Selectively positionable gearshift and method

An adjustable gearshift assembly for selectively moving a shifter knob among a plurality of alternate positions, comprising:

• a shifter knob comprising an inner recess, an inner channel, and a port for communicating between the inner recess and the inner channel;
• an elongate member of fixed and nonvariable length having a surface defining a plurality of spaced-apart seats, the elongate member slidably received in the inner recess of the shifter knob for selective movement of the shifter knob relative to the elongate member;
• a ball received in the port for selective positioning in one of the spaced-apart seats in the elongate member;
• an actuator received in the inner channel of the shifter knob, said actuator having a slot for receiving the ball and a biasing face adjacent the slot, the actuator movable from a first position with the biasing face bearing against the ball to secure the ball in one of the plurality of seats and a second position with the ball in the slot for holding the ball out of engagement with the elongate member as the shifter knob moves from a first position to a second position relative to the elongate member;
• and
• a bracket for coupling the elongate member to a vehicle,
• whereby the shifter knob, being released from engagement with the elongate member by moving the actuator to its second position with the ball being received in the slot, is selectively movable relative to the elongate member to a second position and secured thereat by moving the actuator to its first position.

An adjustable gearshift assembly for moving a shifter knob to a selected operating position, comprising:

• an elongate member having a fixed and nonvariable length and adapted for connecting to a transmission shifter in a motor vehicle;
• a shifter knob having an elongate inner recess open at a first end and slidably received on the elongate member for longitudinal movement of the shifter knob along the elongate member to a selected position;
• and
• a holder connected to the shifter knob and communicating with the elongate member to fix the shifter knob in the selected position, said holder selectively released to allow the shifter knob to be moved to a selected second position,
• whereby the shifter knob, being released from engagement with the elongate member by releasing the holder, is selectively movable along the elongate member to the second position and secured thereat by engaging the holder to the elongate member.