Shifter assembly for an automatic transmission

A shifter assembly (20) for shifting a vehicle transmission, said assembly comprising:

• a base (22);
• a transmission control member (30) movably connected to said base (22) and adapted for connection to a linkage for operating the vehicle transmission;
• and
• a shift lever (36) pivotally connected to said base (22) for movement within a first path (38) and a second path (40), said shift lever (36) coupled to said control member (30) for concurrent movement therewith when said shift lever (36) moves within said first path (38), and said shift lever (36) uncoupled from said control member (30) for independent movement relative to said control member (30) when said shift lever (36) moves within said second path (40);
• said shifter assembly (20) characterized by a locking device (80) mounted to said base (22) for selectively engaging said control member (30), said locking device (80) remaining stationary during said concurrent movement of said control member (30) and said shift lever (36) and moving into engagement with said control member (30) to couple said control member (30) to said base (22) when said shift lever (36) is in said second path (40), thereby preventing relative movement of said control member (30) and inadvertent shifting of the vehicle transmission as said shift lever (36) moves within said second path (40).