Shift mechanism for mechanical transmissions

Abstract

A single control lever .[.pivotally.]. .Iadd.with an internal junction .Iaddend.actuating a latch .[.progressively.]. .Iadd.by progressive pivoting .Iaddend.in a first and a second plane. When it is desired to change from one to another of two transmission gear set levers, the latch is pivoted from a gap contained therein through a fixed gate into a gap contained in the other transmission gear set lever. The shift being possible only when the two gaps and the gate define a common plane.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A shift mechanism for a mechanical transmission having several gear sets comprising: a support shaft means,   a latch means,   a lever means .Iadd.having a junction therein .Iaddend.for actuating said latch means .[.progressively.]. .Iadd.by progressive pivoting .Iaddend. in a first and second plane, and being journalled by said support shaft means,   an outer lever means adapted to be connected to said transmission having a gap means capable of accommodating said latch and being journalled by said support shaft means;   an inner lever means adapted to be connected to said transmission having a gap means capable of accommodating said latch and being journalled by said support shaft means; and   a single gate means having a gap means capable of passing said latch means and a base fixed to said support shaft means whereby when said gaps are orientated in .Iadd.the neutral position of .Iaddend.said second plane, said latch is movable in an up and down manner therein to engage a transmission gear set means.[., and.]. .Iadd.upon .Iaddend.said lever means .[.is moved.]. .Iadd.pivoting about said junction .Iaddend. in said second plane.   
     
     
       2. The shaft control assembly of claim 1 wherein: said outer lever means is disposed to one side of said lever means;   said inner lever means is disposed to one side of said outer lever means; and   said gate means is fixedly secured to said support shaft to one side of said outer lever means.   
     
     
       3. The shift control assembly of claim 2 wherein: all of said sides are the same. 
     
     
       4. The shift control assembly of claim 1 wherein: said gate, said inner lever means and said outer lever means have parallel major planes. 
     
     
       5. The shift control assembly of claim 1 wherein: said .[.second plane has.]. .Iadd.latch means pivots in said second plane through a common plane having .Iaddend.a top, middle and bottom portion, said top portion formed by said inner lever gap means, said middle portion formed by said gate gap means and said bottom portion formed by said outer lever gap means. 
     
     
       6. The shift control assembly of claim 1 wherein: said lever means includes:   a base means pivoting in said .[.second.]. .Iadd.first .Iaddend.plane .Iadd.about said journalled connection to said support shaft means and .Iaddend.hingedly carrying said latch means;   an extension lever means .Iadd.pivotally .Iaddend.mounted on said base means .Iadd.at said junction for .Iaddend.pivoting in said .[.first.]. .Iadd.second .Iaddend.plane; and   means connecting said .[.extending.]. .Iadd.extension .Iaddend.lever means to said latch means whereby pivoting of said .Iadd.extension .Iaddend.lever pivots said latch means.   
     
     
       7. The shift control assembly of claim 6 wherein: said first and second planes are perpendicular. 
     
     
       8. A shift control assembly for a transmission having a single control handle comprising: a support shaft means;   a latch means;   a control handle means including; a dog-leg base means journalled by said supporting shaft means and pivotally mounting said latch means, a bellcrank lever means pivotally mounted on said dog-leg base means actuating said latch means, and a deadmans means;   an outer lever means adapted to be connected to said transmission having a gap means capable of accommodating said latch, and a base journalled by said support shaft means;   an inner lever means adapted to be connected to said transmission having a gap means capable of accommodating said latch, and a base journalled by said support shaft means and   a gate means having a gap means capable of passing said latch and a base fixed to said support shaft means whereby for said latch to pass through said gate all of said gaps must form a common plane.