Claims:We claim:
1. A pull collar assembly (400) for enabling reverse gear in a bent lever rod (402) of an automobile, the pull collar assembly (400) comprising:
an upper pull collar (406) configured to receive a first portion of a bent lever rod (402); and
a lower pull collar (408) configured to receive a second portion of the bent lever rod (402), wherein,
the upper pull collar (406) and the lower pull collar (408) are mated to each other at a location where the first portion transitions to the second portion of the bent lever rod (402); and
movement of the upper pull collar (406) along a first direction (700) moves the lower pull collar (408) along a second direction (702).

2. The pull collar assembly (400) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper pull collar (406) comprises a first upper pull portion (500), an intermediate upper pull portion (502) and a second upper pull portion (504).

3. The pull collar assembly (400) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the intermediate upper pull portion (502) is used as a support means by a user to pull the upper pull collar (406) in the first direction (700).

4. The pull collar assembly (400) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second upper pull portion (504) comprises at least one leg (506), wherein surface (508) of the leg (506) facing the bent lever rod (402) comprises a circular extension (510).

5. The pull collar assembly (400) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the lower pull collar (408) comprises a first lower pull portion (512) and a second lower pull portion (514).

6. The pull collar assembly (400) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first lower pull portion (512) and the second lower pull portion (514) are connected to each other using a plurality of connecting legs (516).

7. The pull collar assembly (400) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least one of the connecting legs (516) define an elliptical hole (518), wherein,
the elliptical hole (518) is configured to receive the circular extension (510); and
the minor diameter (D1) of the elliptical hole (518) is equal to the diameter (d) of the circular extension (510).

8. The pull collar assembly (400) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the major diameter (D2) of the elliptical hole is greater than the diameter (d) of the circular extension (510).

9. The pull collar assembly (400) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the minor diameter (D1) of the elliptical hole (518) is provided along the first direction (700) and the major diameter (D2) of the elliptical hole (518) is provided in a direction perpendicular to the first direction (700).

10. The pull collar assembly (400) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the circular extension (510) is configured to trace the periphery of the elliptical hole (518).

11. The pull collar assembly (400) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the elliptical hole (518) is a slot defined on an inner surface of the connecting leg (516), wherein the inner surface of the connecting leg (516) is the surface that is facing the lever rod (402).

12. The pull collar assembly (400) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the elliptical hole (518) is a through hole defined on the connecting leg (516).

Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The subject matter in general relates to gear shift levers in automobiles. More particularly, but not exclusively, the subject matter relates to enabling reverse gears in bent gear lever rods.
BACKGROUND
[002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present subject matter. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed subject matter, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[003] Referring to FIG. 1, disclosed is a conventional gear shift lever 100. Usually, in a 6 speed automation, reverse gear is engaged using a pull collar 102. The pull collar 102 is pulled upwards and the gear shift lever 100 is slotted into reverse gear.
[004] As seen in FIG. 2, the gear shift lever 100 is positioned between the panel 200 and the handbrake 202. While changing gears, the user positions his/her hand on the gear shift lever 100 and moves it either towards the panel 200 or towards the handbrake 202 depending upon the gear requirement. However, while such shifting, there are chances that the hand of the user may come in contact with the panel 200 and the handbrake 202. This may create an unpleasant experience to the user.
[005] In order to overcome the above stated drawback, as seen in FIG. 3, a bent gear lever 300 is provided so that there exists enough clearance between the gear lever 300 and the panel 200, and the gear lever 300 and the handbrake 202. However, the conventional pull collar 102 shown in FIG. 1 cannot be used to shift to reverse gear as the pull collar 102 now encompasses the bent gear lever 300 as opposed to the gear shift lever 100. In order to overcome this drawback, a cable 302 is used to slot the gear shift lever to reverse gear.
[006] However, the use of cable is costly and the maintenance is high. Also, the efficiency of the cable as opposed to the collar is low as there involves frictional losses. Cable expands over time leading to durability issues.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[007] In view of the foregoing limitations inherent in the state of the art, some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed herein below.
[008] It is an object of the present disclosure to propose a pull collar assembly for enabling reverse gear in a bent lever rod of an automobile.
[009] It is another object of the present disclosure to propose a pull collar assembly that is cheaper, low in maintenance, has high efficiency and is more durable.
[0010] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention 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 invention is illustrated.
SUMMARY
[0011] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a pull collar assembly for enabling reverse gear in an automobile. 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.
[0012] The present disclosure relates to a pull collar assembly for enabling reverse gear in a bent lever rod of an automobile. The pull collar assembly comprises an upper pull collar and a lower pull collar. The upper pull collar is configured to receive a first portion of a bent lever rod. The lower pull collar is configured to receive a second portion of the bent lever rod. The upper pull collar and the lower pull collar are mated to each other at a location where the first portion transitions to the second portion of the bent lever rod. Movement of the upper pull collar along a first direction moves the lower pull collar along a second direction.
[0013] Other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0014] While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter that is regarded as forming the present subject matter, it is believed that the present disclosure will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where like reference numerals designate like structural and other elements, in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 discloses a conventional gear shift lever 100;
[0016] FIG. 2 discloses an isometric view of the positioning of the conventional gear shift lever 100 in relation to a panel 200 and a handbrake 202;
[0017] FIG. 3 discloses a conventional way of using a cable 302 for enabling a reverse gear in a bent gear shift lever 300;
[0018] FIG. 4 discloses a pull collar assembly 400 for enabling reverse gear in a bent lever rod 402 of an automobile; in accordance with an embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an upper pull collar 406 and a lower pull collar 408, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 6 is an orthographic projection of the lower pull collar 408 depicting an elliptical hole 518, in accordance with an embodiment; and
[0021] FIGs. 7 and 8 represent movement of a circular extension 510 within the elliptical hole 518, in accordance with an embodiment.
[0022] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of 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
[0023] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0024] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0025] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, “consisting” and/or “including” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
[0026] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0027] In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", “third”, and the like in the present invention are used for the purpose of description only, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining "first" and "second" may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or implicitly.
[0028] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 4, disclosed is a pull collar assembly 400 configured to enable reverse gear in a bent lever rod 402 of an automobile, in accordance with an embodiment. The pull collar assembly 400 may comprise an upper pull collar 406 and a lower pull collar 408.
[0030] In an embodiment, the bent lever rod 402 is bent in order to provide enough clearance between the bent lever rod 402 and a panel 200 (shown in FIG. 2) and a handbrake 202 (shown in FIG. 2) so that hand of user may not come in contact with the panel 200 and the handbrake 202.
[0031] The bent lever rod 402 comprises a first portion (not shown) and a second portion (not shown). In an embodiment, the first portion of the bent lever rod 402 may be along a first direction 700 (shown in FIG. 7) and the second portion of the bent lever rod 402 may be along a second direction 700 (shown in FIG. 7), thereby creating an angle between the first portion and the second portion of the bent lever rod 402.
[0032] In an embodiment, the upper pull collar 406 may be configured to receive the first portion of the bent lever rod 402. The lower pull collar 408 may be configured to receive the second portion of the bent lever rod 402. The upper pull collar 406 and the lower pull collar 408 may be mated to each other at a location 410 where the first portion transitions to the second portion.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 5, disclosed are the isometric views of the upper pull collar 406 and the lower collar 408. In an embodiment, the upper pull collar 406 may comprise a first upper pull portion 500, an intermediate upper pull portion 502 and a second upper pull portion 504.
[0034] In an embodiment, the first upper pull portion 500 may be configured to receive a lever head 404 (shown in FIG. 4) that may be used by the user to shift the bent lever rod 402. The intermediate upper pull portion 502 may be used as a support means by the user to pull the upper pull collar 406 in the first direction 700. The outer periphery of the intermediate upper pull portion 502 may be smaller than that of the first upper pull portion 500 and the second upper pull portion 504. This arrangement makes the intermediate upper pull portion 502 as a groove, using which the user can pull the upper pull collar 406 in the first direction 700.
[0035] In an embodiment, the second upper pull portion 504 may comprise at least one leg 506. Surface 508 of the leg 506 facing the bent lever rod 402 may comprise a circular extension 510 that may protrude from the surface 508 of the leg 506 towards the bent lever rod 402.
[0036] In an embodiment, the diameter of the circular extension 510 may be denoted by “d.”
[0037] In an embodiment, the second upper pull portion 504 may comprise at two legs 506 that are diametrically opposite to each other. Each leg 506 may comprise the circular extension 510.
[0038] In an embodiment, the lower pull collar 408 may comprise a first lower pull portion 512 and a second lower pull portion 514. The first lower pull portion 512 and the second lower pull portion 514 may be connected to each other using a plurality of connecting legs 516.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 6, disclosed is the connecting leg 516 of the lower pull collar 408. The connecting leg 516 may define an elliptical hole 518 that may be configured to receive the circular extension 510. The minor diameter D1 of the elliptical hole 518 may be equal to the diameter d of the circular extension 510 and the major diameter D2 of the elliptical hole is greater than the diameter d of the circular extension 510.
[0040] In an embodiment, the minor diameter D1 of the elliptical hole 518 may be provided along the first direction 700 and the major diameter D2 of the elliptical hole 518 may be provided in a direction perpendicular to the first direction 700.
[0041] In an embodiment, the circumference of the circular extension 510 and the elliptical hole 518 are such that the circular extension 510 may be configured to trace the periphery of the elliptical hole 518.
[0042] In an embodiment, the elliptical hole 518 may be a slot defined on an inner surface of the connecting leg 516, wherein the inner surface of the connecting leg 516 may be the surface that may be facing the lever rod 402.
[0043] In another embodiment, the elliptical hole 518 may be a through hole defined on the connecting leg 516.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 7, disclosed is the pull collar assembly 400 in resting position. The circular extension 510 may rest towards the left most position (from the reader’s point of view) within the elliptical hole 518.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 8, when the user requires to slot the bent lever rod 702 into reverse gear, the user may pull the upper pull collar 406 in the first direction 700. The movement of the upper pull collar 406 in the first direction 700 moves the circular extension 510 too in the first direction 700. The movement of the circular extension 510 along the first direction 700, moves the lower pull collar 408 in the second direction 702. This is facilitated as a result of the circular extension 510 tracing the periphery of the elliptical hole 518.
TECHNICAL ADVANTAGE
[0046] The present disclosure proposes a pull collar assembly for enabling reverse gear in a bent lever rod of an automobile.
[0047] The present disclosure proposes a pull collar assembly that is cheaper, low in maintenance, has high efficiency and is more durable.
[0048] Furthermore, each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the “invention” may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases, it will be recognized that references to the “invention” will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
[0049] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.
[0050] Furthermore, those skilled in the art can appreciate that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.
[0051] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.
[0052] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the present disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the present disclosure is determined by the claims that follow. The present disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
[0053] The term “vehicle” as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims refers to any moving vehicle that is capable of carrying one or more human occupants and is powered by any form of energy. The term “vehicle” is a motor vehicle which includes, but is not limited to: cars, trucks, vans, minivans, hatchback, sedan, MUVs, and SUVs.