Lockout mechanism and system for vehicle shifter
US5096033A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 17, 1991 |
| Grant date | Mar 17, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 17, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T70/5956
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A locking mechanism and system for a vehicle shifter in which the shifting lever is locked in a park lock position until the brakes of the automotive vehicle are applied and/or the steering lockout mechanism located in the steering column of the vehicle is released by the ignition key of the vehicle. In one embodiment of the invention the pawl of the shifting lever is restrained by a lockout arm through which the brake mechanism and the lockout cable extending to the steering column are connected. In another embodiment, the lockout cable is eliminated by providing two electrical control modules operatively connected to the brake mechanism and the ignition key switch which controls the steering lockout mechanism. These two modules are connected in a unique circuit so that the shifting lever cannot be shifted out of park to other gear positions until the brake is applied and the steering lockout mechanism is released by the ignition key switch. This system prevents the return of the ignition switch to the lock position until the shifting lever is in the park position. In other embodiments of this invention, a manual apparatus is provided for retracting the lock pin of a control modul…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.