Suspended pedal system for golf cars

• US 6,840,352 B2
• Filed: 03/01/2002
• Issued: 01/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Textron Inc
• Original Assignee: Textron Inc
• Inventors: Buckley, James A., Hebert, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Siconolri, Robert A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TORRES WILLIAMS, MELANIE
• Application Number:
  US10/087,656
• Publication Number:
  US 20020189909A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,047 Days
• Field of Search: 303/3, 303/15, 303/113.4, 303/DIG.11, 745/12, 745/13, 745/14, 744/731.1, 744/731.6, 180/65.1, 180/65.3, 180/65.4, 180/216, 180/305, 180/307, 180/371, 180/275, 180/277
• US Class Current: 188/73.31
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 1/065 employing disc B60T1/062 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 11/103 in combination with other control devices conjoint control of brake system and at least another sub-unit B60W10/188
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 11/105 with brake locking after actuation, release of the brake by a different control device, e.g. gear lever
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 11/165 Single master cylinders for pressurised systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 11/18 Connection thereof to initiating means
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 11/22 characterised by being integral with reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 11/236 Piston sealing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/588 both fluid and mechanical assistance or drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 17/16 Locking of brake cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 17/222 by filling or bleeding of hydraulic systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/045 with locking and release means, e.g. providing parking brake application
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/06 Disposition of pedal
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2055/002 assembled from a plurality of parts
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2055/007 Pins holding the braking members
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2055/0091 Plural actuators arranged side by side on the same side of the rotor
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 55/228 with a separate actuating member for each side

Abstract

A golf car having a frame supported on a plurality of wheels and a bracket member fixedly coupled to the frame. A brake pedal assembly and an accelerator pedal assembly are pivotally coupled to the bracket member such that the brake pedal and accelerator pedal are disposed in a generally suspended position behind the cowling, rather than a floor mounted position. This arrangement maximizes the ergonomic placement of the pedals, and minimizes corrosion due to exposure to moisture and chemicals and damaged caused by contact with brush and debris.

Claims

1. A golf car comprising:

a frame supported by a plurality of wheels;

a brake pedal having an arm portion and a pedal portion, said pedal portion being disposed on a first end of said arm portion, said brake pedal being pivotally coupled to said frame at a second end of said arm portion for movement through an operating stroke, said second end of said arm portion being elevated relative to said pedal portion;

a brake system receiving input from said brake pedal member and generating an output to control a braking device; and

a locking mechanism for providing a locked position for said brake pedal, said locking mechanism providing a single audible indication to an operation that said brake pedal had been depressed sufficiently to be latched in said locked position, said locking mechanism operable to unlatch upon advancement of said brake pedal beyond said locked position.

2. The golf car according to claim 1 wherein said brake system comprises:

a brake rotor attached to at least one of said plurality of wheels;

a first caliper assembly having brake pads which contact said brake rotor in response to said output of said brake system to cause friction, said friction retarding movement of said brake rotor and associated wheel.

3. The golf car according to claim 1 wherein said brake system comprises:

a brake drum attached to at least one of said plurality of wheels;

a first shoe assembly having brake shoes which contact said brake drum in response to said output of said brake system to cause friction, said friction retarding movement of said brake drum and associated wheel.

4. The golf car comprising:

a frame supported on a plurality of wheels;

a bracket member fixedly coupled to said frame; and

a pedal member having an arm portion and a pedal portion, said pedal portion being disposed on a first end of said arm portion, said pedal member being pivotally coupled to said bracket member at a second end of said arm portion such that said second end of said arm portion is elevated relative to said pedal portion;

a brake system receiving input from said member and generating an output to control a braking device; and

a locking mechanism for providing a locked position for said brake pedal, said locking mechanism providing a single audible indication to an operation that said brake pedal had been depressed sufficiently to be latched in said locked position, said locking mechanism operable to inlatch upon advancement of said brake pedal beyond said locked position.

5. The golf car according to claim 4 wherein said brake system comprises:

a hydraulically actuated braking system operably coupled to at least one of said plurality of wheels, said braking system operable to exert a frictional force on said one of said plurality of wheels; and

a master brake cylinder fluidly coupled to said braking system for outputting a hydraulic fluid pressure in response to actuation of said brake pedal, said master brake cylinder being generally positioned above said brake pedal and said braking system.

6. The golf car according to claim 5 wherein said brake system comprises:

a brake rotor attached to at least one of said plurality of wheels;

a first caliper assembly having brake pads which contact said brake rotor in response to said output of said brake system to cause friction, said friction retarding movement of said brake rotor and associated wheel.

7. The golf car according to claim 5 wherein said brake system comprises:

a brake drum attached to at least one of said plurality of wheels;

a first shoe assembly having brake shoes which contact said brake drum in response to said output of said brake system to cause friction, said friction retarding movement of said brake drum and associated wheel.

8. The golf car according to claim 5 wherein said brake system comprises:

an accumulator fluidly coupled to said master brake cylinder, said accumulator storing energy for maintaining a braking force in a parking mode.

9. The golf car according to claim 5 wherein said pedal member is an accelerator pedal assembly for actuating a drive system.