Patent ID: 6575049
Filing Date: 2003-06-10
Classification: F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
A shift lever device for an automatic transmission, the shift lever device comprising:(a) a shift lever having a tubular main body portion, a detent rod supported within the tubular main body portion so as to be reciprocally movable along a longitudinal direction of the shift lever, and a detent pin projecting from the detent rod, the shift lever having opposite ends with one end pivotally mounted and the other end having a manipulating portion, the detent pin being positionable at first and second longitudinal positions along the shift lever, and the shift lever being pivotable about a plane at said one end; (b) a detent member having a detent portion, which when the detent pin is at the first longitudinal position and the shift lever is in a predetermined position, the detent portion engages with the detent pin and prevents pivoting of the shift lever from said predetermined position, and when the detent pin is at the second longitudinal position, the detent portion is disengaged from the detent pin and does not prevent pivoting of the shift lever; (c) a shift lock mechanism including a lock plate, the lock plate being engagable with the detent rod, and when engaged therewith prevents movement of the detent pin from the first longitudinal position to the second longitudinal position; (d) a cover forming one end of the shift lever tubular main body portion, and when the shift lever is in said predetermined position, wherein, when the lock plate is engaged with the detent rod, said cover encloses the lock plate on three sides leaving one side open and said cover includes a wall transverse to said plane of movement of said shift lever, and (e) a cover box having an opening through which the shift lever passes, and which substantially covers the entire cover and the shift lock mechanism, wherein when the shift lever is in said predetermined position, there is a gap between the cover of the shift lever and the cover box.