Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to clutches in vehicles and more particularly, to a system and a method for locking a clutch pedal at a clutch disengaged position in a vehicle to restrict wear and tear of a clutch friction plate during storage and transport of the vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, a vehicle clutch includes a clutch friction plate which is engaged with an engine flywheel in assembled condition. A clutch pedal is pressed by an operator (driver) of the vehicle to disengage the clutch friction plate from the engine flywheel thereby de-coupling an input shaft of a power transmission unit from an engine crankshaft while shifting gears in the vehicle. Usually, a long time period is required for transporting the vehicle such as a tractor from a manufacturing plant to foreign countries. In this time period, the clutch friction plate remains in engaged condition with the engine flywheel, and the friction material in clutch friction plate may stick with engine flywheel. When the tractor is used after the transit time, the friction material in the clutch friction plate may tear. This results in the replacement of the worn-out clutch friction plate with a new clutch friction plate. A conventional solution to restrict wear and tear of clutch friction plate is to disengage the clutch friction plate from the engine flywheel by moving the clutch pedal to a clutch disengaged position. This is achieved by using a clutch lock which is used to lock the clutch pedal in the clutch disengaged position during storage or transport of the vehicle. Support from additional person is required or driver needs to get down from the vehicle for locking or unlocking the clutch pedal from the clutch lock. Further, the clutch lock is unlocked by using a key thereby unlocking the clutch pedal from the clutch lock.
[003] Therefore, there exists a need for a system and a method for locking a clutch pedal in a clutch disengaged position in a vehicle, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS
[004] The principal object of embodiments herein is to provide a system and a method for locking a clutch pedal at a clutch disengaged position in a vehicle to restrict wear and tear of clutch plates during storage and transport.
[005] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the clutch pedal locking system in which the clutch pedal can be unlocked by a driver (operator) from driver’s seat thereby eliminating need of additional manpower.
[006] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the clutch pedal locking system, which is reliable, easy to operate and is inexpensive.
[007] These and other objects of embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with following description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[008] The embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[009] Fig. 1 illustrates a system for locking a clutch pedal at a clutch disengaged position in a vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0010] Fig. 2 illustrates the clutch pedal locked at the clutch disengaged position in the vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0011] Fig. 3 illustrates the clutch pedal unlocked from a locking member, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0012] Fig. 4 illustrates a clamp for retaining the locking member when the clutch pedal is unlocked from the locking member, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0013] Fig. 5 depicts a flowchart indicating steps of a method for locking the clutch pedal at the clutch disengaged position in the vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0015] The embodiments herein achieve a system and a method for locking a clutch pedal at a clutch disengaged position in a vehicle to restrict wear and tear of a clutch friction plate during storage and transport of the vehicle. Further, embodiments herein achieve the clutch pedal locking system in which the clutch pedal can be unlocked by a driver (operator) from driver’s seat thereby eliminating need of additional manpower. Referring now to the Figs 1 through 5, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0016] Fig. 1 illustrates a system (100) for locking a clutch pedal (10) at a clutch disengaged position in a vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. Fig. 2 illustrates the clutch pedal (10) locked at the clutch disengaged position, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the system (100) includes a locking bracket (102), a locking member (104), a mounting bracket (106), a clamp mounting bracket (107), a clamp (108) and a stopper (110). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, system (100) is explained herein with below reference to locking the clutch pedal (10) at the clutch disengaged position in an agricultural vehicle such as a tractor during storage or transport of the vehicle. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to practice/ use the components of the system (100) for locking the clutch pedal at the clutch disengaged position in an off-road vehicle or a heavy-duty vehicle or any other vehicle during storage or transport without otherwise deterring the intended function of the system (100) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. In the clutch disengaged position, a clutch friction plate (not shown) is disengaged from an engine flywheel.
[0017] The locking bracket (102) is affixed to the clutch pedal (10). The locking bracket (102) defines a slot (102S) (as shown in fig. 2), wherein the slot (102S) is adapted to receive a portion of the locking member (104) therethrough. The locking bracket (102) substantially defines a U-shape configuration.
[0018] The locking bracket (102) and the locking member (104) are adapted to lock the clutch pedal (10) at the clutch disengaged position. The locking member (104) is adapted to be engaged with the locking bracket (102) thereby locking the clutch pedal (10) in the clutch disengaged position. The locking member (104) defines a locking groove (104G) (as shown in fig. 3 and fig. 4), wherein the locking groove (104G) is adapted to receive the portion of the locking bracket (104) therein to facilitate engagement of the locking member (104) with the locking bracket (102) thereby locking the clutch pedal (10) in the clutch disengaged position. In an embodiment, the locking member (104) includes a first portion (104A), a second portion (104B), a third portion (104C) and a fourth portion (104D) (as shown in fig. 4). The first portion (104A) is adapted to be rotatably inserted into a hole (not shown) defined in the mounting bracket (106) and extends on both sides of the mounting bracket (106). The second portion (104B) transversely extends from the first portion (104A). The third portion (104C) transversely extends from the second portion (104B). The fourth portion (104D) transversely extends from the third portion (104C). The locking groove (104G) is defined on fourth portion (104D) of the locking member (104).
[0019] To unlock the clutch pedal (10) from the locking member (104), the operator (driver) presses the clutch pedal (10). This causes the locking groove (104G) of the locking member (104) to disengage and move away from the locking bracket (102) due to gravity thereby unlocking the clutch pedal (10) from the locking member (104).
[0020] The mounting bracket (106) is adapted to be mounted onto a vehicular structure (20) (as shown in fig. 2). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the vehicular structure (20) is considered to be a heat deflector. The locking member (104) is rotatably mounted to the mounting bracket (106).
[0021] The clamp mounting bracket (107) is adapted to be mounted onto the mounting bracket (106). The clamp mounting bracket (107) is adapted to mount the clamp (108) thereon. The clamp (108) is adapted to retain the locking member (104) to restrict a movement of the locking member (104) when the clutch pedal (10) is unlocked from the locking member (104). The stopper (110) is adapted to be mounted onto the first portion (104A) of the locking member (104). The stopper (110) is adapted to restrict releasing of the locking member (104) from the mounting bracket (106).
[0022] Fig. 5 depicts a flowchart indicating steps of a method (200) for locking the clutch pedal (10) at the clutch disengaged position in the vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. At step (202), the method (200) includes, moving the clutch pedal (10) to a clutch disengaged position by pressing the clutch pedal (10). At step (204), the method (200) includes introducing a portion of the locking member (104) into a slot (102S) defined on the locking bracket (102), wherein the locking bracket (102) is affixed to the clutch pedal (10). At step (204), the method (200) includes receiving, by a locking groove (104G) defined on the locking member (104), a portion of the locking bracket (102) therein to facilitate engagement of the locking member (104) with the locking bracket (102) thereby locking the clutch pedal (10) in the clutch disengaged position.
[0023] Further, the method (200) includes disengaging the locking groove (104G) from the locking bracket (102) and moving away by the locking member (104) from the locking bracket (102) due to gravity on pressing the clutch pedal (10) thereby unlocking the clutch pedal (10) from the locking member (104).
[0024] Further, the method (200) includes retaining, by a clamp (108), the locking member (104) thereon to restrict a movement of the locking member (104) when the clutch pedal (10) is unlocked from the locking member (104).
[0025] The technical advantages of the system (100) are as follows. The clutch pedal (10) can be unlocked by a driver (operator) from driver’s seat thereby eliminating need of additional manpower. The clutch pedal locking system is reliable, easy to operate and is inexpensive.
[0026] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
, Claims:We claim,
1. A system (100) for locking a clutch pedal (10) in a vehicle, said system (100) comprising:
a locking bracket (102) affixed to said clutch pedal (10); and
a locking member (104) adapted to be engaged with said locking bracket (102) thereby locking said clutch pedal (10) in a clutch disengaged position.

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking bracket (102) defines a slot (102S), wherein said slot (102S) is adapted to receive a portion of said locking member (104) therethrough; and
said locking member (104) defines a locking groove (104G), wherein said locking groove (104G) is adapted to receive a portion of said locking bracket (104) therein to facilitate engagement of said locking member (104) with said locking bracket (102) thereby locking said clutch pedal (10) in said clutch disengaged position.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system (100) includes a mounting bracket (106) adapted to be mounted onto a vehicular structure (20), wherein said locking member (104) is rotatably mounted to said mounting bracket (106).
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said locking groove (104G) of said locking member (104) is adapted to disengage and move away from said locking bracket (102) due to gravity on pressing said clutch pedal (10) thereby unlocking said clutch pedal (10) from said locking member (104).
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said system (100) includes,
a clamp (108) adapted to retain said locking member (104) thereon to restrict a movement of said locking member (104) when said clutch pedal (10) is unlocked from said locking member (104); and
a clamp mounting bracket (107) adapted to be mounted onto said mounting bracket (106), wherein said clamp mounting bracket (107) is adapted to mount said clamp (108) thereon,
wherein
said vehicular structure (20) is at least a heat deflector.
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said locking bracket (102) substantially defines a U-shape configuration; and
said locking member (104) includes,
a first portion (104A) adapted to be rotatably inserted into a hole defined in said mounting bracket (106) and extends on both sides of said mounting bracket (106);
a second portion (104B) transversely extending from said first portion (104A);
a third portion (104C) transversely extending from said second portion (104B); and
a fourth portion (104D) transversely extending from said third portion (104C).
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said system (100) includes a stopper (110) adapted to be mounted onto said first portion (104A) of said locking member (104), wherein said stopper (110) is adapted to restrict releasing of said locking member (104) from said mounting bracket (106); and
said locking groove (104G) is defined on fourth portion (104D) of said locking member (104).
8. A method (200) for locking a clutch pedal (10) in a vehicle, said method (200) comprising:
moving said clutch pedal (10) to a clutch disengaged position by pressing said clutch pedal (10);
introducing a portion of a locking member (104) into a slot (102S) defined on a locking bracket (102), wherein said locking bracket (102) is affixed to said clutch pedal (10); and
receiving, by a locking groove (104G) defined on said locking member (104), a portion of said locking bracket (102) therein to facilitate engagement of said locking member (104) with said locking bracket (102) thereby locking said clutch pedal (10) in said clutch disengaged position.
9. The method (200) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said method (200) includes disengaging said locking groove (104G) from said locking bracket (102) and moving away by said locking member (104) from said locking bracket (102) due to gravity on pressing said clutch pedal (10) thereby unlocking said clutch pedal (10) from said locking member (104).
10. The method (200) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said method (200) includes retaining, by a clamp (108), said locking member (104) thereon to restrict a movement of said locking member (104) when the clutch pedal (10) is unlocked from said locking member (104),
wherein
said locking member (104) is rotatably mounted onto a mounting bracket (106), wherein said mounting bracket (106) is mounted onto a vehicular structure (20); and
said clamp (108) is mounted onto said mounting bracket (106) through a clamp mounting bracket (107).