Transmission shifter with lever-position locking device

A shifter for shifting a transmission between different gear positions including a plurality of different gear positions, comprising:

• a base;
• a shift lever pivoted to the base for movement between shift lever positions corresponding to the different gear positions, the shift lever including a flange with an elongated slot with a first enlarged pocket corresponding to a first one of the different gear positions and a second enlarged pocket corresponding to a second one of the different gear positions;
• a control circuit adapted to sense at least one vehicle condition;
• and
• an electromechanical device having an extendable pin that is continuously positioned in the slot in all positions of the shift lever, the extendable pin being configured to engage the first enlarged pocket and lock the shift lever in the first one gear position until first predetermined vehicle conditions are met, the extendable pin being configured to engage the second enlarged pocket and lock the shift lever in the second one gear position until second predetermined vehicle conditions are met.