Vehicle push rod and pedal assembly

A push rod and pedal assembly includes a pedal pivotally mounted on a vehicle for movement in a generally longitudinal direction and a socket portion mounted on the pedal and movable with the pedal. The socket portion preferably has an opening facing in a generally forward longitudinal direction. The push rod and pedal assembly further includes a longitudinally oriented push rod having a push rod end being alignable generally forward of the socket portion and insertable within the socket portion upon forward longitudinal movement of the pedal. Thus, the push rod end becomes coupled to the socket portion of the pedal upon the application of forward longitudinal movement to the pedal, such as by a foot of an assembler. Preferably, a retainer is mounted on the push rod end and the retainer and push rod end are insertable within the socket portion of the pedal by snap-fitted connection upon forward longitudinal movement of the pedal.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
This invention relates to a push rod and pedal assembly in a vehicle, and 
more particularly to a push rod and pedal assembly which permits easy 
assembly and disassembly. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
It is well known in the prior art to provide a vehicle including a foot 
pedal assembly which is mounted to a lower dash portion of the vehicle 
forward of a vehicle driver. The pedal is typically pivotally mounted to 
the vehicle for operation by the foot of a vehicle driver. The pedal is 
typically connected to a mechanically or hydraulically operated mechanism 
such as a clutch mechanism or a brake mechanism. To accomplish actuation 
of the mechanism which is hydraulically operated, the pedal is fastened to 
a push rod which in turn is operatively connected to a master cylinder for 
hydraulic operation of the clutch or brake mechanism. The push rod is 
typically attached to the pedal at the vehicle assembly location by the 
use of one or more mechanical fasteners. Attachment of the pedal to the 
push rod can be cumbersome since the components are connected together 
beneath the instrument panel where access for assembly is limited. 
Accordingly, access space for disassembly and servicing of the push rod 
and pedal assembly in the vehicle is also limited due to the packaging 
location. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
This invention provides an improved push rod and pedal assembly which 
offers advantages and alternatives over the prior art. The push rod and 
pedal assembly provides for ease of assembly of the pedal to other vehicle 
components, such as a push rod for a master cylinder. The push rod and 
pedal assembly provides for ease of assembly and disassembly by 
snap-fitted attachment without the use of traditional mechanical 
fasteners. Advantageously, the directional orientation and movement of the 
pedal enables easy attachment of the pedal to the push rod without an 
operator having to manually reach down underneath the pedal. 
These advantages and alternatives are accomplished by providing a push rod 
and pedal assembly including a pedal pivotally mounted on the vehicle for 
movement in a generally longitudinal direction and a socket portion 
mounted on the pedal and movable with the pedal. The socket portion 
preferably has an opening facing in a generally forward longitudinal 
direction. The push rod and pedal assembly further includes a 
longitudinally oriented push rod having a push rod end being alignable 
generally forward of the socket portion and insertable within the socket 
portion upon forward longitudinal movement of the pedal. Thus, the push 
rod end becomes coupled to the socket portion of the pedal upon the 
application of forward longitudinal movement to the pedal, such as by a 
foot of an assembler. Preferably, a retainer is mounted on the push rod 
end and the retainer and push rod end are insertable within the socket 
portion of the pedal by snap-fitted connection upon forward longitudinal 
movement of the pedal. Preferably, the push rod end is rotatable relative 
to the retainer and socket portion. 
According to other preferred aspects of the invention, the retainer 
includes at least one resilient deflectable leg portion including an 
annular shoulder portion thereon for snap-fitted engagement with the 
socket portion. In addition, the socket portion includes a collar portion 
having a rear face for snap-fitted engagement with the annular shoulder 
portion of the retainer to axially retain the retainer and push rod end in 
the socket portion. Also preferably, the push rod and pedal assembly 
includes a circumferentially deflectable removal ring surrounding the leg 
portions of the retainer and the removal ring is circumferentially 
compressible for compressing the leg portions to enable removal of the 
retainer and push rod end from the socket portion. The socket portion of 
the pedal may include a conical surface sized and shaped for receiving the 
push rod end thereon. 
The invention also further provides a method of easily assembling a pedal 
pivotally mounted on a vehicle to a push rod end of a master cylinder. The 
pedal is movable in a generally longitudinal direction and includes a 
socket portion including an opening facing in a generally longitudinal 
direction. The vehicle includes a push rod having a push rod end. The push 
rod is attached to the vehicle such that the push rod end loosely engages 
the socket portion and lifts the pedal to an uncoupled position in which 
the push rod end is located generally outside the socket portion of the 
pedal. Next, the pedal is easily pressed, such as by a foot of an 
assembler, to move the pedal in a generally longitudinal direction towards 
the push rod end such that the push rod end is snapped into the socket 
portion to complete the assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
A vehicle includes a push rod and pedal assembly, generally designated as 
10. The push rod and pedal assembly 10 is mounted to the vehicle forward 
of a vehicle driver (not shown) at a location under the instrument panel 
(not shown) at the lower dash panel 11. The push rod and pedal assembly 10 
is operable by application and release of pressure from the driver's foot 
on a foot contact portion 32 of the pedal 30. The push rod and pedal 
assembly 10 as shown is preferably a clutch pedal assembly 10, however, it 
will be appreciated that the assembly 10 could alternately be any type of 
push rod and pedal assembly, such as for a brake pedal. The clutch push 
rod and pedal assembly 10 is particularly useful in vehicles having manual 
transmissions for disengaging a clutch mechanism (not shown) when changing 
gears. 
The push rod and pedal assembly 10 is preferably hydraulically operated and 
includes a clutch master cylinder assembly 20 including a forwardmost 
clutch master cylinder 12 connected to a neutral start and cruise switch 
14 which in turn is connected to a shaft portion 18 of a clutch master 
cylinder push rod 16 preferably positioned rearward of the switch 14. The 
push rod 16 has a rearwardmost push rod end 17 connected to the pedal 30, 
as described hereinafter in detail. The push rod 16 is preferably made of 
a sturdy, rigid material, such as metal or plastic. The push rod end 17 
preferably has a generally spherical shape for permitting rotational 
movement of the pedal 30 relative to the push rod end 17. During normal 
vehicle operation, the pedal 30 is pivoted downward and forward along a 
generally longitudinal line of action so that the push rod 16 is moved 
generally forward and provides fluid pressure for disengaging the clutch 
mechanism which is connected to the master cylinder 12 by a fluid line 
(not shown). The push rod and pedal assembly 10 further includes a 
retainer 50 and a removal ring 52 mounted on the push rod end 17 which 
assist with connection of the push rod end 17 to the pedal 30, as 
described further hereinafter. 
Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the clutch pedal 30 is preferably integrally molded 
from a plastic material. The pedal 30 preferably has a partially hollow 
box-like cross-section with reinforcement ribs such that it provides a 
lightweight, yet sturdy pedal 30. The pedal 30 is pivotally connected to 
the vehicle in any suitable manner. The pedal 30 may be pivotally 
connected to a pedal bracket 28 made of a plastic material. The pedal 30 
pivots about a laterally oriented pivot axis A on the pedal bracket 28. 
The pedal 30 includes the foot contact portion 32 on which a vehicle 
driver applies pressure during operation of the push rod and pedal 
assembly 10. The pedal 30 moves forward and rearward as it pivots about 
the axis A and moves generally along a longitudinal line of motion which 
is generally perpendicular to the pivot axis A. The pedal 30 is shown in 
its normal assembled position with the clutch mechanism engaged in phantom 
lines in FIG. 1. To disengage the clutch mechanism for changing gears, the 
pedal 30 is moved forward and downward from the phantom line position by 
the driver's foot. 
As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the pedal 30 includes a socket portion 34 
having an entry hole 36 for receiving the push rod end 17 of the push rod 
16 therein. As best shown in FIG. 1, the entry hole 36 faces generally in 
the forward longitudinal direction and is surrounded by a cone-like 
tapered flange 37 for guiding the push rod end 17 and the retainer 50 into 
the entry hole 36 of the socket portion 34, as described further 
hereinafter. The socket portion 34 is generally sized and shaped for 
receiving the retainer 50 and push rod end 17 therein by snap-fitted 
connection, as described below. 
As best shown in FIG. 4, the socket portion 34 preferably includes a 
vertical forward wall 40 on which the entry hole 36 is positioned and a 
vertical rearward wall 41 spaced behind the forward wall 40. The socket 
portion 34 further includes a reduced diameter collar portion 38 located 
on the forward wall 40 and surrounding the entry hole 36 for closely 
engaging the retainer 50 upon assembly, as described further hereinafter. 
The socket portion 34 also preferably includes a conical surface 39 
located on or near the rearward wall 41 and generally axially aligned with 
the entry hole 36. The conical surface 39 preferably has a mating concave 
shape for rotatably seating the retainer 50 and the push rod end 17 
therein when the push rod 16 and retainer 50 are assembled within the 
socket portion 34 of the pedal 30. It will be appreciated that the pedal 
30 including the socket portion 34 are preferably integrally molded as a 
single component for reduction of parts. 
As best shown in FIG. 2, the retainer 50 is preferably integrally molded 
from a plastic material. The retainer 50 preferably includes a generally 
spherical head portion 54 sized and shaped for closely receiving the push 
rod end 17 therein such that the head portion 54 of the retainer 50 is 
freely rotatable relative to the push rod end 17. As best shown in FIGS. 2 
and 3, the retainer 50 also preferably includes a plurality of resiliently 
deflectable first leg portions 56 and a plurality of resiliently 
deflectable second leg portions 57 extending axially from the head portion 
54. Preferably, the first and second leg portions 56, 57 are alternately 
located about the circumference of the retainer 50 with slots 59 located 
between the first and second leg portions 56, 57. The first and second leg 
portions 56, 57 each terminate in a generally forward direction to form a 
retainer opening 51 through which the push rod end 17 is inserted prior to 
assembly to the pedal 30. The forwardmost ends of the first and second leg 
portions 56, 57 each preferably include a radially outwardly projecting 
lip portion 58 to assist with holding the removal ring 52 on the retainer 
50, as described further hereinafter. 
As best shown in FIG. 2, the first leg portions 56 are preferably wider 
than the second leg portions 57. The first leg portions 56 preferably each 
include an intermediate shoulder portion 60 projecting radially outward 
from the first leg portions 56. As best shown in FIG. 4, the shoulder 
portions 60 enable the first leg portions 56 to be deflected inwardly 
through the entry hole 36 for snap-fitted engagement with a rear face 42 
of the collar portion 38 of the socket portion 34 to hold the retainer 50 
and the push rod end 17 axially within the socket portion 34. The second 
leg portions 57 preferably do not include an outwardly projecting 
intermediate shoulder portion and are normally biased slightly radially 
outward when the removal ring 52 is attached such that the second leg 
portions 57 remain positioned further radially outward from the first leg 
portions 56 upon insertion within the socket portion 34 to provide 
continued retention of the removal ring 52 to the retainer 50 during 
assembly to the pedal 30. 
As best shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the removal ring 52 preferably has a 
generally cylindrical hoop-like wire body 84 which is sized and shaped for 
closely receiving the first and second leg portions 56, 57 therein and for 
normally applying a slight compressive load on the leg portions 56, 57. 
When the removal ring 52 is attached to the retainer 50, the second leg 
portions 57 are preferably slightly outwardly biased against the removal 
ring 52 to hold the removal ring 52 onto the retainer 50 in addition to 
axial retention of the removal ring 52 by the lip portions 58 on the leg 
portions 56, 57. The removal ring 52 further includes first and second end 
tabs 85 which are normally circumferentially spaced apart to provide a 
circumferential gap 86 therebetween when the retainer 50 and push rod end 
17 are in the assembled condition and when the removal ring 52 is in an 
uncompressed condition. The end tabs 85 on the removal ring 52 can be 
circumferentially compressed together to decrease the gap 86 and the 
diameter of the retainer ring 50 and accordingly decrease the diameter of 
the first and second leg portion 56, 57 such that the retainer 50 and push 
rod 16 can be easily removed from the socket portion 34, as described 
further hereinafter. 
The push rod and pedal assembly 10 is easily assembled as follows. The 
pedal 30 is pivotally connected to the vehicle such as at the pedal 
bracket 28 in an appropriate manner. Preferably prior to attachment of the 
push rod 16 to the master cylinder 12 and prior to attachment of the push 
rod end 17 to the pedal 30, the retainer 50 is easily mounted on the push 
rod end 17 simply by inserting the generally spherical push rod end 17 
through the retainer opening 51 such that the push rod end 17 is seated in 
the head portion 54 of the retainer 50. This is enabled by the resilient 
outward radial deflection of the leg portions 56, 57 of the retainer 50. 
It will be appreciated that either prior to or after attachment of the 
retainer 50 to the push rod end 17, the removal ring 52 is attached to the 
retainer 50 by any combination of radial expansion of the resiliently 
deflectable removal ring 52 and radial contraction of the retainer 50 
including the resiliently deflectable first and second leg portions 56, 
57. When the removal ring 52 is assembled to the retainer 50, the second 
leg portions 57 are preferably biased slightly outward against the removal 
ring 52 to hold the removal ring 52 in position on the retainer 50. In 
addition, the removal ring 52 is also seated on the retainer 50 just 
rearward of the lip portions 58 and is axially retained on the retainer 50 
by the lip portions 58. The master cylinder assembly 20 is provided in the 
vehicle including the clutch master cylinder 12, the switch 14, the push 
rod 16 and the retainer 50 and removal ring 52. The push rod 16 is 
inserted through the lower dash panel 11 and mounted to the pedal bracket 
28 or other vehicle structure, such as by a twist-fitted connection or by 
traditional fasteners. 
As best shown in FIG. 1 in solid lines and in FIG. 2, after attachment of 
the master cylinder assembly 20 to the vehicle, including the attachment 
of the push rod end 17 within the retainer 50, the push rod shaft portion 
18 extends forward of the lower dash panel 11 and is in a generally rigid 
condition reacting against the fluids of the hydraulic clutch assembly. In 
addition, the pedal 30 is pivotally connected to the vehicle in an 
appropriate manner. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the push rod 16 lifts the 
pedal 30 to an uncoupled position in which the push rod end 17 is not yet 
inserted into the socket portion 34 of the pedal 30, but is generally 
aligned therewith and loosely held in the cone-like tapered flange 37. It 
will be appreciated that in the uncoupled position, gravity forces the 
cone-like tapered flange 37 of the socket portion 34 towards alignment 
with the push rod end 17. This is facilitated by the fact that the entry 
hole 36 for the socket portion 34 faces in a forwardly direction and is 
generally perpendicular to the pivotal axis of the pedal 30. In addition, 
the socket portion 34 and the entry hole 36 have the same directional 
orientation as the generally longitudinal line of motion of the pedal 30 
and the generally longitudinal line of motion of the push rod 16. 
The pedal 30 can be easily coupled to the push rod to complete the push rod 
and pedal assembly 10 as follows. As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the 
pedal 30 is initially in the uncoupled position as it was lifted by the 
push rod 16 with the head portion 54 of the retainer 50 and the push rod 
end 17 generally captured within the cone-shaped tapered flange 37 by 
gravitational forces. To couple the pedal 30 to the push rod 16 and 
retainer 50, the operator simply pushes on the foot contact portion 32 of 
the pedal 30. This causes the pedal 30 to pivot generally forward and 
downward such that the head portion 54 of the retainer 50 with the push 
rod end 17 therein is guided through the entry hole 36 and past the collar 
portion 38 for snap-fitted connection with the socket portion 34. As the 
retainer 50 is pushed through the entry hole 36, the annular shoulder 
portions 60 on the first leg portions 56 are deflected inwardly as they 
pass through the collar portion 38 past the forward wall 40 and then 
resiliently deflect outward after passing the collar portion 38 for 
snap-fitted engagement therewith. The shoulder portions 60 of the retainer 
50 snap-fittedly engage with the rear face 42 of the collar portion 38 
after the head portion 54 of the retainer 50 and the push rod end 17 pass 
through the collar portion 38. Thus, engagement of the shoulder portions 
60 with the collar portion 38 prevents removal of the retainer 50 and push 
rod end 17 from the socket portion 34 during normal vehicle use. As best 
shown in FIG. 4, the head portion 54 of the retainer 50 also 
simultaneously engages the conical surface 39 of the socket portion 34 as 
the retainer 50 is snap-fit into place behind the collar portion 38. It 
will be appreciated that engagement of the shoulder portions 60 with the 
collar portion 38 holds the retainer 50 and also the push rod end 17 in 
connection with the socket portion 34 of the pedal 30. Advantageously, as 
the retainer 50 is pushed through the collar portion 38, the second leg 
portions 57 which do not have an annular shoulder portion remain biased 
radially outward for continuous retention of the removal ring 52 on the 
retainer 50. In addition, the lip portions 58 axially retain the removal 
ring 52 on the retainer 50 during normal vehicle use. 
Referring to FIG. 4, it is seen that in the fully assembled condition, the 
push rod end 17 is coupled to the pedal 30 via snap-fitted connection of 
the retainer 50 with the socket portion 34 of the pedal 30. FIG. 1 shows 
the pedal 30 in the coupled position in phantom lines. It will be 
appreciated that while pressing the pedal 30 during normal operation to 
engage and disengage the clutch master cylinder assembly 20, the retainer 
50 and the socket portion 34 are free to rotate relative to the push rod 
end 17 as the pedal 30 is pivoted as best shown in FIG. 4. In this manner, 
the push rod 16 is moved in a longitudinal direction by the pedal 30 which 
is rotated about the pivot axis A. This is further accomplished by the 
push rod 16 having a generally longitudinal line of motion and by the 
socket portion 34 having a generally forward facing entry hole 36 which is 
generally perpendicular to the pivot axis A. 
The push rod end 17 is easily disassembled from the socket portion 34 of 
the pedal 30 as follows. The end tabs 85 of the removal ring 52 can be 
squeezed together to reduce the circumferential gap 86 between them such 
that diameter of the first and second leg portions 56, 57 are 
simultaneously reduced enough for removal of the annular shoulder portions 
60 out through the entry hole 36 of the collar portion 38. Then the 
retainer 50 and push rod end 17 can be easily axially removed from the 
socket portion 34. 
It will be understood that a person skilled in the art may make 
modifications to the preferred embodiment shown herein within the scope 
and intent of the claims. For example, although the socket portion 34 is 
shown integrally formed with the pedal 30, the socket portion 34 could 
also be attached to the pedal 30. It will further be appreciated that the 
socket portion 34 and the push rod 16 could be positioned directly forward 
of the pedal 30 or slightly laterally offset from the pedal 30 while still 
utilizing the same advantageous assembly technique. It will further be 
appreciated that the socket portion 34 could have any shape that is 
complementary for holding the retainer 50 and push rod end 17 therein. 
As another example, FIGS. 5 and 6 shown an alternate embodiment of the 
invention which is similar to that of FIGS. 1 through 4, but has a removal 
ring 52' which is integral with the retainer 50'. Similar components are 
denoted with similar numerals having a prime added. 
As best shown in FIG. 5, the retainer 50' includes a head portion 54' and a 
plurality of leg portions 56' extending axially from the head portion 54'. 
The leg portions 56' are resiliently deflectable and are integrally molded 
with retainer 50' from a plastic material. Each of the leg portions 56' is 
generally of equal width and each includes an annular shoulder portion 60' 
projecting radially outward from an intermediate section of the leg 
portions 56'. The removal ring 52' is also integrally molded onto one of 
the forward ends of the leg portions 56'. The leg portions 56' and the 
removal ring 52' cooperatively form a retainer opening 51' through which 
the push rod end 17' of the push rod 16' is inserted. Since the removal 
ring 52' is integrally molded with the retainer 50', the removal ring 52' 
remains attached to the retainer 50' during assembly. The removal ring 52' 
further includes first and second end tabs 85' which are normally 
circumferentially spaced apart to provide a circumferential gap 86' 
therebetween when the retainer 50' and push rod end 17' are in the 
assembled condition. The end tabs 85' on the removal ring 82' can be 
circumferentially compressed together to decrease the gap 86' and the 
diameter of the retainer ring 50' and accordingly decrease the diameter of 
the leg portions 56' such that the retainer 50' and push rod end 17' can 
be easily removed from the socket portion 34' of the pedal 30', as 
described further hereinafter. 
As best shown in FIG. 6, the retainer 50' and removal ring 52' are easily 
mounted on the push rod end 17' simply by inserting the generally 
spherical push rod end 17' through the retainer opening 51' such that the 
push rod end 17' is seated in the head portion 54' of the retainer 50'. In 
the assembled condition, the retainer 50' and socket portion 34' are 
rotatable relative to the push rod end 17'. 
The pedal 30' can be easily coupled to the push rod end 17' as follows. As 
described with respect to FIG. 1, to couple the pedal 30' to the push rod 
end 17' and retainer 50', the assembler simply pushes on the foot contact 
portion 32' of the pedal 30'. This causes the pedal 30' to pivot generally 
forward and downward such that the head portion 54' of the retainer 50' 
with the push rod end 17' therein is guided by the tapered flange 37' into 
the entry hole 36' and past the collar portion 38' into the socket portion 
34' for snap-fitted connection therewith. As the retainer 50' is pushed 
through the entry hole 36', the annular shoulder portions 60' on each of 
the leg portion 56' are deflected radially inward as they pass through the 
collar portion 38' and then resiliently deflect radially outward after 
passing the collar portion 38' for snap-fitted engagement with the collar 
portion 38'. As best shown in FIG. 6, the shoulder portions 60' of the 
retainer 50' snap-fittedly engage with the rear face 42' of the collar 
portion 38' after the head portion 54' of the retainer 50' and the push 
rod end 17' pass through the collar portion 38'. Thus, engagement of the 
shoulder portions 60' with the collar portion 38' prevents removal of the 
retainer 50' and push rod end 17' from the socket portion 34' during 
normal vehicle use. As best shown in FIG. 6, the head portion 54' of the 
retainer 50' also simultaneously engages the conical surface 39' of the 
socket portion 34' as the retainer 50' is snap-fit into place behind the 
collar portion 38'. 
Referring to FIG. 6, it is seen that in the fully assembled condition, the 
push rod end 17' is coupled to the pedal 30' via snap-fitted connection of 
the retainer 50' with the socket portion 34' of the pedal 30'. The push 
rod end 17' is easily disassembled from the pedal 30' as follows. The end 
tabs 85' of the removal ring 52' can be squeezed together to reduce the 
circumferential gap 86' between them such that diameter of the leg 
portions 56' are reduced sufficiently for removal of the annular shoulder 
portions 60' back out through the entry hole 36' of the collar portion 
38'. 
As another example, FIG. 7 shows yet another embodiment of the invention in 
which the removal ring is eliminated and in which the retainer 150 is 
changed. Similar features are denoted by similar numerals plus 100 added 
and have a similar description with any variations noted below or in FIG. 
7. 
The pedal 130 and socket portion 134 are similar to those described above. 
The pedal 130 includes a socket portion 134 having an entry hole 136 for 
receiving the push rod end 117 of the push rod 116 therein. The socket 
portion 134 preferably includes a vertical forward wall 140 on which the 
entry hole 136 is positioned and a vertical rearward wall 141 spaced 
behind the forward wall 140. The socket portion 134 further includes a 
reduced diameter collar portion 138 located on the forward wall 140 and 
surrounding the entry hole 136 for closely engaging the retainer 150 upon 
assembly, as described further hereinafter. The socket portion 134 also 
preferably includes a conical surface 139 located on or near the rearward 
wall 141 and generally axially aligned with the entry hole 136. 
The retainer 150 is preferably integrally molded from a plastic material. 
The retainer 150 preferably includes a generally spherical head portion 
154 sized and shaped for closely receiving the push rod end 117 of the 
push rod 116 therein such that the head portion 154 of the retainer 150 is 
rotatable relative to the push rod end 117. Also preferably in this 
embodiment, the head portion 154 of the retainer 150 includes a thinned 
portion 162 which is preferably in the form of an annular ring on the head 
portion 154. The thinned portion 162 defines a spring end 163 on the head 
portion 154 which thus is resiliently deflectable. Advantageously, the 
spring end 163 acts as a spring to take up any clearance tolerance 
variations in the assembly of the retainer 150 into the socket portion 134 
and to prevent rattles, as described further below. 
As shown in FIG. 7, the retainer 150 also preferably includes a plurality 
of resiliently deflectable leg portions 156 extending axially from the 
head portion 154. Preferably, the leg portions 156 are located around the 
circumference of the retainer 150 with slots 159 located between the leg 
portions 156. The leg portions 156 may be of equal or unequal widths. The 
leg portions 156 each terminate in a generally forward direction to form a 
retainer opening 151 through which the push rod end 117 is inserted. The 
leg portions 156 in this embodiment are preferably longer than those of 
the prior embodiment such that they extend out further past the tapered 
flange 137 of the socket portion 134 and are accessible for disassembly, 
as described below. It will further be appreciated that although the leg 
portion 156 are shown as having being generally straight, the leg portions 
156 could also include a curvature. In addition, the longer leg portions 
156 could also include support ribs or thickened portions (not shown) on 
the leg portions 156 for added stiffness. 
The leg portions 156 preferably each include an intermediate shoulder 
portion 160 projecting radially outward from the leg portions 156. The 
shoulder portions 160 enable the leg portions 156 to be deflected inwardly 
through the entry hole 136 for snap-fitted engagement with a rear face 142 
of the collar portion 138 of the socket portion 134 to hold the retainer 
150 and the push rod end 117 axially within the socket portion 134. 
The push rod 116 and the pedal 130 are easily assembled as follows. The 
pedal 130 is pivotally connected to the vehicle in an appropriate manner. 
Prior to attachment of the push rod end 117 to the socket portion 134 of 
the pedal 130, the retainer 150 is easily mounted on the push rod end 117 
simply by inserting the generally spherical push rod end 117 through the 
retainer opening 151 such that the push rod end 117 is seated in the head 
portion 154 of the retainer 150. This is enabled by the resilient outward 
radial deflection of the leg portions 156 of the retainer 150. As 
described above, the push rod 116 lifts the pedal 130 to an uncoupled 
position in which the push rod end 117 is not yet inserted into the socket 
portion 134 of the pedal 130, but is generally aligned therewith and 
loosely held in the cone-like tapered flange 137. 
To couple the pedal 130 to the push rod 116 and retainer 150, the operator 
simply pushes on the foot contact portion of the pedal 130. This causes 
the pedal 130 to pivot generally forward and downward such that the head 
portion 154 of the retainer 150 with the push rod end 117 therein is 
guided through the entry hole 136 and past the collar portion 138 for 
snap-fitted connection with the socket portion 134. As the retainer 150 is 
pushed through the entry hole 136, the annular shoulder portions 160 on 
the leg portions 156 are deflected inwardly as they pass through the 
collar portion 138 past the forward wall 140 and then resiliently deflect 
outward after passing the collar portion 138 for snap-fitted engagement 
therewith. The shoulder portions 160 of the retainer 150 snap-fittedly 
engage with the rear face 142 of the collar portion 138 after the head 
portion 154 of the retainer 150 and the push rod end 117 pass through the 
collar portion 138. Thus, engagement of the shoulder portions 160 with the 
collar portion 138 prevents removal of the retainer 150 and push rod end 
117 from the socket portion 134 during normal vehicle use. 
As shown in FIG. 7, the rear end 163 of the head portion 154 of the 
retainer 150 also simultaneously engages the conical surface 139 of the 
socket portion 134 as the retainer 150 is snap-fit into place behind the 
collar portion 138. The spring end 163 acts like a spring as enabled by 
the thinned portion 162 in the form of an annular ring on the head portion 
154. Advantageously, the spring end 163 of the head portion 154 takes up 
clearance tolerance variations and prevents rattles. 
The push rod end 117 is easily disassembled from the socket portion 134 of 
the pedal 130 as follows. Since the leg portions 156 of the retainer 150 
are longer than in the prior embodiments, the forward ends of the leg 
portions 156 can be squeezed together either manually or by the use of a 
tool, such as pliers, such that diameter of the leg portions 156 are 
sufficiently reduced enough for removal of the annular shoulder portions 
160 out through the entry hole 136 of the collar portion 138. Thus, the 
retainer 150 and push rod end 117 can also be easily axially removed from 
the socket portion 134 without the use of a removal ring. 
While the present invention has been described as carried out in specific 
embodiments thereof, it is not intended to be limited thereby, but is 
intended to cover the invention broadly within the scope and spirit of the 
claims.