Vehicle foot pedal actuator apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A vehicle foot pedal actuator device for actuating the foot pedals of an automobile or the like, the actuator device comprising:
- A. extension means, adapted to be connected between the vehicle driver'"'"'s seat and the pedal to be actuated, for extending to depress the pedal and for retracting to pull the pedal back to its normal position;
B. drive means connected to the extension means for selectively extending the extension means with an extending force to depress the pedal to be actuated and retracting the extension means with a retracting force, the drive means being capable of applying the retracting force in substantially the same magnitude as the extending force; and
C. moveable control means for controlling the operation of the drive means from various positions outside of the vehicle passenger compartment.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle foot pedal actuator device is adapted for both depressing a vehicle foot pedal and returning the pedal to its normal position. The actuator device includes a variable length extension assembly adapted to be connected between the vehicle driver'"'"'s seat and the pedal to be actuated. A drive arrangement is adapted for extending and retracting the extension assembly, and a control system having a moveable remote control unit is adapted for controlling the operation of the actuator from various positions around the vehicle where maintenance and repair work may be performed. The extension assembly preferably includes an elongated extension housing tube adapted to receive an elongated extension member that may be extended and retracted in a telescoping fashion to vary the length of the assembly. The actuator device also includes a connecting arrangement for connecting the extension assembly between the foot pedal to be actuated and the vehicle driver'"'"'s seat to enable the extension assembly to exert both a pulling and pushing force to work the vehicle pedal. The preferred connecting arrangement includes a seat belt connecting member adapted to receive a portion of the vehicle driver'"'"'s seat belt so as to hold one end of the extension assembly securely against the front of the vehicle driver'"'"'s seat. The opposite end of the extension assembly includes a pedal connector for connecting to a particular pedal to impart both a pushing and pulling force to the pedal. Also, in the preferred form of the invention, the control system includes an indicator for providing an indication of the operational status of the device at the remote control unit. The indicator allows the operator to know at the remote location if the extension member is being extended, retracted, or is stationary with respect to the extension housing.
72 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A vehicle foot pedal actuator device for actuating the foot pedals of an automobile or the like, the actuator device comprising:
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A. extension means, adapted to be connected between the vehicle driver'"'"'s seat and the pedal to be actuated, for extending to depress the pedal and for retracting to pull the pedal back to its normal position; B. drive means connected to the extension means for selectively extending the extension means with an extending force to depress the pedal to be actuated and retracting the extension means with a retracting force, the drive means being capable of applying the retracting force in substantially the same magnitude as the extending force; and C. moveable control means for controlling the operation of the drive means from various positions outside of the vehicle passenger compartment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A vehicle foot pedal actuator device for actuating a foot pedal of an automobile or the like, the actuator device comprising:
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A. an elongated extension housing; B. an elongated extension member slidably received in the elongated extension housing; C. pedal connector means connected to an extending end of the extension member for removably connecting the extending end of the extension member to a pedal to be actuated so that the extension member may impart both a pushing and pulling force on the pedal; D. a seat front member connected to a seat end of the elongated extension housing; E. a seat belt connecting member connected to the seat front member and adapted to receive a portion of the vehicle driver'"'"'s seat belt so as to hold the seat front member securely against the front of the vehicle driver'"'"'s seat; F. drive means connected to the extension housing for selectively extending and retracting the extension member; and G. moveable control means for controlling the operation of the drive means from various positions outside of the vehicle passenger compartment when the extension member and extension housing are connected between the pedal to be actuated and the vehicle driver'"'"'s seat. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A method of remotely operating a vehicle foot pedal comprising the steps of:
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A. connecting an elongated extension assembly between the pedal to be actuated and the vehicle driver'"'"'s seat, the extension assembly including an extension member slidably connected to an extension housing in position to extend and retract from the housing to vary the length of the extension assembly; B. extending the extension member from the extension housing with an extending force provided by an electric motor drivingly engaged with the extension member, the extension member depressing the pedal as it extends; and C. retracting the extension member back into the housing with a retracting force provided by the electric motor and having a magnitude substantially equal to the extending force, the extension assembly pulling the pedal back to its normal position as the extension member retracts. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification