Double-wheel automotive hand control system
First Claim
1. A hand control system for permitting an operator to control the brake control and throttle control systems of an automobile without requiring movement of the operator'"'"'s hand from a conventionally mounted steering wheel in said automobile, said control system comprising:
- hand control means, operable in response to said operator with said hand remaining on said steering wheel, for generating an electronic error signal; and
amplifier means for selectively actuating said brake control system and said throttle control system in response to said error signal generated by said control means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is an automotive control system for use by handicapped drivers who have lost the functional mobility of the lower extremities. A second wheel concentric with the steering wheel is added such that it is reachable by either the thumb or fingertips when hands are on a steering wheel in normal driving fashion. Movement of this second control wheel in a direction away from the driver actuates the automotive braking system through an electro-hydraulic servo system. Pulling the second wheel towards the driver actuates the throttle of the automobile through a similar servo system. The brake and throttle servos interface with existing automotive control systems such that little additional "add on" mechanisms are necessary.
25 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A hand control system for permitting an operator to control the brake control and throttle control systems of an automobile without requiring movement of the operator'"'"'s hand from a conventionally mounted steering wheel in said automobile, said control system comprising:
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hand control means, operable in response to said operator with said hand remaining on said steering wheel, for generating an electronic error signal; and amplifier means for selectively actuating said brake control system and said throttle control system in response to said error signal generated by said control means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification