Shift lock protection

A method of restricting unintended movement of a shift lock in a vehicle between locked and unlocked positions, the method comprising:

• connecting a shift lock lever to a body of a shifter assembly in the vehicle such that the shift lock is concealed within a partially enclosed interior region defined at an end of the shift lock lever, the shift lock lever defining an angled bearing surface configured for contact with the shift lock such that linear movement of the shift lock lever displaces the shift lock in a direction of movement corresponding to that of a shifter in the vehicle, the shift lock and the shift lock lever being movable in non-corresponding directions.

A shift lock lever configured for use with a shifter assembly in a vehicle such that movement of the shift lock lever results in corresponding movement of a shift lock between locked and unlocked positions to allow for movement of a shifter of the shifter assembly and, thus, movement of the vehicle, the shift lock lever comprising:

• a body portion having a first end portion, and an opposite second end portion configured for contact with the shift lock such that linear movement of the shift lock lever between first and second positions results in corresponding movement of the shift lock between the locked and unlocked positions, the shift lock lever being configured such that the shift lock lever and the shift lock are movable in non-corresponding directions, the second end portion defining a partially enclosed interior region configured to receive the shift lock and an angled bearing surface configured for contact with the shift lock to displace the shift lock in a direction of movement corresponding that of the shifter, wherein the shift lock lever is configured for contact by a user so as to provide an override allowing the shift lock to be moved into the unlocked position.