Adjustable pedal assembly (banana rod)

Abstract

Four embodiments of an adjustable pedal assembly are disclosed wherein a pedal lever is adjustable along a rod. Each assembly is characterized by the rod ( 116, 216, 316 and 416 ) being arcuate or curved, e.g., in an arc, between its connection to a support ( 112, 212, 312 and 412 ) and its distal end for changing the angle of the longitudinal axis of the pedal lever ( 118, 218, 318 and 418 ) relative to the support ( 112, 212, 312 and 412 ) during the adjustment of the pedal lever ( 118, 218, 318 and 418 ) along the rod ( 116, 216, 316 and 416 ). Consequently, the angle of the pedal pad ( 120, 220, 320 and 420 ) is changed to accommodate different operators.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An adjustable pedal assembly comprising; 
 a support ( 112 ,  212 ,  312  and  412 ) for mounting said assembly to a vehicle;    a rod ( 116 ,  216 ,  316  and  416 ) extending from said support ( 112 ,  212 ,  312  and  412 ) to a distal end,    a pedal lever ( 118 ,  218 ,  318  and  418 ) having a longitudinal axis extending between an upper end and a lower end for operational movement from an operational position in response to a force from a vehicle operator,    a mechanism ( 122 ,  222 ,  322  and  422 ) for supporting said pedal lever ( 118 ,  218 ,  318  and  418 ) on said rod ( 116 ,  216 ,  316  and  416 ) for said operational movement in response to the force from an operator and for adjustment of said operational position of said pedal lever ( 118 ,  218 ,  318  and  418 ) along said rod ( 116 ,  216 ,  316  and  416 ),    said assembly characterized by said rod ( 116 ,  216 ,  316  and  416 ) being arcuate for changing the angle of said longitudinal axis of said pedal lever ( 118 ,  218 ,  318  and  418 ) relative to said support ( 112 ,  212 ,  312  and  412 ) during said adjustment of said pedal lever ( 118 ,  218 ,  318  and  418 ) along said rod ( 116 ,  216 ,  316  and  416 ).    
     
     
         2 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said mechanism ( 122 ,  222 ,  322  and  422 ) includes a drive system for adjusting said operational position of said pedal lever ( 118 ,  218 ,  318  and  418 ) along said rod ( 116 ,  216 ,  316  and  416 ).  
     
     
         3 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said drive system includes a threaded screw ( 124 ,  224  and  424 ) and a threaded nut ( 126 ,  226  and  426 ) threadedly engaging said screw ( 124 ,  224  and  424 ) and a power unit ( 128 ,  228  and  428 ) for rotating said screw ( 124 ,  224  and  424 ) to move said nut ( 126 ,  226  and  426 ), said nut ( 126 ,  226  and  426 ) being connected to said pedal lever ( 118 ,  218  and  418 ) for moving said pedal lever ( 118 ,  218  and  418 ) along said rod ( 116 ,  216  and  416 ) in response to rotation of said screw ( 124 ,  224  and  424 ).  
     
     
         4 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 3  including a rotational connection ( 130 ,  230  and  430 ) between said nut ( 126 ,  226  and  426 ) and said pedal lever ( 118 ,  218  and  418 ) for accommodating said changing angle of said longitudinal axis of said pedal lever ( 118 ,  218  and  418 ) relative to said screw ( 124 ,  224  and  424 ) during said adjustment of said pedal lever ( 118 ,  218  and  418 ) along said rod ( 116 ,  216  and  416 ).  
     
     
         5 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said screw ( 124 ,  224  and  424 ) is straight and including a lost motion connection ( 131 ,  231  and  431 ) between said nut ( 126 ,  226  and  426 ) and said pedal lever ( 118 ,  218  and  418 ) for accommodating the change in distance between said screw ( 124 ,  224  and  424 ) and said rod ( 116 ,  216  and  416 ) as said nut ( 126 ,  226  and  426 ) moves along said screw ( 124 ,  224  and  424 ).  
     
     
         6 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 3  including a pivotal connection ( 132  and  232 ) for pivotally connecting said support ( 112  and  212 ) to a vehicle ( 114  and  214 ) so that said rod  116  and  216  pivots about said pivotal connection ( 132  and  232 ) during said operational movement in response to the force from an operator.  
     
     
         7 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said drive system includes at least one gear ( 324 ) in meshing engagement with said rod ( 316 ) and a power unit ( 328 ) for rotating said gear ( 324 ) for moving said pedal lever ( 318 ) along said rod ( 316 ) in response to rotation of said gear ( 324 ).  
     
     
         8 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 7  wherein said rod ( 316 ) comprises a plate with top and bottom edges and rack teeth ( 326 ) disposed along at least one of said edges and in said meshing engagement with said gear ( 324 ).  
     
     
         9 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 2  including a pivotal connection ( 132 ,  232  and  332 ) for pivotally connecting said support ( 112 ,  212  and  312 ) to a vehicle ( 114 ,  214  and  314 ) so that said rod ( 116 ,  216  and  316 ) pivots about said pivotal connection ( 132 ,  232  and  332 ) during said operational movement in response to the force from an operator.  
     
     
         10 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 2  including a pivotal connection ( 432 ) for pivotally connecting said pedal lever ( 418 ) to said mechanism ( 422 ) so that said pedal lever ( 418 ) pivots relative to said rod ( 416 ) about said pivotal connection ( 432 ) during said operational movement in response to the force from an operator.  
     
     
         11 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 10  including a signal generating device ( 433 ) for generating an electronic signal in response to said pedal lever ( 418 ) pivoting relative to said mechanism ( 422 ).