Patent ID: 6295887
Filing Date: 2001-10-02
Classification: B60K,F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
A shifter for shifting a vehicle transmission, comprising:a base adapted for attachment to a vehicle;an elongated shift lever subassembly rotatably mounted on the base for movement between a plurality of gear positions about an axis of rotation that extends parallel a length of the shift lever subassembly, the shift lever subassembly including a handle in-line with the axis that is rotatable with a dialing motion;a detent device including an irregular surface with notches corresponding to the gear positions on one of the base and the shift lever subassembly, and including a first protrusion on the other of the base and the shift lever subassembly, the first protrusion operably engaging the irregular surface so as to physically prevent undesired rotational movement of the shift lever subassembly between at least some of the gear positions until the first protrusion is axially moved and disengaged from the irregular surface; anda feel positioner device including an undulated surface separate from the irregular surface on one of the base and the shift lever assembly, and including a second protrusion on the other of the base and the shift lever subassembly, the undulated surface having depressions accurately aligned with each of the gear positions and further having well-defined opposing ramps inclined toward a center of each depression, the second protrusion operably engaging the undulated surface to provide a feel to a vehicle driver as the vehicle driver shifts the shift lever subassembly between gear positions and further being configured to bias the shift lever subassembly toward a center of each gear position.