US3773990A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transmission control and steering arrangement with sensor switch assembly
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1972-02-15
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Granted: 1973-11-20
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Expires: 1992-02-15
Abstract
Abstract The drawings illustrate a steering and transmission control arrangement including a handlebar-type steering mechanism incorporating a readily visible indexing mechanism which is rotatable with the steering mechanism and indexable relative thereto without requiring the operator to remove either of his hands from the steering mechanism. A plurality of projections formed on the shift control mechanism may comprise, for example, cams or wafers, either of which serve to respectively engage switches mounted on the steering mechanism, depending upon the angular orientation therebetween, for selecting desired transmission drive ratios.
Inventors
- 👤 R Maci
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 12:39
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H19/00; H01H19/001; F; F16; F16H; F16H59/00; F16H59/02; F16H59/04; F16H59/044
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
218 words
A vehicle steering and control mechanism suitable for actuating controlled devices and comprising a steering mechanism housing, first and second chambers formed in said housing, an indexing plate mounted in said first chamber and adapted to rotate with said housing and to be manually indexed reLative thereto, a plurality of speed ratio selector stations formed on said indexing plate, a thumb-notch formed intermediate each adjacent pair of said stations for manually indexing said indexing plate relative to said housing, a shaft formed on and extending from said indexing plate into said second chamber, a plurality of projections formed on said shaft at spaced axial locations thereon and corresponding to said speed ratio selector stations, a plurality of axially spaced switches mounted in said second chamber and adapted to be respectively progressively closed by said projections during indexing of said index plate to respectively actuate said controlled devices, and detent means operatively connected between said indexing plate and said housing for retaining said indexing plate in position after being manually indexed, said detent means including a vertical opening formed in said housing, a semispherical opening formed in said indexing plate adjacent each of said selector stations, and a spring and ball mounted in said vertical opening, said spring urging said ball into any said adjacent selectively positioned semispherical opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
218 words
A vehicle steering and control mechanism suitable for actuating controlled devices and comprising a steering mechanism housing, first and second chambers formed in said housing, an indexing plate mounted in said first chamber and adapted to rotate with said housing and to be manually indexed reLative thereto, a plurality of speed ratio selector stations formed on said indexing plate, a thumb-notch formed intermediate each adjacent pair of said stations for manually indexing said indexing plate relative to said housing, a shaft formed on and extending from said indexing plate into said second chamber, a plurality of projections formed on said shaft at spaced axial locations thereon and corresponding to said speed ratio selector stations, a plurality of axially spaced switches mounted in said second chamber and adapted to be respectively progressively closed by said projections during indexing of said index plate to respectively actuate said controlled devices, and detent means operatively connected between said indexing plate and said housing for retaining said indexing plate in position after being manually indexed, said detent means including a vertical opening formed in said housing, a semispherical opening formed in said indexing plate adjacent each of said selector stations, and a spring and ball mounted in said vertical opening, said spring urging said ball into any said adjacent selectively positioned semispherical opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
The vehicle steering and control mechanism described in claim 1, wherein said controlled devices are transmission shift control solenoids, and said indexing plate includes Neutral, Park, Forward, and Reverse selector stations, with said projections respectively causing said switches to close in response to manual indexing of said plate to respectively energize said solenoids for producing corresponding selected drive ratios.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The vehicle steering and control mechanism described in claim 2, and locking means operatively connected to said indexing plate for retaining said Park station of said indexing plate in the operative position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The vehicle steering and control mechanism described in claim 3, wherein said locking means includes an opening formed in said indexing plate for rotation therewith, and a locking pin secured radially and slidable axially to cooperate with said opening while said indexing plate is positioned in said Park station.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
147 words
A vehicle steering and control mechanism suitable for actuating controlled devices and comprising a steering mechanism housing, first and second chambers formed in said housing, an indexing plate mounted in said first chamber and adapted to rotate with said housing and to be manually indexed relative thereto, a plurality of speed ratio selector stations formed on said indexing plate, a thumb-notch formed intermediate each adjacent pair of said stations for manually indexing said indexing plate relative to said housing, a shaft formed on and extending from said indexing plate into said second chamber, a plurality of cams formed on said shaft at spaced axial locations thereon and corresponding to said speed ratio selector stations, a plurality of axially spaced switches mounted in said second chamber and adapted to be respectively progressively closed by said cams during indexing of said indexing plate to respectively actuate said controlled devices.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
147 words
A vehicle steering and control mechanism suitable for actuating controlled devices and comprising a steering mechanism housing, first and second chambers formed in said housing, an indexing plate mounted in said first chamber and adapted to rotate with said housing and to be manually indexed relative thereto, a plurality of speed ratio selector stations formed on said indexing plate, a thumb-notch formed intermediate each adjacent pair of said stations for manually indexing said indexing plate relative to said housing, a shaft formed on and extending from said indexing plate into said second chamber, a plurality of cams formed on said shaft at spaced axial locations thereon and corresponding to said speed ratio selector stations, a plurality of axially spaced switches mounted in said second chamber and adapted to be respectively progressively closed by said cams during indexing of said indexing plate to respectively actuate said controlled devices.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
147 words
A vehicle steering and control mechanism suitable for actuating controlled devices and comprising a steering mechamism housing, first and second chambers formed in said housing, an indexing plate mounted in said first chamber and adapted to rotate with said housing and to be manually indexed relative thereto, a plurality of speed ratio selector stations formed on said indexing plate, a thumb-notch formed intermediate each adjacent pair of said stations for manually indexing said indexing plate relative to said housing, a shaft formed on and extending from said indexing plate into said second chamber, a plurality of wafers mounted on said shaft at spaced axial locations thereon and corresponding to said speed ratio selector stations, a plurality of axially spaced switches mounted in said second chamber and adapted to be respectively progressively closed by said wafers during indexing of said indexing plate to respectively actuAte said controlled devices.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
147 words
A vehicle steering and control mechanism suitable for actuating controlled devices and comprising a steering mechamism housing, first and second chambers formed in said housing, an indexing plate mounted in said first chamber and adapted to rotate with said housing and to be manually indexed relative thereto, a plurality of speed ratio selector stations formed on said indexing plate, a thumb-notch formed intermediate each adjacent pair of said stations for manually indexing said indexing plate relative to said housing, a shaft formed on and extending from said indexing plate into said second chamber, a plurality of wafers mounted on said shaft at spaced axial locations thereon and corresponding to said speed ratio selector stations, a plurality of axially spaced switches mounted in said second chamber and adapted to be respectively progressively closed by said wafers during indexing of said indexing plate to respectively actuAte said controlled devices.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
177 words
A vehicle steering and control mechanism for concurrently steering a vehicle and selectively energizing transmission valve solenoids, said mechanism comprising a steering mechanism housing, first and second chambers formed in said housing, an indexing plate mounted on bearings in said first chamber and adapted to rotate with said housing and to be manually indexed relative thereto, a plurality of speed ratio selector stations formed on said indexing plate, a thumb-notch formed intermediate each adjacent pair of said stations, a shaft formed on and extending from said indexing plate through said bearings into said second chamber, a plurality of cams formed on said shaft and corresponding to said speed ratio selector stations, a plurality of microswitches mounted in said second chamber and operatively connected to said solenoids, said microswitches being adapted to be respectively progressively closed by said cams during said manual indexing of said indexing plate via said thumb-notches to respectively energize said solenoids, and detent means operatively connected between said indexing plate and said housing for retaining said indexing plate in position after manual indexing thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
177 words
A vehicle steering and control mechanism for concurrently steering a vehicle and selectively energizing transmission valve solenoids, said mechanism comprising a steering mechanism housing, first and second chambers formed in said housing, an indexing plate mounted on bearings in said first chamber and adapted to rotate with said housing and to be manually indexed relative thereto, a plurality of speed ratio selector stations formed on said indexing plate, a thumb-notch formed intermediate each adjacent pair of said stations, a shaft formed on and extending from said indexing plate through said bearings into said second chamber, a plurality of cams formed on said shaft and corresponding to said speed ratio selector stations, a plurality of microswitches mounted in said second chamber and operatively connected to said solenoids, said microswitches being adapted to be respectively progressively closed by said cams during said manual indexing of said indexing plate via said thumb-notches to respectively energize said solenoids, and detent means operatively connected between said indexing plate and said housing for retaining said indexing plate in position after manual indexing thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
152 words
A vehicle steering and control mechanism for actuating controlled devices, said vehicle steering and control mechanism comprising a steering mechanism housing, first and second chambers formed in said housing, an indexing plate mounted in said first chamber and adapted to rotate with said housing and to be manually indexed relative thereto, a plurality of speed ratio selector stations formed on said indexing plate, a thumb-notch formed intermediate each adjacent pair of said stations for manually indexing said indexing plate relative to said housing, a shaft formed on and extending from said indexing plate into said second chamber, a plurality of projections formed on said shaft at spaced axial locations thereon and corresponding to said speed ratio selector stations, and a plurality of axially spaced switches mounted in said second chamber and adapted to be respectively progressively closed by said projections during indexing of said indexing plate to respectively actuate said controlled devices.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
152 words
A vehicle steering and control mechanism for actuating controlled devices, said vehicle steering and control mechanism comprising a steering mechanism housing, first and second chambers formed in said housing, an indexing plate mounted in said first chamber and adapted to rotate with said housing and to be manually indexed relative thereto, a plurality of speed ratio selector stations formed on said indexing plate, a thumb-notch formed intermediate each adjacent pair of said stations for manually indexing said indexing plate relative to said housing, a shaft formed on and extending from said indexing plate into said second chamber, a plurality of projections formed on said shaft at spaced axial locations thereon and corresponding to said speed ratio selector stations, and a plurality of axially spaced switches mounted in said second chamber and adapted to be respectively progressively closed by said projections during indexing of said indexing plate to respectively actuate said controlled devices.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-19 | 1977-05-21 | 1977-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-19 | 1981-05-21 | 1981-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-19 | 1985-05-21 | 1985-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |