Patent ID: 7654170

Claim:
A return spring apparatus and a shift control mechanism comprising: a pivotably mounted shift lever; a plurality of brackets immovably fixed to a stationary portion of said control mechanism; first spring means having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is fixed to a first of said brackets and said second end is partially engaged to a second of said brackets and said first spring means is aligned with first notch means formed in said shift lever; second spring means having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is partially engaged to said second of said brackets and said second end is fixed to a third of said brackets and said second spring means is aligned with second notch means formed in said shift lever; said second end of said first spring means being operable to at least partially engage said shift lever on movement in one direction from a neutral position to impose a first centering force on said shift lever; said first end of said second spring means being operable to impose a second centering force on said shift lever upon movement in an opposite direction from the neutral position.