Footboards And Pedal Guards Patents (Class 180/90.6)
  • Patent number: 7740260
    Abstract: A vehicle step assembly uses hinged pedestals and attitude links to position step stringers and an attached step beam in a generally horizontal and elevated deployed position, while permitting a space-saving tucked-in stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, Multimatic, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael VanBelle, Louis Caballero, Sven Sauerwein, David Barrett
  • Patent number: 7708096
    Abstract: A snowmobile footrest has a top surface, a first foot gripping element extending upwardly and forwardly from the top surface, and a second foot gripping element extending upwardly and rearwardly from the top surface. A snowmobile frame and a snowmobile having the footrest are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventor: Sébastien Vezina
  • Publication number: 20100012412
    Abstract: A utility vehicle is disclosed having foot controlled pedals to operate the speed and acceleration of the vehicle. The utility vehicle may include a foot well in the floor board for locating the heel an operator's foot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron David Deckard, Jeffrey Lynn Gardner
  • Publication number: 20090293666
    Abstract: The present invention provides an organ type accelerator pedal apparatus comprising a pedal to which a driver applies a force to rotate a pedal arm; and a pedal bracket to which one end of the pedal is hinge-connected and which includes one or more fitting protrusions, guide protrusions, fitting holes used to be fixed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, SL Corporation
    Inventors: Eunsik KIM, Yangrae Cho, Taehoon Jang
  • Publication number: 20090250282
    Abstract: A two or more person RUV (recreational utility vehicle) is provided with a multi-place multi-planar saddle seat assembly, multi-place multi-planar foot board assemblies, and grip handles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Richard A. Davis, Eric A. Davis, Russell R. Kleiser
  • Publication number: 20090183937
    Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle including: a first seat arranged on the vehicle; a second seat arranged behind the first seat; a first floor arranged in front of the first seat; a second floor arranged between the first seat and the second seat; an engine having at least a part arranged between the first floor and the second floor; and an exhaust pipe connected to the engine and having a first vertical pipe portion extending downward from a connecting portion to the engine and a horizontal pipe portion extending backward below the second floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventors: Takashi Yamamura, Shigehiro Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 7506714
    Abstract: A two or more person RUV (recreational utility vehicle) is provided with a multi-place multi-planar saddle seat assembly, multi-place multi-planar foot board assemblies, and grip handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: American Off-Road Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Richard A. Davis, Eric A. Davis, Russell R. Kleiser
  • Publication number: 20090071738
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) having an ergonomically improved rider footwell and leg well. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to ATVs having an ergonomically designed footwell leg recess to allow the rider's leg to be received therein while standing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventor: JEFFREY DAVID BENNETT
  • Patent number: 7497291
    Abstract: An illuminated foot or highway peg for a motorcycle is disclosed which is pivotally mounted to the underside of each of the floorboards of a motorcycle and which is selectively pivotally movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A ball detent mechanism yieldably maintains the foot peg in its retracted and extended positions and also enables the foot peg to break away to move towards its retracted position should it strike a foreign object while in its extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Inventor: Nicholas S. McKim
  • Publication number: 20090008170
    Abstract: A foot peg for a straddled vehicle includes a frame having cross members, each including a row of upper teeth. The cross members are stepped, with the center members higher than the front and rear cross members to define a generally horizontal plane. The front and rear cross members are oriented forwardly or rearwardly at an angle of about 45° to the horizontal step. Each cross member and each adjacent pair of cross members provides a plane of substantially positive engagement by a rider's boot. At least five engagement planes are possible, and the rider's boot may be shifted through a range of at least about 110° while maintaining substantially positive engagement with the foot peg. The frame also includes a pair of inner and outer ends, each equipped with upper teeth. Extensions of the front and rear cross members converge downwardly and inwardly toward the vehicle, forming a brace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventor: Travis W. Claussen
  • Publication number: 20080283327
    Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle including a frame having longitudinally-spaced ends defining a first longitudinal axis, and an engine supported by the frame. The engine includes a crankshaft defining a second longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Dieter, Jeffrey David Bennett, Sean E. Sherrod, Nathan D. Dahl, Steve L. Nelson, John D. Schreier
  • Publication number: 20080271936
    Abstract: A hinge assembly is provided for moving a step on a motor vehicle between a stowed position and a deployed position. A rail bracket is fixedly secured to the vehicle and includes inner and outer bushings insert molded therein. A step bracket includes inner and outer bushings insert molded therein. The step is fixedly secured to the step bracket. An inner arm includes upper and lower pivot shafts insert molded therein. The upper and lower pivot shafts protrude from the inner arm and are pivotally disposed in the inner bushings of the rail and step brackets, respectively. An outer arm includes upper and lower pivot shafts insert molded therein. The upper and lower pivot shafts protrude from the outer arm and are pivotally disposed in the outer bushings of the rail and step brackets, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Christopher John Kuntze, Steve Giles, Daniel V. Beckley, Jason Fulcher, Ben Reginella, Timothy F. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 7422082
    Abstract: A small-sized vehicle has a structure that enables reductions in the number of assembly steps and that improves the sealing property of a connecting portion without causing a cost increase. The small-sized vehicle includes a floor panel having a foot panel portion on which an occupant places his/her feet and a front panel portion arranged to extend upwardly between a suspension system and the legs of the occupant, the foot panel portion and the front panel portion being integrally formed of resin, and the floor panel made of resin is arranged and fixed on a vehicle body frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Yamaha Motor Mfg. Corp. of America
    Inventor: David Reffitt
  • Patent number: 7258192
    Abstract: A two or more person RUV (recreational utility vehicle) is provided with a multi-place multi-planar saddle seat assembly, multi-place multi-planar foot board assemblies, and grip handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: American Off-Road Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Richard A. Davis, Eric A. Davis, Russell R. Kloiser
  • Patent number: 7097188
    Abstract: A running board for an all-terrain vehicle includes structure for substantially blocking snow, mud and the like from landing onto the running board during operation, and also for blocking engine heat from excessively warming the feet of a rider. In a running board including a step portion which is positioned on a side of a powertrain unit having an operation pedal in a side portion thereof, a partition is provided between the engine and the step portion, the partition including an insertion opening portion into which the operation pedal is inserted. The partition can be made wider since the operation pedal is inserted into the insertion opening portion blocking snow, mud and the like from coming through a space between the running board and the engine. The partition plate also tends to block engine heat from excessively warming the feet of a rider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Takeshima, Shigeto Inami
  • Patent number: 7017436
    Abstract: A boot assembly for a vehicle includes a retainer adapted to be connected to vehicle structure of a vehicle and a boot for surrounding either one of a shifter and parkbrake of the vehicle. The boot assembly also includes a seal connected to the boot and to the retainer to prevent the boot from exiting the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen K. Winchell
  • Patent number: 6990875
    Abstract: A pedal box for a motor vehicle, comprising clutch (1), brake (2), and accelerator (3) pedals that are mounted to respectively rotate about a corresponding pivots (X1, X2, X3) between a rest position and a position of maximum actuation after passing through a multitude of intermediate positions. A link (4) located between the accelerator pedal (3) and the brake pedal (2) places the brake pedal (2) in an intermediate position or a rest position depending on whether or not the accelerator pedal (3) is in a rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Corporation
    Inventor: Jean-Marc Attard
  • Patent number: 6938714
    Abstract: To reduce moment generated at the proximal portion and the supporting portion of a brake pedal and to prevent an increase in weight even when the brake pedal is disposed outside a vehicle body and an operating unit is disposed away from the brake pedal within the vehicle body. A supporting shaft rotates integrally with the brake pedal by being connected with the brake pedal at one end with a supporting member for supporting both ends of the supporting shaft. An operating member is provided for operating an operating unit by rotation of the brake pedal and the supporting shaft by being connected to the other end of the supporting shaft at the position away from the brake pedal are provided. A pedal pad unit includes a flat depressing surface forming portion to be covered by a cover on the front face on which the driver depresses and a mounting portion extending from the depressing surface forming portion in the direction opposite from the cover for being pivotally mounted on the pedal lever unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenichi Misaki, Masamoto Ito, Kenji Nakamura, Seiji Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6782964
    Abstract: A platform included as part of a mower, the platform providing a surface upon which an operator stands while operating the mower. The platform is springably or suspendably mounted on the frame of the mower to cushion the operator and thereby decrease the amount of physical exertion which may be experienced by the operator over long periods of operation. The platform is further associated with a power control mechanism operatively connected with the platform whereby operation of the mower attachment(s) are selectively controllable by the operator stepping onto or off of the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Douglas Dean Korthals, Randall Joseph Bischel, Ellis Rudolph West
  • Patent number: 6494115
    Abstract: A left foot accelerator pedal device which allows persons lacking sufficient functionality of the right foot or right leg to operate a motor vehicle accelerator pedal using their left foot. The device incorporates an accelerator pedal activator which engages the motor vehicle accelerator pedal and is operably attached by a main shaft to a left side accelerator pedal. The main shaft is supported by a base unit which is removably attached to a base plate affixed to the vehicle floor. By depressing left side accelerator pedal a person lacking functionality of the right foot may operate the vehicle while the device may be easily removed from base plate allowing a person of normal functionality to operate the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: The Braun Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne Alfred Haugen, Lynn Ringdahl
  • Patent number: 6478359
    Abstract: A footrest assembly (15) comprises a footrest (17) and a clip (18). The clip (18) has a shank (27) to be inserted into and fixed to a hollow tubular support (22, 23) extending from a rear surface (21) of a step of the footrest (17), and a resilient engagement pawl (29), which serves as a vehicle body panel fixing portion, formed in a shank portion from protruded from the end of the support. A protrusion (33) for defining the height of the footrest is provided at the intermediate region of the side surface of the shank (27) of the clip (18), and is arranged to engage with an end face of a notch (26) formed at the end of the support so as to prevent the shank from being further inserted. The protrusion (33) is formed at the side surface of the shank of predetermined strength which allows the protrusion to be shorn by the end of the support when a vehicle collision of a predetermined impact force causes the shank to be pressed to the support of the footrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Emhart LLC
    Inventors: Masahi Dendo, Kouichi Daigaku
  • Patent number: 6478103
    Abstract: An all terrain vehicle comprises a compact layout for a brake system. The all terrain vehicle includes a front fender assembly, which is positioned above at least one front wheel, and a rear fender assembly, which is positioned above at least one rear wheel. An engine is supported by a frame assembly and is positioned between the front wheel and the rear wheel. A longitudinal plane extends along an outer lateral surface of the engine and a transverse plane extends along either a rearmost portion of the front fender assembly, a forwardmost portion of a foot step or an intersection between the front fender assembly and the foot step. A master cylinder of the braking system is disposed forward of the transverse plane and inward of the longitudinal plane. The master cylinder is independently operated by a hand actuator and a foot actuator. Movement of either of the actuators does not move the other of the actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tatsuya Matsuura
  • Patent number: 6390218
    Abstract: A brake arm is formed of a steel pipe and bent upward in its front part to assume a generally L-shaped configuration. A pedal part is welded to the front part of the brake arm. The brake arm is configured so that the upwardly bent portion is expansion formed so as to gradually become thicker toward the upper end and the distal end portion to which the pedal part is welded has a shape similar to but marginally smaller in size than the bottom face of the pedal part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroto Yao
  • Publication number: 20020038737
    Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle has a removable foot board arrangement. The foot boards are removably mounted to a mounting fixtures. The mounting fixtures are removably mounted to a set of corresponding mounting brackets. The mounting brackets are secured to the frame of the all-terrain vehicle. The foot boards extend outward beyond an outermost portion of the rims of the front wheels and serve as side guards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Applicant: Yoshihiro Morishita et al
    Inventors: YOSHIHIRO MORISHITA, TAKASHI SUZUKI
  • Patent number: 6241301
    Abstract: A motor vehicle including an occupant compartment and a foot rest. The occupant compartment is partially defined by a floor. The foot rest is interconnected with the floor for movement between a first position and a second position. An upper surface of the foot rest is flush with the floor when the foot rest is in the second position. The upper surface extends above the floor when the foot rest is in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Stephan J. Speth, Thomas B. Tran
  • Patent number: 6224134
    Abstract: Injection molded components for off-road recreational and utility vehicles such as ATV's and snowmobiles. In one embodiment, the invention provides a rack having a fiber-filled plastic resin body. The body has an overall thickness substantially less than its width and length, and includes a generally flat, horizontal top having a plurality of slots. Each of the slots is defined by a flange extending downwardly the flange having a thickness that is substantially less than its height to define a downwardly extending reinforcing rib, which also provides a point of attachment for straps such as bungee cords. Preferably the rack includes integrally molded transverse reinforcing ribs extending across the slots, the reinforcing ribs having a top surface which is recessed downwardly from the top surface of the rack. In another embodiment, the invention provides an injection molded foot rest for an off-road recreational or utility vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Mitchell D. Johnson, Michael A. Klein, Matthew David Parks, Mark Thomas Karl, Patrick Johnson, Tim Spahr, Jeff Sajna, Craig Andrews, Kenneth Terry Higgins, Robert A. Lowery, Keith D. Ruby, Alton Mitchell, Rhonda L. Davis
  • Patent number: 6182778
    Abstract: The motor compartment of a fork lift truck is modified so that the operator's feet extend into the space normally required by the motor compartment. A motor support structure is installed between the traction motor and the gear box which is connected to the steerable, powered wheel. The motor support structure occupies a smaller space than the traction motor itself, thus increasing the space available to the operator's compartment, at least in a limited vertical location adjacent to the support. With the traction motor out of the way, sufficient space for elevated pedals is provided, thus providing the operator ample space to operate the truck while seated. A battery compartment and hydraulic system of the truck are positioned adjacent to one another and ahead of the operator's compartment/motor compartment. In this way, the battery compartment and hydraulic system are positioned such that they are clear of the operator's compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Henshaw, Randall D. Plaugher, Patrick A. Tebbe
  • Patent number: 6179079
    Abstract: A motor vehicle is disclosed having a foam pad 13 located in the vicinity of a foot pedal 14, 15. The foam pad 13 has a recess into which the pedal 14, 15 can be fully accommodated when it is fully depressed. The thickness of the foam pad 13 is such that the upper surface of the foot pad 15 of the foot pedal is co-planar with the surface of the foam pad 13 when the foot pedal is at its extreme of travel so that it may support a foot 5 applied to the foot pad 15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Rover Group Limited
    Inventor: Michael Neil Basnett