US3779096A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shift control assembly
Assignee: MR GASKET COMPANY A OH CORP
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Filing: 1972-05-22
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Granted: 1973-12-18
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Expires: 1992-05-22
Abstract
Abstract A shift control for use with an automobile manual transmission characterized by the provision of a shift control lever connected to a horizontally disposed follower pin which tracks in generally horizontal disposed and vertically offset slots of a pair of selector arms, one slot having an upwardly extending vertical notch and the other slot having a downwardly extending vertical notch, the upper slot being in horizontal alignment with the notch in the lower slot and the lower slot being in horizontal alignment with the notch in the upper slot. The follower pin is normally biased downwardly and the surfaces of the slots and notches are such as to urge the pin from the upper slot and the upper notch of the lower slot, into the lower notch of the upper slot and the lower slot, when the pin is moved from the leading edge of the upper slot towards the trailing edge thereof. By this arrangement, the gears of the transmission may be shifted through different speeds by moving the lever in a planar path of travel. Also a separate reverse gear control is provided which is operable only when the system is in a neutral mode.
Inventors
- 👤 G Hurst
- 👤 E Cambria
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:53
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H59/00; F16H59/02; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20012; Y10T74/20018; Y10T74/20085; Y10T74/20091
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A shift control apparatus for use in controlling the gear mode selection for a transmission, comprising: means defining a base plate, an operating lever movably connected to said base plate for movement in a planar path of travel from neutral to operational positions, a plurality of gear selector plates movably mounted on said connection of said operating lever to said base plate, said gear plates being selectively connectible with said lever for movement of said gear plates responsive to said movement of said lever in a planar path of travel, said means for connecting said gear plates to said lever including a lost motion connection defined by vertically offset tracks in each of said plates, each of said tracks being defined by first and second ends, a follower operatively associated with said lever and which moves in said tracks, and opposed track extensions, each of said track extensions communicating with one track and extending toward the other track, and said plates including means for urging the follower from one track to the other track during movement of the follower between said first and second ends responsive to movement of said lever.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
A shift control apparatus for use in controlling the gear mode selection for a transmission, comprising: means defining a base plate, an operating lever movably connected to said base plate for movement in a planar path of travel from neutral to operational positions, a plurality of gear selector plates movably mounted on said connection of said operating lever to said base plate, said gear plates being selectively connectible with said lever for movement of said gear plates responsive to said movement of said lever in a planar path of travel, said means for connecting said gear plates to said lever including a lost motion connection defined by vertically offset tracks in each of said plates, each of said tracks being defined by first and second ends, a follower operatively associated with said lever and which moves in said tracks, and opposed track extensions, each of said track extensions communicating with one track and extending toward the other track, and said plates including means for urging the follower from one track to the other track during movement of the follower between said first and second ends responsive to movement of said lever.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
138 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including a reverse gear selector plate movably connected to said base plate for movement in a second path of travel between a retracted, inoperative position, and an extended, operative position, a locking plate having first locking surfaces and being associated with said operating lever for movement therewith through one path of travel and said reverse gear selector plate for movement therewith in a second path of travel; and locking means associated with said base plate including second locking surfaces engageable with said first locking surfaces of said locking plate when said operating lever is in other than a neutral position preventing movement of said locking plate in said second path of travel, thereby preventing movement of saiD reverse gear selector plate when said operating lever is in other than a neutral position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said operating lever and gear selector plates are mounted for pivotal movement about a common axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the urging means comprises a cam surface on at least one of said tracks.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the follower is connected to a downwardly biased movable finger for movement therewith and wherein said finger is connected to a lifting arm which is movable relative to said operating lever to provide said lifting means for raising the follower.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
The shift control apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tracks are vertically offset and said follower is normally urged downwardly toward the lower track and the upper track extension and wherein the upper of the offset tracks includes a guiding surface between the first end and its own depending track extension for guiding the follower towards its depending extension and the lower track of the other plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The shift control apparatus of claim 6 wherein the lower track of the other plate has its extension upright which also includes a guiding surface for urging the follower toward the depending extension of the upper track and the lower track of said other plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
88 words
The shift control apparatus of claim 7 wherein said guiding surface of the upper track includes an interrupted lower edge including first and second edge portions extending from said first and second ends thereof and terminating at said track extension which depends from said edge portions; and wherein said lower track has an interrupted upper edge including first and second edge portions extending from the first and second ends thereof with the track extension extending upwardly from the termination of the said edge portions of the lower track.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The shift control apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first portion of the upper track lower edge extends below the lower track upper edge.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The shift control apparatus of claim 9 wherein the guiding surface of the lower track includes a second edge which is inclined downwardly towards the second end of the lower track.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
70 words
The shift control apparatus of claim 2 wherein the gear selector plates and said reverse gear selector plate have openings therein and are movably connected to said base plate about a common pivot axis and wherein said reverse gear selector plate has an opening for said follower which is enlarged relative to said gear selector plate openings for movement of said gear selector plates independent of said reverse selector plate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
57 words
The shift control apparatus of claim 11 wherein said locking plate has a vertically enlarged opening through which a master pivot bolt extends coincident with said axis for movement of said locking plate with said other gear selector plates and for vertical movement of said locking plate with said reverse gear plate independent of said other plates.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
The shift control apparatus of claim 12 wherein the locking plate has a depending tongue which comprises said first locking surfaces and said second locking surfaces comprise lateral extensions spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the width of said depending tongue of said locking plate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The shift control apparatus of claim 13 including means normally biasing said reverse gear plate against movement.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The shift control apparatus of claim 14 wherein said reverse gear plate is independently pivotally associated with said base plate for movement of said reverse gear plate independent of said other plates.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The shift control apparatus of claim 15 wherein said reverse gear plate is normally biased against movement relative to said base plate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The shift control apparatus of claim 1 wherein said gear selector plates are provided on opposite sides of said operating lever.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
58 words
The shift control apparatus of claim 17 wherein the means for urging the follower includes a pair of fingers positioned Between said gear selector plates and in which said follower is captivated, and a finger-lifting arm movably connected to said operating lever and connected to said fingers for movement of said fingers in opposition to said urging means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The shift control apparatus of claim 18 wherein said reverse gear plate is positioned between said operating lever and said base plate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The shift control apparatus of claim 19 wherein said locking plate is positioned between said reverse gear plate and said base plate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
84 words
The shift control apparatus of claim 20 wherein said several gear plates are assembled about a master pivot bolt which extends through a gear plate, the operating lever, another gear plate, the reverse gear plate, the locking plate, and is fixed to the base plate; and wherein the reverse gear plate is provided with a vertically and laterally enlarged opening through which the pivot bolt extends and wherein the locking plate is provided with a vertically enlarged opening through which the pivot bolt extends.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
The shift control apparatus of claim 21 wherein said finger-lifting arm being connected with said reverse gear plate for movement of said reverse gear plate responsive to said movement of said finger-lifting arm.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
211 words
A shift control apparatus for use in controlling the gear mode selection for a transmission, comprising: means defining a base plate, an operating lever movably connected to said base plate for movement in a planar path of travel from neutral to operational positions, a plurality of gear selector plates movably connected to said base plate, means operatively connecting said gear plates with said lever for movement of said gear plates responsive to said movement of said lever in a planar path of travel; a reverse gear selector plate movably connected to said base plate for movement in a second path of travel between a retracted inoperative position, and an extended operative position; a locking plate having first locking surfaces and being associated with said operating lever for movement therewith through one path of travel and said gear plate for movement therewith in second path of travel; and locking means associated with said base plate including second locking surfaces engageable with said first locking surfaces of said locking plate when said operating lever is in other than a neutral position preventing movement of said locking plate in said second path of travel, thereby preventing movement of said reverse gear selector plate when said operating lever is in other than a neutral position.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
211 words
A shift control apparatus for use in controlling the gear mode selection for a transmission, comprising: means defining a base plate, an operating lever movably connected to said base plate for movement in a planar path of travel from neutral to operational positions, a plurality of gear selector plates movably connected to said base plate, means operatively connecting said gear plates with said lever for movement of said gear plates responsive to said movement of said lever in a planar path of travel; a reverse gear selector plate movably connected to said base plate for movement in a second path of travel between a retracted inoperative position, and an extended operative position; a locking plate having first locking surfaces and being associated with said operating lever for movement therewith through one path of travel and said gear plate for movement therewith in second path of travel; and locking means associated with said base plate including second locking surfaces engageable with said first locking surfaces of said locking plate when said operating lever is in other than a neutral position preventing movement of said locking plate in said second path of travel, thereby preventing movement of said reverse gear selector plate when said operating lever is in other than a neutral position.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
56 words
The shift control apparatus of claim 23 wherein the gear selector plates are movably connected to said base plates about a master pivot bolt and wherein said reverse gear plate has a laterally and vertically enlarged opening therethrough through which said pivot bolt extends for movement of said other plates independent of said reverse gear plate.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
53 words
The shift control apparatus of claim 24 wherein said locking plate has a vertically enlarged opening through which said master pivot bolt extends for movement of said locking plate with said other gear selector plates and for vertical movement of said locking plate with said reverse gear plate independent of said other plates.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
46 words
The shift control apparatus of claim 25 wherein the locking plate has a depending tongue which comprises said first locking surfaces and said second locking surfaces comprise lateral extensions spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the width of said depending tongue of said locking plate.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
32 words
The shift control apparatus of claim 26 wherein said reverse gear plate is independently pivotally associated with said base plate for movement of said reverse gear plate independent of said other plates.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The shift control apparatus of claim 27 wherein said reverse gear plate is normally biased against movement relative to said base plate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-17 | 1977-06-18 | 1977-12-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-17 | 1981-06-18 | 1981-12-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-17 | 1985-06-18 | 1985-12-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |