Abstract: An articulated joint assembly includes an upper joint member having an inner portion and an outer portion connected to an upper lever section of a gear shift lever, a lower joint member having an inner portion and an outer portion connected to a lower lever section of the shift lever, a pivotal joint formed between the inner portions of the upper and lower joint members, and an annular collar having a central bore being slidably mounted over the inner portions of the upper and lower joint members and movable along the inner portions and between the outer portions of the upper and lower joint members between a lower position in which the annular collar locks the upper and lower lever sections at an erected condition and an upper position in which the annular collar unlocks the upper and lower lever sections for converting the shift lever from the erected condition to a folded condition.