US 5,823,064 AGranted

Adjustable automobile pedal system

OwnerEdmond B. Cicotteinventor

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A method of adjusting a control panel having an axis of pedal arm rotation which is capable of pivotably adjusting the control pedal relative to a reaction member, such as the eyelet of a cylinder pushrod for a brake pedal or a flexible cable in case of an accelerator pedal. The adjustment device allows the control pedal to be positioned to suit the needs of a particular driver. The control pedal can be pivotably attached to a frame in any conventional manner, such as with a pivot pin. The adjustment device is mounted alongside the control pedal and to the pushrod eyelet without the need of additional support hardware other than a device for acting on the control pedal. The adjustment device includes a rotatable member for causing pivotable movement of the pedal arm relative to the reaction member. The adjustment device is maintained a predetermined distance from the pivot of the control pedal arm by a spacing device, such as a link. The adjustment device also includes a rotatable driving device for rotating about its axis of rotation to produce a corresponding displacement of the control pedal arm. To comply with the requirements, the new Abstract of the Disclosure is presented as a separate sheet attached hereto.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A method for adjusting a pedal arm adapted to rotate about an axis of pedal arm rotation with respect to a datum point on a reaction member, said method comprising the steps of:

positioning a first pivot axis in one end of a rotatable link means and a second pivot axis in an opposite end of said rotatable link means, said first pivot axis of said rotatable link means being positioned such that said first pivot axis is said axis of pedal arm rotation;
immobilizing said rotatable link means with respect to said reaction member by attaching said rotatable link means to said reaction member at said datum point;
positioning an axis of rotation a predetermined distance from said axis of pedal arm rotation in one of said pedal arm and said rotatable link means, said predetermined distance being no greater than the distance between said first and second pivot axes;
placing a rotatable member about said axis of rotation in one of said pedal arm and said rotatable link means, said rotatable member engaging the other of said pedal arm and said rotatable link means;
fixing said rotatable member to said one of said rotatable link means and said pedal arm such that said rotatable member rotates about said axis of rotation;
and
rotating said rotatable member about said axis of rotation to move the other of said rotatable link means and said pedal arm and rotatively displace said other of said pedal arm and said rotatable link means about said axis of pedal arm rotation to provide adjustment of said pedal arm.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/752,046Filed 19 Nov 1996 · continuation
Priority: 7 Oct 1991
Granted: 20 Oct 1998
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

G05G 1/405
Adjustable: infinitely adjustable
Y10T 74/20528
Control lever and linkage systems: foot operated
Y10T 74/20534
Foot operated: accelerator
Y10T 74/2057
Variable output force: variable input leverage

Family

Serial772,326Parent of this division · filed 7 Oct 1991
Serial266,937Parent of this division · filed 16 Aug 1994
Serial472,917Parent of this continuation · filed 7 Jun 1995
US 5,351,573 AParent of this division
US 5,823,064 AThis patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.