Lock release apparatus

• US 5,431,267 A
• Filed: 02/01/1994
• Issued: 07/11/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fuji KIKO Company Limited, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Fuji KIKO Company Limited, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Shirahama, Katsunori, Kuroda, Takehiro, Hannya, Shuichi, Togano, Norio, Ikushima, Shunsuke
• Primary Examiner(s): Bonck, Rodney H.
• Application Number:
  US08/189,779
• Time in Patent Office: 525 Days
• Field of Search: 192/4 A, 180/271, 74/479 PM, 74/529, 74/475, 70/455
• US Class Current: 192/220.6
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2061/223 Electrical gear shift lock, e.g. locking of lever in park or neutral position by electric means if brake is not applied; Key interlock, i.e. locking the key if lever is not in park position
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2061/226 Manual distress release of the locking means for shift levers, e.g. to allow towing of vehicle in case of breakdown for parking locks F16H63/3491
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/10 comprising levers
• 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 74/20098 Separate actuator to disengage restrictor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20648 Interrelated lever release

Abstract

A lock release apparatus includes a gear shift lever assembly including a gear shift lever having a plurality of positions including a parking position, and a detent mechanism shiftable into a detent position wherein said gear shift lever is allowed to move out of the parking position. A lock bushing is supported on the gear shift lever, and has a lock position in which the detent mechanism is prevented from shifting into the detent position and a lock release position in which the detent mechanism is allowed to shift into the detent position. A manual lock release rod is accommodated in a casing secured to the gear shift lever. A screw is fitted into an opening of the casing to prevent an access to the manual lock release, and covered by a lid. The screw is engaged with and disengaged from the opening by using a tool.

Claims

1. A lock release apparatus comprising:

a gear shift lever assembly including a gear shift lever having a plurality of positions including a parking position, and a detent mechanism shiftable into a detent position wherein said gear shift lever is allowed to move out of said parking position;

a lock having a lock position in which said detent mechanism is prevented from shifting into said detent position and a lock release position in which said detent mechanism is allowed to shift into said detent position;

means adapted for conditioning said lock into said lock release position;

a manual lock release for said lock;

means for preventing access to said manual lock release, said preventing means including a casing secured to said gear shift lever for a unitary motion therewith, said casing defining an opening arranged to allow access to said manual lock release and accommodating said manual lock release; and

a lid covering said opening.

2. A lock release apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said preventing means includes a screw so arranged as to interrupt said access to said manual lock release through said opening.

3. A lock release apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said screw is engaged with and disengaged from said opening by using a tool.

4. A lock release apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said screw is formed with a groove receiving a portion of said manual lock release.