Abstract: A universal shifter system that is adaptable to any of a variety of locations in a vehicle has a shift assembly with a frame supporting a shaft for rotation about a primary axis. An end of the shaft is exposed axially through the frame for circumferentially indexed attachment of either a shift arm or a cam device of the system dependent upon the selected system location in the vehicle. A side mount feature has a secondary axis that traverses the primary axis. The cam device rotates about both axes when selected. A shifter mechanism is supported by the frame and is constructed and arranged to rotate the shaft between park and drive positions. Preferably, a flexible park lock cable interfaces between the shifter mechanism and a start device of the vehicle to prevent the shaft from rotating from the park and into the drive position if the start device is not in a predetermined position.

Abstract: A universal shifter system that is adaptable to any of a variety of locations in a vehicle has a shift assembly with a frame supporting a shaft for rotation about a primary axis. An end of the shaft is exposed axially through the frame for circumferentially indexed attachment of either a shift arm or a cam device of the system dependent upon the selected system location in the vehicle. A side mount feature has a secondary axis that traverses the primary axis. The cam device rotates about both axes when selected. A shifter mechanism is supported by the frame and is constructed and arranged to rotate the shaft between park and drive positions. Preferably, a flexible park lock cable interfaces between the shifter mechanism and a start device of the vehicle to prevent the shaft from rotating from the park and into the drive position if the start device is not in a predetermined position.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for shifting an automatic transmission having a shift position select lever. The invention selectively shifts the transmission to one of a plurality of different transmission shift positions. The invention includes a steering column positionable in a passenger compartment of a vehicle. A switch is mountable in the passenger compartment of the vehicle and operable to emit a first signal representative of a desired change with respect to a transmission shift position. A motor generates a moving force and a linkage associated with the motor to transmit the moving force from the motor to a shift lever of a transmission of the vehicle. A sensor is responsive to a current transmission shift position and emits a second signal corresponding to the sensed current transmission shift position. A controller is responsive to the switch and to the sensor.