US4300409A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Resilient lever assembly
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-09-25
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Granted: 1981-11-17
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Expires: 1998-09-25
Abstract
Abstract A resilient lever assembly which incorporates spring action whereby the resilient portion of the assembly constantly urges a rigid lever against a lever movement resistance member connected to the lever. The action is accomplished by securing the resilient support to the fixed member in a rotational position such that the resilient support is stressed in the proper direction. The resilient support is in the form of an extension of the lever having spring-like properties and secured at its outer end to a fixed member. The lever movement resistance member may be in the form of a stop adjacent the rigid lever, or the valving of a vehicle brake booster against which the lever is urged. In one version of the invention, the resilient lever extension is secured to the fixed member by means of a U-shaped bracket. In another version, the resilient lever extension is secured directly to the fixed member. The resilient lever extension may be integrally formed with the lever as a unitary member or may be rigidly secured thereto.
Inventors
- 👤 John D. Leighton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:57
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05G; G05G1/00; G05G1/30; B; B60; B60T; B60T7/00; B60T7/02; B60T7/04; B60T7/06; G05G5/00; G05G5/05; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20528; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20888
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
In a motor vehicle brake assembly comprising a brake actuating element, the improvement comprising a resilient lever assembly comprising a rigid lever and a resilient support at one end thereof, stop means cooperable with said lever and resisting movement thereof in one direction to define a normal position, a fixed member, said resilient support comprising an elongated spring-like element connected to said lever at one end and to said fixed member at its other end, and means securing said resilient support to said fixed member in a rotational position such that said support will be stressed in a direction constantly urging the lever against said stop means, said spring-like element having sufficient resilience to deflect when an operator depresses said lever to actuate said brake actuating element and to return said lever to its normal position when operator pressure is released.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
In a motor vehicle brake assembly comprising a brake actuating element, the improvement comprising a resilient lever assembly comprising a rigid lever and a resilient support at one end thereof, stop means cooperable with said lever and resisting movement thereof in one direction to define a normal position, a fixed member, said resilient support comprising an elongated spring-like element connected to said lever at one end and to said fixed member at its other end, and means securing said resilient support to said fixed member in a rotational position such that said support will be stressed in a direction constantly urging the lever against said stop means, said spring-like element having sufficient resilience to deflect when an operator depresses said lever to actuate said brake actuating element and to return said lever to its normal position when operator pressure is released.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination according to claim 1, said means securing said resilient support to said fixed member comprising an elongated tubular element formed on said spring-like element, said fixed member comprising ears secured to the opposite ends of said elongated element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination according to claim 2, said ears being formed on a U-shaped bracket.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination according to claims 1, 2, or 3 wherein said resilient lever assembly is mounted on a vehicle having a firewall between the engine and passenger compartment and above the floor board thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination according to claim 4, said fixed member comprising bracket means having a portion secured to the vehicle firewall and ears secured to said elongated spring-like element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination according to claim 4, said fixed member comprising said vehicle firewall.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination according to claim 6, said elongated spring-like element extending in curved fashion from said lever and having a flat portion rigidly secured to said vehicle firewall.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination according to claim 7, said elongated spring-like element being of inverted U-shape.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination according to claim 7, said elongated spring-like element and said lever being of one piece construction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination according to claim 7, said elongated spring-like element and said lever being of two piece construction with the spring-like element overlapping and being rigidly secured by fastening means to said lever.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination according to claim 1, said stop means comprises a stop adjacent the lever, and means holding the stop in a position such that the elongated spring-like element will be stressed in a direction constantly urging the lever against the stop.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination according to claim 11, further provided with means for adjusting said stop so as to preselect the normal position of said lever.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination according to claim 12, said stop comprising a hooked lever, said stop adjusting means comprising a threaded portion on said lever and secured to said fixed member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination according to claim 12, said stop being directly engageable by said lever.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination according to claim 14, said stop being engageable by an intermediate portion of said lever.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
136 words
A rigid elongated automotive brake pedal lever assembly or the like mounted on a vehicle having a firewall between an engine and passenger compartment, said lever assembly comprising an elongated spring-like element having an upper end and a lower end, means rigidly securing the upper end of said element to said vehicle firewall, the element extending downwardly in curved fashion from said securing means, a rigid lever secured to and extending downwardly from the lower end of said spring-like element and carrying a brake pedal at a lower end thereof, a rod connected at one end to said lever assembly and extending through said firewall, a stop adjacent said lever, and means holding the stop in a position such that the spring-like element will be stressed in a direction constantly urging the lever against the stop.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
136 words
A rigid elongated automotive brake pedal lever assembly or the like mounted on a vehicle having a firewall between an engine and passenger compartment, said lever assembly comprising an elongated spring-like element having an upper end and a lower end, means rigidly securing the upper end of said element to said vehicle firewall, the element extending downwardly in curved fashion from said securing means, a rigid lever secured to and extending downwardly from the lower end of said spring-like element and carrying a brake pedal at a lower end thereof, a rod connected at one end to said lever assembly and extending through said firewall, a stop adjacent said lever, and means holding the stop in a position such that the spring-like element will be stressed in a direction constantly urging the lever against the stop.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
70 words
An automotive brake pedal lever assembly as set forth in claim 16 wherein the spring-like element has a first end portion that is affixed to the vehicle firewall, an intermediate reversely bent portion at an upper end of said first portion and a second end portion extending downwardly from the opposite end of said intermediate portion, said rigid lever being secured to a lower end of said second end portion.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-11-16 | 1985-05-18 | 1985-11-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-11-16 | 1989-05-18 | 1989-11-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-11-16 | 1993-05-18 | 1993-11-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |