Abstract: A trailer coupler pivot assembly comprising a pivot mount member connected to a trailer frame member and a hinge bracket connected to a trailer tongue arm. The hinge bracket is pivotally connected to the pivot mount member so that the trailer tongue arm is pivotal relative to the trailer frame member between an open position and a closed position. However, either of the pivot mount member or the hinge bracket comprises a single, prefabricated component to make assembly more efficient and cost effective. With both the pivot mount member and the hinge bracket being single, prefabricate components, the trailer coupler pivot assembly can be more easily installed with fewer components and welds and by less skilled labor.

Abstract: A sliding device provides a binding-free apparatus suitable for trick and other riding on snow, sand, ice and other surfaces. An elongated deck to support the rider is elevated from and attached to an elongated runner, which provides a surface that slides on the snow, sand, etc. The runner may be made more narrow than the deck to provide leverage for the rider to tilt the device onto an edge of the runner to steer the device. The device may not have any defined front or back portion and thus be adapted for riding in either direction.

Abstract: Power transmission device for automobile is disclosed. The power transmission device for automobile comprises a driving shaft (10), an output shaft (30) a transmission (20), a differential gear part (50) and a four-wheel drive part (60). The driving shaft (10) has a plurality of driving gears (12), each of them having a different diameter respectively. The driving shaft (10) is connected to an engine (E). The output shaft (30) is a hollow shaft and outputs power from the driving shaft (10). The transmission (20) has a plurality of speed change gears (22) meshing continuously with the driving gears (12) and also has a brake member braking the speed change gears (22) selectively to transfer power to the output shaft (30). The differential gear part (50) is located at an end portion of the output shaft (30) and controls the amounts of rotation of both right and left front wheels (42). The four-wheel drive part (60) is fixed on the output shaft (30) and transfers power to rear wheels (44) selectively.

Abstract: A wheelchair has actuation plates provided in juxtaposition with the seat to descend when a user sits on the seat to lower the seat with the user's weight and to ascend when the user rises from the seat to permit the seat to return with removal of the weight. A brake is mounted on the axle shafts to brake the axle shafts and energized constantly in a non-braking direction. Levers are coupled directly or indirectly to the brake to move according to descending motions of the actuation plates to put the brake in a non-braking state and to move according to ascending motions of the actuation plates to put the brake in a braking state. Biasing devices for evacuating legs that extend from the seat and/or steps that are mounted onto the legs.

Abstract: A steering device for an electric car includes tandem wheel suspensions for at least two sets of tandem wheels and a steering mechanism for each set of tandem wheels and provides a smooth turning motion. The steering mechanism for one tandem set of wheels is formed by a mechanical connection to a steering wheel and the steering mechanism for the second set of tandem wheels is driven by motors.

Abstract: A handlebar assembly including a pair of handgrip portions extending outwardly from a mounting portion and configured for generally vertical, arcuate movement relative to the mounting portion. One or more shock absorbing arrangements may be provided to produce a force tending to resist downward movement of the handgrip portions. Desirably, the handgrip portions are adjustable in height relative to the mounting portion.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus for performing steering assist. The apparatus is provided with an operation amount sensor for sensing an operation amount of an operation member for steering a motor vehicle; a reference assist characteristics setting section for setting reference assist characteristics; and a motor driving target value setting section for setting a motor driving target value in accordance with a corrected assist characteristics obtained by shifting the reference assist characteristics along the axis of coordinates of the operation amount. The apparatus is further provided with a shifting amount setting section for setting, when forward stroke steering is done, the shifting amount to zero, while setting, when return stroke steering is done, the shifting amount to a value at which corrected assist characteristics is obtained in which the absolute value of the motor driving target value corresponding to the operation amount is increased.

Abstract: A wheelchair brake system is provided that allows an operator of the brake system to retard and/or stop the motion of the wheelchair. The brake system provides for independent and variable application of a braking force to wheels of the wheelchair. The brake system includes first and second brake force application assemblies, first and second braking assemblies, and actuation lines coupling the respective brake force application assembly to the braking assembly. The brake force application assemblies may be associated with handles of the wheelchair that allow a secondary or ancillary operator to apply a braking force, but may be associated with armrests of the wheelchair for use by an occupant. The brake force application assemblies are rotationally positionable and/or pivotally positionable to achieve various orientations thereof. This provides ergonomic placement of the handles for comfort and ease of brake force application.

Abstract: A vehicle control system that selectively provides rear-wheel steering to prevent a vehicle-trailer from jackknifing during a back-up maneuver. The system senses a steering angle of the vehicle, a speed of the vehicle and a hitch angle between the vehicle and the trailer. The system calculates an equilibrium hitch angle that is a steady-state hitch angle position based on the steering angle and the vehicle speed, and a pseudo-equilibrium hitch angle that is a steady-state hitch angle at a maximum rear-wheel steering input based on the steering angle and the vehicle speed. The system then determines whether the rear-wheel steering should be provided based on a predetermined relationship between the sensed hitch angle, the equilibrium hitch angle and the pseudo-equilibrium hitch angle.

Abstract: A method of improving the control performance of a traction slip control system so that faulty control activations of the TCS control system are prevented in critical situations such as driving downhill. The invention concerns a method wherein a vehicle reference speed and a vehicle deceleration signal are derived from the rotational behavior of the vehicle wheels and wherein a vehicle deceleration signal is obtained by way of a longitudinal deceleration sensor. The course of the two deceleration signals is compared and analyzed for detecting stable or unstable wheel rotational behavior. Preferably a difference signal is formed indicating the difference between the two deceleration signals. The difference signal is evaluated by a multistage filter arrangement.

Abstract: A hitch assembly for coupling a trailer to a tow vehicle includes a number of assemblies, including converging links and a slide assembly, that effectively places the pivot point for the trailer ahead of the actual hitch assembly, which in turn enhances the stability of the combination tow vehicle and trailer, rendering it less susceptible to swaying or fishtailing. This is done without placing tongue weight on converging links or the slide assembly so that the hitch assembly can accommodate a larger gross trailer load.

Abstract: A power steering system includes: a first drain passage for draining an oil pressure from a first oil passage, a second drain passage for draining the oil pressure from a second oil passage, and a pair of a first and second switch valves. When one of the first oil passage and the second oil passage is so pressurized by an operation of a reversible oil pump as to have an increased internal pressure, the pair of the first switch valve and the second switch valve allow the following: i) closing one of the first drain passage and the second drain passage which one is connected to the oil passage having the thus increased internal pressure, while ii) opening the other of the first drain passage and the second drain passage which other is connected to the oil passage that is so depressurized as to have a decreased internal pressure.

Abstract: A method of loading a two-wheeled vehicle onto a vehicle, e.g., within a trunk space of the accommodating vehicle. The required trunk space can be minimized without relying upon folding of the two-wheeled vehicle. A seat post of the two-wheeled vehicle loaded onto and rearward of a rearmost seat of a four-wheeled vehicle is pulled up forward around a predetermined shaft of pivotal motion. A seat of the two-wheeled vehicle functions integrally as a backrest of a rear seat of the four-wheeled vehicle and a seat back of the two-wheeled vehicle integrally functions as a headrest of the seat of the four-wheeled vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and related methods for mounting a ground-engaging motive device, such as a crawler track assembly, to a vehicle, such as a crane or the like, in either an extended or a retracted position. The systems and methods are adapted to ensure that proper alignment is reliably achieved between the mounting structures on the motive device and the corresponding mounting structures on the vehicle in both the extended and retracted positions. In one embodiment, the system and method are especially adapted for use in extending the crawler track assemblies on certain types of existing cranes without the need for extensive retrofitting.

Abstract: A bogie is provided with a wheel mechanism that can move each wheel in a vertical direction, and a control unit to perform impedance control of moving force to be applied to a wheel supporting unit in which a motor provided in the wheel mechanism is supporting the wheel. When the third wheel is to climb up a step, the control unit controls output of each wheel mechanism to cause the third wheel to make contact with a wall face of the step, and facilitate the wheel to move upward so that it can climb up the step, and the other wheels can be immediately made to contact with the ground even when the climbing wheel irregularly moves in a vertical direction, so that the bogie remains in a stable posture.

Abstract: An articulated vehicle with a working device has a first frame having a prime mover mounted thereon and supporting a first transaxle apparatus. The first transaxle apparatus includes an input shalt receiving power from the prime mover, a pair of first axles, and a hydrostatic transmission. The hydrostatic transmission comprises a variable hydraulic pump, a first hydraulic motor fluidly connected to the hydraulic pump via a fluid passage, and a housing with a port fluidly connected to the fluid passage. The second transaxle apparatus includes a pair of second axles having different lengths and a second hydraulic motor. The second hydraulic motor is fluidly connected to the port. Proximal ends of the first and second frames with respect to the vehicle are coupled to each other so that the first and second flames are rotatable around a vertical axis relative to each other when steered.

Abstract: A motorcycle including a frame and a triple clamp supported by the frame for rotation relative to the frame. The motorcycle includes an engaging member, a triple clamp fastener, and a cover. The engaging member includes a first engagement portion and is positioned between the triple clamp fastener and the surface of the triple clamp. The cover includes a second engagement portion that engages the first engagement portion to cover at least a portion of the triple clamp fastener.

Abstract: The electric power steering device such that the characteristic vibration of the rack shaft is adjusted by providing a hollow portion at the rack shaft, resulting in that the characteristic vibration of the rack shaft does not resonate with the vibration of the rack caused by the wheels and/or the motor.

Abstract: A tricycle features a hollow main frame member to which a pair of rear wheels and a seat are mounted. A head tube is attached to the main frame member and a post is pivotally positioned therein. The tricycle front wheel is connected to the lower end of the post while handlebars are connected to the upper end of the post. A steering miter gear is also attached to the post within the head tube. A steering shaft is rotatably positioned with the hollow main frame member and features miter gears on its leading and trailing ends. The miter gear on the leading end engages the steering miter gear while the miter gear on the trailing end engages a miter gear that is removably engaged by a pushing and steering handle. The tricycle thus may be pushed and steered by the handle.

Abstract: A steering apparatus for a vehicle is provided, which has a controller, a first device for detection of an amount of manipulation rendered to the controller, a second device for detection of an amount of steering of steerable wheels, a control unit for controlling an amount of steering based on at least the amount of manipulation and a third device for applying a reaction force to the controller. The apparatus has a feature that it includes the sensor for detection of a speed of the vehicle and the control unit determines the reaction force by multiplying a deviation between the amount of manipulation and the amount of steering by a coefficient for vehicle speed, which is adapted to be larger as the speed of the vehicle detected by the sensor increases.