Locks – Special application – For automotive vehicles
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-06
2003-01-21
Zanelli, Michael J. (Department: 3661)
Locks
Special application
For automotive vehicles
C070S237000, C070S248000, C070S292000, C074S473100, C477S099000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06508090
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a shift lever device for shifting a speed-change gear device of a vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
As an anti-theft device, vehicles are generally equipped with what is known as, by way of example, a steering lock mechanism. In this steering lock mechanism, by way of example, a steering wheel is fixed to a steering column, and the steering column is housed in a steering post. In addition, a key cylinder, into which the ignition key is inserted, is housed in a lock body, the lock body is fitted to the steering post and deployed in the vicinity of the steering post, and a lock bar is provided in the lock body. In this steering lock mechanism, the rotation of the steering wheel is prevented by the engagement of the lock bar in the steering column within the steering post when the ignition key is positioned in the “LOCK” position.
Furthermore, these vehicles comprise a separate key cylinder (lock body) and shift lever device, and a key interlock mechanism and shift lock mechanism are provided in the shift lever device. In the use of this key interlock mechanism, if the shift lever is not shifted to the “P” shift position, the ignition key cannot be pulled out from the key cylinder (the ignition key cannot be rotated from the “ACC” position to the “LOCK” position). In addition, in the use of the shift lock mechanism, when the shift lever is positioned in the “P” shift position, if the ignition key is rotated to a position other than the “LOCK” position and the brake for braking the vehicle is not operated, the shift lever cannot be shifted from the “P” shift position.
In addition, the shift lever device of these vehicles comprises a starter lock mechanism. The configuration is such that, in the use of this starter lock mechanism, if the shift lever is not positioned in the “P” shift position or in the “N” shift position, no electrical current can be sent to the starter via the electrical system even when the ignition key is rotated from the “ON” position to the “START” position, and the engine cannot be started.
However, in such vehicles, because the shift lever device and key cylinder (lock body) are provided separately, space for the mounting of each of the shift lever device and key cylinder (lock body) is required and so a reduction in the space used is difficult to achieve. Furthermore, in a key interlock mechanism, shift lock mechanism and starter lock mechanism, connecting components such as cables, solenoids and electrical cord between the shift lever device and key cylinder (lock body) are necessary which leads to complexity of the mechanism, high costs and an increase in weight.
In addition, these vehicles comprise a steering lock mechanism as an anti-theft protection device so the steering post and steering column constitute a complex mechanism, the weight is increased and there is an increase in costs. Furthermore, because it is necessary for a lock bar or the like to be provided in the lock body, the scale of the lock body mechanism is enlarged, the weight is increased, and there is an increase in costs. In addition, because the lock bar of the lock body must be engaged with the steering column within the steering post (the lock body must be fitted in the steering post), the mounting position in the vehicle of the lock body is limited to the region of the steering post. Furthermore, because the rotation of the ignition key is normally executed with the right hand, the lock body must be mounted in a position in which the operation of the ignition key is executed with the right hand, and as a result, the mounting position in the vehicle of the lock body is further limited.
Furthermore, there are problems in that an electrical system is required for the starter lock mechanism so the starter lock mechanism is complex which leads to an increase in costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention, with the above-described situation in mind, is to produce a shift lever device in which reduction of the space used, simplification, reduction of costs and weight lightening can be achieved.
The shift lever device according to the invention may comprise: a shift lever which is supported rotatably in a lock body which houses a key cylinder into which an ignition key is inserted and which shifts a speed-change gear device; a first cam provided in the above-mentioned key cylinder which rotates integrally with the rotation of the above-mentioned ignition key; a lock plate fixed in the base end side of the above-mentioned shift lever which rotates in accordance with the shifting of the above-mentioned shift lever; a first insertion hole provided in the wall surface of the above-mentioned lock plate correspondent with the above-mentioned first cam which, when the above-mentioned ignition key is positioned in the “LOCK” position in a state in which the above-mentioned shift lever is positioned in the “P” shift position, opposes the above-mentioned first cam and which is held by the above-mentioned first cam; and a shift lock pin correspondent with the lock plate and above-mentioned lock body in a state in which it is urged to the above-mentioned opposing lock plate side, and which, in a state in which the above-mentioned shift lever is positioned in the “P” shift position, is able to be inserted into the above-mentioned first insertion hole by the above-mentioned first cam and, in a state in which the above-mentioned shift lever is not positioned in the “P” shift position, abuts the wall surface of the above-mentioned first cam.
The shift lever device according to the invention may comprise a key interlock mechanism, and the shift lock pin held in the lock body forms a state in which it is urged to the opposing lock plate side. In addition, the shift lock pin, in a state in which the shift lever is positioned in the “P” shift position, opposes the first insertion hole of the lock plate, and in a state in which the shift lever is not positioned in the “P” shift position, is offset from the first insertion hole to oppose the wall surface of the lock plate.
For this reason, in a state in which the shift lever is positioned in the “P” shift position, when the ignition key is rotated from the “ACC” position to the “LOCK” position, the shift lock pin is slide-shifted by the first cam to the lock plate side, and the shift lock pin is inserted into the first insertion hole of the lock plate. As a result, the slide movement of the shift lock pin to the lock plate side is not prevented by the wall surface of the lock plate and the ignition key can be rotated from the “ACC” position to the “LOCK” position.
On the other hand, when an attempt is made to move the ignition key from the “ACC” position to the “LOCK” position in a state in which the shift lever is not positioned in the “P” shift position, the slide movement, due to the first cam, of the shift lock pin to the lock plate side is prevented by the abutment of the shift lock pin against the wall surface of the lock plate. As a result, the shift lock pin meshes with the first cam to stop the rotation of the first cam, and for this reason, the rotation of the ignition key, by way of the key cylinder, from the “ACC” position to the “LOCK” position is prevented.
Accordingly, in the use of this key interlock mechanism, if the shift lever is not shifted to the “P” shift position, the ignition key cannot be pulled out from the key cylinder.
Furthermore, this shift lever device comprises a shift lock mechanism. As is described above, when the ignition key is rotated from the “ACC” position to the “LOCK” position in a state in which the shift lever is positioned in the “P” shift position, the shift lock pin is slide-shifted to the lock plate side by the first cam, and the shift lock pin is inserted in the first insertion hole of the lock plate fixed in the shift lever. As a result, the shift lock pin prevents the rotation of the lock plate, and for this reason, the shifting of the shift lever from the “P” shift position is prevented.
Meanw
Hasegawa Hiroyasu
Hayashi Masaki
Kito Shozo
Cole Thomas W.
Gibson Eric M
Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
Nixon & Peabody LLP
Zanelli Michael J.
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