Mascot retraction mechanism

Abstract

A mascot retraction mechanism (MRM) 1 comprising a support 10 for supporting a mascot 2. The support is moveable relative to two spaced apart mounting points from a mascot deployed position to a masco

Description

Technical Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mascot retraction mechanism, in particular for an automobile. Background to the Invention Regulations require that certain ornaments, or mascots, which project from vehicles retract, detach or bend over when a specified minimum force is applied in a plane approximately parallel to the surface on which they are mounted. Quick and robust retraction is necessary to ensure the mascot complies with these regulations but also to reduce the risk of damage to the mascot itself or theft of the mascot. It is also desirable to improve mechanisms that control the movement of the mascot so that movement is more aesthetically pleasing. However, there are challenges in implementing systems that can adequately control the mascot while fitting into the limited space available and be reliable and robust to environmental conditions experienced during a vehicle’s life. US4061303A discloses an arrangement for controlling the movement of a mascot mounted to a radiator shell of a vehicle. The arrangement comprises two levers mounted to one side of the mascot that cause the mascot to travel in a downward arc as it is retracted. One downside of this system is that the downward arc introduces lateral movement that is not desired. WO2020 / 249943A discloses a mascot retraction mechanism comprising a track and a support for supporting the mascot. The support is mounted for movement along the track between a mascot deployed and mascot stowed position. The mechanism comprises a drive mechanism and carriage mounted for movement along the track to drive the support between the mascot deployed and mascot stowed positions. While this system is able to move the mascot along a substantially linear path, removing undesirable lateral motion, the track guided system is prone to unreliability as liquids and dirt can cause deterioration of bearings provided between the support and the track. This can lead to jerky movement, jamming and damage to the drive mechanism as it must apply a greater force to move the mascot, ultimately resulting in the mechanism ceasing to function. It is an object of embodiments of the present invention to at least partially address some or all of these problems. Summary of the Invention In broad terms, the invention relates to a mascot retraction mechanism (MRM). The mascot retraction system may comprise a support. The support may be for supporting a mascot. The support may be moveable relative to a mounting point between a mascot deployed position and a mascot stowed position, preferably relative to two spaced apart mounting points. The MRM may comprise a linkage to control movement of the support, preferably between the mascot deployed position and the mascot stowed position. The linkage may connect the support to the mounting points. The linkage may comprise a control lever. The linkage may comprise a pair of control levers. The linkage may comprise a linking member. Each control lever may be pivotally connected at one end to a respective one of the two mounting points. Each control lever may be pivotally connected at another end to the linking member. The linking member may be pivotally connected to the support. The pivotal connections between each of the pair of control levers and the linking member, and between the support and the linking member may be spaced apart from one another. Thus, in a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a mascot retraction mechanism comprising: a) a support for supporting a mascot, the support being moveable relative to two spaced apart mounting points from a mascot deployed position to a mascot stowed position; and b) a linkage connecting the support to the mounting points and arranged to control movement of the support between the mascot deployed position and the mascot stowed position, wherein the linkage comprises a pair of control levers and a linking member, the pair of control levers being attached to the support via the linking member, wherein each control lever is pivotally connected at one end to a respective one of the two mounting points and at another end to the linking member, wherein the linking member is pivotally connected to the support, and wherein the pivotal connections between each of the pair of control levers and the linking member, and between the support and the linking member are all spaced apart from one another on the linking member. The control levers, linking member and support are thereby connected in series. In addition, they are pivotally connected at spaced apart locations. Advantageously, this improves the control of movement of the mascot as by varying the length of the different components and controlling the relative angles between them, different movement paths for the mascot can be performed as needed, such as a straight movement path if required. In addition, through use of pivotal connections, the mechanism as a whole is less susceptible to damage and wear from liquid or dirt ingress. This is because the connections need not be directly below the aperture through which the mascot may pass through and so are less likely to contact liquid / dirt. Furthermore, the nature of the connections means they can be better sealed and more resistant to any liquid / dirt present. For example, the connections between components of the linkage may be liquid impermeable, and / or hermetically sealed, and / or weather resistant. By including a pair of control levers rather than one, the degrees of freedom of the linkage may be reduced. In particular, the angle and position of the linking member is restricted by the pair of control levers. This can enable a well-defined path of movement for the support as it moves between the mascot deployed position and mascot stowed position. Thus, the movement is automatically controlled by providing the control levers in a pair and both connected to the same linking member. Thus, the linking member may be moved by rotation of the control levers about the mounting points. The support may be moveable in a first direction between the mascot deployed position and the mascot stowed position. A movement path of the support may be approximately straight, for example by appropriate proportioning of elements of the linkage. The movement path may be aligned with the first direction. The first direction may be substantially vertical. The movement path may have a length in the first direction. The length may be about 13 cm. The mascot may have a height measured in the first direction. The length of the movement path may be at least the height of the mascot, or at least twice the height of the mascot. The length of the movement path may be no more than three times the height of the mascot. The mascot height may be about 5 cm. This provides benefits such as: allowing the mascot to be positioned directly below a surface of the vehicle in which it is housed, which reduces space requirements; and making the movement of the mascot more aesthetically pleasing. The pair of control levers may be crossed. This reduces the size of the MRM and linkage as the linking member can be made smaller and enables the pair of control levers to be smaller and also to be positioned closer to each other. An angle of each control lever may be defined by a line connecting the end of the control lever connected to the mounting point and the end of the control lever connected to the linking member. The angles of the control levers in the pair of control levers may be different. The control levers may not be parallel. The linkage may be arranged such that the angle between the control levers varies as the support moves between the mascot stowed position and the mascot deployed position. This facilitates easier establishment of a movement path for the support that is straighter and less arced. The angle between the control levers may be at least 30 degrees, at least 45 degrees, or at least 50 degrees. Preferably, the angle between the control levers may be at least 55 degrees. The angle between the control levers may be no more than 85 degrees, or no more than 80 degrees, or preferably no more than 75 degrees. Thus, control of the relative angles ensures that the mechanism moves effectively and is more compact. The angle of each control lever may not be perpendicular to the first direction, preferably, when the support is in the mascot deployed position and / or the mascot stowed position. An angle of the linking member may be defined by a line passing through the pivotal connections of the linking member to the pair of control levers. An angle of the linking member may never be parallel to an angle of either control lever. This helps ensure linkage remains compact. In addition, if the control lever and linking member are parallel, movement path of the mascot may become more curved and there is an increased risk of over-rotation of the control levers which can lead to jamming. The angle of each control lever may vary by less than 90 degrees as the support moves between the mascot deployed position and the mascot stowed position. This helps to ensure smooth movement and a compact linkage. Either, or both, of the control levers may comprise a kink to accommodate the other control lever, preferably when the support is in the mascot deployed position and / or the mascot stowed position. The kink may be provided on a control lever a distance from the linking member equivalent to a separation distance of the pivotal connections of the pair of control levers to the linking member. The kink may be sized to receive an end of the other control lever, preferably the end pivotally connected to the linking member. Thus, the kink increases the range of motion of the levers and allows the linkage to be made more compact. The pair of control levers may comprise a first lever and a second lever. The levers may be stacked. The first lever may be provided between the second lever and the linking member. Preferably, only one control lever in the pair comprises a kink. The first lever may comprise a kink. The second lever may not comprise a kink. Thus, as the first lever is between the second lever and the linking member, it comprises the kink to provide additional range of motion while providing space for the second lever to connect to the support. Each control lever is rotatable about the mounting point. Each control lever is otherwise fixed at one of the two mounting points. Thus, the control levers may be attached to the vehicle structure via the mounting points. The two mounting points may comprise an upper mounting point and a lower mounting point. The upper mounting point may be provided closer to the mascot when it is in the deployed position. The second lever may be attached to the upper mounting point. The first lever may be attached to the lower mounting point. A difference between the angle of the second lever and first direction may be maximised when the support is in the mascot deployed position. The angle of the second lever may be similar to, but not the same as, the angle of the linking member when the support is in the mascot deployed position, for example the difference may be within 1 to 10 degrees. A difference between the angle of the first lever and first direction may be maximised when the support is in the mascot sowed position. The angle of the first lever may be similar to, but not the same as, the angle of the linking member when the support is in the mascot stowed position, for example the difference may be within 1 to 10 degrees. Thus, the linkage more effectively moves the mascot in a compact manner. The support may be mounted to the linking member by a support joint, or first support joint. The support may be pivotally connected to the linking member between the control levers, for example on a line connecting the pivotal connections of each control lever to the linking member. The support may be pivotally connected to the linking member midway between the control levers, for example midway along a line connecting the pivotal connections of each control lever to the linking member. Thus, the support joint effectively averages out the motion of the ends of the control levers connected to the linking member. This can facilitate a linear, straight movement path for the support and, by extension, the mascot. Each pivotal connection may be provided by any suitable means. For example, one or more of the pivotal connections may be provided by a rotatable joint. A suitable rotatable joint may be a pin joint, ball-and-socket, pivot bearing, or any other known in the art. A rotatable joint may comprise two complementary joint elements. Where the joint is a pin joint, the two joint elements may comprise a pin and an aperture sized to receive the pin. Each joint element may be provided on one of the respective components connected by the joint. Alternatively, other types of pivotal connections may be used, such as a flexible coupling or living hinge. Thus, the components may be simply and efficiently attached together. Each control lever may comprise a length, Lc. Lc may be at least the length of the movement path. Lc may be no more than twice the length of the movement path. Lc may be about 18 cm. The length, Lc, of a control lever may be measured between its ends, that is from the end connected to the mounting point to the end connected to the linking member. The length of each control lever in the pair is preferably the same. This facilitates simpler design of the linkage to obtain linear motion for the support. The pair of control levers and linking member may form a Chebyshev linkage. The pivotal connections to the pair of control levers may be provided at either end of the linking member. The length of the linking member may be defined as the distance between the pivotal connections to the pair of control levers. The length of the linking member may be no more than the length of the movement path and / or 0.4Lc. The distance between the two mounting points may be at least the length of the movement path and / or 0.8Lc. Thus, an efficient linkage may be formed which enables linear motion of the support via attachment to the linking member. The MRM may comprise a stop. The stop may be configured to limit rotation of the linking member with respect to the support. The stop may extend around an axis of rotation of the linking member with respect to the support. The stop may protrude from the support and / or linking member. The stop may be the shape of a segment of an annulus. A stop may be provided on both the support and linking member. A stop on the linking member may comprise a proj ection. The proj ection may be annular. The projection may be truncated by the (lateral) sides of the linking member. The projection may not extend beyond the lateral sides of the linking member in directions perpendicular to directions towards the support. This ensures the linking member has a more even and easy to manufacture shape. The stops may contact one another to limit rotation of the linking member with respect to the support. Of course, other similar arrangements may also be implemented such as a channel that receives the stop. Thus, the rotation of the linking member is better controlled to ensure a reliable movement of the mascot and reduce the risk of jamming of the mechanism. The support may comprise a plate. The linking member may be mounted to the plate. The linkage may comprise a control arm. The control arm may be pivotally connected at one end to the support. The control arm may be pivotally connected to the support at a point spaced apart from the pivotal connection between the linking member and the support. The pivotal connections between the control arm and support and between the linking member and support may be spaced apart by 0.4Lc. The control arm may be connected to the support via a support joint. The control arm may be mounted to the plate. The control arm may be pivotally connected at another end to one control lever from the pair of control levers. The control arm may be pivotally connected to a control lever between the ends of the control lever. The control arm may be pivotally connected to a point midway between the ends of the control lever. The control arm may be connected to a point on a control lever on one side of the kink. The control arm may be connected to a point on a control lever on a distal side of the kink from the support. The control arm may be connected to the control lever via a control arm joint. Thus, the control arm provides a second connection between the linkage and the support allowing the linkage to control both the orientation and movement of the mascot more efficiently. The control arm may be arranged with the pair of control levers between the control arm and mascot in the first direction. This enables more compact design, for example closer to the bonnet or hood of the vehicle. The control arm may be connected to a point midway along the length of one of the control levers. The control arm may comprise a length measured between the pivotal connections to the control lever and support respectively. The control arm may have a length of 0.5Lc. The pair of control levers, linking member, control arm and support may together form a Chebyshev Table linkage. Thus, efficient linear motion without rotation of the mascot can be achieved with a control arm connected to the pair of levers. The linkage may comprise two pairs of control levers. Each pair of control levers may have any one or more features of the control lever, or pair of control levers, described herein. Each pair of control levers may be attached to a respective pair of mounting points. Each pair of control levers is preferably substantially identical. Each pair of control levers may have a corresponding linking member. Each linking member may be pivotally connected to the support. The pivotal connections between each linking member and the support may be spaced apart on the support, for example by more than Lc. Thus, through use of two pairs of control levers, motion of the mascot can be better controlled. The two pairs of control levers may be spaced apart in the first direction, for example by a distance equivalent to the distance between the two support joints. The two pairs of control levers may be arranged in parallel. The linkage may be configured such that movement of the two linking members may be identical. The linkage may comprise a pair of Chebyshev linkages. This simplifies control of the motion and angle of the support and mascot, while also being robust and reliable through the use of closed joints. The two pairs of control levers may be overlapping. One pair of control levers may be an upper pair. The other pair of control levers may be a lower pair. A control lever of the upper pair may cross a control lever of the lower pair. The mounting points may be arranged spaced apart in the first direction. An overlap distance may be measured as the distance in the first direction between an upper mounting point corresponding to the lower pair and a lower mounting point corresponding to the upper pair. The upper mounting point corresponding to the lower pair may be provided between the mounting points corresponding to the upper pair. The overlap distance may be set to ensure the linking members do not contact one another during rotation. The overlap distance may be less than the length of the linking member of the upper and / or lower pair. The overlap distance may otherwise be maximised. Thus, the pairs may be overlapping to reduce the size of the linkage, however, the overlap is controlled to ensure the linking members do not contact one another during movement. The linking members associated with each of the two pairs of control levers may be spaced apart, preferably in the first direction. The pivotal connections between each linking member and the support may be spaced apart, preferably in the first direction. Thus, by attaching to the support at two positions, the linkage can more easily control both the position and angle of the support and mascot. Preferably, the linkage may be arranged such that the angle of the mascot does not change as it is moved between the stowed and deployed positions. The MRM may comprise a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism may be arranged to drive the support between the mascot deployed position and the mascot stowed position. Thus, the support may be moved to the mascot deployed position, or to the mascot stowed position, under the action of the drive mechanism. The mascot retraction mechanism may comprise a releasable latch via which the drive mechanism drives the support. The drive mechanism may be configured to engage the latch. The latch may be releasable to enable the support to move free of the drive mechanism. The support may comprise a release mechanism. The release mechanism may be configured to actuate the latch to release the drive mechanism, for example when the mascot is subjected to a threshold lateral force. The lateral force may have at least a component in a plane approximately parallel to the surface on which the mascot is mounted. The release mechanism may be housed in a body of the support. Thus, the support may release from the drive mechanism. This allows the mascot to retract more quickly and automatically, such as when the mascot is tilted or a mascot knockdown system is otherwise activated. The mascot retraction mechanism may be biased towards the mascot stowed position. The mascot retraction mechanism may be oriented such that the support falls back to the mascot stowed position under the action of gravity. The mascot retraction mechanism may comprise a biasing means configured to urge the support towards the mascot stowed position. Thus, the mascot is automatically stowed if the latch disengages the carriage. The drive mechanism may be configured to retrieve the latch, preferably when the support is in the mascot stowed position. The drive mechanism may comprise a track configured to guide the drive mechanism to retrieve the latch. The track may extend in the first direction. The track may be substantially straight. The drive mechanism may comprise a carriage moveable along the track. The latch may be releasably engageable with the carriage. The support may not be mounted to the track, other than via the carriage. Runners may not be provided between the support and the track. Thus, the drive mechanism can retrieve the latch and then drive the support back to the mascot deployed position. Advantageously, as the linkage controls movement of the support, the track is only needed to guide the drive mechanism to retrieve the latch. Thus, the track is not required to bear any significant loads and can be designed in a way that is less susceptible to wear and damage. The drive mechanism may comprise two pivotally connected drive levers. One drive lever may be pivotally connected to the carriage, preferably at one end of the drive lever. The other drive lever may be pivotally connected to a driver support which is fixed relative to the track, preferably at one end of the drive lever. The drive mechanism may comprise an actuator arranged to pivot the two drive levers relative to each other thereby to move the carriage relative to the track. The actuator may comprise an electric motor. The two drive levers may be pivotally connected to one another by the actuator. Unless released, the releasable latch may permit the carriage and support to pass one another in one relative direction but not the opposite relative direction. For example, the releasable latch may permit the carriage to move along the track past the support in one direction but not the opposite direction. Thus, the drive mechanism can retrieve the latch. A release mechanism may be provided arranged to release the releasable latch when a mascot mounted on the support is tilted. Any other suitable drive mechanism may be employed to move the support. This may comprise a belt or chain drive or a piston and cylinder assembly. In all cases though it is desirable that the drive mechanism may be decoupled from the support by a release mechanism in response to tilting of a mascot mounted to the support. The mascot retraction mechanism may be configured to be positioned directly below an aperture in a generally horizontal surface, such as a top of a radiator shell, through which is intended to deploy a mascot. The mechanism can thus conveniently occupy space directly below the aperture. It can also provide for deployment and retraction of a mascot with a linear upright motion, which is thought to be aesthetically more pleasing than the curved paths provided by prior art systems. The mascot retraction mechanism may comprise a cover arranged to close an aperture through which a mascot has been retracted. The cover may be mounted to a lever mechanism which is operated by a follower which bears on a drive surface or surfaces of the support. The mascot retraction mechanism may comprise a container. The container may surround at least a part of the mascot retraction mechanism, preferably the container surrounds substantially all of the mascot retraction mechanism. The container may comprise an opening on one side, preferably an upper side. The mascot may be positioned in, or outside, the opening when in the deployed position. The container may be configured to protect the mascot retraction mechanism, for example from damage due to other components of the automobile in which the mascot retraction mechanism is fitted. The container may be configured to withstand heat. The container may be liquid impermeable. The container may be gas impermeable. The container may be fixed to the mounting points. The drive mechanism may be configured to drive the support relative to the container. The container may comprise container mounting points to facilitate mounting of the mascot retraction mechanism to the automobile. The container may have a height measured in the first direction. The height may be about 35 cm. The container may have a width defined perpendicular to the first direction and in a plane defined by the length of the control levers. The width may be about 38 cm. The container may have a width that is greater than its height. The container may have a depth defined perpendicular to its height and width. The depth may be about 29 cm. The width may be greater than its depth. The height may be greater than its depth. According to a broad aspect of the present invention there is provided an automobile comprising a mascot retraction mechanism. The mascot retraction mechanism may comprise any one or more features of the mascot retraction mechanism as defined in broad terms above, or in accordance with the first aspect of the invention. Thus, according to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automobile comprising the mascot retraction mechanism of the first aspect. Each mounting point may be attached to the automobile. Each mounting point may be fixed to the automobile. The drive mechanism may be attached to the automobile. The drive mechanism may be configured to drive the support with respect to the automobile. The automobile may comprise an external surface. The external surface may be an upper surface. The external surface may be generally at or towards a front of the automobile. The external surface may be a bonnet or radiator shell of the automobile. The external surface may comprise an aperture. The aperture may be sized to allow the mascot to pass therethrough. The mascot retraction mechanism may be provided in line with the aperture, for example in the first direction. The mascot retraction mechanism may be provided directly below the aperture. In the mascot stowed position, the mascot may be positioned on an inside of the external surface. In the mascot deployed position, the mascot may be positioned on an outside of the external surface. Thus, the mascot may be moved in a straight line out of the aperture. Detailed Description of the Invention In order that the invention may be more clearly understood one or more embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a mascot retraction mechanism (MRM) in the mascot stowed position; Figure 2 is a perspective exploded view of the MRM of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a rear view of the MRM of Figure 1 in the mascot stowed position; Figure 4 is a rear view of the MRM of Figure 1 between the mascot stowed position and the mascot deployed position; Figure 5 is a rear view of the MRM of Figure 1 in the mascot deployed position; Figure 6 is a side view of the MRM of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view A-A shown in Figure 6 of the upper Chebyshev linkage of the MRM of Figure 1 in the mascot stowed position; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view A-A shown in Figure 6 of the upper Chebyshev linkage of the MRM of Figure 1 between the mascot stowed position and the mascot deployed position; Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view A-A shown in Figure 6 of the upper Chebyshev linkage of the MRM of Figure 1 in the mascot deployed position; Figure 10 is a perspective view of the MRM of Figure 1 inside a container and in the mascot deployed position; Figure 11 is a perspective view of the MRM of Figure 1 inside the container and in the mascot stowed position; Figure 12 is a rear perspective view of a second embodiment of an MRM in the mascot stowed position; Figure 13 is a front perspective view of the linkage and control arm of the MRM of Figure 12; Figure 14 is a rear view of the MRM of Figure 12 in the mascot stowed position; Figure 15 is a rear view of the MRM of Figure 12 between the mascot stowed position and the mascot deployed position; and Figure 16 is a rear view of the MRM of Figure 12 in the mascot deployed position. Referring to Figures 1 to 6, a first embodiment of a mascot retraction mechanism (MRM) 1 is shown. The MRM 1 is provided within an automobile (not shown) beneath an aperture 3 of an external surface of the automobile, which in this embodiment is a radiator shell 4. The MRM 1 supports a mascot 2 and is configured to move the mascot 2 between a deployed position in which it protrudes on an outside of the radiator shell 4 through the aperture 3 (Figure 5), and a stowed position in which it is positioned below the aperture 3 on an inside of the radiator shell 4 (Figure 3). In this embodiment, the MRM 1 is therefore configured to move the mascot 2 on a substantially straight and vertical movement path which defines a first direction Z. In this embodiment, the MRM 1 is configured to move the mascot 2 along a 13 cm movement path in the first direction between the stowed and deployed positions. The mascot 2 has a height of about 5 cm, less than half the length of the movement path, and thus is moved completely below the aperture 3 by movement from the deployed to stowed positions. In addition, the MRM 1 is configured to automatically move the mascot 2 from the deployed position to the stowed position when the mascot is subjected to at least a minimum force, preferably having at least a component in a plane approximately parallel to the surface on which the mascot 2 is mounted. In this embodiment, the MRM 1 comprises: a support 10 configured to support the mascot 2, the support 10 being moveable between a mascot stowed position and a mascot deployed position; a drive mechanism 20 arranged to drive the support 10 between the mascot deployed position and the mascot stowed position; and a linkage 30 to control movement of the support 10 between the mascot deployed position and the mascot stowed position. The support 10 is formed from a body 11 that extends beneath the mascot 2 in the first direction. The support 10 also comprises a plate 12 attached to the body 11 and that extends substantially the complete height of the body 11 in the first direction and laterally away from the body 11. The plate 12 is configured to provide a pivotal connection between the support 10 and the linkage 30, in this embodiment, the pivotal connection is provided via first and second support joints 31, 32 as described in more detail below. The first and second support joints 31, 32 are provided on the plate 12 spaced apart in the first direction and the same distance from the body 11 as one another. As shown in Figure 6, the plate 12 comprises a gentle step 17 in its profile such that the second support joint 32 is slightly offset from the first support joint 31. This provides additional clearance for the linkage 30 to move as described below. The plate 12 comprises first and second stops 13, 14, each provided between a respective first or second support joint 31, 32 and the body 11, and adjacent the respective first or second support joint 31,32. The stops 13, 14 protrude from the plate and are the shape of a segment of an annulus. The stops 13, 14 are configured to control movement of the linkage 30 as described below. The body 11 houses a release mechanism 15 which comprises a releasable latch 16. The releasable latch 16 is configured to engage the drive mechanism 20 to allow the drive mechanism 20 to drive the support 10, and selectively release from the drive mechanism 20. The release mechanism 15 is configured to actuate the latch 16 to release the drive mechanism 20 when a threshold lateral force is present on the mascot 2. This allows the MRM 1 to ensure that the mascot 2 is retracted when required. The specific mascot 2 and release mechanism 15 used can be any suitable mascot and mechanism as is known in the art, one exemplary embodiment includes the mascot and release mechanism as described in WO2020 / 249943A1, such as pages 4-5, 8-10 and Figures 1-7 in particular. The linkage 30 comprises a pair of identical Chebyshev linkages, an upper Chebyshev linkage L and lower Chebyshev linkage L’, each pivotally connected to the support 10 via a respective one of the first and second support joints 31, 32. As they are identical, only the upper Chebyshev linkage L is described in detail below, however, the description applies to the lower Chebyshev linkage L’ as well and like numerals are used to denote the corresponding feature. The upper Chebyshev linkage L comprises a linking member 33 pivotally connected to the plate 12 by the first support joint 31, similarly, the lower Chebyshev linkage L’ comprises a linking member 33’ pivotally connected to the plate 12 by a second support joint 32. The linking member 33 is an elongate bar with the first support joint 31 provided at a midpoint along its length. The linking member 33 comprises a stop in the form of projection 40 on a side facing the plate 12. The projection 40 extends around part of the first support joint 31 (which defines the axis of rotation of the linking member 33 with respect to the support 10 / plate 12) and is shaped to contact the stop 13 corresponding to the first support joint 31 to limit rotation of the linking member 33 with respect to the plate 12. In this embodiment, the projection 40 is also the shape of a segment of an annulus truncated such that it does not extend outside the bar-like shape of the linking member 33. The projection 40 is configured to limit rotation to less than 180 degrees, in particular, the projection and stop are shaped to prevent the linking member 33 from being perpendicular to the first direction, that is its length being in a plane perpendicular to the first direction. Of course, in other embodiments a channel or other device could also provide the same function as the project!on / stop. The ends of the linking member 33 are pivotally connected to a pair of control levers: a first lever 34 and a second lever 35, via lever joints 36. The pivotal connections from the linking member 33 to each of the first lever 34, second lever 35 and support 10 are thereby all spaced apart. The control levers are elongate bars being rotatably attached to a lever joint 36 at one end and a mounting point at the other: the first lever 34 being attached to a lower mounting point 37 and the second lever 35 being attached to an upper mounting point 38. The mounting points 37, 38 are fixed with respect to the automobile and allow the control levers 34, 35 to rotate about them. Each control lever 34, 35 comprises a length, Lc, measured between the pivotal connections to the mounting point 37, 38 and the linking member 33, Lc being about 18 cm in this embodiment. Both the first and second control levers 34, 35 comprise the same length. In this embodiment, the mounting points 37, 38 are arranged on a line parallel to the first direction and separated by a distance of approximately 0.8Lc, or about 14 cm. The lower mounting point 37 being further from the aperture 3 in the first direction than the upper mounting point 38. The lever joints 36 define either end of the linking member 33 and are separated by a distance of approximately 0.4Lc, or about 7 cm. Finally, the control levers 34, 35 are attached to the linking member 33 such that the levers 34, 35 are crossed. Thus, the control levers 34, 35 together with the linking member 33 forms a Chebyshev linkage that facilitates substantially straight movement of the first support joint 31 in the first direction. The linking member 33, first lever 34 and second lever 35 are arranged in a stacked arrangement, with the first lever 34 between the linking member 33 and second lever 35. As the second lever 35 connects to the linking member 33, the first lever 34 may block the rotation of the linking member 33. To reduce this blocking and facilitate a wider range of rotation, the first lever 34 comprises a kink 39 provided along its length a distance from the lever joint 36 equivalent to the separation of the lever joints 36. The kink 39 provides space to accommodate the lever joint 36 between the second lever 35 and linking member 33, and in this embodiment is semicircular. This facilitates additional rotation of the linking member 33 allowing the linkage 30 to be more compact. The lower Chebyshev linkage L’ is identical to the upper Chebyshev linkage L, but the position of it is translated in the first direction such that it is further from the aperture 3 and connects to the second support joint 32. Thus, as the two linkages L, L’ are the same and connected to the support 10 in different places, they can ensure approximately straight linear movement of the support 10 in the first direction without rotation of the mascot 2. In this embodiment, the lower Chebyshev linkage L’ overlaps the upper Chebyshev linkage L such that both upper mounting points 38, 38’ are arranged above the lower mounting points 37, 37’. This enables a more compact structure for the linkage 30 and is facilitated by the step 17 in the plate 12 that provides additional clearance between the control levers of the two linkages L, L’. The distance of overlap is defined as the distance between the upper mounting point 38’ of the lower Chebyshev linkage L’ and the lower mounting point 37 of the upper Chebyshev linkage L in the first direction. In this embodiment, the distance of overlap is maximised while ensuring the linking members 33, 33’ do not collide during use, for example it could be less than the separation of the lever joints 36. In this embodiment, the distance of overlap is about two thirds the separation of the lever joints 36. In this embodiment, all the joints, such as the support joints 31, 32, lever joints 36, 36’are provided by pin joints that may be sealed from liquid ingress if required. In addition, the control levers are attached to the mounting points 37, 37’, 38, 38’ by pin joints. Of course, other suitable joints could be used if desired. As would be appreciated, where a joint is provided, the two links attached by the joint may each comprise a complementary joint element. For example, in the case of the lever joints 36, 36’, the linking member comprises a joint element in the form of a pin and the lever a joint element in the form of a suitable aperture to receive the pin. Of course, more complex arrangements may be used such as bearings (such as roller bearings), living hinges and flexible couplings, etc. The drive mechanism 20 comprises two pivotally connected drive levers 21, a carriage 22 and a drive support 23. The carriage 22 is attached to the end of one drive lever 21 and the drive support 23 is attached to the end of the other drive lever 21, such that the drive levers 21 extend and connect between the carriage 22 and drive support 23. The carriage 22 comprises a recess (not shown) to receive and engage the latch 16. The drive support 23 is pivotally attached to the automobile and thereby, the drive levers 11 may be rotated to move the carriage 22 and support 10 via the latch 16. The drive mechanism 20 also comprises an actuator 24 arranged to pivot the two drive levers 21 relative to each other and move the carriage 22. In this embodiment, the actuator 24 comprises an electric motor. As the latch 16 is releasable from the drive mechanism 20 and carriage 22, the drive mechanism 20 further comprises a track 25 to guide the movement of the carriage 22 when not connected to the latch 16. In this embodiment, the track 25 is integrally formed with the drive support 23. The track 25 extends in the first direction and comprises a slot 26 that engages the carriage 22 to ensure that it is accurately moved into a position where it can retrieve and re-engage the latch 16. The track 25 also helps to stabilise the carriage 22 during use and prevent inadvertent movement of the carriage 22. However, other than an indirect connection via the carriage 22, the movement of support 10 and mascot 2 is controlled by the linkage 30 and not the track 25. While a track 25 is shown in this embodiment, in other embodiments, other means to control the motion of the carriage such that it can always re-collect the mascot 2 in the event of a knockdown may be implemented. For example, further Chebyshev linkages or similar linkages acting on the carriage may alternatively be used. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, the MRM 1 also comprises a container 50. The container 50 is provided around the other components and serves to mount them within the automobile, for example via container mounting points 51. In addition, the container provides protection to the other components from environmental hazards, such as excessive or extreme heat, liquids, etc. In addition, a cover 52 and cover mechanism 53 is provided to fill the aperture 3 when the mascot 2 is in the stowed position. A suitable cover and cover mechanism is described in WO2020 / 249943A1, in particular at pages 11-12 and Figures 13-18. In this embodiment, the container 50 has a height in the first direction of about 35 cm, a width defined perpendicular to the first direction and in a plane defined by the length of the control levers of about 38 cm and a depth defined perpendicular to its height and width of about 29 cm. The container 50 is shaped to fit snuggly around the other components of the MRM 1 and to fit with the other components of the automobile in the vicinity of the MRM 1. To manufacture the MRM 1, the different components may be formed from any material with suitable properties, for example non-limiting examples include a metal such as aluminium, hard plastics or carbon fibre. The different components may then be attached together using conventional techniques. When the mascot 2 is in the stowed position, shown in Figures 1-3, 6 and 7, the carriage 22 and support 10 are in their lowermost positions. As shown in Figures 3 and 7, the linking members 33, 33’ and first control levers 34, 34’ are close to horizontal and within 1 to 10 degrees of each other but are not perpendicular to the first direction Z. The lever joints 36, 36’ between the second lever 35, 35’ and linking members 33, 33’ are received in the kink 39, 39’ of the respective first levers 34, 34’. To deploy the mascot 2, see Figures 4 and 8, the electric motor of the actuator 24 applies a force to the drive levers 21 to rotate them with respect to each other. This in turn applies an upward force to the carriage 22. The carriage 22 engages the latch 16 which drives the support 10 upwards. The upward motion of the support 10 is controlled by the linkage 30 and this ensures the support 10 follows a substantially straight path to lift the mascot 2 through the aperture 3. When the mascot 2 is in the deployed position, shown in Figures 5 and 9, the carriage 22 and support 10 are in their uppermost positions. The linking members 33, 33’ are once again almost horizontal but with a tilt in the opposite direction to the stowed position. The second control levers 35, 35’ are now similarly almost horizontal but also with a slight tilt. The second control levers 35, 35’ and linking members 33, 33’ are almost parallel. As described above, the linking members 33, 33’, first levers 34, 34’ and second levers 35, 35’ are never rotated to, or through, a position in which they are in a plane perpendicular to the first direction. This is important as if the levers become parallel to the linking member, there can be an increased risk of jamming if part of the linkage 30 rotates in an opposite direction to the other. Deployment of the mascot 2 may be automatic, for example if in the stowed position, the mascot 2 may return to the deployed position, or the mascot 2 may move to the deployed position when the automobile is unlocked or otherwise turned on / started. Manual control may also be used to deploy the mascot 2, for example, the automobile may comprise a user operable control, such as a button, which the user can use to selectively deploy the mascot 2. Stowing of the mascot 2 is preferably automatic when the mascot 2 is subjected to a threshold lateral force. As mentioned above, when a threshold lateral force is provided on the mascot 2, the release mechanism 15 actuates the latch 16 causing the latch to release from the carriage 22. The support 10 then falls under the action of gravity to the mascot stowed position, this movement path is controlled by the linkage 30. To retrieve the latch 16, the drive mechanism 20 controls the actuator 24 to rotate the drive levers 21 back to the deployed position. The carriage 22 bears against the track 25 which guides it back down to meet the latch 16. The latch 16 is shaped such that the carriage 22 may pass over it and then the latch 16 engages the carriage 22. The drive mechanism can then be used to deploy the mascot 2 again. In other embodiments, the support may be otherwise biased towards the mascot deployed position, such as through a spring or other biasing means. Stowing of the mascot 2 may also be controlled by the drive mechanism 20. The drive mechanism 20 may control the actuator 24 to lower the carriage 22 and the support 10 then also lowers as it bears against the carriage 22 under the force of gravity. This can allow automatic lowering of the mascot 2, such as when the automobile is turned off or locked. Additionally, stowing may be manually controlled using a user operable control operated by the user in a similar way to manual deployment as discussed above. If a cover and cover mechanism is provided, they may automatically move to fill the aperture 3 when the mascot 2 is in the stowed position, for example as described in WO202 / 249943 at pages 12-14. Referring to Figures 12-16, a second embodiment of a mascot retraction mechanism is shown and shares many of the same features as the first embodiment above. Consequently, only the differences are described below and like numerals are used for corresponding features. In the second embodiment, a control arm 60 replaces the lower Chebyshev linkage L’. The control arm 60 extends from the first control lever 34 of the upper linkage L to the plate 12. The control arm 60 is pivotally connected at each of its ends to the first control lever 34 by a control arm joint 61 and to the plate 12 by the second support joint 32. The control arm joint 61 being provided midway along the length of the first control lever 34, on a distal side of the kink 39 from the lever joint 36. The control arm 60 has a length defined between the control arm joint 61 and second support joint 32 of half the length of the control levers, L. In the second embodiment, the separation of the first and second support joints 31, 32 is 0.4 L, which is important to ensure substantially linear motion without rotation of the mascot 2. In contrast, in the first embodiment, the separation of the first and second support joints 31, 32 is larger than 0.4 L to allow the linking members 33, 33’ clearance to rotate without contacting each other. As described above, the linkage 30 and support 10 of the second embodiment forms a Chebyshev Table linkage that controls movement and orientation of the mascot 2 such that movement is approximately linear and orientation is constant, as with the first embodiment. Of course, in other embodiments, the upper Chebyshev linkage L could instead be replaced with a control arm extending from the second control lever of the lower Chebyshev linkage L’ to the first support joint 31. Variants as described above are manufactured and operate in substantially the same way as the first embodiment and may be beneficial where additional space saving is required. As shown in Figures 14-16, the movement of the mascot 2 is substantially identical to the first embodiment, with the control arm 60 working with the upper linkage L to ensure the mascot’s position and orientation is controlled. The one or more embodiments are described above by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of protection afforded by the appended claims. In addition, any dimensions mentioned herein are examples only and may be altered depending on the specific use of the system, including depending on the sizes of different components, the vehicle it is intended to be used in and the mascot itself.

Claims

1. A mascot retraction mechanism comprising:a. a support for supporting a mascot, the support being moveable relative to two spaced apart mounting points from a mascot deployed position to a mascot stowed position; andb. a linkage connecting the support to the mounting points and arranged to control movement of the support between the mascot deployed position and the mascot stowed position,wherein the linkage comprises a pair of control levers and a linking member, the pair of control levers being attached to the support via the linking member,wherein each control lever is pivotally connected at one end to a respective one of the two mounting points and at another end to the linking member,wherein the linking member is pivotally connected to the support, andwherein the pivotal connections between each of the pair of control levers and the linking member, and between the support and the linking member are all spaced apart from one another on the linking member.

2. The mascot retraction mechanism of claim 1 wherein the pair of control levers are crossed.

3. The mascot retraction mechanism of claim 2 wherein either, or both, of the control levers comprise a kink to accommodate the other control lever.

4. The mascot retraction mechanism of claim 3 wherein the kink receives the other control lever when the support is in the mascot deployed position and / or the mascot stowed position.

5. The mascot retraction mechanism of claim 3 or 4 wherein only one control lever comprises a kink to accommodate the other control lever.

6. The mascot retraction mechanism of any preceding claim wherein the support is moveable in a first direction between the mascot deployed position and the mascot stowed position.

7. The mascot retraction mechanism of claim 6 wherein an angle of each controllever is defined by a line connecting the end of the control lever connected to the mounting point and the end of the control lever connected to the linking member, and the angle of each control lever is not perpendicular to the first direction when the support is in the mascot deployed position and / or when the support is in the mascot stowed position.

8. The mascot retraction mechanism of claim 6 or 7 wherein the first direction is substantially vertical.

9. The mascot retraction mechanism of any preceding claim wherein a movement path of the mascot as the support is moved between the mascot stowed position and the mascot deployed position is approximately straight.

10. The mascot retraction mechanism of any preceding claim wherein an angle of each control lever is defined by a line connecting the end of the control lever connected to the mounting point and the end of the control lever connected to the linking member, and the angle of each control lever changes by less than 90 degrees as the support moves between the mascot deployed position and the mascot stowed position.

11. The mascot retraction mechanism of any preceding claim wherein the support is pivotally connected to the linking member at a point midway along a line connecting the pivotal connections of each control lever to the linking member.

12. The mascot retraction mechanism of any preceding claim wherein a length, Lc, of each control lever is measured from the end connected to the mounting point to the end connected to the linking member and:a. the length of the linking member is defined as the distance between the pivotal connections to the pair of control levers, the length of the linking member being 0.4Lc; and / orb. the distance between the two mounting points is 0.8Lc.

13. The mascot retraction mechanism of any preceding claim wherein the pair of control levers and the linking member form a Chebyshev linkage.

14. The mascot retraction mechanism of any preceding claim wherein the support comprises a stop configured to limit the rotation of the linking member with respect to the support.

15. The mascot retraction mechanism of any preceding claim further comprising a control arm pivotally connected at one end to one of the pair of control levers at a point between the ends of the control lever, and pivotally connected at another end to the support at a point spaced apart on the support from the pivotal connection between the linking member and support.

16. The mascot retraction mechanism of any preceding claim comprising two pairs of control levers.

17. The mascot retraction mechanism of claim 16 comprising two linking members, wherein each linking member is pivotally connected to the support and a respective pair of the two pairs of control levers, wherein the pivotal connections between each linking member and the support are spaced apart on the support.

18. The mascot retraction mechanism of claim 16 or 17 wherein the two pairs of control levers are arranged in parallel.

19. The mascot retraction mechanism of any one or claims 16 to 18 wherein the two pairs of control levers are overlapping.

20. The mascot retraction mechanism of any one or claims 16 to 19 wherein the support is moveable in a first direction between the mascot deployed position and the mascot stowed position, and the linking members are spaced apart in the first direction.

21. The mascot retraction mechanism of any preceding claim further comprising a drive mechanism configured to drive the support between the mascot deployed position and the mascot stowed position.

22. The mascot retraction mechanism of claim 21 comprising a releasable latch via which the drive mechanism drives the support, the latch being releasable to enable the support to move free of the drive mechanism.

23. The mascot retraction mechanism of claim 22 wherein the support is moveable in a first direction between the mascot deployed position and the mascot stowed position, and the mascot retraction mechanism further comprises a track extending in the first direction, and the drive mechanism comprises a carriage 5 moveable along the track, wherein the latch is releasably engageable with thecarriage.

24. The mascot retraction mechanism of any preceding claim comprising a cover arranged to close an aperture through which a mascot has been retracted.

25. An automobile comprising the mascot retraction mechanism of any preceding 10 claim.s

Images