Abstract: A shifter for shifting a transmission between a plurality of gear positions includes a base having a stationary member with indicia corresponding to the gear positions, a shift lever operably supported on the base for movement between the gear positions, and an improved position indicator adapted to better highlight limited portions of the indicia to indicate the selected gear position of the shift lever. The position indicator includes a support member configured to move with the shift lever that includes a window positioned to allow light to pass therethrough to visibly luminate parts of the indicia corresponding to the selected gear positions as the shift lever is moved between the plurality of gear positions.

Abstract: A manual operating apparatus for an automatic transmission is structured such that a first shift line (L1) and a second shift line (L2) corresponding to a shift direction of a shift lever (2) are disposed side by side and that the shift lever (2) can move to the first shift line (L1) and to the second shift line (L2) with respect to each other. In the manual operating apparatus for an automatic transmission, when the shift lever (2) is positioned in the first shift line (L1), a portion along the first shift line L1 is lighted up, and when the shift lever (2) is positioned in the second shift line (L2), a portion along the second shift line (L2) is lighted up.

Abstract: In automobiles incorporating a console-mounted shift lever assembly for an automatic transmission control, a range indicator assembly is attached to the shift lever assembly to form a subassembly. This subassembly is secured in the automobile by attaching the shift lever to the vehicle floor pan, inserting a console housing over the shift lever assembly and clipping the range indicator assembly to the console. The range indicator assembly has an indicator extension or post that mates with a shifter alignment feature or bracket on the base of the shift lever assembly. This mating establishes the fore/aft location of the range indicator assembly relative to the shift lever assembly. The clips cooperate with the console to determine vertical and transverse locations of the range indicator assembly. A trim plate is placed over the opening in the console and secured to the console by clip members. This effectively closes the opening around the range indicator assembly and the shift lever assembly.

Abstract: A clip for a shift indicator cable attaches the cable to the shift bowl of a vehicle. The clip is adjustable to align the indicator pointer to indicia. The clip comprises a bracket for attachment to the shift bowl and a lever which is attached to the cable end. The lever is pivoted at one end to the bracket and has a tang at the other end for engaging any of several slots in the bracket to latch the lever in any of several positions. Changing the lever position adjusts the cable.

Abstract: A shift lever device housing having a plate; an opening portion in said housing exposing a portion of a surface of the plate; a pair of guide rails provided at transverse opposite sides of the opening portion, each guide rail of the pair of guide rails guiding and supporting the plate which is inserted between the pair of guide rails along a longitudinal direction of the plate; and a guide member provided at a plate insertion side of the opening portion for supporting transverse end portions of the plate as the plate is inserted between the guide rails. The device prevents the portions of the plate exposed by the opening from becoming scratched during the insertion operation.

Abstract: A shift lever indicator assembly is provided for use in conjunction with a shift lever having a pivot axis. The shift lever indicator assembly comprises a housing having a housing track. An indicator member having a flag portion is slidably located within the housing track. The indicator member also includes an indicator arm connected to the flag portion, the indicator arm being connected to the shift lever such that the flag portion will be moved about the pivot axis of the shift lever when the shift lever is moved while allowing the flag portion to move lateral to an arc about the pivot axis.

Abstract: An illuminated annunciator as in a gear selector has gear designation letters always lit and a ring around each letter selectively lit to indicate the active gear range. A generally conical light pipe with a conical central cavity has at one end an annular emitting surface adjacent the ring and at the other end it is illuminated by an LED. Another LED within the conical cavity illuminates the letter directly as well as via reflection from the wall of the cavity.

Abstract: A lighting device for a zigzag-operated shift lever, wherein an indicator plate is light-transmissible, the indicator plate has a two-layer structure having an upper member, in which the upper surface other than the area of a position indicator is shaded and the position indicator is illuminated by lighting means, and a lower member, in which the light from the lighting means is transmitted to the peripheral portion of a operation groove at the indicator plate so that the peripheral portion of the operation groove is illuminated. A portion of the light from the lighting means passes through the upper member so that the position indicator is illuminated. Because nothing shades the upper surface of the lower member, the remaining portion of the light is repeatedly reflected by the border between the upper and lower members and by the lower surface of the lower member. The light is transmitted to the peripheral portion of the operation groove within the lower member.

Abstract: A gear range indicator for use with automatic transmissions which is remote from the shift mechanism yet requires minimal adjustment to be made to the mechanical linkage to compensate for variations in the position of the display relative to the shift mechanism. This gear range indicator used has magnetic biasing means to position a pointer to the appropriate transmission gear range symbol on the display.

Abstract: A gear range indicator for use with automatic transmission which is remote from the shift mechanism, yet requires little or no adjustment to be made to the mechanical linkage to compensate for variations in the position of the display relative to the shift mechanism. The gear range indicator uses light conducting columns to illuminate symbols corresponding to the gear range selected. An opague indicator control strip with an aperture blocks light from reaching the columns except for that light passing through the aperture. The aperture is aligned with the column corresponding to the gear range selected.

Abstract: A system for alerting the operator of a vehicle to potentially damaging motoring of the engine before such motoring actually occurs so that corrective action can be taken. A speed sensor senses rotational speed of the counter/input shaft of a manual transmission and operates an indicator that presents the alert to the driver. The alert is given with the clutch disengaged as soon as the transmission is placed in a gear that causes the counter/input shaft to operate at a speed that will cause potentially damaging motoring of the engine. Because the alert is given before the clutch is re-engaged, an opportunity is given to prevent the potentially damaging motoring.

Abstract: A transmission operator lever mechanism is used to establish the desired operating condition in a transmission. An indicator mechanism with a pointer and indicia is provided to show the selected operating condition. The operator lever is connected with the indicator pointer through an adjustable mechanism comprising a clip and a cable. A tool engaging structure is formed on a portion of the lever mechanism. A tool is engageable in the clip and in the tool engaging structure to permit manipulation of the clip relative to the lever whereby the desired operating condition and the selected condition represented by the indicia and pointer will be in agreement.

Abstract: A shift lever unit is disclosed, which comprises a shift lever; a housing of plastic having an upper cover portion, the upper cover portion being formed with a slot through which the shift lever passes; a position mark plate of transparent plastic mounted on the upper cover portion, the position mark plate having a plurality of position marks on an upper surface thereof; a light blocking layer covering the upper surface of the position mark plate except the positions where the position marks are located; a light source installed in the housing; a light conductive member of transparent plastic, the light conductive member including a horizontal part whose leading end is formed with a first light reflecting surface and located behind the position mark plate, a vertical part which is formed with a rounded recess from which the light rays from the light source enter the vertical part, and a jointed part at which the horizontal and vertical parts are jointed, the jointed part being formed with a second light refle

Abstract: An indicator housing has a window in it and an aperature for passing a gearshift lever through it. There is a light guide having indicia on it which are viewable in the window, an indicating arm, and a metal tape closing the aperature in the housing, connecting the indicating arm to the gearshift lever, and supporting the indicating arm for movement along a first axis parallel to the light guide over a range that permits it to be visually aligned in the window with the indicia to indicate the lever position. The tape has two openings in it along an edge and the indicating arm has two pins. The housing includes a body portion and a cover portion. When the cover is secured to the body, the arm is trapped between the cover and tape in a direction perpendicular to the first axis, with the pins in the openings, thereby securing the arm to the tape.

Abstract: An adjusting device (10) for coordinating the position of a pointer element (25) in a drive range indicator assembly (23) with the position of a drive range selecting lever (15) by varying the effective length of the control cable (18) operatively connected therebetween. The control cable (18) has a sheath (20) and core (16). One end of the core (16) is attached to the pointer element (25), and the other end is attached to the drive range selecting lever (15). The device (10) has a base, or frame structure (29), and a block (40) is mounted for reciprocation on the frame structure (29). One end of the sheath (20) is attached to the housing (22) of the indicator assembly (23), and the other end of the sheath (20) is attached to the block (40).

Abstract: An indicator housing has a window in it and an aperture for passing a gearshift lever through it. There is a light guide having indicia on it which are viewable in the window, an indicating member, and a metal tape connecting the indicating member to the gearshift lever and supporting it for movement along a first axis parallel to the light guide over a range that permits it to be visually aligned in the window with the indicia to indicate the lever position. The indicating member includes a surface at a 45.degree. angle to the first axis. A wire spring has two ends attached to the indicating member and a V-shaped portion between the ends. The end of the V engages the housing and forces the sides of the V against the angled surface to prevent the arm from rattling in directions orthogonal to the first axis. The 45.degree. surface also acts as a reflectinhg surface to reflect light from a bulb into the indicating member.

Abstract: A mark indicator comprises a transparent substrate; a recessed portion formed on a rear face of the transparent substrate and having a tapered shape widened on an open side thereof and having the shape of an indicating medium; and an indicating layer of the indicating medium disposed within the recessed portion. An alternative embodiment comprises an indicating substrate composed of a transparent material; and an indicating layer member disposed on a rear face of the indicating substrate and including an indicating layer having the shape of an indicating medium and substantially a trapezoidal shape in cross section, and a transparent layer disposed in a portion of the indicating layer member except for the indicating layer and substantially having the same thickness as that of the indicating layer.

Abstract: A vehicle steering column control cable mounting clip for an automatic transmission indicator dial system permitting the indicator pointer to be readily aligned with the dial indicia. The system includes a curvilinear looped flexible plastic tubular conduit having one end molded to the indicator housing and its other end molded to an adjustment slide selectively movable on a tongue portion of the clip by means of an adjustment screw interconnecting the slide and the clip. A flexible cable is slidable within the shielding conduit having one unshielded end connected to a pointer carrier and its other unshielded end fixed to a column rotatable shift tube actuator arm extending through an aperture in the column outer jacket. The clip has a pair of spring legs adapted for snap-in reception into the column jacket aperture and includes an integrally hinged lock-bar operative for positively capturing the clip in the aperture.

Abstract: A shift-lever position indicating device for indicating selected positions of the shift lever of an automatic power transmission, wherein an indicator plate has carried thereon marks respectively indicating predetermined positions including a parking-gear position of the shift lever and further has light pervious portions respectively located in conjunction with the marks. The light pervious portions located in conjunction with the marks indicative of the positions except for the parking-gear position of the shift lever are arranged in a predetermined relationship while the light pervious portion located in conjunction with the mark indicative of the parking-gear position of the shift lever is located unconformably to the predetermined relationship so as to stand out conspicuously from the other light pervious portions.

Abstract: A display device comprising: a control member (10); a carriage (50) displaced along a predetermined path (A) by the control member (10); and a plurality of flaps (100) distributed at a constant pitch (p) along the path (A) of the carriage, with each flap (100) being equipped with a cam (120) suitable for engaging the carriage (50) in order to displace the associated flap (100) from a rest position to an operated position. According to the invention said cams (120) are positioned in predetermined different positions relative to the corresponding flaps (100) in order to define a predetermined relationship between carriage displacement and the successive instants at which the flaps (100) are moved.

Abstract: A transmission shift position indicator has a rotatable drum with a cam track formed in the outer periphery thereof. A cam follower is disposed in the cam track and operatively connected to a housing through a base portion for linear movement thereon in response to rotation of the drum. The base portion has a pointer connected thereto which is alignable with indicia imprinted on the housing to indicate the selected transmission operating condition. The cam track has portions thereof formed oblique to the longitudinal axis of the drum which cooperate with the follower to cause the linear movement of the base portion and circumferential portion transverse to the longitudinal axis interconnected by adjacent oblique portions for permitting the pointer to dwell at selected indicia position during rotation of the drum.

Abstract: A control assembly for an electric powered wheelchair having a forward steering column (13) on which a handle bar (14) and a control lever (119) are mounted, said control lever adapted when pressed forward to move the chair forwardly, and when pressed rearward to move the chair rearwardly, a second control lever (120) mounted on an idler shaft (130) and operatively engaged with said first control lever (119) whereby pressing either lever forward or rearward will cause the chair to move in the desired direction.

Abstract: A transmission shift indicator for a floor-mounted transmission shift lever has a pointer to indicate the drive position selected by the operator. The indicator mechanism including the pointer is self-adjusting through a ratcheting detent mechanism connected between the indicator and the manual shift lever. The indicator contacts a stop member at the extreme limits permitted fortransmission ratio selection such as low (L) or Park (P). The manual transmission lever, as permitted by the ratchet detent mechanism, can continue movement after stoppage of the indicator until the transmission is actually positioned at the desired setting so that the indicator and the actual setting are in agreement. The relative positioning thus achieved is maintained by the ratchet detent mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for indicating a range position for an automatic transmission installed in a vehicle. The apparatus includes a slide cover whose thickness is varied to accomplish a smooth slide on rounded corner portions. The slide cover has a range position indicating member which indicates the selected position to an operator when an operator moves a manual control lever to select another range position.

Abstract: A self-adjusting selector dial shift indicator mechanism is disclosed for an automatic transmission control system. The system includes a carriage assembly having a carrier member and an indicator member slidably interlocked by resilient biasing means for joint longitudinal movement on a support housing. A pair of stops on the housing limit the reciprocal travel of the indicator member at opposite end positions wherein its pointer is aligned respectively with the dial low-drive and park indicia. A first cable section connects the carrier member to the housing. A second cable section connects the carrier to the shift lever steering column tube. Movement of the shift lever from low-drive to park overcomes the biasing means allowing the carrier member to slip relative to the indicator member at each end of the dial automatically indexing its pointer wherein manual adjustment of the cable section is eliminated.

Abstract: A gear shifter for automatic transmissions having a true ratchet mode for operating between the drive gears and a gate mode optionally usable for the drive gears. Only gate mode accesses park and reverse gears. The invention provides a floating pawl at the ends of two links in a three member, four pivot point linkage. This linkage provides the advantages that the operating handle is always engaged and yet permits easy change-over from one mode to the other.

Abstract: A safety system for a motor vehicle having an automatic transmission, a shift lever movable into select positions for allowing the transmission to assume the corresponding gear conditions thereof, stepped operation surfaces, and a stop pin movable with the shift lever and slidably engageable with the stepped operation surfaces for retaining the shift lever at one of the select positions. A position detector switch is provided which connects the starter motor of the vehicle with an electric power source. The position detector switch includes at least one stationary contact member mounted to one of the stepped operation surfaces, and a single movable contact member mounted to the stop pin at the portion engageable with the stepped operation surfaces.

Abstract: At a slot in a control panel of an automotive vehicle, the slot traversed by a slidable actuating lever for controlling the operating state of a heating and ventilating or air conditioning system of an automotive vehicle, an elongate web is disposed parallel and proximate to the slot for preventing the passage of light and dust. The web covers the slot, is attached at its ends to a control panel plate and traverses an opening in the lever.

Abstract: A transmission ratio indicator has a lens assembly with a ratio selection indicia imprinted thereon. The transmission selector lever or an indicator associated therewith is selectively movable to various ratios and is aligned with the indicia to indicate the transmission operating condition. The lens assembly is secured in a housing by a resilient member and interengaging toothed portions formed on the lens assembly and housing. The lens assembly toothed portion can be disengaged from the housing toothed portion by displacement of the resilient member through application of a force to the lens assembly. When tooth disengagement has been attained, the lens assembly can be moved in the housing to attain proper alignment of the indicia and the shift lever or indicator. The adjusted position of the lens assembly is maintained by the resilient member enforcing the reengagement of the toothed portions.

Abstract: A gearshift range indicating system for indicating the set range of an automatic transmission includes a driving pulley secured on a control shaft of a transmission gear shift unit and a driven pulley rotatably mounted on a steering stem connected with a steering wheel of an automobile. The driving pulley is operably connected to the driven pulley by a cable which enables transmission of rotary motion therebetween while permitting a certain degree of relative displacement between the driven and driving pulleys. An indicator device responsive to rotation of the driven pulley is provided in order to properly indicate the operating range of the automatic transmission in a manner which is free from the influence of change in the relative positioning between the driving pulley and the driven pulley, thereby providing an indicating system well suited for use in automobiles having telescoping and/or tilting steering devices.

Abstract: A transmission ratio indicator assembly has a linear input member and an output member that moves on a constant radius. The input member includes a slide member guided on a flat surface, which slide member has an arm extending normal to the flat surface and into a slot formed in a follower portion of the output member. The follower portion has integral spring arms and is guided in a constant radius recess. The spring arms prevent the follower portion from vibrating in the recess. An indicator is secured to the follower and aligns with the transmission ratio selections imprinted on an indicia surface disposed on the outer wall of the constant radius recess in response to movement of the input member.

Abstract: A transmission ratio indicator assembly has a linear input member and an output member that moves on a constant radius. The input member includes a slide member guided on a flat surface, which slide member has an arm extending normal to the flat surface and into a slot formed in a follower portion of the output member. The follower portion is guided in a constant radius recess and has secured thereto an indicator which aligns with the transmission ratio selections imprinted on an indicia surface disposed on the outer wall of the constant radius recess in response to movement of the input member.

Abstract: A lever control for an engine transmission and the like having a transverse shaft secured in spaced frame plates and a face plate or cover traversing the outer edges of said spaced plates. A handle lever extends through the face plate and is connected to a control actuator plate rotatable on the shaft, and a detent operable from the handle lever is biased to normally engage selectively in a notched positioning gate mounted on one of said frame plates. An arcuate housing enclosing the gate and detent is mounted on the handle lever extending through the face plate. A preferred embodiment has a visual indicator showing the control positions which is illuminated to be visible day and night.

Abstract: A safety device for a motor-cycle having an engine, a fluid coupling operatively connected to the engine, a power transmission mechanism which receives power from the fluid coupling, the transmission mechanism having at least two-stage speed changing function of low speed drive and high speed drive, and a shift indicating switch means which changes over in association with the shifting operation in the transmission mechanism to indicate the low speed drive, or high speed drive, or neutral position, wherein the improvement comprises a switching circuit provided between the shift indicating switch means and the ignition circuit, the switching circuit forwarding an output signal from it to the ignition circuit, when the shift indicating switch means is changed over to either the low speed drive range or the high speed drive range at the start of the engine, whereby the ignition circuit is rendered inoperable.

Abstract: Control lever apparatus for speed change devices for bicycles comprising a pivotal lever for controlling speed change and a shaft rotatably supporting the lever. The shaft is fixed and the lever rotatable and a sound producing mechanism is mounted between the shaft and the lever for producing an audible sound as the lever undergoes rotation. The sound producing mechanism comprises a toothed wheel secured to the shaft and a shoe mounted in a recess in the lever for undergoing relative angular movement with respect to the wheel as the lever is rotated. The shoe is supported in the recess for undergoing limited radial and angular displacement relative to the wheel. The shoe has a plurality of teeth arranged along an annular sector for engagement with the teeth of the wheel. Elastic blades are formed on the shoe and bear against the lever at the recess to yieldably urge the teeth of the shoe and the wheel in engagement.

Abstract: An illuminated position indicator for a control shift lever in which the shift lever housing has an associated dial with viewable character indicia thereon representing the respective driving range positions of the shift lever, the dial being associated with a light source providing a general illumination of all the dial indicia, and wherein a lens positioned between the dial and light source provides a concentrated beam for intensified illumination of the indicium corresponding to a selected position of the shift lever, a connection with the shift lever being such as to provide relative movements between the light beam and dial in response to shifting movements of the shift lever. In a modified arrangement, the dial indicium is visually intensified by colored backing member that is moved rectilinearly below the dial in response to selective movements of the shift lever.

Abstract: A sliding clasp fastener has a pair of sliders movable on and along a pair of element-supporting tape edges, the sliders having element-separating ends disposed in confronting relationship to each other. A retainer member connects the sliders together and maintains the sliders in spaced-apart relation to defining therebetween a gap or space where fastener elements are uncoupled. The sliding clasp fastener has utility for covering an opening in the top surface of a selector box mounted in an automatic transmission-type automobile with a transmission selector lever extending through the gap between the sliders.

Abstract: A gear shift indicator for an automatic gear change in a motor vehicle comprising a gear lever pivotally mounted within a housing for movement in and along an elongated slot in the surface portion of said housing and into a number of predetermined positions, said surface portion having a window adjacent said slot, through which window is visible one of a series of legible characters carried on a movable indicator member located within said housing adjacent said surface portion, each legible character corresponding to a respective one of said predetermined positions, there being a movable member coupled between said gear lever and said movable indicator member in a movement-increasing arrangement that has a ratio of movement between the characters on the movable indicator member and the gear lever of more than 1 to 1, the spacing of the characters on said indicator member being such that, when the gear lever is in each of said predetermined positions, the corresponding character is visible through said window.

Abstract: A system for detecting the state of a gear box. Sliding gear selector rods control gear shift forks, and carry notches into which bars may fall. Each of such bars actuates an electrical device for emitting a binary bit. All of the binary bits together form a coded element the reading of which is made with reference to a binary standard to determine the position of the selector rods, which in turn determines the gear ratio or state of the gear box.