The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 19, 1989
Filed:
Jun. 13, 1988
Richard Ratke, Dearborn, MI (US);
Donald E Ellison, St. Clair Shores, MI (US);
United Technologies Automotive, Inc., Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A brake/shift interlock is provided in, or for use in, a vehicle having a shift mechanism for an automatic transmission. The shift mechanism includes a shift lever and a detent mechanism having a latch and latch plate. The latch plate has a detent notch at a Park position. A Park/Lock member is actuable to lock the latch in the Park position. In addition to an ignition lock mechanism for actuating the Park/Lock member as a function of the status of the ignition switch, a brake/shift interlock is also provided for actuating the Park/Lock member while the ignition switch is in the Run position except for being released during actuation of a brake switch. A solenoid is energized to apply a tensioning force to the Park/Lock member via a cable to thereby actuate the member. The brake/shift interlock may be mechanically in series or in parallel with the ignition lock mechanism. In the series mechanical arrangement, the solenoid may have the cable of the ignition lock mechanism extending axially through its hollow plunger in fixed engagement therewith.