Foot Operated Patents (Class 74/512)
  • Patent number: 7788991
    Abstract: A brake system development tool (10) providing adjustment of pedal ratio in a brake pedal mechanism without having to disassemble the mechanism and replace parts. A positioning mechanism carried by the pedal arm (20) positions the pedal arm and the brake pedal pivot shaft (16) relative to the pushrod shaft (18) to set the distance between the axis of the brake pedal pivot shaft and the axis of the pushrod shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph H. Hilger, William D. Mann, Christopher F. Wright
  • Patent number: 7779721
    Abstract: A small and low-energy consuming operation input device enabling the adjustment of an operational reaction, comprising a rigidity adjusting mechanism for adjusting the relation of the displacement amount of an input part to the deformation amount of an elastic body by changing the position of the load acting point on the elastic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Yokoyama, Mitsuhide Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20100206122
    Abstract: A pedal assembly for a vehicle includes a rotatable pedal arm coupled to a housing. In one embodiment, a flange protrudes outwardly from each side of a drum at the end of the pedal arm. A bushing is mounted to and surrounds each flange. The flanges with bushings thereon are supported on respective interior shoulders formed in opposed side walls of the housing. A sensor arm is coupled to the end of a shaft which extends through the drum. The sensor arm is responsive to movement of the pedal arm and cooperates with a sensor in the housing to generate an electrical signal representative of the position of the pedal arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventor: Michael C. Seiltz
  • Publication number: 20100186540
    Abstract: When the operating pedal and the pivot member are connected by the connecting links, roll caulking is performed on the tip portions of the shafts of the connecting pins, with the shafts passing through the connecting pin through holes of the connecting links, and also through the metal bush of the operating pedal or the metal bush of the pivot member. Accordingly, by plastic deformation, the tip portions have a larger diameter to give the disengagement-preventing portions, in such a manner that a predetermined space ? is formed between the disengagement-preventing portions and the components that are connected by the connecting pins, respectively. Consequently, unlike the conventional, ordinary caulking, owing to the presence of the space ?, relative pivotal movement is allowed between the components that are connected by the connecting pins. Therefore, the forming process of the disengagement-preventing portions for the connecting pins, that is, roll caulking, can be easily automated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: Hikaru Sugiura, Isao Yagi, Shuji Kohama
  • Publication number: 20100175545
    Abstract: A lever 40 is supported by a lever supporting portion 41. Through a first pivoting member 52, the lever 40 is urged by a reaction force stabilization spring 54, a first spring 55 and a second spring 56. The downward displacement of a second pivoting member 53 is restricted by a fixed supporting member FR. If the urging force of the first spring 55 exceeds the urging force of the second spring 56, the second pivoting member 53 is displaced upward. A contact member which is in contact with the first pivoting member 52 and the second pivoting member 53 to produce friction force is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shigeru MURAMATSU
  • Patent number: 7748289
    Abstract: The invention concerns a push rod bracket assembly for use with a brake pedal assembly and method of assembly thereto. A pedal attachment pin is fixed to a brake pedal arm, and a booster clevis is mounted to the pin. The booster clevis may have a retainer clevis leg that mounts around the pin on one side of the arm and a slotted clevis leg with a slot that slides over the pin on the other side of the arm. A wave washer may be mounted in compression between the arm and slotted clevis leg to bias the leg. A retainer clip or retainer spring may engage the pin to secure the retainer clevis leg on the pin. The retainer clevis leg may include a ramp and the slotted clevis leg may include a taper to assist in assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Allen R. Collins
  • Publication number: 20100154581
    Abstract: Provided herein is a pedal assembly for a vehicle with a push rod releasably connected to a pedal arm. The push rod is connected to the pedal arm via a pivoting reaction mount that is capable of rotating from a first position to a second position during vehicle collision. Upon rotation to the second position, the push rod is disconnected from the pedal arm, thereby reducing injury to the driver. The pivoting reaction mount may include a rotatable lever. An actuation mechanism, such as a reaction bracket, is mounted to a vehicle structure adjacent the push rod, and may actuate rotation of the pivoting reaction mount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: Ventra Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Dusit SUKONTHAPANICH
  • Publication number: 20100154582
    Abstract: An automotive construction device including a spring system that normally exerts a moment on a pedal that keeps it in a stable upper clutch-engaged position, the spring being inserted between a connection point fixed to the pedal and another connection point borne by an element fixed to a vehicle chassis, the driver of the vehicle releasing the clutch by pivoting the pedal in a downward direction, firstly against the resistance of the spring and then, beyond a given pegging angle, with aid of the spring. At least one of the two connection points is mounted movably with respect to the element to which it is fixed, and the device automatically shifts the connection point at the end of the clutch-release travel so as to substantially reduce the moment exerted by the spring on the pedal in the clutch-release direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: RENAULT S.A.S.
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Malcuy
  • Publication number: 20100147101
    Abstract: A vehicle pedal support system includes: a pedal bracket mechanism that is disposed between body-side components and pivotably supports a vehicle pedal, the body-side components being displaced relative to each other so that a mutual distance between the body-side components in the vehicle longitudinal direction is decreased when an external force equal to or greater than a predetermined value acts on a vehicle front section; and a link mechanism that connects a hydraulic pressure conversion section to an upper-end side of the vehicle pedal in a relatively rotatable manner. When the link mechanism comes into contact with a non-deformation portion, the link mechanism is pressed toward the vehicle front section, and thereby the depression surface of the vehicle pedal is rotationally displaced about the pivot toward the front of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasunobu Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7735393
    Abstract: A brake pedal apparatus including: (a) an operating pedal disposed pivotably about a first axis; (b) a pivot member disposed pivotably about a second axis and connected to the operating pedal via a link mechanism so as to be pivoted about the second axis in response to a depressing operation of the operating pedal; and (c) an output member for receiving an output generated by pivot motion of the pivot member. The link mechanism includes (i) a first connecting link connecting the operating pedal and the pivot member with first play, and (ii) a second connecting link connecting the operating pedal and the pivot member with second play. In a first region before a characteristic switching point of a pedal stroke of the operating pedal, the pivot member is pivoted through the first connecting link, while a lever ratio is changed according to a first lever ratio characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Toyoda Iron Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihiko Fukase
  • Patent number: 7730989
    Abstract: System to disconnect a device control pedal (1) from the device to which it is connected, said pedal (1) being connected to the device by a rod (2) whose end (3) is attached to a first spinning body (4) coupled to the pedal (1) and rotatable around an axis (5), the system comprising a second spinning body (6) provided with a pusher element (7), so that when the second spinning body (6) rotates due to a head-on collision of the vehicle, the rod (2) is displaced due to the action of the pusher element (7) so that it is separated from the first spinning body (4) coupled to the pedal (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Flexngate Automotive Iberica, S.A.
    Inventors: Antoni Canals Riba, Marçal Boquet Carretero, Joaquin Nicolas Domingo
  • Publication number: 20100126298
    Abstract: A pedal system including a support base, a first lever including a root portion and a terminal portion formed such that the terminal portion interfaces with the root portion at a bend in the first lever of a first predetermined angle, the root portion of the first lever being pivotally mounted to the support base such that the first lever is rotatable in a first plane of rotation about an axis of rotation at or near the support base, a second lever including a root portion and a terminal portion formed such that the terminal portion interfaces with the root portion at a bend in the second lever of a second predetermined angle, the root portion of the second lever being pivotally mounted to the support base such that the second lever is rotatable in a second plane of rotation about the axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Pasquale Spina, Brad Linton
  • Publication number: 20100122875
    Abstract: A ride-on, self-propelled vehicle having front caster wheels, such as a zero-turn mower, includes a front brake system. The actuating power for the front brake pass through a spindle supporting the front caster wheel. In a preferred embodiment, a center shaft of each spindle or a concentric outer ring of a sleeve of each spindle passes a force from a brake actuator to a brake for the respective caster wheel. Actuation of the brake actuator moves a member into frictional contact with a portion of the front wheel or an object attached to the front wheel to applying a braking force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Inventor: Ted H. CORRIHER
  • Patent number: 7717012
    Abstract: The present invention related to an electronic organ type accelerator pedal. The electronic organ type accelerator pedal according to the present invention is capable of enhancing stability by the compression spring having a double structure and the carrier restricting the reverse rotation of the foot plate, while maintaining the benefit of the electronic accelerator pedal which is capable of ensuring space, improving an operation feeling and reducing driver's fatigue since the electronic accelerator pedal is not influenced by tension changes of the cable, and improving fuel efficiency by improving fuel consumption rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Donghee Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung Min Kim, Dong Hwan Kim, Sung Yong Park
  • Patent number: 7712570
    Abstract: A brake assembly configured to bias the master cylinder to rotate upward in a crash which induces the brake pedal to rotate down and away from the driver. This is achieved with a reduced number of parts, an angle reservoir for the initial position, a localized crush zone in the booster all configured to use the assembly's contact with the lower dash panel as a fulcrum point inducing downward rotation of the brake pedal. The present invention takes geometric advantage of its position proximate the lower dash panel to sure that when the engine compartment portion is pushed rearward toward the occupant compartment, the localized crush zone of the booster case induces upward rotation of the master cylinder causing the booster to pivot about the lower dash panel and cause the parallel brackets to rotate downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryan A. Miller, Bradley W. Klein
  • Publication number: 20100107804
    Abstract: A pedal assembly includes a mounting bracket and a pedal arm having a lower end carrying a pedal and an upper end having a pivot forming a laterally disposed pivot axis. The mounting bracket includes first and second lateral components which are formed as separate components and secured together to laterally capture the pivot therebetween such that the first and second components support the pivot and the pedal arm is pivotable about the pivot axis relative to the mounting bracket. The first and second components are each preferably molded of plastic and each form a laterally inward facing socket for receiving opposed ends of the pivot therein. The laterally outward end of each socket is at least partially closed and a spring member is located in one the sockets to resist lateral movement of the pedal arm relative to the mounting bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Stuart A. Tervol, Steven J. Colarossi
  • Patent number: 7703801
    Abstract: A vehicle safety device includes a seat mounted within a passenger compartment of a vehicle and a seat position adjusting mechanism that allows the seat to move along an axis between a forward-most position and a rearward-most position. An air-bag is mounted within the passenger compartment in front of the forward-most position. In the forward-most position a distance between a passenger seated in the seat and the air-bag is equal to a minimum safe clearance. A method of maintaining a minimum safe clearance between an air-bag mounted in a vehicle and a vehicle passenger includes preventing motion of a seat toward the air-bag beyond a forward-most position, and providing a position adjusting mechanism for at least one vehicle control pedal to allow a passenger to adjust a distance between the seat and the at least one pedal seat positioning system may be used to position a passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Vehicle Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Levine
  • Patent number: 7690279
    Abstract: A vehicle-pedal backward-displacement preventing device including: (a) a pedal bracket supporting an operating pedal having a depressible portion; (b) upper and lower attachments fixed to the pedal bracket, such that the pedal bracket is attached to a dash panel through the attachments; and (c) a guide member fixed to the pedal bracket or a vehicle body member and is operable to restrain, in event of backward movement of the pedal bracket together with the dash panel toward a driver's seat, the depressible portion of the operating pedal from being backwardly displaced toward the driver's seat, by causing a distal end portion of the pedal bracket to be downwardly displaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Toyoda Iron Works, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiro Himetani
  • Patent number: 7681474
    Abstract: A system for adjustably positioning foot pedals with respect to a vehicle chassis, such as to improve ergonomics or to appropriately space a vehicle occupant with respect to a vehicle safety system. The system includes first and second electromagnetic actuators, first and second controllers, and a device, which may be a switch disposed on the vehicle chassis, provides a signal to change spacing between the vehicle chassis and the plurality of pedals. The first electromagnetic actuator displaces a first pedal with respect to the vehicle chassis, and the second electromagnetic actuator displaces a second pedal with respect to the vehicle chassis. The first controller operates the first electromagnetic actuator in response to the configuration of the device, and the second controller operates the second electromagnetic actuator in response to the first controller operating the first electromagnetic actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Andrew Weldon, Frank Wiemer, Edward Kunath, Jacob Ritchie
  • Publication number: 20100064842
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to impart a preferred continuous nonlinear characteristic to the relation between the magnitude of operation and an operational reaction force over the entire range of operation of operation means even when a reaction generation spring has a linear spring characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroshi Isono
  • Publication number: 20100058887
    Abstract: Stepping force can be transmitted effectively from a pad member to an arm member even when a stepping operation by the foot of an operator is performed at a position shifted in a lateral direction from the center position of the pad member in the lateral direction. The body of a brake pedal (20) that is a pedal for vehicle is formed of an arm member (21) rotatable vertically about a center shaft arranged in a proximal end portion (21A), and a pad member (22) to which a stepping operation by the foot of an operator is performed is attached to an end face (21C) of a distal end (21B) of the arm member (21). The arm member (21) is made of a pipe, and an end face (21C) of the arm member (21) to which the pad member (22) is attached has a laterally long shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: Yoshihide Fujita, Fumio Kanno, Takao Minagawa, Shinichi Takai, Takuro Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7673538
    Abstract: Provided is a pedal system that can adjust control pedals on the basis of driver's physical conditions. The adjustable pedal system includes a support bracket that includes a guide groove formed in a substantially vertical direction and a predetermined hole, and is connected to a vehicle; a linear actuator that includes a drive arm linearly movable in a substantially vertical direction and applies a driving force to the drive arm; and a pedal arm. The pedal arm has a hinge hole that is connected to the drive arm by a first pin, a sliding slot that is connected to the predetermined hole by a second pin and is formed to be inclined with respect to the guide groove, and a pedal. The hinge hole is connected to the drive arm by a first pin, and the sliding slot is connected to the predetermined hole by a second pin and is formed to be inclined with respect to the guide groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: SL Corporation
    Inventor: Jin-Oh Choi
  • Patent number: 7665387
    Abstract: A shock absorbing device includes a mounting bracket which is fastened at a first end thereof to the vehicle body and removably mounted at a second end thereof to the vehicle body, an upper pedal arm which is rotatably mounted to the mounting bracket using a hinge shaft, and a lower pedal arm which is removably coupled to the upper pedal arm using a locking pin. The shock absorbing device further includes a locking pin removal device which removes the lower pedal arm from the upper pedal arm when a vehicle collision occurs, and a guide device which serves as a guide for movement of the mounting bracket when the vehicle collision occurs and provides a reaction force for the locking pin removal device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Dae-Deug Park
  • Patent number: 7665386
    Abstract: A simply configured brake pedal is restricted in regression and pivot thereof in the event of a vehicle collision, thereby preventing or minimizing injury to a driver. The brake pedal structure for preventing injury includes a brake pedal mounting bracket, a blocking piece, a support bracket, and a blocking panel. A blocking piece is installed at a pedal arm of the brake pedal and protrudes out towards the rear of the vehicle. A recession limit means is equipped at a steering column mounting bracket connected to a cowl cross bar to restrict a backward shift of the blocking piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Yang-Rae Cho
  • Patent number: 7665388
    Abstract: A pedal adjustable device includes a case fixed to an end of a link and a first member and a second member are connected between two sidewalls of the case respectively. The first part includes a polygonal hole and the second part includes a circular hole. The polygonal hole is larger than the circular hole. A support plate has one end pivotably connected to the case and an extension extends from an underside of the other end of the support plate. A pedal is fixed on the support plate. The extension includes an elongate hole and a plurality pairs of protrusions extend from two insides of the elongate hole to define a space between each pair of the protrusion. An operation member includes a polygonal section and a circular rod. The polygonal section is engaged with the polygonal hole and set on one of pairs of the protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Inventor: Ming Nan Chen
  • Patent number: 7665565
    Abstract: Disclosed is a support structure for a vehicle control pedal, which comprises a pedal bracket (3) supporting the control pedal (4) through a first support shaft (S1) inserted through a support hole (303), a swingable lever (7) adapted to, during a vehicle collision, come into interference with a vehicle body member (6) so as to be swingingly moved about a second support shaft (S2) while pushing the first support shaft (S1) downwardly to allow the first support shaft (S1) to drop out of the support hole (303), and a drop-out restriction member (8) engaged by a pin member (20) and coupled to the swingable lever (7) in a relatively unswingable manner, so as to restrict the drop-out of the first support shaft (S1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignees: Auto Technica Corporation, Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Tokumo, Tetsuo Hiura, Hirofumi Ishida
  • Patent number: 7665385
    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: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenichi Misaki, Masamoto Ito, Kenji Nakamura, Seiji Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20100037725
    Abstract: A brake pedal crash safety device for a vehicle in which a brake pedal arm is rotatably mounted to a first vehicle body component and has a first locking element, shaped as a circle-sector and having its geometrical center at a center of movement of the brake pedal arm. A second locking element is mounted to a second vehicle body component. The second locking element is mounted a predetermined distance from the first locking element. The predetermined distance is constant and has a predetermined amount of allowable movement therebetween for a brake pedal arm position. A crash force applied to a front of the vehicle displaces the first vehicle body component toward the second vehicle body component and the predetermined amount of allowable movement between the first and second locking elements will be closed, irrespective of a current pedal position, thereby preventing further rotation of the brake pedal arm through interlocking first and second locking elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: John-Erik Andersson, Bjorn Roger Lofving
  • Patent number: 7658254
    Abstract: A system for clearing crush space in an automotive vehicle, the system including a vehicle having a passenger compartment, an impact displaced component assembled to the vehicle in a spaced relationship to the passenger compartment, an intervening component mounted on the vehicle between the passenger compartment and the impact displaced component, an active component secured to the vehicle in close proximity to the intervening component, a controller mounted on the vehicle, the controller activating the active component when the vehicle is involved in a collision, and the active component causing the intervening component to move when the active component is activated wherein crush space for movement of the impact displaced component is at least partially cleared in the event of a collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Lee Buchwitz, Noah Barlow Mass, Venkat Lakshminarayan, Gennadiy Goldenshteyn, Andrew Charles Samyn
  • Publication number: 20100000367
    Abstract: In a work machine equipped with a switchover means enabling selective operation of traveling devices and a work device by means of common operating levers, switchover can easily be performed and also easily recognized. In a work machine having traveling devices and a work device, operating levers that are capable of operating the traveling devices and the work device are respectively disposed at the sides of an operating seat. A foot switch connected to a controller is disposed in the proximity of and operable with a foot of an operator seated at the operating seat. While the foot switch is being operated with the foot, the traveling devices are operated by the operating levers through the controller. While the foot switch is not being operated, the work device is operated by means of the operating levers through the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: SHIN CATERPILLAR MITSUBISHI LTD.
    Inventors: Eiji Akahane, Nobumi Toyoura, Shigeru Kojima, Massayuki Takano
  • Patent number: 7640826
    Abstract: An adjustable positioning apparatus, which may be used for a foot-operated control, includes a first member that is movably supported with respect to a base, an adjuster that is supported on the first member, and a second member. The adjuster includes a displacement device, an actuator, and a controller. The displacement device includes a first portion that is coupled to the first member, and includes a second portion that is displaced with respect to the first portion. The actuator displaces the second portion with respect to the first portion, and the controller operates the actuator and determines displacement of the second portion with respect to the first portion. The second member is coupled to the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Canada, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Andrew Weldon, Frank Wiemer, Edward Kunath, Jacob Ritchie
  • Patent number: 7631574
    Abstract: A pedal assembly includes a pedal element 12 that may be displaced with respect to a base element 14 along its actuation path. The pedal element 12 may swivel out along the actuation direction B. A rotating element 26 is so linked to the pedal element 12 so that it rotates upon displacement of the pedal element 12. At least one return element 34, 35 is provided to return the pedal element 12 against the actuation direction. Further, the pedal assembly includes an electric motor 20 to create opposing force. A neutral coupling unit 54 is provided between the rotating element 26 and the drive device 20, preferably with a first stop 64 on the rotor, and a second stop 64 at the rotating element 26. A freewheel clutch unit 54 couples the rotor 24 and the rotating element 26 upon displacement along the actuation direction B, but allows separate motion against the actuation direction B. A sensor (32) is provided to position the pedal element (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: AB Electronic GmbH
    Inventor: Carmelo Leone
  • Patent number: 7628239
    Abstract: A modular system for remotely controlling an automotive vehicle is provided. The system issues commands responsive to a radio control transmitter, which controls the vehicle by its steering device and respective control pedals for acceleration and braking. The system includes a steer linkage, a steering motor, a pedal linkage, a linear actuator, a radio receiver, and a digital motor controller. By employing a chain pulley, the steer linkage removably attaches to and controllably rotates the steering device. The steering motor conveys torque to the steer linkage. The pedal linkage removably connects to and pushes against at least one of the control pedals using pinned moment levers. The linear actuator transmits force to the pedal linkage. The pedal linkage may be removably mounted on a linkage platform. The radio receiver receives command signals from the transmitter and communicates with the steering motor and the linear actuator via the digital motor controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Wallace Louie, James L. Hebert
  • Patent number: 7626132
    Abstract: A foot controller for a microsurgical system that includes a body, a switch disposed on the body, and a switch guard coupled to the body and disposed in a spaced relationship to an outer surface of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventor: Victor B. Mezhinsky
  • Patent number: 7614320
    Abstract: A brake pedal apparatus includes: an operating pedal to be depressed so as to be pivoted about a first axis; a pivot member pivotable about a second axis parallel to the first axis, and connected to the operating pedal via a connecting link so as to be pivoted about the second axis in response to a depression of the operating pedal; and an output member to receive an output generated upon pivot motion of the pivot member. The connecting link is connected, at respective connected positions, to the operating pedal and the pivot member. A relationship between a ratio of the output to a depression force acting on the operating pedal, and an amount of the depression of the operating pedal is changed depending upon the connected positions of the connecting link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Toyoda Iron Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihiko Fukase
  • Publication number: 20090272215
    Abstract: A heel shifter for a motorcycle has a pivotable pedal so that the pedal may be pivoted up out of the way to give more room for the rider's foot on the left floor board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas Plackis
  • Publication number: 20090229402
    Abstract: A brake system for a hybrid vehicle includes a master cylinder, such as an active booster master cylinder, and a brake pedal mounted upon a pivoted brake pedal arm. A compliance device extends between the brake pedal arm and the master cylinder and includes a push rod and clevis assembly mating with the brake pedal arm. A composite drive pin including a resin sheath and a metallic core functions as part of the compliance device, by allowing limited motion between the brake pedal arm and brake pedal and the master cylinder push rod, so as to permit selective use of regenerative braking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Adil Khan, Daniel A. Villar, Daniel Gabor, Peter F. Worrel
  • Publication number: 20090223319
    Abstract: Provided is an adjustable pedal system. The adjustable pedal system includes: a support bracket having a predetermined hole and a guide groove which are substantially perpendicular; a driving part including a driving arm which can make a substantially vertical motion along the guide groove and provides a driving force to the driving arm; a control arm including a hinge hole which is coupled to the driving arm by a first pin and a sliding slot which is coupled to the predetermined hole by a second pin and formed oblique to the guide groove; and a pedal arm having a pedal at one end thereof and being connected to the control arm at other end thereof, the control arm slides obliquely along the sliding slot according to the working of the driving arm when moves vertically along the guide groove and thus this causes a position of each of the control arm and the pedal arm to be changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: SL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jin-Oh Choi
  • Patent number: 7574943
    Abstract: A parking brake actuator includes a mounting bracket, a cover plate. A brake operating assembly includes a lever and a locking sector gear. A locking clutch spring assembly includes a pinion rivet, a shaft, a flange, first and second tubular portions and a pinion with a plurality of teeth. A torsion spring is wrapped about the first tubular portion and the pinion. A first leg of a release spring abuts a first arm of a release lever. A release cable is connected to a second arm of the release lever. A brake cable is connected to an adjusting sector gear, which is engageable with an adjusting clutch spring assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Joseph Wortmann
  • Publication number: 20090193928
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanism for the adjustment of an accelerator pedal, comprising a support part (2) which is fixed to the vehicle, a control part (3) which can move in relation to the support part (2), a pedal (4) which pivots in relation to a rotary shaft (5) which is connected to the control part (3), and actuation means (6) for moving the control part (3) in relation to the support part (2). According to the invention, each side of the control part (3) is equipped with at least two pins (7,8) which are housed in respective guide grooves (9,10) in the support part (2), such that the actuation means (6) can move said control part (2) along a curvilinear path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Bruno Souza, Fernando Burguera
  • Patent number: 7568407
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pedal apparatus for a vehicle, which makes it possible to reduce the driver's fatigue by reducing the pedal effort when operating the pedal arm and also allows the driver to be able to easily recognize the maximum operational position of the pedal arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Donghee Industrial Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyungmin Kim, Hojong Oh, Wonyoung Heo
  • Patent number: 7568545
    Abstract: A brake pedal apparatus for an automobile, includes: 1) a pedal bracket fixed to a dash panel; 2) a first link rotatably supported about an axis by the pedal bracket in such a configuration as to operate a push rod; 3) a vehicle body portion positioned rearward of the pedal bracket in a vehicular body; 4) a second link rotatably supported about an axis by the pedal bracket; and 5) an engagement portion disposed in the first link, and configured to securely engages with the second link when an external force caused by a collision is applied to the dash panel, followed by operations below: i) the pedal bracket moves rearward of the vehicular body relative to the vehicle body portion, ii) the second link, thereby, contacts the vehicle body portion, and iii) the first link, thereby, moves relative to the second link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., F. Tech Incorporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Tanigawa, Tsuyoshi Shimizu, Jun Sato, Kazuo Ogawa
  • Patent number: 7568406
    Abstract: An adjustable control pedal includes an upper arm and a lower arm carrying a pedal. The lower arm can be selectively moved relative to the upper arm to adjust the position of the pedal between a forward position and a rearward position. A control pin is operably connected to the upper arm for rotation with the upper arm to supply a control signal when force is applied to the pedal. An adjuster is operably connected to the control pin to adjust the position of the control pin relative to the pivot axis so that a ratio of a distance between the pivot axis and the pedal and a distance between the pivot axis and the control pin remains constant as the pedal is adjusted between the forward position and the rearward position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Allen Booher, James Robert Allen, Brian John Eckerle
  • Publication number: 20090178510
    Abstract: A brake actuation assembly for a motorcycle comprising a footboard with an integrated brake system is provided herein. The present system provides a footboard, that when pivoted around a pivot point, actuates the internal brake mechanism. A rider is able to apply the brakes in a more comfortable and efficient manner with the pivoting footboard assembly than with the traditional lever arm of a motorcycle. A pivot pin configured to support the extra weight and potential torques is provided that replaces the existing brake pin. Additionally, a novel brake actuator member provides compatibility with the pivoting footboard and traditional brake mechanisms of motorcycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: Paul R. Whitlock, Robert W. Cowden
  • Patent number: 7540218
    Abstract: A brake assembly has a frame configured to mount to a vehicle. A link is pivotally mounted to the frame. A pedal is pivotally mounted to an end of the link, defining a pedal pivot point. A latch is mounted on the frame and is operable to selectively engage and disengage the link. The link is able to move selectively between an operational position and a crash position. When the link is in the operational position, the link supports the pedal and positions the pedal pivot point for normal operational movement of the pedal through a normal operating range to operate braking of the vehicle. When the link is in the crash position, the latch is released and the pedal pivot point moves to allow the pedal to move beyond the normal operating range minimizing risk of injury to the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures, Inc.
    Inventor: Vadym Podkopayev
  • Publication number: 20090120232
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pedal equipped with a displacement detecting sensor using like magnetic poles. The pedal includes a pedal unit, a shock-absorbing unit, a sensor inserting unit, a rod unit, and a sensing unit. The pedal unit includes a support plate, an actuating pedal coupled to the support plate, a shock-absorbing hinge, and a coupling hinge. The shock-absorbing unit includes a shock-absorbing mounting part, support shafts provided in shock-absorbing cylinders, and shock-absorbing springs. The sensor inserting unit includes an insertion housing in a center of the shock-absorbing unit, an upper permanent magnet seated in an upper support seat, a lower permanent magnet seated in a lower support seat, and a sensor support. The rod unit includes a rod mounting part having a rod mounting hole, and cylindrical insertion rods. The sensing unit includes a sensor housing at a center in the rod unit, and a displacement sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventor: Kwang Ju ChoI
  • Patent number: 7530289
    Abstract: A manual adjustable pedal assembly includes a throttle pedal assembly having a throttle pedal adjustment mechanism and a brake pedal assembly having a brake pedal adjustment mechanism. The manual adjustable pedal assembly also includes a manual adjusting means having a rotatable adjustment means, an outer ring gear disposed in a center portion of the rotatable adjustment means, and a first inner gear and a second inner gear operatively in communication with the outer ring gear. The manual adjustable pedal assembly further includes a throttle drive cable, wherein one end of the throttle drive cable is operatively secured to the first inner gear, and the other end of the drive cable is secured to the throttle adjustment mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: KSR Technologies Co.
    Inventors: Larry G. Willemsen, Daniel O'Neill
  • Publication number: 20090100959
    Abstract: The present invention relates to actuating device for at least one pedal (2) mounted for pivoting about an axis (3) in a pedal box (1) and including a position sensor (10) for detecting the position of pedal (2), said position sensor having an axle (10). Axle (10) of position sensor (9) is directly coupled to axis (3) for joint rotation therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Alexander Galea, Dawn Zammit
  • Patent number: 7516683
    Abstract: A pedal box for an automobile is designed to collapse in the event of a front-end vehicle collision. A pedal box supports a control pedal of the automobile. The pedal is pivotally mounted on a main pivot shaft which goes through a preferably arcuate elongate slot in the pedal. The main pivot shaft is normally held at one end of the slot by a blocking plate which is held between a pivotal access below the slot and a latch member above the slot. In the case of a frontal impact of the automobile causing entry of the pedal box into the driver's compartment, a relatively rigid member of the automobile contacts the latch member and releases the latching engagement, permitting the blocking plate to fall away and allowing the main pivot shaft to traverse a slot in the pedal together with rotation of the pedal away from contact with the feet of a driver of the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Marc Jasseron
  • Publication number: 20090071285
    Abstract: A clutch pedal arrangement for operating a clutch to provide a variable pedal force transmission ratio. The pedal arrangement includes a pivotally-supported pedal lever that pivots about a pivot axis. An operating member that is in operative engagement with the clutch is connected to the pedal lever for movement along a slotted slide bearing surface carried by the pedal lever to allow radial movement of the operating member relative to the pivot axis. The operating member is guided in and supported by the slide bearing surface of the pedal lever and is movable along at least one curved groove carried by a pedal support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventor: Steve Lauderbaugh