GB2248673A

GB2248673A - Demountable extensions for motor vehicle clutch, brake and accelerator pedals

Info

Publication number: GB2248673A
Application number: GB9021903A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Edgar Thomas Baker; Barry Horrigan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-10-09
Filing date: 1990-10-09
Publication date: 1992-04-15
Anticipated expiration: 2010-10-09
Also published as: GB9021903D0; GB2248673B

Abstract

The pedal extensions attach directly to the existing brake and clutch pedals by one nut on each only. The accelerator extension consists of a pedal (22) fixed to the existing floor, or a raised floor (20) behind the accelerator, by means of a base plate (23) on which the pedal pivots backwards and forwards. A coupling rod (24) connects the top of this pedal to a clamp (25) which is secured to the accelerator pedal (26) by a single bolt. When fitted, the pedal extensions give up to an extra 7.5 cm. reach, thereby improving the driving position for small people. The extensions and floor can be fitted and removed in a minute or two thus facilitating use by drivers of small stature and normal size. <IMAGE>

Description

DEMOUNTABLE MOTOR VEHICLE CLUTCH, BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL EXTENSIONS.

This invention relates to demountable motor vehicle clutch, brake and accelerator extensions for use by drivers of small stature or with short legs, either in conjunction with or without an adjustable floor raiser.

Most motor vehicles are constructed with brake, clutch and accelerator pedals which suit the requirements of an average sized driver with the only adjustment for differing sizes of drivers being the movement of the drivers seat. This adjustment is usually sufficient for very tall people and for those just below average height but very small people have difficulty and some find it impossible to drive certain cars. In an effort to reach the pedals they push the seat as far forward as possible and have cushions in their back. This usually means that the steering wheel is pressed against their chest and their vision is impaired by the proximity of the windshield pillar. The addition of a few inches in length to the pedals would solve most of the problems. For those with very small feet the raising of the floor will be advantageous.

Motor vehicle manufacturers do not in general make cars with varying lengths of control pedals and if they did the cost of interchanging them to suit various customers would be excessive and in any case would not facilitate the use of the vehicle by normal sized drivers.

According to the present invention extensions are provided which attach directly to the existing clutch and brake pedals in a firm and safe manner. The accelerator pedal does not lend itself to a direct connection because the increased arc of travel would mean that the heel would not be able to rest on the floor at all times, and as the accelerator is in use for the whole of the time the vehicle is being driven intense disconfort would be caused. Operating force is therefore imparted to the accelerator by means of a pedal mounted on the existing car floor, or on the new raised floor behind the accelerator pedal.

The pedal pivots backwards and forwards at the bottom and the top is connected to a coupling rod which in turn connects to a pivoted clamp which is attached to the accelerator pedal. Any movement applied to the new pedal is therebytransferred to the accelerator. The raised floor consists of a flat board covered with arubber mat or suitable carpet and shaped to suit the well of the car to which it is to be fitted. The floor can be raised by the addition of rubber feet to the base of the floor or by other suitable means in order to suit the size of the feet of the driver.

Movement of the floor during use is minimal and does not affect the operation of the accelerator extension. As it does not require fixing in, can easily be removed complete with the accelerator extension when not required.

The brake and clutch extension can also be quickly removed to facilitate use by normal sized drivers.

In some cases- the use of an extension to the clutch pedal is all that will be necessary, this being the only control which has to be pressed right to the floor.

The varicus components of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the acompanying drawings in which: Figure i. Shows in pePspective a clutch or brake extension for use on those vehicles where the brake arm and pedal are constr.uccted of heavy gauge steel and the pedal rubber is attached by a lip round the outer edge of the rubber. The existing pedal rubber has been removed in the drawing as it would be before the extension is attached.

Figure 2. Shows in perspective a clutch or brake extension for use on those vehicles where the brake arm and pedal are pressed out of one piece of thin guage steel and the pedal rubber is attached by means of an internal lip which engages a slot in the centre of the pedal. The existing pedal rubber has been removed in the drawing as it would be before the extension is fitted.

Figure 3. Shows in perspective a raised floor with pedal fitted and connected to the accelerator pedal. The existing accelerator pedal is left intact in this case.

Figure 3 is drawn to a smaller scale than other figures.

Figure 4. Shows in more detail the clamp which secures one end of the coupling rod to the accelerator pedal.

Where the existing clutch or brake arm and pedal are of the type indicated at 14 and 15 in the drawing, the extension pedal is indicated at Figure 1. is used. The rolled lip at 10 is placed over the top edge whilst the crook bolt 11 is hooked round the bottom edge of the pedal 15 and the nut 12 tightened. Alternative holes are pre-drilled on the under side of extension pedal 13 and also on the upper side in order to allow the extension to fit a variety of different sized pedals.

Where the existing clutch or brake arm and pedal are pressed out of one piece of thin gauge steel as at 17 the type of extension pedal indicated in Figure 2 is fitted. A bolt protrudes through the base of the extension pedal 16. This is passed through the slot in the existing pedal which is normally used to secure the pedal rubber. A heavy guage metal base plate 18 is placed onto the bolt and firmly secured to the brake pedal by a self locking nut 19.

The existing accelerator pedal 26 is operated by a pedal 22 which pivots on a base plate 23 which is attached to the raised floor or the original floor by self tapping screws. A coupling rod 24 is connected at one end to the top of the pedal 22 and to the clamp 25 (also shown at Fig. 4. ) at the other end. The clamp slots over the existing accelerator pedal 26 and is secured to it by screwing the set bolt 27. The hole at 28 receives the coupling rod pivot.

The pedal rubber on the clutch and brake extensions 29 and 30 remain in place at all times whereas the pedal rubbers on the original brake and clutch pedals are removed whilst the extensions are fitted and retained for when the vehicle is required without extensions. The raised floor 20 is made of wood, chipboard or other suitable board and covered with a rubber mat or heavy duty carpet. It is shaped to fit the type of car to which it is to be fitted and can be raised further by the addition of four rubber feet 21. If it is not necessary to raise the floor the accelerator pedal base plate 23 can be removed and attached directly to the existing floor by the self tapping screws or other means.

All the above fittings can be fitted and removed in a few minutes. The vehicle can therefore be used by drivers of differing sizes. Where a raised floor is fitted it is only necessary to slacken the set bolt 27 and remove the whole assembly intact. Where it is attached to the existing floor it can if desired be folded down out of the way of the existing accelerator to avoid complete removal.

The brake and clutch extensions can be removed in seconds by the removal of one nut on each.

Claims

1. Demountable motor vehicle control pedal extensions in which the clutch and brake pedals are extended by attaching further pedals directly to them in a firm safe manner and whereby the accelerator pedal is extended by fitting a pedal to the floor behind the accelerator by means of a base plate screwed to the floor on which the pedal pivots and movement of the pedal is conveyed to the accelerator by means of a connecting rod from the top of the pedal to a clamp secured to the accelerator pedal.

2. As at claim. but with the use of clutch and brake pedal extensions of the type using a crook bolt.

3. As at claim 1. but with the use of clutch and brake pedal extensions of the type using a bolt which passes through the centre of the existing brake pedal.

4. As at claim and 2 but with the addition of a raised adjustable floor to which the accelerator extension is attached.

5. As at claim 1 and 3 but with the addition of a raised adjustable floor to which the accelerator extension is attached

6. A demountable motor vehicle control pedal extension of the type using a crook bolt attached to the clutch pedal only.

7. A demountable motor vehicle control pedal extension of the type using a bolt which passes through the centre of the existing pedal attached to the clutch pedal only.