Abstract: A four-wheel-drive vehicle includes a dog clutch provided between a propeller shaft and an engine, a torque coupling provided between a rear differential and rear wheels, and an ECU that controls the dog clutch and the torque coupling. When a drive mode is switched from a two-wheel-drive mode where the transmissions of torque by the dog clutch and the torque coupling are both interrupted, to a four-wheel-drive mode, the ECU sets the amount of torque that is transmitted by the torque coupling to a first torque value (T1) to increase the speed of rotation of the propeller shaft, and then sets the amount of torque that is transmitted by the torque coupling to a second torque value (T2) that is lower than the first torque value (T1), and engages the dog clutch when the rotations of first and second rotary members of the dog clutch are synchronized with each other.

Abstract: A leg rest for a patient transport device, such as a wheeled chair, bed, stretcher, cot, or the like, is movable between a stowed position underneath a seat and a use position extending forwardly from the seat. The leg rest includes a latch and a handle for releasing the latch. The latch is adapted to automatically retain the leg rest in whichever of the use and stowed positions it currently is in. Pulling on the handle releases the latch and allows the leg rest to be moved between the use and stowed positions. The leg rest includes a pad that is positioned, when the leg rest is in the use position, to contact a patient's calf. The leg rest is configured to both pivot about a pivot axis and to have two different sections that translate with respect to each other.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a load transporting apparatus that automatically aligns a support foot of the apparatus with a load-bearing frame connected to the load transporting apparatus during a recovery phase of an incremental walking movement. In particular, the load transporting apparatus includes a linking device attached to a support foot of the apparatus and a biasing device connected to the linking device that is deflected during non-linear load transporting movements, where the biasing device acts to automatically return the support foot to an aligned position relative to the load-bearing frame after a non-linear movement has been completed and the support foot is raised above a ground surface.

Abstract: A bicycle including a frame, a bottom bracket coupled to the frame and adapted to support a crankset, and a battery pack supported by the frame. The battery pack has a powered end cap with a tapered protrusion and a battery connector on an end of the tapered protrusion. The bicycle also includes a receiver supported by the frame and including a tapered socket in which the tapered protrusion is positioned. The tapered socket includes a power connector detachably coupled to the battery connector.

Abstract: A vehicle forming a self-balancing human transporter, or “gyropode”, including a photovoltaic module to charge a battery electrically or to partially power an electric motor electrically from solar energy. The photovoltaic module includes a first portion which is fixed and extends along a standing and driving handle, and a second portion which is retractable between an extreme retracted position in which it allows the gyropode to be moved, and an extreme deployed position in which it acts as a stand for holding the gyropode when stopped with a determined inclination enabling optimum efficiency of the photovoltaic module to be obtained relative to a position of the sun.

Abstract: A brake system for a medical device, such as a cot, stretcher, bed, wheeled chair, or other medical device, includes a pin and toothed wheel arrangement wherein the selective insertion of a pin between teeth on the toothed wheel brakes the system, while the removal of the pin from between the teeth unbrakes the system. Multiple pins may be used with a single toothed wheel wherein the pins are offset from each other relative to the teeth so that, when one pin is inserted between teeth, the other pin is at least partially blocked from being inserted between the teeth. This effectively increases the resolution of the toothed wheel. The toothed wheel may be axially spaced from wheel(s) that roll on the ground. When so spaced, the toothed wheel, and all of the braking components associated therewith, may be enclosed within a housing separate from the rolling wheel(s).

Abstract: A bicycle frame set includes a main frame, a rear wheel suspension pivotally attached to the main frame, and a double eccentric cam assembly disposed within one or more pivot joints between the main frame and the rear wheel suspension. The double eccentric cam assembly includes inner and outer eccentric cams removably fastened together and retained in place within the pivot joint by a removable fastener passing through an aperture in the inner eccentric cam and defining a pivot axis. The aperture is eccentric relative to a perimeter of the inner eccentric cam. The inner cam is received within a correspondingly shaped opening in the outer cam which opening is itself eccentric relative to a perimeter of the outer eccentric cam. A rotational position of each of the cams is thus adjustable, so as to change a relative location of the pivot axis of the pivot joint.

Abstract: A scooter includes a main body having a triangular shape including three lower pivotable wheels. Three handles are defined interior to the main body, one along each of the sides. The body includes a domed shape and a textured surface. A central opening is provided in the main body to allow for stacking of the scooters for storage. During stacking, the scooters are alternated relative to one another so that the points and the sides are offset, resulting in compact and secure storage.

Abstract: An oxygen, or other type of, bottle holder is attached to a medical device and includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion includes a cylindrical recess into which the bottom of the bottle is inserted. The upper portion includes a clamp that may include either a movable arm or movable fingers. The movable fingers pivot about a common pivot axis and are retractable into, and extendable out of, a housing. The movable arm includes different sections with different levels of curvature. A trigger may be included that automatically opens the clamp upon the insertion of the bottle therein, as well as automatic closing of the clamp thereafter, thereby relieving the user from having to manually manipulate the clamp for it to secure the upper end of the bottle. The device may be wheeled chair, cot, stretcher, bed, or other device that holds an oxygen bottle.

Abstract: An air guiding structure introduces a cooling air to be supplied to a radiator, positioned forwardly of a combustion engine, and an engine intake air from a single opening in a fairing. The fairing encloses at least an area forwardly of a head pipe and an area laterally outwardly of the radiator. A portion of an inner peripheral face of the opening is formed by an inner cowl. An intake air inlet for introducing the engine intake air is disposed above the radiator. The inner cowl is extended rearwardly to form a cowl extension confronting at least a lower portion of the head pipe and a lower bracket of a front fork assembly from outside. A side wall of the inner cowl including the cowl extension is formed with a guide for guiding an incoming air towards the intake air inlet.

Abstract: There is provided an evaporated fuel control device for a saddle-type vehicle in which an air supply passage is laid out without being disposed at a higher position than a fuel tank. The fuel tank 12 is disposed at a higher position than the engine 20, an evaporated fuel passage 110 is routed as a descending passage from the fuel tank 12 to the engine 20, and an air supply passage 120 is jointed to a halfway position of the evaporated fuel passage 110 which is located at a fuel tank 12 side with respect to a first check valve 117 and positionally lower than the uppermost portion of the fuel tank 12.

Abstract: A trailer attachment guide assembly includes a rod that has a first end and a second end. The rod is selectively telescopically extendable along a longitudinal axis extending through the first and second ends. The rod may be positioned in a vehicle bed so the rod abuts opposite lateral walls of the vehicle bed. A guide post has a bottom end pivotally coupled to the rod. The guide post is selectively positionable in a deployed position extending upwardly from the rod so the guide post may be viewed from a cabin of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle steering system in which a steering member and a steered wheel are not mechanical coupled to each other includes a rotation angle restriction mechanism that restricts a rotation angle of the steering member within a restricted angular range. In a normal mode, drive control on a steered system actuator is executed on the basis of a steering angle detected by a steering angle sensor. In a failure mode for a situation in which there is a malfunction in the steering angle sensor, drive control on the steered system actuator is executed on the basis of a steering direction detected by a steering direction detection sensor. The steering direction detection sensors detect the steering direction on the basis of at which one of a pair of terminal ends of the restricted angular range, the rotation angle restriction mechanism is restricting the rotation angle of the steering member.

Abstract: A rotating electrical machine control device includes a target current value calculation section, a PWM signal generation section, a voltage application section, and a control section. The target current value calculation section calculates target current values of electric currents supplied to windings of a rotating electrical machine. The PWM signal generation section generates PWM signals for the respective windings based on the target current values. The voltage application section applies voltages to the respective windings based on the PWM signals. When the control section stops driving of the rotating electrical machine, the PWM signal generation section generates the PWM signals in which a timing of a pulse change in the PWM signal of at least one phase is different from timings of pulse changes in the PWM signals of the other phases.

Abstract: An articulation control system is disclosed for use with a mobile machine having a traction device. The articulation control system may have a speed sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a travel speed of the mobile machine, a steering angle sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a steering angle of the traction device, and an articulation actuator configured to articulate a front frame of the mobile machine relative to a rear frame of the mobile machine. The articulation control system may also have a controller in communication with the speed sensor, the steering angle sensor, and the articulation actuator. The controller may be configured to track a travel path of the front frame based on the first and second signals, and to regulate operation of the articulation actuator to cause the rear frame to follow the travel path of the front frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steering device for a road vehicle according to the steer-by-wire principle with a steering wheel that can be operated by a driver and with a steering gearbox that is not permanently mechanically coupled in a forcible manner, which is equipped with an electric motor drive for swivelling steered wheels, wherein the electric motor drive comprises an electric motor, a pinion (1), a belt (2) and a belt pulley (3), wherein the belt pulley (3) is coupled via the gearbox to a threaded spindle (4), and wherein an electromechanical blocking of the electric motor drive is provided on or in the steering gear.

Abstract: A vehicle equipped with a double tandem members suspension system to suspend the vehicle, the double tandem members being operatively interconnected together and adapted to receive idling wheels adapted to support and guide an endless belt thereon to provide significant suspension travel and prevents an endless belt disengagement from the idling wheels.

Abstract: A two-wheeled motor vehicle (10) provided with a throttle grip (25) rotated by the driver to change the degree of opening of a throttle valve (31), and also with an exhaust valve (34) which, when a throttle ratio which is a ratio of the angle of operation of the throttle grip to the maximum rotation angle of the throttle grip is between zero and a predetermined value, reduces noise emitted from an engine.

Abstract: A hydraulic power steering system controllable by left and right steering wheels has two control valves, each valve connected to a respective left and right steering wheel, and a valve arrangement that selectively connects one control valve to a source of high-pressure fluid and disconnects the other control valve from the source of high-pressure fluid.

Abstract: A trailer-hitch system comprises a hitch frame adapted to be secured to a vehicle and having a receiver for accommodating a foremost end of a mount unit. The mount unit has a member portion in mating engagement with the receiver of the hitch frame. A connector for connection with a trailer is provided at a rearmost end. The trailer-hitch system also comprises a mechanism actuated to press a portion of the member portion against the receiver for locking the mount unit into the mating engagement with the receiver. A method for locking a mount unit in a receiver of a hitch frame is also provided.