Abstract: An operating device for actuating the shift mechanism in multi-ratio gear transmissions in motor vehicles, incorporating a shift rail (2) which is moveable in parallel to the gear axes and arranged in a transmission housing (30), this shift rail carries coupling devices (16, 18, 20, 22, 32, 42, 46, 50). The coupling devices form a connection between the shift rail (2) and the shift forks (4) of the engaging gears and, at the same time, block the shift forks (4) of the non-engaging gears. The coupling devices (16, 18, 20, 22, 32, 42, 46, 50) have detents (22, 26, 32, 36, 42, 60) by which the engaged gears can be blocked in their engaged position.

Abstract: An operating device for actuating the shift mechanism in multi-ratio transmissions in motor vehicles, incorporating a selector shaft (2) which is largely moveable in parallel to the gear axes and arranged in a transmission housing, this selector shaft (2) carrying coupling devices (14, 26, 32) which form a connection between the selector shaft (2) and shift forks (4, 6, 8, 56) or swing forks of the engaging gears. There is an interlock (34, 54) provided for blocking the shift forks (4, 6, 8, 56) or swing forks of the gears which are not to be engaged. This interlock (34, 54) is designed as a single shift interlock (34, 54) for all gears, which cannot be axially moved together with the selector shaft (2) but which can be rotated around the rotation axis (16) of the selector shaft (2) together with the selector shaft (2), the shift interlock (34, 54) having elements (62, 68, 78) which engage in the shift forks (4, 6, 8, 56).