Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a brake lever protector device of a saddle type vehicle. More specifically, the present invention relates to the brake lever protector device with a stopping mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Conventionally, brake lever protectors have been provided in saddle type vehicles to protect brake levers from damage and also to protect knuckles of a rider riding the saddle type vehicle. The brake lever protectors function as a part to hold fatigue load when the vehicle hits down or when the vehicle is struck by a hard blow, thereby guarding the brake levers from getting damaged. The conventional brake lever protectors available in the prior arts only perform the function of protecting brake levers and knuckles of the rider of the vehicle and does not disclose any additional mechanisms for performing additional functions. In view thereof, there is a need-felt to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and utilize the brake lever protectors for additional functions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[003] In one aspect of the invention, a brake lever protector device for a saddle type vehicle is disclosed. The brake lever protector device comprises a stopping mechanism. The stopping mechanism comprises a stopper unit. The stopper unit is capable of being moved to a first position to lock a brake lever of the saddle type vehicle in an engaged state. The stopper unit is also capable of being moved to a second position to unlock the brake lever.
[004] In an embodiment, the brake lever protector device comprises at least a first section, a second section and a third section. The first section is adapted to receive an end of a handlebar assembly of the saddle type vehicle. The second section is adapted to protect the brake lever and receive the stopping mechanism. The third section is adapted to protect the brake lever and protect knuckles of a rider riding the vehicle. The second section extends from the first section in a front direction of the vehicle. In an embodiment, wherein the brake lever protector device is received on a right side of the vehicle, the third section extends in a left direction of the vehicle. In an embodiment, wherein the brake lever protector device is received on a left side of the vehicle, the third section extends in a right direction of the vehicle.
[005] In an embodiment, the second section comprises a housing adapted to receive the stopping mechanism. The stopper unit of the stopping mechanism moves in a direction towards the handlebar assembly to attain the first position. In the first position, the stopper unit prevents movement of the brake lever from an engaged state to a disengaged state. The stopper unit of the stopping mechanism moves in a direction away from the handlebar assembly to attain the second position. In the second position, the stopper unit allows movement of the brake lever from the engaged state to the disengaged state. The engaged state of the brake lever activates a brake lever assembly of the saddle type vehicle and the disengaged state of the brake lever deactivates the brake lever assembly of the brake lever.
[006] In an embodiment, the stopping mechanism is a spring loaded lever mechanism.
[007] In an embodiment, the brake lever protector device is made of polymer such as, not being limited to nylon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[008] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of a saddle type vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a brake lever protector device with a stopper unit in a first position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a brake lever protector device with the stopper unit in a second position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[009] Various features and embodiments of the present invention here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder.
[010] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of a saddle type vehicle 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[011] In the present invention, a longitudinal axis refers to a front to rear axis relative to the saddle type vehicle 10, defining a vehicle longitudinal direction while a lateral axis refers to a side to side, or left to right axis relative to the saddle type vehicle 10, defining a vehicle width direction. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Arrows provided in the top right corner of figures depicts direction with respect to the saddle type vehicle 10, wherein an arrow F denotes front direction, an arrow R indicates rearward direction, an arrow Up denotes upward direction, an arrow Dw denotes downward direction of the saddle type vehicle 10.
[012] The saddle type vehicles are known in the art such as mopeds, scooters, motorcycles and the present invention is applicable to all the saddle type vehicles having hand operated brake levers. The construction and working of different parts of the saddle type vehicles are already known in the art and have been discussed only to the extent they are relevant for the purposes of the present invention.
[013] In Figure 1, the saddle type vehicle 10 has been shown as a scooter type vehicle. However, as already stated, such scooter type vehicle should not be construed as limiting for the purposes of the present invention and the present invention incorporates other saddle type vehicles such as motorcycle, mopeds etc. The saddle type vehicle 10 comprises a handlebar assembly 12 for steering the saddle type vehicle 10. The handlebar assembly 12 extends in vehicle width direction between a right end (not shown) and a left end 12a (shown in Figure 2). The right end and the left end 12a of the handlebar assembly 12 receives a brake lever protector device 100 which is discussed in detail in the subsequent paragraphs.
[014] Figure 2 illustrates a brake lever protector device 100 with a stopper unit 102 in a first position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 illustrates a brake lever protector device 100 with a stopper unit 102 in a second position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[015] In Figure 2 and Figure 3, the left end 12a of the handlebar assembly 12 is shown and the left end 12a of the handlebar assembly 12 receives the brake lever protector device 100. The brake lever protector device 100 comprises a first section 104, a second section 106 and a third section 108 (separated by dashed lines). The first section 104 is adapted to receive the left end 12a of the handlebar assembly 12. The second section 106 extends from the first section 104 in a front direction of the saddle type vehicle 10. The second section 106 comprises a stopping mechanism. In an embodiment, the second section 106 comprises a housing (not shown) which houses the stopping mechanism. In an embodiment, the stopping mechanism is mounted on a wall of the second section 106. The third section 108 extends from the second section 106 in a right direction of the saddle type vehicle 10. In one non-limiting example, the third section 108 of the brake lever protector device 100 has pocket like structure which contributes to aerodynamic design of the brake lever protector device 100 by easily piercing air during running states of the saddle type vehicle 10.
[016] In a scenario, where the brake lever protector device 100 is received on a right end of the handlebar assembly 12, the third section 108 will extend from the second section 108 in a left direction of the saddle type vehicle 10. The second section 106 of the brake lever protector device 100 protects the brake lever 14 from damage during an accident or fall of the saddle type vehicle 10 and the third section of the brake protector device protects the brake lever 14 from damage as well as protects knuckles of a rider riding the saddle type vehicle 10.
[017] As already stated, the second section 106 of the brake lever protector device 100 receives the stopping mechanism. The stopping mechanism comprises a stopper unit 102 which is capable of being moved to a first position (as shown in Figure 2) and to a second position (as shown in Figure 3). To park the saddle type vehicle 10, the brake lever 14 is engaged by the rider of the saddle type vehicle and the stopper unit 102 is moved to the first position. In the first position, the stopper unit 102 prevents movement of the brake lever 14 from an engaged state to a disengaged state. The engaged state of the brake lever 14 is a state where a brake lever assembly (not shown) of the saddle type vehicle 10 is activated and wheels 16 (shown in Figure 1) of the saddle type vehicle 10 cannot move. The disengaged state of the saddle type vehicle 10 is a state wherein the brake lever assembly of the saddle type vehicle 10 is not activated and wheels 16 of the saddle type vehicle can move. In order to move the saddle vehicle, the stopper unit 102 is moved to a second position from the first position. The stopper unit 102 retracts or moves in a direction away from the handlebar assembly 12 to attain the second position which allows the brake lever 14 to move from the engaged state to the disengaged state. It is to be understood that, in the second position, the stopper unit 102 does not interact with the brake lever 14. During normal driving conditions, the stopper unit 102 is kept in the second position. In order to park the saddle type vehicle 10, the brake lever 14 is engaged and the stopper unit 102 is moved to the first position to lock the brake lever in the engaged state. In order to move the saddle type vehicle 10, the stopper unit 102 is moved from the first position to the second position which allows the brake lever 14 to move from the engaged state to the disengaged state.
[018] In an embodiment, the above-mentioned design of the brake lever protector device 100 is aerodynamic in nature. In a non-limiting example, the third section of the brake lever protector device 100 has a pocket construction to easily cut into the air during riding states of the saddle type vehicle 10.
[019] In an embodiment, the brake lever protector device 100 is made of polymers such as, not being limited to, nylon.
[020] In an embodiment, the stopping mechanism is a latch mechanism wherein the latch acts as a stopper unit 102. The latch mechanism is received in the housing or on the wall of the second section 106 of the brake lever protector device 100. The latch can move in a direction towards the handlebar assembly 12 of the saddle type vehicle 10 i.e., the first position and in a direction away from the handlebar assembly 12 of the saddle type vehicle 10 i.e., the second position. In one non-limiting example, the latch can be moved manually by the rider of the saddle type vehicle 10. In another non-limiting example, the latch may be spring loaded such that, in the first position, the spring is in its natural state and, in the second position, the spring is in its compressed state. In yet another embodiment, the latch is electronically controlled and can be moved from the first position to the second position and vice versa on operation of a switch or a button. In an embodiment, the movement of the latch is controlled by a push button provided on the latch mechanism at a location which is easily accessible by the rider of the saddle type vehicle 10.
[021] In an embodiment, the stopping mechanism is a hinge mechanism. The stopping mechanism has a body which is received on the second section 106 and the stopper unit 102 is connected to the body of the stopping mechanism by a hinge mechanism. In the first position, the stopper unit 102 is moved away from the body and in the second position the stopper unit 102 is moved towards the body. In one non-limiting example, the stopper unit 102 can be moved manually by the rider of the saddle type vehicle 10. In another embodiment, the hinge mechanism is electronically controlled and can be moved from the first position to the second position and vice versa on operation of a switch or a button. The above-mentioned embodiments of the stopping mechanism should not be construed as limiting and other mechanisms, now known or developed later, which can perform the operation of extraction and retraction of the stopper unit 102 can be used for the purposes of the present invention.
[022] In order to pierce air and to prevent drag in running states of the vehicle, the brake lever protector device 100 has an aerodynamic design. The second section 106 of the brake lever protector device 100 has a cut-out section or pocketed section which helps to decrease weight of the brake lever protector device 100. The cut-out section may be provided near the housing which houses the stopping mechanism. Also, it is to be understood that the third section 108 of the brake lever protector device extends in the right direction of the saddle type vehicle 10 (when received on the left end 12 of the saddle type vehicle 10) and in the left direction of the saddle type vehicle 10 (when received on the right end of the saddle type vehicle 10) and will face resistance or drag forces in running states of the saddle type vehicle 10. In order to prevent drag and resistance by air in the running states of the saddle type vehicle 10, aerodynamic design such as creases are provided on the third section 108 of the brake lever protector device 100 which ensures that no resistance or drag is experienced during running states of the saddle type vehicle 10.
[023] The claimed features of the present invention as discussed above are not routine, conventional, or well understood in the art, as the claimed features/steps enable the following solutions to technical problems in conventional technologies.
[024] In the present invention, the brake lever protector device comprises the stopping mechanism which can be used to park the saddle type vehicle. Therefore, part count of the saddle type vehicle is reduced owing to elimination of a parking brake lever mechanism.
[025] In the present invention, a simple, economical, durable and reliable design has been provided to perform multiple functions. The brake lever protector device is used to protect the brake lever of the vehicle, knuckles of the rider of the vehicle and also perform the functions of conventionally available parking brake lever mechanism. In other words, the brake lever protector device acts as a parking brake lever. The stopping mechanism aids to arrest the brake lever in parking position and eliminates the need of holding of the brake lever, by the rider of the vehicle, in parked conditions.
[026] In the present invention, the brake lever protector device has an aerodynamic design. Especially, the second section of the brake lever protector device is pocketed to easily pierce air during running states of the vehicle. Also, the third section has a sharp and sleek profile which further helps in preventing drag and resistance in the running states of the vehicle.
[027] In the present invention, the brake lever protector device is made of polymer. The conventional brake lever protector devices are made of metal which are heavy, difficult to manufacture, difficult to maintain and costly. The brake lever protector device of the present invention is made of polymer such as, not being limited to nylon, which is easier to manufacture, easier to maintain, durable, reliable and low in cost as compared to metallic brake lever protector devices available in the prior arts.
[028] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

List of Reference Numerals
10- saddle type vehicle
12-handlebar assembly
12a- left end of the handlebar assembly
14- brake lever
16- wheels
100- brake lever protector device
102- stopper unit
104-first section of the brake lever protector device
106- second section of the brake lever protector device
108- third section of the brake lever of the protector device
, C , C , Claims:1. A brake lever protector device (100) for a saddle type vehicle (10), the brake lever protector device (100) comprising: a stopping mechanism, the stopping mechanism comprising a stopper unit (102),the stopper unit (102) capable of being moved to a first position to lock a brake lever (14) of the saddle type vehicle (10) in an engaged state and to a second position to unlock the brake lever (10) of the saddle type vehicle (10).

2. The brake lever protector device (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising at least a first section (104), a second section (106) and a third section (108), the first section (104) adapted to receive an end of a handlebar assembly (12) of the saddle type vehicle (10), the second section (106) adapted to protect the brake lever (10) and receive the stopping mechanism and the third section (108) adapted to protect knuckles of a rider riding the saddle type vehicle (10).

3. The brake lever protector device (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second section (106) extends from the first section (104) in a front direction of the saddle type vehicle (10) and the third section (108) extends from the second section (106) in a right direction of the saddle type vehicle (10).
4. The brake lever protector device (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second section (106) extends from the first section (104) in a front direction of the saddle type vehicle (10) and the third section (108) extends from the second section (106) in a left direction of the saddle type vehicle (10).

5. The brake lever protector device (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the stopping mechanism being a spring loaded mechanism .

6. The brake lever protector device (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the stopper unit (102) moves in a direction towards the handlebar assembly (12) to attain the first position, the first position of the stopper unit preventing movement of the brake lever (14) from the engaged state to a disengaged state , the engaged state of the brake lever (14) being a state wherein a brake assembly of the saddle type vehicle (10) is activated and the disengaged state being a state wherein the brake assembly of the saddle type vehicle (10) is not activated.

7. The brake lever protector device (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the stopper unit (102) moves in a direction away from the handlebar assembly (12) to attain the second position of the stopper unit (102), the second position of the stopper unit (102) allowing movement of the brake lever (14) from the engaged state to the disengaged state.

8. The brake lever protector device (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second section (104) comprises a housing adapted to receive the stopping mechanism wherein, to attain the first position, the stopper unit (102) extends from the housing and wherein, to attain the second position, the stopper unit (102) retracts in the housing.

9. The brake lever protector device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the brake lever protector device being made of nylon.