Vehicle shift module assembly

Abstract

A shift module assembly for controlling the movement of a vehicle transmission out of a park condition responsive to a condition of the ignition system of the vehicle and responsive to a position of the vehicle brake pedal includes a moveable swing arm adapted to selectively control the condition of the vehicle transmission. The swing arm is in a park position when the vehicle transmission is in the park condition. The swing arm is locked in an immobile position by a solenoid operated armature shaft when the swing arm is placed in the park position. The armature shaft is in direct contact with said swing arm when said swing arm is in the locked position. The armature shaft releases the swing arm from the locked position upon actuation of the vehicle ignition system and depression of the vehicle brake pedal. The swing arm includes a stress line that will cause the swing arm to break along the stress line before the swing arm is moved out of the park position if excessive force is applied to the swing arm. In addition, the swing arm is capable of both rotational and rocking movement about a common pivot point.

1 . A shift module assembly for controlling the movement of a vehicle transmission out of a park condition responsive to a condition of the ignition system of the vehicle and responsive to a position of the vehicle brake pedal, comprising:
 a moveable swing arm adapted to selectively control the condition of the vehicle transmission;   said swing arm adapted to be in a park position when said vehicle transmission is in said park condition;   said swing arm being locked in an immobile position by a solenoid operated armature shaft when said swing arm is placed in said park position, said armature shaft in direct contact with said swing arm when said swing arm is in said locked position;   said armature shaft adapted to release said swing arm from said locked position upon actuation of said vehicle ignition system and depression of said vehicle brake pedal.   
     
     
         2 . The shift module assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said swing arm is adapted to be maintained in said locked position in one of said conditions when said vehicle ignition system is in an off position, and when said vehicle ignition system is in an on position and said vehicle brake pedal is not depressed.   
     
     
         3 . The shift module assembly of  claim 1 , wherein: said swing arm is adapted to be released from movement when said vehicle ignition system is in an on condition and said vehicle brake pedal is depressed. 
     
     
         4 . The shift module assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a mounting bracket adapted to mount the shift module to a stationary portion of the vehicle;   the swing arm pivotally mounted for movement relative to said mounting bracket, said swing arm capable of rotational movement and rocking movement relative to said mounting bracket.   
     
     
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         17 . The shift module assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said swing arm is connected to a manually operable shift lever adapted to move said swing arm into and out of said park condition of said vehicle transmission.   
     
     
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         21 . The shift module assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said stationary portion of said vehicle is the steering column of the vehicle.   
     
     
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         26 . A shift module assembly for controlling the movement of a vehicle transmission out of a park condition responsive to a condition of the ignition system of the vehicle and responsive to a position of the vehicle brake pedal comprising:
 a mounting bracket adapted to be attached to a stationary portion of said vehicle;   a movable swing arm pivotally mounted to said mounting bracket, said swing arm adapted to selectively control the condition of the vehicle transmission;   the swing arm capable of both rotational movement and rocking movement relative to said mounting bracket.   
     
     
         27 . The shift module assembly of  claim 26 , wherein;
 said swing arm moves in a rocking motion to enable the swing arm to move the vehicle transmission out of the park condition.   
     
     
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