Patent US3958677A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3958677A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Unitary pedal apparatus for selectively accelerating and braking a vehicle
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-09-18
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Granted: 1976-05-25
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Expires: 1994-09-18
Abstract
Abstract A unitary pedal apparatus for selectively accelerating and braking a motor vehicle in which depressing the pedal actuates the master cylinder for braking and subsequent lessening of pedal pressure effects acceleration, the apparatus including a switch within the pedal for placing the throttle at idle position and another switch in response to braking of the vehicle which places the throttle in the idle position, both switches when closed effecting energization of a solenoid located adjacent the throttle bar in the linkage arrangement, the linkage arrangement including a lost motion device which is expandable to prevent deformation of the linkage in response to hard braking.
Inventors
- 👤 Evangelos L. Spanelis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 19:39
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60T; B60T11/00; B60T11/10; B60T11/103; B60W; B60W10/00; B60W10/04; B60W10/18; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S403/00; Y10S403/01; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20006; Y10T74/20396; Y10T74/20402; Y10T74/20408; Y10T74/20528; Y10T74/20534
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
212 words
A unitary pedal apparatus for selectively accelerating and braking a vehicle comprising: a. a pedal; b. a normally closed pedal switch, being integral with said pedal and responsive to open upon the application of slight pressure on said pedal; c. a pedal arm with said pedal affixed to one end thereof; d. a shaft with the other end of said pedal arm affixed thereto; e. a lever secured to said shaft; f. an expandable mechanical linkage element attached to said lever to absorb any overstressing of the mechanical linkage; g. a crank bar connected to said expandable element; h. a solenoid fixedly attached to said crank bar, said solenoid including a one-way clutching means, said solenoid having a longitudinal aperture therethrough; i. a rod protruding through said aperture of said solenoid, said rod being secured to the throttle of the vehicle; j. a brake bar abutting said arm and responsive to sufficient movement of said arm to actuate the master cylinder of the vehicle for braking; k. a battery lead electrically connecting the vehicle battery to the positive side of said pedal switch; and l. a pedal lead electrically connecting the negative side of pedal switch to said solenoid which allows said solenoid to be energized when said pedal switch is closed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
212 words
A unitary pedal apparatus for selectively accelerating and braking a vehicle comprising: a. a pedal; b. a normally closed pedal switch, being integral with said pedal and responsive to open upon the application of slight pressure on said pedal; c. a pedal arm with said pedal affixed to one end thereof; d. a shaft with the other end of said pedal arm affixed thereto; e. a lever secured to said shaft; f. an expandable mechanical linkage element attached to said lever to absorb any overstressing of the mechanical linkage; g. a crank bar connected to said expandable element; h. a solenoid fixedly attached to said crank bar, said solenoid including a one-way clutching means, said solenoid having a longitudinal aperture therethrough; i. a rod protruding through said aperture of said solenoid, said rod being secured to the throttle of the vehicle; j. a brake bar abutting said arm and responsive to sufficient movement of said arm to actuate the master cylinder of the vehicle for braking; k. a battery lead electrically connecting the vehicle battery to the positive side of said pedal switch; and l. a pedal lead electrically connecting the negative side of pedal switch to said solenoid which allows said solenoid to be energized when said pedal switch is closed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
79 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising: a. a normally open brake switch adjacent said brake bar and the master cylinder and adapted to close upon the actuation of the master cylinder by said brake bar, the positive side of said switch being electrically connected to said battery lead; and b. a brake lead electrically connecting said solenoid to the negative side of said switch such that when said brake switch is closed said solenoid is energized.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
93 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said pedal further comprises: a. a top plate; b. a bottom plate, pivotally attached to said top plate, said bottom plate being fixedly attached to said pedal arm; c. a plate spring attached to the underside of said top plate and attached to the top side of said bottom plate; and d. a cam attached to the undersurface of said top plate and abutting said pedal switch, said cam adapted to open said pedal switch when a downward force is applied to said top plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
160 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said solenoid further comprises: a. a cylindrical casing divided longitudinally into first and second sections; b. a wall separating the first and second sections; c. a core of tubular shape located longitudinally axial in the center of said casing, said tubular core having an inside diameter larger than the outside diameter of said rod, the inside of said core defining said aperture, said core being axially movable into the first and second sections of said casing; d. a field winding wrapped around said core in the second section of said casing; e. a one-way clutching means comprising an annular bearing fixedly attached to the end of said core; and f. a solenoid spring abutting said bearing at one end abutting said separating wall at the other end, said solenoid spring urging said bearing against the innerside of the first section of said casing thereby compressing said bearing and firmly gripping said rod.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
87 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said expandable mechanical linkage element comprises: a. a cylindrical hollow shell connected to said crank bar; b. a platform abutting the lower end of said shell; c. a piston spring rigidly attached to and passing through said platform, a top portion of said spring extending into said shell, a bottom portion of said spring extending below said platform; and d. a piston fixedly attached to the end of said top spring portion, said piston being connected to said lever.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said platform is adjustable to allocate said spring in varying proportions to the top and bottom portions thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said brake bar defines a slotted end and wherein said apparatus further comprises a stud integral with said pedal arm and protruding into said slot to allow minimal movement of said pedal arm prior to responsive movement of said brake bar.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising a brake return spring attached at one end to said pedal arm and attached at the other end to the vehicle body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising a throttle return spring attached at one end to the vehicle body and at the other end to said rod to urge the throttle to the idle position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising a throttle return spring attached at one end to the vehicle body and at the other end to the throttle to urge the throttle to the idle 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) | 1979-05-25 | 1979-11-24 | 1980-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-05-25 | 1983-11-24 | 1984-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-05-25 | 1987-11-24 | 1988-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |