Abstract: Five-speed shifter for an automotive transmission comprises an outer housing, an inner housing pivotable in the outer housing about a first axis, and a shift lever pivotable in said inner housing about a second axis which extends transversely of the first axis. The shift lever has a spring loaded extension which engages a selected one of three shift rails in the outer housing by pivoting about the second axis. A gear is then engaged by pivoting about the first axis to slide the selected rail forward or backward. A pin on the shift lever cooperates with a multilevel slot in a sidewall of the outer housing to preclude shifting into reverse unless the lever is depressed. In an externally mounted embodiment, each rail has a finger extending through a floor of the outer housing. The fingers are pivotably connected to coupling rods which effect rotation of shift control shafts which extend from the gear housing.

Abstract: Vehicle gear shifting lever assembly comprises a lever having a knob on the end thereof. The knob is pivotally mounted on the lever for relative movement in the to and fro directions of movement of the gear shift lever. Signal generating means are provided on portions of the knob and on the lever which produce a signal when the knob is moved relative to the lever. The knob is releasably coupled to the lever by a coupling means which releases upon application of a force which is less than the force required to move the lever when changing gears. When gears are changed, the knob first moves relative to the lever and the lever is then moved. The signal generated by the signal generating means is used to deenergize the ignition system of the vehicle so that the clutch need not be depressed during gear changing.