# US 4,397,200 A · Shift lever handle structure and equipping method

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- Number: US 4,397,200 A
- Document ID: US4397200A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/285,167
- Filed: 1981-07-20
- Granted: 1983-08-09
- Earliest claimed: 1981-07-20
- Inventors: Edward R. Reynolds
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4397200A

## CPC

- B60K 20/02: of initiating means
- F16H 59/08: Range selector apparatus
- F16H 2059/0286: {with range or splitter selector on selector lever}
- Y10T 29/4984: Retaining clearance for motion between assembled parts
- Y10T 29/49948: Multipart cooperating fastener [e.g., bolt and nut]
- Y10T 74/2014: Manually operated selector [e.g., remotely controlled device, lever, push button, rotary dial, etc.]
- Y10T 74/20732: Handles
- B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- F16H: GEARING
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A shift lever handle structure and equipping method operates with a shift lever having on top thereof a shift range selector having pneumatic lines connected thereto. A handle for the shift lever extends above the shift range selector across thereof. This handle is provided with a bent stem having an elongate foot facing away from a midportion of the elongate handle. This elongate foot is oriented parallel to the shift lever and such parallel foot is attached to a side of the shift lever below the shift range selector, with the handle then extending above the shift range selector across thereof, as desired, and the pneumatic lines remaining intact.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of equipping, with an elongate handle, a shift lever having on top thereof a shift range selector having pneumatic lines connected thereto, comprising in combination the steps of:
providing said handle with a bent stem having an elongate foot facing away from a midportion of said elongate handle;
orienting said elongate foot parallel to said shift lever; and
attaching said parallel foot to a side of said shift lever below said shift range selector, with said handle then extending above said shift range selector across thereof, and said pneumatic lines remaining intact.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A method as claimed in claim 1, including the step of:
orienting said elongate foot perpendicularly to said handle at a distance therefrom.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1, 2)

A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, including the step of:
extending said stem at an acute angle to said shift lever above said foot.

### Claim 4

Apparatus for shifting gears in a vehicle, comprising in combination:
a shift lever having on top thereof a shift range selector having pneumatic lines connected thereto;
a handle extending above and across said shift range selector;
a bent stem for said handle having an elongate foot facing away from a midportion of said handle and extending parallel to said shift lever; and
means attaching said parallel foot to a side of said shift lever below said shift range selector.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein:
said elongate foot extends perpendicularly to said handle at a distance therefrom.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, or 5, wherein:
said stem extends at an acute angle to said shift lever.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4, 5)

Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein:
said attaching means include a hose clamp attaaching said foot to said shift lever.

### Claim 8

In apparatus for shifting gears in a vehicle with a shift lever having a shift range selector on top thereof, the improvement comprising in combination:
a handle extending above and across said shift range selector;
a bent stem for said handle having an elongate foot facing away from a midportion of said handle and adapted to extend parallel to said shift lever; and
means attaching said parallel foot to a side of said shift lever below said shift range selector.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein:
said elongate foot extends perpendicularly to said handle at a distance therefrom.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8, 9)

Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein:
said attaching means include a hose clamp attaching said foot to said shift lever.