US 12,066,098 B2
Tools and method for repair of shift cable ends in various motor vehicles
Loring Smith, Lakeland, FL (US)
Filed by Loring Smith, Lakeland, FL (US)
Filed on Mar. 24, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/703,445.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/166,672, filed on Mar. 26, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0307589 A1, Sep. 29, 2022
Int. Cl. F16H 59/02 (2006.01); B25B 27/06 (2006.01); B25B 27/28 (2006.01)
CPC F16H 59/0278 (2013.01) [B25B 27/06 (2013.01); B25B 27/28 (2013.01)] 7 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for coupling a shift cable end and shift lever, said shift cable end comprising an elongated member carrying a coupling member with a coupling aperture, said shift lever comprising an elongated member having an arm portion and a ball portion, comprising:
a bushing sized and shaped to fit within the coupling aperture, said bushing having a leading side and a trailing side, a coupling means for coupling the bushing with the ball portion of the shift lever, said coupling means comprising a cavity of similar size and shape to the ball portion of the shift lever within the bushing and a bore that runs from the leading side of the bushing to the cavity, a securing means for securing the bushing within the coupling aperture, said securing means comprising a seating member affixed to the trailing edge of the bushing, said seating member of a size and shape sufficient to cover the area of the trailing side of the bushing and coupling aperture and also extend horizontally beyond the bushing in all directions for engaging with the top of the coupling member, and securing members affixed to the leading side of the bushing that extend horizontally beyond the bushing and vertically beneath the coupling aperture for engaging with the bottom of the coupling member, and a pressure relief means for relieving pressure within the bushing's cavity, said pressure relief means comprising a shaft running from the cavity to the trailing edge of the bushing and through the seating member;
an installation tool comprising a cup of a similar shape as the bushing and coupling aperture, an engagement means for engaging the bushing, said engagement means comprising arms extending vertically from the top of the cup, said arms having engagement members extending horizontally from the arms towards the center of the cup for sliding over and engaging the top of the coupling member of the shift lever; and
a protective tool for protecting the bushing during installation, said protective tool comprising a body with a bore sized and shaped to fit over the seating member and an alignment means, said alignment means comprising an alignment member of similar size and shape to the shaft of the bushing, said alignment member extending vertically from the protective member and through the center of the bore.