Steering shaft locking device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a steering shaft locking device in which a locking member is normally urged towards a lock position by a spring member, and is moved to a release position by the cam protrusion of a cam member when a key rotor is turned to an operating position. A key response member operates in such a manner that, when the locking member is moved to the release position with the key response member moved in a first direction upon insertion of the key into the key rotor, its end portion engages with the engaging portion of the locking member to hold the locking member at the release position, and that, when the key response member is moved in a second opposite direction upon extraction of the key from the key rotor, the end portion disengages the engaging portion, thus allowing the movement of the locking member to the lock position. A locking protrusion of the cam member has an end portion which, when the key rotor is turned to the locking position, is engaged with a stopper member, thus inhibiting the movement of the locking member to the release position. Thus, the locking member cannot be moved to the release position until the key rotor is turned to the operating position with the key inserted into it.