CLIAMS:We claim:
1. A common rail shift system for an automotive transmission comprises:
a shift rail (101) with plurality of shifter forks (102) configured to move axially on the shift rail (101);
a shifter dog (103) is provided on each of the plurality of shifter forks (102);
a selector shifter shaft (104) disposed parallel to the shift rail (101);
wherein, the selector shifter shaft (104) having a plurality of shifter drums (105); each of the plurality of shifter drums (105) of the selector shifter shaft (104) comprises at least one predetermined shaped first pattern (106) being capable of accommodating the shifter dog (103) to facilitate gear selection ;
wherein, the first pattern (106) on each of the plurality shifter drums (105) is configured such that, at one rotational position of the shifter shaft (104) only the shifter dog (103) provided on one of the plurality of shifter forks (102) is not aligned in an axial slot (106b) of corresponding first pattern (106) of one of the plurality of shifter drums (105), and the other shifter dogs (103) are aligned in the axial slots (106b) of corresponding first patterns (106) of other drums.

2. The shift system as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one predetermined shaped second pattern (108) provided on at least one of the plurality of shifter drums (105), wherein the second pattern (108) is configured to receive a guide pin (107) to facilitate gate selection in the transmission.

3. The shift system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first patterns (106) provided on each of the plurality of shifter drums (105) comprises a predetermined configuration of the axial slots (106b) and transverse slots (106a).

4. The shift system as claimed in claim 3, wherein number of the first patterns (106) and the configuration of the first patterns (106) depends on number of shifter forks (102) in the transmission

5. The shift system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second pattern (108) comprises a predetermined configuration of an axial slots (108a) and transverse slots (108b).

6. The shift system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the configuration of the second pattern (108) depends on the gear knob pattern of the automobile.

7. The shift system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of shifter forks (102) comprises a cylindrical hub portion (102a) on which the shifter dog (103) is provided.

8. The shift system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the cylindrical hub portion (102a) of each of the plurality of shifter forks (102) comprises the through hole (102b) for receiving the shift rail (101).

9. The shift system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shift rail (101) and the selector shifter shaft (104) are supported on transmission housing (H) through bearings.

10. The shift system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the selector shifter shaft is configured to slide and rotate axially.

11. An automobile comprising a shift system for selection and engagement of gears in an automotive transmission as claimed in claims 1 to 10.

,TagSPECI:TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relates to a change speed transmission of an automobile. More particularly, embodiments relates to a common rail shift system for selection and engagement of gears in the automotive change speed transmission.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
In automotive transmission, manual transaxle is operated through gearshift lever. The operation of gearshift lever is transferred through to selector shifter shaft through a gearshift lever/linkage in transmission for shifting the gears.
FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic layout of a conventional manual transmission with multiple speeds. The layout consists of an input shaft (1) connected to a crank shaft of an engine, a main shaft (3) connected to one or more differentials of an automobile, a plurality of gears coupled in between the input shaft (1) and the main shaft (3); and a counter shaft (2) carrying plurality of counter gears mounted parallel to the gears. There are three shifter forks (4, 5, and 6) each mounted on a shifter rail (7, 8 and 9) respectively. There is a selector shifter shaft (10) which has finger (11) doweled to it. The shifter rails (7, 8 and 9) are selected and moved through the finger (11). Further, the selector shifter shaft (10) is rotated to select a particular fork through shifter dogs connected to shifter rails (7, 8 and 9) and further to and fro motion of selector shifter shaft (10) engages/disengages a fork.

Traditionally, in change speed transmission each shifter fork (4, 5 and 6) is mounted on a unique shift rail (7, 8 and 9) and the number of shift rails should equal to the number of shift forks. Hence it is seen that the conventional manual transmission uses distinct forks, since center distance between each shifter rails (7, 8 and 9) and main shaft (3) is different in each fork and an equal number of shifter rails for each shifter fork is used.

The conventional mechanism suffer from a drawback that each shifter rail, dog and fork assembly requires separate space in transmission to get supported on either side. Hence this leads to increase in overall size of the transmission. Thus, increase in size of transmission further impose requirement of increase in transmission oil quantity due to increase volume inside transmission.
Further, in past though lot of innovation has gone into utilizing a single shift rail to mount all the forks which is known from the following patents US 4,920,815 and US 5,285,694. It is observed that the conventional single rail concepts are very complex in arrangement and requires complex assembly and manufacturing processes. Moreover, the conventional single rail arrangements are very difficult to adopt on a conventional manual transmissions.

In light of the foregoing discussion, it is necessary to develop a shift system for selecting and shifting gears in change speed transmission with single rail to overcome the problems stated above.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision of system as claimed 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 herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a common rail shift system for an automotive transmission. The system comprises a shift rail with plurality of shifter forks configured to move axially on the shift rail, and a shifter dog is provided on each of the plurality of shifter forks. A selector shifter shaft having a plurality of shifter drums is disposed parallel to the shift rail. Each of the plurality of shifter drums of the selector shifter shaft comprises at least one predetermined shaped first pattern being capable of accommodating the shifter dog to facilitate gear selection. The first pattern on each of the plurality shifter drums is configured such that, at one rotational position of the shifter shaft only the shifter dog provided on one of the plurality of shifter forks is not aligned in an axial slot of corresponding first pattern of one of the plurality of shifter drums, and the other shifter dogs are aligned in the axial slots of corresponding first patterns of other drums.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one predetermined shaped second pattern provided on at least one of the plurality of shifter drums, wherein the second pattern is configured to receive a guide pin to facilitate gate selection in the transmission. The second pattern comprises a predetermined configuration of an axial slots and transverse slots. Further, the configuration of the second pattern depends on the gear knob pattern of the automobile.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first pattern provided on each of the plurality of shifter drums comprises a predetermined configuration of the axial slots and transverse slots. The number of first patterns and the configuration of the first patterns depend on number of shifter forks in the transmission

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the plurality of shifter forks comprises a cylindrical hub portion on which the shifter dog is provided. The cylindrical hub portion of each of the plurality of shifter forks comprises the through hole for receiving the shift rail.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the shift rail and the selector shifter shaft are supported on transmission housing through bearings. The selector shifter shaft is configured to slide and rotate axially.

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.

OBJECTIVES OF THE DISCLOSURE

One object of the present disclosure is to provide a common rail shift system for an automotive transmission with a single rail.

One object of the present disclosure is to provide a common rail shift system for an automotive transmission which is compact and consumes less space in the transmission.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES

The novel features and characteristic 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:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic illustration of a conventional multispeed manual transmission having multiple forks.

FIGS 2a, 2b and 2c illustrate a perspective view, side view, and sectional view of a common rail shift system for an automotive transmission of the present disclosure.

FIGS 3a and 3b illustrate a top view of a selector shifter shaft along with shifter drums of the common rail shift system for an automotive transmission of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates manual transmission shift layout of 5+R speed transmission gear box as an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of a selector shifter shaft along with shifter drums showing neutral position of 5+R manual transmission shift layout (FIG. 4).

FIG. 6a illustrates a top view of a selector shifter shaft along with shifter drums showing 3rd gear of 5+R manual transmission shift layout (FIG. 4) in engaged position

FIG. 6b illustrates a top view of a selector shifter shaft along with shifter drums showing 4th gear of 5+R manual transmission shift layout (FIG. 4) in engaged position.

FIG. 7a illustrates a top view of a selector shifter shaft along with shifter drums showing 1st gear of 5+R manual transmission shift layout (FIG. 4) in engaged position.

FIG. 7b illustrates a top view of a selector shifter shaft along with shifter drums showing 2nd gear of 5+R manual transmission shift layout (FIG. 4) in engaged position.

FIG. 8a illustrates a top view of a selector shifter shaft along with shifter drums showing 5th gear of 5+R manual transmission shift layout (FIG. 4) in engaged position.

FIG. 8b illustrates a top view of a selector shifter shaft along with shifter drums showing reverse gear of 5+R manual transmission shift layout (FIG. 4) in engaged position.

FIG. 9 illustrates external shift system with remote linkage coupled to a common rail shift system of the present disclosure for selecting and shifting the gears.

FIG. 10 illustrates a cable shift system with remote linkage coupled to a common rail shift system of the present disclosure for selecting and shifting the gears.

The figures depict 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 structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures 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 as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, 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.

To overcome the drawbacks mentioned in the background a common rail shift system for an automotive transmission with single rail is developed. The instant system utilizes a single shift rail on which plurality of shifter forks are mounted, which reduces the number of shift rails thereby reducing the number of components in the transmission, which would in-turn results in reduction in space consumption by the transmission.

In the following description the words such as above, below, left, right, middle, rear, front, clock wise and anti-clock wise are used with respect to particular orientation of the figures as depicted in the present disclosure. The words are used to explain the aspects of the present disclosure and for better understanding; however the same is not a limitation to the present disclosure.

FIGS 2a, 2b and 2c are exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure illustrating a perspective view, side view, and sectional view of a common rail shift system for an automotive transmission. As illustrated in FIG. 2c, the shift system (100) comprises an input shaft (110) connected to a crank shaft of an engine, a main shaft (111) connected to one more differentials of the automobile, a plurality of gears (109) coupled in between in between the input shaft (110) and the main shaft (111); and a counter shaft (112) carrying plurality of counter gears mounted parallel to the gears (109) same as a conventional transmission mechanism.

Referring to FIG. 2a, the shift system (100) further comprises a single shift rail (101) mounted in a transmission housing (H) [not shown]. The shift rail (101) is supported in the housing (H) through bearings. A plurality of shifter forks (102) are mounted on the shift rail (101), wherein the shifter forks (102) have a through hole (102b) on a cylindrical hub portion (102a) provisioned to accommodate the shift rail (101). The shifter forks (102) are configured to slide axially on the shift rail (101) during gear shifting. Since the single shifter rail (101) is used for all shifter forks (102), therefore the same fork (102) can be used if the shifter sleeve is common in all synchro packs. Each of the shifter forks (102) comprises at least one shifter dog (103) on the cylindrical hub portion (102a) [as shown in FIG. 2b] for carrying the respective shifter forks (102) during gear shifting.

Further, a selector shifter shaft (104) having a plurality of shifter drums (105) is mounted slidably and rotatably in the transmission housing (H) parallel to the shift rail (101). The selector shifter shaft (104) is mounted in the housing (H) though bearing, wherein the selector shifter shaft (104) slides axially in the housing (H) during gear selection, and is configured to rotate on its horizontal axis for gate selection. Each of the shifter drum (105) provided on the selector shifter shaft (104) includes at least one predetermined shaped first pattern (106) corresponds to the shifter dog (103) provided on each of the shifter forks (102). The first pattern (106) provided on each of the shifter fork (105) comprises a predetermined configuration of the axial slots (106b) and transverse slots (106a) for accommodating the shifter dog (103) provided on corresponding shifter fork (102) to facilitate gear selection in the change speed transmission (T). The first pattern (106) of the shifter drums (105) are configured such that, at one rotational position of the shifter shaft (104), only one shifter dog (103) which is provided on one of the plurality of shifter forks (102) is not aligned in an axial slot (106b) of corresponding first pattern (106), and the other shifter dogs (103) are aligned in the axial slots (106b) of the corresponding first patterns (106) on other shift drums (105). The shifter dog (103) which is not aligned to the axial slot (106b) of the first pattern will carry the shifter fork (102) to slide axially in the transmission housing (H) for shifting the gears in the change speed transmission. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the number of first pattern (106) and configuration of the first pattern (106) vary based on the gear knob pattern of the automobile.

The shift system (100) is provided with at least one predetermined shaped second pattern (108) on each of the plurality of shifter drums (105) to facilitate gate selection in the change speed transmission. The second pattern (108) comprises a predetermined configuration of an axial slots (108a) and transverse slots (108b). In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the configuration of the second pattern (108) depends on the gear knob pattern of the automobile. For example, the configuration of the second pattern (108) for the 5+R gear knob pattern (FIG.4) will have three axial slots (108a) and one transverse slot (108b). Further, a guide pin (107) is provisioned in the assembly (100) in the second pattern (108), and the guide pin (107) is fixed to the housing (H) through the second pattern (108). The guide pin (107) being stationary guides the selector shifter shaft (104) due to the second pattern (108) enabling axial movement of selector shifter shaft (104) only in specific rotational position of the selector shifter shaft (104). In other words, the selector shifter shaft (104) can be moved axially in only one direction. After selection of another gate by rotation of selector shifter shaft (104) by a predetermined angle in either side, then other axial slot (108a) of the second pattern (108) can be engaged, thus axial motion of selector shifter shaft (104) is restricted in between the gates thereby preventing double gear engagement.

FIGS 3a and 3b are exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure illustrating a top view of a selector shifter shaft (104) along with shifter drums (105) of the shift system (100) for selecting and shifting of gears in a change speed transmission (T). The FIGS. 3a and 3b shows the first pattern (106) and the second pattern (108) on the shifter drum (105) in greater detail. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the configuration of the first patterns (106) and the second pattern (108) on the shifter drum (105) as shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b as an example of the 5+R manual transmission shift layout. However, the configuration of first and second pattern (106 and 108) varies based on the number of gears and gear knob pattern in the automobile.

As shown FIG. 3a a shifter dog (103) on one of the shifter fork (102) out of the plurality of shifter forks (102) is in engaged position, i.e. not aligned with axial slots (106a) of the first pattern (106). The first pattern (106) has a transverse slot (106b) which receives the shifter dog (103) hence in this position any axial displacement of the selector shifter shaft (104) will engage or disengage the shifter fork (102). The rest of the shifter forks (102) are in disengaged condition, as the shifter dogs (103) on the other shifter forks (102) are aligned to the axial slots (106a) of the corresponding first pattern (106), any axial displacement of the selector shifter shaft (104) will not impart any axial displacement of on the shifter forks (102) which are aligned with axial slots (106a) of the first pattern (106). The configuration of the second pattern (108) for the 5+R gear knob pattern is shown in FIG. 3b. The second pattern (108) will have one transverse slot (108b) to receive the guide pin (107) during gate selection, and three axial slots (108a) for receiving the guide pin (107) during gear shifting.

It should be noted that this shift assembly (100) can be expandable to any number of shift forks (102), for each additional shift fork a unique first pattern (106) is to be added onto the shift drums (105). Further, additional gates can be selected by further rotation of selector shifter shaft (104) in two steps one for each gate selection in clockwise or anticlockwise direction.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure which illustrates manual transmission shift layout of 5+R speed transmission gear box. The 5+R shifting pattern comprises three transverse slots each for selection of 1st and 2nd, 3rd and 4th, and 5th and reverse gears respectively, and an axial slot intersecting the transverse slots in the gear knob pattern.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure which illustrates the top view of a selector shifter shaft (104) along with shifter drums (105) showing neutral position of 5+R manual transmission shift layout. In the neutral position a shifter dog (103) on left end of the shifter fork (102) is engaged in the transverse slots (106b) of the first pattern (106), and the guide pin (107) will be located in the middle of transverse slot (108b) in the second pattern (108).

The first pattern (106) has a transverse slot (106b) which receives the shifter dog (103) hence in this position any axial displacement of the selector shifter shaft (104) will engage or disengage the shifter fork (102). The rest of the shifter forks (102) are in disengaged condition, as the shifter dogs (103) on the other shifter forks (102) are aligned to the axial slots (106a) of the corresponding first pattern (106), any axial displacement of the selector shifter shaft (104) will not impart an axial displacement of on the shifter forks (102) which are aligned with axial slots (106a) of the first pattern (106).

FIGS. 6a and 6b are exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure which illustrates a top view of a selector shifter shaft along with shifter drums showing 3rd gear and 4th gear of 5+R manual transmission shift layout in engaged position. In the 3rd/4th gear’s gate position a shifter dog (103) on left end of the shifter fork (102) is engaged in the transverse slots (106b) of the first pattern (106), and the guide pin (107) will be located in the middle transverse slot (108b) in the second pattern (108).

As shown in FIG. 6a during shifting to 3rd gear, selector shifter shaft (104) will be slided adjacently to right side. Thus, it carries the left side shifter fork (102) to the third gear position, since the shifter dog (103) on the left side shifter fork (102) is in engaged condition with the selector shifter shaft (104). Further, as shown in FIG. 6b during shifting to 4th gear, the selector shifter shaft (104) is slided adjacently to left side. Thus, it carries the left side shifter fork (102) to the fourth gear position, since the shifter dog (103) on the left side shifter fork (102) is in engaged condition with the selector shifter shaft (104).

FIGS. 7a and 7b are exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure which illustrates a top view of a selector shifter shaft along with shifter drums showing 1st gear and 2nd gear of 5+R manual transmission shift layout in engaged position. During the 1st /2nd gear’s gate selection the selector shifter shaft (104) is rotated in clock wise up-to predetermined angle. After the rotation of the selector shifter shaft (104) the guide pin (107) resides in rear axial slot (108a) of the second pattern (108). In the 1st/ 2nd gate position a shifter dog (103) on middle shifter fork (102) is in engaged condition with the selector shifter shaft (104).

As shown in FIG. 7a during shifting to 1st gear, selector shifter shaft (104) will be slided adjacently to right side. Thus, it carries the middle shifter fork (102) to the first gear position, since the shifter dog (103) on the middle shifter fork (102) is in engaged condition with the selector shifter shaft (104). Further, as shown in FIG. 7b during shifting to 2nd gear, the selector shifter shaft (104) is slided adjacently to left side. Thus, it carries the middle shifter fork (102) to the second gear position, since the shifter dog (103) on the middle shifter fork (102) is in engaged condition with the selector shifter shaft (104).

FIGS. 8a and 8b are exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure which illustrates a top view of a selector shifter shaft along with shifter drums showing 5th gear and reverse gear of 5+R manual transmission shift layout in engaged position. During the 5th/reverse gear’s gate selection the selector shifter shaft (104) is rotated in anti-clock wise up-to predetermined angle. After the rotation of the selector shifter shaft (104) the guide pin (107) resides in front axial slot (108a) of the second pattern (108). In the 5th/reverse gate position a shifter dog (103) on right side shifter fork (102) is in engaged condition with the selector shifter shaft (104).

As shown in FIG. 8a during shifting to 5th gear, the selector shifter shaft (104) will be slided adjacently to right side. Thus, it carries the right side shifter fork (102) to the fifth gear position, since the shifter dog (103) on the middle shifter fork (102) is in engaged condition with the selector shifter shaft (104). Further, as shown in FIG. 8b during shifting to reverse gear, the selector shifter shaft (104) is slided adjacently to left side. Thus, it carries the right side shifter fork (102) to the second gear position, since the shifter dog (103) on the right side shifter fork (102) is in engaged condition with the selector shifter shaft (104).

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the selector shifter shaft (104) can be actuated (rotation and axial) by a means selected from at least one of direct shift where the gear shift lever is directly used to actuate the selector shifter shaft, remote linkage system where the selector shifter shaft is actuated by the gear shift lever through linkages and cable actuated shift systems where linkages are used or a separate top cover is used so that two levers each for selection and shifting are connected to the top cover and the gear shift cables are attached to these levers hence when the gear shift lever is moved in selection and shifting direction corresponding rotation or axial motion is achieved in selector shifter shaft.

FIG.9 is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure which illustrates an external remote link shift system (500) for a gearbox. The selector shifter shaft (104) is connected to the shift lever (501) though a set of linkages (502, 503 and 504). The gear shift lever (501) has a spherical portion (501a) which is housed in a housing (505) which is stationary, fixed at gearbox end through bracket (506) and through a rubber mounting (507) on the automobile body. The gear shift lever (501) has a hole on the portion (501b) which is connected to the shift link (502) by a revolute joint through pin (508). The link (503) is connected to link (502) by revolute joint through pin (509), and links (503 and 504) are connected by revolute joint through a pin. Link (504) is dowelled to the selector shifter shaft (104).

When the selector lever is moved in shifting direction the selector shifter shaft (104) is moved axially though linkages (502, 503 and 504). When the gear shift lever is moved in selection direction, gear shift lever (501) and linkages (502, 503 and 504) behave as a torsion bar and the selector shifter shaft rotates in selection motion of gear lever.

FIG.10 is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure which illustrates a cable shift system (600) where gear shift cables are used to actuate the selector shifter shaft (104). The shift lever (609) is pivoted to bracket (601) through pin (607) which is fixed to gearbox housing (H). The selector shifter shaft has a slot (601a) which receives a cylindrical plastic bush (602) mounted on the shift lever (609). The gear shift cables are mounted on the spherical ball (603) welded to shift lever (609). When the gear shift cables pull or push the shift lever (609) the selector shifter shaft (104) moves axially for engaging/disengaging gears.

The selection lever (604) is pivoted on the bracket (601) through pin (608). One end is connected to gear shift cables through the spherical ball (603) welded to the selection lever. The other end is connected to select link (605) which is dowelled to the selector shifter shaft (104) through a connector link (606). Hence when the gear shift cables pull or push the selection lever (604) the select link (605) rotates thereby rotating the selector shifter shaft (104) in clockwise or anticlockwise direction based on pull or push direction of gear shift cables.

Advantages:
The present disclosure provides a common rail shift system for an automotive transmission with a single shift rail. The use of single shift rail reduces the number of components in the gear box, and eliminates the complexity of gear box.

The present disclosure provides a common rail shift system for an automotive transmission which is compact and consumes less space in the transmission.

The present disclosure provides a common rail shift system for an automotive transmission in which same forks can be used for all gears.

Equivalents:

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, 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 herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) 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 following appended claims 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, claims, 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 herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Referral Numerals:
Reference Number Description
100 Shift system
101 Shift rail
102 Shifter forks
102a Cylindrical hub in shifter forks
102b Through hole
103 Shifter dog
104 Selector shifter shaft
105 Shifter drums
106 First patterns
106a Axial slots of first patterns
106b Transverse slots of first patterns
107 Guide pin
108 Second patterns
108a Axial slots of second patterns
108b Transverse slots of second patterns
109 Gears
110 Input shaft
111 Main shaft
112 Counter shaft
H Housing
T Transmission gear box
500 Remote link shift system
501 Shift lever
501a Spherical portion
501b Portion of shift lever
502, 503, and 504 Linkages
505 Housing
506 Bracket
507 Rubber mount
508 and 509 Pin
600 Cable shift system
601 Bracket
601a Slot
602 Plastic bush
603 Spherical ball
604 Selection lever
605 Selector link
606 Connector link
607 and 608 Through pin
1 Input shaft in prior art
2 Counter shaft of prior art
3 Main shaft of the prior art
3,4 and 6 Shifter forks of the prior art
7, 8 and 9 Shift rails of the prior art
10 Shifter shaft
11 Finger