FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
[39 OF 1970]
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10 and rule 13]
TITLE: “A GEAR SHIFT ASSEMBLY OF A GEARBOX FOR A VEHICLE”
Name and address of the Applicant:
TATA MOTORS LIMITED, an Indian company having its registered office at Bombay
House, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400 001, Maharashtra, INDIA.
Nationality: INDIAN
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD
Present disclosure relates in general to the field of automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to ergonomics of the vehicle. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a gear shift assembly for a vehicle, having a compact gear knob.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Driver ergonomics focuses on comfort and posture of a driver in a vehicle. Driver’s comfort and posture mainly depends on the seating position and the accessibility of all the controls suited for a particular driving position in order to not strain body of the driver. Further, the positioning and orientation of a gear lever in the vehicle often contributes towards the driver ergonomics of the vehicle. Generally, vehicles with manual transmission often use lengthy gear levers for operating a gearbox. The free end of the gear levers includes a gear knob for operating the gear lever and for changing gears within the gearbox. The gear knobs at the end of the gear levers tend to vibrate excessively due to the vibrations transmitted from a powertrain of the vehicle. The vibrations from the powertrain are amplified throughout the length of the gear lever and the same are concentrated towards the gear knob at the end of the gear lever. Such conventional gear lever orientations that transmit vibrations also reduce the ergonomics/driving comfort of the vehicle.
Furthermore, vehicle aesthetics focuses on the visual appeal of a vehicle. The positioning of the gear lever within the passenger cabin and the length of the gear lever also contributes to the visual appeal of the passenger cabin. Factors such as the length to which the gear lever protrudes from a console into the passenger cabin, shape, orientation, and material used for a gear knob of the gear lever also add to the aesthetics of the passenger cabin. Conventionally, lengthy gear levers are used for operating the gearbox in vehicles with manual transmission. The excessive length of the gear levers, tend to ease the manoeuvrability and operability of the gearbox. However, such lengthy gear levers bring down the aesthetic appeal of the passenger cabin since, the gear levers protrude and extend into the passenger cabin. Lengthy gear levers also reduce the overall space in the passenger cabin.
The drawbacks/difficulties/disadvantages/limitations of the conventional techniques explained in the background section are just for exemplary purpose and the disclosure would never limit its scope only such limitations. A person skilled in the art would understand that this disclosure

and below mentioned description may also solve other problems or overcome the other drawbacks/disadvantages of the conventional arts which are not explicitly captured above.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
One or more shortcomings of the conventional system are overcome, and additional advantages are provided through the provision of a mount and a vibration dampening system in the present disclosure.
Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.
In a non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, a gear shift assembly of a gearbox for a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly includes a housing, and a gear lever movably engaged with the housing where the gear lever is displaceable to a plurality of positions to operate the gearbox. The assembly also includes a link, operationally connectable to the gear lever and displaceable in response to displacement of the gear lever. The assembly further includes a ball joint lever displacably received by the housing. The ball joint lever is defined by a first arm, a second arm, and a third arm. The first arm is operationally connectable to the link and is displaceable in response to displacement of the link. The link slides with the displacement of the gear lever and displaces the first arm for displacing the second arm and the third arm, and for operating the gearbox.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the housing is defined by a first cavity for displacably receiving the ball joint lever.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the gear lever is defined by a second cavity at a bottom region of the gear lever and the second cavity is configured to receive a linear bearing.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, a socket is defined to a bottom end of the link, and a top end of the link is slidably received by the linear bearing in the second cavity of the gear lever.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, a sphere is defined at a free end of the first arm in the ball joint lever, where the sphere is displacably received by the socket in the link.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first arm and the third arm extend along a first axis of the housing and the second arm extends in a direction perpendicular to the first axis of the housing.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, a gear selector cable connected between the second arm of the ball joint lever and the gearbox, where displacement of the second arm actuates the gear selector cable and operates the gearbox.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, a gear shifter cable is connected between the third arm of the ball joint lever and the gearbox, where displacement of the third arm actuates the gear shifter cable and operates the gearbox.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, the displacement of the gear lever in the horizontal direction, displaces the second arm along the first axis of the housing and displacement of the gear lever in the vertical direction, displaces the third arm in a direction perpendicular to the first axis of the housing.
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES
The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a gear shift assembly and a gear box of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the gear shift assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of the gear shift assembly from the Figure 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 4 illustrates a central cut sectional view of the gear shift assembly in a first position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 5 illustrates a central cut sectional view of the gear shift assembly in a second position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 6a illustrates a perspective view of a gear lever from the gear shift assembly in the first position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 6b illustrates a central cut sectional view of the gear lever from the gear shift assembly in the first position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 6c illustrates a side view of the gear lever from the gear shift assembly in the first position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 7a illustrates a perspective view of a gear lever from the gear shift assembly in the second position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 7b illustrates a central cut sectional view of the gear lever from the gear shift assembly in the second position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 7c illustrates a side view of the gear lever from the gear shift assembly in the second position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 8a illustrates a perspective view of a gear lever from the gear shift assembly in the third position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 8b illustrates a central cut sectional view of the gear lever from the gear shift assembly in the third position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 8c illustrates a side view of the gear lever from the gear shift assembly in the third position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The figure depicts embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of

the gear shift assembly of the vehicle without departing from the principles of the disclosure described.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described after which form the subject of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other arrangements for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, as to its organization, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.
In the present document, the word “exemplary” is used to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.
While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.
The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that an arrangement that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such mechanism. In other words, one or more elements in the arrangement proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the mount and the system.

The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to Figures 1-5. In the figures, the same element or elements which have the same functions are indicated by the same reference signs. One skilled in the art would appreciate the component disclosed in the claims, maybe any component which may be used in any given system but not limiting to vehicle and the like.
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a gear shift assembly (100) and a gear box (200) of a vehicle. The Figure 2 and the Figure 3 illustrate the perspective view and the exploded view of the gear shift assembly (100), respectively. The gear box (200) may be fixedly mounted on a frame [not shown] of the vehicle and the gear box (200) may be operable to increase or decrease the speed of the vehicle by being operated to various drive speeds. In an embodiment, the gear box (200) may be of any type including but not limited to a manual transmission gear box (200), an automatic transmission gearbox, a torque converter, a dual-clutch transmission, and a continuously variable transmission. In an embodiment, the gearbox (200) and the gear shift assembly (100) may be adapted in all types of vehicles including but not limited to vehicles with internal combustion engines, electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells. In an embodiment, the gear box (200) may be connected to a crankshaft of an engine through a clutch and may also be coupled to a differential box of the vehicle. Further, the gear shift assembly (100) may include a gear selector cable (11), and a gear shifter cable (12). The gear selector cable (11), and the gear shifter cable (12) may extend from the gear shift assembly (100) and may be operatively coupled with the gear box (200) of the vehicle. Further, operating the gear shift assembly (100) may actuate the gear selector cable (11), and a gear shifter cable (12) to operate the gear box (200) to different drive speeds. In an embodiment, gear shift assembly (100) may be operable to actuate the gearbox (200) to various forward drive speeds/gears, a reverse drive/gear, and a neutral condition where the gearbox (200) does not transmit any power from the engine to the differential of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the phrase “forward drive speed” may refer to the various operational speeds of the vehicle including a first gear, a second gear, a third gear, a fourth gear, a fifth gear, and a sixth gear.
Referring to the Figure 3 and the Figure 4, the gear shift assembly (100) [hereinafter referred to as the assembly] may include a housing (1). In an embodiment, the housing (1) may be a cast block, or a machined block defined with a hollow chamber for accommodating or receiving various components of the gear shift assembly (100). In an embodiment, the housing (1) may be defined with at least one guide channels for receiving and guiding the movement of the gear

selector cable (11), and the gear shifter cable (12). The housing (1) may be defined with a first cavity (9). In an embodiment, the first cavity (9) may be defined as a substantially spherical shaped hollow chamber and the first cavity (9) may be configured to rotatably receive a ball joint member. The assembly (100) may further include a guide plate (2). The guide plate (2) may be defined with a plurality of interlinked cutouts defining a pathway for engaging various gears of the gearbox (200). In an embodiment, as seen from Figure 3, the guide plate (2) may be defined with cutouts that extend along the horizontal direction (X-X), and along the vertical direction (Y-Y). In an embodiment, the guide plate (2) may be defined with a single central cutout that extends along the horizontal direction (X-X) and the guide plate (2) may include multiple cutouts that extend along the vertical direction (X-X). In an embodiment, the cutouts extending along the vertical direction (Y-Y) may extend from the cutout extending along the horizontal direction (X-X) of the guide plate (2). In an embodiment, the guide plate (2) may also be defined with a plurality of markings or inscriptions indicative of the drive speed or the gear at a given position of the cutout. The guide plate (2) may be fixedly coupled to a top end of the housing (1) by means including but not limited to fasteners, adhesives, rivets, and snap fit mechanism. In an embodiment, the guide plate (2) may be positioned on the housing (1) to extend in a direction that is perpendicular to a first axis (A-A) of the housing (1). In an embodiment, the first axis (A-A) of the housing (1) may be defined as an imaginary reference line that extends longitudinally through the length of the housing (1) along a substantially central region of the housing (1).
In an embodiment, the phrase “either ends of the guide plate (2)” may include an end of the guide plate (2) on the left side and the right side of the guide plate (2). In an embodiment, “either ends of the guide plate (2)” may be defined as ends of the guide plate (2) that lie adjacent or proximal to cutouts that are defined in the horizontal direction (X-X) of the guide plate (2). In an embodiment, a top end and bottom end of the guide plate (2) may be defined as ends of the guide plate (2) that lie adjacent or proximal to cutouts that are defined in the vertical direction (Y-Y) of the guide plate (2).
The assembly may include a gear lever (3). In an embodiment, the gear lever (3) may be an elongated cylindrical shaped structure that is receivable by the cutouts defined on the guide plate (2). The gear lever (3) may be configured to slide in the cutouts, or the pathways defined on the guide plate (2). In an embodiment, the assembly (100) may further include a gear knob (3a) positioned or fixedly coupled to a top end of the gear lever (3). The gear knob (3a) may

also be defined with a plurality of markings or inscriptions indicative of the drive speed or the gear of the vehicle at different positions of the gear knob (3a). The gear lever (3) may also include a restrictor plate (13) that is defined with gear lever (3) and is positioned below the gear knob (3a). The restrictor plate (13) may be a circular disc shaped structure that extends concentrically around the gear lever (3). Further, the gear lever (3) is defined by a bottom region (3b) that lies opposite to the top end with the gear knob (3a). The bottom region of the gear lever (3) may be defined by a second cavity (10). The second cavity (10) may be a hollow region within the gear knob (3a). The second cavity (10) at the bottom region (3b) of the gear knob (3a) may be configured to receive a linear bearing (4). The linear bearing (4) may be a hollow cylindrical bearing where an outer surface of the linear bearing (4) remains fixedly coupled with an inner surface of the gear lever (3) at the bottom region (3b) of the gear lever (3).
Further, the gear lever (3) may be disposed in the cutouts of the guide plate (2) such that the restrictor plate (13) abuts a top surface of the guide plate (2), restricting the gear lever (3) from passing through the cutouts on the guide plate (2) and preventing the gear knob (3a) from directly contacting guide plate (2). The gear lever (3) may be traversed along the cutouts of the guide plate (2) by operating the gear knob (3a). The gear lever (3) may be traversed by the gear knob (3a) to different positions for operating the gear box (200) to different gears or drive speeds.
The assembly (100) further includes a stopper plate (5). The stopper plate (5) may be fixedly coupled to the bottom region (3b) of the gear lever (3) and the stopper plate (5) may be positioned below the guide plate (2) and may abut a bottom surface of the guide plate (2). Since, the stopper plate (5) is fixedly coupled to the gear lever (3), the gear lever (3) and the gear knob (3a) remain engaged with the guide plate (2). In an embodiment, the restrictor plate (13) and the stopper plate (5) enable the gear lever (3) and the gear knob (3a) to remain engaged with the guide plate (2). In an embodiment, the vibrations from the powertrain of the vehicle or the undulations on the path being traversed by the vehicle do not affect or dislodge the gear lever (3) and the gear knob (3a).
The assembly (100) further includes a link (6). The link (6) may be an elongated and substantially cylindrical shaped structure. The link (6) may be defined by a top end (6a) and a bottom end (6b). The region of the link (6) near the top end (6a) of the link (6) may be defined with a shape and profile that complements the shape and profile of the liner bearing (4) in the

second cavity (10) of the gear lever (3). The top end (6a) of the link (6) may be operatively coupled with the gear lever (3). The top end (6a) of the link may be slidably received within the second cavity (10) of the gear lever (3). The link (6) may be slidably received by the liner bearing (4) in the second cavity (10) of the gear lever (3). The link (6) may be configured to slide upwardly and downwardly within the second cavity (10) of the gear lever (3), along the first axis (A-A) of the housing (1). Further, the bottom end of the link (6) may be defined with a socket (8). The socket (8) may be a semi spherical shaped structure that extends downwardly from the bottom end (6b) of the link (6). In an embodiment, the shape and orientation of the socket (8) must not be limited to the semi spherical shape and may also be of other shapes that enable or allow the receiving and rotation of an external component in the socket (8).
The assembly (100) further includes a ball joint lever (7). The ball joint lever (7) is defined by a central pivot member (7d). The central pivot member (7d) may be a spherical shaped structure with dimensions that is equivalent to marginally lesser than the first cavity (9) of the housing (1). The ball joint lever (7) may include a first arm (7a) that extends outwardly from the central pivot member (7d). The first arm (7a) may be a substantially cylindrical shaped structure extending outwardly from the central pivot member (7d). The ball joint lever (7) may also include a sphere (7s). The sphere (7s) may be defined at a free end of first arm (7a) or the sphere (7s) may be configured to an end of the first arm (7a) that is opposite to the end of the first arm (7a) which is connected with the central pivot member (7d). The ball joint lever (7) may include a second arm (7b) that extends outwardly from the central pivot member (7d). The second arm (7b) may be configured to extend in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction in which the first arm extends. In an embodiment, the second arm (7b) may be a conical shaped. In an embodiment, the diameter of the second arm (7b) may reduce progressively from the end of the second arm (7b) that is connected with the central pivot member (7d) to a free end of the second arm (7b). In an embodiment, the free end of the second arm (7b) may be defined with a connector. In an embodiment, the connector at the free end of the second arm (7b) may also be a small spherical shaped structure. Further, the free end of the second arm (7b) may be connected with the gear selector cable (11).
The ball joint lever (7) may further include a third arm (7c) that extends outwardly from the central pivot member (7d). The third arm (7c) may be configured to extend in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction in which the second arm (7b) extends. In an embodiment, the third arm (7c) may extend coaxially or along the same axis as that of the first arm (7a). The

third arm (7c) may be configured to extend from the central pivot member (7d) in a direction that is diametrically opposite to the first arm (7a). In an embodiment, the third arm (7c) may be a conical shaped structure. In an embodiment, the diameter of the third arm (7c) may reduce progressively from the end of the third arm (7c) that is connected with the central pivot member (7d) to a free end of the third arm (7c). In an embodiment, the free end of the third arm (7c) may be defined with a connector. In an embodiment, the connector at the free end of the third arm (7c) may also be a small spherical shaped structure. Further, the free end of the third arm (7c) may be connected with the gear shifter cable (12).
The ball joint lever (7) may be positioned within the housing (1). The central pivot member (7d) of the ball joint lever (7) may be positioned within the first cavity (9) of the housing (1). The central pivot member (7d) may be configured to freely rotate within the first cavity (9) of the housing (1). Further, the ball joint lever (7) may be oriented such that the first arm (7a) extends vertically upwards along the first axis (A-A) of the housing (1). The sphere (7s) at the free end of the first arm (7a) may be fixedly coupled with the socket (8) of the link (6). Furthermore, the second arm (7b) may be oriented to extend in a direction that is perpendicular to the first arm (7a) and the second arm (7b) may extend in a horizontal direction with respect to the housing (1). The ball joint lever (7) is oriented such that the third arm (7c) is configured to extend downwardly and vertically from the central pivot member (7d) along the first axis (A-A) of the housing (1). In an embodiment, each of the first arm (7a), the second arm, and the third arm (7c) may be angularly traversed for an angle ranging from 50 degrees to 60 degrees from a stationery position of each of the arms.
Referring to Figures 6a, 6b, and 6c, the assembly (100) in a first position (A) is depicted. In an embodiment, the first position (A) of the assembly (100) may be a neutral gear of the assembly (100). The assembly (100) in the neutral gear may include the ball joint lever (7) in an orientation where the first arm (7a) and the third arm (7c) lie vertically along the first axis (A-A) of the housing (1) and the second arm (7b) lies horizontally in the direction perpendicular to the first axis (A-A) of the housing (1).
Figures 7a, 7b, and 7c illustrate views of the assembly (100) in the second position (A). The user may traverse the gear lever (3) by operating the gear knob (3a) in the horizontal direction (X-X). The gear knob (3a) may be operated such that the gear lever (3) may travel towards either of the ends of the guide plate (2) along the cutouts extending in the horizontal direction (X-X) of the guide plate (2). As the gear lever (3) is operated to be traversed along the cutout

of the guide plate (2) in the horizontal direction (X-X), the link (6) slides downwardly within second cavity (10) of the gear lever (3). Further, as the gear lever (3) travels along the cutouts of the guide plate (2) in the horizontal direction (X-X), the link (6) slidably coupled to the gear lever (3) causes the ball joint lever (7) to pivot/rotate within the first cavity (9) as seen from the Figure 7b. The sphere (7s) at the free end of the first arm (7a) being connected to the socket (8) of the link (6) causes the linear movement of the link (6) to be translated into rotational movement of the central pivot member (7d) of the ball joint lever (7). The movement of the first arm (7a) along with the link (6) towards either of the ends of the guide plate (2) causes the second arm (7b) to be pivoted upwardly along a vertical direction. Consequently, the gear selector cable (11) coupled to the free end of the second arm (7b) is displaced and the corresponding gear in the gearbox (200) is operated. The assembly (100) in the above condition is the second position where the gear that is gearbox (200) is to be operated is selected.
Furthermore, referring to the Figures of 8a, 8b, and 8c, the user may traverse the gear lever (3) by operating the gear knob (3a) in the vertical direction (Y-Y). The Figures of 8a, 8b, and 8c depict the assembly (100) in the third position (C). Once, the required position of the gear lever (3) is traversed along the horizontal direction (X-X) in the guide plate (2), the user may further operate the gear lever (3) to travel in one of the upward or downward vertical direction (Y-Y). As the gear lever (3) is operated to be traversed along the cutout of the guide plate (2) in the vertical direction (Y-Y), the link (6) further slides downwardly within second cavity (10) of the gear lever (3). Further, as the gear lever (3) travels along the cutouts of the guide plate (2) in the vertical direction (Y-Y), the link (6) slidably coupled to the gear lever (3) causes the ball joint lever (7) to pivot/rotate within the first cavity (9) as seen from the Figure 8b. The sphere (7s) at the free end of the first arm (7a) being connected to the socket (8) of the link (6) causes the linear movement of the link (6) to be translated into rotational movement of the central pivot member (7d) of the ball joint lever (7). The traversing of the gear lever (3) along the cutouts of the guide plate (2) in the vertical direction (Y-Y), causes the movement of the link (6), and the first arm (7a) towards the top end or the bottom end of the guide plate (2). Therefore, the first arm (7a) also moves along with the link (6) and causes the central pivot member (7d) to rotate such that the third arm (7c) of the ball joint lever (7) is displaced. The displacement of the third arm (7c) causes the displacement of the gear shifter cable (12), and the displacement of the gear shifter cable (12) causes the required gear to be engaged in the gearbox (200). Thus, the required drive speed or gear is selected in the gearbox (200).

In an embodiment, the above configuration of the assembly (100) with the gear lever (3), the link (6) and the ball joint lever (7), ease the operation of the gearbox (200). In an embodiment, the ball joint lever (7) configuration for operating the gear shifter cable (12) and the gear shifter cable (12) reduce the effort required by the user to traverse the gear lever (3) to different positions for operating the gearbox (200). In an embodiment, the overall length of the gear lever (3) may be reduced drastically as seen from the Figures since, the effort required for operating the gear lever (3) is reduced due to the configuration of the assembly and the same is not dependent on the length of the gear lever (3). In an embodiment, reduction in the length of the gear lever (3) protruding from the console into the passenger cabin increases the space within the passenger cabin of the vehicle and improves the visual appeal of the passenger cabin. In an embodiment, the shorter length of the gear lever (3) and the positioning of the gear knob (3a) closer to the console of the vehicle ensures that the vibrations from the powertrain of the vehicle or vibrations transmitted by the undulation on the path being traversed by the vehicle are not amplified. Therefore, the overall ergonomics and driving comfort of the vehicle is improved.
Equivalents
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used, are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding the description may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite

articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated in the description.
Referral numeral:

Referral numeral Description
1 Housing
2 Guide plate
3 Gear lever
3a Gear knob
3b Bottom region

4 Linear bearing
5 Stopper plate
6 Link
6a Top end
6b Bottom end
7 Ball joint lever
7a First arm
7b Second arm
7c Third arm
7d Central pivot member
7s Sphere
8 Socket
9 First cavity
10 Second cavity
11 Gear selector cable
12 Gear shifter cable
13 Restrictor plate
100 Gear shift assembly
200 Gearbox

We Claim:
1. A gear shift assembly (100) of a gearbox (200) for a vehicle, the assembly (100)
comprising:
a housing (1);
a gear lever (3) movably engaged with the housing (1), the gear lever (3) is displaceable to a plurality of positions to operate the gearbox (200);
a link (6), operationally connectable to the gear lever (3) and displaceable in response to displacement of the gear lever (3);
a ball joint lever (7) displacably received by the housing (1), the ball joint lever (7) is defined by a first arm (7a), a second arm (7b), and a third arm (7c), the first arm (7a) is operationally connectable to the link (6) and is displaceable in response to displacement of the link (6);
wherein, the link (6) slides with the displacement of the gear lever (3) and displaces the first arm (7a) for displacing the second arm (7b) and the third arm (7c), and for operating the gearbox (200).
2. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing (1) is defined by a first cavity (9) for displacably receiving the ball joint lever (7).
3. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gear lever (3) is defined by a second cavity (10) at a bottom region (3b) of the gear lever (3) and the second cavity (10) is configured to receive a linear bearing (4).
4. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a socket (8) defined to a bottom end (6b) of the link (6), and a top end (6a) of the link (6) is slidably received by the linear bearing (4) in the second cavity (10) of the gear lever (3).
5. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a sphere (7s) defined at a free end of the first arm (7a) in the ball joint lever (7), wherein the sphere (7s) is displacably received by the socket (8) in the link (6).
6. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first arm (7a) and the third arm (7c) extend along a first axis (A-A) of the housing (1) and the second arm (7b) extends in a direction perpendicular to the first axis (A-A) of the housing (1).

7. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a gear selector cable (11) connected between the second arm (7b) of the ball joint lever (7) and the gearbox (200), wherein displacement of the second arm (7b) actuates the gear selector cable (11) and operates the gearbox (200).
8. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a gear shifter cable (12) connected between the third arm (7c) of the ball joint lever (7) and the gearbox (200), wherein displacement of the third arm (7c) actuates the gear shifter cable (12) and operates the gearbox (200).
9. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein displacement of the gear lever (3) in the horizontal direction (X-X), displaces the second arm (7b) along the first axis (A-A) of the housing (1) and displacement of the gear lever (3) in the vertical direction (Y-Y), displaces the third arm (7c) in a direction perpendicular to the first axis (A-A) of the housing (1).