Resiliently Biased Restrictor Patents (Class 74/473.28)
  • Patent number: 11719336
    Abstract: A gear shift (100) is described for a saddle vehicle (M) comprising a shift lever (110), a selecting element (130) actuated through the shift lever (110) and a selector drum (150) connected to the selecting element (130) and adapted to engage gears. The gear shift (100) further comprises a block device (140) functionally connected to the selector drum (150) and configured so as to be switched between: a first configuration, wherein the block device (140) allows engaging a first gear (I) from a neutral gear (N) in a first change direction (Up), a second configuration, wherein the block device (140) inhibits the subsequent engagement of the neutral gear (N) from the first gear (I) in a second change direction (Dwn). Control means (120) of the block device (140) are further provided, actuated by a rider (G) so as to define a third configuration, wherein the block device (140) is disabled in order to allow engaging the neutral gear (N) from the first gear (I) in the second change direction (Dwn).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: PIAGGIO & C. S P A.
    Inventors: Romano Albesiano, Walter Scattolin
  • Patent number: 11619300
    Abstract: An engine transmission is provided with an interference member that is configured to interfere with one of a low-gear clutch sleeve and a high-gear clutch sleeve so that when one of the low-gear clutch sleeve and the high-gear clutch sleeve is at an engagement position, the other one of the low-gear clutch sleeve and the high-gear clutch sleeve cannot move to an engagement position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Tsukizaki
  • Patent number: 10372149
    Abstract: A detent alignment mechanism assembly is provided and includes a shaft, a lock mechanism configured to selectively occupy an unlocked position at which the shaft is movable and a locked position at which the shaft is immovable, a detent mechanism coupled to the shaft and formed to define detent positions for the shaft to assume and move between and a detent alignment mechanism configured to provide to an operator of the shaft feedback and assistance corresponding to assumptions of the detent positions by the shaft during movements thereof by the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cory M. Crandall-Seibert, Jeffrey Paul Jacobs
  • Patent number: 10288169
    Abstract: A shift device including: a shift body that is rotatable to change a shift position; an installation body, relative to which the shift body rotates; a contact portion that is provided to one of the shift body or the installation body; a contact member that is provided to the other of the shift body or the installation body, and that makes contact with the contact portion such that a force acts to rotate the shift body from between shift positions toward a shift position side; a rotation portion that causes the shift body to rotate such that a shift position of the shift body is changed; and a release mechanism that releases contact of the contact member with the contact portion when the rotation portion causes the shift body to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventor: Hironori Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9797509
    Abstract: A transfer case having a shift mechanism. The shift mechanism may include a shift rail, a range shift assembly, a mode shift assembly, and a sector cam. The sector cam may control movement of the range shift assembly and the mode shift assembly when the sector cam is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Todd R. Ekonen, Matthew Starna, Laura Klemm, Ed Eshelman
  • Patent number: 9477254
    Abstract: A shift safety device for a manual transmission having a gear shift shaft that rotates to select shift gates and moves to shift gears. The device has a blocking element which, during selector motion towards a shift gate, is driven by the gear shift shaft, against a spring, from a starting position into a blocked position, in which the device blocks further selector motion of the gearshift shaft, and which, during subsequent shifting motion of the gearshift shaft, is released and returned back to the starting position, by the spring, thereby permitting further selector motion. A driver arm, disposed on the gear shift shaft, moves the blocking element tangential to the arc traversed during selector motion by the driver arm between the starting and blocking positions. The blocking element moves in the linear track traversed during shifting of the driver arm and is pretensioned toward the starting and center positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Matthias Retsch
  • Patent number: 8960041
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a shifting arrangement for displacing a selector fork of a multispeed transmission assembly along a selector rod. The shifting arrangement has a positioning element which is mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis. The positioning element is connected to the selector fork, which is movably mounted on the selector rod, via a driving mechanism designed for converting the rotational movement of the positioning element into a sliding movement of the selector fork along the selector rod. The shifting arrangement further comprises also has a locking device for locking the selector fork in selected operating positions. The locking device is designed for establishing a locking connection between the positioning element and the selector fork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Frank Buhrke
  • Patent number: 8875596
    Abstract: A steering wheel has at least one shift paddle which is coupled to the steering wheel in such a manner that the shift paddle is movable relative to the steering wheel in order in a contactless manner to trigger a shifting operation. In order to improve the ease of operation when actuating the shift paddle on the steering wheel, the steering wheel is distinguished by a slotted guide mechanism by which a shifting sensation is generated during movement of the shift paddle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. H.C. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Markus Walters, Manfred Harrer, Georg Wahl
  • Patent number: 8820188
    Abstract: A park-position mechanism includes a selector mechanism that includes a cam mounted on a selector hub shaft, a park gear mounted on a main shaft and corresponding in position to the cam, a park arm arranged between the cam and the park gear. The park arm has a holed base fit over a stud that rotates and supports the park arm in a crankshaft case. A torsion spring is arranged between the park arm and the crankshaft case with ends attached to the park arm and the crankshaft case respectively. The park arm has a driven section and an engaging section respectively extending from opposite sides of the holed base. The engaging section forms a projection. The driven section forms a hole in which a guide rod is received in an axially movable manner. The guide rod is engaged with the earn and is thus selectively driven by the cam to cause engagement of the projection of the engaging section with the park gear. A resilient member is arranged between the hole and the guide rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Kwang Yang Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chao-Chang Ho
  • Patent number: 8757025
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a shift module 1 for a shift lever of an automatic gear drive, comprising a linearly displaceably supported slider 10, 200, which is engageable with a shift lever and which can be displaced out of its rest position to two opposite switching directions by means of the shift lever, a measuring device 20, 92, 94 connected to the slider 10, 200 for determining of the position of the slider 10, 200, wherein the measuring device 20, 92, 94 is formed such that it can measure the actual position of the slider 10, 200 continuously over its total way of displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Fico Cables, S.A.
    Inventor: Jaume Terradas Prat
  • Patent number: 8726756
    Abstract: It comprises a fixed part (10) and a knob (20), said knob (20) being arranged such that it can be moved relative to said fixed part (10) for shifting operations, and a haptic device (30) for providing the user with a shifting feeling when operating the knob (20). The haptic device (30) may act between the knob (20) and the fixed part (10) and it may be mounted inside the knob (20). The haptic device (30) comprises a contoured surface fitted inside the knob (20) (31) and a follower finger (32) is arranged spring biased in the fixed part (10) towards the contoured surface (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Fico Triad, S. A.
    Inventors: Javier Moreno Colom, Ferran Esquius I Rafat, Jordi Jornet Vidal
  • Patent number: 8522637
    Abstract: A gear shift lever is provided with damping device of a vehicle. The damping device damps the returning of a reverse gear blocking element in the axial direction of the gear shift lever into a blocking position. For this, the damping device has a first rigid ring element in the axial direction of the gear shift lever, which surrounds the gear shift lever and has projections distributed on the periphery in axial direction. In addition, the damping device has a second rigid ring element, which has recesses in the region of the projections of the first ring element. On the reverse gear blocking element and on the gear shift lever, radial shoulders are arranged, against which the two rigid ring elements support themselves axially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Thorsten Hahn, Jochen Thur
  • Publication number: 20130220054
    Abstract: A shift safety device for a manual transmission having a gear shift shaft that rotates to select shift gates and moves to shift gears. The device has a blocking element which, during selector motion towards a shift gate, is driven by the gear shift shaft, against a spring, from a starting position into a blocked position, in which the device blocks further selector motion of the gearshift shaft, and which, during subsequent shifting motion of the gearshift shaft, is released and returned back to the starting position, by the spring, thereby permitting further selector motion. A driver arm, disposed on the gear shift shaft, moves the blocking element tangential to the arc traversed during selector motion by the driver arm between the starting and blocking positions. The blocking element moves in the linear track traversed during shifting of the driver arm and is pretensioned toward the starting and center positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
  • Patent number: 8485061
    Abstract: An operating device for selecting shift stages in a shift-by-wire gearbox. The device comprises a selector lever which is movable between a drive gear position and a park position, and a locking device with a spring-loaded detent pin and a lock-in gate. An actuator device, that moves the selector lever, comprises a disengagement device. A detent pin and a lock-in gate can be brought, via a disengagement device, from a first relative position, in which the detent pin engages a shifting track of the lock-in gate, into another relative position, in which the detent pin disengages the shifting track. The operating device facilitates simple and safe actuator-induced return of the selector lever, into the park position, and offers the driver reliable optic and tactile feedback about the actual shift condition of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignees: SF Friedrichshafen AG, Audi AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Kliemannel, Ludger Rake, Sascha Rosentreter, Harald Merklein, Andreas Giefer
  • Patent number: 8336418
    Abstract: An actuating device for selecting shift positions of a shift-by-wire gearshift transmission. The actuating device comprises a selector lever that is movable between stable lever positions from at least one drive mode position to a parking lock position, a detent device with a spring-loaded detent element, a detent guide-plate and a separating device with an actuator-operated thrust wedge. The detent element and the detent guide-plate can be moved by the thrust wedge from a first position, in which the detent element engages in a shift track of the detent guide-plate, to another second position in which the detent element is disengaged from the shift track of the guide-plate. The actuating device enables automatic return of the selector lever to the parking lock position and thus provides the driver with correct visual and tactile feedback about the actual shift status of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Andreas Giefer, Jorg Meyer, Ludger Rake
  • Patent number: 8322246
    Abstract: A gear shift mechanism of a gear shift transmission having a plurality of gears is described. A first movable gear shift fork and at least one second movable gear shift fork are provided for engaging gears of the gear shift transmission and assuming a neutral position as well as an engaged position where a gear allocated to a respective one of the first and second gear shift forks is engaged. A locking mechanism comprising a locking element is provided that prevents that both gear shift forks can assume at the same time unintentionally an engaged position. The locking mechanism is designed such that in a locking position a force for moving the first gear shift fork out of its neutral position does not generate a resulting component of force that would force the locking element against the second gear shift fork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Getrag Ford Transmissions GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Doelling, Andreas Hegerath, Patrick Soehnge
  • Patent number: 8272287
    Abstract: A device for latching and locking of shift rockers (1, 1?) of a shift device of a transmission. The device has a lock part (3, 3?), for each shift rocker (1, 1?), which resides in a receptacle (2) of the shift rocker (1, 1?), which interacts with a lock contour (5, 5?), positioned in a non-moving area of the transmission, for the latching purpose, whereby the lock part (3, 3?) also serves, in addition to the latching, as an interlock for the shift rocker (1, 1?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Michael Drabek, Matthias Retsch
  • Patent number: 8127637
    Abstract: A control device for controlling engagement of desired gears of a gearbox. The control device includes a holder unit and at least one control rod which has a relating locking arrangement and is arranged for linear movement in the holder unit. The control rod is provided with one or more recesses which each define a predetermined setting position of the control rod relative to the holder unit. The locking arrangement includes a locking device which is movable, substantially perpendicularly to the control rod's longitudinal axis, between a first position in which the locking device engages in one of the recesses in the control rod, and a second position in which the locking device does not engage in any of the recesses in the control rod. A wire spring fastened in a holder arrangement is firmly connected to the holder unit. The locking device is mounted on or forms part of the wire spring and is movable from the first position to the second position against the action of the spring force of the wire spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Scania CV AB
    Inventors: Erik Göras, Magnus Hagberg
  • Patent number: 8113080
    Abstract: A neutral hold device for a hydrostatic continuously variable speed change device having a trunnion shaft, comprising a first member which rotates integrally with the trunnion shaft and in which a cam having a concave part is formed; a second member that pivots about a support shaft provided parallel to the trunnion shaft, and that is provided with a cam follower for engaging with the cam; a spring for urging the cam follower against the cam so that the trunnion shaft is retained in a neutral position by the cam follower being positioned in a set position of the cam by the urging of the spring; and auxiliary urging means for generating an auxiliary urging force for urging the trunnion shaft toward the neutral position while the trunnion shaft is positioned in a proximate region of the neutral position set in advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventor: Akifumi Nishino
  • Patent number: 8024990
    Abstract: A shift lever apparatus includes a detent pin, and the distal end portion thereof is attached to a shift lever so as to be movable in the direction of coming into and out of contact with the shift lever. A lever guide is formed with a transition sliding surface on which the distal end of the detent pin slides along the operation of the shift lever on the back surface thereof. A gate portion is provided on the transition sliding surface, and limits the direction of movement of the detent pin in the direction practically matching the selecting direction by coming into contact with the distal end portion of the sliding detent pin. Accordingly, the direction of movement of the shift lever is limited only to the direction practically matching the selecting direction by a force transmitted from the gate portion via the detent pin when the shift lever passes through a transition guide groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventor: Morimichi Hirano
  • Patent number: 7892133
    Abstract: The present invention includes novel apparatus and methods for engaging and disengaging a locking differential. In an embodiment, an assembly for use with a locking differential is provided. The assembly includes an actuator, a housing, a shaft, a pair of biasing members, a side gear, and a locking pin. The actuator is arranged to move the assembly from a first position to a second position. The housing is coupled to the actuator. The first biasing member biases the housing, and the second biasing member biases the housing and shaft. The side gear includes an aperture for engaging the locking pin. The locking pin is coupled to the shaft such that the biasing of the shaft determines whether the locking pin is biased into engagement with the aperture or out of engagement with the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Metaldyne, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Lubben, Ryan McAlister
  • Publication number: 20100294069
    Abstract: A transmission for a vehicle includes a shift rail movable in a longitudinal direction. The shift rail carries a fork engaging a shift collar. A shift block carried by the shift rail includes a latch and a detent. The latch is latchable with the shift rail for preventing longitudinal movement of the shift rail. A cross shaft extending transverse to the shift rail carries a shift arm engageable with the shift block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventor: Thomas G. Ore
  • Patent number: 7832302
    Abstract: A shift-by-wire shifter system includes a spring biased DTP lever engageable with a shifter lever assembly to move the shifter lever assembly to a park position. A DTP lock assembly secures the DTP lever so that the shifter lever assembly is selectively movable along the shift path during normal operation and releases the DTP lever so that the DTP lever moves the shifter lever assembly to the park position upon the loss of system power. A DTP actuator unlocks the shifter lever assembly and the DPT lock assembly upon the loss of system power so that the DTP lever automatically moves the shifter lever assembly to the park position upon the loss of system power. A power storage device is provided to release power to the DPT actuator upon the loss of system power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Yong Qiang Wang
  • Publication number: 20100050805
    Abstract: A transmission for a vehicle for performing a shift manipulation at a desired time while ensuring a favorable operation feeling. A lost motion member is arranged in a shift drive force transmitting mechanism arranged between a shift spindle and a shift drum, and a rotary position of the shift drum is resiliently held by a shift stopper mechanism in a state where one of a plurality of sear trains is established or in a neutral state. A state which allows a changeover operation of an established state of a plurality of gear trains due to an action of a shift drive force which is temporarily accumulated by a lost motion means and a state which interrupts the changeover operation can be changed over by a shift restricting mechanism which is provided as a part separate from a shift stopper mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Koshi HAYAKAWA, Mikio Kashiwai, Akihiko Tomoda, Yoshihisa Ieda, Kanau Iwashita
  • Publication number: 20090095107
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control device for controlling the engagement of desired gears of a gearbox, which control device comprises a control rod with a relating locking arrangement. The locking arrangement comprises a locking element provided with one or more grooves or recesses which each define a predetermined setting position of the control rod. The locking arrangement further comprises a resilient locking means arranged in a recess in the control rod, which locking means has a locking portion which, against the action of a spring force of the locking means, is arranged for movement in said recess in the control rod's radial direction between a protruded position in which the locking portion engages in one of said grooves/recesses in the locking element and thereby counteracts movement of the control rod relative to the locking element, and a retracted position in which the locking portion does not engage in any of said grooves/recesses in the locking element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: Erik Goras, Magnus Hagberg
  • Patent number: 7430940
    Abstract: A shift lever device which includes: a shift lever turnably fitted on a stationary member; an engaging member for engagement of the shift lever with the stationary member; and a knob fitted on the shift lever. The engaging member is moved toward its distal end to disengage from the stationary member. The knob includes a knob body provided with a fitting hole into which the shift lever is inserted together with a first engaging part of the engaging member, a button pivoted on the knob body, and a link lever connected to the button, having a second engaging part for engagement with the first engaging part. When the shift lever is inserted into the fitting hole and the distal end thereof reaches a predetermined position therein, the button is operated to have the second engaging part engaged with the first engaging part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, Ltd
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Kondou, Kyoichi Inoue, Ei Inaba, Naoki Norimatsu
  • Patent number: 7406889
    Abstract: A gear selection position displaying device includes a path display portion (56) which displays a movement path of a gearshift lever, lever position display portions (circled portions of 51c, 53b, 53c, 53d and 55b) which display the position of the gearshift lever, and gear range display portions (51a, 52a, 54a and 55a, and symbol imparted portions of 51c, 53b, 53c, 53d and 55b) which display gear ranges which are selected at the gear selection positions, respectively. When a momentary area where the gearshift lever is automatically restored to a home position is selected, a display on the gear range display portions (52a, 54a) which corresponds to the momentary area so selected is deleted (52b, 54b), whereas a gear range corresponding to the selected momentary area is displayed (53c, 53d) on the gear range display portions (53c, 53d).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasushi Okawa
  • Patent number: 7296493
    Abstract: An offset transmission shift lever assembly and isolator arrangement is provided. The shift lever assembly includes an insert arranged to fit over a transmission shift stub. An isolator is provided that encircles the insert and is formed thereto. The isolator has a varying outside diameter such upon assembling the isolator into a canister that encircles the isolator, a portion of the isolator outside diameter is press fit into the canister and another portion of the isolator outside diameter does not contact the canister thereby leaving a gap between the canister and the isolator. The isolator also includes axial holes formed in a lower end thereof and extending axially for a portion of the isolator length. Affixed to the canister is a shift lever aligned parallel to and offset from the shift stub. A fastener is provided for securing the shift lever assembly via the insert to the shift stub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Chrysler LLC
    Inventors: David G Buckingham, William Slifco, Michael Schumacher
  • Patent number: 7246538
    Abstract: A centering device for elongated elements consisting of a fixed position-retaining part (13) which includes a concave guiding surface (16), and a mobile position-retaining part (12) arranged on the elongated element, or vice versa. The mobile position-retaining part (12) includes a pin (14) which is spring biased for contact against the concave guiding surface. The pin (14) is arranged in at least one casing, and is together with the casing arranged in a cavity (20) in a holder which is fixedly attached to the elongated element with a pin head (23) protruding out of an opening (24) in a front end of both the casing and the holder. The holder (15) includes a seat (38) with a guiding surface for a peripherally conical portion (36) of the casing. This is spring biased in the axial direction so that the conical portion strives to be in contact with the seat of the holder in and for centering of the casing and the pin relative to the longitudinal axis (21) of the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Kongsberg Automotive AB
    Inventor: Bengt Hermansson
  • Patent number: 7231846
    Abstract: A magnetic fluid shifter damper mechanism for a vehicle transmission may include a shift linkage having a first position and a second position, a magnetic fluid damper disposed between a substantially fixed point and a support point on the shift linkage, a fluid inside the magnetic fluid damper resisting substantially a motion of the support point relative to the substantially fixed point in the presence of a magnetic field, wherein the magnetic field is applied substantially to the fluid when the shift lever is in substantially the first or the second position, and wherein the magnetic field is removed substantially from the fluid when the shift lever is substantially between the first and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Mack Trucks, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph John Marhefka, Richard Alan Binkley
  • Patent number: 7117760
    Abstract: A bearing arrangement (1) for pivotable mounting of a shift lever (2) by a casing (10) in a housing (3) that provides a tilt axis (9a) and a pivot axis (8a) for the shift lever (2). The tilt axis (9a) and the pivot axis (8a) are mutually spaced apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Klaus Krämer, Susanne Pintus
  • Patent number: 6973850
    Abstract: The transmission gear shift lever device has a variable select lever ratio adapted to accommodate most of the operating mechanisms of the conventional transmission gear shift (TGS) lever device without major design changes. The select lever ratio is a ratio of rotating angle of a select lever relative to the rotating angle of the TGS lever and can be varied during the select manipulation of the TGS lever, such that all shift stages in a 6-speed transmission can be controlled while the rotating angle of the TGS lever during the select manipulation is maintained at the same size as that of a conventional TGS lever device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Yong-Dal Choi
  • Patent number: 6848332
    Abstract: A shift device has an operation member for operating a vehicular automatic transmission. The operation member is formed to conform to the shapes of a hand and fingers of a driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Masaki Hayashi, Yoshimasa Kunimatsu, Noriyasu Syamoto
  • Publication number: 20040250642
    Abstract: At least one shift gate includes a stabilizing range for stabilizing an engagement between the engaging portion and the at least one shift gate. The system stops movement of the movable member by driving the actuator and determines a portion at the movable member as a shift gate reference position at a time when the movement of the movable member stops. The system moves the movable member by driving the actuator, stabilizes the engaging portion in the stabilizing range, and determines the stabilizing position of the engaging portion as a position of the at least one shift gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: AISIN AI CO,. LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Ichikawa, Tatuhiro Miyake, Takeshige Miyazaki, Mitsutoshi Kamiya, Yoshiki Itoh, Hideyuki Yamada
  • Patent number: 6826976
    Abstract: A shaft and detent assembly includes a detent lever assembly that is manually assembled on the shaft. The detent lever includes a hub which has an opening formed therein alignable with an opening formed in the shaft. A pin is inserted through the opening in both the hub and the shaft to secure the two members together for common rotation. A cylindrical retainer is assembled on the hub of the detent lever in a position to overlap or cover at least a portion of the openings in the detent lever and shaft to restrict the movement of the pin, which is secured therein during assembly. The retainer also has a plurality of spring fingers, which engage a groove formed in the hub to restrict inadvertent removal of the retainer from the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Richard L. Whitebread, Heidi L. Simmons
  • Patent number: 6769325
    Abstract: A detent assembly for a transmission is provided including a transmission component, such as a shift rail, movable between a plurality of shift positions including first, second, and neutral shift positions. A contoured surface on the shift rail includes first and second recesses, respectively, corresponding to the first and second shift positions. A neutral recess is arranged between the first and second shift recesses corresponding to the neutral shift position. The first and second recesses, respectively, include first and second transition surfaces sloping towards the neutral recess with the second transition surface being steeper than the first transition surface. A detent assembly includes a biasing member and a detent member with the biasing member urging the detent member into engagement with the contoured surface. The biasing member generates a first work along the first transition surface and a second force along the second transition surface greater than the first work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Meritor, LLC
    Inventors: Dean Molde, Patrick Scheib
  • Publication number: 20040112163
    Abstract: A vehicle transmission detent assembly is provided that includes a housing having a bore. A movable shift rail is supported by the housing and includes a recess at least partially aligned with the bore. A detent is at least partially arranged within the bore and engages the recess. A biasing member generates a force on the detent and urges the detent into engagement with the recess. An adjustment member threadingly received within a portion of the housing coacts with the biasing member. Upon manipulation of the adjustment member, the biasing member may be moved between a plurality of compressive states in which each of the states generates a different force on the detent. In this manner, the biasing spring may be compressed or uncompressed to provide a desired shift feel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Matthew Girlando, Landon Ball, Patrick L. Scheib
  • Patent number: 6729203
    Abstract: A shifting device including first and second shift control members, a takeup element, a holding member, and a release member. The takeup element configured for winding and unwinding a tensioned control cable. The first control member is rotatable about a handlebar and configured to rotate the takeup to at least pull or wind the control cable onto the takeup. The second control member is a return-to-neutral member for rotating the takeup to release the. The holding member is rotatable with the takeup and retains the takeup in select angular positions. The release member is operable for disengaging the holding member in response to the actuation or return stroke of the second control member for allowing the takeup to unwind the cable a sufficient amount to enable a single gear shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: SRAM Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin F. Wesling, Christopher A. Shipman, John D. Cheever, James P. Orrico, Danny R. Smith, Jr., Georg K. Blaschke
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20040020321
    Abstract: A shaft and detent assembly includes a detent lever assembly that is manually assembled on the shaft. The detent lever includes a hub which has an opening formed therein alignable with an opening formed in the shaft. A pin is inserted through the opening in both the hub and the shaft to secure the two members together for common rotation. A cylindrical retainer is assembled on the hub of the detent lever in a position to overlap or cover at least a portion of the openings in the detent lever and shaft to restrict the movement of the pin, which is secured therein during assembly. The retainer also has a plurality of spring fingers, which engage a groove formed in the hub to restrict inadvertent removal of the retainer from the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Richard L. Whitebread, Heidi L. Simmons
  • Patent number: 6668676
    Abstract: A positioning means for a reverse shifting fork includes a toggle spring for biasing the reverse shifting fork toward one of a reverse position shown by a solid line and a neutral position shown by a dashed line with a dead point set as a boundary between the reverse position and the neutral position, and a stopper pin for stopping the reverse shifting fork in the reverse position and the neutral position against a biasing force of the toggle spring. The toggle spring is a torsional coil spring and is compressed so that a biasing force is generated in a direction to move opposite ends of the spring connected respectively to the reverse shifting fork holder and the reverse shifting fork away from each other, and the distance between the opposite ends is smallest in the dead point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeru Koyama, Shinichi Kojima
  • Patent number: 6658959
    Abstract: A shifting device (1) for a speed change gearbox with a transmission component that can be shifted in a longitudinal direction and/or about its longitudinal axis in a pivoting manner, which for transmitting the shifting movements is equipped with a damping component (8), which is constructed from at least one ramp-shaped profile (9a), and at least one roller component (12) which is pre-loaded against ramp-shaped profile (9a) by means of spring action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: INA Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Walter Wildeshaus, Boris Landa, Andreas Grieshammer, Wolfgang Steinberger, Manfred Winkler, Rainer Schübel
  • Patent number: 6658960
    Abstract: A transmission shift position sensor that is adapted to provide an indication of the position of a transmission shift lever. The transmission shift position sensor includes a rotary position sensor and a rooster comb formed as an assembly. The direct coupling of the sensor to the rooster comb provides a positive indication of the automatic transmission shift sensor without the need for compensating for tolerances in mechanical linkages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: American Electronic Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian George Babin, Norman Thomas Freda, Todd Anthony Brown
  • Patent number: 6631655
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shifter for actuating at least one gear mechanism of a bicycle including a housing, a gripping element for actuating the shifter, and a movable element for exerting tension on and/or for releasing a gear transfer means. The movable element has a pawl which engages in a set of latching teeth in the housing. The gripping element has a lifter which disengages the pawl from the latching teeth during a shifting operation in the release direction. A driver on the gripping part preloads a spring on the movable element during a shifting operation in the release direction which urges the movable element in the release direction. The advantage of a shifter for bicycle gear mechanisms according to the present invention is to be found in that, by simple means, it becomes possible to shift gears, especially in the release direction, quickly and independently of the preload being exerted on the movable element by the gear mechanism via the transfer element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Blaschke, Marcus Auer
  • Publication number: 20030154813
    Abstract: A detent assembly for a transmission is provided including a transmission component, such as a shift rail, movable between a plurality of shift positions including first, second, and neutral shift positions. A contoured surface on the shift rail includes first and second recesses, respectively, corresponding to the first and second shift positions. A neutral recess is arranged between the first and second shift recesses corresponding to the neutral shift position. The first and second recesses, respectively, include first and second transition surfaces sloping towards the neutral recess with the second transition surface being steeper than the first transition surface. A detent assembly includes a biasing member and a detent member with the biasing member urging the detent member into engagement with the contoured surface. The biasing member generates a first work along the first transition surface and a second force along the second transition surface greater than the first work.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Dean Molde, Patrick Scheib
  • Publication number: 20030154812
    Abstract: A vehicle transmission detent assembly is provided that includes a housing having a bore. A movable shift rail is supported by the housing and includes a recess at least partially aligned with the bore. A detent is at least partially arranged within the bore and engages the recess. A biasing member generates a force on the detent and urges the detent into engagement with the recess. An adjustment member threadingly received within a portion of the housing coacts with the biasing member. Upon manipulation of the adjustment member, the biasing member may be moved between a plurality of compressive states in which each of the states generates a different force on the detent. In this manner, the biasing spring may be compressed or uncompressed to provide a desired shift feel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Matthew Girlando, Landon Ball, Patrick L. Scheib
  • Patent number: 6581704
    Abstract: A mechanism for adjusting or setting the effort required to move the steering levers of a vehicle is provided. The mechanism consists of a central mounting plate with which three separate bolt and spring arrangements are connected to control the resistance at the levers when they are moved between their forward and reverse positions. The mechanism is separately connected with structure on a steering shaft to allow resistance at each of the levers to be adjusted without substantially affecting operation of the pumps. Consequently, the vehicle may be more effectively steered as a result not interfering with its tracking or bringing about creep thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Charles Thomas Law, William Andrew Clevenger
  • Patent number: 6553858
    Abstract: A detent mechanism for a dual mode shift lever unit having a shift lever inserted into a housing through a guide groove formed on an indicator panel as an upper part of the housing, and a cable bracket pivotally supported by the housing and connected to a transmission manual valve which is responsively operated by shift lever manipulation, wherein the detent mechanism interposed between the shift lever and a pivot shaft of the cable bracket includes a bracket fixedly connected to a lower end of the shift lever that is pivotally connected to a rotational member which is rotationally mounted on the pivot shaft supported by a shift lever housing, a support member integrally formed on one end portion of the rotational member and extended in an upward direction, and a turnover spring installed onto one open side of the bracket for contacting the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hyung-Suk Kim
  • Publication number: 20030056614
    Abstract: A transmission shift position sensor that is adapted to provide an indication of the position of a transmission shift lever. The transmission shift position sensor includes a rotary position sensor and a rooster comb formed as an assembly. The direct coupling of the sensor to the rooster comb provides a positive indication of the automatic transmission shift sensor without the need for compensating for tolerances in mechanical linkages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Applicant: American Electronic Components
    Inventors: Brian George Babin, Norman Thomas Freda, Todd Anthony Brown
  • Patent number: 6526843
    Abstract: The detent and neutral switch mechanism includes a roller detent pin attached to a roller spring. The detent pin engages contoured shift fork extensions and resists movement of the shift fork extensions when gears are shifted and creates a “shift feel.” A neutral switch positioned above the roller spring indicates when the transmission is in neutral. When the transmission is in neutral, the deep neutral detent notches on the shift fork extensions are aligned, lowering the detent pin and disengaging the roller spring from the position switch, indicating the transmission is in neutral and that it is safe to make a shift. When the transmission is in gear or in the process of making a shift, the detent pin engages raised in-gear notches or detent peaks, respectively, engaging the roller spring with the position switch indicating that the transmission is not in neutral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: ZF Meritor, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher B. Ross, Patrick L. Scheib, Kenneth T. Picone, Michael K. Humphrey