Adjustable pedal assembly

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.

1 - 11 . (canceled)  
   
   
       12 . An adjustable pedal assembly comprising; 
 a support ( 412 ) for mounting said assembly,    a pedal lever ( 418 ) having a longitudinal axis (A) extending between an upper end and a lower end,    a mechanism ( 422 ) pivotally supporting ( 432 ) said pedal lever ( 418 ) for allowing pivotal movement of said pedal lever ( 418 ) relative to said support ( 412 ) in response to a force and for adjustment of said pedal lever ( 418 ) relative to said support ( 412 ),    said support ( 412 ) including an arcuate guide ( 416 ) supporting said mechanism ( 422 ) and defining an arcuate path with said mechanism ( 422 ) remaining substantially parallel with said arcuate path during adjustment of said mechanism ( 422 ) along said arcuate guide ( 416 ) and said pedal lever ( 418 ) moving along said arcuate path in unison with said mechanism ( 422 ) during said adjustment for changing the angle of said longitudinal axis (A) of said pedal lever ( 418 ) relative to said support ( 412 ).    
   
   
       13 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 12  further including a signal generating device ( 433 ) for generating an electric signal in response to said pedal lever ( 418 ) pivoting relative to said mechanism ( 422 ).  
   
   
       14 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said signal generating device ( 433 ) is mounted to said mechanism ( 422 ) and moves with said mechanism ( 422 ) during said adjustment relative to said support ( 412 ).  
   
   
       15 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 12  further 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 arcuate guide ( 416 ) about said pivotal connection ( 432 ) during said operational movement in response to the force from an operator.  
   
   
       16 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 15  further including a signal generating device ( 433 ) mounted to said mechanism ( 422 ) about said pivotal connection ( 432 ) for generating an electric signal in response to said pedal lever ( 418 ) pivoting relative to said mechanism ( 422 ).  
   
   
       17 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said mechanism ( 422 ) includes a plurality of contact points engaging said arcuate guide ( 416 ) such that said mechanism ( 422 ) moves in direct proportion to said arcuate path.  
   
   
       18 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 17  wherein said plurality of contact points include a first set of contact points engaging a top of said arcuate guide ( 416 ) and a second set of contact points engaging a bottom of said arcuate guide ( 416 ).  
   
   
       19 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 18  wherein said mechanism ( 422 ) is slidably mounted to said arcuate guide ( 416 ) through said contact points for moving in said arcuate path during said adjustment.  
   
   
       20 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said support ( 412 ) further includes a single arcuate guide ( 416 ) defining said single arcuate path supporting said mechanism ( 422 ).  
   
   
       21 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 12  further including a drive system for adjusting said mechanism ( 422 ) and said pedal lever ( 418 ) along said arcuate guide ( 416 ).  
   
   
       22 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 21  wherein said drive system includes a threaded screw ( 424 ) and a threaded nut ( 426 ) threadedly engaging said screw ( 424 ) and a power unit ( 428 ) for rotating said screw ( 424 ) to move said nut ( 426 ) with said nut ( 426 ) being coupled to said mechanism ( 422 ) for moving said pedal lever ( 418 ) along said arcuate guide ( 416 ) in response to rotation of said screw ( 424 ).  
   
   
       23 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 22  further including a rotational connection ( 430 ) between said nut ( 426 ) and said mechanism ( 422 ) for accommodating said changing angle of said longitudinal axis (A) of said pedal lever ( 418 ) relative to said screw ( 424 ) during said adjustment of said pedal lever ( 418 ) along said arcuate guide ( 416 ).  
   
   
       24 . An assembly as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said arcuate guide ( 416 ) is cantilevered from and extends in said arcuate path from said support ( 412 ) to a distal end.