Patent · US Expired

Adjustable accelerator pedal

US5996438A · kind A · utility

45Cited by
19References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 23, 1998
Grant dateDec 7, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 23, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T74/20888
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An adjustable pedal mechanism for automotive vehicles includes a pedal lever with a pivot near its center between its ends. An upper end of the lever is connected with a throttle cable that extends through a conduit to an operated device, such as a throttle valve or other power control. A lower end of the lever carries a foot pedal engagable by a driver's foot to operate the pedal. The central pivot is carried in a bracket having a slot or other form of track along which the pivot is movable generally longitudinally of the vehicle. As the pivot is moved rearward along the slot, the pedal is moved closer to the driver. The slot is positioned or configured so that the height of the pedal remains constant or is slightly lowered as the pedal is moved rearward. If the vehicle is provided with an electronic throttle control, or similar device, the upper end of the lever may be omitted and a position controller may be mounted at or adjacent the location of the pivot. In either case, pedal adjustment may be powered by a screw driven by an electric motor through a cable and worm gear drive or other suitable means.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.