US1366992A - Locking device for automobiles - Google Patents

Description

J. I. WINGH'ELL.

LOCKING DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION nun NOV-.8. 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET lv M A TTORNEYS.

Patented Feb. 1, 1921.

I. I. WINCHELL.

LOCKING DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV; 8. I9I9.

Patented Feb. 1, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- INVEN TOR. I

MW. M ATTORNEYf.

UNITED STATES PAT JAMES I. WINCHELL, OF DAVENPORT, IOWA.

LOCKING DEVICE FOR auromonrnns.

Application filed November To all whom may concern 1 Be it known that 1, JAMES I. Wmonnnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Davenport, in the county of Scottand State of Iowa, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in Locking Devices for Automobiles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to locking devices for automobiles, and aims to provide a simple and efficient, looking apparatus for attachment with the usual clutch-lever of the vehicle, so as to prevent the operation thereof for the purpose of starting the car.

It is specially adapted for use witlrautomobiles in which the elutclrleveris forced forwardly, but can also be adapted for use in. those wherein the lever moves downwardly in operating, as will be hereinafter pointed out. a

My invention is of a construction which enables it to be readily positioned for use, the attaching parts being so arran ed and connected that they cannot be etached while the device is in a locking osition.

The particular construction, arrangement, and operation of the various parts of the invention will be more fully apprehended from the following specification, reference being had to the drawings accompanying the same, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my invention, showing its position when. in use. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the invention, detached. Fig. 3 is a side view thereof. Fig. 4 illustrates the shackle member by means of which the device is held in place. Fig. 5 is an edge view of the locking member, with the shackle removed. Fig. 6 is a similar plan view thereof. Fig. 7 shows the locking end of the arm 11, with a modified form thereof.

1 represents a fractional part of the footboard of an automobile, 2 the steering-post, 3 the clutch-lever, and 4 the head or pedal thereof. The locking mechanism is adapted to be secured to the lower part of the steering-post by means of a shackle formed of semi-circular portions 5 and 6, hingedly united as at a. The part 5 has a projection 7, in which is rigidly seated a bolt 8, preferably by being formed inwardly with said pro ect1on. The part 6 is provided with a perforated extension 9, adapted to receive the bolt 8, which is held therein by a nut 10. The projections 7 and 9 and loops Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 1, 1921.

s, 1919. Serial No. aaaeaa.

5 and 6 are thus held in locked relation, and when said loops are inclosing the steering-post, as shown in Fig. 1, they cannot be removed except by disengaging the nut 10. 11 is an arm provided with a divided head 12, formed of two parts, united by a pin 13,- which is irremovably held in place therein, as, for instance, by bein formed integrally with said head. Said pin is adapted to be held in an opening formed partly at 14 in the projection 7 and partly at 15 in, the extension 9. At its opposite end the arm 11 is provided with a lock 16, which is preferably constructed as an integral part thereof, and has a hasp 17 for ngagement with the lever 3 just below the tread thereof. lVhen the parts 7 and 9 are closed, with. the pin 13 in position therein, the arm 11 is held swingingly. thereby, so as to be permitted a limited movement at one side of said parts, as shown in Fig. 2,.

and in broken lines in Fig. 1.

It will be obvious that when the hasp 17 is locked about the lever 3, it will be impossible to actuate said lever, 01' to put into operation the mechanism for starting the car. When the owner of the car desires to use the same, he unlocks the hasp, and swings the arm to the side out of the way. Said arm is held in such inoperative position by means of a spring 18, connecting such arm with the dashboard of the car at a point near the steering-post.

On the inner edge of the arm 11 is a ringshaped projection 19, which incloses the nut 10 when the arm 11 is locked to the lever 3, and prevents the same from being removed or tampered with. It will be apparent, therefore, that when the arm 11 is locked to the lever 3, there is no possibility of the shackle being disconnected from the steering-post, nor can the arm 11 be detached at the pivotal end thereof.

To place the device in position for use, the shackle is opened,and caused to embrace the steering-post, with the hinge of said shackle in rear of the post. The head 12 is then slipped over the extension 9 until the pin 13 is seated in the recess 12, whereupon the parts 7 and 9 are closed, and fastened together. The device can then be used as long as desired, without the necessity of removing the same after having been used.

In Fig. 7 is shown a modification of the device, wherein the outer end of the arm 11 is provided with an upwardly projected angle-plate 20, and a downwardly extended has been shown and; referred to herein as being integral W1tll'Sl10h-ELID1,.1t Will be emdent that it need not-necessarily be, as such lock can be separately constructed, and suitably; connectedwith the endof the arm.

What I claim and desireto secure, is: '1. Adevice of the class described, comprising a: SlRLCklG fOImBd of two parts, hingedly united, adapted, to embrace the steering post of: an automobile and provided with complementary projections; means for fastening said. projections; together; an arm swingingly mounted in: said projections and provided: with means for inclosing the fastening means thereof when said arm is in a locking position, to prevent release of said fastening'means; and a lock on the free end of said arm, adapted for engagement with the clutch-lever of. an automobile, to hold the same from movement.

2. A device of the class described, comprising a shackle, formed of two parts hingedly united, adapted to embrace the steering post of an automobile and provided with complementary projections; means for fastening said projections together; an arm swingingly mounted in said projections and provided with means for preventing the re lease of said fastening means when said arm is in a locking position; a lock on the free end. of said arm, adapted for engagement with the clutch-lever of an automobile; and means for holding said arm out of locking position.

3. A device of the class described, compri 'nga shackle, formed of two parts hingedly united, adapted to embrace the steering post of an automobile and provided with projecting ends; means for fastening said ends together; a swinging member supported irremovably in said ends, and provided with means for preventing the release of said fastening means when said swinging member is in a locking position; means for locking said swinging memberto the clutch-lever of an automobile; and means carried by said swinging member, adapted to be interposed between the pedal of said clutch-lever and the floor of the automobile.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

JAMES I. WINCHELL.

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