Abstract: An interlocking device for a push-button switch in compact size and with a mechanically simple construction, capable of achieving the interlocking of a push-button switch having a pair of push buttons facing each other and being downwardly movable by pressing in multiple stages, while sufficiently securing the stroke in each stage of the push buttons. The interlocking device is comprised of a first interlocking member and a second interlocking member. The first interlocking member being inserted, at both ends, in the two push buttons respectively, forming a projection at the bottom and being disposed on the switch body swingably and in a way to be movable up and down through a spindle. The second interlocking member being extended, at both ends, to a lower position of the two push buttons respectively, forming, at the top, a projection which comes in contact with the projection formed on the first interlocking member and being swingably provided on the switch body through a spindle.

Abstract: A locking device for a parking brake on a bus having air brakes prevents accidental release of the parking brake when a sensing switch indicates that the bus should not move (e.g., when the driver is absent from the driver's seat, or a passenger-access door is open). The locking device of the invention is affixed to a portion of the bus adjacent a parking brake air valve that has an air valve shaft moving along its axis between a fully extended position, in which the valve is in a brake-applied status, and a frilly retracted position in which the valve is in a brake-released status. The locking device has a locking arm moving between a locked position in which it prohibits the parking brake valve shaft from moving into the fully retracted position and an unlocked position in which it does not affect the motion of the valve shaft. Conventionally, the valve shaft has a knob on the end distal from the valve body, and the locking arm in the locked position, prevents the knob from being pushed in all the way.

Abstract: An operation switch device for use with a lawnmower includes a switch and a first operation member operably movable between an "ON" position and an "OFF" position. A second operation member is mounted on the first operation and is positionable in a first position where the switch is turned on and a second position where the switch is held off when the first operation member is in the "ON" position and the "OFF" position, respectively. A restraining member in a restraining position is operable to prevent the second operation member from moving from the second position to the first position. The restraining member in a releasing position is operable to permit the second operation member to move from the second position to the first position.

Abstract: The lockout mechanism selectively prevents passengers from reclining an airplane seat even though they activate the seat's recline input button. Instead of a single cable extending from the recline button to the recline actuator, the invention has separate input and output cables. The input cable attaches to a cylindrical input fitting, and the output cable attaches to a cylindrical output fitting. The input fitting telescopes within the output fitting. A ball, which is adjacent the output fitting, moves between a lockout and a normal position. In the normal position, the ball secures the input and output fittings together so that the input and output cables move together. Therefore, pushing the recline button activates the recline actuator. When the ball is in the lockout position, the fittings telescope relative to each other. Therefore, pushing the seat recline button does not activate the recline actuator. A remotely activated piston cam moves the ball between the normal and lockout positions.

Abstract: A diagnosing apparatus for diagnosing a vehicle automatic transmission system including an automatic transmission having frictional coupling devices, and solenoid-operated valves for controlling the frictional coupling devices to shift the automatic transmission according to shift commands generated by a control device, the apparatus including a speed detector for detecting an engine speed of the vehicle, a device for determining a reference range of the engine speed within which the engine speed is expected to fall when the transmission is placed in a position selected by a shift command, a device for determining whether a predetermined running condition of the vehicle is satisfied, and a defect detector for determining whether there exists a defect associated with the automatic transmission system, depending upon whether the detected engine speed is held within or outside the determined reference range when the predetermined vehicle running condition is satisfied.

Abstract: The transmission control module of an automatic transmission includes a shift control module adapted to command a gear or gear range increment or decrement in dependence upon the switching of an enable switch and of an upshift switch and a downshift switch, the switches being provided on the vehicle steering wheel. The performance of the engine can thereby be controlled by the driver. The transmission control module can also be operated in an automatic mode, a semiautomatic mode and a manual mode in dependence upon the mode selected by selecting means.

Abstract: A brake system for roller casters includes a pair of wheels rotatably mounted to respective sides of a main unit by means of a shaft, a brake assembly mounted within the main unit. The brake assembly includes a brake lever which will extend into a gear tooth of each wheel and jams the free movement of the wheel.

Abstract: A shifting arrangement for an automatic transmission has a selector lever guided in a shifting channel by which various transmission gears can be preselected. The forward gears can be shifted by hand by a manual gear selecting device. The gear selecting device is arranged on the selector lever or is constructed, for example, as a steering column switch. An electronic control unit controls the automatic as well as the manual gear selection.

Abstract: A roller linkage assembly (10) of the type for positively locking a traveling rail member (18). The assembly (10) includes a housing (22). The housing has a passageway (24, 26, 28) therethrough. A plurality of rollers (30, 32, 34) are moveably disposed in the passageway (24, 26, 28). An actuation cylinder (14) has a piston (16) extending outwardly therefrom for movement in the passageway (24). The piston (16) surrounds a first roller (30) for positively moving the same in response to a force applied by the actuation cylinder (14). When the cylinder (14) is energized, the first roller (30) is moved to a locked condition. This forces a second roller (32) to its locked condition. Finally, the force is transmitted to a third roller (34) and the third roller (34) engages a notch (36) in the traveling rail member (18) to prevent movement of the same. When the assembly (10) is in the locked condition, no forces are transmitted from the rail (18) to the piston (16).

Abstract: A push button switch having an interlocking device, the switch having a pair of two spaced adjacent push buttons each movable downwardly from an inoperative to an operative position, a pin position between the two push buttons and having a horizontal longitudinal axis extending transversely to a vertical plane between the push buttons and around which the pin is rotatable, and an interlocking lever extending between the push buttons and having opposite ends engaged with respective ones of the push buttons for tilting the lever when the push buttons are moved, the interlocking lever having a fulcrum projecting downwardly from the central portion thereof and, when both the push buttons are in the inoperative position, having the lower end supported on the rotatable pin, and movable for, when one of the push buttons is moved downwardly, being tilted toward the downwardly moved push button and having the fulcrum moved around the pin to a position on the opposite side of the pin from the downwardly moved push butt

Abstract: A shift lever for shifting an automatic transmission is axially supported by a base plate which is provided with a locking device to enable shift operation of the shift lever when the driver depresses the brake pedal. A cover is mounted to the base plate and is provided with a lock cancellation push button to forcedly cancel the locking apparatus at times when the vehicle is being repaired or the like. The button on the cover and the locking device are connected by a flexible wire and so operative force of the pushbutton can be definitely transmitted to the locking device to cancel the lock even if the positions for assembling the cover to the base plate are not always the same.

Abstract: A security gate includes an installation and release mechanism that is operable with one hand. The gate comprises two panels which are extendible with respect to each other and lockable in the extended position. This makes it possible for the gate to expand across a wide variety of door openings. A handle located centrally on the top of the gate is connected by a pair of cranks and a pull rod to a pair of plungers which contact one side of the door frame. Spring bias on the plungers normally force the plungers into contact with the door frame. Slots in the upper and lower plunger links permit the plungers to accommodate irregular door frames. The handle is employed to withdraw the plungers from contact with the door frames and, conversely, the absence of handle pressure causes the gate to position itself solidly against the vertical door jamb. The handle is also employed by the operator to carry and position the gate in the doorway, allowing one-handed operation.

Abstract: An electromechanical device for easily selecting and engaging different driving modes while an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle is in a forward driving position. Push buttons are positioned so as to be within easy reach of a driver's fingers while the driver is operating the motor vehicle. Each push button corresponds to a particular driving mode. By pressing a push button the gear needed to effectuate the selected mode of operation is activated. The push buttons are electrically connected to a digital control means which controls the implementation and cancellation of the gears used for realizing the selected driving mode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic tape apparatus having at least two push buttons (31, 32) which, when their push-button bars (33, 34) are pressed in separately, exercise individual functions on apparatus parts, with it being possible for each of the push-button bars (33, 34), loaded in tension by means of springs (50, 51) in the direction of their initial neutral positions, to be arrested in the pressed-in position, and with it being possible for a spring-loaded blocking member (20) which can be moved by all push-button bars (33, 34) and which interacts with latches on the push-button bars (33, 34) to be adjusted in such a way that, when a push-button bar is pressed in, a push-button bar arrested beforehand is released for withdrawal. In addition, the individual latches (52, 53) of at least two push-button bars (33, 34) with the parts of the blocking member (20) which are allocated to the individual latches (52, 53) have latching arrangements of different design.

Abstract: Multi-pedestal winch system with disconnect automatic reconnect.

Abstract: An electric shift apparatus for use with a motor vehicle having an automatic transmission. The apparatus includes a power module adapted to be mounted on the housing of the transmission proximate the transmission mode select lever and the transmission kick-down lever and a control module adapted to be mounted in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The power module includes an electric motor assembly drivingly connected to the free end of the mode select lever and a solenoid drivingly connected to the free end of the kick-down lever. The control module includes a plurality of push button members corresponding respectively to the transmission shift positions. An encoder device carried by the motor assembly of the power module provides a constant coded signal indicating the instantaneous position of the transmission mode select lever and this coded signal is compared by comparator means in the logic of the control unit with the selected shift position.

Abstract: An apparatus has a part which can be moved to an operating position by an actuating device, in response to movement of a button to an on position. Upon movement of the part to its operating position, a latching member directly associated with the part latches the button in its on position. Upon sensing a predetermined condition in the apparatus, a control member prevents the transmission of the actuating movement by the actuating device to the part, and a user becomes aware that the part has not moved to its operating position because the button does not become latched in its on position.

Abstract: Simultaneous actuation of switches belonging to separate columns in a switch matrix is prevented by means of opposed preventing members which slide strokes of predetermined length in opposed directions. The preventing members having competing sections formed on opposite sides of a gap which is less than twice the length of the predetermined stroke and these sections compete for space in the gap when their respective preventing members slide so that only one preventing member can slide the full length of its stroke at a time.

Abstract: A push button shift control for a bicycle and the like is provided and consists of a plurality of push buttons extending upwardly through top of a housing to be clamped typically onto a downtube of the bicycle. A locking mechanism keeps each of the push buttons in a down position when each of the push buttons is pushed in sequence to move a control cable a predetermined distance to operate gears of the bicycle. A releasing mechanism releases the push buttons so that the push buttons and the control cable can return to their previous positions.

Abstract: An operating lever apparatus used in an electric appliance to operate in accordance with electric signals produced by signal generator, comprises a first base plate, a second base plate disposed parallel to the first base plate at a given distance therefrom, an operating lever disposed between the first and second base plates so as to be able to move along the same between first and second positions, whereby the signal generator is caused to produce an electric signal when the operating lever is located in the second position, holding member for holding the operating lever in a position just before the second position, and a driving member disposed so as to be able to move along the first and second base plates between first and second positions in a direction to intersect the moving direction of the operating lever, and having a guide bore for guiding the operating lever in movement from the first position to the position just before the second position when the driving member is located in the first positio

Abstract: A push button switch assembly comprising a plurality of push button switch actuators includes a flexible, unstretchable electrically non-conductive belt for permitting only one of the push button switch actuators at a time to be in its activated position while the remaining switch actuators are all in their deactivated position. The switch assembly cover includes a molded detent spring for maintaining a switch actuator with a shaft having suitably axially spaced detents in its activated position when one of the detents engages the spring. The switch actuator comprises movable contacts aligned to engage respective stationary contacts disposed in the base of the switch assembly when the switch actuator is in its activated position. The belt is strung over tensioning risers disposed in a predetermined path on the base of the switch assembly at each side of a switch actuator. The switch actuator shaft further includes a groove for confining the belt therein.

Abstract: A push-button control for a sewing machine is provided with a spring system which returns slidable push-buttons from actuated to unactuated positions, and includes individual wire springs supported within grooves in a fixed member and preloaded against extended portions of the buttons.

Abstract: A key assembly having a line button and a hold button includes a release plate which engages pins on the buttons extending transversely of the buttons to a plane of the plate. The plate includes a first tongue having an undercut for receiving the pin of the line button for locking the line button, the first tongue having an inclined edge for urging the plate back from a rest position thereof for insertion of the line button pin in the undercut. The plate includes a second tongue having an inclined edge positioned on a lower portion of said tongue for engagement with the hold button pin on an upstroke of the hold button. A bypass path is provided for the hold button pin, which pin is spring loaded, to enable the pin to travel from the top of the second tongue to the bottom of said second tongue without introducing a translatory motion to the plate.

Abstract: A unique interlock mechanism for two pushbuttons or other linearly operated devices, requiring no mechanical linkages or complex assemblies. The interlock mechanism essentially comprises an interlock member having first and second restraining portions disposed within a housing so that when one of the pushbuttons is operated, the interlock member rotates positioning itself under the second pushbutton, interfering with and making it impossible to be operated.

Abstract: A tuning shaft for use in switch type pushbutton tuners wherein a clutch shaft portion configured in a regular polygon in its section is formed integrally with the tuning shaft portion as extending from the front end of the tuning shaft portion.

Abstract: An operating lever apparatus for use in combination with a tape recorder which may be set to various modes according to various electric signals from a signal generating means, comprises a first base plate, a second base plate disposed parallel to the first plate, a playback lever disposed between the plates and being movable between a first and second positions along the plates, the lever causing, upon arriving at the second position, the means to generate a first signal for setting the playback mode, a recording lever disposed between the plates and being movable between a first and second positions along the plates, the lever causing, upon arriving at the second position, the means to generate a second signal for setting the recording mode, a stop lever disposed between the plates and being movable between a first and second positions along the plates, a first auxiliary lever disposed between the plates and being movable between a first and second positions along the plates, the lever holding the playback

Abstract: An operating lever apparatus used in an electric apparatus in which various modes are established in accordance with various electric signals produced by signal generating circuits, comprises a first base plate, a second base plate separated from the first base plate in parallel therewith, and a plurality of operating levers disposed between the first and second base plates and capable of moving between their respective first and second positions along the first and second base plates, said plurality of operating levers causing the signal generating circuits to produce the electric signals when independently located in their respective second positions.

Abstract: An automatic vehicle transmission is operated simply by driver selection of a forward or backward switch, utilizing an electric and hydraulic control system to effect speed changes among the various forward speeds, neutral and park. Also, during a shift, a solenoid valve is used to temporarily lower the pressure to prevent undue shift shock.

Abstract: A stopper for a caster which has a push-button slidably inserted into a mounting hole radially perforated at a frame for journaling wheels, and a stopper rotor so mounted rotatably in parallel with an axle at the push-button as to be elastically urged by a spring in an outward direction and for stoppers formed at the ends thereof on the peripheries of the wheels. An actuator is formed at the stopper rotor, and a cam groove is formed in the mounting hole of the push-button for stepwisely engaging the actuator by the pressing operation of the push-button and the recoiling operation of the spring. Thus, the wheels can be readily locked and unlocked effectively with only one push-button repeatedly operated in pressing the push-button.

Abstract: A floor mounted transmission shift control has a shift lever with a pushbutton mechanism for releasing the detent mechanism so that shifting from the Park position can be accomplished. The Park/Lock lever is pivotally mounted on the shift control assembly and has one end thereof connected through a lost motion mechanism with the detent pushbutton mechanism and the other end thereof connected with an ignition lock control cable. The one end of the Park/Lock lever is normally not aligned with the pivot axis of the shift lever but is alignable therewith by the operation of the pushbutton mechanism. The ignition lock control cable prevents pivoting of the Park/Lock lever unless the vehicle ignition is unlocked thus preventing shifting from the Park position when the ignition lock control cable is held stationary. The alignment between the shift lever axis and the one end of the Park/Lock lever reduces the loading on the shift lever during manual change to and from the Park position.

Abstract: When with the manual operation device of this invention, a selected one of many push buttons provided for a cassette tape recorder is depressed, then an insertable actuating member lying below that depressed push button is brought down between a common transmission member and an operation member corresponding to the insertable actuating member, causing the transmission member to be previously rotated slightly in a direction opposite to that in which said transmission member is subsequently rotated for actuation. The slight previous rotation of the transmission member in said opposite direction disengages an engagement member from a large gear. As a result, the large gear is slightly rotated by the elastic force of one of the fixed contacts of a leaf switch to be engaged with a pinion. As a result, the leaf switch is actuated to drive a motor, which in turn rotates the pinion to drive the large gear.

Abstract: A squeeze type manual actuator including a control arm with a pair of hand grips extending from the upper end of the arm, at least one of the hand grips being mounted on the arm for movement toward and away from the other hand grips. The hand grips are provided with gripping pads and have a normal spacing in which the pads are respectively engageable by the palm and finger tips of one hand of the operator. The movable hand grip engages a plunger having a return spring. A signal producing device is coupled to the plunger for producing an output signal of pre-selected polarity and which varies in accordance with plunger displacement. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the arm has upper and lower sections with limited lost motion between them in opposite directions from a neutral position.

Abstract: In a ganged push-button switch in which a plurality of push-button switches are mounted on a frame, each of said push-button switches having an operation rod with a cam portion formed in one side surface thereof, and a first interlocking plate is urged onto each of the cam portions of said push-button switches mounted on said frame, the improvement wherein a second cam portion is formed in the upper surface of said operation rod of each of said push-button switches, said second cam portion being formed at right angles with said cam portions, and a second interlocking plate is urged onto said second cam portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is an assembly of ganged push-button switches each movable between a first position and a latching position. The assembly is comprised of a first switch block and a second switch block connected thereto. The operation rod of each push-button switch is formed with a symmetrical cam portion engaging a single latch member common to both blocks of switches so that any switch previously locked into its latched position will be unlatched by the latch member upon actuation of any one of the switches.

Abstract: This control device for automatic change-speed transmission mechanism of motor road vehicles has a control keyboard of which the keys control the energization of switches cooperating with cam faces formed on an axially movable detector shaft the translation of which is controlled by means of a rotary cam rigid with the selector shaft of the change-speed mechanism, this cam comprising an integral radial arm responsive to a double-acting pneumatic cylinder responsive in turn to a pair of solenoid valves adapted to be energized for moving the piston of the pneumatic cylinder in one or the other direction as a function of the specific key depressed by the driver in order to provide the desired range of speed ratios, or the neutral position, or the reverse gear.

Abstract: An operation mechanism for a tape recorder comprises a recording operation member, a reproduction operation member provided near the recording operation member, a stop operation member for releasing the operational state of these operation members, and an engaging member acted in the direction orthogonal to the acting direction of these operation members, whereby an additional or following recording is made possible by operating the recording operation member under the reproduction operation state.

Abstract: An interlocking apparatus comprising a plurality of spaced elements each of which is controllably movable to an extended position upon actuation, and control means having a plurality of positions which are alterable for the extension of only respectively determined ones of said elements, said control means being prevented from altering its position while a said element is in its extended position.

Abstract: A solenoid actuated control system comprises a solenoid device having a plunger carrying a transverse actuator pin and means for angularly moving the plunger to one of a plurality of predetermined angular positions in which the actuator pin is in operative alignment with a corresponding one of a plurality of instruments.

Abstract: Apparatus which finds particular application in a tuning device of the type which is tunable to different broadcast frequencies and which includes a scale provided with indicia corresponding to such broadcast frequencies and a pointer movable across the scale to indicate the particular broadcast frequency to which the tuning apparatus is tuned, the pointer being supported by a movable support which is guided by a guide shaft. A plurality of markers are slidably guided along at least one guide rail and are individually settable to desired locations adjacent the scale, thereby representing particular broadcast frequencies to which the tuning device is tunable. A key also is slidable along the guide shaft with the movable support, the key being selectively operative to engage a desired one of the markers to move the engaged marker therewith as the support is moved, whereby the marker is set to a desired position by reason of its engagement with the key.

Abstract: A mode change-over device for a recording and/or reproducing apparatus includes plural push buttons depressible into different operative positions; a mode selecting lever movable to plural positions in accordance with the selective depression of the push buttons; a mode change-over lever movable to plural operative positions in accordance with the movement of the mode selecting lever; and a drive mechanism for driving the mode change-over lever in any one of the plural operative positions.

Abstract: A multiple pushbutton switch is disclosed in which each pushbutton actuator has a rotatable cam mounted thereon that interacts with one or more lockout members positioned alongside of the actuator in the same plane as the cam. The interaction between the cam and the lockouts is such that one group of the pushbutton actuators can be depressed simultaneously while a second group of the actuators are blocked from simultaneous depression with the first group. Furthermore, a pushbutton actuator can be shifted from one group to the other merely by rotating the cam thereon to a different position.

Abstract: Two standard momentary pushbuttons mounted in spaced-part relation on a common support normally directly actuate two switch units, respectively. A maintaining and interlocking attachment is interposed between the pushbuttons and switch units so that when one pushbutton is depressed, it will be maintained depressed and will restore and lock out the other pushbutton so that it cannot be depressed simultaneously. This is done by mounting a plurality of spacer rods between the pushbuttons and their associated switch units to provide space for a bracket secured therein and mounting a dual-spring-biased center-pivoted bistable toggle mechanism having a pair of driven pins, one for each pushbutton. A pair of push-levers are clamped to the standard washer-like drive plates of the respective pushbuttons and are provided with push-flanges and elongated drive slots.

Abstract: An actuator for pushbutton type switches comprising a single molded plastic unitary structure. The actuator provides for operation of both locking and nonlocking switches and for actuation of switches mounted both parallel to and perpendicular to the plane of operation of the actuator.

Abstract: A push-to-turn knob assembly comprising a tubular hub disposed for attachment to an axially inserted end portion of a rotatable shaft and having a slotted end portion releasably engaged by a plurality of resiliently biased wedges annularly spaced apart within an encircling race, the hub and race being enclosed by an axially movable knob shell having projection means for disengaging the wedges from the hub and having keying means for engaging the hub and rotating the attached shaft to a desired setting.

Abstract: First and second switch blocks comprising a plurality of first and second push button switches respectively are connected together in parallelism and in mirror symmetry and are provided with first and second latch bars common to the first and second switches respectively. The switch blocks are held together by detachable connectors which, in turn, support pivotal levers. The levers engage the ends of the switch block latch bars and cause interlocking of any pushbutton switch or switches in the depressed position and unlatch any previously depressed pushbutton switch or switches in either the first or second switch blocks.

Abstract: A lock releasing mechanism for push button levers such as used in a tape recorder. The mechanism includes an electromechanical releasing system and a distinct mechanical releasing system commonly operable by a manual operator. The mechanical system functions for lock releasing only if the electromechanical system fails to provide lock releasing.

Abstract: A plurality of parallel push rods is vertically movably supported between an inactive position to which each push rod is normally biased and an active position in which it engages a drive mechanism of the tape recorder. Each of the rods is provided with a notched portion. A latch bar having a plurality of projections arranged along one edge thereof is pivotally supported at one end and has its opposite end biased toward the push rods to permit its projections to engage each of the notched portions of the rods. The notched portion of the rods has a first notch with which the associated projection of the latch bar normally engages when the push rods are in the inactive position and a second notch with which that projection engages to lock the push rod in the active position. At least one of the push rods is provided with a protrusion in the direction toward the latch bar to cause it to rotate about its pivot to unlock another push rod from the active position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multiple push-switch apparatus comprising an exclusion mechanism which includes a plurality of slidably supported operation bodies and a flexible body, any one of said plurality of operation bodies being able to move by means of said flexible body, and a plurality of electric switches which are driven by said plurality of operation bodies, respectively. In addition, there is provided a multiple push-switch apparatus especially suitable as a station selecting apparatus for a television receiver. The apparatus can be operated by the use of a soft touch, permits the employment of various operation body arrangements, and prevents simultaneous operation of a plurality of electric switches by mistake.

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic tape apparatus having at least two push buttons (31, 32) which, when their push-button bars (33, 34) are pressed in separately, exercise individual functions on apparatus parts, with it being possible for each of the push-button bars (33, 34), loaded in tension by means of springs (50, 51) in the direction of their initial neutral positions, to be arrested in the pressed-in position, and with it being possible for a spring-loaded blocking member (20) which can be moved by all push-button bars (33, 34) and which interacts with latches on the push-button bars (33, 34) to be adjusted in such a way that, when a push-button bar is pressed in, a push-button bar arrested beforehand is released for withdrawal. In addition, the individual latches (52, 53) of at least two push-button bars (33, 34) with the parts of the blocking member (20) which are allocated to the individual latches (52, 53) have latching arrangements of different design.

Abstract: An electric shift apparatus for use with a motor vehicle having an automatic transmission. The apparatus includes a power module adapted to be mounted on the housing of the transmission proximate the transmission mode select lever and the transmission kick-down lever and a control module adapted to be mounted in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The power module includes an electric motor assembly drivingly connected to the free end of the mode select lever and a solenoid drivingly connected to the free end of the kick-down lever. The control module includes a plurality of push button members corresponding respectively to the transmission shift positions. An encoder device carried by the motor assembly of the power module provides a constant coded signal indicating the instantaneous position of the transmission mode select lever and this coded signal is compared by comparator means in the logic of the control unit with the selected shift position.