Patent · US Expired

Lockout mechanism and system for vehicle shifter

US5211271A · kind A · utility

26Cited by
44References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 13, 1992
Grant dateMay 18, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 13, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T74/20864
  • 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 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, two electrical modules are operatively connected to the brake mechanism, the steering mechanism and the ignition key switch which controls the steering lockout mechanism, one of the two modules being controlled by a solid state switch. In other embodiments, a logic control circuit controls a solenoid driving circuit to control the modules.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.