Abstract:
Many automotive enthusiasts wish to reduce the range of motion (throw) required to shift gears in their vehicles. The present invention, uses a Class 3 Leverage action, optionally folded in articulation and co-acting with a sculptured Fulcrum Rod, to provide a compact, bolt-on, short-throw, shifter linkage that retrofits completely within a vehicle shifter housing&#39;s space constraints without deleteriously altering the vehicle. Such shifter housing space constraints have previously militated against many attempts to retrofit aftermarket short-throw shifter means into existing vehicles.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/492,909 filed Aug. 05, 2003, incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH: Not Applicable  
     SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM: Not Applicable  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to aftermarket, hand operated, vehicle transmission control lever linkage mechanisms, sometimes known as ‘quick shifters’ or ‘short shifters’. Specifically, means to reduce the range of motion, i.e. the ‘throw’, required for the driver to manually shift gears in vehicles. Said means to exist entirely within the limited space constraints found in newer vehicles.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Many mechanisms have been created over the years to reduce vehicle transmission shifter throw. Existing aftermarket short-throw shifters declare shift-throw reductions of 20% to 50%.  
         [0006]     Typically, extending a shifter handle lever&#39;s length between the fulcrum and the load reduces the throw angle by a proportional amount. Unfortunately, many of today&#39;s vehicles do not permit the space luxury of lever lengthening.  
         [0007]     Alternatively, levers at the transmission itself can be shortened to reduce the shifter throw. However, many cable shifted transmissions do not have external levers, the cables go directly into the transmission case.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a compact means to shorten a vehicle shifter&#39;s throw which fits within the space constraints of the vehicle&#39;s shifter mechanism and housing.  
         [0009]     It is also an object of the present invention to permit shortening the shifter throw by 90% or more, if desired.  
         [0010]     It is another object of the present invention to provide an aftermarket short-throw shifter modification means without excessively altering the vehicle with undue cutting, drilling, welding, or other deleterious modifications.  
         [0011]     It is a further object of the present invention for the short-throw shifter linkage to accommodate the multiple linear and rotational axis movements of the shifter handle and linkage as they are operated through their range of motion.  
         [0012]     A salient feature of the present invention employs a Class 3 Lever which may be folded in articulation, and optionally combined with a contoured Fulcrum Rod, to reduce the space necessary to retrofit a short-throw shifter mechanism completely inside the confined space of an existing vehicle&#39;s console and boot housing. The Class 3 lever also permits greater reduction in shifter throw than existing means.  
         [0013]     Another embodiment of the present invention trans-locates the existing shifter linkage, determined by the length of an Effort Arm, to provide room for Class 3 Lever articulation.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a short-throw shifter linkage embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a side view representation of  FIG. 1 , showing a leverage arrangement and space constraint accommodation of the present invention, illustrating a Transmission Linkage operated in its retracted and extended positions.  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  shows an alternate Fulcrum Rod arrangement of  FIG. 2 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  shows the present invention operating below the Shifter Fulcrum.  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  also shows the present invention operating below the Shifter Fulcrum, with an Effort Arm, and an extended Linkage Entrance Bracket.  
         [0019]      FIGS. 6 and 7  show lever Fulcrum Cable arrangements.  
         [0020]      FIGS. 8A  thru  8 D show some typical shifter ‘H’ patterns.  
     
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS  
       [0021]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 10 Short Throw Shift Angle 
                 12 Factory Throw Shift Angle 
               
               
                   
                 14 Lever - Class 3 
                 16 Shifter Handle Lever Point 
               
               
                   
                 18 Fulcrum Point 
                 20 Load Lever Point 
               
               
                   
                 22 Shifter Handle Lever 
                 24 Transmission Link Rod 
               
               
                   
                 26 Linkage Stroke Distance 
                 28 Shifter Handle Fulcrum 
               
               
                   
                 30 Fulcrum means 
                 32 Shifter Housing 
               
               
                   
                 34 Shifter Boot 
                 36 Fulcrum Means End 
               
               
                   
                 38 Trans. Link Rod End 
                 40 Linkage Entrance Bracket 
               
               
                   
                 42 Shifter Frame 
                 44 Attachment means 
               
               
                   
                 46 Effort Arm 
                 48 Lever Offset distance 
               
               
                   
                 50 Fulcrum Cable 
                 52 Redirection Means 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0022]     In  FIG. 1 , the Shortened-Throw Shifting Angle  10 , of the present invention modifies the Factory-Throw Shifting Angle  12 , by using a Class 3 Lever  14  where the Effort Point  16  lies between Fulcrum Point  18  and Load Point  20  thereby acting as a motion multiplying device.  
         [0023]     The shifter throw shortening ratio of a Class 3 Lever, also known as a “third-class lever”, is directly proportional to the distance between the Effort and the Load, divided by the distance between the Fulcrum and the Load. As this number ranges between 0 and 1, the Short-Throw Shift Ratio ranges between 0% reduction, and 100% reduction. Referring to FIGS.  1  thru  7 , this ratio is the distance between points  16  and  20 , divided by the distance between points  18  and  20 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 2 , shows a novelty of the present invention employing Lever  14  positioned to operate inverted with respect to Shifter Lever  22 , permitting the vehicle&#39;s existing Transmission Linkage Rod  24  to extend and retract its entire design Length Stroke Distance  26  while passing near Shifter Fulcrum  28 . This ‘on its head’ operation is defined as a folded lever function, because the Class 3 Lever&#39;s action is folded back, with respect to Shifter Lever  22 , which desirably (i) applies a low side-thrust force vector to Transmission Linkage Rod  24  and (ii) positions it out of the way to create clearance for linkage articulation.  
         [0025]     A further novelty of the present invention, is Fulcrum Rod  30 , which is sculptured to clear console Shifter Housing cover  32 , and Shifter Boot  34 . Furthermore, Fulcrum Rod  30  articulates at both Ends  36  and  36 ′ by hinge, ball, swivel, universal joint or other means, such as for example, flexible material at each end, to accommodate the inherent multiple linear and rotational axis motion traveled by existing Linkage Rod  24  and Shifter Lever  22  running through ‘H’ pattern Angle  10  as the driver changes gears.  
         [0026]     The present invention is designed to conveniently attach to an existing vehicle shifter mechanism at three places; (i) Transmission Linkage Rod End  38  (ii) Shifter Handle Point  16 , and (iii) Linkage Rod Entrance Bracket  40 .  FIG. 2  shows Fulcrum Rod End  36  attached to any suitable Shifter Frame surface  42  such as via Transmission Linkage Entrance Bracket  40 . Attachment is made by providing Bracket  40  as a replacement for the original Transmission Linkage Entrance Bracket (not shown). The Bracket  40  modification primarily provides a suitable attachment means, such as a threaded hole, to accommodate Fulcrum Rod End  36 . The entire short-throw shifter assembly of the present invention can thereby be attached to the vehicle without needing to violate the integrity of the vehicle. A desirable advantage of the present invention is that upon removal of the short-throw shifter linkage the vehicle is returned to an essentially unaltered state. Such attachments are commonly called ‘bolt-ons’ whether or not bolts are actually used.  
         [0027]      FIG. 3  shows two alternative embodiments of  FIG. 2 , which may be incorporated separately or together, in which (i) a Straight Fulcrum Rod  30 ′ is positioned (ii) opposite Class 3 Lever  14  from Transmission Linkage Rod  24 . Viewing  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  together, one can see that it is permissible for Sculptured Fulcrum Rod  30  of  FIG. 2 , or Straight Fulcrum Rod  30 ′ of  FIG. 3 , to be utilized on either side of Lever  14 . If a noninvasive bolt-on means similar to Bracket  40  of  FIG. 2  cannot be formed for these Fulcrum Rod embodiments, attachment may be made directly to Shifter Frame  42 , as with Attachment means  44  of  FIG. 3 , using a suitable hole.  
         [0028]      FIG. 4  lever action is virtually identical to those of  FIGS. 1-3 , and is employed in those vehicles whose transmission linkage attaches to the shifter handle below Shifter Fulcrum  28 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 5  also attaches to the shifter handle below Shifter Fulcrum  28 , and where conditions permit, shows two additional variants of the preferred embodiment: (i) Class 3 leverage action need not be folded, and (ii) Class 3 Lever  14  can be offset from Shifter Handle Lever  22  by Effort Arm  46 .  
         [0030]     (i) Non-folded Class 3 Lever operation exists where, Fulcrum  18  of Class 3 Lever  14  is situated near Shifter Frame  42 , as is Shifter Handle Fulcrum  28 , which positions Lever  14  to operate in the same orientation as Shifter Handle  22 , in a non-folded attitude.  
         [0031]     (ii) An offset Class 3 Lever condition exists by repositioning Transmission Rod  24 , substantially the same amount and direction  48 , as offset  48 ′ of Effort Arm  46 , using extended Linkage Entrance Bracket  40 ′. Please note that  FIG. 5  shows Effort Arm  46  angled with respect to Shifter Frame  42  demonstrating how this use of Effort Arm  46 , is useful when, for instance due to space constraints, Shifter Handle Point  16  is not positioned to permit room for direct attachment of Class 3 Lever  14 .  
         [0032]     Further, the slope angle of Effort Arm  46 , with relation to the orientation of Transmission Rod  24 , causes the Offset Distance  48  to actually be the cosine of the included angle, measured in the plane of articulation of the Class 3 Lever  14 , between Transmission Rod  24  and Effort Arm  46 , when Shifter Handle  22  is at its&#39; most neutral position, which is in the middle of the ‘H’ pattern. For example, an 80 mm long Effort Arm  46  at a 30 deg angle to Transmission Linkage Rod  24  means that, with the cosine of 30 deg being “Sqrt(3)/2=0.866 . . . ”, the associated Offset Distance  48  is Cos 30*80 mm=0.866*80−69.3 mm.  
         [0033]      FIG. 5  further shows Fulcrum Means  30 ″ is rigidly attached, in fact integrated with, Linkage Entrance Bracket  40 ′, demonstrating that with Effort Arm  46  articulating at both ends to accommodate the multiple axis motion of Shifter Handle  22 , such articulation flexibility is not required of Fulcrum Means  30 ″.  
         [0034]      FIGS. 6 &amp; 7  show that lever fulcrums need not be rods. Cable  50  can perform the fulcrum function by tensioning between opposite ends of Shifter Frame  42  attached by Brackets  40  and  44 ′.  
         [0035]      FIG. 6  shows redirection means  52 , which itself can optionally also be a cable, assists in routing Fulcrum Cable  50  to clear Shifter Console Housing  32 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 7  shows an arrangement where Class 3 Lever  14  is oriented so its Fulcrum  18  is positioned near Shifter Frame  42 , the same orientation as Shift Lever  22 . This non-folded Class 3 Lever orientation of  FIG. 7  (and  FIG. 5 ), positions Transmission Linkage Rod  24  away from Shifter Frame  42 , an option that works in some vehicles where there is sufficient configurable room in the shifter mechanism and associated housing.  
         [0037]      FIGS. 8A  thru  8 D show typical ‘H’ patterns. The Numerals and Letter shown are typical shifter forward and reverse gear labels respectively. It is not the object of this invention to determine shifter patterns, but rather to accommodate existing shifter patterns. For example, vehicle transmissions typically employ two linkages; one linkage responds to fore/aft motion of the Shifter Handle, and the other linkage responds via existing articulation means, to the side motion of the Shifter Handle. Both linkage actuators push and pull their respective transmission linkage rods by virtually identical actions. It is therefore possible to provide separate short-throw ratios for both the fore/aft motion and the sideways motion of the Shifter Handle by employing two of the present inventions in the vehicle.  
         [0038]     Manufacturers currently mount shifter mechanisms in a variety of different locations in their vehicles. The term “Four on the Floor” refers to shifters mounted directly on the floor of the vehicle. Column mounting is another shifter location option employed by vehicle manufacturers. Console mounting, and dashboard mounting, are other popular shifter locations currently in use. It is not the intent here to dictate any specific shifter mounting method, but to show how each of these, and other shifter mounting options can benefit from the present invention, particularly when space constraints restrict shift-throw mechanism room.  
         [0039]     Therefore, this invention teaches means to achieve the desired result of aftermarket shortening of vehicle shifter throws within the confined space existing in many vehicle shifter mounting configurations. Paramount among these instant means are (i) the use of Class 3 Leverage action, thereby easily achieving from 10% to 90% or greater shifter throw shortening, (ii) folding the Class 3 Leverage action, which co-acts with an optional non-straight Fulcrum means to create clearance for operating the modified transmission linkage in an efficient manner, and (iii) offsetting the Class 3 Leverage means, and the Transmission Linkage, a distance determined by the length of an Effort Arm.  
         [0040]     The Class 3 Lever&#39;s Fulcrum, Effort, and Load force points, need not all be in a straight line. The Class 3 Lever can be doglegged in shape for at least two reasons, (i) to connect tangentially with the Load and Fulcrum forces if they are not parallel with each other. Or, (ii) space limitations prevent the Fulcrum Point of the Class 3 Lever from locating to correctly adjust the Shifter Handle neutral position.  
         [0041]     The present invention is directed primarily to fitting the shifter throw reduction means within the shifter console housing and boot, because that is usually the most convenient to install. However, it is within the scope of this teaching to position the Class 3 leverage means anywhere within the vehicle shifting linkage intermediate between the shifter handle and the transmission. The present invention has particular utility with newer cable shifted vehicles whose transmission shift cables extend directly into the transmission case limiting shifter retrofitting options.  
         [0042]     With this in mind, extensions and modifications made to this invention remain within its scope and intent. For example, this invention is directed primarily to aftermarket vehicle modifications, however the means taught herein are also applicable to original vehicle manufacturing, although it is recognized that the luxury of designing a vehicle provides many options not available when aftermarket retrofitting.  
         [0043]     The invention consists in the novel, articles, parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations, compositions, steps and improvements shown and described. Variations can be made from the instant description without departing from its teaching.