Driver control module
OwnerCurtis J. Honekamp, William L. Cousins +5inventors
InventorsCurtis J. Honekamp, William L. Cousins, Harold F. Macris, Theodore L. Badgley, Trevor T. Downes, William R. Fleming, Jeffrey J. Sexton
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A driver control module for a vehicle and a method of assembling and installing the driver control module in the vehicle. The driver control module includes the operator control pedals, the steering column and a large portion of the brake actuation system of the vehicle. The driver control module is designed to be assembled as a unit and then mounted to the dash of the vehicle.
Claims72
A driver control module for mounting as an assembled unit within a first driver control module opening in a dash panel of a cab of a vehicle which has a longitudinal axis, brake lights, a starter interlock circuit, tubing inside the cab and tubing outside the cab, comprising:
- (a) a first dash engagement piece;
- (b) wherein said first dash engagement piece is shaped to span the first driver control module opening in the dash panel of the vehicle;
- (c) wherein said first dash engagement piece has engagement means for engaging said first dash engagement piece to the dash engagement panel of the vehicle;
- (d) a brake pedal mounted directly or indirectly to said first dash engagement piece in a manner such that said brake pedal is fully supported directly or indirectly by said first dash engagement piece;
- and
- (e) one or more steering column components mounted directly or indirectly to said first dash engagement piece in a manner such that a steering column assembly is primarily supported directly or indirectly by said first dash engagement piece when said driver control module is assembled.
A method of assembling a driver control module which is comprised of a steering column assembly, operator control pedals, a first dash engagement piece, one or more brake valves, tubing connections between the one or more brake valves and other components into a single unit and subsequently installing the driver control module in a vehicle which has a cab with an interior, a dash panel at the front of the cab which defines a first driver control module opening in the dash panel and engagement means for engaging a driver control module surrounding the first driver control module opening in the dash panel, comprising the steps of:
- (a) fully assembling the steering column assembly, the operator control pedals, one or more brake valves, all tubing connections between the one or more brake valves, and all other components of the driver control module into a single unit before any of the components of the driver control module are assembled to the vehicle;
- (b) moving the assembled driver control module into the interior of the cab and holding the driver control module approximately where it is designed to be located within the cab;
- (c) engaging the driver control module to the cab so that it is fully supported by the cab.
A vehicle, comprising:
- (a) a chassis;
- (b) a suspension engaged to said chassis for supporting said chassis;
- (c) a powertrain engaged to said chassis for causing movement of said vehicle;
- (d) a cab engaged to said chassis for providing protection from the elements to occupants of said vehicle;
- (e) a steering system engaged to said chassis, said suspension and said cab for controlling the direction of motion of said vehicle;
- (f) a brake system engaged to said chassis, said suspension, said powertrain, and said cab for decreasing the velocity of said vehicle;
- (g) a driver control module for engagement to said cab;
- (h) a dash panel comprising a front portion of said cab;
- (i) wherein said dash panel defines a first driver control module opening through itself;
- j) a first dash engagement piece which comprises a portion of said driver control module;
- (k) wherein said first dash engagement piece is shaped to span said first driver control module opening in said dash panel of said vehicle;
- (l) wherein said dash panel contains engagement means adjacent said first driver control module opening for engaging said first dash engagement piece to said dash panel;
- (m) a brake pedal mounted directly or indirectly to said first dash engagement piece in a manner such that said brake pedal is fully supported directly or indirectly by said first dash engagement piece;
- and
- (n) one or more steering column components mounted directly or indirectly to said first dash engagement piece in a manner such that a steering column assembly is primarily supported directly or indirectly by said first dash engagement piece when said driver control module is assembled.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.