Gear shift mechanism

Abstract

A shifting mechanism and method of using the shift mechanism is described. The shifting mechanism has a shift fork. Flanges are connected to a portion of the shift fork. Pin apertures in the flanges receive pins therein. The pins are connected to a block, which receives a screw gear therein. The screw gear is connected to a shift motor.

1 . A shifting mechanism, comprising:
 a shift fork comprising a lower arm, an upright portion and an upper arm,   an upper flange and a lower flange located on an outer surface of said upright portion;   a first pin aperture in said upper flange and a second pin aperture in said lower flange;   a first block pin located within said first pin aperture and a second block pin located within said second pin aperture;   a block on which said first block pin and said second block pin are attached, wherein said block has internal threads; and   a screw gear engaged with said block internal threads, wherein said screw gear is connected to a shift motor.   
     
     
         2 . The shifting mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein said upper and lower flanges extend opposite said lower arm and said upper arm but are parallel to said upper and lower arms. 
     
     
         3 . The shifting mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein said upper and lower flanges are parallel one another. 
     
     
         4 . The shifting mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein said first pin aperture is aligned with said second pin aperture. 
     
     
         5 . The shifting mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein said first block pin and said second block pin extend opposite one another. 
     
     
         6 . A method of using a shift mechanism, comprising:
 providing a reversible shift motor;   attaching a screw gear to said reversible shift motor along an axis of said shift motor;   locating said screw gear through a block, said block having internal threads for engaging with said screw gear;   selectively turning said screw gear with said shift motor to move said block along said screw gear either away or toward said shift motor;   pushing or pulling a shift fork with said block via a first pin and a second pin extending from said block; and   pivoting said first and second pins within first and second pin apertures, respectively, said first and second pin apertures part of first and second flanges, respectively, wherein said first and second flanges are connected to a shift fork; and   pivoting said shift fork about a pivot point.