Abstract: A park-lock follower (50) for a shifter assembly (10) is provided which coacts with a shifter (34) pawl to lock and unlock a key in an ignition switch (112). The pawl (34) is disposed within a gate (18) having a plurality of stepped regions (22, 24, 26, 28) that is supported by a base (16). The follower (50) is attached to one end (62) of a cable assembly (52) and is supported by the base (16) adjacent to a park stepped region (22) for rectilinear movement along an axis (A). The follower (50) is moved linearly to an unlocked position (X) in response to the pawl (34) being moved to the park stepped region (22) for unlocking the key in the ignition switch (112). The follower (50) is moved linearly to a locked position (Y) in response to the pawl (34) being moved to one of the non-park stepped regions (24, 26, 28) for locking the key in the ignition switch (112).

Abstract: A shifter assembly (10) for automatic transmissions is disclosed having a base (12) and a detent member (14) supported by the base (12). The detent member (14) defines an automatic (18) and manual (20) shift path and a plurality of gear positions (22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34) within the shift paths (18, 20). A transmission control arm (60) is pivotally connected to the base (12) for movement about an axis (A) and is adapted for connection to a linkage for operating an automatic transmission. The shifter assembly (10) also has a shift lever (42) movable through the gear positions (22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34). The assembly (10) is characterized by including a pivotal connection (80) interconnecting the control arm (60) and the shift lever (42) for supporting the shift lever (42) on the control arm (60) and pivoting the shift lever (42) relative to the control arm (60) for changing between the shift paths (18, 20).

Abstract: An assembly (10) for interconnecting the throttle and transmission whereby the transmission is locked in neutral for shifting from gear to gear unless the throttle is at idle. A guide member (22) engages opposite edges of a slider member (12) on the front and supports an actuator (18) on the rear. The slider member (12) has a hole (20) therein for receiving a locking pin (16) to lock the slider member (12) in the neutral position. The locking pin (16) is biased out of engagement with the slider member (12) by a return spring (44) whereas a compression spring (48) allows lost motion movement of an actuator pin (46) relative to the locking pin (16) under the force of a throttle moved cam (54) when the locking pin (16) is in abutting engagement with the slider member (12). The slider member (12) and the cam (54) may be connected to the transmission and throttle respectively by motion transmitting cable assemblies.

Abstract: An accelerator pedal assembly for an electronic throttle control includes a housing, a pedal arm, and a sensor assembly for generating an electric control signal that varies in relation to the position of the pedal arm. The pedal arm is supported for movement relative to the housing and has a first end connected to a pedal pad and a second end pivotally supported on a shaft to define a pivot axis. The sensor assembly includes a sensor member that is pivotally mounted on the shaft for pivotal movement with the pedal arm about the pivot axis. The pedal assembly is characterized by the housing presenting a sensing surface for interacting with the sensor member to generate the electric control signal that varies in magnitude in proportion to the extent of movement of the pedal arm relative to the housing.

Abstract: A motion transmitting remote control assembly for transmitting motion in a curved path comprising a flexible motion transmitting core element (12) movably supported by a conduit (14). An adjustment mechanism is disposed on the end of the core element (12) for adjusting the length of the core element (12) and includes a slider member (18) attached to one end of the core element (12) and presenting slider teeth (20) on the exterior thereof and a housing (22, 122) slidably supporting the slider member (18) for movement along the longitudinal axis and adapted for connection to a control member (25). The housing (22, 122) has a bottom (26) and an opening extending upwardly from the bottom (26) and surrounded by sides (28) parallel to the longitudinal axis and first (30) and second (32) ends extending transverse to the longitudinal axis and a locking button (34, 134) is supported in the opening in the housing (22, 122) for moving between an unlocked position (FIG.

Abstract: An adjustable pedal assembly (12) includes a mounting bracket (14) for attachment to a vehicle structure (16), a pedal lever (18), a pedal pad (26), and a driving mechanism (28). The pedal lever (18) has an upper end (22) and a lower end (24) with the upper end (22) being pivotally supported with respect to the mounting bracket (14). The pedal pad (26) is connected to the lower end (24) of the pedal lever (18) and the driving mechanism (28) is operative to move the pedal pad (26) between an extended position and a retracted position. The assembly is characterized by including a control linkage (30) interconnecting the driving mechanism (28) and the pedal pad (26). The driving mechanism (28) drives the control linkage (30) along a guide path defined by the pedal lever (18) to move the pedal pad (26) between the extended and retracted positions.

Abstract: An accelerator pedal assembly (12) for electronically controlling a vehicle engine throttle includes a housing (18), a pedal arm (16) pivotally supported with respect to the housing (18), and a pedal pad (14) connected to a lower end (20) of the pedal arm (16). The pedal arm (16) is pivotable between an idle position and a maximum applied position as a pedal force is applied to the pedal pad (14). Under certain conditions, the accelerator pedal arm (16) can be pivoted to a position that causes the automatic transmission (40) to kickdown by changing to a next lower gear. Under these conditions a feel is imparted to the driver's foot indicating that a downshift has occurred. To simulate this feel in a drive-by-wire application, the pedal arm (16) presents a cam surface (48) for interacting with a spring (50) that has a first end (52) seated within the housing (18) and a movable second end (54) for bias engagement with the pedal arm (16).

Abstract: An adjustable pedal assembly (110) is disclosed for maintaining a constant ratio between the movement of the pad (142) and the movement of the output core element (132) in all adjusted operational positions of the pad (142). A support (112) is included for attachment to a vehicle structure and a pedal lever (120) is rotatably supported by the support structure (112) for rotation about a pivot axis (122) and including an actuator arm (138) extending in a first direction from the pivot axis (122) and a pad arm (140) extending in a second direction from the pivot axis (122). A slide member (114) is slidably supported by the support (112) for adjustment between various operational positions. A conduit (124) has a first end (126) attached to the slide member (114) for movement therewith during the adjustment between the operational positions and a second end (128) for attachment to the vehicle support structure.

Abstract: Two embodiments (10 and 110) of an adjustable pedal assembly are characterized by a first component (34 or 134) surrounding one half of a worm gear (30 or 130) and a first length of the worm (32 or 132) and a second component (36 or 136) surrounding the other one half of the worm gear (30 or 130) and a second length of the worm (32 or 132). A support (12 or 112) includes a pocket holding the first (34 or 134) and second (36 or 136) components in abutting relationship with one another. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the pocket (46) is defined by and within the support (12) and the support (12) includes flexible tabs (48) for snapping the first (34 or 134) and second (36 or 136) components into the pocket (46). In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the pocket (146) is defined by a box-like clamp (146) extending about the first (38 or 138) and second (42 or 142) covers and attached to the support (112) by a fastener (160).

Abstract: The assembly is characterized by simultaneously molding the support fitting (18) and the swivel tube (20) of an organic polymeric material to be bonded to the conduit which extends between the support fitting (18) and the swivel tube (20) to allow the swivel tube (20) to oscillate.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a remote control assembly having a conduit (12) movably supporting a core element (14) with an end fitting (16) disposed on the conduit (12) for mechanical engagement with a ferrule (18) and a slug (20) disposed on the core element (14). The method comprises the steps of selecting a ferrule (18) for supporting the conduit (12) on a support structure (22) from a plurality of ferrule (18) configurations and snapping the ferrule (18) into mechanical connection with the end fitting (16) while inserting the core element (14) through the conduit (12) and ferrule (18). A terminal member (38, 138, 238), having a slug pocket (40) therein and a connector for connection configurations and it is placed on the core element (14) with the slug (20) in the slug pocket (40). A collar (42) is placed over the slug pocket (40) as the collar (42) is mechanically connected to the terminal member (38, 138, 238) to cover the slug pocket (40) and retain the slug (20) in the slug pocket (40).

Abstract: The position of the pad end (18 and 118) of the first pedal lever (14 and 118) may be adjusted by pivoting an adjustment link (22 and 122) relative to a support bracket (12 and 112) as a drag link (26 and 126) pivots relative to an actuator link (28 and 128). Simultaneously with this adjustment of the operational axis of the first pedal lever (14 and 114), a control link (40 and 140) adjusts the position of the operational axis (40 and 140) of a second pedal lever (32 and 132) as a guide (38 and 138), in form of a link supported by the bracket (12 and 112) guides movement of the operational axis (40 and 140) of the second pedal lever (32 and 132) during the adjustment thereof. Otherwise, the normal operation of the respective pedal levers (14 and 114, 32 and 132) is independent of one another about their respective operational axes (29 and 129, 40 and 140).

Abstract: A pedal carrier (14) is movably supported by the support (12) for adjustment between various operational positions. The support (12) includes a rod (16) and the pedal carrier (14) is slidably supported on the rod (16). The carrier (12) includes an arm (30) extending from the support (12) and a fitting defining a first end (26) of a conduit (24) is retained in an aperture in the arm (30). A pedal lever (20) includes an actuator portion (38) extending upwardly from a pivotal pin (22) and a first end (34) of a core element (32) is attached to the actuator portion (38). The pedal lever (20) also includes a pedal portion (40) extending downwardly from the pivotal pin (22) so that the pin (22) acts as a fulcrum in response to a pedal force applied to the pedal portion (40) to place the core element (32) in tension.

Abstract: A pedal assembly includes a housing (16) and a pedal arm (14) pivotally connected to the housing (16) with a first end supporting a pedal pad (12) and a second end forming a pedal pivot arm (26). The pedal pivot arm (26) has at least one cam lobe (38) extending therefrom and the housing (16) has a cylindrical collar portion (30) recessed in the housing (16) for receiving and retaining at least one coil spring (24). The interaction of the spring (24) between the pedal pivot arm (26) and the collar portion (30) generates a hysteresis effect. The collar portion (30) has a notch (32) extending through the side wall of the housing (16). The coil spring (24) has a first distal end (34) seated in the notch (32) and a second distal end (36) that is in bias contact with the cam lobe (38).

Abstract: An adjustable pedal assembly includes a mounting arrangement (1) for attachment to a vehicle structure (37), an accelerator pedal (6), a brake pedal (7), and a clutch pedal (8). The pedals (6, 7, 8) are pivotally supported with respect to the mounting arrangement (1) and define a first pivot axis (9). An adjustment element (5) is pivotally supported with respect to the mounting structure (1) and defines a second pivot axis (4). The adjustment element (5) selectively moves the pedals (6, 7, 8) between a plurality of operable positions. The adjustable pedal assembly is characterized by the pedals (6, 7, 8) being pivotally supported with respect to the adjustment element (5) wherein the second pivot axis (4) is generally parallel to the first pivot axis (9). A driving mechanism with an electric motor (11) and gear assembly (12) is used to rotate the adjustment element (5) about the second pivot axis (4).

Abstract: A modular pedal assembly (10) includes a support base (12) for attachment to a vehicle structure (14), a clutch pedal arm (16), and a brake pedal arm (18). A first bearing block (20) rotatably supports the clutch pedal arm (16) for rotation about an axis and a second bearing block (22) rotatably supports the brake pedal arm (18) for rotation about the same axis. A support interconnects the clutch (16) and brake (18) pedal arms for rotation about the axis. The pedal assembly (10) further includes a connector (24) for connecting the first bearing block (20) to the second bearing block (22) to define a pedal subassembly for attachment to the base (12). The connector (24) locates and maintains the first bearing block (20) at a pre-determined distance from the second bearing block (22) to ensure proper orientation for installation. The pedal subassembly is then fastened to the base (12) to form the pedal assembly (10).

Abstract: A pedal assembly is characterized by a shipping connection, generally shown at (18), interconnecting the pedal arm (12) and the pedal platform (16) for pivoting the platform (16) to a shipping position (as shown in FIG. 7) generally overlying the pedal arm (12) and for pivoting to and locking the platform (16) in a locked position extending generally in the same direction and as an extension of the pedal arm (12) (as shown in FIGS. 1-3) for the normal operational pivotal movement about the operational axis. A locking pin (22) includes a beveled end (36) projecting into the space between the legs of the pedal platform (16) for engaging the arm (12) and calming the locking pin (22) out of the locked position during movement of the pedal platform (16) from the shipping position to the locked position.

Abstract: A flexible motion transmitting core element (12) is attached a rod (14) and a conduit (16) movably supports the core element (12) and has an end portion to which is attached an end fitting (18). An insert (20) has a neck portion (22) embedded in the end fitting (18) and a spherical portion (24) presenting a ball-shaped pocket and extending from said neck portion (22) through a maximum inner diameter D. A swivel tube (26) has a bore therethrough for movably supporting the rod (14) and has a convex spherical surface (28) slidably supported in the ball-shaped pocket for swiveling movement relative to the end fitting (18). The end fitting (18) embeds only a portion of the spherical portion (24) of the insert (20) for allowing the open end (30) to move radially to snap the convex spherical surface (28) of the swivel tube (26) into the ball-shaped pocket of the insert (20). The insert (20) includes an anchor flange (32) for anchoring the insert (20) in the end fitting (18).

Abstract: A vehicle control pedal apparatus (12) includes a support (18) adapted to be mounted to a vehicle structure (20) and an adjustable pedal assembly (22) having a pedal arm (14) that is moveable in fore and aft directions with respect to the support (18). A pivot (24) pivotally supports the adjustable pedal assembly (22) with respect to the support (18) and defines a pivot axis (26). The control pedal apparatus (12) further includes an electronic throttle control (28) attached to the support (18) for controlling an engine throttle (30). The apparatus (12) is characterized by the electronic throttle control (28) being responsive to the pivot (24) for providing a signal (32) that corresponds to pedal arm position as the pedal arm (14) pivots about the pivot axis (26) between rest and applied positions. Thus, the control pedal apparatus (12) can adjust pedal arm position in fore and aft directions without having to move the electronic throttle control unit (28) along with the pedal arm (14).

Abstract: A method of fabricating a remote control assembly having a conduit (12) movably supporting a core element (14) with an end fitting (16) disposed on the conduit (12) for mechanical engagement with a ferrule (18) and a slug (20) disposed on the core element (14). The method comprises the steps of selecting a ferrule (18) for supporting the conduit (12) on a support structure (22) from a plurality of ferrule (18) configurations and snapping the ferrule (18) into mechanical connection with the end fitting (16) while inserting the core element (14) through the conduit (12) and ferrule (18). A terminal member (38, 138, 238), having a slug pocket (40) therein and a connector for connection to a control member, is selected from a plurality of terminal member (38, 138, 238) configurations and it is placed on the core element (14) with the slug (20) in the slug pocket (40).