Detachable transmission shift lever arrangement
View Patent ↗A detachable transmission shift lever theft deterrent arrangement is provided that includes a transmission shift stub accessible from a vehicle interior. A detachable shift lever is provided and arranged to slideably engage the transmission shift stub. A locking mechanism is positioned on the shift lever and arranged to engage the shift stub. A security system including a transponder is positioned on the shift lever, and the transponder is arranged to receive power from an antenna positioned on the shift stub and send a unique signal back to the antenna upon positioning the shift lever within a predetermined range of the antenna. A vehicle ignition system is then enabled when the antenna receives the unique signal from the transponder.
1. A detachable transmission shift lever arrangement for a motor vehicle, the arrangement comprising:
a transmission shift stub accessible from a vehicle interior;
a detachable transmission shift lever arranged to slideably engage the transmission shift stub;
a locking mechanism positioned on the shift lever and arranged to engage the shift stub; and
a security system including a transponder positioned on the shift lever, the transponder arranged to send a unique signal to an antenna positioned on the shift stub upon a positioning of the shift lever within a predetermined range of the antenna;
wherein a vehicle ignition system is enabled when the antenna receives the signal from the transponder.
2. The detachable transmission shift lever arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the shift stub includes a circumferential detent formed on an exterior surface of the shift stub, and wherein the shift lever locking mechanism is arranged to engage the shift stub detent upon positioning the shift lever on the shift stub.
3. The detachable transmission shift lever arrangement of claim 2 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a slideable collar and bearing arrangement, the collar arranged to slide axially on the shift lever and release the bearing arrangement from the detent on the shift stub.
4. The detachable transmission shift lever arrangement of claim 3 , wherein the collar includes a circumferential detent arranged to receive the bearing arrangement upon sliding the collar axially along the shift lever to align the collar detent with the bearing arrangement.
5. The detachable transmission shift lever arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the antenna communicates with an engine control module to compare the unique signal to a code stored in the engine control module.
6. The detachable transmission shift lever arrangement of claim 5 , wherein the engine controller enables engine operation when the unique signal is present and determined to match the code.
7. The detachable transmission shift lever arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the shift lever includes splines positioned on an inner surface and arranged to engage the shift stub, and wherein the shift stub includes splines arranged to mate with the shift lever splines.
8. The detachable transmission shift lever arrangement of claim 7 , wherein the shift lever splines and the shift stub splines are arranged in a configuration unique to a vehicle.
9. The detachable transmission shift lever arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the transponder is molded into a base on the shift lever.
10. The detachable transmission shift lever arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the transponder receives power from the antenna when the shift lever is positioned within a predetermined range of the antenna.