Modular pedal assembly for vehicles

Abstract

In some embodiments, a vehicle or utility vehicle pedal assembly and method are disclosed. The pedal assembly may be modular and readily adaptable for use on vehicles and utility vehicles having either an electric motor drive system or an internal combustion engine drive system. Thus, in some embodiments the module includes a base, a plurality of pedals coupled to the base, and an output regulator coupled to the base. Other embodiments disclose a parking brake engagement assembly comprising a toothed element, an engagement element selectively engageable with the toothed element, and an arm to the control the engagement between the toothed element and the engagement element. Yet other embodiments disclose a non-contact sensor coupled to the brake system to selectively illuminate the brake lamps of a vehicle or utility vehicle. Further embodiments disclose a timer coupled to the brake system to selectively illuminate the brake lamps.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 442,577, filed Jan. 24, 2003, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND AND FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to vehicles such as golf cars, utility vehicles, and neighborhood vehicles, and more particularly to accelerator pedals and brake pedals for such vehicles. [0003] Conventional golf cars and utility vehicles may be expensive and time consuming to assemble. This is because most conventional vehicles and utility vehicles are assembled one piece at a time, stacking each upon the next, and the amount of time and labor required to assemble a conventional vehicle may be substantial because of this process. Golf cars and utility vehicles may have either an electric motor drive system or an internal combustion engine drive system, and the footprint and packaging of an electric drive system may be significantly different than the footprint and packa...

Images