Patent ID: 6182525
Filing Date: 2001-02-06
Classification: B60K,B60R,B60T,G05G,Y10T

Abstract:
An apparatus for helping to reduce injury to a lower extremity of a driver of a vehicle in the event of a vehicle collision, said apparatus comprising:at least one pedal having an operative condition in which said pedal is engageable by a foot of the driver to control a vehicle operation, said pedal having an inoperative condition in which said pedal is not engageable by the foot of the driver to control a vehicle operation;means for moving said pedal from said operative condition to said inoperative condition;at least one collision sensor for transmitting an electrical output signal in the event of an impending vehicle collision;an electronic controller for receiving said output signal from said collision sensor and actuating said means for moving said pedal; anda pivotable link having a first end and a second end and being pivotable about a pivot axis;said pedal being attached to said first end of said pivotable link, said means for moving said pedal being attached to said second end of said pivotable link;upon actuation said means for moving said pedal acting upon said second end of said pivotable link to cause said first end of said pivotable link to pivot about said pivot axis and move said pedal into said inoperative condition.