BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Technical Field
[OOOl] The present invention relates to a steering lock apparatus.
Related art
[0002] JP 2008-30624 A discloses the mounting structure for
mounting a steering lock device on a steering column. In this
mounting structure, a cover is fixed with bolts in a state where the
steering column is clamped between a body made of metal such as
zinc and the cover made of metal in the same manner.
SUMMARY
f00031 Since the body and the cover are made of metal, the
steering lock apparatus disclosed in JP 2008-30624 A is
heavyweight. Further, in the manufacture of the caver, it is
necessary to bend a metal material in conformity with a shape of
the steering column, therefore requiring high manufacturing cost.
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
steering lock apparatus which can realize the reduction in weight
and the reduction of a manufacturing cost.
[0005] An aspect of the present invention provides a steering
lock apparatus, comprising: a key cylinder; a cam member
connected to the key cylinder; a lock member configured to be
retractable by an movement of the cam member in linkage with an
rotation of the key cylinder; a body which accommodates the key
cylinder, the cam member, and the lock member, and which
includes an mounting portion provided with an accommodating
groove for accommodating a steering column and body butting
portions provided in both sides of the accommodating groove; and
a cover including a clamping portion configured to cover the
steering column accommodated in the accommodating groove so
that the clamping portion clamps the steering column with the
mounting portion, and cover butting portions provided at both
ends of the clamping portion, each of the cover butting portions
being fastened to the body butting portion, wherein the cover is
made of a resin.
[0006] In the steering lack apparatus of the present invention,
the cover which is mounted on the body such that the cover covers
the steering column accommodated in the accommodating groove
formed in the body is made of a resin. Accordingly, it is possible
to realize the reduction in weight and the reduction of a
manufacturing cost of the steering lock apparatus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The foregoing and the other features of the present
invention will became apparent from the following description and
drawings of an illustrative embodiment of the invention in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view as viewed from a front side of a
steering lock apparatus according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the steering lock apparatus as
viewed from a rear side;
Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the steering lock
apparatus;
Fig. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the steering
lock apparatus (with the key not being inserted);
Fig. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the steering
lock apparatus (with the key being inserted);
Fig. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a body;
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a key cylinder as viewed from
above;
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the key cylinder as viewed from
below;
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a cover as viewed from below;
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the cover as viewed from
below;
Fig. 11 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view taken
along a line XI-XI in Fig. 1; and
Fig. 12 is an enlarged view of a portion XI1 in Fig. 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[OOOS] Next, an embodiment of the present invention is
described with reference to drawings.
[0009] With reference to Figs. 1 to 5, a steering lock apparatus 1
includes a body 2 and a cover 3. As described later in detail, the
steering lock apparatus 1 is fixed to a steering column 4 (see Figs.
4 and 5) by clamping the steering column 4 between the body 2
and the cover 3.
[0010] Also with reference to Fig. 6, the body 2 is a single part
made of a resin. The body 2 includes: a main portion 21; a
connecting portion 22 which projects from the main portion 21;
and a mounting portion 23 which is formed on a distal end of the
connecting portion 22 for mounting the body 2 on the steering
column 4. Body butting portions 24A, 24B are formed on both
ends of the mounting portion 23.
[8011] The main portion 21 is substantially a portion having a
cylindrical shape and opens on both ends thereof. In the main
portion 21, along an axis a extending from a front end side to a
rear end side of the main portion 2 1 (see Figs. 4 and 5), a cylinder
accommodating hole (cylinder housing portion) 2 1 a, a cam
accommodating hole 2 1 b, and a switch accommodating hole 2 1c in
which a portion of an ignition switch (not shown in drawings) is
accommodated are formed. A rear end of the cylinder
accommodating hole 2 la spatially communicates with a front end
of the cam accommodating hole 21b, and a rear end of the cam
accommodating hole 2 1 b spatially communicates with a front end
of the switch accommodating hole 2 1c.
[0012] Accommodated in the cylinder accommodating hole 21a
is a key cylinder 6. An annular mounting groove 21d having a
larger diameter than other portions is formed on a hole wall of the
cylinder accommodating hole 21a on a rear end side. Tumbler
engaging grooves 2 le, 21f extending along the axis a: and having a
small width are formed on the hoIe wall of the ' cylinder
accommodating hole 2 la. Further, a part accommodating space
21g which spatially communicates with the cylinder
accommodating hole 2 1 a is formed in the main portion 2 1. In the
part accommodating space 21g, a lock link 25 which is rotatably
supported on a shaft 21h extending in a direction orthogonal to
the axis a, and a biasing spring 26 which resiliently biases the
lock link 25 are accommodated. The lock link 25 has a pushing
portion 25a on one end thereof, and has a hook-shaped engaging
portion 25b on the other end thereof.
[0013] Accommodated in the cam accommodating hole 21b is a
cam 27 having a cam surface 27a. A slider 28 which is linearly
movable along the axis a is also accommodated in the cam
accommodating hole 21b. The slider 28 has a hook-shaped
engaging portion 28a on one end thereof. An inserting portion 28b
is formed on the other end of the slider 28 which advances into a
guide hole 22a described later.
[0014] A guide hole 22a is formed in the connecting portion 22
of the main portion 21. One end of the guide hole 22a spatially
communicates with the cam accommodating hole 21b, and the
other end of the guide hole 22a spatially communicates with an
accommodating groove 23a of the mounting portion 23 described
later.
[OQ15] A lack bolt 29 is disposed in the guide hole 22a in a
linearly movable manner. A lock spring 30 is disposed between
the lock bolt 29 and an end wall of the guide hole 22a in a
shrunken state. The lack spring 30 resiliently biases the lock bolt
29 such that a distal end of the lock bolt 29 projects into the
inside of the steering column 4 from the accommodating groove
23a through an insertion hole 4a. The inserting portion 28b of the
slider 28 is inserted into a notch 29a formed in the lock bolt 29.
[0016] Also with reference to Figs. 7 and 8, the key cylinder 6
includes: a substantially elongated cylindrical casing 62 having a
plurality of tumblers 6 1 A, 6 1B; a lid portion 63 mounted on a front
end of the casing 62; and a fitting portion 64 formed on the other
end of the casing 62. The key cylinder 6 includes a push block 65
which is retractable from a surface of the casing 62. A key hole
63a is formed in the lid portion 63. The cam 27 is fitted in the
fitting portion 64.
[0017] The key cylinder 6 includes a mounting pin 66 on a rear
end side thereof. The mounting pin 66 is held by the casing 62
such that the mounting pin 66 is linearly movable in a direction
orthogonal to the axis a: . Further, the mounting pin 66 is
resiliently biased by a biasing spring 67 (see Figs. 4 and 5) such
that the biasing spring 67 projects from a surface of the casing 62.
In this embodiment, the mounting pin 66 has substantially a
circular columnar shape. In a state where the key cylinder 6 is
accommodated in the cylinder accommodating hole 21a formed in
the main portion 21 of the body 2, the mounting pin 66 is
accommodated in the mounting groove 21d formed on a peripheral
wall surface of the cylinder accommodating hole 2 la.
[OO 1 81 Steps of accommodating the key cylinder 6 into the
cylinder accommodating hole 21a are as follows. An anguIar
position of the key cylinder 6 about the axis a is adjusted such
that the mounting pin 66 and the tumbler engaging grooves 2 le,
21f do not agree with each other. The key cylinder 6 is inserted
into the cylinder accommodating hole 21a from the front end
opening of the cylinder accommodating hole 2 la while maintaining
such an angular position. Along with such insertion of the key
cylinder 6, the mounting pin 66 is pulled into the casing 62
against a biasing force of the biasing spring 67 by being pushed by
a peripheral wall of the cylinder accommodating hole 21a.
Accordingly, the key cylinder 6' can be inserted into the cylinder
accommodating hole 21a without causing the interference of the
mounting pin 66 with the main portion 21 of the body 2. When
the key cylinder 6 is inserted into the cylinder accommodating hole
21a such that the key cylinder 6 assumes a final accommodating
position, the mounting pin 66 reaches the mounting groove 21d,
and projects from the casing 62 by the biasing force of the biasing
spring 67.
[0019] As can be clearly understood with reference to Figs. 4
and 5, the mounting pin 66 is accommodated in the annular
mounting groove 21d, and the mounting pin 66 is rotatably
movable in the mounting groove 21d about the axis a. With such
a configuration, the rotation of the key cylinder 6 about the axis a
relative to the main portion 21 of the body 2 is allowed. When a
force which intends to pull out the key cylinder 6 from the cylinder
accommodating hole 21a is applied to the key cylinder 6, the
rnouhting pin 66 is brought into contact with a side wall surface
21i of the mounting groove 21d so that the position of the key
cylinder 6 with respect to the body 2 is maintained. In other
words, since the mounting pin 66 is brought into contact with a
side wall surface 21i of the mounting groove 21d, the key cylinder
6 is positioned in the direction of the axis a. With respect to a
force which intends to further push the key cylinder 6 into the
inside of the cylinder accommodating hole 21a, the cam 27, the
ignition switch and the like are disposed on a rear end side of the
key cylinder 6, and therefore the position of the key cylinder 6 is
maintained.
[0020] As described above, in the steering lock apparatus of t h i s
embodiment, with the simple configuration where the mounting
pin 66 is mounted on the key cylinder 6 and the mounting groove
21d is formed on the body 2, the key cylinder 6 can be surely fixed
to the body 2. Particularly, because of the point that no particular
member or part (for example, a part referred to as "cylinder outer")
is necessary except for the key cylinder 6 which includes the
mounting pin 66, in this embodiment, fixing of the key cylinder 6
to the body 2 can be performed with the simple configuration.
[002 11 As only shown in Fig. 6, a through hole 21j which
reaches the mounting groove 21d from the outside is formed in the
main portion 21 of the body 2. By making the mounting pin 66
and the through hole 2 l j agree with each other by rotating the key
cylinder 6 about the axis a of the key cylinder 6, an operator can
access the mounting pin 66 with a tool (not shown in the drawing)
by way of the through hole 21j, and can push the mounting pin 66
into the casing 62 against a biasing force of the biasing spring 67.
By pushing the mounting pin 66 into the casing 62 in this manner,
a contact between the side wall surface 21i of the mounting groove
21d and the mounting pin 66 can be released, and the key cylinder
6 can be removed from the body 2 by pulling out the key cylinder 6
from the cylinder accommodating hole 2 1 a.
[0022] With reference to Figs. 1 and 3, on the mounting portion
23 of the body 2, the accommodating groove 23a having a concave
cross-sectional shape which conforms to a profile of the steering
column 4 is formed. The body butting portions 24A, 24B formed
on both sides of the accommodating groove 23a include a flat
butting surface 24a respectively. A mounting hole 24b into which
a bolt 7A, 7B is inserted is formed in each of body butting portions
24A, 24B. A nut accommodating hole 24c extending in an
intersecting manner with the mounting hole 24b is formed in each
of body butting portions 24A, 24B.
[O023] With reference to Figs. 9 and 10, the cover 3 is a single
part made of a resin. The cover 3 includes a clamping portion 31
which covers the steering column 4 accommodated in the
accommodating groove 23a formed in the mounting portion 23 of
the body 2, and clamps the steering column 4 in cooperation with
the mounting portion 23. The cover 3 further includes cover
butting portions 32A, 32B which are formed on both ends of the
clamping portion 31, and are fastened to the body butting portions
24A, 24B in a butting manner respectively. A recess 31a having a
concave cross-sectional shape which conforms to a profile of the
steering column 4 is formed on the clamping portion 31. The
mounting portion 23 has, as a whole, a curved shape having
substantially the same curvature as a cross-sectional shape of the
recess 31a. Each cover butting portion 32A, 32B has a flat butting
surface 32a. A mounting hole 32b into which the bolt 7A, 7B is
inserted is formed in each cover butting portion 32A, 32B. A Tow
peripheral wall 33 is formed along a periphery of the cover 3 on a
side opposite to the recess 31a. A plurality of longitudinal ribs 34
and a plurality of transverse ribs 35 which intersect with the
longitudinal ribs 34 are farmed on a side of the cover 3 opposite to
the recess 31a. A grid-like rib structure 36 is formed of these
longitudinal ribs 34 and the transverse ribs 35.
[0024] Also with reference to Figs. 3, 11 and 12, the butting
surfaces 32a of the cover butting portions 32A, 32B is butted
against the butting surface 24a of the body mounting portion 23.
Nuts 8A, 8B are accommodated in the nut accommodating holes
24c formed in the body butting portions 24A, 24B of the body 2.
The bolts 7A, 7B are inserted through the mounting holes 32b
formed in the cover butting portions 32A, 32B as well as through
the mounting holes 24b formed in the body butting portions 24A,
24B in a state where male threaded portions 7a of the bolts 7A, 7B
pass through sleeves 9A, 9B made of metal, and the bolts 7A, 7B
are threadedly engaged with the nuts 8A, 8B. Due to the threaded
engagement of the bolts 7A, 7B and the nuts 8A, 8B, the cover
butting portions 32A, 32B are fastened to the body butting
portions 24A, 24B. Since the sleeves 9A, 9B are interposed
between head portions 7b of the bolts 7A, 7B and the cover butting
portions 32A, 32B, it is possible to prevent breaking of the cover
butting portions 32A, 32B of the cover 3 made of a resin due to
fastening of the bolts 7A, 7B and the nuts 8A, 8B to each other
while ensuring a fastening strength of the cover butting portions
32A, 32B to the body butting portions 24A, 24B.
[0025'j As already described, both the body 2 and the cover 3 are
made of a resin, and therefore the steering lock apparatus 1 can
be made light-weighted compared to a steering lock apparatus
where these elements are made of metal. Further, the body 2 and
the cover 3 which are made of a resin can be manufactured by, for
example, injection molding, and therefore a manufacturing cost of
the steering lock apparatus 1 can be lowered compared to a case
where the body 2 and the cover 3 are manufactured by machining
of a metal material.
[0026] Although made of a resin, the cover 3 is reinforced by
formation of the peripheral wall 33 and the rib structure 36 on the
cover 3. Accordingly, the cover 3 can ensure a strength to an
extent that a fastening force necessary for clamping the steering
column 4 is ensured.
[0027] Hereinafter, with reference to Figs. 4 and 5, an outline of
operation of the steering lock apparatus 1 is described.
[OQ28] As shown in Fig. 4, in a state where a key 10 (shown in
Fig. 5) is not inserted into the key hole 63a, the tumblers 61A, 61B
engage with the tumbler engaging grooves 21e, 21f, and therefore
the key cylinder 6 is not rotatable about the axis a . Further, in
this state, the lock link 25 biased by the biasing spring 26
assumes a posture where the pushing portion 25a pushes down
the push block 65. When the lock rink 25 assumes this posture,
the engagement between the engaging portion 25b of the lock rink
25 and the engaging portion 28a of the slider 28 is' released.
Accordingly, the lock bolt 29 projects into the inside of the steering
column 4 through the guide hole 22a formed in the body 2 and the
insertion hole 4a formed in the steering column 4 by a biasing
force of the lock spring 30, and is inserted into a lock recessed
portion 5a of a steering 5. Due to the insertion of the lock bolt 29
into the inside of the lock recessed portion 5a, the steering 5 is
brought into a non-rotatable state, that is, a lock state.
[0029] As shown in Fig. 5, when the key 10 is inserted into the
key hole 63a, the tumblers BlA, 61B are pulled into the inside of
the casing 62 and are removed from the tumbler engaging grooves
2 le, 2 If. As a result, the key cylinder 6 becomes rotatable about
the axis a . When the key 10 is rotated in a predetermined
direction in this state, the key cylinder 6 rotates about the axis a
and the cam 27 rotates in an interlocking manner with the
rotation of the key cylinder 6. The rotation of the cam 27 is
transmitted to a cam follower surface 28c of the slider 28 from the
cam surface 27a of the cam 27 so that the rotation of the cam 27
is converted into the linear movement of the slider 28 in a leftward
direction in Figs. 4 and 5. The linear movement of the slider 28 is
transmitted to the lock bolt 29 by way of the insertion portion 28b
so that the lock bolt 29 moves in a direction in which the lock bolt
29 is pulled to the connecting portion 22 of the body 2 against a
biasing force of the lock spring 30. As a result, the lock bolt 29 is
removed from the lock recessed portion Sa, and the steering 5 is
brought into a rotatable state, that is, an unlocked state. Further,
the engaging portion 28a of the slider 28 which linearly rnQves in a
leftward direction in the drawing engages with the engaging
portion 25b of the lock link 25 so that the position of the slider 28
is held.
[0030] When the key 10 is rotated in a direction opposite to the
above-mentioned predetermined position, the cam surface 27a of
the cam 27 is separated fram the cam follower surface 28c of the
slider 28. Then, when the key 10 is removed from the key hole 63a,
due to a biasing force of the biasing spring 26, the lock link 25 is
rotated in a direction in which the push block 65 is pushed down
by the pushing portion 25a. Due to such rotation, the engagement
between the engaging portion 25b of the lock link 25 and the
engaging portion 28a of the slider 28 is released. Such a release
enables the movement of the lock bolt 29 in a projecting direction
toward the inside of the steering column 4 by a biasing force of the
locking spring 30 accompanied with the linear movement of the
slider 28 in a right direction in the drawing.

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
I. A steering lock apparatus, comprising:
a key cylinder;
a cam member connected to the key cylinder;
a lock member configured to be retractable by an movement
of the cam member in linkage with an rotation of the key cylinder;
a body which accommodates the key cylinder, the cam
member, and the lock member, and which includes an mounting
portion ' provided with an accommodating groove for
accommodating a steering column and body butting portions
provided in both sides of the accommodating groove; and
a cover including a clamping portion configured to cover the
steering column accommodated in the accommodating groove so
that the clamping portion clamps the steering column with the
mounting portion, and cover butting portions provided at both
ends of the clamping portion, each of the cover butting portions
being fastened to the body butting portion,
wherein the cover is made of a resin.
2. The steering lock apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
wherein each of the body butting portions is formed with a first
attaching hole and a nut accommodation hole formed so as to
cross across the first attaching hole,
wherein each of the cover butting portions is formed with a
second attaching hole, and
wherein a bolt is inserted through the first and second
attaching holes and threadly engaged with a nut accommodated in
the nut accommodation hole so that the cover butting portions are
respectively fastened to the body butting portions.
3. The steering lock apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
further comprising a sleeve interposed between the bolt and the
cover butting portion.
4. The steering lock apparatus according to any one of claims 1
to 3, wherein the body is made of a resin.
5. The steering lock apparatus according to any one of claims 1
to 4, wherein the key cylinder includes an attaching pin
retractably and elastically urged so as to projected from a surface
of the key cylinder,
wherein the body comprises:
a cylinder accommodation portion in which the key cylinder
is accommodate; and
an attaching grove which is formed in the cylinder
accommodation portion, and in which the attaching pin of the key
cylinder accommodated in cylinder accommodation portion is
arranged, and
wherein the attaching groove is configured so that the key
cylinder to be rotated around an axis thereof, and so that the
attaching pin is abutted against a side wall surface of the
attaching groove, the abutment positioning the key cylinder in a
direction of the axis.
6. The steering lock apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
the body is formed with a through hole for allowing access to the
attaching pin arranged in the attaching groove.
7. A steering lock apparatus, comprising:
a key cylinder;
a cam member connected to the key cylinder;
a lock member configured to be retractable by an movement
of the cam member in linkage with an rotation of the key cylinder;
a body which accommodates the key cylinder, the cam
member, and the lock member, and which includes an mounting
portion provided with an accommodating groove for
accommodating a steering column and body butting portions
provided in both sides of the accommodating groove; and
a cover including a clamping portion configured to cover the
steering column accommodated in the accommodating groove so
that the clamping portion clamps the steering column with the
mounting portion, and cover butting portions provided at both
ends of the clamping portion, each of the cover butting portions
being fastened to the body butting portion,
wherein the body is made of a resin.