Golf car having disk brakes and single point latching brake

A golf car comprising:

• a frame supported by a plurality of wheels;
• an accelerator pedal;
• and
• a brake pedal for a hydraulic brake system, said brake pedal movable through a first range of motion defining an operating mode wherein said hydraulic brake system applies a varying degree of braking power based on the position of said brake pedal in said operating mode, said brake pedal further movable beyond said operating mode to a locked mode wherein said brake pedal is retained in a position whereby said hydraulic brake system applies braking power to at least one of said plurality of wheels sufficient to preclude rotation thereof, said locked mode presenting a single audible indication to an operator upon entry thereof, said brake pedal further operable to withdrawal from said locked position upon actuating said brake pedal beyond said locked position.

A brake system for a vehicle comprising:

• a brake pedal;
• an accelerator pedal;
• a hydraulic brake system receiving input from said brake pedal and generating an output to control hydraulically operated braking device;
• and
• a locking mechanism for providing a locked position for said brake pedal, said locking mechanism providing a single audible indication to an operator that said brake pedal had been depressed sufficiently to be latched in said locked position, said locking mechanism operable to unlatch upon advancement of said brake pedal beyond said locked position.

A method of operating a hydraulic brake system of a vehicle comprising:

• advancing a brake pedal from an at-rest position through an operating position;
• advancing said brake pedal from said operating position to a position whereby a single audible indication is emitted signifying a locking mechanism latching said brake pedal in a locked position;
• and
• returning said brake pedal to said at-rest position by advancing said brake pedal beyond said locked position thereby unlatching said locking mechanism from said locked position.

A method for operating a hydraulic brake system in a vehicle comprising:

• advancing a brake pedal through an actuation stroke for providing a variable amount of stopping power onto at least one wheel of the vehicle;
• further advancing said brake pedal until an audible indication is provided identifying a locked park position whereby stopping power is provided by the hydraulic brake system sufficient to preclude rotation of said at least one wheel of said vehicle;
• and
• withdrawing said brake pedal from said locked park position by advancing said brake pedal beyond said locked park position.

A method for operating a hydraulic brake system in a vehicle comprising:

• advancing a brake pedal through an actuation stroke to manually actuate a master cylinder for generating hydraulic pressure, said hydraulic pressure for providing a variable amount of stopping power onto at least one wheel of the vehicle based on the degree of advancement of said brake pedal;
• further advancing said brake pedal until an audible indication is provided identifying a locked park position whereby stopping power is provided by the hydraulic brake system with the assistance of stored energy acquired from said master cylinder to an accumulator sufficient to preclude rotation of said at least one wheel of said vehicle;
• and
• releasing said brake pedal from said locked park position by advancing said brake pedal beyond said locked park position.