US4096930A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gear shift selector brake interlock
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1977-08-05
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Granted: 1978-06-27
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Expires: 1997-08-05
Abstract
Abstract An automobile transmission gear shift selector brake interlock mechanism, for selectively preventing inadvertent movement of a motor vehicle gear shift selector mechanism, between a non-drive `park` or "neutral" position, and a "drive" position, including a hydraulically, or mechanically-actuated interlock pin mechanism that is movable between a position in the path of the gear shift selector mechanism, and a removed position out of the path of the gear shift selector mechanism, when a motor vehicle brake pedal is actuated.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank Viscardi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:29
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60T; B60T11/00; B60T11/10; B60T11/103; F; F16; F16H; F16H61/00; F16H61/22; F16H59/00; F16H59/50; F16H59/54; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20207; Y10T74/20238; Y10T74/2025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A mechanically-actuated gear shift selector brake interlock mechanism, for motor vehicles having automatic transmissions comprising: a gear shift selector plate mounted rotatably at the upper end of a conventional steering column sleeve; said gear shift selector plate being circular and having gear position markings along the periphery of said selector plate; interlock pin holes situated on said gear shift selector plate; an interlock pin means consisting of a tubular elongated chamber containing an interlock pin spring and an interlock pin; said interlock pin holes on said gear shift selector plate serving to receive interlock pin of the interlock pin means; a brake interlock lever being an elongated rod-like structure extending from a linkage on the conventional brake pedal means to said interlock pin means; said interlock pin captured in said interlock pin hole on said gear shift plate when conventional gear shift selector lever is at park or neutral positions; said interlock pin being retracted from interlock pin hole located on said gear shift selector plate when brake pedal means has been actuated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
A mechanically-actuated gear shift selector brake interlock mechanism, for motor vehicles having automatic transmissions comprising: a gear shift selector plate mounted rotatably at the upper end of a conventional steering column sleeve; said gear shift selector plate being circular and having gear position markings along the periphery of said selector plate; interlock pin holes situated on said gear shift selector plate; an interlock pin means consisting of a tubular elongated chamber containing an interlock pin spring and an interlock pin; said interlock pin holes on said gear shift selector plate serving to receive interlock pin of the interlock pin means; a brake interlock lever being an elongated rod-like structure extending from a linkage on the conventional brake pedal means to said interlock pin means; said interlock pin captured in said interlock pin hole on said gear shift plate when conventional gear shift selector lever is at park or neutral positions; said interlock pin being retracted from interlock pin hole located on said gear shift selector plate when brake pedal means has been actuated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said interlock pin when in a captured position within said interlock pin hole, prevents further movement of a conventional gear shift selector lever, thereby preventing engagement of said automatic transmission.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
217 words
A hydraulically actuated gear shift selector brake interlock mechanism for motor vehicles having automatic transmissions comprising: a gear shift selector plate rotatably mounted at the upper end of a conventional steering column sleeve; said gear shift selector plate being circular and having gear position markings along the periphery of said selector plate; interlock pin notches situated on periphery of said gear shift selector plate; an interlock pin mechanism consisting of a tubular elongated chamber containing an interlock pin piston, an interlock spring, and an interlock pin means including an interlock pin coupled to the said interlock pin piston; said interlock pin notches on said gear shift selector plate serving to receive said interlock pin of the said interlock pin means; a hydraulic brake feed line diverting brake fluid from a conventional brake system to a hydraulic brake interlock cable; said hydraulic brake interlock cable being an elongated tubular cable structure to lead brake fluid from said brake feed line to said hydraulically actuated interlock pin mechanism; said interlock pin captured in said interlock pin notch on said gear shift plate when said conventional gear shift lever is at park or neutral position; said interlock pin being retracted from said interlock pin notch located on said gear shift selector plate when said brake pedal means has been actuated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
217 words
A hydraulically actuated gear shift selector brake interlock mechanism for motor vehicles having automatic transmissions comprising: a gear shift selector plate rotatably mounted at the upper end of a conventional steering column sleeve; said gear shift selector plate being circular and having gear position markings along the periphery of said selector plate; interlock pin notches situated on periphery of said gear shift selector plate; an interlock pin mechanism consisting of a tubular elongated chamber containing an interlock pin piston, an interlock spring, and an interlock pin means including an interlock pin coupled to the said interlock pin piston; said interlock pin notches on said gear shift selector plate serving to receive said interlock pin of the said interlock pin means; a hydraulic brake feed line diverting brake fluid from a conventional brake system to a hydraulic brake interlock cable; said hydraulic brake interlock cable being an elongated tubular cable structure to lead brake fluid from said brake feed line to said hydraulically actuated interlock pin mechanism; said interlock pin captured in said interlock pin notch on said gear shift plate when said conventional gear shift lever is at park or neutral position; said interlock pin being retracted from said interlock pin notch located on said gear shift selector plate when said brake pedal means has been actuated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said interlock pin when in a captured position within said interlock pin notch prevents further movement of a conventional gear shift selector lever, thereby preventing engagement of said automatic transmission.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-06-26 | 1981-12-26 | 1982-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-06-26 | 1985-12-26 | 1986-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-06-26 | 1989-12-26 | 1990-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |