Abstract: A composite bicycle frame which comprises of a main frame including interconnected tubes and substantially composed of a composite material and having a composite layup structure. At least one electric wire electrically interconnects electrical components mounted to or in the frame. The at least one electric wire is embedded in the composite material structure forming the composite main frame. The electric wire has connectable conductive ends at each of the opposed ends thereof.

Abstract: A cart assembly includes a cart that has an upright section and a tongue section. The upright section may have an object removably secured thereto and the tongue section may be coupled to a vehicle thereby facilitating the cart to be towed. A basket is removably attached to the cart. The basket is positioned on the upright section such that the basket may contain an object.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bicycle comprising a pivot interface between a battery and a frame. The pivot interface includes a pivot mount defining a recess on one of the frame and the battery, and an eccentric boss on the other of the frame and the battery. The boss has a first boss width that is insertable into the recess when the battery is in a first position, and the boss further has a second boss width larger than the first boss width and creating an interference fit with the recess when the battery is in a second position. At least one of the pivot mount and the boss is resilient in order to accommodate the interference fit. Preferably, the pivot mount is on the frame and the boss is on the battery, and also the pivot mount preferably comprises a resilient material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rider's simultaneous use of his forearms/hands and legs to provide dual power into a propulsion system for riding a cycle vehicle, including a bicycle and a tricycle, or other vehicles. The invention permits the rider to have complete control turning the cycle vehicle, at will, right or left, while at the same time pumping a set of forearm/hand bars in an up power stroke and a down power stroke. In addition, even though the pumping action is lineally moving a telescoping rod and a push/pull cable back and forth, it is also simultaneously rotating a flywheel, upper and lower sprockets, and the crank axle to drive the bicycle wheel forward over the riding surface. Thus, the rider can provide maximum power into rotating the rear tire by simultaneously using both his arms and legs, while contemporaneously controlling his direction of travel.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension packing apparatus for providing undamped suspension system rebound in a vehicle suspension system includes a ratchet mechanism including a shaft having a longitudinal rack of engageable teeth and a pivoting pawl engageable with one of the rack of engageable teeth, engagement of the pivoting pawl with one of the rack of engageable teeth holding the shaft in an engaged position to thereby hold a coil spring in a compressed configuration, and disengagement of the pivoting pawl from the one of the rack of engageable teeth releasing stored system spring energy to thereby provide undamped suspension system rebound.

Abstract: A bicycle including a frame that has a head tube, and a frame member that is elongated along a longitudinal axis. The bicycle also includes a receiver that is disposed in the frame member, and a battery pack that is coupled to the frame member and detachably connected to the receiver. The receiver has a tapered socket and a power connector encircled by the tapered socket. The battery pack has a tapered end cap that is insertable into the tapered socket along the longitudinal axis. The tapered end cap includes a battery connector disposed on an end of the battery pack. The tapered end cap is at least partially nested within the tapered socket along the longitudinal axis upon connection between the receiver and the battery pack, and the battery connector is electrically connected to the power connector upon nesting the tapered end cap in the tapered socket.

Abstract: Provided are a vehicle such that drive state can be suitably selected in a configuration including an internal combustion engine, and a vehicle control method. In a vehicle and a method of controlling the same, different values are set for a first switching threshold value for switching from a first independent drive state (in which one of a front wheel and a rear wheel is driven) to a combined drive state, and for a second switching threshold value for switching from a second independent drive state (in which the other of the front wheel and the rear wheel is driven by an internal combustion engine) to the combined drive state.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to robotics, and more particularly to mobile robots capable of climbing stairs in a dynamically stable manner and operate in home environments with one or more of the following features or combinations thereof disclosed herein or in the Detailed Description below.

Abstract: A method includes operating a wheeled vehicle including an articulated suspension system; and articulating the suspension system to skid steer the vehicle. A wheeled vehicle having an articulated suspension system includes a skid steering controller capable of articulating the suspension system to skid steer the vehicle. The skid steering controller may be implemented in software and may, but does not necessarily, include three stages for applying a differential torque, varying the traction of at least one wheel, and finely adjusting the wheel's suspension to approach a critical damped response of the vehicle turning rate with respect to its commanded rate, respectively.

Abstract: A hitch adapter preferably includes a hitch bracket and a lock pin. The hitch bracket includes a base plate and two side plates. The two side plates extend upward from opposing edges of the base plate. A hitch ball slot is formed in one end of the base plate to receive a neck area of a hitch ball. A pin hole is formed through one end of the two side plates receive the lock pin. A plurality of holes are formed through an opposing end of the hitch bracket for securement to a handle of wheeled device. The hitch adapter may be used as previously described, or used with other components, to create a tongue hitch adapter, a handle hook adapter, a raised hitch adapter or a garbage hook adapter.

Abstract: A latch and fail-safe mechanism suitable for use with an industrial cart, dolly, trailer or other types mobile platforms or carriers. According to an embodiment, the latch comprises a housing or enclosure, a latch mechanism, a hitch hook and a fail-safe mechanism. The housing includes a back-plate configured to attach the latch to a mounting bracket or frame plate on the cart. The latch mechanism is operatively coupled to the hitch hook and configured to bias the hitch hook in a closed or engaging position. The fail-safe mechanism is operatively coupled to the hitch hook and configured to bias and maintain the hitch hook in the closed position in the event of failure of the latch mechanism.

Abstract: A rotor system for a bicycle (1), for the purpose of bearing a fork (8) and transmitting the actuations of Bowden cables (31, 32), which each having a core (31a; 32a) includes first and second transmission elements (36, 37), that rotate relative to one another and are arranged in the area of the bearing (21, 23, 25) of the fork (8). The transmission elements include an annular region, mounted on a fork steerer (12) and surrounded by a head tube (21), and connection areas (36b; 37b) for the direct or indirect attachment of the rotor-side ends of the cores (31a 32a). At least one of the transmission elements (37) includes a connection area (37b) with a connecting element, which (32b) can be form-fittingly attached, interacting with, or being integrally connected to, the rotor side end of the core (32a) that is assigned with said at least one transmission elements (37).

Abstract: A foldable scooter is disclosed with two rotational connections to the steering column, and a fixing structure that maintains the frame elements fixed relative to each other and stable when riding. Once the fixing structure is disengaged, the frame elements are free to rotate relative to each other such that the scooter can be folded into a more compact dimension.

Abstract: A tilt and lock apparatus that includes a tilt servomechanism, a spiral torsion spring, a lock wheel, and a lock hook is described herein. The spiral torsion spring is mechanically coupled to the tilt servomechanism and the lock wheel (which includes an opening). When a shaft is positioned through the opening, rotation of the lock wheel is in unison with rotation of the shaft. An external surface of the lock wheel includes one or more grooves. The lock hook includes a head that engages and disengages the grooves. The lock wheel is stationary when the head engages one of the grooves and is rotatable when the head disengages the grooves. The head and the grooves are geometrically aligned when engaged to prevent creation of a force that acts to disengage the head responsive to an applied force acting on the shaft.

Abstract: A robot assembly including, a back member, a pelvis base with a first side and a second side; wherein the pelvis base is rotatably connected to the back member between the first and second sides of the pelvis base, and rotatable around a back x-axis, a first hip member rotatably connected to the first side of the pelvis base and rotatable about a first hip x-axis, a first intermediate extension rotatably connected to the first hip member and rotatable about a first hip z-axis, and a first leg member rotatably connected to the first intermediate extension and rotatable about a first hip y-axis.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for covering a hitch receiver. That apparatus includes a rotating cover displaceable between a first position concealing a hitch receiver from view and a second position allowing access to the hitch receiver. In one embodiment the cover includes two cooperating lugs and pivots about two pivot pins. In another embodiment the cover slides along opposed guide channels.

Abstract: A tractor-trailer for hauling a load is provided which is convertible from a conventional steering arrangement to a stinger steering arrangement to maneuver relatively long loads around tighter corners, roundabouts and other obstacles. The tractor-trailer includes a rear wheel assembly with a telescoping reach and a towing tractor including a chassis and a stinger to selectively attach to the telescoping reach of the rear wheel assembly. The stinger is movably coupled to the chassis to move between a stowed configuration for conventional steering and a deployed configuration for stinger steering.

Abstract: A floor cleaning or burnishing machine has at least one motor controller that is electrically connected to an analog joystick control, right and left potentiometers, an electrical power source, and right and left electrical drive motors. The right motor is mechanically connected to a right rear steering drive wheel and the left motor is mechanically connected to a left rear steering drive wheel. Rotational speed and direction of each rear wheel is independently controlled, by way of the joystick in cooperation with respective potentiometers, in either a forward or reverse direction. At any given time, each potentiometer controls a respective motor controller which individually controls the rotational speed and direction of a respective wheel, thereby each wheel is capable of rotating in an opposite direction at a different speed to the other wheel. To slow the floor cleaning or burnishing machine down, regenerative braking is utilized by operating the motors as generators.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bicycle having a front wheel driving means. The bicycle having the front wheel driving means according to the present invention includes a frame, a front wheel, a rear wheel, a steering part, and a chain part, wherein opposite sides of the front wheel are provided with respective recoilers having respective one-way clutches therein, and the steering part is provided with a driving means for pulling a wire connected to each of the recoilers.

Abstract: A rack drive assembly adapted for use in a vehicle electric power steering assembly includes a ball nut assembly operatively connected to a screw portion of a rack portion of a steering member of the power steering assembly for effecting axial movement of the steering member upon rotation of a vehicle steering wheel. According to one embodiment, the ball nut assembly includes a first bearing assembly disposed in the rack housing and carried by a ball nut, the first bearing assembly disposed on a first end of the ball nut adjacent a first side of the pulley; and a second bearing assembly disposed in the rack housing and carried by the ball nut, the second bearing assembly disposed on an opposite second end of the ball nut adjacent a second side of the pulley.