Parking brake lever

Abstract

Disclosed herein provides a parking brake lever (300) comprising a push rod (302) having a first end connected to a ratchet plate while a second end connected to a push button (304); and a flexible spring stopper (306) integrated on the second end of the push rod (302) adjacent to the push button (302). The stopper (306) is having a circular cap structure with multiple cut portions (306-C) along its height. Further, an outer circumference (306-O) of the stopper (306) is having an inclined surface towards the push button (304).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure, in general, relates to a parking brake leverin a vehicle. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a parking brakelever having a flexible spring stopper, in the vicinity of a push button, whichfacilitates an easy insertion of a return spring from the push button side.BACKGROUND

[0002] A parking brake, also called an emergency brake or e-brake, is amechanical hand lever or foot-operated brake that is a backup braking system.It is located either between the front two seats or to the left of your gas andbrake pedal. The parking brake generally controls rear brakes and is acompletely separate device from your vehicle's regular hydraulic brakes. Theparking brake is in charge of keeping a parked vehicle stationary; and it willprevent the car from rolling down a hill or moving. The parking brake iscompletely mechanical and use only cables and levers to operate. When aparking brake lever is pulled (or when a parking brake pedal is pushed), thesecables transmit the necessary force to keep your vehicle in place or to stop thevehicle.

[0003] A typical parking brake lever 100 is shown in FIG. 1A. The brakeparking lever 100 generally includes a push button 102 and a spring stopper104 positioned adjacent to the push button 102. In such parking brake lever100, the spring stopper 104 supports a spring 106 loaded on one end of apush rod 108.

[0004] In such typical parking brake lever 100 where the spring stopper 104is adjacent to the push button 102, the spring 106 is mounted or inserted frompawl side. For the insertion of the spring 106 from the pawl side, the size ofspring 106 is required to be bigger than the width of the push rod 108 at pawlside, and thereby this type of configuration of the parking brake lever 100cannot be used when small diameter spring 106 is necessary, owing torequirement of small diameter of the brake lever 100. Further, if push rod widthat the pawl side is kept small for such type of configuration, it will lead to lessstrength and less rigidity of the push rod 108.

[0005] To address the issues related to the insertion of the spring 106 fromthe pawl side, another type of parking brake lever 200 is shown in FIG. 1B, inwhich the spring 106 can be inserted from the push button side. In this type ofthe parking brake lever 200, a push button 102 acts a spring stopper for aspring 106 loaded on one end of the push rod 108. Another end of the pushrod 108 is connected to a pawl 110 (shown in FIG. 2). When the push button102 is pressed and the parking brake lever 100 is pulled, a pawl tooth of thepawl 110 (shown in FIG. 2) slides over one of teeth of a ratchet bracket 112(shown in FIG. 2) and locks on a ratchet tooth causing cable tension forapplication of the parking brake. Similarly, to release the parking brake, thepush button 102 is pressed and the parking brake lever 100 is pushed downto disengage the pawl teeth from the ratchet tooth.

[0006] However, with such type of the parking brake lever 200, the pushbutton 102 is always under continuous load from the spring 106 because thepush button 102 is acting as the spring stopper. In addition, in case of improperfitment of the push button 102 into the push rod 108, there is great chance thatthe push button 102 can come out of the push rod 108 due to continuous loadfrom the spring 106, leading to functional failure of parking brake lever 200.

[0007] Hence, there is a need in the state of the art that can provide a newtype of parking brake lever that allows easy insertion of the spring and holdsthe spring in proper position while keeping the diameter of the parking brakelever small.OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0008] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least oneembodiment herein satisfy, are listed herein below.

[0009] It is a general or primary object of the present disclosure to providea parking brake lever with a stopper, which facilitates an easy insertion of aspring from a push button side of the parking brake lever.

[0010] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a parkingbrake lever with a stopper that holds a spring at a correct position.

[0011] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a parkingbrake lever with a stopper having better flexibility.

[0012] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a parkingbrake lever with a stopper that is cost-effective.

[0013] It is a further object of the present disclosure to provide a parkingbrake lever with a stopper that can easily be accommodated inside the parkingbrake lever.

[0014] It is yet further object of the present disclosure to provide a parkingbrake lever with better performance and reliability.

[0015] These and other objects and advantages of the present disclosurewill be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the followingdetailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich a preferred form of the present disclosure is illustrated.SUMMARY

[0016] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a parkingbrake lever with a stopper that facilitates an easy insertion of a spring from apush button side and holds the spring after insertion without exerting load to apush button. The concepts are further described below in the detaileddescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essentialfeatures of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit thescope of the claimed subject matter

[0017] The present disclosure provides a parking brake lever in a vehicle.The parking brake lever comprising a push rod having a first end connected toa ratchet plate while a second end connected to a push button; and a flexiblespring stopper integrated on the second end of the push rod, wherein thestopper having a circular cap structure with multiple cut portions along itsheight, and wherein an outer circumference of the stopper is having an inclinedsurface towards the push button.

[0018] In an aspect, the stopper is made of flexible material.

[0019] In an aspect, the outer circumference of the stopper getscompressed and attains a flat shape during insertion of a spring from thesecond end, to allow the spring pass over the stopper.

[0020] In an aspect, during insertion of the spring from the second end, thediameter of the stopper becomes less than the diameter of the spring.

[0021] In an aspect, an inner circumference of the stopper is formed withmultiple lugs that limit the compression of the stopper during insertion of thespring.

[0022] In an aspect, the outer circumference of the stopper is expandedand attains the inclined surface after complete insertion of the spring from thesecond end, to lock the spring in the inner circumference of the stopper.

[0023] In an aspect, after complete insertion of the spring from the secondend, the diameter of the stopper becomes more than the diameter of thespring.

[0024] In an aspect, the inner circumference of the stopper is formed witha circular slot to lock the spring inside the stopper.

[0025] To further understand the characteristics and technical contents ofthe present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be maderegarding the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrativeonly but not used to limit the scope of the present subject matter.

[0026] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventivesubject matter will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawingfigures in which numerals represent like components.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be bestunderstood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated bylike numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way ofexample, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices,systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimedherein, wherein:

[0028] FIG. 1A illustrates a conventional parking brake lever in which aspring is inserted on a push rod from a pawl side;

[0029] FIG. 1B illustrates another conventional parking brake lever in whichthe spring is inserted on the push road from a push button side;

[0030] FIG. 2 illustrates a macroscopic view of the other conventionalparking brake lever shown in FIG. 1B;

[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of push button side of a parkingbrake lever, in accordance with the present disclosure; and

[0032] FIGS. 4A & 4B illustrate an operation of insertion of a spring over aspring stopper proposed in accordance with the embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

[0033] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter forillustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from thefollowing description that alternative embodiments of the structures andmethods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from theprinciples of the disclosure described herein.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of thedisclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are insuch detail as to communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detailoffered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; onthe contrary, the intention is to consider all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure asdefined by the appended claims.

[0035] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims thatfollow, the meaning of "a," "an," and "the" includes plural reference unless thecontext dictates otherwise. In addition, as used in the description herein, themeaning of "in" includes "in" and "on" unless the context dictates otherwise.

[0036] Since the conventional stopper fails to effectively, insert the springeither from the push button side or pawl side of the parking brake lever as wellas holding it in the proper position. As a result, there will be great chances offailure of the parking brake lever. Moreover, they are also not cost -effective,as well as inefficient to use.

[0037] FIG. 3 illustrates a parking brake lever 300 in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure. The parking brake lever 300 includesa push rod 302 having a first end connected directly to a ratchet plate and asecond end connected to a push button 304. In other words, the first end is apawl side end while the second end is a push button side end.

[0038] Further, adjacent to the push button 304, a flexible spring stopper306 is integrated on the second end of the push rod 302 to support a spring308. As can be seen from FIG. 3, the stopper 306 is having a circular capstructure with outer circumference 306-O having a surface inclined towardsthe push button 304. The circular cap structure is also provided with multiplecut portions 306-C, along its height, starting from a flat base 306-B of the capstructure up to an extreme edge of a cylindrical wall 306-W.

[0039] FIGS. 4A & 4B illustrate an operation of insertion of the spring 308over the stopper 306 proposed in accordance with the embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 4A illustrates an operation of insertion of the spring 308 fromthe push button side and over the stopper 306. When the spring 308 is insertedfrom the second end, i.e., the push button side end, of the push rod 302, theouter circumference 306-O of the stopper 306 gets compressed and attains aflat shape, to allow the spring 308 to pass over the stopper 306. In particular,due to the cut portions 306-C, the diameter dso of the stopper 306 becomesless than the diameter dsi of the spring 308 during the insertion of the spring308. Further, inner circumference of the stopper 306 is provided with multiplelugs 402 to as to limit the compression of the stopper 306 during insertion ofthe spring 308.

[0041] FIG. 4B illustrates a state of the stopper 306 and the spring 308after the complete insertion of the spring 308 over the stopper 306. Afterinsertion of the spring 308 from the second end, i.e., the push button side end,of the push rod 302, the outer circumference 306-O of the stopper 306 getsexpanded and attains the original inclined surface and locks the spring 308 inthe inner circumference of the stopper 306. After insertion of the spring 308and when the outer circumference 306-O of the stopper 306 attains the originalinclined surface, the diameter (dso) of the stopper 306 becomes more than thediameter (dsi) of the spring 308.

[0042] Further, the inner circumference of the stopper 306 is formed with acircular slot 404 to support and lock the spring 308 inside the stopper 306.

[0043] Thus, with the parking brake lever 300 having the integrated stopper306 described in the present disclosure, various technical problems of thestate of the art are resolved.

[0044] Further, the additional advantages of the present disclosure arelisted herein below.TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES

[0045] There is a plurality of features which are listed as technicaladvantages below:

[0046] The present disclosure provides a parking brake lever with a stopperthat facilitates in an easy insertion of a spring over the stopper from a pushbutton side.

[0047] The present disclosure provides a parking brake lever with a stopperthat holds a spring in proper position.

[0048] The present disclosure provides a parking brake lever with a stopperthat does not deliver continuous load on push button.

[0049] The present disclosure provides a parking brake lever with a stopperthat helps in easy insertion of a spring from a push button side.

[0050] It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustratethe principles of the present subject matter. It should be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art that conception and specific embodiment disclosed may bereadily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures forcarrying out the same purposes of the present subject matter. Those skilled inthe art that by devising various arrangements that, although not explicitlydescribed or shown herein, embody the principles of the present subjectmatter should also appreciate it.

[0001] Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intendedexpressly to be for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understandingthe principles of the present subject matter and the concepts contributed bythe inventor(s) to furthering the art and are to be construed as being withoutlimitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. The novelfeatures, which are believed to be characteristic of the present subject matter,both as to its organization and method of operation, together with furtherobjects and advantages, will be better understood from the followingdescription when considered in connection with the accompanying figures.

Claims

1. A parking brake lever (300) in a vehicle comprising: a push rod (302) having a first end connected to a ratchet plate while a second end connected to a push button (304); and a flexible spring stopper (306) integrated on the second end of the push rod (302) adjacent to the push button (304), wherein the stopper (306) having a circular cap structure with multiple cut portions (306-C) along its height, and wherein an outer circumference (306-O) of the stopper (306) is having an inclined surface towards the push button (304).

2. The parking brake lever (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stopper (306) is made of flexible material.

3. The parking brake lever (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer circumference (306-O) of the stopper (306) is compressed and attains a flat shape during insertion of a spring (308) from the second end, to allow the spring (308) pass over the stopper (306).

4. The parking brake lever (300) as claimed in claim 3, wherein during insertion of the spring (308) from the second end, the diameter (dso) of the stopper (306) becomes less than the diameter (dsi) of the spring (308).

5. The parking brake lever (300) as claimed in claim 4, wherein an inner circumference of the stopper (306) is formed with multiple lugs (402) that limit the compression of the stopper (306) during insertion of the spring (308).

6. The parking brake lever (300) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the outer circumference (306-O) of the stopper (306) is expanded and attains the inclined surface after complete insertion of the spring (308) from the second end, to lock the spring (308) in the inner circumference of the stopper (306).

7. The parking brake lever (300) as claimed in claim 6, wherein after complete insertion of the spring (308) from the second end, the diameter (dso) of the stopper (306) becomes more than the diameter (dsi) of the spring (308).

8. The parking brake lever (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the inner circumference of the stopper (306) is formed with a circular slot (404) to lock the spring (308) inside the stopper (306).