Unitary pedal apparatus for selectively accelerating and braking a vehicle

• US 3,958,677 A
• Filed: 09/18/1974
• Issued: 05/25/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Evangelos L. Spanelis
• Original Assignee: Evangelos L. Spanelis
• Inventors: Spanelis, Evangelos L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wyche, Benjamin W.
• Application Number:
  US05/505,401
• Time in Patent Office: 615 Days
• Field of Search: 192/3 S, 192/3 R, 192/3 T
• US Class Current: 477/210
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 11/103 in combination with other control devices conjoint control of brake system and at least another sub-unit B60W10/188
• 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: Y10S 403/01 Magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20006 Resilient connections
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20402 Flexible transmitter [e.g., Bowden cable]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20408 Constant tension sustaining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20534 Accelerator

Abstract

A unitary pedal apparatus for selectively accelerating and braking a motor vehicle in which depressing the pedal actuates the master cylinder for braking and subsequent lessening of pedal pressure effects acceleration, the apparatus including a switch within the pedal for placing the throttle at idle position and another switch in response to braking of the vehicle which places the throttle in the idle position, both switches when closed effecting energization of a solenoid located adjacent the throttle bar in the linkage arrangement, the linkage arrangement including a lost motion device which is expandable to prevent deformation of the linkage in response to hard braking.

Claims

1. A unitary pedal apparatus for selectively accelerating and braking a vehicle comprising:

a. a pedal;

b. a normally closed pedal switch, being integral with said pedal and responsive to open upon the application of slight pressure on said pedal;

c. a pedal arm with said pedal affixed to one end thereof;

d. a shaft with the other end of said pedal arm affixed thereto;

e. a lever secured to said shaft;

f. an expandable mechanical linkage element attached to said lever to absorb any overstressing of the mechanical linkage;

g. a crank bar connected to said expandable element;

h. a solenoid fixedly attached to said crank bar, said solenoid including a one-way clutching means, said solenoid having a longitudinal aperture therethrough;

i. a rod protruding through said aperture of said solenoid, said rod being secured to the throttle of the vehicle;

j. a brake bar abutting said arm and responsive to sufficient movement of said arm to actuate the master cylinder of the vehicle for braking;

k. a battery lead electrically connecting the vehicle battery to the positive side of said pedal switch; and

l. a pedal lead electrically connecting the negative side of pedal switch to said solenoid which allows said solenoid to be energized when said pedal switch is closed.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising:

a. a normally open brake switch adjacent said brake bar and the master cylinder and adapted to close upon the actuation of the master cylinder by said brake bar, the positive side of said switch being electrically connected to said battery lead; and

b. a brake lead electrically connecting said solenoid to the negative side of said switch such that when said brake switch is closed said solenoid is energized.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said pedal further comprises:

a. a top plate;

b. a bottom plate, pivotally attached to said top plate, said bottom plate being fixedly attached to said pedal arm;

c. a plate spring attached to the underside of said top plate and attached to the top side of said bottom plate; and

d. a cam attached to the undersurface of said top plate and abutting said pedal switch, said cam adapted to open said pedal switch when a downward force is applied to said top plate.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said solenoid further comprises:

a. a cylindrical casing divided longitudinally into first and second sections;

b. a wall separating the first and second sections;

c. a core of tubular shape located longitudinally axial in the center of said casing, said tubular core having an inside diameter larger than the outside diameter of said rod, the inside of said core defining said aperture, said core being axially movable into the first and second sections of said casing;

d. a field winding wrapped around said core in the second section of said casing;

e. a one-way clutching means comprising an annular bearing fixedly attached to the end of said core; and

f. a solenoid spring abutting said bearing at one end abutting said separating wall at the other end, said solenoid spring urging said bearing against the innerside of the first section of said casing thereby compressing said bearing and firmly gripping said rod.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said expandable mechanical linkage element comprises:

a. a cylindrical hollow shell connected to said crank bar;

b. a platform abutting the lower end of said shell;

c. a piston spring rigidly attached to and passing through said platform, a top portion of said spring extending into said shell, a bottom portion of said spring extending below said platform; and

d. a piston fixedly attached to the end of said top spring portion, said piston being connected to said lever.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said platform is adjustable to allocate said spring in varying proportions to the top and bottom portions thereof.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising a brake return spring attached at one end to said pedal arm and attached at the other end to the vehicle body.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising a throttle return spring attached at one end to the vehicle body and at the other end to said rod to urge the throttle to the idle position.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising a throttle return spring attached at one end to the vehicle body and at the other end to the throttle to urge the throttle to the idle position.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said brake bar defines a slotted end and wherein said apparatus further comprises a stud integral with said pedal arm and protruding into said slot to allow minimal movement of said pedal arm prior to responsive movement of said brake bar.