DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of automobiles, and more specifically relates to an equalizer assembly for a combined braking system for efficiently synchronizing front and rear wheel brakes of a vehicle to prevent skidding and occurrence of accidents.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A combined braking system (CBS) (also commonly referred to as “linked braking system”) is a system for linking front and rear brakes on vehicles, specifically, straddle-type vehicles. In such a braking system, the driver’s action of depressing one of the brake levers applies both the front and the rear brakes. The amount of each brake applied may be determined by a proportional control valve. Such a braking system is distinct from integrated brakes where applying pressure to brake pedal only includes application of front brake.
[0003] CBS provides great advantages by ensuring safety of riders. In CBS, both front and rear wheel brakes are applied together simultaneously or synchronously, thereby reducing stopping distance of the vehicle after application of the brake lever and in turn preventing skidding and occurrence of accidents.
[0004] Efforts have been made in the past to provide such braking system. For instance, Indian Patent Application IN215200 briefly explains a braking system employed in various mopeds. However, the equalizer assembly of the braking system has intricate operating mechanisms that reduce reliability of the braking system over a span of time.
[0005] There is therefore a need in the art to provide a combined braking system and an equalizer assembly for the combined braking system that overcomes deficiencies associated with conventional braking systems.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A general object of the present invention is to provide an equalizer assembly for a combined braking system that enables synchronous application of front and rear wheel brakes of a vehicle.
[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide an equalizer assembly for a combined braking system that reduces stopping distance of the vehicle after application of a brake lever associated with any of the front and the rear wheel brakes.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide an equalizer assembly for a combined braking system that prevents skidding of the vehicle.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a combined braking system having improved accuracy.
[00010] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a simple and efficient equalizer assembly for a combined braking system that reduces the probability of accidents due to skidding or slippage of the vehicle.
[00011] Still another object of the present invention is to provide an equalizer assembly for a combined braking system that overcomes deficiencies associated with existing combined braking systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[00012] An aspect of the present invention relates to an equalizer assembly for a combined braking system for synchronizing engagement of front brakes and rear brakes of the combined braking system. The equalizer assembly includes a first metal plate having a first set of slots and a first slit extending from an edge of the first metal plate up to a slot of the first set of slots. The equalizer assembly also includes a second metal plate that includes a second set of slots and a second slit extending from an edge of the second metal plate up to a slot of the second set of slots. The second metal plate is operatively coupled with the first metal plate through a flange such that the second set of slots are arranged concentrically with the first set of slots of the first metal plate.
[00013] The first slit and the second slit are adapted to ease coupling/fastening of a rear brake cable and a front brake cable of the combined braking system with respective slots of the first and second set of slots.
[00014] In an embodiment, a link (also referred to as “rod” hereinafter) connected to a brake lever is operatively coupled to a slot of the first and second set of slots.
[00015] In an embodiment, cylindrical members connected to the rear brake cable and the front brake cable are operatively coupled to respective slots of the first and second set of slots.
[00016] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a combined braking system for a vehicle that includes a rear wheel brake cable movement of which is adapted to engage rear wheel brakes of the vehicle, a front wheel brake cable movement of which is adapted to engage front wheel brakes of the vehicle, and a link connected to a brake lever.
[00017] The combined braking system further includes an equalizer assembly including a first metal plate having a first set of slots and a first slit extending from an edge of the first metal plate up to a slot of the first set of slots, and a second metal plate operatively coupled with the first metal plate through a flange, said second metal plate having a second set of slots arranged concentrically with the first set of slots of the first metal plate and a second slit extending from an edge of the second metal plate up to a slot of the second set of slots, wherein the first slit and the second slit are adapted to ease coupling of the rear wheel brake cable and the front wheel brake cable with respective slots of the first and second set of slots.
[00018] The rod connected to the brake lever is operatively coupled to a slot of the first and second set of slots such that when a force is applied on the brake lever, the equalizer assembly synchronizes movement of the rear wheel brake cable and the front wheel brake cable to simultaneously engage front and rear wheel brakes of the vehicle.
[00019] In an embodiment, the equalizer assembly is pivoted to a casing of the combined braking system about a slot of the first and second set of slots using a fastener.
[00020] In an embodiment, shape of each of the first metal plate and the second metal plate resembles an isosceles triangle having round shaped vertices.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00021] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[00022] In the figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.
[00023] Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary representation of a combined braking system for a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[00024] Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate exemplary representations of a first metal plate and a second metal plate of an equalizer assembly of the combined braking system respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[00025] Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate exemplary right side view and left side view representations of the equalizer of the combined braking system respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
[00026] Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate exemplary isometric representations of the equalizer of the combined braking system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[00027] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[00028] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. This disclosure may however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the disclosure, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure).
[00029] The present invention relates to an equalizer assembly for a combined braking system of a vehicle, specifically but not exclusively, straddle-type vehicles such as scooters, motorcycles, mopeds and the likes, for synchronizing engagement of front wheel brakes and rear wheel brakes of the vehicle. The equalizer assembly provides ease of coupling of a rear wheel brake cable and a front wheel brake cable of the vehicle respectively connected to the front wheel brakes and the rear wheel brakes of the vehicle, with respective slots of a first metal plate and a second metal plate of the equalizer assembly.
[00030] It would be appreciated that although the present invention is explained in terms of combined braking system of a vehicle, the scope of the present invention is not limited to a vehicle, and modifications and/or alterations can be made to other forms of braking systems/mechanisms without departing from the scope of the invention, and any such modifications and/or alterations are well within the scope of the present invention.
[00031] Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary representation of a combined braking system for a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The combined braking system may include a casing/cover 1, a rear wheel brake lever 2 adapted to engage rear wheel brakes of the vehicle, a rear wheel brake cable 3 connected to the rear wheel brakes such that movement of the rear wheel brake cable 3 may engage or disengage the rear wheel brakes. The combined braking system may also include a front wheel brake cable 4 connected to the front wheel brakes such that movement of the front wheel brake cable 4 may engage or disengage the front wheel brakes.
[00032] In an embodiment, the combined braking system may further include a movable equalizer assembly 7 for synchronizing actuation of rear and front wheel brakes of the vehicle by simultaneously effecting movement of the front wheel brake cable 4 and rear wheel brake cable 3.
[00033] In an embodiment, the equalizer assembly 7 may include at least two metal plates, i.e., a first metal plate 10 and a second metal plate 11, coupled together with the help of a flange 9. Each of the first and second metal plates 10 and 11 may include a plurality of slots (also referred to as “holes” hereinafter) with each slot arranged concentrically with a corresponding slot of the other metal plate, wherein such that the equalizer assembly 7 is pivoted to the casing 1 of the combined braking system with the help of a fastener, such as a bolt, a nut, a stud, a screw and the likes fitted into a slot of the first metal plate 10 and its corresponding concentric slot of second metal plate 11. In an embodiment, the flange 9 connecting the two metal plates 10 and 11 ensures concentricity of the holes of first metal plate 10 and the second metal plate 11. In an embodiment, pivotal movement of the equalizer assembly 7 improves accuracy of the combined braking system. Existing equalizers are not pivoted and are free to float in the braking system, thus, they require both the front wheel brake cable and the rear wheel brake cable to operate. However, the proposed equalizer assembly 7 is pivoted to the casing 1, and can function with any or both of the front wheel brake cable and the rear wheel brake cable.
[00034] In an embodiment, the front wheel brake cable 4 and the rear wheel brake cable 3 may be provided with cylindrical member at one end, and the cylindrical members 12 may be fitted into respective slots of the first metal plate 10 and corresponding concentric slots of second metal plate 11. In an embodiment, a link (also referred to as “rod” hereinafter) 5 may be coupled with the rear brake lever 2 at one end with the help of a fastener, such as a bolt, a nut and the likes, and fitted into a slot of the first metal plate 10 and its corresponding concentric slot of second metal plate 11 such that movement of the rod 5 can enable simultaneous movement of the front wheel brake cable 4 and the rear wheel brake cable 3, thereby synchronizing actuation of the front and rear wheel brakes of the vehicle, thereby improving accuracy and reliability of the combined braking system.
[00035] Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3, where exemplary representations of the first metal plate 10 and the second metal plate 11 are respectively shown, the first metal plate 10 may include four slots 13, 14, 15 and 16. The first metal plate 10 may also include a first slit 17 extending from an edge of the first metal plate 10 up to slot 15. In an embodiment, the second metal plate 11 may include four slots 13’, 14’, 15’ and 16’ and a second slit 18 extending from an edge of the second metal plate 11 up to slot 14’.
[00036] In an embodiment, the movable equalizer assembly 7 may be pivoted to the casing 1 of the combined braking system about a pivot point 6 by fitting a fastener coupled with the casing 1 into slot 13, 13’ of the first and second metal plates 10 and 11.
[00037] In an embodiment, the rod 5 connected to the rear brake lever 2 may be fitted into slot 16, 16’ of the first and second metal plates 10 and 11.
[00038] In an embodiment, the combined braking system may also include a brake lock 8 to arrest actuation of the front and rear wheel brakes by locking movement of the rod 5 connected with the rear brake lever 2.
[00039] Referring now to Figs. 4-7, where exemplary representations of the equalizer assembly is shown, the metal plates 10 and 11 resemble the shape of an isosceles triangle having round shaped corners/vertices. However, the metal plates 10 and 11 can be designed in varied shapes depending on the application. In an embodiment, the slits 17 and 18 formed on the equalizer (7) ensures easy fitment of cylindrical members (12) during assembly.
[00040] In an embodiment, the first slot 17 and the second slot 18 are provided so as to ease coupling of the cylindrical members 12 of the rear wheel brake cable 3 and the front wheel brake cable 4 with slots 14, 14’ and 15, 15’ of the first and second metal plates 10 and 11 respectively. In an embodiment, the first and second slits 17 and 18 can be formed in various forms and shapes.
[00041] In an embodiment, the cylindrical members 12 of the rear wheel brake cable 3 and the front wheel brake cable 4 fit into the holes 14, 14’ and 15,15’ respectively provided on the first and second metal plates 10 and 11 of the equalizer 7.
[00042] Thus, the present invention relates to a combined braking system for a vehicle that includes a rear wheel brake cable movement of which is adapted to engage rear wheel brakes of the vehicle, a front wheel brake cable movement of which is adapted to engage front wheel brakes of the vehicle, and a link connected to a brake lever. The combined braking system further includes an equalizer assembly including a first metal plate having a first set of slots and a first slit extending from an edge of the first metal plate up to a slot of the first set of slots, and a second metal plate operatively coupled with the first metal plate through a flange, said second metal plate having a second set of slots arranged concentrically with the first set of slots of the first metal plate and a second slit extending from an edge of the second metal plate up to a slot of the second set of slots, wherein the first slit and the second slit are adapted to ease coupling of the rear wheel brake cable and the front wheel brake cable with respective slots of the first and second set of slots. The rod connected to the brake lever is operatively coupled to a slot of the first and second set of slots such that when a force is applied on the brake lever, the equalizer assembly synchronizes movement of the rear wheel brake cable and the front wheel brake cable to simultaneously engage front and rear wheel brakes of the vehicle.
[00043] In the above detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part thereof, and illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. However, such description should not be considered as any limitation of scope of the present unit. The structure thus conceived in the present description is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all the details may furthermore be replaced with elements having technical equivalence. In practice the materials and dimensions may be any according to the requirements, which will still be comprised within its true spirit. The embodiments shown herein are only exemplary, and further embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:

1. An equalizer assembly for a combined braking system comprising:
a first metal plate (10) having a first set of slots (13, 14, 15, 16) and a first slit (17) extending from an edge of the first metal plate (10) up to a slot (15) of the first set of slots (13, 14, 15, 16); and
a second metal plate (11) having a second set of slots (13’, 14’, 15’, 16’) and a second slit (18) extending from an edge of the second metal plate (11) up to a slot (14’) of the second set of slots (13’, 14’, 15’, 16’), said second metal plate (11) operatively coupled with the first metal plate (10) through a flange (9) such that the second set of slots (13’, 14’, 15’, 16’) are arranged concentrically with the first set of slots (13, 14, 15, 16) of the first metal plate (11),
wherein the first slit (17) and the second slit (18) are adapted to ease coupling of a rear brake cable (3) and a front brake cable (4) of the combined braking system with slots (14, 14’) and (15, 15’) respectively.

2. The equalizer assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a link (5) connected to a brake lever (2) is operatively coupled to slot (16, 16’) of the first and second set of slots.

3. The equalizer assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the equalizer assembly is pivoted to a casing (1) of the combined braking system about slot (13, 13’) of the first and second set of slots using a fastener.

4. The equalizer assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein shape of each of the first metal plate (10) and the second metal plate (11) resembles an isosceles triangle having round shaped vertices.

5. The equalizer assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein when a force is applied on the brake lever (2), the equalizer assembly synchronizes movement of the rear brake cable (3) and the front brake cable (4) to effect simultaneous engagement of front and rear brakes of the combined braking system.

6. The equalizer assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein cylindrical members connected to the rear brake cable (3) and the front brake cable (4) are operatively coupled to the slots (14, 14’) and (15, 15’) respectively.

7. A combined braking system for a vehicle comprising:
a rear wheel brake cable (3) movement of which is adapted to engage rear wheel brakes of the vehicle;
a front wheel brake cable (4) movement of which is adapted to engage front wheel brakes of the vehicle;
a link (5) connected to a brake lever (2); and
an equalizer assembly comprising:
a first metal plate (10) having a first set of slots (13, 14, 15, 16) and a first slit (17) extending from an edge of the first metal plate (10) up to a slot (15) of the first set of slots (13, 14, 15, 16); and
a second metal plate (11) having a second set of slots (13’, 14’, 15’, 16’) and a second slit (18) extending from an edge of the second metal plate (11) up to a slot (14’) of the second set of slots (13’, 14’, 15’, 16’), said second metal plate (11) operatively coupled with the first metal plate (10) through a flange (9) such that the second set of slots (13’, 14’, 15’, 16’) are arranged concentrically with the first set of slots (13, 14, 15, 16) of the first metal plate (11),
wherein the first slit (17) and the second slit (18) are adapted to ease coupling of the rear wheel brake cable (3) and the front wheel brake cable (4) with slots (14, 14’) and (15, 15’) respectively, and the link (5) connected to the brake lever (2) is operatively coupled to slot (16, 16’) of the first and second set of slots, and
wherein when a force is applied on the brake lever (2), the equalizer assembly synchronizes movement of the rear wheel brake cable (3) and the front wheel brake cable (4) to simultaneously engage front and rear wheel brakes of the vehicle.

8. The combined braking system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the equalizer assembly is pivoted to a casing (1) of the combined braking system about system about slot (13, 13’) of the first and second set of slots using a fastener.

9. The combined braking system as claimed in claim 7, wherein shape of each of the first metal plate (10) and the second metal plate (11) resembles an isosceles triangle having round shaped vertices.

Dated this: January 10, 2019
[R. MAHESH]
IN/PA 1510
Of REMFRY & SAGAR
ATTORNEY FOR THE APPLICANT[S]