Dual ratio accelerator pedal assembly

Claim 1

A dual ratio accelerator arm assembly for an engine having a throttle moved between an open and closed position, comprising: (a) an accelerator arm having a force applying portion at one extremity and a load receiving portion operatively engaging the engine's throttle at the other extremity; (b) a bracket supporting said arm for operable movement; (c) a pair of pivot pins carried by one of said bracket and arm, and spaced longitudinally along said arm; and (d) means in the other one of said bracket and arm not carrying said pins for defining at least one pair of first and second pivot pin receptacles, each receptacle being respectively associated with one of said pins and effective to allow limited movement of its associated pin therein, each of said receptacles having a fulcrum segment which is effective to form a fulcrum for said arm when its associated pin is engaged therewith, said first receptacle having its segment when disposed against its associated pin to define a first force applying lever arm and said second receptacle having its segment when disposed against its associated pin to define a second force applying lever arm longer than said first force applying lever arm, said receptacles being arranged and spaced apart, whereby upon application of a force to said arm at said force applying portion the arm will be moved through a first arcuate distance with the segment of said first receptacle engaged with its associated pin while the pin associated with said second receptacle undergoes lost motion, and with continued application of force to said arm, the arm will be moved through a second arcuate distance with the segment of said second receptacle engaged with its associated pin while the pin associated with the first receptacle undergoes lost motion.