Compact adjustable pedal system

• US 6,431,022 B1
• Filed: 10/05/2000
• Issued: 08/13/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edmond Burton Cicotte
• Original Assignee: Edmond Burton Cicotte
• Inventors: Cicotte, Edmond Burton
• Primary Examiner(s): KIM, CHONG HWA
• Application Number:
  US09/680,158
• Time in Patent Office: 677 Days
• Field of Search: 745/12, 745/13, 745/60
• US Class Current: 74/512
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/405 infinitely adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20528 Foot operated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20888 Pedals

Abstract

A compact adjustable pedal system for adjusting a pedal with respect to a datum on a reaction member of a vehicle having a support mounted within the vehicle that establishes an axis of actuation for the adjustable pedal system. A pedal arm that includes a pivot end mounted to and pivotable about the axis of actuation, and that extends downward from the pivot end and terminates in a pedal end having the pedal attached thereto. A slave arm is also mounted to and pivotable about a slave axis, and includes an adjustment end opposite the pivot end. A powered screw adjustment device connects the adjustment end of the slave arm to a point on the pedal arm intermediate the pivot end and pedal end. The powered screw is positioned for pivoting the pedal arm with respect to the slave arm, either about the axis of actuation or about an offset end of the pedal arm establishing an axis of adjustment.

Claims

1. An adjustable pedal system for adjusting a pedal with respect to a datum on a reaction member of a vehicle, said adjustable pedal system comprising:

an axis of adjustment;

at least one axis of actuation co-axially aligned with said axis of adjustment;

a pedal arm that is pivotable about said at least one axis of actuation and said axis of adjustment, said pedal arm terminating in a pedal end;

a slave arm having a pivot end pivotally mounted about said at least one axis of actuation, said slave arm having an adjustment end opposite said pivot end; and

adjustment means for pivotally adjusting the position of said pedal arm with respect to said slave arm about said axis of adjustment, said adjustment means linking said adjustment end of said slave arm said pedal arm.

2. The adjustable pedal system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said slave arm is bellcrank shaped and has a reaction end connected to said datum of said reaction member, and further wherein said reaction end is angularly offset in a rearward direction from said adjustment end.

3. The adjustable pedal system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pedal arm further comprises an offset end pivotally aligned and attached to said adjustment end of said slave arm, said offset and adjustment ends establishing said axis of adjustment, and wherein said adjustment means pivots said pedal arm about said axis of adjustment, said pedal arm and said slave arm being adapted to pivot about said at least one axis of actuation upon application of a force to said pedal end of said pedal arm by an operator of said vehicle.

4. The adjustable pedal system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one axis of actuation comprises a pedal axis of actuation and a slave axis of actuation offset from and substantially parallel to said pedal axis of actuation, said slave arm being pivotably mounted about said slave axis of actuation, said pedal arm being pivotably mounted about said pedal axis of actuation, wherein said adjustment means pivots said pedal arm about said pedal axis of actuation, and further wherein said pedal arm and said slave arm are pivotable about said at least one axis of actuation upon application of a force to said pedal arm by an operator of said vehicle.

5. An adjustable pedal system for adjusting the position of a pedal with respect to a datum on a reaction member for the comfort of an operator within a vehicle, said adjustable pedal system comprising:

a support mounted within said vehicle and establishing an axis of adjustment and at least one axis of actuation co-axially aligned with said axis of adjustment;

a slave arm comprising a pivot end pivotally mounted about said at least one axis of actuation of said support, said slave arm having an adjustment end and a reaction end both extending from said pivot end, said reaction end being connected to said datum for actuating said reaction member upon pivotal motion of said slave arm;

a pedal arm comprising a pivot end pivotally mounted about said at least one axis of actuation of said support, said pedal arm extending from said pivot end to a pedal end having said pedal attached thereto, said pedal arm being pivotably adjustable with respect to said datum of said reaction member;

adjustment means for pivotally adjusting the position of said pedal arm relative to said slave arm about said axis of adjustment, said adjustment means linking said adjustment end of said slave arm to a point on said pedal arm intermediate said pivot and pedal ends of said pedal arm, said adjustment means being spaced from said at least one axis of actuation, said adjustment means being operable for pivoting said pedal arm with respect to said slave arm between forward and rearward adjustment positions; and

drive means interconnected with said adjustment means for driving said adjustment means;

whereby as said drive means drives said adjustment means, said pedal arm is pivoted about said at least one axis of actuation between and including said forward and rearward adjustment positions, and further whereby as the operator applies a force to said pedal, the force is imparted to said pedal arm to rotate said pedal arm about said at least one axis of actuation, and said adjustment means is displaced causing said slave arm to pivot about said axis of adjustment and displace said reaction member to control said vehicle in a desired manner.

6. The adjustable pedal system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said slave arm is bellcrank-shaped and said reaction end is angularly offset from said adjustment end, further wherein said at least one axis of actuation comprises a single common axis about which said pedal and slave arms are coaxially mounted.

7. The adjustable pedal system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said drive means comprises:

a drive motor and a gearbox engaged with said drive motor, said gearbox further engaging said adjustment mend to establish a driving relationship therewith, said gearbox rotating said adjustment means in one direction when said drive motor is activated in a first direction and further rotating said adjustment means in an opposite direction when said drive motor is actuated in a second direction, such that as said adjustment means is rotated said pedal arm is pivoted about said at least one axis of actuation.

8. The adjustable pedal system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said adjustment means comprises:

a pedal arm pin pivotably connected to said pedal arm;

a slave arm pin pivotably connected to said slave arm; and

an adjustment screw having a threaded body threaded into said pedal arm pin and further having a stem portion extending through said slave arm pin;

such that as said adjustment screw rotates said pedal arm pin traverses the length of said threaded body of said adjustment screw to adjust the position of said pedal arm.

9. The adjustable pedal system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said drive means comprises:

a drive motor and gearbox engaged with said drive motor, said gearbox further engaging said stem portion of said adjustment screw to establish a driving relationship therewith, said gearbox rotating said adjustment screw in one direction when said drive motor is activated in a first direction and further rotating said adjustment screw in an opposite direction when said drive motor is actuated in a second direction, such that as said adjustment screw is rotated said pedal arm is pivoted about said at least one axis of actuation.

10. The adjustable pedal system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said support, said pedal arm, said slave arm, and said adjustment means define a single fixed link four-bar linkage arrangement wherein said slave arm is U-shaped and said reaction end is laterally offset from said adjustment end, further wherein said at least one axis of actuation comprises a pedal axis of actuation and a slave axis of actuation substantially parallel with and spaced apart from said pedal axis of actuation and said pivot end of said slave arm being pivotally mounted about said slave axis of actuation, said pivot end of said pedal arm being pivotably mounted about said pedal axis of actuation, wherein said adjustment means pivotally adjusts the position of said pedal arm relative to said slave arm about said pedal axis of actuation, said pedal arm and said slave arm being adapted to pivot about said at least one axis of actuation upon application of a force to said pedal by the operator of said vehicle.

11. The adjustable pedal system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said drive means comprises:

a drive motor and gearbox engaged with said drive motor, said gearbox further engaging said adjustment means to establish a driving relationship therewith, said gearbox rotating said adjustment means in one direction when said drive motor is activated in a first direction and further rotating said adjustment means in an opposite direction when said drive motor is actuated in a second direction, such that as said adjustment means is rotated said pedal arm is pivoted about said pedal axis of actuation.

12. The adjustable pedal system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said adjustment means comprises:

a pedal arm pin pivotably connected to said pedal arm;

a slave arm pin pivotable connected to said slave arm; and

an adjustment screw having a threaded body threaded into said pedal arm pin and further having a stem portion extending through said slave arm pin;

such that as said adjustment screw rotates said pedal arm pin traverses the length of said threaded body of said adjustment screw to adjust the position said pedal arm.

13. The adjustable pedal system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said drive means comprises:

a drive motor and gearbox engaged with said drive motor, said gearbox further engaging said stem portion of said adjustment screw to establish a driving relationship therewith, said gearbox rotating said adjustment screw in one direction when said drive motor is activated in a first direction and further rotating said adjustment screw in an opposite direction when said drive motor is actuated in a second direction, such that as said adjustment screw is rotated said pedal arm is pivoted about said pedal axis of actuation.

14. An adjustable pedal system for adjusting the position of a pedal with respect to a datum on a reaction member within a vehicle for the comfort of an operator, said compact adjustable pedal system comprising:

a support mounted within said vehicle and establishing an axis of adjustment and at least one axis of actuation co-axially aligned with said axis of adjustment;

a slave arm comprising a pivot end pivotally mounted about said at least one axis of actuation, said slave arm extending from said pivot end to an adjustment end, said slave arm further comprising a datum attachment portion for connecting with said datum of said reaction member;

a pedal arm comprising a pedal end and an offset end opposite said pedal end, said pedal arm further comprising an arcuate slot between said pedal and offset ends, said pedal arm being mounted about said at least one axis of actuation through said arcuate slot, said offset end of said pedal arm being fixed to said adjustment end of said slave arm, said offset end of said pedal arm and said adjustment end of said slave arm establishing said axis of adjustment, said pedal arm and said slave arm being adapted to pivot about said at least one axis of actuation upon application of a force to said pedal by the operator of said vehicle;

adjustment means mounted to one of said pedal arm and said slave arm and connected to the other of said pedal arm and said slave arm for pivoting said pedal arm about said axis of adjustment, said adjustment means being adapted to of pivot said pedal arm between forward and rearward adjustment positions with respect to said slave arm; and

drive means interconnected with said adjustment means for driving said adjustment means;

whereby as said drive means drives said adjustment means said pedal arm is pivoted about said axis of adjustment, and flier whereby as the operator applies a force to said pedal, the force is imparted to said pedal arm to rotate said pedal arm about said at least one axis of actuation, such that said adjustment means is displaced causing said slave arm to pivot and displace said reaction member to control said vehicle in a desired manner.

15. The adjustable pedal system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said drive means comprises:

a drive motor and gearbox engaged with said drive motor, said gearbox further engaging said adjustment mew to establish a driving relationship therewith, said gearbox rotating said adjustment means in one direction when said drive motor is activated in a first direction and further rotating said adjustment means in an opposite direction when said drive motor is actuated in a second direction, such that as said adjustment means is rotated said pedal arm is pivoted about said axis of adjustment.

16. The adjustable pedal system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said adjustment means comprises:

an adjustment screw having a threaded body;

a pin threadingly engaged with said adjustment screw, said pin pivotably connected with one of said pedal arm and said slave arm; and

means for mounting said adjustment screw to the other of said pedal arm and said slave arm;

such that as said adjustment screw rotates, said pin traverses the length of said threaded body of said adjustment screw.

17. The adjustable pedal system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said drive means comprises:

a drive cable; and

a drive motor and gearbox complementary with said drive motor, said gearbox engaging said adjustment screw through said drive cable to establish a driving relationship therewith, said gearbox rotating said adjustment screw in one direction when said drive motor is activated in a first direction and further rotating said adjustment screw in an opposite direction when said drive motor is actuated in a second direction, such that as said adjustment screw is rotated said pedal arm is pivoted about said axis of adjustment.

18. The adjustable pedal system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said adjustment means comprises:

an adjustment screw having a threaded body and a ball end terminating said threaded body;

a bracket engaged with said ball end of said adjustment screw, said bracket pivotably connected with one of said pedal arm and said slave arm; and

means for mounting said adjustment screw to the other of said pedal arm and said slave arm, said threaded body being threadingly engaged with said means for mounting said adjustment screw;

such that as said adjustment screw rotates, said adjustment screw traverses through said means for mounting said adjustment screw to pivot said pedal arm.

19. The adjustable pedal system as claimed in claim 18, wherein said drive means comprises:

a drive cable; and

a drive motor and gearbox complementary with said drive motor, said gearbox engaging said adjustment screw through said drive cable to establish a driving relationship therewith, said gearbox rotating said adjustment screw in one direction when said drive motor is activated in a first direction and further rotating said adjustment screw in an opposite direction when said drive motor is actuated in a second direction, such that as said adjustment screw is rotated said pedal arm is pivoted about said axis of adjustment.

20. A method of adjusting a pedal arm adapted to pivot about at least one axis of actuation with respect to a datum on a reaction member in a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:

providing an axis of adjustment in said vehicle;

providing said at least one axis of actuation in said vehicle, said at least one axis of actuation being co-axially aligned with said axis of adjustment;

pivotally positioning said pedal arm about said at least one axis of actuation and said axis of adjustment;

pivotally positioning a slave arm about said at least one axis of actuation at a pivot end of said slave arm;

attaching said slave arm to said datum of said reaction member;

positioning an adjustment means a predetermined distance from said at least one axis of actuation;

pivotally connecting said adjustment means between said slave arm and said pedal arm; and

actuating said adjustment means to pivotally adjust said position of said pedal arm with respect to said slave arm.

21. An adjustable pedal system for an automotive vehicle, said adjustable pedal system comprising:

a mounting bracket having a pedal axis and a slave axis spaced a predetermined distance from said pedal axis;

an offset slave arm pivotally mounted about said slave axis, said offset slave arm having a reaction end and an adjustment end laterally offset from said reaction end;

a pushrod for controlling said automotive vehicle, said pushrod having one end connected to said reaction end of said offset slave arm whereby axial motion of said pushrod occurs upon limited pivotal motion of said offset slave arm;

a pedal arm having a pivot end pivotally mounted about said pedal axis, said pedal arm further having a pedal end opposite said pivot end such that said pedal end of said pedal arm pivots about said pedal axis; and

an adjustment device pivotally connecting said pedal arm with said adjustment end of said offset slave arm, said adjustment device being operable to vary the pivotal position of said pedal arm;

whereby as said adjustment device is actuated, said pedal arm pivots about said pedal axis in a fore and aft direction of said vehicle, thereby adjusting a fore and aft position of said pedal.