GETRIEBESCHALTVORRICHTUNG

A shifter assembly for a manual transmission includes a yoke (20) mounted within a shift tower (13) for pivotable movement about a shifting axis (15). A shift lever (30) is mounted within the yoke (20) for pivotable movement about a selecting axis (26) located above and perpendicular to the shifting axis (15). The lower end of the shift lever extends into cooperation with conventional shift rails (12a, 12b, 12c) disposed within the transmission. By locating the shifting axis (15) relatively close to the shift rails (12a, 12b, 12c), a mechanical advantage is provided when moving the shift lever about the shifting axis. Since the selecting axis (26) is located farther away from the shift rails than the shifting axis (15), the lower end of the shift lever (30) travels farther when the upper end of the shift lever is moved a predetermined distance about the selecting axis (26) than when the upper end of the shift lever is moved about the shifting axis (15). Thus, the upper end of the shift lever (30) may be moveable over a shorter distance when would otherwise be required in order to select one of the shift rails for use, thereby providing a convenient shift pattern. A neutral start switch (43) is mounted in the tower (13) adjacent to the yoke (20). The neutral start switch (43) is respnsive to the pivoting movement of the yoke (20) out of its neutral position for generating an electrical signal.