Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – Foot rests
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-27
2001-11-20
Gordon, Stephen T. (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
Foot rests
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318786
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates in general to motor vehicle pedals. More particularly, the present invention relates to an adjustable dead pedal for use in a motor vehicle.
2. Discussion
All conventional automobiles include a variety of pedals. Most vehicles have an accelerator pedal that controls the engine throttle and a brake pedal that controls actuation of the braking system. Some vehicles that are equipped with a manual transmission have a clutch pedal. The operator typically uses his or her right foot to actuate both the accelerator and the brake and in vehicles with a clutch, the operator uses his or her left foot to actuate the clutch.
In vehicles with automatic transmissions and no clutch pedal, the operator's left foot performs no appreciable purpose with respect to the function of the vehicle. In vehicles with manual transmissions and clutch pedals, the operator's left foot is used only during the changing of gears of the transmission. Some vehicles provide what is commonly referred to as a ‘dead pedal’ which provides a somewhat upright and angled location for the operator to place his or her left foot. A dead pedal provides advantages to the occupant over simply placing his or her left foot on the floor. By having an upright and angled location, the operator can apply pressure with his or her left foot to stabilize their position in the vehicle seat. This function is even more critical when dealing with performance cars where drivers require the ability to stabilize themselves in the vehicle seat. Because of this purpose and the relatively easy construction, the dead pedal has become a staple in the automotive industry, especially in performance vehicles.
Although stationary dead pedals perform the aforementioned function satisfactorily, many people prefer a dead pedal that is at a certain depth in the car. Some operators like the dead pedal close enough to them such that their left leg is bent, while others like the dead pedal far enough away to outstretch their leg. There is, therefore, a need to provide an adjustable dead pedal for an automobile. There is also a need to provide an inexpensive apparatus for an adjustable dead pedal. There is a further need to provide a simple and easy method to adjust the dead pedal in the fore and aft directions.
SUMMARY OF THE MENTION
Accordingly, it is the principal objective of the present invention to provide an adjustable dead pedal apparatus for a motor vehicle
It is another objective of the present invention to provide an adjustable dead pedal apparatus for a motor vehicle with a pedal structure that can be easily translated to a plurality of positions in the fore and aft direction.
It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a simple and easy method for adjusting a dead pedal of a motor vehicle.
In one form, the present invention concerns an adjustable dead pedal for a motor vehicle. The adjustable dead pedal apparatus includes a bracket that is removeably attached to a vehicle side wall. A pedal structure is selectively secured to one of a plurality of positions on the bracket. The pedal structure can be moved in the fore/aft direction by removing the bracket from the side wall and removing the pedal structure front the bracket from a first position and reattaching the pedal structure at a second position. The bracket can then be reattached to the vehicle side wall.
Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates from a reading of the subsequent description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2679432 (1954-05-01), Ruth
patent: 2747924 (1956-05-01), Walther
patent: 3784247 (1974-01-01), Mills
patent: 4310193 (1982-01-01), Kolleas
patent: 5152487 (1992-10-01), Defatte et al.
patent: 6073515 (2000-06-01), Elton et al.
Finck James
Larsen Paul S
Sauve Paul J
Calcaterra Mark P
Coletta Lori L
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Gordon Stephen T.
LandOfFree
Adjustable dead pedal for a motor vehicle does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Adjustable dead pedal for a motor vehicle, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Adjustable dead pedal for a motor vehicle will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2606883