Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Foot operated
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-14
2001-01-16
Green, Mary Ann (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Foot operated
Reexamination Certificate
active
06173625
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The subject invention relates to an adjustable pedal assembly of the type attached to an automotive vehicle to control the brake, clutch and/or throttle in normal operation but which can be adjusted to a different position to accommodate a different driver position.
2. Description of the Prior Art
An adjustable pedal assembly of the type to which this invention relates typically comprises a mounting bracket for attachment to a vehicle structure for supporting a first pedal lever having an upper end and a lower pad end. A linkage mechanism supports the pedal lever for operative pivotal movement relative to the bracket in a normal operational position to move a connection for a motion transmitting element but also allows the adjustment of the operational position of the pad end relative to the bracket while limiting movement of the element connection relative to the bracket during the adjustment. In other words, the fore and aft position of the pad end of the pedal lever may be adjusted by the supporting linkage mechanism but the motion transmitting element extending to the clutch, brake or throttle must not move during this adjustment. Examples of such linkage mechanisms are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,143 to Ewing. However, in accordance with the teachings in this patent there is suggestion, other than rudimentary engineering duplication, of adjusting a plurality of pedal levers, particularly pedal levers separated from one another like the separation between the accelerator pedal lever and the brake pedal lever. A multi-pedal lever assembly is disclosed in co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/174,748, filed Oct. 19, 1999, which is assigned to the assignee of the subject invention. However, this assembly does not accommodate the separation between pedal levers while remaining efficient in design. More specifically, that prior art assembly requires the operational axes of the multiple pedal levers to be coaxial.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES
A novel adjustable pedal assembly of the type comprising a mounting bracket for attachment to a vehicle structure, a first pedal lever having an upper end and a lower pad end, and a motion transmitting element connection for attachment to and moving a motion transmitting element. A linkage mechanism supports the pedal lever for operative pivotal movement relative to the bracket in an operational position and supports the element connection for movement during the operative pivotal movement and for adjustment of the operational position of the pad end relative to the bracket while limiting movement of the element connection relative to the bracket during the adjustment. A second pedal lever has upper and lower ends and is rotatable about an operational axis. The assembly is characterized by a control link connecting the second pedal lever to the linkage mechanism for adjusting the operational position of the operational axis of the second pedal lever in response to the adjustment of the operational position of the pad end of the first pedal lever relative to the bracket, and a guide supported by the bracket for guiding movement of the operational axis of the second pedal lever during the adjustment thereof.
The subject invention provides a novel adjustable pedal assembly including a plurality of pedal levers which may be adjusted between operative positions in unison without changing or moving the controls to which they are attached but which will operate independently to move the controls during normal operation. The assembly will accommodate the separation between the accelerator and the brake pedal lever yet minimizes the components with an efficient design concept. The subject invention provides a novel adjustable pedal assembly including a plurality of pedal levers which are operable about independent operational axes and wherein the operational axis of the second pedal lever may be adjusted between operative positions in unison with the first pedal lever under the control of a guide.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3319487 (1967-05-01), Lystad et al.
patent: 3511109 (1970-05-01), Tanaka
patent: 3563111 (1971-02-01), Zeigler
patent: 3643524 (1972-02-01), Herring
patent: 3643525 (1972-02-01), Gibas
patent: 3691868 (1972-09-01), Smith
patent: 3828625 (1974-08-01), Bruhn, Jr.
patent: 4683977 (1987-08-01), Salmon
patent: 4870871 (1989-10-01), Ivan
patent: 5172606 (1992-12-01), Dzioba et al.
patent: 5460061 (1995-10-01), Redding et al.
patent: 5855143 (1999-01-01), Ewing
McFarlane Jeffrey A.
O'Neill Michael James
Green Mary Ann
Howard & Howard
Teleflex Incorporated
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