US1809021A - Accelerator attachment - Google Patents

Description

June 9, 1931. F. M. BUTLER r ACCELERATOR ATTACHMENT Filed Aug. l5, 1927 .lNvENToR Fna/us M. 50u51? .57 BY AT NEY June 9, 1931. F. M. BUTLER ACCELERATOR ATTACHMENT Filed Aug. 15. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented .lune 9, 193i Unirse sirr non

meros n. istr'i'nnr',A on SEATTLE, wasmn'oTon AconnEnATon ATTacmrEnfr Application led August 15, 192'?. Serial No. 312,945.

ated by the knee or leg of the vehicle driver as distinguished from accelerator of the foot or hand operated types.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide'an accelerator of the above stated character that may be installed without requiring the removal of 0r anyalteration in the parts with which it is associated, and which does not interfere with independent use of the accelerator mechanisms, or devices, with which a vehicle may already he equipped f t More specifically stated, it is the object of this invention to provide an accelerator attachment comprising a control lever adapted`v to be operatively supported from the instrument board, or any other conveniently located, fixed part of the vehicle, and which extends to a position at which it may be moved laterally bythe knee or leg of the vehicle driver, and when so moved, will actuate certain devices connected with and controlling the action of the throttle valve of the vehicle carburetorn It is also an object of the invention to provide a device of the above type having .fcertain features of adjustment that makes it adaptable for use by diii'erent drivers as well as in various positions and on cars of various ty s. A

A still further object is to so construct-the device that it is most suitable for use on Ford automobiles, although not conned in its use to this particular make of vehicle.

'Other objects of the invention reside in the various details or construction and in the comhination ol parts as is hereinafter described,

In accomplishing these objects, I have provided the .improved details of construction, the preferred Ecrins of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure l is a pers ective view, illustrating an accelerator attac ent embodied by the present invention and one method oli mount in it,

igure 2 is a perspective view of the accelerator attachment and' certain parts oi the vehicle with which it is associated.'

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of the in-1 strument' board, lshowing the attachment thereto of a supporting bracket whereby the control lever of the accelerator is operatively su ported.

igure 4 is a detail section of the -hall and socket connection between the inner end. ci the accelerator lever anda connecting rod.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the mechanism as installed.,

Figure 6 is a perspective view, showing the method ot and means for attaching the device to a steering column Figure 7 is a perspective view illustrating the use of the present device in connection with a foot throttle device,

Referring more in detail to the drawings- 1 designates what may he the instrument board of an automobile ci a type with'which the present device is particularly adapted for use, 2 the steering column which extends in a downwardly inclined position through the instrument board, and 3 the steering shaft which is equipped at its upper end with a' steering wheel 4:.; Contained within the steer- S0 l ing column, alongside ofthe steering shaft, is

a rod 5 which, at its upper e'nd, `is provided with a laterally extending, actuating levez` 6 and, near its lower end, has a short, downwardl extended lever 7 xed thereto. This S5 lever is connected, as will presently he de .A scribed', with the throttle valve actuating lever 8 of the carburetor 9 so that, by adjustment of the lever 6, the said valve will be ad'- j'usted accordingly for the admitting-oi more 9@ .l

or less fuel to the engine.

As was reviously stated, it is one of the objects of t' is invention to provide an accelo crater attachment that may he install for use independently oi the accelerator mechaa nism already applied to the car hut which, at the same time, will not prevent independent use of the latter. The device which l have provided, in its preferred torno, cos oi? e control lever formed with. leg portions 1l and provided with an aperture 17 within which a shank 14' extending from the block 14 is pivotally secured. The portion 12 of the control lever, which extends when in use to a position overlying the forward edge of the vehicle seat, is telescopicially fitted within a co-extensive tubular member 18 which is equipped at its rearward' end with a pad' 19 against which the vehicle operator may press the leg or knee to swing the lever laterally.

Connected to the end of the leg portion 11, preferably by means of al ball and socket connection as designated at 20 in Figure 4, is a connecting rod 21 which extends downwardly and forwardly throu h an opening 22 provided' in the das boar 23, and, at its lower end, is connected through the intermediacy of a short chain 24, provided for the purpose of easy adjustment, with a leg 25 of a pivotally mounted bell crank 26 having its other leg 27 connected by means of a rod 28 with the throttle valve actuating lever 8 of the carburetor. The bell crank 26 is mounted construction and connections previously de pivotally by means of a bracket member 29 which is fastened by`a bolt 30 to the side of the E'ehicle engine designated' at 31 in Figure In order that the throttle will be closed when not held open, I have attached a small coiled spring 32 to the bell crank leg 27 and to a fixed part of the steering gear, as shown in Figure 5.

With the parts of the device so constructed, arranged and connected together in the manner described, it isv readily apparent that lateral swinging vmovement of the control lever incident to the application of pressure against the pad 19 w1ll cause the throttle valve of the carburetor to be actuated through the various connections provided to admit more or less fuel to the vehicle engine and, when the pressure is removed, the spring 32 brings the parts back to closed position.

To provide for actuation of the device by the regular throttle equipment, I apply a slip sleeve 35 about the rod and connect this by a link 36 with the lever 7 or the throttle rod and fix a. collar 37 on the rod 28 against which `the end of the sleeve may abut. This provides that, when the throttle lever is adjusted to open the throttle, the sleeve will engage the stop and through it actuate the rod 28 to open the throttle. Also; this provides a slip connection'that permits use of the present equipment without interference by the regular equipment.

orted pivotally from the instrumentv y means of a lbracket 15'; the bracketY In Figu bracket extends laterally to a proper posi-v tion and there is provided with an openingI for pivotally receivin the mounting shank 4of the block 14. The racket 40 may be adjusted along the column to a desired position and may, if desired, be provided with a series of apertures 43 for recelving the mounting shank of the block 14 so 'as to provide for a proper, or desirable, positioning of the control lever.

In Figure 7 is illustrated the application of themechanism for use in connection with a foot throttle device. In this view, 50 des'- ignates what may be a foot pedal of any suitable character having operative connection with the throttle valve of the carburetor whereby downward pressure in the pedal causes the throttle to open. Fixed to floor, or dash board, is a bracket 51 to which a bell crank 52 is attached by a pivot bolt 53. One arm of the crank overlies and bears against the pedal 50 and the other is connected by a link 54 to the lever arm 11. With this arrangement, movement of the control lever actuates the throttle pedal 50 to produce the same results as is provided by the scribed. v

A feature of the present construction resides in its adaptabllity to various persons and various cars. It will be noted that the effective length of the control lever may be varied as is required to suit dilerent persons through the. telescopic connections of the parts 12 and 18 and that, by slidably adjusting the lever portion 11 through the block 14, the pad may be. brought into proper relation to the knee. When the device is not 'in use, the controllever may be swung upwardly and out of the way as indicated 1n dotted lines in Figure 1, to permit ready passage of the driver from or to the seat.

What I claim is: 1. In a vehicle of the character described in combination with the throttle member, an

accelerator means comprising a pivoted support, a control lever slidable therein and operatively connected with the throttle member and extended to a position suitable for actuation by lateral movement of the hee or leg of a person in the drivers seat.,

2. In a vehicle of the character described in combination withthe fuel throttle mechanism, an accelerator attachment comprising a pivoted support, 'a control lever slidable therein and having operative connection at one end with the throttle mechanism and having an extension member at its other endv adapted to be adjusted for use to a substantilly horizontal position adjacent the knee or leg of the person in the drivers seat, and when not in use, to lbe adjusted forwardly to a position spaced substantially from the drivers seat.

3. In a vehicle of the character described having an instrument board and a fuel throttle mechanism, an accelerator attachment comprising a bearing member pivotally supported from the instrument board, a control lever swingingly supported by the bearing and extended to a position suitable for actuation by the knee or leg of a person in the drivers position and means connecting the lever and throttle mechanism whereby the` latter will be actuated in accordance with swinging movement of the lever.

. from the instrument 4. In a vehicle of the character described having an instrument board and a fuel throttle mechanism, an accelerator attachment comprising a bearing` block pivotally supported from the instrument board, a. control lever extended through the block and swingingly supported thereby with its rearward. end adapted for adjustment to a position suitable for actuation by the knee or leg of a person in the drivers seat, and mechanism operatively connecting theforward end of the lever with the throttle mechanism.-

5. In a vehicle of the character described having an instrument board and a fuel throttle mechanism, an accelerator attachment comprising a bearin pivotally supported oard, a control lever comprising forward and rearward portions formed substantially at right angles to eachother with the forward portion slidably adjustable within the bearing and the rearward portion extended to a position suitable for lateral actuation by the knee or'leg of a person in the drivers seat, and mechanism connecting the end of the forward portion with the throttle mechanism whereby the latter will be actuated in accordance with movement of the control lever.

6. In a vehicle of the character -described having an instrument board and a fuel throttle mechanism, an accelerator attachment comprising a bracket fixed to the instrument board, a bearing block pivotally supported by the bracket having an opening therethrough, a control lever comprlsing forward and rearward portions formed substantially at a right angle to each other; said forward portion being slidably adjustable and rotatably contained in the block opening, and said rearward portion being ada ted for adjustment to a position suitable or actuation by lateral movement of the knee or leg of a person in the drivers seat and'mechanism-connecting the end of the forward portion of the lever with the throttle mechanism whereby the latter will be actuated in accordance withJ movement of the control lever.

7. In a vehicle of the character described having an instrument board and a fuel throttle mechanism, an accelerator attachment comprising a. bracket fixed to the instrument board, a bearing block pivotally4 supported by the bracket having an opening therethrough, a control lever having a laterally turned, forward end portion slidably and rotatably contained in the block opening and operatively connected with the throttle mechanism and having a rearwardly extending portlon provided with an extension member that is adjustable to a position suitable for laterally actuation by the knee or, leg of a lperson in the drivers seat.

mechanism and having a rearwardly extended i portion that is Y adjustablev to different ositions transversely of the vehicle by shifting of the forward portion. in said block, an extension sleeve adjustably fitted on the rearward end of the lever and a knee pad in said sleeve; said lever mechanism being adaptedto be positioned by adjustment ofthe parts for actuation by lateral movement of the knee' or leg of a person in the drivers seat.

9. In a vehicle of the character described having an instrument board, a carburetor having a throttle control lever, an accelerator attachment comprising a bracket that is fixed to the instrument board, a bearing block pivotally supported by the bracket and having an openin therethrou h, a control lever comrising ormed substantially at right vangles to each other; said forward portion being slidably adjustable and .rotatably contained Ain the block opening and said rearward portion being adapted for adjustment to a position suitable for actuation by lateral movement of the knee or'leg of a person in the drivers seat, a bell crank lever pivotally mounted on a fixed part o f the vehicle, a link connecting one leg of the bell crank with the throttle lever and a link operatively connecting the other. leg of the bell crank with the end of the forward portion of the control lever.

Signed at Seattle, Washington, this 3rd day of'August, 1927.

FABIUS M BUTLER.

orward. an rearward portions

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