Patent ID: 7174802
Filing Date: 2007-02-13
Classification: F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A shifter assembly for an automatic transmission of an automotive vehicle, comprising: a gate plate with opposite upper and lower surfaces and a gate passage extending through the gate plate from the upper surface to the lower surface, a stepped gap formed on the lower surface adjacent the gate passage, the stepped gap being defined by a sidewall surface extending angularly up from the lower surface of the gate plate towards the upper surface thereof and a downwardly facing surface intersecting the sidewall surface and extending angularly from the sidewall surface to the gate passage, the stepped gap defining width dimensions extending away from the gate passage, at least a first portion of the stepped gap defining a first width and at least a second portion of the stepped gap defining a second width that exceeds the first width; a shift lever passing through and movable in the gate passage; and a noise-reducing member fixedly attached on a part of the shift lever that corresponds to the stepped gap, wherein in the first portion of the stepped gap, a space between the noise-reducing member and the sidewall surface of the stepped gap is narrower than a space between the shift lever and the gate passage so that the noise-reducing member prevents contact of the shift lever with the gate plate, and wherein in the second portion of the stepped gap, a space between the noise-reducing member and the sidewall surface of the stepped gap is wider than a space between the shift lever and the gate passage to allow the shift lever to move without contact between the noise-reducing member and the sidewall surface of the stepped gap.