DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The invention relates to a shift linkage assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Switching of gears in a transmission is effected by a driver operating a shift lever. The shift lever is provided in an interior compartment of a vehicle and is connected with a transmission via a shift linkage assembly or a transmission shift cable.
[003] It is widely known that vibration and noises from the transmission are transmitted through the shift linkage assembly, and eventually to the shift lever. One such vibration is referred to as a ‘double bump’. Double bump is basically a scratchy/notchy feel experienced during shifting of gears. While such a vibration may be felt by the drivers, the vibration also tend to affect various parts of the transmission. It is thus desirable to reduce such vibration and noises.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[004] In one aspect, the shift linkage assembly comprises of a cable extending from a first end to a second end, a first damper element provided at the first end, the first damper element configured to be adapted to a transmission, and a second damper element provided at the second end, the second damper element configured to be adapted to a shift lever.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[005] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 illustrates a shift linkage assembly connected between a transmission and a shift lever in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 shows a first damping element in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 shows a second damping element in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[006] The present invention provides a shift linkage assembly which reduces vibrations or grinding or scratchy effect generated by a transmission into interior of the vehicle, especially through the shift linkage assembly.
[007] Figure 1 illustrates a shift linkage assembly 100 connected between a transmission X and a shift lever Y in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The shift linkage assembly comprises of a cable 110, a first damper element 120 and a second damper element 130. The cable extends from a first end to a second end. In an embodiment, the cable has a bare strand inner member with lubrication/grease which reduces effect of vibrations or grinding or scratchy effect.
[008] The first damper element is provided at the first end of the cable, and the second damper element is provided at the second end of the cable. The first damper element is configured to be adapted to the transmission via a snap-fit mechanism. The first damper element is preferably adapted with a shift tower assembly of the transmission. The first damper element is made of a resilient material such as natural rubber or artificial rubber. In a preferred embodiment, the rubber of the first damper element has a shore hardness in the range of 55 – 65 Shore. As shown in figure 2, the first damper element has a round shape. Further, the first damper element internally has a Z-shaped cross-section which enables the first damper element to absorb/attenuate high frequency vibrations or grinding or scratchy effect by compressing at load acting point and expanding at point where there is vibration or grinding or scratchy effect.
[009] The second damper element is configured to be adapted to the shift lever via a snap-fit mechanism. The second damper element is made of a resilient material such as natural rubber or artificial rubber. In a preferred embodiment, the rubber of the first damper element has a shore hardness in the range of 55 – 65 Shore. This enables the second damper element to dampen the vibrations reaching the shift lever knob. As shown in figure 3, the second damper element has a square shape. Further, the second damper element has dotted projections, which enables the second damper element to further absorb/attenuate high frequency vibrations or grinding or scratchy effect by compressing at load acting point and expanding at point where there is vibration or grinding or scratchy effect. Further, the second damper element has a hollow structure. The hollow structure absorbs/attenuates the vibrations or grinding or scratchy effect, and also facilitates easy shift of the shift lever. In this regard, while other structures are possible for the second damper element, it is critical that the operation of the shift lever is not affected, especially due to an increase in weight of the second damper element. The construction of both, the first damper element and the second damper element is such that both have different load and deflection characteristics. Accordingly, vibration or grinding or scratchy effect reaching driver of the vehicle is reduced.
[010] In use, as mentioned hereinbefore, the linkage assembly is connected between the transmission and the shift lever. As the shift lever is operated by the driver to change gears, any vibrations that are generated at the shift lever or the transmission, especially the double bump effect/feel is filtered/attenuated by the first damper element and/or the second damper element provided on each end of the cable. In that, the first damper element damps the vibrations generated by the transmission and the second damper element damps the vibrations on the shift lever.
[011] Advantageously, the present invention attenuates the vibrations that are generated while transmission is being shifted. Especially, double bump effect felt during shifting of transmission is greatly reduced by the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention
[012] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A shift linkage assembly 100 comprising:
a cable 110 extending from a first end and a second end between a transmission X and a shift lever Y;
a first damper element 120 provided at the first end, the first damper element configured to be adapted to the transmission X; and
a second damper element 130 provided at the second end of the cable the second damper element is adapted to the shift lever, the first damper element and the second damper element attenuate the vibrations generated by the transmission and the shift lever.

2. The shift linkage assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cable has a lubricated bare strand inner member to reduce vibrations.

3. The shift linkage assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first damper element is adapted to a shift tower assembly of the transmission by a snap-fit mechanism.

4. The shift linkage assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second damper element is adapted to an external shifter mechanism the shift lever of the transmission by a snap-fit mechanism.

5. The shift linkage assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first damper element and the second damper element is made of resilient material.

6. The shift linkage assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first damper element has an external round shape.

7. The shift linkage assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 6, wherein the first damper element has an internal Z shaped cross-section.

8. The shift linkage assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second damper element has a square shape.

9. The shift linkage assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second damper element has a hollow structure.

10. The shift linkage assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second damper element has dotted projections.