Patent US4221630A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5161422A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5161422A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Universal control for electrically controlled vehicle transmission
Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Co
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Filing: 1992-03-23
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Granted: 1992-11-10
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Expires: 2012-03-23
Abstract
Abstract An electrical transmission control employs in one embodiment, a rotary dial switch as a gear selector control which includes a plug means for connecting the switch directly into a receiving socket mounted to the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle includes a plurality of sockets such that the gear selector control can be mounted at a preferred one of the locations. In another embodiment, the selector switch is a slide type switch. The switch can be removed from the socket and/or vehicle for providing anti-theft security preventing the transmission from being shifted without the gear selected control.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Suman
- 👤 David A. Muyres
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 05:48
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K35/00; B60K35/10; B60K20/00; B60K20/02; B60K20/04; B60K20/06; B60K35/20; B60K35/25; B60R; B60R25/00; B60R25/01; B60R25/04; B60R25/06; F; F16; F16H; F16H59/00; F16H59/02; F16H59/08; B60K2360/00; B60K2360/126; F16H2059/081; F16H59/10; F16H59/105; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/19; Y10T74/19219; Y10T74/19251
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
235 words
A gear select control system for a vehicle transmission comprising: an electrical control circuit for providing transmission control signals for shifting the transmission to different gear positions; a plurality of separate electrical socket means mounted at different spaced locations within a vehicle, each of said socket means having identically constructed receptors electrically connected to a first electrical conductor means for completing an electrical connection to said electrical control circuit; means for coupling said electrical control circuit to at least one of said first electrical conductor means of one of said sockets; a gear select control unit having an electrical plug means receivable in any one of said receptors, said electrical plug means having second conductor means electrically connected to said first electrical conductor means of said one of said electrical sockets receiving said plug to thereby electrically connect said second conductor means of said gear select control unit to said electrical control circuit; means coupled to said electrical control circuit for receiving said transmission control signals and coupled to the transmission for shifting the transmission in response to said transmission control signals; and said gear select control unit having switch means electrically connected to said second electrical conductor means and movable between a plurality of different positions corresponding to different gears of the transmission of the vehicle for providing gear select signals to said control circuit which responds thereto for providing said transmission control signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
235 words
A gear select control system for a vehicle transmission comprising: an electrical control circuit for providing transmission control signals for shifting the transmission to different gear positions; a plurality of separate electrical socket means mounted at different spaced locations within a vehicle, each of said socket means having identically constructed receptors electrically connected to a first electrical conductor means for completing an electrical connection to said electrical control circuit; means for coupling said electrical control circuit to at least one of said first electrical conductor means of one of said sockets; a gear select control unit having an electrical plug means receivable in any one of said receptors, said electrical plug means having second conductor means electrically connected to said first electrical conductor means of said one of said electrical sockets receiving said plug to thereby electrically connect said second conductor means of said gear select control unit to said electrical control circuit; means coupled to said electrical control circuit for receiving said transmission control signals and coupled to the transmission for shifting the transmission in response to said transmission control signals; and said gear select control unit having switch means electrically connected to said second electrical conductor means and movable between a plurality of different positions corresponding to different gears of the transmission of the vehicle for providing gear select signals to said control circuit which responds thereto for providing said transmission control signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said switch means comprises a rotary dial switch having a wiper arm and a plurality of fixed contacts wherein each of said contacts correspond to a gear position of the transmission.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said rotary switch includes an elongated knob for easy grasping by the user.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said switch means comprises a slide switch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of said sockets is positioned in a center console located adjacent the driver's seat of the vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein at least another of said sockets is located in the steering column of the vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein still a further one of said sockets is located in the dashboard of the vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
136 words
A gear select control system for a vehicle transmission comprising: a plurality of separate electrical sockets mounted at different spaced locations within a vehicle, each socket being identically constructed for receiving a plug-in gear select control switch unit; a gear select control switch unit having an electrical plug means constructed to be received in any one of said plurality of said electrical sockets; an electrical control circuit coupled to at least one of said sockets and to a transmission control member for shifting the transmission in response to transmission control signals therefrom; said gear select control switch unit having switch means movable between a plurality of different positions corresponding to different gears of the transmission of the vehicle for providing gear select signals to said control circuit which responds thereto for providing said transmission control signals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
136 words
A gear select control system for a vehicle transmission comprising: a plurality of separate electrical sockets mounted at different spaced locations within a vehicle, each socket being identically constructed for receiving a plug-in gear select control switch unit; a gear select control switch unit having an electrical plug means constructed to be received in any one of said plurality of said electrical sockets; an electrical control circuit coupled to at least one of said sockets and to a transmission control member for shifting the transmission in response to transmission control signals therefrom; said gear select control switch unit having switch means movable between a plurality of different positions corresponding to different gears of the transmission of the vehicle for providing gear select signals to said control circuit which responds thereto for providing said transmission control signals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said switch means comprises a rotary dial switch having a wiper arm and a plurality of fixed contacts wherein each of said contacts correspond to a gear position of the transmission.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said switch means comprises a slide switch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein at least one of said sockets is positioned in a center console located adjacent the driver's seat of the vehicle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein at least another of said sockets is located in the steering column of the vehicle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein still further one of said sockets is located in the dashboard of the vehicle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said control circuit includes a microprocessor and said microprocessor is programmed to detect whether or not a gear select switch is plugged into one of said sockets and if not transmission control signals are not generated thereby providing anti-theft protection for the vehicle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said plug means includes means for lockably holding said plug means to said sockets.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 15 and further including a receptor for at least one of said sockets and wherein said receptor includes means co-operating with said holding means of said plug means for holding said plug-in engagement with said socket.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
176 words
A gear select control system for a vehicle transmission comprising: a plurality of separate identically constructed receptors located in different spaced locations of a vehicle, each of said receptors including an electrical socket for receiving a plug-in transmission control switch unit; a transmission control switch unit having an electrical plug means receivable in any one of said sockets of said plurality of receptors; an electrical control circuit coupled to at least one of said sockets and to a transmission control member for shifting the transmission in response to transmission control signals therefrom; and said transmission control switch unit being constructed of a housing including a gear select control switch having a movable contact and fixed contacts, wherein said movable contacts moves between a plurality of different positions corresponding to different gears of the transmission of the vehicle for providing gear select signals to said control circuit which responds thereto for providing said transmission control signals and plug means coupled to said switch for coupling said switch into said electrical socket of any one of said receptors.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
176 words
A gear select control system for a vehicle transmission comprising: a plurality of separate identically constructed receptors located in different spaced locations of a vehicle, each of said receptors including an electrical socket for receiving a plug-in transmission control switch unit; a transmission control switch unit having an electrical plug means receivable in any one of said sockets of said plurality of receptors; an electrical control circuit coupled to at least one of said sockets and to a transmission control member for shifting the transmission in response to transmission control signals therefrom; and said transmission control switch unit being constructed of a housing including a gear select control switch having a movable contact and fixed contacts, wherein said movable contacts moves between a plurality of different positions corresponding to different gears of the transmission of the vehicle for providing gear select signals to said control circuit which responds thereto for providing said transmission control signals and plug means coupled to said switch for coupling said switch into said electrical socket of any one of said receptors.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein said housing and receptor includes locking means which cooperate to lockably hold said switch means in said socket.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 18 wherein said switch means comprises a rotary dial switch having a wiper arm and a plurality of fixed contacts wherein each of said contacts correspond to a gear position of the transmission.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 18 wherein said switch means comprises a slide switch.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein at least one of said receptors is positioned in a center console located adjacent the driver's seat of the vehicle.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 21 wherein at least another of said receptors is located in the steering column of the vehicle.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein still a further one of said receptors is located in the dashboard of the vehicle.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein said control circuit includes a microprocessor and said microprocessor is programmed to detect whether or not a gear select switch is plugged into said socket and if not transmission control signals are not generated thereby providing anti-theft protection for the vehicle.
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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) | 1995-11-10 | 1996-05-11 | 1996-11-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-11-10 | 2000-05-11 | 2000-11-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-11-10 | 2004-05-11 | 2004-11-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |