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:
Aug. 04, 2009
Filed:
May. 02, 2005
Patrick S. Grossman, Grand Haven, MI (US);
Robert A. DE Jonge, West Olive, MI (US);
Patrick S. Grossman, Grand Haven, MI (US);
Robert A. De Jonge, West Olive, MI (US);
GHSP, a division of JSJ Corporation, Grand Haven, MI (US);
Abstract
A shifter for controlling a transmission of a motor vehicle includes a base structure and a shift lever that is movably mounted to the base structure for movement between a plurality of control positions. At least one of the control positions comprises a NEUTRAL position. The shifter further includes a shift gate having a plurality of notches corresponding to the control positions. The shift gate is positioned on a selected one of the base and the shift lever. The shifter further includes a movable pawl member selectively engaging the notches of the shift gate to restrict movement of the shift lever relative to the base structure. The pawl member is biased into engagement with the shift gate. A movable retaining member selectively engages the shift gate to retain the shift lever in the NEUTRAL position wherein the retaining member is biased out of engagement with the shift gate. The shifter further includes a powered actuator having a movable output member that shifts between a first position, a second position, and a third position. The movable output member operably engages the movable retaining member when in the first position and shifts the movable retaining member into engagement with the shift gate to retain the shift lever in the NEUTRAL position. The movable output member operably engages the movable pawl member when in the third position, and disengages the movable pawl member from the shift gate.