Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Foot operated
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-25
2001-02-06
Green, Mary Ann (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Foot operated
C180S274000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06182525
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention is directed to a movable vehicle pedal apparatus for helping to reduce injury to a lower extremity of a vehicle driver in the event of a vehicle collision.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A vehicle driver uses one or more pedals located in the middle of the footwell on the driver's side of the vehicle to control the operation of various vehicle components, such as the vehicle motor, the vehicle brakes, and, in the case of a vehicle having a manual transmission, the vehicle clutch. It is known to provide an adjustment mechanism to allow for positional adjustment of the pedals within the footwell.
In the event of a vehicle collision, it is possible for a lower extremity of the vehicle driver to be injured due to contact with one or more of the pedals located in the footwell. Therefore, an apparatus which moves the pedals out of the middle of the footwell in the event of a vehicle collision is desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an apparatus for helping to reduce injury to a lower extremity of a driver of a vehicle in the event of a vehicle collision. The apparatus comprises at least one pedal having an operative condition in which the at least one pedal is engageable by a foot of the driver to control a vehicle operation. The at least one pedal has an inoperative condition in which the at least one pedal is not engageable by the driver's foot to control a vehicle operation. Means are provided for moving the at least one pedal from the operative condition to the inoperative condition in the event of a vehicle collision.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5172606 (1992-12-01), Dzioba et al.
patent: 5519997 (1996-05-01), Specht
patent: 5531135 (1996-07-01), Dolla
patent: 5632184 (1997-05-01), Callicutt et al.
patent: 5676397 (1997-10-01), Bauer
patent: 5873599 (1999-02-01), Bauer et al.
patent: 4409324 (1994-10-01), None
patent: WO9960457 (1999-11-01), None
Bowers Paul A.
Sutherland Daniel R.
Green Mary Ann
Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell Tummino & Szabo L.L.P.
TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
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