Abstract: An enclosed drive for a mountain bicycle features a chain case which replaces the conventional chain stay on the right side of the bicycle coupled with an improved twelve speed transmission using four countershafts, which is housed in a gear case inside the rear wheel hub. The gear case is bolted to a cylindrical extension of the chain case which mounts the rear wheel bearing on the right side. The chain case is press fit on a steel tube rotatably mounted in the bottom bracket, and the chain case cover is a close shear fit on the rear spindle which is clamped with over center quick disconnects in dropouts at the lower ends of conventional seat stays. To change the rear tire, the rear spindle is released and the chain case is rotated about the axis of the bottom bracket to swing the wheel clear of the frame. The wheel can then be separated from the bicycle without disturbing or exposing any drive train components by removing four wheel nuts and pulling the wheel off from the left side.

Abstract: The invention relates to a suspension cradle or cradles which can be transported along an upper region such as the rim of an upright edifice such as a cooling tower, the rim having a substantially flat surface extending on a plane transverse to the upright plane of the cooling tower, transportation of the cradle(s) being by a device mounted on the surface by means adapted to move the device along the surface.

Abstract: An auxiliary pump system for providing detent pressure in a detent-type variable effort power steering system. The auxiliary pump system includes a gerotor-type auxiliary pump mounted on the transmission of the vehicle and driven at a speed proportional to vehicle speed. The primary power steering pump supplies power steering fluid to the power steering gear and all of the power steering fluid exhausting from the steering gear is directed to the intake of the auxiliary pump. The auxiliary pump produces detent pressure when the vehicle is in motion proportional to vehicle speed and the overage of power steering fluid is directed back to the power steering pump reservoir. From a cold start, the power steering fluid consumed by the auxiliary pump heats faster due to passage through the power steering pump than if drawn directly from the reservoir thereby to minimize the duration during which detent pressure is susceptible to viscosity induced pressure instability.

Abstract: A bicycle/scooter combination has a support tube assembly including two lower support tubes each having a front terminus affixed to the head tube; a downwardly extending front portion; a rearwardly extending horizontal portion; and an upwardly extending rear portion including a rear terminus of the lower support tubes. The rear terminus is affixed to the bracket shell. There is further provided an upper support tube having an upper terminus affixed to the head tube and a lower terminus attached to the rearwardly extending horizontal portion of the lower support tubes; a horizontal platform supported by the rearwardly extending horizontal portions of the lower support tubes; and chain stays each having a front end affixed to the upwardly extending rear portions of the lower support tubes and a rear end carrying a rear-wheel supporting plate.

Abstract: A traction control system is provided variable wheel slippage sensing level depending upon the vehicle speed. Adjustment of the wheel slippage sensing level by varying wheel slippage detecting threshold to be compared with preselected traction control parameter, such as, wheel speed, wheel acceleration and so forth. In practical control, wheel slippage sensability is lowered when the vehicle speed is lower than a given vehicle high speed criterion so as to provide better vehicle stating-up characteristics, and is rised when the vehicle speed is higher than the vehicle high speed criterion so as to provide higher driving stability.

Abstract: A trailer is provided including an elongated longitudinally extending frame incorporating longitudinally aligned and extending front and rear frame sections pivotally secured together at adjacent ends for free relative angular displacement about a horizontal transverse axis. The front end of the front frame section includes coupling structure for coupling the frame to a towing vehicle and the rear frame section includes a transverse axle assembly mounted from the rear frame section centrally intermediate its opposite ends and having a pair of opposite side ground engaging support wheels journalled therefrom. Further, the rear frame section includes structure for support and cradling the lower periphery of the rear wheel of a motorcycle in position rearward of the axle assembly and the front frame section of the trailer includes motorcycle front wheel supporting and cradling structure supported therefrom for adjustable shifting longitudinally of the front frame section.

Abstract: A motor-driven power steering system for a vehicle capable of ensuring the travelling stability of a vehicle during travel on a bad road by avoiding unintentional motion of the steering wheel caused by road surface irregularities. The power steering system includes a motor adapted to be energized by a battery to power assist the steering motion induced by an operator. The power assisting force is transmitted from the motor to the steerable road wheels through a first electromagnetic sliding clutch and a second electromagnetic switching clutch. The operations of the motor and the first and second clutches are controlled by a control unit in such a manner that the force transmitted from the motor to the steerable road wheels is reduced to make the steering operation heavier than when steering with full power assist when the vehicle is travelling on a bad road.

Abstract: Wheelchair comprising an underframe with front and rear wheels, and a seat part (1) which is adjustable relative to the underframe, which seat part (1) can be tilted forward and backward relative to the underframe in such a way that the overall center of gravity (6) of seat part (1) and wheelchair user (5) essentially assumes a fixed position relative to the underframe.

Abstract: A kit for converting a wheel chair into a walker for a patient comprising a seat for replacing the wheel chair bottom, a base for mounting the seat to the wheel chair to define an open space for the patient in front of the seat between the sides of the wheel chair, the seat positioned immediately below the patient's buttocks when the patient is standing in the space. The kit also includes an inverted U-shaped support bar is mounted across the front of the wheel chair in position where it can be grasped by the patient, the support bar retaining the patient between the sides of the wheel chair and the seat.

Abstract: A power assist steering assembly for a vehicle comprises a power assist actuator, a pump for supplying pressurized fluid to the power assist actuator, and a steering control valve comprising a movable valve member for controlling flow of pressurized fluid to the power assist actuator. A conduit that communicates pressurized fluid from the pump to the steering control valve comprises a restriction orifice. A conduit device controls the flow of pressurized fluid through the restriction orifice in accordance with vehicle speed. A mechanism is provided to resist movement of the valve to increase flow of pressurized fluid to the power assist actuator with a force which increases as vehicle speed increases. The mechanism comprises a first fluid chamber, a spring located in the first fluid chamber for biasing the valve member to a neutral position thereof, and a second fluid chamber the pressure in which counteracts the action of the spring.

Abstract: An automatic trailer hitch assembly mounts a shank unit on the trailer and a receiving unit on the towing vehicle. The shank unit provides an elongated shank member which mounts the trailer ball at one end coupled to a conventional trailer hitch ball socket housing secured to the trailer and at the opposite end is formed to slide on funnel-like guide passages into the receiving unit. A spring leveler assembly is detachably and adjustably secured as a subassembly to the trailing end of the shank unit, releasably grasps the ball socket housing and retains the shank unit properly positioned for coupling.

Abstract: A toy vehicle (1) comprising a vehicle body (2), front and rear wheels (3 and 4) disposed under the vehicle body to support the latter, a seat (5) and a handle post (7) provided with grips (6). The portion of the handle post projecting upwardly from the vehicle body is provided with a formation or structure which serves as a child's plaything, such as a shape simulating the head (10) of an animal or a music box (50) contained therein. The portion of the handle post projecting downward from the vehicle body supports an axle (9) for the front wheels and is provided with a cushioning mechanism (29), a height adjusting mechanism, and a mechanism for operating an operable object (37, 47) installed in connection with the handle post.

Abstract: In a vehicle in which front and rear wheels are suspended on a body frame and a power unit for driving the wheels via a drive shaft is carried on the central portion of the body frame, a fuel tank and an exhaust muffler are juxtaposed on left and right sides below the body frame in such a manner to be contained within the vertical projection plane of the body frame, and a heat insulating plate is interposed between the fuel tank and the exhaust muffler. The power unit is offset to one side in the widthwise direction of a vehicle body to define a space on the opposite side in which the drive shaft and exhaust pipes are disposed inside the outermost frame portion in vertically spaced relation to extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body.

Abstract: A motor-driven power steering system for an automotive vehicle has a drive control device for applying a driving signal to an electric motor for generating assistive torque to be applied to an output shaft, based on output signals from a torque detecting mechanism which detects a steering torque acting on an input shaft. The system detects a freely returning state of a steering wheel to dampen the electric motor when prescribed conditions are met. The range of the prescribed conditions is widened as the speed of travel of the automotive vehicle is increased.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an arrangement for steering of vehicle of the kind which is constructed to be steered for straight ahead movement or for turning to the left or to the right in response to activation of a steering device, by causing left and right traction devices on the vehicle to move at mutually the same speed or at mutually different speeds.When carrying out the method according to the invention, or when using an arrangement constructed in accordance therewith, steering is effected through the activation of clutch devices and brake devices on the vehicle, by establishing pressure changes in individual hydraulic steering control pressures, in a direction dependent on the result of a comparison made between a steer control set-point value and a steer control real-value. In this regard, the steer control real-value is generated with the aid of sensors which detect the rotational speed of the left and right traction devices of the vehicle.

Abstract: A recreational therapy attachment is provided for a wheelchair. The attachment includes an arm and clamping means for mounting the arm to a wheelchair such that the longitudinal axis of the arm is substantially perpendicular to the ground, and such that the arm is freely pivotable around its longitudinal axis and freely movable between upper and lower limits along its longitudinal axis. Recreation devices are attached to an end of the arm.

Abstract: A second seat attachment for a baby stroller having two elongated members which, when the stroller is erect for use, extend upwardly and are inclined to the vertical, said stroller having interconnection means for said elongated members which enable the stroller to fold for storage or unfold for erection and in so doing cause said two elongated members to become more proximate when the stroller is to be stored and to move apart when the stroller is to be erected for use, said stroller having a seat for a first child.

Abstract: A power assist steering system in which electrical power to drive the electric assist motor is selectively provided from either the alternator or the battery depending upon the vehicle speed and applied steering torque. An electronic control unit controls the output voltage from the alternator by controlling current through the alternator field coil.

Abstract: A transfer unit in an automobile for selectively transferring the drive power to wheels from a two-wheel-drive state to a four-wheel-drive state, and vice versa, having a vacuum-operated actuator. The actuator is secured to the transfer case by a cylindrical fitting so that a transfer shaft can extend from the transfer case to the actuator body and so that oil in the transfer case will flow to the actuator body.

Abstract: Selectively operable spiral cam wheels are positioned adjacent and rotate on a common axis with the drive wheels and are attachable to the drive wheels for progressively raising the wheelchair in response to rotation of the drive wheels in one direction and for progressively lowering the wheelchair in response to rotation of the drive wheels in the opposite direction. The spiral cam wheels are also attachable to the wheelchair frame so that the drive wheels are free to be rotated in the normal manner. A lifting arm is pivotally supported at one end on each side of the frame of the wheelchair and the other end is moved by the spiral cam wheels to progressively lift the casters of the wheelchair as the wheelchair is moved toward a curb to be traversed. Embodiments of the wheelchair are disclosed in which the wheelchair is raised as it is moved in a forward direction toward the curb, and in which the wheelchair is raised as it is moved in a rearward direction toward the curb.