Modular pedal assembly for vehicles

Abstract

In some embodiments, a vehicle or utility vehicle pedal assembly and method are disclosed. The pedal assembly may be modular and readily adaptable for use on vehicles and utility vehicles having either an electric motor drive system or an internal combustion engine drive system. Thus, in some embodiments the module includes a base, a plurality of pedals coupled to the base, and an output regulator coupled to the base. Other embodiments disclose a parking brake engagement assembly comprising a toothed element, an engagement element selectively engageable with the toothed element, and an arm to the control the engagement between the toothed element and the engagement element. Yet other embodiments disclose a non-contact sensor coupled to the brake system to selectively illuminate the brake lamps of a vehicle or utility vehicle. Further embodiments disclose a timer coupled to the brake system to selectively illuminate the brake lamps.

1 . A modular pedal assembly for use with a vehicle, the vehicle including a motor, a control circuit operatively connected with the motor, and a brake assembly, the pedal assembly comprising: 
 a base removably connectable with the vehicle;    a brake pedal movably coupled with the base and operatively coupleable with the brake assembly;    an accelerator pedal movably coupled with the base so as to be displaceable between a first position and a second position and operatively coupleable with one of the motor and the control circuit; and    a sensor configured to sense displacement of the accelerator pedal and electrically connectable with the control circuit such that the circuit at least one of regulates the motor and operates the motor when the sensor senses displacement of the accelerator pedal.    
   
   
       2 . The modular pedal assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein the base is connectable with the vehicle to connect the entire modular pedal assembly to the vehicle and the base is alternatively removable from the vehicle to remove the entire modular pedal assembly from the vehicle.  
   
   
       3 . The modular pedal assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein: 
 the brake pedal is displaceable between a first position at which the brake assembly is unactivated and a second position at which the brake assembly is activated, the brake pedal being releasably lockable at the second position; and    the accelerator pedal is operatively coupled with the brake pedal such that when the brake pedal is locked at the second position, displacement of the pedal releases the brake pedal from the second position.    
   
   
       4 . The modular pedal assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein: 
 the motor is a selected one of an electric motor and an internal combustion engine;    the control circuit is a selected one an electric motor control circuit configured for use with an electric motor and an engine control circuit configured for use with an engine; and    the sensor is a selected one of a sensor configured for use with an electric motor and a sensor configured for use with an internal combustion engine.    
   
   
       5 . The modular pedal assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein the sensor is disposed within a housing removably connected with the base so as to position the sensor generally proximal to the accelerator pedal.  
   
   
       6 . The modular pedal assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein: 
 the motor is an electric motor, the vehicle includes a battery, and the control circuit is configured to regulate one voltage and current between the battery and the motor; and    the sensor is a variable resistor configured to generate a signal proportional to a displacement of the accelerator pedal from the initial position such that the control circuit adjusts the one of the voltage and current to the motor to be generally proportional to pedal displacement.    
   
   
       7 . The modular pedal assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein the motor is an electric motor, the vehicle includes a battery, and the control circuit is configured to regulate one voltage and current between the battery and the motor; and 
 the sensor is a switch electrically connected with the controller such that the controller is turned-on when the pedal displaces from the initial position and towards the second position.    
   
   
       8 . The modular pedal assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein the 
 the motor is an electric motor, the vehicle includes a battery, and the control circuit is configured to regulate one voltage and current between the battery and the motor;    the sensor is a variable resistor configured to generate a signal proportional to a displacement of the accelerator pedal from the initial position such that the control circuit adjusts the one of the voltage and current to the motor to be generally proportional to pedal displacement; and    the modular pedal assembly further comprises a second sensor disposed generally proximal to the accelerator pedal, the second sensor being a switch electrically connected with the controller such that the controller is turned-on when the pedal displaces from the initial position and towards the second position.    
   
   
       9 . The modular pedal assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein: 
 the motor includes an internal combustion engine and a starter motor and the control circuit includes a starter circuit with a solenoid operatively coupled with the starter motor; and    the sensor is a switch electrically connected with the solenoid such that the solenoid is electrically connected with the starter motor when the pedal displaces from the initial position and towards the second position.    
   
   
       10 . The modular pedal assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein: 
 the motor includes an internal combustion engine having at least one spark plug and the control circuit includes a magneto electrically coupleable with the spark plug; and    the sensor is a switch electrically connected with the magneto such that the magneto is electrically coupled with the spark plug when the pedal displaces from the initial position and towards the second position.    
   
   
       11 . The modular pedal assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein: 
 the motor includes an internal combustion engine having at least one spark plug and a starter motor, the control circuit includes a starter circuit with a solenoid operatively coupled with the starter motor and a magneto electrically coupleable with the spark plug;    the sensor is a switch electrically connected with the solenoid such that the solenoid is electrically connected with the starter motor when the pedal displaces from the initial position and towards the second position;    the modular pedal assembly further comprises a second sensor disposed generally proximal to the accelerator pedal, the second sensor being a switch electrically connected with the magneto such that the magneto is electrically coupled with the spark plug when the pedal displaces from the initial position and towards the second position.    
   
   
       12 . A modular pedal assembly mountable as a module upon a vehicle having a brake assembly and adaptable for use on a vehicle having either a gas engine or an electric motor drive, the modular pedal assembly having a mounted state in which the modular pedal assembly is mounted in the vehicle and an unmounted state, the modular pedal assembly comprising: 
 a base adapted to be mounted in a vehicle in the mounted state;    a first pedal pivotally coupled to the base in the unmounted state of the modular pedal assembly and having a portion coupled to the brake assembly in the mounted state of the modular pedal assembly;    a second pedal pivotally coupled to the base in the unmounted state of the modular pedal assembly and having a portion coupled to the drive in the mounted state of the modular pedal assembly, the second pedal having an unactuated state and an actuated state, the actuated state defined by pivotal movement of the second pedal with respect to the base; and    a control output regulator coupled to the second pedal in the unmounted state of the modular pedal assembly and also electrically coupled to the drive assembly in the mounted state of the modular pedal assembly, the control output regulator adaptable to be used with vehicles driven by gas engines and electrical motors, the control output regulator having a sensor configured to detect the pivotal position of the second pedal and to communicate the position to the drive in the mounted state of the modular pedal assembly.    
   
   
       13 . The modular pedal assembly as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the sensor is a first sensor and the control output regulator further includes a second sensor positioned to detect the pivotal position of the second pedal and able to communicate the position to the drive in the mounted state of the modular pedal assembly.  
   
   
       14 . The modular pedal assembly as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the first sensor is a limit switch and the second sensor is a potentiometer, the limit switch senses the state of the second pedal in the mounted state of the modular pedal assembly and communicates the state to the electrical motor drive, the potentiometer senses the state of the second pedal in the mounted state of the modular pedal assembly and communicates the state to the electrical motor drive by sending a voltage that varies with the position of the second pedal.  
   
   
       15 . The modular pedal assembly as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the first sensor is a first limit switch and the second sensor is a second limit switch, the first and second limit switches having an open and closed state, the first limit switch senses the state of the second pedal in the mounted state of the modular pedal assembly and communicates the state to the gas engine drive via a first circuit, the second limit switch senses the state of the second pedal in the mounted state of the modular pedal assembly and communicates the state to the gas engine drive via a second circuit, the gas engine drive operable with the first limit switch closed and the second limit switch open and inoperable with the first limit switch open and the second limit switch closed.  
   
   
       16 . The modular pedal assembly as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising a third pedal pivotally coupled to the base in the unmounted state of the modular pedal assembly and having a portion coupled to the brake assembly in the mounted state of the modular pedal assembly.  
   
   
       17 . A method of making a vehicle, comprising: 
 fabricating a vehicle body;    selecting a type of drive system for the vehicle, including selecting one of an electric motor and a gas engine;    coupling one of an electric motor and gas engine to the body corresponding to the type of drive system selected;    coupling a brake system to the body;    assembling a modular pedal assembly, including the steps of: 
 providing a base;  
 coupling a brake pedal to the base;  
 coupling an accelerator pedal to the base, the accelerator pedal having an unactuated state and an actuated state;  
 selecting a control output regulator corresponding to the type of drive system selected, including selecting one of a gas control output regulator and a motor control output regulator; and  
 coupling the control output regulator selected to the accelerator pedal, the control output regulator having a sensor to sense the state of the accelerator pedal;  
   coupling the modular pedal assembly to the body; and    coupling the modular pedal assembly to the drive system and to the brake system.    
   
   
       18 . The method of making a vehicle as recited in  claim 17 , wherein: 
 the sensor is a first sensor;    the vehicle has an electric motor drive system having a controller electrically coupled to the motor:    the control output regulator further includes a second sensor; and    the step of coupling the modular pedal assembly to the drive system further includes: 
 coupling the first sensor to the accelerator pedal and to the controller, the first sensor capable of sending a first signal to the controller indicating the position of the accelerator pedal; and  
 coupling the second sensor to the accelerator pedal and to the controller, the second sensor capable of sending a second signal to the controller indicating the position of the accelerator pedal, the second signal is a variable signal depending upon the amount of movement of the accelerator pedal.  
   
   
   
       19 . The method of making a vehicle as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising the steps of: 
 forming a first circuit between the first sensor and the controller, the first circuit having an open state when the accelerator pedal is in the unactuated state and a closed state when the accelerator pedal is in the actuated state; and    forming a second circuit between the second sensor and the controller, the second circuit having an open state when the accelerator pedal is in the unactuated state and a closed state when the accelerator pedal is in the actuated state, the controller being incapable of sending an electric current to the motor if one of the first and second circuits are open.    
   
   
       20 . The method of making a vehicle as recited in  claim 17 , wherein: 
 the sensor is a first sensor;    the vehicle has a gas engine drive system;    the control output regulator further includes a second sensor; and    the step of coupling the modular pedal assembly to the drive system further includes: 
 coupling the first sensor to the accelerator pedal and to the engine, the first sensor capable of sending a first signal to the engine indicating the position of the accelerator pedal; and  
 coupling the second sensor to the accelerator pedal and to the engine, the second sensor capable of sending a second signal to the engine indicating the position of the accelerator pedal.  
   
   
   
       21 . The method of making a vehicle as recited in  claim 20 , further comprising the steps of: 
 forming a first circuit between the first sensor and the engine, the first circuit having an open state when the accelerator pedal is in the unactuated state and a closed state when the accelerator pedal is in the actuated state; and    forming a second circuit between the second sensor and the engine, the second circuit having an open state when the accelerator pedal is in the actuated state and a closed state when the accelerator pedal is in the unactuated state, the engine operable with the first circuit closed and the second circuit open and inoperable with the first circuit open and the second circuit closed.    
   
   
       22 . A vehicle manufactured by: 
 fabricating a vehicle body;    selecting a type of drive system for the vehicle, including selecting one of an electric motor and a gas engine;    coupling one of an electric motor and gas engine to the body corresponding to the type of drive system selected;    coupling a brake system to the body;    assembling a modular pedal assembly, including the steps of: 
 providing a base;  
 coupling a brake pedal to the base;  
   coupling an accelerator pedal to the base, the accelerator pedal having an unactuated state and an actuated state; 
 selecting a control output regulator corresponding to the type of drive system selected, including selecting one of a gas control output regulator and a motor output regulator; and  
 coupling the control output regulator selected to the accelerator pedal, the control output regulator having a sensor to sense the state of the accelerator pedal;  
   coupling the modular pedal assembly to the body; and    coupling the modular pedal assembly to the drive system and to the brake system.    
   
   
       23 . The vehicle manufactured in accordance with the method of  claim 22 , wherein: 
 the sensor is a first sensor;    the vehicle has an electric motor drive system having a controller electrically coupled to the motor;    the control output regulator further includes a second sensor; and    the step of coupling the modular pedal assembly to the drive system further includes: 
 coupling the first sensor to the accelerator pedal and to the controller, the first sensor capable of sending a first signal to the controller indicating the position of the accelerator pedal; and  
 coupling the second sensor to the accelerator pedal and to the controller, the second sensor capable of sending a second signal to the controller indicating the position of the accelerator pedal, the second signal is a variable signal depending upon the amount the accelerator pedal actuated.  
   
   
   
       24 . The vehicle manufactured in accordance with the method of  claim 23 , further comprising the steps of: 
 forming a first circuit between the first sensor and the controller, the first circuit having an open state when the accelerator pedal is in the unactuated state and a closed state when the accelerator pedal is in the actuated state; and    forming a second circuit between the second sensor and the controller, the second circuit having an open state when the accelerator pedal is in the unactuated state and a closed state when the accelerator pedal is in the actuated state, the controller incapable of sending an electric current to the motor if one of the first and second circuits are open.    
   
   
       25 . The vehicle manufactured in accordance with the method of  claim 22 , wherein: 
 the sensor is a first sensor;    the vehicle has a gas engine drive system;    the control output regulator further includes a second sensor; and    the step of coupling the modular pedal assembly to the drive system further includes: 
 coupling the first sensor to the accelerator pedal and to the engine, the first sensor capable of sending a first signal to the engine indicating the position of the accelerator pedal; and  
 coupling the second sensor to the accelerator pedal and to the engine, the second sensor capable of sending a second signal to the engine indicating the position of the accelerator pedal.  
   
   
   
       26 . The vehicle manufactured in accordance with the method of  claim 25 , further comprising the steps of: 
 forming a first circuit between the first sensor and the engine, the first circuit having an open state when the accelerator pedal is in the unactuated state and a closed state when the accelerator pedal is in the actuated state; and    forming a second circuit between the second sensor and the engine, the second circuit having an open state when the accelerator pedal is in the actuated state and a closed state when the accelerator pedal is in the unactuated state, the engine operable with the first circuit closed and the second circuit open and inoperable with the first circuit open and the second circuit closed.    
   
   
       27 . A modular pedal assembly mountable as a module in a vehicle, the modular pedal assembly having a mounted state in which the modular pedal assembly is mounted in the vehicle and an unmounted state, the modular pedal assembly comprising: 
 a base adapted to be mounted in a vehicle in the mounted state;    a brake pedal pivotally coupled to the base in the unmounted state of the modular pedal assembly;    an accelerator pedal pivotally coupled to the base in the unmounted state of the modular pedal assembly; and    a parking brake assembly coupled to the base in the unmounted state of the modular pedal assembly, the parking brake assembly moveable between a coupled and uncoupled position with respect to the brake pedal, the parking brake assembly having: 
 an engagement element, on the engagement element at least one of a projection and a recess;  
   at least one of the other of the projection and the recess on the brake pedal, the at least one of the projection and the recess on the engagement element selectively engageable with the at least one of the other of the projection and the recess on the brake pedal, engagement of the at least one of the projection and the recess on the engagement element with the at least one of the other of the projection and the recess on the brake pedal defining the coupled position of the parking brake assembly; and 
 an arm coupled to the brake pedal and having a first position and a second position with respect to the engagement element, the first position of the arm restricting engagement of the engagement element with the brake pedal and defining the uncoupled position of the parking brake assembly, the second position of the arm allows engagement of the engagement element with the brake pedal defining the coupled position of the parking brake assembly.  
   
   
   
       28 . The modular pedal assembly as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the arm is moveable from the first position to the second position due to actuation of a portion of the brake pedal.  
   
   
       29 . The modular pedal assembly as recited in  claim 28 , wherein the portion of brake pedal is a parking brake pedal coupled to the brake pedal.  
   
   
       30 . The modular pedal assembly as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the arm is moveable from the second position to the first position due to movement of the accelerator pedal from the unactuated state to the actuated state.  
   
   
       31 . The modular pedal assemble as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the brake pedal is a service break pedal and the parking brake assembly further includes an parking brake pedal pivotally coupled to the base in the unmounted state of the modular pedal assembly and having a portion coupled to the braking assembly in the mounted state of the modular pedal assembly, the arm is moveable from the first position to the second position due to actuation of the parking brake pedal with respect to the service brake pedal.  
   
   
       32 . The modular pedal assembly as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the arm of the parking brake assembly includes a cam surface and the parking brake assembly further includes a roller coupled to the engagement element, the cam engages the roller in the first position to restrict engagement of the engagement element with the brake pedal and the cam does not sufficiently engage the roller in the second position to enable engagement of the engagement element with the brake pedal.  
   
   
       33 . The modular pedal assembly as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the at least one of the other of the projection and the recess on the brake pedal includes a toothed surface on the brake pedal and the at least one of the projection and the recess on the engagement element includes a projection on a pivotable pawl, the projection on the pivotal pawl selectively engageable with the toothed surface on the brake pedal.  
   
   
       34 . A parking brake assembly for a vehicle having a chassis, a brake pedal coupled to the chassis, and an accelerator pedal coupled to the chassis, the brake pedal and the accelerator each having an unactuated state and an actuated state, the parking brake assembly having a coupled position with respect to the brake pedal in which movement of the vehicle is restricted and an uncoupled position with respect to the brake pedal in which movement of the vehicle is enabled, the parking brake assembly comprising: 
 an engagement element coupled to the chassis and moveable between an engaged and disengaged position with respect to the brake pedal, the engagement element having at least one of a projection and a recess;    a portion of the brake pedal having at least one of the other of the projection and the recess, the at least one of the projection and the recess on the engagement element selectively engageable with the at least one of the other of the projection and the recess on the brake pedal, engagement of the at least one of the projection and the recess on the engagement element with the at least one of the other of the projection and the recess on the brake pedal to partially define the coupled position of the parking brake assembly; and    an arm coupled to the brake pedal and having a first position and a second position with respect to the engagement element, the first position of the arm restricting engagement of the engagement element with the portion of the brake pedal and defining the uncoupled position of the parking brake assembly, the second position of the arm allowing engagement of the engagement element with the portion of the brake pedal to partially define the coupled position of the parking brake assembly.    
   
   
       35 . The modular pedal assembly as recited in  claim 34 , wherein the arm is moveable from the first position to the second position due to movement of a second portion of the brake pedal from the unactuated position to the actuated position.  
   
   
       36 . The modular pedal assembly as recited in  claim 35 , wherein the second portion of brake pedal is a parking brake pedal coupled to the brake pedal.  
   
   
       37 . The modular pedal assembly as recited in  claim 34 , wherein the arm is moveable from the second position to the first position due to movement of the accelerator pedal from the unactuated state to the actuated state.  
   
   
       38 . The modular pedal assemble as recited in  claim 34 , wherein the parking brake assembly further includes an parking brake pedal pivotally coupled to the chassis and adjacent the brake pedal, the arm is moveable from the first position to the second position due to actuation of the parking brake pedal with respect to the brake pedal.  
   
   
       39 . The modular pedal assembly as recited in  claim 34 , wherein the arm of the parking brake assembly includes a cam surface and the parking brake assembly further includes a roller coupled to the engagement element, the cam engages the roller in the first position to restrict engagement of the engagement element with the brake pedal and cam does not engage the roller in the second position to allow engagement of the engagement element with the brake pedal.  
   
   
       40 . The modular pedal assembly as recited in  claim 34 , wherein the at least one of the other of the projection and the recess on the brake pedal includes a toothed surface on the brake pedal and the at least one of the projection and the recess on the engagement element includes a projection on a pivotable pawl, the projection on the pivotal pawl selectively engageable with the toothed surface on the brake pedal to prevent rolling motion of the vehicle.  
   
   
       41 . A method of assembling a vehicle having a modular pedal assembly, the method comprising: 
 fabricating a vehicle chassis;    coupling a drive system to the chassis;    coupling a brake system to the chassis;    assembling a parking brake assembly, including the steps of:    providing a carriage; and    coupling a pawl to the carriage;    assembling a modular pedal assembly, including the steps of: 
 providing a base;  
 coupling a brake pedal to the base, the brake pedal having a toothed portion for selective engagement with the pawl and an arm pivotally coupled to the brake pedal, the arm selectively engageable with a portion of the parking brake assembly;  
 coupling an accelerator pedal to the base, the accelerator pedal having an unactuated state and an actuated state;  
 positioning the parking brake assembly adjacent the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal for selective engagement with the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal; and  
 coupling the parking brake assembly to the base for movement between an engaged position and a disengaged position with respect to the brake pedal;  
   coupling the modular pedal assembly to the body as a module; and    coupling the modular pedal assembly to the drive system and to the brake system.    
   
   
       42 . The method as recited in  claim 41 , wherein the step of assembling a parking brake assembly further includes coupling a roller to the carriage, the arm selectively engageable with the roller.  
   
   
       43 . A method of controlling the movement of a vehicle with respect to the ground, the method comprising: 
 depressing a service brake pedal;    actuating a parking brake pedal;    moving an arm coupled to the parking brake pedal responsive to actuating the parking brake pedal with respect to the service brake pedal, the arm moved from a first position in which the arm prevents engagement of a pawl with a gear to a second position in which the arm does not prevent engagement of the pawl with the gear;    moving the pawl towards the service brake pedal responsive to moving the arm;    engaging the pawl with the service brake pedal to prevent rolling motion of the vehicle;    depressing the accelerator pedal to enable rolling motion;    pivoting the pawl with respect to the brake pedal responsive to depressing the accelerator pedal; and    disengaging the pawl from the service brake pedal responsive to pivoting the pawl.    
   
   
       44 . The method as recited in  claim 43 , further comprising the step of preventing rotation of the pawl with the accelerator following the step of engaging the pawl with the service brake pedal.  
   
   
       45 . The method as recited in  claim 43 , further comprising moving the arm to the first position to prevent engagement of the pawl with service brake pedal until the parking brake pedal is actuated following disengaging the pawl from the brake pedal.  
   
   
       46 . A brake lamp illumination system for a vehicle having a braking system operable with a brake pedal, the brake pedal having an actuated state and an unactuated state, the brake lamp illumination system comprising: 
 a circuit having an open state corresponding to the unactuated state of the brake pedal and a closed state corresponding to the actuated state of the brake pedal;    a non-contact switch coupled to the circuit and adjacent the brake pedal, the non-contact switch having a transmitter and a receiver, the transmitter capable of communicating with the receiver with the brake pedal in the unactuated state and incapable of communicating with the receiver with the pedal in the actuated state; and    a brake lamp coupled to the circuit, the light having a non-illuminated state when the circuit is open and an illuminated state when the circuit is closed.    
   
   
       47 . The brake lamp illumination system as recited in  claim 45 , further comprising a timer coupled to the brake lamp and able to change the state of the brake lamp from the illuminated state to the non-illuminated state while the circuit is closed for a predetermined period of time.  
   
   
       48 . The brake lamp illumination system as recited in  claim 45 , wherein the non-contact switch is an infrared switch.  
   
   
       49 . A brake lamp illumination system for a vehicle having a braking system operable with brake pedal, the brake pedal having an actuated state and an unactuated state, the brake lamp illumination system comprising: 
 a switch adjacent the brake pedal, the switch having an open state corresponding to one of the actuated state and the unactuated state of the brake pedal and a closed state corresponding to the other of the actuated state and the unactuated state of the brake pedal, movement of the brake pedal between states changes the state of the switch;    a circuit having an open state corresponding to the open state of the switch and a closed state corresponding to the closed state of the switch;    a brake lamp coupled to the circuit, the light having a non-illuminated state when the circuit is open and an illuminated state when the circuit is closed; and    a timer coupled to the brake lamp and able to change the state of the brake lamp from the illuminated state to the non-illuminated state while the circuit is closed for a predetermined period of time.    
   
   
       50 . The brake lamp illumination system as recited in  claim 49 , wherein the switch is a non-contact switch having a transmitter and a receiver, the transmitter capable of communicating with the receiver with the brake pedal in one of the actuated state and the unactuated state and incapable of communicating with the receiver with the pedal in the other of the actuated state and the unactuated state.  
   
   
       51 . The brake lamp illumination system as recited in  claim 49 , wherein the non-contact switch is an infrared switch.  
   
   
       52 . A method of controlling the illumination of a brake lamp on a vehicle, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a circuit between a brake lamp and a non-contact switch adjacent a brake pedal;    sending a signal within a non-contact switch from a transmitter to a receiver; actuating a brake pedal;    preventing the signal from reaching the receiver;    closing the circuit responsive to preventing the signal from reaching the receiver; and    illuminating the brake lamp responsive to closing the circuit.    
   
   
       53 . The method as recited in  claim 52 , further comprising the steps of: 
 timing the period of illumination for the brake lamp; and    preventing illumination of the brake lamp after a predetermined period of time.    
   
   
       54 . The method as recited in  claim 52 , wherein the step of preventing the signal from reaching the receiver further includes the substeps of: 
 positioning a portion of the brake pedal between the transmitter and the receiver; and    blocking the signal from receiving the receiver with a portion of the brake pedal.    
   
   
       55 . The method as recited in  claim 52 , further comprising the steps of: 
 returning the brake pedal to the unactuated state;    allowing the signal to reach the receiver:    opening the circuit; and    preventing illumination of the brake lamp by returning the pedal to the unactuated state.    
   
   
       56 . A method of controlling the illumination of a brake lamp on a vehicle, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a circuit between a brake lamp and a switch adjacent a brake pedal;    actuating a brake pedal;    closing the switch by actuating the brake pedal;    closing the circuit responsive to closing the switch;    illuminating the brake lamp responsive to closing the circuit;    timing the period of illumination for the brake lamp; and    preventing illumination of the brake lamp after a predetermined period of time.    
   
   
       57 . The method as recited in  claim 56 , wherein the switch is an infrared switch having a transmitter and a receiver and the step of closing the switch by actuating the brake pedal further comprises preventing the transmitter from communicating with the receiver with a portion of the brake pedal.