Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the steering power of a power steering system of a vehicle wherein there are employed two variable throttles and a fixed throttle between the variable throttles connected to a pump discharge, each variable throttle having an opening controlled in accordance with the vehicle speed or a steering angle and regulated oil pressure between the fixed throttles and one of the variable throttles is led to a hydraulic reaction chamber when the vehicle is running at low or middle speed and regulated oil pressure between the two variable throttles is led to the hydraulic reaction chamber when the vehicle is running at a high speed.

Abstract: A small snowmobile powered by a scooter type engine transmission mechanism incorporating a kick starter that is positioned to be operated by a rider seated upon the seat of the snowmobile.

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 a front wheel speed, a rear wheel speed and a vehicle speed, and a control unit for continuously controlling the front wheel driving force by controlling the engagement force of the transfer clutch. The control unit is arranged to vary the driving force distribution from a 2WD mode toward a 4WD mode in accordance with a front and rear wheel speed difference when the front wheel speed is higher than the rear wheel speed, and at the same time the vehicle speed is higher than a predetermined reference speed. Therefore, the control system can improve the stability of the vehicle during engine braking, and prevent tight corner braking at low vehicle speeds.

Abstract: The shoe has a flat surface which can slide with reduced friction on a guide surface, means for introduction and distribution of compressed air to generate a supporting air cushion between the said surfaces, and a plurality of permanent magnets generating a force of attraction between the shoe and the guide surface in such a way as to cause the shoe itself to stop immediately when the supply of compressed air is interrupted.

Abstract: A system having a motor operatively connected to a steering system for reducing the steering effort. The system is provided with a torsion torque sensor provided for detecting torsion torque generating in the steering system in steering operation. In response to the output signal of the torsion torque sensor, an assist signal and an auxiliary assist signal are produced. A detector is provided for detecting whether a variation value of the torsion torque is in an increasing direction or in a decreasing direction and for producing a direction signal dependent on the detected direction. When a direction signal representing the variation value of the torsion torque in the decreasing direction is generated, the auxiliary assist signal is reduced in value, thereby reducing a total assist signal of the assist signal and the auxiliary assist signal.

Abstract: Prevention of damage to motor and power elements and a steering of a steering wheel during a lock condition of a mechanical system are enabled by distinguishing a lock of the motor and the lock of the mechanical system from a steering of the steering wheel around steering wheel lock positions and by removing a motor current and disengaging an electromagnetic clutch based on the distinction. When the steering wheel is operated around the steering wheel lock positions, a feeling of physical disorder of steering is minimized by reducing the motor current to zero within a predetermined time period.

Abstract: An improved rear steering control system employing separate closed-loop feedback controller and open-loop feedforward control paths. The response characteristics of the open-loop and closed-loop control paths are separately scheduled to optimize the overall system performance. In particular, the authority and delay properties of the two paths are independently varied to achieve desired control objectives. As a result, the advantages of both open-loop and closed-loop control are achieved with a single control system.

Abstract: A trailer hitch for actuating the hydraulic brakes of a wheeled trailer responsive to the relative movement between a tow vehicle and the trailer being towed comprises a base plate adapted to be affixed to the tow vehicle and has a sliding plate which moves relative to the tow vehicle and carries a trailer hitch ball to receive the tongue portion of the wheeled trailer. A hydraulic master cylinder is removably mounted on the base plate stationary relative to the sliding plate and connected by conduit to the hydraulic brakes of the towed trailer. An actuating rod on the sliding plate is operatively connected to the master cylinder piston whereby forward movement of the sliding plate will pressurize the fluid therein to activate the wheel brakes of the trailer as the tow vehicle is slowed down.

Abstract: An automatic regulator valve assembly is provided to vary fluid flow to a power steering gear in response to steering gear hydraulic pressure in order to provide optimum road feel, as well as optimum power assist throughout the range of vehicle operating conditions. The valve assembly divides the fluid flow between the steering gear and a bypass line that directs any excess fluid back to the fluid reservoir. A flow control valve in the valve assembly supplies the fluid to the steering gear, and a shuttle valve working in concert with the flow control valve serves to bypass the excess fluid. The flow control valve supplies fluid to the steering gear according to the demands of the gear itself. During low speed, high demand operation, operator steering inputs are large, requiring maximum fluid flow for optimum power assist. As vehicle speed increases and demand decreases, steering inputs decrease proportionally. As steering inputs decrease, fluid flow requirements also decrease.

Abstract: A mechanism (47) is provided for converting rotational movement to substantially linear movement. The mechanism is adapted for incorporation into a vehicle (12) having front and rear wheel steering assemblies (14, 16) and a closed hydraulic system (22) for driving the mechanism in response to-and-fro steering movement of the front wheel steering assembly. The mechanism includes a support housing (98) rotated about an axis (93b) of a drive pinion (93) driven by the closed hydraulic system, a nut (100) threadably receiving a shaft (99) mounted for rotation by the support housing and having an axis (99c) normal to and intersecting an extension of the drive pinion axis (93b), a stepper motor for rotating the shaft to vary the position of the nut with respect to the drive pinion axis (93b), a logic (107) for energizing the motor and positioning the nut as a function of vehicle speed. In one embodiment the nut transmits substantially linear movement directly to the rear wheel steering assembly.

Abstract: A propulsion apparatus for propelling an operator in earth traversing movement. The apparatus includes a frame mounting a pair of wheels which are operable to support an operator in earth traversing movement; a steering assembly borne by the frame and adapted to orient one of the wheels in a selected attitude; a pair of pedals rotatably borne by the frame and adapted to be individually engaged by the legs of the operator; and at least one reciprocally movable member slidably borne on the steering assembly and connected in force transmitting relation to one of the pedals, the member engaged by one of the hands of the operator and operable to impart physical force to the pedal thereby propelling the apparatus in earth traversing movement.

Abstract: This invention provides a steering system of a fully hydraulically operated type for use in particular in construction vehicles and industrial vehicles and so forth with enhanced stability in operating a steering wheel when the vehicle is running at high speeds without impairing the operability of the steering wheel when the vehicle is running at low speeds. This steering system is provided with an apparatus for regulating the actuating force applied by an actuating shaft connected with a steering wheel by the action of the fluid pressure force to be controlled in accordance with the running speed of the vehicle. Thus, the steering force obtained by the steering gear of the present invention is increased in proportion to the increase in the vehicle speed.

Abstract: Theft prevention of trailers and articulated vehicles and a method, control system and equipment to prevent the seizure of a vehicle combination and/or a trailer to be connected with a drawing or tractor vehicle.

Abstract: A boat trailer having a frame, wheel unit, an adjustably mounted winch unit including a keel engaging member, an elongated second keel engaging member pivotally mounted on the frame rearwardly of the winch unit and self-centering to engage a longitudinal length of the keel, a pair of fender units each of which is reversibly mountable on either side of the frame for protecting a wheel, a pair of unitary post load guide brackets slidably engaged with the rear of the frame members and each supporting both a post guide and a rear taillight, a cross member pivotally and longitudinally adjustably mounted at each end to a frame member, and a pair of bunks and a pair of aligned, resiliently mounted rollers units interchangeably mounted on said cross member for providing an automatic, full line engageemtn of either the bunks or the roller units with the bottom of the hull, when loaded, in combination with the second keel engaging member, forming a self-adjusting three point support of the boat hull.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing unauthorized intentional or accidental uncoupling of a trailer from a towed vehicle. A tow ball characterized by a flared shoulder is mounted on a tow bar. A bushing spaces the shoulder away from the tow bar and provides a cylindrical support for a bracket. The bracket is free to rotate about the bushing. A cap attached to the bracket prevents disengagement of the trailer from the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A control system for steering front wheels or rear wheels of a controlled vehicle has a processing unit such as a microcomputer which determines a desired value of a dynamical variable such as yaw acceleration corresponding to sensed steering wheel angle and sensed vehicle speed by solving equations of motion of a vehicle in which parameters are set equal to desired values determined by a desired vehicle. From the desired value of the dynamical variable, the processing unit determines a desired value of a steering angle of the front or rear wheels, and commands a hydraulic actuator to steer the front or rear wheels so that the controlled vehicle behaves as if it were the desired vehicle. The controlled vehicle may have a mechanical steering linkage for steering the front wheels in a conventional manner, and the control system may be arranged to control the steering angle of the rear wheels.

Abstract: An electric power steering system has a torsion torque sensor provided for detecting torsion torque generating in a steering system of a motor vehicle, for providing an assist signal for driving a motor to turn a steering wheel. A steering angle sensor is provided for detecting steering angle of the steering wheel and for producing a steering angle signal. In response to the steering angle signal, a return torque signal is produced for steering wheel. A vehicle speed sensor is provided for producing a vehicle speed signal dependent on speed of the vehicle, and a calculator is provided calculating lateral acceleration impared to the vehicle and for producing a lateral-acceleration-dependent-return torque signal. In accordance with the vehicle speed signal, the lateral-acceleration-dependent-return torque signal is corrected to produce return torque correcting signal, the absolute value of which reduces with increase of vehicle speed.

Abstract: Four lift units are installed at the axle shaft of the car wheels and can be swung from the bottom plate by means of a hydraulic drive motor, to enable the car to move horizontally to the left or to the right into a parking space. Besides enabling the car to move horizontally for parking, the device can also be used for tire replacing or to perform a U-turn.

Abstract: A rocker apparatus for use on a wheelchair is illustrated as including arcuate members carried on opposed sides of an unobstructed base, a means for securing the wheelchair to the base, a trough for accommodating large rear wheels of the wheelchair to prevent rolling during rocking and ramps for easy entrance on to and exit from the apparatus.

Abstract: A front fork for a bicycle comprises a stem tube, a shoulder lug and two fork tubes. The shoulder lug is made of a light metal alloy by casting. The stem tube is set in dies and the light metal alloy is poured into the dies so that part of the stem tube is embedded in the light metal alloy to form the shoulder lug and simultaneously the shoulder lug is integrally formed with fitting protrusions. The fitting protrusions of the shoulder lug are fitted in the fork tubes and joined thereto by an adhesive.