Abstract: A four wheel drive vehicle with an antilock braking system in which front and rear axles are coupled together by a power transmission assembly capable of directly coupling or uncoupling the axles, a hydraulic braking system controls the hydraulic pressure applied to each brake disposed in the wheel of the respective axles and an antilock control device is disposed in the hydraulic braking system for controlling hydraulic braking pressure such that it may be reduced when the axle is just about to become locked. In such a four wheel drive vehicle, the antilock control device includes a front wheel control section arranged to control the hydraulic pressure applied to the front wheel brakes and a rear wheel control section arranged to control the hydraulic pressure applied to the rear wheel brakes.

Abstract: Apparatus for towing a vehicle is disclosed having a first member mounted in a stowed position under the undercarriage of the tow vehicle and a second member telescopingly mounted within the first member and movable to an extended position out of the first member when the first member is released from its stowed position. A cross member is mounted at the free end of said second member and transverse thereto and has a towing vehicle wheel support at each end for receiving the front wheels of a vehicle to be towed. Straps are associated with each wheel support to secure the wheels of the vehicle to be towed to the wheel supports. In this manner, a front wheel drive vehicle can be towed without effecting the odometer and the apparatus can be stored under the undercarriage of the tow vehicle when not in use.

Abstract: An electric power assistance steering apparatus provides a differential compensating circuit (54) in which a command current signal is added with a derivative of the command signal to provide a compensated current signal to a control circuit for varying the current to an electric motor (11) arranged to provide power assistance to a steering rack (6). The apparatus preferbly provides signals representative of torque and vehicle speed to a function generator to provide a first command signal which is added with a self-centering command current and the output is provided to give a second command current which is effectively the first command current limited in dependence upon the vehicle speed. The second command current is operated upon by the differential compensating circuit (54) to the compensated current signal.

Abstract: An electric power steering device for vehicles comprises an electric motor connected to a steering shaft and serving as a servomotor for producing assisting steering power. Torque sensors are adapted to sense steering torque on the steering shaft. A vehicle speed detecting means is adapted to detect the actual vehicle speed. A controller is adapted to control the state of energization of the electric motor such that the output torque of the motor is changed in accordance with the change in the steering torque on the steering shaft and that the energization of the motor is stopped when the actual vehicle speed is increased beyond a predetermined threshold speed which is adjustable by a vehicle speed setting means such as a variable resistor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to automobiles, each featuring a low floor realized by introducing the frame which is fabricated with the inter-member gap of the frame members narrowed in the vicinity of the rear driving axle system, and assembled approximately flat over the range extending from the front to the rear of the rear driving axle system, allowing the above-ground level to be lowered as much as possible with the frame being assured freedom from interference by the rear driving axle system.

Abstract: In an anti-skid device for motor vehicles with a plurality of resilient spreading arms (5) distributed over the circumference of a support (1) which can be set into a revolving motion for chain strands (3) forming anti-skid means, the spreading arms (5) are formed by compression springs (8) which are precompressed by connecting elements (13) which connect the chain strands (3) to the support (1).

Abstract: An improved coupler or hitch assembly of the latch plate type. Angled jaws on the coupler act together with ramps or angled arms on the equipment secured by the coupler to forgive vertical or horizontal misalignment during the coupling operation. The assembly has an automatically engaging latch plate which is held in a closed position by a lock pin. The lock pin also provides frictional restraint for holding the plate in an open position. A lock pin holding mechanism allows relatively unresisted movement of the latch plate from an open to a closed position. Movement of the latch plate is also controlled by a limit tab on the coupler to prevent the lock pin from interfering with the coupler operation.

Abstract: An electric power steering system (50) for vehicles has an electromagnetic servo device (1) including a drive control circuit (30, 40) for feeding a drive signal (Va) to an electric motor (14) for producing auxiliary torque to be supplied to an output shaft (6) in accordance with a steering torque signal (S.sub.1, S.sub.2) from a steering torque detection mechanism (32) which detects steering torque (Ts) acting on an input shaft (5) and a steering speed signal (S.sub.3, S.sub.4) from a steering speed detection mechanism (36) which detects the steering speed (Ns) of a steering wheel. The drive control circuit determines, of the motor drive signal, a component (D(L)) corresponding to the road surface side load and a component (D(F)) corresponding to the load due to friction elements of the servo device, depending on the steering torque signal, and a component (D(K.multidot.Nm)) corresponding to the steering speed, depending on the steering speed signal.

Abstract: A slip-controlled brake system for all-wheel drive motor vehicles is provided with differentials (16,19,20) for balancing track difference between the individual wheels (VR, VL, HR, HL). Wheel sensors (31-34) and electrical circuits (9) for generating brake pressure control signals are provided to control the brake pressure in the event of imminent locking. A disconnecting clutch (37) is inserted into a driving split axle (25) connecting a wheel to the rear axle differential (20). The disconnecting clutch (37) can be actuated either electromagnetically or hydraulically. Upon commencement of the brake slip control or at a predetermined time thereafter, the disconnecting clutch (37) is disengaged thereby rendering the coupling between the rear wheels and/or between front and rear axles ineffective thereby to permit an individual slip control by way of the individual control channels.

Abstract: A four-wheel drive vehicle is provided in its drive mechanism with an adapter case assembly interposed between a transmission and a transfer case. The adapter case assembly consists of a cylindrical and hollow outer wall member securely interposed between the housing of the transmission and the housing of the transfer case. The outer wall member is integrally formed with a generally frustoconical partition wall member disposed inside the outer wall member and located around a power output shaft drivingly connecting the transfer case with the transmission. The partition wall member defines thereinside an inner chamber of a smaller volume, communicated with the inside of the transmission housing so that oil within the transmission can flow into the inner chamber, thereby preventing much oil from flowing out from the transmission into the adapter case assembly.

Abstract: A hitch linkage for hitching an implement to a front mount riding mower including a plurality of hitch arms detachably mounted to the lift arms of the riding mower. A cross-link is pivotally mounted between the hitch arms. The support struts of a support wheel are fixably mounted to the cross-link. A cylinder selectively pivots the cross-link to raise or lower the support wheel. When the support wheel is lowered into ground engaging position, the support wheel is leading to the drive wheels of the riding mower during implement transport.

Abstract: A regenerative braking system provides braking by transmitting the spring force of a deforming elastic medium as a torque tending to oppose the forward rotation of a wheel being braked. A brake pad assembly, mounted concentrically with the hub of a ground-engaging wheel, is actuated upon braking to provide frictional engagement between the hub and a wrapping mechanism which reels in a cable attached to an elastic medium, thereby deforming the elastic medium and storing energy, while applying a decelerating torque to the wheel. The wrapping mechanism is engaged only upon braking, and does not interfere with wheel rotation during other vehicle operating modes. Energy is accumulated until the deforming elastic reaches a limit stop, at which point continued braking is provided by frictional slippage between the brake pad and the rotating hub.

Abstract: A power steering system for motor vehicles for assisting the manual steering effort includes an electromotive drive unit which acts upon the steering shaft in a sense corresponding to that of the manual steering. The operating mode of the drive unit is dependent on the vehicle speed and the instantaneous steering torque manually applied to the steering wheel. At low vehicle speeds and high manual steering torque the drive unit is caused to run at high speeds; at high vehicle speeds and low manual steering torque the drive unit is caused to run at low speeds. A fluid friction clutch is interposed between the drive unit and the steering shaft. In addition to transmitting force from the drive unit to the steering shaft, the fluid friction clutch assists in damping forces which are transmitted to the steering wheel by the steering system in the form of shocks or rotary oscillations.

Abstract: A tool for adjusting the position of a fifth wheel upon a tractor trailer assembly, in which a leverage arm is provided in combination with a pivotally mounted push and pull bar. The leverage arm is pivotally secured to a first mounting platform and extends the distance between the first mounting platform and a second mounting platform. Upon action of the leverage arm from outside of the second mounting platform, the leverage arm exerts a radial force against a pivotally connected push and pull bar. The push and pull bar is attached to the fifth wheel in such a manner as to translate the radial action of the leverage arm into a direct forward or backward action of the fifth wheel.

Abstract: A vehicle which may be three-wheeled or four-wheeled, for instance, a buggy comprises a front wheel and a wishbone suspension for supporting the front wheel and a power unit. The body frame comprises a left subframe, a right subframe of essentially quadrilateral configuration, each subframe having an upper side, a front side, a lower side and a rear side. A reinforcing bar connects the front side and the lower side. The subframes form a first loop. The reinforcing bar forms a second loop with the upper side, the rear side, the front side and the lower side. The second loop is within the first loop. The first loop supports the front wheel wishbone suspension and the second loop supports the power unit. The front side has an upper portion and a lower portion and the lower side has a forward portion and a rear portion and the second loop is formed by the upper side, the upper portion of the front side, the rear portion of the lower side and the rear side.

Abstract: A sail assembly for attachment to a bicycle having a frame, a rear wheel and a seat mounted on the frame forwardly of the rear wheel. The sail assembly includes a fork for bridging the rear wheel to mount on the frame and extend upwardly therefrom rearwardly of the seat. A boom is carried on the upper end of the fork to be generally horizontal and to pivot in a horizontal plane. A mast is mounted on the boom to extend upwardly generally in line with the fork, and a sail is attached at a leading edge thereof to the mast and at a lower edge to the boom. The fork is pivotally attached to the frame to enable pivoting rearwardly if the mast strikes an object while riding the bicycle. A flexure device restores the fork and mast to the generally upright position after the force which caused pivoting of the mast is removed. A flexure device also allows the boom to pivot laterally, but then restores the boom to a position generally in line with the bicycle after the force which caused the pivoting is removed.

Abstract: A four wheel drive vehicle with an anti-lock braking system comprising front and rear axles coupled together by a power transmission assembly capable of transmitting the braking force acting upon the front wheels to the rear wheels. A power unit is drivingly connected to the power transmission assembly. A hydraulic braking system controls the hydraulic pressure applied to each wheel brake and an anti-lock control system controls the hydraulic braking pressure such that the braking pressure is reduced when a wheel is about to become locked. The anti-lock control system includes a front wheel control section to control the hydraulic pressure applied to the front wheel brakes and a rear wheel control section to control the hydraulic pressure applied to the rear wheel brakes. The front wheel and rear wheel control sections are connected so that in cases where the braking force acting upon the front wheels is transmitted to the rear wheels, i.e.

Abstract: A motor vehicle scuttle-dash instrument panel component of plastics material having an integrated ventilating and heating unit comprising (i) a first part extending between the inner walls of the motor vehicle bodywork and having integrally formed hollows and walls adapted to receive components of the ventilating and heating unit, (ii) a second part likewise extending between inner walls with correspondingly matching shaped hollows and walls. When the two parts are adjacent they form together a unit having spaces and channels of a specific shape. The first and second parts can be inserted in the bodywork as a pre-assembled structural member supplemented by the corresponding components of the ventilating and heating unit and additional covering elements and being connected to the bodywork by way of lateral flanges.

Abstract: A two-wheeled, self-propelled and steerable vehicle especially designed for travel over varying terrain, including pavement, rough and rocky ground, under brush and areas dotted with water. The vehicle has a fore-and-aft body supported on front and rear wheels, both of which are steerable in unison in what may be termed articulated fashion as distinguished from so-called crab steering. Each of the wheels is steerable by a wheel mounting arrangement that eliminates the conventional fork and uses instead a split shaft and splined sleeve interconnection on which the wheel is journaled. Right and left links interconnect the sleeve respectively to proximate right and left fore-and-aft movable shaft carriers for controlling the position of the sleeve as the wheel is steered, thus increasing the range of steerability without increasing the width of the body within which the wheel is confined. Preferably, both wheels are powered by hydraulic motors.

Abstract: An arcuate wear plate mounted underlying the starter motor housing of a motorcycle protecting the same from engagement by an adjacent drive chain.