FORM 2
The Patents Act 1970
(39 of 1970)
AND
THE PATENTS RULES, 2005
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See Section 10; rule 13)
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
“LOCK ASSEMBLY FOR SECURING A CAMERA ON A VEHICLE”
APPLICANT(S)
TATA MOTORS LIMITED
an Indian Company
Bombay House, 24 Homi Mody Street,
Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai - 400 001,
Maharashtra, India.
PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:-

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure relates to lock assembly, and more
particularly relates to a lock assembly for securing a camera on a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Cameras on vehicles such as automobiles are widely used
for having a view at a rear and for other safety applications. Usually rear view cameras are being fitted on the Body In White (BIW) structure of a tailgate with the help of extra brackets, nut-bolts, and screws. The current automobiles do not have enough space to provide screw kind of mounting from back side of tailgate. Also, it is not possible to provide any extra bracket in existing BIW structure. Hence, the conventional mounting design needs a lot of components and needs a lot of time for installation.
[0003] Therefore, there is a need of an effective design of a lock
assembly that helps for easily mounting and securing the camera on the vehicle.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The principal object of the embodiments herein is to
provide a lock assembly for securing a camera on a vehicle. The proposed lock assembly uses a bezel connected to a circlip for mounting the camera on the vehicle.

[0005] Another object is to use a double side adhesive tape and
a rubber seal to avoid leakage and protect the camera from water.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one aspect, the object is satisfied by providing a lock
assembly for securing a camera on a vehicle. The lock assembly includes a bezel, a foam, a circlip, and an adhesive tape. The bezel is mounted on an outer surface of a panel of the vehicle. The bezel includes a chamber for holding the camera and a plurality of grooves. The foam is mounted inside the chamber to avoid effects of vibration of the camera. The circlip is mounted on an inner surface of the panel of the vehicle and is connected to the bezel through the plurality of grooves. The adhesive tape and a rubber are applied at the chamber to protect the camera from water leakage.
[0007] In an embodiment, the circlip includes a pair of legs
connected to a base, and a securement member comprises a plurality of holes to insert the plurality of groves of the bezel to secure the camera, a position of the plurality of holes on the securement member matches with a position of the plurality of groves on the bezel.
[0008] In an embodiment, the bezel includes a plurality of walls
forming the chamber to receive the camera, a first nudge at an exterior surface of a top wall of the plurality of walls to trap a portion of the panel between the bezel and a first leg of the pair of legs of the circlip, and a first nudge at an exterior surface of a top wall of the plurality of walls to trap a portion of the panel between the bezel and a second leg of the pair of legs the circlip.

[0009] These and other aspects 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 preferred 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
[0010] The proposed lock assembly is 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:
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a lock assembly mounted on a vehicle,
according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic representation of bezel,
according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0013] FIG. 3a illustrates a front view of a circlip, according to
embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0014] FIG. 3b illustrates a top view of the circlip, according to
embodiments as disclosed herein;

[0015] FIG. 3c illustrates a bottom view of the circlip, according
to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0016] FIG. 3d illustrates a right side view of the circlip,
according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0017] FIG. 3e illustrates a left side view of the circlip, according
to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0018] FIGS. 4a-c illustrates a schematic representation of step
by step method for mounting the lock assembly on the vehicle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] 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. Also, the various embodiments described herein are not necessarily mutually exclusive, as some embodiments can be combined with one or more other embodiments to form new embodiments. The term “or” as used herein, refers to a non-exclusive or, unless otherwise indicated. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein can be practiced and to further enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

[0020] The accompanying drawings are used to help easily
understand various technical features and it should be understood that the embodiments presented herein are not limited by the accompanying drawings. As such, the present disclosure should be construed to extend to any alterations, equivalents and substitutes in addition to those which are particularly set out in the accompanying drawings. Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are generally only used to distinguish one element from another.
[0021] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to
FIGS. 1-4, there are shown preferred embodiments.
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a lock assembly (5) mounted on a
vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. As shown in the FIG. 1, the lock assembly (5) is mounted on a panel (1) of the vehicle for securing a camera (7) on the vehicle. The panel (1) described herein can be a tailgate, a trunk lid, deck lid, or any other panel of the vehicle such as automobile. The panel (1) includes an outer surface (2) and an inner surface (3) for mounting the lock assembly (5). The lock assembly (5) includes a bezel (6), a foam, and a circlip (8). The bezel (6) is mounted on the outer surface (2) of the panel (1) of the vehicle. For example, the bezel (6) can be made of Spring Steel with an approximate size of 75 mm X 35 mm X 0.7 mm.
[0023] The foam mounted is inside the chamber (9) to avoid
effects of vibration of the camera (7). The foam is used in assembly of the bezel (6) to protect from water entry inside the camera (7) and inside the panel (1).

[0024] The circlip (8) is mounted on the inner surface (3) of the
panel (1) of the vehicle and is connected to the bezel (6) through the plurality of grooves. The circlip (8) is mounted on the inner surface (3) of the panel (1) of the vehicle and is connected to the bezel (6) through the plurality of grooves. For example, the circlip (8) can be made of Spring Steel with an approximate size of 75 mm X 35 mm X 0.7 mm.
[0025] The adhesive tape and the rubber is applied at the
chamber (9) to protect the camera (7) from water leakage. For example, a double side adhesive tape is used that works on dual function in order to avoid water entry and double insurance for fitment. Alternately, instead of using the double side adhesive an adhesive tape with rubber seal can also be used to avoid the water entry. Similarly, the rubber seal primary function is also to avoid water entry. It can be replaceable with double side adhesive tape also.
[0026] Unlike the conventional mounting design, there is no
need to use any screw gun or screw driver to mount the camera from backside of panel (1) using the bezel (6). It is very easy to mount the bezel on the panel (1) that helps to fit the circlip (8) from backside of the panel (1).
[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic representation of the bezel
(6), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The bezel (6) includes a chamber (9) for holding the camera (7) and a plurality of grooves. The chamber (9) is formed by using a plurality of walls (10) to receive the camera (7). For example, four walls are connected with each other to form the chamber (9) for receiving the camera (7). The chamber

(9) includes a first nudge (11a) and a second nudge (11b) to trap a portion of the panel (1) between the bezel (6) and the circlip (8).
[0028] Unlike the conventional bezel design, size of the
proposed bezel design is reduced by providing a snap fitment on the backside of the bezel (6). The use of snap fitment which we do not need any separate screw or nut bolt to fit the camera (7) on the bezel (6). Conventional design size is approximately 63 mm X 57 mm minimum, whereas proposed design size can be 40 mm X 40 mm, approximately. For conventional design, hot metal insert in bezel is required. For metal insert, bosses structure in bezel is must which leads to increase in bezel size due to tool complexity for design for manufacturing, whereas in proposed design, for snaps, lifter can work from outside for manufacturing. Bezel snaps are engaged with sheet metal panel. Also the grooves are provided bezel housing itself to reduce the fitment size of bezel. Further, the bezel (6) is of optimum size to ensure that the bezel appropriate fits in the required size and does not look odd on the panel (1). Small bezel size is always requirement from customer, which looks aesthetically good and can accommodate engineering requirements. With proposed design, only camera and sealing space is the requirement for Bezel. The bezel (6) can be formed of plastic, metal, or any other suitable material. Also the bezel (6) can be formed in various other shapes and sizes.
[0029] FIG. 3a illustrates a front view of the circlip (6),
according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The circlip (8) includes a pair of legs (12a and 12b) connected to a base (13), a securement member (14) in between the pair of legs (12a and 12b). The securement member (14) includes a plurality of holes (15) to insert the plurality of groves of

the bezel (6) to secure the camera (7). A position of the plurality of holes (15) on the securement member (14) matches with a position of the plurality of groves on the bezel (6).
[0030] In order to secure the camera (7), a first nudge (11a)
provided at an exterior surface of a top wall of the plurality of walls (10) of the bezel (6) trap a portion of the panel (1) between the bezel (6) and a first leg (12a) of the pair of legs (12a and 12b) of the circlip (8). Similarly, a first nudge (11b) at an exterior surface of a top wall of the plurality of walls (10) of the bezel (6) trap a portion of the panel (1) between the bezel (6) and a second leg (12b) of the pair of legs (12a and 12b) the circlip (8).
[0031] Unlike the conventional circlip design, the proposed
circlip (8) and bezel (6) needs less space for mounting the camera (7) on the panel (1) of the vehicle. The circlip (8) can be formed of plastic, metal, or any other suitable material. Also the circlip (8) can be formed in various other shapes and sizes.
[0032] FIG. 3b illustrates a top view of the circlip (8), according
to embodiments as disclosed herein.
[0033] FIG. 3c illustrates a bottom view of the circlip (8),
according to embodiments as disclosed herein.
[0034] FIG. 3d illustrates a right side view of the circlip (8),
according to embodiments as disclosed herein.

[0035] FIG. 3e illustrates a left side view of the circlip (8), according to embodiments as disclosed herein.
[0036] FIG. 4a-c illustrates a schematic representation of step by
step method for mounting the lock assembly (5) on the vehicle. As shown in the FIG. 4a, the camera (7) is placed in the chamber (9) of the bezel (6). Upon insertion of the camera (7) into the bezel (6), the camera (7) will automatically fit into the chamber (9) of the bezel (6) due to snap fitment of bezel housing. As shown in the FIG. 4b, the bezel (6) including the camera (7) is then mounted on the outer surface (2) of the panel (1). A double side adhesive tape can be used for fixing the bezel (6) including the camera (7) from outer side on the panel (1). With the help of the proposed bezel (6), the camera (7) is fitted on required location and angle. It will help to get proper rear visibility on dashboard or any video screen at the time of parking. Further, as shown in the FIG. 4c, the circlip (8) is manually mounted in the groove of the bezel (6) from the inner surface (3) of the panel (1). There is no need of any separate tool for the assembly which will save the time of installation of the assembly on the vehicle.
[0037] Furthermore, whenever a new feature is added to the
vehicle it increases the weight and cost. The proposed bezel fitment is less in weight. Conventional Bezel weight is approximately 67 grams whereas proposed design weight is 22 grams and has less number of parts which eases the overall installation process of the assembly thereby saving the time and labor cost.
[0038] The foregoing 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.
[0039] List to reference numerals:

Sr. No. Description
1 panel
2 outer surface
3 inner surface
4 Lock barrel
5 lock assembly
6 bezel
7 camera
8 circlip
9 chamber
10 walls
11a and 11b nudges
12a and 12b legs
13 base
14 securement member
15 holes

We Claim:
1. A lock assembly (5) for securing a camera (7) on a vehicle, the lock
assembly (5) comprises:
a bezel (6) mounted on an outer surface (2) of a panel (1) of the vehicle, wherein the bezel (6) comprises a chamber (9) for holding the camera (7) and a plurality of grooves;
a foam mounted inside the chamber (9) to avoid effects of vibration of the camera (7); and
a circlip (8) mounted on an inner surface (3) of the panel (1) of the vehicle and is connected to the bezel (6) through the plurality of grooves.
2. The lock assembly (5) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lock assembly (5) comprises an adhesive tape and a rubber applied at the chamber (9) to protect the camera (7) from water leakage.
3. The lock assembly (5) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the circlip (8) comprises:
a pair of legs (12a and 12b) connected to a base (13); and a securement member (14) comprises a plurality of holes (15) to insert the plurality of groves of the bezel (6) to secure the camera (7), wherein a position of the plurality of holes (15) on the securement member (14) matches with a position of the plurality of groves on the bezel (6).
4. The lock assembly (5) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the bezel (6)
comprises:
a plurality of walls (10) forming the chamber (9) to receive the camera (7);

a first nudge (11a) at an exterior surface of a top wall of the plurality of walls (10) to trap a portion of the panel (1) between the bezel (6) and a first leg (12a) of the pair of legs (12a and 12b) of the circlip (8); and
a first nudge (11b) at an exterior surface of a top wall of the plurality of walls (10) to trap a portion of the panel (1) between the bezel (6) and a second leg (12b) of the pair of legs (12a and 12b) the circlip (8).