Abstract

A pedal assembly (10) for use in a vehicle (11) comprising a pedal arm that moves in a normal operating range between a rest position and an applied position under a normal operating load and includes a rebound mechanism for moving the pedal arm to an extended position in response to an applied load greater than the normal operating load. The rebound mechanism rebounds the pedal arm to the normal operating range when the applied load is reduced to the normal operating load. In one embodiment, the break away and rebound pedal assembly (10) includes a first arm (20) having a first end (22) with a first pivotal connection (24) to the vehicle (11) for actuating an automotive system and extending to a second end (26). The assembly (10) also comprises a second arm (30) having third (32) and fourth (34) ends with a pad (36) supported on the fourth end (34). The invention is characterized by a rebound mechanism (40,140) connecting the second end (30) to the third end (32) at a second pivotal connection (42) for pivoting the arms (20,30) in unison in a normal position about the first pivotal connection (24) under normal loads applied to the pad (36). Further, the rebound mechanism (40,140) allows the second arm (30) to move relative to the first arm (20) about the second pivotal connection (42) in response to a predetermined load greater than the normal load. The second arm (30) is permitted to rebound back to the normal operating range upon the load falling below the predetermined load. A torsion spring (150) coupled with a friction pad (176) or a hydraulic, pneumatic, or spring loaded cylinder (50) may be used as part of the rebound mechanism.