ENCLOSURE AFFIXABLE TO OUTER SECTION OF VEHICLE TRANSMISSION

ENCEINTE A JOINDRE A UNE SECTION EXTERIEURE D'UNE TRANSMISSION D'UN VEHICULE

English Abstract

An apparatus for preventing buildup of debris around a shifter linkage of a
vehicle comprising an enclosure affixed to the outer section of the
transmission
of the vehicle configured to enclose the shifter cable, shifter linkage and
rotatable shifter shaft and wherein the enclosure includes an open box
formation having five sides with an open side leading into an interior chamber
defined by the enclosure. The enclosure defines a passageway with a first
grommet configured to accommodate the rotatable shifter shaft of the
transmission and a channel with a second grommet configured to
accommodate the shifter cable to be connected to the shifter linkage.

French Abstract

Un appareil pour empêcher laccumulation de débris autour dune articulation dun levier de vitesses dun véhicule comprend une enceinte fixée à la section extérieure de la transmission du véhicule conçue pour entourer le câble du levier de vitesses, larticulation du levier de vitesses et larbre de levier de vitesses rotatif, et dans lequel lenceinte comprend une formation de boîte ouverte ayant cinq côtés avec un côté ouvert menant à une chambre intérieure définie par lenceinte. Lenceinte définit un passage avec un premier illet conçu pour loger larbre du levier de vitesses rotatif de la transmission et un canal avec un second illet conçu pour loger le câble du levier de vitesses à connecter à larticulation du levier de vitesses.

Claims

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The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed and defined as follows:
1. An apparatus for a
vehicle including a transmission having an outer
section, a rotatable shifter shaft extending from the outer section of the
transmission, a shifter linkage affixed to and extending from the rotatable
shifter
shaft, and a shifter cable affixed to the shifter linkage in such a way that
once
the shifter cable is moved, the rotatable shifter shaft rotates and urges the
rotatable shifter shaft to rotate, the apparatus comprising:
an enclosure including a connection device being configured to affix the
enclosure to the outer section of the transmission; and
the enclosure being configured to:
enclose a connection between the shifter cable and the shifter
linkage once the enclosure is affixed to the outer section of the
transmission just so;
enclose the rotatable shifter shaft once the enclosure is affixed to
the outer section of the transmission just so; and
reduce unwanted debris from building up around the shifter
linkage once the enclosure is affixed to the outer section of the
transmission just so; and
wherein the enclosure includes:
an open box formation having five sides with an open side leading
into an interior chamber defined by the enclosure, and
wherein the enclosure defines a passageway configured to
accommodate the rotatable shifter shaft of the transmission, and

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wherein a first grommet is received in the passageway, and the first
grommet is configured to prevent inadvertent damage to the rotatable
shifter shaft, and
wherein the enclosure defines a channel configured to accommodate the
shifter cable to be connected to the shifter linkage, and
wherein a second grommet is received in the channel, and
wherein the second grommet is configured to prevent inadvertent
damage to the shifter cable.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
the vehicle includes a pickup truck.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
the enclosure is configured to prevent a buildup of debris on the
shifter linkage in such a way that the shifter linkage is movable so that
the transmission of the vehicle continues to operate without the shifter
linkage becoming inadvertently disabled by an accumulation of
unwanted debris on the shifter linkage.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
the connection device is configured to connect the enclosure to
an existing bracket that holds the shifter cable in position.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
the connection device includes an elongated shaft extending
between opposite sides of the enclosure.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

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the enclosure is configured to be closed in such a way that
unwanted debris is prevented from entering the interior chamber defined
by the enclosure.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a cover configured to be positioned at the open side of the open
box formation.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
the enclosure defines a connection channel; and
the connection channel is configured to receive the connection
device.
9. An apparatus, comprising:
a vehicle including:
a transmission having an outer section;
a rotatable shifter shaft extending from the outer section of
the transmission;
a shifter linkage affixed to and extending from the rotatable
shifter shaft; and
a shifter cable affixed to the shifter linkage in such a way
that once the shifter cable is moved, the rotatable shifter
shaft rotates and urges the rotatable shifter shaft to rotate;
and
an enclosure including a connection device being configured to
affix the enclosure to the outer section of the transmission; and
the enclosure being configured to:

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enclose a connection between the shifter cable and the
shifter linkage once the enclosure is affixed to the outer
section of the transmission just so;
enclose the rotatable shifter shaft once the enclosure is
affixed to the outer section of the transmission just so; and
reduce unwanted debris from building up around the shifter
linkage once the enclosure is affixed to the outer section of
the transmission just so,
wherein the enclosure includes: an open box formation having
five sides with an open side leading into an interior chamber
defined by the enclosure, and
wherein the connection device includes an elongated shaft
extending between opposite sides of the enclosure, and
wherein the enclosure defines a passageway configured to
accommodate the rotatable shifter shaft of the transmission, and
wherein a first grommet is received in the passageway, and the
first grommet is configured to prevent inadvertent damage to the
rotatable shifter shaft, and
wherein the enclosure defines a channel configured to
accommodate the shifter cable to be connected to the shifter
linkage, and
wherein a second grommet is received in the channel, and the
second grommet is configured to prevent inadvertent damage to
the shifter cable.

-15-
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein:
the enclosure is configured to prevent a buildup of debris on the
shifter linkage in such a way that the shifter linkage is movable so that
the transmission of the vehicle continues to operate without the shifter
linkage becoming inadvertently disabled by an accumulation of
unwanted debris on the shifter linkage.
11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein:
the enclosure includes: a cover configured to be positioned at the
open side of the open box formation.
12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein:
the enclosure defines a connection channel; and
the connection channel is configured to receive the connection
device.
13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein:
the connection device is configured to connect the enclosure to
an existing bracket that holds the shifter cable in position.
14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein:
the enclosure is configured to be closed in such a way that
unwanted debris is prevented from entering the interior chamber defined
by the enclosure.
15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein:
the vehicle comprises a pickup truck.

Description

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1
ENCLOSURE AFFIXABLE TO OUTER SECTION OF VEHICLE TRANSMISSION
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This document relates to the technical field of (and is not limited to)
an
enclosure that is affixable to an outer section of a transmission of a
vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Off-roading is the activity of driving or riding a vehicle on
unsurfaced roads or
tracks, made of materials such as sand, gravel, riverbeds, mud, snow, rocks,
and
other natural terrain and/or debris. Traveling on off-road terrains requires
vehicles
capable of accommodating off-road driving conditions. Typically, these
vehicles
accommodate off road conditions with extended ground clearance, off-road
tires,
etc.
SUMMARY
[0003] It will be appreciated that there exists a need to mitigate (at least
in part) at
least one problem associated with the existing transmissions of vehicles (also
called the existing technology). After much study of the known systems and
methods with experimentation, an understanding of the problem and its solution
has been identified and is articulated as follows:
[0004] From time to time, unwanted debris (such as, mud, etc.) may build up
around
a shifter linkage positioned from (spaced apart from) an outer section of the
transmission of a vehicle. When this condition occurs, the vehicle may not
operate
properly.

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[0005] To mitigate, at least in part, at least one problem associated with the
existing
technology, there is provided (in accordance with a major aspect) an
apparatus.
The apparatus is for a vehicle. The vehicle includes a transmission having an
outer section. A rotatable shifter shaft extends from the outer section of the
transmission. A shifter linkage is affixed to and extends from the rotatable
shifter
shaft. A shifter cable is affixed to the shifter linkage. This is done in such
a way
that once the shifter cable is moved, the rotatable shifter shaft rotates and
urges
the rotatable shifter shaft to rotate. The apparatus includes an enclosure and
a
connection device configured to affix the enclosure to the outer section of
the
transmission. The enclosure is configured to enclose a connection between the
shifter cable and the shifter linkage once the enclosure is affixed to the
outer
section of the transmission just so. The enclosure is also configured to
enclose the
rotatable shifter shaft once the enclosure is affixed to the outer section of
the
transmission just so. The enclosure is also configured to reduce unwanted
debris
(such as, mud, etc.) from building up around (and accumulating on) the shifter
linkage once the enclosure is affixed to the outer section of the transmission
just
so.
[0006] Other aspects are identified in the claims.
[0007] Other aspects and features of the non-limiting embodiments may now
become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following
detailed
description of the non-limiting embodiments with the accompanying drawings.

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The non-limiting embodiments may be more fully appreciated by reference
to
the following detailed description of the non-limiting embodiments when taken
in
conjunction with the accompaoying drawings, in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 (SHEET 1 of 5 SHEETS) depicts a perspective view of an
embodiment
of a vehicle; and
[0010] FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 (SHEETS 2 to 5 of 5 SHEETS) depict
perspective views of an apparatus for the vehicle of FIG. 1.
[0011] The drawings are not necessarily to scale and may be illustrated by
phantom
lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain
instances,
details unnecessary for an understanding of the embodiments (and/or details
that
render other details difficult to perceive) may have been omitted.
[0012] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components
throughout the several figures of the drawings. Elements in the several
figures are
illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not been drawn to scale. The
dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be emphasized relative
to
other elements for facilitating an understanding of the various disclosed
embodiments. In addition, common, but well-understood, elements that are
useful
or necessary in commercially feasible embodiments are often not depicted to
provide a less obstructed view of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

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[0013] LISTING OF REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN THE DRAWINGS
100 apparatus
102 enclosure
104 connection device
106 open box formation '
108 cover
110 connection channel
112 passageway
113 first grommet
114 channel
115 second grommet
116 elongated shaft
900 vehicle
902 transmission
903 outer section
904 rotatable shifter shaft
906 shifter linkage
908 shifter cable

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0014] The following detailed description is merely exemplary and is not
intended to
limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described
embodiments. As used, the word "exemplary" or "illustrative" means "serving as
an
example, instance, or illustration." Any implementation described as
"exemplary"
or "illustrative" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or
advantageous
over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are
exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to
make
or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the
scope
of the disclosure. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims. For
the
description, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "rear," "right," "front,"
"vertical,"
"horizontal," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the examples as oriented
in the
drawings. There is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory
in
the preceding Technical Field, Background, Summary or the following detailed
description. It is also to be understood that the devices and processes
illustrated in
the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are
exemplary
embodiments (examples), aspects and/or concepts defined in the appended
claims. Hence, dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the
embodiments disclosed are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims
expressly state otherwise. It is understood that the phrase "at least one" is
equivalent to "a". The aspects (examples, alterations, modifications, options,
variations, embodiments and any equivalent thereof) are described regarding
the

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drawings. It should be understood that the invention is limited to the subject
matter
provided by the claims, and that the invention is not limited to the
particular
aspects depicted and described.
[0015] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a vehicle 900.
[0016] In accordance with the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 1, the vehicle
900
includes a pickup truck.
[0017] FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 depict perspective views of an
apparatus
100 for the vehicle 900 of FIG. 1.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 2, in accordance with a first major embodiment, the
apparatus 100 is for the vehicle 900 (as depicted in FIG. 1). In accordance
with
the first major embodiment, the apparatus 100 does not include the vehicle
900.
The vehicle 900 includes a transmission 902 having an outer section 903. A
rotatable shifter shaft 904 extends from the outer section 903 of the
transmission
902. A shifter linkage 906 is affixed to and extends from the rotatable
shifter shaft
904. A shifter cable 908 is affixed to (coupled to) the shifter linkage 906.
This is
done in such a way that once the shifter cable 908 is moved, the rotatable
shifter
shaft 904 rotates and urges the rotatable shifter shaft 904 to rotate.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 2, the apparatus 100 includes (and is not limited to)
an
enclosure 102. The enclosure 102 includes a connection device 104 configured
to
affix the enclosure 102 to the outer section 903 of the transmission 902. The
enclosure 102 is configured to enclose a connection between the shifter cable
908
and the shifter linkage 906 once the enclosure 102 is affixed to the outer
section

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903 of the transmission 902 just so. The enclosure 102 may be made from any
suitable durable material, such as metal, etc., and the enclosure 102 is
configured
to be (preferably) rustproof, etc.
[0020] The enclosure 102 is also configured to enclose the rotatable shifter
shaft 904
once the enclosure 102 is affixed to the outer section 903 of the transmission
902
just so. The enclosure 102 is also configured to reduce unwanted debris (such
as,
mud, etc.) from building up a(ound (and accumulating on) the shifter linkage
906
once the enclosure 102 is affixed to the outer section 903 of the transmission
902
just so.
[0021] Referring to the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 2, in accordance with a
second major embodiment, the apparatus 100 includes a synergistic combination
of the vehicle 900 and the enclosure 102. The enclosure 102 is configured to
prevent the buildup of debris (mud) on the shifter linkage 906. This is done
in such
a way that the shifter linkage 906 is movable (as may be required) so that the
transmission 902 of the vehicle 900 continues to operate without the shifter
linkage 906 becoming inadvertently disabled by an accumulation of unwanted
debris on the shifter linkage 906. The enclosure 102 is useful for extreme mud
conditions such as mining operations and/or off-road conditions. The enclosure
102 reduces downtime of the vehicle due to muddy conditions.
[0022] Referring to the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 2, the connection
device 104
is configured to connect the enclosure 102 to an existing bracket (known and
not
depicted) that holds the shifter cable 908 in position. The shifter cable 908
urges

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(in operation) the rotatable shifter shaft 904 to shift the transmission 902
from
neutral to drive, etc.
[0023] Referring to the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 3, the enclosure 102 is
placed in an open condition in which the interior chamber defined by the
enclosure
102 is exposed. The connection device 104 includes an elongated shaft 116
extending between opposite sides of the enclosure 102.
[0024] Referring to the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 4, the enclosure 102 is
configured to be closed in such a way that unwanted debris is prevented from
entering the interior chamber defined by the enclosure 102. The connection
device
104 is configured to attach (affix) the enclosure 102 to the outer section 903
of the
transmission 902 (either directly or indirectly).
[0025] Referring to the embodiment as depicted in FIG. 5, the enclosure 102
includes an open box formation 106 having five sides with an open side leading
into an interior chamber defined by the enclosure 102. The enclosure 102
includes
a cover 108 configured to be positioned to the open side of the open box
formation
106. The cover 108 is positioned in such a way as to show the interior chamber
of
the enclosure 102. The enclosure 102 defines a connection channel 110. The
connection channel 110 is configured to receive the connection device 104 (as
depicted in FIG. 2). The enclosure 102 also defines a passageway 112
configured
to accommodate (receive) the rotatable shifter shaft 904 of the transmission
902
(as depicted in FIG. 2). A first grommet 113 is received in the passageway
112.
The first grommet 113 may be called a sealing device. The first grommet 113 is

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configured to prevent inadvertent damage to the rotatable shifter shaft 904.
The
first grommet 113 may include a rubber material. The enclosure 102 also
defines a
channel 114 configured to accommodate (receive) the shifter cable 908 to be
connected to the shifter linkage 906 (as depicted in FIG. 2). A second grommet
115 is received in the channel 114. The second grommet 115 may be called a
sealing device. The second grommet 115 is configured to prevent inadvertent
damage to the shifter cable 908. The second grommet 115 may include a rubber
material.
[0026] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,
including the
best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use
the
invention. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and
may
include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other
examples
are within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do
not differ
from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent
structural
elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the
claims.
[0027] It may be appreciated that the assemblies and modules described above
may
be connected with each other as required to perform desired functions and
tasks
within the scope of persons of skill in the art to make such combinations and
permutations without having to describe each and every one in explicit terms.
There is no particular assembly or component that may be superior to any of
the
equivalents available to the person skilled in the art. There is no particular
mode of
practicing the disclosed subject matter that is superior to others, so long as
the

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functions may be performed. It is believed that all the crucial aspects of the
disclosed subject matter have been provided in this document. It is understood
that the scope of the present invention is limited to the scope provided by
the
independent claim(s), and it is also understood that the scope of the present
invention is not limited to: (i) the dependent claims, (ii) the detailed
description of
the non-limiting embodiments, (iii) the summary, (iv) the abstract, and/or (v)
the
description provided outside of this document (that is, outside of the instant
application as filed, as prosecuted, and/or as granted). It is understood, for
this
document, that the phrase "includes" is equivalent to the word "comprising."
The
foregoing has outlined the non-limiting embodiments (examples). The
description
is made for particular non-limiting embodiments (examples). It is understood
that
the non-limiting embodiments are merely illustrative as examples.

Representative Drawing