Adjustable pedal assembly

• US 6,321,617 B1
• Filed: 06/08/2000
• Issued: 11/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey Schwyn
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey Schwyn
• Inventors: Schwyn, Jeffrey
• Primary Examiner(s): Green, Mary Ann
• Application Number:
  US09/590,581
• Time in Patent Office: 537 Days
• Field of Search: 745/12, 745/13, 745/14, 745/60
• US Class Current: 74/512
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/405 infinitely adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20528 Foot operated

Abstract

An adjustable pedal assembly used in connection with a vehicle. The assembly provides a constant pedal ratio produced through use of a separate pedal arm and drive arm having a common center pivot. The distance from the pedal pad to the center pivot and the drive arm actuator rod mounting point to the center pivot is held stationary. By holding these distances stationary while varying the angle or angular relationship between the pedal arm and drive arm, the travel of the actuator rod related to the travel of the pedal pad remains proportional.

Claims

1. An adjustable pedal assembly for use with a vehicle comprising:

a support bracket;

a pedal arm pivotally secured to said support bracket, said pedal arm including a pedal pad attached thereto;

a drive arm pivotally secured to said support bracket;

a link having a first end and a second end, said first end of said link pivotally secured to said pedal arm and said second end of said link moveably secured to said drive arm to vary the position of said second end of said link on said drive arm; and

an adjuster secured to one of said link and said drive arm and further connected to and operative to vary the position of said second end of said link on said drive arm.

2. An adjustable pedal assembly as set forth in claim 1 including a pin, said pin pivotally connecting said adjuster to said link.

3. An adjustable pedal assembly as set forth in claim 2 including said drive arm having an elongated slot therein;

and

said pin pivotally connecting said adjuster to said link extending through said elongated slot.

4. An adjustable pedal assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein the length of said elongated slot defines a range of adjustment of the adjustable pedal assembly.

5. An adjustable pedal assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said drive arm is U-shaped having a base and two spaced apart legs joined by said base and forming a channel therebetween, said elongated slot formed in at least one of said spaced apart legs.

6. An adjustable pedal assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said adjuster includes an adjuster screw positioned adjacent said drive arm;

a drive member threadably engages said adjuster screw for movement along said adjuster screw in response to rotation of said adjuster screw; and

said drive member connected to said pin pivotally connecting said adjuster to said link.

7. An adjustable pedal assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said drive member includes a finger portion, said finger portion having an aperture therein, said finger portion extending into said channel on said U-shaped member such that the aperture in said finger portion coincides with said elongated slot;

and

said pin extending through said aperture and said slot to couple said drive member to said link.

8. An adjustable pedal assembly as set forth in claim 1 including said drive arm having an elongated slot therein;

and

a pin extending through said elongated slot and connected to said link, said pin further connecting said link to said adjuster.

9. An adjustable pedal assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said drive arm is a U-shaped member having a base and two spaced apart legs joined by said base and forming a channel therebetween, said elongated slot formed in at least one of said spaced apart legs.

10. An adjustable pedal assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said adjuster includes an adjuster screw positioned adjacent said drive arm;

a drive member threadably engages said adjuster screw for movement along said adjuster screw in response to rotation of said adjuster screw; and

said drive member connected to said link.

11. An adjustable pedal assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said drive member includes a finger portion, said finger portion having an aperture therein, said finger portion extending into said channel of said U-shaped member such that the aperture in said finger portion coincides with said elongated slot;

and

said pin extending through said aperture and said slot to couple said drive member to said link.

12. An adjustable pedal assembly for use with a vehicle comprising:

a pivot pin;

a pedal arm pivotally supported by said pivot pin, said pedal arm including a pedal pad attached thereto;

a drive arm pivotally supported by said pivot pin, said pivot pin providing a common pivot point for both said pedal arm and said drive arm;

a link having a first end and a second end, said first end of said link pivotally secured to said pedal arm and said second end of said link movably secured to said drive arm to vary the position of said second end of said link on said drive arm; and

an adjuster secured to one of said link and said drive arm and further connected to and operative to vary the position of said second end of said link on said drive arm.

13. An adjustable pedal assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said drive arm is a U-shaped member having a base and two spaced apart legs joined by said base and forming a channel therebetween, said U-shaped member further having an elongated slot formed in at least one of said spaced apart legs.

14. An adjustable pedal assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein said adjuster includes an adjuster screw positioned adjacent said drive arm;

a drive member threadably engages said adjuster screw for movement along said adjuster screw in response to rotation of said adjuster screw; and

said drive member connected to said link.

15. An adjustable pedal assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein said drive member includes a finger portion, said finger portion having an aperture therein, said finger portion extending into said channel of said U-shaped member such that the aperture in said finger portion coincides with said elongated slot;

and

said pin extending through said aperture and said slot to couple said drive member to said link.

16. An adjustable pedal assembly for use with a vehicle comprising:

a pivot pin;

a pedal arm pivotally supported by said pivot pin, said pedal arm including a pedal pad attached thereto;

a drive arm pivotally supported by said pivot pin, said pivot pin providing a common pivot point for both said pedal arm and said drive arm;

a link having a first end and a second end, said first end of said link pivotally secured to said pedal arm and said second end of said link movably secured to said drive arm to vary the position of said second end of said link on said drive arm;

an adjuster screw positioned on said drive arm;

a drive member threadably engages said adjuster screw for movement along said adjuster screw in response to rotation of said adjuster screw; and

said drive member connected to said link and operative to vary the position of said second end of said link on said drive arm.

17. An adjustable pedal assembly as set forth in claim 16 wherein said drive arm is a U-shaped member having a base and two spaced apart legs joined by said base and forming a channel therebetween, said U-shaped member further having an elongated slot formed in at least one of said spaced apart legs.

18. An adjustable pedal assembly as set forth in claim 17 wherein said drive member includes a finger portion, said finger portion having an aperture therein, said finger portion extending into said channel of said U-shaped member such that the aperture in said finger portion coincides with said elongated slot;

and

said pin extending through said aperture and said slot to couple said drive member to said link.