Abstract: An apparatus is provided for shifting a vehicle transmission. The apparatus includes a miniaturized shifter having a base and having an elongated shift lever subassembly rotatably mounted on the base for movement between a plurality of gear positions. The shift lever subassembly is rotatable about an axis of rotation that extends parallel a length of the shift lever subassembly. A detent device includes an irregular surface defining gear positions on the base, and further includes a pawl on the shift lever subassembly that operably engages the irregular surface to prevent undesired rotational movement of the shift lever subassembly between at least some of the gear positions until the pawl is disengaged from the irregular surface. A feel positioner is also provided on the apparatus and includes an undulated surface separate from the irregular surface on the base, and further includes a spring-biased protrusion on the shift lever subassembly.

Abstract: An external electronic shift system is provided that is adapted to electronically shift an existing automatic transmission for a vehicle. The automatic transmission includes gearing movable to a plurality of different gear positions, and further includes an actuator rod connected to the gearing that is rotatable to selectively shift the gearing between the gear positions. A control unit is programmed to receive electrical signals from a shifter and generate signals to control shifting of the transmission. A stepper motor unit is mechanically attached to the actuator rod and electrically connected to the control unit. The stepper motor unit is configured to selectively rotate the actuator rod to shift the transmission in response to the signals received from the control unit.

Abstract: A shifter construction for shifting a transmission includes a base, a shift lever pivotally supported on the base at a main pivot for movement between a plurality of gear positions including a particular gear position, and an ignition switch constructed to move between a key-released position and a key-retaining position. An interlock cam is pivotally supported on the base at an interlock pivot and operably connected to the shift lever and to the ignition switch. The interlock cam is movable between a locked position where the interlock cam prevents the shift lever from moving from the particular gear position but allows the ignition switch to be moved, and an unlocked position where the shift lever is allowed to move but the ignition switch is held in the key-retaining position. The interlock cam has an interlock stop spaced from the interlock pivot.