Shift lever assembly
US5398565A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 4, 1993 |
| Grant date | Mar 21, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 4, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/20159
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A shift lever assembly for a vehicle is provided. The shift lever assembly ncludes a vertically oriented detent plate having a Z-shaped slot defining a 2-wheel-drive (2H) position, a 4-wheel-drive (4H) position, a neutral (N) position, and a 4-wheel-drive low-speed (4L) position. An actuator pivotally mounts to the detent plate and transfer case, the actuator including a first arm including a connector adapted to connect to a shift mechanism on a vehicle transfer case, and a second arm. A lever subassembly pivotally mounts to the actuator second arm and includes a detent pin adapted for movement in the Z-shaped slot. The lever subassembly is biased so that the detent pin engages the Z-shaped slot. As the lever subassembly is moved along a first path, it drives the connector on the actuator along a corresponding second path to shift the shifting mechanism. The Z-shaped slot and detent pin cooperate along with the actuator and lever subassembly to allow the operator to shift the lever from the 2H position through the 4H and N positions to the 4L position with a continuous "pull-down" type motion by the operator, which motion is ergonomical and readily performable by the operator, but…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.