Abstract: A transmission shifter (12) for controlling a transmission includes a pair of independent spring biasers (30,32) mounted by a housing (18) to bias an operating member (22) of the shifter and respectively control lateral movement of the operating member in opposite lateral directions independently of each other. Each spring biaser (30,32) preferably includes at least one helical spring (34,36 and 38) for providing the biasing with the lateral bias of one spring biaser greater than that of the other. One of the helical spring biasers (30) includes a pair of helical springs (34,36) one of which has a larger diameter and receives the other, and the other spring biaser (32) includes a single helical spring (38) identical to the larger spring (34) of the one biaser (30). The shifter (12) also includes a ball and pin construction (42,44) for mounting the operating member (22) and a seat and shim arrangement (56,60 and 58,62) for mounting the spring biasers.

Abstract: A shift control assembly for automatic transmissions having three shifting sticks which are sequence interlocked wherein each stick is shifted to perform a single gear change. Each of the shifting sticks is manually operated to rotate a common control shaft which is rotatably supported in a housing of the assembly. A mechanism is provided for transmitting the rotary motion of the control shaft to the automatic transmission to control the gear position of the automatic transmission. A button and plunger assembly and an interlock plate is provided for each of the shifting sticks to selectively allow the sticks to rotate the control shaft upon shifting of the sticks in a predetermined sequence and otherwise prevent rotation of the control shaft. A detent mechanism is provided to give each of the shifting sticks "feel". An optional staging stick may be provided with an over-center locking mechanism, the staging stick bypassing the interlock system provided for the three shifting sticks.

Abstract: In a disc brake assembly, one braking pad is associated operatively with a piston, which moves in a cylinder, and another braking pad is associated with a caliper, which is movable together with the cylinder. A first biasing means retracts the braking pads from opposite faces of a disc upon release of hydraulic pressure from a piston. A second biasing means retracts the caliper upon release of such pressure. A drag part, which grips a shaft frictionally, is able to move axially along the shaft, if the force being transmitted by the caliper upon application of such pressure exceeds the force required to energize the second biasing means, so as to compensate for wear of the second braking pad. A limiting means, which cooperates with the drag part so as to limit retraction of the caliper to a fixed distance.

Abstract: A multiplexer for an ultrasonic ranging device for a vehicle having a resettable digital counter is disclosed herein. The digital counter receives a plurality of pulses from an oscillator and provides a counter output signal indicative of the stored count of the number of pulses. A plurality of logic gates are connected to the digital counter for control thereby. A plurality of ultrasonic transducers are connected to the logic gates, the logic gates sequentially energizing the transducers in response to the stored count in the digital counter.

Abstract: An ultrasonic ranging device for use in a vehicle having a high frequency oscillator supplying continuous sine wave signals to a power amplifier through a first gate controlled by a timer. A second gate controlled by the timer supplies an amplified sine wave signal from the power amplifier to a piezoelectric transducer mounted on an exterior portion of a vehicle. The transducer produces a series of repeated ultrasonic pulses and receives echoes from nearby objects converting the echoes into electrical return signals. A receiver amplifies the return signals and supplies them to a coincidence gate, which is enabled for relatively short time intervals by a timer. The coincidence gate supplies an output signal to an indicator when the return signal is detected during the interval that the gate is enabled.

Abstract: A brake assembly comprises(a) a carrier having a bore, and a piston slidable axially in the bore to transmit force of fluid pressure acting on the piston to a brake pad,(b) shaft structure defining an axis and extending axially to transmit auxiliary thrust to the piston,(c) a rotary actuator member rotatable about the axis,(d) coupling device responsive to rotation of the member in one direction to effect axial advancement of the shaft structure toward the piston and responsive to rotation of the member in the opposite direction to allow axial retraction of the shaft structure,(e) first wear compensation mechanism subject to adjustment to axially shift the shaft structure in response to fluid pressure produced axial displacement of the piston beyond a predetermined amount, and(f) second wear compensation mechanism subject to adjustment to axially shift the shaft structure in response to rotation of the member beyond a predetermined amount,(g) the first and second compensation mechanisms being operatively inte

Abstract: The gear shift stick assembly permits shifting in four forward speeds and reverse. It includes a trigger located near the gear shift knob which may be pulled up or down while the stick is being shifted in position. A wire runs from the trigger down through the stick and engages a generally hat-shaped stop sleeve. When the trigger is not operated, the stop sleeve is in its lower position and abuts a fixed stop member that is mounted in the shift assembly in a position to prevent movement of the stick into the reverse gear-actuating position. If the stick is not in the third-fourth gear slot and the trigger is raised, the stop sleeve comes into the path of another stop member preventing movement of the stick toward the third-fourth gear slot.

Abstract: An in-line shift mechanism for an automotive automatic transmission having the dual capability of permitting selective shifting directly into any one of plural drive positions, a neutral position, a reverse position or a park position, and also of only sequential shifting through the three drive positions in either direction while requiring momentary release of the shifting lever between adjacent drive positions. The shift lever is pivotally mounted for forward and rearward movement as well as perpendicular (usually generally vertical) movement relative to the pivot axis of the lever. A cam surface is provided on the mounting bracket for engagement with a pin carried by the shift lever to require vertical displacement of the shift lever to move from park position into reverse position and another vertical displacement to move from reverse position to any of the three drive positions or neutral.