FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
[39 OF 1970]
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10; rule 13] TITLE: “A PARKING BRAKE LEVER FOR A VEHICLE”
Name and Address of the Applicant:
TATA MOTORS LIMITED of Bombay house, 24 Homi Mody Street, Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai 400 001, Maharashtra, INDIA
Nationality: Indian
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD
Present disclosure, in general, relates to a field of automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a parking brake of a vehicle. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure discloses a parking brake lever for the vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Generally, an automobile is employed with a parking brake, in addition to a foot brake, for applying a braking force. A conventional parking brake includes a ratchet in line with a length direction of the automobile's frame that is connected to an parking brake lever, which is hingedly coupled to the ratchet. Further, a pawl is coupled to one end of the parking brake lever, such that the pawl is operated by a push button which is positioned at an end of the parking brake lever. The pawl is defined such that, an end of the pawl is configured to mesh with the teeth defined on the ratchet.
Further, the parking brake lever is connected to a cable which is connected to the brakes of the automobile. In order to apply braking force, the parking brake lever is pivotally moved upwards. The upward movement of the parking brake lever causes the cable to be displaced and thereby actuates the brakes to exert the braking force. The pawl upon pivotally upward movement of the parking brake lever meshes with the teeth of the ratchet and thereby sustains the braking force. In order to release the braking force, the push button is operated to disengage the pawl with the ratchet, which results in the parking brake lever is pivotally moving downwards to an original position which in-turn releases the parking brake. However, the conventional parking brake lever with the push button may lead to accidental release of the parking brake as the user may accidentally press the push button that may lead to accidents, which is undesired.
With advancements in technology in the automobile sector, the automobiles are being manufactured with the increasing size and the braking systems in the automobiles have also grown in size to accommodate the increased requirement of braking force. The increase in size of the braking systems results in increased effort required by the user to engage and disengage the parking brake.

Typically, in order to minimize the effort exerted by the user to engage and disengage the parking brake, the length of the parking brake lever has to be increased to provide more leverage. However, the increased length of the parking brake lever occupies additional space in a cabin of the vehicle. This increase in length of the parking brake lever may obstruct the comfort features which causes inconvenience to the user. Furthermore, the parking brake lever having increased length may not be aesthetically appealing and may require additional elements to cover the parking brake lever, which results in complex configuration and high manufacturing costs. Further, even if the parking brake lever is positioned at uncommon locations such as next to a door and adjacent to the seat of the automobile, the increased length may hinder in ingress and egress of the user in the vehicle, which is undesired.
Present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or any other limitations associated with the known arts.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
One or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by a parking brake lever as claimed and additional advantages are provided through the parking brake lever as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.
In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a parking brake lever for a vehicle is disclosed. The parking brake lever includes a body which is defined with a cavity and is connected to a ratchet. The ratchet is anchored to a floor of a cabin of the vehicle. Further, the parking brake lever includes a pawl which may be pivotally connected to the body within the cavity and is engaged to the ratchet. Additionally, the parking brake lever includes at least one tube which may be telescopically connected to the body and is configured to selectively displace between a first position and a second position to vary length of the parking brake lever. Furthermore, the parking brake lever includes a linkage mechanism which is connected to one end of the at least one tube and the pawl at other end. Further, a plunger is positioned adjacent to the linkage mechanism and is movably disposed in the at least one tube. The plunger is configured to displace and abut the

linkage mechanism in the second position of the at least one tube to operate the pawl and disengage the parking brake lever.
In an embodiment, the body is connected to at least one cable to operate a parking brake of the vehicle.
In an embodiment, the parking brake lever includes at least one intermediate tube which is telescopically connected between the body and the at least one tube to provide leverage to the parking brake lever.
In an embodiment, the linkage mechanism comprises a plurality of four bar links connected in series. The plurality of four bar links are configured to define a collapsed condition corresponding to the second position of the at least one tube to restrict contact between the plunger and the linkage mechanism.
In an embodiment, the plunger is connected to an actuator. The actuator is configured to displace the plunger and abut the linkage mechanism.
In an embodiment, the linkage mechanism is adapted to extend into the at least one tube to engage the plunger corresponding to actuation of the actuator.
In an embodiment, the parking brake lever includes at least one resilient member which is disposed in the at least one tube and connected to the actuator. The at least one resilient member is configured to bias the actuator and the plunger away from the linkage mechanism.
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages

thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
Fig. 1 illustrates a sectional view of the parking brake lever in a first position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 2 illustrates a sectional view of the parking brake lever in a second position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 3 illustrates a sectional view of the parking brake lever in an intermediate position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 4 illustrates a sectional view of the parking brake lever in the first position and an actuator in the actuated state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Fig. 5 illustrates a sectional view of the parking brake lever in the second position and the actuator in the actuated state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the system and method illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which forms the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, the conception and specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying other devices, systems, assemblies and mechanisms for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that, such equivalent

constructions do not depart from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristics of the disclosure, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.
The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non¬exclusive inclusions, such that a system or a device that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.
In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, a parking brake lever for a vehicle is disclosed. The parking brake lever may include a body which may be defined with a cavity. The body may be connected to a ratchet which may be anchored to a floor of a cabin of the vehicle. Further, the parking brake lever may include a pawl which may be pivotally connected to body within the cavity. Furthermore, the parking brake lever may include at least one tube which may be telescopically connected to the body. The at least one tube may be configured to selectively displace between a first position and a second position to vary length of the parking brake lever. In an embodiment, the first position corresponds to the at least one tube extending out of the body and the second position corresponds to the at least one tube telescopically retracting within the body. Additionally, the parking brake lever may include a linkage mechanism which may be connected to one end of he at least one tube and the pawl at the other end. Further, the parking brake lever may include a plunger which may be positioned adjacent to the linkage mechanism and may be movably disposed in the at least one tube. The plunger may be configured to displace and abut the linkage mechanism in the second position of the at least one tube to operate the pawl and disengage the parking brake lever. The varying length of the parking brake lever, enables a user to operate the parking brake lever without significant effort.

Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same numerals have been used to refer to the same or like parts. The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to Figs. 1-5. It is to be noted that the parking brake lever may be employed in any vehicle including but not limited to a passenger vehicle, a utility vehicle, commercial vehicles, and any other vehicle with different sizes.
Fig. 1 is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure which illustrates a parking brake lever (100) for a vehicle. For simplicity, a figure depicting vehicle is not illustrated. The parking brake lever (100) may include a body (5) which may be defined with a cavity (C). The body (5) may be connected to a ratchet (7) which may be anchored to a floor of a cabin (not shown) of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the ratchet (7) may also be anchored to a central console in the cabin of the vehicle and any other location as per requirement. Further, the parking brake lever (100) may include a pawl (6) which may be pivotally connected to body (5) within the cavity. The pawl (6) may be disposed in the cavity (C) of the body (5) such that the pawl (6) may be engaged to the ratchet (7). In an embodiment, one end of the pawl (6) may be pivotally connected to the body (5) and the other end of the pawl (6) may be adapted to engage with teeth that may be defined on the surface of the ratchet (7). Further, a spring (8) may be positioned at the one end of the pawl (6) which may bias the other end of the pawl (6) towards the ratchet (7). Additionally, the body (5) may be connected to at least one cable (10) which may be configured to operate a parking brake of the vehicle. In order to apply braking force, the body (5) may be pivotally displaced. The pivotal movement of the body (5) may displace the at least one cable (10) to operate the parking brake. Furthermore, the pawl (6) upon pivotal displacement of the body (5) may be adapted to ride on the ratchet (7) due to the biasing force exerted by the spring (8) and mesh with the teeth of the ratchet (7) in the displaced position of the body (5). The meshing of the pawl (6) with the teeth of the ratchet (7) in the displaced position of the body (5) retains the body (5) in the displaced position to sustains the braking force.
In an embodiment, the parking brake lever (100) may include at least one tube (3) which may be telescopically connected to the body (5). The at least one tube (3) may be configured to selectively displace between a first position (FP) and a second position (SP) to vary length of the parking brake lever (100). In an embodiment, the first position (FP) corresponds to the at least one tube (3)

extending out of the body (5) and the second position (SP) corresponds to the at least one tube (3) telescopically retracting within the body (5). Further, in an embodiment as seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the parking brake lever (100) may include at least one intermediate tube (4) which may be telescopically connected between the body (5) and the at least one tube (3) to provide leverage to the parking brake lever (100). In an embodiment, the first position (FP) corresponds to the at least one tube (3) and the at least one intermediate tube (4) extending out of the body (5) [as seen in Fig. 1] and the second position (SP) corresponds to the at least one tube (3) and the at least one intermediate tube (4) telescopically retracting within the body (5) [as seen in Fig. 2].
In an embodiment, as seen in Fig. 3, the at least one tube (3) and the at least one intermediate tube (4) may be selectively retracted towards the body (5) where both or at least one of the at least one tube (3) and the at least one intermediate tube (4) may be partially retracted so as to attain an intermediate position (IP). The intermediate position (IP) may any position which is between the first position (FP) and the second position (SP) and may be defined based on requirement of a user.
Further, referring back to Figs. 1 and 2, the parking brake lever (100) may include a linkage mechanism (9) which may be connected to one end of he at least one tube (3) and the pawl (6) at the other end. In an embodiment, the linkage mechanism (9) may include a plurality of four bar links which may be connected in series. Additionally, the parking brake lever (100) may include a plunger (11) which may be positioned adjacent to the linkage mechanism (9) and may be movably disposed in the at least one tube (3). The plunger (11) may be configured to displace and abut the linkage mechanism (9) in the second position (SP) of the at least one tube (3) to operate the pawl (6) and disengage the parking brake lever (100) [as seen in Fig. 4]. In an embodiment, the linkage mechanism (9) is adapted to extend into the at least one tube (3) to engage the plunger (11), more particularly, at least one four bar link of the plurality of four bar links may extend into the at least one tube (3) such that the plunger (11) is configured to abut the at least one four bar link to displace the pawl (6).
In an embodiment, the plunger (11) may be connected to an actuator (1) which may be connected at an other end of the at least one tube (3) away from the linkage mechanism (9). The actuator (1) may be configured to displace the plunger (11) upon actuation by the user to abut the linkage mechanism (9). Further, the parking brake lever (100) may include at least one resilient member

(2) which may be disposed in the at least one tube (3) and may be connected to the actuator (1) or the plunger (11). In an embodiment, the at least one resilient member (2) may be including but not limited to a compression spring, a torsion spring, helical spring and the like. The at least one resilient member (2) is configured to bias the actuator (1) and the plunger (11) away from the linkage mechanism (9) such that after actuation of the actuator (1) by the user, the actuator (1) and the plunger (11) may return back to the initial position.
Fig. 5 illustrates the parking brake lever (100) in the second position (SP) and the actuator (1) in the actuated state. The second position (SP) of the parking brake lever (100) corresponds to the retracted condition of the at least one tube (3) into the body (5). The linkage mechanism (9) connected to the at least one tube (3) displaces due to the displacement of the at least one tube (3) from the first position (FP) to the second position (SP). In the second position (SP), the linkage mechanism (9) are configured to define a collapsed condition. The length of the linkage mechanism (9) in the collapsed condition is shorter due to the collapsed plurality of four bar links and does not displace the pawl (6). Further, as the length of the linkage mechanism (9) reduces the distance between the plunger (11) and the linkage mechanism (9) increases. The increased distance between the plunger (11) and the linkage mechanism (9) restricts contact between the linkage mechanism (9) and the plunger (11) even when the actuator (1) is actuated to displace the plunger (11) towards the linkage mechanism (9). Thereby, the at least one tube (3) in the second position (SP) does not allow disengagement of the parking brake lever (100) even though the user actuates the actuator (1). The linkage mechanism (9) in the collapsed condition acts as a fail safe and does not disengage the parking brake lever (100) when the user accidentally actuates the actuator (1).
In an embodiment, the plunger (11) is restricted from abutting the linkage mechanism (9) when either one of the at least one tube (3) and/or the at least one intermediate tube (4) are in the second position (SP). Further, plunger (11) is restricted from abutting the linkage mechanism (9) when either one of the at least one tube (3) and/or the at least one intermediate tube (4) are in the intermediate position (IP).
In an operational embodiment of the disclosure, the parking brake may be applied by the user by pivotally displacing the body (5) in an upward direction. In an embodiment, the parking brake may be actuated when the at least one tube (3) and/or the at least one intermediate tube (4) are either in

the first position (FP) or the second position (SP). Further, in order to release the parking brake, the user may have to ensure that the at least one tube (3) and/or the at least one intermediate tube (4) are in the first position (FP), thereby enabling the plunger (11) to abut the linkage mechanism (9). The user may then actuate the actuator (1) which may lead to the plunger (11) abutting the linkage mechanism (9) that may displace the linkage mechanism (9). The displacement of the linkage mechanism (9) in-turn displaces the pawl (6) which may disengage with the ratchet (7). The disengagement of the pawl (6) and the ratchet (7) enables free movement of the body (5) and the body (5) may be pivotally displaced downwards to disengage the parking brake.
In an embodiment, the actuator (1) may be including but not limited to a push button. Further, in another embodiment, the actuator (1) may be a switch which may be connected to an electric actuator which may be configured to displace the plunger (11).
In an embodiment, the parking brake lever (100) may include locking elements which may lock the at least one tube (3) and the at least one intermediate tube (4) in at least one of the first position (FP), the second position (SP) and the intermediate position (IP).
It should be noted that in an exemplary embodiment, as seen in the Figs. 1-5 the construction, profile, arrangement, layout and connections in the parking brake lever (100) should not be construed as a limitation as the parking brake lever (100) may include any other type of construction, profile, arrangement, layout and connection or any other combinations for applying and releasing the parking brake in the vehicle.
In an embodiment, the parking brake lever (100) may be retrofitted to conventional vehicles. Further, the parking brake lever (100) is simple in construction which results in low-cost manufacturing and easy maintenance.
In an embodiment, the parking brake lever (100) facilitates parking brake actuation and de-actuation without significant effort from the user due to the increased length. Further, the varying length of the parking brake lever (100) enables the user to experience the comfort features in the cabin of the vehicle without any hinderance.

In an embodiment, the aesthetic appeal of the cabin is not affected as the parking brake lever (100) may reduce in length to be compact and fit in a predefined space and does not require any additional elements to cover the parking brake lever (100). Additionally, due to the varying length of the parking brake lever (100), ingress and egress of the user is not affected when the parking brake lever (100) is positioned adjacent to the door of the vehicle.
It should be imperative that the construction and configuration of the parking brake lever and any other elements or components described in the above detailed description should not be considered as a limitation with respect to the figures. Rather, variation to such structural configuration of the elements or components should be considered within the scope of the detailed description.
Equivalents:
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true

for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope being indicated by the following claims.

Referral Numerals:

Reference Number Description
100 Parking brake lever
1 Actuator
2 Resilient member
3 At least one tube
4 Intermediate tube
5 Body
6 Pawl
7 Ratchet
8 Spring
9 Linkage mechanism
10 Cable
11 plunger
FP First position
SP Second position
IP Intermediate position

We Claim:
1. A parking brake lever (100) for a vehicle, comprising:
a body (5) defined with a cavity (C) and connected to a ratchet (7), wherein the ratchet (7) is anchored to a floor of a cabin of the vehicle;
a pawl (6) pivotally connected to the body (5) within the cavity (C), wherein the pawl (6) is engaged to the ratchet (7);
at least one tube (3) telescopically connected to the body (5), the at least one tube (3) is configured to selectively displace between a first position (FP) and a second position (SP) to vary length of the parking brake lever (100);
a linkage mechanism (9) connected to one end of the at least one tube (3) and the pawl (6) at other end; and
a plunger (11) positioned adjacent to the linkage mechanism (9) and movably disposed in the at least one tube (3), wherein the plunger (11) is configured to displace and abut the linkage mechanism (9) in the second position (SP) of the at least one tube (3) to operate the pawl (6) and disengage the parking brake lever (100).
2. The parking brake lever (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body (5) is connected to at least one cable (10) to operate a parking brake of the vehicle.
3. The parking brake lever (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprises at least one intermediate tube (4) telescopically connected between the body (5) and the at least one tube (3) to provide leverage to the parking brake lever (100).
4. The parking brake lever (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the linkage mechanism (9) comprises a plurality of four bar links connected in series.
5. The parking brake lever (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plunger (11) is connected to an actuator (1).
6. The parking brake lever (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator (1) is configured to displace the plunger (11) and abut the linkage mechanism (9).

7. The parking brake lever (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the linkage mechanism (9) is adapted to extend into the at least one tube (3) to engage the plunger (11) corresponding to actuation of the actuator (1).
8. The parking brake lever (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the plurality of four bar links are configured to define a collapsed condition corresponding to the second position (SP) of the at least one tube (3) to restrict contact between the plunger (11) and the linkage mechanism (9).
9. The parking brake lever (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises at least one resilient member (2) disposed in the at least one tube (3) and connected to the actuator (1), wherein the at least one resilient member (2) is configured to bias the actuator (1) and the plunger (11) away from the linkage mechanism (9).
10. A vehicle comprising a parking brake lever (100) as claimed in claim 1.