Shifter with reverse and ignition key interlock

Details Shifter with reverse and ignition key interlock Shifter with reverse and ignition key interlock

1999-04-22

2001-01-23

Herrmann, Allan D. (Department: 3682)

Interrelated power delivery controls, including engine control

Transmission control

Engine starting interlock

C070S247000, C070S248000, C074S473220, C477S096000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06176809

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention concerns vehicle shifters for shifting manual transmissions, and more particularly concerns a shifter having a shift lever and an interlock device for insuring that the vehicle shift lever is always in a reverse gear position when the ignition switch is in a key-removable off position, and for ensuring that the ignition switch is in a key-retaining on position before the shift lever can be moved out of the reverse gear position.
Vehicle manufacturers have various mechanisms to ensure that a vehicle's transmission is in a desired position prior to starting the vehicle. It is also desirable to include mechanisms that ensure that the transmission is in a desired gear while the vehicle is turned off, similar to the requirement for an automatic transmission to be in “PARK” when the vehicle is turned off. To date, no known manufacturer has offered an interlock capable of doing both. Further, no known manufacturer has designed an interlock system of sufficient strength to prevent a forced override for manual transmissions.
Therefore, an interlock mechanism is desired solving the aforementioned problems and that is compact, simple, easy to assemble, and strong enough to prevent forcibly overriding the interlock system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, a shifter construction for shifting a transmission includes a base, a shift lever pivotally supported on the base at a main pivot for movement between a plurality of gear positions including a particular gear position, and an ignition switch constructed to move between a key-released position and a key-retaining position. An interlock cam is pivotally supported on the base at an interlock pivot and operably connected to the shift lever and to the ignition switch. The interlock cam is movable between a locked position where the interlock cam prevents the shift lever from moving from the particular gear position but allows the ignition switch to be moved, and an unlocked position where the shift lever is allowed to move but the ignition switch is held in the key-retaining position. The interlock cam has an interlock stop spaced from the interlock pivot. The shift lever includes an interlock protrusion that fits into a notch in the interlock cam between the interlock pivot and the interlock stop when the shift lever is in the particular gear position and the interlock cam is in the locked position. The shift lever, when initially being moved out of the particular gear position, moves the interlock protrusion along a line generally connecting the interlock pivot and the interlock stop when the interlock cam is in the locked position. The interlock cam is configured to withstand significant force without deformation. An attempt to forcibly move the shift lever out of the particular gear position when the interlock cam is in the locked position causes the interlock cam to move into engagement with the interlock stop, without causing a rotational force on the interlock cam that would move the interlock cam toward the unlocked position.
In another aspect, a shifter construction for shifting a manual transmission includes a base adapted for attachment to a vehicle. A shift lever is pivotally supported on the base for movement between a plurality of gear positions arranged in a two-dimensional pattern including a reverse gear position, the shift lever being configured for operative attachment to a manual transmission. An ignition switch is mounted on the base and constructed to move between a key-released position and a key-retaining position. An interlock device is movably supported on the base and operably connected to the shift lever and to the ignition switch for movement between first and second positions. The interlock device, when in the first position, locks the shift lever in the reverse gear position and permits the ignition switch to be moved between the key-released position and the key-retaining position. The interlock device, when in the second position, permits the shift lever to be moved between the plurality of gear positions but holding the ignition switch in the key-retaining position.
In another aspect, a method of vehicle control includes steps of providing a base and a shift lever pivoted to the base. The shift lever is movable between a plurality of gear positions including a reverse gear position, with the plurality of gear positions being arranged in a two-dimensional pattern. The shift lever is configured for operative attachment to a manual transmission. The method further includes providing an ignition switch mounted on the base, the ignition switch being movable between a key-released position and a key-retaining position, and providing an interlock device constructed to operatively interconnect the ignition switch and the shift lever. The method includes interconnecting the shift lever and the ignition switch with the interlock device to retain the shift lever in the reverse gear position when the ignition switch is in the key-released position, and to prevent movement of the ignition switch out of the key-retaining position when the shift lever is not in the reverse gear position.
These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.


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