GB2064732A - Foot pedals - Google Patents

Abstract

A foot pedal attachment in the form of a pad of rubber or the like and has one or more studs tipped with hard wear resistant material which protrudes from the surface of the attachment to be engaged by the foot. The studs are located towards the side edges of the pedal. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Foot pedals This invention relates to foot pedals in particular, but not exclusively, to foot pedals for vehicles.

Foot pedals are provided for controlling the clutch, braking and engine output functions of motor vehicles and such pedals have a metal or rubber surface which is engaged by the foot. In the case of rubber-faced pedals the rubber is often formed to ensure adequate grip between the pedal and the sole of the shoe. However, when the shoe is wet or has snow or ice on it as, for example, when the vehicle driver first enters the vehicle, adequate grip on the pedal is lost. As a result the shoe can slip off the pedal giving rise to possible danger due to loss of control of the vehicle.

An object of the invention is to provide a foot pedal having adequate gripping means for the shoe to engage.

According to the invention a foot pedal comprises a layer of rubber or like material in which is embedded one or more studs arranged so that one end of the stud protrudes beyond the surface of the rubber to be engaged by the foot, the protruding part of the stud being formed of hard metal.

Preferably the stud is tipped with tungsten carbide and the tip is of small dimensions and protrudes only a small distance from said surface.

Conveniently two studs are provided, one towards each side edge of the pedal.

Further features of the invention will appear from the following description of an embodiment of the invention given by way of example only and with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a foot pedal, and Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 in Fig.

1.

Referring to the drawings, a vehicle foot pedal of the kind suitable as a brake pedal, for example, is shown. The pedal has a metal body 10 which is supported on an arm 11 in conventional manner. The body 10 is faced with a rubber member 1 2 of which one side is normally contacted by the vehicle driver's shoe. The rubber member 1 2 is, in conventional manner, formed with ribs.

Embedded in the rubber member 1 2 are three studs 15, each having a tip 1 6 of tungsten carbide protruding a short distance from the surface of the member 1 2. The tip is inset into a steel body 1 6 which passes through the rubber and has a flange 1 7 at its base to retain the stud in the rubber.

Two studs 1 5 are disposed at opposite sides of the pedal adjacent the side edges and a central stud 1 5 is also provided. The positioning of the studs prevents the shoe from slipping off the sides of the pedal.

The studs may be inserted into preformed holes in the rubber or moulded into the rubber in forming the member 1 2.

The studs may be of the form marketed by Sandvik for use on tyres but other forms of stud may be found suitable.

Furthermore, the invention may find application with other foot pedals such as bicycle pedals or pedals for other foot-controiled devices.

1. A foot pedal attachment comprising a layer of rubber or like material in which is embedded one or more studs arranged so that one end of the stud protrudes beyond the surface of the attachment to be engaged by the foot, the protruding part of the stud being formed of hard, wear resistant material 2. An attachment according to Claim 1 wherein the protruding part of the stud is formed of hard metal in the form of tungsten carbide.

3. An attachment according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the protruding part of the stud is of smaller cross-section than the body of the stud.

4. An attachment according to Claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the stud is formed with a flange for locating the stud in the attachment.

5. An attachment according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the stud or studs are arranged towards the side edge or edges of the attachment.

6. A foot pedal attachment substantially as described with reference to the drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Foot pedals This invention relates to foot pedals in particular, but not exclusively, to foot pedals for vehicles. Foot pedals are provided for controlling the clutch, braking and engine output functions of motor vehicles and such pedals have a metal or rubber surface which is engaged by the foot. In the case of rubber-faced pedals the rubber is often formed to ensure adequate grip between the pedal and the sole of the shoe. However, when the shoe is wet or has snow or ice on it as, for example, when the vehicle driver first enters the vehicle, adequate grip on the pedal is lost. As a result the shoe can slip off the pedal giving rise to possible danger due to loss of control of the vehicle. An object of the invention is to provide a foot pedal having adequate gripping means for the shoe to engage. According to the invention a foot pedal comprises a layer of rubber or like material in which is embedded one or more studs arranged so that one end of the stud protrudes beyond the surface of the rubber to be engaged by the foot, the protruding part of the stud being formed of hard metal. Preferably the stud is tipped with tungsten carbide and the tip is of small dimensions and protrudes only a small distance from said surface. Conveniently two studs are provided, one towards each side edge of the pedal. Further features of the invention will appear from the following description of an embodiment of the invention given by way of example only and with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a foot pedal, and Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 in Fig. 1. Referring to the drawings, a vehicle foot pedal of the kind suitable as a brake pedal, for example, is shown. The pedal has a metal body 10 which is supported on an arm 11 in conventional manner. The body 10 is faced with a rubber member 1 2 of which one side is normally contacted by the vehicle driver's shoe. The rubber member 1 2 is, in conventional manner, formed with ribs. Embedded in the rubber member 1 2 are three studs 15, each having a tip 1 6 of tungsten carbide protruding a short distance from the surface of the member 1 2. The tip is inset into a steel body 1 6 which passes through the rubber and has a flange 1 7 at its base to retain the stud in the rubber. Two studs 1 5 are disposed at opposite sides of the pedal adjacent the side edges and a central stud 1 5 is also provided. The positioning of the studs prevents the shoe from slipping off the sides of the pedal. The studs may be inserted into preformed holes in the rubber or moulded into the rubber in forming the member 1 2. The studs may be of the form marketed by Sandvik for use on tyres but other forms of stud may be found suitable. Furthermore, the invention may find application with other foot pedals such as bicycle pedals or pedals for other foot-controiled devices. CLAIMS

1. A foot pedal attachment comprising a layer of rubber or like material in which is embedded one or more studs arranged so that one end of the stud protrudes beyond the surface of the attachment to be engaged by the foot, the protruding part of the stud being formed of hard, wear resistant material

2. An attachment according to Claim 1 wherein the protruding part of the stud is formed of hard metal in the form of tungsten carbide.

3. An attachment according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the protruding part of the stud is of smaller cross-section than the body of the stud.

4. An attachment according to Claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the stud is formed with a flange for locating the stud in the attachment.

5. An attachment according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the stud or studs are arranged towards the side edge or edges of the attachment.

6. A foot pedal attachment substantially as described with reference to the drawings.