Abstract: A drawbar is disclosed having an integral surge brake unit located at the opposing end of the drawbar from the hitch coupling so as to reduce the effective weight of the drawbar.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved bicycle frame of composite materials and a method of molding generally hollow components and assemblies for such a bicycle frame. The entire bicycle frame may be one integrally united piece of molded composite materials, such as unidirectional structural fibers impregnated with a heat curable synthetic resin. Layers of the composite material may be shaped to form an uncured frame shell. This shell is compressed against the surfaces of a mold by an internal pressing member, such as an inflatable bladder routed to the outside through a passageway passing through a modified bottom bracket sleeve or a modified head tube sleeve. The shell is then cured while under compression in the mold.

Abstract: To the end of eliminating the problems arising from substantially rigid connection between a front wheel set and a rear wheel set in a four-wheel drive vehicle, there is provided a power transmission system in which a speed-dependent power transmission device is provided between the front wheel set and the rear wheel set so that both the wheel sets are substantially rigidly connected to each other in a low speed range and rotational power is transmitted only from the front wheel set to the rear wheel set in a high speed range.

Abstract: This invention relates to a towable trailer having a tipping tray. The tipping tray incorporates an axle and wheels, and is mounted to the trailer's chassis via a pivot. The chassis incorporates a guide slot which accommodates the tray's pivot. A cam arrangement is provided to control the rate and angle at which the tray is tipped. To tip the tray, the trailer is reversed, and the towing vehicle suddenly braked. The tray continues to move in the reverse direction by virtue of its inertia. The pivot of the tray slides rearward within the guide slot, while the cam on the tray bears against a follower on the chassis to tip the tray.

Abstract: A motorcycle frame is cast in two parts which are bolted together along the longitudinal centerline of the motorcycle. The frame has a transverse section in the form of an inverted "U", the space defined by the "U" being arranged to receive a motorcycle engine. An upper wall provides a separating partition between a fuel tank and the engine for defining a longitudinal space of reduced transverse sectional area towards the rear of the frame.

Abstract: A driving force distribution control system for a 4WD vehicle includes a transfer clutch for continuously varying a front wheel driving force transmitted to front wheels, a sensor group for sensing conditions of the vehicle to determine a vehicle speed, and a front and rear wheel speed difference obtained by subtracting a front wheel speed from a rear wheel speed, and a control unit for controlling the front wheel driving force substantially continuously by controlling the engagement force of the transfer clutch.

Abstract: A convertible hitch for mobile equipment includes a first hitch plate attached to the mobile equipment and having a king pin protruding from a central portion thereof, and a second hitch plate with a central aperture mounted on a wheel and axle assembly which includes a tow bar member. A ball joint is provided between the second hitch plate and the wheel and axle assembly to provide for relative movement therebetween. The king pin protruding from the first hitch plate includes a circumferential groove which is engageable with a securing mechanism of a releasable fifth wheel, so that the mobile equipment can be transported on the highway by a conventional highway vehicle, such as a semitrailer truck. The king pin of the first hitch plate is also receivable in the central aperture of the second hitch plate, so that the first and second hitch plates can be removably fastened to one another to in turn attach the wheel and axle assembly to the mobile equipment.

Abstract: A hydrant refueler for aircraft is provided with a plurality of decks each at a different fixed height above ground to enable the refueler operator to connect to the fuel tanks of aircraft having wings at different heights above ground. The uppermost deck is provided with foldable side guard railings which when lowered will permit the refueler vehicle to clear the wing of a low wing aircraft and which when raised will provide necessary safety protection to a refueler operator as he services a high wing aircraft. A rigid cross bar guard is provided at at least one end of the foldable side guard railings.

Abstract: In a multi-axle drive vehicle having a first axle which is directly coupled to a power source, and a second axle which is coupled to the power source by way of a coupling such as a viscous coupling which is adapted to transmit torque as a mathematical function of a difference in rotational speed between its input end and output end, to the end of eliminating the problems arising from transmission of braking force between the wheels of difference axles, the vehicle is further provided with a clutch for selectively interrupting transmission of power from the power source to the second axle, a brake sensor for detecting activation of a brake system of the vehicle, and a control unit for activating the clutch when the brake sensor has detected activation of the brake system. The conditions for activating the clutch may further include that the vehicle is running at a high speed which may be detected either directly or from a shift position of the power transmission system of the vehicle.

Abstract: A controlling method of a four wheel drive vehicle includes a detecting step and a controlling step. The detecting step detects difference in speeds between a front driving shaft and a rear driving shaft. The controlling step controls an apparatus for controlling a distribution ratio of driving torque of the four wheel drive vehicle so as to harmonize the difference in the speeds with a desired value.

Abstract: The vehicle slip control apparatus is designed so as to enable the slip control to be done by causing the output torque of the engine to be reduced and operating the brake when an amount of a slip or spinning of the driven wheels is large. A control ratio of the slip control by the brake to the slip control by the engine is altered to an optimum value in accordance with requirements for the driving of the vehicle.

Abstract: A variable assist power steering system comprises a control valve including valve elements relatively displaceable in response to a steering torque to define therebetween two parallel fluid flow paths connected between the fluid source (10) and the fluid reservoir to produce pressure difference in the power cylinder in response to the steering torque. The control valve includes a plurality of bypass paths, each arranged in parallel to one of plurality of serially arranged variable flow orifices forming the two flow paths and each provided with an externally controlled variable flow orifice valve which is operable responsive to a vehicle speed.

Abstract: Fingers having air bearings along the bottom thereof are used to quickly load and unload overseas transport containers. Sheet material, such as ribbed plastic (nylon) sheeting, is automatically dispensed between the fingers and loading deck so that it provides a smooth surface as the finger traverses the dock. A frame is mounted to the front of the finger, with a shaft on which the sheet material is coiled mounted to the frame, and an air motor for applying a generally constant tension (e.g. about 10 lbs. per square inch) to the plastic sheet. A hook or magnet is mounted in a recess in the deck and engages the free, leading end of the sheet material to hold it stationary on the deck as the finger traverses the deck, and thereby provide for automatic dispensing and take up of the sheet material.

Abstract: A motor assisted steering apparatus has its wheels oriented with respect to a car body in response to a combination of a steering force which is supplied by a manual operation and a driving force developed by an electric motor which is energized in accordance with the steering force. The existence of an abnormality is annunciated when the relationship between the manual steering force and the operational condition of the motor deviates from a predetermined relationship. For example, the existence of an abnormality is annunciated when the motor is energized even though a steering wheel is not substantially operated, when the motor is energized for rotation in a direction which causes the wheels to be turned to the left even though the steering wheel is turned to the right or vice versa.

Abstract: A vehicle four-wheel steering apparatus including a manually operated steering member and front and rear wheel steering mechanisms coupled with the steering member for producing steering movements in the vehicle front and rear wheels. The rear wheel steering mechanism includes a power assist actuated by an oil pump driven by the vehicle engine. A return spring returns the rear wheels to a neutral position when the power assist is off. A steering condition detector detects the condition of the rear steering mechanism. An engine output power increase mechanism increases the engine output power responsive to a control signal for increasing the engine output power when the rear steering mechanism is actuated.

Abstract: A tricycle or other similar vehicle has an improved drive mechanism utilizing a pair of pedals, each of which has an associated cam and cam follower such that as the pedals are reciprocated the cam followers ride along the cams to rotate a drive axle and propel the vehicle. A shift mechanism permits realignment of the cam followers and cams to thereby change the direction of movement of the vehicle as the pedals are reciprocated. The drive mechanism and shift may be mounted to the rear wheels or, in an alternate embodiment, mounted to the front wheel of the vehicle.

Abstract: In order to check four-wheel steering characteristics of a four-wheeled vehicle provided with a four-wheel steering system in which both the front wheels and the rear wheels are turned in response to operation of the steering wheel according to preset four-wheel steering characteristics, the steering wheel is turned to turn the front wheels and the rear wheels, and the actual turning angle of the front wheels and the actual turning angle of the rear wheels are measured, thereby detecting the actual relation between the turning angles of the front and rear wheels. Whether the actual four-wheel steering characteristics of the vehicle deviates from the preset four-wheel steering characteristics is determined through comparison of the actual relation between the turning angles of the front and rear wheels with the preset four-wheel steering characteristics.

Abstract: A front-wheel steering system has a hydraulic power cylinder, and a control valve responsive to operation of a steering wheel for controlling oil supplied to the power cylinder so as to assist steering effort. A detector cylinder device is provided for cooperating with the power cylinder. The detector cylinder has a detector piston, a pair of chambers formed on the opposite sides of the detector piston and communicated with chambers on opposite sides of the piston of the power cylinder, and a pair of springs provided in the chambers for urging the detector piston to a neutral position. A potentiometer is connected to one of a rod of the detector piston, thereby producing an output signal in accordance with displacement of the detector piston. In response to the output signal, rear wheels are steered.

Abstract: A toy air propelled vehicle is set forth that utilizes a plurality of rearwardly oriented aligned impellers with a forwardly positioned impeller to elevate the vehicle. The rear impellers are pivotal to provide directional orientation to the vehicle and additionally snap on pontoons are positioned to underlying skids of the vehicle where in association with 90 degree rotation of the rear impellers enables the vehicle to be utilized as an air boat.

Abstract: A kit is provided for attaching to a road travelling mobile platform (e.g. a wheeled trailer or a self-propelled vehicle such as a pickup truck or a flatbed truck) suitable for transporting a first vehicle. The kit enables the mobile platform to transport a second vehicle, such as a boat trailer carrying a boat, thereon. The kit includes: a tiltable ramp suitable for supporting a boat and boat trailer thereon. a first support for supporting one portion of the tiltable ramp in an elevated position with respect to the mobile platform; a chain and drum located on the first support for securing the boat and boat trailer to the tiltable ramp; and a second support capable of supporting a long lever arm portion of the tiltable ramp in an elevated position or capable of retaining the long lever arm portion in a lowered position. The first and second supports include connectors for connecting the mobile platform to the respective supports.