Shifter handle assembly
AssigneeGrand Haven Stamped Products
InventorDon L. Niskanen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A shifter handle assembly for an automotive transmission. The shifter handle assembly comprises a shifter handle having a bore into which the shifter of a vehicle is inserted. A retaining clip is inserted within an aperture of the shifter handle which engages a recessed groove in the shifter such that separation of the shifter handle assembly is prevented. The assembly is preferably constructed of four parts, all held together by the retaining clip.
Claims18
A shifter handle subassembly for attachment to a shifting lever of a shifting mechanism of a vehicle, said lever being an elongated rod having a non-circular cross section and a recessed area extending laterally around at least a portion of the circumference of said lever;
- a shifter handle comprised of a plurality of handle components including an outer handle component, an intermediate absorption handle component and an inner handle component each having longitudinally extended bores and connected together in a telescoping fashion, said inner handle component having its bore insertable over said shifter lever, said outer handle component, intermediate absorption handle component, and inner handle component each having at least one aperture extending laterally into each of their said bores and and adapted to be aligned with said recessed area of said lever when said handle is inserted on said shifting lever;
- and
- a retaining clip inserted partially into some of said apertures, said retaining clip having arms aligned with said recessed area whereby when said clip is inserted entirely within all of said apertures, said arms will be positioned in the recessed area of said shifter lever to thereby lock said shift handle on said shifter lever.
A shifter assembly attachable to the shifting mechanism of a vehicle, comprising:
- a first handle component having a first bore, said first handle component having first apertures on opposite sides thereof that extend into said first bore;
- a second handle component having a second bore, said second handle component having second apertures on opposite sides thereof that extend into said second bore;
- a third handle component having a third bore, said third handle component having third apertures on opposite sides thereof that extend into said third bore;
- a shifter handle formed by insertion of said second component within said first bore and insertion of said third component within said second bore;
- a shifter lever having a recessed area extending laterally around at least a portion of its circumference, said shifter handle being connected to said shifter lever by means of insertion within said recessed area;
- and
- a retaining clip inserted within said first, second, and third apertures, said retaining clip having arms that engage said recessed area of said shifter lever to prevent separation of said shifter lever and said shifter handle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.