Adjustable pedal assembly—floating floor

• US 6,364,047 B1
• Filed: 09/27/2000
• Issued: 04/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Technologies Holdings Corporation (Teleflex Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Teleflex Incorporated
• Inventors: Bortolon, Christopher A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, J. J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DIVINE, DAVID A
• Application Number:
  US09/670,771
• Time in Patent Office: 552 Days
• Field of Search: 180/334, 180/326, 180/329, 745/13, 745/14, 745/12, 192/219.7
• US Class Current: 180/334
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 23/02 for main transmission clutches
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 26/02 of initiating means or elements
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/405 infinitely adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20528 Foot operated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20534 Accelerator

Abstract

An adjustable pedal assembly (10) includes two pedal mechanisms (12 and 14) disposed on a top side (16) of a carrier plate (18). Two parallel tracks (20 and 22) are disposed on a bottom side (24) of the carrier (18) for supporting the carrier (18) for movement between a fore and an aft position. The parallel tracks (20 and 22) are spaced apart a first distance for minimizing torque when either of the pedal mechanisms (12 and 14) is actuated. Additionally, the pedal mechanisms (12 and 14) are within the first distance separating the tracks (12 and 14). The carrier plate (18) has a periphery (26) extending about and spaced from the parallel tracks (20 and 22) to overlie the peripheral surface (34) of the floorboard (32) and limit access to the recess (36). An adjustment mechanism (28) for adjusting a fore and an aft position of the carrier (18) is disposed on the bottom side (24) of the carrier (18) between the parallel tracks (20 and 22).

Claims

1. An adjustable pedal assembly (10) comprising:

a carrier (18) having a top side (16) and a bottom side (24);

a plurality of pedal mechanisms (12, 14) disposed on said top side (16) of said carrier (18); and

an adjustment mechanism (28) for adjusting a fore and an aft position of said carrier (18);

said pedal assembly (10) characterized by a plurality of parallel tracks (20, 22) disposed on said bottom side (24) of said carrier (18) for supporting said carrier (18) for movement between said fore and aft positions,

said carrier (18) having a periphery (26) extending beyond and spaced from said parallel tracks (20, 22).

2. A pedal assembly (10) as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by two of said tracks (20, 22) disposed on said bottom side (24) of said carrier (18) for minimizing torque when any of said pedal mechanisms (12, 14) are actuated.

3. A pedal assembly (10) as set forth in claim 2 further characterized by two of said pedal mechanisms (12, 14) disposed on said top side (16) of said carrier (18).

4. A pedal assembly (10) as set forth in claim 3 further characterized by said tracks (20, 22) disposed on said bottom side (24) of said carrier (18) at a first distance therebetween, said pedal mechanisms (12, 14) disposed on said top side (16) of said carrier (18) within said first distance.

5. A pedal assembly (10) as set forth in claim 4 further characterized by said adjustment mechanism (28) disposed on said bottom side (24) of said carrier (18).

6. A pedal assembly (10) as set forth in claim 5 further characterized by said adjustment mechanism (28) disposed on said bottom side (24) of said carrier (18) between said tracks (20, 22).

7. A pedal assembly (10) as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by including an electrical signal generator associated with each of said pedal mechanisms (12, 14) for providing electrical output signals.

8. A vehicle (30) comprising:

a floorboard (32) having a peripheral surface (34) and a recess (36) disposed below said peripheral surface (34), wherein said recess (36) includes sides (38) and a bottom (40); and

a carrier (18) having a top side (16) and a bottom side (24) and disposed within said recess (36),

a plurality of pedal mechanisms (12, 14) disposed on said top side (16) of said carrier (18),

an adjustment mechanism (28) interconnecting said carrier (18) and said bottom (40) of said recess (36) for adjusting a fore and an aft position of said carrier (18), and

said vehicle (30) characterized by a plurality of parallel tracks (20, 22) interconnecting said bottom side (24) of said carrier (18) and said bottom (40) of said recess (36) for supporting said carrier (18) for movement between said fore and aft positions,

said carrier (18) having a periphery (26) extending beyond and spaced from said parallel tracks (20, 22).

9. A vehicle (30) as set forth in claim 8 further characterized by two of said tracks (20, 22) disposed on said bottom side (24) of said carrier (18) for minimizing torque when any of said pedal mechanisms (12, 14) are actuated.

10. A vehicle (30) as set forth in claim 9 further characterized by two of said pedal mechanisms (12, 14) disposed on said top side (16) of said carrier (18).

11. A vehicle (30) as set forth in claim 10 further characterized by said tracks (20, 22) disposed on said bottom side (24) of said carrier (18) at a first distance therebetween, said pedal mechanisms (12, 14) disposed on said top side (16) of said carrier (18) within said first distance.

12. A vehicle (30) as set forth in claim 11 further characterized by said periphery (26) of said carrier (18) overlying at least a portion of said peripheral surface (34) of said floorboard (32).

13. A vehicle (30) as set forth in claim 11 further characterized by said adjustment mechanism (28) disposed on said bottom side (24) of said carrier (18) between said tracks (20, 22).

14. A vehicle (30) as set forth in claim 8 further characterized by said carrier (18) being a plate having an upper surface overlying said peripheral surface (34) of said floorboard (32) to limit access to said recess (36).

15. A vehicle (30) as set forth in claim 8 further characterized by including an electrical signal generator associated with each of said pedal mechanisms (12, 14) for providing electrical output signals.