DRIVING CONTROL DEVICE COMPRISING A LOCKING MECHANISM

Abstract

A driving control device for a vehicle, comprising a handle bar interconnected with a brake bar having attachment means for attachment to a brake pedal, the attachment means comprising a locking mechanism comprising an engagement head with a shaft portion and a bail portion having a flat portion, the latter locking mechanism further comprising an engagement socket having a spherical compartment fitting the ball portion and a wall portion in the opening of the socket allowing the engagement head to enter the spherical compartment when the flat portion slides over the wall portion. The driving control device is intended for handicapped drivers and for safe and easy attachment to a vehicle brake pedal.

Claims

1. A driving control device for a vehicle, the driving control device comprising: a brake bar having in a first end attaching means for attachment to a brake pedal of the vehicle, said brake bar having in a second end a joint to a handle bar; a handle bar for transversely supporting the brake bar at the joint of the brake bar, said handle bar optionally provided with means for electronically regulating the speed of the vehicle, said handle bar provided with a handle in the first end, and attachment means in the second end of the handle bar attachment means includes a locking mechanism for releasably attaching the handle bar to a fixation point in a car, such as a mounting piece mounted on or near the steering column; wherein the attaching means for attachment to a brake pedal of the vehicle includes a locking mechanism comprising: an engagement head with a shaft portion and a ball portion having a flat portion; and an engagement socket having a spherical compartment fitting the ball portion and a wall portion in the opening of the socket allowing the engagement head to enter the spherical compartment when flat portion slides over the wall portion.

2. The driving control device of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism has an anti-rotation insert to prevent rotation of the engagement head.

3. The driving control device of claim 2, wherein the anti-rotation insert engages grooves on the shaft.

4. The driving control device of claim 1, wherein the engagement head and/or engagement socket is made from metal, preferably stainless steel, or plastic, such as polyethylene.

5. The driving control device of claim 1, wherein shaft portion of the engagement head is secured to the brake bar and the engagement socket is configured to be secured to the brake pedal of the vehicle.

6. The driving control device of claim 1, wherein shaft portion of the engagement head is secured to the brake pedal of the vehicle and the engagement socket is configured to be secured to the brake bar.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a driving control device that can be fixed to the brake pedal in accordance with the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 2 shows in more detail the male member (spherical engagement head) of the spherical locking joint.

[0021] FIG. 3 shows in more detail the female member (spherical engagement socket) of the spherical locking joint.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Specifically and with reference to FIG. 1 there is shown a driving control device (1) for a vehicle, the driving control device comprising a brake bar (2) having in a first end attaching means (3) for attachment to a brake pedal (not shown) of the vehicle, said brake bar (2) having in a second end a joint (4) to a handle bar (5), said handle bar (5) configured for transversely supporting the brake bar at the joint (4) of the brake bar (2), said handle bar (5) provided with means for electronically regulating the speed of the vehicle (not shown), said handle bar provided with a handle (6) in the first end, and attachment means (7) in the second end of the handle bar, wherein the attachment means includes a locking mechanism for releasably attaching the handle bar via a mounting piece (8) to (or near) the steering column (not shown) without the use of tools.

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 there is shown the male part (3a, spherical engagement head) and the female part (3b, spherical engagement socket) is shaped such that the head of the ball cannot be readily removed from the socket once the head is secured therein. This is because of the protrusion (3f) from the opening of the socket retaining the head in the socket. Retention in the socket is desired because the head cannot be allowed to slip from the socket.