Manually Operated Selector (e.g., Remotely Controlled Device, Lever, Push Button, Rotary Dial, Etc.) Patents (Class 74/473.3)
  • Patent number: 7987959
    Abstract: An actuator for a state changeover element that is actuated in a manner interlocking with the tilting of a tilt member is provided. The actuator is equipped with a rotational power generating portion, an output shaft coaxially and integrally rotatably coupled to a tilt spindle of the tilt member to output a rotational power generated by the rotational power generating portion, a casing that covers the actuator and having an opening for exposing one axial end side of the output shaft to an outside. The actuator is further equipped with a rotational angle limiting unit provided between the output shaft and a wall portion of the casing radially facing the output shaft to physically limit a rotational angle of the output shaft. A range changeover device for an automatic transmission equipped with this actuator and a parking device equipped with this actuator are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Itazu, Yoshinobu Nozaki
  • Publication number: 20110174106
    Abstract: In a shift lever device, even when a magnet is immovably installed, the shift lever device can shift a shift lever between blocking and allowing operation from a “P” shift position to an “R” shift position because a first link and a yoke plate are slidable, a second link is rotatable with respect to the first link, and the magnet switches between attraction and non-attraction with respect to the yoke plate. For this reason, the magnet can be immovably installed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventor: Hideaki ITO
  • Publication number: 20110162475
    Abstract: An operating device for shift-by-wire transmission comprises a selector lever which has a detent mechanism. The detent mechanism comprises bevel and notched contours that can be displaced for automatically returning the selector lever back to the first lock position or shift gate. The notched contour is spring-biased toward the selector lever detent element and overlaps the bevel contour in its first position, and an actuating block is provided for locking the notched contour in its first position near the detent element. The spring-loading of the notched contour is weaker than the spring-loading of the detent element, and the shape of the first detent position of the notched contour matches that of the first detent position of the bevel contour when the notched contour is located in the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Ludger Rake, Andreas Giefer, Sascha Rosentreter
  • Publication number: 20110162474
    Abstract: A hand operated shift lever that connects to the existing shift spline and linkage of Harley Davidson Motorcycles. This shift lever replaces the existing heel shifter. Consists of a shift spline adaptor lever machined and adapted to ¾ O.D. tubing. The tubing, which can come in various lengths to adapt to the rider of the motorcycle, is attached to the spline adaptor and may come in various shapes, angles, bends or material types. A shifter knob is machined and attached to the top of the tubing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventor: Robert Leeflang
  • Patent number: 7971498
    Abstract: A control device is provided for a technical system (17), e.g. for a shift-by-wire vehicle transmission. The control device includes a control (actuating) element, e.g. a rotary knob (1), with at least two shifting positions. The control element (1), itself, can rotate without limitation, whereas the control device has at least one stop device (2, 3), which can be adjusted in a controlled manner and which limits the angle of rotation (W) of the control element (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Joerg Meyer, Andreas Giefer
  • Publication number: 20110160969
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takemi Oguri, Minoru Kagawa, Hiroyuki Kiryu, Mitsuo Takano, Nobuhiro Uchijima
  • Patent number: 7963182
    Abstract: A power-assisted gearshift mechanism for a manual transmission, comprising a shift rail mounted for axial movement to select one or more gears, a control arm engageable with the shift rail to cause axial movement of the shift rail in response to operation of a operator control, and a fluid pressure actuator, the fluid pressure actuator comprising a piston moveable in a cylinder, wherein fluid pressure in the cylinder causes force to be applied to the shift rail, the cylinder having a fluid supply connection and a fluid exit connection, and wherein the fluid exit connection is closeable to cause the fluid pressure within the cylinder to change, and the fluid exit connection comprising a bore within the shift rail, wherein movement of the control linkage is operable to open or close the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: J.C. Bamford Excavators Limited
    Inventor: Thomas Owen Wright
  • Publication number: 20110138955
    Abstract: A shift device for an automated or automatic transmission, in particular of a motor vehicle, has a manual selector lever which can be moved into the following stable selector lever positions: P, R, N and E and into four non-stable selector lever positions. Here, the stable selector lever positions are all arranged in alignment in a shift gate. Here, a stable selector lever position E is provided which is arranged in alignment with the stable selector lever positions in the shift gate and, here, is situated between two non-stable tilt positions +/?, which are arranged in alignment with the selector lever positions P, R and N, for step-by-step or multiple shifting, and in a transverse gate, which runs transversely with respect to the shift gate, between the two non-stable selector lever positions D and M arranged in the transverse gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: DR. ING. H.C. F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Michael Sickart, Michael Funk
  • Publication number: 20110132120
    Abstract: A gearshift assembly for a motor vehicle includes a gearshift lever configured to engage a detent unit to select one of a plurality of gearshift positions in an operative position. The gearshift lever can be folded into a non-operative position by disengaging a locking mechanism from the detent unit, when the gearshift lever is in the neutral position. The non-operative position is selected by pressing a fold button, which causes a fold rod to engage the detent unit, and prevents accidental shifting of gears in the folded non-operative position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: KONGSBERG AUTOMOTIVE AB
    Inventor: Kenneth Skogward
  • Publication number: 20110126655
    Abstract: A transmission oil control is provided for a motor vehicle transmission comprises at least one oil line adapted to lubricate a transmission gear assigned to the oil line. The oil line can be opened and/or at least throttled by means of a throttle element. A gearshift element is provided for a gear shift device. The engaged transmission gear can be represented through the gearshift element. The throttle element is connected to the gearshift element in such a manner that for the engaged transmission gear, the associated oil line can be opened and/or that the oil line can at least be throttled for another engaged transmission gear. Since the lubricating oil flow for the transmission gears which are not engaged can be automatically reduced, the total lubricating oil flow can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Eckhard KIRCHNER
  • Publication number: 20110126656
    Abstract: A shift lever assembly with a button type shift knob may include a lower skirt slidably and rotatably coupled around a shift rod, an upper skirt disposed on the lower skirt and rotatably coupled to the lower skirt to allow relative rotation therebetween and to prevent relative straight motion therebetween, and a shift knob detachably attached to an upper portion of the shift rod, wherein the shift knob is slidably coupled to the upper skirt to permit an upper motion of the upper and lower skirts along a center axis of the shift rod and is eccentrically coupled to the upper skirt to prevent a relative rotation therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: MYUNGLYUL NA, Yunje Hwang, Jeonhwan Kang
  • Publication number: 20110107862
    Abstract: A gear shift unit for an automated manual transmission, may include a shift block that is restricted in the rotational direction and slidably movable along a control shaft, and has a shift finger in order to implement a selecting operation with straight motion thereof and a shifting operation with rotation motion thereof, a driving actuator, a shifting unit selectively engaged with the driving actuator to rotate the control shaft by power of the driving actuator, wherein the shifting unit changes rotational direction of the control shaft in accordance with rotational angles of the driving actuator, and a selecting unit selectively engaged with the driving actuator to slide the shift block along the control shaft by power of the driving actuator while the shifting unit is not driven by the power of the driving actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Wooyeol Jeong
  • Patent number: 7926382
    Abstract: There is provided a structure for limiting the rotational range of a manual plate in an automatic transmission, which is capable of making the manual plate shareable among a plurality of types of automatic transmissions differing in the number of gear positions. In the case where the manual plate is applied to a 5-position automatic transmission, the height of a case-side drive range direction stopper that limits the rotational range of the manual plate is set such that an end of a check plate is fitted into five notches ranging from a parking range notch to a low range notch. In the case where the manual plate is applied to a 4-position automatic transmission, the height of a case-side drive range direction stopper that limits the rotational range of the manual plate is set such that the end of the check plate is fitted into four notches ranging from the parking range notch to a drive range notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventor: Shinichi Mochizuki
  • Publication number: 20110067515
    Abstract: An operating device for selecting shift positions of a gear-changing transmission, for example an automatic transmission. The operating device comprises a shift operating device and a console arrangement with an operating lever and a shift position indicator device with illuminatable shift position designations. The shift position indicator device includes an electronics unit and a light-emitting device. The electronics unit and the light-emitting device are integrated into the shift operating unit. An ordered fiber-optic bundle for the selective illumination of shift position designations is disposed between the light-emitting device and shift position indicator device. The operating device enables cost savings in production and assembly by eliminating, for example, the electronic module in the region of the shift gate. Flexible, selective illumination of the illuminated symbols or shift position designations in the region of the shift gate becomes possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Ludger Rake, Andreas Giefer
  • Patent number: 7905811
    Abstract: A speed changing structure for a work vehicle, comprising a travel speed changing device having a plurality of speed change positions, a manually operated speed changing lever (63), control means (64) for controlling the travel speed changing device, and a manually operable operating part (65) provided to the speed changing lever (63), wherein the control means (64) has a first speed changing mode for operating the travel speed changing device in single steps so as to follow the operation of the speed changing lever (63), and a second speed changing mode for operating the travel speed changing device without passing through intermediate speed change positions to a speed change position that corresponds to the operating position after the speed changing lever (63) has been moved from the speed change position that corresponds to the operating position prior to the speed changing lever (63) being operated; and the control means (64) operates the travel speed changing device in the first speed changing mode when
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiro Asada
  • Patent number: 7900534
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Delta Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takumi Kusayama
  • Publication number: 20110048154
    Abstract: In an image printing device, such as a laser printer or ink jet printer, a coupling device for creating a coupling between a rotatable shaft and an interface component, such as a gear. The coupling device is an elongated modified c-shaped body having a portion for receiving the rotatable shaft, and includes integrated hinges that facilitate the coupling device to be spread apart and to receive and interface with the rotatable shaft. The integrated hinges function to compress between the rotatable shaft and interface component substantially inhibiting relative longitudinal movement and wherein a flat on the exterior of the rotatable shaft engages with a flat on the interior the interface component, to additionally inhibit relative rotational movement between the interface component and the shaft. The shaft further includes a plurality of ribs that extend from the rotatable shaft into the coupling device providing additional reduction in rotational movement between the shaft and the interface component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Anthony Wayne Malone, Glen Alen Reidhaar
  • Patent number: 7891267
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Fuji Kiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Aso, Tomohiro Takahira
  • Patent number: 7892096
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a gaming machine for conducting a wagering game, comprising a physically configurable button panel and at least one mechanical button removably disposed in the button panel. The gaming machine also comprises an input panel disposed adjacent to the button to produce an output signal in response to a predetermined movement of the button and a controller for initiating a function in response to the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Gene Rigsby, James M. Rasmussen
  • Publication number: 20110023645
    Abstract: A one touch combination structure of a knob for an automatic transmission may include the knob which is provided with an operation button, an insert which is interposed inside the knob, a lever pipe which is housed in the insert and a lower end portion of which is hingedly supported to regulate shift speeds, and an operation rod which is slidably inserted into the lever pipe and elastically supported therein so as to vertically move according to an operation of the operation button, wherein a first fitting protrusion and a second fitting protrusion having different width and length are provided at an inner circumference of the insert, and a first cut groove and a second cut groove respectively responding to the first fitting protrusion and the second fitting protrusion are formed at an upper end portion of the lever pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Sung Il LEE
  • Publication number: 20110023646
    Abstract: A shift operation device that has a simple structure and is provided with a lever knob that can absorb impact load that acts on the lever shaft in the axial direction. A core 11 is provided on the inside of the lever knob, and formed on the core 11 are screw cramps 11b, comprising cylindrical bosses, inside which are inserted screws that fix the core 11 to the lever shaft. V-shaped cut-out grooves 110 formed in the height direction of the cylindrical bosses are provided on the cylindrical parts 11b1 of the screw cramps 11b to reduce the thickness of the cylindrical parts 11b1, providing weak sites with response to the load that acts on the lever shaft in the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hanjono, Hiroto Shimazaki
  • Publication number: 20110011196
    Abstract: A shifter apparatus is associated with a neutral lock lever and includes a detent ball bearing, a shaft seal, a detent spring, and a retention pin. A shaft associated with the neutral lock lever can be inserted into a matching hole configured within or integrated with a shifter housing. The shaft can be rotated if a cammed lobe portion associated with the shaft moves into an inner wall of the shifter housing. The retention pin can be pressed via an end of the neutral lock lever into a groove located on an outside wail of the shifter housing after the neutral lock lever is rotated into position. The retention pin rides inside the groove thereby limiting the rotation of the neutral lock lever. The neutral lock lever locks the shift lever in a neutral position preventing accidental movement of the vehicle in a forward and a reverse direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventor: Fred Cable
  • Publication number: 20100326225
    Abstract: Selector lever arrangement for automatic transmissions of motor vehicles, having a manual shift facility and a selector lever, which in a shifting gate can be moved forwards or backwards in only one plane into the positions P, R, N and D, all positions being situated in series in one plane and the selector lever having a hand rest together with a release mechanism, the hand rest being pivotally guided relative to the selector lever by way of a four-bar linkage, in such a way that its angle in relation to the selector lever varies according to the position of the selector lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Igor Fischbein
  • Patent number: 7854179
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Fuji Kiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20100307276
    Abstract: An actuating device for a gear shifting transmission. The actuating device includes a selector lever which has stable selector lever positions, and a detent mechanism with a detent element and notched gate, the detent element is connected to the selector lever. The notched gate is disposed on a gate shaft that rotates when actuated. The gate shaft includes at least one helical return groove for the detent element. Due to rotation of the gate shaft, the detent element can be transferred from a start position, along the return groove, into a target position. The selector lever position always reflects the actual gear stage of the transmission, even with shift-by-wire-controlled gear shifting transmissions. The driver is provided with reliable visual and tactile feedback about the gear state of the transmission. The actuating device is structurally reliable, has low energy consumption, produces minimal noise, and requires minimal construction space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Andreas Giefer, Ludger Rake
  • Publication number: 20100300231
    Abstract: In a shift lever device, when the shift lever is operated from a position C to a position N, a pusher slides along a select sliding region of an indexing section due to biasing force. In the indexing section, an anchor is formed at positions over the entire range of the select sliding region by a secondary resin penetrating completely into a through hole in a primary resin. Therefore, lifting of the secondary resin relative to the primary resin can be suppressed during molding of the secondary resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUSHO
    Inventor: Daisuke MATSUBA
  • Publication number: 20100300232
    Abstract: An automated motorcycle transmission comprises a shift actuator (1) for engaging the gears of the transmission. The shift actuator (1) is a three-position actuator with self-maintaining end position stability which has first and second stable end positions and a stable central position. The shift actuator (1), when in the first end position, corresponds to a first gear of the transmission, the shift actuator (1), when in the second end position, corresponds to other gears of the transmission, and the shift actuator (1), when in the central position, corresponds to a neutral position of the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Mauro ZANELLA, Michael PANTKE
  • Publication number: 20100275713
    Abstract: Gear shift arrangement for a shiftable manual gearbox (300) provided in a vehicle, e.g. an off road vehicle, scooter or snowmobile, comprising a shift operating mechanism (9, 8) to be operated by a driver, said gearbox having a first set of gears with positions for high speed, and at least one further gear from the group of gears low speed, neutral and parking, and a second set of gears with positions for at least forward and reverse. The positions of the first set of gears are shiftable under influence of a first shift lever (9), that the positions of the second set of gears are shiftable under influence of a second shift lever (8) separate from the first one, and each shift lever is movable in essentially only one plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: Heikki Penttila, Thomas Friedrichs
  • Publication number: 20100242656
    Abstract: A shift lever apparatus includes: a housing; a shift lever including a shift lever base member extending in the Z-axis direction, and being arranged to pivot about the shift shaft in the X-axis direction, and a shift lever movable member arranged to move between a first axial side and a second axial side in an axial direction relative to the shift lever base member, the shift lever being arranged to move from a reference position on the first axial side, through an N-position on the second axial side, to one of a pair of positions; an urging member; and a detent pin, the housing including a guide groove arranged to guide the detent pin along the Z-axis direction so as to guide the shift lever movable member only from the N-position to the reference position when the shift lever movable member is positioned on the second axial side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventor: Keisuke KINO
  • Patent number: 7784582
    Abstract: A drive switching lever device for a vehicle for a vehicle in which a single control lever can operate both two-wheel-drive/four-wheel drive switching means and a differential lock on/off switching mechanism includes a bell crank swingably supported by a vehicle body side. A pull rod adapted to operate a switching lever of a two-wheel-drive/four-wheel-drive switching means is connected to a lever bracket and a control cable adapted to operate a switching lever of a differential lock on/off switching mechanism is connected to the bell crank. When a control lever is swung independently of the lever bracket, the bell crank is swung in engagement with the shaft portion of the control lever. The resulting configuration provides flexibility for the layout of the linkage between the control lever and the operating portion of each switching mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kosaku Takahashi, Masao Takeshima
  • Patent number: 7779724
    Abstract: An electrical bicycle shift control assembly is provided that includes at least one electrical bicycle shift control device. The shift control device includes a handlebar mounting portion configured to be clamped onto a handlebar and an electrical shift control switch portion. The electrical switch portion has an operating member arranged to move relative to the handlebar mounting portion between a neutral position and an actuating position. Preferably, the electrical switch portion is detachably coupled to the handlebar mounting portion via a mating mounting structure to be removable from the handlebar mounting portion without removing the handlebar mounting portion from the handlebar. Preferably, a bicycle computer unit including a display screen is supported by the handlebar mounting portion. The operating member can include a dial-shaped element or a lever-shaped element that is configured to rotate about an operating axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Fujii
  • Publication number: 20100147096
    Abstract: A transfer box for transferring movements and forces from a gearshift lever of a tiltable vehicle cab portion to a gearbox includes a first frame portion mounted on the cab portion, the first frame portion including at least one first journalled lever portion and being connectable to cable ends or push rods connected to the gear shift lever, a second frame portion mounted on a vehicle chassis, the second frame portion including at least one journalled second lever portion and being connected to the gearbox via cable ends or pushrods, wherein the first lever portions and the second lever portions interact to enable movement/force transfer from the cable ends/push rods connected to the first lever portions to the cable ends/push rods connected to the second lever portions. The at least one first and the at least one second lever portions are provided with wedge shaped cooperating portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventor: Klas Bergström
  • Publication number: 20100139435
    Abstract: A four-wheel vehicle includes a compact operation lever unit and is constructed so as to secure a sufficient space between the seat and the dashboard. In the four-wheel vehicle, a main body of the operation lever unit includes a first pivoting member, a stopper, and a second pivoting member. The first pivoting member is pivotable between a first position at which a first drive switching mechanism is set to a first mode, and a second position at which the first drive switching mechanism is set to a second mode. The first pivoting member is biased toward the second position. The stopper is arranged to restrict pivoting of the first pivoting member beyond the second position. The second pivoting member is pivotable in conjunction with an operation lever and includes a contact portion that causes the first pivoting member to pivot to a side of the first position against a biasing force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: YAMAHA MOTOR POWER PRODUCTS KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Junpei INAGAKI
  • Publication number: 20100132497
    Abstract: A handheld power tool is provided with a shiftable gear that has at least two gear steps which are meant to be selected via a user control element disposed adjustably on the housing, which user control element actuates a transmission member that acts upon an adjustable gear component, and the user control element is intended to be adjusted between at least two detent positions that correspond to the gear steps of the gear. The transmission member is intended to be adjusted into the detent positions, which can be transmitted to the user control element via the coupling between the user control element and the transmission member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Joachim Hecht, Martin Kraus
  • Publication number: 20100116075
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Javier Moreno Colom, Ferran Esquius I Rafat, Jordi Jornet Vidal
  • Publication number: 20100043584
    Abstract: A shifting device (1) for a transmission with a selection actuator and a shifting actuator, which a shifting shaft (2) comprising shifting forks (3) or selector forks, which engage in sliding collars for engaging the gears in which the shifting motion can be carried out by way of an axial motion of the shifting shaft (2), while the selection motion is kinematically disengaged from the shifting motion and the shifting shaft (2) does not rotate during the selection motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Josef Bader, Stefan Renner, Karlheinz Mayr, Reiner Keller, Kai Heinrich
  • Patent number: 7665381
    Abstract: A control device for a marine propulsion system includes a base and at least two levers. Each one of the levers is supported by the base at a first end for pivotal movement about a common pivot axis and extending generally normal to the pivot axis to have a second end. The second end has a grip. The grip of one of the levers extends toward the second end of the other one of the levers. The respective grips are nested with each other when the levers extend generally parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuji Iekura, Eifu Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7654169
    Abstract: In a shift lever, when a button of a knob is pressed, a link member is pivoted, and a detent rod is moved down. Further, impact sound or the like is restrained or prevented from being emitted by bringing the link member into contact with a contact member and elastically deforming the contact member. Here, a cover portion of the knob and the contact member are constituted by separate members. Therefore, the cover portion of the knob and the contact member can easily be constituted by materials suitable for respective functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Tomohisa Sumi, Kenichi Kato
  • Patent number: 7650849
    Abstract: An indicator for an AT vehicle is disclosed wherein even when a shift lever boot is greatly flexed downward during shift operation of a shift lever, boot penetration restricting device, provided inside an open window of an indicator, prevents the shift lever boot from flexing and penetrating into a lower area of the open window portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Fuji Kiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Aso, Tomohiro Takahira
  • Patent number: 7650807
    Abstract: A method for adjusting an automatic transmission ratio by a driver includes imposing a ratio change required by the driver to the transmission when first conditions are fulfilled, maintaining the ratio until second conditions for returning to operation in an automatic mode are fulfilled, and automatically restoring the automatic mode when the second conditions are fulfilled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Carine Poisson, Christian Taffin
  • Publication number: 20100000359
    Abstract: A shifter assembly includes a post-like shift lever, a knob with a bore configured to receive the top section, and a retainer spring extending longitudinally within the bore. The spring includes retainer barbs shaped to frictionally grip the knob and further has a leg(s) configured to frictionally engage the top section and also take up clearance between the top section and the bore for frictionally engaging the post-like shift lever. The spring can be alternative shapes, such as U-shaped or L-shaped. A method of assembly includes pressing the knob onto a shift lever with a single one-touch motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: William R. Kops, Lee H. Karner
  • Patent number: 7640823
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Darrell S. Bowman, H. Lenora Hardee, Joseph T. Penaloza, Mary Mc. Wesler
  • Publication number: 20090320775
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine that includes a cylinder head and a cylinder block for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine includes at least one intake valve and one exhaust valve per cylinder, a combustion chamber covering surface adjacent to the combustion chamber, with an expansion joint being formed in the region between the individual cylinders normally to the longitudinal direction of the engine. A combustion chamber plate extending over several cylinders is arranged between the cylinder head and the cylinder block, with the expansion joint each being formed in the combustion chamber plate between two cylinders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Helmut Altendorfer, Bertram Obermayer, Manfred Breitenberger, Wolfgang Schöffmann
  • Publication number: 20090320633
    Abstract: A selector lever device for a transmission of a motor vehicle has a selector lever which, for the selection of gears, is arranged in or on a housing so as to be adjustable between predetermined shift positions. A sensor arrangement determines a position of the selector lever relative to the housing, with the sensor arrangement having a magnetic field generator which is coupled in terms of movement to the selector lever and which, by an adjustment of the selector lever for the selection of a gear, can be adjusted along a movement path. A high level of reliability is obtained if the sensor arrangement has a plurality of magnetic field sensors distributed along the movement path such that each predetermined shift position is assigned at least two magnetic field sensors which are actuated by the magnetic field generator when the selector lever is situated in the associated shift position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: DR. ING. H.C. F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Peter Knysch
  • Publication number: 20090301249
    Abstract: An automobile gear shifter kit includes a handle member, a trigger member and an actuating mechanism. The handle member is capable of being removably coupled to a gear shifter shaft of an automobile. The handle member includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface is configured to define a cavity portion and the outer surface is configured to provide a pilot control grip. The trigger member is disposed on the outer surface and is capable of triggering actuation of at least one of shifting of gears of the automobile and an operation of pre-determined auxiliary function of the automobile. The actuating mechanism is disposed in the cavity portion and is operatively coupled to the trigger member for being triggered by the trigger member for actuating the at least one of the shifting of the gears of the automobile and the operation of pre-determined auxiliary function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventor: Timothy Smith
  • Publication number: 20090293660
    Abstract: A transmission shift mechanism for use with a vehicle transmission. The transmission shift mechanism includes a user-operated selector and a sub-assembly operably disposed between said user-operated selector and the vehicle transmission. The sub-assembly includes a torque-transfer member having a first portion and a second portion wherein the first portion is pivotally secured to the transmission shift mechanism about a pivot axis and the second portion defines a section of a substantially spherical surface which is engageably disposed within a non-linear camming slot defined by the transmission shift section. The torque-transfer member takes the form of a molded polymeric body with a sheet metal insert disposed within the molded polymeric body. The second portion of the torque-transfer member may include flats to reduce the volume of polymeric material required in the manufacture of the member. A method of manufacturing such a torque-transfer member or crank arm is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventor: Michael C. Vermeersch
  • Patent number: 7621198
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Kenichi Kako, Noriyasu Shamoto, Isamu Matsushima, Keizo Fukuda, Teruaki Kitano
  • Patent number: 7621196
    Abstract: A shift lever device has resin pieces, and a resin outer tube which is formed at an outer side of a shift lever main body. The resin pieces and the resin outer tube can be molded separately. Therefore, the resin pieces independently can be molded with high precision. Even in a structure in which interposed portions of the resin pieces are interposed between a detent pin and inner walls of long holes of the shift lever main body, the interposed portions do not project-out unnecessarily at an inner side of the shift lever main body. Resin can be interposed between the detent pin and the long holes of the shift lever main body, without carrying out precise inspection or repair work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Shiro Esaki, Junya Nishio, Yutaka Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20090282942
    Abstract: A user interface for an automatic transmission includes a base surface, a display configured to display the operational status of the automatic transmission, and a selector. The selector includes a selector surface spaced apart from the base surface, a boundary surface coupled to the selector surface and coupled to the base surface. The boundary surface is shaped such that the boundary surface and the selector surface cooperate to define a plurality of interconnected selector inputs. The selector inputs are independently actuable and each is operative to provide a specific input to the automatic transmission and configured such that a user may tactilely distinguish the first selector and each of the plurality first selector inputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas H. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20090271080
    Abstract: A rotatable selector mechanism for a motor vehicle transmission has a selector knob rotatable in a housing to select an operating mode of the transmission among a number of selector positions indicated by a label (P, R, N, D, M). The selector mechanism further includes a detent plate which cooperates with a detent pin for maintaining the selector knob in each of positions. The detent plate is connected to position sensors for generating selector signals to a transmission control unit which supplies control signals to an actuator for operate the transmission according to the operating mode selected. The detent plate is also associated to the selector knob and to a drive correction means by means of clutch devices respectively to engage the detent plate to one of the selector knob and the drive correction means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: JAGUAR CARS LIMITED
    Inventors: Carl Pickering, Alister Whelan, Mike Richardson, Rob Jerger, Peter Hudson