WO2021234421A1

WO2021234421A1 - Vehicle pedal cover

Info

Publication number: WO2021234421A1
Application number: PCT/GB2021/051255
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nigel Trevor
Original assignee: Nigel Trevor
Priority date: 2020-05-21
Filing date: 2021-05-21
Publication date: 2021-11-25
Also published as: GB202007568D0

Abstract

Aspects of the present invention relate to a vehicle pedal cover for attachment to a vehicle control pedal for damping vibrations from the vehicle control pedal to a driver's foot. The vehicle pedal cover comprises a body comprising a cover panel configured to extend over an upper surface of the vehicle control pedal, in use, and a downwardly extending skirt, extending downwardly from a peripheral edge of the cover panel, for securing the vehicle pedal cover to the vehicle control pedal. The vehicle pedal cover further comprises a damping element attached to the body for damping vibrations from the vehicle control pedal to the driver's foot when the driver's foot is in contact with the vehicle pedal cover.

Description

VEHICLE PEDAL COVER

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle pedal cover, particularly, but not exclusively a cushioned vehicle pedal cover which protects a driver’s legs (or arms) from vehicle vibrations in order to protect them and reduce the risk of joint pain and damage. Aspects of the invention relate to a vehicle pedal cover, to a pedal comprising a vehicle pedal cover and to a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Driving motor vehicles can cause joint damage due to vehicle vibrations passing through the control pedals and into the driver’s legs. This can be especially problematic for those who drive a lot (for instance those whose jobs involve driving (including e.g. bus, taxi, lorry, delivery drivers etc.)).

The brake pedal is connected hydraulically to the vehicle braking mechanism such that any vibrations from the road, the braking mechanism and the engine may be directly transferred to the brake pedal.

The vibrations experienced by the driver’s foot by pressing certain pedals (such as e.g. the brake pedal) may be worse than those experienced by pressing on other pedals (such as e.g. the accelerator pedal). This is because it is necessary to press on certain pedals harder than other pedals. However, the duration of vibrations experienced by pressing certain pedals (such as e.g. the accelerator pedal) may be longer than experienced by pressing on other pedals since it is necessary to press on these pedals for relatively longer periods of time.

This problem is exacerbated by professional drivers who drive large commercial vehicles for a living or taxis where they are required to drive for extended periods on a daily basis. The vibrations associated with the road and engine may be transmitted to the driver of the vehicle via the pedals. When the driver presses on a pedal the vibrations may pass through the driver’s foot and travel up the driver’s leg thereby causing damage to both the ankle and knee joints. Over time the vibrations can cause damage to the cartilage in both the ankle and knee joints which may ultimately require the driver to be fitted with a replacement knee after many years of driving.

It is an aim of the present invention to address the aforementioned problems with existing control pedal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle pedal cover for attachment to a vehicle control pedal for damping vibrations from the vehicle control pedal to a driver’s foot, the vehicle pedal cover comprising: a body comprising a cover panel configured to extend over an upper surface of the vehicle control pedal, in use, and a downwardly extending skirt, extending downwardly from a peripheral edge of the cover panel, for securing the vehicle pedal cover to the vehicle control pedal; and a damping element attached to the body for damping vibrations from the vehicle control pedal to the driver’s foot when the driver’s foot is in contact with the vehicle pedal cover.

Beneficially, the damping element or cushioned element of the vehicle pedal cover dampens vibrations from the vehicle control pedal thereby reducing the severity and harshness of vehicle vibrations being transferred to the driver’s leg when the driver operates the vehicle control pedal with their foot. This in turn reduces the severity of vibrations experienced by the driver’s ankle and knee joints which advantageously reduces joint pain experienced by the driver and helps to prevent degradation of cartilage in those joints.

In one embodiment the downwardly extending skirt may extend around the peripheral edge of the cover panel of the vehicle control pedal. The downwardly extending skirt may comprise an inwardly extending flange extending inwardly from a lower edge of the skirt. The inwardly extending flange may be configured to engage a lower surface of the vehicle control pedal to secure the vehicle pedal cover to the vehicle control pedal. The body may be made from a resiliently deformable material such that the body may be a snap fit to the vehicle control pedal. The body may conform to the shape of the vehicle control pedal to tightly secure the vehicle pedal cover to the vehicle control pedal.

In an embodiment the damping element may be positioned between the cover panel and the vehicle control pedal such that the damping element abuts the vehicle control pedal, in use. Furthermore, the vehicle pedal cover may further comprise a durable outer cover connected to and extending over the cover panel of the body.

In another embodiment the cover panel may be hingedly connected to a mounting piece for mounting the vehicle pedal cover to the pedal. The mounting piece may be bonded or mechanically fastened to the vehicle control pedal. The cover panel may be moveable from a resting position to a compressed position in which the cover panel compresses the damping element, in response to the driver’s foot operating the vehicle control pedal. The resiliently deformable damping element may urge the cover panel to the resting position when the driver removes their foot from the vehicle control pedal.

In one embodiment the damping element may be positioned on top of the cover panel of the body of the vehicle pedal cover. In another embodiment the damping element may overhang the cover panel of the body.

The damping element or cushioned element may be at least one of: a foam member, an array of upwardly extending bristles, an array of downwardly extending bristles, an array of compressible hoops, an array of compressible sacs and an air filled or fluid filled balloon.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle pedal cover for attachment to a vehicle control pedal for damping vibrations from the vehicle control pedal to a driver’s foot, the vehicle pedal cover comprising: a sleeve for at least partially receiving the vehicle control pedal; and an attachment element for securing the sleeve to the vehicle control pedal; wherein the sleeve comprises a damping element for damping vibrations from the vehicle control pedal to the driver’s foot when the driver’s foot is in contact with the vehicle pedal cover. In an embodiment the damping element may extend around the vehicle control pedal.

In a further embodiment the damping element may comprise an upper portion positioned above the vehicle control pedal, in use, and a lower portion positioned beneath the vehicle control pedal, in use and wherein the upper portion of the damping element is thicker than the lower portion of the damping element. The upper portion may comprise two or more layers of foam which together form the damping element. The upper portion of the damping element may be equal to or greater than 20mm thick.

In one embodiment the sleeve may be elasticated. The sleeve may comprise elasticated panels located between the upper portion and lower portion of the damping element. The damping element may be a foam member. The foam member may be a resiliently deformable foam material.

In an embodiment the attachment element may be a strap for securing the sleeve to the vehicle control pedal. The vehicle pedal cover may comprise two or more straps for securing the sleeve to the vehicle control pedal.

In another embodiment the attachment element may be an adhesive tape for securing the sleeve to the vehicle control pedal.

In one embodiment the sleeve may comprise an open end for receiving the vehicle control pedal and a sealed end for contacting the vehicle control pedal. The sealed end may control the extend by which the sleeve may be pulled over the vehicle control pedal. The damping element may extend over the sealed end of the sleeve such that the damping element is aligned with an upper surface of the vehicle control pedal, in use. The damping element may be aligned with the pedal plate of the vehicle control pedal when the sleeve is positioned over the vehicle control pedal.

In another embodiment the sleeve may be configured to conform to the shape of the vehicle control pedal, in use. For example, the sleeve and/or damping element may be flexible to tightly conform to the shape of the vehicle control pedal when the vehicle pedal cover is fitted to a vehicle control pedal.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle control pedal comprising a vehicle pedal cover according to any one of the aforementioned embodiments or aspects.

According to a yet further aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle comprising the vehicle control pedal according to the previous aspect of the invention.

According to yet further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a padded vehicle pedal cover for use with the pedals of a vehicle, the padded vehicle pedal cover comprising one or more parts attached to a vehicle pedal such that it cushions the vehicle operator from the vibrations in the vehicle's pedal.

Optionally, the padded vehicle pedal cover comprises a durable outer surface to make the pedal cover more durable.

Optionally, the padded vehicle pedal cover is attached to the pedal by tightly conforming to the pedal profile.

Optionally, the padded vehicle pedal cover is attached to the pedal by using fixings such as nuts, bolts, screws, ties or clips.

Optionally, the padded vehicle pedal cover consists of one material which forms one unit which will be durable, will cushion operator from the vibrations of the vehicle, and provide means of attachment to the pedal and pedal arm.

Optionally, the padded vehicle pedal cover comprises a padding part which may take any number of different forms such as hoops, bristles, or balloons. Optionally, the padding part is situated on top of the pedal gripping base and is durable against erosion caused by the operator’s shoe.

Optionally, the padding part of the cover is situated directly against the pedal under the durable outer surface forming a tight fit and the padding part may be a different part consisting of a different material e.g. a piece of foam.

Optionally, the padded vehicle pedal cover is securely attached to the pedal on one edge by a hinge or flexible material and fixed to the other edges by a different flexible material or by the main body of the cover overlapping the other sides to hold the cover in place.

Optionally, the padded vehicle pedal cover may be formed of more than one different part made of different materials and be of any form, which will be fixed together by being glued, surrounded, tied or clipped to each other or other method to form one unit which will be safe to the user, hard wearing, and will cushion operator from the vibrations of the vehicle, and will provide means of attachment to the pedal.

Optionally, the padded vehicle pedal may be formed by wrapping one or more materials in concentric layers, to form the durable, vibration cushioning cover, around the pedal. Being wrapped around the pedal, materials will be prevented from unravelling and slipping by use of tape, glue, laces, clips, or other any other method to fix the cover in place.

Optionally, the vibration cushioning pedal cover is securely fixed using fixings or by form to the pedal but it could be tightly wrapped around the pedal in a way that prevents it from slipping on or rotating around the pedal.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the drawings and the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a vehicle pedal and a driver’s foot;

Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the vehicle pedal of Figure 1 fitted with a vehicle pedal cover;

Figure 3 is a schematic side view of a vehicle pedal cover according to another embodiment for use with the vehicle pedal of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a schematic side view of a vehicle pedal cover according to a further embodiment for use with the vehicle pedal of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a schematic side view of a vehicle pedal cover according to a yet further embodiment fitted to the vehicle pedal of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a schematic side view of a vehicle pedal cover according to a further embodiment fitted to the vehicle pedal of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a schematic side view of the vehicle pedal cover of Figure 6 comprising a resilient outer surface;

Figure 8 is a schematic side view of a vehicle pedal cover according to a yet further embodiment fitted to the vehicle pedal of Figure 1;

Figure 9 is a schematic side view of the vehicle pedal cover of Figure 8 in a depressed configuration;

Figure 10 is a schematic side view of the vehicle pedal cover of Figure 1 fitted with a vehicle pedal cover according to a further embodiment; and Figure 11 is a schematic side view of the vehicle pedal cover of Figure 1 fitted with a vehicle pedal cover according to a yet further embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general terms embodiments of the invention relate to a retrofittable vehicle pedal cover for damping vibrations from a vehicle control pedal, such as a brake pedal. The vehicle pedal cover may be secured to the vehicle control pedal such that the cover extends over the upper surface of the vehicle control pedal, for example the cover may extend over a braking surface on a brake pedal. The vehicle pedal cover comprises a cushioned or padded upper surface that extends over the vehicle control pedal such that when a user of the vehicle presses on the pedal their foot contacts the cushioned upper surface of the vehicle pedal cover which then allows them to depress the pedal by the desired amount.

Beneficially, the cushioned upper surface of the vehicle pedal cover dampens vibrations from the vehicle pedal thereby reducing the severity and harshness of vehicle vibrations being transferred to the driver’s leg. This in turn reduces the severity of vibrations experienced by the driver’s ankle and knee joints which advantageously reduces joint pain experienced by the driver and helps to prevent degradation of cartilage in those joints.

To place embodiments of the invention in a suitable context reference will firstly be made to Figure 1 which shows a schematic side view of a vehicle control pedal 15 and a driver’s foot 10. The vehicle control pedal 15 shown in Figure 1 may be, for example, an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal or a clutch the like of which are typically found in modern vehicles. The control pedal 15 comprises a pedal plate 12 mounted on a lever 14. To operate the vehicle control pedal 15 the driver of the vehicle may press their foot 10 against the pedal plate 12 to depress the lever 14 by a desired amount. For example, when braking the further the plate 12 is depressed the larger braking force is applied to the vehicle by the brakes.

Turning now to Figure 2 there is shown a schematic side view of the vehicle control pedal 15 of Figure 1 fitted with a vehicle pedal cover 20. The vehicle pedal cover 20 comprises a body 22 for clipping the pedal cover 20 to the pedal plate 12. The body 22 is dimensioned such that a cover panel of the body may extend over and cover the upper surface of the pedal plate 12. The body 22 further comprises a downwardly extending skirt 24 that extends around the periphery of the cover panel of the body 22. The skirt 24 comprises an inwardly extending flange 26 which may engage a lower surface of the pedal plate 12 to secure the pedal cover 20 to the pedal plate 12. The flange 26 extends inwardly from a lower edge of the skirt 24.

The body 22 of the pedal cover 20 is made from a single piece of durable flexible material, for example a plastics material such as silicone, that forms a cover that can be placed over the pedal plate 12 such that it closely conforms to and grips the pedal plate 12. The vehicle pedal cover 20 may be clipped to the pedal 15. The skirt 24 and flange 26 may facilitate a snap fit that securely fits the cover 20 to the pedal plate 12.

The vehicle pedal cover 20 further comprises a damping element or cushioned surface 28. The damping element or cushioned surface may be formed from a set of upwardly extending durable bristles. The upwardly extending bristles may provide a surface upon which a driver of the vehicle may apply pressure to the pedal 15 using their foot 10. The bristles beneficially act to dampen and cushion vibrations from the vehicle pedal being transmitted to the driver’s leg.

Turning now to Figure 3, an alternative embodiment of the vehicle pedal cover 20 is shown. The vehicle pedal cover 20 shown in Figure 3 comprises a body 22 having a cover panel, skirt 24 and flange 26 as described above. However, the vehicle pedal cover 20 shown in Figure 3 comprises a series of compressible hoops or sacs 30 position over the upper surface of the body 22 which together form the damping element or cushioned surface 28. The compressible hoops or sacs 30 may be made from a resilient rubber material that can deform or be compressed when a driver of the vehicle applies pressure to the pedal 15 with their foot. Alternatively, the hoops or sacs 30 may be sealed such that air contained within each hoop or sac 30 is compressed when a driver of the vehicle applies a force to the pedal 15. The hoops or sacs 30 beneficially deform when pressure is applied to the pedal 15 by a user of the vehicle such that the hoops or sacs 30 serve to dampen vibrations travelling from the pedal 15 to the driver’s leg. Figure 4 is an alternative embodiment of the vehicle pedal cover 20. The vehicle pedal cover 20 shown in Figure 4 comprises a body 22 having a cover panel, skirt 24 and flange 26 as described above. However, the damping element or cushioned upper surface 28 of the vehicle pedal cover 20 shown in Figure 4 is formed from a compressible balloon 40. The balloon 40 may be formed from an elastic material, for example, latex or the like. When a driver of the vehicle applies pressure to the pedal 15 they would press their foot 10 against the upper cushioned surface 28 of the pedal cover 20 and the balloon 40 would deform or be depressed. The balloon 40 would be sufficiently firm such that the driver’s foot 10 did not contact the pedal plate 12 when depressing the pedal 15 to ensure that the balloon 40 sufficiently dampened vibrations from the pedal.

As shown in Figure 4, the damping element or cushioned surface 28 may overhang the body 22 of the vehicle pedal cover 20. This is beneficial as drivers of vehicle’s often press on the corners of pedals 15. As such, extending the damping element or cushioned surface 28 such that it overhangs the body 22 of the vehicle pedal cover 20 increases the size of the upper cushioned surface 28 thereby increasing the contact area between the pedal cover 20 and the driver’s foot 10 which in turn helps to dampen vibrations.

Turning now to Figure 5 an alternative embodiment of the vehicle pedal cover 20 is shown. The previous embodiments described show the cushioned surface 28 being located above the cover body 22 such that the damping element or cushioned surface 28 is positioned between the cover panel of the body 22 and the driver’s foot 10 in use. In Figure 5, the vehicle pedal cover 20 comprises a cushioned surface located on an underside of the body 22 of the vehicle pedal cover 20.

As shown in Figure 5, the pedal plate 12 has a large square surface area with dimensions of about 7cm by 7 cm or more where all four edges and corners of the pedal plate 12 are free to be to be gripped by the pedal cover 20, the pedal cover 20 shown in Figure 5 is made similarly to the previous embodiment; however, the cushioned surface 28 is located on the inside of the pedal cover 20, between the pedal plate 12 and the inner surface of the body 22 of the pedal cover 20. The pedal cover 20 is made from one piece of tough durable flexible material that fits over the pedal plate 12 and grips it on all the edges and corners and also forms the durable outer surface that the operator may press against this to operate the pedal 15 and also form the preformed cushion on the inside. When the cover 20 is fitted the, cushion part is pressed up against the pedal plate 12 to ensure a tight fit. The inwardly extending flange 26 and skirt 24 of the body 22 secure the pedal cover 20 to the pedal plate 12 to ensure that the cover 20 does not move relative to the pedal plate 12 once the cover 20 has been fitted to the pedal plate 12. The pedal plate 12 needs be wide enough to form a stable platform so that the cover cannot come off when pressed during use. The advantage of this form is that the cushioned surface 28 is protected by the body 22 and as such will last longer and is cheaply made in one part.

Turning now to Figure 6, in another embodiment, similar to the previous embodiment in Figure 5, the cushioned surface 28 is located on the inside of the body 22. The cushioned surface 28 of Figure 6 may be a foam cushion pad 60 made from a separate piece and that could be a thick piece of foam up to around 2cm thick. The advantage of this embodiment is that the cushion pad 60 performs better because it is made of a different material that can more effectively dampen vibrations. As per the previous embodiments, the body 22 ensures that the pedal cover 20 has a tight fit to the pedal plate 12. An adhesive agent, such as glue, may be used to fix the cushion pad 60 in place on the pedal plate 12. The adhesive agent may also be used to secure the cushion pad 60 to the body 22.

As shown in Figure 7, the vehicle pedal cover 20 may be fitted with a durable outer cover 70. The durable outer cover 70 may be a durable, stiff plate that is attached to the outer surface of the body 22 to provide a resilient surface upon which a driver may press their foot 10 to operate the pedal 15. The durable outer cover 70 may have a high friction surface that improves grip between the driver’s foot 10 and the pedal cover 20. Furthermore, the durable outer cover 70 may be bonded to the body 22 of the vehicle pedal cover 20.

Alternatively, the durable outer cover 70 maybe a metal plate. This is beneficial as the metal outer cover 70 is very durable and stiff. The metal outer cover 70 may be attached to the outside of the shoe facing side of the pedal cover 20. The outer cover 70 may be a metal plate attached to the body 22 using small "mushroom” shaped profiles protruding from the body 22 through holes in the metal piece to hold the metal cover plate 70 on the body 22.

With reference to Figure 7, the vehicle pedal cover 20 comprises multiple parts which are fixed together to form a hard wearing, vibration cushioning, and pedal gripping cover 20. The pedal gripping part may be attached to the pedal 15 by its form or by fixings. The vibration cushioning part 28 may be a piece of foam, a compressible balloon, a preformed vibration absorbing piece of rubber, or other piece of material which may be glued or fixed otherwise to the pedal gripping base. Another non-slip durable layer is fixed by clip, glue or other method to the vibration insulating layer which would help prevent or slow degradation of the cushioning cover through use by the operator of the vehicle.

Turning now to Figure 8 there is shown an alternative embodiment of the vehicle pedal cover 20. As shown in Figure 8, the vehicle pedal cover 20 comprises a hinge 80 that allows a cover panel 82 to pivot relative to a mounting piece 84. The upper surface of the cover panel 82 is configured to pivot between a resting position (as shown in Figure 8) and a compressed position (as shown in Figure 9) when the driver applies pressure to the pedal 15 with their foot 10. The hinge 80 is positioned such that the cover panel 82 is hinged on one side to allow the cover panel 82 to pivot relative to the pedal plate 12. The pedal cover flanges 26 grip the pedal plate 12 on the other three sides of the mounting piece 84 such that the pedal cover 20 surrounds the pedal plate 12 and remains securely attached to the pedal plate 12 when the driver applies pressure to the pedal cover 20.

The metal hinge 80 is attached to a mounting piece 84 on the front of the pedal cover 20 and is fixed to one edge of the mounting piece 84. The hinge 80 should be on an edge not near the point where the pedal cover 20 is pushed by the operator most commonly. As such, the hinge 80 is positioned on an upper front side of the pedal cover 20 as shown in Figure 8. This provides a more secure way of securing the pedal cover 20 to the pedal 15 and still provides a cushion to absorb the vibrations. Figure 9 shows the driver’s foot 10 applying a force on the cover panel 82 of the pedal cover 20 such that the cover panel 82 has been pivoted to the compressed position. As shown in Figure 9, when the cover panel 82 is in the compressed position the foam 60 is compressed. Allowing the cover panel 82 to pivot beneficially promotes a smoother application of force on the vehicle pedal 15 and further compressing the foam 60 improves dampening of vibrations from the vehicle pedal 15 to the driver’s foot 10 and thus ankle and knee joints.

The cartridge or modular pedal cover 20 described in the aforementioned embodiments may be adapted such that it can be slid over the pedal 15 to secure the pedal cover 20 to the pedal 15. For example, the pedal cover 20 may comprise a slot on a front edge of the pedal cover 20 that is configured to receive the pedal 15. This is beneficial as sliding the pedal cover 20 over the pedal 15 may improve the attachment of the pedal cover 20 to the pedal 15 thereby ensuring the pedal cover 20 is securely fitted to the vehicle pedal 15.

Turning now to Figure 10, a vehicle pedal cover 100 according to another embodiment is shown. As shown in Figure 10 the vehicle pedal cover 100 is a sleeve that may be fitted over the pedal plate 12 and secured by a strap 102. The strap 102 may be an elasticated strap for example. The sleeve may be made from a foam material configured to absorb vibrations from the vehicle pedal 15.

As shown in Figure 11, the vehicle pedal cover 100 may alternatively be attached to the pedal 15 by being wrapped around the pedal in a way that stops it slipping up or round the pedal. A piece of vibration cushioning foam may be tightly wrapped around the pedal 15 and the foam is fixed to itself to stop it unravelling by using tape, tie, clip, glue or fixing of some form. The foam is then checked that it does not impede the action and full scope of the movement of the pedal. Then the foam layer is surrounded by a hard-wearing durable layer (not shown in Figure 10) that protects the foam layer from the boot of the operator. This hard-wearing layer may be a non-slip durable tape layer which also holds the foam in place or a piece of rubber sheet or a formed metal piece which could be held in place by a lace or other fixing on the underside or by gluing the durable layer to the foam layer. With reference to Figures 10 and 11, the upper surface of the vehicle pedal cover 100 may comprise a thicker layer of foam than the underside of the vehicle pedal cover 100. This is beneficial as increasing the thickness of the foam on an upper surface of the vehicle pedal cover 100 sleeve improves the damping of vibrations when a user applies a force on the pedal 15 with their foot 10. For example, the thickness of foam on the upper surface may be 20mm or more. The upper layer of foam may comprises two layers of foam to achieve the required foam thickness on the upper surface of the pedal 15. The foam is relatively high friction which is beneficial as the foam may surround and conform to the shape of the pedal 15 thereby securing the vehicle pedal cover 100 to the pedal 15 and also providing a flat outer surface upon which a user may apply force to operate the pedal 15.

Furthermore, the vehicle pedal cover 100 of Figure 10 and 11 may be formed from a sleeve or a sock that may be easily retrofitted to an existing vehicle pedal 15. The sleeve may be slid over the vehicle pedal 15 and secured in position by the strap 102. The sleeve may be elasticated to facilitate easy fitment of the sleeve to the pedal 15. Once the sleeve has been fitted over the pedal 15 the elasticated sleeve helps to maintain the vehicle pedal cover 100 secured to the pedal 15.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been disclosed herein in detail, this has been done by way of example and for the purposes of illustration only. The aforementioned embodiments are not intended to be limiting with respect to the scope of the statements of invention.

It is contemplated by the inventors that various substitutions, alterations, and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the statements of invention. For example, the invention could be used on any type of vehicle pedal including those found in e.g. trains or aircraft.

Furthermore, in vehicles with large pedals, for example in large commercial vehicle’s such as buses, coaches or haulage vehicles the vehicle pedal cover may comprises a damping element or cushioned element bonded or affixed by a mechanical fastening such as a nut or bolt directly to the pedal plate on the vehicle control pedal. This is beneficial as the damping element may be easily and securely retrofitted to large commercial vehicles.

Claims

1. A vehicle pedal cover for attachment to a vehicle control pedal for damping vibrations from the vehicle control pedal to a driver’s foot, the vehicle pedal cover comprising: a sleeve for at least partially receiving the vehicle control pedal; and an attachment element for securing the sleeve to the vehicle control pedal; wherein the sleeve comprises a damping element for damping vibrations from the vehicle control pedal to the driver’s foot when the driver’s foot is in contact with the vehicle pedal cover.

2. A vehicle pedal cover as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the damping element extends around the vehicle control pedal.

3. A vehicle pedal cover as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the damping element comprises an upper portion positioned above the vehicle control pedal, in use, and a lower portion positioned beneath the vehicle control pedal, in use and wherein the upper portion of the damping element is thicker than the lower portion of the damping element.

4. A vehicle pedal cover as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the upper portion of the damping element is equal to or greater than 20mm thick.

5. A vehicle pedal cover as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein the upper portion of the damping element comprises at least two layers of resiliently deformable foam which forms the damping element.

6. A vehicle pedal cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sleeve is elasticated.

7. A vehicle pedal cover as claimed in Claim 6 when dependent on Claim 3, wherein the sleeve comprises an elasticated panel positioned between the upper portion and lower portion of the damping element.

8. A vehicle pedal cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the damping element is a foam member.

9. A vehicle pedal cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the attachment element is a strap for securing the sleeve to the vehicle control pedal.

10. A vehicle pedal cover as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the attachment element is an adhesive tape for securing the sleeve to the vehicle control pedal.

11. A vehicle pedal cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sleeve comprises an open end for receiving the vehicle control pedal and a sealed end.

12. A vehicle pedal cover as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the damping element extends over the sealed end of the sleeve such that the damping element is aligned with an upper surface of the vehicle control pedal, in use.

13. A vehicle pedal cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sleeve is configured to conform to the shape of the vehicle control pedal, in use.

14. A vehicle pedal cover for attachment to a vehicle control pedal for damping vibrations from the vehicle control pedal to a driver’s foot, the vehicle pedal cover comprising: a body comprising a cover panel configured to extend over an upper surface of the vehicle control pedal, in use, and a downwardly extending skirt, extending downwardly from a peripheral edge of the cover panel, for securing the vehicle pedal cover to the vehicle control pedal; and a damping element attached to the body for damping vibrations from the vehicle control pedal to the driver’s foot when the driver’s foot is in contact with the vehicle pedal cover.

15. A vehicle pedal cover as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the downwardly extending skirt extends around the peripheral edge of the cover panel of the vehicle control pedal.

16. A vehicle pedal cover as claimed in Claim 14 or Claim 15, wherein the downwardly extending skirt comprises an inwardly extending flange extending inwardly from a lower edge of the skirt.

17. A vehicle pedal cover as claimed in any one of Claims 14 to 16, wherein the body is made from a resiliently deformable material.

18. A vehicle pedal cover as claimed in any one of Claims 14 to 17, wherein the damping element is positioned between the cover panel and the vehicle control pedal such that the damping element abuts the vehicle control pedal, in use.

19. A vehicle pedal cover as claimed in Claim 18, wherein the vehicle pedal cover further comprises a durable outer cover connected to and extending over the cover panel of the body.

20. A vehicle pedal cover as claimed in Claim 18 or Claim 19, wherein the cover panel is hingedly connected to a mounting piece for mounting the vehicle pedal cover to the pedal.

21. A vehicle pedal cover as claimed in Claim 20, wherein the cover panel is moveable from a resting position to a compressed position in which the cover panel compresses the damping element, in response to the driver’s foot operating the vehicle control pedal.

22. A vehicle pedal cover as claimed in any one of Claims 14 to 17, wherein the damping element is positioned on top of the cover panel of the body.

23. A vehicle pedal cover as claimed in Claim 22, wherein the damping element overhangs the cover panel of the body.

24. A vehicle pedal cover as claimed in any one of Claims 14 to 23, wherein the damping element is at least one of: a foam member, an array of upwardly extending bristles, an array of downwardly extending bristles, an array of compressible hoops, an array of compressible sacs and an air filled or fluid filled balloon.

25. A vehicle control pedal comprising a vehicle pedal cover according to any preceding claim.

26. A vehicle comprising a vehicle control pedal as claimed in Claim 25.