DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to gear shifter mounting arrangement in vehicles and more particularly, to a collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly for mounting a gear shifter assembly in a vehicle in addition to accommodation of middle passenger seating requirement in a front seating row of the vehicle, where the gear shifter mounting bracket assembly is adapted to deform (collapse/bend) therein to absorb the impact energy in an event of impact (collision) between a gear shifter knob of the gear shifter assembly and the head of the occupant (front seating row middle passenger) thereby reducing the head injury level of the occupant (front seating row middle passenger) during a collision (frontal impact) between the vehicle and another vehicle/obstacle.

BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, a gear shifter assembly comprises a gear shift lever adapted to be operated by a driver to change gears in accordance to various driving conditions of a vehicle. In a conventional vehicle, the gear shifter assembly and a parking brake assembly are packaged onto a floor console of the vehicle. The packaging of the gear shifter assembly onto the floor console in the aforementioned vehicle are limited, in function, to accommodate the gear shifter assembly alone and utilizing the area, with the gear shifter assembly in place, for any other purpose may not be possible. For example, providing middle passenger seat in a front seating row is not possible in the aforementioned conventional vehicle as the packaging space is consumed by the floor console which mounts the gear shifter assembly and parking brake assembly.
[003] If the requirements are such that the vehicle needs to accommodate a mid passenger in the front seating row, then the gear shifter assembly should be mounted to a cross car beam (CCB) structure through a gear shifter mounting arrangement and packaged onto an instrumental panel of the vehicle. The gear shifter mounting arrangement should be designed to withstand the load that is imparted thereof during gear shifter operation in addition to meeting the head impact requirements of the occupant. The gear shifter assembly which is packaged onto the instrumental panel is well within the head impact zone of the occupant (front seating row middle passenger between driver and co-passenger). The head impact zone is the area in the instrument panel of the vehicle that may be contacted by the head of occupant (co-passenger and/or front seating row middle passenger) in the vehicle during a collision. Critical parameters considered during crash are the occupant safety parameters, which has to be below the specific legal limits. In an event of frontal collision between the vehicle and another vehicle, the head of the occupant (front seating row middle passenger) contacts/hits the gear shifter knob of the gear shifter assembly. If there are any hard points under the gear shifter assembly, then the passenger’s head will be severely injured which may end fatal due to the rigid structure of the gear shifter mounting arrangement. Therefore, in order to ensure the safety of the passenger, there is a requirement of collapsible space below the gear shifter assembly region of the vehicle to meet the head injury criteria (HIC) of the passenger so that the passenger survives with less head injury level. Further, the gear shifter mounting arrangement should also meet functional requirement of durability and NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) characteristics.
[004] Therefore, there exists a need for a collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly for mounting a gear shifter assembly in a vehicle in addition to accommodation of middle passenger seating requirement in a front seating row of the vehicle. Further, there exists a need for a collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly for a vehicle, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS
[005] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly for mounting a gear shifter assembly in a vehicle in addition to accommodation of middle passenger seating requirement in a front seating row of the vehicle, where the collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly is adapted to deform (collapse/ bend) therein to absorb impact energy in an event of impact (collision) between a gear shifter knob of the gear shifter assembly and the head of the occupant (front seating row middle passenger) thereby reducing the head injury level of the occupant (front seating row middle passenger) during a collision (frontal impact) between the vehicle and another vehicle/obstacle.
[006] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly for a vehicle, which facilitates secure (strong) mounting of a gear shifter assembly in addition to accommodation of middle passenger seating requirement in a front seating row of a vehicle, where the collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly is mounted to a cross car beam (CCB) structure and packaged onto an instrumental panel of the vehicle.
[007] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly for a vehicle, which is durable, and has better noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) characteristics.
[008] The objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[009] The embodiments of this invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly for a gear shifter assembly in a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0011] FIG. 2 depicts another perspective view of the collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0012] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a first bracket of the collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0013] FIG. 4 depicts another perspective view of the first bracket of the collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0014] FIG. 5 depicts another perspective view of the first bracket of the collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0015] FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of a second bracket of the collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0016] FIG. 7 depicts another perspective view of the second bracket of the collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0017] FIG. 8 depicts another perspective view of the second bracket of the collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0018] FIG. 9 depicts a perspective view of a third bracket of the collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0019] FIG. 10 depicts another perspective view of the third bracket of the collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0020] FIG. 11 depicts a perspective view of the collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly and a gear shifter assembly in assembled condition, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0021] FIG. 12 depicts an exploded view of the collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly and the gear shifter assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0022] FIG. 13 depicts an perspective view of the collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly and a cross car beam (CCB) structure in assembled condition, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0023] FIG. 14 depicts a perspective view of the collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly and a portion of the CCB structure in assembled condition, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0024] FIG. 15 depicts a perspective view of the CCB structure, the collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly and the gear shifter assembly in assembled condition, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and
[0025] FIG. 16 depicts a perspective view of collapsible mounting gear shifter bracket assembly in deformed (collapsed) condition, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed 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.
[0027] The embodiments herein achieve a collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly for mounting a gear shifter assembly in a vehicle in addition to accommodation of middle passenger seating requirement in a front seating row of the vehicle, where the collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly is adapted to deform (collapse/ bend) therein to absorb the impact energy in an event of impact (collision) between a gear shifter knob of the gear shifter assembly and the head of the occupant (front seating row middle passenger) thereby reducing the head injury level of the occupant (front row middle passenger) during a collision (frontal impact) between the vehicle and another vehicle/obstacle. Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1 through 16, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0028] FIG. 15 depicts a perspective view of the CCB structure 20, the collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly 100 and the gear shifter assembly 10 in assembled condition, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the vehicle (not shown) includes a gear shifter assembly 10 (as shown in fig. 11, fig. 12 and fig. 15), a cross car beam (hereinafter CCB) structure 20 (as shown in fig. 13 to fig. 15), a collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly 100 (as shown in fig. 1, fig. 2, fig. 11 to fig. 16), an instrumental panel (not shown) and may include other standard components/systems as present in a standard vehicle. The vehicle is configured to be provided with a three seating arrangement in the front seating row of the vehicle. Therefore, the gear shifter mounting bracket assembly 100 is connected to the CCB structure 20 in order to accommodate the middle passenger seating requirement in the front seating row of the vehicle, where the gear shifter mounting bracket assembly 100 is used for mounting the gear shifter assembly 10.
[0029] FIG. 11 depicts a perspective view of the collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly 100 and a gear shifter assembly 10 in assembled condition, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. The gear shifter assembly 10 includes a gear shifter housing 10H, a gear shifter lever 10L, a gear shifter knob 10K and may include other standard components as present in a standard gear shifter assembly. The gear shifter assembly 10 is mounted to the CCB structure 20 (as shown in fig. 15) through the collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly 100 and is packaged onto the instrumental panel (not shown) of the vehicle. The CCB structure 20 includes a first center support bracket 22 (as shown in fig. 13, fig. 14 and fig. 16), a second center support bracket 24 (as shown in fig. 13, fig. 14 and fig. 16) and may include other standard components/parts as present in a standard CCB structure. The first center support bracket 22 and the second center support bracket 24 of the CCB structure 20 is used for supporting the collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly 100.
[0030] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly 100 for a gear shifter assembly 10 in a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. FIG. 2 depicts another perspective view of the collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. The collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly 100 is adapted to facilitate mounting of the gear shifter assembly 10. The collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly 100 is adapted to deform (collapses/ bends) therein to absorb impact energy in an event of impact (collision) between the gear shifter knob 10K of the gear shifter assembly 10 and the head of the occupant (front seating row middle passenger) thereby reducing head injury level of the occupant during a collision (frontal impact) between the vehicle and another vehicle/obstacle. The collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly 100 is connected to the first center support bracket 22 and the second center support bracket 24 of the CCB structure 20. In an embodiment, the mounting bracket assembly 100 includes a first bracket 102 (as shown in fig. 1 to fig. 5, fig. 11, fig. 12, fig. 14 and fig. 16), a second bracket 104 (as shown in fig. 1, fig. 2, fig. 6 to fig. 8, fig. 11, fig. 12, fig. 14 and fig. 16) and a third bracket 106 (as shown in fig. fig. 1, fig. 2, fig. 9 to fig. 12, fig. 14 and fig. 16).
[0031] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a first bracket 102 of the collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. FIG. 4 depicts another perspective view of the first bracket 102 of the collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. FIG. 5 depicts another perspective view of the first bracket 102 of the collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. The first bracket 102 is used to support the third bracket 106 thereby facilitating mounting of the gear shifter assembly 10 to the third bracket 106 of the collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly 100. In an embodiment, the first bracket 102 of the mounting bracket assembly 100 includes a first portion 102a, a second portion 102b, a third portion 102c and a fourth portion 102d. The first portion 102a of the first bracket 102 is connected to corresponding portion of the first center support bracket 22 of the CCB structure 20 by welding (as shown in fig. 14). It is also within the scope of the invention to connect the first portion 102a of the first bracket 102 to corresponding portion of the first center support bracket 22 of the CCB structure 20 by fastening, riveting, clinching, adhesive bonding, and interlocking joints or by using any other connecting means. The second portion 102b of the first bracket 102 is extending from the first portion 102a at a predefined angle from the first portion 102a of the first bracket 102. The third portion 102c of the first bracket 102 is extending from the second portion 102b at a predefined angle from the second portion 102b of the first bracket 102. In an embodiment, the predefined angle between the second portion 102b and the third portion 102c of the first bracket 102 is at least 155 degree (as shown in fig. 3). It is also within the scope of the invention to provide any other angle values between the second portion 102b and the third portion 102c of the first bracket 102. In an embodiment, the third portion 102c and the second portion 102b of the first bracket 102 defines a plurality of first notches 102f provided between each other at corresponding predetermined position. The plurality of first notches 102f of the first bracket 102 is provided at either sides of the first bracket 102 between the third portion 102c and the second portion 102b (as shown in fig. 1). In an embodiment, each first notch 102f of the first bracket 102 is provided with a radius of at least 4 mm (as shown in fig. 3). It is also within the scope of the invention to provide each first notch 102f of the first bracket 102 with any other radius values. In an embodiment, each first notch 102f of the first bracket 102 is U-shaped. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide each first notch 102f of the first bracket 102 in any other shape without otherwise deterring the intended function of each first notch 102f of the first bracket 102 as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. The fourth portion 102d of the first bracket 102 is extending from the third portion 102c at a predefined angle from the third portion 102c. In an embodiment, the fourth portion 102d and the third portion 102c of the first bracket 102 defines a plurality of second notches 102s provided between each other at corresponding predetermined position. The plurality of second notches 102s of the first bracket 102 are provided at either sides of the first bracket 102 between the fourth portion 102d and the third portion 102c. In an embodiment, each second notch 102s of the first bracket 102 is provided with a radius of at least 2 mm (as shown in fig. 3). It is also within the scope of the invention to provide each second notch 102s of the first bracket 102 with any other radius values. In an embodiment, each second notch 102s of the first bracket 102 is U-shaped. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide each second notch 102s of the first bracket 102 in any other shape without otherwise deterring the intended function of each second notch 102s of the first bracket 102 as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. In an embodiment, the plurality of first notches 102f and the plurality of second notches 102s of the first bracket 102 are adapted to initiate/facilitate the deformation (bending/collapsing) of the first bracket 102 therein to enable the first bracket 102 to deform (bend/collapse) thereby absorbing the impact energy on receiving the impact energy through the gear shifter housing 10H of the gear shifter assembly 10 in an event of impact (collision) between the head of the occupant and the gear shifter knob 10K of the gear shifter assembly 10 which occurs during a frontal collision (frontal impact) between the vehicle and another vehicle/obstacle. In an embodiment, the first bracket 102 is made of steel. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide the first bracket 102 to be made of any other material without otherwise deterring the intended function of the first bracket 102 as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.
[0032] FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of a second bracket 104 of the collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. FIG. 7 depicts another perspective view of the second bracket 104 of the collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. FIG. 8 depicts another perspective view of the second bracket 104 of the collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. The second bracket 104 is used to support the third bracket 106 thereby facilitating mounting of the gear shifter assembly 10 to the third bracket 106 of the collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly 100. In an embodiment, the second bracket 104 includes a first portion 104a, a second portion 104b, a third portion 104c and a fourth portion 104d. The first portion 104a of the second bracket 104 is adapted to be connected to corresponding portion of the first center support bracket 22 of the CCB structure 20 by welding (as shown in fig. 14). It is also within the scope of the invention to connect the first portion 104a of the second bracket 104 to corresponding portion of the first center support bracket 22 of the CCB structure 20 by fastening, riveting, clinching, adhesive bonding, and interlocking joints or by using any other connecting means. The second portion 104b of the second bracket 104 is extending from the first portion 104a at a predefined angle from the first portion 104a of the second bracket 104. The third portion 104c of the second bracket 104 is extending from the second portion 104b at a predefined angle from the second portion 104b of the second bracket 104. In an embodiment, the predefined angle between the second portion 104b and the third portion 104c of the second bracket is at least 150 degree (as shown in fig. 6). It is also within the scope of the invention to provide any other angle values between the second portion 104b and the third portion 104c of the second bracket 104. The third portion 104c and the second portion 104b of the second bracket 104 defines a plurality of first notches 104f provided between each other at corresponding predetermined position. The plurality of first notches 104f of the second bracket 104 is provided at either sides of the second bracket 104 between the third portion 104c and the second portion 104b (as shown in fig. 2). In an embodiment, each first notch 104s of the second bracket 104 is provided with a radius of at least 3 mm (as shown in fig. 6). It is also within the scope of the invention to provide each first notch 104f of the second bracket 104 with any other radius values. In an embodiment, each first notch 104f of the second bracket 104 is U-shaped. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide each first notch 104f of the second bracket 104 in any other shape without otherwise deterring the intended function of each first notch 104f of the second bracket 102 as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. The fourth portion 104d of the second bracket 104 is extending from the third portion 104c at a predefined angle from the third portion 104c of the second bracket 104. The fourth portion 104c and the third portion 104b of the second bracket 104 defines a plurality of second notches 104s provided between each other at corresponding predetermined position. The plurality of second notches 104s of the second bracket 104 are provided at either sides of the second bracket 104 between the fourth portion 104d and the third portion 104c. In an embodiment, each second notch 104s of second bracket 104 is provided with a radius of at least 3.5 mm (as shown in fig. 6). It is also within the scope of the invention to provide each second notch 104s of the second bracket 104 with any other radius values. In an embodiment, each second notch 104s of second bracket 104 is U-shaped. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide each second notch 104s of the second bracket 104 in any other shape without otherwise deterring the intended function of each second notch 104s of the second bracket 104 as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. In an embodiment, the plurality of first notches 104f and the plurality of second notches 104s of the second bracket 104 are adapted to initiate/facilitate the deformation (bending/collapsing) of the second bracket 104 therein to enable the second bracket 104 to deform (bend/collapse) thereby absorbing the impact energy on receiving the impact energy through the gear shifter housing 10H of the gear shifter assembly 10 in an event of impact (collision) between the head of the occupant and the gear shifter knob 10K of the gear shifter assembly 10 which occurs during the frontal collision (frontal impact) between the vehicle and another vehicle/obstacle. In an embodiment, the second bracket 104 is made of steel. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide the second bracket 104 to be made of any other material without otherwise deterring the intended function of the second bracket 104 as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.
[0033] FIG. 9 depicts a perspective view of a third bracket 106 of the collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. FIG. 10 depicts another perspective view of the third bracket 106 of the collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly 100, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. The third bracket 106 is used to facilitate mounting of the gear shifter assembly 10 therein to removably connect the gear shifter assembly 10 to the third bracket 106 of gear shifter mounting bracket assembly 100. In an embodiment, the third bracket 106 includes a first portion 106a, a second portion 106b, a third portion 106c, a fourth portion 106d and the fifth portion 106e. The first portion 106a of the third bracket 106 is adapted to be disposed above the first bracket 102 and the second bracket 104, and connected to the fourth portion 102d of the first bracket 102 and the fourth portion 104d of the second bracket 104 by welding. It is also within the scope of the invention to connect the first portion 106a of the third bracket 106 to the fourth portion 102d of the first bracket 102 and the fourth portion 104d of the second bracket 104 by fastening, riveting, clinching, adhesive bonding, and interlocking joints or by using any other connecting means. The first portion 106a of the third bracket 106 is adapted to facilitate removable mounting of the gear shifter housing 10H of the gear shifter assembly 10 thereby facilitating mounting of the gear shifter assembly 10 to the gear shifter mounting bracket assembly 100. The second portion 106b of the third bracket 106 is extending from the first portion 106a at a predefined angle from the first portion 106a of the third bracket 106. In an embodiment, the predefined angle between the first portion 106a and the second portion 106b of the third bracket 106 is at least 125 degree (as shown in fig. 9). It is also within the scope of the invention to provide any other angle values between the first portion 106a and the second portion 106b of the third bracket 106. In an embodiment, the second portion 106b and the first portion 106a of the third bracket 106 defines a plurality of notches 106n provided between each other at corresponding predetermined position. The plurality of notches 106n are provided at either sides of the third bracket 106 between the second portion 106b and the first portion 106a. In an embodiment, each notch 106n of the third bracket 106 is provided with a radius of at least 2 mm (as shown in fig. 9). It is also within the scope of the invention to provide each notch 106n of the third bracket 106 with any other radius values. In an embodiment, each notch 106n of third bracket 106 is U-shaped. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide each notch 106n of third bracket 106 in any other shape without otherwise deterring the intended function of each notch 106n of third bracket 106 as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. The third portion 106c of the third bracket 106 is extending from the second portion 106b at a predefined angle from the second portion 106b of the third bracket 106. In an embodiment, the predefined angle between the second portion 106b and the third portion 106c of the third bracket 106 is at least 164 degree (as shown in fig. 9). It is also within the scope of the invention to provide any other angle values between second portion 106b and the third portion 106c of the third bracket 106. The fourth portion 106d of the third bracket 106 is extending from the third portion 106c at a predefined angle from the third portion 106c of the third bracket 106. The fifth portion 106e of the third bracket 106 is extending from the fourth portion 106d at a predefined angle from the fourth portion 106d. The fifth portion 106e of the third bracket 106 is adapted to be connected to corresponding portion of the second center support bracket 24 of the CCB structure 20 by welding. It is also within the scope of the invention to connect the fifth portion 106e of the third bracket 106 to corresponding portion of the second center support bracket 24 of the CCB structure 20 by fastening, riveting, clinching, adhesive bonding, and interlocking joints or by using any other connecting means. In an embodiment, the plurality of notches 106n of the third bracket 106 are adapted to initiate/facilitate the deformation (bending/collapsing) of the third bracket 106 therein to enable the third bracket 106 to deform (bend/collapse) thereby absorbing the impact energy on receiving the impact energy through the gear shifter housing 10H of the gear shifter assembly 10 in an event of impact (collision) between the head of the occupant and the gear shifter knob 10K of the gear shifter assembly 10 which occurs during the frontal collision (frontal impact) between the vehicle and another vehicle/obstacle. In an embodiment, the third bracket 106 is made of steel. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide the third bracket 106 to be made of any other material without otherwise deterring the intended function of the third bracket 106 as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.
[0034] The working of the collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly 100 is as follows. During a frontal collision between the vehicle and another vehicle/obstacle, the head of the occupant (front seating row middle passenger) hits/contacts the gear shifter knob 10K of the gear shifter assembly 10 thereby enabling the gear shifter knob 10K to transmit the impact energy (impact load) to gear shifter housing 10H through the gear shifter lever 10L of the gear shifter assembly 100 which in turn is transmitted to the collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly 100. As a result, the plurality of first notches 102f and the plurality of second notches 102s of the first bracket 102, the plurality of first notches 104f and the plurality of second notches 104s of the second bracket 104, and the plurality of notches 106n of the third bracket 106 are adapted to initiate (facilitate) deformation of the first bracket 102, the second bracket 104 and the third bracket 106 respectively therein to enable the first bracket 102, the second bracket 104 and the third bracket 106 to deform therein to absorb the impact energy thereby reducing the head injury level of the occupant (front seating row middle passenger).
[0035] It is clearly evident from Fig. 16 that the first bracket 102, the second bracket 104 and the third bracket 106 of collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly 100 deforms (collapses) to absorb maximum impact energy (collision energy) in an event of impact (collision) between the head of the occupant (front seating row middle passenger) and the gear shifter knob 10K of the gear shifter assembly 10 thereby reducing the head impact level of an occupant (front seating row middle passenger) in the vehicle during the frontal collision (frontal impact) between the vehicle and another vehicle/obstacle.
[0036] Therefore, a collapsible gear shifter mounting bracket assembly 100 for mounting a gear shifter assembly 10, which deforms to absorb impact energy in an event of impact (collision) between the head of an occupant (front seating row middle passenger) and the gear shifter knob 10K of the gear shifter assembly 10 thereby reducing the head impact level of the occupant (front seating row middle passenger) in a vehicle during the frontal collision (frontal impact) between the vehicle and another vehicle/obstacle) is provided.
[0037] The following description of the specific embodiments will 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.
,CLAIMS:STATEMENT OF CLAIMS
We claim,
1. A collapsible mounting bracket assembly 100 for mounting a gear shifter assembly 10 to reduce head injury level of an occupant in a vehicle comprising a CCB structure 20 having a first center support bracket 22 and a second center support bracket 24, said mounting bracket assembly 100 comprising:
a first bracket 102 having a first portion 102a adapted to be connected to corresponding portion of the first center support bracket 22 of said CCB structure 20; a second portion 102b extending from the first portion 102a at a predefined angle from the first portion 102a; a third portion 102c extending from the second portion 102b at a predefined angle from the second portion 102b, where the third portion 102c and the second portion 102b defines a plurality of first notches 102f provided between each other at corresponding predetermined position; and a fourth portion 102d extending from the third portion 102c at a predefined angle from the third portion 102c, where the fourth portion 102d and the third portion 102c defines a plurality of second notches 102s provided between each other at corresponding predetermined position;
a second bracket 104 having a first portion 104a adapted to be connected to corresponding portion of the first center support bracket 22 of said CCB structure 20; a second portion 104b extending from the first portion 104a at a predefined angle from the first portion 104a; a third portion 104c extending from the second portion 104b at a predefined angle from the second portion 104b, where the third portion 104c and the second portion 104b defines a plurality of first notches 104f provided between each other at corresponding predetermined position; and a fourth portion 104d extending from the third portion 104c at a predefined angle from the third portion 104c, where the fourth portion 104c and the third portion 104b defines a plurality of second notches 104s provided between each other at corresponding predetermined position; and
a third bracket 106 having a first portion 106a adapted to be disposed above said first bracket 102 and said second bracket 104, and connected to the fourth portion 102d of said first bracket 102 and the fourth portion 104d of said second bracket 104, where the first portion 106a of said third bracket 106 is adapted to facilitate removable mounting of a gear shifter housing 10H of said gear shifter assembly 10 thereby facilitating mounting of said gear shifter assembly 10 to said mounting bracket assembly 100; a second portion 106b extending from first portion 106a at a predefined angle from the first portion 106a, where the second portion 106b and the first portion 106a defines a plurality of notches 106n provided between each other at corresponding predetermined position; a third portion 106c extending from the second portion 106b at a predefined angle from the second portion 106b; a fourth portion 106d extending from the third portion 106c at a predefined angle from the third portion 106c; and a fifth portion 106e extending from the fourth portion 106d at a predefined angle from the fourth portion 106d, where the fifth portion 106e is adapted to be connected to corresponding portion of the second center support bracket 24 of said CCB structure 20,
wherein the plurality of first notches 102f and the plurality of second notches 102s of said first bracket 102, the plurality of first notches 104f and the plurality of second notches 104s of said second bracket 104, and the plurality of notches 106n of said third bracket 106 are adapted to initiate deformation of said first bracket 102, said second bracket 104 and said third bracket 106 respectively therein to enable said first bracket 102, said second bracket 104 and said third bracket 106 to deform thereby absorbing the impact energy on receiving the impact energy through the gear shifter housing 10H of said gear shifter assembly 10 in an event of impact between the head of the occupant and a gear shifter knob 10K of said gear shifter assembly 10.

2. The mounting bracket assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predefined angle between the second portion 102b and the third portion 102c of said first bracket 102 is at least 155 degree.

3. The mounting bracket assembly 100 as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plurality of first notches 102f of said first bracket 102 are provided at either sides of said first bracket 102 between the third portion 102c and the second portion 102b, wherein each first notch 102f of said first bracket 102 is provided with a radius of at least 4 mm, where each first notch 102f of said first bracket 102 substantially defines a U-shape configuration.

4. The mounting bracket assembly 100 as claimed in claim 3, wherein the plurality of second notches 102s of said first bracket 102 are provided at either sides of said first bracket 102 between the fourth portion 102d and the third portion 102c, wherein each second notch 102s of said first bracket 102 is provided with a radius of at least 2 mm, where each second notch 102s of said first bracket 102 substantially defines a U-shape configuration.

5. The mounting bracket assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predefined angle between the second portion 104b and the third portion 104c of said second bracket 104 is at least 150 degree.

6. The mounting bracket assembly 100 as claimed in claim 5, wherein the plurality of first notches 104f of said second bracket 104 are provided at either sides of said second bracket 104 between the third portion 104c and the second portion 104b, wherein each first notch 104f of said second bracket 104 is provided with a radius of at least 3 mm, where each first notch 104f of said second bracket 104 substantially defines a U-shape configuration.

7. The mounting bracket assembly 100 as claimed in claim 5, wherein the plurality of second notches 104s of said second bracket 104 are provided at either sides of said second bracket 104 between the fourth portion 104d and the third portion 104c, wherein each second notch 104s of said second bracket 104 is provided with a radius of at least 3.5 mm, where each second notch 104s of said second bracket 104 substantially defines a U-shape configuration.

8. The mounting bracket assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predefined angle between the first portion 106a and the second portion 106b of said third bracket is at least 125 degree.

9. The mounting bracket assembly 100 as claimed in claim 8, wherein the predefined angle between the second portion 106b and the third portion 106c of said third bracket 106 is at least 164 degree.

10. The mounting bracket assembly 100 as claimed in claim 9, wherein the plurality of notches 106n are provided at either sides of said third bracket 106 between the second portion 106b and the first portion 106a, wherein each notch 106n of said third bracket 106 is provided with a radius of at least 2 mm, where each notch 106n of said third bracket 106 substantially defines a U-shape configuration.

11. The mounting bracket assembly 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle is configured to be provided with a three seating arrangement in the front seating row of the vehicle, where the occupant is a middle passenger seated to a front row middle passenger seat adapted to be disposed between a driver seat and corresponding co-passenger seat, where said gear shifter assembly 10 is packaged onto an instrumental panel of the vehicle.

Dated: 27th July 2017 Signature:
Somashekar Ramakrishna