ADJUSTABLE PEDAL

• US 3,691,868 A
• Filed: 07/06/1971
• Issued: 09/19/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Raymond P. Smith
• Original Assignee: Raymond P. Smith
• Inventors: Smith, Raymond P.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Dea, William F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shoemaker, F. D.
• Application Number:
  US05/159,865
• Time in Patent Office: 441 Days
• Field of Search: 74/512,519,560,89.22,89.21,89.2,89.15
• US Class Current: 74/512
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/06 Disposition of pedal
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/04 including control of propulsion units
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/18 including control of braking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/405 infinitely adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20528 Foot operated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20582 Levers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20888 Pedals

Abstract

An adjustable pedal assembly for an automotive vehicle in which the fore and aft positions of the pedals may be varied without affecting the outputs of the individual pedal components. The assembly includes a pedal carrier bracket which is connected by links to a support structure. Each pedal is connected to its controlled device by a flexible tension bearing member. The flexible tension bearing member extends about a guide mounted on one of the links. The guide is located at an intermediate point on the link so that it compensates for the change in position of the pedal without affecting the output of the flexible member.

Claims

1. An adjustable position control linkage assembly for interconnecting a control lever and a controlled device, comprising a support structure, a linkage connected to said support structure including a first link pin-joined to said support structure, a second link having a first point pin-joined to the first link, connecting means joining a second point on the second link and the support structure, adjustment means constructed to vary the position of said second link relative to said support structure, a control lever pivotally attached to said second Link for movement relative thereto, a flexible tension-bearing motion transfer means interconnecting said control lever and the controlled device, guide means attached to said first link between its pin-joined connections, said flexible means extending toward said guide, about a portion of its periphery and toward a connection with the controlled device, said guide being positioned on said first link so that upon adjustment of the linkage relative to the support structure the guide will compensate for displacement of the connection of the flexible member with the control lever while simultaneously preventing significant displacement of the connection of the flexible means with the controlled device.

2. An adjustable pedal assembly for controlling an external, controlled mechanism comprising:

a support structure a crank and slider type linkage including a first link pivotally attached to said support structure a second link having one point pivotally attached to said first link, a slider pivotally connected to said second link at a second point thereon, a first guide fixed relative to said support structure defining a path in which said slider may move, adjustment means connected to said linkage being operable to vary the positions of said first and second links and slider relative to said support structure, a pedal lever pivotally attached to said second link and having a normal position relative thereto, a flexible tensile, motion transfer means interconnecting a point on the pedal lever and the controlled mechanism, a second guide mounted on said first link, said motion transfer means extending about said guide so that its direction is substantially reversed, said second guide located at an intermediate position on said first link in which it accommodates for the operation of the adjustment means and maintains the point of connection of the motion transfer means and the controlled mechanism in a substantially fixed location relative to the support structure.

3. An assembly according to claim 2:

said adjustment means comprising a rotatable screw and a nut engageable with said screw, said nut connected to said slider to move therewith.

4. An assembly according to claim 2:

said second guide comprising a sprocket rotatably mounted on said first link, said motion transfer means comprising chain means engagable with said sprocket.

5. An assembly according to claim 2:

said second guide comprising a pulley rotatably mounted on said first link, said motion transfer means comprising a cable engagable with said pulley.

6. An assembly according to claim 2:

said first guide comprising a contoured slot formed in said support structure.

7. An assembly according to claim 2:

said adjustment means comprising a rotatable screw and a nut engageable with said screw, said nut connected to said slider to move therewith, said first guide comprising a contour slot formed in said support structure, said slider being receivable within said slot.