An apparatus with knob and cable assembly

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention generally relates to an apparatus with knob and cable assembly. More particularly, the present invention particularly relates to an apparatus with a knob and cable assembly employing a“pull and release” mechanism.

Background of the invention

[001] The automobile industry has witnessed an exponential growth in the recent past because of advancement in science and technology. Automobiles are designed with an objective of making it user-friendly. However, despite major advancements, present generation vehicles still employ primitive components such as levers that require extra manual effort from the user to slide, unlock or open different parts of an automobile. The complexity of finding the lever and moving or holding the lever at a particular position is not feasible. The existing mechanism makes the operation stressful.

[0002] The Patent Application No. US4268086A titled“Seat assembly for an automobile” disclose a seat assembly mechanism for inclining a seat back to desired position. The seat assembly for an automobile comprises a seat, a seat back, first bracket means secured to the seat, second bracket means secured to the seat back, counter bracket means having one end pivotally connected with said first bracket means and the other end pivotally connected with the second bracket means, first locking means for releasable, locking the counter bracket means on the first bracket means against relative movement, the counter bracket comprises of a first locking pin 24 and an actuating lever, second locking means for releasable, locking the counter bracket means against relative movement. The seat back can thus be folded over the seat to provide a room for cargoes and packages. The actuating lever is attached to first bracket means, which controls the operation of the bending of the seat. However, the present invention incorporates lever mechanism that requires manual force from the user to push the seat.

[002] The Patent Application No.US4403524A titled“ Headlamp door lever assembly” discloses a hand-actuated lever assembly, and more specifically to a hand-actuated lever assembly which is intended for use in motor vehicles. The lever assembly comprises a handle and a lever mechanism which is pivotally mounted to an anchored support plate. The handle is adapted to engage a stop member on the lever mechanism for pivoting the handle and the lever mechanism to an operating position. The lever mechanism is mechanically coupled to the headlamp door mechanism such that operation of the handle results in pivoting of the lever mechanism and operation of the door mechanism. The lever mechanism is provided with a releasable lock for maintaining the lever mechanism in the operating position. A spring is provided to bias the handle in a non-operating direction such that, after the lever mechanism is pivoted to the operating position the handle will automatically return to a horizontal, non-operating position while the lever mechanism remains in the operating position. The handle includes a disengaging mechanism for use when it is desired to return the headlamp door mechanism to the non-operating position. This invention requires effort from the user, to find and place a lever in a particular position to open the headlamp door assembly.

[003] Hence, there is a need for a stress-free mechanism to carry out various mechanical functions in an automobile thereby making it user friendly.

Summary of the invention:

[0003] The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art by providing an apparatus with a knob and cable assembly employing a“pull and release” mechanism. The apparatus comprises a knob for enabling“pull and release” action and a cable assembly for performing a locking/unlocking function depending on the position of the knob. Further, the apparatus comprises a housing disposed between the knob and cable assembly, wherein the housing receives and accommodates the knob in its retracted position. The knob is pulled out of the housing to initiate a release mechanism

[0004] The“pull and release” action at the knob is facilitated by a spring which is disposed between the housing and cable assembly wherein the spring transfers a “pull” action performed at the knob to the cable assembly for releasing the lock. Further, the apparatus comprises a clip for securing and fixing the position of the knob wherein the clip fixes and maintains the position of the knob to ensure firm locking by the cable assembly.

[0005] The present invention provides an apparatus with a knob and cable assembly employing a “pull and release” mechanism. The knob and cable assembly ensures minimum effort applied by the user and supports efficient locking or unlocking mechanism when employed in a vehicle.

Brief description of the drawings:

[0006] The foregoing and other features of embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements.

[0007] FIG 1 illustrates an apparatus with a knob and cable assembly employing a“pull and release” mechanism.

Detailed description of the invention:

[0008] Reference will now be made in detail to the description of the present subject matter, one or more examples of which are shown in figures. Each example is provided to explain the subject matter and not a limitation. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the invention.

[0009] The present invention provides an apparatus with knob and cable assembly. The apparatus comprises of a knob for enabling“pull and release” action. The knob is pulled out of the housing to initiate a release mechanism. The apparatus also comprises a cable assembly for performing a locking/unlocking function depending on the position of the knob, a housing disposed between the knob and cable assembly, a spring disposed between the housing and cable assembly wherein the spring transfers a“pull” action performed at the knob to the cable assembly for releasing the lock. Further, the apparatus comprises of a clip for securing and fixing the position of the knob wherein the clip fixes and maintains the position of the knob to ensure firm locking by the cable assembly.

[0010] FIG 1 illustrates an apparatus with a knob and cable assembly employing a“pull and release” mechanism. The apparatus (100) comprises a knob (101) for enabling“pull and release” action and a cable assembly (102) for performing a locking/unlocking function depending on the position of the knob (101). Further, the apparatus (100) comprises a housing (103) disposed between the knob (101) and cable assembly (102), wherein the housing (103) receives and accommodates the knob (101) in its retracted position. The knob (101) is pulled out of or pushed into the housing (103) to initiate a release mechanism/ lock mechanism.

[0011] The“pull and release” action at the knob (101) is facilitated by a spring (104) which is disposed between the housing (103) and cable assembly (102) wherein the spring (104) transfers a“pull” action performed at the knob (101) to the cable assembly (102) for releasing the lock. Further, the apparatus (100) comprises a clip (105) for securing and fixing the position of the knob (101) wherein the clip (105) fixes and maintains the position of the knob (101) to ensure firm locking by the cable assembly (102).

[0012] For example, if a user wishes to release the seat from its regular position to fold or to unfold, the current mechanism of unlocking the seat uses straps which is conventionally disposed at the side of the seat. The straps demand a lot of effort and energy from the user and hence not preferred. The present invention provides a knob (101) and cable assembly (102) employing a“pull and release” mechanism wherein the customer is simply required to pull the knob (101) to facilitate easy folding or unfolding of the seat. [0013] The present invention provides an apparatus with a knob (101) and cable assembly (102) employing a“pull and release” mechanism. The knob (101) and cable assembly (102) ensures minimum effort applied by the user and supports efficient locking or unlocking mechanism when employed in a vehicle. However, the present invention is not limited to a mechanical push and pull action of the knob (101) and cable assembly (102) as the push and pull function maybe remotely or electrically operated and controlled. Further, the present invention provides the scope of incorporating an electrical switch or sensor to notify the user regarding the locked or unlocked condition of the knob (101) and cable assembly (102).

[0014] While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist.

Reference numbers: