Vehicle shifter
US5775166A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 29, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jul 7, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 29, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/20636
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vehicle transmission shifter having a locking mechanism for controlling the shifting of a lever for an automatic transmission responsive to the condition of a vehicle. A locking member is provided to lock into a detent member movable with the shifting lever and which detent member controls the shifting of the gears in the transmission. The position of the locking member is controlled by an electrical module, the energization of which is controlled by a condition of the vehicle and the actuation of a switch in the handle of the shifting lever. Preferably the detent member which includes a plurality of gear position notches is an elongated member movable in a linear direction to provide a low profile shifter. In a preferred embodiment a novel module detent member sub-assembly is provided for use on various shifter mechanisms. Also in one embodiment the movement of the detent member is sensed so as to produce electrical signals for controlling an electronically operated transmission.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.