US3975972A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable pedal construction
Assignee: MUHLECK RICHARD L
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Filing: 1975-04-16
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Granted: 1976-08-24
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Expires: 1995-04-16
Abstract
Abstract The adjustable pedal construction may be used, as an example, as a brake pedal, clutch pedal, accelerator pedal, or any other type of pedal intended for use in a vehicle, which is manually or power operated, for actuating purposes. The pedal construction includes an upper pedal part assembly and a lower part pedal part assembly, with the upper pedal part assembly being conventionally pivoted on an existing vehicle pedal bracket thereby requiring no change in the corresponding brake, clutch or accelerator operating linkage. The upper and lower pedal part assemblies include plates which are pivotally connected by a pivot pin. A releasable latching, connecting or locking pin is interposed between the upper and lower pedal part assemblies to permit adjustment therebetween. The adjustable pedal construction has a normal operating position where the pedal parts are releasably locked together by the connecting pin and an inoperative position where the lower pedal part assembly is movable relative to the upper pedal part assembly after the connecting or latching pin has been released to permit adjustments between the assemblies to thereby make the pedal construction adaptable to fit the physical size, safety, comfort and convenience of the vehicle operator.
Inventors
- 👤 Earl M. Muhleck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:19
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05G; G05G1/00; G05G1/30; G05G1/40; B; B60; B60K; B60K26/00; B60K26/02; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20528; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20636; Y10T74/20648; Y10T74/20888
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
An adjustable pedal construction comprising an upper pedal part and a lower pedal part, said upper pedal part being adapted to be pivotally mounted on a support, and adjustable connecting means interposed between and connected to opposing end portions of said pedal parts, said adjustable pedal construction having a plurality of operating positions where said pedal parts are releasably locked together in a selected one of said operating positions by said connecting means, said adjustable pedal construction having an unlocked position where said lower pedal part is movable relative to said upper pedal part upon release of said connecting means to permit adjustment between said parts when selecting another of said operating positions, the parts of said pedal construction being adapted to pivot as a unit when said adjustable pedal construction is in one of said operating positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
An adjustable pedal construction comprising an upper pedal part and a lower pedal part, said upper pedal part being adapted to be pivotally mounted on a support, and adjustable connecting means interposed between and connected to opposing end portions of said pedal parts, said adjustable pedal construction having a plurality of operating positions where said pedal parts are releasably locked together in a selected one of said operating positions by said connecting means, said adjustable pedal construction having an unlocked position where said lower pedal part is movable relative to said upper pedal part upon release of said connecting means to permit adjustment between said parts when selecting another of said operating positions, the parts of said pedal construction being adapted to pivot as a unit when said adjustable pedal construction is in one of said operating positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
241 words
An adjustable pedal construction comprising an upper pedal part and a lower pedal part, said upper pedal part being adapted to be pivotally mounted on a support, and adjustable connecting means interposed between and connected to opposing end portions of said pedal parts, said adjustable pedal construction having a first position where said pedal parts are releasably locked together by said connecting means and having a second position where said lower pedal part is movable relative to said upper pedal part upon release of said connecting means to permit adjustment between said parts, the parts of said pedal construction being adapted to pivot as a unit when said adjustable pedal construction is in said first position, said adjustable connecting means comprising a pair of plates, means fixedly connecting one of said plates to said upper pedal part, means fixedly connecting the other of said plates to said lower pedal part, said other plate including an opening provided with one or more recesses, a pivot pin carried by said plates for permitting said other plate to be rotated with respect to said one plate, a lock pin rotatably carried by said one plate and having a latch portion on one end thereof extending through the opening in said other plate, resilient means biasing said lock pin in a direction to urge said latch portion into a recess, and means for rotating said lock pin to withdraw said latch portion from the recess.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
241 words
An adjustable pedal construction comprising an upper pedal part and a lower pedal part, said upper pedal part being adapted to be pivotally mounted on a support, and adjustable connecting means interposed between and connected to opposing end portions of said pedal parts, said adjustable pedal construction having a first position where said pedal parts are releasably locked together by said connecting means and having a second position where said lower pedal part is movable relative to said upper pedal part upon release of said connecting means to permit adjustment between said parts, the parts of said pedal construction being adapted to pivot as a unit when said adjustable pedal construction is in said first position, said adjustable connecting means comprising a pair of plates, means fixedly connecting one of said plates to said upper pedal part, means fixedly connecting the other of said plates to said lower pedal part, said other plate including an opening provided with one or more recesses, a pivot pin carried by said plates for permitting said other plate to be rotated with respect to said one plate, a lock pin rotatably carried by said one plate and having a latch portion on one end thereof extending through the opening in said other plate, resilient means biasing said lock pin in a direction to urge said latch portion into a recess, and means for rotating said lock pin to withdraw said latch portion from the recess.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 2 wherein said last mentioned means includes a lever fixed on one end thereof to said lock pin and a cable attached to the other end of said lever for rotating said lever and withdrawing said latch portion of said lock pin from the recess.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 3 wherein said resilient means is in the form of a spring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 3 wherein said resilient means is in the form of a coil spring coaxially surrounding the axis of said lock pin and having one end of said spring connected to said lock pin and the other end of said spring connected to said one plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 2 wherein additional resilient means is interposed between said plates adjacent said pivot pin for biasing said lower pedal part to a predetermined position upon the withdrawal of said latch portion of the lock pin from a recess.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 6 wherein said additional resilient means is in the form of a coil spring surrounding the axis of said pivot pin, said last mentioned spring being located between said plates and having the ends thereof carried by said plates.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 2 wherein said pivot pin is non-rotatable.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 2 wherein the axes of said pivot and lock pins are parallel at all times.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 2 wherein said pivot and lock pins are of identical construction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 2 wherein said pins are parallel and are spaced apart a fixed distance at all times.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
53 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 2 wherein said lock pin includes an intermediate portion of generally cylindrical configuration and a pair of end portions, each end portion being of generally semi-cylindrical configuration, one of said end portions forming said latch portion which is received by a recess in said other plate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
81 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 12 wherein said last mentioned means includes a lever fixed on one end thereof to the other of said end portions of said lock pin, said lever having a generally semi-cylindrical shaped opening for receiving said other end portion of said lock pin, and a cable attached to the other end of said lever for rotating said lever and said lock pin thereby withdrawing said latch portion of said lock pin from the recess.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 13 wherein said cable is provided with a knob to assist in pulling the cable for rotating the lever and said lock pin thereby withdrawing said latch portion from the recess.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 14 wherein additional resilient means is interposed between said plates adjacent said pivot pin for biasing said lower pedal part to a predetermined position upon the withdrawal of said latch portion of the lock pin from the recess.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
46 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 14 wherein said additional resilient means is in the form of a coil spring surrounding the axis of said pivot pin, said last mentioned spring being located between said plates and having the ends thereof carried by said plates.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
77 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 16 wherein after said cable is actuated to withdraw said latch portion from the recess, a force is applied to said lower pedal part in a direction opposing the force of said additional resilient means effective to rotate same along with said other plate relative to said one plate and to said upper pedal part to thereby present another recess opposite said lock pin for reception of said latch portion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 14 wherein each of said pins are carried by a bushing secured to said one plate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
43 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 18 wherein one end of one of said bushings extends through said one plate and is secured thereto, with the other end thereof abutting said other plate, said pivot pin being secured to said one plate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 18 wherein the other bushing extends through said one plate and is secured thereto, one end of said other bushing being spaced from said other plate.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
53 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 20 wherein a pair of spaced apart washers are provided on said one end portion of said lock pin, said washers abutting opposite sides of said other plate, said washers being provided with semi-cylindrical shaped openings for receiving said one end portion of said lock pin.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
156 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 1 wherein said adjustable connecting means comprises a pair of plates, means fixedly connecting one of said plates to said upper pedal part, means fixedly connecting the other of said plates to said lower pedal part, said other plate including an opening provided with a plurality of recesses, one recess for each of said operating positions, a pivot pin carried by said plates for permitting said other plate to be rotated during said unlocked position with respect to said one plate, a lock pin rotatably carried by said one plate and having a latch portion on one end thereof extending through the opening in said other plate, resilient means biasing said lock pin in a direction to urge said latch portion into the recess of the selected operating position, and means for rotating said lock pin to withdraw said latch portion from the recess of the selected operating position.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
57 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in Claim 22 wherein said last mentioned means includes a lever fixed on one end thereof to said lock pin and a cable attached to the other end of said lever for rotating said lever and withdrawing said latch portion of said lock pin from the recess of the selected operating position.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 23 wherein said resilient means is in the form of a spring.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
52 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 23 wherein said resilient means is in the form of a coil spring coaxially surrounding the axis of said lock pin and having one end of said spring connected to said lock pin and the other end of said spring connected to said one plate.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
50 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 22 wherein additional resilient means is interposed between said plates adjacent said pivot pin for biasing said lower pedal part to another operating position upon the withdrawal of said latch portion of the lock pin from the recess of the selected operating position.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
46 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 26 wherein said additional resilient means is in the form of a coil spring surrounding the axis of said pivot pin, said last mentioned spring being located between said plates and having the ends thereof carried by said plates.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 22 wherein said pivot pin is non-rotatable.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 22 wherein the axes of said pivot and lock pins are parallel at all times.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 22 wherein said pivot and lock pins are of identical construction.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 22 wherein said pins are parallel and are spaced apart a fixed distance at all times.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
54 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 22 wherein said lock pin includes an intermediate portion of generally cylindrical configuration and a pair of end portions, each end portion being of generally semi-cylindrical configuration, one of said end portions forming said latch portion which is received by the recess of the selected operating position.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
86 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 32 wherein said last mentioned means includes a lever fixed on one end thereof to the other of said end portions of said lock pin, said lever having a generally semi-cylindrical shaped opening for receiving said other end portion of said lock pin, and a cable attached to the other end of said lever for rotating said lever and said lock pin thereby withdrawing said latch portion of said lock pin from the recess of the selected operating position.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
43 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 33 wherein said cable is provided with a knob to assist in pulling the cable for rotating the lever and said lock pin thereby withdrawing said latch portion from the recess of the selected operating position.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
50 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 34 wherein additional resilient means is interposed between said plates adjacent said pivot pin for biasing said lower pedal part to a predetermined position upon the withdrawal of said latch portion of the lock pin from the recess of the selected operating position.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
46 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 34 wherein said additional resilient means is in the form of a coil spring surrounding the axis of said pivot pin, said last mentioned spring being located bertween said plates and having the ends thereof carried by said plates.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
81 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 36 wherein after said cable is actuated to withdraw said latch portion from the recess, a force is applied to said lower pedal part in a direction opposing the force of said additional resilient means effective to rotate same along with said other plate relative to said one plate and to said upper pedal part to thereby present a recess at another operating position opposite said lock pin for reception of said latch portion.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 34 wherein each of said pins are carried by a bushing secured to said one plate.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
43 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 38 wherein one end of one of said bushings extends through said one plate and is secured thereto, with the other end thereof abutting said other plate, said pivot pin being secured to said one plate.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
33 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 38 wherein the other bushing extends through said one plate and is secured thereto, one end of said other bushing being spaced from said other plate.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
53 words
The adjustable pedal construction defined in claim 40 wherein a pair of spaced apart washers are provided on said one end portion of said lock pin, said washers abutting opposite sides of said other plate, said washers being provided with semi-cylindrical shaped openings for receiving said one end portion of said lock pin.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-08-24 | 1980-02-23 | 1980-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-24 | 1984-02-23 | 1984-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-24 | 1988-02-23 | 1988-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |