DUAL RATIO TRANSMISSION SHIFTER ASSEMBLY WITH NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH

摘要

A shifter assembly for a manual transmission includes a yoke mounted within a shift tower for pivotable movement about a shifting axis. A shift lever is mounted within the yoke for pivotable movement about a selecting axis located above and perpendicular to the shifting axis. The lower end of the shift lever extends into cooperation with conventional shift rails disposed within the transmission. By locating the shifting axis relatively close to the shift rails, a mechanical advantage is provided when moving the shift lever about the shifting axis. Since the selecting axis is located farther away from the shift rails than the shifting axis, the lower end of the shift lever travels farther when the upper end of the shift lever is moved a predetermined distance about the selecting axis than when the upper end of the shift lever is moved about the shifting axis. Thus, the upper end of the shift lever may be a shorter distance than would otherwise be required in order to select one of the shift rails for use, thereby providing a convenient shift pattern. A neutral start switch is mounted in the tower adjacent to the yoke. The neutral start switch is responsive to the pivoting movement of the yoke out of its neutral position fox generating an electrical signal.