Patent ID: 8505403

Claim:
A gear shifting device comprising: at least one guide rail each extending in a longitudinal axis thereof; a plurality of shift effecting members coupled to the guide rail and configured to move a plurality of corresponding sliding sleeves for shifting gears upon actuation of a shift actuator, the shift effecting members each having a terminal end portion with a finger receiving opening formed therein, the finger receiving opening extending in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the guide rail; and a shift shaft extending in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the guide rail, the shift shaft having a shift finger coupled thereto; wherein the shift shaft is rotatable to pivotally position the shift finger at locations aligned with the finger receiving openings of the shift effecting members, and is also displaceable in the longitudinal direction in the finger receiving openings to move the shift effecting members to effect a gear shifting operation, wherein the shift actuator includes two motors, one for rotating the shift finger and the other for displacing the shift finger in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the two motors are coupled with a shift finger drive means, and rotating shafts of the two motors and a longitudinal shaft of the shift finger drive means are in generally parallel alignment with the longitudinal axis of the guide rail.