Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A movement restraining device configured to be attached between a hand brake and a gear-shift stick of a vehicle, said device comprising a linkage engagably coupled between said hand brake and said gear-shift stick and enable locking of said gear-shift stick and prevent operation thereof when said hand brake is engaged.
2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said linkage is a bell crank type linkage.
3. The device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein a U-shaped clamp is provided at an operative end of said linkage, said U-shaped clamp configured to hold gear-shift stick and prevent operation thereof when said hand brake is engaged.
4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of elongated members includes:
? a first elongated member at a first end thereof pivotally connected to said hand brake ;
? a second elongated member pivotally connected at a first end thereof to a second end of said first elongated member, said second end having a slot configured in proximity thereof;
? a third elongated member pivotally connected at a first end thereof to a second end of said second elongated member, a collar formed in proximity of said first end of said third elongated and a second end of said third elongated member is bifurcated;
? a support member extending upwardly from a base of said vehicle, said support member having an aperture formed thereon, said third elongated member passing through said aperture; and
? a biasing member, disposed between said collar and said support exerting force on said collar;
said device in a restraining configuration, wherein said hand brake is engaged, said first elongated member, said second elongated member, and said third elongated member are displaced towards said gear-shift stick such that said bifurcated shape abuts said gear-shift stick and restrains movement thereof; and
said device in a non-restraining configuration, wherein said hand brake is dis-engaged, said first elongated member, said second elongated member, and said third elongated member are displaced away from said gear-shift stick such that said bifurcated shape moves away from said gear-shift stick allowing movement of said gear-shift stick.
5. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said first elongated member and said second elongated member are planar strips.
6. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said third longitudinal member is rod shaped.
7. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said biasing member is a spring.
8. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said second end of said third elongated member is having U-shape.
9. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said first end of said first elongated member being connected at a position to said hand brake which is operatively above a position at which said first end of said second elongated member is connected to said second end of said first elongated member.
, Description:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to automobiles. In particular, the present disclosure relates to safety devices for automobiles, wherein a device for restraining movement of components of a vehicle is disclosed.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
Vehicles have become an indispensable part of our lives. Virtually every facet of our life is some way or the other way includes the use of vehicles, which includes transportation of goods, people, and the like.
Efforts have been made to increase the efficiency and safety of the vehicles. Vehicles, when moving on road and/or when not moving, safety is of paramount significance.
One device that is of significance, particularly when the vehicle is not moving is the hand brake or the parking brake. The hand brake, when engaged, guarantees that the vehicle does not move from its place.
However, in the event if the user (the driver) of the vehicle forgets to dis-engage the hand brake, the brake pads would wear and tear out. Also, the fuel consumption of the vehicle increases if the vehicle runs with hand brake in engaged condition. The same may be true even if the hand brake is partially dis-engaged.
Further, if a child fortuitously dis-engages the hand brake and/or fiddles with the gear-shift stick of a vehicle, which may result in displacement of the vehicle from its position, which in turn may result in a serious accident, which is not desired.
There is, therefore, felt a need to provide a device to overcome one or more drawbacks as described herein above.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems in the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a device to prevent mishandling of the hand brake.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a device that would ascertain that the hand brake is disengaged and hence avoid the brake pad wear and tear and also evade avertible fuel consumption.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a device that averts a child or any unauthorized person from fiddling with the hand brake and/or the gear-shift stick of a vehicle.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure relates to safety devices for automobiles, wherein a device for restraining movement of components of a vehicle is disclosed.
More specifically, the present disclosure envisages a movement restraining configured to be attached between a hand brake and a gear-shift stick of a vehicle comprising a linkage of engagably coupled between the hand brake and the gear-shift stick and enable locking of the gear-shift stick and prevent operation thereof when the hand brake is engaged. In an embodiment, the linkage is a bell crank type linkage. In an embodiment, a U-shaped clamp is provided at an operative end of the linkage, the U-shaped clamp configured to hold gear-shift stick and prevent operation thereof when the hand brake is engaged
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the movement restraining device for being attached between a hand brake and a gear-shift stick of a vehicle. The device in accordance with the present disclosure comprises a first elongated member at a first end thereof pivotally connected to the hand brake. The first elongated member having a slot configured in proximity of a second end thereof. A second elongated member is pivotally connected at a first end thereof to the second end of the first elongated member. Further, a third elongated member having a collar formed in proximity of the first end of the third elongated and a second end of the third elongated member is bifurcated is provided. The third elongated member is pivotally connected at a first end thereof to a second end of the second elongated member.
The device includes a support member extending upwardly from a base of the vehicle, the support member having an aperture formed thereon, the third elongated member passing through the aperture.
A biasing member is disposed between the collar and the support, wherein the biasing member exerts force on the collar, thereby moving the third elongated member away from the gear-shift stick.
The device in a restraining configuration, wherein the hand brake is engaged, the first elongated member, the second elongated member, and the third elongated member are displaced towards the gear-shift stick such that the bifurcated shape abuts the gear-shift stick and restrains movement thereof, whereas the device in a non-restraining configuration, wherein the hand brake is dis-engaged, the first elongated member, the second elongated member, and the third elongated member are displaced away from the gear-shift stick such that the bifurcated shape moves away from the gear-shift stick allowing movement of the gear-shift stick.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
The present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of conventional assembly of hand brake and gear-shift stick of a vehicle;
Figure 2a illustrates a front view, Figure 2b illustrates an isometric view and Figure 2c illustrates a top view of the movement restraining device, in accordance with the present disclosure;
Figure 3 illustrates a schematic view of an assembly of hand brake and gear-shift stick of a vehicle with the movement restraining device, wherein the hand brake is in engaged configuration and the movement restraining device being in restraining configuration, and the movement of the gear-shift stick being restricted;
Figure 4 illustrates a schematic view of an assembly of hand brake and gear-shift stick of a vehicle with the movement restraining device, wherein the hand brake is in dis-engaged configuration and the movement restraining device being in non-restraining configuration, and the movement of the gear-shift stick being not restricted; and
Figure 5 is a flow chart representing an alert generation and lock/unlock system which includes a program executed in a processor of the vehicle, in accordance with the present disclosure.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND DRAWING
100 - Assembly of hand brake and gear-shift stick of a vehicle
102 - Base of the vehicle
104 - Hand brake
106 - Gear-shift stick
200 - Assembly of hand brake and gear-shift stick of a vehicle
202 - Base of the vehicle
204 - Hand brake
206 - Gear-shift stick
212 - First elongated member
212a - First end of the first elongated member
212b - Second end of the second elongated member
212c - Slot
214 - Second elongated member
214a - First end of the second elongated member
214b - Second end of the second elongated member
216 - Third elongated member
216a - First end of the third elongated member
216b - Second end (bifurcated) of the third elongated member
216c - Collar
218 - Support member
218a - Aperture formed on the support
220 - Bias member
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a”, "an", and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
When an element is referred to as being "mounted on," “engaged to”, "connected to," or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another component, region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, third etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.
Terms such as “inner,” “outer,” "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.
Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of a conventional assembly (100) of a hand brake (104) and a gear-shift stick (106) of a vehicle, with the base/floor (102) of the vehicle. As described herein above, in the event if the user forgets to dis-engage the hand brake (104), the brake pads (not shown in the figure) would wear and tear out. Also, the fuel consumption of the vehicle would increase if the vehicle runs with the hand brake (104) in engaged condition. The same may be true even if the hand brake (104) is partially dis-engaged. Also, if a child or any unauthorized user fortuitously dis-engages the hand brake (104) and/or fiddles with the gear-shift stick (106) of a vehicle, this may result in displacement of the vehicle from its position, which in turn may result in a serious accident, which is not desired.
The present disclosure overcomes one or more drawbacks by providing a movement restraining device. The movement restraining device configured to be attached between a hand brake and a gear-shift stick of a vehicle, comprise linkage engagably coupled between the hand brake and the gear-shift stick and enable locking of the gear-shift stick and prevent operation thereof when the hand brake is engaged. In an embodiment the linkage is a bell crank type linkage. In one embodiment, a U-shaped clamp is provided at an operative end of the linkage, the U-shaped clamp configured to hold gear-shift stick and prevent operation thereof when the hand brake is engaged.
More specifically, the device of the present disclosure is hereinafter described with reference to figures 2a, 2b, 2c, 3 4 and 5, wherein figure 2a illustrates a front view, figure 2b illustrates an isometric view and figure 2c illustrates a top view of the movement restraining device, in accordance with the present disclosure, figure 3 illustrates a schematic view of an assembly of hand brake and gear-shift stick of a vehicle with the movement restraining device, wherein the hand brake is in engaged configuration and the movement restraining device being in restraining configuration, and the movement of the gear-shift stick being restricted, figure 4 illustrates a schematic view of an assembly of hand brake and gear-shift stick of a vehicle with the movement restraining device, wherein the hand brake is in dis-engaged configuration and the movement restraining device being in non-restraining configuration, and the movement of the gear-shift stick being not restricted, and figure 5 is a flow chart representing an alert generation and lock/unlock program executed in a processor of the vehicle, in accordance with the present disclosure.
In accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure, the movement restraining device (200) for being attached between a hand brake (204) and a gear-shift stick (206) of a vehicle, includes a first elongated member (212) having a first end (212a) and a second end (212b), with a slot (212c) configured in proximity of the second end (212b). The first end (212a) of the first elongated member (212) is pivotally connected to the hand brake (204). The connection can be made by using a pin. The first end (212a) is connected at the middle of the hand brake (204) as shown in the figures 2, 3 and 4.
A second elongated member (214) having a first end (214a) and a second end (214b) is pivotally connected at a first end (214a) thereof to the second end (212b) of the first elongated member (212). The connection can be made by using a pin.
A third elongated member (216) having a first end (216a) and a second end (216b) is pivotally connected at the first end (216a) thereof to the second end (214b) of the second elongated member (214). The third elongated member (216) further includes a collar (216c) formed in proximity of the first end (216a) of the third elongated (216) and a second end (216b) of the third elongated member (216) is bifurcated. In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second end of the third elongated member is U in shape.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first end of the first elongated member being connected at a position to the hand brake which is operatively above a position at which the first end of the second elongated member is connected to the second end of the first elongated member.
In accordance with the present disclosure, a support member (218) is provided. The support member (218) extends upwardly from a base (202) of the vehicle. More specifically, the support member (218) is secured to the base (202) of the vehicle. The support member (218) has an aperture (218a) configured thereon. The third elongated member (216) passes through the aperture (218a) onto the other side of the support member (218).
In between the collar (216c) and the support member (218) a biasing member (220) is disposed, such that the biasing member (220) exerts force on the collar displacing the collar (216c) and hence the third elongated member (216) towards the hand brake (204). In one embodiment, the biasing member (220) can be a spring.
The device (200) when the hand brake (204) is engaged, the first elongated member (212), the second elongated member (214), and the third elongated member (216) are displaced towards the gear-shift stick such that the bifurcated end (216b) of the third elongated member (216) abuts the gear-shift stick (206) and restrains movement thereof. The device is now in restraining configuration (figure 2 and 3). Thus, a child or an unauthorized person won’t be able to fiddle with the gear-shift stick (206), thereby overcoming the drawback mentioned in the background of the present disclosure.
Further, the device (200) in a non-restraining configuration (figure 4), wherein the hand brake (204) is dis-engaged, the first elongated member (212), the second elongated member (214), and the third elongated member (216) are displaced away from the gear-shift stick (206) such that the bifurcated end (216b) of the third elongated member (216) moves away from the gear-shift stick (206) allowing movement of the gear-shift stick (206). It is to be noted that unless the hand brake (204) is completely dis-engaged, the gear-shift stick (206) is not completely free to be moved. Thus, the present disclosure necessitates the complete dis-engagement of the hand brake (204) and hence the wear and tear out of the brake pads is avoided. Further, the fuel consumption of the vehicle does not increase as the situation of running of the vehicle with the hand brake in engaged condition is avoided.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first elongated member and the second elongated member can be planar strips. Any other shape of the first and the second elongated member is also well within the ambit of the present disclosure. Further, the third longitudinal member is rod shaped. Any other shape of the third elongated member is also well within the ambit of the present disclosure.
Referring to figure 5, is a flow chart (500) representing an alert generation and lock/unlock system includes a program that is executed by a processor of the vehicle, in accordance with the present disclosure. Specifically, the system provides alert to a user/driver regarding engaging and dis-engaging of the hand brake of the vehicle. More specifically, the system includes a sensor that continuously monitors whether the gear-shift stick (206) is in neutral position or not (502). If the gear-shift stick (206) is in neutral and the ignition key of the vehicle is in the ON position (504), then the system is configured to take no action and/or generate no alert. However, if the gear-shift stick (206) is in neutral position and the ignition key of the vehicle is in the OFF position, then a sensor checks the hand brake (204) engagement (506). If the hand brake (204) is engaged then no alert is generated (508), however, if the hand brake (204) is not engaged an alert is generated (510).
Further, if the gear-shift stick (206) is not in neutral and the ignition key is in the ON position (512), then no alert or action is required. However, if the gear-shift stick (206) is not neutral and the key is in OFF position, then the system checks the engagement of the hand brake (204)(514) and if the hand brake (204) is engaged the system generates an alert which indicates that the hand brake is engaged (516). The alert is generated to indicate the user that the gear-shift stick should be positioned to the neutral position. Further, if the user does not take any action for a predetermined time period, the system generates a signal (518), which locks the doors of the vehicle. The doors will be unlocked only when the gear-shift stick is positioned to neutral and the hand brake is engaged. If the hand brake (204) is not engaged then an alert is generated by the system (520). The alerts generated can be in the form of an alarm or a beep or a visual display or a combination thereof.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a movement restraining device, which:
- is simple in construction;
- avoids the situation of running vehicle with partially or completely engaged hand brake;
- avoids wear and tear out of the brake pads;
- avoids increase in fuel consumption due to running of the vehicle with partially or completely engaged hand brake;
- prevents accidental movement of the vehicle due to fiddling of the vehicle by a child and/or unauthorized person.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof have been explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments 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.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments 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 preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and the component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.