Patent ID: 7278510

Claim:
An automatic transmission shifting system for automobile, the automobile having a steering column assembly including a steering wheel at one end and steering column, and a single electrical wire having a first end terminating at the steering wheel and a second end terminating at least partially down the steering column, the system comprising: a first shifting actuator mounted to the steering wheel assembly, said first shifting actuator for initiating up shifts in the transmission by movement thereof and providing an up shift signal to the first end of the wire, said first shifting actuator including: a first normally open switch coupled to the wire positioned on the steering wheel assembly adapted to be actuated to the closed position; and a first resistor with a first resistance value in series with said first switch; such that when said first switch is closed a first current is produced in the wire; a second shifting actuator mounted on the steering wheel assembly, said second shifting actuator for initiating down shifts in the transmission by movement thereof and providing a down shift signal to the first end of the wire, said second shifting actuator including, a second normally open switch coupled to the wire positioned on the steering wheel assembly adapted to be actuated to the closed position; and a second resistor with a second resistance value in series with said second switch; such that when said second switch is closed a second current is produced in the wire; and transmission actuation means coupled to the second end of the wire for up shifting and down shifting the transmission in response to said up shift signal and said down shift signals, respectively.