TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to a steering lock for a vehicle. Particular, but not exclusively
relates to a steering lock assembly comprising an improved mechanism for enhanced ease in
operability and safety.
BACKGROUND
In general, steering locks are used to immobilize front steering fork of a two-wheeler vehicle by
selectively engaging a receiving detent formed in rotating shaft of the vehicle. These steering
locks comprises of a cylinder lock (rotatably operable by using an appropriate key) and a lock
bar. The lock bar is provided on lock-body side to advance-ably and retreat-ably engage a hole
provided on handle bar side of the vehicle, either to lock or unlock the steering of the vehicle.
The rotation of the cylinder lock controls the lock bar resulting in locking or unlocking of the
steering of the vehicle.
Conventionally, the steering locks doesn't permit complete removal of key when the steering is
unlocked. Furthermore, conventional steering locks doesn't provide feasibility of insertion of key
in any condition of the steering lock. Accordingly, a need exists for a steering lock that addresses
one or more above discussed disadvantages and other associated problems with the conventional
steering locks, ensuring enhanced ease in operability and safety.
SUMMARY
The one or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by a mechanism as claimed and
additional advantages are proGided through the provision of mechanism as claimed in the present
disclosure.
In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure a steering lock assembly for a vehicle
is disclosed. The steering lock assembly assembly comprises a body having a sleeve including a
longitudinal axis. Said body further comprises a groove cam profile being located in interior of
the sleeve. The assembly further comprises of a rotor assembly adapted to be inserted in and
rotatably carried by the sleeve. Said rotor assembly having a key slot formed therein and
extending longitudinally from a top face of said rotor assembly. The rotor assembly is operably
rotated by inserting a key within the key slot between a lock position, unlock position and a
progressive lock position. Said rotor assembly having locking tumblers disposed therein for
preventing rotation of the rotor assembly relatively to the body when in lock position and permits
rotation of the rotor assembly to unlock position in response to insertion and rotation of the key
in the key slot. The steering lock assembly further comprises of a lock plate movably located in
said rotor assembly in a state that a resilient member urges the said lock plate to move in a
direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis such that one end face of said lock plate is
brought in constant engagement with groove cam profile. The steering lock assembly further
comprises of a resilient mean secured in the body to get energized when the rotor assembly is
rotated to the progressive unlock position from unlock position to enable the rotor assembly to
immediately auto-return to the unlock position. The steering lock assembly further comprises of
a key with a notch provided to operationally engaged with the lock plate at predetermined
position and allow the key to remove when required. The steering lock assembly further
comprises of a cam coupled therein and extending longitudinally form the bottom face of the
rotor assembly. Said cam rotates cooperatively with the rotation of the rotor assembly. The
steering lock assembly further comprises of a slide plate coupled to the cam for converting rotary
motion of the cam into reciprocation motion. The steering lock assembly further comprises of a
lock bar coupled to the slide plate for locking or unlocking steering of vehicle. Wherein,
movement of lock plate because of the rotation of rotor assembly and due to stationary groove
cam profile, permits removal of the key from the key slot only when the rotor assembly is in the
lock position and progressive unlock position.
In an embodiment the steering lock assembly, further consists of a detent cylinder assembly
comprising a resilient mean and detent mean, coupled with the cam to operationally provide the
detent.
In an embodiment, the locking tumblers are displaceable to an operative configuration, by means
of spring, to enable insertion of correct key to permit rotation of the rotor assembly relatively to
the body.
In an embodiment the lock plate further includes a receiving aperture adapted to communicate
with a notch on the key for selectively permitting removal of the key from the key slot.
In an embodiment the steering lock assembly, the slide plate further includes a slot that engages
a cam portion of the cam to advance or retreat in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal
axis.
In an embodiment the slide plate attains advanced state when the rotor assembly is in lock
position and slide plate attains retract state when the rotor assembly is in unlock position.
In an embodiment the lock bar advanced into a projected state, to lock the steering of the vehicle,
when the slide plate attains the advance state; whereas the lock bar retracts into a withdrawn
state, to unlock the steering of the vehicle, when the slide plate attains the retract state.
Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure.
Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are
considered a part of the claimed disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The
disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, hrther objectives and advantages
thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an
illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more
embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying
figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
Figures la-lb, illustrates a perspective view of steering lock assembly which depicts the open
and close position of the top cover in accordance to the present disclosure.
Figure 2, illustrates a sectional view of steering lock assembly in accordance to the present
disclosure.
Figure 3, illustrates a sectional view of steering lock assembly in accordance to the present
disclosure.
Figure 4, illustrates a key with a notch to operate the steering lock assembly in accordance to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 5, illustrates the sectional view of steering lock assembly at lock position in accordance
to an embodiment the present disclosure.
Figure 6, illustrates the sectional view of steering lock assembly at unlock position in
accordance to an embodiment the present disclosure.
Figures 7, illustrates the sectional view of steering lock assembly at progressive unlock position
in accordance to an embodiment the present disclosure.
Figure 8, illustrates the sectional view of steering lock assembly depicting torsion springs in
accordance to an embodiment the present disclosure.
Figure 9, illustrates the exploded view of the steering lock assembly according to the present
disclosure.
Figure 10, illustrates the isometric view of the body of the steering lock assembly according to
the present disclosure.
The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in
the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the
structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles
of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example,
instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter
described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous
over other embodiments.
While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific
embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in
detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the
forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and
alternative falling within the spirit and the scope of the disclosure.
The terns "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a
non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device or method that comprises a list of components
or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or
steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or
more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by "comprises ... a" does not, without more
constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or
apparatus.
In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to
the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of
illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments
are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it
is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made
without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is,
therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
The steering lock assembly (100) for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure comprises a body (lo), a rotor assembly (20) with locking tumblers (40), a lock plate
(50), a resilient mean (60), a cam (70), a slide plate (80) and a lock bar (go), retaining plate
(1 lo), detent cylinder assembly (130) and a bottom cover (96). As shown in figures 1 to 3, the
body (10) is substantially a housing, for the steering lock assembly (loo), a bottom cover (96) is
fixedly mounted by mean of mounting screws (97) The body (10) has a sleeve (1 1) including a
longitudinal axis for receiving the rotor assembly (20) [interchangeably referred as to rotor]. The
sleeve (1 1) includes a groove cam profile (12) being located at the top of the body and in interior
of the sleeve (1 1). As shown in figures 5 to 7, the groove cam profile (12) is generally ovalshaped
section including a circular intermediate portion (121) and a lobed portion (122). The
rotor assembly (20) is substantially a cylindrical in shape adapted to be inserted in and rotatably
carried by top portion of the sleeve (11). The rotor assembly (20) has a key slot (21) formed
therein and extending longitudinally from a top face (22). The rotor assembly (20) can be
operably rotated about the longitudinal axis by inserting a key (30) within the key slot (21)
between a lock position, unlock position and a progressive lock position. As shown in figure1
and figure 9, top portion of the sleeve (1 1) can be completely sealed and covered by means of an
upper cover (95) which consist of at least two halves. As shown in Figure la and lb the upper
cover (95) is provided to cover the body from the top.
As shown in figure 2, the bottom cover (96) is provided to cover the body from the bottom side
with the mounting screws (97).
The plurality of locking tumblers (40) are employed to prevent rotation of the rotor assembly
(20) relatively to the body (10). The locking tumblers (40) comprises of plurality of tumbler
springs (41) which are displaceable to an operative configuration by insertion of correct key (30)
to permit rotation of the rotor assembly (20) relatively to the body (10). The looking tumblers
prevent rotation of rotor assembly (20) in lock position and permits rotation of the rotor (20) to
unlock position in response to insertion and rotation of an appropriate correct key (30) in the key
slot (21).
The lock plate (50) is substantially a rectangular plate, movably located in said rotor (20). The
lock plate (50) is positioned in the rotor (20) in a state that a resilient member (51) such as a
spring urges the said lock plate (50) to move in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis
such that one end face (52) of lock plate (50) is brought in constant engagement with the groove
cam profile (12). The lock plate (50) further includes a receiving aperture (53) adapted to
communicate with a notch (3 1) on the key (30) for selectively permitting removal of the key (30)
from the key slot (21). The movement of lock plate (50) because of the rotation of rotor (20) and
due to stationary groove cam profile (12), permits removal of the key (30) from the key slot (21)
only when the rotor (20) is in the lock position and progressive unlock position.
As shown in figure 3 and 10, the steering lock assembly comprises a detent cylinder assembly
(130) rotatably secured in the bottom cover at cavity (141). The said detent cylinder assembly
consist of at least one detent ball (132) and a spring (13 1) to energize the detent balls outwards.
The detent cylinder assembly engaged with the cam (70) at cam pin (71) and rotates with the
rotation of the rotor. The detent balls operationally engage with the plurality of the slots provided
on the cavity (141) in the bottom cover to detent at lock and unlock positions.
As shown in figures 8, the resilient mean (60) such as a torsion spring is secured at one end (61)
to a bottom face (23) of the rotor (20). Another end (62) of the resilient mean (60) is nonrotatably
secured to the body (10) to get energized when the rotor (20) is rotated to the
progressive unlock position from unlock position for enabling the rotor (20) to immediately autoreturn
to the unlock position. The said resilient mean (60) is secured in the body and covered
with a retaining plate (1 10) mounted with the plate mounting screws (1 1 1) in the body (10). The
cam (70) is coupled therein and extending longitudinally form the bottom face (23) of the rotor
(20). The cam (70) rotates cooperatively with the rotation of the rotor (20). Furthermore, the cam
(70) includes a pin portion (71) extending from bottom face of the cam. The cam (70)
substantially resembles a crank shaft of an engine, such that the slide plate (80) is coupled to the
cam (70) for converting rotary motion of the cam (70) into reciprocation motion. As shown in
figure 2, the slide plate (80) further includes a slot (81) that engages a cam portion (72) of the
cam (70) for reciprocating to an advanced or retracted state in a direction perpendicular to said
longitudinal axis. The slide plate (80) attains advanced state when the rotor (20) is in lock
position, whereas the slide plate (80) attains retract state when the rotor (20) is in unlock
position.
The lock bar (90) is coupled to the slide plate (80) to reciprocated to a projected state or
withdrawn state for locking or unlocking the steering of the vehicle. The lock bar (90) advances
into a projected state, to lock the steering of the vehicle, when the slide plate (80) attains the
advanced state. Whereas, the lock bar (90) retracts into a withdrawn state, to unlock the steering
of the vehicle, when the slide plate (80) attains the retracted state.
The operation of the steering lock assembly (1 00) thus constructed, will be described.
Initially, when the steering lock assembly is in lock position, as illustrated in figure 5, the end
face (52) of lock plate (50) is in engagement with the intermediate portion (121) of groove cam
profile (12). At this instance, any user of the steering lock assembly can insert the key (30) into
the key slot (21) of the rotor (20). Upon insertion of an appropriate key (30) into the rotor (20),
the plurality of tumbler elements (41) displaced to an operative configuration and receiving
aperture (53) of lock plate (50) is in disengaged condition with the key notch (3 1) and permits
rotation of the rotor (20) relatively to the body (10). At the lock position, the slide plate (80) is in
advanced state and the lock bar (90) is in projected state, thereby keeping steering of the vehicle
locked and at this position, the user can remove the key from the rotor key slot (21)
Further, when the user turns the key (30) in clock wise direction, the rotor (20) rotates in the
same direction resulting in attaining unlock position of the steering lock assembly (100). The
rotation of rotor (20) outcomes rotation and movement of the end face (52) of lock plate (50) in
engagement with the lobed portion (122) of groove cam profile (12), as shown in figure 6.
Therefore, causing the receiving aperture (53) of lock plate (50) to restrain the notch (3 1) of the
key (30) resulting in restricting removal of the key (30) in unlock position. The rotation of rotor
(20) concurrently leads to rotation of cam (70), therefore the slide plate (80) attains retract state
and lock bar (90) retracts into a withdrawn state, to unlock the steering of the vehicle.
Further, when the user desires to remove the key (30) at unlock position, the user must further
turn the key (30) in clock wise direction. The rotor (20) rotates in the same direction resulting in
attaining progressive unlock position of the steering lock assembly (100). The rotation of rotor
(20) outcomes rotation and movement of the end face (52) of lock plate (50) in engagement with
the intermediate portion (123) of groove cam profile (12), as shown in figure 7. Therefore,
causing the receiving aperture (53) of lock plate (50) to release the notch (31) of the key (30)
permitting the user to remove of the key (30) in progressive unlock position. Upon removal of
key (30), force applied by the user to rotate the rotor (20) is withdrawn, the rotor (20)
immediately auto-returns to the unlock position due to action of the resilient mean (60).
Furthermore, the construction of the steering lock assembly permits insertion of key (30) into the
key slot (21) in unlock position also. When the key (30) is inserted into the key slot (21) in
unlock position, the lock plate (50) is pushed towards center of rotor (20) by surface of key (30)
thereby enabling receipt of the key (30) into the receiving aperture (53) and key notch (31) is
engaged with the lock plate end face (52) when the key resulting in restricting removal of the key
(30) in unlock position.
In an embodiment, an ignition switch is coupled with the cam to allow start and stop of engine of
the vehicle.
It is to be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art would design steering lock assembly
in any shape, dimension and configuration to steering lock assembly without deviating fiom the
scope of the present disclosure. Also, various modifications and variations may be made without
departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that the present
disclosure covers such modifications and variations provided they come within the ambit of the
appended claims and their equivalents.
Equivalents:
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill
in the art can translate fiom the plural to the singular andlor from the singular to the plural as is
appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singularlplural permutations may be
expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in
the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms
(e,g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term
"having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as
"includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a
specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly
recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example,
as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory
phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such
phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the
indefinite articles "ay' or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim
recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes
the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or
"an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or
more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations.
In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those
skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at
least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers,
typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those
instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general
such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the
convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited
to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C
together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to
"at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense
one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of
A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A
and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be
further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase
presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should
be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms,
or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of
"A" or "B" or "A and B."
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and
embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments
disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true
scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.
Referral Numerals:
Reference Number
100
10
11
12
121
122
123
20
2 1
22
23
3 0
Description
Steering lock assembly
Body
Sleeve
Cam groove profile
Intermediate portion
Lobed portion
Intermediate portion
Rotor
Key slot
Top face
Bottom face slot
Key
3 1
40
4 1
5 0
5 1
52
5 3
60
6 1
62
70
7 1
72
8 0
8 1
90
9 5
96
97
110
111
141
130
131
132
Notch
Locking tumblers
Plurality of tumbler elements
Lock plate
Resilient member
End face
Receiving aperture
Resilient mean
One end
Another end
Cam
Pin portion
Cam portion
Slide plate
Slot
Lock bar
Top cover
Bottom cover
Mounting screws
Retaining Plate
Plate mounting screws
Bottom cover cavity
Detent cylinder assembly
Detent spring
Detent ball

We claim:
1. A steering lock assembly (100) for a vehicle, the assembly comprising:
a body (10) having a sleeve (1 1) including a longitudinal axis; said body
(10) further comprises a groove cam profile (12) being located in interior of the
sleeve (1 1);
a rotor assembly (20) adapted to be inserted in and rotatably carried by the
sleeve (1 1); said rotor assembly (20) having a key slot (21) formed therein and
extending longitudinally from a top face (22) of said rotor assembly (20); said
rotor assembly (20) is operably rotated by inserting a key (30) within the key slot
(21) between a lock position, unlock position and a progressive lock position; said
rotor assembly (20) having locking tumblers (40) disposed therein for preventing
rotation of the rotor assembly (20) relatively to the body (10) when in lock
position and permits rotation of the rotor assembly (20) to unlock position in
response to insertion and rotation of the key (30) in the key slot (21);
a lock plate (50) movably located in said rotor assembly (20) in a state that
a resilient member (51) urges the said lock plate (50) to move in a direction
perpendicular to said longitudinal axis such that one end face (52) of said lock
plate is brought in constant engagement with groove cam profile (12);
a resilient mean (60) secured in the body (10) to get energized when the
rotor assembly (20) is rotated to the progressive unlock position from unlock
position to enable the rotor assembly (20) to immediately auto-return to the
unlock position;
a key with a notch (31) provided to operatidnally engaged with the lock
plate at predetermined position and allow the key to remove when required.
a cam (70) coupled therein and extending longitudinally form the bottom
face (23) of the rotor assembly (20); said cam (70) rotates cooperatively with the
rotation of the rotor assembly (20);
a slide plate (80) coupled to the cam (70) for converting rotary motion of
the cam (70) into reciprocation motion;
a lock bar (90) coupled to the slide plate (80) for locking or unlocking
steering of vehicle;
wherein, movement of lock plate (50) because of the rotation of rotor assembly (20) and
due to stationary groove cam profile (12), permits removal of the key (30) from the key
slot (21) only when the rotor assembly (20) is in the lock position and progressive unlock
position.
2. The steering lock assembly as claimed in claim 1, further consists of a detent cylinder
assembly (1 30) comprising a resilient mean and detent mean, coupled with the cam (70)
to operationally provide the detent.
3. The steering lock assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking tumblers (40) are
displaceable to an operative configuration, by means of spring (41), to enable insertion of
correct key (30) to permit rotation of the rotor assembly (20) relatively to the body (1 0).
4. The steering lock assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lock plate (50) further
includes a receiving aperture (53) adapted to communicate with a notch (3 1) on the key
(30) for selectively permitting removal of the key (30) from the key slot (21).
5. The steering lock assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slide plate (80) further
includes a slot (81) that engages a cam portion (72) of the cam (70) to advance or retreat
in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.
6. The steering lock assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the slide plate (80) attains
advanced state when the rotor assembly (20) is in lock position; whereas the slide plate
(80) attains retract state when the rotor assembly (20) is in unlock position.
7. The steering lock assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lock bar (90) advanced
into a projected state, to lock the steering of the vehicle, when the slide plate (80) attains
the advance state; whereas the lock bar (90) retracts into a withdrawn state, to unlock the
steering of the vehicle, when the slide plate (80) attains the retract state.