BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of Invention

This invention relates to parking brakes. More particularly, the invention relates to a parking brake mechanism for all terrain vehicles.

Prior Art

Many all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), use automatic transmissions that have a shift lever that the operator uses to select operating mode and the vehicle relies on the operator to position the shift lever in “park” to immobilize the vehicle. When on level ground this is effective for immobilizing the vehicle; however, should an operator stop the ATV on a slope and position the shift lever into “park” and release the vehicle foot brake, the operator will find it difficult to re-position the shift lever without exerting excessive force on the shift lever causing potential damage to the vehicle transmission or linkage.

Additionally, many all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) have open air cockpits or cabins with no way to secure the vehicle cockpit or cabin. With the ignition key removed, the ATV shift lever can be positioned in “neutral” and the vehicle can be easily moved or towed without the ignition key in the vehicle and without the vehicle engine running.

Prior parking brakes rely on the ATV operator to manually engage a brake handle to hold the pressure on the vehicle brake system on a hill and the ATV operator manually has to disengage the brake handle to release the pressure on the vehicle brake system when the shift lever is positioned to “drive”. Additionally, prior parking brakes do not have any indication whether the brake is on or off. Also, prior parking brakes can be easily repositioned from engaged and disengaged positions with no way of securing or locking the parking brake which allows the vehicle to be moved even if the ignition key is removed.

The invention overcomes problems of the prior ATV parking brake devices and enhances security of an ATV through the employment of a unique locking mechanism.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is a principal object of the invention to provide an improved parking brake mechanism for an all terrain vehicle.

Another object of the invention is to provide an anti theft security feature in an attachment to a brake for an all terrain vehicle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a foot operated locking mechanism to engage a brake of an all terrain vehicle into a locked position.

Another object of the invention is to provide an attachment for an all terrain vehicle parking brake that is easy to install as an after market item.

Accordingly, the invention is directed to a parking brake mechanism for an all terrain vehicle providing an improved parking brake and security feature to a brake pedal of a vehicle, particularly, an all terrain vehicle. The mechanism includes a rigid bracket mountable about a vehicle brake pedal. In this regard, the bracket includes at least one mounting surface mounted to a fixed surface adjacent the brake pedal.

The bracket is provided with a locking pin mechanism which is attached thereto in a manner to normal bias the pin in a relaxed open state, and when the bracket is mounted about the brake pedal, the brake pedal can be depressed to a braking position whereupon so doing permits actuation of the locking pin to be moved into a blocking position and when the brake pedal is released a brake pedal arm connected to the brake pedal engages the locking pin preventing the brake from being fully released and thus preventing the movement of the vehicle. Further, the locking pin is provided with lateral stop surfaces, e.g., bushings which rest on either side of contacting brake pedal arm to aid in maintaining the brake arm in place.

Additionally, there is provided a locking arm which is connected to the locking pin and includes a locking surface which is complementary to a locking surface on the bracket and to which a locking member can be attached to both to secure the brake pedal in a secure way such that without removal of the locking member, the pin remains engaged in a secure manner.

When the locking member is not in use, the present invention provides a parking brake mechanism which permits manually engagement by foot or hand and is automatically disengaged by spring action of the when the vehicle, i.e., ATV, operator presses the vehicle brake pedal. The present invention allows the operator to secure the vehicle with the parking brake engaged. The invention therefore provides a vehicle brake attachment mechanism which is deployed on by the vehicle brake to immobilize the vehicle as well as provide an anti-theft aspect.

