Patent ID: 7069810
Filing Date: 2006-07-04
Classification: G05G,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An adjustable pedal device to be installed on an automotive vehicle comprising: a support shaft fixedly disposed on a bracket; a pedal including a pivotal member and a pedal member, said pivotal member being supported by said support shaft such that said pivotal member is pivotable about said support shaft, said pedal member being disposed movably relative to said pivotal member to a selected one of a plurality of relative positions and having at a lower end thereof an operating portion at which said pedal member is operated so that said pedal member and said pivotal member are pivoted together about said support shaft; and a return spring interposed between said bracket and said pedal member and biasing said pedal member so as to pivot said pedal about said support shaft in a first direction toward a non-operated position of said pedal, said return spring producing a force of resistance to a pivotal motion of said pedal in a second direction away from said non-operated position when said pedal is operated at said operating portion, and wherein said return spring is fixed at opposite fixing end portions to said bracket and said pedal member, respectively, positions of said opposite fixing end portions of said return spring relative to said bracket and said pedal member being determined such that a length of a moment arm produced by said return spring to bias said pedal in said first direction increases with an increase of a lever length of said pedal as a result of a movement of said pedal member relative to said pivotal member, to change said non-operated position of said pedal in a longitudinal direction of the automotive vehicle, whereby an amount of change of said force of resistance as a result of a change of said non-operated position in said longitudinal direction is reduced, said lever length being a distance between an axis of said support shaft and said operating portion of said pedal member, wherein said length of the moment arm changes with a movement of the fixing end portion of said return spring fixed to said pedal member, in said longitudinal direction of the automotive vehicle as said pedal member is moved relative to said pivotal member to change said non-operated position of said pedal.