Shifter with one-touch locking knob
US8256324B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 1, 2008 |
| Grant date | Sep 4, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 5, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/20612
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A transmission shifter includes a shift lever, and a knob with attachment clip that mechanically locks the knob atop the lever with a single assembly motion. The clip is located inside a hole in the select knob, and the lever includes a notch near its top. The clip is positioned to flex to facilitate assembly as the lever is inserted into the hole, but then unflex to engage the notch and lock the knob to the lever. To remove the knob from the lever, a removal tool is used to depress the clip, pushing it out of the way and allowing the select knob to be pulled off the lever. The illustrated shifters include a mechanically-actuated pawl actuator system and an electrically-actuated pawl actuator system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.