Abstract: An operation apparatus for a vehicle automatic transmission mechanism includes an actuator for driving a hydraulic valve for switching a travel range of an automatic transmission mechanism, a control unit for controlling the actuator, and a transmission operation unit for outputting a range switching instruction to the control unit. In the preferred embodiment, the transmission operation unit includes a stroke contact type operation switch suitably mounted on a side surface of a steering column so that at least forward vehicle travel ranges can be switched by only a stretched finger of the hand of a vehicle driver who continues to maintain his grip on the steering wheel with the same hand. The operation switch can include either a rotary switch or slide switch mounted on the steering column.

Abstract: A vehicle body member of a closed sectional construction extending in the widthwise direction of a vehicle body is provided between right and left roof pillars of a vehicle body. A cowl unit which comprises cowl member, at least a windshield wiper system is mounted thereon, and an instrument panel unit which comprises at least an instrument panel, a steering system, a brake pedal, a brake pedal bracket, and a brake multiplier are inserted from the top and the rear of the vehicle body respectively. By this arrangement, both units are mounted to the vehicle body separately with higher mounting efficiency and accordingly, the configuration of the side part of the instrument panel can be maintained. Also, the resistance to collision shock can be improved by restricting both units moving to the rear in a head-on collision by the above vehicle body member.

Abstract: A vehicle body side member of a closed sectional construction extending in the widthwise direction of a vehicle body is provided between right and left roof pillars of a vehicle body and a first unit which comprises at least a cowl member and a windshield wiper system provided in the cowl member and a second unit which comprises at least an instrument panel and a steering system are mounted in the front of the vehicle body side member and in the rear of the vehicle body side member respectively. By this arrangement, the assembling operation of members and systems attached around a dash panel can be easier and accordingly, the simpler and faster operation can be planned. Also, the endurance efficiency for collision shock can be improved by restricting both units moving to the rear on a head-on collision by the above vehicle body side member.

Abstract: A gear shift device for a vehicle automatic transmission has a gear shift lever for placing an automatic transmission of an automotive vehicle in any desired gear range. The gear shift device further has an electrically controlled shift lock mechanism for locking the gear shift lever so that the transmission is fixed in a park gear range when a brake pedal is released, and for enabling the gear shift lever to operate when the transmission is in the park gear range, when an ignition key is set and the brake pedal is pressed. A mechanically operated interlock mechanism is provided for enabling the ignition key to be pulled out when shifting of the gear shift lever has placed the transmission in the park gear range.

Abstract: A stop-state retaining arrangement for use in a motor vehicle, which includes a brake pedal for applying a braking force to wheels when depressed by a treading force, a clutch pedal for disengaging a clutch when depressed by a treading force, a cable connected, at its one end, to the clutch pedal, and a depressed stroke position holding mechanism connected to the other end of the cable, and arranged to be actuated to hold the brake pedal at the depressed stroke position upon depression of the clutch pedal, and to relieve the brake pedal from the holding at the depressed stroke position upon releasing the clutch pedal from the depression.