Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Foot operated
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-28
2001-01-09
Fenstermacher, David (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Foot operated
C074S478500, C074S562000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170355
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to adjustable foot pedals used as operator input devices in various types of equipment. One such application would be as a brake pedal in a heavy duty vehicle, such as a truck, tractor, fork lift truck, or an armored military vehicle.
In machinery of all types and particularly heavy duty vehicles, operators of different heights can be required to operate the machinery. In one applicable embodiment, that being a heavy duty vehicle, a suspended or floor mounted brake pedal is not efficient or comfortable to everyone in the spectrum of individuals that may be asked to operate the vehicle. This is especially true if the seat of the vehicle cannot be adjusted to accommodate persons of different sizes. It is well known to provide a height adjustable brake pedal. Some of these brake pedals or machine operating pedals will have releasable adjusting links on the underside of the brake pedal. Such location could interfere with the movement of the brake pedal.
In addition to the vehicle applications mentioned above it is contemplated that an adjustable pedal of the type disclosed herein could find applicability in other applications. For instance, in a factory environment there are many machines that require foot activated input from the machine operator. In particular situations where the machine operator is sitting in a seat or a chair the adjustability of the foot pedal could be a desirable feature. From an ergonomic standpoint the proper leg extension of the operator can reduce stress related injuries and lead to higher productivity and operator comfort on the job.
Studies have indicated that a significant portion of the male population can be accommodated by a foot pedal design having an extension of a given travel or “throw.” For instance, approximately ninety five percent of men in the age group typical of men in the United States military can effectively operate a foot actuated control pedal if the travel or throw of the pedal linkage is restricted to twenty eight degrees and the pedal is adjustable from a positive eighteen degree position to a negative eighteen degree position. This adjustment and travel range is also an effective operating range for five percent of the female population. In the case of heavy machinery operation this population range for both males and females will accommodate the majority of operators.
In a study performed at the FMC Corporate Technology Center in Santa Clara, Calif. in April 1997 the existing M88A2 brake pedal operation was evaluated. Through extensive use of a program called “JACK” (a human figure modeling and analysis software program) the inventors were able to determine the movement, reach and stretch requirements for both ninety-five percent male and five percent female operators. Industry standards and particularly military specification standards such as MIL-STD-1472 were not being attained and accommodated by all pedal systems.
To meet the scope of the range of potential operators of heavy machinery it is desirable to have a foot operated pedal that can have at least three adjustment positions. These would include an intermediate height position, a first extension position, which provides an eighteen degree adjustment up (or positive adjustment) from the intermediate position and a second extension position, which provides an eighteen degree adjustment down (or negative adjustment) from the intermediate adjustment position.
It is also desirable that total travel of the pedal be approximately twenty eight degrees in any adjustable configuration. That is to say that if the throw or travel of the pedal is about twenty eight degrees of rotary or arcuate motion the operation of the pedal linkage will be comfortable and efficient for the normal heavy machinery operator.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a foot pedal using two separate levers or linkage links, which pivot around a common shaft and are connected together by an adjustable latch. The position of the foot pedal relative to the floor of the host vehicle or relative to the seating location of the operator of the host vehicle will be adjustable by means of a notched link in the pedal operating linkage. An arcuate slot in the assemble will prevent the over extension of the linkage thereby providing a mechanism to minimize the opportunity of the pedal getting out of adjustment. That is, the pedal will still have a range of operating travel or scope that will assure the usefulness of the pedal assembly.
One object of the invention to provide an adjustable pedal assemble that will be efficient when used by ninety five percent of all males and of five percent of the females between the ages of eighteen and fifty of the population of United States.
It is another object of the invention to provide a easily adjustable pedal that can be adjusted as the vehicle is being operated.
It is another object of the invention to provide an adjustable pedal that is comfortably accommodates people of different heights when they are seated in non-adjustably operator's seats.
It is another object of the invention to provide an adjustable pedal, where the axis of rotation for adjustment is the same as the axis of rotation in the use of the pedal.
A further object of the invention is to provide a pedal assembly that will have the same range of operating motion at each end of the adjustment range, that is that regardless of the position of the pedal adjustment location there will still be a range of pedal motion that will be sufficient to operate the downstream mechanism controlled by the pedal linkage.
On other object of the invention is to provide a heavy duty pedal assemble that is purely mechanical in operation making it appropriate for use in heavy duty operating environments.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a pedal design that limits total pedal travel from the existing fifty degrees of pedal travel to a new total travel of approximately twenty-eight degrees of arcuate pedal travel regardless of the pedal adjusted stop position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be understood through a reading of this specification in conjunction with a perusal of the following drawing figures. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and the claims are given the ordinary and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. If any other special meaning is intended for any word or phrase, the specification will clearly state and define the special meaning.
Likewise, the use of the words “function” or “means” in the Detailed Description of the Drawings is not intended to indicate a desire to invoke the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6, to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6 are sought to be invoked to define the inventions, the claims will specifically state the phrases “means for” or “step for” and a function, without also reciting in such phrases any structure, material or act in support of the function. Even when the claims recite a “means for” or “step for” performing a function, if they also recite any structure, material or acts in support of that means or step, then the intention is not to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6. Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6 are invoked to define the inventions, it is intended that the inventions not be limited only to the specific structure, material or acts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function, along with any and all known or later-developed equivalent structures, material or acts for performing the claimed function.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3224293 (1965-12-01), Rose
patent: 3273418 (1966-09-01), Ellis
patent: 3643524 (1972-02-01), Herring
patent: 3643525 (1972-02-01), Gibas
patent: 3828625 (1974-08-01), Bruhn, Jr.
patent: 4026164 (1977-05-01), Mozingo
patent: 4802381 (1989-02-0
Fenstermacher David
Kamp Ronald C.
Kim Chong H.
United Defense L.P.
LandOfFree
Ergonomic range accommodating adjustable foot pedal does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Ergonomic range accommodating adjustable foot pedal, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Ergonomic range accommodating adjustable foot pedal will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2504094