Vehicle shifter locking device
AssigneeMarshall A. Lerner
InventorFrank F. Lipski
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A locking device for preventing the theft of certain vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The device is designed to mount on the shift lever of certain types of automatic transmissions and prevent shifting out of the PARK position, thus preventing theft of the automobile, even though the engine may be started by unauthorized means. The device is readily attachable to automatic transmission shift levers of the type for which it is designed, cannot be removed without a key, is positive in operation so as to prevent shifting of the transmission when locked, is simple and economical to manufacture, and is reliable and effective in preventing unauthorized operation of a vehicle.
Claims12
A shifter locking device for use with a shifter for an automatic transmission having a PARK position, which shifter includes a shift lever housing and a lockable central release post projecting therefrom which is operative to release a latching mechanism retaining the transmission in said PARK position, comprising:
- a shifter grip adapted for attachment to the shift lever housing in a position encasing the projecting release post;
- a lock member attachable to the release post within the shifter grip and projecting therefrom to permit a user, by moving said lock member, when in an unlocked state, to move the release post to release the transmission latching mechanism;
- and
- means for preventing detachment of said shifter grip from said shift lever housing including shift grip retaining means located within the shifter grip between said lock member and said shift lever housing;
- and
- wherein said shift grip retaining means includes a nut threaded onto the release post and a washer positioned between said release post and said nut to thereby prevent detachment of said shifter grip from said shift lever housing when said lock member is in the locked state.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.