Patent GB-719381-A (GB)
Title: A device for controlling the throttle and brakes of a motor vehicle
Filed: 1951-01-11
Abstract: 719,381. Controlling motor vehicles; pedal levers. KAEPPLER, E. Jan. 11, 1951 [Jan. 14, 1950; Feb. 11, 1950], No. 825/51. Classes 79(5) and 136(2)[Also in Group XXXIV] A device for controlling the throttle and brakes of a motor vehicle comprises a pedal plate mounted on a pedal lever which is depressible against spring action, the plate and pedal being operatively connected to the throttle and brakes, and means for retaining the throttle in any position and consisting of a bell-crank lever pivoted to the pedal lever, one end of the bellcrank lever being connected to a rod projecting under spring tension through the pedal plate and the other end of the lever being formed as a pawl to engage a fixed rack. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 the pedal lever 2 is pivoted to a shaft 1 and carries a pin 32 to which are connected a brake operating link 33 and a spring 35, which latter urges the lever and link to the right to release the vehicle brakes. The lever 2 carries an eye 4 having radial serrations which engage complementary serrations on a bracket 8 carried bv the pedal plate 9, the serrations being held together by a nut and bolt 5 and providing means whereby the plate 9 can be angularly adjusted relative to the lever 2. Pivoted to an arm 10 on the lever 2 is the bell crank lever 12, to one arm of which is pivoted the rod 13 projecting through a slot in the plate 9 and carrying a button 15, the rod being urged through the slot by a spring 22 which is weaker than the spring 35. The other arm of the lever 12 is formed by the pawl 16 capable of engaging a fixed segment 18 having a smooth portion, a shoulder 19, forwardly projecting ratchet teeth and a stop 20. Pivotally connected to the plate 9 is a rod 26 carrying an adjustable collar 30 engaging a roller 27 carried by an arm 28 of the engine carburetter (not shown). The arrangement is such that in the position shown the engine is idling. Progressive clockwise movement of the lever 2 under the action of the spring 35 on depression of the button 15 causes the pawl 16 to be lifted clear of the shoulder 19 and the ratchet teeth and causes progressive opening of the. throttle until the pawl engages the stop 20 when the throttle is fully open. Progressive anticlockwise movement of the lever 2 by foot pressure on the plate 9 against the action of the spring 35 causes progressive closing of the throttle and application of the brakes. In a modification shown in Fig. 3 the pedal lever 2 carries a bell crank lever 120, one arm of which is connected to a rod 121 passing through a second slot in the plate 9 and carrying a button 122, a spring 124 between the rod 121 and the plate 9 urging the rod through the slot. The other arm of the lever 120 pivotally carries at 126 a pawl 127, a weak spring 128 urging faces on the arm and the pawl into abutting relation and a face on the pawl into engagement with a roller 131 connected by a two armed lever 133, a pin and slot connection and a lever 136 to the throttle valve (not shown). The arrangement is such that with the button 122 not depressed the pawl 127 is lifted clear of the roller 131 so that with clockwise movement of the lever 2 when the button 15 is depressed under the action of the spring 35 the throttle is not moved from its idling position, thus forming a dead man's control. Subsequent depression of the plate 9 with the button 122 depressed causes the pawl 127 to ride over the roller and the action of the spring 128 causes the face of the pawl 127 to reengage the roller 131.