Abstract: A device for selectively placing an automobile's parking brake in its operative and inoperative positions, including (a) a pivotable lever connected to the brake via a cable; (b) a stationary sector having a plurality of teeth; (c) a pawl pivotably supported by the lever and engageable at its first arm with the sector's teeth; (d) a knob fitted over its axial part in a longitudinal hole formed in a lever's free-end portion, the knob being retractable inward upon pushing thereof; (e) a release rod connected at its first end to a pawl's second arm and including a head fitted in a recess formed in the knob's part; (f) a first spring permitting the pawl to be pivoted in a direction in which to cause its first arm to be engaged with the sector; and (g) a second spring fitted in the knob's recess to bias the rod's head to be engaged with a stopper provided in the recess.

Abstract: A device for selectively placing an automobile's parking brake in its operative and inoperative positions, including (a) a pivotable lever connected to the brake via a cable; (b) a stationary sector having a plurality of teeth; (c) a pawl pivotably supported by the lever and engageable at its first arm with the sector's teeth; (d) a knob fitted over its axial part in a longitudinal hole formed in a lever's free-end portion, the knob being retractable inward upon pushing thereof; (e) a release rod connected at its first end to pawl's second arm and including a head fitted in a recess formed in the knob's axial part; (f) a first spring permitting the pawl to be pivoted in a direction in which to cause its first arm to be engaged with the sector; and (g) a second spring fitted in the knob's recess to bias the rod's head to be engaged with a stopper provided in the recess.

Abstract: A self-adjusting hand brake assembly comprises a rack mounting a carriage biased for movement lengthwise thereof in direction by a spring. A pawl on the carriage engages the rack to retain the carriage in position. An anchor member is movable lengthwise of the rack and carriage, and comprises a member to which a brake-operating link is attached. A lever pivotted on the carriage is operable to move the member in direction to apply the brake. The member is retained in position by a pawl engaging the rack, which can be released by a button operating through a linkage to release the brake. The spring is of strength sufficient to take up slack in the brake linkage but insufficient to apply the brakes.

Abstract: An improved self-adjusting mechanism for a cable-operated vehicle brake is disclosed. The operating lever is pivoted about an axis on a frame member which carries a fixed sector. The lever carries a first pawl, which is adapted to releasably hold the operating lever in position with respect to the frame, and a second pawl which locks the lever to a sheave sector fixed to a sheave which winds up the brake cable upon pivoting of the lever. A third sliding pawl is mounted on the sheave sector. When the operating lever is rotated beyond a predetermined degree in setting the brake, the sliding pawl abuts a stop on the frame. This moves the sliding pawl with respect to the sheave sector. When the handle is subsequently returned to its rest position, the sliding pawl allows a limited amount of rotation of the sheave sector with respect to the lever, which occurs due to tension exerted on the brake cable by the brake shoe return spring.

Abstract: An actuator mechanism for preconditioning a gearshift mechanism for movement into a selected gear such as low, reverse, or park. The actuator mechanism is in cartridge form so as to fit a wide variety of gearshift knob designs and sizes and the mechanism is arranged such that the pushbutton plunger assembly for preconditioning the transmission is moved to its retracted position by the spring of the actuator mechanism and is maintained in its extended position by the shift link of the shift lever.

Abstract: A vehicle shift lever locking mechanism for retrofitting to motor vehicles includes in one form a universal adapter to enable the locking mechanism to be fitted to shift levers of a wide variety of motor vehicles. The universal adapter is received at least in part within a handle and a locking assembly is also received in part within the universal adapter and the handle so as to mechanically interlock the components in assembled relationship. The handle is designed to overlie the fastening arrangement which secures the universal adapter to the shift lever and thus prevents unauthorized removal of the locking mechanism. Embodiments of the locking mechanism are suited for either cable or rod actuated shift mechanisms. In another form the locking mechanism is formed for attachment to a steering column shift mechanism and includes a lock assembly movable within a housing mounted on the steering column to a position in which the lock assembly prevents pivotal releasing movement of the shift lever.

Abstract: A transmission shift tower selector lever assembly has a base member slidably supporting a bracket. A shift lever is pivotally mounted on the bracket and linearly movable therewith to the Drive, Neutral and Reverse transmission operation positions. A lock-out lever pivotally mounted on the bracket is connectible with the shift lever to prevent pivoting thereof relative to the bracket during linear movement of the bracket between the Drive and Reverse transmission positions. The lock-out lever pivots during movement of the bracket between the Reverse and Park positions to free the shift lever for pivotal movement relative to the bracket and base member to establish the Park position. A Park/Lock lever is pivotally mounted on the base member and is engaged by the bracket when the bracket and shift lever are moved between the Drive and Reverse positions. The Park/Lock lever is disengaged therefrom during movement between the Reverse and Park positions to permit pivoting of the Park/Lock lever on the base member.

Abstract: In a single lever control for the feeder conveyors of a combine harvester, movement of a manually operated lever directly actuates a drive train for driving the conveyors in a forward or normal operating direction. A second lever controls actuation of a drive train for driving the feeder conveyors in a reverse direction. Movement of the second lever is responsive only to movement of the first through a cam slot and cam follower arranged so that selection of the drive for one direction automatically disengages the drive for the opposite direction. A detent gate at the neutral position forces the operator to pause when passing through the neutral position, that is when disengaging one drive and engaging the other.

Abstract: An improved transmission mechanism for an off the road vehicle including a primary and an auxiliary transmission and a shifting interlock for precluding shifting of the auxiliary transmission into reverse when the primary transmission is in high gear. The interlock includes a simple, single straight link.

Abstract: An automobile automatic transmission control device consists of a sector fixed to a vehicle. A control lever is pivoted to the sector about a fixed axis. A plurality of lockout notches are formed on an edge of the sector along a locus centered on said fixed axis. A plurality of self-locking notches are formed in said sector about a locus centered on said fixed axis. The control lever is provided with a rod biased into engagement with the lockout notches so as to prevent the unintentional pivoting of the lever. The control lever is also provided with a plurality of self-locking elements which cooperate with the self-locking notches to establish transmission selection positions. The rod can be moved out of engagement with the lockout notches by engagement of a trigger release mounted on one end of the lever.

Abstract: A hydraulic cylinder safety lock allows an operator of an implement controlled through the use of an extendable and retractable hydraulic cylinder to mechanically lock the cylinder in a transport position. The lock also is used to lock the cylinder during storage between seasons so that the implements being operated by such cylinder or cylinders will not tend to settle under loads.

Abstract: A gear shifter for automatic transmissions having a true ratchet mode for operating between the drive gears and a gate mode optionally usable for the drive gears. Only gate mode accesses park and reverse gears. The invention provides a floating pawl at the ends of two links in a three member, four pivot point linkage. This linkage provides the advantages that the operating handle is always engaged and yet permits easy change-over from one mode to the other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lever assembly which is coupled by a cable to operate a remote mechanism, such as a vehicle parking brake. The lever assembly comprises a lever pivotally mounted to a support member. A locking pawl pivotally mounted to the lever is adapted to engage one of a plurality of ratchet teeth on the support member for maintaining the lever in a selected pivoted position relative to the support member. The one end of the cable is coupled to the handle such that pivoting of the lever results in movement of the cable and operation of the remote mechanism. In accordance with the present invention, an adjusting device is provided for maintaining the cable within a predetermined tension range when the lever is in the non-operating position.

Abstract: A shift control assembly for automatic transmissions having three shifting sticks which are sequence interlocked wherein each stick is shifted to perform a single gear change. Each of the shifting sticks is manually operated to rotate a common control shaft which is rotatably supported in a housing of the assembly. A mechanism is provided for transmitting the rotary motion of the control shaft to the automatic transmission to control the gear position of the automatic transmission. A button and plunger assembly and an interlock plate is provided for each of the shifting sticks to selectively allow the sticks to rotate the control shaft upon shifting of the sticks in a predetermined sequence and otherwise prevent rotation of the control shaft. A detent mechanism is provided to give each of the shifting sticks "feel". An optional staging stick may be provided with an over-center locking mechanism, the staging stick bypassing the interlock system provided for the three shifting sticks.

Abstract: A floor mounted transmission shift control has a shift lever with a pushbutton mechanism for releasing the detent mechanism so that shifting from the Park position can be accomplished. The Park/Lock lever is pivotally mounted on the shift control assembly and has one end thereof connected through a lost motion mechanism with the detent pushbutton mechanism and the other end thereof connected with an ignition lock control cable. The one end of the Park/Lock lever is normally not aligned with the pivot axis of the shift lever but is alignable therewith by the operation of the pushbutton mechanism. The ignition lock control cable prevents pivoting of the Park/Lock lever unless the vehicle ignition is unlocked thus preventing shifting from the Park position when the ignition lock control cable is held stationary. The alignment between the shift lever axis and the one end of the Park/Lock lever reduces the loading on the shift lever during manual change to and from the Park position.

Abstract: A shift lever control device for an automotive transmission by which a shift lever can be shifted from a Park position to a Reverse position or vice versa only when the park brake is in opertion and the engine has been started. The control device comprises a shift lever control means having a plunger and an electromagnetic actuation mechanism, an ignition key switch and a park brake switch, in addition to a conventional shift lever device having a shift lever, a position plate, a pin, and so forth. The ignition key switch, the park brake switch, and the electromagnetic mechanism are connected in series between a power supply and ground, so that if the park brake is released or the engine turned off, the electromagnetic mechanism is operated to actuate the plunger to drive the pin of the gear shift level into engagement with a Park position slot. The control device is also intended to prevent the dangerous situation when the shift lever is accidentally set to the park position while the engine is running.

Abstract: The hand lever operating mechanism is positioned beside a vehicle seat and remains below the level of the seat upper surface throughout its operating range. It provides an increase in parking brake cable travel without a conventional lever arm increase in radius from the fulcrum. The anchor point of the cable is self-contained in the unit and may be angularly varied to change the ratio through a range of 2:1 to 1:1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hand-actuated lever assembly for mechanical linkage to and operation of a vehicle headlamp door mechanism. The lever assembly comprises a handle and a lever mechanism which are pivotally mounted to an anchored support plate, but are otherwise structurally independent from one another. The handle is adapted to engage a stop member on the lever mechanism for pivoting the handle and the lever mechanism to an operating position. The lever mechanism is mechanically coupled to the headlamp door mechanism such that operation of the handle results in pivoting of the lever mechanism and operation of the door mechanism. The lever mechanism is provided with a releasable lock for maintaining the lever mechanism in the operating position.

Abstract: A unidirectional detent system for use with a flap handle to permit the setting of a variable stop for positioning of flaps for aircraft takeoff.

Abstract: In a shift lever mechanism of a vehicle automatic transmission, there is provided a detent feeling generating mechanism which gives the driver an assured detent feeling upon shifting from "D" position to "2" position or vice versa. The detent feeling generating mechanism comprises a plate member which is stationary relative to the vehicle body and which has a stepped cam surface, a cylindrical rod swingable about its axis in response to the shifting movement of a shift lever relative to the plate member, a tubular housing fixed to the cylindrical rod to be swingable therewith and having a ball rotatably mounted in the free end thereof, and a spring disposed in the tubular housing to bias the ball to project outwardly so that the ball is forced to engage the stepped cam surface of the plate member.

Abstract: A pull-type actuator for an automotive transmission shifter is disclosed comprising a stationary base adapted to be mounted in an automotive vehicle. One or more gates are disposed in the base. A pivotable upstanding shift lever extends from the base and detent means is mounted for reciprocal movement in the base adjacent the lower end of the shift lever. The detent means must be aligned with a gate to allow entry into a locked out gear position. A manually actuable pull is disposed on the upper end of the shift lever and a flexible actuator link extends from the detent means to the pull. The actuator link is tensioned between the detent and the pull by a rack of teeth disposed on the upper end of the actuator link and a tooth engaging means disposed on the pull for engaging the teeth on the actuator link in a one way ratchet-like fashion.

Abstract: A gimbal-type automotive transmission shifter and gear lockout is provided comprising a gear selecting shift lever; a pivotable shift lever carrier; and a stationary base for mounting the transmission shifter in an automotive vehicle. The shift lever and shift lever carrier are pivotable about first and second generally orthogonal axes, respectively. The shift lever is pivotable relative to the carrier about the first axis and the carrier is pivotable relative to the base about a second axis. Appropriate linkage is provided for translating these pivotable movements to the transmission for selecting a desired transmission drive ratio. A gear lockout is provided by a first gate disposed on the base. A detent is mounted for reciprocal movement with respect to the base. Biasing means is provided for biasing the detent into engagement with the base. The biasing means thereby prevents entry of the detent into the first gate and thus provides a positive first lockout for at least one gear position.

Abstract: An automotive parking brake operating device in which, when the brake handle is pulled up a locking mechanism which moves with the brake handle rotates a rotating member to wind the brake cable around the winding portion of the rotating member, and when the brake handle is lowered the rotating member is kept locked by another locking mechanism. By repeating the above operation of the brake handle, the rotating member is intermittently rotated until necessary length of the brake cable is wound up to effect firm locking of the parking brake. In disengaging the brake, the cable is loosened by turning the rotating member in the reverse direction by combined operation of the locking mechanism and the brake handle.

Abstract: An automotive transmission shifter and park lock is disclosed which includes a base for mounting the shifter in an automotive vehicle. A shift lever is pivotable with respect to the base and a park lock hook is pivotally mounted on the shift lever. The base includes means for engaging the park lock hook comprising an aperture disposed in the base. The park lock hook is normally spring biased upwardly out of engagement with the aperture disposed on the base. Means for connecting the lock hook to an ignition switch locked park lock cable is provided whereby once the park lock cable is locked stationary by the ignition switch, the park lock hook is automatically pivoted into engagement with the aperture in the base upon an attempt to pivot the shift lever out of the park position.

Abstract: A manual shift control mechanism for a transmission has two drive transmitting cables which are connected to the steering column lock mechanism and the transmission control mechanism, respectively. The cables are interconnected by a pin which is connected through a leaf type spring to the manual shift lever. When the steering column lock mechanism is in the "Lock" mode, the cable attached thereto cannot move so that movement of the shift lever results in flexing of the spring and the pin and transmission cable does not move. Thus, when the steering column lock mechanism is in the "Lock" mode, the transmission control mechanism cannot be moved from the "Park" mode. When the steering column lock mechanism is in an operating mode other than "Lock", movement of the manual shift lever is transmitted to the transmission cable through the spring and pin to effect shifting of the transmission control.

Abstract: A locking device for preventing the theft of certain vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The device is designed to mount on the shift lever of certain types of automatic transmissions and prevent shifting out of the PARK position, thus preventing theft of the automobile, even though the engine may be started by unauthorized means. The device is readily attachable to automatic transmission shift levers of the type for which it is designed, cannot be removed without a key, is positive in operation so as to prevent shifting of the transmission when locked, is simple and economical to manufacture, and is reliable and effective in preventing unauthorized operation of a vehicle.

Abstract: A manually controlled actuating device is provided to assist in overcoming forces, which resist adjustment of the device into certain positions, and at the same time minimize operator fatigue. The device includes a shaft adjustably mounted for movement from a predetermined rest position along a fixed path and having a spring-biased multiple-input-accepting handle attached to one end of the shaft. The handle is adapted to accept push, pull and squeeze inputs. Disposed adjacent the other end portion of the shaft and in proximity to the shaft's path of movement are a pair of fixedly mounted cam plates having the surfaces thereof adapted to be engaged by a follower pin carried by the shaft.

Abstract: An improved selector pin assembly for automotive transmission shifters of the type where the main shifter lever carries the selector pin. The improved structure comprises a pair of side slats joined at their ends by hollow sleeves, the assemblage being held rigidly together and on the shifter by nuts and bolts passing through the sleeves.

Abstract: A hand-actuated parking brake lever assembly is disclosed generally comprising an anchored ratchet plate, a lever mechanism, and a handle. The handle and lever mechanism are pivotally mounted to the ratchet plate, and arranged such that operation of the handle results in pivoting of the lever mechanism and application of the brakes. A pawl is pivotally mounted to the lever mechanism and is biased against a toothed sector of the ratchet plate such that the pawl and sector are locked in engagement during application of the brakes and the braking force is thereby maintained. The handle is returnable to the non-operating position without disengagement of the pawl and sector, but includes a release means for causing such disengagement when it is desired.

Abstract: A lever control for an engine transmission and the like having a transverse shaft secured in spaced frame plates and a face plate or cover traversing the outer edges of said spaced plates. A handle lever extends through the face plate and is connected to a control actuator plate rotatable on the shaft, and a detent operable from the handle lever is biased to normally engage selectively in a notched positioning gate mounted on one of said frame plates. An arcuate housing enclosing the gate and detent is mounted on the handle lever extending through the face plate. A preferred embodiment has a visual indicator showing the control positions which is illuminated to be visible day and night.

Abstract: A twistable type throttle-grip assembly especially adapted for use with motorcycle-like vehicles manipulates a single control cable and is normally operational in a first rotational range for controlling the supply of fuel to the vehicle's internal combustion engine thereby controlling the vehicle's speed and is provided with an integral latch mechanism which may be operated by the thumb of the operator while holding the hand grip to release the hand grip for rotation into a second rotational range associated with the operation of a cable controlled, combustion cylinder compression release device on the engine to turn off the latter and permit manual pedaling of the vehicle.

Abstract: A device for operating a parking brake including a pivotable lever for stretching a brake cable and a one-way locking mechanism for the lever having a pawl and ratchet teeth. The pawl is actuated by the balance of a spring force and the reaction force of the cable stretched so that the pawl is driven into engagement with the ratchet teeth by the reaction of the cable against the spring force when the cable is stretched beyond a predetermined tensioned condition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a single lever control for marine propulsion devices and the like which control includes a main control lever mounted for rotational movement from a neutral position, a control knob including a laterally extending hand grip portion and removably fastened on the upper end of the main control lever, and a locking mechanism for releasably locking the main control lever in the neutral position. The locking mechanism includes a locking arm slidably mounted on one side of the main control lever for reciprocative movement between a locking position and a released position. The locking arm is moved to a released position by squeezing a lockout button located adjacent the hand grip portion and removably fastened to the upper end of the locking arm.

Abstract: A control means for automatic or semi-automatic transmissions and other devices which includes an integral lock-out means, an integrally movable control lever seal, and a direct reading indicator system. The control comprises a housing having an opening therein and a control lever movable between a selectable number of placements or control positions. The movable control lever includes a lever arm which extends through the opening above the housing and a lever actuator within the housing. The lever control is pivotally mounted within the housing by a pivot means located between the lever arm and actuator. The actuator includes at least one means adapted to mount or receive means for transferring motion, such as a push-pull cable rod from the lever control to the device such as a transmission to be controlled and preferably includes mounting means for slidably mounting a detent pin. A quadrant plate, mounted to the housing, is provided which includes a substantially arcuate opening having at least one detent.

Abstract: A shifter is provided for an automatic transmission to enable a drive to upshift rapidly from first through to drive speed ranges during racing. The shifter includes a frame plate having a shaped aperture which provides a series of surfaces arranged in a predetermined pattern to guide a selector pin in a prearranged path during motion of a shift handle which is pivotally connected to the frame plate. The surfaces arrest motion of the handle at the completion of an upshift from one range to another to prevent inadvertent overshifting of the transmission during rapid upshifting.

Abstract: In a manually operable shift control mechanism operatively connected with a transmission through shifting means wherein a shift lever controls a preselector valve means for selectively establishing one of a multiplicity of consecutively arranged speed ratios in the transmission, an escapement assembly including an arcuate control member, affixed to the shift control housing, having a multiplicity of detent cut-outs corresponding with the angular location but exceeding the number of the transmission settings; an escapement latch pivotally secured to the shift lever and having allochiral tooth portions alternately capable of entering into one of the detent cut-outs to cause at least momentary interference between the control member and the escapement latch; and bias means for sequentially pivoting and again centering the escapement latch relative to the control member for each transmission setting, whereby all but the slowest movement of the shift lever will cause a momentary entry and subsequent momentary inte

Abstract: An improved floor control shift lever mechanism in an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle, more particularly, an improved mechanism for moving up and down a detent rod so as to effect shifting of a shift lever and maintain its shifted condition. The detent rod is inserted in a cylindrical shift lever and axially reciprocates therein, and this detent rod is constantly drawn downward by means of a compression spring. The detent rod is provided with a pin at the upper end thereof. A hollow shift lever knob is attached to the upper end of the shift lever and a knob button is slidably inserted in the shift lever knob. One end of the knob button is protruded from the shift lever knob and another end of the knob button is pressed by a compression spring furnished within the shift lever knob. Between the knob button and the detent rod, there is provided means for joining the knob button to the detent rod.

Abstract: A transmission shift lever pivotally mounted at one end and having at the other end a handle with a detent release button connected to push a detent release rod axially extending through a tubular lever portion to release a U-shaped detent member which is mounted on the lever and biased to engage detent notches on the internal diameter of a detent plate located about the pivot. The handle has a rigid core with a bore to reciprocally receive the release button and an elastic cover. The button has a cam and stop engaging a cam and stop on the cover to expand the cover to insert and retain the button biased to release position. In one form the button directly axially pushes on the release rod and in another form the button moves transversely and has a cam rotating a pivoted lever which supports the release spring and pushes the release rod.

Abstract: A parking brake mechanism for use on vehicles of the type normally using a hand-actuated brake, such as snowmobiles, motorcycles, bicycles and the like. Normally, the hand actuated brake is mounted on a handle bar assembly of the vehicle. The brake includes a lever adjacent a hand grip portion and is pivotally mounted thereon. The brake lever, when manually operated, moves from a brake disengaged position to a brake engaged position. The brake lever is normally biased to a brake disengaged position. A brake cable is normally operatively connected to the brake lever, at one of its ends, and at its other end, is operatively connected to a brake, the lever moving the cable from a brake disengaged position to a brake engaged position. The parking brake mechanism includes a U-shaped actuator member, straddling the hand grip portion, and is movably carried thereon.