Abstract: A latch mechanism for fastening a hatch panel in an automobile roof opening. The mechanism includes latch pins which extend and retract into and out of engagement with the roof structure to respectively fasten and release the hatch panel. An operator handle can be controlled by a key mechanism to function in either a locked mode or an unlocked mode. In the unlocked mode, movement of the handle to an open position retracts the latch pins, and movement to a closed position extends the pins. In the locked mode, the handle and latch pins are decoupled except upon the first occurrence of the handle being moved to its closed position so as to assure fastening of the hatch panel at all times after the handle is first moved to the closed position.

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: 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.