Ignition safety interlock
US5860303A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 29, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jan 19, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 29, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T70/5956
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A cable (52) operated ignition safety interlock assembly (50) for an automobile having an ignition switch (16) and an automatic transmission having a gear selector lever (14). The gear selector lever (14) includes a detent (20) manually moveable between a Home position, associated with the Park position of the gear selector lever (14), and a plurality of displaced positions associated with each of the drive positions of the gear selector lever (14). An interlock (50) restrains the ignition switch (16) in its Run position until the gear selector lever (14) is moved to its Park position to remind the driver that the transmission is not safety engaged in the Park condition. The interlock (50) includes a cable (52) having a first end (56) operatively connected to the detent (20) of the gear selector lever (14) and a second end (58) operatively engagable with the ignition switch (16) to restrain the ignition switch (16) in the Run position, and thus to prevent removal of the key from the ignition switch (16). The second end (58) of the cable (52) includes a plunger tip (70) which is moved to and remains in a fully extended condition, restraining the ignition switch (16) in the Run posit…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.