US3916722A - Treadle operated control - Google Patents

Treadle operated control Download PDF

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Publication number
US3916722A
US3916722A US515592A US51559274A US3916722A US 3916722 A US3916722 A US 3916722A US 515592 A US515592 A US 515592A US 51559274 A US51559274 A US 51559274A US 3916722 A US3916722 A US 3916722A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
treadle
base
latch
foot
movement
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US515592A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Donald F Grobe
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Schneider Electric USA Inc
Original Assignee
Square D Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Square D Co filed Critical Square D Co
Priority to US515592A priority Critical patent/US3916722A/en
Priority to CA234,132A priority patent/CA1026211A/en
Priority to GB37180/75A priority patent/GB1527142A/en
Priority to ZA00755859A priority patent/ZA755859B/xx
Priority to AU84967/75A priority patent/AU473633B2/en
Priority to FR7530629A priority patent/FR2288349A1/fr
Priority to IT69526/75A priority patent/IT1047397B/it
Priority to DE2546404A priority patent/DE2546404C3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3916722A publication Critical patent/US3916722A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
    • G05G1/00—Controlling members, e.g. knobs or handles; Assemblies or arrangements thereof; Indicating position of controlling members
    • G05G1/30—Controlling members actuated by foot
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
    • G05G1/00—Controlling members, e.g. knobs or handles; Assemblies or arrangements thereof; Indicating position of controlling members
    • G05G1/30—Controlling members actuated by foot
    • G05G1/44—Controlling members actuated by foot pivoting
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
    • G05G5/00—Means for preventing, limiting or returning the movements of parts of a control mechanism, e.g. locking controlling member
    • G05G5/02—Means preventing undesired movements of a controlling member which can be moved in two or more separate steps or ways, e.g. restricting to a stepwise movement or to a particular sequence of movements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H21/00—Switches operated by an operating part in the form of a pivotable member acted upon directly by a solid body, e.g. by a hand
    • H01H21/02—Details
    • H01H21/18—Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon
    • H01H21/22—Operating parts, e.g. handle
    • H01H21/24—Operating parts, e.g. handle biased to return to normal position upon removal of operating force
    • H01H21/26—Operating parts, e.g. handle biased to return to normal position upon removal of operating force adapted for operation by a part of the human body other than the hand, e.g. by foot
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T74/00—Machine element or mechanism
    • Y10T74/20—Control lever and linkage systems
    • Y10T74/20528—Foot operated
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T74/00—Machine element or mechanism
    • Y10T74/20—Control lever and linkage systems
    • Y10T74/20576—Elements
    • Y10T74/20888—Pedals

Definitions

  • a foot control of the treadle operated type has a latching mechanism which normally latches the treadle in an inoperative position and which must be released before the treadle can be moved to an operative position.
  • the latch mechanism includes a latch plate which, as the latch mechanism is being set to latch the treadle in its inoperative position, is moved to a restricting position wherein it restricts access to the treadle by the foot of an operator or by a foreign object.
  • the latch plate is yieldably constrained to restricting position after the latch mechanism is set, and must be moved out of its restricting position to reestablish free access to the treadle and release the latch mechanism.
  • the direction in which the latch plate must be moved for moving it out of its restricting position is opposite from the direction in which the treadle must be moved to reach its operative position.
  • Prior Art Treadle operated foot controls are commonly used for operating control mechanisms, such as valves and electric switches which, in turn, control various type of mechanisms, such as shears, bending and forming presses, power shovels, locomotive equipment, and the like.
  • Such foot controls usually are disposed on the floor or on a platform adjacent the mechanism to be controlled, in a position convenient for actuation by the foot of the operator.
  • the control treadle though shielded by a guard, is easily accessible for accidental movement to its active position, as by being stepped on inadvertently, or by being struck by a falling or moving object.
  • the treadle may be caused to operate by direct impacts thereon or by components of inertial forces imposed upon the movable parts of the control as a result of its striking the ground or floor.
  • the toe plate is positioned at the inner end of the tread portion of the treadle and is arranged so that it must be engaged and moved inwardly of the guard by the toe of the operators shoe as the operators foot is moved into final manipulating position on the tread of the treadle.
  • the prior structure has a disadvantage in that the toe plate does not restrict access to the treadle. Further the toe plate is arranged so that it can be swung inwardly and downwardly of the guard endwise of the treadle for releasing the latch mechanism. Consequently, it is readily accessible to any object projected inwardly, endwise of the treadle, through the open end of the guard.
  • Such an object if of sufficient weight and impelled by moderate force, such as an accidentally dropped steel bar, can move the toe plate to release the latch and concurrently depress the treadle to operative position. If such a treadle operable control is dropped bodily downwardly, it is possible for portions of its base or of its guard to strike the floor at an angle relative to its working parts such that a resultant unidirectional inertial force will impose on the parts components of force which are capable of moving the toe plate inwardly to its release position and, concurrently, the treadle into its operative position, thereby causing an accidental operation of the controlled machine or equipment.
  • the control has a treadle, an open end treadle guard, and a plate for latch release, as broadly disclosed in the prior art.
  • the treadle and latch plate are arranged so that the latch plate restricts access to the treadle through the open front end of the guard and the latch plate must be moved both out of its restricting position at the entrance to the guard and into a latch releasing position by movement in a direction in which the treadle must be moved to reach its operative position. An operator cannot inadvertently trip the treadle.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a treadle operated control embodying a preferred form of the invention, part of the guard and latch plate of the control being cut away for clearness in illustration;
  • FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the foot control illustrated in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the control and is taken on the line 3-3 in FIG. 2 and shows the treadle latched in inactive position;
  • FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view, similar to FIG. 3, showing the latch released from the treadle, and the treadle depressed into its operative position.
  • the control is shown for purposes of illustration as operating an electric switch of a known type, indicated generally at l, which may be such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,250,874, issued May 10, 1966.
  • the switch 1 comprises a stationary contact 2 and a complementary movable contact 3.
  • the contact 3 is mounted on a suitable carrier 4 which, in turn, is mounted on a shaft 5 for swinging movement from an open position, as illustrated in FIG. 3, to a closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 4.
  • the shaft 5 is mounted on the base 6.
  • the switch is enclosed in a compartment 7.
  • a foot treadle 8 is mounted on the base and is operative upon depression to move the switch from normally open position to its closed position.
  • the base 6 of the control is usually heavy cast metal. It is designed to rest on a horizontal supporting surface and support the treadle 8 with its tread 9 facing upwardly.
  • a guard 11 is mounted on the base 6 and has a partition wall 12 which cooperates with a wall 13 on the base to provide the compartment 7 for the switch.
  • the treadle is provided with arms 14 which extend rearwardly of the treadle from its tread 9 and which are pivotally mounted at their rearmost ends on the shaft 5.
  • a suitable return spring 15 is interposed between the base 6 and the treadle 8 and biases the treadle upwardly about the axis of the shaft 5 to an inactive position, as illustrated in FIG. 3, in which the switch 1 is open.
  • a latch mechanism indicated generally at 19, is provided.
  • This mechanism includes cars 16 rigid with, and extending laterally outwardly from, the arms 14, respectively, at a location thereon in spaced relation to the shaft 5.
  • the under faces of the ears 16 provide latching shoulders 17.
  • the latch includes laterally spaced arms 21 which are pivotally mounted on the shaft 20 so as to depend from the pivotal axis thereof. At their lower ends, the arms 21 have notches 22, respectively, which open rearwardly of the treadle and are adapted to re ceive the ears 16 when the treadle is in raised inactive position and the latch mechanism 19 is in its lowermost or active position.
  • the notches 22 have upwardly facing bottom walls 23 cooperable with the bottom walls 17 of the ears 16 for latching the treadle 8 against downward movement from the inactive position illustrated in FIG. 3 toward the active position illustrated in FIG. 4.
  • the latch mechanism includes a latch releasing member 24 in the form of a plate which is integral with the arms 21 and which is disposed at the opposite side of the shaft 20 from the notches 22.
  • the member 24 has a downwardly convex foot engaging portion 25 which, in the normal latching position of the latch mechanism, is spaced slightly above the level of the upper face of the tread 9 of the treadle 8, when the treadle is in its inactive position, and restricts access to the treadle through the open front of the guard 11.
  • the weight of the member 24 is such that when the base 6 is horizontal, the member 24 and the arms 21 rock about the shaft 20 in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3, to active latching position wherein, with the treadle raised to inactive position, the ears 16 are engaged in the notches 22 of the arms 21, thus latching the treadle against depression.
  • a biasing spring 26 may be connected to the arms 21 and to a wall of the guard 11 so as to more positively bias the arms 21 to latching position.
  • the guard 11 has a top forward wall 27 and depending side walls 28, the top wall being in spaced relation above the treadle 8 and member 24 in all positions of the treadle 8 and member 24, so as to prevent accidental depression of the treadle 8 by a downward bodily movement of the foot of the operator or by a falling object.
  • the side walls 28 prevent access to the treadle 8 laterally.
  • the forward marginal portion 25 of the member 24 may extend forwardly and downwardly so that its outer end is outwardly beyond the forward end of the treadle 8 and the forward edge of the walls 27 and 28.
  • any inertial force directed in a direction to move the treadle 8 toward its active position will move the member 24 in the same direction, and therefore move the notches 22 more firmly into latching position relative to the ears 16.
  • Any inertial force that can be directed to move the member 24 in a direction to release the notches 22 from the ears 16 will move or bias the treadle 8 to inactive position.
  • a foot control including a base
  • a treadle mounted on the base for movement in one direction to an active position and in an opposite direction to an inactive position;
  • a movable latch mechanism carried by the base and normally held in a latching position in which it latches the treadle in said inactive position, and movable from latching position to a release position in which it releases the treadle for movement to said active position;
  • said latch mechanism including a movable latch releasing member which is in a normal position when the latch mechanism is in latching position, and which is movable in a predetermined direction from its said normal position to a release position in which it moves the latch mechanism into its said release position;
  • said latch releasing member and treadle are mounted in relation to each other such that said predetermined direction of movement of the latch releasing member is generally opposite to said one direction of movement of the treadle.
  • the latch releasing member is positioned relative to the treadle so that when the treadle is in its inactive position and concurrently the latch releasing member is in its normal position, the latch releasing member restricts access to the treadle along a predetermined path, and when the latch releasing member is in its release position it is out of its restricting position relative to said path.
  • the treadle extends in a direction forwardly of the base from said axis;
  • a second pivot means carried by the base supports the latching releasing member for rocking movement about an axis parallel to that of the first pivot means
  • said second pivot means is arranged so? that its axis is forwardly of the base from, and at a level above, the axis of the first pivot means, in the horizontal position of the base.
  • said guard extends, endwise, in a direction forwardly and rearwardly of the treadle and projects forwardly beyond the forward end of the treadle, and is open at its forward end to afford access thereinto and to the treadle by the foot of the operator;
  • said member has a foot engageable portion disposed forwardly of the forward end of the treadle.
  • a foot control including i a base;
  • a treadle mounted on the base for movement-in one direction to an active position and in an opposite direction to an inactive position;
  • a movable member carried by the base and movable in one direction into a normal position in which it restricts access to the treadle, and in a predetermined direction from its normal position to an inactive position in which it is,out of access restricting relation to the treadle;
  • said member and treadle are mounted on the base for movement in relation to each other so that said predetermined direction of movement of the member is generally opposite to said one direction of movement of the treadle.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Mechanical Control Devices (AREA)
  • Finger-Pressure Massage (AREA)
  • Mechanically-Actuated Valves (AREA)
US515592A 1974-10-17 1974-10-17 Treadle operated control Expired - Lifetime US3916722A (en)

Priority Applications (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US515592A US3916722A (en) 1974-10-17 1974-10-17 Treadle operated control
CA234,132A CA1026211A (en) 1974-10-17 1975-08-22 Treadle operated control
GB37180/75A GB1527142A (en) 1974-10-17 1975-09-10 Treadle operated control
ZA00755859A ZA755859B (en) 1974-10-17 1975-09-15 Treadle operated control
AU84967/75A AU473633B2 (en) 1974-10-17 1975-09-18 Treadle operated control
FR7530629A FR2288349A1 (fr) 1974-10-17 1975-10-07 Commande actionnee par pedale
IT69526/75A IT1047397B (it) 1974-10-17 1975-10-09 Dispositivo di comando a pedale per valvole..interruttori elettrici ed altri meccanismi
DE2546404A DE2546404C3 (de) 1974-10-17 1975-10-16 Fußschalter

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US515592A US3916722A (en) 1974-10-17 1974-10-17 Treadle operated control

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3916722A true US3916722A (en) 1975-11-04

Family

ID=24051973

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US515592A Expired - Lifetime US3916722A (en) 1974-10-17 1974-10-17 Treadle operated control

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US3916722A (it)
AU (1) AU473633B2 (it)
CA (1) CA1026211A (it)
DE (1) DE2546404C3 (it)
FR (1) FR2288349A1 (it)
GB (1) GB1527142A (it)
IT (1) IT1047397B (it)
ZA (1) ZA755859B (it)

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD249505S (en) 1977-04-11 1978-09-19 The Linemaster Switch Corporation Foot operated control unit
US5083069A (en) * 1988-11-28 1992-01-21 Mefina S.A. Control pedal for an electric machine
US5180925A (en) * 1991-02-22 1993-01-19 Outboard Marine Corporation Remote switching system for an electric trolling motor
EP0515331A3 (en) * 1991-05-23 1993-01-20 Steelcontrol S.R.L. Easily assembled pedal unit for operating micro-switches or pneumatic valves
FR2689461A1 (fr) * 1992-04-07 1993-10-08 Rivas Francisco Installation de commandes de véhicule automobile pour l'assistance à la conduite de personnes handicapées.
US5319996A (en) * 1993-08-13 1994-06-14 Kransco Debris resistant foot pedal switch assembly
US5807077A (en) * 1996-12-05 1998-09-15 Lamanna; Joe Foot operated pump guard
WO1999019894A1 (en) * 1997-10-14 1999-04-22 Braaten Ronald J Foot switches
US6182686B1 (en) * 1999-05-11 2001-02-06 Jetstream Of Houston, Inc. Foot valve safety cover apparatus
GB2520507A (en) * 2013-11-21 2015-05-27 Huntleigh Technology Ltd Footswitch Assembly
US20150230879A1 (en) * 2014-02-17 2015-08-20 Ormco Corporation Foot pedal for a medical device having a self-leveling mechanism
US9330857B2 (en) 2013-02-11 2016-05-03 Mark H Muld Switch and switch operator assembly with safety mechanism
WO2016200400A1 (en) * 2015-06-12 2016-12-15 Federal Signal Corporation Two-stage valve actuation system
US9657865B2 (en) 2015-06-12 2017-05-23 Federal Signal Corporation Two-stage valve actuation system
US10955870B2 (en) * 2019-04-30 2021-03-23 Mike Schern Backhoe pedal guards

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2232817A (en) * 1989-06-10 1990-12-19 Stc Plc Switch guard

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2828379A (en) * 1955-12-27 1958-03-25 Linemaster Switch Corp Foot switch
US3759115A (en) * 1972-04-19 1973-09-18 Linemaster Switch Corp Safety foot control
US3785222A (en) * 1972-11-15 1974-01-15 Bohn Dawson Inc Foot control guard

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2828379A (en) * 1955-12-27 1958-03-25 Linemaster Switch Corp Foot switch
US3759115A (en) * 1972-04-19 1973-09-18 Linemaster Switch Corp Safety foot control
US3785222A (en) * 1972-11-15 1974-01-15 Bohn Dawson Inc Foot control guard

Cited By (21)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD249505S (en) 1977-04-11 1978-09-19 The Linemaster Switch Corporation Foot operated control unit
US5083069A (en) * 1988-11-28 1992-01-21 Mefina S.A. Control pedal for an electric machine
US5180925A (en) * 1991-02-22 1993-01-19 Outboard Marine Corporation Remote switching system for an electric trolling motor
EP0515331A3 (en) * 1991-05-23 1993-01-20 Steelcontrol S.R.L. Easily assembled pedal unit for operating micro-switches or pneumatic valves
FR2689461A1 (fr) * 1992-04-07 1993-10-08 Rivas Francisco Installation de commandes de véhicule automobile pour l'assistance à la conduite de personnes handicapées.
WO1993019948A1 (fr) * 1992-04-07 1993-10-14 Francisco Rivas Installation de commandes de vehicule automobile pour l'assistance a la conduite de personnes handicapees
US5319996A (en) * 1993-08-13 1994-06-14 Kransco Debris resistant foot pedal switch assembly
WO1995005628A1 (en) * 1993-08-13 1995-02-23 Mattel, Inc. Debris resistant foot pedal switch assembly
US5807077A (en) * 1996-12-05 1998-09-15 Lamanna; Joe Foot operated pump guard
US6064015A (en) * 1997-10-14 2000-05-16 Conntrol, International, Inc. Foot switches
WO1999019894A1 (en) * 1997-10-14 1999-04-22 Braaten Ronald J Foot switches
US6182686B1 (en) * 1999-05-11 2001-02-06 Jetstream Of Houston, Inc. Foot valve safety cover apparatus
US9330857B2 (en) 2013-02-11 2016-05-03 Mark H Muld Switch and switch operator assembly with safety mechanism
GB2520507A (en) * 2013-11-21 2015-05-27 Huntleigh Technology Ltd Footswitch Assembly
GB2520507B (en) * 2013-11-21 2017-03-01 Huntleigh Technology Ltd Footswitch Assembly
EP3072141B1 (en) * 2013-11-21 2020-08-12 Huntleigh Technology Limited Footswitch assembly
US20150230879A1 (en) * 2014-02-17 2015-08-20 Ormco Corporation Foot pedal for a medical device having a self-leveling mechanism
US9778675B2 (en) * 2014-02-17 2017-10-03 Ormco Corporation Foot pedal for a medical device having a self-leveling mechanism
WO2016200400A1 (en) * 2015-06-12 2016-12-15 Federal Signal Corporation Two-stage valve actuation system
US9657865B2 (en) 2015-06-12 2017-05-23 Federal Signal Corporation Two-stage valve actuation system
US10955870B2 (en) * 2019-04-30 2021-03-23 Mike Schern Backhoe pedal guards

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1527142A (en) 1978-10-04
FR2288349B1 (it) 1978-06-23
IT1047397B (it) 1980-09-10
DE2546404A1 (de) 1976-04-22
CA1026211A (en) 1978-02-14
DE2546404B2 (de) 1977-12-15
AU8496775A (en) 1976-06-24
DE2546404C3 (de) 1978-08-17
ZA755859B (en) 1976-08-25
AU473633B2 (en) 1976-06-24
FR2288349A1 (fr) 1976-05-14

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