First gear/reverse gate indicator switch

Abstract

The first gear/reverse gate switch of the present invention includes a detent switch including a contact pin and a contact switch. When a manual transmission is shifted to a gear not in the first gear/reverse gate, the contact pin of the detent switch engages a recessed portion on a detent mechanism such that the contact pin does not engage the contact switch. This indicates that the transmission is not in a gear in the first gear/reverse gate. When the manual transmission is shifted to a gear in the first gear/reverse gate, the interlock moves the detent, pushing the contact pin into engagement with the contact switch. This indicates that the transmission is in a gear in the first gear/reverse gate. The spring forces the detent into a “relaxed position” when not in the first gear or the reverse gate, breaking switch contact.

1 . A reverse biasing assembly for use with a manual transmission assembly comprising: 
 an interlock moveable between a first position and a second position;    a detent mechanism which contacts said interlock; and    a detent switch coacting with said detent mechanism to indicate when said interlock is in said first position.    
   
   
       2 . The reverse biasing assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein said interlock further includes an arcuate surface and a raised ramp and said detent mechanism further includes a contact surface which contacts said interlock.  
   
   
       3 . The reverse biasing assembly as recited in  claim 2  wherein said contact surface of said detent mechanism contacts said raised ramp of said interlock when said interlock is in said first position.  
   
   
       4 . The reverse biasing assembly as recited in  claim 1  further including a resilient member that biases said detent mechanism against said interlock.  
   
   
       5 . The reverse biasing assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein said manual transmission assembly is in one of a reverse gear and a first forward gear when said interlock is in said first position.  
   
   
       6 . The reverse biasing assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein said detent mechanism includes a housing having an exterior surface, said exterior surface having a raised portion and a recessed portion.  
   
   
       7 . The reverse biasing assembly as recited in  claim 6  wherein said detent switch includes a contact pin and a switch.  
   
   
       8 . The reverse biasing assembly as recited in  claim 7  wherein said contact pin engages said raised portion of said exterior surface of said housing of said detent mechanism and engages said switch when said interlock is in said first position to indicate that said interlock is in said first position.  
   
   
       9 . (canceled)  
   
   
       10 . The reverse biasing assembly as recited in  claim 7  wherein said contact pin engages said recessed portion of said exterior surface of said housing of said detent mechanism when said interlock is in said second position, disengaging said contact pin from said switch to indicate that said interlock is not in said first position.  
   
   
       11 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . The reverse biasing assembly as recited in  claim 4  wherein said detent mechanism includes a housing and said resilient member is housed within said housing to bias said detent mechanism against said interlock.  
   
   
       22 . The reverse biasing assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein said interlock is rotatable.  
   
   
       23 . The reverse biasing assembly as recited in  claim 7  wherein said interlock further includes an arcuate surface and a raised ramp and said detent mechanism further includes a contact surface which contacts said interlock.  
   
   
       24 . The reverse biasing assembly as recited in  claim 23   wherein said contact surface of said detent mechanism contacts said raised ramp of said interlock when said interlock is in said first position, said contact pin engaging said raised portion of said exterior surface of said housing of said detent mechanism and engaging said switch to indicate that said interlock is in said first position, and    wherein said contact surface of said detent mechanism contacts said arcuate surface of said interlock when said interlock is in said second position, said contact pin engaging said recessed portion of said exterior surface of said housing of said detent mechanism and disengaging said contact pin from said switch to indicate that said interlock is not in said first position.    
   
   
       25 . The reverse biasing assembly as recited in  claim 24  wherein said manual transmission assembly is in one of a reverse gear and a first forward gear when said interlock is in said first position.  
   
   
       26 . The reverse biasing assembly as recited in  claim 24  further including a resilient member that biases said detent mechanism against said interlock as said interlock moves.  
   
   
       27 . The reverse biasing assembly as recited in  claim 26  wherein said resilient member is housed inside said housing of said detent mechanism.  
   
   
       28 . The reverse biasing assembly as recited in  claim 24  wherein said interlock is rotatable.