Patent ID: 6124789
Filing Date: 2000-09-26
Classification: B60Q,F16H

Abstract:
A vehicle automatic transmission shift lever alarm system comprising:a source of power;a transmission including a transmission housing;a shift lever moveable between park and any position except park;a shift linkage connected to said shift lever;a park mechanism within said transmission housing and connected through said transmission housing to said shift linkage, a portion of said park mechanism normally engaged in a groove between a pair of teeth on a parking gear of the transmission when said shift lever is in park;a normally open door switch closeable during the process of opening a driver's side door;a normally open park switch connected with said door switch, the park switch being closed when the shift lever is in park;a park system switch connected with said door switch and said park switch, said park system switch being closed when said shift lever is not in park, said park system switch being normally opened by operation of said park mechanism when said shift lever is placed in park; anda park system alarm connected with said park switch, said park system alarm being energized whenever said shift lever is in park, said park system switch is closed, and said door is in the opening process;wherein the portion of said park mechanism entering said groove between said pair of teeth is a locking pawl, said locking pawl maintaining said park system switch closed except when engaged in a said groove.