Adjustable pedal-integrated cable transfer

• US 6,389,926 B1
• Filed: 09/27/2000
• Issued: 05/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Technologies Holdings Corporation (Teleflex Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Teleflex Incorporated
• Inventors: Bortolon, Chris
• Primary Examiner(s): LUONG, VINH
• Application Number:
  US09/671,462
• Time in Patent Office: 601 Days
• Field of Search: 745/12, 745/13, 745/015.R, 745/005, 745/60, 744/74, 744/78, 745/024, 192/111.A
• US Class Current: 74/512
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/405 infinitely adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2045 and sheath support, connector, or anchor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20528 Foot operated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20888 Pedals

Abstract

A second conduit (30) is disposed in parallel relationship with a first conduit (28) with both extending between the legs (13) of a support bracket (12) with a first ends (32 and 34) attached to an adjustment member (16) for movement therewith along a rod (14) during the adjustment of a pedal lever (18) between the operational positions. The assembly is characterized by the second ends (45) of the conduits being attached directly to the support bracket (12) instead of being attached to the vehicle structure. A plunger (46) is slidably supported by the support bracket and a cross bar (50) is attached to the plunger (46) to extend transversely thereto. The core elements (40 and 42) are attached to the cross bar (50) on opposite sides of the plunger (46).

Claims

1. An adjustable pedal assembly comprising;

a support bracket (12) including at least one attachment device (11) for attachment to a vehicle structure (15),

an adjustment member (16) movably supported by said support bracket (12) for adjustment between various operational positions,

a pedal lever (18) rotatably supported by said adjustment member (16) for rotation about a pivot axis (20),

a conduit (28 or 30) having a first end (32 or 34) attached to said adjustment member (16) for movement therewith during said adjustment between said operational positions and extending to a second end (36 or 38),

a motion transmitting core element (40 or 42) slidably supported by said conduit (28 or 30) and having a first end (32 or 34) extending from said first end (32 or 34) of said conduit (28 or 30) and operatively attached to said pedal lever (18) and a second end (36 or 38) extending from said second end (36 or 38) of said conduit (28 or 30) for transmitting motion from said pedal lever (18),

said assembly characterized by said second end (36 or 38) of said conduit (28 or 30) being attached to said support bracket (12) for movement with said support bracket (12) prior to attachment by said attachment device (11).

2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 including a control member (46) attached to said second end (36 or 38) of said core element (40 or 42) and movably supported by said support bracket (12) for transmitting motion.

3. An assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said control member (46) comprises a plunger (46) slidably supported by said support bracket (12) and a cross bar (50) attached to said plunger (46) to extend transversely thereto, said core element (45) being attached to said cross bar (50).

4. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 including a projection (44) extending laterally from said pedal lever (18) and said first end (32 or 34) of said core element (40 or 42) being attached to said projection (44).

5. An assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said support bracket (12) includes a rod (14) and said adjustable member (16) is slidably supported on said rod (14).

6. An assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said adjustment member (16) includes an extension (26) extending transversely to said pedal lever (18) and said rod (14), said first end (32 or 34) of said conduit (28 or 30) being attached to said extension (26).

7. An adjustable pedal assembly comprising;

a support bracket (12) including at least one attachment device (11) for attachment to a vehicle structure (15),

an adjustment member (16) movably supported by said support bracket (12) for adjustment between various operational positions,

a pedal lever (18) rotatably supported by said adjustment member (16) for rotation about a pivot axis (20),

a conduit (28 or 30) having a first end (32 or 34) attached to said adjustment member (16) for movement therewith during said adjustment between said operational positions and extending to a second end (36 or 38),

a motion transmitting core element (40 or 42) slidably supported by said conduit (28 or 30) and having a first end (32 or 34) extending from said first end (32 or 34) of said conduit (28 or 30) and operatively attached to said pedal lever (18) and a second end (36 or 38) extending from said second end (36 or 38) of said conduit (28 or 30) for transmitting from said pedal lever (18),

said assembly characterized by said second end (36 or 38) of said conduit (28 or 30) being attached to said support bracket (12),

a control member (46) attached to said second end (36 or 38) of said core element (40 or 42) and movably supported by said support bracket (12) for transmitting motion,

a second conduit (28 or 30) disposed in parallel relationship with said first mentioned conduit (28 or 30) with a first end (32 or 34) attached to said adjustment member (16) for movement therewith during said adjustment between said operational positions and a second end (36 or 38) attached to said support bracket (12), a second motion transmitting core element (42) slidably supported by said second conduit (28 or 30) and having a first end (32 and 34) extending from said first end (32 and 34) of said second conduit (28 or 30) and operatively attached to said pedal lever (18) and a second end (45) extending from said second end (36 or 38) of said second conduit (28 or 30) and attached to said control member (46) for transmitting motion from said pedal lever (18) to said control member (46).

8. An assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said first and second core elements (40 or 42) are attached to on opposite sides of said control member (46) to balance loads on said control member (46).

9. An assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said support bracket (12) is box-shaped in cross section defining a pair of spaced legs (13) and said first and second conduits (28 or 30) extend between said legs (13).

10. An assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said control member (46) comprises a plunger (46) slidably supported by said support bracket (12) and a cross bar (50) attached to said plunger (46) to extend transversely thereto, said core elements (45) being attached to said cross bar (50) on opposite sides of said plunger (46).

11. An assembly as set forth in claim 9 including a projection (44) extending laterally from said pedal lever (18) and said first ends (32 or 34) of said first and second core elements (40 or 42) being attached to said projection (44) in laterally side by side relationship to one another.

12. An assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said support bracket (12) includes a rod (14) and said adjustable member (16) is slidably supported on said rod (14).

13. An assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said adjustment member (16) includes an extension (26) extending transversely to said pedal lever (18) and said rod (14), said first ends (32 or 34) of said conduits (28 or 30) being attached to said extension (26).

14. An assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein said pivotal connection includes a pin (20) interconnecting said adjustment member (16) and said pedal lever (18).

15. An assembly as set forth in claim 14 including a drive device (24) for moving said adjustment member (16) along said rod (14).

16. An assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein said pedal lever (18) has an upper end pivotally attached to said adjustment member (16) by the pin (20) and a lower end and including a pad (22) supported on said lower end of said pedal lever (18) for being engaged by a vehicle operator.