Abstract: A tire traction device can include a strap configured to extend around at least a portion of a vehicle tire; and a traction plate. The traction plate can have a lower surface adapted to sit on a circumferential portion of the vehicle tire, an upper surface opposite to the lower surface, a channel configured to receive the strap, and one or more paddles extending upward from the upper surface. Other features, embodiments, and kits, and related methods are also described.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle is disclosed having an engine compartment. A cooling package is mounted near a forward end of the engine compartment, the cooling packaging including heat exchangers that are movable relative to one another between an operating position and a cleaning position. The engine is mounted near a rearward end of the engine compartment. The engine is fitted with an intake air duct leading from the engine to the forward end of the engine compartment to allow intake air to be admitted into the engine while bypassing the cooling package and thereby avoiding the engine intake air being heated. The intake air duct is articulated so as not to interfere with the movement of the heat exchangers of the cooling package between the operating and cleaning positions.

Abstract: A climbing apparatus body is supported by a main frame rotatably about a rotational shaft at one end. The climbing apparatus body is capable of taking an in-use posture in which the climbing apparatus body is inclined so that the other end is located below the one end and a folded posture in which the climbing apparatus body stands so that the other end is directed upward. A handrail is supported by the main frame. A pair of right and left banisters is attached to the climbing apparatus body and includes a portion extending toward the handrail relative to the position (perpendicular line) of the rotational shaft in the direction from the other end to the one end in the in-use posture in a side view of the climbing apparatus body.

Abstract: An adjustable vehicle running board includes a step moveable between a step position, a retracted position and an aero position. A first support bracket has a first end coupled to the step and an opposite second end connected to a mounting bracket. A slide link has a first end slideably connected to the first support bracket and an opposite second end pivotally connected to the step. The first end of the slide link is moveable along a length of the first support bracket and positionable at a first slide link distance from the second end of the first support bracket when the step is arranged in the step position and a second slide link distance from the second end of the first support bracket when the step is arranged in the aero position. The first slide link distance being greater than the second slide link distance.

Abstract: A drive system, mountable onto a vehicle including a detachable rotational drive mechanism, for driving the rotational drive mechanism in accordance with a torque requirement. The drive system includes an engine that outputs first rotational power, and a generator that includes a rotor for receiving the first rotational power, a stator including a stator core with a winding wound thereon, a magnetic circuit for the winding passing through the stator core, and a supply current adjustment device for adjusting magnetic resistance of the magnetic circuit for the winding, to thereby change an inductance of the winding to adjust an output current of the generator. The drive system further includes a motor driven by the outputted current of the generator to output second rotational power to the rotational drive mechanism, and a control device configured to control both the engine and the supply current adjustment device, in accordance with the torque requirement.

Abstract: A child stroller apparatus includes a first frame portion provided with a first wheel assembly, a second frame portion provided with a second wheel assembly, the second frame portion being assembled with the first frame portion for sliding movement along a lengthwise axis extending from a front to a rear of the child stroller apparatus, and a control mechanism operable to adjust a position of the second frame portion relative to the first frame portion, the control mechanism including an actuator assembled with one of the first and second frame portions, the actuator being operable to drive the second frame portion in sliding movement relative to the first frame portion for modifying a distance between the first and second wheel assemblies.

Abstract: A shopping cart in one embodiment comprises a uniframe, a mat basket, and a slim-fit cart frame and basket combination, as well as in multiple embodiments, providing individual structural differences and advantages over pre-existing forms of shopping carts.

Abstract: In an aspect, a tire for use with a single wheel, self-balancing vehicle is provided. The tire has a tire body with a tread configured for engagement with a ground surface. The tread has a lateral profile having a central region, a first lateral region tapering towards a first lateral side of the tire, and a second lateral region tapering towards a second lateral side of the tire. The lateral profile is substantially free of discontinuity. The tread has a non-directional tread groove arrangement that is asymmetrical about a central circumference line of the tire. The tire has a hardness selected to substantially prevent deformation of the first profile and the second profile during riding by a rider.

Abstract: A collapsible personal wheeled conveyance comprises a first and second collapsible side frame, each having ground-contacting wheels, and at least one adjustable crossbar configured to physically connect the two collapsible side frames, the adjustable crossbar(s) having a selectively adjustable length. The adjustable crossbar(s) may be lockable or non-lockable. One or more of the adjustable crossbars may comprise seat-supporting adjustable crossbars. A seat can be configured to move laterally along such a seat-supporting adjustable crossbar to permit selective adjustment of the lateral position of this seat with respect to the side frames. One or more locking mechanisms can serve to lock the seat at a particular position. By one approach the aforementioned seat-supporting adjustable crossbar can include spacing indicia to visually indicate when the seat is centrally located between the first and second collapsible side frames for a particular selected length of the seat-supporting adjustable crossbars.

Abstract: A vehicle bottom structure includes a floor panel, a battery mounted on the floor panel, a deck board, and an inclined portion. The inclined portion is arranged adjacent to the battery. The inclined portion is inclined such that, in a direction parallel to a mounting surface of the floor panel, the inclined portion rises as a distance from the battery increases. The inclined portion includes an end facing the battery. The end is located above a lower surface of the battery and below half the height of the battery.

Abstract: A wheel well/fender guard comprising a flat, curved, narrow rectangular panel secured in parallel spaced relationship to the outer edge of a vehicle wheel well, to protect the outer edge. The guard has flat upper and lower surfaces that are generally perpendicular to the plane of the vehicle body panel around the wheel well, and is spaced from the wheel well outer edge by a plurality of spacers secured at intervals along the upper surface of the guard. The spacers are substantially narrower than the guard, which is itself substantially narrower than the width of the wheel well as a whole.

Abstract: A control system for hybrid vehicles is provided to prevent reduction in drive force when propelling the vehicle backwardly while activating the engine. In the differential mechanism, a first rotary element is connected to an engine, a second rotary element is connected to a first motor, a third rotary element is connected to a second motor, and a fourth rotary element is connected to an output unit. A third motor is connected to the output unit. When propelling the vehicle backwardly while activating the engine, first motor and the second motor establish reaction torques against engine torque, and the third motor generates drive torque to propel the hybrid vehicle in the reverse direction.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for capacitive monitoring of vehicle hitches. An example vehicle includes a hitch that includes a body, a hitch ball, and a sleeve that electrically insulates the hitch ball from the body. The example vehicle also includes a hitch module including a capacitive switch electrically coupled to the hitch ball. The hitch module is to wirelessly emit an alert that a trailer has decoupled from the hitch responsive to the capacitive switch detecting, via the hitch ball, a predetermined increase in capacitance.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a flat ground cross-country type roller skate comprising a skate body (1), wherein a wheel assembly at a lower part of the skate body, wherein the wheel assembly comprises a mounting seat (6) used to mount the skate body (1) and a hoisting mechanism disposed on the mounting seat (6). There are at least three wheel assemblies disposed on the hoisting mechanism, and each wheel assembly can hoist independently under the action of the hoisting mechanism. Thus, the wheel assemblies of the roller skate can be hoisted independently so as to adapt to various roads with uneven surface.

Abstract: A transmission external bump stimulation system includes a transmission of an automobile vehicle selectively operating in a mode allowing direct vehicle operator transmission gear shifts. At least one vehicle seat is positioned in the automobile vehicle supporting a vehicle operator during operation of the automobile vehicle. A shaker device is positioned in direct contact with the seat. The shaker device produces a shock wave defining an individual pulse of mechanical energy during a gear shift of the transmission initiated by the operator during operation in the mode. The shock wave is directed toward the operator.

Abstract: A saddle type vehicle wherein an engine and an electrical component can be cooled with a high efficiency by cooling air. An electrical component case which accommodates an electrical component therein is provided in front of an engine and functions as a rectification member provided integrally with the electrical component to shunt and guide the flow of air to the engine and the electrical component. Further, the saddle type vehicle includes a rectification unit provided separately from the electrical component and functioning as a different rectification member for guiding the flow of air to the engine.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a turbojet automobile, comprising an air storage bottle in a superhigh-pressure air producing and sealing device, wheels, a chassis, a lever braking device, a spray pipe, a turbine wheel and a turbine shaft. The superhigh-pressure air producing and sealing device comprises a frame, an air compressor arranged at an upper part of the frame, and the air storage bottle arranged at a lower part of the frame; a left part of the spray pipe is fixedly connected with a right part of the chassis; a bottle body is placed on the chassis; the turbine wheel and the turbine shaft are arranged in the spray pipe; the turbine shaft can drive the wheels to rotate together when rotating; and an air outlet pipe of the bottle body is connected with the spray pipe.

Abstract: An exemplary traction battery securing assembly includes, among other things, a platform to support a battery pack, and a bracket supporting the platform in a position spaced from a vehicle structure. The bracket moves from a less elongated position to a more elongated position in response to a load to permit movement of the platform and the traction battery relative to the vehicle structure. An exemplary traction battery securing method includes, among other things, elongating a bracket in response to a load to permit a traction battery to move relative to a vehicle structure.

Abstract: The four wheel vehicle uses an electric motor (142) for driving the vehicle and a battery unit (160) for supplying electric power to the electric motor. The lower chassis (5) of the vehicle includes a pair of front side frames (10) extending linearly in a fore and aft direction with an upward slant and a progressively increasing lateral mutual spacing from a front part thereof to a rear part thereof, a pair of rear side frames (12) connected to rear ends of the respective front side frames, and extending linearly in a fore and aft direction with an upward slant from a front part thereof to a rear part thereof in continuation of the corresponding front side frames in a mutually parallel relationship, and a plurality of cross members (14, 16, 18, 20, 22) connecting the side frames to each other.

Abstract: Motor vehicle having a hybrid drive and a fuel cell system. When activated, the fuel cell system can be operated continuously in a predetermined operating range or at a predetermined operating point of high efficiency, whereby any excess energy generated can be supplied to a power consuming device to maintain the high power withdrawal from the fuel cell system required for said high efficiency.