Shift plate actuated single shaft shifting mechanism

Apparatus for selection and engagement of selectable gear ratios in a change speed transmission, the apparatus comprising:

• a housing;
• a shaft mounted in the housing and defining an axis;
• a plurality of shift forks, each shift fork being axially movable along the shaft and having a projection extending generally vertically from the shift fork;
• a shift plate having a plurality of first patterns therethrough, each first pattern including pathways arranged axially and transversely to receive a corresponding projection such that when one of the projections is not aligned in an axial pathway of one of the first patterns, the other projections are aligned in axial pathways in the other first patterns;
• an interlock plate having a plurality of second patterns therethrough, each second pattern including pathways arranged axially and transversely to receive a corresponding projection such that when one of the projections is aligned in an axial pathway of one of the second patterns, the other projections are not aligned in axial pathways in the other second patterns;
• and
• a block member axially movable on the shaft, the block member receiving a shift actuator adapted to impart movement to the shift plate;
• the housing having a slot in which the interlock plate is mounted to fix the interlock plate against axial movement relative to the shaft.