Escapement assembly for shift control mechanism

Abstract

In a manually operable shift control mechanism operatively connected with a transmission through shifting means wherein a shift lever controls a preselector valve means for selectively establishing one of a multiplicity of consecutively arranged speed ratios in the transmission, an escapement assembly including an arcuate control member, affixed to the shift control housing, having a multiplicity of detent cut-outs corresponding with the angular location but exceeding the number of the transmission settings; an escapement latch pivotally secured to the shift lever and having allochiral tooth portions alternately capable of entering into one of the detent cut-outs to cause at least momentary interference between the control member and the escapement latch; and bias means for sequentially pivoting and again centering the escapement latch relative to the control member for each transmission setting, whereby all but the slowest movement of the shift lever will cause a momentary entry and subsequent momentary interference between the control member and the escapement latch, thereby producing sequential single-step shifts of the transmission. Means for centering the shift lever relative to the detent cut-outs as well as providing distinct operator 'feel' and escapement override means are also set forth.