Selective-type Shift Rod, Fork Or Block Patents (Class 70/247)
  • Patent number: 11577798
    Abstract: A locking system is used to safely immobilize electric motorcycles. The system involves a pin-based locking device that can be activated by the user via a key, remote and/or a switch located on the dashboard of the electric motorcycle. The locking device engages the pin with a component that is rotated by the transmission of the electric motorcycle. When activated, the locking device locks the transmission and prevents the motorcycle from being subjected to unwanted driving wheel rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Damon Motors Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Dorresteyn, Reto Karrer
  • Patent number: 11326690
    Abstract: Presented are Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) systems for vehicle powertrains, methods for making/operating such BTSI systems, and vehicles equipped with a BTSI system. A BTSI system for a motor vehicle includes a shifter solenoid with a solenoid body that mounts to the vehicle body, and a solenoid armature that is movably attached to the solenoid body to transition back-and-forth between locked and unlocked positions. The shifter solenoid is selectively operable via a brake control module to move the solenoid armature between the locked and unlocked positions to thereby block and unblock movement of a gear shifter from the park position, respectively. A position switch mounts to the vehicle body adjacent the shifter solenoid and detects the vehicle transmission being in a park mode. The position switch selectively mechanically engages with the shifter solenoid such that the solenoid armature, upon moving to the locked position, pushes closed the position switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Michael A. Van Camp
  • Patent number: 10941859
    Abstract: A shift lever device has a shift lever that is moved and whose shift position is changed, and a detent plate that is displaced due to the shift lever being moved. The shift lever device has a first lock bar and a second lock bar that can move toward the detent plate side or a side opposite from the detent plate, and, due to the first lock bar and the second lock bar engaging with portions of the detent plate, a range over which the detent plate is displaced is restricted, and a range of movement of the shift lever is restricted. The shift lever device has a cam that has a single engaged-with portion with which the first lock bar and the second lock bar engage, and, due to the cam being displaced, the first lock bar and the second lock bar are moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Hironori Watanabe, Koji Imai, Munetoshi Makimura
  • Patent number: 8773252
    Abstract: A gear lever locking device to be installed inside a gear lever cover panel is characterized in that it comprises an auxiliary connector transverse stud and a gear lever connector which is slidable in accordance with the movement of a gear lever. On an auxiliary connector, there is provided a plurality of stud holes for use with a gear lever transverse stud having a stud end pushing mechanism. The stud end pushing mechanism receives the force exerted from a locking mechanism by a pressing means. The gear lever locking device according to the present invention includes screw guards and a cover wall that have been designed to cover a locking mechanism installation portion to prevent any removal of fastening screws or a gear sling, to prevent disassembling or breaking of the locking mechanism of the gear lever locking device to improve safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventors: Kamol Kantajaraniti, Somchai Tiemsiriwat
  • Patent number: 8413535
    Abstract: A tool adapted to prevent a shifter shaft from moving relative to a shifter housing includes an elongated member having a first side, a second side substantially opposite the first side, and a third side disposed between the first and second sides, wherein the elongated member is disposed at least partially parallel to the shifter shaft and is adapted to be secured to the shifter housing. A first side member is disposed on the first side of the elongated member, a second side member is disposed on the second side of the elongated member, and a collar is disposed on the third side of the elongated member, wherein the collar is adapted to secure to the shifter shaft. The first side member and second side member prevent the shifter shaft from moving in a first direction and the elongated member prevents the shifter shaft from moving in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Michael C. Danielian
  • Patent number: 8225632
    Abstract: A key interlock device for a vehicle, may include a shift lever moving straight at least in two perpendicular directions between a predetermined range and a P-range in sequence, a key lock lever pivotally coupled to a vehicle body and rotatable by a second straight movement of the shift lever between the predetermined range and the P-range, and a motion transmitting member coupled to an end portion of the key lock lever and transmitting the rotation of the key lock lever to a key set as a straight motion while the other end portion of the key lock lever moves in the second straight movement from/to the P-range of the shift lever by the shift lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Dohyon Won
  • Patent number: 7997107
    Abstract: An ignition key switch mechanism for a vehicle having an automatic or semi-automatic gearbox comprises two solenoids and arranged at right angles to each other between which a slider or lever is disposed. The mechanism locks to prevent turning of the ignition key to the off position and removal of the key. Locking is effected by activating one solenoid to pull the shaft of that solenoid inside the armature of the solenoid. That in turn pulls the slider towards the solenoid and enables a locking pin on the slider to lock the mechanism. As the slider moves toward the solenoid a notch in the slider is brought into line with the shaft of the second solenoid. This shaft enters the notch under spring force to hold the mechanism in the locked position. Unlocking is effected by activating the second solenoid to withdraw the shaft from the notch allowing the first solenoid and the locking pin to return to unlocked positions which in turn permits the key to be turned to the off position and removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Bentley Motors Limited
    Inventor: Brian Bugeja
  • Publication number: 20100326148
    Abstract: A method of automatically engaging a parking lock or an automatic or automated gearbox of a motor vehicle, which can be engaged depending on a drive position selected by the driver of the motor vehicle, by way of a selector device and depending on other operating parameters. In order to achieve as little restriction of the drivability of the motor vehicle as possible, without neglecting the safety of the driver and surroundings, two different complex embodiments of an Auto_P function for automatically engaging the parking lock are proposed, if the motor vehicle is at least approximately stopped and, at the same time, an ignition circuit acting on the drive motor of the motor vehicle is electrically interrupted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Armin GIERLING, Walter Hecht
  • Patent number: 7749135
    Abstract: The interlock system includes a shaft that defines a longitudinal axis which the shaft rotates about during transmission shift operations. A transmission shift lever is coupled to the shaft, and an inhibitor pin is coupled to the ignition switch by a cable. The inhibitor pin engages the transmission shift lever to prevent shift operations when the ignition switch is in the off position. The inhibitor pin disengages the transmission shift lever when the ignition switch is positioned in the accessory position or a start/run position. The shaft includes a recess into which the inhibitor pin extends when the shaft is in the neutral or drive position to permit disconnection of the accessory circuit by moving the ignition switch to a mid position (between the off position and the accessory position) without placing the shaft in the park position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Vermeersch, Gregory P. Ruth
  • Publication number: 20090249845
    Abstract: An automobile gearshift lever lock includes an outer decorative cover, a latch, a lock, a coupling element, and a steel mounting plate. The lock includes a core and a securing mechanism. The lock is housed, around an outer circumference thereof, by a lock shell. The coupling element forms an open channel. The lock shell is fit into the open channel of the coupling element and fit over the lock to form a unitary device, which can be mounted to the mounting plate by various means. Opposite sides of the lock are protected by protection members. The core is provided, on a front surface thereof, with a protective face plate. As such, the mechanical strength of the lock is enhanced and the lock can be protected against any damage to thereby reduce the chance of automobile burglary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventor: Ping-Hua Wu
  • Publication number: 20090151412
    Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanism for locking a shift lever of a vehicle equipped with a smart key system that can be applied to a vehicle equipped with a smart key system at relatively low cost and convenient to use, and can secure safety against possible accidents by children's misoperation and overcome the defects of mechanisms for locking the steering column in the related art
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicants: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jinsang Chung, Hyungsuk Kim
  • Publication number: 20090007611
    Abstract: An electromechanical vehicle theft protection device for the vehicle of a user. The device includes a screw feed nut, which extends and retracts along a screw feed bolt. The device also includes a geared motor, operable to pull and push said screw feed nut and a flexible metal cable operable to pull and push along a metal tube, thereby extending and retracting a locking pin in and out of the metal tube, and thereby releasing and blocking the gear shift selector of the vehicle, wherein the electromechanical vehicle theft protection device is mounted under the hood of the vehicle, such that access to and defeat of the electromechanical vehicle theft protection device is difficult.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventor: Jackoby Yair
  • Publication number: 20080178645
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for a shift lever includes a detent member movable along a predetermined path, a stopper member movable between a locking position wherein the stopper member is within the path of the detent member to block movement of the detent member along at least a portion of the path and an unlocking position wherein stopper member is positioned to permit the detent member to move along the path, and a control member comprising a shape memory alloy. The control member selectively applies a force to the stopper member to move the stopper member toward the unlocking position in response to heat being applied to the shape memory alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Brian Douglas Howe, Stephen Gerard Wieczerza
  • Patent number: 7347298
    Abstract: This automobile anti-theft device comprises a removable stick gear shifter, release mechanism, and possibly a second level safety release mechanism, steel ball bearing, an exclusive shaft key lock component, and electrical connections depending on the type of transmission in use. These components are designed to function in unison to allow a car operator to remove a gear shifter to prevent automobile theft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Inventor: Alvin Perry
  • Patent number: 7079384
    Abstract: A portable computer and docking station locking structure in which the docking station has a lock provided inside the support arm thereof controlled by a key or the like, and the portable computer has a lock hole in the back side adapted to receive the swivel locking member of the lock for enabling the portable computer to be locked to the docking station after setting of the portable computer in the support arm of the docking station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Tatung Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Chieh Wang, Chao-Ming Huang
  • Patent number: 6973811
    Abstract: A theft deterrent device for use with a wide range of motor vehicles. The device has a baseplate, a housing, and a gear-stick embracing element that can move relative to the housing. The gear stick of the motor vehicle passes through the gear-stick embracing element, which can be locked to prevent movement of the gear stick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Stud-It, Ltd.
    Inventor: Clifford Jenkyns
  • Patent number: 6928896
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuating device for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle. To allow the motor vehicle to be operated safely and managed conveniently, the invention makes provision for the actuating device to have not only a first device, by which a parking interlock can be engaged and released in normal operation of the actuating device, but also a second device, by which the parking interlock can be engaged in the event of a malfunction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Martin Burgbacher, Jens Dorfschmid, Hans-Peter Fiederlein, Harald Nauerz, Joern-Marten Ohle
  • Patent number: 6764428
    Abstract: The invention relates to an anti-withdrawal device for preventing a key from being withdrawn from an ignition starter switch of an automobile, comprising a blocking device which is coupled with a switch contact of a transmission. The spring-loaded blocking pin of said blocking device can be actuated electromagnetically. The blocking device acts on a detent pawl which is fixed on a rotor of the ignition starter switch and which prevents the ignition starter switch from twisting into a position in which the key can be withdrawn; depending on the position of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerd Rudolph, Thomas Hulbert
  • Publication number: 20040099025
    Abstract: An anti-theft combination lock for car includes a main body having a transverse hole, a driving unit located at one side of the main body, a lock rod extended through the transverse hole of the main body, a lock plate fixedly connected at an end to a power output shaft of the driving unit to movably locate at an upper outer side of the transverse hole to normally engage with one of many annular retaining grooves on the lock rod to set the lock in a locked state. A password may be entered via an input interface provided on a top of an outer case of the main body. An internal memory processor determines the correctness of the entered password and actuates the driving unit to turn the lock plate to an unlock position when the entered password is correct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventor: Chi-Jung Wang
  • Publication number: 20040089034
    Abstract: An anti-theft lock for a gear lever of an automobile includes a socket, a locking member and a ratchet member. The ratchet member includes a support seat, a cover, a spring, and a nut. In such a manner, the relative angle between the socket and the locking member may be arbitrarily adjusted rapidly, easily and conveniently, so as to fit the relative angle between the emergency brake and the gear lever of the automobile, thereby enhancing the versatility of the anti-theft lock. In addition, the nut is retained in the retaining hole of the cover, so that the nut cannot be rotated relative to the cover. Thus, the cover cannot be detached from the support seat, thereby preventing the anti-theft lock from being broken intentionally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventor: Chia-Yu Yu
  • Patent number: 6708536
    Abstract: An anti-theft device includes a barrel for attaching onto a gear-shift lever and having a seat, a follower, a latch device for attaching to parking brake and having a conduit to slidably receive the rod, and a lock member secured to the conduit to selectively lock the rod to the conduit. The rod has one end rotatably secured in the follower. A fastener is engaged through the barrel and threaded with the follower, to secure the follower to the seat. The rod may be rotated relative to the conduit, and the follower may be rotated relative to the seat, such that the latch device may be easily attached onto the parking brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Inventor: Chia Yu Yu
  • Patent number: 6705135
    Abstract: An excavator lock adapted to limit the motion of a pair of control levers such as a forward and reverse drive control levers of a mechanical excavator thereby preventing the theft of a mechanical excavator. The excavator lock comprises a main body and a locking plate. The main body has a first and second channels adapted to accommodate a first and second control levers of a mechanical excavator. The locking plate is adapted to cover the first and second channels. A locking mechanism attached to the main body actively engages with the locking plate to temporarily lock the main body to the lock plate thereby providing an excavator lock for limiting the motion of a first and second control levers of a mechanical excavator to inhibit theft of the mechanical excavator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventor: Bryan Witchey
  • Publication number: 20040003632
    Abstract: An activation restricting apparatus for an engine starting system that may be produced with a compact size. The apparatus includes an operating mechanism, an actuator, and a control unit. The operating mechanism starts and stops the engine and has a plurality of positions including a LOCK position. The operating mechanism includes a first stopper prohibiting movement of the operating mechanism from the LOCK position and a second stopper prohibiting movement of the operating mechanism to the LOCK position. The control unit enables the engine to be started when the operating mechanism is in the LOCK position and a first ID code sent from a portable device matches a second ID code. The control unit enables the operating mechanism to be moved to the LOCK position when the operating mechanism is not in the LOCK position and the vehicle is not moving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Kiyokazu Ohtaki, Shoichi Harada, Masanari Okuno, Osamu Shoji
  • Patent number: 6662604
    Abstract: An anti-theft device for vehicle steering mechanism, such as a steering shaft or a transmission rod, having a rotatable shaft. The anti-theft device has a fixing member fixed on the vehicle body, a connecting member joined with a steering handle, a locking member controlled by code device, a movable member provided on the rotatable shaft, for moving along the shaft but not rotatable around it. The movable member can move between a first position and a second position under the control of the locking member. When in the first position the movable member is engaged with the fixing member while disengaged with the connecting member so that the shaft can not rotate. When in the second position, the movable member is engaged with the connecting member while disengaged with the fixing member so that the shaft can rotate. The anti-theft device according to the invention has double functions of disconnecting transmission of steering force as well as locking the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventor: Songyan Zhang
  • Patent number: 6629473
    Abstract: The lever body 17 includes a recess (receiver) 66 defined by an upper plate 70 and the projections 65a, 65b, as shown in FIG. 7. A notch 67 is formed in the upper plate 70 (see FIG. 1). The notch 67 permits the first locking piece 61 to move from its retreating position to the operating position in the recess 66. The dimension of the notch 67 in the Y direction (the width of the notch 67) and the dimension of the notch 67 in the notch X direction (the depth of the notch 67) are both shorter than the corresponding dimensions of the recess 66. The upper plate 70 functions as a prohibiting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Noriyasu Syamoto, Norihito Saito, Hirokazu Shamoto, Katsushi Nagashima, Yutaka Suzuki, Masashi Sakurai
  • Patent number: 6598436
    Abstract: A device for the transmission of unlocking force from a lock cylinder arranged in a lock cylinder casing to an operating arm in a locking mechanism, especially in a vehicle lock. The device is characterized in that a first end of a cable sheath is fixed to the lock cylinder casing adjacent to the lock cylinder. A second end of the cable sheath is fixed adjacent to the operating arm of the locking mechanism. A first end of a cable arranged in the cable sheath is operatively connected to the lock cylinder, the first end of the cable being designed, when duly acted upon by the lock cylinder for unlocking the door, to be pushed into the cable sheath, thereby causing a second free end of the cable to be pushed out of the other end of the cable sheath and brought into engagement with the operating arm, and by way of the latter transmitting to the locking mechanism the requisite force/movement needed to bring the locking mechanism from a locked position (X) into an unlocked position (Y).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Helmut Ponn, Stig Hermansson
  • Patent number: 6570267
    Abstract: In the construction machinery equipped with an engine, a hydraulic control unit and a machine controller, there is provided an antitheft device for the construction machinery, which can prevent the engine from starting and the hydraulic control unit from working with reliability no matter how the starter circuit of the engine is modified. The initial state of the machine controller is so set that the fuel injection by a fuel injection unit of the engine is halted and that the operations of control units in the hydraulic control unit are halted, and an antitheft control unit is provided to release the initial state of the machine controller upon receiving a release signal from the antitheft control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoyuki Moriya, Hideto Furuta
  • Patent number: 6568228
    Abstract: In a shift lever device of the present invention, when a lever is positioned at a “P” shift position and an ignition key is positioned at a “LOCK” position, a lock bar impedes swivel of a lock plate, and the lever cannot be shifted. If the lever is not positioned at the “P” shift position, the lock bar retains rotation of a cam, and the ignition key cannot be moved to the “LOCK” position. By forming a lock body integrally with the shift lever device, a shift lock mechanism can be used as an anti-theft device. Further, a key interlock mechanism serving as a safety device of the shift lever device can be provided easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seishakusho
    Inventor: Hiroyasu Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 6568227
    Abstract: To provide a parking brake device allowing a vehicle to be kept in a wheel lock state by a parking brake when the vehicle is parked and a driver is separated from the vehicle and when an engine of a vehicle in a parking state is started. In a parking brake device in which a pull-up force of a parking lever supported by a base plate fixed on a vehicular body side is transmitted to a brake device of a vehicle via a wire to lock the brake device, an ignition block is provided on the parking lever. This parking brake device includes a lock pin projecting when a key cylinder is located in a LOCK position, and further the lock pin projects through a cutout only when the parking lever is in a brake lock state. With this configuration, the wheel is already in the lock state by the parking brake if an ignition key is inserted or removed in or from the key cylinder in the LOCK position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akio Matsuzaki, Takahito Sekita
  • Patent number: 6508090
    Abstract: A shift lever device in which, by the integration with a key cylinder, a reduction in the use of space, simplification, cost reduction and weight lightening can be achieved. The shift lever device is such that the lever supported by a lock body that houses the key cylinder, and a first cam and second cam are provided integrally with the key cylinder. A shift lock pin and starter lock pin are provided in the lock body, and the first insertion hole, in which the shift lock pin is inserted by the first cam, and a second insertion hole and third insertion hole in which a starter lock pin is inserted by the second cam, are provided in a detent plate fixed in the shift lever. As a result, the shift lever device is integrated with the key cylinder and, for this reason, a reduction in the space for the mounting thereof, and moreover, as the connector components with the vehicle become unnecessary, a simplification, cost reduction and weight lightening, can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Hasegawa, Masaki Hayashi, Shozo Kito
  • Patent number: 6487883
    Abstract: The present invention provides a shift lever apparatus which shifts a shift lever connected to a transmission of a vehicle, and thereby, changes a shift range to a specific shift range from among a plurality of shift ranges preset in the transmission corresponding to the position to which the shift lever has been shifted, comprising: a key device which is provided at a side the shift lever and adjacent to the shift lever, and which holds an ignition key inserted therein so that the ignition key is rotatable, and restricts the removal of the ignition key at a rotation position other than a predetermined removal position; and a lock link which restricts the rotation of the ignition key to the removal position in the key device, and is displaced by a predetermined operation of the shift lever at a specific shift position corresponding to a specific shift range from among the plurality of shift ranges so as to release the restriction of the rotation of the ignition key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Kenji Suzuki, Noriyasu Syamoto
  • Patent number: 6477873
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a car lock structure built in an automatic transmission shift rod, and the entire lock structure is the head of an automatic transmission shift rod for users to lock it onto the automatic transmission rod body. The head in sequential order has a fixed cover, and a push button for pushing the rod; and a lock cylinder is sleeved into the head to restrict and lock the press button in order to attain the effect of locking the automatic transmission shift rod. After installing the entire set of the lock onto the automatic transmission shift rod, the lock is in the locked position, and the press button will not fall out from the fixed cover because of the insertion of the push rod. The fixed cover will restrict the lock cylinder in a position because the lock bracket of the lock cylinder snaps into the latch section at the top of the fixed cover such that the lock cylinder cannot be removed from the head of the automatic transmission shift rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Inventor: Chun-Chang Lee
  • Publication number: 20020148262
    Abstract: An engine starting apparatus including a lock body, a camshaft rotatably arranged in the lock body, and a knob connected to the camshaft. A lock pin restricts the rotation of the camshaft by engaging the camshaft. A solenoid moves the lock pin between a position in which the lock pin is engaged with the camshaft and a position in which the lock pin is disengaged from the camshaft. A tab is attached to the actuator and has a hole. The lock body has a cavity associated with the hole. A fastening pin is inserted in the hole and the cavity to fasten the solenoid to the lock body. This structure prevents the solenoid from being easily removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventor: Masanari Okuno
  • Publication number: 20020148261
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a car lock structure built in an automatic transmission shift rod having a latching opening and a latching hole on the push rod and the push rod tube respectively, and a lock cylinder and a latching board formed by the lock bracket at the position corresponsive to the latching opening and the latching hole, such that when the lock cylinder is turned, the latching board will latch into the latch hole of the push rod tube and the latching opening of the push rod to form a mutually latch structure among the push rod, the push rod tube, and the lock cylinder, and the push rod is restricted and not able to move downward due to the latching effect of the latch opening. Such arrangement can attain the lock effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventor: Chun-Chang Lee
  • Patent number: 6460384
    Abstract: A car lock structure built in an automatic transmission shift rod having a latching opening and a latching hole on the push rod and the push rod tube respectively, a lock cylinder and a latching board formed by the lock bracket at a position corresponding to the latching opening and the latching hole, such that when the lock cylinder is turned, the latching board will latch into the latch hole of the push rod tube and the latching opening of the push rod to form a mutually latch structure among the push rod, the push rod tube, and the lock cylinder, and the push rod is restricted and not able to move downward due to the latching effect of the latch opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Inventor: Chun-Chang Lee
  • Publication number: 20020116966
    Abstract: The present invention provides a shift lever apparatus which shifts a shift lever connected to a transmission of a vehicle, and thereby, changes a shift range to a specific shift range from among a plurality of shift ranges preset in the transmission corresponding to the position to which the shift lever has been shifted, comprising: a key device which is provided at a side the shift lever and adjacent to the shift lever, and which holds an ignition key inserted therein so that the ignition key is rotatable, and restricts the removal of the ignition key at a rotation position other than a predetermined removal position; and a lock link which restricts the rotation of the ignition key to the removal position in the key device, and is displaced by a predetermined operation of the shift lever at a specific shift position corresponding to a specific shift range from among the plurality of shift ranges so as to release the restriction of the rotation of the ignition key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: Kenji Suzuki, Noriyasu Syamoto
  • Patent number: 6439014
    Abstract: When a shift lever is moved in the transverse direction of a vehicle to a “P” range, a driving lever which is pressed by the shift lever is moved to a released position and a slide member, which is connected to the driving lever via a wire connecting mechanism, is moved to a position at which a lock pin is separated from a lock cam. Further, when the shift lever is taken out of the “P” range, the driving lever is moved to a restricted position due to the urging force of a torsion spring, and the slide member is moved to a position at which the lock pin is engaged with the lock cam. In this way, mechanical operating force is directly supplied to a key interlock mechanism such that the structure of the key interlock mechanism is simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventor: Noriyasu Syamoto
  • Patent number: 6427503
    Abstract: A key interlock mechanism for a column automatic-transmission operating device includes a key lock lever having one end with a slot and swingably supporting the lock pin through the slot, a shank formed with the key lock lever, a guide groove formed with a unit base and cooperating with the shank to rotatably support the key lock lever so as to bias a lock pin in the direction of protruding into a key cylinder, and a key lock lever spring wound around the shank for biasing the key lock lever so that the lock pin protrudes into the key cylinder and for returning to a given position another end of the key lock lever which has moved along the guide groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignees: Fuji Kiko Co., Ltd., Nissan Shatai Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Kataumi, Ryoichi Fujiwara, Takashi Maruta
  • Publication number: 20020078726
    Abstract: A vehicle safety device for insuring that occupants of a vehicle are wearing a seat belt that includes a gear shift interlock mechanism including a locking mechanism for engaging the gear shift lever of a vehicle which is controlled by a controlling having a sensor provided on each of the seats of a vehicle. When the sensor generates a signal indicating that a person is seated on the seat, the controller waits to receive a buckling signal from the seat belt before allowing the user to move the gear shift. If the buckling sensor does not detect a buckling after the weight sensor is triggered then the locking mechanism does not unlock until the seat belt unbuckled and then rebuckled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventor: Lynthia A. Muller
  • Publication number: 20020066296
    Abstract: A manual shift lever lock structure, wherein: a second hollow pipe is slipped over the shift lever, a lock cylinder is fixedly connected to the top of the shift lever to move the second hollow pipe, the first hollow pipe and the slide sleeve are slipped over the second hollow pipe, a tailing member is provided at the end of the first hollow pipe and has thereon an elastic member; the first hollow pipe has a hole for inserting therein a bead; a first annular recess and a second annular recess are respectively provided in the inner wall of the slide sleeve and the external wall of the second hollow pipe, thereby the bead drops into the first annular recess of the slide sleeve when the slide sleeve is pulled down to insert into a hole of a shift lever seat, and the slide sleeve is stopped here in engagement with the shift lever seat; and when in unlocking the shift lever, the second hollow pipe is moved and the bead drops into the space of the second annular recess of the second hollow pipe, the slide sleeve is
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventor: Chung-Chang Lee
  • Patent number: 6393881
    Abstract: A manual shift lever lock structure, wherein: a second hollow pipe is slipped over the shift lever, a lock cylinder is fixedly connected to the top of the shift lever to move the second hollow pipe, the first hollow pipe and the slide sleeve are slipped over the second hollow pipe, a tailing member is provided at the end of the first hollow pipe and has thereon an elastic member; the first hollow pipe has a hole for inserting therein a bead; a first annular recess and a second annular recess are respectively provided in the inner wall of the slide sleeve and the external wall of the second hollow pipe, thereby the bead drops into the first annular recess of the slide sleeve when the slide sleeve is pulled down to insert into a hole of a shift lever seat, and the slide sleeve is stopped here in engagement with the shift lever seat; and when in unlocking the shift lever, the second hollow pipe is moved and the bead drops into the space of the second annular recess of the second hollow pipe, the slide sleeve is
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Tung Chu International Inc.
    Inventor: Chun-Chang Lee
  • Patent number: 6382000
    Abstract: A vehicle anti-theft system (10, 10′, 10″) is provided which includes a pair of housing members (12, 12′ and 14, 14′), each having a respective cavity (122, 142) into which an upper portion of a vehicle automatic transmission gearshift lever (2, 2′) is received. The securement of the housing members (12, 12′ and 14, 14′) prevents access to a release button (4, 4′) carried by the gearshift lever (2, 2′). A lock (16, 16′) is provided to releasably lockingly secure one housing member (12, 12′) to the other housing member (14, 14′).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Sherie A. Horton
  • Publication number: 20020033033
    Abstract: In a shift lever device of the present invention, when a lever is positioned at a “P” shift position and an ignition key is positioned at a “LOCK” position, a lock bar impedes swivel of a lock plate, and the lever cannot be shifted. If the lever is not positioned at the “P” shift position, the lock bar retains rotation of a cam, and the ignition key cannot be moved to the “LOCK” position. By forming a lock body integrally with the shift lever device, a shift lock mechanism can be used as an anti-theft device. Further, a key interlock mechanism serving as a safety device of the shift lever device can be provided easily.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventor: Hiroyasu Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 6357267
    Abstract: A gear shift lock for locking a gear shiftlever of an automobile with a manual transmission is disclosed. The lock has a ring with a through hole defined therethrough and a tube with a protrusion formed to be alternatively received in the through hole. When the protrusion is received in the through hole, the gear shiftlever is not able to be moved. When the protrusion of the tube is away from the through hole of the ring, the gear shiftlever is in an unlocked state and able to move freely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Inventor: Miko Lee
  • Patent number: 6345521
    Abstract: A shift lock mechanism includes a shift lock lever having an inner cylindrical portion rotatably supported in a casing, and formed with an inner axial slot and a circumferential groove extending continuously from the axial slot, and a key lock lever having an outer hollow cylindrical portion mounted on the inner cylindrical portion of the shift lock lever, and formed with an outer axial slot. A slider mounted on the outer cylindrical portion has a key portion projecting inwardly into the outer and inner axial slots to prevent relative rotation between the outer and inner cylindrical portions, and allowing rotation of the shift lock lever relative to the key lock lever by moving in the circumferential slot of the inner cylindrical portion. An operating member is arranged to move the slider axially from the outside of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Kiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takayoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6338288
    Abstract: A rail brake controller with a locking device includes a handle coupled to a hub. The hub includes a notch. A pawl is provided adjacent the hub and rotates between an unlocked position out of the notch and a locked position in the notch when the handle is in a preselected angular position. This position may represent, for example, a full service application. A lock assembly is provided coupled to the pawl and controls the position of the pawl. The pawl includes an arcuate recess and the lock assembly includes a pin in the arcuate recess to limit the angular position of the pawl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corp.
    Inventors: Michael J. Spadaccini, Ronald O. Newton
  • Publication number: 20010020377
    Abstract: To provide a parking brake device allowing a vehicle to be kept in a wheel lock state by a parking brake when the vehicle is parked and a driver is separated from the vehicle and when an engine of a vehicle in a parking state is started. In a parking brake device in which a pull-up force of a parking lever supported by a base plate fixed on a vehicular body side is transmitted to a brake device of a vehicle via a wire to lock the brake device, an ignition block is provided on the parking lever. This parking brake device includes a lock pin projecting when a key cylinder is located in a LOCK position, and further the lock pin projects through a cutout only when the parking lever is in a brake lock state. With this configuration, the wheel is already in the lock state by the parking brake if an ignition key is inserted or removed in or from the key cylinder in the LOCK position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Publication date: September 13, 2001
    Inventors: Akio Matsuzaki, Takahito Sekita
  • Publication number: 20010013237
    Abstract: A key interlock mechanism for a column automatic-transmission operating device includes a key lock lever having one end with a slot and swingably supporting the lock pin through the slot, a shank formed with the key lock lever, a guide groove formed with a unit base and cooperating with the shank to rotatably support the key lock lever so as to bias a lock pin in the direction of protruding into a key cylinder, and a key lock lever spring wound around the shank for biasing the key lock lever so that the lock pin protrudes into the key cylinder and for returning to a given position another end of the key lock lever which has moved along the guide groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Applicant: FUJI KIKO CO., LTD
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Kataumi, Ryoichi Fujiwara, Takashi Maruta
  • Patent number: 6176809
    Abstract: A shifter construction for shifting a transmission includes a base, a shift lever pivotally supported on the base at a main pivot for movement between a plurality of gear positions including a particular gear position, and an ignition switch constructed to move between a key-released position and a key-retaining position. An interlock cam is pivotally supported on the base at an interlock pivot and operably connected to the shift lever and to the ignition switch. The interlock cam is movable between a locked position where the interlock cam prevents the shift lever from moving from the particular gear position but allows the ignition switch to be moved, and an unlocked position where the shift lever is allowed to move but the ignition switch is held in the key-retaining position. The interlock cam has an interlock stop spaced from the interlock pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Grand Haven Stamped Products
    Inventors: Piet Visser, Stephen D. Wexall
  • Patent number: 6131425
    Abstract: An automatic shift lever knob with an imbedded lock is disclosed. Wherein, a shifting axle-bore for insertion of a shift lever link is provided on the bottom of a casting of the shift lever knob. The top of the casting has on one side thereof a push button chamber for insertion of a push button to communicate with the axle-bore. The shift lever link is moved through pressing the push button. A lock seat extends outwardly from a lateral side of the casting and has a bore extending to communicate with the axle-bore or the push button chamber for insertion of the lock. The lock is provided for controlling motion of the push button or the shift lever link. And plastic is injection formed to envelop the casting and the lock to construct a completed shift lever knob. In this way, the lock is prevented from dismantling, and a function of theft proofing can be assured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventor: Chi-Yuan Li