Patent US6752038B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6752038B2
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US
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System for releasing a pedal of a motor vehicle in the event of a frontal impact
Assignee: Fiat Auto SpA
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Filing: 2002-05-23
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Granted: 2004-06-22
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Expires: 2022-05-23
Abstract
Abstract In a system for releasing a pedal of a motor vehicle in the event of a frontal impact, the pedal includes a first, inner element which is transversely pivoted on a support secured to a front portion of the body of the vehicle and is able to operate a control rod, and a second, outer element having a lower, lever portion, operable by the driver, and an upper portion transversely pivoted on the inner element. A pair of tongues are provided for securing the said first and second elements together, and a stop member is mounted on a portion of the passenger compartment behind the pedal. The system can assume a first, normal operating condition, in which the elements are secured to each other by the tongues, and in a second condition, in the event of a frontal impact, in which rearward movement of the pedal towards the stop member causes the tongues to yield, thus allowing the outer element of the pedal to rotate relative to the inner element.
Inventors
- 👤 Renato Cordero
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:28
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05G; G05G1/00; G05G1/30; G05G1/32; G05G1/327; B; B60; B60T; B60T11/00; B60T11/10; B60T11/16; B60T11/18; B60T7/00; B60T7/02; B60T7/04; B60T7/06; B60T7/065; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20528; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20888
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
252 words
A system for releasing a pedal of a motor vehicle in the event of a frontal impact, the system including: a pedal comprising a first, inner element which is pivoted to a support structure mounted on a front portion of a body of the motor vehicle about a first axis and is connected to a control rod for operation of a device to be controlled by the pedal; a second, outer element which forms a lower lever portion for operation by the driver and an upper portion articulated to the inner element about a second axis positioned beneath the first axis; and coupling means for releasably connecting the said first and second elements to each other; and a stop member mounted on a portion of a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle in a position located behind the pedal and at a distance therefrom; the system being arranged to assume two operating conditions: a first, normal operating condition, in which the first and second elements of the pedal are coupled to each other by the coupling means so as to swivel as a single piece about the said first axis; and a second operating condition, resulting from a frontal impact of the motor vehicle, in which rearward displacement of the pedal larger than the distance between the pedal and the stop member causes the coupling means to be released by the stop member and the second element to be allowed to swivel about the second axis with respect to the first element.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
252 words
A system for releasing a pedal of a motor vehicle in the event of a frontal impact, the system including: a pedal comprising a first, inner element which is pivoted to a support structure mounted on a front portion of a body of the motor vehicle about a first axis and is connected to a control rod for operation of a device to be controlled by the pedal; a second, outer element which forms a lower lever portion for operation by the driver and an upper portion articulated to the inner element about a second axis positioned beneath the first axis; and coupling means for releasably connecting the said first and second elements to each other; and a stop member mounted on a portion of a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle in a position located behind the pedal and at a distance therefrom; the system being arranged to assume two operating conditions: a first, normal operating condition, in which the first and second elements of the pedal are coupled to each other by the coupling means so as to swivel as a single piece about the said first axis; and a second operating condition, resulting from a frontal impact of the motor vehicle, in which rearward displacement of the pedal larger than the distance between the pedal and the stop member causes the coupling means to be released by the stop member and the second element to be allowed to swivel about the second axis with respect to the first element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the first element of the pedal is enclosed, at least partially, by the upper portion of the second element and the coupling means include at least one metal tongue formed by the upper portion of the second element and bent over at least part of the inner element of the pedal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
76 words
The system of claim 2 , wherein both the first element and the upper portion of the second element of the pedal have two opposite side walls and a transverse rear wall connecting the side walls, and the coupling means include a pair of tongues formed integrally with the side walls of the upper portion of the second element and folded at a right angle thereto so as to enclose the first element at the front.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 3 , wherein the aforesaid tongues are essentially symmetrical relative to a vertical, longitudinal plane of symmetry of the pedal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the point at which the first and second elements of the pedal are articulated to each other is arranged below the point at which the first element is connected to the control rod, and the coupling means are arranged above the point at which the first element is pivoted on the pedal support.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 3 , wherein the pedal further includes an insert with a rear end portion projecting from the top of the pedal and arranged to be urged by the stop member against the said coupling means, in the aforesaid second operating condition, so as to cause the coupling means to be released.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 6 , wherein the insert is secured to both the first and second elements of the pedal so as to rigidly connect these elements to each other in the aforesaid first, normal operating condition.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 7 , wherein the insert is secured at its front to the tongues of the second element of the pedal and at its rear to the transverse wall of the first element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 8 , wherein the insert is secured to the transverse wall of the first element of the pedal by riveting.
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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) | 2007-06-22 | 2007-12-22 | 2008-06-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-06-22 | 2011-12-22 | 2012-06-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-06-22 | 2015-12-22 | 2016-06-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |