Acceleration control and release device

#The present invention relates to an acceleration control and release device for hand control of vehicle acceleration and positive release of a vehicle accelerator for braking.

#More specifically, the invention relates to such a device employed in the automotive field. The inventive device allows a driver to avoid continued acceleration action during a braking operation.

#The problem of automatically releasing the accelerator during a braking operation is very important in many technical fields, but is particularly important in apparatuses designed for allowing disabled persons to drive.

#The present invention will now be described, for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the figures of the enclosed drawings, wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment according to the invention;

#FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the device of FIG. 1; and

#Making reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the device of the invention is an acceleration control assembly to allow driving by disabled persons, in this case particularly, but not exclusively, for tetraplegic persons.

#FIGS. 1 and 2 show a pivotable lever 1 which the driver uses to both accelerate and to release acceleration when braking.

#See in FIG. 1 that the present vehicle acceleration control and release device is operatively connectable to a vehicle acceleration device (e.g., a fuel injection control system or the like) via an accelerator cable 17. The device includes a lever 1 pivotable about a first axis Y (see circle A′) for controlling vehicle acceleration and pivotable about a second axis Z (see circle B′) for releasing acceleration control. The first axis Y is perpendicular to the second axis Z.