BRAKE PEDAL WEIGHT DEVICE AND RELATED METHODS

Abstract

The present invention provides methods and apparatus for engaging the brake pedal of a vehicle using only the weight of the device, allowing a single person to check for proper functioning of the vehicle's brake lights without having to further attach the device to a seat or steering wheel of the vehicle, and methods of using the same. The device may include an elongated arm or lever, an attachment member at one end of the arm for engaging it with the brake pedal, and a weighted member at the opposite end of the arm for providing downward force against the brake pedal. The attachment member may comprise a bracket with one or more widths, allowing the device to securely engage with brake pedals of varying sizes and thicknesses, such that the same bracket may be used to engage a relatively small and thin brake pedal of a car, or a larger, thicker brake pedal of a commercial vehicle such as a bus or a semi-truck.

Claims

1. A device for engaging a brake pedal of a vehicle comprising: a. an elongated arm member; b. an attachment member located at one end of said arm member for engagement with said brake pedal, said attachment member having an opening therein for receiving a support arm of said brake pedal; and c. a weighted member at an opposite end of said arm.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said attachment member is provided in the form of an open ended bracket that may be fitted over said brake pedal.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said attachment member comprises a front member and a rear member, said rear member comprising a stepped shape wherein said front member and said rear member are separated by a first distance at an upper end thereof, and separated by a second distance at a lower end thereof.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said second distance is greater than said first distance.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said first distance is in a range from about inch to about inch, and said second distance is in a range from about inch to about 1 inches.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said elongated arm is provided in a curved shape.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said elongated arm further comprises a grip.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein said elongated arm comprises a pair of arm members that are telescopingly engaged with each other for changing the distance between said attachment member and said weighted member.

9. The device of claim 8 further comprising a device for locking said pair of arms in place.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein said elongated arm includes a pivot located thereon for adjusting the angle between said attachment member and said weighted member.

11. The device of claim 10 further comprising a device for locking said pivot in place.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein said weighted member comprises a weight in a range of between about 1 pound and about 10 pounds.

13. The device of claim 1 wherein said weighted member has a shape that is selected from the group of: a substantially cubic shape, a substantially spherical shape, a substantially cylindrical shape, and combinations thereof.

14. The device of claim 1 wherein said attachment member is removable and replaceable.

15. The device of claim 1 wherein said weighted member is removable and replaceable.

16. The device of claim 1, further comprising a supplemental weight.

17. A method of checking for proper functioning of the brake lights of a vehicle, comprising the steps of: a. engaging a vehicle brake pedal with a device comprising an elongated arm, a brake pedal engagement member at one end of said arm, and a weighted member at an opposite end of said arm, by attaching said engagement member with said brake pedal such that said weighted member exerts force on said brake pedal; and b. checking for illumination of said brake lights.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said weighted member is removable and replaceable, and comprising the additional step of removing said weighted member from said elongated arm and replacing it with a second weighted member having a greater mass than said first member.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein said elongated arm further comprises a pivot, and comprising the additional step of adjusting an angle between a central axis of said elongated arm and said attachment member.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein said elongated arm comprises a pair of arm members that are telescopingly engaged with each other, and comprising the additional step of adjusting a length of said arm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a brake pedal weight device of the present invention installed on a brake pedal of a vehicle.

[0041] FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0042] FIG. 2B shows a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0043] FIG. 2C shows an opposite side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0044] FIG. 2D shows an end view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0045] FIG. 2E shows an opposite end view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0046] FIG. 2F shows a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0047] FIG. 2G shows a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0048] FIG. 3 shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] FIG. 4 shows a side view of another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] FIG. 8 shows a side view of another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in reference to these embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that are included within the spirit and scope of the description and claims. In the following disclosure, specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without all of the specific details provided.

[0055] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a device 100 for engaging a brake pedal 105 of a vehicle, the device comprising an arm or lever 110, an attachment member 130 located at one end of the arm for engaging a brake pedal 105, and a weighted member 150 located at the opposite end of the arm, and methods of using the same. In some embodiments, the arm 110 may comprise a bar having a first or proximal end 110a and a second or distal end 110b, where the attachment member 130 is located at the first end 110a and the weighted member 150 is located at the second end 110b.

[0056] As seen in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, arm 110 may comprise a substantially straight shaft. Although the illustrated embodiment shows the arm having a substantially H-shaped cross-section, the cross-section may be provided in other shapes that are sturdy enough to transmit the weight 150 at the second end 110b to the attachment member 130 and brake pedal 105 at the first end 110a (such as, without limitation, a hollow shaft, I-beam, etc.). Bar 110 may comprise a rigid material sufficient to support the distal member 150 when the device 100 is installed on the brake pedal 105, the first end 110a being proximal to the brake pedal 105 and comprising the attachment member 130, and the second end 110b being distal to the brake pedal 105 and comprising the weighted member 150.

[0057] In some embodiments, the attachment member 130 may have a simple structure, such as those shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In these embodiments, the attachment member 130 may comprise a bracket made from a rigid material sufficient to support the weight of the arm 110 and the weighted member 150 when the device 100 is engaged with a brake pedal 105, the attachment member 130 being operable to removably engage the brake pedal 105 of the vehicle. The attachment member 130 may be formed integrally with arm 110, or it may be removable from arm 110 so that it may be replaced with a different attachment member having a different size or shape, allowing different embodiments of the invention to be used with brake pedals having different sizes or shapes. In embodiments of the invention, the attachment member may comprise a front member 131 (or 231, 331), a rear member 132 (or 232, 332), and a connecting member 133 (or 233, 333). A plane of the front member 131 and a plane of the rear member 132 may be substantially parallel so as to fit snugly against a front side 106 and a rear side 107 of the brake pedal 105, respectively. The connecting member 133 in these embodiments may be substantially perpendicular to the planes of the front 131 and rear 132 members and may be engaged so as to fit snugly against a top surface 108 of the brake pedal 105. An opening 137 may be provided in rear member 132 to receive a shaft 109 attached to brake pedal 105. In some embodiments, opening 137 may extend to top member 133.

[0058] In some embodiments, rear member 132 may comprise a stepped shape, as shown in FIGS. 1-2G. When provided, such a stepped shape creates sections of the attachment member 130 defining a first (smaller) distance D1 between the front 131 and rear 132 members at upper ends thereof, and a second (larger) distance D2 between the front 131 and rear 132 members at lower ends thereof. See, e.g., FIGS. 2B and 2C. The first distance D1 and the second distance D2 allow the same attachment member 130 to be used to fit snugly over brake pedals of differing thicknesses (e.g., the first distance D1 corresponding to a smaller thickness of a brake pedal of a passenger vehicle, and the second distance D2 corresponding to a larger thickness of a brake pedal of a commercial vehicle).

[0059] The rear member 131 may comprise a first arm 135 and a second arm 136 separated by a central divide 137, the first 135 and second 136 arms being operable to fit over the brake pedal 105 on either side of the brake pedal's connecting lever 109, and the central divide 137 being operable to function as a passage through which the connecting lever 109 may traverse the rear member 131. The first 135 and second 136 arms may thus prevent the attachment member 130 from slipping off of the brake pedal 105 in a lateral direction.

[0060] The weighted distal member 150 may comprise a heavy mass which may be integral with arm 110, or removable from the second end 110b of the arm 110. Although mass 150 is illustrated having a generally cubic shape in some of the drawings, and a drum shape in other drawings, and a spherical shape in other drawings, it may be provided in any suitable shape so as to fit in the driver compartment of a vehicle underneath the steering wheel and in front of the driver's seat. The weighted member 150 may comprise any dense material (e.g., lead) and may comprise a weight sufficient to provide enough force to depress the brake pedal 105 when engaged therewith. In some embodiments, arm 110 may be formed integrally with the distal member 150 (e.g., a single piece of forged metal), or it may be removable and replaceable with a different weighted member. In some embodiments, the distal member may comprise at least one of a substantially cylindrical shape 450 (e.g., the substantially cylindrical shape having a central axis perpendicular to a central axis of the lever; see FIG. 5) and a substantially spherical shape 550 (see, e.g., FIG. 6).

[0061] Referring to the embodiment of FIG. 3, it is seen that arm 210 may comprise a curve along its length from the first end 210a to the second end 210b, such that when the device 200 is placed on the ground, at least a portion of the lever 210 is raised off of the ground enough for a user's fingers to reach beneath the lever 210 to pick it up. The lever 210 may further comprise an optional grip 211, the grip 211 allowing a user to securely hold the lever 210. The grip 211 may comprise a plurality of adjacent rings arranged in series, each being shaped to allow at least a portion of a user's finger to pass therethrough. The attachment member 230 may comprise a single distance D between the front member 231 and the rear member 232, each of which may be substantially planar. In alternative embodiments, the grip may be omitted from the curved arm 210. In other embodiments, attachment member 230 may have a stepped shape defining two distances D1 and D2 for engagement with brake pedals of different sizes.

[0062] In some embodiments, the length of arm 110 may be adjustable. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, arm member 310 is shown as telescopic, allowing the distance between the attachment member 330 and the weighted distal member 350 to be lengthened or shortened. In these embodiments, member 310 may comprise a first arm 312 connected to the attachment member 330 and a second arm 313 connected to the distal member 350, with the first arm 312 being slidably engaged within the second arm 313 (or vice versa). These embodiments may further comprise a locking device 314 for locking the first arm 312 and second arm 313 in position relative to each other. The locking device 314 may comprise a spring-activated pin on the first arm 312 operable to reversibly extend into one of a plurality of holes 315 arranged in series along a length of the second arm 313. It is to be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the second arm 313 may be slidably engaged within the first arm 312. It is also to be appreciated that the weighted member 350 and engagement member 330 may be detachable from their respective arms 313 and 312. Finally, it is to be appreciated that attachment member 330 may have a stepped shape defining two distances D1 and D2 for engagement with brake pedals of different sizes.

[0063] Referring to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, it is seen that a plurality of removable and replaceable distal weighted members may be provided, each having an attachment device 651 complementary in shape to an attachment device 652 on the second end 610b of the lever arm 610. The plurality of distal members may comprise a first distal member 650a having a first mass, and a second distal member 650b having a second mass. The second mass may be substantially greater than the first mass, such that if the device 600 including the first distal member 650a is unable to provide enough downward force to depress the brake pedal and activate the lights of the vehicle, a user may remove the first distal member 650a from the lever arm 610 and replace it with the second heavier distal member 650b. The attachment devices 651, 652 may comprise any suitable arrangement, and are not limited to the tongue and groove connection shown in FIG. 7, wherein the attachment devices 651 on the distal members 650a, 650b each comprise a tab which is complementary to a slot of attachment device 652 on the lever 610. As with other embodiments, it is to be appreciated that attachment member 630 may have a stepped shape defining two distances D1 and D2 for engagement with brake pedals of different sizes.

[0064] As seen in the embodiment of FIG. 8, a first end 710a of the lever arm 710 may include an adjustable pivot or hinge 716. Pivot 716 allows the angle between the plane of the front member 713 and a central axis of the second end 710b of the lever arm 710 to be increased or decreased around pivot 716, and then locked in place using a locking structure, such as pin 717. As such, when the device 700 is installed on the brake pedal 105 (see FIG. 1), the angle between the plane of the brake pedal 105 and the central axis of the second end 710b of the lever arm 710 may be adjusted. The device 700 may thus be adjusted to fit onto brake pedals which sit at varying angles from vertical, while maintaining an appropriate angle for the lever arm 710 in order to maximize the leverage and downward force of the device 710 on the brake pedal 105. As with other embodiments, it is to be appreciated that attachment member 730 may or may not have a stepped shape defining two distances D1 and D2 for engagement with brake pedals of different sizes.

[0065] In use, an attachment member 130 of an embodiment of a device of the present invention is engaged over a brake pedal 105 of a vehicle such that the support arm 109 extends through opening 137. The user then releases the device allowing it to rest on the floor of the driver's compartment of the vehicle below the steering wheel and in front of the driver's seat. The mass of weight 150 is transmitted through arm 110 and pulls attachment member 130 down, thereby depressing the brake pedal in order to activate the rear brake lights. The user may then walk to the back of the vehicle to check to make sure all lights are properly functioning. When not in use, the convenient size and shape of the device allows it to be easily removed and stored in any small storage area. If additional downward force is needed, in embodiments of the invention, the existing weight 150 may be removed and replaced with a heavier weight; in alternative embodiments, the distance between the attachment member 130 and the weight 150 may be changed in order to increase or decrease the amount of force applied to the brake pedal.

[0066] The present brake pedal weight device and methods of the present invention are capable of engaging the brake pedal of a vehicle using only the weight of the device, allowing a single person to check for proper functioning of the vehicle's brake lights without having to further attach the device to a seat or steering wheel of the vehicle. The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.