Snap-in pedal with end caps
AssigneeGeneral Motors Corporation
InventorsJames E. Carr, Mark A. Lindsey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mounting for a control pedal in a motor vehicle includes a mounting bracket fixed relative to the vehicle having apertures defining an axis of rotation. The pedal has a hub defining a pivot axis. Spring loaded bearings in the hub are adapted to automatically snap axially outward from a first position to a second position, thereby rotatably connecting the pedal with the bracket, when the pivot axis is aligned with the axis of rotation. The axes are aligned by manipulating the pedal. Pedal end caps are snapped onto the hub and interposed between the hub and the bracket.
Claims14
In a mounting for a control pedal on a motor vehicle for rotation about an axis, the combination comprising:
- a mounting bracket fixed relative to the vehicle and having first and second apertures defining the axis of rotation;
- the pedal having first and second bearings defining a pivot axis and a spring, wherein the first and second bearings are biased by the spring to axially outer positions and wherein the spring is compressible such that opposing forces on the bearings axially moves the bearings into axially compressed positions;
- wherein the spring forces the bearings in the axially outer positions when the pedal is positioned so that the bearings are exterior of the bracket;
- wherein the bracket forces the bearings in the axially compressed positions when the bearings are located within the bracket and not within the first and second apertures;
- wherein the spring forces the bearings in the axially outer positions when the bearings are in the first and second apertures, whereby the pedal snaps into the bracket;
- and
- a pair of pedal end caps disposed between the pedal and the bracket when the bearings are in the first and second apertures.
In a mounting for a pedal in a motor vehicle for rotation about an axis, the combination comprising:
- a mounting bracket including two apertures defining the axis of rotation;
- and
- a pedal assembly having:
- a pedal,
- a hub having two radially outwardly flared ends, the hub rigidly fixed to the pedal and defining a pivot axis;
- two spring loaded bearings disposed within the hub, wherein the bearings automatically snap outward into the apertures of the bracket from a compressed first position to an extended second position when the bearings are aligned with the apertures, wherein the bearings rotatably connect the pedal with the mounting bracket;
- and
- two annular pedal end caps, the pedal end caps snap-fittedly engaging the ends of the hub and disposed between the hub and the mounting bracket when the bearings are aligned with the apertures.
In a mounting for a pedal in a motor vehicle for rotation about an axis, the combination comprising:
- a mounting bracket including two laterally spaced apertures defining the axis of rotation;
- and
- a pedal assembly having:
- a pedal,
- a hub having radially outwardly flared end portions, the hub rigidly fixed to the pedal and defining a pivot axis,
- means disposed within the hub for rotatably connecting the pedal with the mounting bracket,
- and two annular pedal end caps having a conical head portion and a flexible skirt portion extending from the head portion, the head portions of the pedal end caps being disposed between the flared end portions of the hub and the mounting bracket when the pedal is rotatably connected with the mounting bracket, the skirt portions including radially reduced portions for snap-fitted engagement onto the flared end portions of the hub, and the hub with the snapped-on pedal end caps having a length less than the lateral spacing between the apertures of the mounting bracket.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.