Electric adjustable pedal system with two-piece upper arm

• US 6,609,438 B1
• Filed: 08/18/2000
• Issued: 08/26/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2000
• 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 Robert, Fewins, Todd Alan, Bigham, Richard Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Marmor, Charles A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Williams, Eric M
• Application Number:
  US09/642,975
• Time in Patent Office: 1,103 Days
• Field of Search: 745/12, 745/60
• US Class Current: 74/560
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/30 Controlling members actuated by foot
• 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 an upper arm having first and second substantially parallel and spaced-apart members. The first and second members are rigidly connected together to prevent relative movement therebetween and each have first and second slots formed therein. A lower arm has a lower end carrying a pedal and an upper end extending between the first and second members. A first guide pin is secured to the lower arm and extends into the first slot of the first member and the first slot of the second member. A second guide pin is secured to the lower arm and extends into the second slot of the first member and the second slot of the second member he slots and the guide pins form a sliding two-pin four-slot connection between the upper and lower pedal arms. The guide pins preferably have flat or planar upper and lower engagement surfaces located within the slots. Preferably, polymer bushings are provided which encircle the guide pins within the slots and have flanges which extend between the upper and lower arms. A drive assembly is operatively connected to the lower arm to selectively move the lower arm relative to the first and second upper arms to adjust the position of the pedal relative to the operator of the motor vehicle.

Claims

1. An adjustable control pedal comprising, in combination:

a mounting bracket;

an upper arm having first and second generally planar members, said first and second members being generally parallel and spaced apart;

wherein the upper arm is pivotably attached to the mounting bracket;

a lower arm having a lower end carrying a pedal and an upper end extending between said first and second members and operatively connected to said upper arm for selected movement relative to said upper arm;

a drive assembly operatively connected to the lower arm to selectively move the lower arm relative to the upper arm;

wherein the drive assembly includes a drive screw carried by the upper arm and a nut operably connected to the lower arm and threadably engaging the drive screw to move axially along the drive screw upon rotation of the screw;

wherein the drive screw is located adjacent a side of the second member opposite the first member with the second member positioned between the drive screw and the first member; and

wherein the first and second generally planar members are secured together by at least one separate spacer pin extending between the first and second generally planar members.

2. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 1, wherein said first and second members each have at least one slot formed therein and at least one guide pin secured to the lower arm extends into said slot of each of said first and second members.

3. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 2, wherein said first and second members each have first and second slots formed therein, a first guide pin secured to the lower arm extends into said first slot of each of said first and second members, and a second guide pin secured to the lower arm extends into said second slot of each of said first and second members.

4. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 2, wherein said at least one guide pin is provided with bushings extending into said at least one slot of said first and second upper members.

5. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 4, wherein bushings have flanges extending between said lower arm and said upper arm.

6. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 2, wherein said at least one guide pin has planar upper and lower engagement surfaces extending within said at least one slot.

7. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 2, wherein said at least one guide pin extends from said first member to said second member and through said lower arm.

8. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 1, wherein said first and second members are rigidly connected together to prevent relative movement therebetween.

9. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 1, wherein said first and second members are plates.

10. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 1, wherein the spacer pin extends into openings in the first and second generally planar members.

11. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 1, wherein the drive screw is located outside a space located between the first and second generally planar members.

12. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 1, wherein said first and second members are separate components secured together by the spacer pin.

13. An adjustable control pedal comprising, in combination:

a mounting bracket;

an upper arm having first and second spaced-apart members, said first and second members each having a slot formed therein;

wherein the upper arm is pivotably attached to the mounting bracket;

a lower arm having a lower end carrying a pedal and an upper end extending between said first and second members;

a guide pin secured to the lower arm and extending into said slot of said first member and said slot of said second member;

a drive assembly operatively connected to the lower arm to selectively move the lower arm relative to the upper arm;

wherein the drive assembly includes a drive screw carried by the upper arm and a nut operably connected to the lower arm and threadably engaging the drive screw to move axially along the drive screw upon rotation of the screw;

wherein the drive screw is located adjacent a side of the second member opposite the first member with the second member positioned between the drive screw and the first member; and

wherein the first and second members are generally planar and a space formed between the first and second members has an open periphery between the first and second members along the entire periphery of the first and second members.

14. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 13, wherein said first and second members each have a second slot formed therein and a second guide pin is secured to the lower arm and extends into said second slot of each of said first and second members.

15. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 14, wherein said second guide pin is provided with bushings extending into said second slot of said first and second upper members.

16. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 13, further comprising bushings encircling said guide pin within said slot of said first member and said slot of said second member and wherein the bushings have flanges extending between said lower arm and said upper arm.

17. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 13, wherein said guide pin has planar upper and lower engagement surfaces extending within said at least one slot.

18. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 17, further comprising bushings encircling said guide pin within said slot of said first member and said slot of said second member and wherein said bushings conform to said planar upper and lower engagement surfaces.

19. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 13, further comprising bushings encircling said guide pin within said slot of said first member and said slot of said second member and wherein said bushings comprise a plastic material.

20. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 13, wherein said first and second members are rigidly connected together to prevent relative movement therebetween.

21. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 13, wherein said first and second members are substantially parallel plates.

22. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 13, wherein said guide pin extends from said slot of said first member to said slot of said second member and through said lower arm.

23. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 13, wherein the first and second generally planar members are secured together by at least one separate spacer pin extending between the first and second generally planar members.

24. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 23, wherein said first and second members are separate components secured together by the spacer pin.

25. The adjustable control pedal according to claim 13, wherein the drive screw is located outside a space located between the first and second generally planar members.

26. An adjustable control pedal comprising, in combination:

a mounting bracket;

an upper arm having first and second spaced-apart members, said first and second members each having first and second slots formed therein;

wherein the upper arm is pivotably attached to the mounting bracket;

a lower arm having a lower end carrying a pedal and an upper end extending between said first and second members;

a first guide pin secured to the lower arm and extending into said first slot of said first member and said first slot of said second member;

a second guide pin secured to the lower arm and extending into said second slot of said first member and said second slot of said second member;

a drive assembly operatively connected to the lower arm to selectively move the lower arm relative to the upper arm;

wherein the first and second members are generally planar, separately formed and rigidly secured together by at least one separate spacer pin extending between the first and second generally planar members;

wherein the drive assembly includes a drive screw carried by the upper arm and a nut operably connected to the lower arm and threadably engaging the drive screw to move axially along the drive screw upon rotation of the screw; and

wherein the drive screw is located adjacent a side of the second member opposite the first member with the second member positioned between the drive screw and the first member.