Key interlock system for automatic floor mounted transmission shifter

Claim 1

In an automatic floor mounted transmission shifter adapted to be used with an ignition key located in the steering column and adapted to translate a key actuator slide upon rotation of the key through a pinion acting on a gear rack on the actuator slide, a key interlock system comprising a cable assembly including a conduit and a strand, said conduit being fixed at one end adjacent the ignition key and at the other end adjacent the automatic floor mounted transmission shifter, a spring loaded pawl yieldingly urged into contact with a first surface of the key actuator slide when the slide is in the key out position and with a groove in the key actuator slide when the key is in the start, run or off position, a cam plate pivotally mounted adjacent said shifter, said strand being connected at one end to said spring loaded pawl and at the opposite end to said cam plate, interengaging means between said shifter and said cam plate operable such that when the key is in the out position, the pawl engages the first surface of the key actuator slide placing the strand in tension so that the cam plate prevents the shifter from moving from a park position; when the key is advanced to the start, run or off positions the pawl engages the groove in the key actuator slide allowing the shifter cam plate to be moved from park to a desired drive gear position; and when the shifter is advanced to a drive position, the cam plate is held in a position by said interengaging means so that the pawl cannot return to a position which will permit the key actuator slide to move to a key out position due to the engagement of the pawl with a shoulder of the groove in the key actuator slide, and upon return of the shifter to park position, the cam plate relieves the tension on the pawl so that it will move out of engagement with the shoulder on the key actuator slide, permitting the key to be turned and returned to the key out or accessory position.