally opposite to each other so as to arrest the angular movement of the steering column 105 at two different positions.
In an unlocked configuration, the steering column 105 is free to angularly move
inside the outer pipe 110. One end of the steering column 105 is connected to the
5 steering wheel 130 while the other end is connected to a steering gear box (not
shown in figures). The steering gear box utilizes the angular motion of the
steering column 105 for steering the front or rear wheels (not shown in figures) of
the tractor through a suitable wheel steering mechanism. The steering column 105
transmits the angular movement of the steering wheel 130 to the steering gear
10 box. A hole 112 is provided on the surface of the outer pipe 110 to facilitate the
passage of the latch 215 when the angular movement of the steering column 105 is to be locked.
The steering lock 200 is fixed to the steering column assembly 100 by using a back plate 214 and fastened using a plurality of fasteners 213, typically screws. These fasteners can only be opened by a specific tool such as Allen key. The head of these fasteners 213 can be a button head, a truss head, a socket head, an oval head, or a raised head. The longitudinal position of the steering lock 200 is fixed on the steering column assembly 100 with the help of one or more bushes 115 that is fixed on the outer surface of the outer pipe 110.
The steering lock 200 and associated fixing arrangement along with the steering column assembly 100 is illustrated in Figure 3.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one slot 116 is provided on the bush 115 for keeping the steering lock 200 in a desired position. A projection 220 is provided on the inner surface of the collar 225 which cooperates with the slot 116, thus facilitating the exact relative positioning of the steering lock 200 and the steering column assembly 100.
15 Figure 4 illustrates an isometric view of the steering column assembly 100.
9

Figure 5 illustrates an isometric view of a steering column with an annular sleeve mounted thereon.
Figure 6 illustrates an isometric view of the annular sleeve 120 wherein atleast
two slots (120a and 120b) are provided on the diagonally opposite side of the
5 sleeve 120.
Figure 7 illustrates a sectional view of the steering lock 200 in an unlocked/disengaged configuration. The ignition key 211 is inserted into the keyhole 212 and twisted by around 20-30 degrees to a first position say P1. At the P1 position the steering lock 200 is disengaged by virtue of the retraction of the
10 latch 215 from the slot (120a or 120b) of the sleeve 120. The ignition key 211
remains in the P1 position unless it is moved intentionally. The ignition key 211 is further turned momentarily by around 40-60 degrees to turn ON the ignition (cranking) of the tractor engine. The key 211 returns back to P1 position as soon as it released by the operator/driver after cranking the engine. An inbuilt spring
15 arrangement (not shown in figures) is provided inside the lock body to bring back
the cylinder 204 to P1 default position.
When the ignition of tractor engine is turned ON and the tractor is in operation,
the ignition key 211 must be kept inserted into the cylinder 204. At this time the
cylinder 204 and the ignition key 211 maintain their default P1 position. In this
20 position, the latch 215 is in a disengaged position, i.e. there is no interference
between the latch 215 and the sleeve slot (120a or 120b). As a result, the steering wheel 130 and the steering column 105 is free to angularly move about an axis of the steering column 105. The tractor can thus be steered and driven normally.
Figure 8 illustrates a sectional view of the steering lock 200 in a locked
25 configuration. The steering lock 200 is configured to be in a locked configuration
when the ignition key 211 is removed from the cylinder 204. While the ignition key 211 is removed from the cylinder 204, the cam-follower mechanism 203 pushes the latch 215 through the hole 112 formed on the outer pipe 110, such that the latch (215) enters into the slot (120a or 120b) provided on the sleeve 120. The
10

latch 215 thus locks the angular movement of the steering column 105 inside the outer pipe 110. Thus, the turning of the tractor is restricted and the tractor is prevented against theft. When the tractor ignition is turned OFF and the tractor is in parked condition, the ignition key 211 must be removed from the keyhole 212 5 of the steering lock 200 by first moving the ignition key 211 to a P-0 position. At the P-0 position the ignition is just in an inserted configuration with no angular displacement of the cylinder 204. Then the ignition key 211 is removed from the keyhole 212. When the key 211 is removed from the keyhole 212 and the steering wheel 130 is angularly moved about its axis to either locking position (say L-1
10 and L-2), the latch 215 slides into the sleeve slot (120a or 120b). The movement of the steering column 105 is thus restricted inside the outer pipe 110 which is already fixedly mounted on the tractor body 140. Hence, in this configuration, the steering column 105 along with steering wheel 130 is held in locked condition and as a result, their angular movement about the axis of the steering column 105 is
15 restricted. Consequently, the tractor cannot be turned and directed in a desired direction by thieves, unless the steering lock 200 is unlocked by the ignition key 211.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual 20 components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
25 The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a steering lock for a tractor that:
• prevents the theft of the tractor;
• facilitates locking of turning of the tractor; and
11

• reduces the safety hazard arising due to the starting of the tractor using any by-pass method.
The foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The 5 description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The 10 examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general 15 nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that 20 the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
25 The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
12

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.

WE CLAIM:

A steering lock (200) for locking the steering column (105) of a tractor, said lock (200) comprising a latch mechanism (202) coupled to an outer pipe (110) of a steering column assembly (100), said latch mechanism (202) being displaceable, by displacing the ignition key (211) of said tractor, from an engaging configuration in which said latch mechanism
(202) locks the angular movement of said steering column (105) of said
steering column assembly (100), to a disengaging configuration in which
said steering column (105) is free.
The steering lock (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a lock body (205) encloses said latch mechanism (202), said latch mechanism (202) comprises a latch (215) configured to reciprocate in said lock body (205), a cam-follower mechanism (203) for moving said latch (215), an angularly displaceable cylinder (204) placed in said lock body (205), and a keyhole (212) formed on said cylinder (204) along the axis of said cylinder (204), wherein said cylinder (204) is angularly displaced via the ignition key (211) inserted in said keyhole (212).
The steering lock (200) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said cam-follower mechanism (203) is coupled to said cylinder (204).
The steering lock (200) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the reciprocating movement of said latch (215) is effected via said cam-follower mechanism
(203) in relation to the angular movement of said cylinder (204).
The steering lock (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said steering column assembly (100), comprises:
• the outer pipe (110) fixedly attached to said tractor and configured for supporting said steering column (105) therein;

• at least one bush (115) welded on the outer surface of the outer pipe (110) for fixing the longitudinal position of said steering lock (200) on the outer pipe (110);
• a sleeve (120), with at least one slot (120a, 120b) provided thereon, welded on the outer surface of said steering column (105); and
• a hole (112) formed on the surface of the outer pipe (110) and configured for receiving said latch (215) during said engaging configuration.
The steering lock (200) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said steering lock (200) is fixed to the outer pipe (110) using a back plate (214) and a plurality of fastening elements (213).
The steering lock (200) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the head of said fastening elements (213) is selected from the group consisting of button head, truss head, socket head, oval head, and raised head.
The steering lock (200) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said slots (120a, 120b) provided on said sleeve (120) are positioned diagonally opposite to each other to arrest the rotation of said steering column (105) at two different positions.
The steering lock (200) as claimed in claim 2, wherein a collar (225) is provided on the side of said lock body (205) to facilitate fixing of said lock body (205) on the outer surface of said steering column assembly (100).
The steering lock (200) as claimed in claim 9, wherein a projection (220) is provided on the inner surface of said collar (225), said projection (220) configured to cooperate with a slot (116) formed in said bush (115) when said lock body (205) is fixed to the outer pipe (110).

The steering lock (200) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said sleeve (120) is provided with at least two slots that are equally spaced along the circumference of said sleeve (120).
The steering lock (200) as claimed in claim 5, wherein a plurality of bearing assemblies (not visible in figures) is provided between said steering column (105) and the outer pipe (110).