The present disclosure, in general, relates to a parking brake lever in a vehicle. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a parking brake lever having a flexible spring stopper, in the vicinity of a push button, which facilitates an easy insertion of a return spring from the push button side.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A parking brake, also called an emergency brake or e-brake, is a mechanical hand lever or foot-operated brake that is a backup braking system. It is located either between the front two seats or to the left of your gas and brake pedal. The parking brake generally controls rear brakes and is a completely separate device from your vehicle's regular hydraulic brakes. The parking brake is in charge of keeping a parked vehicle stationary; and it will prevent the car from rolling down a hill or moving. The parking brake is completely mechanical and use only cables and levers to operate. When a parking brake lever is pulled (or when a parking brake pedal is pushed), these cables transmit the necessary force to keep your vehicle in place or to stop the vehicle.
[0003] A typical parking brake lever 100 is shown in FIG. 1A. The brake parking lever 100 generally includes a push button 102 and a spring stopper 104 positioned adjacent to the push button 102. In such parking brake lever 100, the spring stopper 104 supports a spring 106 loaded on one end of a push rod 108.
[0004] In such typical parking brake lever 100 where the spring stopper 104 is adjacent to the push button 102, the spring 106 is mounted or inserted from pawl side. For the insertion of the spring 106 from the pawl side, the size of spring 106 is required to be bigger than the width of the push rod 108 at pawl side, and thereby this type of configuration of the parking brake lever 100 cannot be used when small diameter spring 106 is necessary, owing to

requirement of small diameter of the brake lever 100. Further, if push rod width at the pawl side is kept small for such type of configuration, it will lead to less strength and less rigidity of the push rod 108.
[0005] To address the issues related to the insertion of the spring 106 from the pawl side, another type of parking brake lever 200 is shown in FIG. 1B, in which the spring 106 can be inserted from the push button side. In this type of the parking brake lever 200, a push button 102 acts a spring stopper for a spring 106 loaded on one end of the push rod 108. Another end of the push rod 108 is connected to a pawl 110 (shown in FIG. 2). When the push button 102 is pressed and the parking brake lever 100 is pulled, a pawl tooth of the pawl 110 (shown in FIG. 2) slides over one of teeth of a ratchet bracket 112 (shown in FIG. 2) and locks on a ratchet tooth causing cable tension for application of the parking brake. Similarly, to release the parking brake, the push button 102 is pressed and the parking brake lever 100 is pushed down to disengage the pawl teeth from the ratchet tooth.
[0006] However, with such type of the parking brake lever 200, the push button 102 is always under continuous load from the spring 106 because the push button 102 is acting as the spring stopper. In addition, in case of improper fitment of the push button 102 into the push rod 108, there is great chance that the push button 102 can come out of the push rod 108 due to continuous load from the spring 106, leading to functional failure of parking brake lever 200.
[0007] Hence, there is a need in the state of the art that can provide a new type of parking brake lever that allows easy insertion of the spring and holds the spring in proper position while keeping the diameter of the parking brake lever small.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0008] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed herein below.

[0009] It is a general or primary object of the present disclosure to provide a parking brake lever with a stopper, which facilitates an easy insertion of a spring from a push button side of the parking brake lever.
[0010] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a parking brake lever with a stopper that holds a spring at a correct position.
[0011] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a parking brake lever with a stopper having better flexibility.
[0012] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a parking brake lever with a stopper that is cost-effective.
[0013] It is a further object of the present disclosure to provide a parking brake lever with a stopper that can easily be accommodated inside the parking brake lever.
[0014] It is yet further object of the present disclosure to provide a parking brake lever with better performance and reliability.
[0015] These and other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred form of the present disclosure is illustrated.
SUMMARY
[0016] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a parking brake lever with a stopper that facilitates an easy insertion of a spring from a push button side and holds the spring after insertion without exerting load to a push button. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter

[0017] The present disclosure provides a parking brake lever in a vehicle. The parking brake lever comprising a push rod having a first end connected to a ratchet plate while a second end connected to a push button; and a flexible spring stopper integrated on the second end of the push rod, wherein the stopper having a circular cap structure with multiple cut portions along its height, and wherein an outer circumference of the stopper is having an inclined surface towards the push button.
[0018] In an aspect, the stopper is made of flexible material.
[0019] In an aspect, the outer circumference of the stopper gets compressed and attains a flat shape during insertion of a spring from the second end, to allow the spring pass over the stopper.
[0020] In an aspect, during insertion of the spring from the second end, the diameter of the stopper becomes less than the diameter of the spring.
[0021] In an aspect, an inner circumference of the stopper is formed with multiple lugs that limit the compression of the stopper during insertion of the spring.
[0022] In an aspect, the outer circumference of the stopper is expanded and attains the inclined surface after complete insertion of the spring from the second end, to lock the spring in the inner circumference of the stopper.
[0023] In an aspect, after complete insertion of the spring from the second end, the diameter of the stopper becomes more than the diameter of the spring.
[0024] In an aspect, the inner circumference of the stopper is formed with a circular slot to lock the spring inside the stopper.
[0025] To further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made regarding the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit the scope of the present subject matter.

[0026] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which numerals represent like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0028] FIG. 1A illustrates a conventional parking brake lever in which a spring is inserted on a push rod from a pawl side;
[0029] FIG. 1B illustrates another conventional parking brake lever in which the spring is inserted on the push road from a push button side;
[0030] FIG. 2 illustrates a macroscopic view of the other conventional parking brake lever shown in FIG. 1B;
[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of push button side of a parking brake lever, in accordance with the present disclosure; and
[0032] FIGS. 4A & 4B illustrate an operation of insertion of a spring over a spring stopper proposed in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0033] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to consider all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0035] 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 dictates otherwise. In addition, as used in the description herein, the meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on" unless the context dictates otherwise.
[0036] Since the conventional stopper fails to effectively, insert the spring either from the push button side or pawl side of the parking brake lever as well as holding it in the proper position. As a result, there will be great chances of failure of the parking brake lever. Moreover, they are also not cost-effective, as well as inefficient to use.
[0037] FIG. 3 illustrates a parking brake lever 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The parking brake lever 300 includes a push rod 302 having a first end connected directly to a ratchet plate and a second end connected to a push button 304. In other words, the first end is a pawl side end while the second end is a push button side end.
[0038] Further, adjacent to the push button 304, a flexible spring stopper 306 is integrated on the second end of the push rod 302 to support a spring 308. As can be seen from FIG. 3, the stopper 306 is having a circular cap structure with outer circumference 306-O having a surface inclined towards the push button 304. The circular cap structure is also provided with multiple cut portions 306-C, along its height, starting from a flat base 306-B of the cap structure up to an extreme edge of a cylindrical wall 306-W.

[0039] FIGS. 4A & 4B illustrate an operation of insertion of the spring 308 over the stopper 306 proposed in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0040] FIG. 4A illustrates an operation of insertion of the spring 308 from the push button side and over the stopper 306. When the spring 308 is inserted from the second end, i.e., the push button side end, of the push rod 302, the outer circumference 306-O of the stopper 306 gets compressed and attains a flat shape, to allow the spring 308 to pass over the stopper 306. In particular, due to the cut portions 306-C, the diameter dso of the stopper 306 becomes less than the diameter dsiof the spring 308 during the insertion of the spring 308. Further, inner circumference of the stopper 306 is provided with multiple lugs 402 to as to limit the compression of the stopper 306 during insertion of the spring 308.
[0041] FIG. 4B illustrates a state of the stopper 306 and the spring 308 after the complete insertion of the spring 308 over the stopper 306. After insertion of the spring 308 from the second end, i.e., the push button side end, of the push rod 302, the outer circumference 306-O of the stopper 306 gets expanded and attains the original inclined surface and locks the spring 308 in the inner circumference of the stopper 306. After insertion of the spring 308 and when the outer circumference 306-O of the stopper 306 attains the original inclined surface, the diameter (dso) of the stopper 306 becomes more than the diameter (dsi) of the spring 308.
[0042] Further, the inner circumference of the stopper 306 is formed with a circular slot 404 to support and lock the spring 308 inside the stopper 306.
[0043] Thus, with the parking brake lever 300 having the integrated stopper 306 described in the present disclosure, various technical problems of the state of the art are resolved.
[0044] Further, the additional advantages of the present disclosure are listed herein below.

TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES
[0045] There is a plurality of features which are listed as technical advantages below:
[0046] The present disclosure provides a parking brake lever with a stopper that facilitates in an easy insertion of a spring over the stopper from a push button side.
[0047] The present disclosure provides a parking brake lever with a stopper that holds a spring in proper position.
[0048] The present disclosure provides a parking brake lever with a stopper that does not deliver continuous load on push button.
[0049] The present disclosure provides a parking brake lever with a stopper that helps in easy insertion of a spring from a push button side.
[0050] It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present subject matter. Those skilled in the art that by devising various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter should also appreciate it.
[0001] Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the present subject matter and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. The novel features, which are believed to be characteristic of the present subject matter, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages, will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures.

WE CLAIM

1. A parking brake lever (300) in a vehicle comprising:
a push rod (302) having a first end connected to a ratchet plate while a second end connected to a push button (304); and
a flexible spring stopper (306) integrated on the second end of the push rod (302) adjacent to the push button (304),
wherein the stopper (306) having a circular cap structure with multiple cut portions (306-C) along its height, and
wherein an outer circumference (306-O) of the stopper (306) is having an inclined surface towards the push button (304).
2. The parking brake lever (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stopper (306) is made of flexible material.
3. The parking brake lever (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer circumference (306-O) of the stopper (306) is compressed and attains a flat shape during insertion of a spring (308) from the second end, to allow the spring (308) pass over the stopper (306).
4. The parking brake lever (300) as claimed in claim 3, wherein during insertion of the spring (308) from the second end, the diameter (dso) of the stopper (306) becomes less than the diameter (dsi) of the spring (308).
5. The parking brake lever (300) as claimed in claim 4, wherein an inner circumference of the stopper (306) is formed with multiple lugs (402) that limit the compression of the stopper (306) during insertion of the spring (308).

6. The parking brake lever (300) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the outer circumference (306-O) of the stopper (306) is expanded and attains the inclined surface after complete insertion of the spring (308) from the second end, to lock the spring (308) in the inner circumference of the stopper (306).
7. The parking brake lever (300) as claimed in claim 6, wherein after complete insertion of the spring (308) from the second end, the diameter (dso) of the stopper (306) becomes more than the diameter (dsi) of the spring (308).
8. The parking brake lever (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the inner circumference of the stopper (306) is formed with a circular slot (404) to lock the spring (308) inside the stopper (306).