US3646831A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Variable ratio brake pedal
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
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Filing: 1970-07-06
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Granted: 1972-03-07
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Expires: 1990-07-06
Abstract
Abstract A variable ratio brake pedal assembly including a foot-operated pedal lever, a brake-applying means and an intermediate lever interposed between the pedal lever and the brake-applying device. The intermediate lever has cam surfaces that engage both the brake-applying device and the foot-operated pedal lever whereby a change in mechanical advantage ratio occurs as force is transmitted from the pedal lever through the intermediate lever to the brake-applying device when the pedal lever pivots and the intermediate lever is angularly displaced.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis L Janosi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:53
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60T; B60T7/00; B60T7/02; B60T7/04; B60T7/06; B60T11/00; B60T11/04; B60T11/08; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20528; Y10T74/20558; Y10T74/2057
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A variable ratio brake-applying device comprising a footoperated pedal lever pivotally supported on vehicle support structure for angular displacement, said pedal lever being displaceable from a retracted position to a brake-applied position, said brake-applying device including a brake master cylinder means and a linearly movable master cylinder push rod means, intermediate lever means pivotally supported on said vehicle support structure adjacent said pedal lever, said intermediate lever means having first and second contoured cam surfaces, said pedal lever having a cam follower directly engaging said first cam surface, said master cylinder push rod means having a cam follower directly engaging said second cam surface, said intermediate lever means being constructed for translating angular displacement of said pedal lever to linear displacement of said master cylinder push rod means, said intermediate lever means being constructed to provide a progressive increase in mechanical advantage ratio of said brakeapplying device in response to the angular displacement of said pedal lever as said pedal lever is displaced from its retracted position to its brake-applied position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
A variable ratio brake-applying device comprising a footoperated pedal lever pivotally supported on vehicle support structure for angular displacement, said pedal lever being displaceable from a retracted position to a brake-applied position, said brake-applying device including a brake master cylinder means and a linearly movable master cylinder push rod means, intermediate lever means pivotally supported on said vehicle support structure adjacent said pedal lever, said intermediate lever means having first and second contoured cam surfaces, said pedal lever having a cam follower directly engaging said first cam surface, said master cylinder push rod means having a cam follower directly engaging said second cam surface, said intermediate lever means being constructed for translating angular displacement of said pedal lever to linear displacement of said master cylinder push rod means, said intermediate lever means being constructed to provide a progressive increase in mechanical advantage ratio of said brakeapplying device in response to the angular displacement of said pedal lever as said pedal lever is displaced from its retracted position to its brake-applied position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
211 words
A variable ratio brake-applying device comprising a foot-operated pedal lever pivotally supported on vehicle support structure for angular displacement, said pedal lever being displaceable from a retracted position to a brake applied position, said brake-applying device including a brake master cylinder and a linearly movable master cylinder push rod, intermediate lever means pivotally supported on said vehicle support structure adjacent the midportion of said pedal lever, said intermediate lever means having a pair of spaced leg portions and being of generally U-shape in side-elevational view, one of said leg portions having a first contoured cam surface, the other of said leg portions having a second contoured cam surface, said intermediate lever means being pivotally supported intermediate said leg portions, said pedal lever having a cam follower engaging said first cam surface, said master cylinder push rod having a cam follower engaging said second cam surface, said intermediate lever means being constructed for translating angular displacement of said pedal lever to linear displacement of said master cylinder push rod, said intermediate lever means being constructed to provide a progressive increase in mechanical advantage ratio of said brake assembly in response to the angular displacement of said Pedal lever as said pedal lever is displaced from its retracted position to its brake-applied position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
211 words
A variable ratio brake-applying device comprising a foot-operated pedal lever pivotally supported on vehicle support structure for angular displacement, said pedal lever being displaceable from a retracted position to a brake applied position, said brake-applying device including a brake master cylinder and a linearly movable master cylinder push rod, intermediate lever means pivotally supported on said vehicle support structure adjacent the midportion of said pedal lever, said intermediate lever means having a pair of spaced leg portions and being of generally U-shape in side-elevational view, one of said leg portions having a first contoured cam surface, the other of said leg portions having a second contoured cam surface, said intermediate lever means being pivotally supported intermediate said leg portions, said pedal lever having a cam follower engaging said first cam surface, said master cylinder push rod having a cam follower engaging said second cam surface, said intermediate lever means being constructed for translating angular displacement of said pedal lever to linear displacement of said master cylinder push rod, said intermediate lever means being constructed to provide a progressive increase in mechanical advantage ratio of said brake assembly in response to the angular displacement of said Pedal lever as said pedal lever is displaced from its retracted position to its brake-applied position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
203 words
A variable ratio brake-applying device comprising a foot-operated pedal lever pivotally supported on vehicle support structure for angular displacement, said pedal lever being displaceable from a retracted position to a brake-applied position, said brake-applying device including a brake master cylinder and a linearly movable master cylinder push rod, intermediate lever means pivotally supported on said vehicle support structure adjacent the midportion of said pedal lever, said intermediate lever means having a pair of axially spaced leg portions, one of said leg portions having a first contoured cam surface, the other of said leg portions having a second contoured cam surface, said intermediate lever means being pivotally supported intermediate said leg portions, said pedal lever having a cam follower engaging said first cam surface, said master cylinder push rod having a cam follower engaging said second cam surface, said intermediate lever means being constructed for translating angular displacement of said pedal lever to linear displacement of said master cylinder push rod, said intermediate lever means being constructed to provide a progressive increase in mechanical advantage ratio of said brake-applying device in response to the angular displacement of said pedal lever as said pedal lever is displaced from its retracted position to its brake-applied position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
203 words
A variable ratio brake-applying device comprising a foot-operated pedal lever pivotally supported on vehicle support structure for angular displacement, said pedal lever being displaceable from a retracted position to a brake-applied position, said brake-applying device including a brake master cylinder and a linearly movable master cylinder push rod, intermediate lever means pivotally supported on said vehicle support structure adjacent the midportion of said pedal lever, said intermediate lever means having a pair of axially spaced leg portions, one of said leg portions having a first contoured cam surface, the other of said leg portions having a second contoured cam surface, said intermediate lever means being pivotally supported intermediate said leg portions, said pedal lever having a cam follower engaging said first cam surface, said master cylinder push rod having a cam follower engaging said second cam surface, said intermediate lever means being constructed for translating angular displacement of said pedal lever to linear displacement of said master cylinder push rod, said intermediate lever means being constructed to provide a progressive increase in mechanical advantage ratio of said brake-applying device in response to the angular displacement of said pedal lever as said pedal lever is displaced from its retracted position to its brake-applied position.
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) | 1975-03-07 | 1975-09-06 | 1976-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-07 | 1979-09-06 | 1980-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-07 | 1983-09-06 | 1984-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |