Abstract:
An adjustable auxiliary brake control system for an educational driving vehicle with a main brake and a driver seat comprises an auxiliary brake assembly, a connecting frame, a supporting structure and a brake cable. The system attains strong and reliable support from a driver-seat-bracket to achieve auxiliary brake control from the passenger compartment through the brake cable. The system is easy to install and uninstall, universally fits to variable vehicle models, and has a non-damaging installation process.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Applications Ser. No. 61,812,997, filed on Apr. 17, 2013 (Adjustable Auxiliary Brake Control System), and 61,828,182, filed on May 29, 2013 (Adjustable Auxiliary Brake Control System). 
     
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH  
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM  
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR 
       [0004]    This application is related to my patent C.N. 203,410,443 U, filed on Aug. 24, 2013, granted on Jan. 29, 2014 (An auxiliary braking device for an automobile), which is incorporated by reference. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention relates to an auxiliary brake control system for educational driving vehicles. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    People learn driving skills mainly from driving schools, which provide vehicles equipped with dual brake systems. An alternative way is to drive a non-driving-school vehicle under the supervision of any qualified individual. However, non-driving-school-vehicles are rarely installed with dual brake systems, which are either costly or complicated. Therefore, it is not a safe practice to drive such a vehicle without a dual brake system. 
         [0007]    In the past decades, many approaches have been suggested to provide dual brake systems. Nevertheless, several disadvantages exist in earlier prior arts, which include: inability of being mounted in variable vehicle models, complexity of installation and structural damage. 
         [0008]    One approach utilizes elongated rods, cables or the like, which are built on floor-mounted brackets either in the driver or passenger compartment. The mechanisms of such dual brake systems could be reflected in prior inventions by way of examples in U.S. Pat. No. 2,710,547 (A. F. Davenport, Jun. 14, 1955), U.S. Pat. No. 3,174,359 (J. I. Rose, Mar. 23, 1965), U.S. Pat. No. 3,943,795 (F. T. Kenney, Mar. 16, 1976) and in S.E. Pat. No. 503,019 (R. Magnusson, et al, Feb. 26, 1996). Though these devices might be effective, one apparent drawback would not be welcomed by customers. To mount the brackets, the floor board must be drilled through or welded, which can cause structural damage to the vehicle. 
         [0009]    To avoid structural damage to vehicles, some inventors propose frames or brackets to support the braking apparatus without drilling or welding. For example, I. J. Ehrenberg, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,599,376 (published on Jun. 3, 1952), places a series of supporting brackets on the floor board in the passenger compartment. E. B. Holum, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,720,121 (published on Oct. 11 1955), secures two jacks to the floor board and the lower edge of a dashboard. Similarly, Z. V. Barresi, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,312,246 (published on Jan. 26, 1982), discloses a system by placing supporting structures under the dashboard in the passenger compartment. These prior arts include some elongated control parts installed transversely under the dashboard, which are hardly compatible with present day vehicles. 
         [0010]    A further attempt to avoid structural damage to vehicles is disclosed by Z. Feng, in an auxiliary brake control system in U.S. Pat. No. 7,207,238 (published on Apr. 24, 2007). Nevertheless, several disadvantages are apparent in the prior art. Firstly, one of the vital supporting structures in the system is deeply mounted on a bracket at the base of a brake master cylinder under the dashboard. There is great technical difficulty in installing such a device well below the dashboard. Secondly, the prior art entirely relies on a “typical” bracket of the cylinder to establish a support. In fact, the structure of the cylinder can be varied from model to model, and some vehicles do not have a “typical” supporting bracket suitable for the system to be mounted on. Therefore, the system would not be universally fitted to different vehicle models. More importantly, to help the brake arm return to its normal rest position, a compression spring is placed under the brake arm. The compression spring will increase the resistance of the normal brake, as a result, it would impair the brake function. 
         [0011]    In recent years, J. Liu and Y. Liu in CN Pat No. 201,597,587 (published on Oct. 6, 2010), develop an easy-to-install hydraulic device to attain brake control. There are some disadvantages in the device. The main drawback is oil leakage, which can cause mechanical failure. Meanwhile, the apparatus, placed high above the floor board of the driver compartment, will be an inconvenience to a driver when getting in and out of the vehicle. 
         [0012]    Some other easy-to-install devices have been invented, which can be revealed by way of examples in CN Pat. No. 201,254,171 (C, Xu, Jun. 10, 2009), and CN Pat. No. 201,494,423 (Sh, Shi, Jun. 2, 2010). Nevertheless, the supporting brackets of these devices are insecurely placed on the floor board in the driver compartment and against the front surface of the driver seat; displacement could occur and result in mechanical failure as well. It would be a risk to use such a device which lacks a secured and reliable support. 
         [0013]    Establishing a supporting point is a fundamental step in constructing an auxiliary brake control system. The approaches in prior arts to establish a supporting point have disadvantages aforementioned. To design an ideal auxiliary brake control device for an educational driving vehicle, the drawbacks of the prior arts must be overcome. 
         [0014]    Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide the advantages of an auxiliary brake control system which can be widely adapted to different vehicle models. 
         [0015]    Another object of the present invention is to provide the advantages of an auxiliary brake control system which is easy to install and uninstall. 
         [0016]    Another object of the present invention is to provide the advantages of a securely installed device. 
         [0017]    A further object of the present invention is to provide such a system without any structural damage to vehicles for installation. 
         [0018]    In the present art, the main parts involved in this device include: a piece of brake cable, an adjustable connecting frame, an unique designed adjustable supporting structure, and an auxiliary brake assembly. 
         [0019]    The supporting structure of the device is attached to a driver-seat-bracket, which is an essential component to anchor the driver seat on the floor board of a vehicle and is in an easy-reach position. The present art has the advantages of providing strong and reliable support, being easy to install and uninstall, and having a non-damaging installation process. The adjustable designs make it possible for the system to be a universal brake assisting device for variable vehicle models. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    A primary object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable auxiliary brake control system for an educational driving vehicle, which is easy to install without a structurally damaging process. 
         [0021]    The adjustable auxiliary brake control system in the present invention comprises an auxiliary brake assembly, a connecting frame, an adjustable supporting structure, and a brake cable. 
         [0022]    In accordance with one embodiment, the auxiliary brake assembly includes a base, and an auxiliary brake pedal pivotably attached the base. 
         [0023]    In accordance with one specific embodiment of the invention, the connecting frame is mounted on the main brake as a linkage between the main brake and the auxiliary brake assembly. The connecting frame also serves as a transverse extension of the main brake on the left, such that the supporting structure can be placed left to the main brake along a floor board of the vehicle to avoid disturbance to a driver. 
         [0024]    In accordance with one specific aspect of the invention, the supporting structure is installed on a driver-seat-bracket of the vehicle to support brake force from the auxiliary brake assembly. The supporting structure comprises: a front bracket, an intermediate bracket, and a rear bracket. The intermediate bracket connects the front and rear brackets and adjusts the length of the supporting structure, such that the auxiliary brake control system can be adapted to different vehicle models. The rear bracket is mounted on the driver-seat-bracket, whereby the supporting structure can be adapted to any vehicle having the driver-seat-bracket mounted on the floor board directly. 
         [0025]    Viewed from another aspect and in accordance with a particular embodiment of the invention, the rear bracket can also be mounted on the driver-seat-bracket through a connecting bracket, such that the supporting structure can be adapted to any vehicle with the driver-seat-bracket mounted on the floor board indirectly through a frame. 
         [0026]    In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the auxiliary brake assembly controls the main brake from the passenger compartment through the brake cable. The brake cable includes an outer sheath and an inner cable. A first end of the outer sheath is connected to the supporting structure, and a second end of the outer sheath is connected to the base. Meanwhile, the inner cable slides within the outer sheath with a first end secured to the connecting frame, and a second end secured to the auxiliary brake pedal, whereby when the auxiliary brake pedal is depressed followed by a movement of the inner cable, the brake force will be applied on the main brake such that the main brake is pulled downwardly to fulfill a brake action. 
         [0027]    In a particularly advantageous aspect of the invention, the second end of the inner cable is surrounded by an extension spring, whereby the spring will maintain the auxiliary brake pedal in a rest position when the auxiliary brake pedal is not depressed, and will help the inner cable return into the outer sheath such that the auxiliary brake pedal and the main brake will return to rest positions without delay when the depressed auxiliary brake pedal is released. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an auxiliary brake control system. 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a commercially available brake cable. 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a supporting structure. 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a supporting structure. 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a supporting structure. 
           [0033]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a supporting structure. 
           [0034]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a supporting structure. 
           [0035]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a supporting structure. 
           [0036]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of a supporting structure. 
           [0037]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  are perspective views of a first embodiment of a connecting frame. 
           [0038]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a connecting frame. 
           [0039]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an association of a main brake, a connecting frame, a brake cable, and a supporting structure. 
           [0040]      FIGS. 13A to 13C  are perspective views of an auxiliary brake assembly. 
           [0000]    
         
           
                 
               
                 
                 
                 
               
             
                 
                     
                 
                 
                   REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS 
                 
                 
                     
                 
               
               
                 
                     
                 
               
            
             
                 
                     
                   10 
                   floor board 
                 
                 
                     
                   12 
                   driver-seat-bracket 
                 
                 
                     
                   14 
                   bolt 
                 
                 
                     
                   16 
                   auxiliary brake assembly 
                 
                 
                     
                   18 
                   main brake 
                 
                 
                     
                   20 
                   connecting frame 
                 
                 
                     
                   22 
                   supporting structure 
                 
                 
                     
                   24 
                   brake cable 
                 
                 
                     
                   26 
                   base 
                 
                 
                     
                   28 
                   auxiliary brake pedal 
                 
                 
                     
                   30 
                   inner cable 
                 
                 
                     
                   32 
                   outer sheath 
                 
                 
                     
                   34a 
                   first threaded tube 
                 
                 
                     
                   34b 
                   second threaded tube 
                 
                 
                     
                   36 
                   front bracket 
                 
                 
                     
                   38 
                   intermediate bracket 
                 
                 
                     
                   40 
                   rear bracket 
                 
                 
                     
                   42 
                   hole 
                 
                 
                     
                   44 
                   hole 
                 
                 
                     
                   46 
                   fixed pulley 
                 
                 
                     
                   48 
                   bored plate 
                 
                 
                     
                   50 
                   first bolt 
                 
                 
                     
                   52 
                   second bolt 
                 
                 
                     
                   54a 
                   nut 
                 
                 
                     
                   54b 
                   nut 
                 
                 
                     
                   56 
                   slot 
                 
                 
                     
                   58 
                   frame 
                 
                 
                     
                   60 
                   connecting bracket 
                 
                 
                     
                   62 
                   hole 
                 
                 
                     
                   64 
                   bolt 
                 
                 
                     
                   66 
                   slot 
                 
                 
                     
                   68 
                   bolt 
                 
                 
                     
                   70a 
                   first plate 
                 
                 
                     
                   70b 
                   second plate 
                 
                 
                     
                   72 
                   first bolt 
                 
                 
                     
                   74 
                   second bolt 
                 
                 
                     
                   76a 
                   slot 
                 
                 
                     
                   76b 
                   slot 
                 
                 
                     
                   78 
                   mounting hole 
                 
                 
                     
                   80a 
                   nut 
                 
                 
                     
                   80b 
                   nut 
                 
                 
                     
                   82a 
                   supporting frame 
                 
                 
                     
                   82b 
                   supporting frame 
                 
                 
                     
                   84a 
                   hole 
                 
                 
                     
                   84b 
                   hole 
                 
                 
                     
                   86 
                   bored plate 
                 
                 
                     
                   88 
                   angled brake arm 
                 
                 
                     
                   90 
                   pivot 
                 
                 
                     
                   92a 
                   nut 
                 
                 
                     
                   92b 
                   nut 
                 
                 
                     
                   94 
                   extension spring 
                 
                 
                     
                   96 
                   hole 
                 
                 
                     
                     
                 
               
            
           
         
       
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0041]    Before explaining at least one embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown, since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0042]    It will be illustrated that the auxiliary brake control system is mainly applied to a braking system. With the same spirit of art, the system may as well be applied to clutching systems and accelerating systems involving controls by pedals. 
         [0043]      FIG. 1  is an overall view of a first embodiment of an adjustable auxiliary brake control system. As in a conventional vehicle, there is a driver seat (not shown) anchored to a floor board  10  directly through a driver-seat-bracket  12  by a bolt  14  in each corner. In this embodiment, the auxiliary brake control system comprises: an auxiliary brake assembly  16  to control a main brake  18  of the vehicle from the passenger compartment; a connecting frame  20  installed on an arm of the main brake  18 ; a supporting structure  22  mounted on the driver-seat-bracket  12  on the left; and a brake cable  24  to link the brake assembly  16  and the main brake  18 . The auxiliary brake assembly  16  includes: a base  26  and an auxiliary brake pedal  28 . The brake cable  24  includes: an inner cable  30  and an outer sheath  32 . A first end of the outer sheath  32  is mounted on the supporting structure  22  with a second end on the base  26 . A first end of the inner cable  30  is attached to the connecting frame  20  with a second end on the brake pedal  28 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 2  shows the brake cable  24  which is a commercially available Bowden cable. The first and second ends of the outer sheath  32  include a first and a second threaded tubes  34   a  and  34   b  respectively. The inner cable  30  extends past the outer sheath  32  on both ends, and slides smoothly along a cable housing (not shown) within the outer sheath  32 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 3  illustrates a first embodiment of the supporting structure  22 , which includes: a front bracket  36 , an intermediate bracket  38  and a rear bracket  40 . In this embodiment, the rear bracket  40  is a left-turning bracket with an extended part on its left end. To install the supporting structure  22  on the driver-seat-bracket  12 , the bolt  14  has to be removed from a hole  42  through the driver-seat-bracket  12  and the floor board  10 . The rear bracket  40  will be mounted on the driver-seat-bracket  12  on the left side by the bolt  14  through a hole  44  in the extended part and the hole  42 . 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the front bracket  36  is bent upwardly to be adapted to an inclined floor board (not shown). The front bracket  36  includes a fixed pulley  46 , a bored plate  48  and a first bolt  50  attached to its front, medial and rear portion respectively. The rear bracket  40  includes a second bolt  52  on its front portion. The intermediate bracket  38  will connect the brackets  36  and  40  by the first bolt  50  and the second bolt  52  with nuts  54   a  and  54   b  through a slot  56  in the bracket  38 . The intermediate bracket  38  will adjust the length of the supporting structure  22 . 
         [0047]    As the position of the driver-seat-bracket  12  may be varied in different vehicle models, and the supporting structure  22  can be mounted on the driver-seat-bracket  12  on the left or the right, several variations of the supporting structure  22  are possible. 
         [0048]      FIG. 4  is a second embodiment of the supporting structure  22 . In this embodiment, the rear bracket  40  is a right-turning bracket, which will be mounted on the driver-seat-bracket  12  on the right. 
         [0049]      FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  7  and  8  disclose solutions for any vehicle with a driver seat anchored to the floor board  10  indirectly through a frame  58 . 
         [0050]    Accordingly,  FIG. 5  is a third embodiment of the supporting structure  22 . In this embodiment, a connecting bracket  60  with a hole  62  in its top piece and a bolt  64  on its bottom piece will connect the brackets  40  and  12  on the left. Through the connecting bracket  60 , the supporting structure  22  will be kept on the floor board  10 . Similarly,  FIG. 6  discloses a fourth embodiment of the supporting structure  22 . In this embodiment, the rear bracket  40  is a right-turning bracket. Through the connecting bracket  60 , the brackets  40  and  12  will be joined together on the right. 
         [0051]      FIG. 7  is a fifth embodiment of the supporting structure  22 . In this embodiment, the rear bracket  40  is a left-turning bracket with a slot  66  in its upward rear piece. The connecting bracket  60  is a modified form with a bolt  68  on its vertical piece. Through the bolt  68  and the hole  62 , the brackets  40  and  12  will be joined together by the connecting bracket  60  on the left. Comparatively,  FIG. 8  displaces a sixth embodiment of the supporting structure  22 . In this embodiment, the rear bracket  40  is a right-turning bracket. Through the connecting bracket  60 , the brackets  40  and  12  will be joined together on the right. 
         [0052]      FIG. 9  is an additional embodiment of the supporting structure  22 . In this embodiment, the three brackets  36 ,  38  and  40  or the modified forms aforementioned are integrated into a whole piece. 
         [0053]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate the connecting frame  20  on the main brake  18 , which includes: a first plate  70   a , a second plate  70   b , a first bolt  72  and a second bolt  74 . The bolts  72  and  74  go through a slot  76   a  in the plate  70   a  and a slot  76   b  in the plate  70   b  to form the connecting frame  20  ( FIG. 10A ). The connecting frame  20  rides on the arm of the main brake  18  with the bolts  72  and  74  being placed above and under the arm respectively. The bolts  72  and  74  are adjusted and fastened by nuts, such that the connecting frame  20  can be an integrated part of the main brake  18  and the bolt  72  can be a transverse extension of the main brake  18  on the left ( FIG. 10  B). The bolt  72  has a mounting hole  78  in its left end, through which one end of the inner cable  30  will be attached to the bolt  72 . The connecting frame  20  will serve as a linkage between the main brake  18  and the auxiliary brake control system. The slidable feature of the bolts and slots makes the connecting frame  20  adaptable to variable types of the main brake  18  in different vehicle models. 
         [0054]      FIG. 11  shows a second embodiment of the main brake connecting frame  20 . In this embodiment, the position of the bolts  72  and  74  is reversed such that the inner cable  30  will be attached to the bolt  72  under the main brake  18 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 12  is the association of the main brake  18 , the mounting frame  20 , the brake cable  24 , and the supporting structure  22 . The first end of the inner cable  30  travels under the pulley  46 , then it is attached to the bolt  72  through the hole  78 . The threaded tube  34   a  of the brake cable  24  is secured to the bored plate  48  with nuts  80   a  and  80   b.    
         [0056]      FIGS. 13A , B and C illustrate the auxiliary brake assembly  16 . In  FIG. 13A , the brake assembly  16  includes at least one and preferably two supporting frames  82   a  and  82   b  on a front portion of the base  26 . The frames  82   a  and  82   b  have a hole  84   a  and a hole  84   b  on the top respectively. A bored plate  86  is attached to the base  26  rear to the frames  82   a  and  82   b.    
         [0057]    In  FIG. 13B , the auxiliary brake pedal  28  includes an angled brake arm  88  with a pedal portion attached to a rear end of the arm  88 , and a pivot  90  attached to the corner of the arm  88 . 
         [0058]    Referring to the  FIG. 13C , the pivot  90  is mounted on at least one preferably two of the frames  82   a  and  82   b  through the holes  84   a  and  84   b . The threaded tube  34   b  of the brake cable  24  is secured to the bored plate  86  with nuts  92   a  and  92   b . The other end of the inner cable  30  is threaded through coils of an extension spring  94 , and then secured to a lower end of the arm  88  through a hole  96 . A front end of the spring  94  is hooked on the lower end of the arm  88  through the hole  96  with a rear end hooked on the bored plate  86 . At present I contemplate the use of the lower end of the arm  88  and the bored plate  86  for securing both ends of the spring  94 , however other structures such as the inner cable  30 , the threaded tube  34   b , etc. are also suitable. The spring  94  will maintain the auxiliary brake pedal  28  in its original position when the pedal  28  is not depressed, and will help the depressed pedal  28  and the main brake  18  return to their original position when the pedal  28  is released. 
       Operation 
       [0059]    It should be understood that a strong support must be established for an auxiliary brake control system to be effective. In present art, a driver-seat-bracket, a conventional component of a vehicle, is an ideal structure to establish a steady and reliable support without drilling or welding. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the supporting structure  22  is securely installed on the driver-seat-bracket  12 . 
         [0060]    In operation, the mechanism of the auxiliary brake control system can be illustrated by the auxiliary brake assembly  16 , which mimics motions of the main brake  18 : with an action of depressing the auxiliary brake pedal  28 , a full stop or speed reduction of a vehicle will be made. As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  12  and  13 , when the pedal  28  is depressed, it pulls the inner cable  30  on the auxiliary brake pedal  28  forwardly and a brake force is transmitted along the cable housing of the brake cable  24 . The pulley  46  converts the brake force on the main brake  18  downwardly and forwardly, which is loaded on the supporting structure  22 . Accordingly, the main brake  18  is pulled downwardly and a full or partial brake is achieved. The metallic constitution of the supporting structure  22  has the ability to withstand the brake force without horizontal displacement; though minimal vertical displacement might occur, it will not affect the function of the auxiliary brake control system. When the auxiliary brake pedal  28  is released, the main brake  18  will return to its rest position promptly with the help of the spring  94  and an internal brake spring of a vehicle. 
       Advantages 
       [0061]    From the description above, a number of advantages of the adjustable auxiliary brake control system become evident. 
         [0062]    One of the advantages of the present art is that it is easy to install and uninstall the auxiliary brake control system. 
         [0063]    Another advantage of the present art is that no drilling or welding is required for the installation. 
         [0064]    In addition, the supporting structure mounted on a driver-seat-bracket provides a strong and reliable support. 
         [0065]    A further advantage is that the auxiliary brake control system can be universally fitted to different vehicle models. The adjustable supporting structure makes it feasible for the system to be installed in variable vehicle models. 
         [0066]    Moreover, the extension spring helps the main brake return to its rest position without delay. One end of the inner cable is threaded through the spring coils. The spring coils serve as a guiding tube and help the bendable inner cable return to the cable housing; accordingly, the main brake can bounce back promptly when the auxiliary brake pedal is released. 
       CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATION, AND SCOPE 
       [0067]    The present invention can be applied to a braking system. With the same principle, the present invention can also be applied to a clutch system and an accelerator system of a vehicle. 
         [0068]    While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope, but rather as an exemplification of the presently preferred embodiments thereof. Many other ramifications and variations are possible within the teachings of the various embodiments. For example, the extension spring can be replaced by a torsion spring, which will be placed around one side of the pivot with one end of the torsion spring attaching to the angled brake arm and the other end to one of the supporting frames. 
         [0069]    Thus, the scope should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by appended claims and their legal equivalents. 
         [0070]    It is concluded that the auxiliary brake control system controls the main brake by an instructor in the passenger compartment. The auxiliary brake control system has advantages: the device is easy to install and uninstall, there is no permanent structural alteration for installation and the system can be universally fitted to different vehicle models. The arrangement of the extension spring helps the main brake return to its rest position without delay when the auxiliary brake pedal is released.