Patent ID: 8677851
Filing Date: 2014-03-25
Classification: B60K,F16H,G05G,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A shift lever assembly for a vehicle having a transmission and a steering column, said assembly comprising: a mounting shaft coupled to the vehicle for operating the transmission; an extension shaft coupled to said mounting shaft and moveable about a pivot axis, relative to said mounting shaft, between an operating position and a collapse position, the pivot axis being oriented so that the extension shaft is pivotable from the operating position, in which the extension shaft extends from a longitudinal axis of the steering column, to the collapse position, in which the extension shaft is disposed substantially along the longitudinal axis; and a latching mechanism coupled to one of said mounting shaft and said extension shaft and abutting one of said mounting shaft and said extension shaft in frictional engagement and moveable between a lock position and a release position in response to application of a force to said extension shaft greater than a pre-determined value; the lock position of the latching mechanism configured for restraining said pivotable movement of the extension shaft about the pivot axis; the release position of the latching mechanism configured for permitting said pivotable movement of said extension shaft from the operating position to the collapse position.