Abstract: A vehicle park/lock mechanism with a novel control module in which is located a locking mechanism, an electrically actuated actuator for actuating said locking mechanism said module including a control switch which is actuated in response to the actuation of the locking mechanism. A restraining member is provided to prevent actuation of such switch to assure complete unlocking of the locking mechanism before the switch is actuated.

Abstract: A cable connector for a vehicle shifter includes an anchor configured to mateably receive a sheath of a cable assembly, and further includes a connector rod configured to receive a telescopable cable rod extending from the cable assembly. The vehicle shifter includes a base having a bracket supporting the anchor, and a shift mechanism pivotally attached to the base and operably connected to the connector rod. The shifter is installed in the vehicle by manipulating the shifter so that the sheath is inserted into the anchor with the cable rod extending through the anchor into the connector rod. The shifter is secured to the vehicle by clips that snap attach to a vehicle mounting bracket. The anchor is secured to the sheath by a first spring clip, and the cable rod is secured to the connector rod by a second spring clip,. which clips snap attach to the respective parts of the cable assembly as the shifter is snap attached to the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission shifter in which a locking member is movable along aligned and opposite directions to a locked or unlocked position. A mechanical advantage means, preferably a toggle joint, is connected to one end of the locking member for either restraining or moving the locking member in response to the electromagnetic attracting and repelling force. One of the magnetic attracting or retracting forces causes the locking member to move and be held in the locked position and the other of the magnetic attracting or retracting force causing the locking member to be moved to an unlocked position.

Abstract: A park lock mechanism having a lockout arm which, if it is accidentally moved to a lock position while the pawl of the shifting lever is in another gear position, it is movable by the pawl from such lock position to a third position permitting entry of the pawl into the park position and the lockout arm is then returned to its original lock position.

Abstract: A mechanism for adjusting the space or gap between a rigid, spherical boot and the periphery of an opening in a console trim plate through which the shift lever of the shifting mechanism extends. The mechanism provides both radial adjustment for providing a uniform gap and also allows for the assembly to be easily adjusted up or down with respect to the opening in the console trim plate.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission shifter in which a locking member is movable along a line in opposite directions to a locked position or unlocked position. A mechanical advantage means, preferably a toggle joint, is connected to one end of the locking member for either restraining or moving the locking member in response to the energization of an electrical coil of an electrical module which actuates an armature, or so-called module actuator, in a direction orthogonal to the toggle joint. The module actuator is biased to substantially align the axes of the toggle joint in which position the locking member is in locked position restrained from movement. When the brake of the vehicle is applied, the coil is energized and the module actuator is moved by the energization of the coil to break the knee of the toggle joint to unlock the locking member.

Abstract: A modular vehicle transmission shifter mechanism and method of manufacture in which the shifter mechanism is so constructed that it is adapted for use with different transmissions of different vehicles by providing standard components for supporting a pawl detent member and a position feel detent member. The standard components include a detent support member having attachments cooperating with attachments on the detent members, such attachments for each pawl member and said attachments for each position feel detent member being identical requiring only the change in configuration in the notches of the pawl detent member and the undulations in the position feel detent member. This shifter includes a unique shifting handle assembly and an improved support structure for the detent support member.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission shifter mechanism having a shift lever frame including a roller detent, a shift lever shiftable to a plurality of different shift positions and a feel positioner for providing a feel to a vehicle operator for establishing each of the shift positions is provided with an improvement, the improvement being a leaf spring configured in a U-shaped arrangement at one end to quick connect into a pair of spaced apertures in a plate on the shift lever, and configured at the other end with opposing fingers to snappingly quick connect to a roller for rollingly engaging the roller detent. The roller is biased against the roller detent which generates reactive forces on the one end of the leaf spring causing the one end to be securely retained in the spaced apertures in the plate and causing the roller to be securely retained in the opposing fingers on the other end.

Abstract: A shift mechanism for the transmission of a vehicle in which a locking arm is provided to prevent shifting of the shift lever, the locking condition of the locking arm being controlled by a magnetic latch which includes a permanent magnet that produces a magnetic flux to hold the arm in locked position. A coil is provided in the magnetic latch to produce a magnetic flux that opposes the magnetic flux produced by the permanent magnet to destroy the holding force of the permanent magnet when a brake switch is closed to energize the coil thus permitting the locking arm to be moved to an unlocked position and the shift lever to be shifted.

Abstract: A locking mechanism and system for a vehicle shifter in which the shifting lever is locked in a park lock position until the brakes of the automotive vehicle are applied and/or the steering lockout mechanism located in the steering column of the vehicle is released by the ignition key of the vehicle. In one embodiment of the invention the pawl of the shifting lever is restrained by a lockout arm through which the brake mechanism and the lockout cable extending to the steering column are connected. In another embodiment, the lockout cable is eliminated by providing two electrical control modules operatively connected to the brake mechanism and the ignition key switch which controls the steering lockout mechanism. These two modules are connected in a unique circuit so that the shifting lever cannot be shifted out of park to other gear positions until the brake is applied and the steering lockout mechanism is released by the ignition key switch.