Claims:Claims:
We claim:
1. A cable adjuster assembly (100) with a dual locking mechanism, wherein the cable adjuster assembly (100) comprising:
a. an abutment housing (101) for guiding at least one flexible core element which is secured in at least one cable;
b. a conduit element (102) which is connected to at least one cable, wherein the conduit element (102) comprises:
i. a sleeve tube (102a) positioned at one end of the conduit element (102) for transmitting motion from at least one cable to the abutment housing (101);
ii. a slider unit (102b) coupled to the sleeve tube (102a), wherein the slider unit (102b) comprises a plurality of slider grooves for adjusting the length of the conduit element (102);
c. a locking block (103) which is retractably attached to the abutment housing (101) in the adjuster assembly (100), wherein the locking block (103) locks the conduit element (102) into the abutment housing (101) using one or more projections (104a);
d. a cover slider (104) which is slidably attached on the crest of the abutment housing (101), wherein the cover slider (104) fastens and secures the locking block (103) to the abutment housing (101);
e. a stud (105) which is affixed into the abutment housing (101) for connecting the abutment housing (101) to an external component, wherein the stud (105) is inserted into the abutment housing (101) through a clamp (105a) placed in the periphery of the abutment housing (101).

2. The adjuster assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the abutment housing (101) comprises a first slot (101a) for mounting the conduit element (102) and a second slot (101b) for mounting the locking block (103) in the abutment housing (101).

3. The adjuster assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the length of the conduit element (102) is adjusted by moving longitudinally along the length of the slider unit (102b) in the abutment housing (101) through the first slot (101a).

4. The adjuster assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking block (103) is depressed into the second slot (101b) of the abutment housing (101) to grip the slider unit (102b) in the abutment housing (101) subsequent to the insertion of the slider unit (102b) in the abutment housing (101).

5. The adjuster assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover slider (104) comprises one or more projections (104a) to secure the locking block (103) to the abutment housing (101) subsequent to the engagement of the locking block (103) with the slider unit (102b).
, Description:PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION:
[0001] The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Technical field of the invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a cable adjuster assembly for adjusting the length of a cable in a transmission system. More particularly, the invention relates to the cable adjuster assembly comprising an abutment housing and a dual locking mechanism to adjust the length of a cable and firmly lock the cable in the adjuster assembly.
Background of the invention
[0003] Cables are one of the predominant linkage mechanisms to transmit force and motion between two components in a plurality of applications such as automotive, aircraft, mechanical and marine industries. In automotive industries, one or more cables transmit force and motion in different components such as transmission system, hoods and doors of the vehicle, seats, accelerator pedal, clutch pedal, braking lever and so on. In the transmission system, the gear box and the gear shifting lever which is disposed in the passenger’s cabin are connected through a shift cable thereby enabling driver to operate engine power using a hand lever.
[0004] The prolonged usage of the cable system in push-pull applications causes cables to wear out thereby requiring users to apply extra force on the lever for achieving the required operation. Further, during the assembly process, the cable is inserted at a pre-defined position for effective operation of the components. The cable insertion between two components requires additional length and more time to insert, since the inserted cable has to maintain a pre-defined length after assembly for the flawless operation of the cable. Hence, a cable length adjuster mechanism is integrated into shift cables to maintain a pre-defined tension in cable lengths which are employed in push-pull applications such as transmission shift controls. The adjuster mechanism provides additional cable length for adjusting the cable as required by the operator within a pre-defined range.
[0005] However, the adjuster mechanisms in the prior arts suffer from drawbacks such as slipping of the conduit in the assembly due to poor locking mechanism which will direct to functional failure in the cable. Further, re-adjusting the conduit in the adjuster mechanism is difficult, once the adjuster mechanism is installed in the cable assembly. The existing prior arts provide no solution for the above mentioned drawbacks.
[0006] The U.S. Patent Publication No. US4658668A discloses a cable assembly for transferring motion between two pivotally mounted levers includes a mounting bracket, a sleeve formed with grooves on its outer surface, an adjustment lock mechanism including a clip adapted to engage the teeth on the sleeve, a spring, a conduit and a cable extend. The cable length is adjusted by applying tension to the cable which forces the conduit and the sleeve to move in the direction of the tension force. The clip is then moved into engagement with the teeth of the sleeve to fix the length of the cable assembly to a required length. In case, one member is prevented from rotating about its pivot in accordance with movement of the cable assembly, an adjustment lock becomes disengaged from the housing, thereby permitting movement of the sleeve and conduit in accordance with the requirement movement.
[0007] The U.S. Patent Publication No. US5163338A discloses a core length adjuster mechanism which provides adjustment for a push-pull cable system having a core disposed within a conduit. The core and the conduit are flexible for much of their length, with the core being a rigid rod at the ends. An end of one of the rods is slidably disposed within a body of the adjuster mechanism. A clip is disposed in the opening which may be manually moved from an adjust position to an engaged position. The teeth in the adjuster mechanism engage when the clip is in an engaged position by pressing it into the body. When the clip is in the adjust position, the teeth are not engaged. In the adjust position, the clip is snapped over the rod end, axially engaging it in a circumferential groove of the rod end.
[0008] Hence, there exists a need for a mechanism to regulate the length of one or more cables and further lock the cables in a pre-defined position as required by the operator.
Summary of the invention:
[0009] The present invention overcomes the drawbacks in the prior art by providing an adjuster assembly in one or more cables to transmit motion or force from one point to another. The adjuster assembly comprises an abutment housing for guiding one or more flexible core elements secured in one or more cables, wherein the abutment housing further comprises a first slot for mounting a conduit element and a second slot for mounting a locking block in the abutment housing.
[0010] The conduit element comprises a sleeve tube and a slider unit, wherein the slider unit comprises a plurality of slider grooves which are mounted into the adjuster assembly through the first slot. Further, the sleeve tube is coupled to the slider unit which is positioned at one end of the conduit element for transmitting motion from one end of the cable to the abutment housing. Additionally, the adjuster assembly comprises a locking block which is depressed into the second slot of the abutment housing to grip the slider unit in the abutment housing subsequent to the insertion of the slider unit in the abutment housing.
[0011] Further, the locking block is secured in the abutment housing through a cover slider which is slidably attached on the crest of the abutment housing. The cover slider comprises one or more projections on the periphery of the abutment housing which prevents decamping of the locking block from the adjuster assembly subsequent to the engagement of the slider unit and the locking block into the abutment housing. Further, the adjuster assembly comprises a stud which is affixed into the abutment housing for connecting the abutment housing to an external component such as a transmission system. The stud is inserted into the abutment housing through a clamp placed in the periphery of the abutment housing, thereby connecting the external component to one end of the cable in the adjuster assembly.
[0012] The adjuster assembly with a dual locking mechanism enables the adjustment in the length of the cable as required by the operator by moving the conduit element, thereby firmly securing the conduit element into the abutment housing. Further, the present invention enables easy engagement and disengagement of the adjuster assembly, thereby reducing the operation time in assembling the adjuster assembly. Further, the present invention improves productivity, minimizes the number of parts and carries out simple mechanism in accomplishing the aim.
Brief description of the drawings:
[0013] FIG 1 indicates an exploded view of the cable adjuster assembly with a dual locking mechanism.
[0014] FIG 2 indicates perspective view of the cable adjuster assembly with a dual locking mechanism.
[0015] FIG 3 indicates an orthogonal cut section view of the cable adjuster assembly with a dual locking mechanism.
Detailed description of the invention:
[0016] Reference will now be made in detail to the description of the present subject matter, one or more examples of which are shown in figures. Each example is provided to explain the subject matter and not a limitation. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the invention.
[0017] The present invention relates to a cable adjuster assembly comprising an abutment housing for guiding at least one flexible core element secured in a cable. The abutment housing comprises a first slot for mounting a conduit element and a second slot for mounting a locking block, wherein the conduit element comprises a slider unit for adjusting the length of the conduit element in the abutment housing. The locking block locks the conduit element into the abutment housing, thereby securing the locking block into the abutment housing through a cover slider to provide dual locking mechanism. The adjuster assembly comprises a stud which is affixed to the abutment housing for connecting the abutment housing to an external component.
[0018] FIG 1 indicates an exploded view of the cable adjuster assembly (100) with dual locking mechanism according to one embodiment of the invention. The adjuster assembly (100) comprises an abutment housing (101) for guiding one or more flexible core element secured in at least one cable. The abutment housing (101) comprises a first slot (101a) and a second slot (101b) which are formed at adjacent sides of the abutment housing (101). The slots provided in the abutment housing (101) are in the form of rectangular and circular openings which are transversely intersected. In one embodiment, the flexible core element may be wired in a tubular cable which may be connected to a gear shifting lever and the transmission system.
[0019] Further, the adjuster assembly (100) comprises a conduit element (102) which is connected to at least one cable in a transmission system. The conduit element (102) comprises a sleeve tube (102a) positioned at one end of the conduit element (102) for transmitting motion from at least one cable to the abutment housing (101). In one embodiment, the sleeve tube (102a) may be a tubular steel rod which is connected to a cable for transmitting motion from the gear shifting lever to the transmission system. Further, the conduit element (102) comprises a slider unit (102b) which is coupled to the sleeve tube (102a), wherein the slider unit (102b) comprises a plurality of slider grooves for adjusting the length of the conduit element (102) in the abutment housing (101).
[0020] Further, the adjuster assembly (100) comprises a locking block (103) which is retractably attached to the abutment housing (101) in the adjuster assembly (100), wherein the locking block (103) locks the conduit element (102) to the abutment housing (101). In one embodiment, the locking block (103) comprises a plurality of grooves with a pre-defined pitch which matches to the pitch of the slider unit (102b). The plurality of grooves are mounted on the interior periphery of the locking block (103) which affixes the locking block (103) to the slider unit (102b) in the adjuster assembly (100). The adjuster assembly (100) comprises a cover slider (104) which is a rectangular sleeve secured on the crest of the abutment housing (101). The cover slider (104) is slidably attached on the crest of the abutment housing (101), wherein the cover slider (104) fastens and secures the locking block (103) to the abutment housing (101).
[0021] The adjuster assembly (100) comprises a stud (105) affixed into the abutment housing (101) for connecting the abutment housing (101) to an external component such as a transmission system. The stud (105) is inserted into the abutment housing (101) through a clamp (105a) which is placed in the periphery of the abutment housing (101). In one embodiment, the stud (105) may be a ball pin of a pre-defined diameter such as 10 millimeter which is affixed into the abutment housing (101) to transmit motion from the transmission gear lever to the gears in the transmission system.
[0022] FIG 2 & FIG3 indicate a perspective view and cut section view of the adjuster assembly (100). In the adjuster assembly (100), the conduit element (102) is coupled to the abutment housing (101) by mounting the slider unit (102b) into the abutment housing (101) through the first slot (101a). In one embodiment, the length of the conduit element (102) is adjusted by moving longitudinally along the length of the slider unit (102b) up to 14 millimeter in the abutment housing (101) through the first slot (101a). Further, the cover slider (104) positioned at the crest of the abutment housing (101) slides away from the locking block (103) which permits the insertion of the locking block (103) into the abutment housing (101).
[0023] The locking block (103) is depressed into the second slot (101b) of the abutment housing (101) to grip the slider unit (102b) into the abutment housing (101) subsequent to the insertion of the slider unit (102b) into the abutment housing (101). In one embodiment, the load exerted to depress the locking block (103) may be up to 50 N which grips the slider unit (102b) by clasping the slider grooves through the grooves mounted on the inner periphery of the locking block (103). The cover slider (104) comprises one or more projections (104a) provided on the surface of the cover slider (104), wherein the projections (104a) provided in the cover slider (104) acts as a latch subsequent to the movement of the cover slider (104) to secure the locking block (103) in the abutment housing (101). The projections (104a) in the cover slider (104) operate as dual lock subsequent to the engagement of the locking block (103) with the slider unit (102b).
[0024] The cover slider (104) provides an additional locking feature in the adjuster assembly (100), wherein the cover slider (104) prevents declamping of the locking block (103) from the adjuster assembly (100) thereby providing a fail-safe mechanism of the adjuster assembly to withstand excessive loading in operating condition. Further, the stud (105) is inserted to the clamp (105a) which is provided at the periphery of the abutment housing (101) thereby connecting the adjuster assembly (100) to an external component such as a transmission system. Thus, the adjuster assembly (100) provides a mechanism to adjust the length of the cable in the transmission system and ensure secure locking by providing dual locking mechanism.
[0025] The adjuster assembly (100) with a dual locking mechanism enables the adjustment of the length of one or more cables as required by the operator by moving the abutment housing (101), thereby firmly securing the conduit element (102) in the abutment housing (101). Further, the present invention enables easy engagement and disengagement of the adjuster assembly (100), thereby reducing the operation time in assembling the adjuster assembly (100). Further, the present invention improves productivity, minimizes the number of parts and carries out simple mechanism in accomplishing the aim.
[0026] In addition, the invention may be varied in size and dimension to accommodate different applications in automotive industry such as vehicles and in manufacturing industry which requires transmitting force or motion from point to another. However, the basic structural features described above will remain the same.
[0027] The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not required to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Reference numbers:
Components Reference Numbers
Adjuster assembly 100
Abutment housing 101
First slot 101a
Second slot 101b
Conduit element 102
Sleeve tube 102a
Slider unit 102b
Locking block 103
Cover slider 104
Projections 104a
Stud 105
Clamp 105a