Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to mechanical devices. In particular, the present disclosure provides an adjustable side step for two-wheeler vehicles.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Two-wheeler vehicles typically have seats that accommodate a driver and a pillion rider. The size of the seats designed for pillion riders may differ based on the vehicle. For example, family scooters have a longer seat which makes more seating area available for pillion riders. It also allows a child to be seated between the driver and the pillion rider. Further, the seats may be designed to accommodate different seating positions based on the pillion rider’s preference. Some pillion rider may sit closer to the driver, while others may sit closer to the rear portion of the vehicle. Further, some pillion riders may sit facing towards a longitudinal direction at which the vehicle moves, while other pillion riders may sit facing perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction.
[0003] In existing vehicles, however, the position of a side step or a footrest used to support the feet of the pillion rider is fixed, which limits the number of seating positions available for the pillion riders, or may cause discomfort to the pillion riders in their preferred seating positions. Hence, pillion riders have to select sitting positions based on the position of the side step/footrest. In many instances, pillion riders may sit in uncomfortable positions to support their feet on the side step, such as laterally bending their knees to the side, having to grip other structures on the vehicle for support, placing of feet at an angle (and not perpendicularly), which may cause instability and slipping, etc.
[0004] There is, therefore, a need for a side step whose position is adjustable in a longitudinal direction.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0005] A general object of the present disclosure is to provide an adjustable side step.
[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a side step whose position with respect to a longitudinal axis of a structure, such as a two-wheeler vehicle, is adjustable.
[0007] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an adjustable side step that biases a footrest surface thereof to either be in a folded position or an extended position.
[0008] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an adjustable side step whose position is adjustable to the longitudinal axis, and as well as an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

SUMMARY
[0009] Aspects of the present disclosure relate mechanical devices. In particular, the present disclosure provides an adjustable side step for two-wheeler vehicles.
[0010] In an aspect, a side step includes a frame having a longitudinal structure, a crown pin configured to slide along and rotate about a longitudinal axis of the longitudinal structure, and one or more recesses defined along the longitudinal axis. The side step also includes a footrest surface attached to the crown pin to be slidable along the longitudinal axis, the footrest surface having a protrusion extending therefrom, and being operably pivotable between a folded position and an extended position. In some embodiments, the footrest surface may be moveable along the longitudinal axis, and the protrusion of the footrest surface may be configured to engage with the one or more recesses to adjust the footrest surface in a plurality of positions along the longitudinal axis.
[0011] In some embodiments, the frame may include a biasing means disposed between the crown pin and a first end of the longitudinal structure. The biasing means may be configured to bias the crown pin towards a second end of the longitudinal structure.
[0012] In some embodiments, the biasing means may be configured to bias the crown pin via a spring pin disposed therebetween.
[0013] In some embodiments, the crown pin may include a cam profile that engages with the spring pin. The cam profile may include one or more cavitated surfaces that engage with the spring pin when the footrest surface may be in the folded position or in the extended position, and one or more abutting surfaces that engage with the spring pin when the footrest surface may be rotated to a position between the folded position and the extended position, the engagement of the one or more abutting surfaces with the spring pin causing the crown pin to be pushed against the bias of a spring.
[0014] In some embodiments, the longitudinal structure may include a slot defined to allow a portion of the spring pin to engage therewith, the slot being configured to prevent rotation of the spring pin.
[0015] In some embodiments, the footrest surface may include a spring configured to abut the crown pin against the bias of the biasing means, and configured to facilitate rotation of the footrest surface between the folded position and the extended position.
[0016] In some embodiments, the spring may be configured to have less abutting force than biasing force of the biasing means.
[0017] In some embodiments, the frame may be attached to a structure by a set of threaded elements, the set of threaded elements being configured to adjust a position of the frame along the longitudinal axis when rotated.
[0018] In some embodiments, the set of threaded elements may include a subset of threaded elements, which, when rotated, may be configured to move the frame on an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
[0019] In some embodiments, in the folded position, the footrest surface may be moveable along the longitudinal axis, and in the extended position, the protrusion of the footrest surface may be configured to engage with the one or more recesses to prevent the footrest surface from moving in the longitudinal axis.
[0020] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[0022] FIGs. 1A-1B illustrate example representations of a side step, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 1C illustrates an example cross-section representation of the side step, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0024] FIGs. 2A-2C illustrate example isolated representations of a frame, a footrest surface, and a crown pin of the side step, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0025] FIGs. 3A-3C illustrate example positions of the footrest surface of the side step, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0026] FIGs. 4A-4B illustrate example representations of the footrest surface in a folded position, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0027] FIGs. 5A-5B illustrate example isolated representation of the crown pin and a biasing means, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 5C illustrates example isolated representation of the crown pin and a spring, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosures as defined by the appended claims.
[0030] As used herein, “substantially” means largely or considerably, but not necessarily wholly, or sufficiently to work for the intended purpose. The term “substantially” thus allows for minor, insignificant variations from an absolute or perfect state, dimension, measurement, result, or the like as would be expected by a person of ordinary skill in the art, but that does not appreciably affect overall performance.
[0031] As used herein, “about” means approximately or nearly, and in the context of a numerical value or range set forth means ±10% of the numeric value.
[0032] Embodiments explained herein relate mechanical devices. In particular, the present disclosure provides an adjustable side step for two-wheeler vehicles.
[0033] Various embodiments of the present disclosure will be explained in detail with respect to FIGs. 1A-5C.
[0034] Referring to FIGs. 1A-1C, the side step (100A, 100B, 100C) (collectively referred to as side step (100)) may include a frame (102), a footrest surface (104), and a set of threaded elements (106). In some embodiments, the footrest surface (104) may include a protrusion (105). In some embodiments, the frame (102) may include a longitudinal structure (108) that may be configured to accommodate a biasing means (110), and a crown pin (114) therein. In some embodiments, the crown pin (114) may be configured to engage with the biasing means (110) through a spring pin (112). The crown pin (114) may be attached to the footrest surface (104) through an attachment means (116). In such embodiments, the footrest surface (104) and the crown pin (114) may be configured to slide and rotate synchronously. In some embodiments, the footrest surface (104) may have a spring (118) disposed therein.
[0035] Referring to FIGs. 2A-2C, example isolated representations (200A, 200B, 200C) of the frame (102), the footrest (104), and the crown pin (114) are illustrated. In some embodiments, the frame (102) may include one or more recesses (202-1, 202-2, 202-3, 202-4) (collectively referred to as recesses (202)). In some embodiments, the footrest surface (104) may be operably moved between a folded position and an extended position. In some embodiments, the crown pin (114) may include at least one end having a cam profile including one or more cavitated surfaces (204) and one or more abutting surfaces (206).
[0036] In some embodiments, the frame (102) may be attached to a structure, such as a two-wheeled vehicle. In some embodiments, the frame (102) may include the longitudinal structure (108). The longitudinal structure (108) may extend along a longitudinal axis of the frame (102), from a portion thereof. In some embodiments, the longitudinal structure (108) may be substantially hollow to accommodate the biasing means (110), and the crown pin (114) to slide along its longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the longitudinal structure (108) may be substantially cylindrical.
[0037] In some embodiments, the crown pin (114) is configured to slide along and rotate about the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal structure (108). In some embodiments, the biasing means (110) may be disposed between the crown pin (114) and a first end of the longitudinal structure (108), as shown in FIG. 1C. In some embodiments, the biasing means (110) may be configured to bias the crown pin (114) towards a second end of the longitudinal structure (108). In some embodiments, the biasing means (110) may be any of including, but not limited to, springs, elastic elements, magnets, fluid pressure, and the like. In some embodiments, the biasing means (110) may be configured to bias the crown pin (114) via the spring pin (112) disposed therebetween.
[0038] In some embodiments, the spring pin (112) may be attached to the biasing means (110), and may be configured to abut the crown pin (114). In such embodiments, the crown pin (114) may be allowed to rotate along the longitudinal axis, while without causing the spring pin (112) to also rotate. The spring pin (112), while abutting the crown pin (114) along the longitudinal axis, may slide on the surface of the crown pin (114) when it is rotated. In some embodiments, the crown pin (114) may be configured to engage with the crown pin (114) on a first end thereof, as shown in isolated representation (500A, 500B) in FIGs. 5A-5B.
[0039] In some embodiments, the crown pin (114) may include a cam profile that engages with the spring pin (112). In some embodiments, the cam profile may include the cavitated surfaces (204) that engage with the spring pin (112) when the footrest surface (104) is either in the folded position or in the extended position, and the abutting surfaces (206) that engage with the spring pin (112) when the footrest surface (104) may be rotated to a position between the folded position and the extended position. In such embodiments, the biasing means (110) may cause the spring pin (112) to abut the crown pin (114) in the longitudinal axis, which causes the spring pin (112) to slide and engage with the cavitated surfaces (204). When the crown pin (114) is rotated, the spring pin (112) may slide along the cam profile and engage with the abutting surfaces (206). The engagement of the abutting surfaces (206) with the spring pin (112) may cause the spring pin (112) to be pushed against the bias of the biasing means (110). In some examples, the biasing means (110) may be indicative of a spring, which may be compressed when the spring pin (112) engages with the abutting surfaces (206). In such embodiments, the biasing means (110) may push the spring pin (112) to abut and cause the crown pin (114) to rotate to a position where the spring pin (112) is engaged with the cavitated surfaces (204). Accordingly, in some embodiments, the cavitated surfaces (204) may be arranged to cause the crown pin (114) to be biased to rotate to positions where the footrest surface (104) is either folded or extended.
[0040] In some embodiments, the cavitated surfaces (204) and the abutting surfaces (206) may be alternatively arranged. In some embodiments, the cam profile may be defined to engage with the spring pin (112) for every 90 degrees of rotation of the crown pin (114). In some embodiments, the cavitated surfaces (204) and the abutting surfaces (206) may have an inclined surface therebetween to allow for smooth transition between engagement of cavitated surfaces (204) and the abutting surfaces (206). In some examples, the cam profile may have four cavitated surfaces (204) defined to form a “+” shape, and four abutting surfaces (206) arranged alternatingly with the four cavitated surfaces (204), as shown in FIG. 2C.
[0041] In some embodiments, the longitudinal structure (108) may include a slot defined to allow a portion of the spring pin (112) to engage therewith. In such embodiments, the slot may be configured to engage with and prevent rotation of the spring pin (112). In some embodiments, the slot may be suitably adapted to guide the spring ping (112) along a predetermined path when the crown pin (114) is moved towards or against the bias of the biasing means (110), or when the crown pin (114) is rotated.
[0042] In some embodiment, the footrest surface (104) is attached to the frame (102) using connectors (130), where one of the connectors (130) is also connected to the crown pin (114). The crown pin (114) is configured to slide in and out of the connector (130). The connector (130) defines a vertical slot (132) to allow the longitudinal movement of the attachment means (116), whereby the crown pin (114) slides and allows the engagement of the spring pin (112) with the cavitated surfaces (204) during the rotation of the footrest surface (104) between the folded position and the extended position. The engagement of the attachment means (116) with the vertical slot (132) of the connector (130) of the footrest surface (104) restricts the rotational movement of the crown pin (114) with respect to the footrest surface (104), thereby allowing the rotation of the footrest surface (104) between the folded position and the extended position with respect to the longitudinal structure (108).
[0043] In some embodiments, the footrest surface (104) may be attached to the crown pin (114). The footrest surface (104) may be indicative of a surface that allows a person, such as a pillion rider of a two-wheeled vehicle, to rest or support their feet thereover. The footrest surface (104) may also be used for climbing on to the structure/vehicle, where the footrest surface (104) bears the entire weight of the pillion rider. Since the footrest surface (104) is attached to the crown pin (114) using the attachment means (116), the footrest surface (104) may be moveable along the longitudinal axis. In such embodiments, the footrest surface (104) may be configured to slide and rotate synchronously with the crown pin (114). In some embodiments, the attachment means (116) may include, but not be limited to, pins, screws, nails, rivets, adhesives, magnets, hook and loop fasteners, hook and slot fasteners, interlocking elements, friction-grip releasable fasteners, fastening straps, and the like.
[0044] In some embodiments, the footrest surface (104) may be substantially planar. In some embodiments, the footrest surface (104) may have a corrugated texture to provide increased friction with the pillion rider’s feet/footwear, thereby preventing them from slipping and improving safety. In some embodiments, the footrest surface (104) may be made of sturdy materials capable of withstanding the weight of the pillion rider.
[0045] In some embodiments, the footrest surface (104) may be operably pivotable between the folded position and the extended position. The footrest surface (104) in the extended position is illustrated in FIGs. 1A-1B, and 3A-3C, and the footrest surface (104) in the folded position (400A, 400B) is illustrated in FIGs. 4A-4B. In some embodiments, the footrest surface (104) may be operably pivoted to the extended position to allow the pillion rider to support their feet thereover. In some embodiments, the footrest surface (104) may be pivoted to the folded position to retract the footrest surface (104) when not in use. In such embodiments, the footrest surface (104) may be brought closer to the structures, such as a two-wheeled vehicle’s body, thereby preventing the footrest surface (104) from obstructing any objects on the path of the structure.
[0046] In some embodiments, the frame (102) may include the recesses (202) defined along the longitudinal axis thereof. In some embodiments, the footrest surface (104) may have a protrusion (105) extending therefrom. The protrusion (105) may be configured to engage with the recesses (202) to adjust the footrest surface (104) in a plurality of positions along the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the geometry of the recesses (202) may correspond to the geometry of the protrusion (105). The recesses (202) may prevent the footrest surface (104) from moving due to the bias provided by the biasing means (110) thereto through the crown pin (114). In such embodiments, the biasing means (110) may push the footrest surface (104) through the crown pin (114) such that the protrusion (105) abuts against at least a portion of the recesses (202). The abutting of the protrusion (105) against the recesses (202) may create friction therebetween which may prevent the footrest surface (104) from moving, thereby locking its position. In some embodiments, the engagement of the protrusion (105) with any one of the recesses (202) may correspond to at least one position for the footrest surface (104). The footrest surface (104) may be moveable to any position on the longitudinal axis of the frame (102), such as including, but not limited to, a first position as shown in FIG. 1A, a second position (300A) as shown in FIG. 3A, a third position (300B) as shown in FIG. 3B, and a fourth position (300C) as shown in FIG. 3C.
[0047] In some examples, when the footrest surface (104) is pivoted to the folded position, the footrest surface (104) may be moveable along the longitudinal axis. In such embodiments, after moving the footrest surface (104) to the desired position on the longitudinal axis, the footrest surface (104) may be pivoted to the extended position whereby the protrusion (105) of the footrest surface (104) may engage with the recesses (202) to lock the position of the footrest surface (104) in the longitudinal axis. In other examples, the footrest surface (104) may be moveable along the longitudinal axis when in the extended position. In such examples, the footrest surface (104) may be slidable over the recesses (202) when in the extended position. In yet other examples, the position of the footrest surface (104) may be locked using including, but not limited to, hydraulic gas lift levers, friction release means, pull pins, and the like.
[0048] In some embodiments, the footrest surface (104) may include a spring (118) configured to abut the crown pin (114) to the spring pin (112). In such embodiments, the spring (118) may ensure that the crown pin (114) is in engagement with the spring pin (112). The spring (118) may be attached to a second end of the crown pin (114), as shown in isolated representation (500C) in FIG. 5C. In some embodiments, the spring (118) may be configured to facilitate rotation of the footrest surface (104) between the folded position and the extended position. In some embodiments, the spring (118) may be configured to have less abutting force than biasing force of the biasing means (110), thereby allowing the biasing means (110) to perform its intended function.
[0049] In some embodiments, the frame (102) may be attached to a structure by the set of threaded elements (106). In some embodiments, the threaded elements (106) may be any one or combination of including, but not limited to, screws, bolts, nuts, studs, turnbuckles, and the like. In some embodiments, the structure may be an exterior frame of the vehicle, such as a two-wheeler. In some embodiments, the vehicle may be a two-wheeled vehicle, such as including, but not limited to, bicycles, electric bikes, motor bikes, scooters, mopeds, and the like. In other embodiments, the vehicle may include, but not limited to, auto-rickshaws, three-wheeled vehicles, cars, vans, trucks, and the like. In other embodiments, the structure may be any one of including, but not limited to, a wall, a ladder, footrest attached to exterior of vehicles having four wheels or greater, tables, and the like. While the present disclosure is described in the context of two-wheeled vehicles, it may be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the side step (100) may be suitably adapted for vehicles having any number of wheels, or any structure that require position of footrests to be adjustable with respect to an axis.
[0050] In some embodiments, the threaded elements (106) may engage with corresponding threaded elements on the structure. In some embodiments, the threaded elements (106) may have external threads and the corresponding threaded elements on the structure may have internal threads, or vice-versa. When any one of the threaded elements (106) and the corresponding threaded element on the structure engaged and rotated, the threads thereof may be configured to convert rotational motion to linear motion therebetween. In some examples, the threaded elements (106) may be indicative of a screw extending from the frame (102). In such examples, the screw may be passed through a provision on the structure, and a nut may receive and engaged with threads on the screw to attach the frame (102) to the structure. The position of the frame (102) with respect to the structure may be adjusted by rotating the nut up to a desired length on the screw.
[0051] In some embodiments, the set of threaded elements (106) may be configured to adjust position of the frame (102) along a longitudinal axis thereof. In such embodiments, the threaded elements (106) may engage with different corresponding threaded elements on the structure placed longitudinally. The threaded element (106) may be engaged with one these corresponding threaded elements on the structure to move the frame (102) along the longitudinal axis.
[0052] To operate the side step (100), the pillion rider may use their hands or feet to adjust the position of the footrest surface (104) along the longitudinal axis of the frame (102). In some embodiments, the pillion rider may move the footrest surface (104) to the folded position before moving the footrest surface (104). In other embodiments, the pillion rider may slide the footrest surface (104) over the recesses (202) along the longitudinal axis of the frame (102). The pillion rider may select, move, and lock the footrest surface (104) in the desired position. In some embodiments, the pillion rider may move the footrest surface (104) such that the protrusion (105) fits into at least one of the recesses (202) on the frame (102) to lock the position of the footrest surface (104). By allowing the position of the footrest surface (104) to be adjustable in the longitudinal axis, the side step (100) may allow the pillion rider to select the position of the footrest surface (104) according to their preferred seating positions. The pillion riders may support their weight on the footrest surface (104) and be seated in their preferred seating positions, thereby providing increased flexibility in possibly seating position, and improved comfort.
[0053] The footrest surface (104) may be attached to the crown pin (114), which engages with the biasing means (110) through the spring pin (112). The engagement of cam profile of the crown pin (114) with the spring pin (112) may cause the crown pin (114) to rotate and cause the footrest surface (104) to either be in the folded position or in the extended position, thereby allowing the pillion rider to conveniently change the position of the footrest surface (104) using minimal force.
[0054] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the disclosure, other and further embodiments of the disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the disclosure is determined by the claims that follow. The disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the present disclosure when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0055] The present disclosure provides an adjustable side step.
[0056] The present disclosure provides a side step whose position with respect to a longitudinal axis of a structure, such as a two-wheeler vehicle, is adjustable.
[0057] The present disclosure provides an adjustable side step that biases a footrest surface thereof to either be in a folded position or an extended position.
[0058] The present disclosure provides an adjustable side step whose position is adjustable to the longitudinal axis, as well as an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
List of References:
Side step 100A, 100B, 100C
Frame 102
Footrest surface 104
Protrusion 105
Threaded elements 106
Longitudinal structure 108
Biasing means 110
Spring pin 112
Crown pin 114
Attachment means 116
Spring 118
Connector 130
Vertical slot 132
Isolated representation of the frame, the footrest surface, and the crown pin 200A, 200B, 200C
Recesses 202(1-4)
Cavitated surface 204
Abutting surface 206
Positions of the footrest surface 300A, 300B, 300C
Representation of the footrest surface in folded position 400A, 400B
Isolated representations of the crown pin 500A, 500B, 500C
, Claims:1. A side step (100), comprising:
a frame (102), comprising:
a longitudinal structure (108);
a crown pin (114) configured to slide along and rotate about a longitudinal axis of the longitudinal structure (108); and
one or more recesses (202) defined along the longitudinal axis; and
a footrest surface (104) attached to the crown pin (114) to be slidable along the longitudinal axis, the footrest surface (104) having a protrusion (105) extending therefrom, and being operably pivotable between a folded position and an extended position,
wherein the footrest surface (104) is moveable along the longitudinal axis, and
wherein the protrusion (105) of the footrest surface (104) is configured to engage with the one or more recesses (202) to adjust the footrest surface (104) in a plurality of positions along the longitudinal axis.

2. The side step (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame (102) comprises a biasing means (110) disposed between the crown pin (114) and a first end of the longitudinal structure (108), and wherein the biasing means (110) is configured to bias the crown pin (114) towards a second end of the longitudinal structure (108).

3. The side step (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the biasing means (110) is configured to bias the crown pin (114) via a spring pin (112) disposed therebetween.

4. The side step (100) as claimed in claim 3,
wherein the crown pin (114) comprises a cam profile that engages with the spring pin (112), the cam profile comprising:
one or more cavitated surfaces (204) that engage with the spring pin (112) when the footrest surface (104) is in the folded position or in the extended position; and
one or more abutting surfaces (206) that engage with the spring pin (112) when the footrest surface (104) is rotated to a position between the folded position and the extended position, the engagement of the one or more abutting surfaces (206) with the spring pin (112) causing the crown pin (114) to be pushed against the bias of a spring (118).

5. The side step (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the longitudinal structure (108) comprises a slot defined to allow a portion of the spring pin (112) to engage therewith, the slot being configured to prevent rotation of the spring pin (112).

6. The side step (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the footrest surface (104) comprises a spring (118) configured to abut the crown pin (114) against the bias of the biasing means (110), and configured to facilitate rotation of the footrest surface (104) between the folded position and the extended position.

7. The side step (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the spring (118) is configured to have less abutting force than biasing force of the biasing means (110).

8. The side step (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame (102) is attached to a structure by a set of threaded elements (106), the set of threaded elements (106) being configured to adjust a position of the frame (102) along the longitudinal axis when rotated.

9. The side step (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the set of threaded elements (106) comprises a subset of threaded elements, which, when rotated, is configured to move the frame (102) on an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

10. The side step (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the folded position, the footrest surface (104) is moveable along the longitudinal axis, and wherein in the extended position, the protrusion (105) of the footrest surface (104) is configured to engage with the one or more recesses (202) to prevent the footrest surface (104) from moving in the longitudinal axis.