Adjustable brake, clutch and accelerator pedals

• US 6,367,349 B1
• Filed: 05/01/2000
• Issued: 04/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dura Global Technologies Incorporated (Dura Automotive Systems)
• Original Assignee: Dura Global Technologies Incorporated (Dura Automotive Systems)
• Inventors: Allen, James, Reynolds, Dean William
• Primary Examiner(s): Green, Mary Ann
• Application Number:
  US09/564,404
• Time in Patent Office: 708 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 403/32073 Pivot stud slidable in elongated opening
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20528 Foot operated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20888 Pedals

Abstract

An adjustable control pedal for a motor vehicle includes a pivotable upper pedal arm having an arcuate slot formed therein, a link pivotable relative to the upper pedal arm, and a lower pedal arm having an upper end pivotably connected to the link and a lower end carrying a pedal. A drive assembly includes a screw supported by the upper pedal arm, a motor operatively connected to the screw to selectively rotate the screw, and a nut threadably engaging the screw and adapted to move along the screw upon rotation of the screw. The nut is pivotally connected to the link such that the link pivots relative to the upper pedal arm upon movement of the nut along the screw. A pin connected to the lower pedal arm and laterally extends into the slot such that the pin moves along the slot upon pivotal movement of the link. Also disclosed is a control pedal having a drive block or a pair of spaced apart pins located in a single slot of the upper pedal arm.

Claims

1. An adjustable control pedal comprising, in combination:

a stationary mounting bracket;

a pivotable upper pedal arm having a slot formed therein;

wherein the upper pedal arm is pivotally attached to the stationary mounting bracket at a horizontally extending pivot axis;

a link pivotable relative to the upper pedal arm;

wherein the link is pivotally attached to the stationary mounting bracket at the pivot axis;

a lower pedal arm having an upper end connected to the link and a lower end carrying a pedal;

a guide connected to the lower pedal arm and laterally extending into the slot; and

wherein the guide moves along the slot upon pivotal movement of the link about the pivot axis and relative to the upper pedal arm to adjust the position of the pedal relative to the upper pedal arm and wherein the upper pedal arm, the lower pedal arm, and the link pivot about the pivot axis in unison upon applying force to the pedal.

2. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 1, further comprising a drive assembly including a screw supported by the upper pedal arm, a motor operatively connected to the screw to selectively rotate the screw, and a nut threadably engaging the screw and adapted to move along the screw upon rotation of the screw, wherein the nut is connected to the link such that the link pivots upon movement of the nut along the screw.

3. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 2, wherein the nut is pivotally connected to the link.

4. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 1, wherein the slot is arcuate.

5. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 1, wherein the link and the upper pedal arm are pivotable about a common pivot pin attaching both the upper pedal arm and the link to the stationary mounting bracket.

6. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 1, wherein the upper pedal arm, the link, and the lower pedal arm are generally parallel plates.

7. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 6, wherein the link is located between the upper pedal arm and the lower pedal arm.

8. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 1, wherein the lower pedal arm is pivotally connected to the link.

9. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 1, wherein the guide is a pin directly attached to the lower pedal arm and extending into the slot.

10. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 1, wherein the pin is directly attached to the lower pedal arm and laterally extends from the lower pedal arm.

11. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 10, wherein the guide is a pin extending laterally through the lower pedal arm.

12. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 10, wherein the guide extends from the lower pedal arm between the pedal and the upper end attached to the link.

13. An adjustable control pedal comprising, in combination:

a stationary mounting bracket;

a pivotable upper pedal arm having an arcuate slot formed therein;

wherein the upper pedal arm is pivotally attached to the stationary mounting bracket at a horizontally extending pivot axis;

a link pivotable relative to the upper pedal arm;

wherein the link is pivotally attached to the stationary mounting bracket at the pivot axis;

a lower pedal arm having an upper end pivotably connected to the link and a lower end carrying a pedal;

a drive assembly including a screw supported by the upper pedal arm, a motor operatively connected to the screw to selectively rotate the screw, and a nut threadably engaging the screw and adapted to move along the screw upon rotation of the screw, wherein the nut is pivotally connected to the link such that the link pivots relative to the upper pedal arm upon movement of the nut along the screw;

a pin connected to the lower pedal arm and laterally extending into the slot; and

wherein the pin moves along the slot upon pivotal movement of the link about the pivot axis and relative to the upper pedal arm to adjust the position of the pedal relative to the upper pedal arm and wherein the upper pedal arm, the lower pedal arm, and the link pivot about the pivot axis in unison upon applying force to the pedal.

14. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 13, wherein the pin is directly attached to the lower pedal arm and laterally extends from the lower pedal arm.

15. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 14, wherein the pin extends from the lower pedal arm between the pedal and the upper end attached to the link.

16. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 14, wherein the pin extends laterally through the lower pedal arm.

17. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 13, wherein the link and the upper pedal arm are pivotable about a common pivot pin attaching both the upper pedal arm and the link to the stationary mounting bracket.

18. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 13, wherein the nut is directly attached to the link.