Patent ID: 8459136

Claim:
A shifter detent plate for use in an automatic transmission, comprising: (a) a forward stop surface; (b) a backward stop surface; (c) a plurality of lower cam surfaces disposed between the forward stop surface and the backward stop surface, whereby each one of the lower cam surfaces corresponds to a specific operational position of the automatic transmission, wherein: (1) a first lower cam surface corresponds to the position first gear, (2) a second lower cam surface corresponds to the position second gear, (3) a third lower cam surface corresponds to the position forward-drive, (5) a fourth lower cam surface corresponds to the position neutral, (6) a fifth lower cam surface corresponds to the position reverse-drive, and (7) a sixth lower cam surface corresponds to the position park; and wherein further: (i) a first step is disposed between the first lower cam surface and the second lower cam surface, the first lower cam surface being raised relative to the second lower cam surface, (ii) a second step is disposed between the second lower cam surface and the third lower cam surface, and (iv) a third step is disposed between the third lower cam surface and the fourth lower cam surface, the fourth lower cam surface being raised relative to the third lower cam surface; and (d) an upper stop member, including an upper cam surface and an upper forward stop, whereby the upper cam surface, the backward stop surface and a portion of the plurality of lower cam surfaces together define a channel, the upper cam surface further being opposite to the portion of the plurality of lower cam surfaces.