Improvements in vehicle mounted pedal box assemblies

Abstract

A pedal box for a vehicle comprising at least one of a brake assembly, a clutch assembly and a throttle assembly each mounted on an axis supported by a frame and a first mounting plate; a master cylinder operatively connected to each said brake assembly and clutch assembly; characterised in that said pedal box assembly includes at least one articulating mounting member which allows the pedal box assembly to accommodate a variety of vehicle floor geometries. The pedal box may further include a throttle response adjustment assembly for altering response during pedal travel, and a pedal whose attitude is vertically and rotationally adjustable relative to a pedal supporting strut.

The claims defining the invention are as follows: 
     
         1 . a pedal box for a vehicle comprising at least one of a brake assembly, clutch assembly and throttle assembly each mounted on an axis supported by a first mounting plate; a master cylinder operatively connected to each said brake assembly and clutch assembly; characterised in that said pedal box assembly, includes at least one articulating mounting member which allows the pedal box assembly to accommodate a variety of vehicle floor geometries. 
     
     
         2 . A pedal box according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one mounting members comprise plates. 
     
     
         3 . A pedal box according to  claim 2  wherein the are two co operating mounting plates. 
     
     
         4 . A pedal box according to  claim 3  wherein one said plate is pivotally attached to a first axle allowing the plate to rotate through an arc of 180 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . A pedal box according to  claim 4  wherein the second mounting plate is pivotally attached to a second axle thereby allowing rotation of the second plate through a wide arc of at least 270 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . A pedal box according to  claim 5  wherein the plates are each capable of disposition at an angle which accommodates the angle of floor locations to which the plates are respectively attached. 
     
     
         7 . A pedal box according to  claim 6  wherein the floor locations include an angled vehicle firewall. 
     
     
         8 . A pedal box according to  claim 7  wherein a first of said plates locates on a substantially horizontal surface of a vehicle and the second plate locates on the firewall 
     
     
         9 . A pedal box according to  claim 8  wherein the plates each include a planar surface which engage the floor locations. 
     
     
         10 . A pedal box according to  claim 9  further comprising a plurality of support frames each having first and second ends. 
     
     
         11 . A pedal box according to  claim 10  wherein the first end of each said support frames receive and retain the first axle. 
     
     
         12 . A pedal box according to  claim 11  wherein the second end of each said support frames receive and retains the second axle. 
     
     
         13 . A pedal box according to  claim 12  wherein when the first plate is located on a horizontal surface the second plate is disposed in an elevated position relative to the first plate. 
     
     
         14 . A pedal box according to  claim 13  further comprising a clutch and brake pedal assembly each pivotally attached to the first axle. 
     
     
         15 . A pedal box according to  claim 14  further comprising a throttle pedal assembly pivotally connected to the first axle. 
     
     
         16 . A pedal box according to  claim 15  wherein the clutch, brake and throttle pedal assemblies each include a support strut pivotally attached at a first end to the first axle. 
     
     
         17 . A pedal box according to  claim 16  wherein a first of said struts receives and retains at a second end a clutch pedal. 
     
     
         18 . A pedal box according to  claim 17  wherein a second of said struts receives and retains at a second end a brake pedal. 
     
     
         19 . A pedal box according to  claim 18  wherein a third of said struts receives and retains at a second end a throttle pedal. 
     
     
         20 . A pedal box according to  claim 19  wherein master cylinders respectively operate the clutch pedal assembly and the brake pedal assembly. 
     
     
         21 . A pedal box according to  claim 20  wherein each said pedals are adjustable to allow a change in attitude relative to its support strut. 
     
     
         22 . A pedal box according to  claim 21  wherein each said pedals are connected to its support strut via connecting brackets. 
     
     
         23 . A pedal box according to  claim 22  wherein said connecting brackets allow adjustment of each said brake, clutch and throttle pedals vertically and rotationally clockwise and anti clockwise. 
     
     
         24 . A pedal box according to  claim 23  wherein each said pedals are retained on its strut by transverse bolting. 
     
     
         25 . A pedal box according to  claim 24  wherein each said connecting brackets have slots which allow fine height and angular adjustment of each pedal. 
     
     
         26 . A pedal box according to  claim 25  wherein each said pedal is integrally connected to its connecting bracket. 
     
     
         27 . A pedal box according to  claim 26  wherein each said pedal comprises a curved metallic plate. 
     
     
         28 . A pedal box according to  claim 27  wherein the brake and clutch pedal 
     
     
         29 . A pedal box according to  claim 28  further comprising a throttle response adjustment assembly. 
     
     
         30 . A pedal box according to  claim 29  wherein the throttle adjustment assembly allows fine adjustment of the throttle to alter response during travel of the throttle pedal. 
     
     
         31 . A pedal box according to  claim 30  wherein the throttle adjustment assembly includes a link arm having a first end connected intermediate the throttle pedal strut and a second end which is retained by a rocker arm. 
     
     
         32 . A pedal box according to  claim 31  wherein the link arm is adjustable. 
     
     
         33 . A pedal box according to  claim 32  wherein the link arm is capable of extension and retraction. 
     
     
         34 . A pedal box according to  claim 33  wherein the rocker arm is mounted on one of the support frames. 
     
     
         35 . A pedal box according to  claim 34  wherein the rocker arm is pivotally connected to one said support frames. 
     
     
         36 . A pedal box according to  claim 35  wherein the rocker arm has first and second ends, the first end pivotally connected to the second end of the link arm. 
     
     
         37 . A pedal box according to  claim 36  wherein the second end of the rocker arm engages a first end of a return spring. 
     
     
         38 . A pedal box according to  claim 37  wherein a second end of the return spring is retained by a bracket mounted to said support frame. 
     
     
         39 . A pedal box according to  claim 38  wherein the link arm includes a threaded member which when rotated extends and retracts said link arm. 
     
     
         40 . A pedal box according to  claim 39  wherein, when the threaded member of the link arm is rotated in a first direction the responsiveness of the throttle pedal is reduced over at least part of its full range of travel. 
     
     
         41 . A pedal box according to  claim 40  wherein, when the threaded member of the link arm is rotated in a second direction the responsiveness of the throttle pedal is increased over at least part of its full range of travel. 
     
     
         42 . A pedal box according to  claim 41  wherein, when the threaded member of the link arm is rotated in a direction which extends the link arm to a maximum extent, the throttle is most effective towards the end of its range of travel. 
     
     
         43 . A pedal box according to  claim 42  wherein, when the threaded member of the link arm is rotated in a direction which reduces the link arm to a minimum extent, the throttle is most effective towards the beginning of its range of travel. 
     
     
         44 . A pedal box according to  claim 43  wherein when the threaded member allows setting of the link arm at a length anywhere between maximum and minimum to link arm is rotated in a direction which extends the link arm to a maximum extent, the throttle is most effective towards the end of its range of travel. 
     
     
         45 . A pedal box according to  claim 44  wherein the link arm allows fine adjustment of throttle linkage stroke and throttle motion ratio. 
     
     
         46 . A pedal box for a vehicle comprising a brake assembly, clutch assembly and throttle assembly each mounted on an axis supported by a first mounting plate; a master cylinder operatively connected to each said brake assembly and clutch assembly; characterised in that said pedal box assembly includes a pedal assembly on at least one of the clutch, brake and throttle assemblies; the pedal assembly comprising a pedal whose attitude is adjustable relative to a supporting strut, vertically and rotationally. 
     
     
         47 . A pedal box according to  claim 46  wherein said pedal is connected to its support strut via connecting brackets. 
     
     
         48 . A pedal box according to  claim 47  wherein said brackets allow adjustment of the pedal attitude relative to the support strut. 
     
     
         49 . A pedal box according to  claim 48  wherein said connecting brackets allow adjustment of said pedal vertically and rotationally clockwise and anti clockwise. 
     
     
         50 . A pedal box according to  claim 49  wherein each said connecting brackets have slots which allow fine height and angular adjustment of each pedal. 
     
     
         51 . A pedal box according to  claim 50  wherein said pedal is integrally connected to its connecting bracket. 
     
     
         52 . A pedal box according to  claim 51  wherein said pedal comprises a curved metallic plate. 
     
     
         53 . A pedal box according to  claim 52  further comprising at least one articulating floor mounting member which allows the pedal box assembly to accommodate a variety of vehicle floor geometries. 
     
     
         54 . A pedal box for a vehicle comprising a brake assembly, clutch assembly and throttle assembly each mounted on an axis supported by a first mounting plate; a master cylinder operatively connected to each said brake assembly and clutch assembly; characterised in that said pedal box assembly includes a throttle response adjustment assembly. 
     
     
         55 . A pedal box according to  claim 54  wherein the throttle adjustment assembly allows fine adjustment of the throttle to alter response during travel of the throttle pedal. 
     
     
         56 . A pedal box according to  claim 55  wherein the throttle adjustment assembly includes a link arm having a first end connected intermediate the throttle pedal strut and a second end which is retained by a rocker arm. 
     
     
         57 . A pedal box according to  claim 56  wherein the link arm is adjustable. 
     
     
         58 . A pedal box according to  claim 57  wherein the link arm is capable of extension and retraction. 
     
     
         59 . A pedal box according to  claim 58  further comprising at least one articulating floor mounting member which allows the pedal box assembly to accommodate a variety of vehicle floor geometries. 
     
     
         60 . A method for fitting a pedal box to a floor surface of a vehicle the pedal box comprising at least one of a clutch assembly, brake assembly and throttle assembly each mounted on an axis supported by a first mounting plate; master cylinders operatively connected to each said brake assembly and clutch assembly; the pedal box assembly, including articulating mounting plates which allow an operator to mount the pedal assembly to a variety of vehicle floor shapes; the method comprising the steps of;
 a) setting a first anchor plate at an attitude which aligns with a first portion of floor surface in the vehicle;   b) setting a second anchor plate at an attitude which aligns with a second portion of a floor surface in the vehicle;   c) fastening said first and second plates to said floor surface portions to secure the pedal box in position.   a pedal box comprising a brake assembly, clutch assembly and throttle assembly each mounted on an axis supported by a first mounting plate; a master cylinder operatively connected to each said brake assembly and clutch assembly; characterised in that said brake assembly, clutch assembly and throttle assembly each comprise a pedal which is adjustable vertically horizontally and rotationally relative to a support member.