Patent ID: 8893845

Claim:
A brake assembly, comprising: an operator brake pedal configured to be depressed at a brake pedal angle, wherein a resistance to depression of the operator brake pedal corresponds to the brake pedal angle; and a brake pedal linkage operatively connected to the operator brake pedal and configured to apply a vehicle braking force in response to depression of the operator brake pedal, wherein the brake pedal linkage is configured to affect a first rate of change of the resistance to depression of the operator brake pedal through an initial range of motion of the operator brake pedal, wherein the brake pedal linkage is further configured to affect a second rate of change of the resistance to depression of the operator brake pedal through a subsequent range of motion of the operator brake pedal, and wherein the second rate of change is greater than the first rate of change; wherein the brake pedal angle relates to an effective radius of rotation of the brake pedal linkage, wherein the initial range of motion affects an initial rate of change of the effective radius, wherein the subsequent range of motion affects a subsequent rate of change of the effective radius, and wherein the subsequent rate of change of the effective radius is greater than the initial rate of change of the effective radius.