Abstract: A bicycle having a frame to which is attached two wheels, the wheels being linked in such a manner that the application of the proper force results in substantial movement, or slowing of the motion, of the bicycle, more particularly for a bicycle having a suspension system which comprises a front fork, consisting of two fork tubes for fastening a wheel, a steering head and a handlebar stem connected to the steering head, whereby each fork tube consists of at least two tubes which can move in telescope fashion one inside the other, as well as at least one suspension element and a damping device.

Abstract: A reference position detection method of a vehicle rear wheel steering apparatus in the present invention, is provided with steps of setting an input shaft and the yoke assembly at arbitrary angular positions rotating the input shaft by an arbitrary angle to pass a neutral angular position measuring a rotational angle .theta. of the input shaft and a moving amount .delta.1 of an output rod assembly upon rotation of the input shaft rotating the yoke assembly to pass a neutral angular position so that the output rod assembly is stroke-moved by a moving amount -.delta.1 from a stroke position defined by the moving amount .delta.1 of the output rod assembly rotating the input shaft by an angle -.theta. after rotating the yoke assembly, and measuring a moving amount .delta.2 of the output rod assembly; and determining, as a reference position of the yoke assembly, an angular position obtained by rotating the yoke assembly from the rotated state of the input shaft so that the output rod assembly is displaced by -.

Abstract: An automotive power steering gear having a four-way, open-center valve defining inlet branch passages between an inlet port of the steering gear and opposite working chambers of a steering assist fluid motor and further defining discharge branch passages between the opposite fluid motor working chambers and a discharge port of the steering gear. Lands and grooves on a spool and a sleeve of the valve define variable orifices in the inlet and discharge branch passages. The steering gear further includes bypass passages around each of the variable orifices in the inlet branch passages and check valves in the bypass passages which open the passages only when the pressure in the corresponding one of the fluid motor working chambers exceeds the pressure at the inlet port. When one or the other of the check valves is open, fluid recirculates from one of the fluid motor working chambers to the other.

Abstract: An improved boat trailer bow stop assembly which allows the boat operator to use the bow stop bumpers as a point of reference to ease in the loading and unloading of a boat from a trailer frame. The bow stop assembly has steps built into the structural members to allow the passengers to easily board the boat before launching and unboard the board once the boat is brought out of the water. The bow stop is located at an elevated position so that the operator can winch the boat on to the trailer without having to leave the boat. The bow stop assembly can be moved along and secured in the desired spot by U-bolts in order to accommodate a variety of different boats. The bow stop bumper pads are also adjustable to accommodate a variety of different boat types.

Abstract: A plate member is formed of a generally triangular configuration, with a rear edge arranged for mounting to an associated vehicular bumper, including a central opening and spaced, longitudinally aligned slots positioned on opposed sides of the central opening for permitting lateral adjustment of the plate relative to the bumper upon removal of a central fastener directed relative to the central bore. A plurality of openings mounted through the plate adjacent a forward apex of the plate are arranged for multiple positioning of a trailer hitch ball. A modification of the invention includes the selector plate arranged for selective mounting through a forward opening adjacent the apex, wherein the selector plate includes a plurality of trailer hitch ball members for securement to a respective trailer hitch ball permitting selective rotation of the selector plate relative to the forward opening permitting utilization of various sized trailer hitch balls.

Abstract: A trailer hitch is provided where a longitudinally moveable rectangular cap is slidably mounted on a rectangular (square in some instances) pipe used as a trailer hitch tongue mounting within its lead end a trailer hitch ball socket member welded in place in the pipe with the socket opening therein facing downwardly. The rectangular cap is provided with an enlarged opening in the bottom thereof that with the cap slid forwardly to an open position that permits passage of a trailer hitch ball through the enlarged opening into and removal from the socket opening in the trailer hitch ball socket member. The rectangular cap has a narrow opening extension from the enlarged opening such that when the cap is slid back the opening extension while large enough to accommodate the shank of the trailer hitch ball is narrow enough to capture the trailer hitch ball locking it in place in the ball socket opening.