CLIAMS:We claim:

1. A shifter assembly (100) for a gearbox of a vehicle, the assembly comprising:
a shifter yoke (101) having an first end (101a) and a second end (101b) mounted concentrically on a selector shifter shaft (102) of the gearbox;
a gear lever (103) having a first end (103a) and a second end (103b), wherein second end (103b) of the gear lever(103) is connected to the first end (101a) of the shifter yoke (101), the gear lever (103) is configured to be operated by an user through the first end (103a) to move the shifter yoke (101);
a shift lever (104) having a first end (104a) and a second end (104b) with the first end (104a) of the shift lever (104) connected to one end the selector shifter shaft (102), and the second end (104b) of the shift lever (104) is pivoted to the second end (101b) of the shifter yoke (101), wherein the shift lever (104) is configured to move the selector shifter shaft (102) inside the gearbox based on the movement of the shifter yoke (101); and
at least one support rod (105) having a first end (105a) and a second end (105b) with the first end (105a) of the support rod (105) is pivoted to the first end (101a) of the shifter yoke (101), and the second end (105b) of the support rod (105) is pivoted to a top cover (106) of the gearbox, wherein the at least one support rod (105) is adapted to support the shifter yoke (101) during axial movement of the selector shifter shaft (102).

2. The shifter assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shifter yoke (101) is at least one of ring yoke and a plate.

3. The shifter assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein shape of the shift lever (104) is at least one of ‘J’ shape and a mirrored “L” shape.

4. The shifter assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprises at least one bracket (107) on the top cover (106) of the gear box to support the second end (105b) of the support shaft (105).

5. The shifter assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second ends (105a and 105b) of the support rod (105) are pivoted through a ball joint.

6. The shifter assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support rod (105) is configured to support the gear lever (103) through the shifter yoke (101) to prevent free-play of the gear lever (103).

7. The shifter assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gear lever (103) is configured to rotate the shifter yoke (101) along axis of the selector shifter shaft (102) during gear shifting, and oscillate the shifter yoke (101) during gate selection.

8. The shifter assembly (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the support rod (105) holds the first end (101a) of the shifter yoke (101) during gate selection.

9. The shifter assembly (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second end (101b) of the shifter yoke (101) oscillates to move the shift lever (104) for gate selection.

10. The shifter assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein second end (101b) of the shifter yoke (101) comprises at least one bearing (108) to pivot the second end (104b) of the shift lever (104) through a pivot pin (109).

11. The shifter assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first end (104a) of the shift lever (104) comprises a provision (110) to accommodate end of the selector shifter shaft (102).

12. The shifter assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprises a detent mechanism (111) provisioned in the top cover (106) of the gearbox to control inadvertent movement of the selector shifter shaft (102).

13. The shifter assembly (100) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the detent mechanism (111) comprises a spring loaded detent fin (112).

14. The shifter assembly (100) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the detent fin (112) is adapted to contact at least a potion selector finger (113) which is mounted on the selector shifter shaft (102).

15. A vehicle comprising a shifter assembly (100) for a gearbox as claimed in claim 1.
,TagSPECI:TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to a field of automotive engineering. Particularly the present disclosure relates to transmission mechanism of the vehicle. Further, embodiments of the disclosure disclose shifter assembly for a gearbox of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

In manual automotive transmission, gears in the gearbox are operated through gearshift lever. The operation of gearshift lever is transferred to shift rails which are used for changing the gears. The shift rails are arranged next to one another in the gearbox housing. Further, a shift lever with a shift finger is provided in the gearbox, in which the shift finger engages alternately with shift slots of the shift rails for gear shifting. In such gear box the gearshift lever will be operated by the user or driver when he intends to shift the gear to either higher or lower or reverse gear. For shifting the gear the driver has to first disengage clutch from an input shaft, and then move the gear lever to particular gate for selection of the gear. Generally, each gate of the gear box will be provided with two gears, and the gearshift lever will be moved either in forward or backward direction to select the particular gear in the gearbox. Once, the gear is selected the driver will release the clutch pedal to engage the clutch with the input shaft, and thereby engages the output shaft with the input shaft with the help of selected gear. Generally, such gear shifting is called as manual gear shifting, and the transmission is called manual transmission.

Generally, shift feel of the gearshift lever during gear shifting and gate selection is a customer touch point in all the vehicles. Good shifting during gear shifting and gate selection reduces the fatigue to the driver and improves the perception of the vehicle. Vehicles such as but not limiting to passenger and commercial vehicles are generally provided manual transmission having four or more forward gears along with one reverse gear. In such vehicles, the user has to select the desired gate from the neutral position, and then select a particular gear in that gate.

In such manual transmission with a direct gear shift control arrangement, the manual shift lever is supported by a spherical bearing arrangement placed in a shift dome, which is arranged on the transmission case. The manual shift lever has an extension with a shift finger, which engages alternately the shift slots. In this arrangement, the shift ratio and the selected shift ratio, i.e. the ratio of the distance between operating knob of the shift lever and the bearing sphere centre, to the distance between the bearing sphere centre and shift finger actuation centre is identical, both for the shift plane and for the selection plane. However, for ergonomics requirements different transfer ratios are needed in shift and selection direction, which can be achieved by placing pivot point of selection movement above the pivot axis of shift movement. In manual transmission the shift forces are generally high, the higher shift ratio is required to make the shifting comfortable, and on the other hand the selection gates should be placed close to one another, this result in lower gate selection ratio. However due to identical shift and select ratios, gate selection travel at knob are more than required, which result in uncomfortable hand movement, and thereby the selection travel and the force will be more.

In light of the foregoing discussion, it necessary to develop an improved shifter assembly for a gearbox of a vehicle to overcome one or more drawbacks 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 shifter assembly for a gearbox of a vehicle. The assembly comprising a shifter yoke having a first end and a second end mounted concentrically on a selector shifter shaft of the gearbox. A gear lever having a first end and a second end, wherein second end of the gear lever is connected to the first end of the shifter yoke, the gear lever is configured to be operated by an user through the first end to move the shifter yoke. The shifter assembly further comprises a shift lever having a first end and a second end with the first end of the shift lever connected to one end the selector shifter shaft, and the second end of the shift lever is pivoted to the second end of the shifter yoke, wherein the shift lever is configured to move the selector shifter shaft inside the gearbox based on the movement of the shifter yoke. Further, at least one support rod having a first end and a second end with the first end of the support rod is pivoted to the first end of the shifter yoke, and the second end of the support rod is pivoted to a top cover of the gearbox, wherein the at least one support rod is adapted to support the shifter yoke during axial movement of the selector shifter shaft.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the shifter yoke is at least one of ring yoke and a plate.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, shape of the shift lever is at least one of ‘J’ shape and a mirrored “L” shape.

In an embodiment of the disclosure shifter assembly comprises at least one bracket on the top cover of the gear box to support the second end of the support shaft. Further, the first and second ends of the support rod are pivoted through a ball joint.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the support rod is configured to support the gear lever through the shifter yoke to prevent free-play of the gear lever. The gear lever is configured to rotate the shifter yoke along axis of the selector shifter shaft during gear shifting, and oscillate the shifter yoke during gate selection.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the support rod holds the first end of the shifter yoke during gate selection. The second end of the shifter yoke oscillates to move the shift lever for gate selection.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, second end of the shifter yoke comprises at least one bearing to pivot the second end of the shift lever through a pivot pin.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first end of the shift lever comprises a provision to accommodate end of the selector shifter shaft.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the shifter assembly comprises a detent mechanism provisioned in the top cover of the gearbox to control inadvertent movement of the selector shifter shaft. The detent mechanism comprises a spring loaded detent fin. The detent fin is adapted to contact at least a potion selector finger which is mounted on the selector shifter shaft.

It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.

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 shifter assembly for a gearbox of a vehicle in which the support shaft supports the shifter yoke during both axial and rotational movement of the selector shifter shaft.

One object of the present disclosure is to provide a shifter assembly for a gearbox of a vehicle which is simple in construction, easy to assemble, and retro-fittable.

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 perspective view of top cover of the gearbox with a shifter assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates sectional front view of top cover of the gearbox with a shifter assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates sectional side view of top cover of the gearbox with a shifter assembly of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrates sectional front view of the top cover with the shifter assembly of FIG. 1 in which the shifter yoke is inclined at predetermined angle in either direction during gate section.

FIGS. 5a and 5b illustrates side perspective views of the top cover with the shifter assembly of FIG. 1 in which the shifter yoke is rotated in clockwise and anti-clockwise direction during gear shifting.

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 one or more limitations stated in the background, the present disclosure provides a shifter assembly for a gear box of the vehicle. The shifter assembly is used for shifting the gears in the manual transmission with help of a gearshift lever. The shifter assembly comprises a shifter yoke having a first end and a second end mounted concentrically on a selector shifter shaft of the gearbox. A gear lever having a first end and a second end is provided in the assembly to operate the shifter yoke. The second end of the gear lever is connected to the first end of the shifter yoke, and is configured to be operated by an user through a first end of the gear leaver to move the shifter yoke. Further, the assembly comprise a shift lever having a first end and a second end. The first end of the shift lever is connected to one end the selector shifter shaft, and the second end of the shift lever is pivoted to the second end of the shifter yoke. The shift lever is configured to move the selector shifter shaft inside the gearbox based on the movement of the shifter yoke. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the shift lever is configured to move the selector shifter shaft laterally during gate section, and rotationally during gear shifting. The shifter assembly further comprises at least one support rod having a first end and a second end. The first end of the support rod is pivoted to the first end of the shifter yoke, and the second end of the support rod is pivoted to a top cover of the gearbox. The at least one support rod is adapted to support the shifter yoke during axial movement, and rotational movement of the selector shifter shaft during gate selection and gear shifting respectively. This, shifter assembly provides high shift ratio and low gate selection ratio, using common top cover assembly for both remote shift control and direct shift control.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the support rod is configured to support the gear lever through the shifter yoke to prevent free-play of the gear lever. Further, the gear lever is configured to rotate the shifter yoke along axis of the selector shifter shaft during gear shifting, and oscillate the shifter yoke during gate selection.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that an assembly, device or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.

In the following description the words such as front, rear, forward, backward, clockwise, and anti-clockwise are referred with respect to particular orientation of the assembly as illustrated in figures of the present disclosure. The words are used to explain the aspects of the present disclosure and for better understanding. However, one should not construe such terms as limitation to the present disclosure, since the terms may interchange based on the orientation of the assembly.

Henceforth, the present disclosure is explained with the help of figures of a shifter assembly for a gearbox of vehicle. However, such exemplary embodiments should not be construed as limitations of the present disclosure. A person skilled in the art can envisage various such embodiments without deviating from scope of the present disclosure. Further, it is to be noted that the shifter assembly is used for shifting gears in gearbox of the vehicles. However for the purpose of simplicity neither gearbox nor vehicle is illustrated in the figures of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure which illustrates perspective view of a shifter assembly (100) for a gearbox of the vehicle. Generally, the shifter assembly (100) will be integrated with a top-cover (106) of the gearbox, and is mounted onto the gearbox housing [not shown] along with the top-cover (106). The top-cover (106) acts as an enclosure for the gearbox, and acts as support member for the shifter assembly (100) onto the gearbox. The shifter assembly (100) is used for shifting of gears in the manual transmission type gearbox, in which the driver manually transmits the gears depending on the requirement. The shifter assembly comprises a shifter yoke (101) of predetermined shape concentrically mounted on a selector shifter shaft (102) of the gearbox. The shifter yoke (101) comprises a first end (101a), and a second end (101b), and is mounted on the selector shifter shaft (102). In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the shifter yoke (101) is at least one of a ring yoke and a plate with a provision. The shifter yoke (101) is mounted such that the selector shifter shaft (102) moves freely in the shifter yoke (101). In an embodiment of the disclosure, a seal is provided in between the shifter yoke (101) and the selector shifter shaft (102). The shifter assembly (100) comprises a gear lever (103) having a first end (103a) and a second end (103b). The gear lever (103) is adapted to be operated by the driver or user to operate the shifter assembly (100) for gate selection and gear shifting. The first end (103a) is provided with a gear knob, and the second end (103b) of the gear lever (103) is connected to the first end (101a) of the shifter yoke (101). The gear lever (103) can be operated by the driver through the gear knob to change the gear and select the gate as per the requirement. The operation of the gear lever (103) moves the shifter yoke (101) rotationally and axially for gear shifting and gate selection respectively. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the gear knob will be provided with a shift pattern to assist the driver about shifting of gear.

The shifter assembly (100) further includes a shift lever (104) of predetermined shape having a first end (104a) and a second end (104b). The first end (104a) of the shift lever (104) is connected to one end of the selector shifter shaft (102), and the second end (104b) of the shift lever (104) is pivoted to the second end (101b) of the shifter yoke (101). The shift lever (104) is configured to move the selector shifter shaft (102) inside the gearbox based on the movement of the shifter yoke (101). In an embodiment of the disclosure, the shift lever is configured either as one ‘J’ shape or mirrored ‘L’ shape. The first end (104a) of the shift lever comprises a provision (110) to accommodate an end of the selector shifter shaft (102). The provision (110) is configured as a flange having a flange arms with a fastening element to adjust the tension on the provision (110) to hold the selector shifter shaft (102). Further, the second end (104b) of the shift lever comprises a provision which accommodates a gap provided between a pair of bearings (108) provided on the second end (101b) of the shifter yoke (101). The shift lever (104) is connected to the shifter yoke (101) through a pivot member (109) which passes through one of the bearing (108) and extends up-to the other bearing through the provision provided on the shift lever. This forms a pivotal connection between the shift lever (104) and the shifter yoke (101) thereby the shifter yoke (101) can oscillate when the gear lever (103) is operated.

The shifter assembly (100) also comprises at least one support rod (105) also referred as link rod having a first end (105a) and a second end (105b). The at least one support rod (105) is configured to support/hold the shifter yoke (101) during axial movement and rotational movement of the selector shifter shaft (102) in the gearbox. The first end (105a) of the support rod (105) is pivoted to the first end (101a) of the shifter yoke (101) proximal to the joining junction of the gearshift lever (103). The second end (105b) of the support rod (105) is pivoted to a top cover (106) of the gearbox. In an embodiment of the disclosure, a bracket (107) is provisioned on the top cover (106) of the gear box for supporting the support rod. In one embodiment the bracket (107) is configured in “L” shape and is either permanently or removably fixed to the top cover (106) at a predetermined distance from the shifter yoke (101) by known techniques. Further, the predetermined distance between the bracket (107) and the shifter yoke (101) is configured based on the length of the support rod (105). In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first end (105a) and second ends (105b) of the support rod (105) are pivoted to the shifter yoke (101) and the bracket (107) through a ball joint. This facilitates angular movement of the support rod (105) at the second end (105b) during rotation of the shifter yoke (101) for gear shifting. Also, the support rod (105) holds the first end (101a) of the shifter yoke (101) during gate selection. Further, the support rod (105) is configured to support the gear lever (103) through the shifter yoke (101) to prevent free-play of the gear lever (103).

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 which are exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure illustrating sectional front view and sectional side view of the shifter assembly (100) mounted on top cover (106) of the gear box. As shown in FIG. 2 the selector shifter shaft (102) is supported in the top cover (106) through a pair of bearings (114), and is configured to move axially and rotationally inside the top cover (106). The selector shifter shaft (102) further operably coupled to the shift finger (113) for changing the gear. The shift finger (113) comprises a finger portion (not shown), which is for operating a driver element, in particular a shift rail or shift fork. Further, a pair of springs (116a and 116b) arranged concentric to each other on the stepped portion (102a) of the selector shifter shaft (102). In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the pair of springs (116a and 116b) are be compression springs. The pair of springs (116a and 116b) are supported by a circlip (117) in one end and a cup (115) in the other end. The pair of springs (116a and 116b) are configured to configured apply tension on the selector shifter shaft (102), and helps to assist the movement of selector shifter shaft (102) to move the gear lever (103) to neutral position when the gear is disengaged. The pair of springs (116a and 116b) will also help in maintaining the tension on the gear lever (103) through the shift lever (104) and the shifter yoke (101) to prevent the free-play of the gear lever (103) in neutral position. Further, the shifter mechanism (100) comprises a detent mechanism (111) provisioned in the top cover (106) of the gearbox [best shown in FIG. 3] to control inadvertent movement of the selector shifter shaft (102). For example, the detent mechanism (111) inadvertent movement of the shift element [not shown] to reverse gear gate during forward selection. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the detent mechanism (111) comprises a spring loaded detent fin (112). The detent fin (112) is adapted to contact at least a potion selector finger (113) which is mounted on the selector shifter shaft (102) to prevent the inadvertent movement of the same. If the driver applies the force more than the resistance offered by the spring on the detent fin (112), then the detent mechanism (111) will allow the movement of the shift finger (113). In the FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 the shifter assembly (100) is illustrated in neutral condition of the gear. In the neutral condition, the gearshift lever (103) will reside in neutral gate. Further, the shifter yoke (101) and shift lever (104) will be in their normal position, i.e. the shifter yoke (101) and the shifter lever (104) will lie perpendicular to the selector shifter shaft (102).

FIGS. 4a and 4b are exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure illustrating sectional front views of the shifter assembly (100) mounted on the top cover (106) of the gearbox in which the shifter yoke (101) is in inclined condition. During gate selection, the shifter yoke (101) will be moved by the operation of the gear lever (103) to move the selector shifter shaft (102) axially inside the gearbox such that the shifter finger (113) will be moved to particular gate. The support rod (105) provided in the mechanism (100) rigidly holds the first end (101a) of the shifter yoke (101) during gate selection. This result in oscillation motion of the second end (101b) of the shifter yoke (101), thereby carries the shift lever along with it. When, the second end of the shift lever (104b) is pulled by the shifter yoke (101) the first end of the shift lever (104a) moves the selector shifter shaft (102) axially inside the gearbox. In an exemplary embodiment, in 6 speed transmission the shifter yoke (101) inclines towards the shift lever (104) during 1st gate selection i.e. gate of 1st and 2nd gear [best shown in FIG. 4b]. Also, the shifter yoke (101) inclines towards the shifter fork (113) during 3rd gate selection i.e. gate of 5th and 6th gear [best shown in FIG. 4a]. However, one should not construe that the aforementioned example is limitation to the present disclosure, as the shifter assembly (100) can be used in any manual transmission.

FIGS. 5a and 5b are exemplary embodiments of the disclosure illustrating side perspective views of the top cover with the shifter assembly (100) in which the shift lever is rotated in clockwise and anti-clockwise direction during gear shifting. During gear shifting, the shifter yoke (101) will be moved by the operation of the gear lever (103) to rotate the selector shifter shaft (102) inside the gearbox such that the shifter finger (113) will be engage the particular gear. The support rod (105) provided in the mechanism (100) supports the first end (101a) of the shifter yoke (101) during gear shifting and oscillates along with the shifter fork (101). This result in rotational motion of the second end (101b) of the shifter yoke (101), thereby carries the shift lever along with it. When, the second end of the shift lever (104b) is rotated by the shifter yoke (101) the first end of the shift lever (104a) rotates the selector shifter shaft (102) inside the gearbox for shifting the gears. In an exemplary embodiment, in 6 speed transmission the shift lever (104) rotates in clock wise direction 1st, 3rd, 5th gear selection [best shown in FIG. 5a]. Also, the shift lever (104) rotates in counter clock wise direction 2nd, 4th, 6th, and reverse gear selection [best shown in FIG. 5b]. However, one should not construe that the aforementioned example is limitation to the present disclosure, as the shifter assembly (100) can be used in any manual transmission.

It is to be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art would design the selector assembly of any shape, dimension and configuration without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. Also, one should note that this selector assembly can be used in any manual transmission. Further, various modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure covers such modifications and variations provided they come within the ambit of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Advantages:
The present disclosure is to provide a shifter assembly for a gearbox of a vehicle in which the support shaft supports the shifter yoke during both axial and rotational movement of the selector shifter shaft. This reduces the travel distance of the gear lever, and thereby eliminates uncomfortable movement of the gear lever during shifting.

The present disclosure provides a shifter assembly for a gearbox of a vehicle which is simple in construction, easy to assemble and retro-fittable.

The present disclosure provides a shifter assembly for a gearbox of a vehicle which mechanism can be used for all types of manual transmission assemblies.

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 Shifter assembly
101 Shifter yoke
101a First end of the shifter yoke
101b Second end of the shifter yoke
102 Selector shifter shaft
103 Gear lever
103a First end of the gear lever
103b Second end of the gear lever
104 Shift lever
104a First end of the shift lever
104b Second end of the shift lever
105 Support shaft
105a First end of the support shaft
105b Second end of the support shaft
106 Top cover
107 Bracket
108 Bearing
109 Pivot pin
110 Provision
111 Detent mechanism
112 Detent fin
113 Selector fork
114 Bearings
115 Cup
116a and 116b Springs
117 Circlip