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:
Jul. 29, 1997
Filed:
May. 05, 1995
Charles Osborn, Spring Lake, MI (US);
Robert A DeJonge, West Olive, MI (US);
Richard L Meisch, Muskegon, MI (US);
Dale A Beattie, Muskegon, MI (US);
Robert M Medema, Muskegon, MI (US);
Dana M Lee, Muskegon, MI (US);
Grand Haven Stamped Products, Division of JSJ Corp., Grand Haven, MI (US);
Abstract
A manual transmission shifter includes a base, and a shift lever pivoted to the base by a ball and socket arrangement. An ignition-key-interlock mechanism includes a bell crank pivoted to the base for movement between a key-interlocked position and a key-released position. The bell crank includes a slot configured to be engaged by a protrusion on the shift lever when the shift lever is moved from neutral to a reverse gear position. The ignition-key-interlock mechanism further includes a key-interlock cable assembly operably connected between the bell crank and the key-receiving ignition device of the vehicle. When the shift lever is moved out of the reverse position, the ignition-key-interlock mechanism is moved to the key-locked position such that the ignition key cannot be removed from the ignition of the vehicle. Alternatively, when the ignition-key-interlock mechanism is moved to the key-released position and the ignition key is removed, the shift lever cannot be removed from reverse until the ignition key is again operably positioned in the ignition.