Patent ID: 7861613

Claim:
A shift apparatus for a multispeed transmission, wherein the multispeed transmission includes multiple gear groups having alternating speed ratios, the apparatus comprising: a first shift member connected to a first shift shaft; a second shift member connected to a second shift shaft, wherein the first shift member and the second shift member are selectively moveable for engaging a speed ratio of the transmission; and a single shift finger for engaging at least a portion of one of the shift members, wherein the shift finger is moveable generally in a first generally orthogonal direction to engage the first shift member when in a first engaged configuration, the shift finger is moveable generally in the first generally orthogonal direction to engage the second shift member when in a second engaged configuration, the shift finger, when in an intermediate configuration, is moveable generally in the first generally orthogonal direction such that the shift finger cannot contact one of the shift members, and wherein the shift finger is selectively moveable generally in a second generally orthogonal direction between the first engaged configuration, the intermediate configuration, and the second engaged configuration, wherein the single shift finger, when engaged with the second shift member, is configured to move the second shift shaft in opposite axial directions to engage a target gear.