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Title:
SELECTOR APPARATUS FOR A VEHICLE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2013/132281
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The subject invention provides for a selector apparatus for a vehicle. The selector apparatus includes a shifter assembly (32) for selecting one of a plurality of gears of a transmission for a vehicle, as well as a method for the same. The selector apparatus (30) further includes a shift-lock assembly for selectively preventing movement of a selected gear of the transmission for the vehicle, as well as a method for the same. Additionally, the selector apparatus (30) further includes a gear change assembly for changing a gear of a transmission for a vehicle as well as a method for the same.

Inventors:
SKOGWARD KENNETH (SE)
Application Number:
PCT/IB2012/000451
Publication Date:
September 12, 2013
Filing Date:
March 09, 2012
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
KONGSBERG AUTOMOTIVE AB (SE)
SKOGWARD KENNETH (SE)
International Classes:
F16H59/02; F16H59/08
Foreign References:
US2369690A1945-02-20
GB723073A1955-02-02
US7318360B22008-01-15
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
HAIDLE, Samuel, J. et al. (450 West Fourth StreetRoyal Oak, MI, US)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

What is claimed is:

1. A shifter assembly for selecting one of a plurality of gears of a transmission for a vehicle, said assembly comprising:

a housing;

a carrier coupled to said housing and pivotable about a first axis between a forward position and a rearward position;

a plate disposed adjacent said carrier and coupled to said housing with said plate pivotable about a second axis between at least a first gear position and a second gear position independent of said movement of said carrier with said plate having a plurality of notches and a plurality of detents spaced from said notches;

a grapple mounted to said carrier and moving with said carrier between said forward and rearward positions with said grapple engaging one of said notches of said plate to temporarily couple said plate to said carrier for concurrently moving said plate from said first gear position to said second gear position during said movement of said carrier between said forward and rearward positions; and

a positioning device coupled to said housing and engaging one of said detents of said plate to retain said plate in said second gear position.

2. A shifter assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said housing has an interior surface defining a channel and said grapple has a protrusion for engaging said channel of said housing when said carrier is in an intermediate position between said forward and rearward positions.

3. A shifter assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said interior surface of said housing further defines a plurality of embankment surfaces adjacent to said channel for facilitating engagement of said protrusion of said grapple with said channel when said carrier pivots from one of said forward and rearward positions to said intermediate position.

4. A shifter assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said housing includes a track extending from said interior surface with said track having a first portion and a second portion adjacent said first portion with said protrusion of said grapple engaging said first portion of said track when said carrier is in said forward position and said protrusion engaging said second portion of said track when said carrier is in said rearward position.

5. A shifter assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said grapple further includes a first pawl and an second pawl spaced from each other with each of said pawls facing said notches for selectively engaging at least one of said notches of said plate.

6. A shifter assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said notches of said plate are further defined as a first set of notches and a second set of notches spaced from said first set of notches with said first pawl selectively engaging said first set of notches and said second pawl selectively engaging said second set of notches.

7. A shifter assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said housing includes a cradle and said grapple has a plurality of posts with at least one of said posts selectively engaging said cradle for moving said grapple relative to said carrier as said carrier moves between said forward and said rearward positions.

8. A shifter assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including a return mechanism rotatably coupled to said housing and engaging said carrier to continuously bias said carrier to an intermediate position.

9. A shifter assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said positioning device includes a roller selectively engaging said detents of said plate with said roller rotatable about a roller axis while moving from one of said detents to another one of said detents as said plate moves between said first and second gear positions.

10. A shifter assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plate defines an aperture spaced from said notches with said detents disposed in said aperture and facing away from said notches.

1 1. A method of selecting one of a plurality of gears of a transmission for a vehicle utilizing a shifter assembly including a housing, a carrier and a plate each coupled to the housing, a grapple mounted to the carrier, and a positioning device coupled to the housing; the method comprising the steps of:

pivoting a carrier from an intermediate position toward one of a forward position and a rearward position;

moving the grapple into engagement with the plate to couple the carrier to the plate;

pivoting the plate concurrently with the pivoting of the carrier from a first gear position to a second gear position; and

engaging the positioning device with one of the detents to retain the plate in the second gear position irrespective of the position of the carrier.

12. The method as set forth in claim 1 1 wherein the housing includes a cradle and further including the step of engaging the grapple with the cradle.

13. The method as set forth in claim 12 wherein the step of engaging the grapple with the cradle occurs before the step of moving the grapple into engagement with the plate.

14. The method as set forth in claim 11 wherein the grapple includes a first pawl and a second pawl and further defining the step of moving the grapple into engagement with the plate as engaging one of the first and second pawls of the grapple with the plate.

15. The method as set forth in claim 14 wherein the plate has a plurality of a notches, and further defining the step of engaging one of the first and second pawls of the grapple with the plate as moving the first and second pawls of the grapple into engagement with one of a plurality of notches of the plate to facilitate movement of the plate from the first gear position to the second gear position.

16. The method as set forth in claim 11 wherein the positioning device includes a roller and the plate has a plurality of detents, and further defining the step of engaging the positioning device with one of the detents as engaging the roller with one of the detents of the plate to retain the plate in one of the first and second gear positions.

17. The method as set forth in claim 16 further including the step of rotating the roller from one of the detents to another one of the detents as the plate moves between the first gear position and the second gear position.

18. The method as set forth in claim 11 further including the step of pivoting the carrier from the forward and rearward positions toward the intermediate position while engaging the positioning device with one of the detents of the plate to retain the plate in the second gear position.

19. The method as set forth in claim 18 further including a return mechanism coupled to the housing, and further defining the step of pivoting the carrier from the forward and rearward positions toward the intermediate position as engaging the return mechanism with the carrier to continuously bias the carrier to the intermediate position.

20. The method as set forth in claim 1 1 further including the step of disengaging the grapple from the plate during movement of the carrier from one of the forward and rearward positions to the intermediate position.

Description:
SELECTOR APPARATUS FOR A VEHICLE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The subject invention generally relates a selector apparatus for a vehicle. More specifically, the selector apparatus includes a shifter assembly for selecting one of a plurality of gears of a transmission for a vehicle.

2. Description of Related Art

[0002] There is a desire within the automotive industry to electronically control shifting gears of a transmission of a vehicle. Many different shifters have been developed to be used in "shift-by-wire" systems. One of the most common shifters known are commonly referred to as a "gate shifter." The gate shifter can be used to shift the transmission into a plurality of gears, such as Park, Reverse, Neutral, and Drive. Although reliable and accurate, the gate shifter has an elongated shift path utilizing a lever that moves to select one of the gears of the transmission. As such, gate shifters utilize a relatively large area of a vehicle counsel or dashboard.

[0003] One type of shifter, as disclosed in United States Patent No. 7,318,360 (the '360 patent), is a gearshift handling mechanism having a rotary disk to the change the gears of the vehicle transmission. The gearshift handling mechanism has a lever and a rod body selectively engaging the rotary disk to sequentially rotate the disk through a plurality of gear positions in a ratchet-like fashion. The sequential rotation of the rotary disk limits the length of a shift path along which the lever moves. As such, the gearshift handling mechanism of the '360 patent only allows one by one sequential shifts between the gears. In other words, the lever of the gearshift handling mechanism disclosed in the '360 patent only pivots uni-directionally as the rod body rotates the disk one by one through gear positions

[0004] Therefore, there remains an opportunity to develop a selector apparatus with enhanced capabilities that occupies less space than traditional shifters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES

[0005] The subject invention provides for a shifter assembly for selecting one of a plurality of gears of a transmission for a vehicle. The shifter assembly includes a housing and a carrier coupled to the housing and pivotable about a first axis between a forward position and a rearward position. The shifter assembly further includes a plate disposed adjacent the carrier and coupled to the housing. The plate is pivotable about a second axis between at least a first gear position and a second gear position independent of the movement of the carrier. The plate has a plurality of notches and a plurality of detents spaced from the notches. The shifter assembly also includes a grapple mounted to the carrier and moving with the carrier between the forward and rearward positions. The grapple engages one of the notches of the plate to temporarily couple the plate to the carrier for concurrently moving the plate from the first gear position to the second gear position during the movement of the carrier between the forward and rearward positions. Furthermore, the shifter assembly includes a positioning device coupled to the housing and engaging one of the detents of the plate to retain the plate in the second gear position.

[0006] Additionally, the subj ect invention provides for a method of selecting one of the gears of the transmission for the vehicle utilizing the shifter assembly. The shifter assembly includes the housing with the carrier and the plate each coupled to the housing. The grapple is mounted to the carrier, and the positioning device is coupled to the housing. The method includes the steps of pivoting the carrier from an intermediate position toward one of the forward position and the rearward position and moving the grapple into engagement with the plate to couple the carrier to the plate. The method further includes the steps of pivoting the plate concurrently with the pivoting of the carrier from the first gear position to the second gear position and engaging the positioning device with one of the detents to retain the plate in the second gear position irrespective of the position of the carrier.

[0007] The subject invention also provides for a shift-lock assembly for selectively preventing movement of the selected gear of the transmission for the vehicle. The shift- lock assembly includes the housing and the carrier coupled to the housing and pivotable about the first axis between the forward position and the rearward position. The carrier includes a lifter movable between an initial position and a final position independent of the carrier pivoting between the forward and rearward positions. The shift-lock assembly further includes a catch apparatus coupled to the lifter of the carrier. The plate is disposed adjacent the carrier and has an engagement surface. The plate is pivotable about a second axis between at least the first gear position and the second gear position independent of the movement of the carrier. The catch apparatus engages the engagement surface of the plate when the lifter is in the initial position to retain the plate in the first gear position. The catch apparatus disengages the engagement surface of the plate when the lifter is in the final position to permit movement of the plate from the first gear position to the second gear position. [0008] Furthermore, the subject invention provides for a method of selectively preventing movement of the selected gear of the transmission for the vehicle utilizing the shift-lock assembly. The shift-lock assembly includes the housing, the plate having the engagement surface, the carrier including the lifter. The catch apparatus is coupled to the lifter. The method includes the steps of pivoting the carrier between the forward position and the rearward position and moving the lifter between the initial position and the final position independent of the carrier pivoting between the forward and rearward positions. The method further includes the step of pivoting the plate between at least the first gear position and the second gear position during the movement of carrier to one of the forward and rearward positions. Additionally, the method includes the steps of engaging the catch apparatus with the engagement surface of the plate when the lifter is in the initial position to retain the plate in the first gear position and disengaging the catch apparatus from the engagement surface of the plate when the lifter is in the final position to permit movement of the plate from the first 'gear position to the second gear position.

[0009] The subj ect invention also provides for a gear change assembly for changing the gear of the transmission for the vehicle. The gear change assembly includes the housing and the plate coupled to the housing. The plate is pivotable about an axis between at least a first gear position and a second gear position. The plate has a ramp and the engagement surface spaced from the ramp. The gear change assembly further includes an electrical device coupled to the housing and presenting an energized state and a de-energized state. Furthermore, the gear change assembly includes the catch apparatus movable between a locked position engaging the engagement surface of the plate when the electrical device is in the de-energized state to retain the plate in the first gear position and an unlocked position spaced from the engagement surface of the plate when the electrical device is in the energized state. Additionally, the gear change assembly includes the positioning device coupled to the housing and the catch apparatus and in direct communication with the electrical device such that the positioning device moves the catch apparatus to the unlocked position when the electrical device is in the energized state and simultaneously engages the ramp of the plate to move the plate from the first gear position to the second gear position.

[0010] Moreover, the subject invention provides for a method of changing the gear of the transmission for the vehicle utilizing the gear change assembly. The gear change assembly includes the housing and the plate coupled to the housing and having the ramp and the engagement surface. The gear change assembly further includes the electrical device coupled to the housing, the catch apparatus, and the positioning device coupled to the housing and the catch apparatus and in direct communication with the electrical device. The method includes the steps of engaging the catch apparatus with the engagement surface of the plate when the catch apparatus is in the locked position and the electrical device is in the de-energized state to retain the plate in the first gear position and energizing the electrical device to the energized state. The method further includes the steps of moving the catch apparatus to an unlocked position in response to the electrical device being in the energized state to space the catch apparatus from the plate and moving the positioning device in response to the electrical device being in the energized state to engage the ramp of the plate and move the plate from the first gear position to the second gear position. [0011] Accordingly, the subject invention provides the shifter assembly that allows independent pivoting of the plate by the carrier between the forward position and the rearward position. Furthermore, the subj ect invention allows the changing of the gears of the transmission without the need of an elongated gate, thus occupying less space in the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Other advantages of the subject invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

[0013] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a selector apparatus.

[0014] Figure 2 A is an exploded view of the selector apparatus relative to a second half section of a housing.

[0015] Figure 2B is an exploded view of the selector apparatus relative to a first half section of the housing.

[0016] Figure 2C is a perspective view of the second half section of the housing.

[0017] Figure 2D is a perspective view of a carrier of the selector apparatus.

[0018] Figure 2E is a perspective view of a plate of the selector apparatus.

[0019] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the second half section of the housing with the carrier in an intermediate position, a button in a released position, and a wheel of an arm of a return mechanism engaging a middle portion of a return engagement surface of the carrier. [0020] Figure 4 is a plan view of the second half section of the housing with the carrier in the intermediate position, the button in the released position, and the wheel of the arm of the return mechanism engaging the middle portion of the return engagement surface with the plate and the positioning device shown in ' phantom lines.

[0021] Figure 5 is a plan view of the second half section of the housing with the carrier in the intermediate position, the button in the released position, and the positioning device engaging the plate with the carrier and return mechanism shown in phantom lines.

[0022] Figure 6 is a plan view of the second half section of the housing with the carrier in a rearward position and the button in a pressed position with the grapple and the positioning device each engaging the plate with the plate and the positioning device shown in phantom lines.

[0023] Figure 7 is a plan view of the second half section of the housing with the carrier in the rearward position and the button in the pressed position with the grapple and the positioning device each engaging the plate with the carrier and return mechanism shown in phantom lines.

[0024] Figure 8 is a plan view of the second half section of the housing with the carrier in the intermediate position, the button in the released position, the wheel of the arm of the return mechanism engaging the middle portion of the return engagement surface, and the grapple disengaged from the plate with the plate and the positioning device shown in phantom lines.

[0025] Figure 9 is a plan view of the second half section of the housing with the carrier in the intermediate position, the button in the released position, the wheel of the arm of the return mechanism engaging the middle portion of the return engagement surface, and the grapple disengaged from the plate with the carrier and the return mechanism shown in phantom lines.

[0026] Figure 10 is a plan view of the second half section of the housing with the carrier in a forward position and the button in the pressed position with the grapple and the positioning device each engaging the plate with the plate and the positioning device shown in phantom lines.

[0027] Figure 1 1 is a plan view of the second half section of the housing with the carrier in the forward position and the button in the pressed position with the grapple and the positioning device each engaging the plate with the carrier and the return mechanism shown in phantom lines.

[0028] Figure 12 is a plan view of the second half section of the housing with the carrier in the intermediate position, the button in the released position, the grapple engaging the housing with the carrier shown in phantom lines.

[0029] Figure 12 A is a perspective view of a first post the grapple engaging the second half section the housing below a chamfered ledge with the carrier in the intermediate position.

[0030] Figure 13 is a plan view of the second half section of the housing with the carrier between the intermediate and rearward positions, the button in the pressed position, and the grapple moving from a center section of a cradle with the carrier shown in phantom lines.

[0031] Figure 13 A is a perspective view of the first post of the grapple engaging a ledge ramp of the chamfered ledge of the second half section of the housing with the carrier between the intermediate and rearward positions. [0032] Figure 14 is a plan view of the second half section of the housing with the carrier in the rearward position, the button in the pressed position, and the grapple engaging the housing with the carrier shown in phantom lines.

[0033] Figure 14A is a perspective view of the first post of the grapple engaging a plateau surface of the chamfered ledge of the second half section of th e housing with the carrier in the rearward position.

[0034] Figure 15 is a perspective view of the second half section of the housing with the carrier in the intermediate position, the button in the released position, and a protrusion of the grapple engaging a channel of the housing with the carrier shown in phantom lines.

[0035] Figure 16 is a plan view of the first half section of the housing with the carrier in the intermediate position, the button in the released position, a lifter of the carrier in an initial position, a catch apparatus engaging the lifter, and the plate positioned relative to a "Park" gear of the transmission with the plate and a link shown in phantom lines.

[0036] Figure 17 is a plan view of the second half section of the housing with the carrier in the intermediate position, the button in the released position, the lifter in the initial position, a stud of a second hook of the catch apparatus engaging an abutment surface of the lifter, the catch apparatus engaging the plate, and the plate positioned relative to the "Park" gear of the transmission with the plate shown in phantom lines.

[0037] Figure 18 is a plan view of the second half section of the housing with the carrier in the intermediate position, the button in the released position, the lifter in the initial position, the stud of the second hook of the catch apparatus engaging the abutment surface of the lifter, the catch apparatus engaging the plate, and the plate positioned relative to a "Reverse" gear of the transmission with the plate shown in phantom lines.

[0038] Figure 19 is a plan view of the second half section of the housing with the carrier in the intermediate position, the button in the released position, the lifter in the initial position, the stud of the second hook of the catch apparatus engaging the abutment surface of the lifter, the catch apparatus engaging the plate, and the plate positioned relative to a "Neutral" gear of the transmission with the plate shown in phantom lines.

[0039] Figure 20 is a plan view of the second half section of the housing with the carrier in the intermediate position, the button in the released position, the lifter in the initial position, the stud of the second hook of the catch apparatus engaging the abutment surface of the lifter, the catch apparatus engaging the plate, and the plate positioned relative to a "Drive" gear of the transmission with the plate shown in phantom lines.

[0040] Figure 21 is a plan view of the second half section of the housing with the carrier in the intermediate position, the button in the released position, the lifter in a final position, the stud of the second hook of the catch apparatus engaging the abutment surface of the lifter, and the catch apparatus disengaged from the plate with the plate shown in phantom lines.

[0041] Figure 22 is a plan view of the second half section of the housing with the catch apparatus in a locked position, the plate in a first gear position, and the electrical device in a de-energized state.

[0042] Figure 23 is a plan view of the second half section of the housing with the catch apparatus in the locked position, the plate in the first gear position, the electrical device in the de-energized state, and the positioning device engaging the plate with the catch apparatus shown in phantom lines.

[0043] Figure 24 is a plan view of the second half section of the housing with the catch apparatus in an unlocked position, the electrical device in an energized state, and the positioning device engaging a ramp of the plate with the catch apparatus shown in phantom lines.

[0044] Figure 25 is a plan view of the second half section of the housing with the catch apparatus in the unlocked position, the plate in a second gear position, the electrical device in the energized state, and the positioning device engaging the ramp of the plate with the catch apparatus shown in phantom lines.

[0045] Figure 26 is a plan view of the second half section of the housing with the catch apparatus in the locked position, the plate in the second gear position, the electrical device in the de-energized state, and the positioning device engaging the plate with the catch apparatus shown in phantom lines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0046] Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a selector apparatus 30 for a vehicle is generally shown in FIGS. 1-3. Generally, the selector apparatus 30 is used in shift-by- wire operation to electrically signal which of one of a plurality of gears of a transmission for the vehicle should be selected. However, it is to be appreciated that communication between the selector apparatus 30 and the transmission can be through any suitable mechanical components, including but not limited to rods, pulleys, cables, and the like. [0047] The transmission for the vehicle generally has four gears: Park (hereinafter "P"), Reverse (hereinafter "R"), Neutral (hereinafter "N"), and Drive (hereinafter "D"). It is to be appreciated that the transmission for the vehicle can have any number of gears in addition to the above, such as but not limited to low, high, etc. Furthermore, the gears of the transmission can have different identifiers and order.

[0048] The selector apparatus 30 includes a shifter assembly 32 for selecting one of the gears of the transmission. The shifter assembly 32 includes a housing 34 secured to the vehicle by fasteners. The fasteners can be further defined as bolts, screws, pins, etc. It is to be appreciated that the housing 34 can be formed of any suitable material(s). As non- limiting examples, the housing 34 can be formed of any type of metallic material(s), polymer material(s), composite material(s), and/or any other suitable material(s).

[0049] The housing 34 includes a first half section 36 and a second half section 38 abutting each other. The first and second half sections 36, 38 are configured to substantially enclose and/or seal the shifter assembly 32 when the first and second half sections 36, 38 are coupled to each other. The first and second half sections 36, 38 are secured to each other by fasteners such as, but are not limited to, bolts, screws, pins, etc.

[0050] As best shown in FIGS. 2A-2C and 12-15 the housing 34 has an interior surface 40a, 40b defining a channel 42. More specifically, the first and second half sections 36, 38 of the housing 34 have the interior surface 40a, 40b. The channel 42 is defined by the interior surface 40b of the second half section 38 of the housing 34. Furthermore, the interior surface 40a, 40b of the housing 34 defines a cavity 44 for substantially enclosing the shifter assembly 32. [0051] The interior surface 40b of the housing 34 further defines a plurality of embankment surfaces 46 adjacent to the channel 42. The embankment surfaces 46 extend into the cavity 44 from the interior surface 40b and abut the channel 42. More specifically, each of the embankment surfaces 46 slope away from the channel 42.

[0052] Although not required for the subject invention, the housing 34 could include a track 48 extending from the interior surface 40b with the track 48 having a first portion 50 and a second portion 52 adjacent the first portion 50. More specifically, the first and second portions 50, 52 of the track 48 abut each other and extend away from each other to distal ends. The track 48 is disposed below the channel 42 such that the channel 42 is adjacent both the first and second portions 50, 52. Both of the first and second portions 50, 52 are substantially arcuate in configuration such that the first and second portions 50, 52 are disposed generally about a first radius r relative to a first axis A, as best shown in FIG. 14.

[0053] The first portion 50 of the track 48 has a first abutment surface and the second portion 52 of the track 48 has a second abutment surface adjacent the first abutment surface. The channel 42 is adjacent both of the first and second abutment surfaces.

[0054] Furthermore, the housing 34 includes a cradle 58, and more specifically, the cradle 58 is disposed proximate to the track 48. The cradle 58 is also disposed below the channel 42 and the track 48. In certain embodiments, the cradle 58 is spaced from the track 48. The cradle 58 projects from the interior surface 40b of the second half section 38 of the housing 34. The cradle 58 includes a center section 60, a first section 62, and a second section 64 with the first and second sections 62, 64 each adjacent the center section 60 and extending to distal ends. The center section 60 of the cradle 58 as well as the first and second sections 62, 64 of the cradle 58 are substantially arcuate in configuration such that the first and second sections 62, 64 are disposed about a second radius r 2 relative to the first axis A and the center section 60 is disposed about a third radius r 3 relative to the first axis A, as best shown in FIG. 14. The first radius n is less than the second radius r 2 and the second radius r 2 is less than the third radius r 3 . Therefore, the first radius is also less than the third radius r 3 .

[0055] The cradle 58 further includes a first cradle ramp disposed between the center section 60 and the first section 62 and a second cradle ramp disposed between the center section 60 and the second section 64. More specifically, the first cradle ramp joins together the center and first sections 60, 62, and likewise, the second cradle ramp joins together the center and second sections 60, 64. The first cradle ramp slopes upwardly from the center section 60 toward the first section 62 and the second cradle ramp slopes upwardly from the center section 60 toward the second section 64.

[0056] The housing further includes a chamfered ledge 65 disposed between the track 48 and the cradle 58. The chamfered ledge 65 projects from the interior surface 40b of the second half section 38 of the housing 34. More specifically, the chamfered ledge 65 is disposed about a fourth radius r 4 relative to the first axis A. The chamfered ledge 65 includes a plateau surface 67 parallel to the interior surface 40b of the second half section 38. The chamfered ledge 65 also includes a ledge ramp 69 sloping upwardly from the interior surface 40b towards the plateau surface 67.

[0057] The shifter assembly 32 further includes a carrier 70 coupled to the housing 34 and pivotable about the first axis A between a forward position and a rearward position. More specifically, a pin 72 extends from the carrier 70 and engages the housing 34 along the first axis A such that the carrier 70 pivots about the pin 72, as best shown in FIG. 2D. In other words, the pin 72 is mounted to the housing 34 such that the carrier 70 pivots on the pin 72 about the first axis A. It is to be appreciated that in yet another embodiment the carrier 70 pivots with the pin 72 about the first axis A. In yet another embodiment, the pin 72 is free-floating between the carrier 70 and the housing 34.

[0058] The carrier 70 includes a body 74 and a handle 76 coupled to the body 74. The body 74 and the handle 76 extend away from the pin 72 transverse to the first axis A. The body 74 and a portion of the handle 76 are disposed in the cavity 44 of the housing 34. The handle 76 allows a user to pivot the carrier 70 between the forward and rearward positions. More specifically, the user moves the handle 76 of the carrier 70 which concurrently rotates the handle 76 and the body 74 of the carrier 70 into one of the forward and rearward positions. The forward position is further defined as moving the body 74 of the carrier 70 toward the distal end of the first portion 50 of the track 48 and the rearward position is further defined as moving the body 74 of the carrier 70 toward the distal end of the second portion 52 of the track 48. However, it is to be appreciated that the terms forward and rearward are used for illustrative purposes only to clarify the movement of the carrier 70. It is to be appreciated that the terms "forward" and "rearward" can be interchanged depending on the perspective from which pivoting of the carrier 70 is viewed.

[0059] As best shown in FIG.2D, the body 74 includes a return engagement surface 78 having a first haptic ramp 80 and a second haptic ramp 82 disposed adjacent to each other. The first and second haptic ramps 80, 82 are positioned in a generally V-shaped configuration, such that the first and second haptic ramps 80, 82 abut each other at a middle portion. The first and second haptic ramps 80, 82 slope upwardly away from each other as the first and second haptic ramps 80, 82 extend away from the middle portion. It is to be appreciated that the first and second haptic ramps 80, 82 can be any suitable configuration.

[0060] The body 74 further defines a window 86. More specifically, the window 86 is adjacent to the return engagement surface 78. The window 86 will be discussed further below.

[0061] The shifter assembly 32 further includes a return mechanism 88 rotatably coupled to the housing 34 and engaging the carrier 70 to continuously bias the carrier 70 to an intermediate position. More specifically, the return mechanism 88 includes an arm 90 pivotable about a first hook axis B. The arm 90 is coupled to the housing 34 along the first hook axis B.

[0062] The arm 90 has an engagement end 92 for engaging the return engagement surface 78. More specifically, a wheel 94 is rotatably coupled to the engagement end 92 of the arm 90 along a wheel axis for engaging the return engagement surface 78, as is best shown in FIG. 3. The first hook axis B and the wheel axis are spaced from each other and substantially parallel to each other.

[0063] The engagement end 92 of the arm 90 is disposed through the window 86 and such that the arm 90 is moveable along the return engagement surface 78. More specifically, the wheel 94 of the engagement end 92 of the arm 90 is disposed through the window 86 to engage the first and second haptic ramps 80, 82 as the carrier 70 pivots between the forward and rearward positions. The arm 90 of the return mechanism 88 is curved such that the arm 90 is configured as a generally inverted U-shape configuration. It is to be appreciated that the arm 90 can be in any suitable configuration.

[0064] The arm 90 further includes a tab 96 extending generally away from the engagement end 92 of the arm 90. The return mechanism 88 further includes a spring 98 for continuously biasing the arm 90 into engagement with the return engagement surface 78 of the body 74 of the carrier 70. More specifically, the spring 98 biases the wheel 94 into engagement with the return engagement surface 78. The spring 98 is attached to the housing 34 and the tab 96 of the arm 90 for continuously biasing the arm 90. The spring 98 can be any suitable biasing component.

[0065] When the handle 76 is released by the user, the return mechanism 88 biases the carrier 70 back to the intermediate position, as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 8. More specifically, releasing the handle 76 causes the engagement end 92 of the arm 90 of the return mechanism 88 to move toward the middle portion of the return engagement surface 78. When the return mechanism 88 is in the middle portion of the return engagement surface 78, the carrier 70 is in the intermediate position.

[0066] When the carrier 70 pivots toward the forward position the wheel 94 moves into engagement with the second haptic ramp 82 and rotates about the wheel axis along the second haptic ramp 82 away from the middle portion, as best shown in FIG. 10. It is to be appreciated that the wheel 94 can move along the second haptic ramp 82 without rotating about the wheel axis. The first and second haptic ramps 80, 82 further include a plurality of bumps 100 projecting from the first and second haptic ramps 80, 82 such that the wheel 94 of the return mechanism 88 engages the bumps 100, as shown in FIG. 3. Each of the bumps 100 correspond to changing the gears of the transmission for the vehicle.

[0067] In one embodiment, each one of the gears can be changed between "P" and "R," between "R" and "N," and between "N" and "D," and each gear change corresponds to one of the bumps 100. As shown in FIG. 10, as the wheel 94 rotates along the second haptic ramp 82, the wheel 94 moves over the bumps 100. More specifically, the arm 90 pivots about the first hook axis B in conjunction with the movement of the wheel 94 over the bumps 100. Furthermore, movement of the wheel 94 over the bumps 100 is resisted by the bias of the spring 98 through the arm 90. As a result, the effort required to rotate the wheel 94 up the second haptic ramp 82 increases over the bumps 100. In turn, the user encounters a haptic feedback to each one of the gears of the transmission for the vehicle. When the carrier 70 has been pivoted in the forward position to the desired gear, the user releases the handle 76 of the carrier 70. The spring 98 biases the arm 90 of the return mechanism 88 which causes the wheel 94 of the arm 90 to move toward the middle portion of the return engagement surface 78 of the carrier 70. As a result, the carrier 70 pivots back to the intermediate position, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0068] Similarly, as the carrier 70 pivots toward the rearward position, the wheel 94 moves into engagement with the first haptic ramp 80 and rotates about the wheel axis to move along the first haptic ramp 80 away from the middle portion, as shown in FIG. 6. It is to be appreciated that the wheel 94 can move along the first haptic ramp 80 without rotating about the wheel axis. As the wheel 94 rotates along the first haptic ramp 80, the wheel 94 moves over the bumps 100 creating the haptic feedback corresponding to each one of the gears of the transmission for the vehicle. When the carrier 70 has been pivoted in the rearward position to the desired gear the user releases the handle 76 of the carrier 70. The spring 98 biases the arm 90 of the return mechanism 88 which causes the wheel 94 of the arm 90 to move toward the middle portion of the return engagement surface 78 of the carrier 70. As a result, the carrier 70 pivots back to the intermediate position, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0069] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the shifter assembly 32 further includes a plate 102 disposed adjacent the carrier 70 and coupled to the housing 34. The plate 102 is pivotable about a second axis D between at least a first gear position and a second gear position independent of the movement of the carrier 70. More specifically, the plate 102 is pivotably coupled to the housing 34 along the second axis D. The pin 72 of the carrier 70 is also disposed along the second axis D and couples the plate 102 to the housing 34. It is to be appreciated that the first axis A of the carrier 70 and the second axis D of the plate 102 are substantially parallel to each other. In certain embodiments, the first and second axes A, D coincide. The plate 102 is disposed within the cavity 44 of the housing 34 and disposed between the carrier 70 and the second half section 38. The plate 102 has a substantially triangular configuration. It is to be appreciated that the plate 102 can be any suitable configuration.

[0070] As is best shown in FIG. 2E, a flange 104 extends from the plate 102 toward the carrier 70 in a direction parallel to the second axis D. The flange 104 extends to distal ends transverse to the second axis D and has a substantially arcuate configuration. The flange 104 of the plate 102 further has a notch surface.

[0071] The plate 102 has a plurality of notches 108, and more specifically, the notches 108 are disposed along the notch surface of the flange 104. The notches 108 of the plate 102 are further defined as a first set of notches 110 and a second set of notches 112 spaced from the first set of notches 1 10. The first and second set of notches 110, 112 are disposed along the notch surface of the flange 104 with the first set of notches 110 spaced from the center of the flange 104 towards one of the distal ends of the flange 104 and the second set of notches 112 from the center of the flange 104 towards another one of the distal ends of the flange 104. The first and second set of notches 110, 112 each have four notches corresponding to the four gears of the transmission for the vehicle: "P," "R," "N," and "D." It is to be appreciated that each of the first and second set of notches 110, 1 12 can have more or less than four notches depending on the number of possible gears of the transmission of the vehicle. Furthermore, a grapple 114 engages one of the notches 108 of the plate 102 to temporarily couple the plate 102 to the carrier 70 for concurrently moving the plate 102 from the first gear position to the second gear position during the movement of the carrier 70 between the forward and rearward positions. The grapple 114 will be discussed in greater detail below.

[0072] In addition, the plate 102 has a plurality of detents 116 spaced from the notches 108. Furthermore, the plate 102 defines an aperture 1 18 spaced from the notches 108 with the detents 116 disposed in the aperture 1 18 and facing away from the notches 108. More specifically, the aperture 1 18 has a detent surface with the detents 1 16 extending from the detent surface. The aperture 1 18 is between the second axis D and the flange 104. The detent surface is disposed transverse to the second axis D.

[0073] The detents 1 16 present a first detent end and a second detent end spaced from the first detent end. The detents 1 16 have four detents 1 16 each representing the four gears of the transmission for the vehicle in a similar fashion as the notches 108. More specifically, the detent 116 adjacent to the second detent end of the detent surface corresponds to the "P" gear of the transmission. Adjacent to the "P" detent 116 is the detent 1 16 that corresponds to the "R" gear of the transmission. Adjacent to the "R" detent 1 16 is the detent 116 that corresponds to the "N" gear of the transmission. Finally, adjacent to the "N" detent 116 is the detent 116 that corresponds to the "D" gear of the transmission. The "D" detent 116 is the detent 1 16 adjacent to the first detent end of the detent surface. In other words, the "P," "R," "N," and "D" detents 1 16 are in order from the second detent end to the first detent end. It is to be appreciated that the detents 1 16 can be more or less than four depending on the number of gears of the transmission. Furthermore, the order of the gears assigned to each of the detents 1 16 can change.

[0074] The shifter assembly 32 further includes a positioning device 126 coupled to the housing 34 and engaging one of the detents 116 of the plate 102 to retain the plate 102 in the second gear position. More specifically, the positioning device 126 includes a lever 128, as best shown in ' FIGS. 2A and 2B. The lever 128 pivots about the first hook axis B and is coupled to the housing 34 about the first hook axis B. Additionally, the lever 128 has an abutment end 130 spaced from the first hook axis B. In addition, the lever 128 is positioned between the second half section 38 of the housing 34 and the arm 90 of the return mechanism 88.

[0075] Furthermore, the positioning device 126 includes a roller 132 selectively engaging the detents 116 of the plate 102, as best shown in FIG. 2B. The roller 132 is rotatable about a roller axis E while moving from one of the detents 116 to another one of the detents 116 as the plate 102 moves between the first and second gear positions. Furthermore, the roller 132 is coupled to the abutment end 130 of the lever 128 along the roller axis E. The roller axis E and the first hook axis B are spaced from each other and substantially parallel to each other.

[0076] As best shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the lever 128 of the positioning device 126 is disposed adjacent to the plate 102 with the plate 102 between the lever 128 and the second half section 38 of the housing 34. Furthermore, the roller 132 is disposed within the aperture 118 of the plate 102, as best shown in FIGS. 5, 7, 9, and 11. As previously mentioned, the plate 102 is pivotable about the second axis D between at least the first gear position and the second gear position independent of the movement of the carrier 70. As will be described in greater detail below, the carrier 70 and the plate 102 can pivot independently of each other; however, the pivoting of the carrier 70 can cause the plate 102 to pivot.

[0077] The position of the plate 102 determines which gear of the transmission of the vehicle is selected. As such, the user can pivot the handle 76 and thus the carrier 70 to pivot the plate 102 and select a different gear of the transmission. The first gear position is the position of the plate 102 prior to pivoting the handle 76 of the carrier 70. In the first gear position, the roller 132 of the positioning device 126 engages and maintains engagement with one of the detents 116 of the plate 102. Engagement of the roller 132 with one of the detents 116 retains the plate 102 in the first gear position. When the user pivots the handle 76 and thus the carrier 70 from the intermediate position to one of the forward and rearward positions, the roller 132 rotates about the roller axis E and moves along the detent surface. The roller 132 selectively engages each one of the detents 116 in sequential order as it moves along the detent surface until the user stops pivoting the carrier 70. When the user releases the handle 76, the return mechanism 88 pivots the carrier 70 from one of the forward and rearward positions to the intermediate position while the roller 132 engages one of the detents 116 to retain the plate 102 in the second gear position. The interaction between the carrier 70 and the plate 102 while the carrier 70 pivots between the forward and rearward positions will be described in greater detail below.

[0078] The shifter assembly 32 also includes the grapple 114 mounted to the carrier 70 and moving with the carrier 70 between the forward and rearward positions. The grapple 1 14 is pivotably mounted to the carrier 70 along a grapple axis F. More specifically, a grapple pin 135 extends from the carrier 70 along the grapple axis F towards the second half section 38 of the housing 34. The grapple 114 has a grapple hole 137 with the grapple pin 135 disposed within the grapple hole 137. More over, the grapple 114 can rotate about the grapple pin 135, as well as translate towards and away from the carrier 70 along the grapple pin 135. The grapple 1 14 is disposed between the second half section 38 of the housing 34 and the carrier 70. Additionally, the grapple 114 is disposed below the plate 102 such that the grapple 1 14 is proximate to the notch surface of the flange 104 of the plate 102. Furthermore, the grapple 114 is substantially disposed within the cradle 58 of the housing 34. More specifically, the grapple 1 14 is disposed within the center section 60 of the cradle 58 when the carrier 70 is disposed in the intermediate position.

[0079] A grapple bias member 134 is disposed between the body 74 of the carrier 70 and the grapple 1 14, as best shown in FIGS. 2 A and 2B. More specifically, the grapple bias member 134 is secured to the body 74 and abuts the grapple 1 14 for biasing the grapple 114 toward the second half section 38 of the housing 34. [0080] The grapple 114 has a protrusion 136 for engaging the channel 42 of the housing 34 when the carrier 70 is in the intermediate position between the forward and rearward positions. The protrusion 136 extends from the grapple 114 in a direction parallel to the axis A and is disposed within the channel 42 of the housing 34 when the carrier 70 is in the intermediate position, as shown in FIG. 12. The protrusion 136 of the grapple 1 14 engages the first portion 50 of the track 48 when the carrier 70 is in the forward position. Likewise, the protrusion 136 engages the second portion 52 of the track 48 when the carrier 70 is in the rearward position, as generally shown in FIG. 14. More specifically, the protrusion 136 of the grapple 1 14 disengages the channel 42 when the carrier 70 pivots to one of the forward and rearward positions. Disengagement of the protrusion 136 from the channel 42 will be described in greater detail below. The protrusion 136 disengages the channel 42 of the housing 34 as the carrier 70 continues to pivot to one of the forward and rearward positions, as shown in FIG. 14. When the carrier 70 is pivoted toward the forward position, the protrusion 136 engages and slides along the first abutment surface of the first portion 50 of the track 48. When the carrier 70 is pivoted toward the rearward position, the protrusion 136 engages and slides along the second abutment surface of the second portion 52 of the track 48.

[0081] In addition, the grapple 114 has a plurality of posts 138 with at least one of the posts 138 selectively engaging the cradle 58 for moving the grapple 114 relative to the carrier 70 as the carrier 70 moves between the forward and the rearward positions, as best shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. More specifically, the posts 138 are further defined as a first post and a second post. The first post is disposed at a first grapple end 144 of the grapple 1 14 and the second post is disposed at a second grapple end 146 of the grapple 114. It is to be appreciated that any suitable number of posts 138 can be utilized.

[0082] Initially, as the carrier 70 pivots to one of the forward and rearward positions, the grapple 114 moves relative to the body 74 of the carrier 70 about the grapple axis F and simultaneously pivots about the protrusion 136 relative to the channel 42 of the housing 34, as shown in FIG. 13. The protrusion 136 pivots within the channel 42 during the initial movement of the carrier 70. As generally shown in FIGS. 12 - 15, as the carrier 70 is pivoted toward the forward position, the first post of the grapple 114 engages and slides along the first cradle ramp of the cradle 58 which moves the grapple 114 about the grapple axis F. More specifically, engagement of the first post with the first cradle ramp moves the first grapple end 144 upwardly towards the plate 102. Similarly, as the carrier 70 is pivoted toward the rearward position, the second post of the grapple 1 14 engages and slides along the second cradle ramp of the cradle 58 to move the grapple 114 about the grapple axis F. More specifically, engagement of the second post with the second cradle ramp moves the second grapple end 146 upwardly towards the plate 102. The reasons for moving the first and second grapple ends 144, 146 of the grapple 1 14 toward the plate 102 will become apparent in the paragraphs below.

[0083] Returning generally to FIGS. 2A-2B, the grapple 114 further includes a first pawl 148 and a second pawl 150 spaced from each other. Each of the pawls 148, 150 face the notches 108 for selectively engaging at least one of the notches 108 of the plate 102. The first pawl 148 is disposed on the first grapple end 144 of the grapple 114 and the second pawl 150 is disposed on the second grapple end 146 of the grapple 1 14. As best shown in FIGS. 12 A, 13A , and 14 A, as the first grapple end 144 moves upwardly towards the plate 102, the first post of the grapple engages the ledge ramp 69 of the chamfered ledge 65 of the housing 34. Similarly, as the second grapple end 146 moves upwardly towards the plate 102, the first post of the grapple engages the ledge ramp 69 of the chamfered ledge 65 of the housing 34. Engagement of either one of the first and second posts with the ledge ramp 69 causes the grapple 114 to translate along the grapple pin 135 towards the carrier 70. Concurrently, the first pawl 148 selectively engages the first set of notches 110 and the second pawl 150 selectively engages the second set of notches 112. More specifically, the first pawl 148 selectively engages the first set of notches 110 when the first post engages and slides up the first cradle ramp of the cradle 58 (as best shown in FIGS. 10 and 11), and the second pawl 150 selectively engages the second set of notches 112 when the second post engages and slides up the second cradle ramp of the cradle 58 (as best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7). Each of the notches 108 of the first and second set of notches 110, 112 have a notch engagement surface and a notch disengagement surface. More specifically, the notch disengagement surfaces extend angularly from the notch surface 106 away from the center of the flange 104 and the notch engagement surfaces extend from the notch surface 106 at an angle substantially perpendicular to the notch surface 106. It is to be appreciated that the notch engagement and disengagement surfaces can extend from the notch surface 106 at any angle such that the notch engagement surface facilitates engagement of one of the first and second pawls 148, 150 of the grapple 114 with one of the notches 108 when the carrier 70 pivots towards one of the forward and rearward positions and the notch disengagement surface facilitates disengagement of one of the first and second pawls 148, 150 of the grapple 114 from the one of the notches 108 when the carrier 70 pivots from the one of the forward and rearward positions towards the intermediate position. Furthermore, for any one of the notches 108 the notch engagement surface is adjacent the distal end of the flange 104 and the notch disengagement surface is adjacent the center of the flange 104.

[0084] As previously discussed, the first and second set of notches 110, 112 each have four notches corresponding to the four gears of the transmission for the vehicle: "P," "R," "N," and "D," as generally shown in FIGS. 5, 7, 9, and 1 1. At any given position of the plate 102, two notches 108 will be available for engagement by one of the first and second pawls 148, 150 of the grapple 114; i.e., one notch 108 of the first set of notches 1 10 and one notch 108 from the second set of notches 1 12. As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, beginning with the first set of notches 110, the notch 108 adjacent to one of the distal ends of the flange 104 is further defined as a first notch 152 followed in sequential order moving toward another one of the distal ends of the flange 104 by a second notch 154, a third notch 156, and a fourth notch 158. Turning to the second set of notches 112, the notch 108 adjacent to another of the distal ends of the flange 104 is further defined as an eighth notch 160 followed in sequential order moving toward the other one of the distal ends of the flange 104 by a seventh notch 162, a sixth notch 164, and a fifth notch 166.

[0085] Returning generally to FIGS . 5, 7, 9, and 1 1 , in a first example of engagement of the grapple 1 14 with the plate 102, the positioning device 126 engages one of the detents 116 of the plate 102 to retain the plate 102 in a position that corresponds to the "P" gear of the transmission for the vehicle, as best shown in FIG. 5. When the plate 102 is in this position, the first pawl 148 of the grapple 114 engages the fourth notch 158 of the first set of notches 1 10 of the plate 102 as the carrier 70 pivots toward the forward position or the second pawl 150 of the grapple 114 engages the eighth notch 160 of the second set of notches 112 of the plate 102 as the carrier 70 pivots toward the rearward position.

[0086] In a second example of engagement of the grapple 114 with the plate 102, the positioning device 126 engages one of the detents 116 of the plate 102 to retain the plate 102 in a position that corresponds to the "R" gear of the transmission for the vehicle. When the plate 102 is in this position, the first pawl 148 of the grapple 114 engages the third notch 156 of the first set of notches 110 of the plate 102 as the carrier 70 pivots toward the forward position or the second pawl 150 of the grapple 1 14 engages the seventh notch 162 of the second set of notches 112 of the plate 102 as the carrier 70 is pivots toward the rearward position.

[0087] In a third example of engagement of the grapple 1 14 with the plate 102, the positioning device 126 engages one of the detents 1 16 of the plate 102 to retain the plate 102 in a position that corresponds to the "N" gear of the transmission for the vehicle. When the plate 102 is in this position, the first pawl 148 of the grapple 114 engages the second notch 154 of the first set of notches 1 10 of the plate 102 as the carrier 70 pivots toward the forward position or the second pawl 150 of the grapple 114 engages the sixth notch 164 of the second set of notches 112 of the plate 102 as the carrier 70 pivots toward the rearward position.

[0088] In a fourth example of engagement of the grapple 114 with the plate 102, the positioning device 126 engages one of the detents 116 of the plate 102 to retain the plate 102 in a position that corresponds to the "D" gear of the transmission for the vehicle, as shown in FIG. 9. When the plate 102 is in this position, the first pawl 148 of the grapple 114 engages the first notch 152 of the first set of notches 1 10 of the plate 102 as the carrier 70 pivots toward the forward position or the second pawl 150 of the grapple 1 14 engages the fifth notch 166 of the second set of notches 1 12 of the plate 102 as the carrier 70 pivots toward the rearward position.

[0089] As discussed above and as shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, as one of the first and second pawls 148, 150 engages one of the notches 108, one of the first and second posts of the grapple 1 14 disengages from the one of the first and second cradle ramps of the cradle 58 and engages the ledge ramp 69 of the chamfered ledge 65, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 13 A. The one of the first and second posts of the grapple 114 slides up the ledge ramp 69 towards the plateau surface 67. When the one of the first and second pawls 148, 150 of the grapple 114 engages the one of the notches 108, the one of the first and second posts are disposed on the plateau surface 67 of the chamfered ledge 65 as shown in FIG. 14 A. When the one of the first and second posts are disposed on the plateau surface 67 the grapple 114 has translated along the grapple pin 135 such that the protrusion 136 disengages the channel 42 of the housing 34, as discussed above. Disengagement of the protrusion 136 allows the carrier 70 to continue to pivot towards the forward and rearward postions and concurrently pivot 102 the plate towards the forward and rearward positions. When the carrier 70 pivots toward the forward position, the first pawl 148 engages one of the notches 108 of the first set of notches 110. More specifically, first pawl 148 engages the notch engagement surface of the one notch 108 of the first set of notches 1 10. The notch engagement surface is angled such that the first pawl 148 cannot disengage the one notch 108 of the first set of notches 1 10 as the carrier 70 pivots towards the forward position. As such as the carrier 70 pivots toward the forward position, the first post rotates with the plate 102 on the plateau surface 67 of the chamfered ledge 65. Similarly, when the carrier 70 pivots toward the rearward position, the second pawl 150 engages one of the second set of notches. More specifically, second pawl 150 engages the notch engagement surface of one of the notches 108 of the second set of notches 1 12. The notch engagement surface is angled such that the second pawl 150 cannot disengage the one notch 108 of the second set of notches 1 12 as the carrier 70 pivots toward the rearward position. As such as the carrier 70 pivots toward the rearward position, the second post rotates with the plate 102 on the plateau surface 67 of the chamfered ledge 65.

[0090] When the user pivots the handle 76 of the carrier 70 which moves the plate 102 from the first gear position to the second gear position the user releases the handle 76. Engagement of the positioning device 126 with one of the detents 116 retains the plate 102 in the second gear position, as shown in FIGS. 5, 7, 9, and 11. Referring generally to FIGS. 4, 6, 8, and 10, the return mechanism 88 pivots the carrier 70 from one of the forward and rearward positions toward the intermediate position. The one of the first and second pawls 148, 150 of the grapple 114 that is engaged with one of the notches 108 of the plate 102 now engages the notch disengagement surface of the notch 108. Engagement of the one of the first and second pawls 148, 150 with the notch disengagement surface of the notch 108 causes the respective grapple end 144, 146 of the grapple to move away from the plate 102. As such, the one of the first and second paw 148, 150 disengages from the one of the notches 108. When the carrier 70 pivots from the forward position to the intermediate position, the first post of the grapple 114 engages the first section 62 of the cradle 58, as is best shown in FIGS. 12-15. Engagement of the first post with the first section 62 of the cradle 58 prevents over-rotation of the grapple 114 about the grapple axis F such that the second pawl 150 of the grapple 114 can engage one of the notches 108. Similarly, when the carrier 70 pivots from the rearward position to the intermediate position, the second post of the grapple 1 14 engages the second section 64 of the cradle 58. Engagement of the second post with the second section 64 of the cradle 58 prevents over-rotation of the grapple 114 about the grapple axis F such that the first pawl 148 of the grapple 1 14 can engage one of the notches 108.

[0091] When the handle 76 of the carrier 70 is released by the user, the return mechanism 88 pivots the carrier 70 from one of the forward and rearward positions toward the intermediate position. As previously discussed, the interior surface 40b of the housing 34 further defines the embankment surfaces 46 adjacent to the channel 42. As shown in FIGS. 14, the protrusion 136 of the grapple 114 moves over the embankment surface 46 and engages the channel 42 when the carrier 70 pivots from one of the forward and rearward positions to the intermediate position. When the protrusion 136 of the grapple 114 moves back toward the channel 42, the slope of the embankment surface 46 assists in facilitating movement of the protrusion 136 back into the channel 42. As previously mentioned, engagement of the protrusion 136 with the channel 42 allows the grapple 1 14 to rotate and move the first and second pawls 148, 150 into engagement with the one notch 108 of the first and second set of notches 110, 112 of the plate 102. As such, the carrier 70 must return to the intermediate position in order to facilitate engagement of the first and second pawls 148, 150 of the grapple 114 with one of the notches 108 of the first and second set of notches 1 10, 112 of the plate 102 during any succeeding pivoting of the carrier 70 to one of the forward and rearward positions. [0092] Therefore, in summary, the shifter assembly 32 includes the housing 34, the carrier 70, the plate 102, the return mechanism 88, the grapple 1 14, and the positioning device 126.

[0093] The operation of the shifter assembly 32 will be discussed below for illustrative purposes only. Specifically, the operation of changing gears from the "P" gear to the "D" gear of the transmission for the vehicle is discussed below. As generally shown in FIGS. 4- 11 , the positioning device 126 engages the detent 116 of the plate 102 that corresponds to the "P" gear of the transmission and the carrier 70 is disposed in the intermediate position and the grapple 1 14 is disposed in the center section 60.

[0094] The user pivots the handle 76 of the carrier 70 to concurrently rotate the handle 76 and the body 74 of the carrier 70 into the rearward position.

[0095] As the carrier 70 pivots toward the rearward position, the wheel 94 of the return mechanism 88 moves into engagement with the first haptic ramp 80 and rotates about the wheel axis to move over the bumps 100 along the first haptic ramp 80 away from the middle portion.

[0096] As the carrier 70 pivots to the rearward position, the grapple 114 moves relative to the body 74 of the carrier 70 about the grapple axis F and simultaneously pivots about the protrusion 136 relative to the channel 42 of the housing 34. Simultaneous with pivoting of the grapple 1 14 about the protrusion 136, the second post of the grapple 114 engages and slides along the second cradle ramp of the cradle 58 to move the grapple 114 about the grapple axis F. Engagement of the second post with the second cradle ramp moves the second grapple end 146 upwardly toward the plate 102. The second post engages and slides up the ledge ramp of the chamfered ledge. The second post engages the plateau surface of the chamfered ledge and the second pawl 150 engages the eighth notch 160 of the second set of notches 1 12.

[0097] The force from the user input overcomes bias of the grapple bias member 134 as the grapple slides up the ledge ramp and engages the plateau surface of the chamfered ledge. As such, the grapple translates along the grapple pin towards the carrier. The translation of the grapple away from the second half section of the housing causes the protrusion 136 of the grapple 114 to disengage from the channel 42 of the housing 34. The protrusion 136 engages and slides along the second abutment surface of the second portion 52 of the track 48 toward the distal end.

[0098] The grapple 1 14 engages the plate 102 such that the plate 102 and the grapple 114 pivot with the carrier 70 to the rearward position. The second post slides along the plateau surface of the chamfered ledge. The roller 132 concurrently rotates about the roller axis E and moves along the detent surface. The roller 132 selectively engages each one of the detents 1 16 in sequential order as it moves along the detent surface until the user stops pivoting the carrier 70 at the "D" gear. The roller 132 engages the detent 116 of the plate 102 corresponding to the "D" gear of the transmission.

[0099] The user releases the handle 76 of the carrier 70 when at the "D" gear. The spring 98 biases the arm 90 of the return mechanism 88 such that the wheel 94 disposed on the engagement end 92 of the arm 90 moves toward the middle portion of the return engagement surface 78 of the carrier 70 and therefore pivots the carrier 70 from the rearward position back toward the intermediate position. The roller 132 retains the plate 102 in the "D" gear of the transmission through engagement of the positioning device 126 with the "D" detent 116. [0100] Simultaneous with the carrier 70 pivoting back from the rearward position to the intermediate position, the second pawl 150 disengages the eighth notch 160 of the second set of notches 1 12 of the plate 102. The second post of the grapple 1 14 disengages the chamfered ledge and engages the second section 64 of the cradle 58 to prevent over- rotation of the grapple 114 about the grapple axis F such that the first pawl 148 of the grapple 114 can engage one of the notches 108.

[0101] The protrusion 136 of the grapple 1 14 engages and slides along the second abutment surface of the second portion 52 of the track 48 toward the channel 42. The protrusion 136 moves over the embankment surface 46 and into engagement with the channel 42.

[0102] Turning back to FIGS. 2-3, the selector apparatus 30 further includes a shift- lock assembly 168 for selectively preventing movement of the selected gear of the transmission for the vehicle. It is to be appreciated that many of the components discussed above for the shifter assembly 32 are utilized by the shift-lock assembly 168. For example, the shift-lock assembly 168 includes the housing 34 and the carrier 70 as discussed above for the shifter assembly 32. The carrier 70 is coupled to the housing 34 and pivotable about the first axis A between the forward position and the rearward position.

[0103] The carrier 70 further includes a lifter 170 movable between an initial position and a final position independent of the carrier 70 pivoting between the forward and rearward positions. The lifter 170 is disposed between the return engagement surface 78 and the pin 72. The lifter 170 moves between the initial position and the final position transverse to the first axis A. More specifically, the lifter 170 moves toward the first axis A as the lifter 170 moves from the initial position to the final position.

[0104] The lifter 170 defines a slit 172 facing the second half section 38 of the housing 34. In certain embodiments, the lifter 170 is substantially arcuate in configuration. It is to be appreciated that the lifter 170 can be any suitable configuration. The lifter 170 has an abutment surface 174, and more specifically, the abutment surface 174 is disposed within the slit 172.

[0105] The handle 76 of the carrier 70 includes a button 176 in communication with the lifter 170 to facilitate movement of the lifter 170 between the initial and final positions. More specifically, the button 176 moves between a released position for restricting the carrier 70 in the intermediate position and a pressed position for allowing the carrier 70 to pivot toward one of the forward and rearward positions. Generally, the button 176 is initially disposed in the released position. When the button 176 is in the released position, the lifter 170 is in the initial position and likewise when the button 176 is in the pressed position the lifter 170 is in the final position.

[0106] The shift-lock assembly 168 further includes a catch apparatus 178 coupled to the lifter 170 of the carrier 70. The catch apparatus 178 is mounted to the housing 34 and rotatable about the first hook axis B and a second hook axis G. The first and second hook axes B, G are spaced from each other and substantially parallel to each other.

[0107] The catch apparatus 178 includes a first hook 180 rotatable about the first hook axis B. The first hook 180 is rotatably mounted to the housing 34 about the first hook axis B. More specifically, the first hook 180 is disposed along the first hook axis B between the arm 90 of the return mechanism 88 and the lever 128 of the positioning device 126. The first hook 180 has a first projection 182 for engaging the plate 102.

[0108] Furthermore, the catch apparatus 178 includes a second hook 184 rotatable about the second hook axis G. The second hook 184 is rotatably mounted to the housing 34 about the second hook axis G. More specifically, the second hook 184 is disposed along the second hook axis G between the first and second half sections 36, 38 of the housing 34. The second hook 184 has a second projection 186 for engaging the plate 102. Furthermore, the first and second hooks 180, 184 are disposed above the flange 104 of the plate 102 such that both the first and second hooks 180, 184 are proximate to the flange 104.

[0109] The first and second hooks 180, 184 are coupled to each other. More specifically, the catch apparatus 178 further includes a link 188 movably attached to the first and second hooks 180, 184 for coupling together the first and second hooks 180, 184 and transferring movement from one of the first and second hooks 180, 184 to the other one of the first and second hooks 180, 184. As best shown in FIGS. 17-21, the first hook 180 has a first pole 190 extending from the first hook 180 spaced from and parallel to the first hook axis B. The second hook 184 has a second pole 192 extending from the second hook 184 spaced from and parallel to the second hook axis G. The link 188 has a first hook end moveably attached to the first pole 190 and a second hook end moveably attached to the second pole 192. The link 188 allows a small amount of play between the first and second hooks 180, 184 for tolerance purposes.

[0110] The catch apparatus 178 has a stud 198 such that the stud 198 engages the abutment surface 174 of the lifter 170. The stud 198 moves along the abutment surface 174 when the lifter 170 moves between the initial and final positions. More specifically, the stud 198 is spaced from and parallel to the second axis D and extends from the second hook 184 toward the first half section 36 of the housing 34 to engage the abutment surface 174 of the lifter 170. In other words, the stud 198 is disposed in the slit 172 of the lifter 170. As the lifter 170 moves between the initial position (as shown in FIGS. 16- 20) and the final position (as shown in FIG. 21), the second hook 184 rotates about the second hook axis G. The stud 198 moves along the abutment surface 174 as the carrier 70 pivots between the forward and rearward positions. Furthermore, a small amount of movement occurs between the stud 198 and the abutment surface 174 as the lifter 170 moves between the initial and final positions to compensate for rotation of the second hook 184.

[0111] Returning generally to FIGS. 16-21, the movement of the lifter 170 from the initial position to the final position corresponds to rotation of the second hook 184 about the second hook axis G in a second direction while the link 188 simultaneously causes rotation of the first hook 180 about the first hook axis B in a first direction. The rotation of the first hook 180 in the first direction is different from the rotation of the second hook 184 in the second direction. Specifically, the first hook 180 rotates about the first hook axis B in the first direction and the second hook 184 rotates about the second hook axis G in the second direction opposite the first direction when the lifter 170 moves from the initial position to the final position. As an example, as oriented in FIGS. 17-21, when the second hook 184 rotates about the second hook axis G to disengage the second hook 184 from the plate 102 when the lifter 170 moves from the initial position to the final position, the second direction is counter-clockwise. When the second hook 184 rotates about the second hook axis G into engagement with the plate 102 when the lifter 170 moves from the final position to the initial position, the second direction is clockwise. Similarly, when the first hook 180 rotates about the first hook axis B to disengage the first hook 180 from the plate 102 when the lifter 170 moves from the initial position to the final position, the first direction is clockwise. When the first hook 180 rotates about the first hook axis B into engagement with the plate 102 when the lifter 170 moves from the final position to the initial position, the first direction is counter-clockwise. It is to be appreciated that the clockwise and counter-clockwise directions may be reversed.

[0112] The shift-lock assembly 168 also includes the plate 102 disposed adjacent the carrier 70 as discussed above for the shifter assembly 32. The plate 102 is pivotable about the second axis D between at least the first gear position and the second gear position independent of the movement of the carrier 70. The plate 102 has an engagement surface 200, and more specifically, the flange 104 of the plate 102 has the engagement surface 200. Furthermore, the engagement surface 200 opposes the notch surface of the flange 104. The catch apparatus 178 engages the engagement surface 200 of the plate 102 when the lifter 170 is in the initial position to retain the plate 102 in the first gear position, as shown in FIGS. 16-20. The catch apparatus 178 disengages the engagement surface 200 of the plate 102 when the lifter 170 is in the final position to permit movement of the plate 102 from the first gear position to the second gear position, as shown in FIG. 21.

[0113] Returning generally to FIGS. 16-21, rotation of the catch apparatus 178 about the first hook axis B and the second hook axis G facilitates engagement of the catch apparatus 178 with the engagement surface 200 when the lifter 170 is in the initial position and disengagement of the catch apparatus 178 with the engagement surface 200 when the lifter 170 is in the final position. More specifically, the first and second hooks 180, 184 of the catch apparatus 178 each selectively engage the engagement surface 200 of the plate 102 with at least one of the first and second hooks 180, 184 movably attached to the lifter 170. Even more specifically, the first projection 182 of the first hook 180 of the catch apparatus 178 engages the engagement surface 200 of the plate 102 and the second projection 186 of the second hook 184 of the catch apparatus 178 engages the engagement surface 200 of the plate 102. The second hook 184 is movably attached to the lifter 170, and more specifically, the stud 198 of the second hook 184 engages the abutment surface 174 of the lifter 170 and moves along the abutment surface 174 as the lifter 170 moves between the initial and final positions.

[0114] As shown in FIGS. 17-21, the engagement surface 200 of the plate 102 has a first serration 202 cooperating with the first hook 180 and a second serration 204 cooperating with the second hook 184. The first hook 180 selectively engages the first serration 202 and the second hook 184 selectively engages the second serration 204 when the lifter 170 is in the initial position. The first serration 202 is further defined as a plurality of first serrations 202. It is to be appreciated that the first and second serrations 202, 204 can be any suitable configuration.

[0115] In a first example of engagement of the catch apparatus 178 with the plate 102, as best shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the plate 102 is positioned to correspond to the "P" gear of the transmission as previously defined. In this position, the first projection 182 of the first hook 180 abuts the one of the first serrations 202 of the plate 102 and the second projection 186 of the second hook 184 abuts the second serration 204 of the plate 102. Abutment of the first and second projections 182, 186 of the first and second hooks 180, 184 prevents the plate 102 from pivoting to the "R," "N," and "D" gear positions.

[0116] In a second example of engagement of the catch apparatus 178 with the plate 102, as best shown in FIG. 18, the plate 102 is positioned to correspond to the "R" gear of the transmission as previously defined. In this position, the first projection 182 of the first hook 180 abuts the first serrations 202 and the second projection 186 of the second hook 184 abuts the second serration 204. Abutment of the first and second projections 182, 186 of the first and second hooks 180, 184 prevents the plate 102 from pivoting to the "P," "N," and "D" gear positions.

[0117] In athird example of engagement of the catch apparatus 178 with the plate 102, as best shown in FIG. 19, the plate 102 is positioned to correspond to the "N" gear of the transmission as previously defined. In this position, the first projection 182 of the first hook 180 abuts the one of the first serrations 202 and the second projection 186 of the second hook 184 is spaced from the second serration 204. Abutment of the first projection 182 of the first hook 180 prevents the plate 102 from pivoting to the "P" and "R" gear positions but allows the plate 102 to pivot to the "D" gear position with the lifter 170 in the initial position.

[0118] In a fourth example of engagement of the catch apparatus 178 with the plate 102, as best shown in FIG. 20, the plate 102 is positioned to correspond to the "D" gear of the transmission as previously defined. In this position, the first projection 182 of the first hook 180 is spaced from the first serrations 202 and the second projection 186 of the second hook 184 is spaced from the second serration 204. The plate 102 can pivot to the "N" gear position with the lifter 170 in the initial position. [0119] Returning generally to FIGS. 2A-2B, the catch apparatus 178 has a biasing member 206 abutting the housing 34 to continuously bias the catch apparatus 178 toward the engagement surface 200. Specifically, the biasing member 206 engages the second hook 184 of the catch apparatus 178. When the button 176 of the handle 76 of the carrier 70 is in the pressed position the lifter 170 moves from the initial position to the final position. Concurrently, the second hook 184 rotates about the second hook axis G such that the biasing member 206 compresses and exerts force on the second hook 184. When the button 176 is in the released position the bias force of the biasing member 206 rotates the second hook 184 back into engagement with the engagement surface 200 while concurrently moving the lifter 170 from the final position to the initial position.

[0120] Therefore, in summary, the shift-lock assembly 168 includes the housing 34, the carrier 70, the lifter 170, the plate 102, and the catch apparatus 178.

[0121] The operation of the shift-lock assembly 168 will be discussed below for illustrative purposes only. Specifically, the operation of the shift-lock assembly 168 to allow movement of the carrier 70 is discussed below. As generally shown in FIGS. 16- 21, the plate 102 is disposed in the first gear position, the button 176 is in the released position, and the catch apparatus 178 is engaging the engagement surface 200 of the plate 102.

[0122] The user engages the button 176 of the handle 76 of the carrier 70 to move the button 176 to the pressed position. Concurrently, the lifter 170 of the carrier 70 moves from the initial position to the final position. Movement of the lifter 170 causes the stud 198 of the second hook 184 to engage the abutment surface 174 of the lifter 170 which rotates the second hook 184 of the catch apparatus 178 about the second hook axis G in the second direction. The second projection 186 of the second hook 184 disengages the engagement surface 200 of the plate 102. The link 188 transfers rotation of the second hook 184 to the first hook 180 which rotates the first hook 180 about the first hook axis B in the first direction. The first projection 182 of the first hook 180 disengages the engagement surface 200 of the plate 102 such that the plate 102 can pivot between the first gear position and the second gear position. The user can pivot the carrier 70 to pivot the plate 102 to from the first gear position to the second gear position, as previously described.

[0123] Turning back to FIGS. 2-3, the selector apparatus 30 further includes a gear change assembly 208 for changing the gear of the transmission for the vehicle. More specifically, the gear change assembly 208 is utilized to engage the aforementioned "P" gear of the transmission. It is to be appreciated that many of the components discussed above for the shifter assembly 32 and the shift-lock assembly 168 are also utilized by the gear change assembly 208. For example, the gear change assembly 208 includes the housing 34 as discussed above for the shifter assembly 32 and the shift-lock assembly 168. Furthermore, the gear change assembly 208 includes the plate 102 coupled to the housing 34 with the plate 102 pivotable about an axis D between at least a first gear position and a second gear position. More specifically, the axis D is referred to as the previously discussed second axis D from the shifter and shift-lock assemblies 32, 168 and will be referred to as the second axis D in the below discussion. For the gear change assembly 208, the positioning device 126 engages one ofthe detents 116 ofthe plate 102 to retain the plate 102 in the position that corresponds to the "R," "N," and "D" gears of the transmission when the plate 102 is in the first gear position and the positioning device 126 engages one of the detents 1 16 of the plate 102 to retain the plate 102 in the position that corresponds to the "P" gear of the transmission when the plate 102 is in the second gear position. Therefore, the first and second gear positions for the gear change assembly 208 are different from the discussions above for the shifter assembly 32 and the shift-lock assembly 168.

[0124] Furthermore, the plate 102 has a ramp 210 and the engagement surface 200 spaced from the ramp 210. More specifically, the plate 102 defines the aperture 118 with the ramp 210 disposed in the aperture 1 18. The ramp 210 of the plate 102 is adjacent the detent surface of the plate 102. Furthermore, the plate 102 has an end surface 212 is disposed within the aperture 118 adjacent the detent surface and the ramp 210. The end surface 212 is disposed substantially transverse to the second axis D of the plate 102. As a result, the aperture 118 of the plate 102 defines a generally triangular configuration. It is to be appreciated the aperture 118 of the plate 102 can be any suitable configuration.

[0125] The gear change assembly 208 further includes an electrical device 214 coupled to the housing 34 and presenting an energized state and a de-energized state, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, for pivoting the plate 102 between the first and second gear positions.

[0126] The electrical device 214 is further defined as a servomotor 216 and a disk 218 rotatably coupled to the servomotor 216 to move the positioning device 126 and the catch apparatus 178 when the electrical device 214 alternates between the energized and de- energized states. The housing 34 has an exterior surface 220 opposing the interior surface 40a, 40b with the servomotor 216 mounted to the exterior surface 220 of the housing 34. More specifically, the servomotor 216 is mounted to the first half section 36 of the housing 34. The servomotor 216 has an axle 222 extending from servomotor 216 through the housing 34 into the cavity 44 to engage the disk 218. When the electrical device 214 is in the de-energized state, the servomotor 216 is de-energized such that the disk 218 is stationary. When the electrical device 214 is in the energized state the servomotor 216 communicates with the disk 218 to rotate the disk 218 about the axle 222. It is to be appreciated that the disk 218 of the axle 222 of the servomotor 216 can rotate in a clockwise direction or a counter-clockwise direction.

[0127] The gear change assembly 208 further includes the catch apparatus 178 movable between a locked position engaging the engagement surface 200 of the plate 102 when the electrical device 214 is in the de-energized state to retain the plate 102 in the first gear position and an unlocked position spaced from the engagement surface 200 of the plate 102 when the electrical device 214 is in the energized state, as generally shown in FIGS. 22-26. Movement of the catch apparatus 178 between the locked and unlocked positions is similar to the aforementioned movement of the catch apparatus 178 between the initial and final positions. Therefore, for this discussion, the locked position is equivalent to the initial position and the unlocked position is equivalent to the final position.

[0128] As previously discussed, the catch apparatus 178 is mounted to the housing 34 and rotatable about the first hook axis B and the second hook axis G. The catch apparatus 178 includes the first hook 180 rotatable about the first hook axis B and the second hook 184 rotatable about the second hook axis G. The first and second hooks 180, 184 are coupled to each other and each selectively engages the engagement surface 200 of the plate 102. The catch apparatus 178 further includes the link 188 movably attached to the first and second hooks 180, 184 for coupling together the first and second hooks 180, 184 and transferring movement from one of the first and second hooks 180, 184 to the other one of the first and second hooks 180, 184.

[0129] Rotation of the catch apparatus 178 about the first hook axis B and the second hook axis G facilitates engagement of the catch apparatus 178 with the engagement surface 200 when the positioning device 126 moves the catch apparatus 178 to the locked position and disengagement of the catch apparatus 178 with the engagement surface 200 when the positioning device 126 moves the catch apparatus 178 to the unlocked position. As described above, movement of the catch apparatus 178 from the locked position (as shown in FIGS. 22-25) to the unlocked position (as shown in FIGS. 26) corresponds to rotation of the first hook 180 about the first hook axis B in the first direction while the link 188 simultaneously causes rotation of the second hook 184 about the second hook axis G in the second direction. The rotation of the first hook 180 in the first direction is different from the rotation of the second hook 184 in the second direction. Specifically, the first hook 180 rotates about the first hook axis B in the first direction and the second hook 184 rotates about the second hook axis G in the second direction opposite the first direction when the positioning device 126 moves the catch apparatus 178 from the locked position to the unlocked position. As previously discussed, to move the catch apparatus 178 at least one of the first and second hooks 180, 184 is movably attached to the positioning device 126, which will be discussed below.

[0130] The engagement surface 200 of the plate 102 has the first serration 202 cooperating with the first hook 180 and the second serration 204 cooperating with the second hook 184 such that the first hook 180 selectively engages the first serration 202 and the second hook 184 selectively engages the second serration 204 when the positioning device 126 moves the catch apparatus 178 to the locked position, as generally shown in FIGS. 22-26. The first and second serrations 202, 204 extend from the engagement surface 200 of the plate 102 to abut the first and second hooks 180, 184 when the catch apparatus 178 is in the locked position.

[0131] Furthermore, the catch apparatus 178 has the biasing member 206 abutting the housing 34 to continuously bias the catch apparatus 178 toward the engagement surface 200. As the positioning device 126 moves, the catch apparatus 178 moves from the locked position to the final position. Concurrently, the second hook 184 rotates about the second hook axis G such that the biasing member 206 compresses and exerts force on the second hook 184. When the positioning device 126 stops moving the bias force of the biasing member 206 rotates the second hook 184 back into engagement with the engagement surface 200 in the locked position.

[0132] The positioning device 126 is coupled to the housing 34 and the catch apparatus 178 and is in direct communication with the electrical device 214. The positioning device 126 moves the catch apparatus 178 to the unlocked position when the electrical device 214 is in the energized state. Furthermore, the positioning device 126 simultaneously engages the ramp 210 of the plate 102 to move the plate 102 from the first gear position to the second gear position.

[0133] The catch apparatus 178 has a peg 224 engaging the positioning device 126 such that movement of the positioning device 126 corresponds to movement of the catch apparatus 178 from the locked position to the unlocked position. More specifically, the first hook 180 of the catch apparatus 178 has the peg 224 spaced from and parallel to the first pole 190 and extending toward the second half section 38 of the housing 34. [0134] The positioning device 126 has a wall 226 engaging the peg 224 of the catch apparatus 178 in the unlocked position. More specifically, the positioning device 126 defines a slot 228 with the wall 226 disposed in the slot 228. Furthermore, the peg 224 of the catch apparatus 178 is disposed in the slot 228. The slot 228 allows the first hook 180 to rotate about the first and second hook axes A, G independent of rotation of the positioning device 126. However, movement of the positioning device 126 causes the peg 224 of the catch apparatus 178 to engage the wall 226 of the positioning device 126 and move the catch apparatus 178 from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0135] The gear change assembly 208 further includes a tie-rod 230 coupled to the positioning device 126. The disk 218 has a finger 232 coupled to the tie-rod 230 such that rotation of the disk 218 transfers movement to the tie-rod 230 and the positioning device 126 when the electrical device 214 is in the energized state. When the electrical device 214 is energized, the servomotor 216 causes the disk 218 to rotate, as shown in FIGS. 24-26. During rotation of the disk 218, the tie-rod 230 moves the positioning device 126 about the first hook axis B to disengage the positioning device 126 from the detent 116 of the plate 102, as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25.

[0136] As discussed above, the positioning device 126 includes the roller 132, with the positioning device 126 selectively engaging the ramp 210 of the plate 102. The roller 132 is rotatable about the roller axis E while moving along the ramp 210 as the plate 102 moves between the first and second gear positions. Said differently, the positioning device 126 includes the lever 128 rotatable about a lever axis I. The roller 132 is rotatable about the roller axis E while moving along the ramp 210 as the plate 102 moves between the first and second gear positions while simultaneously rotating the lever 128 about the lever axis I as the roller 132 moves along the ramp 210. The lever and roller axes I, E are spaced from each other and are substantially parallel to each other. More specifically, the lever axis I is referred to as the previously discussed first hook axis B from the shifter assembly 32 and will be referred to as the second axis D in the below discussion. Movement of the positioning device 126 when the electrical device 214 is in the energized state is further defined as rotation of the lever 128 of the positioning device 126 about the first hook axis B. As the lever 128 rotates, the roller 132 of the positioning device 126 simultaneously engages the ramp 210 of the plate 102 and moves along the ramp 210 toward the end surface 212 of the plate 102, as shown in FIG. 24. More specifically, the roller 132 rotates about the roller axis E while moving along the ramp 210. Engagement of the roller 132 ofthe positioning device 126 with the ramp 21 O of the plate 102 causes the plate 102 to move from the first gear position to the second gear position. As the roller 132 reaches the end surface 212 of the plate 102, the plate 102 is disposed in the second gear position, as shown in FIG. 25. The positioning device 126 disengages the ramp 210 of the plate 102 when the plate 102 is in the second gear position while simultaneously moving the catch apparatus 178 to the locked position, as shown in FIG. 26. More specifically, the disk 218 of the electrical device 214 continues to rotate such that the tie-rod 230 moves the positioning device 126 away from the ramp 210 simultaneously to the plate 102 being disposed in the second gear position.

[0137] Therefore, in summary, the gear change assembly 208 includes the housing 34, the plate 102, electrical device 214, the positioning device 126, and the catch apparatus 178. [0138] The operation of the shift-lock assembly 168 will be discussed below for illustrative purposes only. Specifically, the operation of changing gears from the "D" gear to the "P" gear of the transmission for the vehicle is discussed belo w. As generally shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, positioning device 126 engages the detent 116 of the plate 102 that corresponds to the "D" gear of the transmission. The biasing member 206 biases the second hook 184 of the catch apparatus 178 to rotate about the second hook axis G in the second direction such that the second projection 186 of the second hook 184 engages with the engagement surface 200 of the plate 102 in the locked position.

[0139] When the electrical device 214 is in the energized state, the servomotor 216 communicates with the disk 218 to rotate the disk 218 about the axle 222, as shown in FIGS. 24-26. The disk 218 rotates and the tie-rod 230 and the tie-rod 230 rotates the positioning device 126 about the first hook axis B such that the roller 132 of the positioning device 126 disengages the detent 116 of the plate 102 that corresponds to the "D" gear of the transmission and engages the ramp 210 of the plate 102, as shown in FIG. 24. The peg 224 of the first hook 180 of the catch apparatus 178 engages the wall 226 of the positioning device 126 and rotates the first hook 180 of the catch apparatus 178 about the first hook axis B in the first direction. The first projection 182 of the first hook 180 disengages the engagement surface 200 of the plate 102. The link 188 rotates the second hook 184 about the second hook axis G in the second direction. The second projection 186 of the second hook 184 disengages the engagement surface 200 of the plate 102. The catch apparatus 178 is in the unlocked position and the plate 102 can pivot between the first gear position and the second gear position. [0140] The positioning device 126 continues to rotate about the first hook axis B such that the roller 132 of the positioning device 126 moves along and up the ramp 210 of the plate 102. The plate 102 pivots about the second axis D from the first gear position to the second gear position. When the roller 132 reaches the end surface 212 of the plate 102, the plate 102 is disposed in the second gear position, as shown in FIG. 25.

[0141] The disk 218 of the electrical device 214 continues to rotate such that the tie-rod 230 rotates the positioning device 126 about the first hook axis B away from the ramp 210 such that the positioning device 126 disengages the ramp 210 of the plate 102. The positioning device 126 moves into engagement with the detent 1 16 of the plate 102 that corresponds to the "P" gear of the transmission, as shown in FIG. 26. Concurrently, the bias of the biasing member 206 rotates the second hook 184 of the catch apparatus 178 about the second hook axis G in the second direction such that the second projection 186 of the second hook 184 engages the engagement surface 200 of the plate 102. The first hook 180 rotates about the first hook axis B in the first direction through the link 188 such that the first projection 182 of the first hook 180 engages the engagement surface 200 of the plate 102.

[0142] For illustrative purposes only, features of the shifter, shift-lock, and gear change assemblies 32, 168, 208 have been removed in various figures to more clearly illustrate other features of the those assemblies 32, 168, 208. For example, in FIG. 3, the first half section 36 of the housing 34 and the servomotor 216 of the electrical device 214 are removed. As another example, in FIGS. 4-11, the first half section 36 of the housing 34, the electrical device 214, and the catch apparatus 178 are removed. As another example, in FIGS. 12-15, the housing 34, the electrical device 214, the catch apparatus 178, the plate 102, the positioning device 126, and the return mechanism 88 are removed. As another example, in FIG. 16, the second half section 38 of the housing 34, the electrical device 214, the return mechanism 88, and the positioning device 126 have been removed to better show the engagement of the catch apparatus 178 to the lifter 170 of the carrier 70 of the shift-lock assembly 168. As another example, in FIGS. 17-21, the first half section 36 of the housing 34, the electrical device 214, the return mechanism 88, and the positioning device 126 have been removed. As another example, in FIGS. 22-26, the first half section 36 of the housing 34, the carrier 70, and the return mechanism 88 have been removed.

[0143] The subject invention also provides a method of selecting one of the gears of the transmission for the vehicle utilizing the shifter assembly 32 as discussed above. For example, the shifter assembly 32 includes the housing 34 with the housing 34 including the cradle 58 and the carrier 70 and the plate 102 each coupled to the housing 34. The plate 102 has the notches 108 and the detents 116. The grapple 114 is mounted to the carrier 70 and includes the first pawl 148 and the second pawl 150. The positioning device 126 is coupled to the housing 34 and includes the roller 132. The shifter assembly 32 further includes the return mechanism 88 coupled to the housing 34.

[0144] The method includes the steps of pivoting the carrier 70 from the intermediate position toward one of the forward position and the rearward position, engaging the grapple 1 14 with the cradle 58, and moving the grapple 114 into engagement with the plate 102 to couple the carrier 70 to the plate 102. The step of engaging the grapple 1 14 with the cradle 58 occurs before the step of moving the grapple 114 into engagement with the plate 102. The step of moving the grapple 1 14 into engagement with the plate 102 is further defined as engaging one of the first and second pawls 148, 150 of the grapple 114 with the plate 102. The step of engaging one of the first and second pawls 148, 150 of the grapple 114 with the plate 102 is further defined as moving the first and second pawls 148, 150 of the grapple 1 14 into engagement with one of the notches 108 ofthe plate 102 to facilitate movement of the plate 102 from the first gear position to the second gear position.

[0145] The method further includes the steps of pivoting the plate 102 concurrently with the pivoting ofthe carrier 70 from the first gear position to the second gear position, and rotating the roller 132 from one of the detents 1 16 to another one of the detents 1 16 as the plate 102 moves between the first gear position and the second gear position. The step of pivoting the carrier 70 from the intermediate position toward one ofthe forward position and the rearward position occurs before the step of pivoting the plate 102 concurrently with the pivoting of the carrier 70 from the first gear position to the second gear position. Furthermore, the method includes the step of engaging the positioning device 126 with one of the detents 116 to retain the plate 102 in the second gear position irrespective of the position ofthe carrier 70. The step of engaging the positioning device 126 with one of the detents 116 is further defined as engaging the roller 132 with one of the detents 116 of the plate 102 to retain the plate 102 in one of the first and second gear positions.

[0146] The method further includes to the step of pivoting the carrier 70 from the forward and rearward positions toward the intermediate position while engaging the positioning device 126 with one of the detents 116 of the plate 102 to retain the plate 102 in the second gear position. Generally, the step of pivoting the carrier 70 from the forward and rearward positions toward the intermediate position occurs when the plate 102 is retained in the second gear position. The step of pivoting the carrier 70 from the forward and rearward positions toward the intermediate position is further defined as engaging the return mechanism 88 with carrier 70 to continuously bias the carrier 70 to the intermediate position. Furthermore, the method includes the step of disengaging the grapple 114 from the plate 102 during movement of the carrier 70 from one of the forward and rearward positions to the intermediate position.

[0147] The subject invention further provides a method of selectively preventing movement of the selected gear of the transmission for the vehicle utilizing the shift-lock assembly 168. The shift-lock assembly 168 includes the housing 34 and the plate 102 having the engagement surface 200. The engagement surface 200 has the first serration 202 and the second serration 204. The shift-lock assembly 168 further includes the carrier 70. The carrier 70 includes the lifter 170 and the lifter 170 has the abutment surface 174. The catch apparatus 178 has the stud 198 and is coupled to the lifter 170. The catch apparatus 178 includes the first hook 180 and the second hook 184 with the link 188 attached to the first and second hooks 180, 184. The catch apparatus 178 further has the biasing member 206.

[0148] The method includes the step of continuously biasing the catch apparatus 178 toward the engagement surface 200 with the biasing member 206. Furthermore, the method includes the steps of engaging the stud 198 with the abutment surface 174 and moving the lifter 170 between the initial position and the final position independent of the carrier 70 pivoting between the forward and rearward positions. The step of moving the lifter 170 between the initial position and the final position is further defined as moving the stud 198 along the abutment surface 174 while the lifter 170 moves between the initial position and the final position.

[0149] The method further includes the steps of disengaging the catch apparatus 178 from the engagement surface 200 of the plate 102 when the lifter 170 is in the final position to permit movement of the plate 102 from the first gear position to the second gear position. Furthermore, the method includes pivoting the carrier 70 between the forward position and the rearward position and pivoting the plate 102 between at least the first gear position and the second gear position during the movement of carrier 70 to one of the forward and rearward positions.

[0150] Additionally, the method further includes the steps of engaging the catch apparatus 178 with the engagement surface 200 of the plate 102 when the lifter 170 is in the initial position to retain the plate 102 in the first gear position. The step of engaging the catch apparatus 178 with the engagement surface 200 of the plate 102 is further defined as selectively engaging at least one of the first and second hooks 180, 184 with the engagement surface 200 of the plate 102. The step of selectively engaging at least one of the first and second hooks 180, 184 with the engagement surface 200 of the plate 102 is further defined as selectively engaging the first hook 180 of the catch apparatus 178 with the first serration 202 of the engagement surface 200 of the plate 102 when the lifter 170 is in the initial position and selectively engaging the second hook 184 of the catch apparatus 178 with the second serration 204 of the engagement surface 200 of the plate 102 when the lifter 170 is in the initial position

[0151] With regard to the movement of the first and second hooks 180, 184, the method further includes the step of transferring movement from one of the first and second hooks 180, 184 to the other one of the first and second hooks 180, 184 through the link 188. The step of transferring movement from one of the first and second hooks 180, 184 to the other one of the first and second hooks 180, 184 through the link 188 is further defined as rotating one of the first and second hooks 180, 184 in the first direction and the other one of the first and second hooks 180, 184 in the second direction through the link 188 when the lifter 170 moves from the initial position to the final position.

[0152] The subject invention further provides a method of changing the gear of the transmission for the vehicle utilizing the gear change assembly 208. The gear change assembly 208 includes the housing 34 and the plate 102. The plate 102 is coupled to the housing 34 and has the ramp 210 and the engagement surface 200. The engagement surface 200 of the plate 102 has the first serration 202 and the second serration 204. The gear change assembly 208 further includes the electrical device 214 coupled to the housing 34, with the electrical device 214 further defined as the servomotor 216 and the disk 218. The disk 218 has the finger 232 coupled to the tie-rod 230 and the tie-rod 230 is coupled to the positioning device 126. The catch apparatus 178 has the peg 224 and the biasing member 206 and includes the first hook 180 and the second hook 184. The link 188 is attached to the first and second hooks 180, 184. The positioning device 126 includes the roller 132 and the lever 128 with the positioning device 126 coupled to the housing 34 and the catch apparatus 178. The positioning device 126 is in direct communication with the electrical device 214.

[0153] The method includes the steps of continuously biasing the catch apparatus 178 toward the engagement surface 200 by the biasing member 206 and engaging the catch apparatus 178 with the engagement surface 200 of the plate 102 when the catch apparatus 178 is in the locked position and the electrical device 214 is in the de-energized state to retain the plate 102 in the first gear position. The step of engaging the catch apparatus 178 with the engagement surface 200 of the plate 102 is further defined as selectively engaging the at least one of the first and second hooks 180, 184 with the engagement surface 200 of the plate 102. The step of selectively engaging the at least one of the first and second hooks 180, 184 with the engagement surface 200 of the plate 102 is further defined as selectively engaging the first hook 180 of the catch apparatus 178 with the first serration 202 of the engagement surface 200 of the plate 102 when the positioning device 126 moves the catch apparatus 178 to the locked position, and selectively engaging the second hook 184 of the catch apparatus 178 with the second serration 204 of the engagement surface 200 of the plate 102 when the positioning device 126 moves the catch apparatus 178 to the locked position.

[0154] The method further includes the steps of energizing the electrical device 214 to the energized state and rotating the disk 218 to transfer movement to the tie-rod 230 and the positioning device 126 when the electrical device 214 is in the energized state. Furthermore, the method includes the steps of moving the catch apparatus 178 to the unlocked position in response to the electrical device 214 being in the energized state to space the catch apparatus 178 from the plate 102, and moving the positioning device 126 in response to the electrical device 214 being in the energized state to engage the ramp 210 of the plate 102 and move the plate 102 from the first gear position to the second gear position.

[0155] The steps of moving the catch apparatus 178 and moving the positioning device 126 occur simultaneously. The step of moving the catch apparatus 178 and the positioning device 126 simultaneously is further defined as engaging the peg 224 with the positioning device 126 to move the positioning device 126 and the catch apparatus 178 from the locked position to the unlocked position. The step of moving the positioning device 126 to engage the ramp 210 of the plate 102 as engaging the roller 132 with the ramp 210 of the plate 102, moving the roller 132 along the ramp 210, and simultaneously rotating the lever 128 with the movement of the roller 132 along the ramp 210 to move the plate 102 between the first and second gear positions. Furthermore, the method includes the steps of disengaging the positioning device 126 from the ramp 210 of the plate 102 when the plate 102 is in the second gear position, and simultaneously moving the catch apparatus 178 to the locked position when the plate 102 is in the second gear position and the positioning device 126 disengages the ramp 210.

[0156] With regard to the movement of the first and second hooks 180, 184, the method further includes the step of transferring movement from one of the first and second hooks 180, 184 to the other one of the first and second hooks 180, 184 through the link 188. The step of transferring movement from one of the first and second hooks 180, 184 to the other one of the first and second hooks 180, 184 through the link 188 is further defined as rotating one of the first and second hooks 180, 184 in the first direction the other one of the first and second hooks 180, 184 in the second direction through the link 188 when the catch apparatus 178 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0157] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. As is now apparent to those skilled in the art, many modifications and variations of the subject invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, wherein reference numerals are merely for convenience and are not to be in any way limiting, the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.