A selector includes a lever guide, an operating lever, and a stopper. The lever guide has first and second movable-path slits therein. The first movable-path slit extends from a first position to a second position along a first direction. The second movable-path slit extends along a second direction different from the first direction as to intersect the first movable-path slit at an intersection position. The second movable-path includes a third position. The operating lever is movable in along the first and second movable-path slits. The operating lever is configured to move to the first position through the first and second movable-path slits. The stopper slides and contacts the operating lever when the operating lever moves from the third position to the first position. The stopper slides and contacts the operating lever when the operating lever moves from the first position to the third position. The stopper opens and closes an opening-and-closing target path out of the first movable-path slit between the second position and the intersection position in conjunction with a movement of the operating lever.

A selector includes a lever guide, an operating lever, and a stopper. The lever guide has first and second movable-path slits therein. The first movable-path slit extends from a first position to a second position along a first direction. The second movable-path slit extends along a second direction different from the first direction as to intersect the first movable-path slit at an intersection position. The second movable-path includes a third position. The operating lever is movable in along the first and second movable-path slits. The operating lever is configured to move to the first position through the first and second movable-path slits. The stopper slides and contacts the operating lever when the operating lever moves from the third position to the first position. The stopper slides and contacts the operating lever when the operating lever moves from the first position to the third position. The stopper opens and closes an opening-and-closing target path out of the first movable-path slit between the second position and the intersection position in conjunction with a movement of the operating lever.

The invention is a shift lockout guide for a vehicle equipped with a manual gearbox. It includes a user-operable means that, in preferred embodiments, is mounted to the shifter of the gear box and is linked to an engagement portion that interacts with guide plates defining a path of travel for the shifter. A biasing means urges the engagement portion into the guide plates but this can be overridden by the driver through the user-operable means. The invention provides the driver of a vehicle fitted with the invention in the selection of specific gears while also preventing certain other gears from being selected. This reduces the risk of inadvertent overrevving of the vehicle's engine through inappropriate gear selection.

The invention is a shift lockout guide for a vehicle equipped with a manual gearbox. It includes a user-operable means that, in preferred embodiments, is mounted to the shifter of the gear box and is linked to an engagement portion that interacts with guide plates defining a path of travel for the shifter. A biasing means urges the engagement portion into the guide plates but this can be overridden by the driver through the user-operable means. The invention provides the driver of a vehicle fitted with the invention in the selection of specific gears while also preventing certain other gears from being selected. This reduces the risk of inadvertent overrevving of the vehicle's engine through inappropriate gear selection.

In one aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manually releasing power actuated vehicle park means in the absence of power, the method comprising the steps of: rotating a power actuated selector shaft from a park mode position in which one or more wheels are locked by the park means to a park release mode position in which the one or more wheels are released by the park means; and locking the selector shaft in the release mode position by means of locking means, whereby the successive steps of rotating the selector shaft to the release mode position and subsequently locking the selector shaft in the release mode position comprise manual translation or rotation of one or more members in first and second directions respectively, the first direction being different from the second direction.

A plunger lock mechanism including a housing containing a rotationally supported lever shaped component, the component including at least one notch or recess configured within an arcuate surface. An electric motor is configured to rotate a cam extending within the housing, the cam actuating at least one plunger having an extending portion aligning with a selected notch. Upon rotation of the cam by the motor, the plunger is caused to displace between either of engaged and disengaged positions with the component such that, when disengaged, permitting rotation of the component.

A plunger lock mechanism including a housing containing a rotationally supported lever shaped component, the component including at least one notch or recess configured within an arcuate surface. An electric motor is configured to rotate a cam extending within the housing, the cam actuating at least one plunger having an extending portion aligning with a selected notch. Upon rotation of the cam by the motor, the plunger is caused to displace between either of engaged and disengaged positions with the component such that, when disengaged, permitting rotation of the component.

An electronic control unit permits a shift operation to a neutral position, by which a manual transmission 14 is switched to neutral, during coasting control. Accordingly, shifting to the neutral position can be performed only by the shift operation. Thus, power transmission can be blocked after termination of the coasting control. In addition, the electronic control unit prohibits the shift operation to a particular gear after the transmission is switched to neutral. Thus, overreving or underreving at the termination of the coasting control can be suppressed.

An electronic control unit permits a shift operation to a neutral position, by which a manual transmission 14 is switched to neutral, during coasting control. Accordingly, shifting to the neutral position can be performed only by the shift operation. Thus, power transmission can be blocked after termination of the coasting control. In addition, the electronic control unit prohibits the shift operation to a particular gear after the transmission is switched to neutral. Thus, overreving or underreving at the termination of the coasting control can be suppressed.

A shifter assembly for a motor vehicle includes a housing, a detent gate connected to the housing, a shifter lever moveable between at least a park position and a neutral position, a locking button movably supported by the shifter lever that contacts the detent gate when in a first position and that spaces apart from the detent gate when depressed to a second position, and a pawl moveable between an unlock position and a lock position. The pawl prevents the shifter lever from moving out of the park or neutral positions and prevents the locking button from being depressed when in the lock position.