Fold-up pedal arm

• US 6,134,987 A
• Filed: 07/13/1999
• Issued: 10/24/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Drivesol Worldwide Holding Corporation (Sun Capital Partners Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Teleflex Incorporated
• Inventors: Kalsi, Avtar S.
• Primary Examiner(s): GREEN, MARY ANN
• Application Number:
  US09/352,224
• Time in Patent Office: 469 Days
• Field of Search: 74/560, 74/512, 74/513, 74/594.7
• US Class Current: 74/560
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/30 Controlling members actuated by foot
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 5/28 for preventing unauthorised access to the controlling member or its movement to a command position
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20528 Foot operated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20888 Pedals

Abstract

A pedal assembly is characterized by a shipping connection, generally shown at (18), interconnecting the pedal arm (12) and the pedal platform (16) for pivoting the platform (16) to a shipping position (as shown in FIG. 7) generally overlying the pedal arm (12) and for pivoting to and locking the platform (16) in a locked position extending generally in the same direction and as an extension of the pedal arm (12) (as shown in FIGS. 1-3) for the normal operational pivotal movement about the operational axis. A locking pin (22) includes a beveled end (36) projecting into the space between the legs of the pedal platform (16) for engaging the arm (12) and calming the locking pin (22) out of the locked position during movement of the pedal platform (16) from the shipping position to the locked position.

Claims

1. A pedal assembly comprising:

a pedal arm (12) having an upper end and a lower end,

a support (14) for supporting said pedal arm (12) adjacent said upper end for normal operational pivotal movement about an axis and adapted to be attached to a vehicle structure,

a pedal platform (16) disposed at said lower end for pivoting said pedal arm (12) about said axis in response to an actuation force applied thereto,

a pivot connection (20) interconnecting said pedal arm (12) and said pedal platform (16) for pivoting said platform (16) between a shipping position generally overlying said pedal arm (12) and a locked position extending generally in the same direction and as an extension of said pedal arm (12) for said normal operational pivotal movement about said axis and a locking mechanism spaced along said pedal arm (12) from said pivot connection (20) in said locked position for locking said platform (16) in said locked position for said normal operational pivotal movement about said axis.

2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said locking mechanism is further characterized by including a locking pin (22) for preventing said platform (16) from pivoting about said pivot connection (20) from said locked position toward said shipping position.

3. An assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said locking mechanism is further characterized by said platform (16) including a U-shaped saddle (24) for stopping pivotal movement of said arm (12) in said locked position during pivotal movement of said platform from said shipping position to said locked position.

4. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said locking pin (22) is slidably supported for longitudinal movement in and out of said locked position, and including a spring (26) for biasing said locking pin (22) to said locked position.

5. An assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said U-shaped saddle (24) and said locking pin (22) are disposed on opposite sides of said arm (12).

6. An assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said U-shaped saddle (24) includes first and second legs spaced apart and interconnected by a base as viewed in cross section, said first leg having an outside surface (28) and an inside surface (30) with a hole (32) extending between said surfaces, said locking pin (22) extends through said hole (32), said locking pin (22) includes a head (34) for abutting said outside surface (28) in said locked position and for engaging said spring (26), said locking pin (22) includes a beveled end (36) projecting into the space between said legs for engaging the arm (12) and caming said locking pin (22) out of said locked position during movement of said pedal platform (16) from said shipping position to said locked position.

7. An assembly as set forth in claim 6 including a guide (38) extending from said outside surface (28) of said first leg for supporting said spring (26) and said locking pin (22).