Ergonomically symmetric pedal control system

Abstract

An industrial symmetric pedal control system is provided which allows for ergonomically favorable operation by paired reciprocal control pedals which mirror an operator's right and left limbs. The reciprocal mirror control pedals allow operation of the same predetermined function within designated machinery by either the left or right foot of an operator, thus reducing fatigue while maintaining proper position at a particular workstation. Also included in the system is an ergonomically designed floor mat to provide the operator with more comfort and less fatigue while operating machinery.

Claims

1. An ergonomic sewing machine pedal control system, comprising: a) a base including a control tower; b) a control pedal assembly connected to said base including: a first pair of reciprocally matched pedals comprising a first pedal and a second pedal pivotally connected and mechanically linked to a second pair of reciprocally matched pedals comprising a third pedal and a fourth pedal, said first pair of reciprocally matched pedals are connected to said second pair of reciprocally matched pedals, whereby said first pair of reciprocally matched pedals is returned to a selected position when said second pair of reciprocally matched pedals is depressed; said control tower including a symmetric pedal control system for generating a control signal to and receiving a signal from said first pair of reciprocally matched pedals comprising said first pedal and said second pedal, and said second pair of reciprocally matched pedals comprising said third pedal and said fourth pedal, such that said control signal from said first pair of reciprocally matched said first pedal and said second pedal sends a corresponding control signal to a selected one of said third pedal or said fourth pedal of said second pair of reciprocally matched pedals; means for communicating said control signal to a sewing machine, said first pedal, said second pedal, said third pedal, and said fourth pedal each have having a selected position with respect to said control tower; c) a platform contiguous to and cooperatively engaging said base for supporting an operator, wherein said first pair of reciprocally matched pedals and said second pair of reciprocally matched pedals are disposed adjacent to and about said platform in a mirrored image fashion; d) said first pedal, said second pedal, said third pedal, and said fourth pedal of said first pair of reciprocally matched pedals and said second pair of reciprocally matched pedals, respectively, are arranged so that when operated a top surface of said first pedal, said second pedal, said third pedal, and said fourth pedal of said first pair of reciprocally matched pedals and said second pair of reciprocally matched pedals is aligned approximately even with a support surface of said platform allowing for pedal actuation with an operator's foot in a flat position supporting his or her weight on said support surface of said platform and a pedal step surface during a predominant pedal actuation position which is full speed forward sewing.

2. The ergonomic sewing machine pedal control system described in claim 1, wherein said first pedal, said second pedal, said third pedal, and said fourth pedal are arranged so that when operated, said top surface of said first pedal, said second pedal, said third pedal, and said fourth pedal is aligned approximately even with a top surface of said platform.

3. The ergonomic sewing machine pedal control system described in claim 1, wherein said platform is sized to allow engagement of said first pair of reciprocally matched pairs of pedals by a first foot of said operator and engagement of said second pair of reciprocally matched pairs of pedals by a second foot of said operator.

4. The ergonomic sewing machine pedal control system described in claim 1, wherein said top surface of said first pedal and said second pedal of said first pair of reciprocally matched pedals and said third pedal and said fourth pedal of said second pair of reciprocally matched pedals include a place of engagement by a foot of said operator which is slanted toward said base and located adjacent to an edge of said platform.

5. The ergonomic sewing machine pedal control system described in claim 1 wherein said first pedal and said second pedal each have a forward operative pedal selection operable by a left foot within a 5″-10″ range of engagement from an operative center point of said control tower and said third pedal and said fourth pedal each have a forward operative pedal selection operable by a right foot within a 5″-10″ range of engagement from an operative center point of said control tower to control the same function.

6. The ergonomic sewing machine pedal control system described in claim 1 wherein a pedal control assembly includes said first pair of reciprocally matched pedals and said second pair of reciprocally matched pedals operable by a right foot or left foot with a pivotal range from a heel of up to 10″ from an operative center point of said control tower.

7. The ergonomic sewing machine pedal control system described in claim 1 wherein said first pair of reciprocally matched pedals and said second pair of reciprocally matched pedals operates one to four sewing machine functions.

8. The ergonomic sewing machine pedal control system described in claim 1 wherein an outer pedal selected from said first pair of reciprocally matched pedals and an outer pedal selected from said second pair of reciprocally matched pedals have the same function, and an inner pedal selected from said first pair of reciprocally matched pedals and inner pedal selected from said second pair of reciprocally matched pedals have the same function.

9. The ergonomic sewing machine pedal control system described in claim 1, wherein an outer pedal selected from said first pair of reciprocally matched pedals and an outer pedal selected from said second pair of reciprocally matched pedals are positioned within 14 to 19 inches from an operative center point of said control tower.

10. The ergonomic sewing machine pedal control system described in claim 1, wherein an axis of rotation from a horizontal center mid plane parallel to said base of said first pedal, said second pedal, said third pedal, and said fourth pedal have a minimum to a maximum angle of rotation plus or minus fifty degrees upward or downward motion.

11. The ergonomic sewing machine pedal control system described in claim 1, wherein said first pedal, said second pedal, said third pedal, and said fourth pedal have a shape selected from the group consisting of an angular surface, a curved surface, a curved flat surface and a curved raised surface.

12. The ergonomic sewing machine pedal control system described in claim 1, wherein said first pair of reciprocally matched pedals includes a left outer pedal and said second pair of reciprocally matched pedals includes a right outer pedal mechanically linked to one another for controlling the same backtack and cut function reversing a sewing direction for a predetermined distance and performing an automatic cut of a sewing thread and said first pair of reciprocally matched pedals includes a left inner pedal and said second pair of reciprocally matched pedals includes a right inner pedal mechanically linked to one another for controlling a variable forward speed.

13. A symmetric pedal control system for a sewing machine, comprising: a base having a support structure that supports a standing operator and a pedal control system mounting on said base; said pedal control system having an inner pedal set of reciprocally matched pedals and an outer pedal set of reciprocally matched pedals mounted to said base in a mirrored image fashion; a said inner pedal set of said reciprocally matched pedals pivotally connecting to said outer pedal set of reciprocally matched pedals so that said inner pedal set is returned to a selected position when said outer pedal set is depressed and vice versa; a control tower mounted to said base; said pedal control system mounting to said control tower for generating a control signal to and receiving a signal from depression of each pedal of said inner pedal set and said outer pedal set whereby said inner pedal set and said outer pedal set send and received said control signal to said sewing machine; said inner pedal set and said outer pedal set are disposed equi-distant from the center of said control tower, said inner pedal set including a left inner pedal and a right inner pedal, and said outer pedal set including a left outer pedal and a right outer pedal; said control signal sent or receive from depression of said left outer pedal and said left inner pedal are operable with either an operator's left foot or right foot standing on a left side of said control tower, and said control signal sent or received from depression of said right outer pedal and said right inner pedal are operable with either an operator's left foot or right foot standing on a right side of said control tower providing said operator an option of operating said sewing machine while standing on either the left or right side of said control tower; said left outer pedal and said right outer pedal of said outer pedal set are mechanically linked to one another each one controlling back tack reversing a sewing direction, and a cut of a sewing thread; said left inner pedal and said right inner pedal of said inner pedal set are mechanically linked to one another for controlling a variable forward speed; said inner pedal set remaining in a flat position supporting the weight of an operator's foot on a pedal step during a pedal actuation position; said inner pedal set controlling said variable forward speed control providing a range of forward sewing speeds from an initial engagement to a predetermined full-speed rate of sewing; a platform contiguous to and cooperatively engaging said base for supporting an operator, wherein said first pair of reciprocally matched pedals and said second pair of reciprocally matched pedals are disposed adjacent to and about said platform in a mirrored image fashion; said platform having a surface generally even with a fully engaged inner pedal set step surface or a fully engaged outer pedal set step surface during operation providing a generally coplanar surface between said top surface of said platform and said inner pedal set step surface and said outer pedal set step surface.

14. The symmetric pedal control system for a sewing machine of claim 13, wherein a selected portion of said top surface of said outer pedal set and said inner pedal set is texturized with an anti-skid treatment selected from the group consisting of upwardly facing pyramids, bumps, pebbles, protrusions, silica coating, diamond tread pattern, and combinations thereof providing traction and/or cushioning.

15. The symmetric pedal control system for a sewing machine of claim 13, said platform including a recess under said outer pedal set of reciprocally matched pedals for receiving a portion thereof providing a generally coplanar surface therebetween.

16. A symmetric pedal control system for a sewing machine, comprising: a base having a support structure that supports a standing operator and a pedal control system mounting on said base, said pedal control system having an inner pedal set of reciprocally matched pedals and an outer pedal set of reciprocally matched pedals mounted to said base in a mirrored image fashion; a reciprocal pedal control for operation of the sewing machine; said inner pedal set of reciprocally matched pedals pivotally connecting to said outer pedal set of reciprocally matched pedals so that said inner pedal set of reciprocally matched pedals is returned to a selected position when said outer pedal set of reciprocally matched pedals are is depressed and vice versa; a control tower mounted to said base; said control tower including a symmetric pedal control system for generating a control signal to and receiving a signal from each pedal of said inner pedal set and said outer pedal set such that a corresponding pedal in the reciprocally matched pairs of said inner pedal set and said outer pedal set send and received said same control signal to a means for communicating said control signal to said sewing machine; said inner pedal set and said outer pedal set are disposed equi-distant from the center of said control tower, said inner pedal set comprising a left inner pedal and a right inner pedal and said outer pedal set comprising a right outer pedal and a left outer pedal; said control signal sent or received from said left outer pedal and said left inner pedal are operable with either an operator's left foot or right foot standing on a left side of said control tower, and said control signal sent or received from said right outer pedal and said right inner pedal are operable with either an operator's left foot or right foot standing on a right side of said control tower providing said operator an option of operating said sewing machine while standing on either the left or right side of said control tower; said left outer pedal and said right outer pedal of said outer pedal set are mechanically linked to one another each one controlling back tack reversing a sewing direction for a predetermined direction, and a cut of a sewing thread by engaging either said left outer pedal or said right outer pedal; said left inner pedal and said right inner pedal of said inner pedal set are mechanically linked to one another, each one controlling a variable forward speed control; said inner pair of pedals remaining in a flat position supporting the weight of an operator's foot on a pedal step surface during a pedal actuation position, said inner pair of pedals controlling said variable forward speed control providing a range of forward sewing speeds from an initial engagement to a full-speed rate of sewing; said base having a platform surface providing a generally even top surface between a left inner pedal step surface and a right inner pedal step surface when said left inner pedal or said right inner pedal is fully engaged during operation.

17. The symmetric pedal control system for a sewing machine of claim 16, wherein said multilayer mat further comprises an open cell polyurethane or a closed cell polyvinyl chloride.

18. The symmetric pedal control system for a sewing machine of claim 16, wherein a selected portion of said top surface of said outer pedal set and said inner pedal set is texturized with an anti-skid treatment selected from the group consisting of upwardly facing pyramids, bumps, pebbles, protrusions, silica coating, diamond tread pattern, and combinations thereof providing traction and/or cushioning.

19. The symmetric pedal control system for a sewing machine of claim 16, wherein said pedal control system includes four forward operative pedal selections that can be operated by either the right foot or the left foot with a range of five to nineteen inches from said control tower.

20. The symmetric pedal control system for a sewing machine of claim 16, wherein said multilayer mat compresses a non-slip outer layer, a compressible layer, a peripheral frame member disposed between an outer layer and said compressible layer.

21. The symmetric pedal control system for a sewing machine of claim 16, wherein a distance between said inner pedal step surface and said platform surface is in a range of five sixteenth to three sixteenths inches.

22. The symmetric pedal control system for a sewing machine of claim 16, said platform including a recess under said left outer pedal and said right outer pedal for receiving a portion of said left outer pedal and said right outer pedal providing a generally coplanar surface between said left inner pedal step surface and said right inner pedal step surface when said left inner pedal or said right inner pedal is fully engaged during operation.

23. The symmetric pedal control system for a sewing machine of claim 16, said platform comprising a multilayer mat having a compression set ranging from 3 to 40% and a compression deflection ranging from 3 to 30 pound per square inch.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the views wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional embodiment of a pedal control system as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,351,571;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the symmetric pedal control system 30 including a control tower 32 and interlocking pedal members 34 and 36;

(4) FIG. 3 is a top view of the ‘cut control’ pedal 36;

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the ‘cut control’ pedal 36;

(6) FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the ‘forward control’ pedal 34;

(7) FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the ‘forward control’ pedal 34;

(8) FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the symmetric pedal control system 30;

(9) FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of the symmetric pedal control system 30 including an anti-fatigue mat;

(10) FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of an anti-fatigue mat 25 which is optionally utilized together with the pedal control system;

(11) FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the outer marginal portion of an anti-fatigue mat 25;

(12) FIG. 11 is a side view of the control tower and inter locking pedals of the symmetric pedal control system 30;

(13) FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of the symmetric pedal control system 30 including pivot arm controlled air valves;

(14) FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of the symmetric pedal control system 30 of FIG. 12;

(15) FIG. 14 is a side view of the symmetric pedal control system 30 of FIG. 12;

(16) FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the symmetric pedal control system 30 including pivot arm controlled air valves;

(17) FIG. 16 is a side view showing of the symmetric pedal control system 30 wherein the tower includes a bracket for mounting and electronic speed control device and the inner pedal is in the maximum depressed down position;

(18) FIG. 17 is a side view showing the outer pedal in the maximum down position;

(19) FIG. 18 is a side view showing the pedals adjusted to minimal level with EFKA speed control;

(20) FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the platform with mat;

(21) FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of the symmetric pedal control system including pivot arm controlled air valves;

(22) FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of the symmetric pedal control system showing the use of a link arm which pivotally connects lug to the control arm of the speed controller;

(23) FIG. 22 is a perspective side view of the symmetric pedal control system showing the use of a link arm which pivotally connects lug to the control arm of the speed controller; and

(24) FIG. 23 is a side view of the symmetric pedal control system showing the use of a link arm which pivotally connects lug to the control arm of the speed controller.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(25) As shown in FIGS. 1-23, reference numerals denote identical or corresponding parts and these reference numerals are used in the following description of this preferred embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, one preferred embodiment constituting an integrated system of the invention entails a platform which includes reciprocal pedal controls for operation of an industrial sewing machine. The system provides in one unit both a padded work station platform 50 as well as ergonomically situated foot pedal controls operable with either the operator's left or right foot to control a piece of machinery, for example and industrial sewing machine.

(26) The integrated sewing machine workstation of the applicant's previous patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,351,571, shown in FIG. 1, includes a therapeutic workstation platform 11 with forward speed control pedals 6 and ‘backtack’ and cut control pedals 16, which may be operated to actuate a signal lever arm 2. It is contemplated that this same workstation can be used with other types of machines which can be operated by foot operated switches. The signal lever arm 2 engages predetermined control commands through the means for communicating control demands 1 with a sewing machine through any of several conventional function control signaling methods well known in industrial machinery control systems, such as electric circuitry, mechanical switches, pressure sensitive buttons, or direct mechanical drives. The structure of the therapeutic workstation platform 11 is important in the integrated operation of the control pedals 6 and 16. The platform 11 provides a slightly elevated workstation which allows for comfortable pedal actuation while engaging the most prevalently used pedals, the forward speed controls 6. The operator's foot can maintain a flat position supporting his or her weight on the surface of the platform 11 as well as the pedal step surface 7 during the predominant pedal actuation position which is full speed forward sewing.

(27) The platform 11 incorporates a non-slip padded work surface 12, a wooden structural base 13, and a non-slip floor contact 14 designed with recesses 18 for flush mounting of the pedal hinge bases 9. A beveled workstation edge molding 15 is provided as a safety feature and a structural support for the integrated platform. This edge molding 15 is painted with a highly visible color to avoid accidental tripping and clearly demarcate the workstation. The forward speed control pedals 6 have an attached forward speed lever arm actuator rod 4 which transmits engagement of the pedal 6 through a contact bracket 3 to the signal lever arm 2. A protective lever arm contact covering 17 is provided to allow adaptation of the integrated control system with preexisting machinery control devices likely to be found already in place as a part of the industrial sewing machine. The linkage between the pedals 6 through the actuator rod 4 may be provided with a position return biasing device, such as a spring. The sewing machine controlled with the instant invention incorporates a preexisting spring loaded signal lever arm prevalent in the prior art. The forward speed control pedal 6 includes a pedal step surface 7 usually made of non-slip surface. A pedal hinge 8 provides a rotatable connection with the pedal hinge base 9.

(28) As an integrated structure, the base 13 includes a forward pedal actuation stop 20 that defines a channel and is integrated in height with the pedal 6 and the work surface 12 to provide an even surface between the top of the pedal step surface 7 and workstation surface 12 when the pedal 6 is fully engaged during the predominant period of operation. Adjustment of signal lever arm 2 actuation at the position where the step surface 7 and the workstation surface 12 are level is controllable through the shape of the link between the forward speed lever arm actuator rod 4 and the forward speed lever arm contact bracket 3. In this embodiment, the forward speed control pedal 6 is engagable to control through an infinite range of forward sewing from initial engagement to the desired, predetermined full-speed rate of sewing.

(29) A second operation in the industrial sewing control system provided by the preferred embodiment includes the backtack and cut operation whereby the control reverses the sewing direction for a predetermined distance, lifts the fabric guide foot, and performs an automatic cut of the sewing thread. These operations of the sewing machine are not shown as they are prevalent in the prior art. However, what is depicted as part of this preferred embodiment is the provision of reciprocal backtack and cut control pedals 16. The backtack pedal structure 16 includes a pedal step surface 7 which engages a backtack and cut lever arm actuator rod 5 providing rotation along this rod which is transmitted as a distinct control of the signal lever arm 2 through a backtack and cut lever arm contact bracket 5a. The rotation of the backtack actuator rod 5 is aligned within actuator rod bearing brackets 10 holding the rod within the channel 19 formed between the front edge of the structural base 13 and the back edge of the forward speed pedal actuation stop 20.

(30) The improved ergonomic symmetric pedal control system 30 of the present invention, shown in FIGS. 2-19, comprises, consists of, and consists essentially of reciprocally operating dual pedal sets 34 and 36, a control tower 32, and ergonomic anti-fatigue mat 50 having selected ergonomic characteristics known as ‘compression set’ and ‘compression deflection’. The pedals 341, 342, 361 and 362 are oval shaped which are less likely to get caught on the edge of an operators shoes than the rectangular pedals 6 and 16 of the design in FIG. 1. A selected portion of each of the pedals include upwardly pointing rows and columns of pyramidal gripping members to provide a non-skid surface. Inner pedals 341 and 342, and outer pedals 361 and 362 constitute reciprocally matched pedal sets in that either pedal of the pedal set (341, 342) and (361, 362) can be used for the same purpose and that the pairs of pedals of each set are equi-distant from the center of the symmetric pedal control system 30. Having these pedals disposed on either side of the control system gives the operator the option of using one or the other as desired.

(31) As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, dual cut control pedal set 36 pivots with respect to pivot blocks 40 on pins 41 about axis 44 so that when either pedal 361 or pedal 362 is pushed downward, lug 46 is raised upward. Pivot blocks 40 are fixedly connected to the top surface 38 of base 42. Cut control pedal set 36 includes the left pedal 361 and the right pedal 362. The lug 46 on the central forward edge of pedal set 36 includes an aperture 47 whose axis is parallel to axis 44 in pedal set 36.

(32) The control tower 32 is fixedly connected to the upper surface of base 42 and includes an aperture 31 in the top surface which provides a handle for carrying the symmetric pedal control system 30. The tower 32 contains at least two further apertures 33, one on each side of the control tower 32 for cooperative engagement with studs 60 on the forward control pedal set 34, best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 include a body member 343 with a left inner pedal 341 attaching on the left lower edge of the body member 343 and a right inner pedal 342 attaching to the right lower edge of the rectangular body 343. The upper surfaces of the rectangular body 343 and the two pedals 341 and 342 are approximately coplanar. The two inner pedals 341 and 342 are oval shaped and their upper surfaces 62 are covered with upward pointing pyramidal shoe sole gripping members. A downward pointing lug 52 is attached to the bottom surface of the body member 343 roughly in the center and contains an aperture 54 whose axis is parallel to the axis 44 of the pedal set 36. An upward pointing lug 56 is located near the bottom edge of member body 343. Lug 56 also contains an aperture 58 whose axis is also parallel to axis 44 of pedal set 36.

(33) As shown in FIG. 11, cut control pedal set 36 pivots with respect to pivot block 40 about pin 41. Lug 46 of cut control pedal 36 is pivotally connected to link arm 39 by pin 48. Link arm 39 also is pivotally connected to lug 52 of forward control pedal set 34 by pin 53. Forward control pedal set 34 pivots with respect to control tower 32 about pin 35. Thus, it can be seen that lug 56 at the lower edge of forward control pedal set 34 moves downward when either inner pedal 341 or 342 is pushed downward. Conversely, when either outer pedal 361 or 362 of the cut control pedal set 36 is pushed downward, lug 46 of cut control pedal set 36 pushes link arm 39 upward, thus pushing lug 52 of forward control pedal set 34 upward, and therefore causing lug 56 to move back to the initial position.

(34) As illustrated in FIG. 8, the top surface 88 of mat 50 extends above the top surface of base 42. This feature provides that when pedal set 34 is pressed completely downward, the top surfaces 363 of inner pedal 341 and 342 are nearly even with the top surface of mat 50. Further, recesses 86 and 84 are located under outer pedals 361 and 362, respectively. When pushing outer pedal 361 or 362 downward, these pedals bottom out with their top surfaces near the top surface of mat 50, as well. These features allow for more comfortable and un-impeded operation of pedals 341, 342, 361 and 362.

(35) One method of using the symmetric pedal control system 30 as shown in FIG. 8, includes the use of a link arm 80 which pivotally connects lug 56 to the control arm 72 of speed controller 70. Pushing downward on either of forward control inner pedals 341 or 342 causes control arm 72 to be pushed downward. Pushing the control arm 72 downward starts and speeds up the machine. Moving the control arm upward slows down the machine. When the control arm 72 is pushed fully upward, the machine stops. If the machine in question is a sewing machine, the sewing machine may be configured so that a ‘back tack’ step is performed before coming to a complete stop. It can be seen that pushing down on either of the ‘forward control’ inner pedals 341 or 342 will cause the machine to start or go ‘forward’. Further, pushing down on either of the ‘cut control’ outer pedals 361 or 362 will cause the machine to stop or in other words for the control to be ‘cut’ off. Speed controller 70 includes a wiring harness (not shown) with a quick connect coupling (not shown) which may be quickly connected to any machine to be controlled by the control system 30.

(36) The cut control pedal set 36 is positively linked to the forward control pedal set 34 through pivot pins 41, 48, 53, and 35. Thus it can be stated that applicant's quadruple pivot pin system provides a positive machine cut off feature because pushing down on either of the cut control pedals 361 or 362 will positively push the forward control pedal set 34 back to a stop position.

(37) Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 12-14, the pedal sets can be fitted with air valves 90 and 91 for pneumatic control of the machine rather than using an electrical speed controller 70 as shown in FIG. 8. The control link 92 is moved to open or close valve 90 by moving pedal 361 or 362. The control link 93 is moved to open or close valve 91 by moving pedal set 34 up or down. Control valves 90 and 91 include pneumatic hoses with quick disconnects for easy connection to any machine to be controlled by this system.

(38) With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, a mat 25 includes a multilayer thickness for supporting at least a human body thereon, the multilayer mat has a non-slip outer layer 21, a compressible layer 26, and a peripheral frame member (spine) 22 disposed between the outer layer 21 and the compressible layer 26. The non-slip outer layer 21 may includes protrusions, abrasive surfaces, such as silica coating, or patterns, such as diamond tread. This non-slip outer layer 21 serves as the contact point of the user standing or moving on the matting 25. Nonetheless, a user may ambulate on the outer layer 21 without slipping under normal use. Compressible layer 26 can absorb a portion of the weight of a user on the matting 25 to help reduce standing fatigue.

(39) In a preferred construction, the peripheral spine 22 defines a flexible performance framework 22 of the matting 25. In one aspect, the performance framework 22 advantageously enables long runs of the matting 25 to be stationary thereby preventing “snaking” or “shifting” of the matting when deployed on a floor surface. This innovative performance framework 22 also prevents the edges of the matting 25 from warping or coming up off the floor surface. The construction of the matting 25 prevents bunching up, or rolling up thereby significantly reducing safety hazards in the workplace. This construction solves the warping and hazard problems which are a significant source of complaints and recordable safety hazards of conventional anti-fatigue matting.

(40) Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a preferred construction of mat 25 comprises a semi-rigid strip of plastic material 22 such as vinyl or other appropriate material bonded inside the perimeter and to the underside 23 of the outer/top layer 21 of vinyl material and to the top side of the tapered edge 32 of the next sponge layer 26. The top vinyl material 21 is more flexible or able to bend more than the strip 22 of material. Advantageously, the strip 22 provides rigidity to the top layer 21 of material. In one construction, the strip 22 can be approximately ⅛ inch thick and have a width of about ½-¾ inch. However, other dimensions are possible. In the most preferred construction, the sponge layer 26 is tapered to direct the edge of the top vinyl surface 21 to the floor. The rigid vinyl strip 22 is not parallel to the floor 50, but projects downwardly at a selected angle “theta” generally equal to the angle of the tapered sponge inner layer edge. The angle 24 may range from 2 degrees to 45 degrees from the horizontal. Alternatively, the angle 24 may be in the range from 25 degrees to 26 degrees from the horizontal. Nevertheless, other values are possible, such as 31 degrees to 42 degrees. Thus, this angle of construction of matting 25 together with the flexible top material which bends more than the rigid strip around the periphery creates a suction-like pressure which enables the edge of the matting 25 to adhere to a floor surface, such as a concrete floor, thereby providing consistent sure footed traction of a human body walking or otherwise moving on the matting 10. In this manner, a matting construction includes an air bonding function to maintain a stationary position during use on a floor surface.

(41) One preferred embodiment of the symmetrical pedal control system, as shown in FIG. 8, includes an anti-fatigue mat 50 as configured in FIGS. 9 and 10 and described above, wherein the mat comprises material with a combined compression set in the range of 3 to 40% and a compression deflection in the range of 3 to 70 psi. Because selected anti-fatigue mats 50 have various compression set and compression deflection values chosen for particular operators, the ergonomic pedal control system 30 of FIG. 8 is easily separable and portable from one machine to another, so that when an operator is moved from one machine to another, he may disconnect his pedal control system for quick connection to the machine to which he is moving. Quick disconnect wiring or pneumatic lines allow the system to be moved from one machine to another so that an operator can carry his ergonomic pedal control system 30 along with him. The handle 31 provides a convenient means for carrying the system.

(42) Another embodiment, shown in FIG. 15 includes control tower 32 with an extended lateral panel 82 specifically configured for mounting typical electronic controls.

(43) The foregoing detailed description is given primarily for clearness of understanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom, for modification will become obvious to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and may be made upon departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, this invention is not intended to be limited by the specific exemplification presented herein above. Rather, what is intended to be covered is within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.