Separate Actuator To Disengage Restrictor Patents (Class 74/473.23)
  • Patent number: 7762154
    Abstract: A synchromesh automatic transmission includes a lug lock portion which is engaged with a shift lug separately from a shift finger and enables a shift fork to be controlled so as to be located at a neutral position, a shift selector mechanism which achieves a target shift stage by engaging the shift finger with the shift lug of the shift fork corresponding to the target shift stage and displacing this shift fork in a shift direction, and an interlock mechanism which controls a shift fork that is different from the target shift stage so as to be located at a neutral position by displacing the lug lock portion following movement of the shift finger in a selection direction and engaging this lug lock portion with the shift lug of the shift fork that is different from the target shift stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsubishi Jidosha Engineering Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Murakami, Hiroki Yamaura, Katsuhiro Komori, Koji Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7721619
    Abstract: A vehicular shift lock device including (a) a shift lock member movable between a locking position which is located on a predetermined path of movement of a shift lever from one operating position to another operating position and in which the shift lock member inhibits the movement of the shift lever, and an unlocking position which is spaced from the locking position and in which the shift lock member permits the movement of the shift lever, and (b) a guide member which guides the shift lever so as to move along the predetermined path of movement, wherein the guide member defines the locking position of the shift lock member when the shift lock member is moved in a direction intersecting the predetermined path of movement of said shift lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Mannoh Kogyo Co., Ltd., Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho, Tsuda Industries Co., Ltd., Kojima Press Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Kamei, Etsuo Shimizu, Takayoshi Masuda, Yoshiyuki Shindo, Yasunori Takeuchi, Shinichi Uemura
  • Publication number: 20100107800
    Abstract: A shifting device for an automatic transmission including a locking mechanism which can be moved at least between a locked state and a released state, comprises a release button for changing the state of the locking mechanism, prevents the gear-shift lever from being moved at least into the Park and Reverse positions and at least out of the Park position in a locked state, and allows the gear-shift lever to be moved at least between the positions Park, Reverse, Neutral, and Drive in a release state. The locking mechanism can be converted to a partially released state, in which the gear-shift lever can be moved into and out of the Reverse position, whereas the movement of the gear-shift lever into the Park position remains blocked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: MICHAEL SICKART
  • Patent number: 7677128
    Abstract: A vehicular shift lock device for selectively inhibiting and permitting a movement of a shift lever, including (a) a stopper member pivotable about an axis between a stopping position and a non-stopping position for respectively preventing and permitting a movement of a manually operable member provided to place the shift lock device in its unlocking state, (b) a first biasing member biasing the stopper member toward the stopping position, (c) a first linkage device pivotable about an axis in a first direction by the movement of the manually operable member, (d) a second biasing member biasing the first linkage device in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and (e) a second linkage device pivotable about an axis to its operated position and having a connected state and a disconnected state in which the second linkage device is connected to and disconnected from the stopper member, respectively, and wherein second linkage device is operatively connected to the first linkage device such that the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Mannoh Kogyo Co., Ltd., Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho, Kojima Press Industry Co., Ltd., Tsuda Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Etsuo Shimizu, Yoshifumi Kamei, Takayoshi Masuda, Yoshiyuki Shindo, Shinichi Uemura, Yasunori Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20100050804
    Abstract: A shift lever assembly includes a shift lever for shifting a gear position of a transmission, an operated member housed within the shift lever slidably along a longitudinal direction, a shift knob provided at a top of the shift lever for being held by a driver, a knob button coupled with the shift knob for shifting the operated member according to an operation thereof and pivotally supported between a temporarily-held position and an operative position, a cam plate integrally formed on an inside of the knob button, a cam pin provided on the operated member and cooperative with the cam plate, and a boss for holding the knob button at the temporarily-held position by contacting with the cam plate while assembling. The shift lever assembly can have a relatively simple structure and can decrease the number of components. In addition, the shift lever assembly can also improve assembling workability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: FUJI KIKO CO., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Takikawa
  • Publication number: 20090320634
    Abstract: An electric shifting device for a vehicle includes a shift lever, a gate channel, and a detent device. The detent device has a spring-loaded pin and a detent contour cooperating therewith. The detent contour includes first and second paths and a connection path therebetween. The detent contour is movable relative to the channel between a first position in which the first path is aligned with the channel and a second position in which the second path is aligned with the channel. The lever is connected to the pin such that the lever is movable within the channel along the first path when the detent contour is in the first position and within the channel along the second path when the detent contour is in the second position and such that the lever is movable along the connection path between the paths when the detent contour moves between the positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: LEOPOLD KOSTAL GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Abel, Ralf Boebel, Martin Deitmerg, Thomas Luksch, Knut Moldenhauer, Frank Blaesing, Dirk Bunselmeier, Klaus Hirschfeld, Bjorn Mans, Ralf Winkelmann, Michael Bleckmann, Rainer Buehlmann, Martin Kunze, Peter Molkow
  • Patent number: 7628092
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a gearshift lock protection mechanism including a gearbox, a gearshift module and a gearshift lock controller. The gearshift module includes a control panel and a gearshift leading wire set. The control panel is combined with a gearbox shaft of the gearbox, shifting gears of the gearbox by using the gearshift leading wire set to control the control panel and the gearbox shaft. Furthermore, a plurality of gear ranges positioning holes are located on the surface of the control panel. The gearshift lock controller includes a control valve which is linked to a gearshift poisoning leading wire, a positioning terminal located at the end of the gearshift positioning leading wire which is in one of the gear ranges positioning holes determined by the control valve, such that it can lock the gear in a particular range and eliminate the gearbox damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Motive Power Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jhih-Chao Chen, Shen-Fa Ho, Ting-Shun Wu, Chih-An Huang
  • Patent number: 7603926
    Abstract: A shifting device for the powerless transmission of shift commands to an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle, with a housing and with a gearshift lever (1) mounted pivotably in a shift gate, wherein the shifting device has a first and a second shift stop (7, 15; 9, 16) for the gearshift lever (1), each shift stop comprising a housing-side stop (7, 9) and a gearshift lever-side stop (15, 16), with a detection device for these two shift positions (12, 13), and an inoperative position (11), into which the gearshift lever (1) pivots by itself from a deflected shift position (12, 13), driven by a restoring force, is located between these shift positions (12, 13). An actuating device (3, 4) at the gearshift lever (1), disengages gearshift lever-side stop (15) of shift position (12) and the gearshift lever (1) can be deflected to another shift stop (8, 17) beyond the shift position (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: ZF Lemfolder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Kliemannel, Jörg Meyer
  • Publication number: 20090255361
    Abstract: An electric power tool includes a motor, a speed reducer unit arranged to deliver the rotational power of the motor and provided with gears, a housing arranged to accommodate the motor and the speed reducer unit, and a speed changing unit for changing a gear reduction ratio of the speed reducer unit. The speed changing unit is arranged in such a position as to be operable outside the housing. The speed changing unit includes an operation lever slidingly operable in a speed changing direction when pushed, an operation detector unit for detecting the operation lever to control electric power supplied to the motor, a shift unit for changing the gear reduction ratio of the speed reducer unit in response to sliding movement of the operation lever, and a slide restraint unit for restraining the sliding operation of the operation lever until the operation detector unit detects the operation lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichiro Inagaki, Fumiaki Sekino, Yutaka Yamada
  • Patent number: 7568404
    Abstract: A shifter for controlling a transmission of a motor vehicle includes a base structure and a shift lever that is movably mounted to the base structure for movement between a plurality of control positions. At least one of the control positions comprises a NEUTRAL position. The shifter further includes a shift gate having a plurality of notches corresponding to the control positions. The shift gate is positioned on a selected one of the base and the shift lever. The shifter further includes a movable pawl member selectively engaging the notches of the shift gate to restrict movement of the shift lever relative to the base structure. The pawl member is biased into engagement with the shift gate. A movable retaining member selectively engages the shift gate to retain the shift lever in the NEUTRAL position wherein the retaining member is biased out of engagement with the shift gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: GHSP, a division of JSJ Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick S. Grossman, Robert A. De Jonge
  • Patent number: 7549353
    Abstract: A vehicular shift lever device wherein a path of movement of a shift lever is defined by a guide slot having a corner portion which has an angle of bend of about 90° and which corresponds to an intermediate position of the shift lever that is spaced apart from a parking position in a select direction and from another operating position in a shift direction perpendicular to the select direction, the guide slot having a first guide surface and a second guide surface which define a width in the shift direction of a portion of the guide slot between first and second positions respectively corresponding to the parking and intermediate positions, the first guide surface being more distant in the shift direction than the second guide surface from a third position corresponding to the another operating position, and being inclined with respect to the select direction such that the width of the above-indicated portion of the guide slot decreases from a value at the first position which is larger than a diameter of the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Mannoh Kogyo Co., Ltd., Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho, Tsuda Industries Co., Ltd., Kojima Press Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Etsuo Shimizu, Takayoshi Masuda, Yoshiyuki Shindo, Yasunori Takeuchi, Shinichi Uemura
  • Publication number: 20090020355
    Abstract: An automatic transmission has a park system with a shaft and a parking pawl. The shaft rotates in response to a gear shift lever, and a detent lever positions the parking pawl in response to rotation of the shaft. A detent spring assembly biases the detent lever and has a detent spring, cage, and roller assembly. The cage aligns the roller assembly, while the detent spring is connected to the cage at one end and has a flat reaction surface formed at a second end. A cage notch portion aligns the cage with the detent lever, and the roller assembly into a perpendicular orientation with detent lever teeth. The notch portion engages either a detent tooth or a stationary portion of an internal mode switch (IMS). A shaft inserts into a roller through a side hole in the cage to retain the roller assembly therewithin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Dwayne P. Joppeck, Kevin A. Shipley
  • Patent number: 7469614
    Abstract: A shifter mechanism includes a shifter lever movable along a shift path and a detent plate movable with the shifter lever along the shift path and forming a detent profile defining a plurality of gear positions. A pawl is movable between a locking position wherein the pawl engages the detent profile to lock the shifter lever in one of the plurality of gear positions and an unlocking position wherein the shifter lever is movable along the shift path between the plurality of gear positions. A pivotable detent lever carries the pawl over an arcuate path between the locking position and the unlocking position. A linear actuator is operatively coupled to the detent lever to selectively pivot the detent lever. The pawl preferably includes a roller that engages the detent profile when the pawl is in the locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Yong Qiang Wang
  • Publication number: 20080314186
    Abstract: A multi-component adapter, available in a kit, which permits the use of “non-button” knobs on existing shifter levers which are originally intended to be operative only in combination with a button-containing knob. In one embodiment, the present multi-part adapter comprises a generally hollow cylindrical body member adapted to be mounted on the outboard distal end of an existing shifter lever without modification of the shifter lever, a hollow internally threaded cylindrical sleeve threadably mounted on the outboard distal end of the shifter lever and slidably received with a bore in a first end of the body member functioning to affix the body member to the outboard distal end of the shifter while providing for limited linear movement of the body member relative to the shifter lever, and an externally threaded nipple adapted to be received within a bore in a second end of the body member and further adapted to mount a non-button type knob on the outboard end of the body member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Kevin S. Ford
  • Patent number: 7444896
    Abstract: A shifting device for the shifting of a transmission with a shifting shaft (2), having a multiplicity of shifting forks or shifting levers (8, 10, 12, 14) placed in an axial slidable manner for the carrying out of a shifting procedure with a selection apparatus (28, 30, 32, 42, 44, 46) for the choice of a shifting fork (8, 10, 12, 14) from the multiplicity of shifting forks for the carrying out of the shifting procedure and with blocking disk (52) for the prevention of the movement of non-chosen shifting forks (8, 10, 12, 14). The elements (2, 8, 10, 12, 14, 20, 22) for the carrying out of the shifting procedure are made from a material of high structural strength and the elements of the selection apparatus (28, 30, 32, 42, 44, 46) and the blocking apparatus (52) are constructed from a material of lesser structural strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Bernd Schepperle
  • Publication number: 20080163714
    Abstract: A shifter mechanism includes a shift lever movable along a shift path and a detent assembly. The detent assembly includes a detent profile defining a plurality of gear positions, a bore, a detent plunger located at least partially within the bore, a spring member resiliently biasing the detent plunger into engagement with the detent profile, a split bushing located between the detent plunger and the bore, and a spacer located between the spring member and the bushing. The bushing is located between the spacer and an abutment of the detent plunger, and the spring member is located between the spacer and an abutment of the bore. Contact surfaces between the bushing and the abutment and between the bushing and the spacer are each angled so that a force of the spring member automatically expands the bushing to remove any free-play formed between the detent plunger and the bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventor: Yong Qiang Wang
  • Patent number: 7334497
    Abstract: A shifting device for the preferably powerless transmission of shift commands to a fully automatic or semi-automatic transmission of a motor vehicle and a frame and/or housing and a gearshift lever mounted pivotably along a shift gate. A first shift stop and a second shift stop are provided for the gearshift lever which each define a shift position for the said gearshift lever. At least one detection device is provided for detecting the shift position(s). An inoperative position is provided into which the gearshift lever pivots back by itself from the deflected shift position, driven by a restoring force. The shifting device has an actuating device, which can countermand a shift stop, so that the gearshift lever can be pivoted beyond the shift position(s) defined by this shift stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Andreas Giefer, Jörg Meyer
  • Patent number: 7308838
    Abstract: In association with a solenoidal coil 10 being energized to unlock a shift lever 1C, a first movable core 9 and a second movable core 11 magnetically stick together so as to rotationally move in unison from an original position in which the first movable core 9 engages with the second movable core 11. Because the first movable core 9 and the second movable core 11 stick together before unlocking the shift lever 1C, it is possible to avoid the first movable core 9 from hitting the second movable core 11 so as to eliminate an operational noise. A lock plate 7 and a link plate 8 are rotatably provided around a rotational center 6 in relative to the solenoidal coal 10. This prevents the lock plate 7 and the link plate 8 from moving rotationally in unison with the solenoidal coil 10 so as to insure a smooth and quick rotational movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Hamanako Denso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsunori Inoguchi, Masanori Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7213483
    Abstract: In association with a solenoidal coil 10 being energized to unlock a shift lever, a first movable core 9 and a second movable core 11 magnetically stick together so as to rotationally move in unison from an original position in which the first movable core 9 engages with the second movable core 11. Because the first movable core 9 and the second movable core 11 stick together before unlocking the shift lever, it is possible to avoid the first movable core 9 from hitting the second movable core 11 so as to eliminate an operational noise which would otherwise be produced by hitting the first movable core 9 against the second movable core 11. A lock plate 7 and a link plate 8 are rotatably provided around a rotational center 6 in relative to the solenoidal coil 10. This prevents the lock plate 7 and the link plate 8 from moving rotationally in unison with the solenoidal coil 10, thus enabling the lock plate 7 and the link plate 8 to a smooth and quick rotational movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Hamanako Denso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsunori Inoguchi, Masanori Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7082851
    Abstract: A hydraulic servo assembly includes a piston slidably disposed within a housing and a pin extending from the piston. The pin is interconnected with a servo link rod of the ETRS system. A port enables inlet of hydraulic fluid to induce movement of the piston and the pin from a first position to a second position to pull the servo link rod thereby shifting the transmission range to the out-of-park position. When in the first position the pin biases a forward-reverse enable (FRE) valve of the ETRS system in a first position. When in the second position a bias force of the pin is relieved from the FRE valve enabling the FRE valve to shift to a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Brian W. Whitmarsh, Stephen W. Powell, Ryan M. Jenness
  • Patent number: 7059209
    Abstract: A shaft actuator for a transmission. A first electromagnetic solenoid is provided to operate a shifting mechanism of the transmission to a first shifted position. A second electromagnetic solenoid is provided to operate the shifting mechanism to a second shifted position. A neutral operation member is mounted on the shifting mechanism to bring the shifting mechanism to a neutral position lying between the first shifted position and the second shifted position. A neutral limitation member can move to a first position, where the neutral operation member is permitted to be operated to the first shifted position and to the second shifted position, and to a second position, where the neutral operation member is brought to the neutral position. An electromagnetic solenoid for neutral can bring the neutral limitation member to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventors: Yasushi Yamamoto, Masafumi Taki, Kenji Mikajima
  • Patent number: 6923083
    Abstract: A shift manipulating device for an automatic transmission includes a shift lever of an automatic transmission device and a path formed on an upper cover of a control switch device. The path includes manipulating positions arranged in at least P range, R range, N range and D range in this order, and on three lines, that is, second line, third line and fourth line in right and left directions. The P range is arranged in a first path on the second line and at an end of the path, the R range is arranged in a second path on the fourth line of the first path, the N range is in a third path on the second line of the second path, and the D range is in a fourth path on the second line. Thus the number of parts and man-hour for assembling are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Niles Parts Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takao Fujinuma
  • Patent number: 6865967
    Abstract: A select member has a stopper arm, is pivotally connected to a case and is pivotal about a first axis substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the case. A shift lever is connected to the select member and pivotal about a second axis substantially in parallel with the longitudinal axis and has a portion that passes through a gate slot. A lock lever is pivotal into the window to block gthe stopper arm. An actuating mechanism permits the lock lever to selectively assume a position wherein the lock lever blocks movement of the stopper arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Kiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihito Shioji, Mitsuo Narazaki
  • Patent number: 6854354
    Abstract: A shifting device for a motor vehicle transmission is provided comprising a selector lever for selecting different shift positions (P, R, N, D, 3, 2, . . . ). The lever is mounted in a housing pivotably around at least one axis. A first locking member and at least one additional locking member are provided as angle levers, each arranged on the housing pivotably around a respective pivot axis. The locking members block the movement of the selector lever in different shift positions. An adjusting member is provided. A locking element provided at the selector lever is engaged by one of the locking members in the shift positions of the selector lever which are to be locked as a function of preset parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventor: Jörg Meyer
  • Patent number: 6848559
    Abstract: A shift locking apparatus for an automatic transmission includes a lock cam connected to a shift lock cable and a key lock cable, respectively. The lock cam is positioned between a latched and unlatched state depending on an engaged or disengaged state of the brake pedal. A shift lock pin cooperates with the lock cam via the shift lock cable to lock or release the shift lever in or from a ‘park’ position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Sang Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 6848331
    Abstract: A shift lock apparatus has a shift lever operated selectively in a first and second directions to switch a gear of a vehicle. The change gear is operated based the manual operation of the lever shifted in the first direction. The gear is automatically operated when the lever is shifted in the second direction. A lock member is rotatably supported around an axis extending perpendicular to a plane including lines each extending in the first direction and in the second direction. A plurality of regulating portions are disposed in said lock member. The regulating portion is capable of regulating the shift lever that moves in the first and the second directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Noriyasu Syamoto
  • Publication number: 20040244524
    Abstract: A shifter mechanism including a shifter lever movable along a shift path and a detent assembly. The detent assembly includes a plurality of grooves defining a plurality of gear positions along the shift path and a pawl movable along a linear path between a locking position which locks the shifter lever in one of the gear positions and an unlocking position wherein the shifter lever is movable. First and second pivotable links connect the pawl to a fixed post. An actuator operatively engages the links to selectively move the pawl along the linear path. The actuator is preferably a linear actuator having a pin movable along a linear path which is nonparallel with the pawl linear path. The first and second links preferably pivot relative to one another and relative to the pawl and the post to translate linear motion of the actuator to linear motion of the pawl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventor: Ronald A. Russell
  • Publication number: 20040194567
    Abstract: A shifting device is provided for the preferably powerless transmission of shift commands to a fully automatic or semi-automatic transmission of a motor vehicle and a frame and/or housing and a gearshift lever mounted pivotably along a shift gate. A first shift stop and a second shift stop are provided for the gearshift lever which each define a shift position for the said gearshift lever. At least one detection device is provided for detecting the shift position(s). An inoperative position is provided into which the gearshift lever pivots back by itself from the deflected shift position, driven by a restoring force. The shifting device has an actuating device, which can countermand a shift stop, so that the gearshift lever can be pivoted beyond the shift position(s) defined by this shift stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Andreas Giefer, Jorg Meyer
  • Patent number: 6789444
    Abstract: A shift lever device which includes a housing, a shift lever, a knob, a rod with a key and a locking mechanism. The shift lever has a tube and a supporting member provided with a pivot supported by the housing on the vehicle body and a base block to which the tube is connected. The knob is connected to the tube. The rod inserted through the shift lever, is movable in an axial direction by operating the knob button of the knob. The key has a detent engaging portion to engage with a detent plate of the housing. The locking mechanism has a lock lever with a locking portion at its tip. The lock lever swings so that the locking portion is interposed between the base block and the key to lock movement of the rod, thus maintaining the engagement of the detent engaging portion with the detent plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Fujikiko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryoichi Fujiwara, Yoshimasa Kataumi
  • Publication number: 20040069088
    Abstract: A shifting device for a motor vehicle transmission is provided comprising a selector lever for selecting different shift positions (P, R, N, D, 3, 2, . . . ). The lever is mounted in a housing pivotably around at least one axis. A first locking member and at least one additional locking member are provided as angle levers, each arranged on the housing pivotably around a respective pivot axis. The locking members block the movement of the selector lever in different shift positions. An adjusting member is provided. A locking element provided at the selector lever is engaged by one of the locking members in the shift positions of the selector lever which are to be locked as a function of preset parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2001
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventor: Jorg Meyer
  • Patent number: 6718842
    Abstract: Shift lever unit for transforming the tilting movements of a shift lever (1) in electrical control signals, in particular for controlling a gearbox, with a shift lever, a rotating element (30, 3′) which is rotated by the tilting movements of the shift lever (1) and a sensor (32, 41) detecting the angular position of the rotating element (30, 3′) and transforming it into electrical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Fico Triad
    Inventor: Josep Bofias
  • Patent number: 6701798
    Abstract: An automatic transmission of a motor vehicle is provided that can be in at least one secured state and one unsecured state has a pivotable selector lever for selecting different gears and/or gear selections and has a first blocking mechanism, which can block the pivoting movement of the selector lever. The first blocking mechanism has a displaceable blocking element and a stationary blocking contour for engaging the blocking element and can prevent the selector lever from being pivoted by the blocking element engaging the blocking contour. A second blocking mechanism has a toggle lever, which is in contact with a stop in a stretched-out blocking position and prevents the release of the first blocking mechanism and makes possible the unlocking of the first blocking mechanism in the release position. A release mechanism releases the toggle lever from the stretched-out blocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventor: Jörg Meyer
  • Patent number: 6684730
    Abstract: A shifting device for an automatic transmission is provided with a shifting mechanism, which is mounted in a housing pivotably around a axis within at least one shift gate. The shift mechanism detects the shift signals electrically, electromagnetically or optically and transmits them. The shift mechanism has a locking device, which is guided with the gearshift lever along a contour of a gate. The contour is associated with the shift positions (P, R, N, D, . . . ). A device is controlled as a function of the speed and can be pivoted between at least two positions (active/inactive) around an axis and can be pivoted against the locking device in at least one shift position, so that the gearshift lever remains in the preselected shift position or is automatically returned into that shift position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AG
    Inventors: Andreas Giefer, Jörg Meyer
  • Patent number: 6658958
    Abstract: A positive lock-out adapter device which is interposed between the shifter of a vehicle and the transmission housing. The device positively prevents shifting into 5th gear and reverse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Inventors: Edward L. Day, Sammy D. Thornsberry
  • Patent number: 6631654
    Abstract: A driving position selector for selecting at least the driving steps of the automatic transmission, “D”, “N”, “R”, “P”, which are selected by the driver over a control device and engaged by electro-hydraulic setting elements is provided. It is possible to disengage a parking position by a release device in the automatic transmission housing. An operating device is connected by a Bowden cable with a release lever of the release device. The swiveling motion of the release lever is not transferred to the Bowden traction cord, since the release lever can move along a Bowden traction cord suspended in the release lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rudolf Ehrmaier, Norbert Woeste, Josef Neuner
  • Patent number: 6575049
    Abstract: A shift lever device in which a shift lever lock mechanism is not released inadvertently, and improper operation is prevented. In the shift lever device, a lock plate, which impedes movement of a detent rod, is covered by a cavity portion of a shift lever. These internal devices are covered by a cover box and a detent plate. In a P shift position, a gap formed by, on the one hand, the cover box and the detent plate, and, on the other hand, the shift lever and the cavity portion thereof, is a labyrinthine structure which is stepped along a horizontal direction. Accordingly, improper operation can be further prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventor: Hiroyasu Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20030084742
    Abstract: A positive lock-out adapter device which is interposed between the shifter of a vehicle and the transmission housing. The device positively prevents shifting into 5th gear and reverse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventors: Edward L. Day, Sammy D. Thornsberry
  • Publication number: 20030079561
    Abstract: A selector lever protection device for a selector lever of an automatic transmission includes a locking element, which is assigned a locking member that can be released by means of a brake actuation switch or an ignition lock switch and is in operative connection with a final control element, the final control element being designed as a static or immobile final control element, such as a magnetic clamp, and it being possible for the locking member to be set to a locking position I by the final control element and to a state that differs from this locking position I and in which it is free of forces and/or loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Applicant: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Kai Schmidt, Armin Segeler
  • Patent number: 6550564
    Abstract: A vehicle having a fuel tank mounted about the central upper part of the vehicle is disclosed. A tank cover covers the fuel tank, and a gearshift lever for an automatic transmission is located on a side of the fuel tank. A recess is formed in the side of the fuel tank, by cutting an opening toward the inside of the vehicle. The gearshift lever is disposed in a space formed between the recess and the tank cover. This arrangement provides a saddle-type vehicle with a larger, more comfortable leg space for the driver and permits the mounting of an automatic transmission with a gearshift lever located as close to the driver as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Inoue, Hitoshi Furuhashi
  • Publication number: 20030041685
    Abstract: A gearshift device for a multiple-gear change box of a vehicle includes at least two gearshift rods with a rectangular cross-section. A roller bearing and a locking device are provided for guiding and locking the gearshift rods, with each gearshift rod having its own locking element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: INA-SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventor: Klaus Kramer
  • Publication number: 20030000329
    Abstract: A gear shift apparatus for a manual transmission utilizes an actuator to prevent a miss shift manipulation from a forward gear stage to a reverse gear stage. The gear shift apparatus permits the driver to forcedly release a miss shift preventing state with a smaller force. In the gear shift apparatus for a manual transmission, a select cam is responsive to a selecting manipulation to pivotally move to forward positions corresponding to forward select positions and a reverse position corresponding to a reverse select position. A restraint cam is driven to a prohibiting position by a plunger when a solenoid is energized to prohibit the select cam from pivotally moving to the reverse position. In this prohibiting state, as the select cam is pivotally moved toward a forward position in response to a manipulation for selecting a forward select position, a release protrusion of the select cam presses the restraint cam to pivotally move the same from the prohibiting state to a permitting position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyokazu Okubo, Takayuki Yakou, Yasushi Onuma, Keiji Nemoto, Kazufumi Hosoda
  • Publication number: 20020178855
    Abstract: The invention concerns a gear shift device for an automatic transmission, comprising a shift lever (1) that is pivotally mounted about an axis (2) in a housing (3) and inside at least one shift path and that detects and transmits the shift signals electrically, electromagnetically or optically. The shift lever also comprises a locking device (4) that is guided together with the shift lever along one contour of a block guide (5) assigned to the gear shift position P, R, N, D and means (7) that is controlled depending on the speed between at least two positions (active/inactive) and which pivots around an axis (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Andreas Giefer, Jorg Meyer
  • Patent number: 6487927
    Abstract: Automatic neutral finder apparatus for a motorcycle transmission, for automatically locating and positively engaging the transmission's neutral position. A preferred embodiment of the apparatus includes a shifter cam rotatable about an axis through predetermined rotational displacements for effecting gear shifts and having a neutral position; a stop indexed to the neutral position of the cam; a plunger actuable for engaging the stop to stop rotation of the cam when the cam is at its neutral position; and a circuit associated with the plunger and including a switch operable by the motorcycle operator for actuating the plunger to engage the stop. The plunger is further actuable for disengaging the stop, and the switch is preferably operable by the motorcycle operator for actuating the plunger to disengage the stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Inventor: Alan C. Sputhe
  • Publication number: 20020152828
    Abstract: A shift device is located on an installing portion in the passenger compartment of a vehicle for selecting the connection state of the gear train of the transmission. The shift device includes a case, manipulation body, and a first detecting member. The manipulation body is manipulated to select the connection state of the transmission. The manipulation body is arranged to be selectively projected from the case. The first detecting member detects the connection state selected by the manipulation body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Chikao Nagasaka, Noriyasu Syamoto, Atsushi Mizutani, Naoki Kamiya
  • Publication number: 20020139214
    Abstract: A shift lever device which includes a housing, a shift lever, a knob, a rod with a key and a locking mechanism. The shift lever has a tube and a supporting member provided with a pivot supported by the housing on the vehicle body and a base block to which the tube is connected. The knob is connected to the tube. The rod inserted through the shift lever, is movable in an axial direction by operating the knob button of the knob. The key has a detent engaging portion to engage with a detent plate of the housing. The locking mechanism has a lock lever with a locking portion at its tip. The lock lever swings so that the locking portion is interposed between the base block and the key to lock movement of the rod, thus maintaining the engagement of the detent engaging portion with the detent plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Ryoichi Fujiwara, Yoshimasa Kataumi
  • Patent number: 6443026
    Abstract: A shift lever operating apparatus includes: a control tube rotatably supported; a shift lever axially attached to the control tube; a compression rod inserted into the control tube which moves in an axial direction in accordance with an operation of the shift lever and integrally rotating with the control tube; a selector member fixed to the compression rod; a detent bracket having a plurality of detent grooves with which a detent portion formed in the selector member selectively engages and being fixed to a vehicle body end. In the construction, the detent bracket is perpendicular to the control tube and rotatably supports an end portion opposite the shift lever. The detent groove is formed on the same surface as the supporting portion. The selector member is fixed to an end portion of the compression rod projecting from the end portion apart from the shift lever of the control tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Fujikiko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetuya Arakawa, Yoshimasa Kataumi
  • Publication number: 20020112558
    Abstract: An automatic transmission of a motor vehicle is provided that can be in at least one secured state and one unsecured state has a pivotable selector lever for selecting different gears and/or gear selections and has a first blocking mechanism, which can block the pivoting movement of the selector lever. The first blocking mechanism has a displaceable blocking element and a stationary blocking contour for engaging the blocking element and can prevent the selector lever from being pivoted by the blocking element engaging the blocking contour. A second blocking mechanism has a toggle lever, which is in contact with a stop in a stretched-out blocking position and prevents the release of the first blocking mechanism and makes possible the unlocking of the first blocking mechanism in the release position. A release mechanism releases the toggle lever from the stretched-out blocking position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventor: Jorg Meyer
  • Publication number: 20020086757
    Abstract: A shift manipulating apparatus for an automatic transmission is disclosed that transmits manipulating force from a shift lever to a manual valve to position the spool of a manual valve at identical places in ranges P and N. The apparatus comprises a shift lever to receive shift range selection manipulating force of a driver; a manual valve to control oil pressure of the automatic transmission; and a linkage unit for connecting the shift lever and the spool of the manual valve to enable the spool to identically form an interconnection state of ports according to pivot of the shift lever in ranges P and N.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventor: Chang-Wook Lee
  • Patent number: 6336373
    Abstract: A drivig rotary shaft and a follower rotary shaft are rotatably carried in a housing of a rotary solenoid. Operating members fixed to the rotary shafts by clips are operatively connected to each other by gears, and a locked member is locked non-movably by locking surfaces formed at tip ends of the operating members. This makes it unnecessary to provide a device for converting a rectilinear motion to a rotational motion such as a pin and an elongated bore in a path of transmission of a driving force from the rotary solenoid to the operating members. Therefore, not only the number of parts and the number of assembling steps are reduced, but also the number of slide areas, where a friction resistance and looseness are liable to be produced, is reduced, thereby enabling a noiseless smooth operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventors: Masakazu Murai, Shigeto Ryuen
  • Patent number: 6327931
    Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for controlling the operational states of a motor vehicle comprising a maneuvering console including a maneuvering lever, a pivot hinge for the maneuvering lever so that the maneuvering lever can be actuated into a number of positions corresponding to the operational states of the motor vehicle, the pivot hinge being mounted to permit pivoting of the maneuvering lever with respect to the maneuvering console about an unlimited number of spatial pivot axes, a plurality of hydraulic pistons and cylinders mechanically coupled to the maneuvering lever for selectively limiting the pivoting movement of the maneuvering lever, a plurality of sensors for detecting a maneuvering force applied to the maneuvering lever and the position of the maneuvering lever so that the pivoting movement of the maneuvering lever can be selectively limited by the plurality of hydraulic pistons and cylinders based upon those detections, and a controller for controlling the plurality of hydraulic pistons and cylinder
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Kongsberg Automotive AB
    Inventor: Kenneth Skogward