Patent ID: 7913583

Claim:
A transmission gear selector operable by a driver of a vehicle having an automatic transmission with a plurality of operating modes, the plurality of operating modes including a park mode, said gear selector comprising: a shift lever mountable on the vehicle, said shift lever moveable through a pivotal range of motion and defining a pivot axis, said shift lever having a grip portion adapted for gripping by the driver and an attachment structure adapted for operably coupling said gear selector to the automatic transmission whereby pivoting movement of said shift lever through said pivotal range shifts the automatic transmission between the plurality of operating modes, and wherein pivotally disposing said shift lever in a park position shifts the automatic transmission into the park mode; a locking member operably coupled and pivotally moveable with said shift lever; a body defining an engagement surface, said locking member moveably engageable with said engagement surface, said engagement surface defining a park position detent wherein said locking member is engageable with said park position detent when said shift lever is in said park position, engagement of said locking member with said park position detent preventing pivotal movement of said shift lever out of said park position; a mechanical linkage assembly having a driver-operated member and operably engaged with said locking member wherein said mechanical linkage is disposed in a park position configuration when said locking member is engaged with said park position detent, actuation of said driver-operated member moving said mechanical linkage out of said park position configuration, movement of said mechanical linkage out of said park position configuration biasing said locking member out of engagement with said park position detent and thereby allowing pivotal movement of said shift lever out of said park position; and a solenoid disposed within said grip portion, said solenoid having a plunger selectively moveable between a first plunger position and a second plunger position, said plunger operably coupled with said mechanical linkage assembly wherein, when said mechanical linkage is in said park position configuration and said plunger is in said first plunger position, said plunger engages a recess in said mechanical linkage in said grip portion and prevents movement of said mechanical linkage and thereby prevents biasing said locking member out of engagement with said park position detent and wherein, when said plunger is in said second plunger position, said plunger disengages from said recess in said mechanical linkage and allows movement of said mechanical linkage and thereby allows biasing of said locking member out of engagement with said park position detent.