Importance

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Abstract

Single pedal vehicle speed and direction controls are advantageously applied in industrial vehicles. Available pedals are prone to damage in an industrial environment and require multiple discrete pedal portions for various pedal functions. The instant apparatus provides a simple and durable foot pedal having a unitary pad including first and second integral moveable members and respective sealed switchable members. The pad is advantageously of one piece molded rubber construction and includes first and second resilient portions, each having a curvilinear connecting portion and an intermittent substantially solid connecting portion. The switchable members include respective sealed membrane switches, each having first and second spaced apart electrically conductive contact surfaces. At least one of the first and second conductive contact surfaces is attached to a flexible polymer film and is maintained separated from the other first and second conductive contact surfaces by a pressure medium contained within an enclosed pressurable chamber. The respective pressurable chambers are connected to one another and to a common pressure medium reservoir by respective interconnecting passageways. The instant apparatus is both durable and reliable when used in an industrial environment, and is of relatively simple and inexpensive construction.

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First Claim