Control Lever Movable Through Plural Planes Patents (Class 74/473.32)
  • Patent number: 9969260
    Abstract: A glide system for a vehicle shift mechanism includes a steering column having a stationary portion and a moveable portion in telescoping engagement with the stationary portion. Also included is a shifter operatively coupled to the moveable portion of the steering column and slidably engaged with the stationary portion of the steering column. Further included is a de-lashing element engaged with a sliding member of the shifter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael C. Vermeersch, Arthur W. Nellett
  • Patent number: 8783718
    Abstract: An adjustable steering column for a vehicle is provided. The adjustable steering column includes a mounting bracket including at least one arm having a rake slot through which a rake bolt extends. The steering column also includes a column jacket pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket, the column jacket extending along a first axis and pivotable relative to the mounting bracket for adjustment in a rake direction and movable along the first axis for adjustment in a telescope direction, and a shift assembly. The shift assembly includes a shift mechanism secured to the column jacket and a shift cable bracket extending from the shift mechanism, the shift cable bracket having a slot formed therein, a telescope adjustment portion along a first length of the slot, an energy absorbing (E/A) release portion along a second length of the slot, and a raised collar formed in the telescope adjustment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Michael W. Clark, Melvin L. Tinnin
  • Patent number: 8497767
    Abstract: This invention discloses a haptic interface system that uses Lorentz forces to provide magnetic levitation for a handle which can be manipulated by a person, typically a computer user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Butterfly Haptics, LLC
    Inventor: Ralph LeRoy Hollis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7845457
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a vehicle transmission shifter and methods of adjusting the vehicle transmission shifter. The vehicle transmission shifter comprises a stalk, a paddle extending from the stalk, and an adjustment mechanism responsive to a driver input to position the paddle in relation to the steering wheel. The paddle is configured to receive a driver's fingers while manually engaging the steering wheel. The method comprises providing driver input to the adjustment mechanism through a user control and adjusting the adjustment mechanism in response to the driver input to position the paddle in relation to the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen William Baluch, Brandon Dawe
  • Patent number: 7690468
    Abstract: To provide a drive switching mechanism for a vehicle which allows the number of parts to be reduced by simplifying the structure for 2WD/4WD switching and differential lock switching. In a drive switching mechanism for a vehicle which enables 2WD/4WD switching and differential lock switching to be effected by a single operating lever, a flange is supported on the body side so as to be pivotable in one direction, the operating lever is coupled to the flange and the flange is pivoted in the one direction, and the operating lever is supported so as to be pivotable in the other direction different from the one direction, the operating lever being operated in the one direction or the other direction to enable the 2WD/4WD switching and the differential lock switching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Nozaki, Takeshi Kobayashi, Dai Arai
  • Publication number: 20090088284
    Abstract: An enclosed bicycle drivetrain is provided that produces a range of drive ratios suitable for any riding purpose. The enclosure of substantially the entire drivetrain is made practical by the synergistic cooperation of a planetary drive system using a single chain ring and a streamlined rear derailleur system that separates the tensioning and chain guiding functions of a conventional rear derailleur, allowing the rear derailleur components to remain substantially within the shadow of the outer perimeter of the bicycle frame. The planetary drive system is provided with a unique compound pawl that may be easily disengaged from a planetary ratchet member under full riding loads by the application of a small force to destabilize the pawl. A unique shift buffer mechanism cooperates with the rear derailleur system to buffer and store up to the full range of available shift commands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventor: Sam Harwell Patterson
  • Patent number: 7490527
    Abstract: A control system for an automatically shifting transmission is described. A direct upshifting or downshifting starting from the automatic mode is permitted, by using a corresponding programming of the electronic control device when a certain selecting device is operated, without transition into the manual mode taking place. A gear change following this upshifting or downshifting is implemented, corresponding to the shifting logic of the automatic mode. In the case of a multiple operation, multiple direct upshifts or downshifts can also be permitted, without leaving the automatic mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellscaft
    Inventors: Emanuel Fuchs, Frank Gielisch, Cedric Dubreuil, Eva-Farangis Rahimi-Nedjat, Tobias Falck
  • Patent number: 7353726
    Abstract: A shifting device for a transmission, in which at least one gearshift package is allocated to two non-successive gears and each of these gearshift packages is coupled with a gearshift lever. An H- or a multiple H-shifting diagram is allocated to the gearshift lever, in which the gears that can be selected within a gearshift path are allocated to different gearshift packages. The gearshift lever and the gearshift packages are connected to a conversion device with which a gearshift lever movement to take out a previous gear in a gearshift path causes this gear to be taken out in a first gearshift package. A gearshift lever movement for putting in the new gear in the same gearshift path, a second gearshift package puts in this new gear. The conversion device functions in such a way that the gearshift lever is coupled with an axially displaceable and radially pivotable shift finger shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Uwe Beer, Michael Drabek
  • Patent number: 6991582
    Abstract: In a locking device for a selector lever of a motor vehicle transmission comprising a locking member, which is pivotally supported on a support structure, and an adjustable locking element is supported on the support structure and engages the locking member for fixing the selector lever, a locking part is mounted resiliently on the locking member so as to bear against the support structure and to engage the selector lever, the locking part being movable by the selector lever between a first rest position to second position by application of a predetermined force by the selector lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Armin Segeler
  • Patent number: 6904825
    Abstract: A shift control device for a transmission mechanism for a motor vehicle having a shift control lever 2 provided in the vicinity of a steering wheel 1 for column shifting, a steering shaft 16 movable in response to the operation of the steering wheel 1, and a shift shaft 22 rotatable when the shift control lever 2 is operated in a first direction d2 and axially movable when the shift control lever 2 is operated in a second direction which is different from the first direction, wherein an axial direction S2 of the shift shaft 22 is different from an axial direction S1 of the steering shaft 16. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a transmission mechanism shift control device for preventing the occurrence of a gear shift that the driver does not intend and improving further the operability thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Arai, Noritosi Hasumi, Nobuhiro Uchijima
  • Patent number: 6698308
    Abstract: A shift device for a motor vehicle transmission includes a steering-column shift lever which is movable in two directions arranged orthogonally to one another, the steering-column shift lever being capable of being transferred along the first direction into at least one forward driving position (D) and at least one neutral position (N1 or N2) and along the second direction into positions for successive (sequential) gear selection. To provide a cost-effective shift device, the transmission shift state may be reproduced by an indicator, and the first direction is in the circumferential direction of a steering wheel and includes a reversing position (R), two neutral positions (N1 and N2) and a forward driving position (D) whereas the second direction is essentially in the vehicle longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Jochen Vogel, Peter Wieltsch
  • Patent number: 6647822
    Abstract: A vehicle shifter and method in one form involves tilting a shift lever relative to a steering wheel as the steering wheel is tilted and also raising and lowering the shift lever respectively as the steering wheel is raised and lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Freightliner LLC
    Inventors: Norman E. Ritchie, Sorin Anghelus
  • Publication number: 20030205100
    Abstract: A park lock mechanism for a steering column of a vehicle has a key cylinder rotatable about an axis between off and on positions. A shift lever is movable between a park position and a non-park position and an inhibitor free from any mechanical cable attachment has a locked and unlocked position operably communicating with the key cylinder. When the key cylinder is in the off position, the inhibitor is operably maintained in the locked position to prevent movement of the shift lever from the park position. When the key cylinder is rotated to the on position, the inhibitor is moveable to the unlocked position in response to movement of the shift lever from the park position to the non-park position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Michael C. Vermeersch, Richard L. Kramer, Larry W. Burr
  • Publication number: 20030196507
    Abstract: Disclosed is a column-type shift lever structure for an automatic transmission with a manual shifting mode, which permits a diver to manually shift a gear at his convenience, thus providing more dynamic driving feel and improving performance and convenience of the vehicle. An upper plate is rotated by a shift lever, a lower plate has locking jaws that perform catching and releasing actions when the shift lever is pivoted, and a cable actuating lever is pivoted by a ball joint to actuate a T/M control cable. The shift lever can be rotated to a predetermined manual shifting mode set up by the lower plate. A select switch is provided for transmitting a signal causing the transmission to be converted from a driving mode to a manual shifting mode or vice versa to a TCU.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventor: Yoong Kwang Kim
  • Publication number: 20030106388
    Abstract: A shift control device for a transmission mechanism for a motor vehicle having a shift control lever 2 provided in the vicinity of a steering wheel 1 for column shifting, a steering shaft 16 movable in response to the operation of the steering wheel 1, and a shift shaft 22 rotatable when the shift control lever 2 is operated in a first direction d2 and axially movable when the shift control lever 2 is operated in a second direction which is different from the first direction, wherein an axial direction S2 of the shift shaft 22 is different from an axial direction S1 of the steering shaft 16. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a transmission mechanism shift control device for preventing the occurrence of a gear shift that the driver does not intend and improving further the operability thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Arai, Noritosi Hasumi, Nobuhiro Uchijima
  • Publication number: 20030106389
    Abstract: A shift control device for a transmission mechanism for a motor vehicle having a shift control lever 2 provided in the vicinity of a steering wheel 1 for column shifting, a steering shaft 16 movable in response to the operation of the steering wheel 1, and a shift shaft 22 rotatable when the shift control lever 2 is operated in a first direction d2 and axially movable when the shift control lever 2 is operated in a second direction which is different from the first direction, wherein an axial direction S2 of the shift shaft 22 is different from an axial direction S1 of the steering shaft 16. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a transmission mechanism shift control device for preventing the occurrence of a gear shift that the driver does not intend and improving further the operability thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventors: Yoshimitsu Arai, Noritosi Hasumi, Nobuhiro Uchijima
  • Publication number: 20020129672
    Abstract: A shift device for a motor vehicle transmission includes a steering-column shift lever which is movable in two directions arranged orthogonally to one another, the steering-column shift lever being capable of being transferred along the first direction into at least one forward driving position (D) and at least one neutral position (N1 or N2) and along the second direction into positions for successive (sequential) gear selection. To provide a cost-effective shift device, the transmission shift state may be reproduced by an indicator, and the first direction is in the circumferential direction of a steering wheel and includes a reversing position (R), two neutral positions (N1 and N2) and a forward driving position (D) whereas the second direction is essentially in the vehicle longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: Jochen Vogel, Peter Wieltsch
  • Patent number: 6443026
    Abstract: A shift lever operating apparatus includes: a control tube rotatably supported; a shift lever axially attached to the control tube; a compression rod inserted into the control tube which moves in an axial direction in accordance with an operation of the shift lever and integrally rotating with the control tube; a selector member fixed to the compression rod; a detent bracket having a plurality of detent grooves with which a detent portion formed in the selector member selectively engages and being fixed to a vehicle body end. In the construction, the detent bracket is perpendicular to the control tube and rotatably supports an end portion opposite the shift lever. The detent groove is formed on the same surface as the supporting portion. The selector member is fixed to an end portion of the compression rod projecting from the end portion apart from the shift lever of the control tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Fujikiko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetuya Arakawa, Yoshimasa Kataumi
  • Patent number: 6227067
    Abstract: An X-Y shifter control (68) allows independent and simultaneous control of the X—X motor (32) and Y—Y motor (36). Required X—X movements of thie shift member (34) are initiated when the shift member is within a band (84) of the neutral (20) Y—Y position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Jon A. Steeby, Kurt H. Oliver