Abstract: A robotic device for operating a control pedal of a vehicle having a body and a pedal actuator mounted on the body. A telescoping connecting rod is coupled to the pedal actuator through a bell crank assembly, and further coupled to the control pedal for reciprocating motion thereto. The robotic device causes the pedal to be depressed and released when the pedal actuator reciprocates the telescoping connecting rod.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for facilitating replacement of a vehicle wheel and eliminating the frustrations associated with the alignment of lug bolts with holes in the replacement wheel. The invention may be included in new vehicles or retrofitted by the owners of older vehicles. The apparatus comprises an elongated support member extending from a hub of a vehicle adjacent to lug bolts also extending from the hub or hub holes in the hub. The hub is rotated so that the support member is in the topmost position, and the replacement wheel is hung on the support member. Gravity insures that the holes in the wheel are aligned with the lug bolts so that it is easy to push laterally on the wheel to engage the lug bolts in the holes. The support member may include one lug bolt which is longer than the others or a dedicated guide pin attached to the hub.

Abstract: A lifting or jacking device for the lifting of lawn mowing equipment comprising an axle with wheels, an extended vertical element secured to the axle, a support element secured to the axle at approximately a 90.degree. angle from the extended vertical element, and a gripping piece, preferably a pair of gripping teeth secured to one end of the support bar. Preferably a foot assist bar is also secured to the extended vertical element to assist the lever element in raising the lawn mowing equipment. In addition, there is preferably secured to the device an extendable safety arm which is extendable from the support element to maintain the lifting device in a fixed position after the lawn mowing equipment has been lifted. Also preferably, the extended lever bar is divided into an upper and lower section, the upper section of which may be rotated to assist in the movement and storage of the lifting or jacking device.

Abstract: A portable rod-like device for depressing a vehicle pedal, such as an accelerator or a brake pedal to a predetermined setting and maintaining that setting in the form of a screw-threaded rod and a mating screw-threaded nut having a hook. The nut rides up the screw-threaded rod and engages the steering wheel of the vehicle while the other end of the rod engages the pedal. The rod depresses the accelerator pedal against spring pressure while the engine is operating and the accelerator pedal is depressed to a point whereby a predetermined setting has been reached on the tachometer of the vehicle, and maintained at that setting. The device can be finely adjusted in small increments. The foot at the free end of the rod frictionally engages the accelerator pedal and can be mounted in either a fixed position or can be swivel mounted.

Abstract: An apparatus for the operation of the pedals of a motor vehicle including a first telescoping member, a second telescoping member, a brake handle in threaded connection to an end of the first telescoping member and having an opening allowing the second telescoping member to extend therethrough, a first pedal mount pivotally connected to an end of the first telescoping member opposite the brake handle, and a second pedal mount pivotally connected to an end of the second telescoping member opposite the brake handle. The brake handle extends outwardly transverse to a longitudinal axis of the first telescoping member. The second telescoping member has one end extending through the opening of the brake handle. The second telescoping member extends downwardly in generally parallel relationship to the first telescoping member. Each of the first and second telescoping members includes four interconnected sections in telescoping relationship.

Abstract: A remotely controlled actuator for depressing a brake pedal so as to permit the brake system to be bled by a single operator. There is a pneumatic cylinder having attachment fittings mounted to its ends, and these engage the brake pedal and the rim of the steering wheel. Compressed air is supplied to the pneumatic cylinder by way of a portable control valve, so that as this extends, one attachment fitting depresses the brake pedal while the other reacts against the steering wheel. The portable control valve is connected to the cylinder by long, flexible air hoses, so as to permit the operator to move from wheel cylinder to wheel cylinder. A pressure regulator allows the operator to adjust the pressure which is exerted on the brake pedal.

Abstract: An anti-theft vehicle seat apparatus (10) that allows the vehicle seat (90) to be moved from a normal driving position to a forward position. When in the forward position the seat is sufficiently close to the vehicle steering wheel that the vehicle cannot be driven. The apparatus consists of first and second double-sliding track assemblies (12), (14) that move in two increments. The first increment allows the seat to be conventionally placed in a normal driving position and the second allows the seat to be placed in the forward non-drivable position. The invention may be used in combination with a brake compression assembly (60) that includes a seat cavity (62) and a brake compression member (64). The member (64) has a back end (64b) that fits into the cavity (62) and a first end (64a) that has a cavity (64c) sized to encompass the brake pedal. When the vehicle seat (90) is placed in a forward position, the assembly (62) compresses the brake pedal to provide an additional anti-theft safeguard.

Abstract: A brake pedal locking device having a pin (20) permanently mounted in a vehicle floorboard and a locking compression member (33) that preferably consists of a locking channel (34) having an angular plate (44) with a pin bore (46). When the channel is placed over a vehicle brake pedal (42) the bore interfaces with the pin to lock the device in place. Engaging arms (56) are depressed by the vehicle driver for installation of the device and release arms (66) are depressed to remove the device from the wedged position between the break pedal (42) and the floorboard pin (20). A key lock (63) or a removable pad lock (64) is used to secure the device and an alarm unit (90) is activated when an unauthorized removal of the device is taking place. A carrying handle (54) permits ease of handling and a switch or the like with openable electrical contacts (72) deenergizes the vehicle's brake light when the device is installed.

Abstract: A portable vehicle throttle lock which includes a base member having opposite end portions. An accelerator pedal engagement means is formed in or connected adjacent to one of the opposing ends of the base member and a brake pedal engagement means is formed in or connected adjacent to the remaining opposing base member end. Also included are means for adjustably lengthening or shortening the base member. In operation the throttle lock is engaged between the brake and accelerator pedals of a conventional motor vehicle. An operator may lengthen the throttle lock via the adjustable lengthening means in order to adjust the rate of engine shaft rotation. The throttle lock may be manufactured and installed such that an operator may return the engine to idle by simple depressing the accelerator pedal thereby causing the throttle lock to disengage.

Abstract: The brakes of a towed vehicle can be applied remotely responsive to braking of the towing vehicle. An air compressor driven by the motor of the towing vehicle can supply compressed air to a compressed air storage tank with a pneumatic line extending from the compressed air storage tank rearwardly to a braking assembly which is positioned in the passenger compartment of the towed vehicle. The braking assembly is adjustable and includes a rod positioned between the steering wheel and the brake pedal of the towed vehicle and is secured to both. A pneumatic control device is connected to the pneumatic line to receive a signal therethrough to actuate the braking assembly through an actuation device such as a pneumatic piston to exert pressure to expand the length of the bar and apply the brakes of the towed vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle foot pedal actuator device is adapted for both depressing a vehicle foot pedal and returning the pedal to its normal position. The actuator device includes a variable length extension assembly adapted to be connected between the vehicle driver's seat and the pedal to be actuated. A drive arrangement is adapted for extending and retracting the extension assembly, and a control system having a moveable remote control unit is adapted for controlling the operation of the actuator from various positions around the vehicle where maintenance and repair work may be performed. The extension assembly preferably includes an elongated extension housing tube adapted to receive an elongated extension member that may be extended and retracted in a telescoping fashion to vary the length of the assembly.