TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to a combined braking system for two wheelers such as bikes, scooters and mopeds. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to the construction and mechanism of a combined braking system whereby the brakes to the rear wheel and the front wheel can be actuated by actuation of a brake lever on the handle bar of the bike/scooter/moped.
BACKGROUND
Generally, two-wheeler vehicles are provided with independent brakes for deaccelerating the vehicle. Conventionally, in gearless scooters and mopeds (two-wheelers without clutch lever on left hand side of the handle bar), control levers for such brakes are provided on the handle bar of the vehicle, while in bikes/motorcycles (two-wheelers having a clutch on left hand side of the handle bar) the front brake lever is generally located on right hand side of handle bar and the rear brake is actuated by means of a foot pedal. When a user/rider has to deaccelerate the two-wheeler, generally both the independent brakes, i.e. front and rear brakes have to be applied together in proportion so as to obtain optimum braking effect. However, there are many demerits of independent braking systems. One such shortcoming is the poor timing of application of the front and rear independent brakes leading to disproportionate braking between the two wheels. Usually when the rear brake is applied much more than the front brake the stopping distance increases (the braking effect reduces) and also there will be a possibility of skidding of rear wheel causing hazard to the rider. On the contrary, if the front brake is applied harder than the rear brake, the braking effect on the front wheel will be very high which may lead to toppling of the scooter/bike or loss of control of vehicle causing hazard to the rider.
In other words, researchers have developed a more efficient and technically advanced braking system for two wheelers. More specifically, a braking system whereby the rider/user can easily achieve maximum braking through minimal effort and least chances of skidding or toppling thereby enhancing rider safety.

SUMMARY
One or more drawbacks of conventional braking systems as described in the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided by the improved combined brake system for two-wheeler vehicles as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the technicalities of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered to be a part of the claimed disclosure.
In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an improved combined brake system (CBS) for two-wheeler vehicles. The CBS comprises a rear brake lever and a front brake lever. The rear brake lever is configured to actuate a rear wheel brake and a front wheel brake in tandem by a linkage mechanism. The linkage mechanism comprises a casing having an upper end portion and lower end portion. The casing comprises a first link being pivoted rotatably at the upper end. The first link is movably connected with a bell crank lever and is actuable by the rear brake lever by means of a first cable. The bell crank lever is configured to actuate a rear wheel brake by means of a third cable; and a third link along a longitudinal direction. The third link is disposed rotatably about a second pivot point at the lower end of the casing. The third link comprises a first slot for being movably connected with the bell crank lever; and a second slot for being configured with the front brake lever and a fourth cable for actuating the front wheel brake.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the third link is selectively operable by means of the front brake lever and the rear brake lever.
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the bell crank lever is connected with the third link by means of a second link.
In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the bell crank lever is configured with a resilient means at an end connected with the second link.
In a still further embodiment of the present disclosure, a second cable is used to transmit the actuation force from the front brake lever to the third link.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the first link is pivoted about first pivot point located at an end portion of the first link.
In an embodiment, the second slot has a generally arcuate shape.
In yet another embodiment, the second slot accommodates a primary bead of the second brake cable, and a secondary bead of the fourth brake cable.
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 with 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 description. 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 embodiment 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:
Figure 1 illustrates a combined braking system (CBS) being arranged at front portion of a two-wheeler body.
Figure 2 depicts a sectional view of a casing of the CBS of Figure 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 3 depicts an isometric sectional view of the casing of the CBS of Figure 2, whereby the CBS is in unactuated condition.

Figure 4 illustrates an isometric sectional view of the casing of the CBS of Figure 2, whereby the CBS is in actuated condition by application of rear brake lever.
Figure 5 illustrates an isometric sectional view of the casing of the CBS of Figure 2, whereby the CBS is in actuated condition by application of front brake lever.
Figure 6 shows a rear view of the casing of Figure 2, according to 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 assemblies and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
While the invention is subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Before describing in detail, the various embodiments of the present disclosure it may be observed that the novelty and inventive step that are in accordance with an improved combined brake system (CBS) for two-wheeler vehicles. It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art can be motivated from the present disclosure and can perform various modifications. However, such modifications should be construed within the scope of the invention.
Accordingly, the drawings are showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with

details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.
The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that an assembly, setup, system, device that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system or device or setup. In other words, one or more elements in the system or apparatus or device proceeded by "comprises a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the assembly or system or apparatus. The following paragraphs explain present disclosure. The invention in respect of the same may be deduced accordingly.
Accordingly, it is an aim of the present disclosure to provide an improved CBS for two-wheeler vehicles that is compact in size and has minimum number of linkages.
One more aim of the present disclosure is to provide an improved CBS that minimizes risk of failure even when the front brake cable has snapped.
Accordingly, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the present disclosure provides there is provided an improved combined brake system (CBS) (100) for two-wheeler vehicles. The CBS (100) comprises a rear brake lever (101) and a front brake lever (102). Conventionally, the rear brake lever (101) is mounted on the left-hand side of the rider and the front brake lever (102) is mounted on the right-hand side of the rider. However, any alteration in the location of the rear brake lever/front brake lever would be within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the rear brake lever (101) is configured to actuate a rear wheel brake (103) and a front wheel brake (104) in tandem by a linkage mechanism (105). The linkage mechanism (105) comprises a casing (1), having a generally rectangular configuration defining a hollow internal space for accommodating the various members/components of the linkage mechanism (105). The casing (1) comprises an upper end portion (la) and a lower end portion (lb). The casing (1) comprises a first link (2) being pivoted rotatably at the upper end portion (la). In a non-limiting embodiment, the first link (2) has a generally L-shaped configuration comprising a short arm (2a) and a long arm

(2b). The first link (2) is mounted pivotally in the casing at a first pivot point (I) at an end of the long arm (2b), thereby imparting a swinging movement to the short arm (2a). A plurality of holes is formed on the short arm (2a) of the first link (2) for accommodating one or more cable end beads/linkage members for being connected with the other members/components of the linkage mechanism (105). The first link (2) is connected with the rear brake lever (101) by means of a first actuation cable (3) being configured in first hole. As shown, the first link (2) is movably connected with a central portion of a bell crank lever (4) through second hole. The bell crank lever (4) comprises a proximal end (4a) and a distal end (4b). In an embodiment, the bell crank lever (4) is configured to actuate rear brake cable (5) through the proximal end (4a) so as to apply the rear wheel brake (103) upon actuation of the rear brake lever (101). The distal end (4b) of the bell crank lever (4) is connected with a third link (7) by means of a connection formed by a second link (6). In an embodiment, the bell crank lever (4) is configured such that it is actuated along a vertical axis YY upon actuation of the first link (2) by the rear brake lever (101). In one embodiment, the casing (1) comprises an elevated portion (lc) above the distal end (4b) of the bell crank lever (4).
As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the third link (7) is mounted pivotally in the casing (1) about second pivot point (J) located at a near end (7a) of the third link (7). In an embodiment, the location of the second pivot point (J) and first pivot point (I) is on opposite sides of the casing (1). A far end (7b) of the third link (7) comprises a first slot (A) for being connected with the distal end (4b) of the bell crank lever (2) by means of the second link (6). The far end (7b) further comprises a second slot (B) for receiving a primary end bead (8a) of a second actuation cable (8). The second actuation cable (8) connects the third link (7) with the front brake lever (102). The second slot (B) further accommodates a secondary end bead (9a) of a front brake cable (9). Therefore, the third link (7) is configured to apply the front wheel brake (104) upon actuation of the front brake lever (102).
In an embodiment, the second slot (B) has a generally arcuate shape for accommodating the primary end bead (8a) of the second actuation cable (8) and the secondary end bead (9a) of the front brake cable (9). In the unactuated condition, the primary end bead (8a) and the secondary end bead (9a) are separated by a gap. During actuation of the CBS, the third link (7) can be operated to apply the front wheel brakes (104) by the rear brake lever (101) through the second link (6).

Further, as shown in Figure 6, the bell crank lever (4) is loaded by a resilient means (10) at the distal end (4b). The resilient means (10) is configured to provide a time delay between the actuation of the rear wheel brake (103) and the front wheel brake (104) to avoid locking and skidding of front wheel while braking on a slippery surface.
During actuation of the CBS, referring to figures 3 to 6, when the rider/user applies braking force on the rear brake lever (101), the braking force is transmitted to the first link (2) by means of the first actuation cable (3). The first link (2) in turn actuates the rear wheel brake (103) by means of the rear brake cable (5) and the front wheel brake (104) through the front brake cable (9) by means of the third link (7). The arcuate shape of the second slot (B) accommodates the movement of the third link (7) without actuating the second actuation cable (8). Tension on the bell crank lever (4) is maintained due to the indirect linkage to front brake cable (9). In an adverse condition, if the front brake cable (9) breaks, the elevated portion (lc) of the casing (1) acts as a stopper for upward movement of the distal end (4b) of the bell crank lever (4), thereby making a pivot point for movement of the proximal end (4a) for applying the rear wheel brake (103). Alternatively, if the user/rider applies braking force on the front brake lever (102), the third link (7) is upwardly by the second actuation cable (8). This in turn, pulls the front brake cable (9) to apply the front wheel brake (104). The generally longitudinal shape of the first slot (A) accommodates the movement of the third link (7) without actuating the second link (6), thereby applying brakes only to the front wheel brake (104).
List of reference numerals:

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 "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," 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
9

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). 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."
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 and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

We claim:-
An improved combined brake system (CBS) (100) for two-wheeler vehicles, comprising a rear brake lever (101) and a front brake lever (102), the rear brake lever (101) being configured to actuate a rear wheel brake (103) and a front wheel brake (104) in tandem by a linkage mechanism (105); the linkage mechanism (105) comprising;
a casing (1) having an upper end portion (la) and lower end portion (lb); the casing (1) comprising;
a first link (2) being pivoted rotatably at the upper end (la), the first link (2) being movably connected with a bell crank lever (4) and being actuable by the rear brake lever (101) by means of a first actuation cable (3);
the bell crank lever (4) being configured to actuate:
a rear wheel brake (103) by means of a rear brake cable (5); and a third link (7) along a vertical axis YY;
the third link (7) being disposed rotatably about a second pivot point (J) at the lower end (lb) of the casing (1); the third link (7) comprising;
a first slot (A) for being movably connected with the bell crank lever
(4); and
a second slot (B) for being configured with the front brake lever
(102) and a front brake cable (9) for actuating the front wheel brake
(104).
The improved combined brake system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third link (7) is selectively operable by means of the front brake lever (102) and the rear brake lever (101).

3. The improved combined brake system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bell crank lever (4) is connected with the third link (7) by means of a second link (6).
4. The improved combined brake system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bell crank lever (4) is configured with a resilient means (10) at a distal end (4b).
5. The improved combined brake system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a second actuation cable (8) is used to transmit the actuation force from the front brake lever (102) to the third link (7).
6. The improved combined brake system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first link (2) is pivoted about first pivot point (I).
7. The improved combined brake system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second slot (B) has a generally arcuate shape.
8. The improved combined brake system as claimed in claims 1 and 7, wherein the second slot (B) accommodates a primary end bead (8a) of the second actuation cable (8), and a secondary end bead (9a) of the front brake cable (9).
9. The improved combined brake system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the casing (1) comprises an elevated portion (lc) that acts as a stopper for upward movement of the distal end (4b) of the bell crank lever (4).