Patent ID: 6029535
Filing Date: 2000-02-29
Classification: F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
A shift lever selectively movable from an operating position to a folded position comprising:a) a first lever portion;b) a second lever portion telescopically and relatively rotatably connected to said first lever portion, the second portion including a generally L-shaped slot having leg and foot parts;c) said first portion having at least one lateral projection disposed within the slot, the projection being guidable by said slot to provide guided relative movement of said lever portions;d) the leg part being arranged to allow relatively telescopic and pivotable movement between said lever portions and the foot part extending laterally from the leg part and being arranged to allow relatively rotatable movement between said lever portions;e) biasing means for telescopically urging apart said first and second lever portions so that when said projection is aligned within said foot part said projection engages said foot part under force exerted by said biasing means whereby to substantially inhibit relative movement between said lever portions, when said projection is within said leg part said biasing means urges said lever portions apart a predetermined distance to thereby allow relative pivotable movement between said lever portions; andf) the leg part being tapered between a relatively narrow width adjacent the foot part to a wider width at a leg part end remote from the foot.