DESC:This patent application is a patent of addition to Indian patent application No. 3027/MUM/2015 filed on 10th August 2015 (i.e. the main application), the contents of which are specifically incorporated herein by reference. It is submitted that the present invention is an improvement or modification of the invention claimed in the complete specification of the aforesaid main application.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a telescopic footstep assembly for climbing on or alighting from an automobile. In particular, the present invention relates to a telescopic foot-step assembly in an automobile having a manual shift. More particularly, the present invention relates to an electrically operable telescopic foot-step assembly for automobiles with high ride-height, e.g. tractors equipped with an infra-red obstacle warning system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An automobile with a high ride-height or ground-clearance, e.g. tractor often must move over rough and undulating surfaces, e.g. agricultural fields. While maneuvering such fields, the driver must take precautions, so that the foot-steps and clutch housing do not hit bunds or other raised obstacles. Usually, a foot-step is provided in the tractor for facilitating the tractor driver to climb on and alighting from the high-position tractor seat.

DISADVANTAGES WITH THE PRIOR ART

It has always been a problem during operation and movement of the tractor on field work that fixed footstep is prone to hitting the high bunds and/or raised obstacles or to get stuck thereon, which hinders trouble-free movement of tractor over fields.

Such obstacles may cause serious damages to the footstep and break the clutch housing mounting area.

Therefore, there is a need to improve the existing footstep of tractors by introducing an electrically operated, manual shift foldable foot-step assembly. This would avoid damages to the foot-step and/or clutch housing of tractors during its operation over any undulating terrain, e.g. an agricultural field.

Although, an attempt has already been made by the inventors of the present application by inventing an electrically operable telescopic-cum-foldable foot-step assembly for vehicles with high ride-height like as tractors, as described and claimed in their earlier application No. 3027/MUM/2015 dated 10.08.2015, (main application), it is felt necessary that this invention can be further improved by equipping it with an infra-red obstacle warning system, which is the subject matter of the present application for a patent of application.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Some of the objects of the present invention - satisfied by at least one embodiment of the present invention - are as follows:

An object of the present invention is to provide a telescopic foot-step assembly with a manual shift for tractor operators.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a telescopic foot-step assembly with a manual shift, which prevents damage to foot-step and clutch housing on crossing obstacles.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a telescopic foot-step assembly with a manual shift, which has an IR-based obstacle warning system.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an electrically operated telescopic foot-step assembly with manual shift and an IR-based obstacle warning system.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an electrically operated telescopic foot-step assembly with automatic adjustment of the foot-step orientation.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an electrically operated telescopic foot-step assembly with automatic adjustment depending on the usage pattern of the tractor.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when read with the accompanying figures of drawing, which are, however, not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an telescopic-cum-foldable foot-step assembly for a high ride-height vehicle equipped with a manual shift and IR-based obstacle warning system; the foot-step assembly comprises: a foot-step assembly foldable and vertically movable by means of a telescopic actuator unit operable via a two-way toggle switch to drive an electrically driven mechanism for folding and unfolding of foot-step assembly, an anti-rotation mechanism for locking of the foot-step assembly about the axis of the telescopic actuator unit axis, the foot-step assembly mounted on the vehicle by means of a plurality of brackets and fasteners, a first limit switch to restrict the further upward movement to provide the maximum ground clearance and a second limit switch to restrict the further downward movement to provide the minimum ground clearance; wherein the manual shift and IR-based obstacle warning system comprises:

• an automatic adjustment according to the usage pattern of the tractor;

• an infrared signal transmitter fitted on a foot-step assembly; and

• an infrared signal receiver fitted on a foot-step assembly;

wherein infra-red signals issued by the infrared signal transmitter reflected from any obstacle are received by the infrared signal receiver and subsequently forwarded to a comparator for comparing the received infrared signals with the preset limits, preferably to detect a safe operation G (green), a probable dangerous position Y (yellow) and certainly a dangerous position R (red) of the foot-step assembly.

Typically, the two-way toggle switch is an electrically operated switch for actuating either the puddling operation or ploughing operation.

Typically, an electrical circuit for operating said toggle switch comprises a motor connected via a double-pole, double throw (DPDT) switch for supplying power to a motor reversing switch.

Typically, the puddling is done by providing manual input said toggle switch for taking the foot-step to the initial low-position.

Typically, the ploughing operation is done by bringing the foldable foot-step assembly to an initial low-position with the help of inputs automatically received from rotation of the steering column with self-cancellation device.

Typically, the foot-step assembly is provided with a pair of cross-links on either side thereof for bringing the foot-step assembly in a top/retracted position for field operation or in a bottom/extended position of the foot-step for alighting from or stepping on the tractor.

Typically, the the foot-step assembly comprises a foot-step equipped with a transmitter (ST) for issuing infrared signals and a receiver (SR) for receiving infrared signal reflected from any obstacle in the field which may damage the foot-step assembly, said reflected infrared signals forwarded to the comparator for the comparison thereof with the preset limits of the safe operation G (green), probable danger Y (yellow) and certainly dangerous R (red) positions of the foot-step assembly.

In accordance with the present invention, there is also provided a method for operating a telescopic-cum-foldable foot-step assembly for a high ride-height vehicle equipped with a manual shift and IR-based obstacle warning system as claimed in anyone of the claims 1 to 7; comprising the steps of:

• selecting the foot-step assembly movement direction by means of the toggle switch (TS) in a clockwise rotation or an anticlockwise rotation of the motor M, and

• deciding the operational mode by means of the limit switch.

Typically, the puddling operation is conducted by providing a manual input (MI) to said toggle switch (TS) by bringing the foot-step in the initial low-position.

Typically, the ploughing operation is conducted by inputs automatically received from rotation of the steering column with self-cancellation device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The present invention will be briefly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which include:

Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the chain-driven electrically operated foot-step assembly disclosed in the applicant’s main patent application No. 3027/MUM/2015.

Figure 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of the electrically operable telescopic foot-step mechanism configured in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 3 shows a schematic operational arrangement of the electrically operable telescopic foot-step mechanism of Figure 2.

Figure 4 shows a schematic arrangement of the steering column assembly equipped with constructional features thereof.
Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the electrically operable telescopic foot-step mechanism configured in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

In the following, different embodiments of the present invention will be described in more details with reference to the accompanying drawings without limiting the scope and ambit of the present invention in any way.

Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the chain-driven electrically operated foot-step assembly disclosed in the applicant’s main patent application No. 3027/MUM/2015. The foot-step assembly 20 includes a foldable foot-step 12. The cylinder 100 of the telescopic actuator unit A is mounted on the tractor body by means of mounting brackets 16 and 22 by suitable fasteners. An electric motor 10 operated, chain-driven foot-step folding mechanism is also mounted on the tractor body. The chain-drive includes a chain 30 with its upper end fixed on a metal or plastic sprocket 18 rotatable by means of a reversibly driven electric motor 10 and the lower end of the chain 30 is fixed at anchoring point 28 adjacent the rear edge of the foot-step 12. The lower limit switch 24a is disposed under the outer edge 34 of the foot-step 12. By operating the electric motor 10, the sprocket 18 can be selectively rotated to wind or unwind chain 30.

Accordingly, viewing in the direction of arrow X, the chain 30 is wound on the sprocket 18 by a clockwise rotation thereof for pulling the lower chain end fixed on foot-step 12, which in turn folds the foot-step upwards. The foot-step12 is stopped in its vertical position during upward movement thereof by coming in contact with the rear vertical side 32 of the foot-step frame. A shaft 26 is also provided fixed parallel to the piston 200, with its upper end mounted at the lower peripheral end of the cylinder 100, which in turn is fixed on the chassis by the mounting bracket 16. The lower end of the shaft 26 loosely rests against the rear vertical side 32 of the foot-step frame in order to stop the foot-step 12 from rotating about the axis of the telescopic actuator unit A, when chain 30 is wound on the sprocket, thereby steadying the vertical sliding movement of the folded foot-step 12. On winding further on the sprocket 18, the chain 30 pulls the folded foot-step assembly 20 upwards by means of the vertical sliding movement of the piston 200 inside the cylinder 100. An upper limit switch 24b is fixed in alignment with the axis of the shaft 26, which acts as the upper stopper to restrict the vertical sliding movement of the folded foot-step 12 to a predetermined highest position corresponding to the maximum desirable ground clearance of the foot-step 12. As soon as the upper end of shaft 26 comes in contact with the upper limit switch 24b, the electric motor 10 stops and chain-drive immediately stops in this position, in which the foot-step 12 is in a folded and upper-most position thereof. With this position of maximum ground clearance, the driver can avoid any damage to the foot-step or clutch housing even while sitting in his seat, because there is no possibility of the foot-step being hit by any bund or obstacle during the field operation of the tractor.

On the contrary, when the vehicle is stationary and the driver wants to alight from the tractor, he activates the electric motor 10 in an opposite direction by means of the toggle switch (not shown), which causes the sprocket 18 to rotate in anti-clockwise direction when viewed in the direction of the arrow X. This unwinds the chain 30 from the sprocket 18 and thereby the foot-step assembly 20 with folded foot-step 12 moves vertically downwards due to its own weight, aided and guided by the piston 200 moving down inside the cylinder 100. A further unwinding of the chain 30 facilitates unfolding of the foot-step 12 and it is fully opened. As soon its outer edge 34 touches the lower limit switch 24a, the electric motor 10 stops and chain-drive is held in this position, allowing the driver to step-down from the tractor. This position also allows the driver to climb on the foot-step 12 in the stationary condition to step-on and get seated for starting field operation of the tractor.

Figure 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of the electrically operable telescopic foot-step mechanism with a manual shift and IR-based obstacle warning system having an automatic adjustment according to the usage pattern of the tractor and configured in accordance with the present invention. It includes the foot-step assembly 110 having a foot-step 112 equipped with an infrared signal transmitter 114 (ST) and an infrared signal receiver 116 (SR), which are reflected from the obstacle 120 and subsequently forwarded to the comparator 130. The comparator 130 compares these signals with the preset limits of the safe operation G (green), probable danger Y (yellow) and certainly dangerous R (red) positions of the foot-step assembly 110.

Figure 3 shows a schematic operational arrangement of the electrically operable telescopic foot-step mechanism of Figure 2. The movement of the foot-step 112 of the foot-step assembly 110 operates the toggle switch TS which is connected to an electrical circuit for actuating either the puddling operation or ploughing operation. The electrical circuit consists of a motor M connected via a double-pole, double throw (DPDT) switch Sw to a power supply for motor reversing switch RS. The puddling can be carried out by providing manual input MI to the toggle switch TS for taking the foot-step 112 to the initial position. Whereas, for ploughing, the foot-step 112 automatically comes to initial position by taking inputs from the rotation of the steering column SC with self-cancellation device, which is similar to the turn indicators in automobiles.

Figure 4 shows a schematic arrangement of the steering column assembly equipped with constructional features thereof. It includes a a horn push HH at the end of a stalk HR fitted on a steering column SC, a guide plate GP and toggle switch TS fitted on the steering column SC. The guide plate GP is used to give the input to the limit switch or relay.

Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the electrically operable telescopic foot-step mechanism configured in accordance with the present invention. This cross linkage 214 is provided for guidance of the foot-step 212 in upward or downward directions to a top position TP or bottom position BP respectively. The guide plate GP at end of HR (of the steering column SC) is used to give the input to the limit switch or relay to automatically operate the toggle switch TS to bring the footstep 212 from the top position TP to the bottom position BP.

WORKING PRINCIPLE OF THE INVENTION

The electrically operated telescopic foot-step mechanism configured in accordance with the invention is fixed below the LH side floor panel for climbing on and alighting from a tractor. The driver can climb to his seat by using this foldable foot-step 112, which is normally in an open position. Once the driver sits on the driver’s seat, he can switch on the tractor ignition key for supplying 12v DC power supply to the entire electric system of the tractor including the inventive arrangement, with power being on in the electrical circuits via vehicle batteries.

The telescopic foot-step mechanism for a high ride-height vehicle equipped with a manual shift and IR-based obstacle warning system configured in accordance with the present invention can be operated with the help of double-position toggle switch as described below:

• Selecting the direction by means of the toggle switch TS, i.e. either a clockwise rotation or an anticlockwise rotation of the motor M, and

• Deciding the operational mode by means of the limit switch, i.e. puddling or ploughing application for which the tractor is to be used.

TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES AND ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE

The following are the advantages of the telescopic-cum-foldable foot-step assembly for a high ride-height vehicle equipped with a manual shift and IR-based obstacle warning system configured in accordance with the present invention:

• Prevents any damage to foot-step assembly or clutch housing.

• Simple construction operable by low-power DC electric motor, e.g. power window motor.
• Safe for field operations.

• Automatic switching to ploughing mode is executed by the limit switch or relay.

• Requires no driver intervention for adjusting the foot-step folding.
• Requires no driver intervention for adjusting the assembly height for achieving minimum or maximum ground clearance.

• IR receiver issues an additional warning to the operator against probability of the footstep hitting obstacles, especially in night driving.

In the previously detailed description, different features have been summarized for improving the conclusiveness of the representation in one or more examples. However, it should be understood that the above description is merely illustrative, but not limiting under any circumstances. It helps in covering all alternatives, modifications and equivalents of the different features and exemplary embodiments.

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. Many other examples are directly and immediately clear to the skilled person because of his/her professional knowledge in view of the above description.

These innumerable changes, variations, modifications, alterations may be made and/or integrations in terms of materials and method used may be devised to configure, manufacture and assemble various constituents, components, subassemblies and assemblies according to their size, shapes, orientations and interrelationships. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments.

The exemplary embodiments described in this specification are intended merely to provide an understanding of various manners in which this embodiment may be used and to further enable the skilled person in the relevant art to practice this invention. The description provided herein is purely by way of example and illustration.

Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, shall be understood to implies including a described element, integer or method step, or group of elements, integers or method steps, however, does not imply excluding any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or method steps. In the claims and the description, the terms “containing” and “having” are used as linguistically neutral terminologies for the corresponding terms “comprising”.

The use of the expression “a”, “at least” or “at least one” shall imply using one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as used in the embodiment of the disclosure in order to achieve one or more of the intended objects or results of the present invention. Furthermore, the use of the term “one” shall not exclude the plurality of such features and components described.

The numerical values given of various physical parameters, dimensions and quantities are only approximate values and it is envisaged that the values higher or lower than the numerical value assigned to the physical parameters, dimensions and quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure unless there is a statement in the specification to the contrary.

Also, any reference herein to the terms ‘left’ or ‘right, ‘up’ or ‘down, or ‘top’ or ‘bottom’ are used as a matter of mere convenience, and are determined by standing at the rear of the machine facing in its normal direction of travel.
The various features and advantageous details are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiment/s in the above description in accordance with the present invention.

The descriptions of well-known components and manufacturing and processing techniques are consciously omitted in this specification, so as not to unnecessarily obscure the specification.

Furthermore, the various components shown or described herein for any specific application of this invention can be widely known or used in the art by persons skilled in the art and each will likewise not therefore be discussed in significant detail. When referring to the figures, like parts are numbered the same in all of the figures. ,CLAIMS:We claim:

1. An telescopic-cum-foldable foot-step assembly for a high ride-height vehicle equipped with a manual shift and IR-based obstacle warning system; the foot-step assembly comprises: a foot-step assembly foldable and vertically movable by means of a telescopic actuator unit operable via a two-way toggle switch to drive an electrically driven mechanism for folding and unfolding of foot-step assembly, an anti-rotation mechanism for locking of the foot-step assembly about the axis of the telescopic actuator unit axis, the foot-step assembly mounted on the vehicle by means of a plurality of brackets and fasteners, a first limit switch to restrict the further upward movement to provide the maximum ground clearance and a second limit switch to restrict the further downward movement to provide the minimum ground clearance; wherein the manual shift and IR-based obstacle warning system comprises:

• an automatic adjustment according to the usage pattern of the tractor;

• an infrared signal transmitter fitted on a foot-step assembly; and

• an infrared signal receiver fitted on a foot-step assembly;

wherein infra-red signals issued by the infrared signal transmitter reflected from any obstacle are received by the infrared signal receiver and subsequently forwarded to a comparator for comparing the received infrared signals with the preset limits, preferably to detect a safe operation G (green), a probable dangerous position Y (yellow) and certainly a dangerous position R (red) of the foot-step assembly.

2. Telescopic-cum-foldable foot-step assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said two-way toggle switch is an electrically operated switch for actuating either the puddling operation or ploughing operation.

3. Telescopic-cum-foldable foot-step assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein an electrical circuit for operating said toggle switch comprises a motor connected via a double-pole, double throw (DPDT) switch for supplying power to a motor reversing switch.

4. Telescopic-cum-foldable foot-step assembly as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the puddling is done by providing manual input said toggle switch for taking the foot-step to the initial low-position.

5. Telescopic-cum-foldable foot-step assembly as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the ploughing operation is done by bringing the foldable foot-step assembly to an initial low-position with the help of inputs automatically received from rotation of the steering column with self-cancellation device.

6. Telescopic-cum-foldable foot-step assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said foot-step assembly is provided with a pair of cross-links on either side thereof for bringing the foot-step assembly in a top/retracted position for field operation or in a bottom/extended position of the foot-step for alighting from or stepping on the tractor.

7. Telescopic-cum-foldable foot-step assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said the foot-step assembly comprises a foot-step equipped with a transmitter (ST) for issuing infrared signals and a receiver (SR) for receiving infrared signal reflected from any obstacle in the field which may damage the foot-step assembly, said reflected infrared signals forwarded to the comparator for the comparison thereof with the preset limits of the safe operation G (green), probable danger Y (yellow) and certainly dangerous R (red) positions of the foot-step assembly.

8. A method for operating a telescopic-cum-foldable foot-step assembly for a high ride-height vehicle equipped with a manual shift and IR-based obstacle warning system as claimed in anyone of the claims 1 to 7; comprising the steps of:
]
• selecting the foot-step assembly movement direction by means of the toggle switch (TS) in a clockwise rotation or an anticlockwise rotation of the motor M, and

• deciding the operational mode by means of the limit switch.

9. Method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the puddling operation is conducted by providing a manual input (MI) to said toggle switch (TS) by bringing the foot-step in the initial low-position.

10. Method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the ploughing operation is conducted by inputs automatically received from rotation of the steering column with self-cancellation device.

Dated: this 31st day of December 2016. SANJAY KESHARWANI
APPLICANT’S PATENT AGENT