Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Foot operated
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-18
2001-10-09
Green, Mary Ann (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Foot operated
C074S514000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06298745
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to control pedal apparatuses and more particularly to adjustment means for selectively adjusting the position of one or more of the control pedals of a motor vehicle.
In a conventional automotive vehicle pedals are provided for controlling brakes and engine throttle. If the vehicle has a manual transmission a clutch pedal is also provided. These pedals are foot operated by the driver. In order for the driver to maintain the most advantageous position for working these control pedals the vehicle front seat is usually slidably mounted on a seat track with means for securing the seat along the track in a plurality of adjustment positions.
The adjustment provided by moving the seat along the seat track does not accommodate all vehicle operators due to differences in anatomical dimensions. Further, there is growing concern that the use of seat tracks, and especially long seat tracks, constitutes a safety hazard in that the seat may pull loose from the track during an accident with resultant injuries to the driver and/or passengers. Further, the use of seat tracks to adjust the seat position has the effect of positioning shorter operators extremely close to the steering wheel where they are susceptible in an accident to injury from the steering wheel or from an exploding air bag. It is therefore desirable to either eliminate the seat track entirely or shorten the seat track to an extent that it will be strong enough to retain the seat during an impact. Shortening or eliminating the seat track requires that means be provided to selectively move the various control pedals to accommodate various size drivers.
Various proposals were made over a period of many years to provide selective adjustment of the pedal positions to accommodate various size drivers but none of these proposals met with any significant commercial acceptance since the proposed mechanisms were unduly complex and expensive and/or were extremely difficult to operate and/or accomplished the required pedal adjustment only at the expense of altering other critical dimensional relationship as between the driver and the various pedals. Recently a control pedal mechanism has been developed which is simple and inexpensive and easy to operate and that accomplishes the required pedal adjustment without altering further critical dimensional relationships as between the driver and the various pedals. This control pedal mechanism is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,875,385; 4,989,474 and 5,078,024 all assigned to the assignee of the present application. The present invention represents improvements to the basic adjustable control-pedal design disclosed in these patents.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to the provision of a simple, inexpensive and effective apparatus for adjusting the control pedals of a motor vehicle.
This invention adjustable pedal apparatus is intended for use with any of the control pedals of a motor vehicle and provides a simple and effective means of adjusting the position of the pedal to match the particular anatomical dimension of the operator.
The invention pedal apparatus includes a pedal support structure including a pivot arm and a rod structure extending rearwardly and rigidly from the pivot arm; a screw shaft extending proximate to and parallel to the rod structure; drive means for driving the screw shaft; and a pedal structure including an upper guide structure, defining a smooth guide bore slidably receiving the guide rod and a threaded bore threadably receiving the screw shaft, and a pedal arm extending downwardly from the upper guide structure. This arrangement provides a simple and effective means for readily adjusting the position of the pedal structure.
According to a further feature of the invention, the rod structure is hollow; the screw shaft is positioned concentrically within the hollow of the rod structure; and the upper guide structure of the pedal structure includes an outer hub structure slidably mounted on the rod structure, a nut positioned slidably within the hollow of the rod structure and threadably receiving the screw shaft, and drive means drivingly interconnecting the pedal structure and the nut. This specific packaging arrangement as between the pedal structure, screw shaft and rod structure provides a compact and simple apparatus for readily adjusting the pedal position.
According to a further feature of the invention, an elongated slot is provided in the hollow rod structure opening in the rearward end of the rod structure, a slot is provided in the hub structure, the pedal arm includes an upper end portion extending upwardly through the hub structure slot and into the hollow of the hub structure, and the nut is positioned in the upper end of the pedal arm upper end portion. This specific driving arrangement as between the nut and the pedal structure provides a simple and effective drive package.
According to a further feature of the invention, the apparatus further includes an electric motor mounted on the pivot arm proximate the mounting location of the guide rod on the pivot arm; the screw shaft forms a part of an elongated drive member positioned within the guide rod and including a driven gear positioned proximate the mounting location of the guide rod on the pivot arm; a cable extends from the output of the motor to a driving gear drivingly engaging the driven gear, whereby energization of the motor moves the pedal structure axially forwardly and rearwardly along the guide rod.
According to a further feature of the invention, the apparatus further includes a further mounting bracket; a further pivot arm pivotally mounted on the further mounting bracket; a further hollow guide rod mounted on the further pivot axis at a further mounting location spaced from the pivot axis of the further pivot arm and extending rearwardly from the further pivot arm; a further pedal structure including an upper hollow hub structure slidably mounted on the further guide rod and a pedal arm extending downwardly from the hub structure; a further nut positioned in the hollow of the further guide rod; a further elongated drive member positioned within the further guide rod and including a further driven gear positioned proximate the further mounting location and a threaded shaft extending forwardly within the further guide rod and threadably engaging the further nut; further drive means interconnecting the further nut and the further pedal structure; a further driving gear drivingly engaging the further driven gear; and a further cable extending from the driving gear to the further driving gear. With this arrangement, energization of the motor moves the pedal structure axially forwardly and rearwardly along the guide rod and simultaneously moves the further pedal structure axially forwardly and rearwardly along the further guide rod.
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Bortolon Christopher
Rixon Christopher J.
Comfort Pedals Inc.
Green Mary Ann
Howard & Howard
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