Abstract: A patient support including a traction device for powered movement of the patient support. The traction device includes a storage position and a use position.

Abstract: An automatic lifting mechanism for motorcycle saddle mainly includes a first and a second supporting arm respectively fixed to a saddle and a body of a motorcycle, at least one spiral spring having two sideward extended terminal ends separately pressed against the two supporting arms, and a damping device located in the at least one spiral spring to rotatably engage at two ends with the two supporting arms. While a spring force of each spiral spring quickly elastically stretches open the first and the second supporting arm when the saddle is unlocked, the damping device limits a rotating speed of the two supporting arms, so that the saddle could be automatically lifted or moved downward at a buffered speed without the risk of injuring a user.

Abstract: A self-propelled wheelchair with independently driven wheels and dual support frames connected in an articulating relationship. A front frame supports a seat and a rearward extended pivot connector. A pair of front wheels and left and right front drive units are connected to the front frame. A rear frame includes a forwardly extended pivot joint, a rear support platform having a power source thereon, and a pair of rear wheels and left and right rear drive units connected thereto. An articulating junction is formed by the front frame pivot connector attached to the rear frame pivot joint and providing articulation between the front frame and rear frame. A manually operable control unit includes computer circuitry in connection with each wheel drive unit, wherein manipulation of the control unit actuates each drive unit for control of rotational speed and direction of rotation for each wheel.

Abstract: A rear wheel suspension system for a motorcycle has a swing arm with a pivot axis at a forward end and a wheel axis at a rear end. A wheel axle is slide mounted in a direction of travel substantially parallel to the motorcycle fork. A pair of springs mounted within the swing arm biases the wheel axle in forward neutral position and pulls the wheel axle to forward neutral position when the wheel is forced backward.

Abstract: A bicycle frame set comprising a main frame and a rear wheel suspension system including a swing-arm, a first link member and an intermediate lower link member. The swing arm has a forward end pivotally connected to the main frame. The swing-arm pivots such that a rear wheel axle on the swing-arm pivots about the lower pivot point on the frame with a constant radius of rotation. The first link member is pivotally connected to the main frame at a link pivot point, and has a displaceable lower end pivotable about the link pivot point. The intermediate lower link member is pivotally connected between the first link member and the swing-arm. The first link member rotates in a direction opposite to the rotation of the swing-arm as the suspension system compresses. A shock absorber is disposed between the first link member and the main frame.

Abstract: To provide a four-wheel drive system which improves running performance of an automotive vehicle by inhibiting a driving torque from becoming insufficient upon occurrence of a slip. An R slip sensing means of a DC motor torque calculating means senses a slip due to a spin of rear wheels. When the rear wheel slip is sensed, an R slip DC-motor-torque correcting means corrects a torque of the rear wheels so that a driving force of the rear wheels is reduced and then increased. The R slip DC-motor-torque correcting means reduces a driving torque of the rear wheels to eliminate the slip and holds the reduced driving torque until the slip is eliminated, and then increases the driving torque to a value lower than a value which the driving torque has taken at the time of occurrence of the slip. The driving torque is increased to a predetermined limit value depending on the number of slips.

Abstract: A drive force control method for a four-wheel drive vehicle having front wheels as main drive wheels always connected to a driving source, rear wheels as auxiliary drive wheels whose drive torque is adjustable, and a mechanism capable of adjusting a torque distribution ratio between the front wheels and the rear wheels so that the torque distribution ratio of the rear wheels to the front wheels is increased in turning and also capable of adjusting a torque distribution ratio between the right and left rear wheels in turning. The drive force control method includes the steps of detecting a vehicle speed, and gently decreasing the torque distribution ratio of a turning outer wheel to a turning inner wheel with an increase in the vehicle speed. When the transmission shift position is a low-speed position or a high-speed position or the vehicle is in reverse running, the torque distribution ratio of the turning outer wheel to the turning inner wheel is decreased.

Abstract: Powered wheeled vehicle (1), capable of travelling both on level ground and over uneven surfaces, comprising at least one driving tread (BR11) as well as two pairs of front wheels (R61) and rear wheels (R21), of which at least one is a driving pair, wherein each wheel of the driving wheel pair is mounted on a swing arm, each arm of the swing arms (B21) of the rear wheels (R21) is secured to an actuator (V2) for placing said wheels in at least two positions, namely: a first lower position in which the ground-engaging surface of the wheels is below the ground-engaging surface of the tread so that said wheeled vehicle is moved by the wheels alone, and a second position in which the ground-engaging surface of the wheels remains in contact with the ground so that the vehicle is moved by a combination of the tread and said driving wheels.

Abstract: A frame assembly is described including a tunnel, an engine cradle disposed forward of the tunnel and connected thereto, and a sub-frame disposed forward of the engine cradle and connected thereto. A forward support assembly extends upwardly from the subframe. An upper column extends upwardly from the engine cradle to connect with the forward support assembly. A rear brace assembly extends upwardly from the tunnel to connect with the forward support assembly and the upper column. In one embodiment, the frame assembly further includes an engine disposed in the engine cradle. An endless track is operatively connected to the engine and disposed beneath the tunnel for propulsion. A pair of skis is operatively connected to a steering device for steering. In another embodiment, the frame assembly further includes an engine disposed in the engine cradle.

Abstract: In a motor-driven power steering apparatus for a vehicle in which a worm wheel of a worm gear type speed reduction mechanism is fixed to a pinion shaft of a rack and pinion mechanism, a direction of a torsion angle ? of a helical pinion provided in the pinion shaft is set to be opposite to a direction of a tooth lead angle ? of the worm wheel.

Abstract: A coupler comprised of a coupler housing having a first opening formed therein. The opening has a concave cavity. A cylindrical socket is formed within the housing. A second opening in the housing communicates with the cylindrical socket. A lock ring is provided, the lock ring having a cylindrical portion and an arm portion extending therefrom. The cylindrical portion of the lock ring is disposed within the cylindrical socket in the housing with the arm portion extending from the housing through the second opening. An opening is formed through the cylindrical portion of the lock ring. The cylindrical portion of the lock ring is rotatable in the cylindrical socket wherein the lock ring is movable between a first position wherein the opening in the lock ring is aligned with the concave cavity to allow a tow ball to be inserted into the concave cavity through the opening in the lock ring and a second position wherein the opening is not in alignment with the concave cavity.

Abstract: A steering system (10) for a vehicle including a steerable wheel (12) defining a steering angle (20), a powered actuator (14) controlling the steering angle (20) and a steering wheel (16) providing a driver input control angle. A ratio of the driver input control angle to the steering angle (20) defines a steering ratio. The steering system (10) also includes a controller (18) selectively varying the steering ratio that directs the powered actuator (14) to change the steering angle (20) along one of at least two steering ratio graphs, and a control (60) manually selectable by a driver of the vehicle that communicates with the controller 18 for selecting one of the steering ratio graphs. A first one of the graphs (50) varies as a function of the driver input control angle in a manner that is different than that of a second one of the graphs (52).

Abstract: A bicycle frame assembly including a down tube and a monolithic down tube support. The down tube support preferably defines a pocket configured to receive an end portion of the down tube such that the tube support overlaps at least a portion of a side surface of the end portion of the down tube. In one embodiment, a weld bead joins both of the tube support and the down tube. Preferably, the down tube support also defines an opening configured to receive and support a pedal crank assembly relative to the bicycle frame. Furthermore, preferably the down tube support also includes a pivot mount portion configured to rotatably support a sub-frame of the frame assembly or a rear shock absorber.

Abstract: A tricycle includes a windshield and a second attaching device. The windshield has a shell part, a first attaching device at the lower part of the shell part, and the shell part includes a front portion and a rear portion, and the rear portion of the shell part is open. The second attaching device has one or more support beams extended outward from the outer rim substantially on the same plane of the attaching device. The shell part of the windshield is of a streamline shape. The support beams are fixed to the shell part. The windshield further includes a visor part, and the visor part is disposed at the top part of the windshield. The visor part of the windshield is made of plastic and transparent. The tricycle further includes a frame having a triangular truss, a frontal member, a rear wheel support bar, and a handle holder.

Abstract: A system is provided that permits access to one or more components of the power train of a straddle type vehicle (or another internal component or components) without requiring such component to protrude from the body cover of the vehicle. The system can comprise a foot area that includes a foot platform for placing one's feet, an opening positioned above at least the component of the power train, and a cover for permitting the opening to be opened and closed. This system, for example, allows a user to access the oil filler port of the engine via the opening in the foot area in order to add oil to the engine of the vehicle. The system can also include a foot platform comprising a first level and a second level where the second level is located at a higher elevation relative to the first level.

Abstract: A power steering apparatus includes an input shaft, an output shaft, a piston arranged to separate a first hydraulic chamber and a second hydraulic chamber, a ball screw mechanism, an output member, a control valve configured to supply hydraulic fluid selectively to the first hydraulic chamber through a first connecting passage and to the second hydraulic chamber through a second connecting passage, a first damper valve provided in the first connecting passage, a second damper valve provided in the second connecting passage, and a housing enclosing the piston. The housing is formed with a first valve receiving hole in which the first damper valve is disposed, and a second valve receiving hole in which the second damper valve is disposed.

Abstract: A wheeled vehicle includes front and rear wheels. A frame supports the front and rear wheels. A leg shield shields legs of a rider. A portion of the frame extends in front of the leg shield. The leg shield has a forward end and a rear end. The rear end is positioned generally at a height of the forward end. The leg shield has first and second portions and at least one third portion. The first portion generally extends upward and rearward from the forward end. The second portion generally extends downward and rearward from the forward end. The third portion generally extends upward from the second portion. The third portion defines a pocket at least together with the first or second portion. The third portion is positioned generally farther forward than the rear end or positioned adjacent to the rear end in the rear of the rear end.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bicycle drive unit of multiple pedaling modes, comprising a drive shaft on one side having a counterclockwise one-way clutch and a clockwise one-way clutch coupled thereto by means of sunk keys and the drive shaft is engaged with a ring gear having an outer circumference attached to a chain sprocket; a plurality of hollow turnabout gears engaged with the central gear of the drive shaft; a drive shaft on the other side having one side rotatably inserted into an inner bearing housing that is integrally formed with the rotary plate and the other side coupled to the inner wheels of the clockwise one-way clutch and the counterclockwise one-way clutch by means of the sunk keys and a plurality of turnabout gears, a two-way turnabout gear and a hollow turnabout gear.

Abstract: A foldable bicycle includes a head strut, a seat strut, and first and second bracing struts pivotally mounted to one another about four pivot axes such that lifting of a pivot joint of the first and second bracing struts towards the head strut results in turning of the first and second bracing struts to bring the bicycle into a folded position, where front and rear wheels are closer to each other and are held in tandem. A locking member is disposed to releasably lock the second bracing strut from turning relative to the first bracing strut when the bicycle is in a position of use.

Abstract: A power assist steering system including a valve housing and a proportional control valve supported within the valve housing, further includes a pressure transducer arranged with respect to the proportional control valve for determining an amount of actuation of the proportional control valve. A pressure signal is sent from the pressure transducer to a control for determining an amount of current to be sent to an electromagnetic apparatus within the power assist steering system for overcoming a pull force.