Patent ID: 8915342

Claim:
A control paddle assembly for manually controlling actuation of both a vehicle clutch actuation switch for a manually operated clutch and a vehicle manual transmission shifter actuation switch for a manual transmission comprising: a paddle having said vehicle clutch and vehicle transmission shifter actuation switches mounted thereto, said paddle pivotally mounted to a base to be manually pivotable thereon through a range of pivot travel from a rest position to an advanced position; a full range paddle return spring force generator arrangement acting upon the paddle throughout its range of pivoting travel; said vehicle clutch actuation switch operated upon manual pivoting of said paddle away from said rest position to an intermediate position to disengage said manually operated clutch; said vehicle transmission shifter actuation switch activated upon continued manual pivoting of said paddle past said intermediate position to said advanced position to cause shifting of said transmission each time said paddle is pivoted to said advanced position; an advanced range paddle return spring force generator arrangement also acting on said paddle after pivoting said paddle past said intermediate position to generate an increased return force acting on said paddle upon manual pivoting of said paddle past said intermediate position, said increased return force giving an operator of the paddle a tactile indication of the paddle position upon passing said intermediate position and disengaging said manually operated clutch by operation of said vehicle actuation switch but before actuating said vehicle transmission shifter actuation switch, whereby said manually operated clutch can be maintained disengaged while repeated manual transmission shifts may be carried out by repeated pivoting of the paddle from a position past said intermediate position to said advanced position.