Abstract: In at least some implementations, a vehicle shift lever assembly includes a shift lever movable about a first pivot axis within a first shift path having multiple shift positions, and movable about a second pivot axis to a second shift path having at least one shift position, and the second pivot axis is not parallel to the first pivot axis, and a sensor element coupled to the shift lever for movement with the shift lever. The sensor element is oriented in a different position when the shift lever is in each of the shift positions in the first shift path and each of the shift positions of the second shift path.

Abstract: At least some implementations of a transmission gear shifter include a first body rotatable among multiple positions, a second body rotatable among multiple positions, a retainer and first and second actuators. The retainer is movable relative to the second body between a first position in which the retainer prevents rotation of the second body, and a second position in which the retainer permits rotation of the second body. The first actuator is coupled to the retainer to move the retainer between the first and second positions. And the second actuator provides a force on the second body to rotate the second body when the retainer is in the second position.

Abstract: At least some implementations of a transmission gear shifter include a first shift member, a second shift member, an actuator, multiple feedback surfaces and a follower. The actuator drives the second shift member between a first position and second position and thereby rotates the first shift member from one of the multiple positions to another of the multiple positions. The feedback surfaces are associated with the first shift member, and the follower is movable relative to the feedback surfaces between a first position and a second position. When the follower is in the first position, the follower is not engageable with the feedback surfaces, and when the follower is in the second position, the follower is engageable with the feedback surfaces and when the follower is in the second position there is relative sliding motion between the follower and the feedback surfaces when the first shift member is rotated.

Abstract: In at least some implementations, a vehicle shift lever assembly includes a shift lever movable about a first pivot axis within a first shift path having multiple shift positions, and movable about a second pivot axis to a second shift path having at least one shift position, and the second pivot axis is not parallel to the first pivot axis, and a sensor element coupled to the shift lever for movement with the shift lever. The sensor element is oriented in a different position when the shift lever is in each of the shift positions in the first shift path and each of the shift positions of the second shift path.

Abstract: At least some implementations of a transmission gear shifter include a first shift member, a second shift member, an actuator, multiple feedback surfaces and a follower. The actuator drives the second shift member between a first position and second position and thereby rotates the first shift member from one of the multiple positions to another of the multiple positions. The feedback surfaces are associated with the first shift member, and the follower is movable relative to the feedback surfaces between a first position and a second position. When the follower is in the first position, the follower is not engageable with the feedback surfaces, and when the follower is in the second position, the follower is engageable with the feedback surfaces and when the follower is in the second position there is relative sliding motion between the follower and the feedback surfaces when the first shift member is rotated.

Abstract: At least some implementations of a transmission gear shifter include a first body rotatable among multiple positions, a second body rotatable among multiple positions, a retainer and first and second actuators. The retainer is movable relative to the second body between a first position in which the retainer prevents rotation of the second body, and a second position in which the retainer permits rotation of the second body. The first actuator is coupled to the retainer to move the retainer between the first and second positions. And the second actuator provides a force on the second body to rotate the second body when the retainer is in the second position.

Abstract: At least some implementations of a transmission gear shifter include a first shift member having a body rotatable about an axis among multiple positions, a retainer movable relative to the body, an actuator coupled to the retainer and a second shift member coupled to the first shift member. The retainer is movable between a first position in which the retainer prevents movement of the body and a second position in which the retainer permits movement of the body. The actuator drives the retainer between the first position and second position. And the second shift member is driven by the actuator between first and second positions to rotate the body. In at least some implementations, the second shift member is engaged by the retainer and driven by movement of the retainer.

Abstract: In at least some implementations, a vehicle shifter assembly includes a first guide having an axis, a shift lever coupled to the first guide for two-way movement of the shift lever along the first guide in a path parallel to the first axis, and a second guide spaced from the first guide and engageable with the shift lever to limit rotational movement of the shift lever relative to the first guide about the axis. In at least some implementations, the shift lever includes a main body with an opening through which the first guide extends.

Abstract: A shift lever assembly may include a shift lever movable about a pivot axis to permit changing a transmission mode, and a sensor element coupled to the shift lever for movement with the shift lever when the shift lever is moved to cause a transmission mode change. The sensor element is movable relative to the shift lever during at least a portion of the movement of the shift lever. This may permit the sensor element to remain at a relatively consistent distance from the sensor, where that distance is measured perpendicular to the sensor, over the path of movement of the sensor element.

Abstract: In at least some implementations, a shifter for a vehicle transmission includes a shift member and a cable actuator. The shift member is pivoted at a first pivot for movement between multiple positions corresponding to multiple transmission gears. The cable actuator pivoted at a second pivot, driven for movement about the second pivot by movement of the shift member about the first pivot and has a cable connector adapted to be connected to a shift cable that is associated with the vehicle transmission, wherein the first pivot is arranged about a first axis and the second pivot is arranged about a second axis that is not parallel to the first axis.

Abstract: A shifter for a transmission includes a shift member, a lock member and an actuator. The shift member is movable among at least a first and second positions corresponding to first and second transmission gears. The lock member is movable between first and second lock positions. The actuator has a first position when not actuated and a second position when actuated, and the actuator is coupled to the lock member to move the lock member relative to the shift member. When the shift member and actuator are in their first positions, the lock member is in its first lock position movement of the shift member out of the first position is prevented. When the shift member and actuator are in their second positions the lock member is in its second lock position and movement of the shift member out of the second position is prevented.

Abstract: In at least some implementations, a shifter for a vehicle transmission includes a shift member and a cable actuator. The shift member is pivoted at a first pivot for movement between multiple positions corresponding to multiple transmission gears. The cable actuator pivoted at a second pivot, driven for movement about the second pivot by movement of the shift member about the first pivot and has a cable connector adapted to be connected to a shift cable that is associated with the vehicle transmission, wherein the first pivot is arranged about a first axis and the second pivot is arranged about a second axis that is not parallel to the first axis.

Abstract: A shift lever assembly may include a shift lever movable about a pivot axis to permit changing a transmission mode, and a sensor element coupled to the shift lever for movement with the shift lever when the shift lever is moved to cause a transmission mode change. The sensor element is movable relative to the shift lever during at least a portion of the movement of the shift lever. This may permit the sensor element to remain at a relatively consistent distance from the sensor, where that distance is measured perpendicular to the sensor, over the path of movement of the sensor element.

Abstract: A shifter apparatus, according to one embodiment, is configured for operating a transmission controller of a vehicle and includes a selection knob that is rotatable between first and second angular positions for selecting an operating mode of the transmission controller. The shifter apparatus also includes a swing arm that is pivotal between an unlocked position spaced from the selection knob and a locked position engaged with the selection knob to prevent rotation thereof. Further, the shifter apparatus includes a motor configured to pivot the swing arm from the locked position to the unlocked position when a disengagement condition is satisfied for selecting a different operating mode. The shifter apparatus may also include a drive gear that is movable to an engaged position between the motor and the selection knob, such that the motor may automatically rotate the selection knob from the first angular position to the second angular position.

Abstract: A shifter apparatus, according to one embodiment, is configured for operating a transmission controller of a vehicle and includes a selection knob that is rotatable between first and second angular positions for selecting an operating mode of the transmission controller. The shifter apparatus also includes a swing arm that is pivotal between an unlocked position spaced from the selection knob and a locked position engaged with the selection knob to prevent rotation thereof. Further, the shifter apparatus includes a motor configured to pivot the swing arm from the locked position to the unlocked position when a disengagement condition is satisfied for selecting a different operating mode. The shifter apparatus may also include a drive gear that is movable to an engaged position between the motor and the selection knob, such that the motor may automatically rotate the selection knob from the first angular position to the second angular position.

Abstract: A shifter is provided for shifting a vehicle transmission between a plurality of different gear positions. The shifter includes a base, and a shift lever pivoted to the base for movement between shift lever positions corresponding to the different gear positions. The shift lever includes a flange with an arcuate slot with a first enlarged pocket corresponding to a first one of the different gear positions and a second enlarged pocket corresponding to a second one of the different gear positions. An electromechanical device is provided having an extendable pin that is configured to engage the first enlarged pocket and lock the shift lever in the first one gear position until first predetermined vehicle conditions are met, and further that is configured to engage the second enlarged pocket and lock the shift lever in the second one gear position until second predetermined vehicle conditions are met.

Abstract: A shifter is provided for shifting a vehicle transmission between a plurality of different gear positions. The shifter includes a base, and a shift lever pivoted to the base for movement between shift lever positions corresponding to the different gear positions. The shift lever includes a flange with an arcuate slot with a first enlarged pocket corresponding to a first one of the different gear positions and a second enlarged pocket corresponding to a second one of the different gear positions. An electromechanical device is provided having an extendable pin that is configured to engage the first enlarged pocket and lock the shift lever in the first one gear position until first predetermined vehicle conditions are met, and further that is configured to engage the second enlarged pocket and lock the shift lever in the second one gear position until second predetermined vehicle conditions are met.

Abstract: A shifter is provided for shifting a vehicle transmission between an automatic shifting mode that includes the automatically shifting gear positions of park, reverse, neutral, drive, and low drive, and a manual-shifting mode including upshift and downshift gear positions. The shifter includes a base, a lever carrier pivoted to the base for movement along a center shift path and side shift paths, and a shift lever pivoted to the lever carrier for movement between the different shift paths. The lever carrier has notches corresponding to the gear positions, and the shift lever has a pawl operably engaging the notches to control movement of the shift lever between the automatically shifting gear positions on the center shift path. The pawl is disengaged when the shift lever is moved into the side-located shift paths.

Abstract: A manual transmission shifter includes a base, and a shift lever pivoted to the base by a ball and socket arrangement. An ignition-key-interlock mechanism includes a bell crank pivoted to the base for movement between a key-interlocked position and a key-released position. The bell crank includes a slot configured to be engaged by a protrusion on the shift lever when the shift lever is moved from neutral to a reverse gear position. The ignition-key-interlock mechanism further includes a key-interlock cable assembly operably connected between the bell crank and the key-receiving ignition device of the vehicle. When the shift lever is moved out of the reverse position, the ignition-key-interlock mechanism is moved to the key-locked position such that the ignition key cannot be removed from the ignition of the vehicle.