Abstract: A bicycle frame has front and rear frame portions interconnected at their top by a flexible spring connection, that allows relative vertical flexing of the frame portions, and by a tension cable and compression spring between a forward portion of the front frame portion and a lower portion of the rear frame portion. Integral stiffening means included with the vertical center post member of the rear frame portion and with the horizontal crossbar assembly of the front frame portion are provided to minimize the tendency of the front portion of the frame to yaw laterally from side to side relative to the rear frame.

Abstract: A vehicle 1 comprises an upper mounting 2 which is a hollow beam pivotally attached via pivot means 4 to a lower mounting 3 which is also a hollow beam. A work platform 15 is fixed on to the upper mounting for translational movement with the mountings. Inner beams 5, 6, 10 and 11 are slidable within the outer beams 2 and 3 and have attached to each of their ends yokes, which in turn have attached at each of their ends legs 8 and 13. The legs have feet 9 and 14 and are telescopically extendible, so that the weight of the vehicle can be supported alternately on each set of legs i.e. on legs 8 or legs 13. By causing all the inner beams to slide in the outer beams simultaneously while the vehicle is supported on one set of legs and then transferring the weight to the other set of legs and causing the inner beams to slide in the opposite direction, the vehicle can "walk". The work platform can move forward continuously.

Abstract: A three-wheel vehicle having front and rear frame sections supporting a single front wheel and a pair of rear wheels respectively. The frame sections are pivotally interconnected about an inclined axis defined by a front lower and rear upper pivotal connection. The upper pivotal connection is provided on a swivel bar which is pivotally connected to the rear frame section for swivel pivoting of the pivotal connection defining the inclined axis. A seat on the front frame section positioned substantially above the swiveled pivotal connection is shifted from side-to-side with the pivoting of the swivel bar and inclined axis. A handle from the swivel bar enables a rider to control the swivel bar for shifting of the rider's weight and increased or decreased articulation of the vehicle frame and thus turning of the vehicle to thereby increase or decrease the turning that is induced by pivoting of the front frame section about the inclined axis.

Abstract: A grip plate to aid in freeing a vehicle from being stuck on a slippery surface, comprising a flat rectangular iron plate with a lip at one end and an upstanding lug at the other end, with an upward angular portion of the plate between the lug and the main body portion of the plate.

Abstract: A foldable trailer having a frame and platform which are laterally divided into a front, rear and central section, the axle of the trailer being secured to the central section. The central section is pivotally connected respectively to the front and rear sections so that the front and rear sections can fold up into storage positions normal to that of its central section. The front and rear sections are releasably lockable with the central section so that they are in the same plane as that of the central section during operative use of the trailer. An improved hinge is provided to permit tight fitting of the confronting surfaces of the sections when the sections are in position for operative use and to permit and unobstructed pivoting of the front and rear sections with respect to the central section when they are being folded into storage position. The trailer according to the present invention provides a sturdy platform during operative use, yet permits it to be collapsed for storage or transportation.

Abstract: A four-wheel steering system for an automotive vehicle includes a front wheel steering mechanism operable in response to a steering effort applied thereto to steer a pair of dirigible front road wheels, a rear wheel steering mechanism including an axially displaceable operation rod operatively connected at the opposite ends thereof with a pair of dirigible rear road wheels to steer the rear road wheels, and a connecting mechanism assembled in combination with the rear wheel steering mechanism and being drivingly connected to the front wheel steering mechanism for effecting axial displacement of the operation rod in response to operation of the front wheel steering mechanism and for controlling the steering angle ratio and direction of the rear road wheels relative to the front road wheels.

Abstract: A stabilizing wheel assembly has a support frame construction releasably securable to a bicycle and a stabilizing wheel secured to the support frame construction. The latter includes a substantially planar main plate attachable to the bicycle seat stay and the chain stay; a support bar affixed at one of its ends to the main plate and extending generally perpendicularly therefrom; and a fork unit having fork blades straddling the stabilizing wheel and being held on the support bar for a swinging motion in a plane parellel to the main plate. There is further provided an abutting mechansim carried by the support bar and arranged in a path of the swinging motion of one of the fork blades.

Abstract: A pair of opposite side guide members are mounted from opposite side rear portions of a trailer frame for guided shifting along upwardly convergent paths and the upper ends of the guide members include upwardly facing hull undersurface engaging and supporting heads oscillatably supported from the guide members for angular displacement relative thereto about axes extending generally longitudinally of the trailer frame. The guide members are yieldingly biased toward upper limit positions and the heads are oscillatable between first upright upwardly facing positions and second inclined limit positions with the heads facing in upwardly convergent directions inclined generally 45.degree. relative to the horizontal. The heads are gravity biased toward the inclined limit positions thereof.

Abstract: The present invention creates a cross-country vehicle that is characterized by the combination of two hydraulically operated leg units at the front of the vehicle with two wheels at the rear of the vehicle, it being possible to adjust the height of these wheels, which are supported on longitudinal arms, hydraulically. Motion of the vehicle is effected by appropriate movements made by means of hand levers and amplifiers. An on-board computer automatically provides for a constant and near horizontal position of the vehicle cab and constantly carries out calculations to ensure that when one leg is raised the position of the center of gravity is at that moment within the three support points. The decisive point of the invention lies in the fact that the advantages of leg units are combined with the advantages of wheels. The command of the leg elements is greatly simplified since there are only two such units.

Abstract: A wheeled bed apparatus includes a planar supporting surface stretched between a plurality of upper longitudinal and transverse tubular members forming a patient platform. The platform is pivotably affixed to a plurality of vertical tubular support members maintained in an erect, use position by a plurality of transverse frame members and diagonal braces. Hand wheels associated with two large supporting wheels permit propulsion of the apparatus by a patient while reposing atop the supporting surface. Coupling elements joining the various tubular members permit collapsing of the apparatus for storage.

Abstract: An adjustable ride height motorcycle is provided which automatically compensates for lean by raising the motorcycle as leaning occurs, by reversibly increasing the displacement of front and rear suspension swing arms as a function of leaning into turns by rotating through an angle the upper portion of the shock absorbers acting upon the swing arms.

Abstract: An anti-jackknife system for use while towing a trailer with a tractor. The tractor and trailer are coupled to each other by a fifth-wheel assembly in known manner. The fifth-wheel assembly includes a wheel plate carried by the tractor and a cooperating pin carried by the trailer, the pin being rotatable within the wheel plate when the tractor and trailer are coupled to each other. First and second abutments are carried by the trailer on opposing sides of the pin. The abutments move in paths around the pin on a change in orientation between the tractor and trailer, as during turning, for example. Fluid-actuated cylinders are carried by the tractor on opposing sides of the wheel plate with each cylinder providing a stop movable between a first position out of the abutment path. The stops are normally in the second position. A jackknife condition is detected to actuate at least one of the fluid-actuated cylinders to move its associated stop into the first position.

Abstract: A recumbent bicycle is powered by the driving of a crank spindle that rotates on an axis generally coincident with that of the front wheel. The crank spindle is disposed within a spindle housing supported from the front of the bicycle frame, and the spindle housing supports the front wheel through a steerably turnable intermediate hub. Steering of the handlebars causes the front wheel to turn to steer the bicycle, while the crank spindle remains in a fixed orientation to the frame so that the bicycle can be continuously driven with pedals connected to the crank spindle, which in turn is connected to the rear wheel through a sprocket and drive chain assembly.

Abstract: An assisting power controller for a vehicle power steering device is provided with a microcomputer, which stores in a random access memory a plurality of the latest steering angle data each detected from a steering angle detector each time the vehicle runs a predetermined distance. The microprocessor processes the plurality of steering angle data to calculate a first driving index representing the road condition and then, to decide a first electric current meeting the road condition. The microprocessor also stores in the memory a plurality of the latest vehicle speed data each detected from a speed sensor each time the vehicle runs the predetermined distance. The microprocessor processes the plurality of vehicle speed data to calculate a second driving index representing the state of maneuver by the driver of the vehicle and then, to decide a second electric current meeting the state of maneuvering.

Abstract: An improved mounting arrangement for a ball nut drive assembly for a linear actuator is disclosed. The invention is described as embodied in an electric assist steering system. The steering system includes a housing surrounding at least a portion of a steering member having rack teeth thereon, a ball-nut drive assembly circumscribing a thread portion of the steering member for axially driving said steering member upon rotation of the ball-nut drive assembly, an electric assist motor for driving said ball-nut assembly into rotation in response to a control signal and an electronic control unit for providing said control signal in response to a measured amount of driver input torque. The steering member is radially supported relative to the housing at two spaced apart locations. The ball-nut drive assembly is axially spaced from the electric assist motor and connected thereto by a connection tube.

Abstract: A velocipede, for example a bicycle, having a front wheel drive is disclosed. The front wheel has a gear axially mounted thereon. In place of regular handlebars is a drive gear rotatably mounted on the upper front of a frame. The drive gear has coextensive handle means for rotating the drive gear. A first drive chain connects the drive gear to a plurality of different sized gears. A second drive chain connects the plurality of different sized gears to the gear axially mounted on the front wheel, whereby rotation of the hand means causes rotation of the front wheel. A derailleur is provided to change the position of the second chain on the plurality of different sized gears. Independently rotatable coextensive handles with cables extending to the outside allow for brake levers and derailleur levers to be mounted on the handles without becoming entangled during 360 degree rotation of the drive gear. The gear wheel is lockable to provide fixed handlebars.

Abstract: A device for releasably coupling a trailer to a towing vehicle comprising a support plate mountable on the towing vehicle, and a parallelogram-like arrangement of articulated mechanical members mounted on the support plate including a lifting bar movable between a raised position and a lowered position. A hitching ball that is matable with a socket on the trailer is mounted on the lifting bar. Mechanical means are provided for moving the lifting bar between its raised position and its lowered position. Also, means are provided for locking the device in its raised position.

Abstract: A traction control system includes means for detecting a vehicle driving condition and disabling traction control for reducing driving torque distributed to vehicular driven wheels for avoiding wheel slippage when a predetermined vehicle driving condition is detected. In the practical control, a vehicle speed is taken as a traction control enabling/disabling criterion for disabling control while the vehicle speed is lower than a given criterion.

Abstract: A ball hitch for towing trailers and the like may be assembled in either of two possible configurations so that the resultant assembled ball structure has a selected diameter complemental to the socket of the trailer tongue. The hitch includes an integral body presenting two end portions having a truncated spherical configuration, and a specially adapted bolt may be inserted in either of two directions in a central bore of the body so that the selected end portion of the latter may be located in an outermost disposition for use. Preferably, a smoothly rounded head of the bolt has a radius of curvature equal to the average of the radii of the end portions of the body so that the bolt head and the selected end portion of the body, when the hitch is installed in the vehicle, cooperate to present a rounded structure of a generally spherical configuration.

Abstract: A wheelchair construction particularly adaptable for collapsible wheelchairs and which may be formed of all nonmagnetic material, wherein the major components are skinned polymeric foam wheels and panels. The seat and back panels are hingedly supported on side panels, wherein the back panels include a downwardly opening V-shaped channel adjacent the center hinge which receives the upwardly foldable seat panels as the wheelchair is collapsed and the seat panels are supported in an overcenter hinge position on transverse foldable panels. The side panels include openings at their upper rearward corners forming integral C-shaped handles and the footrests are supported in a horizontal use or angled non-use position in configured slots formed in a support block.