Transmission shifter neutral lock

• US 4,282,769 A
• Filed: 12/07/1979
• Issued: 08/11/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fiat-Allis Europe SPA (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Fiat-Allis Construction Machinery Incorporated (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Inventors: Sandrock, Don G.
• Primary Examiner(s): HERRMANN, ALLAN D
• Application Number:
  US06/101,111
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 74/473 R, 74/475, 74/527, 74/532, 74/526, 70/201, 70/202, 70/247, 180/287
• US Class Current: 74/473.23
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/22 Locking of the control input devices constructional features of locking or disabling mechanisms F16H63/34
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/573 Single
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5934 Selective-type shift rod, fork or block
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20098 Separate actuator to disengage restrictor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2063 Stops
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20636 Detents

Abstract

A lock assembly for a transmission gear shift lever that uses a detent latch-type lock pivotably mounted to a support structure adjacent to the transmission gear shift lever. Upon rotation of the latch, a locking arm is mated with the gear shift lever thereby securing it in the neutral position. The lock functions primarily as a safety device to hold the gear shift lever of the vehicle'"'"'s transmission in a neutral position thereby preventing damage or bodily injury that could occur if the shift lever is accidentally or unintentionally jarred thereby placing the transmission into gear.

Claims

1. A lock assembly for securely retaining a gear shift lever of a vehicle transmission in a neutral position to prevent accidental or unintentional movement of the gear shift lever into a drive position comprising

manually operable locking means having a locking arm pivotably mounted for selective movement to engage and retain a transmission gear shift lever in a neutral position, and

said locking means further including a lock actuating member having a first end portion adapted to contact said locking arm and a second end portion pivotally mounted to a support sutructure for selective manual movement between a first position spaced from said locking arm to a second position in contact with said locking arm for effecting said selective movement of said locking arm to engage and retain a transmission gear shift lever in a neutral position.

2. The lock assembly of claim 1 wherein said lock actuating member is pivotally mounted on a fixture attached to the support structure.

3. The lock assembly of claim 1, wherein said locking arm effects retention of said shift lever in the neutral position by moving said shift lever into abutting engagement with stop means, thereby entrapping the shift lever between said locking arm and said stop means.

4. The lock assembly of claim 3 wherein said locking arm includes a notch portion adapted to embrace the gear shift lever thereby preventing said gear shift lever from slipping out of the neutral position.

5. The lock assembly of claim 1 wherein said locking means further includes check means operatively positioned adjacent to said lock actuating member to limit movement thereof.

6. The lock assembly of claim 1 wherein said lock actuating member is coupled to manually operable handle means, said selective manual movement of said lock actuating member being effected through movement of said handle means.

7. The lock assembly of claim 6 wherein said handle means is mounted for rotational movement.

8. The lock assembly of claim 1, wherein said lock actuating member is maintained in said first and second positions by detent means adapted to engage said second end portion.