FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10; rule 13)
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
A Collapsible clutch pedal assembly for automobiles
APPLICANTS
TATA MOTORS LIMITED, an Indian company
having its registered office at Bombay House,
24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk,
Mumbai 400 001 Maharashtra, India
INVENTOR/S
Chaudhari Jeetendra P
Dube Sandip
Keskar Jayant
All Indian national
of TATA MOTORS LIMITED an Indian company
having its registered office at Bombay House,
24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk,
Mumbai 400 001 Maharashtra, India
PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a clutch pedal assembly for automobiles and more particularly it relates to a collapsible clutch pedal assembly for vehicles to prevent injury to occupant's leg in the event of frontal collision of the automobiles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
When a motor vehicle is subjected to a large force such as a frontal impact, the vehicle structure and components are often displaced or deformed into the occupant area. This is potentially dangerous as it may result in injuries to the driver and passengers. In general, the vehicles are equipped with a clutch pedal. The clutch ■ pedals of an automobile are mounted on the firewall with the help of simple bracket member. The pedal arm is supported on the vehicle structure, specially a bracket for the movement in a plane about an axis of rotation. The arms on a brake pedal are very rigid such that an operator can operate the brakes. Likewise, an arm on a clutch pedal is also rigid in order to perform its designated task. Such rigid arm structures are potentially damaging in the event of interaction with a human being at the time of a crash. In particular, if an operator is using a clutch pedal at the time of the crash, there is a risk that the pedal arm will be pushed back by the impact, causing the injury to the ankle joint connecting the foot and the leg. In order to avoid the injury to the drivers, the conventional systems provide box like structures which collapses incase of front end impact of the vehicle to prevent the trap of driver's feet.
The conventional clutch pedal assembly includes complicated structure and is heavy weight. The entire clutch pedal assembly collapses on application of an excessive load during such front-end collision. More over after vehicle collision there is a need to replace the entire clutch pedal assembly. Hence there is a need to provide a novel assembly, which requires less effort to replace the broken clutch pedal assembly. There is a need to mitigate the high injury causing loads exerted when the driver thrust into the pedal assembly during vehicle collision.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The main object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible clutch pedal assembly for automobiles.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible clutch pedal assembly for automobiles which reduces the high injury when the driver thrust into the pedal assembly during vehicle collision.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible clutch pedal assembly for automobiles which is of light weight and are simple in construction having few linkages.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible clutch pedal assembly for automobiles which is easy to replace after collision.
STATEMENTS OF INVENTION
A collapsible clutch pedal assembly for automobiles comprises; a clutch pedal, a pivot shaft member for mounting said clutch pedal, a first support structure and second support structure provided for mounting said pivot shaft member, a split bushes provided on said first support structure and second structure, a circlip arranged on outer face of said first and second support structures, a first set of rivet pins and second set of rivet pins provided for connecting said first and second support structures to constitute splitable box like structure, said first and second support structures are detachably connected with the help of said second set of rivet pins in such a way that shearing of said second rivet pins facilitates to open said split bushes thereby enabling said pivot shaft member to fall away in the event of frontal crash of vehicle.
The collapsible clutch pedal assembly, in accordance with this invention, wherein said second support structure having an opening on its front portion.

The collapsible clutch pedal assembly, in accordance with this invention, wherein said pair of split bushes is attached to said support structures by means of welding.
The collapsible clutch pedal assembly , in accordance with this invention, wherein said second set of rivet pins are shearable due to a force exerted during frontal crash of vehicle.
A collapsible clutch pedal assembly for automobiles comprises; a clutch pedal, a pivot shaft member for mounting said clutch pedal, a first support structure and second support structure provided for mounting said pivot shaft member, a guideways are provided on said second support structure, a circlip arranged on outer face of said first and second support structures, a first set of rivet pins and second set of rivet pins provided for connecting said first and second support structure to constitute splitable box like structure, said first and second support structures are detachably connected with the help of said second set of rivet pins in such a way that shearing of said second rivet pins facilitates said first set of rivet pins to travel through said guideways thereby enabling said pivot shaft member to fall away in the event of frontal crash of vehicle.
The collapsible clutch pedal assembly, in accordance with this invention, wherein said guideways are merged with the mounting holes of first set of rivet pins.
The collapsible clutch pedal assembly, in accordance with this invention, wherein said second support structure having an opening on its front portion.
The collapsible clutch pedal assembly , in accordance with this invention, wherein said second set of rivet pins are shearable due to. a force exerted during frontal crash of vehicle.
The collapsible clutch pedal assembly, in accordance with this invention, wherein a clutch cable is connected to said clutch pedal at first pivot.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a collapsible clutch pedal assembly for automobiles comprises; a clutch pedal 01, a pivot shaft member 02 for mounting said clutch pedal, a first support structure 03 and second support structure 04 provided for mounting said pivot shaft member, a split bushes 05, 05', 06, 06' provided on said first support structure 03 and second support structure 04, a circlip 07 arranged on outer face of said first and support structure 03,04, a first set of rivet pins 08, 09 and second set of rivet pins 10, 011 provided for connecting said first and second support structure 03,04 to constitute splitable box like structure, said first and second support structures are detachably connected with the help of said second set of rivet pins 10,11 in such a way that shearing of said second rivet pins 10,11 facilitates to open said split bushes 05, 05', 06, 06' thereby enabling said pivot shaft member 02 to fall away in the event of frontal crash of vehicle.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, Said support structure 04 having a guideways G1, G2, said first and second support structures 03,04 are detachably connected with the help of said second set of rivet pins 10,11 in such a way that shearing of said second rivet pins 10,11 facilitates said first set of rivet pins 08,09 to travel through said guideways G1.G2 thereby enabling said pivot shaft member 02 to fall away in the event of frontal crash of vehicle
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Figure-01 which shows an elevated perspective view of the collapsible clutch pedal
assembly, according to present invention.
Figure-02 which shows an exploded view of the collapsible clutch pedal assembly.
Figure-03 which shows a top view of the clutch pedal assembly.
Figure-04 which shows a side view of the clutch pedal assembly during crash or
front end collision of the automobiles.
Figure-05 which shows perspective view of the clutch pedal assembly in accordance
with the further embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only, and not for the purpose of limiting the same.
Now referring to figure-01 which shows an elevated perspective view of the collapsible clutch pedal assembly, according to present invention. The collapsible clutch pedal assembly comprises; a clutch pedal 01, a pivot shaft member 02 for mounting said clutch pedal 01, a first support structure 03 and second support structures 04 provided for mounting said pivot shaft member 02, a split bushes 05, 05', 06, 06' provided on said first support structure 03 and said second support structure 04, a circlip 07 is arranged on outer face of said first support structure 03 and second support structure 04. First set of rivet pins 08, 09 and second set of rivet pin 10, 11 are provided for connecting said said first support structure 03 and second support structure 04. The said first support structure 03 and second support structure 04 are connected to constitute a splitable box like structure. The said support structure 03 and 04 comprises a split bushes 05, 05', 06, 06' on each side through which the said pivot shaft member 02 is disposed.
The said first support structure 03 and second support structure 04 is detachably connected with the help of said second set of rivets 10,11. The said second set of rivets 10, 11 are shearable rivet pins. The second set of rivet pins 10,11 gets sheared during impact. The shearing of said second set of rivet pins 10,11 facilitates a relative movement between said first support structure 03 and second support structure 04 enabling said split bushes 05, 05', 06, 06' to open apart thereby enabling said pivot shaft member 02 to fall away in the event of frontal crash of vehicle.
The said first support structures 03 and second support structure 04 are mounted on firewall (from direction R2) with the help of fastener 12. The said first support structure 03 and second support struture 04 are arranged in the form of a box like structure which is open on front side or portion. The said first support structure 03 and second support structure 04 having a split bushes 05, 05' and 06,06' which is splitable in the event of frontal crash of vehicles and enabling said pivot shaft

member 02 to fall from the said support structure assembly. The clutch cable is connected to said clutch pedal at first pivot CI.
The said pivot shaft member 02 is disposed through the said split bushes 05,05' and 06,06, provided on said first support structure 03 and second support sturcture 04 respectively.
Each part of said split bushes 05, 05' and 06, 06' are attached to said first support structure 03 and second support sturcture 04 respectively with the help of welding. A "circlip 07 is provided on the said pivot shaft member 02 at outer face of saif first support structure 03 and second support structures 04 to restrict the lateral movement of pedal assembly along the third axis A3. Said circlip 07 is provided on both side of said first support structure 03 and second support structure 04 assembly from outer side.
The said first support structure 03 and second support structure 04 are connected to each other with the help of said first set of rivet pins 08. 09 and second set of rivet pins 10, 11 on each side at predetermined position. The third axis A3 is the pivot axis.The said pivot shaft member 02 rotates about the said thirs axis or pivot axis.
The said second set of rivet pins 10,11 facilitate to prevent the relative movement between said first support structure 03 and second support structure 04 during normal operation. The said second set of rivet pins 10, 11 which are weaker gets sheared due to impact force during collision facilitating relative movement of said first support structure 03 and second support structure 04 enabling the said split bushes to open apart which allows the said pivot shaft member 02 to fall from the said support structures 03,04.
The said pivot shaft member 02 is released when the said first support structure 03 and second support structure 04 having split bushes opens due to the force generated by cross car beam (CCB). In case of frontal crash, energy accumulated due to vehicle weight in the engine house pushes pedal assembly along with said support structure towards the occupants leg. The relative movement generated between firewall and

cross car beam (CCB) facilitates to have relative movement between said first support structures 03 and second support structure 04 thereby opening the said split bushes which releases the said pivot shaft member 02 along with said pedal 01 from the said support structure 03 and 04.
Refering to figure-02 which shows an exploded view of the collapsible clutch pedal assembly in accordance with the present invention. The said second support structure 04 comprises a pair of holes a, a2 and b, b2 A corresponding holes are also provided on said first support structre 03 for connecting to said second support structure 04 with the help of said first set of rivet pins 08, 09 and second set of rivet pins 10, 11. The said second set of rivet pins 10, 11 are provided through holes a,a' to connect . the said first support structure 03 and second support structure 04 with each other at first axis Al. The said second set of rivets 10, 11 are weaker compared to said first set of rivet pins 08. 09 which are provided through holes b,b' to connect the said first support structure 03 and second support structure 04 with each other at second axis A2. The said second set of rivet pins 10, 11 which is shearable, breaks during vehicle collision allowing the said pivot shaft member 02 to fall away from said support assembly. The said first set of rivet pins 08, 09 provided at second axis A2 to connect said first support structure 03 and second support structure 04 are a stronger pins which can withstand the impact force during collision.
Refering to figure-03 which shows a top view of the clutch pedal assembly. The said . first support structure 03 and second support structure 04 are connected to each other with the help of first set of rivet pins 08,09 and second set of rivet pins 10,11 to constitute a box like support structre for pedal assembly. The said clutch pedal 01 is connected to said pivot shaft member 02. A circlip 07 is provided on the said pivot shaft member 02 to restrict the lateral movement of pedal assembly along the third axis A3. Said circlip 7 is provided on both side of said first support structure 03 and second support structure 04 assembly from outer side

Refering to figure-04 which shows the side view of pedal assembly at the time of crash. The engine pushes firewall towards pedal assembly along the direction Rl. The rigid connection from the CCB gives predetermined force along the direction R2. The said predetermined force along the direction R2 rotates the said first support structure 03 about the said first set of rivet pins 08, 09 which is stronger and said second set of rivet pins 10,11 which are weaker gets sheared due to said force coming from the direction R2.
The clutch cable is attached to the top end of said clutch pedal 01 at said first pivot CI. During the impact, the said pivot shaft member 02 disengages and falls from the said first and second support structure assembly due to its own inertia of vehicle in direction Rl and said clutch pedal moves in opposite direction of Rl away from the occupant leg.
Refering to figure-05 shows isometric view of another embodiment, in accordance with the present invention. The collapsible clutch pedal assembly comprises; a clutch pedal 01, a pivot shaft member 02 for mounting said clutch pedal 01, a first support structure 03 and second support structure 04, a circlip 07 is provided on said pivot shaft member 02 and arranged on outer face of said first support structure 03 and second support structure 04. The said support structure 04 comprises guideways Gl, G2 on both faces. Said guideways Gl, G2 are extended from the said hole b, b2
The said first support structure 03 and second support structure 04 are connected to each other with the help of first set of rivet pins 08, 09 and second set of rivet pins 10. 11 to constitute a splitable box like structure. The said second set of rivet pins 10,11 facilitate to prevent the relative movement between said first support structure 03 and second support structure 04 during normal operation. The said second set of rivet pins 10, 11 which are weaker gets sheared during impact facilitating the said first set of rivet pins 08, 09 to move along the said guideways Gl, G2 enabling said pivot shaft member 02 to fall from the said first support structure 03 and second support structure 04.

During the impact, the engine assembly pushes firewall towards pedal assembly along the direction R2. The support structure assembly is rigidly connected to the CCB which gives predetermined force along the direction Rl. The said predetermined force along the direction Rl enables the said first support structure 03 to rotate about the said first set of rivet pins 08, 09 which are stronger rivets pins compared to second set of rivet pins 10, 11. The rotation of said first suport structure 03 about said first set of rivet pins 08,09 facilitates the shearing or breakage of said second set of rivet pins 10,11 and said pivot shaft member 02 provided at second pivot C2 disengages and said pivot shaft member 02 falls through the said guideways Gl and G2.
Thus, in a frontal crash situation, the clutch pedal assembly releases in response to said predetermined force thereby absorbing and mitigating the high injury causing loads. The said support structures 03, 04 having bushes splits and open-up to release the said pivot shaft assembly which falls away from the said support structure assembly 03, 04.
The present invention, a collapsible clutch pedal assembly, is provided to release the clutch pedal in response to a predetermined force during front crash of the vehicle. The said clutch pedal assembly absorbs and mitigates the high injury causing loads to prevent the occupant's leg. The present invention prevents the injury to occupant's leg through non-destructive means, hence the entire pedal assembly is not destroyed enabling to re-use the assembly by replacing only the broken parts.
The present invention, a collapsible clutch pedal assembly for automobiles is provided to absorb and mitigate the high injury causing loads to driver exerted during vehicle collision. The said collapsible clutch pedal assembly of the present invention includes fewer linkages and hence reduces the weight of the assembly. Only the broken rivets is replaced instead of replacing entire assembly.

The foregoing description is a specific embodiment of the present invention. It should be appreciated that this embodiment is described for purpose of illustration . only, and that numerous alterations and modifications may be practiced by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that all such modifications and alterations be included as they come within the scope of the invention as claimed or the equivalents thereof.

We Claim
1. A collapsible clutch pedal assembly comprises; a clutch pedal, a pivot shaft member for mounting said clutch pedal, a first support structure and second support structure provided for mounting said pivot shaft member, a split bushes provided on said first support structure and second structure, a circlip arranged on outer face of said first and second support structures, a first set of rivet pins and second set of rivet pins provided for connecting said first and second support structures to constitute splitable box like structure, said first and second support structures are detachably connected with the help of said second set of rivet pins in such a way that shearing of said second rivet pins facilitates to open said split bushes thereby enabling said pivot shaft member to fall away in the event of frontal crash of vehicle.
2. The collapsible clutch pedal assembly as claimed claiml. wherein said second support structure having an opening on its front portion.
3. The collapsible clutch pedal assembly as claimed in claiml, wherein said pair of split bushes is attached to said support structures by means of welding.
4. The collapsible clutch pedal assembly as claimed in claim l, wherein said second set of rivet pins are shearable due to a force exerted during frontal crash of vehicle.
5. A collapsible clutch pedal assembly comprises; a clutch pedal, a pivot shaft member for mounting said clutch pedal, a first support structure and second support structure provided for mounting said pivot shaft member, a guideways are provided on said second support structure, a circlip arranged on outer face of said first and second support structures, a first set of rivet pins and second set of rivet pins provided for connecting said first and second support structure to constitute splitable box like structure, said first and second support structures are detachably connected with the help of said second set of rivet pins in such a way

that shearing of said second rivet pins facilitates said first set of rivet pins to travel through said guideways thereby enabling said pivot shaft member to fall away in the event of frontal crash of vehicle.
6. The collapsible clutch pedal assembly as claimed in claim 5. wherein said guideways are merged with the mounting holes of first set of rivet pins.
7. The collapsible clutch pedal assembly as claimed claim 5, wherein said second support structure having an opening on its front portion.
8. The collapsible clutch pedal assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein said second set of rivet pins are shearable due to a force exerted during frontal crash of
■ vehicle.
9. The collapsible clutch pedal assembly as claimed in claiml and 5, wherein a clutch cable is connected to said clutch pedal at first pivot.
10. The collapsible clutch pedal assembly as herein described with reference to accompanying drawings