Passenger side driving instructor brake controller

A passenger side driving instructor brake controller can include a telescoping shaft including a first end and a second end, and a brake lever connector disposed at the first end of a telescoping shaft and adapted to be secured to a brake lever of a motor vehicle disposed within a driver-side front floorboard area of the motor vehicle. A tubular main body bent near its mid-section, the tubular main body configured to adjustably accept the second end of the telescoping shaft therein and secure the telescoping shaft with locking hardware at a fixed position within the tubular main body to enable the main body to traverse over a main console of the motor vehicle where the tubular main body is bent at its mid-section and also to extend into a passenger compartment area of the motor vehicle wherein the tubular main body can terminate at a handle area.

FIELD OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present embodiments generally relate to student driver training methods and system. More particularly, the embodiments relate to systems and methods for providing a passenger side driving instructor brake controller for use during beginner driver instruction. The embodiments are also related to a passenger side driving instructor brake controller that is universal in that it can be adapted for use in various makes and models of automobiles, for both right- a left-driver configuration depending on country of use.

BACKGROUND

When operating a motor vehicle, it is important to have control over its steering wheel and its brake to assure its safe operation. In the event of an emergency situation on a roadway, a driver will normally maneuver a motor vehicle by the steering wheel while slowing it down and stopping it once it is a position where it is safe along a roadside. Under most circumstance, only the driver can control both the steering wheel and brake of an automobile. Lack of brake control is not typically an issue during operation of a motor vehicle when the driver is experienced, but it can be problematic when an inexperienced driver undergoing driver training is involved. Lack of brake control by an instructor can result in a very dangerous, deadly outcome.

Teaching someone how to drive is no easy job and can also be very dangerous. Student drivers are required to obtain hours of experience behind the wheel of an automobile in accordance with today's driver licensing laws and regulations. Tens of thousands of parents, grandparents, other family members and friends supervise, guide, and teach beginning drivers behind-the-wheel of motor vehicles on roadways each day in order for the beginning driver to gain the experience necessary for licensing. Unfortunately, many novice instructors embark on the task of training a beginning driver without the benefit of instructor training fundamentals, let alone without the safety and security of a passenger-side instructor brake. Even in driver education courses professional instructor training is absolutely essential, because the driving instructors must instill the proper skills and a sense of confidence in student drivers during often stressful situations that arise when students are learning how to drive. Oftentimes the professional instructors also do not have access to, or control over, both the vehicle brake and steering wheel during training, which can still allow dangerous situations to occur.

An instructor sitting on the passenger side of a motor vehicle with a student driver behind the wheel can only manipulate the steering wheel should an emergency arise unless elaborate dual braking systems are installed in the training vehicle. Such systems can be expensive and are not in common use. An example of a dual brake system that utilizes cabling to interface a passenger brake pedal located on the passenger-side floor within the motor vehicles interior compartment with a vehicles brake lever on the driver-side compartment referred to as “Instructor Dual Control Braking System” is marketed and sold by Colorado Event Sales & Marketing Inc. (DBA Student Driver Products) of Parker Colo. (https://studentdriverproducts.com/collections/all-products/products/driving-instructors-dual-brake-set-item-86). Another system described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,607,602 issued Dec. 17, 2013 to Godwin Okoye, entitled “passenger portable safety brake”, provides a less complex brake control in the form of a straight shaft attached to the brake shaft on the driver side of a motor vehicle, but which can only be manipulated from a passenger location by an instructors hand and arm that is facing inward toward the trainee and would also normally be used to control the steering wheel, thereby preventing simultaneous control by the instructor of both the steering wheel and brake.

For the foregoing reasons, what is needed for present day student driver training is improved systems and methods to assure the safety of students, instructors and the public as student drivers embark on training behind the wheel of motor vehicles in real world scenarios by enabling instructors to simultaneously control both the steering wheel and brake from the passenger seat location in motor vehicles.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS

An aspect of the present embodiments is to provide systems and methods to assure safe driver training can occur within automobiles in real world scenarios where an instructor can assume both steering wheel and brake control.

According to another aspect of the embodiments, a passenger side driving instructor brake controller is disclosed that includes a brake lever connector disposed at the end of a telescoping shaft adapted to be adjusted and secured within a main tubular body that is further configured to traverse over a center console of a motor vehicle from a driver side of the motor vehicle where it is connected to a brake lever and reaching into a passenger side of the motor vehicle to an handle area where the main body terminates within reach of a driving instructor's outside hand and arm.

In accordance with another aspect of the embodiments, a passenger side driving instructor brake controller including a telescoping shaft and having a first end and a second end can be provided that can include a brake lever connector disposed at the first end of a telescoping shaft adapted to be secured to a brake lever of a motor vehicle disposed within a driver-side front floorboard area of the motor vehicle, and a tubular main body bent near its mid-section, the tubular main body configured to adjustably accept the second end of the telescoping shaft therein and secure the telescoping shaft with locking hardware at a fixed position within the tubular main body to enable the main body to traverse over a main console of the motor vehicle where the tubular main body is bent at its mid-section and can thereby extend into a passenger compartment area of the motor vehicle wherein the tubular main body can terminate at a handle area within reach of a driving instructor's outside hand and arm.

In accordance with yet another feature of the embodiments, the handle area can include padding that can facilitate adequate gripping or grasping of the handle area by an instructor in order to assert control over the brake lever of the motor vehicle.

In accordance with yet another feature of the embodiments, the tubular main body can be bent in additional locations along its mid-section as needed in order to best configure it to traverse over vehicle center consoles and can also be held and controlled by an instructor sitting on the passenger side area.

In accordance with yet another feature of the embodiments, the locking hardware of the main tubular housing can include at least one of an adjustable locking screw, lever knob or detent bottom mechanism that can be manipulated to adjustably secure the telescoping shaft at various fixed positions within (i.e., extending in or out in length from as indicated by arrows) the tubular main body.

In accordance with yet another feature of the embodiments, the telescoping shaft can be rotatably attached to a brake lever connector body associated with the brake lever connector via a swivel joint coupled to the brake lever connector body. The swivel joint can enable 360-degree rotation of the telescoping shaft relative to the brake lever connector body and brake lever connector and further supports universal use of the passenger side driving instructor brake controller in right- and left-driver configured motor vehicles.

In accordance with yet another feature of the embodiments, the brake lever connector can be configured in the shape of a C-clamp with an opening wide enough to accept brake levers of multiple makes and models of motor vehicles and can also include a knob fixed to a tightening screw. The knob fixed to a tightening screw associated with the brake lever connector can be tightened onto a brake lever once the opening of the brake lever connector is placed over the brake lever just above the brake pad.

In accordance with yet another feature of the embodiments, the tubular main body can be made from rigid materials such as steel and aluminum and is not easily bendable.

In accordance with yet another feature of the embodiments, the tubular main body can be hollow so that it can accept the telescoping shaft, which can also be made of rigid materials such as steel and aluminum and also should not be easily bent.

In accordance with yet another feature of the embodiments, the tubular main body can be coated with soft rubber or plastic coating that can help prevent damage to the console and other surfaces located within the motor vehicle. The coating can be provided in a variety of decorative finishes and colors.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

“Center console” as used herein refers to a decorative center section typically found in motor vehicles that can include integrated gear shifts, cup holders, and electrical switches and can extend upward into a dashboard wherein additional operating components such as radios, a flat panel display and environmental controls are located.

Referring toFIGS. 1A-1B,FIG. 7andFIG. 8, illustrated is a layout of a passenger side driving instructor brake controller10, in accordance with features of the embodiments.FIG. 1Aillustrates a side view of the passenger side driving instructor brake controller10, whileFIG. 1Billustrated an instructor end view of the passenger side driving instructor brake controller10. The passenger side driving instructor brake controller10can include a telescoping shaft15including a first end16and a second end17. A brake lever connector20can be coupled at the first end16of a telescoping shaft15and can be adapted to be secured to a brake lever75(seeFIG. 7) of a motor vehicle65(seeFIG. 8) typically disposed within a driver-side front floorboard area67(FIG. 8) of the motor vehicle65. A tubular main body30can have a mid-section35that is bent36at least once in order to configure the tubular main body30to traverse over a center console63(FIG. 8) of the motor vehicle65and extend into the passenger side area62(FIG. 8) of the motor vehicle65. The tubular main body30can also be bent in additional locations37/38along its mid-section35as needed in order to best configure it to traverse over vehicle center consoles63and also be held and controlled by an instructor sitting on the passenger side area62.

Referring toFIGS. 1A-1B,FIG. 3andFIG. 4, the tubular main body30can be configured to adjustably accept the second end17of the telescoping shaft15within an opening39(seeFIG. 3) formed in the tubular main body30and secure the telescoping shaft15at its second end with locking hardware33located at the opening39formed in the tubular main body30. The locking hardware33can include, for example, an adjustable locking screw31as shown that can be tightened and loosened to adjustably secure the telescoping shaft15at various fixed positions within (i.e., extending in or out in length from as indicated by arrows) the tubular main body30. It can be appreciated that the locking hardware33can be provided in different means or forms including as a lever, knob, detent button mechanism, etc. The locking hardware33can enable the tubular main body30to be adjusted relative to the telescoping shaft15to enable the tubular main body30to be universal as it can traverse over a center console63of a motor vehicle65in a manner that can prevent the mid-section35of the tubular main body30to interfere with the center console63as it traverses over the center console63where the main tubular housing30is bent at least once at its mid-section35. The tubular main body30can include enough length from where it is first bent36for it to extend into a passenger compartment area62of the motor vehicle65wherein the tubular main body30can terminate at a handle area50. The tubular main body30can ideally extend at least thirty inches from the first bend in order to adequately reach over the center console63into the passenger compartment area62. The handle area50can include padding55that can facilitate adequate gripping or grasping of the handle area50by an instructor in order to assert control over the brake70.

The padding55can include soft rubber and foam products. The padding55will ideally assure that a driver instructor can maintain a good grip on the handle during operation of a motor vehicle by a student driver. Ideally, the padding55will not be slippery. The tubular main body33can be made from rigid materials such as steel and aluminum and is not easily bendable. The tubular main body33is hollow so that it can accept the telescoping shaft15, which can also be made of rigid materials such as steel and aluminum and also should not be easily bendable. The tubular main body30can be coated with soft rubber or plastic coating that can help prevent damage to the console and other surfaces located within the motor vehicle. The coating can be provided is a variety of decorative finishes and colors.

Referring toFIGS. 5-6, illustrated are details of the brake lever connector20and associated hardware, in accordance with the embodiments. Referring toFIG. 5, a side view is illustrated showing details of the brake lever connector20and associated hardware attached at the first end16of the telescoping shaft15, in accordance with the embodiments.FIG. 6illustrates a bottom view of the brake lever connector20where connection of the telescoping shaft15is shown in more detail. The telescoping shaft15can be rotatably attached to a brake lever connector body21associated with the brake lever connector20via a swivel joint22coupled to the brake lever connector body21. The swivel joint22can enable 360-degree rotation of the telescoping shaft relative to the brake lever connector body21and brake lever connector20. The swivel joint22supports universal use of the passenger side driving instructor brake controller in right- and left-driver configured motor vehicles. The brake lever connector can be configured in the shape of a C-clamp with an opening23wide enough to accept brake levers75of multiple makes and models of motor vehicles and can also include a knob23fixed to a tightening screw26to secure the brake lever connector20to a brake lever75. It should be appreciated that other means of securing the brake lever connector can be utilized based on the present teaching. For example, straps, clamps and adhesives can be considered, but a tight connection to the brake lever must be assured and a knob-screw configuration is believed to provide the most secured connection of the brake lever connector20to a brake lever75.

Referring again toFIG. 7, installation of a passenger side driving instructor brake controller10to a brake lever75is illustrated in accordance with the embodiments. A knob25fixed to a tightening screw26associated with the brake lever connector20can be firmly tightened onto a brake lever75once the opening23of the brake lever connector20is placed over the brake lever75just above the brake pad70. Placement above the brake pad will ideally leave room for a student operator's foot to comfortably fit over the brake pad70. Placement at least two to six inches above the brake pad should accommodate most student drivers.

Referring again toFIG. 8, illustrated is a passenger side driving instructor brake controller10installed onto a brake lever75within a motor vehicle65, in accordance with features of the embodiments. As illustrated inFIG. 8, the tubular main body30can ideally extend well into the passenger compartment area62while traversing over the center console63from a point where the tubular main body30is first bent36so that an instructor can grab and control the passenger side driving instructor brake controller10. The instructor's outer arm and hand (e.g., right arm and hand if a left driver vehicle configuration is being used such as what is used in the United States, or the left arm and hand if the vehicle has a right driver configuration as used in the United Kingdom) will ideally be able to hold and control the a passenger side driving instructor brake controller10while the instructor's inner arm can remain free to simultaneously control the steering wheel during training and emergency situations. It should be appreciated that the passenger side driving instructor brake controller10can be universally used in either right- or left-driver vehicle configurations given the pivoting action of the brake lever connector20relative to the telescoping shaft15and tubular main body30. Left driver (United States) configuration is described herein for exemplary purposes only and without intending to limit the scope of the present embodiments.

Referring toFIG. 9, illustrated is a view from behind a dashboard area80of a motor vehicle65with a passenger side driving instructor brake controller10installed onto a brake lever75, in accordance with the embodiments. A driver area61, center console63and passenger compartment area62of a motor vehicle65are illustrated. The main tubular body30is shown traversing the center console63from the passenger side driving instructor brake controller's10connection to the brake lever75in the driver area61and extending well into the passenger compartment area62of the motor vehicle65wherein a right hand85of an instructor can hold onto a padded handle55and manipulate/control the brake pedal70located in the student section of the motor vehicle.

Referring toFIGS. 10A-B, illustrated are exemplary positions of a driver's foot90relative to a brake pedal while a passenger side driving instructor brake controller10is connected to the brake lever75. Referring toFIG. 10A, a driver's foot90is shown off of the brake pedal70(presumably pressing on an accelerator). InFIGS. 10A-10B, the passenger side driving instructor brake controller10is located above the brake pad70in a manner that it does not interfere with the driver's foot. InFIG. 10A, an instructor can press down on the brake with the passenger side driving instructor brake controller10if necessary while simultaneously controlling the steering wheel68if it became necessary. Referring toFIG. 10B, the driver's foot90is shown pressing on the brake pedal70. From this standpoint, an instructor can pull up on the brake pedal70should it become necessary to stimulate a student so that the student can release the brake pedal70. An instructor can also assist with pressing down on the brake pedal70to assist a student driver in slowing or stopping the motor vehicle65.

It should now be appreciated that it is very useful that an instructor can manipulate the brake pedal70with their outer hand using the passenger side driving instructor brake controller10leaving the inner hand free to simultaneously manipulate the steering wheel68should that also become necessary during a driver training scenario where a student driver becomes nonresponsive, freezes or needs assistance.

There are considerations an instructor should undertake when training a student driver in a motor vehicle65on public roadways using a passenger side driving instructor brake controller10as described herein. Referring toFIG. 11, illustrated is a flow diagram100of a method for controlling a brake pedal70via connection of a passenger side driving instructor brake controller10to the brake lever75during in preparation of student driver training, in accordance with features of the embodiments. As shown in Block110, before conducting any lesson with a student driver, it is first advisable that the instructor properly installs the passenger side driving instructor brake controller10onto a brake lever75of a motor vehicle65and then becomes familiar with its operation on the motor vehicle65. An initial test drive can ideally include another licensed driver sitting in the Driver Seat of the vehicle while. As shown in Block120, the instructor sits in the passenger seat and practices simultaneous operation of the passenger side driving instructor brake controller10to manipulate the brake pedal70with the instructor's outer hand and the steering wheel68with the instructor's inner hand firmly gripping the 4 o'clock position on the steering wheel. It is usually best to first practice in an empty parking lot or other location removed from the dangers and distractions of high traffic street driving areas. Proper operation of the brakes should be checked, as shown in block130. Installation of a rearview mirror on the passenger side sun visor should also ideally be considered.

Referring toFIG. 12, a flow diagram200is shown illustrating steps of training a student driver once on a roadway using a passenger side driving instructor brake controller10. As shown in block210, a student driver should ideally place their hands at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions on the steering wheel during training, holding the wheel with a light grip, to thereby allowing the instructor to firmly grab the wheel at the 4 o'clock position with the instructor's inner hand to control the vehicle should it become necessary, as show in block220. Then as shown in block230, the instructor should ideally hold the passenger side driving instructor brake controller10at its handle area50with the instructor's right hand, palm facing downward toward the floorboard for best manipulation of the brake lever75with the passenger side driving instructor brake controller10.

Referring toFIG. 13, a flow diagram300is shown illustrating steps of training a student driver once on a roadway using a passenger side driving instructor brake controller10is installed in a motor vehicle65. Referring to block310, while traveling with a student driver on a roadway, instructor notices a student driver has inadvertently used too much pressure on the brake pedal or has stopped in any given situation. Instructor can pull back on the passenger side driving instructor brake controller10handle area as the student driver is applying foot pressure to the brake pedal70to correct the student driver's action, as shown in block320.

Referring toFIG. 14, a flow diagram400is shown illustrating step for training a student driver once on a roadway using a passenger side driving instructor brake controller10. As shown in block410, instructor notices a student driver is not in proper control of the motor vehicle steering wheel or direction of travel. Instructor checks surrounding traffic while manipulating the steering wheel from the 4 o'clock position with the instructor's inner hand while simultaneously applying pressure to the passenger side driving instructor brake controller10with the instructor's right hand palm down holding the handle area of the passenger side driving instructor brake controller10to bring the motor vehicle to a safe stop away from roadway traffic, as shown in block420.