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:
May. 22, 2001
Filed:
May. 28, 1999
John M. Loeffler, Whitehouse, OH (US);
Transmission Technologies Corporation, Farmington Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
A shift rail and fork assembly for a transmission includes a shift channel having a pair of side pieces that are connected together by cross pieces. A plurality of shift rails are supported on the shift channel for relative sliding movement. A corresponding plurality of shift forks are supported on the shift channel for relative sliding movement. The shift rails are connected to the shift forks for concurrent longitudinal movement. A cross slide is supported on the shift channel for relative lateral movement. The cross slide including a depending tang that selectively cooperates with corresponding slots formed each of the shift rail for concurrent movement. The cross slide can be moved laterally such that the selector tangs engage any desired one of the shift rails. An interlock bracket is also supported for lateral movement relative to the shift channel, but is prevented from longitudinal movement. To initiate a shifting operation, a shift lever is first moved in the lateral direction to select one of the shift rails, causing lateral movement of both the cross slide and the interlock bracket. The lateral movement of the cross slide causes selector tangs provided thereon to become laterally aligned with a slot formed in a selected one of the shift rails. At the same time, the lateral movement of the interlock bracket causes depending arm portions provided thereon to become laterally aligned with slots formed in all of the other non-selected shift rails. Then, the shift lever is subsequently moved in a longitudinal direction, causing the cross slide, the selected one of the shift rails, and the shift channel to be moved longitudinally therewith. The interlock bracket prevents the non-selected shift rails from moving longitudinally.