Importance

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Abstract

A key-operated ignition lock has a housing configured to protectively shield an electrical switch. An operating knob has a tubular body that extends through a first passage defined by the housing, and is rotable therein between a plurality of angular positions including on 'off' position. The tubular body defines a second passage wherein elements including a key-receiving plug of a lock mechanism are journaled for rotation between 'locked' and 'unlocked' positions. Alignable bores formed 1) in the tubular body, 2) in a locking plate that surrounds the tubular body, 3) in the plug, and 4) in a barrel that surrounds the plug support an end-to-end arrangement of pins that permit a suitably configured key to be inserted into the plug only when the knob is in its 'off' position, and to permit the knob to be rotated out of its 'off' position only when the key is removed from the plug. To concurrently retain the knob in the first passage and the lock mechanism in the second passage, slots are formed in over-lying side portions of the tubular body of the knob and in the barrel of the lock mechanism to receive a retaining bar that is connected to the housing. A retractable bolt carried at the rear of the tubular body extends from the tubular body to connect the knob to the electrical switch when the lock is 'unlocked,' and retracts when the lock is 'locked' to disconnect the knob from the switch.

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First Claim