Ergonomic range accommodating adjustable foot pedal

• US 6,170,355 B1
• Filed: 01/28/1999
• Issued: 01/09/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: United Defense LP (BAE Systems Plc)
• Original Assignee: United Defense LP (BAE Systems Plc)
• Inventors: Fay, William A. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Fenstermacher, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): KIM, CHONG HWA
• Application Number:
  US09/238,709
• Time in Patent Office: 712 Days
• Field of Search: 744/78, 744/785, 745/12, 745/39, 745/42, 745/60, 745/62, 745/625
• US Class Current: 74/512
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/40 adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20195 Offset extension
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20528 Foot operated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/209 Extension

Abstract

The invention provides an easily adjustable foot-operated pedal assembly, such as a brake pedal for use in heavy equipment, that can be placed in multiple positions to accommodate people of differing heights and body shapes. The pedal is mounted in an assembly including a dual linkage operating apparatus having one element of that linkage that freely rotates about a shaft. A second link of the pedal linkage is connected to a fixed link through an adjustment mechanism. The fixed link is fixedly mounted to the same shaft as the pedal link. The adjustment mechanism incorporates a latch that has multiple settings yielding three or more pedal positions. The pedal is urged upwardly to effect adjustment to raise the pedal. A latch bar of the pedal assembly is urged up to allow lowering of the pedal.

Claims

1. An adjustable pedal linkage assembly comprising:

a shaft;

a fixed link with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the fixed link is fixedly connected to the shaft;

a pedal link with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the pedal link is rotatably connected to the shaft;

a foot pedal mechanically connected to second end of the pedal link;

a support bar rotatably connected to the second end of the fixed link;

a latch bar pinned to the foot pedal having a plurality of catch setting interfaces, each of said plurality of interfaces formed by a notch;

a clevis pin carried by said support bar and engageable with each notch; and

a spring loaded pawl for releasably holding the clevis pin in a selected one of said plurality of notches.

6. The pedal assembly, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a follower and cam assembly connected between the fixed link and the pedal link.

2. An adjustable pedal linkage assembly comprising:

a shaft;

a fixed link non-rotatably affixed to said shaft;

a pedal link supported by and rotatable on said shaft;

a foot pedal attached to said pedal link;

a support bar rotatably attached to said fixed link;

a latch bar pinned to the foot pedal and having a plurality of notches formed therein;

a clevis pin carried by said support bar and engageable with each of said notches; and

a spring loaded pawl for releasably holding the clevis pin in a selected one of said plurality of notches.

7. The pedal assembly, as set forth in claim 2, further comprising a follower and cam assembly connected between the fixed link and the pedal link.

3. An adjustable pedal linkage assembly comprising:

a shaft;

a fixed link non-rotatably affixed to said shaft;

a pedal link supported by and rotatable on said shaft;

a foot pedal attached to said pedal link;

a support bar rotatably attached to said fixed link;

a latch bar pinned to the foot pedal and having a plurality of notches formed therein;

a clevis pin carried by said support bar and engageable with each of said notches;

a spring loaded pawl for releasably holding the clevis pin in a selected one of said plurality of notches; and

a stop for limiting rotation of said pedal link relative to said fixed link.

4. The invention according to claim 3, wherein said stop comprises:

a circular slot in said pedal link; and

a stop pin affixed to said fixed link and extending through said slot.

5. The invention according to claim 4, wherein said stop pin extends through said support bar to rotatably attach said support bar to said fixed link.