Dual rate dual direction spring system

Various embodiments may provide a convenient mechanism and system for users of vehicles that include handbrakes to operate reverse lockout deactivation mechanisms in connection with the handbrake. For example, saddle-type vehicles such as an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), snowmobile, motorcycle, or the like may benefit from certain embodiments. For example, the system that combines brake, reverse lockout deactivation, and parking brake mechanisms may benefit from a dual rate, dual direction spring system. An apparatus can include a first lever configured to pivot about a first axis. The apparatus can also include a second lever mounted with the first lever and configured further to pivot about a second axis offset from the first axis. The second lever can be configured to be biased to a first position by a first spring and a second spring.

BACKGROUND

Various embodiments may provide a convenient mechanism and system for users of vehicles that include handbrakes to operate reverse lockout deactivation mechanisms in connection with the handbrake. For example, saddle-type vehicles such as an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), snowmobile, motorcycle, or the like may benefit from certain embodiments. For example, the system that combines brake, reverse lockout deactivation, and parking brake mechanisms may benefit from a dual rate, dual direction spring system.

2. Description of the Related Art

FIG. 1illustrates a cross-section view of a portion of a reverse lockout deactivation system. As shown inFIG. 1, lever pivot bolt120may extend through the assembly and may serve as one of the axes of the system. Similarly, reverse pivot bolt140, which may be implemented as a screw, may pass through the reverse engagement lever130and the brake lever110, but not the reverse lockout deactivation lever160. The reverse pivot bolt140may be provided with a threaded area141within the brake lever110, between an upper pivot area143and a lower pivot area145.

The reverse engagement lever130may have integrated parking brake functionality. Thus, as a second lever, it can be configured to be pivoted about a second axis (for example, reverse pivot bolt140) to a third position different from the first or neutral position or the second or reverse-lockout deactivation position. The brake lever110or first lever can be configured to engage a parking brake mechanism of the vehicle when the second lever is in the third position. A two-way spring170can be configured to bias the second lever (for example reverse engagement lever130) to the first position, as distinct from both the second position and the third position. Typically, this dual direction spring system may provide only approximately a single force with respect to either direction away from the first position.

FIG. 2illustrates a single spring system.FIG. 2illustrates a top view of a first position of a reverse engagement lever130. As shown inFIG. 2, the reverse engagement lever130may be configured to pivot on reverse pivot bolt140. Moreover, the reverse engagement lever130may be provided with a reverse engagement lever tab133that is configured to provide an interference engagement with brake lever pad113on brake lever110. This pad and tab arrangement may be used in combination with two-way spring170to bias the lever in the first position. As shown inFIG. 2, the tolerance between a brake lever pad and the reverse engagement lever tab can make it difficult avoid free play in the system.

Other alternatives include an approach in which a parking brake lever and a reverse lockout deactivation pin are separated.FIG. 3illustrates a parking and reverse separated lever and pin system. As shown inFIG. 3, a parking brake lock lever310can be provided separate from a reverse pin320. This approach may require higher complexity for a user of the system, such as requiring a three step operation for reverse.

FIG. 4illustrates an exploded view of a single rate dual direction spring system. As shown inFIG. 4, a single spring410can be configured to operate with respect to a single base spring stopper420and lever spring stopper430.FIG. 5illustrates an assembled view of the single rate dual direction spring system ofFIG. 4. As shown inFIG. 5, a same force can be applied by the single spring, in both directions.

SUMMARY

According to certain embodiments, an apparatus can include a first lever configured to pivot about a first axis. The apparatus can also include a second lever mounted with the first lever and configured further to pivot about a second axis offset from the first axis. The second lever can be configured to be biased to a first position by a first spring and a second spring. The first lever can be configured to engage a braking system of a vehicle when the first lever is pivoted about the first axis and the second lever is in the first position. The second lever can be configured to be pivoted about the second axis to a second position different from the first position. The first lever can be configured to disengage a reverse lockout system of the vehicle when the second lever is in the second position. The second lever can be configured to be pivoted about the second axis to a third position different from the first position or the second position. The first lever can be configured to hold in a brake activated position to function as a parking brake of the vehicle when the second lever is in the third position.

In certain embodiments, a method can include mounting a second lever on a first lever configured to pivot about a first axis, wherein the second lever is mounted to pivot about a second axis offset from the first axis. The method can also include biasing the second lever to a first position by a first spring and a second spring. The method can further include arranging the first lever to engage a braking system of a vehicle when the first lever is pivoted about the first axis and the second lever is in the first position. The method can additionally include arranging the second lever to be pivoted about the second axis to a second position different from the first position. The method can also include arranging the first lever to disengage a reverse lockout system of the vehicle when the second lever is in the second position. The method can further include arranging the second lever to be pivoted about the second axis to a third position different from the first position or the second position. The method can additionally include arranging the first lever to hold in a brake activated position to function as a parking brake of the vehicle when the second lever is in the third position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to certain embodiments, a single lever can be used to operate the reverse inhibitor deactivation and parking brake functions of a vehicle. Different forces can be applied by a user of the lever in different directions, in certain embodiments.

More particularly, certain embodiments provide two springs that, together, are configured to apply different forces in different directions. The system can also eliminate free play, which can be found in a single spring system. Rather, the two springs can allow the system to have spring preload in a neutral position, to eliminate free play.

FIG. 6illustrates a dual rate dual direction spring system according to certain embodiments. As shown inFIG. 6, a first force F1provided by a spring system in a first direction may be different from a second force F2provided by the spring system in a second direction. These first and second forces F1, F2may be different from any forces provided by the cables150.

FIG. 7illustrates a top view of an arrangement including springs in a first position, according to certain embodiments. As shown inFIG. 7, an arrangement can include, extending upward from a base (not shown) a first base stopper710and a second base stopper720. The arrangement can also include a pivot730, which can pass through lever740and into or through the base. Lever stopper750can extend from the lever740.

A first spring760can have a first spring torque765that is clockwise. Likewise, a second spring770can have a second spring torque775that is counter-clockwise. The first spring torque765can be greater than the second spring torque775. In the first position, as illustrated, the first spring760can be in contact with the first base stopper710and the second base stopper720. This can be a neutral position of the lever740, namely a position when no external forces, such as forces provided by a user's hand, are being applied.

FIG. 8illustrates a top view of an arrangement including springs in a second position, according to certain embodiments. As shown inFIG. 8, a first external force810can be applied in a counter-clockwise direction to lever740. This first external force810can be supplied, for example, by a user's hand. As a result of the first external force810, the lever740can be moved to a second position, as shown. The first spring760can lose contact with the second base stopper720. Meanwhile, second spring770can be relaxed, while remaining in contact with lever stopper750. The second spring770can be configured to have an arm that is short enough to avoid interacting with the second base stopper720. The lever740can be configured to pass over the second base stopper720, for example, without interacting with the second base stopper720.

FIG. 9illustrates a top view of an arrangement including springs in a third position, according to certain embodiments. As shown inFIG. 9, a second external force910can be applied in a clockwise direction to lever740. This second external force910can be supplied, for example, by a user's hand. As a result of the second external force910, the lever740can be moved to a third position, as shown. In this third position, the first spring760can remain in contact with the first base stopper710and the second base stopper720. Thus, relative to the first position, the first spring760may not move when the lever740moves to the third position. By contrast, second spring770can be compressed.

FIG. 10illustrates a perspective see-through view of an arrangement including springs according to certain embodiments.FIG. 10illustrates the first spring760, second spring770, pivot730, and so on, as in the previous figures.FIG. 10also illustrates a base1010, which in this case can be a brake handle lever. As shown inFIG. 10, the first base stopper710may include two different locations of the base: an inset or recessed portion for first spring760and an elevated portion for second spring770. Likewise, the second base stopper720may include two locations: a tab for first spring760and an edge for second spring770. As shown inFIG. 10, one end of one arm of second spring770may be bent down in the same direction as a tab of the second base stopper720. Likewise, another arm of second spring770may be bent to curve around and cradle the elevated portion of first base stopper710.

FIG. 11illustrates a first side view of a second spring according to certain embodiments. The second spring can include a coil body1110, in this case made up of five stacked coils. The second spring can also include a first arm1120, which is bent downward and then provided with a further bend in a plane parallel to that of the coil body1110. The second spring can further include a second arm1130, which is bent slightly downward and curled into a c-shape in approximately the same plane as the further bent portion of the first arm1120.

FIG. 12illustrates a top view of a second spring according to certain embodiments.FIG. 12shows the same coil body1110, first arm1120, and second arm1130, as inFIG. 11. Additionally,FIG. 12illustrates positions of the first arm1120in a free state, namely when not installed, in a set condition, such as in the first position, as shown inFIG. 7, and in a work condition, such as in the third position, as shown inFIG. 9.

FIG. 13illustrates a second side view of the second spring, according to certain embodiments. This side view may be roughly orthogonal to the first side view. Thus,FIG. 13shows the same coil body1110, first arm1120, and second arm1130, as inFIGS. 11 and 12.

FIG. 14illustrates a first side view of a first spring, according to certain embodiments. The first spring can include a coil body1410, in this case made up of three stacked coils. The first spring can also include a first arm1420, which is bent slightly upward and then provided with a further bend in a slightly downward direction. The second spring can further include a second arm1430, which is bent upward.

FIG. 15illustrates a top view of a first spring according to certain embodiments.FIG. 15shows the same coil body1410, first arm1420, and second arm1430, as inFIG. 14. Additionally,FIG. 15illustrates positions of the first arm1420in a free state, namely when not installed, in a set condition, such as in the first position, as shown inFIG. 7, and in a work condition, such as in the second position, as shown inFIG. 8.

FIG. 16illustrates a second side view of the second spring, according to certain embodiments. This side view may be roughly orthogonal to the first side view. Thus,FIG. 16shows the same coil body1410, first arm1420, and second arm1430, as inFIGS. 14 and 15.

FIG. 17illustrates a bottom view of a lever according to certain embodiments. The lever may include a main body portion1710and an extended arm portion1720. The main body portion1710and the extended arm portion1720may be rigidly interconnected, for example made from a single piece of metal. The main body portion1710and the extended arm portion1720may be configured to pivot about pivot point1730. The lever can include a lever stopper that may be made up of edge1740and tab1750.

FIG. 18illustrates a cross-sectional view of a lever according to certain embodiments.FIG. 18illustrates a lever viewed in cross-section along line18inFIG. 17. As shown inFIG. 18, the tab1750and edge1740can each extend inwardly parallel to the direction of an axis associated with the pivot point1730.

FIG. 19illustrates a top view of a base according to certain embodiments. The base may be a lever, such as a brake lever, having a handle1910. The handle may be configured to rotate about pivot point1920. The base can also include a lever pivot point1930. A lever, such as that illustrated inFIGS. 17 and 18, can rotate about lever pivot point1930.

The base can also include a first base stopper that includes an elevated portion1940and a recessed portion1950. The elevated portion1940can be configured to interact with a second spring, such as the second spring illustrated inFIGS. 11 through 13, and the recessed portion1950can be configured to interact with a first spring, such as the first spring illustrated inFIGS. 14 through 16. A second base stopper1960can also be provided. The second base stopper1960can be configured to interact with the first spring.

FIG. 20illustrates a first view providing a cross-sectional view of a base according to certain embodiments. The cross-section ofFIG. 20is taken along line20inFIG. 19. The cross-section illustrates both the elevated portion1940and the recessed portion1950.

FIG. 21illustrates a second view providing a cross-sectional view of a base according to certain embodiments. The cross-section ofFIG. 21is taken along line21inFIG. 19. The cross-section illustrates pivot point1920, lever pivot point1930, elevated portion1940, and the recessed portion1950.

FIGS. 22A and 22Billustrate a third view providing a side view of a base according to certain embodiments.FIG. 22Ashows a handle1910, as well as the elevated portion1940and lever pivot point1930.FIG. 22Bshows detail at section22B ofFIG. 22A.

FIG. 23illustrates a fourth view providing a cross-sectional view of a base according to certain embodiments.FIG. 23particularly shows second base stopper1960and elevated portion1940.

Various modifications to the above embodiments are possible. For example, while torsion springs are employed by certain embodiments, other biasing mechanisms are also possible. For example, it may be possible to replace the coil springs with cantilever spring, a volute spring, or a constant-force spring.

For another example, the parts as illustrated are made from metal. However, the parts may be made not only from various metals and metal alloys, but also from polymers or carbon fibers. Other materials are also permitted.

FIG. 24illustrates a method according to certain embodiments. As shown inFIG. 24, a method can include, at2410, mounting a second lever on a first lever configured to pivot about a first axis, wherein the second lever is mounted to pivot about a second axis offset from the first axis.

The method can also include, at2420, biasing the second lever to a first position by a first spring and a second spring. The biasing can include, at2421, arranging the first spring and the second spring together as a double bias spring system. The biasing can also include, at2422, opposing a torque of the first spring to an opposite torque of the second spring.

The biasing can further include, at2423, mounting a first base stopper on the first lever. The method can additionally include,2424, mounting a second base stopper on the first lever. The method can also include, at2425, mounting a lever stopper on the second lever. The method can further include, at2426, arranging the first spring to be stopped by the first base stopper, the second base stopper, and the lever stopper. The method can additionally include, at2427, arranging the second spring to be stopped by the first base stopper and the lever stopper, but not the second base stopper.

The biasing can include, at2428, wrapping a first end of the first spring partially around the first base stopper. The method can also include, at2429, arranging the first spring to lose contact with the second base stopper by movement of the second lever into the second position.

The method can further include, at2430, arranging the first lever to engage a braking system of a vehicle when the first lever is pivoted about the first axis and the second lever is in the first position.

The method can additionally include, at2440, arranging the second lever to be pivoted about the second axis to a second position different from the first position. The method can also include, at2450, arranging the first lever to disengage a reverse lockout system of the vehicle when the second lever is in the second position.

The method can further include, at2460, arranging the second lever to be pivoted about the second axis to a third position different from the first position or the second position. The method can additionally include, at2470, arranging the first lever to hold in a brake activated position to function as a parking brake of the vehicle when the second lever is in the third position.