Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems
Utility Patent
1998-10-08
2001-01-02
Bucci, David A. (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
C180S315000
Utility Patent
active
06167772
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an arrangement for attaching a gearshift assembly for a motor vehicle wherein a shift lever device that performs a gearshift operation of a transmission is installed on a panel, such as an instrument panel, that extends in a lateral or width direction of the vehicle in a vehicle compartment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various structures have been proposed wherein a shift lever device (hereinafter, referred to as “gearshift assembly”) for performing a gearshift operation of the transmission is installed on an instrument panel of the vehicle, so that the space of the floor of the vehicle can be effectively utilized. For example, laid-open Publication (Kokai) No. 2-38331 of unexamined Japanese Utility Model Application discloses a structure wherein a mounting plate extends between a pipe on which a steering shaft is mounted, and a support pipe for supporting a heater unit, and a gearshift assembly is mounted on the mounting plate, so that a change lever used for gearshift operations is located at a lower, central portion of the instrument panel.
Also, Publication No. 60-10911 of examined Japanese Utility Model Application and laid-open Publication (Kokai) No. 5-246262 of unexamined Japanese Patent Application disclose a structure wherein a main body of an assembly having a change lever used for manual gearshift operations or a shift lever used for automatic gearshift operations is mounted on an instrument portion located on one side of the steering wheel. In this type of gearshift assembly, a shift lever device including an operating lever, such as a change lever or shift lever, and a support member, are formed as an integral unit, which is to be mounted on the instrument portion located above the floor of the vehicle. By fixing the support member to a member, such as a cross member, that constitutes the vehicle body, the gearshift apparatus is attached to a certain position of the vehicle body.
Since the conventional structure, in which the shift lever device (gearshift assembly) is mounted on the instrument panel of the vehicle, does not include an arrangement for positioning the main body of the device and a cover, or the like, the position of installation of the operating lever, such as a change lever or shift lever, may vary.
In the gearshift assembly for performing manual gearshift operations, the change lever is operated in a gear shift direction and a gear select direction, and a boot-like member is provided extending over the cover and the proximal portion of the change lever. Therefore, no problem arises due to variations in the position of installation of the change lever as long as it is not significant.
In the gearshift assembly for performing automatic gearshift operations, a shift panel provided with a labeled portion indicating the operated positions of the shift lever is attached to a cover, or the like, for covering the shift lever device. This makes it necessary to keep a predetermined positional relationship between the operated positions of the shift lever and the corresponding positions (P, R, N, D, and so on) of the labeled portion indicating the operated positions. If, however, there are variations in the installation position of the shift lever due to a positional shift or variation between the shift lever and the cover, and an error arising upon mounting of the shift panel on the cover, it will result in deviations of the operated positions of the shift lever with respect to the corresponding positions of the labeled portion, thus deteriorating the appearance of the gearshift assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an arrangement for attaching a gearshift assembly for a motor vehicle, wherein a shift lever device that allows a driver to perform a gearshift operation of the transmission is attached to a panel, such as an instrument panel, that extends in the lateral direction in the vehicle compartment, without suffering from variations in the position of installation of a shift lever, and a method of assembling the gearshift assembly.
To accomplish the above object, the present invention provides an arrangement for attaching a gearshift assembly for a motor vehicle, wherein a shift lever device for a gearshift operation of a transmission of the vehicle is installed on a panel that extends in a lateral direction of the vehicle within a vehicle compartment, comprising: a receiving portion provided at a portion of the vehicle lower than the panel; an engaging portion formed at a lower portion of the shift lever device, the receiving portion of the panel engaging with the engaging portion to support the shift lever device such that the shift lever device is rotatable about the receiving portion; and a mounting portion provided at a portion of the shift lever device higher than the receiving portion, for allowing the shift lever device to be attached to the panel while the receiving portion is being held in engagement with the engaging portion.
The present invention also provides a method of assembling a gearshift assembly for a motor vehicle, wherein a shift lever device for a gearshift operation of a transmission of the vehicle is installed on a panel that extends in a lateral direction of the vehicle within a vehicle compartment, comprising: positioning a first portion of the shift lever device relative to a portion of the vehicle lower than the panel; rotating the shift lever device about a rotary axis provided by the positioned first portion of the shift lever device; and attaching a second portion of the shift lever device higher than the first portion to an upper portion of the panel.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4364450 (1982-12-01), Kemp et al.
patent: 5335751 (1994-08-01), Kuroki
patent: 5388476 (1995-02-01), Harger et al.
patent: 5829309 (1998-11-01), Wagner et al.
patent: 60-10911 Y2 (1985-04-01), None
patent: 2383310 U (1990-03-01), None
patent: 5246262 (1993-09-01), None
Bucci David A.
Hansen Colby
Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
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