Abstract: A drop-in type shifter is provided for an automotive transmission, the shifter employing one or more washer-like flat springs for spring biasing a shift stick to a predetermined position on the shifter and actuatable for changing the drive ratio of the transmission when the shift stick is pivoted. A base is adapted for mounting the shifter on the transmission. A spherical socket is disposed on the base, and a spherical ball is disposed on the shift stick, the shift stick being received in the ball for pivotally mounting the shift stick on the base. One or more flat washer-like springs are provided having an aperture through which the upper end of the shift stick extends, the washer-like spring being normally planar in an unstressed condition but being compressible into a curvilinear predetermined cross-sectional shape as installed.

Abstract: A shifter mechanism is provided with an elongated handle having a bore extending along an axis longitudinally of the handle, a rod extending through the bore for actuating a pawl, and a pawl member, the rod and pawl member being provided with a novel connection arrangement for connecting the pawl member to the lower end of the rod. In particular, the connection arrangement includes the lower rod end having an opening at its extreme end extending into a recess within the rod, the recess being defined by a wall, and the pawl member having an upwardly extending upper end adapted to be inserted into the recess. More particularly, the opening and the recess in the lower rod end and the upper end of the pawl each have cross sections whereby the upper end of the pawl member is receivable axially along the bore axis through the opening and into the recess.

Abstract: A shift mechanism for a vehicle includes a detent plate having a notch defining a park gear position, a shift lever with a handle, the shift lever being pivotally movable with respect to the detent plate, and a solenoid driven slideable plate movably attached to the shift lever and having a pawl-like tooth for engaging the notch and holding the shift lever in the park gear position. A solenoid is mounted to the shift lever and directly connected to the slideable plate for controlling the movement of the slideable plate, and hence in turn controlling the movement of the shift lever out of the park gear position. The solenoid includes a solenoid coil which is operably connected to a manually actuatable switch located on the shift lever handle.

Abstract: In a vehicle shift lever assembly for a vehicle in which the shift lever is offset to one side of the transmission actuator arm and in which the lockout mechanism is released by depressing the shift lever, a means is provided to minimize undesirable tipping or turning of the shift lever. Within the preferred form, a plunger and plunger housing combination is provided with sufficient bearing surfaces to minimize tipping and an anti-rotation pin is provided to minimize turning of the shift lever. A detent is also provided to minimize the lockout pin from jumping out of the notch in the lockout plate except when a depressing force is applied to the shift lever.