Abstract:
A gear shifter includes a frame and a pivot frame pivotally mounted to the frame. A gear shift lever is pivotally interfaced to the pivot frame by a pivot pin passing through a bore in the gear shift lever. The gear shift lever extends upwardly beyond the frame and a lower section of the gear shift lever extends downwardly into the frame. A fastener passes at least partially though the gear shift lever and interfaces with the pivot pin such that, one position of the fastener locks the pivot pin within the gear shift lever and within the pivot frame and, a second position of the fastener frees the pivot pin from both, therefore facilitating removal of the gear shift lever. The lower section of the gear shift lever is interfaced to a first transmission linkage and the pivot frame is interfaced to a second transmission linkage.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    This invention relates to the automotive field and more particularly to a shift mechanism that is adjustable to meet the needs of multiple drivers of a vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Transmission shifters typically provide manual actuation for shifting a transmission between different gears. Each shifter normally includes a housing or frame mounted on, for example, a floor or steering column of a vehicle and an operating member movably mounted on the housing. The movable member translates movement of the driver&#39;s hands into mechanical changes that cause the transmission to shift between gears. 
         [0003]    Many floor-mounted (console) shifters have an operating member (gear shift lever) with a handle at one end. The lower end of the operating member (gear shift lever) projects downwardly from a pivot point on the housing. The gear shift lever is typically moved in a pattern of shifting from 1 st  gear, to 2 nd  gear, to 3 rd  gear, etc. In general, this shifting pattern is typically referred to as an “H” pattern with each point of the H representing a different gear, even though modern manual transmissions often have more than four gears. Some shifters have a straight line pattern (e.g., reverse gear is all the way back, first gear one step forward, etc.). 
         [0004]    A resilient member (e.g. a spring) biases the operating member towards a neutral position. The operating member is moved forward/backward into individual shift positions and left/right through gates. For example, with one manufacturer of vehicles, moving the shifter forward engages first gear, but moving the shifter forward while pushing it to the right, through a “gate” engages third gear. 
         [0005]    The shifter typically translates the forward/backward movement into operation of a first lever of the vehicles transmission and translates the left/right movement into operation of a second lever of the vehicles transmission. The levers of the transmission are typically operated through a linkage system that often includes cables within flexible housings (e.g. flexible rods). 
         [0006]    Typically, a vehicle is provisioned with a fixed shifter that is designed for the typical driver and not adjustable to accommodate drivers that have differing physical features or desires. For example, even when custom-ordering a new vehicle, there is often no option for a different shifter. The only option that might even remotely resemble a different shifter is a different handle (e.g., some manufacturers have different styles of handles for different versions of a car). That being said, the seats are generally adjustable to move forward/back and, sometimes, up/down to accommodate drivers of varying stature. The seat adjustments are more for accommodating people of varying height and weight than for accommodating various arm lengths, body strength and personal desires. Furthermore, a fixed shifter does not accommodate for different, perhaps alternating, drivers of the same vehicle. 
         [0007]    Additionally, some vehicles include motor-driven seat adjustments, steering wheel adjustments, and mirror adjustments. In such, there are often presets for individual drivers that share one vehicle. For example, pressing a driver-1 button moves the seats, mirrors, and steering wheel to a first settable position and pressing a driver-2 button moves the seats, mirrors, and steering wheel to a second settable position. Still, there is no adjustment for the shifter. 
         [0008]    What is needed is an adjustable shifter that will adjust to the needs and desires of an individual driver. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    In one embodiment, a gear shifter is disclosed including a frame for attachment to a floor of a vehicle. A pivot frame is pivotally mounted to the frame such that the pivot frame pivots in a left and right rotational movement with respect to the frame. A gear shift lever is pivotally interfaced to the pivot frame by a pivot pin passing through a bore in the gear shift lever. The gear shift lever is pivotally mounted to the pivot frame such that the gear shift lever pivots in a forward and backward rotational movement with respect to the pivot frame. The gear shift lever extends upwardly beyond the frame for operation by a driver and a lower section of the gear shift lever extends downwardly into the frame. A fastener passes at least partially though the gear shift lever and interfaces with the pivot pin such that, one position of the fastener locks the pivot pin within the gear shift lever and within the pivot frame and, a second position of the fastener frees the pivot pin from the gear shift lever and the pivot frame, therefore facilitating removal and/or relocation of the gear shift lever. The lower section of the gear shift lever is interfaced to a first transmission linkage and the pivot frame is interfaced to a second transmission linkage. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment, a gear shifter is disclosed including a frame that has a front end positioned toward a front of the vehicle and has a way to attach to a floor of the vehicle. A pivot frame is pivotally mounted to the frame such that the pivot frame pivots in a left and right rotational movement with respect to the frame. A gear shift lever is interfaced to the pivot frame such that the gear shift lever is removable from the pivot frame. The lower section of the gear shift lever is removably interfaced to a first transmission linkage and the pivot frame is interfaced to a second transmission linkage. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment, a gear shifter is disclosed including a frame for attachment to a floor of a vehicle. The frame has a front end positioned toward a front of the vehicle. A pivot frame is pivotally mounted to the frame such that the pivot frame pivots/rotates in a left and right rotational movement with respect to the frame. A gear shift lever is pivotally interfaced to the pivot frame by a pivot pin passing through a bore in the gear shift lever. The gear shift lever is pivotally mounted to the pivot frame such that the gear shift lever pivots in a forward and backward rotational movement with respect to the pivot frame. The gear shift lever extends upwardly beyond the frame for operation by a driver and a lower section of the gear shift lever extends downwardly into the frame. A fastener passing at least partially though the gear shift lever interfaces with the pivot pin such that, one position of the fastener locks the pivot pin within the gear shift lever and within the pivot frame and, in a second position of the fastener frees the pivot pin from the gear shift lever and the pivot frame, therefore facilitating removal and/or relocation of the gear shift lever. A first adjustable linkage retainer is slideably interfaced to the frame and holds a stationary portion of a first transmission linkage and a second adjustable linkage retainer is slideably interfaced to the frame and holds a stationary portion of a second transmission linkage. The lower section of the gear shift lever is interfaced to a movable section of the first transmission linkage and the pivot frame is interfaced to a movable section of the second transmission linkage. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a shifter. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  illustrates a detailed perspective view of the shifter. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side plan view of the shifter. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side plan view of the shifter with transmission linkage attached. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  illustrates a detail perspective view of the shifter showing the adjustable counter weight. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  illustrates a detail perspective view of the shifter showing the adjustable transmission linkage retainers. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  illustrates a detail perspective view of the shifter showing motorized, adjustable transmission linkage retainers. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. 
         [0021]    Although shown having a specific style of frame, there is no limitation on the style, structure, size or dimensions of the frame and other components of the disclosed shifter. 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 5 , views of a gear shifter  5  are shown. The gear shifter  5  includes a rigid gear shift frame  10  that has a plurality of mounting holes  11  that typically match hole patterns of a target vehicle (not shown for clarity reasons). As shown, the mounting holes  11  have recesses, but there is no requirement for such recesses. The gear shift frame  10  typically mounts to the floor of a vehicle (to the right of the driver&#39;s seat for left-seat driven vehicles), using fasteners (not shown) that secure the gear shift frame  10  to the floor of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the mounting holes  11  are longitudinal slots and the entire gear shifter frame  10  is relocatable forward/backward to further provide adjustment of the position of the gear shifter lever  12 /handle  9 . 
         [0023]    The gear shifter  5  has a gear shift lever  12  that interfaces to the gear shift frame  10  by a pivot system that allows the gear shift lever  12  to rotate, typically in an arc forward/backward and left/right, about the pivot system. The gear shifter  5  shown has both a forward/backward rotational interface (pivot)  14  and a left/right rotational interface (pivot)  18 , though in some gear shifters  5 , it is anticipated that only one pivot  14 / 18  is present (e.g. for straight line shifters—not shown). Front/back pivoting motion is enabled by the gear shift pivot  14  such that, when the shift handle  9  is pushed forward, the gear shift lever—lower shaft  12   a  moves backward and when the shift handle  9  is pulled backwards, the gear shift lever—lower shaft  12   a  moves forward. 
         [0024]    Left/right pivoting motion is enabled by the sideways pivot  18  such that, when the shift handle  9  is pushed towards the left, the sideways pivoting frame  19  pivots around the sideways pivot  18  and the gear shift lever—lower shaft  12   a  moves towards the right; and when the shift handle  9  is pushed towards the right, the sideways pivoting frame  19  pivots around the sideways pivot  18  and the gear shift lever—lower shaft  12   a  moves towards the left. 
         [0025]    To accommodate driver changes in which the drivers are of different physique and/or have different desires, the gear shift lever  12  is easily and quickly separated by removal of the pivot pin  14 . This is accomplished by loosening or removing one or more fasteners  15  (e.g. set screws, bolts or pins) that retain the pivot pin  14  within the gear shift lever  12  and the pivot frame  19 . Once the fastener  15  is loosened or removed, the pivot shaft  14  is pulled or pushed out and the gear shift lever  12  is removed. Note that the pivot shaft is currently in a bore that passes through the gear shift lever  12  (not visible) and there is a second bore  14   a.  Likewise, there is a second position/threaded bore  15   a  for the fastener  15 . In this embodiment, the same gear shift lever  12  is installed with the pivot shaft  14  running through the second bore  14   a  and the fastener  15  is moved to the second position/threaded bore  15   a  and tightened, thereby retaining the pivot shaft  14  in the second bore  14   a.  This provides a different amount of leverage, either providing shorter travel between gear positions or greater travel between gear positions. Due to physics, greater strength is needed when travel is lesser and lesser strength is needed when travel is greater. Any number of bores  14   a  and/or fasteners  15  and/or fastener threaded bores  15   a  is anticipated. 
         [0026]    In a similar fashion, a second, different, gear shift lever  12  is installed by passing the pivot shaft  14  through either bore in the gear shift lever  12 . The fastener  15  is then replaced and/or tightened to hold the second gear shift lever  12  in place. In such, it is anticipated that there are multiple (at least two) sizes/shapes of gear shift levers  12 , satisfying a range of physiques and desires. 
         [0027]    To provide a certain “feel” to the shift action, a counterweight  60 / 62 / 64  is removably affixed to the gear shift lever—lower shaft  12   a.  As the counterweight  60 / 62 / 64  is made heavier and/or moved farther from the gear shift pivot  14 , increased force is required to move the shift handle. As the counterweight  60 / 62 / 64  is made lighter and/or moved closer to the gear shift pivot  14 , less force is required to move the shift handle. To accommodate variations of abilities and desires of individual drivers, the counterweight  60 / 62 / 64  is interchangeable (e.g., counterweights  60 / 62 / 64  having different masses are anticipated) and movable along the gear shift lever—lower shaft  12   a.  Therefore, a heavy counterweight  60 / 62 / 64  positioned furthest away from the gear shift pivot  14  is anticipated for a driver that desires more resistance and either no counterweight  60 / 62 / 64  or a light-weight counterweight  60 / 62 / 64  positioned closeest to the gear shift pivot  14  is anticipated for a driver that desires less resistance. Although many forms of interchangeable and positionable counterweights  60 / 62 / 64  are anticipated, the example shown (e.g.  FIG. 2 ) includes two half weights  60 / 62  held together and compressed against the gear shift lever—lower shaft  12   a  by one or more fasteners  64 . It is anticipated that the counterweight  60 / 62 / 64  be made of a dense material including, but not limited to, steel, iron, lead, copper. In some embodiments, the material (e.g. steel, iron, lead, copper, etc.) is enclosed in a shell (e.g. a plastic shell). 
         [0028]    The motion of the sideways pivoting frame  19  and the gear shift lever—lower shaft  12   a  is translated into displacement required by the vehicle&#39;s transmission to enact changing of the gears. With regard to forward/backward motion of the gear shift lever  12 , the gear shift lever—lower shaft  12   a  is coupled to the transmission by front/back linkage  34 . In the example shown, the gear shift lever—lower shaft  12   a  is coupled to the front/back linkage  34  by a front/back linkage connector  30 , though any type of linkage connection is anticipated. The front/back linkage connector  30  shown with a typical cup-shaped linkage interface  32  for capturing a spherical end of the gear shift lever—lower shaft  12   a . Forward/backward motion of the gear shift lever—lower shaft  12   a  displaces the front/back linkage connector  30  in a forward/backward direction and, hence, displaces (pushes or pulls) the front/back linkage  34 . A distal end of the front/back linkage  34  is interfaced to a lever on the transmission (not shown) for facilitating the shifting of gears within the transmission. 
         [0029]    With regard to left/right motion of the gear shift lever  12 , the gear shift lever  12  is coupled to the sideways pivoting frame  19 . As the sideways pivoting frame  19  pivots about the sideways pivot  18 , the sub-frame  16   a  is lifted or lowered by the side link  16 . Since the sub-frame  16   a  is pivotally interfaced to the frame by another pivot  16   b,  the bottom of the sub-frame  16   a  moves forward as the gear shift lever is pushed towards the right and the bottom of the sub-frame  16   a  moves backwards as the gear shift lever is pushed towards the left. The sub-frame  16   a  is coupled to the right/left linkage  44  by a right/left linkage connector  40 , though any type of linkage connection is anticipated. The right/left linkage connector  40  shown has a typical cup-shaped linkage connector  42  that is connected for capturing the spherical or cylindrical left/right linkage connector (not shown), though any type of connection is anticipated. Right/left motion of the gear shift lever  12  moves the right/left linkage interface  40 / 42  forward and backward with respect to the gear shift frame  10  and, hence, displaces (pushes or pulls) the right/left linkage  44 . A distal end of the right/left linkage  44  is interfaced to a second lever on the transmission (not shown) for facilitating shifting gears within the transmission. Although one form of linkage connection is shown in the drawings, there are many forms of linkage connections known in the industry, all of which are anticipated and included here within. 
         [0030]    The linkages  34 / 44  are typically flexible rods that have linkages stops  35 / 45 . The linkage stops  35 / 45  are held by linkage retainers  36 / 46 . The position of each linkage retainer  36 / 46  determines the angle of the gear shift lever  12  that will actuate each gear. For example, positioning the front/back linkage retainer  36  forward with respect to the gear shift frame  10  moves the shift pattern backward (closer to the driver) while positioning the front/back linkage retainer  36  backward with respect to the gear shift frame  10  moves the shift pattern forward (farther from the driver). Likewise, positioning the right/left linkage retainer  46  forward with respect to the gear shift frame  10  moves the shift pattern to the right (farther from the driver) while positioning the right/left linkage retainer  46  backward with respect to the gear shift frame  10  moves the shift pattern to the left (closer to the driver). 
         [0031]    The position of each of the linkage retainers  36 / 46  is adjustable (forward/backward). As shown in the example of  FIG. 1 , each of the linkage retainers  36 / 46  has an adjustment slot  38 / 48  and an adjustment fastener  39 / 49 . The adjustment fastener  39 / 49  holds the linkage retainers  36 / 46  to the gear shift frame  10 . To adjust one of the linkage retainers  36 / 46 , the linkage adjustment fastener  39 / 49  is loosened; the linkage retainer  36 / 46  is moved along the adjustment slot  38 / 48  to the desired location; and then the linkage adjustment fastener  39 / 49  is retightened. The example shown is one example of providing adjustable linkage retainers  36 / 46  and any other mechanism similar to such is anticipated including the mechanisms shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
         [0032]    The gear shift lever  12  is easily replaceable through the use of a quick release fastener(s)  15 . In such, after loosening and/or removal of the fasteners  15  and removal of the gear shift pivot  14 , the gear shift lever  12  is easily pulled out of the front/back linkage interface  32  and the gear shift lever  12  is free for removal. It is anticipated that a variety of gear shift levers  12  is available in different weights, styles and lengths. The variety of gear shift levers  12  will provide for differences between drivers, both physical differences as well as desires. For example, a shift lever  12  that is longer above the pivot  14  will typically require greater travel of the shift handle  9  while a gear shift lever  12  that is longer below the pivot  14  will require less travel and vice versa. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , a detail perspective view of the gear shifter  5   a  showing manually adjustable transmission linkage retainers  36   a / 46   a  is shown. In this embodiment, the linkage retainers  36   a / 46   a  are slideably interfaced to the frame  10  such that either or both linkage retainers  36   a / 46   a  are free to move forward (towards the gear shift lever  12 ) or backwards (away from the gear shift lever  12 ). There are many known ways to interface two objects together in a slideable fashion; the example shown in  FIG. 6  is one example of such. In this example, the fasteners  39 / 49  are not completely tightened or are tightened but restricted from preventing movement of the linkage retainers  36   a / 46   a  (e.g. shoulder bolts, etc.), thereby the linkage retainers  36   a / 46   a  are allowed to move forward/backward, limited by the dimensions of the adjustment slots  38 / 48 . In such, it is anticipated that the fasteners  39 / 49  lock by devices and materials known in the industry (e.g. stop nuts). That being said, it is not desirable for the linkage retainers  36   a / 46   a  to move freely. Therefore, a mechanical adjustment mechanism  70 / 72 / 74  holds the linkage retainer  36   a  and a second mechanical adjustment mechanism  80 / 82 / 84  holds the linkage retainer  46   a  in place, each providing for adjustment of the linkage retainers  36   a / 46   a.  The adjustment mechanisms  70 / 72 / 74 / 80 / 82 / 84  move the linkage retainers  36   a / 46   a  forward/backward through the full range of the adjustment slots  38 / 48 . This is to say, that the position of the fasteners  39 / 49  is adjustable from one end of the adjustment slots  38 / 48  to a distal opposing end of the adjustment slots  38 / 48 . 
         [0034]    In the example shown, each screw  70 / 80  is rotatably interfaced to the frame  10  by non-threaded retainer brackets  72 / 82 . The brackets  72 / 82  permit rotation of the screws  70 / 80  (or any threaded device) while maintaining a position of the screws  70 / 80  with respect to the frame  10  and the non-threaded retainer brackets  72 / 82  (e.g., the screw  80  is captured). The screws  70 / 80  interface with their respective linkage retainers  36   a / 46   a  by a threaded interface  74 / 84  such that, as the screws  70 / 80  are turned, the threads of the screws  70 / 80  and the threads of the threaded interface  74 / 84  mesh and the threaded interface  74 / 84  moves up or down the threads of the screws  70 / 80 , moving the respective linkage retainers  36   a / 46   a  in the same direction. This movement changes the relative location of the shift lever  12  either forward/backward by way of the first linkage retainer  36   a  and associated mechanism  70 / 72 / 74  and/or left/right by way of the second linkage retainer  46   a  and associated mechanism  80 / 82 / 84 . 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , a detailed perspective view of the gear shifter  5   b  showing motorized, adjustable transmission linkage retainers  36   b / 46   b  is shown. In this embodiment, the linkage retainers  36   b / 46   b  are slideably interfaced to the frame  10  such that either or both linkage retainers  36   b / 46   b  are free to move forward (towards the gear shift lever  12 ) or backwards (away from the gear shift lever  12 ). As previously stated, there are many known ways to interface two objects together in a slideable fashion; the example shown in  FIG. 7  is one example of such. In this example, the fasteners  39 / 49  are not completely tightened, thereby the linkage retainers  36   b / 46   b  allowed to move forward/backward, limited by the dimensions of the adjustment slots  38 / 48  (as previously described). That being said, it is not desirable for the linkage retainers  36   b / 46   b  to move freely during use of the shifter  5   b.  Therefore, a motorized adjustment mechanism  100 / 102 / 104 / 106  holds the linkage retainer  36   b  and a second motorized adjustment mechanism  110 / 112 / 114 / 116  holds the linkage retainer  46   b  in place, each providing for adjustment of the linkage retainers  36   b / 46   b.  The motorized adjustment mechanisms  100 / 102 / 104 / 106 / 110 / 112 / 114 / 116  move the linkage retainers  36   b / 46   b  forward/backward through the full range of the adjustment slots  38 / 48 . This is to say, the position of the fasteners  39 / 49  is adjustable from one end of the adjustment slots  38 / 48  to a distal opposing end of the adjustment slots  38 / 48 . 
         [0036]    In the example shown, each screw linkage retainer  36   b / 46   b  has an associated motor  100 / 110  and each of the motors  100 / 110  is anchored to the frame  10  by fasteners  102 / 112 . Each of the motors  100 / 110  drive a threaded shaft  104 / 114  (or any threaded device) The threaded shafts  104 / 114  interface with their respective linkage retainers  36   b / 46   b  by a threaded interface  106 / 116  such that, as the threaded shafts  104 / 114  turn, the threads of the threaded shafts  104 / 114  and the threads of the threaded interfaces  104 / 114  mesh and the threaded interface  106 / 116  moves up or down the threads of the threaded shafts  104 / 114 , moving the respective linkage retainers  36   b / 46   b  in the same direction as the threaded interface  106 / 116 . This movement changes the relative location of the shift lever  12  either forward/backward by way of the first linkage retainer  36   b  and associated mechanism  100 / 102 / 104 / 106  and/or left/right by way of the second linkage retainer  46   b  and associated mechanism  110 / 112 / 114 / 116 . 
         [0037]    Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result. 
         [0038]    It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.