GB2263260A

GB2263260A - Pedal clamp

Info

Publication number: GB2263260A
Application number: GB9300371A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David George Lowe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-01-15
Filing date: 1993-01-11
Publication date: 1993-07-21
Anticipated expiration: 2013-01-11
Also published as: GB9200785D0; GB2263260B; GB9300371D0

Abstract

An anti-theft pedal clamp 10 has a base, said base having a cross-member 15 adapted to underlie the pedals 31, 32, 33 of a motor vehicle, a cover 22 is pivotally attached to the base, said cover 22 having a lock 18 by which it may be secured in a closed position in which it will clamp the pedals 31, 32, 33 of the vehicle with respect to the cross-member 15. Abutment means 17, 28 is provided to restrict movement of the pedal clamp 10 axially of the pedals 31, 32, 33 and retractable stay means 25, 26, 27 extend from the pedal clamp 10 to provide a rigid abutment with the bulkhead of the vehicle beneath the pedals 31, 32, 33 when the cover 22 is in its closed position, the stay means 25, 26, 27 thereby preventing or restricting downward movement of the clamped pedals 31, 32, 33. When the cover 22 is opened, the stay means is retractable away from the bulkhead to facilitate manoeuvering of the pedal clamp 10, when fitting it onto or removing it from the pedals 31, 32, 33. <IMAGE>

Description

PEDAL CLAMP The present invention relates to a pedal clamp and in particular to a clamp for clamping the brake, clutch and accelerator pedals of a motor vehicle, to render the motor vehicle inoperable.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a pedal clamp comprises a base, said base having a cross-member adapted to underlie the pedals of a motor vehicle, a cover pivotally attached to the base, said cover having locking means by which it may be secured in a closed position in which it will clamp the pedals of the vehicle with respect to the cross-member, abutment means being provided to restrict movement of the pedal clamp axially of the pedals and retractable stay means, said stay means extending from the pedal clamp to provide a rigid abutment with the bulkhead or floor of the vehicle beneath the pedals when the cover is in its closed position, thereby preventing or restricting downward movement of the clamped pedals, the stay means being retractable away from the bulkhead or floor when the cover is open.

The pedal clamp according to the present invention is adapted to clamp the pedals of the vehicle together. The retractable stay means will prevent operation of the pedals when the clamp is fitted but may be retracted to facilitate manoeuvering of the clamp when fitting it onto and removing it from the pedals.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pedal clamp is adapted to clamp the brake, clutch and accelerator pedals of a vehicle with manual transmission or the brake and accelerator pedals of a vehicle with automatic transmission.

The invention is now described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates in perspective view a pedal clamp in accordance with the present invention, with the cover in its closed position; Figure 2 illustrates in perspective view the pedal clamp shown in Figure 1, with the cover open; Figures 3 to 5 illustrate the manner in which the pedal clamp shown in Figures 1 and 2 is fitted; Figure 6 illustrates in perspective view an alternative embodiment of the pedal clamp in accordance with the present invention; Figure 7 illustrates in perspective view a modification to the pedal clamp illustrated in Figure 6; Figure 8 illustrates in perspective view, a further embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 9 is a section along the line IX-IX of Figure 8 with the cover in its closed position.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 a pedal clamp 10 comprises a base 11 in the form of a frame having a pair of side members 12, 13 interconnected at one end by upper and lower cross-members 14, 15. A lower cover portion 20 is secured to the side members 12, 13 at the ends thereof remote from the cross-members 14, 15. An upper cover portion 22 is secured to the lower cover portion 20 by means of a hinge 24. The upper cover portion 22 has a lock 18 which when the cover is in its closed position, as illustrated in Figure 2, engages an aperture 19 in the upper cross-member 14, so that the upper cover portion 22 may be locked in its closed position.

Three stay members 25, 26, 27 are provided on the upper cover portion 22, so that when the upper cover portion 22 is closed, the stay members 25, 26, 27 will project beyond the cross-members 14, 15 and will abut the bulkhead 30 behind the clutch, brake and accelerator pedals 31, 32, 33 of a vehicle.

The stay members 25, 26 are positioned so that they will project between the stems 35 of pedals 31, 32, 33, being a close tolerance fit with the stem 35 of pedal 32, so that when the upper cover portion 22 is closed, they will engage an abutment 36 on the pedal stem 35, to prevent movement of the clamp 10 axially of the pedal stems 35 towards the pedal rubber 37. A stop bar 17 extends between the side members 12, 13 to limit axial movement of the clamp 10, in the other direction. Apertures 28, 29 are provided in the upper cross-member 14, to provide a clearance for the stay members 25, 26, 27. It will be appreciated that abutments 36 may be provided on more than one pedal 31, 32, 33 for engagement by the stay members 25, 26, 27.

As illustrated in Figures 3 to 5, the clamp 10 is fitted by introducing the clutch, brake and accelerator pedals 31, 32, 33 between the upper and lower cross-members 14, 15 and moving the clamp 10 along the stems 35 of the pedals 31, 32, 33, until the pedal rubbers 37 engage the stop bar 17. In this position, the lower end of the lower cover portion 20 should abut the floor 34 of the vehicle. The upper cover 22 is then closed and locked in the closed position, so that the stay members 25, 26, 27 project past the pedal stems 35 and into abutment with the bulkhead 30 of the vehicle. In this manner, all three pedals 31, 32, 33 are clamped together and cannot be depressed.

The base 11, lower and upper cover portions 22 and 23 of the pedal clamp 10 described above, are preferably made of mild steel or other such materials, and are of sufficient guage to prevent unauthorised removal. In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the upper cover portion 22 may be hinged directly to the base portion 11, in which case the lower cover portion 22 may be made of a lightweight material, for example aluminium.

The above described embodiment is designed for a specific model of vehicle, the separation of the upper and lower cross-members 14, 15; the position of the stop bar 17 and the spacing and length of the stay members 25, 26, 27 being determined by the dimensions and position of the pedal cluster of the vehicle.

Figure 6 illustrates a pedal clamp 10 which is adjustable so that it will fit various models of vehicle.

In this embodiment, the upper cover 22 is pivotally attached to the side members 12, 13 of the base 11. A lock 50 with push pin barrel is located on a side wall 51 of the upper cover portion 22 and is engagable with an aperture 52 is the side member 13.

The lower cross-member 15 is attached to the side members 12, 13 by means of suitable fastening means which locate through one of several aligned pairs of holes 55 in the respective side members 12, 13 and flanges 56 at the adjacent ends of cross-member 15, so that the separation between the upper and lower cross-members 14, 15 may be adjusted for the particular model of vehicle.

In this embodiment, the upper cover 22 has an end wall 60 with apertures 61 corresponding to the width of the stems 35 of pedals 31, 32 and 33. These apertures 61 are designed to engage abutments 36 on one or more of the pedals 31, 32, 33 to provide axial location of the clamp 10. In order to provide adjustment for various models, the apertures 61 in the end wall 60 are designed to accommodate the widest pedal stems 35 of the model range and an adjustment plate 65 is provided for specific models, the adjustment plate 65 having apertures 66 of appropriate width and separation for each particular model, the apertures 66 being aligned with apertures 61 in the end wall 60. The plate 65 is adapted to be secured to the end wall 60 in appropriate manner.

A stay member 70 is hinged to the lower cross-member 15 so that it may be pivoted rearwardly out of the way while the clamp 10 is being located over the pedals 31, 32, 33, but once fitted, the stay member 70 may be pivoted forwardly to the position illustrated, in which it will abut the bulkhead 30 behind the pedals, 31, 32, and 33.

An abutment 72 is provided on the upper cover portion 22, so that when the upper cover portion 22 is closed, the abutment 72 will project past the pedal stems 35 and will engage the stay member 70 and maintain it in position.

The length of stay member 72 may be adjustable in suitable manner, so that it may be adjusted for different positions of pedal cluster relative to the bulkhead 30, for different vehicle models.

The pedal clamps 10 described above are all suitable for vehicles in which the stems 35 of the pedals 31, 32, 33 extend downwardly from the vehicle bulkhead 30.

The pedal clamp 10 illustrated in Figure 7 is modified for a vehicle in which the accelerator pedal 33 is hinged to the floor 34 of the vehicle.

In this embodiment, the lower cross-member 15 extends only part way between the side members 12, 13 so as to accommodate only the clutch and brake pedals 31, 32. The lower cross-member 15 is secured to the side member 13 and to the upper cross-member 14 by means of bracket 80, in similar manner to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 6 so as to be adjustable.

A stay member 85 is hinged to the lower cross-member 15 so that when the upper cover 22 is open the stay member 85 is pivotal transversely of the cross-members 12, 13, from the position in which it extends downwardly from the cross-member 15 (as illustrated in Figure 7) to a position in which it lies flat against the cross-member 15, the latter position facilitating fitting of the clamp 10 to the pedals 31, 32. The stay member 85 has an extension 86 which is adjustably mounted to the stay member 85 for adjustment of the length of the stay member 85.

The stay member 85 has an arm 90 projecting therefrom, the arm 90 being located so that when the stay member 85 is in its downwardly extending position, the arm 90 will extend behind the accelerator pedal to prevent depression thereof.

An abutment 92 formed on the upper cover portion 22 is adapted to abut against the side of the stay member 85 and maintain it in abutment with the vehicle bulkhead 30, when the upper cover portion 22 is closed. An aperture 94 is provided in the lower cross-member 15 to provide clearance for the abutment 92.

In some vehicles when in their rest positions, the clutch and brake pedals 31, 32 are located at a higher level than the accelerator pedal 33. In order to accommodate pedal clusters of this configuration, the base 100 of the pedal clamp 10 may be formed by a plate 101, as illustrated in Figure 8. The plate 101 is adapted to underlie and abut the end plates 106 of the clutch and brake pedals 31, 32. Apertures 102, 103 are provided in the plate 101 to provide a clearance for the stems 35 of the pedals 31, 32 which are secured to the undersides of the plates 106. The apertures 102, 103 are of sufficient width to accommodate the stems 35 while being narrower than the end plates 106.

Side walls 110, 111 extend downwardly from the plate 101, the lower ends of the side walls 110 and 111 having inwardly extending flanges 112, 113. The flange 112 on the side of the base 100 adjacent the accelerator pedal 33, is extended and the depth of the wall 110 is such that when the plate 101 underlies the end plates 106 of pedals 31, 32 in abuting relationship thereto, the extended flange 112 will underlie the end plate 107 of the accelerator pedal 33, in abuting relationship thereto. An aperture 114 is provided in the extended flange 112 to provide clearance for the stem 35 of the accelerator pedal 33.

The cover 22 is pivotally attached to the side walls 110 and 111 of the base 100. The cover 22 has an end wall 120 which when the cover 22 is closed, will extend down beyond the flanges 112 and 113 of the base 100.

Apertures 121, 122 and 123 are provided in the end wall 120 to provide clearances for the stems 35 of the clutch, brake and accelerator pedals 31, 32, 33. The cover 22 may thus be closed to clamp the end plates 106 between the plate 101 and the cover 22, the end wall 120 of cover 22 abuting the rear edges of end plates 106 and 107 to axially locate the pedal clamp 10 with respect to the pedals 31, 32, 33.

Stay member 130 is pivotally mounted transversely with respect to the plate 101, in an aperture 131. A forked abutment 135 on the cover 22 is adapted when the cover 22 is in its closed position, to extend through the aperture 131 so that limbs 136, 137 of the forked abutment 135 engage opposite sides of the stay member 130 as illustrated in Figure 9. In this manner, when the cover 22 is closed the stay member 130 is locked in a position in which it will abut the bulkhead or floor of the vehicle beneath the pedals 31, 32, 33. However, when the cover 22 is open, the stay member 130 is free to be pivoted away from the bulkhead or floor of the vehicle, thereby facilitating engagement or removal of the pedal clamp 10 from the pedals 31, 32, 33.

A transverse wall formation 140 is provided across the end of the cover 22 which is pivoted to the base 100.

This end wall formation 140 engages with a corresponding transverse wall formation 141 on the plate 101, to provide a closure, when the cover 22 is closed, while permitting pivoting of the cover 22 to an open position.

A slam locking mechanism 150 is provided on the cover 22 to lock the cover 22 in its closed position. This slam lock mechanism 150, engages a striker plate formation 151 formed on plate 101.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example, it will be appreciated that while the clamps described above are suitable for manual transmission vehicles having brake, clutch and accelerator pedals, the clamps may be adapted for use on vehicles with automatic transmissions having only brake and accelerator pedals.

Claims

1. A pedal clamp comprising a base, said base having a cross-member adapted to underlie the pedals of a motor vehicle, a cover pivotally attached to the base, said cover having locking means by which it may be secured in a closed position in which it will clamp the pedals of the vehicle with respect to the cross-member, abutment means being provided to restrict movement of the pedal clamp axially of the pedals and retractable stay means, said stay means extending from the pedal clamp to provide a rigid abutment with the bulkhead or floor of the vehicle beneath the pedals when the cover is in its closed position, thereby preventing or restricting downward movement of the clamped pedals, the stay means being retractable away from the bulkhead or floor when the cover is open.

2. A pedal clamp according to Claim 1 in which the stay means is rigidly fixed to the cover and positioned such that when the cover is closed, it projects between the pedals and into abutment with the bulkhead or floor of the vehicle beneath the pedals.

3. A pedal clamp according to Claim 2 in which the stay means comprises a plurality of rigid members which, when the cover is closed, project between adjacent pairs of pedals.

4. A pedal clamp according to Claim 3 in which the rigid members engage an abutment on one or more of the pedals, to locate the pedal clamp axially of the pedals.

5. A pedal clamp according to Claim 1 in which the stay means comprises a rigid member pivotally attached to the base of the pedal clamp, means being provided on the cover for engagement of the pivoted rigid member, so that when the cover is in its closed position, the pivoted rigid member is locked in a position in which it will abut the bulkhead or floor of the vehicle beneath the pedals.

6. A pedal clamp according to Claim 5 in which the rigid member is pivotally attached to the base of the pedal clamp, so that it is pivotal between a first position in which it projects from the base of the pedal clamp towards the bulkhead or floor of the vehicle beneath the pedals and a second position in which it is pivoted away from the bulkhead or floor of a vehicle, an abutment means being provided on the cover and arranged, when the cover is in its closed position, to engage the rigid member and hold it in its first position.

7. A pedal clamp according to Claim 5 in which the abutment means comprises a rigid member pivotally attached to the base of the pedal clamp across an aperture in said base, a forked abutment means being provided on the cover, such that when the cover is in its closed position, the limbs of the forked abutment will abut opposite sides of the rigid member to locate the rigid member in a position in which it extends away from the base of the pedal clamp towards the bulkhead or floor of the vehicle beneath the pedals.

8. A pedal clamp according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 or 5 to 7 in which the cover has an end wall with apertures adapted to provide clearance for the stems of the pedals, the end wall engaging abutments on one or more of the pedals to provide axial location of the pedal clamp with respect to the pedals.

9. A pedal clamp according to any one of the preceding claims in which the base comprises a pair of side members interconnected at one end by upper and lower crossmembers, the cross-members defining a mouth between which the pedals of the vehicle locate, abutment means being associated with the cover so that when the cover is in its closed position, removal of the pedals from between the cross-members is prevented.

10. A pedal clamp according to Claim 9 in which a stop bar is provided between the side members at a location spaced from the upper and lower cross-members to limit the distance to which the pedals may be inserted between the upper and lower cross-members.

11. A pedal clamp according to any one of Claims 1 to 10 in which a rigid member is mounted on the base of the pedal clamp for pivotal movement transversely thereof, the rigid member being pivotal between a first position in which it extends from the base towards the bulkhead or floor of a vehicle beneath the pedals and a second position in which it is pivoted away from the bulkhead or floor of the vehicle, abutment means being provided on the cover, said abutment means being adapted when the cover is in its closed position, to engage the rigid member and locate it in its first position, a projection extending from the rigid member laterally of the pedal clamp, said projection being adapted to underlie a pedal hinged to the floor of the vehicle, when the rigid member is in its first position.

12. A pedal clamp according to any one of Claims 1 to 8 in which the base comprises a plate which is adapted to underlie the end plates of one or more pedals of a vehicle, apertures being provided in said plate to provide a clearance for the stems of the pedals which are connected to the underside of the end plates, abutment means being associated with the cover, such that when the cover is in its closed position the abutment means engages the end plates of the pedals to clamp the end plates of the pedals between the plate and cover.

13. A pedal clamp according to Claim 12 in which the base has planar surfaces at different levels which are adapted to underlie the end plates of pedals which, at their rest positions, will be located at different levels.

14. A pedal clamp as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 13 in which the clamp is adjustable to accommodate varying dimensions of pedal clusters of a range of vehicle models.

15. A pedal clamp, substantially as described herein, with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 5, Figure 6, Figure 7 or Figures 8 and 9 of the accompanying drawings.