Reverse device for a vehicle

A reverse lock-out control employing a bracket fixed to the handle bar of a vehicle and associated with a brake lever pivotly mounted to that bracket. The device includes a control lever pivotly mounted to the bracket adjacent the brake lever. A pin is slidably associated with the brake lever and a hole is provided in the control lever such that the brake lever and control lever may be engaged by the pin when the brake lever is in the off position. The control lever is linked to a reverse gear lock-out such that with the pin engaged, application of the brake will result in actuation of the lock-out mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The field of the present invention is control mechanisms for vehicles. 
Mechanisms have been known for providing a lock-out for a reverse gear. 
Such devices reduce the possibility that the operator of a vehicle can 
select reverse gear inadvertently. One such prior device is illustrated in 
Japanese Publication No. 57-157592. The device disclosed therein and other 
such lock-out devices typically employ a separate mechanism which must be 
actuated separately to allow access to the reverse gear. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is directed to a reverse lock-out control enabling 
the operator to select reverse gear by pressing a button adjacent the 
brake lever and employing the brake lever to disengage the lock-out 
mechanism. This allows braking and selecting of reverse gearing at the 
same time. Furthermore, the same control lever is used to add further to 
the convenience of operation. 
To accomplish the foregoing a pin interengages the brake lever of the 
vehicle with a control lever. The control lever is linked to a lock-out 
mechanism in the transmission. When the pin engages both the control lever 
and the brake lever, braking action will disengage the lock-out mechanism 
such that reverse gear may be selected. Once selected, actuation of the 
brake lever is no longer required. 
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide and 
improved reverse lock-out control for vehicles. Other and further objects 
and advantages will appear hereinafter.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Turning in detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle on which 
the present invention may be employed. The vehicle includes a frame 1, 
front and rear wheels 2, an engine 3 and a transmission 4. The vehicle 
illustrated is of a three-wheel design having two rear wheels. 
Looking to FIG. 2, the transmission 4 is shown to include a transmission 
mechanism, generally designated 5, having a plurality of gears and shafts 
including a reverse idle gear 5a. Also included within the transmission 
mechanism 5 is a shift drum 6. The shift drum 6 has a raised element or 
stop 6a. Associated with the shift drum 6 is a reverse lock-out member 7 
pivotly mounted to the transmission case. Located at the distal end of the 
reverse lock-out member 7 is a claw 7a. The claw 7a is arranged on the 
lock-out member 7 such that it will interfere with the rotation of the 
shift drum into the reverse position by engaging the stop 6a. A spring 7b 
biases the lock-out member 7 toward the shift drum such that the claw 7a 
will normally interfere with the travel of the shift drum 6 into the 
reverse gear position. 
To unlock the reverse gear, lever 7c is coupled with the reverse lock-out 
member 7 to urge the member away from the shift drum 6 against the bias of 
the spring 7b. A cable 8 provides linkage for actuation of the lever 7c 
and in turn the reverse lock-out member. 
Looking next to FIGS. 3 and 4, a handle bar 1a is shown to provide support 
for a plurality of vehicle control elements. Of these elements, a brake 
lever 9 and a control lever 10 are pivotly mounted to a bracket 12 by 
means of a shaft 13. The bracket 12 is locked to the handle bar 1a. 
Slidably disposed in the brake lever 9 is a pin 11 the pin 11 is bias by a 
spring 11a to extend away from the control lever 10. A hole 14 is located 
in the control lever 10 which is sized to receive the pin 11. The hole 14 
is in alignment with the pin 11 when the brake lever 9 is in its off 
position as shown in full line in FIG. 3. The brake lever 9 is coupled 
conventionally to the braking mechanism by means of linkage 15. 
The control lever 10 is coupled to linkage 8 such that the lever 7c is 
pulled when the brake lever 9 is actuated with the pin 11 extending into 
the hole 14. As the brake lever 9 is actuated under these conditions, the 
lock-out member 7 is rotated to withdraw the claw 7a from interference 
with the stop 6a. The shift drum may then be rotated to the reverse 
position. Thus, prior to braking or at any time when the brakes are not 
applied, the reverse gear lock-out control may be engaged by pressing on 
the pin 11. Once the shift drum 6 has been positioned in the reverse 
position, the brake may be released or further applied. Once released, the 
pin 11 will pop from engagement with the control lever 10. 
Also shown in association with the brake and lock-out control mechanisms is 
a parking lock mechanism. The parking lock mechanism includes a parking 
lever 16 pivotly mounted to the brake lever 9 about a fastener 17. A 
concavity 12a in the bracket 12 may cooperate with a pawl 16a on the 
parking lever 16 to engage the parking mechanism. To do so, the brake 
lever 9 is fully applied such that the parking lever 16 may be rotated to 
engage the pawl 16a with the bracket 12. The brakes then will remain on 
until the parking level 16 is returned to its original position. The throw 
of the lock-out number 7 may be such that the brake lever 9 cannot be 
applied to the extent necessary to engage the parking lever 16. Thus, 
while the pin 11 is engaged between the parking lever 9 and the control 
lever 10, the parking lock could not be actuated. 
Thus, an improved reverse lock-out control for a vehicle is disclosed. 
While embodiments and applications of this invention have been shown and 
described, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that many 
modifications are possible without departing from the inventive concepts 
herein. The invention, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the 
spirit of the appended claims.