WO1987004817A1

WO1987004817A1 - A foot pedal device

Info

Publication number: WO1987004817A1
Application number: PCT/GB1987/000083
Authority: WO
Inventors: Geoffrey Arthur Kendall
Original assignee: Stanwright Ltd
Priority date: 1986-02-11
Filing date: 1987-02-05
Publication date: 1987-08-13
Also published as: JPH01501902A; GB8819150D0; CN87100842A; GB8618631D0; AU6933887A; GB8603315D0

Abstract

A foot pedal device for attachment to an existing foot pedal control where the control is out of reach for example, of a person with a disability or of short stature. The device includes a foot pedal (2) mounted at one end of an extension arm (1) of suitable length. Two spaced securing elements (16, 18) are fastened to te securing arm, the one (16) closest the foot pedal being designed to engage over the foot pedal of the existing control, and the other securing element (18) simultaneously to be engageable underneath the control arm of the said existing control. Means (9) are then provided to maintain the securing elements in this position. Thus when the foot pedal of the extension device is depressed, the force applied, tending to lift the first securing element of the existing pedal, is counter-balanced in a positive fashion by the second securing element acting against the restraining effect of the existing control lever. The design is therefore strong, robust and safe and may be fitted to the standard foot pedal controls of any vehicle in an easy and uncomplicated fashion.

Description

A Foot Pedal Device

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a foot pedal extension device for attaching to the standard foot pedals of a vehicle, particularly an automobile, to permit same to be operated by a disabled person, or other persons having difficulty in reaching the foot pedals of a vehicle coming off the normal production line.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When the need arises to adapt the operator controls of a motorcar for a disabled driver for example, the necessary adaptations and fittings are installed by the car manufacturer on the assembly line.

Instances arise, however, where the adaptations required become selective in terms of the number of control components which have to be modified so that such modifications become unduly expensive to perform if commissioned at source.

For example, with some disabilities, the normal foot pedal controls on an automobile are positioned far too remote for actuation when in the normal driving position, and consequently, the car has to be manufactured with foot pedals to suit a very particular and specific need, which is not easy to meet in the mass produced car market at reasonable prices.

The need has therefore arisen for a device which can provide on- the-spot modification of the standard foot pedal controls of a motorcar and which can be readily manufactured to whatever parameters are required in relation to the distance between the disabled drivers feet and the foot pedal controls, when in the normal drivinti position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present i -eril-.j"ii to provide a foot pedal extension device for a vehicle which is strong and robust, and which may be fitted to the standard foot pedal controls of the vehicle in an easy and uncomplicated fashion.

According to the invention there is provided a foot pedal extension device for attachment to an existing automobile foot pedal control comprising an extension arm, a foot pedal element on the exten¬ sion arm, and means for securing the extension arm to a said existing automobile foot pedal control whereby to permit activation of the existing pedal control by operation of the foot pedal element on the extension arm.

The device of the present invention is in construction, simple, yet most effective in operation having the overall versatility necessary to ensure wide applicability coupled with low manufacturing costs; essentially this is so since the device can be easily made to a wide variety of requirements prevalent in the disability field.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above advantages, and others, of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodi¬ ment taken with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein; Figure 1 is a top view of the foot pedal extension device con¬ structed according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the device in Figure 1 in the direction of the arrow A;

Figure 3 is a top view of another embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is a further embodiment of the invention suitable for use in operating the pedal of an existing accelerator pedal control. BEST MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The foot pedal extension device shown in Figure 1 and 2 comprises an elongate extension arm 1 curved to correspond at one end E to the initial curvature of a standard existing foot pedal control arm (not shown) beyond the pedal position on that control arm.

A foot pedal 2 is attached to one end of the extension arm 1. The extension arm 1 has a recess 3 (shown partly in dotted outline in Figure 2) along its lower edge. The recess 3 has a restricted entrance 5 formed by a projecting flange 6. A channel element 7 is positioned in the recess 3, the base wall of the element 7 being attached to the base 8 of the recess 3 (conven¬ tionally by welding in the embodiment shown) and lying transverse to the longitudinal axis L of the straight portion of the extension arm 1. This arrangement forms two depending channel walls 7' lying para- llel to one another and to the axis L of the extension arm 1.

The base 8 of the recess 3 is inclined to the axis L of the extension arm 1 as shown, this angle of inclination being the same or substantially the same as that of the foot pedal 2 with respect to the same axis. The dimensions and contours of the recess 3 and channel element 7 are such that the foot pedal of an existing foot pedal control (not shown) may be snugly accommodated between the side walls 7' of the channel element 7 and those of the recess 3, with the internal base surface of the channel element 7 in registration with the working surface of the existing foot pedal.

The existing foot pedal may then be secured in this position by means of a removable bar 9 having a head 10 passing through opposing holes in the depending walls 7' of the channel element 7 and held in place by a cotter pin 11. A second point of engagement for the extension device is provided by a channel 12 formed at the end of the curved portion E of the arm 1 between the inside curved wall surface of the portion E and the wall 13 of an L-shaped element 14 attached to the arm 1. A stiffening flange 15 is provided for the L-shaped element for additional holding security to the arm 1, as by welding in the particular embodiment shown.

The channel element 7 is in inverted relationship with respect to channel 13 and the working surface S of the foot pedal element 2. The embodiment of the invention as described as above, may be mounted to an existing foot pedal control, with the bar 9 first of all removed from its locking position, by positioning the pedal of an existing foot pedal control within the confines of the depending walls 7* of the channel element 7, and the opposing walls of the recess 3 such that the arm 1 is an extension of the control arm of an existing foot pedal control. This movement is accompanied by a simultaneous movement of the channel 12 into engagement with the existing control arm, and when this is achieved, the inside wall surface of the curved portion E abuts the wall surface of the said adjacent control arm.

In this position the bar 3 is returned to its locking position, and the cotter pin 11 inserted to complete assembly.

In the assembled position it will be observed that upon depression of the pedal 2 to activate the existing pedal control, a force is exerted downwardly on the existing pedal through the channel element 7. The resulting pivoting action of the device on the existing pedal is res- trained by the control lever of the existing pedal control through the channel 12 in engagement with it. Moreover any disposition to swivel about the axis L of the extension arm is also prevented by the control lever through the channel 12, and the recess 3 and channel element 7 embracing the existing pedal. A further embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 3 and 4. In this embodiment the means for securing the exlension arm to the existing foot pedal control, namely the channel element 7 and the channel 12 of the Figures 1 and 2 embodiments, are combined into a single unit, thus avoiding the need Inter alia to provide the shaping E to the extension arm 1 as previously.

This single unit, see Figures 3 and 4, is an inverted open box housing H. The bottom wall 16 of the open box housing H is attached to one end of the extension arm 1, the other end carrying the foot pedal 2 as before.

The extension arm 1 is attached to the bottom wall 16 (as by welding in the example shown) such that the bottom waLT 16 is inclined to the longitudinal axis of the extension arm, this angle of inclination being the same or substantially the same as that of the pedal 2, as in the previous embodiment. The angle of inclination is chosen to main¬ tain the correct operating attitude v/ith respect to that of the existing foot pedal control to which the device is to be attached.

The box housing H has a leading sloping face transverse to the longitudinal axis of the arm 1 and defining an opening P to the, interior of the box housing H, and a remaining solid wall portion F provided with a slot 18.

The wall portion F joins the two depending walls H¹ of the box housing H lying parallel to the longitudinal axis of the arm 1.

The housing H has a trailing end wall H' ' depending perpendicular to the wall 16.

The leading terminating edge 19 of the bottom wall 16 defining a side of the opening P of the box housing H, has a centrally positioned curved lip 20 projecting across the opening P.

A locking bar 9 as in Figures 1 and 2 embodiments, passes through the opposing parallel walls H- of the box housing H transverse to the axis of the extension arm 1.

To mount the device as described in Figures 3 and 4 to an existing brake or clutch pedal control, for example, the locking bar 9 is removed and the extension device manoeuvred to allow the existing pedal to pass through the opening P in the leading face of the housing H, with the slot 18 positioned beneath the control lever of the existing pedal control.

As the working surface of the existing pedal is brought into registration with the interior surface of the bottom wall 16 of the box housing H and the pedal itself to be held firmly within the confines of the walls H' , and H' ' and lip 20, the slot 18 moves into full engage¬ ment with the control lever of the existing pedal control.

It will be appreciated that to accommodate the variety of control arms according to the model and make of the vehicle in question, it is only necessary to position the slot 18 at the required location along the leading wall portion F of the box housing H.

Once the assembled position as described previously has been attained, the locking bar 9 is inserted and retained in position by the cotter pin C as shown in Figure 3.

The arrangement is such that with the control arm fully engaged in the slot 18, and the working surface of the existing pedal in firm contact with the interior surface of the bottom wall 16 of the box housing H, the bar 9 contacts the underside of the existing pedal, shown in dotted outline EP in Figure 4. The device is then held securely without the possibility of any directional movement during operation, similarly as explained with reference to the Figures 1 and 2 embodiments.

The embodiments previously described are for use to extend clutch and brake pedal controls of existing vehicles, and can be manufactured to adapt to a whole rang-, of differing models as the case may dictate.

In respect of accelerator controls which are generally uniform in size, the embodiment shown in Figure 5 is suitable. This comprises an inverted channel 21 configured and internally dimensional to fit over an existing accelerator pedal. To prevent sideways movement those opposing walls 22 of the channel 21 lying parallel to the axis of the extension arm 1, are spaced equal to the width of the existing pedal control to which the device is to be attached. The leading wall of the channel 21 has an in-turned lip 23 to accommodate between it and the base of the channel 21, the leading end of the existing pedal control. To maintain positive engagement of the channel 21 with the existing accelerator pedal, the opposing parallel walls 22 towards the trailing end of the channel 21 , have aLigned holes 24 for receiving a locking bar 25 (not shown) as in previous embodiments to hold the existing pedal (shown in dotted outline) in the engaged position.

Claims

1. A foot pedal extension device for attachment to an existing automobile foot pedal control comprising an extension arm, a foot pedal element on the extension arm, and means for securing the extension arm to a said existing foot pedal control whereby to permit activation of the existing pedal control by operation of the foot pedal element on the extension arm.

2. A foot pedal extension device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said securing means comprises a first securing element for engagement over the foot pedal of an existing automobile foot pedal control, and a second securing element for engagement under the control arm of said existing automobile foot pedal control, and means for retaining the first and second securing elements in their engaged positions.

3. A foot pedal extension device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said first securing element is a channel inverted with respect to the working surface of said foot pedal cl.nm<-*nt, said channel being mounted in a recess in the extension arm such that the recess and channel in combination form an enclosure for securely acco- mmodating said existing foot pedal.

4. A foot pedal extension device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said second securing element forms a channel with the wall of said extension arm which is spaced from and inverted with respect to said first mentioned channel and into which the said control arm is receivable in close-fit relationship with the existing foot pedal securely accommodated in said enclosure. ^*

5. A foot pedal extension device as claimed in claim 4 wherein that length of said extension arm between said first and said second securing elements is configured to the shape of that initial portion of said control arm, beyond the foot pedal thereof.

6. A foot pedal extension device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said first securing element is provided by depending base and side walls of an inverted open box housing, said base wall being mounted to said extension arm which base wall with said side walls, forms an enclosure for accommodating a said existing foot pedal, one of said side walls being the leading side wall with respect to the rearwardly positioned foot pedal on the extension arm, having an opening to allow insertion of an existing foot pedal for accommodation in said enclosure with its working surface ^~in register with the interior surface of said base wall.

7. A foot pedal extension device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said second securing element is a slot inverted with respect to said open box housing, and formed in the remaining solid wall portion of said leading wall of the housing.

8. A foot pedal extension device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said retaining means is a removable locking bar mountable across opposing side walls of the housing to be beneath, and in contact with, a said existing foot pedal when in said enclosure.

9. A foot pedal extension device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said retaining means is a removable locking bar mountable across the walls of said first mentioned channel to be beneath, and in contact with, a said existing foot pedal in said enclosure.

10. A foot pedal extension device subs antially as hereinbefore described with reference to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.