Abstract:
An foot pedal switch assembly including a panel for mounting a foot pedal and a switching mechanism, wherein the panel includes a debris fence surrounding the switching mechanism and the pedal has a cap structure molded in the bottom to telescopically engage around the debris fence forming a substantially continuous barrier to the entry of dust and debris into the switching mechanism.

Description:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a foot pedal switch assembly, and more particularly to a foot pedal switch assembly with improved resistance to the entry of dust and foreign material into the switching mechanism and the area around that mechanism. The foot pedal switch assembly has particular applicability for use as an actuation device to interconnect a battery with a motor to provide power, for example, on toys such as ride on vehicles for children. 
     A significant problem with foot pedal switch assemblies currently used in children&#39;s battery-powered vehicles involves contamination and fouling of the switching mechanism by debris and dust. Contamination of the switching mechanism can lead to an inoperable device, or worse, jamming of the switching mechanism in the on state. 
     With the above problems in mind, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a novel structure for a foot pedal switch assembly with improved resistance to entry of foreign matter into the switching mechanism. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a structure that achieves the above result and yet is economical to manufacture by virtue of having relatively few parts, featuring components readily moldable from plastic, and not requiring precisely fitting parts. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a structure that is rugged enough to tolerate the abuses expected in the operating environment. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the foot pedal switch assembly; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the foot pedal switch assembly showing the telescopic engagement of a foot pedal with a debris fence; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross sectional side view of the foot pedal switch assembly along the line 3--3 in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a top view of a panel showing the course of the debris fence; and 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bottom of the pedal showing a cap structure in the bottom of the pedal. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a foot pedal switch assembly according to the present invention is generally indicated at 10. 
     The assembly 10 includes a panel 12, which may be and preferably is, molded from stiff plastic, and may be mounted as part of the floor board of a child&#39;s ride-on vehicle, for example. The panel 12 is provided with a pivot slot 14, a switch opening 16, and an pedal retainer slot 18, as shown in FIG. 4. 
     A U-shaped debris fence 20, integrally molded with, and extending upwardly from, the panel 12, surrounds the switch opening 16 on three sides with the open end of the U facing the pivot slot 14, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. 
     An On-off rocker switching mechanism 22, of conventional construction is mounted in the switch opening 16 in the panel 12. The switching mechanism 22 includes a rocker 24 for control of the state of the switching mechanism, said switching mechanism 22 being internally biased so that it returns to the off position in the absence of an actuating force on the rocker 24. 
     A pedal 26, which may be, and preferably is, molded from stiff plastic, having a substantially flat treaded top 28, is pivotally disposed on the panel 12 over the switching mechanism 22 via a hook 30 insertable in the pivot slot 18 allowing the pedal 26 to be pivoted relative to the panel 12. The pedal 26 includes a downwardly facing threaded sleeve 32, disposed on the centerline of the pedal 26 near the end of the pedal 26 opposite the hook 30. The threaded sleeve 32 receives a screw 34 which extends through the pedal retainer slot 18. The screw 34 serves to limit the extent to which the pedal 26 may be pivoted up from the panel 12. The pedal 26 also includes a downwardly extending finger 36 disposed above the rocker 24 so that depression of the pedal 26 biases the finger 36 against the rocker 24, actuating the switching mechanism 22. 
     The lower side of the pedal 26 includes a cap 38 designed to telescopically engage around the debris fence 20 as the pedal 26 is depressed, as is shown in FIG. 5. The cap 38 includes a perimeter skirt 40 having a front 42, back 44, and sides 46 projecting downwardly from the top 28 and closely following the contour of the outside of the debris fence 20. The back 44 of the perimeter skirt 40 spans the open end of the debris fence 20 and runs along the back of the pedal 26. A toe skirt 48 extends downwardly from the front section of the top 28, running along the edges of the front portion of the top and connecting continuously with the sides 46 of the perimeter skirt 40 to form a substantially continuous edge around the pedal 26. 
     The assembly 10 also includes a generally U-shaped clip spring 50 having a first side 52, a second side 54 and a round end 56. The first side 52 is attached to the side of the top 28 on the surface facing the panel 12, with the round end 56 being disposed proximal to the hook 32. The second side 54 makes contact with the rocker 24 and biases it towards the off position. The clip spring 50 acts as a backup to the internal biasing mechanism of the switching mechanism 22 to ensure the switching mechanism 22 returns to the off state when the pedal 26 is released. The clip spring 50 also serves to bias the pedal 26 towards the raised position. 
     The depth of the perimeter skirt 40, the height of the debris fence 20, and the amount of pedal pivot allowed by the screw 36 are matched so that the perimeter skirt 40 and the debris fence 20 overlap in both the raised and depressed positions of the pedal 26. 
     While the present invention has been shown and described with reference to the foregoing preferred embodiment, it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that other changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.