Control Lever Movable Through Plural Planes Patents (Class 74/473.33)
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Patent number: 8297143Abstract: An electrical bicycle shift control device is provided with a base member, a first shift operating member and a second shift operating member. The handlebar mounting portion is configured to be fixedly mounted to a free end of a bicycle handlebar. The base member includes a handlebar mounting portion that is configured to be fixedly mounted a handlebar. The first shift operating member is pivotally coupled the base member from a rest position to a shift position in a first shift operating direction. The second shift operating member is mounted on the first shift operating member to move with the first shift operating member with respect to the base member. The second shift operating member is independently movable relative the first shift operating member from a rest position to a shift position in a second shift operating direction that is different to the first shift operating direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2009Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Kazuhiro Fujii, Akinobu Uno
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Patent number: 8250943Abstract: An actuating device for motor vehicle transmissions, especially for automatic transmissions has a selector lever (1), a transmission structure for sensing and transmitting the shift commands from the actuating device to the motor vehicle transmission, as well as a hinge structure with a four-bar mechanism (2) in which the selector lever (1) is mounted in such a way that it can perform shifting motions. The actuating device presents a small space requirements for installation with good ergonomic properties, good force-displacement curve at the selector lever qualities, as good sensing and signal transmission aspects. Visual shift gates and gear shifting gates can also be embodied at actuating devices of very compact design.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2007Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Andreas Giefer, Ludger Rake, Jörg Meyer
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Patent number: 8230757Abstract: A lever lockout assembly includes a pair of lever supports and a pair of slide supports mounted on a housing. A lever member is rotatably supported by the lever supports. The lever member has a pair of arms separated by a notch. A lockout slide is slidably supported by the slide supports. The lockout slide has a ridge portion and a recess portion. The lockout slide is slidable to a lockout position wherein the ridge portion is received by the notch and the ridge is engagable with the arms to prevent rotation of the lever member. The lockout slide is also slidable to an unlocked position wherein the recess portion is aligned with the notch and the arms are rotatable through the recess portion. A handle projects from an end of the lockout slide. The lockout slide is a rigid bar with a polygonal cross-sectional shape. An edge of the bar forming the ridge portion. The lockout slide includes a pair of detent recess formed in a surface thereof.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2008Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Magdalena Janina Nocko, Dean Arden Boyce, Christopher David Finck
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Publication number: 20120144949Abstract: A shifting apparatus capable of selecting any one of plural shift ranges according to a driver's manipulation intention and allowing the driver to additionally express his/her consecutive manipulation intention in a specific shift range may include: a main shaft, a shifting lever installed to slide in a straight line and pivot along the main shaft, and a gate plate limiting a reciprocation path of the shifting lever such that the shifting lever reciprocates on a single path while sliding in a straight line and pivoting along the main shaft. The gate plate may include a gate pattern having a plurality of shift ranges arranged in a line on the reciprocation path and formed in such a manner that a specific shift range among the plurality of shift ranges is discriminated from the other shift ranges.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2011Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicants: SL Corporation, Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Eunsik KIM, Jongho HONG, Jeehyuck CHOI, Jeongseon MIN, Yangrae CHO, Chunnyung HEO, Kwanggi LEE, Dongjae KIM
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Publication number: 20120144948Abstract: An operating apparatus for a vehicle facilitating a continuous operation may include a shift lever, a gate means providing a gate pattern and allowing the shift lever moving along a path to sequentially select a plurality of shift ranges and to make a continuous displacement in a specific shift range, actuators mounted in a vehicle to change physical quantities, and a controller controlling the actuators based on the continuous displacement made by the shift lever in the specific shift range. In addition, instead of letting the shift lever to make a continuous displacement in a specific shift range, the operating apparatus may include an additional independent operator to make the continuous displacement.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2011Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicants: SL Corporation, Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Eunsik KIM, Jongho HONG, Jeehyuck CHOI, Jeongseon MIN, Yangrae CHO, Chunnyung HEO, Kwanggi LEE, Dongjae KIM
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Publication number: 20120137814Abstract: An external gearshift is provided for a motor vehicle shift transmission comprises a shift selector lever that can be moved in a shift degree of freedom and a selection degree of freedom, a selector lever that can be pivoted about an axis, which is coupled to the shift selector lever in order to follow a movement of the shift selector lever in the selection degree of freedom, and a torsion spring, which acts on the selector lever, in order to load the shift selector lever into a neutral position of the selection degree of freedom.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2011Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Sascha BRUDER, Frank LINDNER
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Publication number: 20120137811Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission having at least one controllable actuator provided for engaging and/or disengaging at least one transmission gear, and a selection element to be operated manually, by which the actuator can be controlled, wherein. In order to engage a transmission gear, the selection element must first be moved in the direction of a specified end position assigned to the corresponding transmission gear. The selection element can be moved into the end position assigned to the corresponding transmission gear only when the corresponding transmission gear is actually engaged.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2012Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Matthias Lindner, Thomas Tille
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Publication number: 20120096970Abstract: In a shift lever device, a first-link is held at a permitting-position due to a release button being operated. Therefore, when a shift lever is operated from a “P” shift position, when a second-link is pushed toward a vehicle right side by the shift lever, even if a magnet is not energized, the second-link is rotated in a state where sliding of the first-link toward a vehicle right is impeded. Operation of the shift lever from the “P” shift position is thereby forcibly permitted. Here, the first-link is disposed at the permitting-position that is an initial-position, and, due to the release button being operated, the first-link is held at the permitting-position. Therefore, there is no need to move the first-link by operation of the release button, and the operation load and operation stroke of the release button can be made to be small.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2011Publication date: April 26, 2012Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHOInventors: Shuji NAKAMURA, Hideaki ITO
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Publication number: 20120085193Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automotive transmission which includes shift lever which moves in a first direction and a second direction to select a shift position and a shift mode selection unit which is installed at one side of the shift lever to select a shift mode. Additionally, the disclosed automotive transmission also includes a shift blocking unit which selectively blocks movement of the shift lever in the first direction and the second direction such that a shift position of the selected shift mode is selected.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2011Publication date: April 12, 2012Applicant: SL CORPORATIONInventors: Chun Nyung Heo, Kwang Gi LEE, Dong Jae Kim
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Patent number: 8024990Abstract: A shift lever apparatus includes a detent pin, and the distal end portion thereof is attached to a shift lever so as to be movable in the direction of coming into and out of contact with the shift lever. A lever guide is formed with a transition sliding surface on which the distal end of the detent pin slides along the operation of the shift lever on the back surface thereof. A gate portion is provided on the transition sliding surface, and limits the direction of movement of the detent pin in the direction practically matching the selecting direction by coming into contact with the distal end portion of the sliding detent pin. Accordingly, the direction of movement of the shift lever is limited only to the direction practically matching the selecting direction by a force transmitted from the gate portion via the detent pin when the shift lever passes through a transition guide groove.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2007Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-SeisakushoInventor: Morimichi Hirano
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Publication number: 20110160969Abstract: A continuously variable transmission includes a continuous gear-change mechanism, a gear-change operating section to which a gear-change operation is input, and a gear-change controlling section changing a gear ratio of the mechanism according to the gear-change operation that is input from the operating section. A first gear-change operation and a second gear-change operation, performed subsequently to the first operation, or an input from a second gear-change operating section can be input to the operating section. The e controlling section is provided with the plural gear ratios for plural gears and previously set, causes the mechanism to perform, according to the first operation, a gear-change operation to a gear ratio for a next gear, and to perform, according to the second operation, a gear-change operation to an intermediate gear ratio set between the gear ratio for the next gear and a gear ratio for a second next gear.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2010Publication date: June 30, 2011Applicant: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takemi Oguri, Minoru Kagawa, Hiroyuki Kiryu, Mitsuo Takano, Nobuhiro Uchijima
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Patent number: 7900532Abstract: An electric shifting device for a vehicle includes a shift lever, a gate channel, and a detent device. The detent device has a spring-loaded pin and a detent contour cooperating therewith. The detent contour includes first and second paths and a connection path therebetween. The detent contour is movable relative to the channel between a first position in which the first path is aligned with the channel and a second position in which the second path is aligned with the channel. The lever is connected to the pin such that the lever is movable within the channel along the first path when the detent contour is in the first position and within the channel along the second path when the detent contour is in the second position and such that the lever is movable along the connection path between the paths when the detent contour moves between the positions.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2009Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Thomas Abel, Ralf Boebel, Martin Deitmerg, Thomas Luksch, Knut Moldenhauer, Frank Blaesing, Dirk Bunselmeier, Klaus Hirschfeld, Bjorn Mans, Ralf Winkelmann, Michael Bleckmann, Rainer Buehlmann, Martin Kunze, Peter Molkow
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Patent number: 7891267Abstract: An AT selector cover is disclosed having a base member having a select gate for an automatic mode and a manual mode gate formed along a vehicle's longitudinal direction, a first slide plate slidably held on the base member for sliding capability in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, and a second slide plate held on the first slide plate for sliding capability in a vehicle's lateral direction, wherein the second slide plate has a guide member protruding toward the base member, which has a guide recess for guiding the guide member, movable with the shift lever, which is inserted to the guide recess.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2006Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Fuji Kiko Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yusuke Aso, Tomohiro Takahira
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Publication number: 20110036195Abstract: A gearshift housing of a vehicle is provided with a selector lever and a method is provided for mounting the selector lever on the gearshift housing. The selector lever transmits selection movements of a selector finger of a gearshift lever to pulling and/or pushing movements of a selector cable control. In the process, the selector lever pivots about a fulcrum in different selection positions. To this end, a cast-on bearing pin is provided on the gearshift housing, on which the selector lever is rotatably mounted.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2010Publication date: February 17, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Sascha BRUDER, Thorsten HAHN
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Patent number: 7882760Abstract: A shifting device is provided for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle with a first automatic shift gate and with a second tipping gate for a manual, stepwise shifting operation about a middle position. A selector lever can be pivoted about a first shift gate axis into the automatic shift gate and the tipping gate and about a second selector lever axis within the shift gates. The selector lever axis and the shift gate axis are arranged at right angles to one another in a shifting device housing. A connection member is provided for transmitting the pivoting motion of the selector lever in the automatic shift gate to a coupling element to the automatic transmission.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2006Date of Patent: February 8, 2011Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventor: Joerg Meyer
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Patent number: 7854179Abstract: A shift lever assembly includes a shift lever swingably with a rotational axis as a swing support point, an axis supporting bracket for supporting the rotational axis, two axis supporting elements for supporting both ends of the rotational axis together with the axis supporting bracket. In addition, two beams are provided with each of the axis supporting elements. The beams will break off in case where an impact load is to be applied via the shift lever. Furthermore, a metal plate is provided with the axis supporting bracket for each of the axis supporting elements. The metal plate will be bent by the each of the axis supporting elements moving after break-offs of the beams. According to the shift lever assembly, stroke displacement for energy absorbing can be made relatively long. In addition, relatively large impact energy can be absorbed with short stroke displacement.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2008Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: Fuji Kiko Co., Ltd.Inventor: Akira Shimizu
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Patent number: 7815009Abstract: A golf cart actuating system includes a golf cart that includes a seat assembly vertically spaced from a foot rest wall. A support wall extends between the foot rest wall and the seat portion. A direction rod extends through the support wall. The direction rod is rotated to a first position to select forward movement and rotated to a second position to select rearward movement. A bracket is attached to the foot rest wall. A pivot member is pivotably coupled to the bracket. A crank is attached to the direction rod. A lifting post is attached to and extends between the crank and the pivot member. A control post is attached to and extends upwardly from the pivot member. Movement of the control post away from or toward the seat assembly alternates the direction rod from the first position to the second position.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2007Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Inventor: Robert E. Speelman, Jr.
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Patent number: 7784375Abstract: An electrical shifting device for a vehicle includes a shift lever, a slider, and an actuator. The lever is rotatable about perpendicular axes to be able to deflect from a neutral position in anyone of different deflection directions. The lever includes a projection which extends along a first deflection direction. The slider is displaceable along a slider direction perpendicular to the first deflection direction. The slider has stages each engageable with the lever projection to limit the lever deflection in the first deflection direction. Each stage is different to limit the deflection of the lever in the first deflection direction to a different extent as a function of which stage engages the lever projection. The actuator positions the slider along the slider direction such that a selected slider stage engages the lever projection thereby allowing the lever deflection in the first deflection direction to be limited to different extent.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2008Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Michael Bleckmann, Peter Molkow, Corinna Machatzke, Thomas Luksch
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Patent number: 7726215Abstract: A device is provided for transmitting a biaxial pivoting movement of a gearshift lever (2) into a planar movement of a gearshift lever position transmitter with a guide element (20, 27, 31, 32) for limiting the movement of the gearshift lever position transmitter to a movement in a noncurved plane. The device includes a transmission element (19, 7a) for transmitting a pivoting movement of the gearshift lever (2) about a first pivot axis (11) into a pivoting movement of the gearshift lever position transmitter in a noncurved plane, and with a hinge joint for converting a pivoting movement of the gearshift lever (2) about a second pivot axis (12) into a linear movement of the gearshift lever position transmitter in the noncurved plane. The positions (15a) of the gearshift lever (2) can be detected in the noncurved plane.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2007Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AGInventors: Andreas Giefer, Jörg Meyer
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Publication number: 20100095796Abstract: A range selection apparatus includes a range operating unit for selecting a range, a drive unit that receives information representing the range selected by the range operating unit, and a range selection activating unit that is shifted to a position corresponding to the range by the drive unit. The apparatus further includes a range selection control unit having a delay unit configured to activate activating elements for shifting to the predetermined range. The delay unit provides a predetermined delay from the time the driver operates a shift lever or the like, thereby alleviating the shock attendant with the range shift.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2009Publication date: April 22, 2010Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.Inventors: Tomoya NAKAMURA, Yoshinori SHIBAYAMA
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Patent number: 7694604Abstract: A shifting mechanism for an automated or automatic transmission includes a selection lever that can be shifted in a first shift gate between automatic selection stages. The selection lever can be shifted, via a first lateral gate, to a second shift gate in order to allow the manual selection of individual transmission gears, and via a second lateral gate, with which various modes, for example an automatic or a manual mode, can be activated using the selection lever. In addition to three stable positions for the selection stages, the selection lever has a fourth stable position, from which all driving modes can be set.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2006Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventors: Michael Sickart, Michael Funk, Peter Baur
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Patent number: 7650811Abstract: A shifting device includes a housing, a shift lever, and a sensor unit. The shift lever is moved along frontward or rearward and leftward or rightward to select one of shift positions. The sensor unit is of a non-contact type and detects the selected shift position. The sensor unit includes a plurality of sensors and a magnet. The relative positions of the sensors and the magnet are variable. The sensor unit detects the selected shift position according to the relative positions. According to movement of the shift lever, at least one of the group of the sensors and the magnet is moved along a first movement axis and a second movement axis. The first and second movement axes extend in different directions.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2007Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki SeisakushoInventors: Kazuhito Matsui, Masahiro Taniguchi, Osamu Shoji, Noriyuki Suzuki
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Patent number: 7650813Abstract: A position control mechanism is provided for a bicycle control device that has a shifting unit. The position control mechanism has an operating member that is configured to operate a positioning member that moves through two of a plurality of predetermined shift positions during a single progressive movement of the operating member. The operating member is configured in the preferred embodiment to operate both a hydraulic braking unit and the shifting unit.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2005Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Akira Tsumiyama
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Patent number: 7640823Abstract: A bimodal shifter assembly provides a radically simplified mechanical arrangement for movement of the shifter in each of two modes along distinct shift paths.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2007Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLCInventors: Darrell S. Bowman, H. Lenora Hardee, Joseph T. Penaloza, Mary Mc. Wesler
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Patent number: 7621198Abstract: A shift lever device for operation of a transmission of a vehicle having a plurality of shift ranges is provided which includes a lever main body, a housing that movably supports the lever main body, a light source provided at one of the housing and the lever main body; a knob mounted to a distal end portion of the lever main body, and having a transmitting portion, a light guiding portion provided at the knob and guiding light from the light source to the interior of the knob, and a light guiding control portion. The light guiding control portion includes a shutter member operatively connected to and movable with the lever main body which, when the lever main body is positioned at least at one specific shift position, does not block light from the light source to the knob transmitting portion, and which, when the lever main body is positioned at a position other than the specific shift position, is moved to a position blocking the light to the knob transmitting portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2004Date of Patent: November 24, 2009Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-SeisakushoInventors: Kenichi Kako, Noriyasu Shamoto, Isamu Matsushima, Keizo Fukuda, Teruaki Kitano
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Patent number: 7614319Abstract: An arrangement for controlling gear positions in a car includes a console having a wall, and one or more sensors arranged in connection to the console wall. The arrangement additionally includes a gear lever and a code device constructed to interact with the one or more sensors. The code device is connected to the gear lever so that the code device moves upon motion of the gear lever. The code device is pivotably secured adjacent to the gear lever, and the arrangement can bias the code device in a direction toward the console wall. The arrangement can further include an arm by which the code device is pivotably secured in the gear lever.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2004Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: Kongsberg Automotive ABInventors: Bengt Hermansson, Frank Dankbaar
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Publication number: 20090266193Abstract: An actuating device for motor vehicle transmissions, especially for automatic transmissions has a selector lever (1), a transmission structure for sensing and transmitting the shift commands from the actuating device to the motor vehicle transmission, as well as a hinge structure with a four-bar mechanism (2) in which the selector lever (1) is mounted in such a way that it can perform shifting motions. The actuating device presents a small space requirements for installation with good ergonomic properties, good force-displacement curve at the selector lever qualities, as good sensing and signal transmission aspects. Visual shift gates and gear shifting gates can also be embodied at actuating devices of very compact design.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2007Publication date: October 29, 2009Inventors: Andreas Giefer, Ludger Rake, Jorg Meyer
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Patent number: 7594872Abstract: An automatic shift manual transmission equipped with a forward shifter for forward stage shifting, a reverse shifter for reverse stage shifting, an actuator rod carrying the forward shifter and the reverse shifter , and an actuator to operate the actuator rod according to shift operations of a shift lever, wherein a shifter length of the reverse shifter is substantially the same as the that of the forward shifter, and a reverse stage shift stroke is greater than a forward stage shift stroke by the difference in an operating measurement of the actuator rod.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2004Date of Patent: September 29, 2009Assignee: Aichi Machine Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yusuke Kasuya
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Patent number: 7578215Abstract: The position of a lever is adjustable relative to its bearing via a locking clip that is arranged opposite to a catch. The lever is arranged in a bearing shell with a ball therein in which the lever is arranged so as to be displaceable with the catch attached. The locking clip is guided in the walls of the ball, and the locking of the locking clip and catch in the closed state of the bearing shell forms a positive engagement. The adjustable ball bearing apparatus for shift levers and selector levers compensates for tolerances in the installation of a lever between the ball, the bearing shell, and the axis of the lever.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2004Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Teleflex Automotive Germany GmbHInventor: Martin Knagge
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Patent number: 7533755Abstract: A shift-lever device of a vehicle is provided. The device includes a single shift lever provided so as to be pivotable, and a gate plate having a gate through which the shift lever is inserted up to a predetermined length to guide a shift operation thereof. The device is configured to be coupled with a single shift shaft of a gear transmission mechanism through a single push-pull cable so as to operate the shift shaft. The transmission is configured so that the shift shaft interlocks with a single shift fork to shift gears of the transmission. The gate has a shape such that the shift lever is movable more greatly at each of shift positions as much as a clearance between an outer casing and inner cable of the cable.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2005Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takeshi Miyazaki, Hiroyuki Fujimoto
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Patent number: 7527137Abstract: A combination shift and brake lever arrangement for a bicycle, includes a single lever for performing a braking operation and a shifting operation in both directions. A braking arrangement mounts the single lever for movement in a first front to back pivoting direction to perform a braking operation, while a shifting arrangement mounts the single lever for movement in a second side to side pivoting direction different from the first pivoting direction. A shift control mechanism controls shifting of gears of the bicycle in a first shifting direction upon movement of the single lever in the second pivoting direction, while a reverse control changes over the shift control mechanism to control shifting of the gears of the bicycle in a second opposite shifting direction upon movement of the single lever in the same second pivoting direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2006Date of Patent: May 5, 2009Inventor: John L. Calendrille, Jr.
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Patent number: 7523683Abstract: A shift lever mechanism (10) comprises a housing (12), having a longitudinal axis (14), and a lever (16), having a first end (18), a second end (20) and a longitudinal axis (22). The mechanism (10) further comprises pivoting means (24) adapted to facilitate pivoting of the lever (16) into predetermined positions. The mechanism (10) further comprises lever position indication means (78) operable to indicate disposal of the lever in one or more positions, and resilient means (92), operable to provide resistance to displacement of the lever (16) into a predetermined restricted position. The pivoting means (24) is attached to the lever (16) and is disposed in a retaining cup (38), being operable to pivot therein. The retaining cup (38) is disposed in the housing (12). The lever position indication means (78) and the resilient means being disposed on the pivoting means (24).Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2003Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventor: Graeme Andrew Jackson
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Patent number: 7490527Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 23, 2007Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellscaftInventors: Emanuel Fuchs, Frank Gielisch, Cedric Dubreuil, Eva-Farangis Rahimi-Nedjat, Tobias Falck
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Patent number: 7472621Abstract: A shift device includes a housing, a shift lever, a sensor unit. The shift lever is moved forward and rearward, and leftward and rightward of the shift device for selecting the connection state of the transmission of a vehicle. The sensor unit is attached to the housing. The sensor unit includes a first MRE element, a second MRE element, a light sensor, a first microswitch, and a second microswitch, which are integrated. The first MRE element, the second MRE element, and the light sensor detect the position of the shift lever in the front-rear direction. The first and second microswitches detect the position of the shift lever in the left-right direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2006Date of Patent: January 6, 2009Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki SeisakushoInventors: Noriyasu Syamoto, Isamu Matsushima, Noriyuki Suzuki
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Patent number: 7430938Abstract: A device is provided for transmitting a biaxial pivoting movement of a gearshift lever (2) into a planar movement of a gearshift lever position transmitter with a guide element (20, 27, 31, 32) for limiting the movement of the gearshift lever position transmitter to a movement in a noncurved plane. The device includes a transmission element (19, 7a) for transmitting a pivoting movement of the gearshift lever (2) about a first pivot axis (11) into a pivoting movement of the gearshift lever position transmitter in a noncurved plane, and with a hinge joint for converting a pivoting movement of the gearshift lever (2) about a second pivot axis (12) into a linear movement of the gearshift lever position transmitter in the noncurved plane. The positions (15a) of the gearshift lever (2) can be detected in the noncurved plane.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2004Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AGInventors: Andreas Giefer, Jörg Meyer
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Publication number: 20080184837Abstract: A shift lever apparatus for an automatic transmission includes: a lever main body including a rod insertion hole provided thereto and a receiving member insertion hole, and swingably supported by a shifter main body; a compression rod inserted in the rod insertion hole from a lower end of the lever main body; a spring, inserted into the rod insertion hole from the lower end of the lever main body, for pressing the compression rod toward an upper end of the lever main body; and a spring receiving member inserted into the receiving member insertion hole, and including a concave portion for holding a lower end of the spring.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2007Publication date: August 7, 2008Applicant: FUJI KIKO Co., LtD.Inventor: Yoshihiro Takikawa
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Patent number: 7363836Abstract: A shift lever apparatus includes a base member, a shift lever, and one or more planar four-bar linkage mechanisms supporting the shift lever so as to be movable relative to the base member. The four-bar linkage mechanism includes four link elements including a base-side link element, a lever-side link element, and a pair of connecting link elements. The shift lever is supported by the lever-side link element, and the base member supports the base-side link element. The four-bar linkage mechanism includes an operational plane in which the four link elements conduct a link motion. The lever-side link element is parallelly or substantially parallelly shiftable in the operational plane relative to the base member so that the shift lever can shift parallelly or substantially parallelly in the operational plane relative to the base member.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2004Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: Kojima Press Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tamaki Koide
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Patent number: 7353726Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 11, 2003Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Uwe Beer, Michael Drabek
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Publication number: 20080034913Abstract: An upper rod having a guide groove at its lower end portion and a lower rod having a guide groove at its upper end portion are provided, a protrusion and a slit are provided on the lower rod and a lever main unit, respectively, and a lower rod position regulator which regulates a rotational position of the lower rod and a position thereof along a direction of a central axis to a position that matches a position pin insertion hole is provided. The upper rod, the lower rod, and a spring are inserted into a rod insertion hole of the lever main unit, a position pin attached to an insertion jig is inserted from the position pin insertion hole of the lever main unit, and the insertion jig inserted is entered in both guide grooves of the upper rod and the lower rod to push and separate the upper rod and the lower rod from each other, so that the position pin is interposed into a position between the upper rod and the lower rod.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2007Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: FUJI KIKO Co. Ltd.Inventor: Yoshihiro Takikawa
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Patent number: 7322457Abstract: A shifting device (1) for the mechanical coupling-free transmission of shift commands to an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle (shift-by-wire shifting), with at least one housing and/or one frame and one selector lever for the manual selection of shift commands for the vehicle transmission in at least one shift gate. The selector lever can be moved manually into at least four positions (P, R, N, D), pivotable about at least one shift axis. A transmission device(s) transmits the shift commands without mechanical coupling with the vehicle transmission (shift by wire). A mechanical coupling (16) is provided between the selector lever (2) and the transmission of the vehicle. This mechanical coupling (16) activates the parking brake exclusively and automatically when the selector lever (2) is engaged in the P position and is automatically uncoupled from the selector lever when the selector lever (2) is pivoted out beyond the adjacent position.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2005Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: ZF Lemförder MetallWaren AGInventors: Andreas Giefer, Jörg Meyer
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Patent number: 7293480Abstract: A shifting device includes a housing, a shift lever, and a sensor unit. The shift lever is moved along frontward or rearward and leftward or rightward to select one of shift positions. The sensor unit is of a non-contact type and detects the selected shift position. The sensor unit includes a plurality of sensors and a magnet. The relative positions of the sensors and the magnet are variable. The sensor unit detects the selected shift position according to the relative positions. According to movement of the shift lever, at least one of the group of the sensors and the magnet is moved along a first movement axis and a second movement axis. The first and second movement axes extend in different directions.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2003Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki SeisakushoInventors: Kazuhito Matsui, Masahiro Taniguchi, Osamu Shoji, Noriyuki Suzuki
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Patent number: 7219572Abstract: A compact shift device for shifting gears of a vehicle transmission. The shift device includes a shift lever movable in a first direction and a second direction to shift the gears of the transmission. The first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. A first movable member is connected to the shift lever to move in cooperation with the shift lever for detecting the position of the shift lever in the first direction. A second movable member is connected to the shift lever to move in cooperation with the shift lever for detecting the position of the shift lever in the second direction. The first and second movable members move along the same plane.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2003Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki SeisakushoInventor: Noriyasu Syamoto
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Patent number: 7201077Abstract: An automatic transmission shift range display structure is configured to make it possible to visually confirm that an automatic shift lever with a manual mode is in the manual mode. The automatic transmission shift range display structure has a shift lever with a range display. The shift lever is moveable in the lengthwise direction of the vehicle to select a D range of the automatic mode, and moveable in the widthwise direction of the vehicle from the automatic mode to select a manual mode. A slide member operates in coordination with the movement of the shift lever, and includes a slide indicator for identifying whether the shift lever is in the automatic mode or the manual mode. The range display has an indicator upper member with one or more transparent windows through which indicator is visible such that the selection of the automatic mode and the manual mode can be visually confirmed.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2004Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroaki Yamamoto, Kenichi Kako
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Patent number: 7148819Abstract: The purpose of this invention is to provide the complete set of spatial (translational) and axial (rotational) movement for a joystick due to the increasing demand of three-dimensional applications. Three degrees of freedom are provided for spatial movement which includes forward, backward, left, right, upward, and downward, plus an additional three degrees of freedom for axial movement which includes clockwise yaw, counterclockwise yaw, clockwise pitch, counterclockwise pitch, clockwise roll, and counterclockwise roll, for a total of six (6) degrees of freedom. The structure of the joystick that is required in order to demonstrate all six degrees of freedom is explained in the writing and sketches contained herein and is a testament to the novelty and unobviousness of this invention.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2004Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Inventor: Davis Lew Kim
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Patent number: 7124873Abstract: A bicycle control device is configured with an operating member, a hydraulic braking unit and a shifting unit. The operating member is configured in the preferred embodiment to operate both the hydraulic braking unit and the shifting unit. The shifting unit is movably disposed around a center cylinder axis of a hydraulic brake cylinder to provide a compact structure. Also the operating member is configured to perform braking and speed change operations such that the braking operation is carried out without movement of the parts of the shifting unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2004Date of Patent: October 24, 2006Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Akira Tsumiyama
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Patent number: 7117760Abstract: A bearing arrangement (1) for pivotable mounting of a shift lever (2) by a casing (10) in a housing (3) that provides a tilt axis (9a) and a pivot axis (8a) for the shift lever (2). The tilt axis (9a) and the pivot axis (8a) are mutually spaced apart.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2003Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: INA-Schaeffler KGInventors: Klaus Krämer, Susanne Pintus
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Patent number: 7100470Abstract: A gear change device including a shift lever support mechanism arranged in a casing to support a shift lever so as to slide in the axial direction of the casing and to rotate, a select actuator for operating the shift lever support mechanism to slide the shift lever in the axial direction which is the direction of selection, and a shift actuator for rotating the shift lever support mechanism to rotate the shift lever in the direction of shift. The shift actuator has an operation lever, with a base portion mounted on the shift lever support mechanism, and a pair of electromagnetic solenoids arranged facing each other, with the acting portion of the operation lever interposed therebetween. The solenoids are inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. A compression spring produces an urging force in the direction of operation of the electromagnetic solenoid which operates upward along the inclination.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2005Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: Isuzu Motors LimitedInventor: Michinobu Suzuki
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Patent number: 7086306Abstract: A shift device includes a housing, a shift lever, a sensor unit. The shift lever is moved forward and rearward, and leftward and rightward of the shift device for selecting the connection state of the transmission of a vehicle. The sensor unit is attached to the housing. The sensor unit includes a first MRE element, a second MRE element, a light sensor, a first microswitch, and a second microswitch, which are integrated. The first MRE element, the second MRE element, and the light sensor detect the position of the shift lever in the front-rear direction. The first and second microswitches detect the position of the shift lever in the left-right direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2002Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: Kabushiki, Kaisha, Tokai, Rika, Denki SeisakushoInventors: Noriyasu Syamoto, Isamu Matsushima, Noriyuki Suzuki
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Patent number: 7001308Abstract: A shift device for an automatic transmission of a vehicle, particularly of a motor vehicle, is proposed in which the request to change the current ratio of the automatic transmission upon reaching preset operating states of the vehicle can be automatically generated or by manual input in a manual shifting mode. A pulse counter is here provided by way of successive pulses and manual input can be functionally interlinked wherein a shift signal can be generated depending on the linkage.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2002Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Markus Henneken, Friedemann Jauch, Franz-Josef Schuler, Thomas Mauz, Michael Kiefer
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Patent number: 6955102Abstract: A transmission for working machines having a drive transmission mechanism and a working transmission mechanism which are operated by swinging a shift lever is provided. The transmission has a drive shift member for connecting the shift lever to the drive transmission mechanism and a working shift member for connecting the shift lever to the working transmission mechanism. The shift lever has a first protrusion constantly engaging the drive shift member and a second protrusion arranged to engage with or disengage from the working shift member. When the first protrusion engages the drive shift member with the second protrusion not engaged with the working shift member, only the drive transmission mechanism operates. When the first protrusion engages the drive shift member with the second protrusion also engaging the working shift member, both the drive transmission mechanism and the working transmission mechanism operate.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2003Date of Patent: October 18, 2005Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Fumiyoshi Kanbara, Yoshitaka Ohta