Spherical Mount (e.g., Ball And Socket) Patents (Class 74/473.34)
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Patent number: 10408639Abstract: A shifting device with two positive-locking shifting element halves includes a positive connection between the shifting element halves that is able to be established or released. The respective prevailing operating states of the shifting element halves are determined through a sensor device. The surface areas of an encoder contour relative to a measuring device are formed in a convex or concave manner, whereas a perpendicular gap between the surface areas of the encoder contour and a permanent magnet, starting from a joint area between the surface areas in the direction of an end area of the surface areas increases or decreases in each case.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2015Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignees: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG, ALLEGRO MICROSYSTEMS, LLCInventors: Stefan Hakspiel, Thomas Kerdraon, Andreas P. Friedrich
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Publication number: 20150107393Abstract: A gear shift lever apparatus of an electronic manual transmission for a vehicle may include a spherical gear shift lever installed in a console to be rotated in leftward and rightward selecting directions and in forward and rearward shifting directions, a lever guide unit installed in the spherical gear shift lever and the console, for guiding rotation of the spherical gear shift lever when the spherical gear shift lever is rotated in the selecting directions and the shifting directions, and a lever sensor unit installed in the spherical gear shift lever and the console, for detecting a neutral position and/or a selected gear shaft stage of the spherical gear shift lever.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2014Publication date: April 23, 2015Applicant: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Eun Sik KIM, Jeong Seop Lee
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Patent number: 8726756Abstract: It comprises a fixed part (10) and a knob (20), said knob (20) being arranged such that it can be moved relative to said fixed part (10) for shifting operations, and a haptic device (30) for providing the user with a shifting feeling when operating the knob (20). The haptic device (30) may act between the knob (20) and the fixed part (10) and it may be mounted inside the knob (20). The haptic device (30) comprises a contoured surface fitted inside the knob (20) (31) and a follower finger (32) is arranged spring biased in the fixed part (10) towards the contoured surface (31).Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2009Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Fico Triad, S. A.Inventors: Javier Moreno Colom, Ferran Esquius I Rafat, Jordi Jornet Vidal
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Patent number: 8468905Abstract: An operating device with an operating lever for a control valve includes: an input member connected to the operating lever; an output member connected to a slide spool of the control valve; and a swing link for relaying a displacement of the input member to the output member. The swing link is swingable about a swing shaft center on one end and is connected to the input and output members. A latch portion in the swing link is farther than a connecting point with the output member from the swing shaft center. A lock body is switchably operable between a lock position and a release position, and at the lock position, engaged with the latch portion at a neutral position to limit a swing of the swing link about the swing shaft center by which the control valve is locked at a neutral state.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2009Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Kubota CorporationInventor: Kiyoshige Maezawa
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Patent number: 8375821Abstract: An actuating device comprising an actuating element that is moved by a ball stud relative to a base comprising a ball socket. The actuating element can move relative to the base, within at least one pivot plane, between at least two shift positions. At least one recess of the ball socket has an elastic surface area which is flexible in the direction along the radius of the ball socket. The flexible elastic surface area has a centrally arranged pressure contact element, which bears against the joint ball. In a neutral position of the elastic surface area, the contact surface of the pressure contact element is at a distance away from the mid-point of the ball socket which is smaller than the radius of the joint ball, such that it possible to produce actuating devices which are robust in operation and free from play.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2008Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventor: Berthold gr. Kohorst
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Patent number: 8328683Abstract: A transmission assembly for an electric vehicle includes a transmission having an input shaft, an output shaft, and a gear train coupled between the input shaft and the output shaft. A motor includes an output coupled to the input shaft of the transmission. A motor controller is electrically connected to the motor and controls a rotating speed of the motor. A gear controller is electrically connected to the motor controller. The gear controller outputs a speed request signal to the motor controller, and the motor controller controls the rotating speed of the motor based on the speed request signal, allowing smooth engagement between the gear train and the output shaft.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2009Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: National Pingtung University of Science and TechnologyInventors: Chyuan-Yow Tseng, Chiu-Feng Lin, Li-Wen Chen
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Patent number: 7992463Abstract: A shifter for an automatic transmission has a gate plate with a main gate and a sub-gate. A shift lever has a spherical portion and is movable along the main gate and the sub-gate. A switching member enables switching the automatic transmission to a manual operation. The switching member includes a body held in a swingable manner, and a lever holding section integrally formed with the body to rotatably hold the spherical portion. The body is adapted, to be uncoupled from the shift lever so as to place the automatic transmission in a manual mode when the shift lever is swung from the main gate into the sub-gate about the spherical portion and to be coupled to the shift lever so as to return the automatic transmission to an automatic mode when the shift lever is returned from the sub-gate to the main gate.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2010Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Delta Kogyo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mizuho Ueta, Takumi Kusayama
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Patent number: 7900534Abstract: A shifter for a vehicle transmission has a lever with a base end. A holder holds the base end of the lever rotatably in first and second perpendicular directions. A shaft is coupled to the base end of the lever. A shift-cable connection has a shaft insertion hole and is held swingably by the holder. The shift-cable connection is connectable with a shift cable connected to a transmission. The follower shaft has a distal end connectable with a selection cable connected to the transmission, and is inserted into the shaft insertion hole to allow the distal end to protrude therefrom. Thus, the shaft swings when the lever is tilted in the first direction to press an inner surface of the shaft insertion hole to swing the shift-cable connection, and moves inside and along the shaft insertion hole when the lever is tilted in the second direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2009Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Delta Kogyo Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takumi Kusayama
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Publication number: 20100307277Abstract: A shifter for an automatic transmission has a gate plate with a main gate and a sub-gate. A shift lever has a spherical portion and is movable along the main gate and the sub-gate. A switching member enables switching the automatic transmission to a manual operation. The switching member includes a body held in a swingable manner, and a lever holding section integrally formed with the body to rotatably hold the spherical portion. The body is adapted, to be uncoupled from the shift lever so as to place the automatic transmission in a manual mode when the shift lever is swung from the main gate into the sub-gate about the spherical portion and to be coupled to the shift lever so as to return the automatic transmission to an automatic mode when the shift lever is returned from the sub-gate to the main gate.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2010Publication date: December 9, 2010Applicant: DELTA KOGYO CO., LTD.Inventors: Mizuho Ueta, Takumi Kusayama
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Publication number: 20100031766Abstract: An actuating device comprising an actuating element that is moved by a ball stud relative to a base comprising a ball socket. The actuating element can move relative to the base, within at least one pivot plane, between at least two shift positions. At least one recess of the ball socket has an elastic surface area which is flexible in the direction along the radius of the ball socket. The flexible elastic surface area has a centrally arranged pressure contact element, which bears against the joint ball. In a neutral position of the elastic surface area, the contact surface of the pressure contact element is at a distance away from the mid-point of the ball socket which is smaller than the radius of the joint ball, such that it possible to produce actuating devices which are robust in operation and free from play.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2008Publication date: February 11, 2010Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventor: Berthold gr. Kohorst
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Publication number: 20090223318Abstract: A gear shift assembly includes a base, a cylindrical collar extending from the base, a shift rod having generally spherical tip at a first end thereof for engaging a corresponding socket of a transmission, inner and outer gimbal spheres mounted on the shift rod and supported in the collar whereby the outer truncated gimbal sphere may pivot in the collar in a first direction when the shift rod is moved in the first direction and wherein the inner gimbal sphere is supported in the outer truncated gimbal sphere whereby the inner gimbal sphere may pivot inside the outer truncated gimbal sphere in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction when the shift rod is moved in the second direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2009Publication date: September 10, 2009Inventor: Claudio R. Ballard
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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: 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: 7159486Abstract: A joint arrangement in a shift mechanism for a motor vehicle includes a coupling element cooperating with a gear shift lever, a mounting element joinable to a gear lever carrier, and a damping element arranged between the coupling element and the mounting element. The damping element includes cooperating first and second slide surfaces, which, by a relative movement, damp vibrations and substantially prevent vibrations from being transmitted between the mounting element and the coupling element.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2002Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: Volvo Lastvagner ABInventors: Torsten Thoreson, Marian Gruia
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Patent number: 6951151Abstract: A manual transmission shifting device in which a shifting force is transmitted only by a first rod from a shift lever to a transmission and the shifting force transmitted to the first rod is supplied to the transmission via a simple mechanical link system, such that the number of components is reduced, thereby improving the efficiency of transmitting the shifting force to a transmission.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2002Date of Patent: October 4, 2005Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Seung-Doon Ryu
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Patent number: 6820515Abstract: A handling mechanism of a gearshift which enables the gearshift to shift into reverse, neutral, first-speed, second-speed, third-speed, and fourth-speed, and fifth-speed in sequential order includes a gearshift coupled to a shift fork of a transmission-handling mechanism of a manual transmission; a moving mechanism for the gearshift allowing it to move in an H-shaped configuration and an operation mechanism which enables a vehicle operator to shift the gears. The gearshift handling mechanism also includes an operation lever moves in a single plane, an auto-return mechanism which causes the operation lever to return to its initial position, and a rotation mechanism for engaging the gears.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2002Date of Patent: November 23, 2004Inventor: Shinji Ikeya
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Publication number: 20040074329Abstract: The invention relates to a joint arrangement (1) in a shift mechanism for a motor vehicle, comprising a coupling element (2) cooperating with a gear lever (11), a mounting element (3) joinable to a gear lever carrier (17), and a damping element (4) arranged between the coupling element (2) and the mounting element (3). The damping element (4) comprises cooperating first and second slide surfaces (18, 19), which, by a relative movement, damp vibrations and substantially prevent vibrations from being transmitted between the mounting element (3) and the coupling element (2).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2003Publication date: April 22, 2004Inventor: Torsten Thoreson
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Patent number: 6694838Abstract: A shifting device for the electronic selection and/or control of the gears of a vehicle transmission is provided with a shift knob and at least one shifting mechanism. The shifting mechanism has a gear selection device. The shifting mechanism is mounted pivotably around at least one axis. A converting device converts the mechanical shifting movements into optical and/or electric and/or hydraulic signals (shift commands). A transmitting device transmits the signals. A bracket (8) is provided for the stationary positioning of the shift knob (1) in the interior of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2002Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: ZF Lemförder Metallwaren AGInventor: Metin Ersoy
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Publication number: 20030213326Abstract: A manual transmission shifter includes a shift lever pivotally supported on a base for multi-axial pivoting movement, and a bell crank pivotally supported on the base and operatively connected to the shift lever by a pivot/slide connection. Two cables are operatively attached to the shift lever and the bell crank, respectively, for shifting the transmission. A pivot/slide connection includes an aperture in the bell crank with grooves, a bushing operably mounted in the grooves for both linear sliding and rotational movement on the grooves, and an arm on the shift lever that telescopingly engages the bushing. A top cover compresses the flat spring between the top cover and the socket. The shift lever includes arms that attach to bushing blocks, which engage the flat spring so that when the shift lever is pivoted in the one direction, the associated opposing portion of the spring(s) biases the shift lever back toward a centered position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2003Publication date: November 20, 2003Inventors: Brian W. Fett, Nathan J. Schout
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Publication number: 20030140723Abstract: A bearing sphere for a gear shift lever is provided, preferably for a transmission for motor vehicles, in which the bearing sphere is disposed around the shift rod and the selection finger. The bearing sphere consists of two half-shells, which are releasably connected with the shift rod, the selection finger, and one another. Each half-shell has at least one depression for the shift rod, at least one claw element around the shift rod, an opening to hold an opposite claw element, at least one centering pin, and at least one hole for a centering pin, as well as an opening for the selection finger. The bearing sphere has the advantage that it no longer has to be produced on the gear shift lever using the injection-molding process, but rather can be affixed so as to be releasably connected with the shift rod, with little effort.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2003Publication date: July 31, 2003Applicant: Teleflex Automotive Germany GmbHInventor: Carsten Zimmermann
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Patent number: 6553859Abstract: The present invention relates to a power shift device of a transmission for a vehicle which includes a connection link installed between a transmission lever and a power shift for transferring a select and shift operations of the transmission lever to the transmission through the power shift in such a manner that the connection link is rotated in the radius direction when the select operation of the transmission lever is performed, and is forwardly and backwardly moved in the axial direction when the shift operation of the transmission lever is performed.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Mando CorporationInventors: Hurn-Kwan Ha, Sung-Yong Pyo
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Publication number: 20020148319Abstract: Disclosed are a transmission lever unit for vehicle comprising: a single transmission lever for operating the transmission unit; a first lever member swingable around a first pivot and having a second pivot; and a second lever member integrally attached to a base end portion of the transmission lever and swingable around the second pivot orthogonal to the first pivot, the transmission lever unit being adapted to select a desired combination of gear trains of first and second systems of the transmission through independent connecting means of the first and second systems by an operation of the lever, wherein the first connecting means is adapted to operate by swing operation of the transmission lever around the first pivot, and the second connecting means is adapted to operate by swing operation of the transmission lever around the second pivot, and a mounting structure of a coil spring held by two members disposed such that at least part of the members are substantially parallel to each other, for elasticallyType: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2002Publication date: October 17, 2002Inventor: Akio Miguchi
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Patent number: 6435054Abstract: A selector device for a change-speed gearbox. The selector device includes a remote selector rod for selecting the gears, a flexible-actuating linkage for changing over between the gears, and a coupling linkage for accepting reaction forces which are provided between the change-speed gearbox and a manual selector lever and its bearing arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2000Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AGInventors: Friedrich Duckeck, Günter Wörner
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Patent number: 6321616Abstract: A gear catching for a shift transmission in a motor vehicle including a rotatably mounted shift lever and bearing. The catching includes a substantially spherical body having at least one cam at the shift lever or a bearing shell enclosing it. The cam catches in a catch cam. The catch cam or cam is constructed in a springing manner and, due to catching, gives the driver a clear sense of shifting.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 1999Date of Patent: November 27, 2001Assignee: United Parts FHS Automobil Systeme GmbHInventors: Jürgen Hohmeier, Arnd Bürger, Grant A. Webb
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Patent number: 6289760Abstract: A mounting structure of a change lever in a vehicle constructed and arranged to absorb an allowance between a housing and a ball rotatively pivoting a lower end of the change lever to rule out generation of noise and to prevent leakage of lubricant coated on a frictional part located therebetween, thereby improving a lever-shifting feeling, the change lever having a change lever knob thereon and a ball thereunder and accommodated in a housing forming a spherical inner space therein for rotation, the structure comprising a support member integrally formed at a lower end of the change lever with a cylindrical upper body unit inserted into a change lever and a spherical inner lower body unit having its diameter expanded at a lower part of the upper body unit and its upper surface adhered to a lower surface of the ball and its lower surface adhered to an inner surface of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 1999Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Min-Soo Park
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Patent number: 6237435Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the operational states of motor vehicle gears including a console, a lever mounted in the console whereby the lever can be articulated between a plurality of maneuverable positions corresponding to the operational states of the motor vehicle gears, the console comprising a housing and including a first groove and at least one track on at least one of the inner surfaces of the housing, a first support defining a first pivot hinge for the lever including a ball and socket joint whereby the first support permits the lever to pivot about an unlimited number of spatial pivot axes with respect to the housing, a second support defining a second pivot hinge, the first pivot hinge and the second pivot hinge defining a first pivot axis, whereby the lever can be maneuvered about the first pivot axis, and a third support having a longitudinal axis, the second support including a first pin mounted along the first pivot axis and prestressed toward the first groove, and the third support includingType: GrantFiled: March 2, 2000Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Assignee: Kongsberg Automotive ABInventors: Anders Grönhage, Kenneth Skogward
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Patent number: 6230579Abstract: A shifter assembly (10) for automatic transmissions is disclosed having a base (12) and a detent member (14) supported by the base (12). The detent member (14) defines an automatic (18) and manual (20) shift path and a plurality of gear positions (22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34) within the shift paths (18, 20). A transmission control arm (60) is pivotally connected to the base (12) for movement about an axis (A) and is adapted for connection to a linkage for operating an automatic transmission. The shifter assembly (10) also has a shift lever (42) movable through the gear positions (22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34). The assembly (10) is characterized by including a pivotal connection (80) interconnecting the control arm (60) and the shift lever (42) for supporting the shift lever (42) on the control arm (60) and pivoting the shift lever (42) relative to the control arm (60) for changing between the shift paths (18, 20).Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 1999Date of Patent: May 15, 2001Assignee: Teleflex IncorporatedInventors: Michael V. Reasoner, Klemens J. Meyer
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Patent number: 6216551Abstract: An improved transfer lever for a 4WD vehicle is arranged such that the position of a knob attachment piece remains the same even when used with transmissions of two different lengths. The difference between the two lengths is a distance D. This retains the knob attachment piece in an optimal shift position can be attained. The transfer lever is bent, proximate its base, at an angle that places the knob attachment piece a distance D/2 from a centerline of its base. The transfer lever is installable in two orientations 180 degrees apart. When the longer transmission is used, the transfer lever is installed to position the knob attachment piece D/2 forward of the centerline, and when the shorter transmission is used, the transfer lever is installed to position the knob attachment piece D/2 rearward of the centerline, whereby the knob attachment piece is positioned in the same fore and aft location regardless of which transmission is used.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1998Date of Patent: April 17, 2001Assignee: Suzuki Motor CorporationInventors: Michitaka Iwamoto, Yasushi Arai
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Patent number: 6205880Abstract: In a gearshift device for change-speed gearboxes of motor vehicles, having a shifter shaft (1) movable both axially and radially in the gearbox housing and engaging at one end with an actuating lever arrangement (3) with which in turn corresponding ends of a gearshift linkage or of Bowden gearshift cables engage, substantially parallel to the shifter shaft (1) a supporting pin (6) projecting from the gearbox housing or from a closing plate (2) and having a ball-and-socket joint (7) with only two degrees of twisting freedom is provided, on which is supported a three-armed actuating lever (8), the three arms (9, 10 and 11) of which are disposed perpendicular to each other in the manner of orthogonal axes of coordinates, one of said arms (9) being connected by way of a ball-and-socket joint (12) to a pin (4) projecting radially from the shifter shaft (1) and the two other said arms (10 and 11) being connected by way of their ball-and-socket joints (13 and 14) to the corresponding ends of a gearshift linkage or oType: GrantFiled: May 3, 1999Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Hartmut Deidewig, Jean-Pierre Chazotte, Matthias Doelling
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Patent number: 6202503Abstract: Arrangement for manual resetting of the mutual positional setting of an upper lever element (6) and a lower lever element (8) connected articulatedly to the latter, which lever elements together form a two-part gear lever (2) supported articulatedly in a vehicle. The lower end of the upper lever element (6) has fastened in it a guide sleeve (18) which is supported for rotation on a supporting spindle mounted in a holder yoke (22) which is fastened in the upper end of the lower lever element (8) and which has sidewalls (24, 26) and a reference wall (28) which not only connects these sidewalls but also has a position fixing portion (30). Between the lever elements (6, 8) there is a locking mechanism (32) which normally prevents mutual movement of the lever elements (6, 8).Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1999Date of Patent: March 20, 2001Assignee: Scania CV AktiebolagInventor: Lars Miller
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Patent number: 6192771Abstract: An operating system for a vehicle transmission has a shifting lever which, for the shifting between gear ratios, can be swivelled in one shifting channel respectively about a shifting axle essentially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and, for selecting between different shifting channels, can be swivelled in at least one selecting channel about a selecting axle essentially in the transverse direction of the vehicle. A motion transmission connects the shifting lever with at least one transmission control shaft of a vehicle transmission.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 1999Date of Patent: February 27, 2001Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventor: Michail Gouselis