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:
Jan. 25, 2000
Filed:
May. 18, 1998
Douglas J Wheeler, Farmington Hills, MI (US);
Teleflex Incorporated, Plymouth Meeting, PA (US);
Abstract
An electric shift apparatus (10) for shifting a vehicle transmission assembly (12) includes a mounting structure (20) adapted to be mounted to a transmission housing (22), an electric motor (24) supported by the mounting structure (20), and a drive assembly (26) operably driven by the electric motor (24). The apparatus (10) further includes a core element (28) movably supported by the mounting structure (20) and a guide (30) for guiding the core element (28). A terminal (32) is slidably disposed in the guide (30) and connected to the core element (28). A shift lever (34) is movable between a plurality of shift positions and connected to the terminal (32) for shifting a transmission. The apparatus (10) is characterized by the core element (28) comprising a helical cable (36) which is driven by the drive assembly (26) for linear actuation of the shift lever (34). The helical cable (36) is comprised of a filamentous member (38) and a core member (40) that defines a longitudinal axis (42). The filamentous member (38) is wound in spaced convolutions to define tooth-like members (44). The tooth-like members (44) are spaced apart from one another along the core element (38) and are in driven engagement with the drive assembly (26).