Cable actuated adjustable pedal

• US 7,111,524 B2
• Filed: 07/03/2003
• Issued: 09/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dura Global Technologies Incorporated (Dura Automotive Systems)
• Original Assignee: Dura Global Technologies Incorporated (Dura Automotive Systems)
• Inventors: Reynolds, Dean, Elgart, David A., Kiczek, Casimir R., Flynn, Charles L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Vicky A.
• Application Number:
  US10/613,890
• Publication Number:
  US 20050016319A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,181 Days
• Field of Search: 745/12, 745/005, 745/015.R, 745/13, 745/60, 744/78, 180/334
• US Class Current: 74/512
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/40 adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20528 Foot operated

Abstract

An adjustable pedal includes a first member with a slot and a second member movable along the slot relative to the first member. A pin is disposed in the slot. A biasing member urges the second member toward the one end. A tension control member is connected to the pin to selectively adjust the second member. The tension control member has a secondary lock member. To prevent movement of the second member relative to the first member in one condition and permit movement of the second member relative to the first member in another condition. An actuation system employing a cable is disclosed.

Claims

1. An adjustable pedal assembly for a motor vehicle comprising in combination:

a mounting bracket;

an upper pedal arm pivotally connected to the mounting bracket;

a lower pedal arm, the lower pedal arm being adjustable in position with respect to the upper pedal arm;

a locking member for preventing adjustment in position of the lower pedal arm with respect to the upper pedal arm;

a stand connected to the lower pedal arm for moving the lower pedal arm aft in a vehicle; and

a biasing member for biasing the lower pedal arm toward the forward end of a vehicle.

2. The pedal assembly according to claim 1 wherein the locking member includes a gear and pawl to prevent movement of the lower pedal arm separate from the upper pedal arm in one condition and to permit movement of the lower pedal arm separate from the upper pedal arm in the another condition.

3. The pedal assembly of claim 1 further comprising a slot and pin arrangement for the lower pedal arm to move relative to the upper pedal arm in a substantially linear forward and rearward movement.

4. The pedal assembly according to claim 1 wherein the biasing member comprises a torsion spring, a coil spring or an elastomeric member.

5. The pedal assembly according to claim 1 wherein the strand is a cable, the cable is attached to an actuator.

6. An adjustable control pedal assembly for a vehicle comprising in combination:

a control pedal member the control pedal member including

a first pedal arm and

a second pedal arm, the first pedal arm being movable in relation to the second pedal arm and

a biasing member for biasing one of the pedal arms forward in a vehicle;

a tensioning assembly including a cable connected to a lock member which prevents movement of the second pedal arm relative to the first pedal arm in one tensioning condition, causes movement of the second pedal arm relative to the first pedal arm in a forward direction of a vehicle in another tensioning condition, and to causes movement of the second pedal arm aft in a third tensioning condition.

7. A control pedal assembly according to claim 6 further comprising a slot pin arrangement for supporting sliding of the first pedal arm in relation to the second pedal arm wherein the slot in one of elongated aperture, arcuate, “

S”

shaped, “

C”

Shaped and non-linear.

8. A control pedal assembly according to claim 7 where the lock member is mounted on the pin.

9. A control pedal assembly according to claim 7 wherein the lock member includes a rotatable pawl.

10. A control pedal assembly according to claim 6 wherein the lock member includes a gear sector and pawl.

11. A control pedal assembly according to claim 6 further comprising:

a manual actuator member connected to the cable.

12. A control pedal assembly according to claim 6 further comprising:

a motor driven actuator connected to the cable.

13. An adjustable pedal assembly for a motor vehicle comprising in combination:

a mounting bracket;

an upper pedal arm pivotally attached to the mounting bracket;

a lower pedal arm connected to the upper pedal arm and moveable with respect to the upper pedal arm;

a biasing member for biasing the lower pedal arm forward in a vehicle;

a lock member for preventing movement of the lower pedal arm with respect to the upper pedal arm;

a cable connected to the lock member such that tension by the cable causes the lock member to release the lower pedal aim and the amount of tensioning by the cable is determinative of the positioning of the lower pedal arm with respect to the upper pedal arm aft in a vehicle and the amount of tensioning and the biasing is determinative of positioning the lower pedal arm forward in a vehicle.

14. The adjustable pedal assembly of claim 13, wherein the upper pedal arm has a slot;

the lower pedal arm is connected to a pin which is movably disposed in the slot for support and substantially linear movement of the lower pedal arm with respect to the upper pedal arm.

15. The adjustable pedal assembly of claim 14, wherein the lock member includes a gear and pawl, the pawl being connected to the cable and the gear being connected to the upper pedal arm.

16. The adjustable pedal assembly of claim 15, wherein the pawl is biased to engage the gear and its rotatable to a disengaged position upon tensioning of the cable.