Claims:We claim:
1. A footpeg assembly comprising:
a footpeg shaft pivotably connected to a housing to move between a closed position and an open position;
a first biasing member operably connected to the footpeg shaft and biased to move the footpeg shaft to the open position;
a locking mechanism connected to atleast one of the footpeg shaft and the biasing member, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to move between a lock position at which the footpeg shaft is locked at the closed position and an unlock position at which the footpeg shaft is at the open position; and
an actuator connected to the locking mechanism, the actuator is to drive the locking mechanism from the lock position to the unlock position, wherein the locking mechanism is moved from the unlock position to the lock position upon application of force on the footpeg shaft.
2. The footpeg assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises:
a first locking member connected to the footpeg shaft, the first locking member includes a first locking profile; and
a second locking member disposed adjacent to the first locking member, wherein the second locking member includes a second locking profile that is configured to engage with the first locking profile of first locking member to hold the locking mechanism at the lock position.

3. The footpeg assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the actuator is operably connected to the second locking member such that upon actuation of actuator, the second locking profile disengages from the first locking profile, thereby moving the locking mechanism to the unlock position.
4. The footpeg assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the first locking member and the second locking member is cam shaped, wherein the first locking profile and the second locking profile is provided at the respective cam peak.
5. The footpeg assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first locking profile is a groove and the second locking profile is a round edge.
6. The footpeg assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein a locking face of the first locking profile is in tangent a pivot circle of the second locking profile at any point of time.
7. The footpeg assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the actuator is an electric motor that is connected to the second locking member by an actuating cam, the actuating cam is to drive the second locking member upon actuation of the electric motor.
8. The footpeg assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the biasing member is a torsion spring wounded on the first locking member such that the torsion spring is compressed during the lock position and expanded during the unlock position.
9. The footpeg assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second locking member is connected to a second biasing member, wherein the second biasing member is biased to hold the second locking member at the lock position.
10. The footpeg assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator is actuated upon receiving an user input, wherein the user input is provided through a vehicle user interface.
11. The footpeg assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator is automatically actuated upon detecting that the rider is in seating position.
12. The footpeg assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing is connected to a vehicle frame through brackets.
13. A vehicle having a footpeg assembly as claimed in claim 1.
, Description:FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[001] The present disclosure relates to a footpeg assembly. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a footpeg assembly used in a saddle type vehicle such as scooter and motorcycle.
BACKGROUND
[002] The subject matter discussed in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also correspond to implementations of the claimed technology.
[003] In a saddle type vehicle such as a scooter or a motorcycle, a footpeg or a footrest is provided to support the rider’s or pillion’s feet while in seating position. The footpeg is a piece of shaft that extends laterally from the vehicle frame. There are various types of footpeg available in the market to improve the comfort of the rider. Most common type is a footpeg that is rigidly secured to vehicle frame through support brackets. When the vehicle is not in use, these kind of footpeg increases the width of the vehicle and may be a disruption to the user. Another type of footpeg is a retractable footpeg that is manually extended out while in use and folded in while not in use. Though, the retractable footpeg solves the problem associated with the rigid footpeg, the manual extension and folding in the retractable footpeg is not convenient to use. This problem becomes more prominent if the footpeg becomes old and when the extension is not smooth. Another type of footpeg is a powered footpeg that uses a motor or other electric actuator for extension and folding. The powered footpeg solves the problem associated with the manually retractable footpeg. However, it requires a relatively high power motor which in turn requires a large space for packaging and also increases the cost.
[004] Though there are various types of footpeg available in the market, they are either expensive or not convenient to use. Therefore, there is a requirement for a solution to provide a footpeg assembly that is both inexpensive and easy to use.

BRIEF SUMMARY
[005] It will be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular systems, and methodologies described, as there can be multiple possible embodiments of the present disclosure which are not expressly illustrated in the present disclosure. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is to describe the particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
[006] In an embodiment, the footpeg assembly is disclosed. The footpeg assembly is best suited for use in a saddle type vehicle such as scooter, motorcycle and so on. The footpeg assembly comprises a footpeg shaft pivotably connected to a housing to move between a closed position and an open position, a first biasing member operably connected to the footpeg shaft and biased to move the footpeg shaft to the open position, a locking mechanism connected to atleast one of the footpeg shaft and the biasing member, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to move between a lock position at which the footpeg shaft is locked at the closed position and an unlock position at which the footpeg shaft is at the open position; and an actuator connected to the locking mechanism, the actuator is to drive the locking mechanism from the lock position to the unlock position, wherein the locking mechanism is moved from the unlock position to the lock position upon application of force on the footpeg shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[007] The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of systems, methods, and embodiments of various other aspects of the disclosure. Any person with ordinary skills in the art will appreciate that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of the boundaries. It may be that in some examples one element may be designed as multiple elements or that multiple elements may be designed as one element. In some examples, an element shown as an internal component of one element may be implemented as an external component in another and vice versa. Furthermore, elements may not be drawn to scale. Non-limiting and non-exhaustive descriptions are described with reference to the following drawings. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating principles.
[008] FIG. 1 illustrates a sectional view of the footpeg assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[009] FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional view of the locking mechanism in the footpeg assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 3A-3C illustrates the locking mechanism of the footpeg assembly at various operating positions, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0011] FIG 4 illustrates the footpeg assembly mounted on a vehicle frame according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Some embodiments of this disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” and “including,” and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open-ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.
[0013] It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although any systems and methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure, the preferred, systems and methods are now described.
[0014] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the several figures, and in which example embodiments are shown. Embodiments of the claims may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The examples set forth herein are non-limiting examples and are merely examples among other possible examples.
[0015] Referring to Fig. 1, the footpeg assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 102, a footpeg shaft 104 pivotably connected to the housing 102 to move between a closed position at which the footpeg shaft 104 is not accessible to the user and an open position at which the footpeg shaft 104 is accessible to the user, a first biasing member 106 operably connected to the footpeg shaft 104 and biased to push the footpeg shaft 104 to the open position, a locking mechanism 108 connected to atleast one of the footpeg shaft 104 and the biasing member 106, and configured to move between a lock position at which the footpeg shaft 104 is retained at the closed position and an unlock position at which the footpeg shaft 104 is at the open position, and an actuator 110 operably connected to the locking mechanism 108 and configured to drive the locking mechanism 108 from the lock position to the unlock position, thereby moving the footpeg shaft from the closed position to the open position. In an embodiment, the actuator 110 is an electric motor. When the user wishes to open the footpeg shaft 104, he or she provides the instruction to a vehicle controller to energize the electric motor. The electric motor then drives the locking mechanism 108 from the lock position to unlock position. When the locking mechanism is in unlock position, the biasing member 106 pushes the footpeg shaft 104 from closed position to open position. Thereafter, when the user wishes to move the footpeg shaft 104 to a closed position, he or she applies force on the footpeg shaft 104. The connection between the footpeg shaft 104 and the locking mechanism 108 allows the transfer the force applied on the footpeg shaft 104 to the locking mechanism 108. This transfer of force moves the locking mechanism 108 from the unlock position to the lock position thereby moving the footpeg shaft 104 from open position to the closed position.
[0016] In an embodiment, the housing 102 may be an enclosed body having a slot to accommodate the footpeg shaft 104. The housing 102 is mounted on to the vehicle frame at convenient positions through brackets 102a. In another embodiment, the housing 102 may be a vehicle frame on which the footpeg shaft 104 is directly mounted. Fig. 4 illustrates the footpeg assembly 100 mounted on a vehicle frame F according to an embodiment of the present invention. The pivotable connection between the footpeg shaft 104 and the housing 102 allows the footpeg shaft 104 to move between a closed position at which the footpeg shaft is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle frame and an open position at which the footpeg shaft extends laterally away from the housing and adapted to receive the rider’s feet. It should be understood that this invention is not limited to the footpeg shaft that is pivotably connected to the housing and it may also include other types of movable connection between the footpeg shaft and housing as long as the connection allows the footpeg shaft to travel between the open position and the closed position. The biasing member 106 may be a torsional spring that is biased such that the spring force pushes the footpeg shaft 104 to the open position. In other embodiments, the biasing member 106 may be chosen from any other elastic material that could perform the intended function of the biasing member 106 as disclosed in this specification. In a preferred embodiment, the biasing member 106 is accommodated in the housing 102.
[0017] When the locking mechanism 108 is in lock position, it exerts a retention force against the biasing member 106 to retain the footpeg shaft 104 in a closed position. At this position, the biasing member 106 is in a compressed state as the force exerted by the locking member 108 is higher than the spring force of the biasing member 106. Further, when the locking mechanism 108 is in the unlock position the retention force exerted by the locking mechanism is lesser than the spring force, thereby allowing the biasing member to push the footpeg shaft to the open position. In an embodiment, the locking mechanism 108 is a mechanical latching device. In a preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism 108 is accommodated in the housing 102.
[0018] The actuator 110 is an electric motor that is mechanically coupled to the locking mechanism 108. Upon actuation of the electric motor, it drives the locking mechanism 108 to an unlock position. In an embodiment, the actuator 110 is energized upon receiving user instruction. The user instruction may be provided through the user interface such as a vehicle dashboard, switch and so on. In another embodiment, the actuator 110 is automatically actuated via the controller (not shown) upon detecting the rider or pillion is in seating position. For example, the seating position of the rider or pillion is detected by a load sensor that may be attached to the vehicle seat. Further, the vehicle controller receives the information from the load sensor and automatically actuate the actuator 110 when the load applied on the seat is above a predetermined load.
[0019] In an embodiment, the locking mechanism 108 returns to the lock position from the unlock position upon application of force on the footpeg shaft 104. The locking mechanism 108 returns to the lock position when the force applied on the footpeg shaft 104 exceed the spring force of the biasing member 106 that maintains the footpeg shaft 104 in the open position. The footpeg assembly 100 as disclosed in the present invention thereby allows an electrical actuation of the footpeg shaft 104 from the closed position to the open position and manual operation for moving the footpeg shaft 104 from the open position to the closed position. Utilizing the electric actuator only for driving the footpeg shaft 104 to open position allows the footpeg assembly 100 as disclosed in the present invention to use a small size, low power motor thereby reducing the overall size and cost of the footpeg assembly. It improves the packaging of the footpeg assembly in the vehicle frame. Further, electric actuation of the footpeg shaft to open position is convenient to use and improves the overall user experience.
[0020] Referring still to Fig. 1, the locking mechanism 108 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first locking member 108a operably connected to the footpeg shaft 104, a second locking member 108b disposed adjacent to the first locking member 108a. The first locking member 108a is pivotably connected to the housing 102 and includes a first locking profile LP1. The second locking member 108b is pivotably connected to the housing 102 and includes a second locking profile LP2. The first locking profile LP1 is configured to latch on to the second locking profile LP2 to maintain the first locking member 108a and second locking member 108b in the lock position.
[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the second locking member 108b may be a cam having the second locking profile LP2 at its cam peak. The locking face of the second locking profile LP2 may have a rounded edge. The first locking member 108a is a cam having the first locking profile LP1 at the cam peak. The locking face of the first locking profile LP1 may include a groove that compliments the first locking profile LP1. The rounded edge of the second locking profile LP2 engages with the groove of first locking profile LP1 to lock the locking mechanism 108. In a preferred embodiment, the locking face of the first locking profile LP1 is in tangent with the pivot circle of the second locking profile LP2, thereby enabling easy locking/unlocking of the first locking profile LP1 with respect to the second locking profile LP2. Referring to Fig. 2, the locking face of first locking profile LP1 is in tangent with the second locking profile LP2 and its pivot circle. The tangent T and the pivot circle P are denoted in Fig. 2. While disengaging, the locking face of the first locking profile LP1 is in tangent to the end profile of the second locking profile LP2 at any point of time. This allows the locking and unlocking with minimal force. For example, a low power motor can be used to drive and disengage the second locking member from the first locking member. Similarly, a minimal application of force at the footpeg shaft could move the first locking member and second locking member back to the lock position. This improves the overall user experience.
[0022] The actuator 110 may be operably connected to the second locking member 108b through an actuating cam 110a. The actuating cam 110a, the second locking member 108b and the first locking member 108a are operably connected in such a manner when the user actuates the actuator 110, the actuating cam 110a drives the second locking member 108b and disengages the second locking profile LP2 from the first locking profile LP1. Providing the first locking profile the first locking profile LP1 in tangent with respect to the pivot circle of second locking profile LP2 allows disengagement with minimal power and thereby using a low power motor.
[0023] In an embodiment, the biasing member 106 is disposed between the first locking member 108a and the housing 102 such that when the first locking member 108a is engaged with the second locking member 108b, the biasing member is compressed and the footpeg shaft is in closed position. Further, when the first locking member 108a is disengaged from the second locking member 108b the biasing member 106 expands and drives the first locking member to move the footpeg shaft from the closed position to open position. The biasing member 106 may be a torsional spring, coil spring or other elastic materials. In an embodiment, a second biasing member 108c may be connected between the second locking member 108b and the housing 102 and biased to maintain the second locking member 108b at the lock position. In an embodiment, the second biasing member 108c is a torsion spring, coil spring or other elastic material.
[0024] In an exemplary operation, the actuator such as electric motor is energized upon receiving a manual instruction from the user. The manual instruction may be provided through the vehicle dashboard or the switch. When the user of the vehicle wishes to use the footpeg shaft 104, he or she provides the instruction through the dashboard (not shown) or moves a switch (not shown) provided for this purpose to the on position. Alternatively, the motor may be automatically energized upon detecting the user in the vehicle. For example, a load sensor may be provided in the vehicle seat. The load sensor detects the load applied on the vehicle seat and transfers the information to the controller. The controller commands the motor to be energized when the load applied on the vehicle seat is above a predetermined level. In an embodiment, the controller may be an existing control unit in the vehicle.
[0025] Referring to Fig. 3a the locking mechanism 108 in locked position have the first locking member 108a engaged with the second locking member 108b. At this position, the first biasing member 106 is in compressed state and the second biasing member 108c is in extended state. Thereafter when the motor is energized, the actuating cam 110a connected to the motor shaft rotates and drives the second locking member 108b. Fig. 3b illustrates the release position of the locking mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. At this position, the second biasing member 108c connected to the second locking member 108b is compressed and the second locking profile is disengaged from the first locking profile of the first locking member. When the second locking member 108b is disengaged from the first locking member 108a, the first biasing member 106 expands and drives the first locking member 108a to the unlock position, thereby moving the footpeg shaft to the open position. Fig. 3C illustrates the locking mechanism in unlocked position according to an embodiment of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the locking face of first locking profile LP1 is in tangent with the pivot circle of the second locking profile LP2, thereby allowing easy disengagement of the second locking member from the first locking member. In an embodiment, the footpeg shaft rotates along with the first locking member. In another embodiment, the second locking member may have an extended member. When the motor is energized, the cam peak of the actuating cam contacts the extended member to drive the second locking member. Further, when the actuating cam is not in contact with the extended member, the second biasing member 108c pushes the second locking member 108b to the lock position.
[0026] Thereafter, when the user wishes to close the footpeg shaft he or she applies force on the footpeg shaft 104. In an embodiment, the force is applied in the direction towards the vehicle frame. The connection between the footpeg shaft 104 and the first locking member 108a allows the force applied on the footpeg shaft 104 to be transferred to the first locking member. This transfer of force moves the footpeg shaft 104 towards the closed position and the first locking member 108a towards the lock position. In the lock position, the first locking member 108a is engaged with the second locking member 108b to retain the footpeg shaft 104 at the closed position.
[0027] The foregoing embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments would be evident based on the present disclosure and that process or mechanical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0028] In the foregoing description, numerous specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In order to avoid obscuring the present invention, some well-known circuits, system configurations, and process steps are not shown in detail and would be understood by anyone having skill in the relevant art.
[0029] Likewise, the drawings showing embodiments of the apparatus/device are semi-diagrammatic and not to scale and, particularly, some of the dimensions are for the clarity of presentation and may be shown greatly exaggerated in the drawings.
[0030] While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific preferred embodiment which is considered to be the best mode, it is to be understood that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the included claims. All matters hithertofore set forth herein or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted in an illustrative and non-limiting sense.
[0031] List of Components:
100 – Footpeg assembly
102 – Housing
102a - Bracket
104 - Footpeg Shaft
106 – First biasing member
108 – Locking mechanism
108a – First locking member
108b – Second locking member
108c – Second biasing member
110 - Actuator
110a – Actuating cam
LP1 – First locking profile
LP2 – Second locking profile