US4282769A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transmission shifter neutral lock
Assignee: Fiat Allis Europe SpA
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Filing: 1979-12-07
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Granted: 1981-08-11
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Expires: 1999-12-07
Abstract
Abstract A lock assembly for a transmission gear shift lever that uses a detent latch-type lock pivotably mounted to a support structure adjacent to the transmission gear shift lever. Upon rotation of the latch, a locking arm is mated with the gear shift lever thereby securing it in the neutral position. The lock functions primarily as a safety device to hold the gear shift lever of the vehicle's transmission in a neutral position thereby preventing damage or bodily injury that could occur if the shift lever is accidentally or unintentionally jarred thereby placing the transmission into gear.
Inventors
- 👤 Don G. Sandrock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:14
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H61/00; F16H61/22; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/50; Y10T70/5611; Y10T70/569; Y10T70/573; Y10T70/5889; Y10T70/5925; Y10T70/5934; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20012; Y10T74/20018; Y10T74/20085; Y10T74/20098; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20582; Y10T74/2063; Y10T74/20636
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A lock assembly for securely retaining a gear shift lever of a vehicle transmission in a neutral position to prevent accidental or unintentional movement of the gear shift lever into a drive position comprising manually operable locking means having a locking arm pivotably mounted for selective movement to engage and retain a transmission gear shift lever in a neutral position, and said locking means further including a lock actuating member having a first end portion adapted to contact said locking arm and a second end portion pivotally mounted to a support sutructure for selective manual movement between a first position spaced from said locking arm to a second position in contact with said locking arm for effecting said selective movement of said locking arm to engage and retain a transmission gear shift lever in a neutral position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A lock assembly for securely retaining a gear shift lever of a vehicle transmission in a neutral position to prevent accidental or unintentional movement of the gear shift lever into a drive position comprising manually operable locking means having a locking arm pivotably mounted for selective movement to engage and retain a transmission gear shift lever in a neutral position, and said locking means further including a lock actuating member having a first end portion adapted to contact said locking arm and a second end portion pivotally mounted to a support sutructure for selective manual movement between a first position spaced from said locking arm to a second position in contact with said locking arm for effecting said selective movement of said locking arm to engage and retain a transmission gear shift lever in a neutral position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The lock assembly of claim 1 wherein said lock actuating member is pivotally mounted on a fixture attached to the support structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The lock assembly of claim 1, wherein said locking arm effects retention of said shift lever in the neutral position by moving said shift lever into abutting engagement with stop means, thereby entrapping the shift lever between said locking arm and said stop means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The lock assembly of claim 3 wherein said locking arm includes a notch portion adapted to embrace the gear shift lever thereby preventing said gear shift lever from slipping out of the neutral position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The lock assembly of claim 1 wherein said locking means further includes check means operatively positioned adjacent to said lock actuating member to limit movement thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The lock assembly of claim 1 wherein said lock actuating member is coupled to manually operable handle means, said selective manual movement of said lock actuating member being effected through movement of said handle means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The lock assembly of claim 6 wherein said handle means is mounted for rotational movement.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The lock assembly of claim 1, wherein said lock actuating member is maintained in said first and second positions by detent means adapted to engage said second end portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US1406231A
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US1480323A
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US3508424A
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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) | 1984-08-10 | 1985-02-09 | 1985-08-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-08-10 | 1989-02-09 | 1989-08-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-08-10 | 1993-02-09 | 1993-08-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |