Adjustable pedal assembly

• US 6,962,094 B2
• Filed: 01/24/2002
• Issued: 11/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Orscheln Products, LLC
• Original Assignee: Orscheln Products, LLC
• Inventors: Richardson, Theodore, Champ, Larry B, Porter, Curtis H.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, XUAN LAN T
• Application Number:
  US10/057,400
• Publication Number:
  US 20020157497A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,384 Days
• Field of Search: 745/12, 745/13, 745/60, 745/62, 745/64
• US Class Current: 74/512
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/405 infinitely adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20528 Foot operated

Abstract

An adjustable pedal assembly is disclosed that comprises a stationary mounting plate, a sliding mounting plate that receives a brake pedal and a throttle pedal, and a drive mechanism for displacing the sliding mounting plate relative to the stationary mounting plate.

Claims

1. A pedal assembly for a vehicle comprising a first plate, a second plate that is located above and movable relative to the first plate wherein the second plate receives at least one pedal wherein one of said at least one pedal comprises a foot operated brake pedal, and a movement mechanism for adjusting the position of the second plate relative to the first plate wherein the movement mechanism comprises an electronic control mechanism comprising at least two limit switches and wherein the second plate defines at least one slot for receiving said at least two limit switches.

2. The pedal assembly of claim 1 wherein the first plate is mounted horizontally relative to a floor of the vehicle, and the second plate is movable in forward and backward directions relative to the first plate wherein the foot operated pedals comprise a brake pedal and a throttle control pedal.

3. The adjustable pedal assembly of claim 1 further comprising a drive screw for moving the second plate.

4. The pedal assembly of claim 2 wherein the foot operated throttle control comprises an electronic throttle control foot pedal.

5. The pedal assembly of claim 2 wherein a spacer plate is located between the first and second plates.

6. The pedal assembly of claim 3 wherein said drive screw comprises a drive screw operated by an electric motor.

7. The pedal assembly of claim 2 wherein the first and second plates define at least partially overlapping openings in order to provide interconnection to the braking and throttle of the vehicle.

8. The adjustable pedal assembly of claim 3 wherein the drive screw is adjacent to a means for operating the drive screw.

9. The adjustable pedal assembly of claim 3 further comprises a shield at least partially covering the drive screw.

10. The adjustable pedal assembly of claim 9 wherein said shield is displaced with said sliding plate.

11. The adjustable pedal assembly of claim 9 wherein said shield is stationary relative to the sliding plate.

12. The adjustable pedal assembly of claim 1 wherein the movement mechanism comprises an electric motor and said electronic control means cause polarity within said motor to vary.

13. The adjustable pedal assembly of claim 1 further comprising at least one pin located on the second plate that engages at least one slot defined on the first plate.

14. An adjustable pedal assembly comprising a stationary plate, a sliding mounting plate located above the stationary plate that is movable relative to the stationary plate wherein the sliding mounting plate receives at least one pedal and wherein the sliding mounting plate defines at least one opening for receiving at least one switch that is located on the stationary plate, and a drive mechanism for displacing the sliding mounting plate relative to the stationary mounting plate wherein the stationary plate defines at least one slot for receiving at least one pin located on the sliding mounting plate.

15. The adjustable pedal assembly of claim 14 wherein the drive mechanism is located above the sliding mounting plate.

16. The adjustable pedal assembly of claim 14 wherein the drive mechanism causes linear displacement of sliding mounting plate.

17. The adjustable pedal assembly of claim 14 wherein the at least one pedal comprises a brake pedal and a throttle pedal.

18. A pedal assembly comprising a stationary plate, a sliding mounting plate located above the stationary plate that is movable in a linear fashion relative to the stationary plate wherein at least one pedal is displaced with the sliding mounting plate and wherein the sliding mounting plate defines at least one opening for receiving at least one switch, and a drive mechanism, which is located above the stationary plate and connected to the stationary plate and the sliding mounting plate, for displacing the sliding mounting plate relative to the stationary mounting plate;

and wherein the stationary plate defines at least one slot for receiving at least interference means located on the sliding mounting plate.