Steering column switch in the form of a gear shift mechanism that can be fixed in the neutral position
US5834720A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 16, 1997 |
| Grant date | Nov 10, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 16, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H2059/0295
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A steering column switch that may be used as a gear shifting mechanism and can only be pivoted from its neutral position into one of its operating positions via a special manipulation. This measure prevents the transmission of a vehicle from being unintentionally shifted into gear or from changing from forward to reverse mode if the transmission is in gear. A prestressed holding element is provided in the steering column switch. This holding element locks the driver of the steering column switch in the neutral position until the holding element is moved into its unlocked position by pivoting the shift lever relative to the driver. In this position of the shift lever, the driver may be pivoted so as to shift the transmission.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.