Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Multiple controlling elements for single controlled element
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-27
2001-07-24
Herrmann, Allan D. (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Multiple controlling elements for single controlled element
C074S481000, C074S486000, C180S333000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06263753
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a control device for operating the brake and accelerator pedals for a vehicle having either a manual transmission or an automatic transmission, including but not limited to motor vehicles, by handicapped drivers who have lost the functional mobility of the
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional vehicles incorporate foot controls, a typical vehicle with an automatic transmission having accelerator and brake pedals and a manual transmission having accelerator, brake and clutch pedals. To permit operation by handicapped persons having restricted or no use of their legs, such vehicles may be fitted with hand controls which permit hand operation of the accelerator and brake pedals. Handicapped persons are normally restricted to the use of automatic transmission vehicles.
The majority of hand controls which have been considered previously utilize systems of levers and push rods of varying complexity, and are installed in the vehicle in various ways.
Sebazco's U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,857 discloses a steering and braking control system. This invention provides a means to brake a car without use of the brake pedal by pushing the steering wheel to activate the brake and releasing it to release the brake. Venturini's U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,002 discloses a control device mounted within the steering wheel for control of acceleration and braking. This device uses a series of lever elements connected to a cable system which activates electrical controls for control of the automobile.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,674 by Rivas discloses a set of vehicle controls for brake, clutch and accelerator pedals. An accelerator and brake control is mounted on the steering wheel and a brake and clutch control is mounted on the gear shift level. Signals arc transmitted electrically from the control to a motor with a wire-free connection to operate the pedal. Bolduc's U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,684 discloses a system for the operating of the brake and accelerator pedals using a single joystick. A signal is electrically transmitted to mechanical components which operate the respective pedals.
Lenz's U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,492 demonstrates a hand lever control device mounted on the steering column, which controls the acceleration and braking systems. Likewise Ruprecht's U.S. Pat. No. 4,998,983 discloses a lever system which activates the brake and accelerator pedals. The lever is attached to the steering column. Ruprecht's U.S. Pat. No. 4,788,879 also discloses a lever system to operate the brake and accelerator pedals.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,177 by Johnson discloses a remote controller steering, braking and accelerating. The invention incorporates a two axis joystick which is the connected to the steering wheel, and brake and accelerator through electric motors. Reichenberger's U.S. Pat. No. 4,078,628 discloses a double wheel control system for controlling brake and accelerator.
SUMMARY
The object of the present invention is a control device for vehicle steering, braking and accelerator for the assistance of handicapped drivers in driving vehicles, especially drivers handicapped in the lower limbs. The present invention provides a control device for vehicle, steering, braking and accelerator that is readily accepted by all users and leads to enhanced driver handling capability. The present invention is for any vehicle, including but not limited to motor vehicles.
The control device for vehicle steering, braking and acceleration comprises a steering wheel, a steering mechanism, a braking mechanism and an accelerator mechanism. The steering mechanism has a spline shaft connected to the vehicle steering shaft, a spline bearing, an inner ring on a ring assembly and a steering wheel, whereby rotation of the steering wheel is transferred through the inner ring to the spline bearing, then to the spline shaft and finally to the steering shaft. The braking mechanism has a control rod attached to the vehicle brake pedal, a bearing cap and a brake bearing means attached to the control rod. The brake bearing means is in contact with the outer ring of the ring assembly whereby when a force is exerted on the steering wheel, the steering wheel then exerts a force on the ring assembly and thereby on the outer ring which, in turn exerts the force against the brake bearing means, the bearing cap and the control rod thereby moving the brake pedal and causing the braking system to arrest the motion of the vehicle.
In a second embodiment of the invention, an accelerator control lever device is mounted on the outer ring of the ring assembly and attached to the accelerator pedal through a control cable, whereby movement of the accelerator lever device moves the control cable and the accelerator pedal to change the speed of the vehicle.
Another object of the invention is to provide a device which is modular and can therefore be used in any vehicle with either a mechanical or an automatic gear box.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a device which allows the handicapped user to experience sensations identical to those of driving a normal vehicle. The invention also aims to provide a device that allows all the flexibility and performance of the vehicle to be maintained, and which enables normal driving with pedals by a non-handicapped person.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1556302 (1925-10-01), Pace
patent: 1841294 (1932-01-01), Nicholson
patent: 2200625 (1940-05-01), Koppel
patent: 2470273 (1949-05-01), Uffel
patent: 2648993 (1953-08-01), Kemp
patent: 4078628 (1978-03-01), Reichenberger
patent: 4476954 (1984-10-01), Johnson et al.
patent: 4788879 (1988-12-01), Ulrich
patent: 4998983 (1991-03-01), Ruprecht et al.
patent: 5129492 (1992-07-01), Lenz et al.
patent: 5553684 (1996-09-01), Bolduc
patent: 5603674 (1997-02-01), Rivas et al.
patent: 5662002 (1997-09-01), Venturini
patent: 5666857 (1997-09-01), Sebazco
Herrmann Allan D.
Taylor Charles A.
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