ADJUSTABLE PEDAL ASSEMBLY

Abstract

Four embodiments of an adjustable pedal assembly are disclosed wherein a pedal lever is adjustable along a rod. Each assembly is characterized by the rod (116, 216, 316 and 416) being arcuate or curved, e.g., in an arc, between its connection to a support (112, 212, 312 and 412) and its distal end for changing the angle of the longitudinal axis of the pedal lever (118, 218, 318 and 418) relative to the support (112, 212, 312 and 412) during the adjustment of the pedal lever (118,218,318 and 418) along the rod (116, 216, 316 and 416). Consequently, the angle of the pedal pad (120, 220, 320 and 420) is changed to accommodate different operators.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The subject patent application is a divisional of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/610,476, filed on Jun. 30, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. ______, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/034,280, filed Dec. 28, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,662,677, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/542,653 filed Apr. 4, 2000, now abandoned, which in turn claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/159,663 filed on Oct. 15, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The subject invention relates to an adjustable pedal assembly for adjusting the operational position of the pedal to accommodate different operators.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The adjustable pedal assemblies adjust the operational position of the pedal lever, and, consequently, the operational position of the pad at the lower end of the pedal lever, by a linkage system for moving the pedal lever in an arc or a rod supporting the pedal lever for rectilinear movement along the rod. The subject invention is an improvement for the rod-supported pedal lever. A support mounts the assembly to a vehicle and a rod extends from the support to a distal end. A pedal lever having a longitudinal axis extending between an upper end and a lower end is included for operational movement from an operational position in response to a force from a vehicle operator. A mechanism supports the pedal lever on the rod for the operational movement in response to the force from an operator and for adjustment of the operational position of the pedal lever along the rod. Examples of prior art assemblies are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,010,782 and 5,086,663 to Asano et al and U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,183 to Rixon et al.

As the operational position of the pedal lever is adjusted by moving the mechanism along the rod, the angle of the pad at the lower end of the pedal lever remains constant. However, it is desirable to change the angle of presentation of the pedal pad to accommodate different angles of approach of the various different operators' foot during application of a force to move the pedal lever; that is, without adjusting the position of the pad relative to the pedal lever.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES

The subject invention includes an adjustable pedal assembly comprising a support for mounting the assembly to a vehicle and a rod extending from the support to a distal end. A pedal lever having a longitudinal axis extending between an upper end and a lower end is included for operational movement from an operational position in response to a force from a vehicle operator. A mechanism supports the pedal lever on the rod for the operational movement in response to the force from an operator and for adjustment of the operational position of the pedal lever along the rod. The assembly is characterized by the rod being arcuate for changing the angle of the longitudinal axis of the pedal lever relative to the support structure during the adjustment of the pedal lever along the rod.

Accordingly, the subject invention provides an adjustable pedal assembly of the type wherein the operational position of the pedal lever is adjusted along a rod and the angle of presentation of the pedal pad is changed to accommodate different angles of approach of the various different operators' foot during application of a force to move the pedal lever.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a fourth embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals differing by one hundred indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, an adjustable pedal assembly incorporating the subject invention is generally shown respectively at 110, 210, 310 and 410.

Each assembly includes a support 112, 212, 312 and 412 for mounting the assembly to a vehicle, such as to the firewall 114, 214 and 414.

A rod or guide 116, 216, 316 and 416 extends from the support 112, 212, 312 and 412 to a distal end.

A pedal lever 118, 218, 318 and 418 having a longitudinal axis (A) extends between an upper end and a lower end for operational movement from an operational position in response to a force from a vehicle operator. A pedal pad 120, 220, 320 and 420 is fixed to the pedal lever 118, 218, 318 and 418 so that the angel of presentation remains constant relative to the axis (A) of the pedal lever 118, 218, 318 and 418.

A mechanism 122, 222, 322 and 422 supports the pedal lever 118, 218, 318 and 418 on the rod 116, 216, 316 and 416 for the operational movement in response to the force from an operator and for adjustment of the operational position of the pedal lever 118, 218, 318 and 418 along the rod 116, 216, 316 and 416.

The assembly is characterized by the rod or guide 116, 216, 316 and 416 being arcuate or curved, e.g., in an arc, between its connection to the support 112, 212, 312 and 412 and the distal end for defining an arcuate path and for changing the angle of the longitudinal axis (A) of the pedal lever 118, 218, 318 and 418 relative to the support 112, 212, 312 and 412 during the adjustment of the pedal lever 118, 218, 318 and 418 along the rod 116, 216, 316 and 416, as illustrated by the phantom positions in FIGS. 2 and 4. As shown in the Figures, the arcuate rod or guide 116, 216, 316 and 416 is cantilevered from and extends in the arcuate path from the support 112, 212, 312 and 412 to the distal end.

The adjustable pedal assembly 110, 210, 310 and 410 includes a drive system for adjusting the mechanism 122, 222, 322 and 422 and the operational position of the pedal lever 118, 218, 318 and 418 along the rod or guide 116, 216, 316 and 416. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 and 4, the mechanism 122, 222 and 422 is slidably mounted to the rod or guide 116, 216 and 416 of the support 112, 212 and 412 for moving in the arcuate path during the adjustment of the pedal lever 118, 218 and 418.

More specifically, in the embodiments of FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the drive system includes a threaded screw 124, 224 and 424 and a threaded nut 126, 226 and 426 threadedly engaging the screw 124, 224 and 424. A power unit 128, 228 and 428 rotates the screw 124, 224 and 424 to move the nut 126, 226 and 426, and the nut 126, 226 and 426 is connected to the pedal lever 118, 218 and 418 for moving the pedal lever 118, 218 and 418 along the rod 116, 216 and 416 in response to rotation of the screw 124, 224 and 424. A rotational connection defined by a pin 130, 230 and 430 connects the nut 126, 226 and 426 to the pedal lever 118, 218 and 418 for accommodating the changing angle of the longitudinal axis of the pedal lever 118, 218 and 418 relative to the screw 124, 224 and 424 during the adjustment of the pedal lever 118, 218 and 418 along the rod 116, 216 and 416. The screw 124, 224 and 424 is straight and a lost motion connection comprising an elongated slot 131, 231 and 431 is disposed between the nut 126, 226 and 426 and the pedal lever 118, 218 and 418 for accommodating the change in distance between the screw 124, 224 and 424 and the rod 116, 216 and 416 as the nut 126, 226 and 426 moves along the screw 124, 224 and 424. The slot 131, 231 and 431 is in the mechanism 122, 222 and 422 and surrounds the pin connection 130, 230 and 430 to the nut 126, 226 and 426. The power unit 128, 328 and 428 includes a gear box which is rotated by a rotary cable or electric motor to rotate the screw 124, 224 and 424. The rotational connection 130, 230 and 430 comprises a pin which supports the nut 126, 226 and 426 for rotation relative to the mechanism 122, 222 and 422 as it moves along the curved rod 116, 216 and 416.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the rod or guide 116 of the support 112 is a plate having a central slot 119 with the screw 124 disposed in the slot 119 and the nut 126 disposed in the slot 119. As shown, the slot 119 is preferably arcuate. The mechanism 122 includes a bracket having spaced flanges with the rod 116 extending through holes or slots in the bracket. In the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 4, the screw 224 and 424 is disposed in spaced relationship to the rod 216 and 416 with an extension of the mechanism 222 and 422 supporting the pin connection 230 and 430 which supports the nut 226 and 426.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the drive system includes at least one gear 324 in meshing engagement with the rod 316 and a power unit 328 for rotating the gear 324 for moving the pedal lever 318 along the rod 316 in response to rotation of the gear 324. The power unit 328 is driven by a rotary cable to rotate a gear box which, in turn, rotates the gear 324. The rod 316 comprises a plate with top and bottom edges and rack teeth 326 disposed along the bottom edge and in the meshing engagement with the gear 324. The mechanism 322 includes a plurality of idler shafts 323 which support idler gears 325 engaging teeth 327 along the top edge of the plate comprising the rod 316. Additional guide pins 330 extend through a central slot 319 in the rod 316 for guiding the mechanism along the rod 316. As shown, the slot 319 is preferably arcuate.

The mechanism 122, 222, 322 and 422 includes a plurality of contact points 121, 321 engaging the arcuate guide 116, 216, 316 and 416. For example, as discussed above, the contact points 121 can be the holes or slots in the bracket, such as shown in FIG. 1, or the contact points 321 can be the gears 324, 325, such as shown in FIG. 3. The mechanism 122, 222, 322 and 422 therefore moves in direct proportion to the arcuate path. As specifically shown, a first set of contact points 121, 321 engage a top of the arcuate guide 116, 216, 316 and 416 and a second set of contact points 121, 321 engages a bottom of the arcuate guide 116, 216, 316 and 416.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a pivotal connection 132, 232 and 332 pivotally connects the support 112, 212 and 312 to a vehicle 114, 214 and 314 so that the rod or guide 116, 216 and 316 pivots about the pivotal connection 132, 232 and 332 during the operational movement in response to the force from an operator. To this end, a connector 134, 234 and 334 is provided on the support 112, 212 and 312 for connection to a control element to transmit forces to a brake, throttle linkage, or the like. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, a pivotal connection 432 pivotally connects the pedal lever 418 to the mechanism 422 so that the pedal lever 418 pivots relative to the rod 416 about the pivotal connection 432 during the operational movement in response to the force from an operator. The support 412 is fixedly attached to the vehicle structure 414. A signal generating device 434 is included for generating an electronic signal in response to the pedal lever 418 pivoting relative to the mechanism 422. As shown, the signal generating device 432 is mounted to the mechanism 422 and moves with the mechanism 422 during the adjustment.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, wherein reference numerals are merely for convenience and are not to be in any way limiting, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

1-11. (canceled)

12. An adjustable pedal assembly comprising;

a support (412) for mounting said assembly,

a pedal lever (418) having a longitudinal axis (A) extending between an upper end and a lower end,

a mechanism (422) pivotally supporting (432) said pedal lever (418) for allowing pivotal movement of said pedal lever (418) relative to said support (412) in response to a force and for adjustment of said pedal lever (418) relative to said support (412),

said support (412) including an arcuate guide (416) supporting said mechanism (422) and defining an arcuate path with said mechanism (422) remaining substantially parallel with said arcuate path during adjustment of said mechanism (422) along said arcuate guide (416) and said pedal lever (418) moving along said arcuate path in unison with said mechanism (422) during said adjustment for changing the angle of said longitudinal axis (A) of said pedal lever (418) relative to said support (412).

13. An assembly as set forth in claim 12 further including a signal generating device (433) for generating an electric signal in response to said pedal lever (418) pivoting relative to said mechanism (422).

14. An assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein said signal generating device (433) is mounted to said mechanism (422) and moves with said mechanism (422) during said adjustment relative to said support (412).

15. An assembly as set forth in claim 12 further including a pivotal connection (432) for pivotally connecting said pedal lever (418) to said mechanism (422) so that said pedal lever (418) pivots relative to said arcuate guide (416) about said pivotal connection (432) during said operational movement in response to the force from an operator.

16. An assembly as set forth in claim 15 further including a signal generating device (433) mounted to said mechanism (422) about said pivotal connection (432) for generating an electric signal in response to said pedal lever (418) pivoting relative to said mechanism (422).

17. An assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said mechanism (422) includes a plurality of contact points engaging said arcuate guide (416) such that said mechanism (422) moves in direct proportion to said arcuate path.

18. An assembly as set forth in claim 17 wherein said plurality of contact points include a first set of contact points engaging a top of said arcuate guide (416) and a second set of contact points engaging a bottom of said arcuate guide (416).

19. An assembly as set forth in claim 18 wherein said mechanism (422) is slidably mounted to said arcuate guide (416) through said contact points for moving in said arcuate path during said adjustment.

20. An assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said support (412) further includes a single arcuate guide (416) defining said single arcuate path supporting said mechanism (422).

21. An assembly as set forth in claim 12 further including a drive system for adjusting said mechanism (422) and said pedal lever (418) along said arcuate guide (416).

22. An assembly as set forth in claim 21 wherein said drive system includes a threaded screw (424) and a threaded nut (426) threadedly engaging said screw (424) and a power unit (428) for rotating said screw (424) to move said nut (426) with said nut (426) being coupled to said mechanism (422) for moving said pedal lever (418) along said arcuate guide (416) in response to rotation of said screw (424).

23. An assembly as set forth in claim 22 further including a rotational connection (430) between said nut (426) and said mechanism (422) for accommodating said changing angle of said longitudinal axis (A) of said pedal lever (418) relative to said screw (424) during said adjustment of said pedal lever (418) along said arcuate guide (416).

24. An assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said arcuate guide (416) is cantilevered from and extends in said arcuate path from said support (412) to a distal end.