Abstract: An ice skating attachment can be interchangeably attached to conventional roller skate foot plates so that a foot receiving device on which such a foot plate is mounted can serve both as a roller skate or as an ice skate. The ice skating blade of the attachment is mounted on the foot plate by means of a pair of support members which are constructed in accordance with standard foot plate dimensions. Thus, the upper surfaces of the support members conform to the lower surfaces of standard foot plates and are attachable thereto in substantially the same manner as most roller skate trucks. The attachment is inexpensively manufactured by an injection molding process during which the ice skating blade is secured to the support members to form a unitary integral device that requires no assembly.

Abstract: A device for pushing a forwardly extending portion of a ski shoe sole into a cross-country ski binding mounted on a ski surface closer to the point of the ski than the device and having a sliding surface obliquely descending towards the surface of the ski in the direction of the point of the ski. The sliding surface extends over a length of the ski surface corresponding to the length of the path required for the forwardly extending ski shoe sole portion to be pushed into the binding for engagement therewith. The sliding surface is adapted for gliding engagement with a corresponding surface of the shoe sole whereby the gliding engagement of the surfaces pushes the shoe forwardly into the binding.

Abstract: A skate boot for use with a hockey skate. The boot has a molded support structure. The support structure includes a portion which is the sole of the boot and first and second support portions for supporting a steel runner. Attached to the molded support structure is a soft flexible sock adapted to receive the skater's foot. A removable cover portion is adapted to meet with the molded support structure to fully enclose the sock and to thereby provide protection for the skater's foot. The cover includes fastening means which fasten under the sole portion and behind the ankle of the skater such that the cover and the molded support structure provide an integral unit when assembled.

Abstract: An apparatus for economical travel and minimization of atmospheric degradation by internal combustion exhaust products. A car which has, in combination, a heat engine driving a set of front wheels, storage batteries and an electric motor driving a set of rear wheels. There is also a system for selecting electric or heat engine drive either manually or automatically and a single accelerator for controlling either mode of drive. A battery charging system supplies a constant power charge rate. Battery charging power is derived from the electric motors acting as generators driven by the rear wheels while the vehicle is in heat engine drive, and the battery charging rate is selected by the operator. Also in combination is a regenerative braking system to recover expended energy in the form of vehicle motion and an overdrive system to increase vehicle speed in the electric drive mode by field weakening.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is connected to a fixed displacement pump normally having its inlet connected to a reservoir and its outlet connected to an accumulator. To start the engine, selectively operable valves connect the inlet of the pump to the accumulator and the outlet to the reservoir to drive the pump as a motor to rotate the engine. Also, a fixed displacement motor has an inlet connected by a forward solenoid valve to the accumulator and pump and connected by a brake solenoid valve to the reservoir. The motor also has an outlet connected to the pump and the accumulator by a reverse solenoid valve and connected to the reservoir by a neutral solenoid valve.

Abstract: A rack and carrier for stacking and transporting firewood for both commercial and residential use which is capable of standing freely in a rigid manner when fully assembled and being collapsable for easy storage in a narrow or flat space. The rack is constructed from a pair of upright side frame members which are held in rigid spaced relation by three brackets attached at the bottom, midway and the top of the frame members by certain attachment means. The rack when constructed for residential use can be moved using handles attached to the top portions of the frame members, such handles can be fixed, pivotable or removable, and a pair of wheels attached to the bottom of the frame members. The rack when constructed for commercial use rests on a set of legs which provide sufficient clearance for the tines of a lift truck and can be moved by such lift truck or an overhead crane which can hook into the bottom opening of each of the set of upper attachment means.

Abstract: A snow shuttle for use in winter recreation upon hills and the like in which the shuttle includes a forward steering section, a frame area pivotally connected thereto, a seating area disposed upon the frame, and a braking apparatus similarly carried on the frame so that the shuttle can be controlled both by steering and braking. Ribs are provided on the bottom face of the steering mechanism and the frame for added stability and control.

Abstract: A bobsled (10) provides steering control for all four of its runner assemblies (22 and 23). The left runner assemblies (22 and 23) are coupled through tie rods (55 and 56) to the right runner assemblies (22 and 23), and these assemblies (22 and 23) are coupled through a steering linkage (31, 36-42, 45, 46, and 49-54) and cables (62 and 66) to a push-pull pair of control levers (57 and 58). Operation of the levers (57 and 58) moves the linkage axially to pivot front and rear bell cranks (45 and 46) counter to one another, resulting in the rear runner assemblies (23) being pivoted counter to the front runner assemblies (22) to follow an arcuate track through a turn. The steering system extends through the front and rear axles (68 and 69) which are coupled to the frame (12) through a suspension system and which are allowed to pivot in planes transverse to longitudinal axis of the bobsled (10).

Abstract: A safety cushion apparatus having a very short reaction time is attachable to automotive vehicle belt-type restraints for softening the shock of sudden constraint against the user's body and to maintain the belt restraints with an appropriate degree of tautness. The apparatus includes an inflatable cushion that is longitudinally folded to a compact, strap-like configuration conforming to the shape of the belt restraint, a flat, slim inflator being enclosed within and surrounded by the folded cushion. The folded cushion is releasably enclosed within an outer cover to which it is attached, the outer cover being attached to the underside of the belt restraint and fastened over the folded cushion by a long zipper. Velcro hook and hoop fastening material is utilized for attaching the cover to the belt restraint and the zipper.

Abstract: A safety apparatus for vehicles including a connection member interconnecting a seat belt or harness of a vehicle and a component or accessory of a vehicle. The apparatus is operable when an operator of the vehicle wearing the seat belt or harness slumps or otherwise makes an unexpected movement to thereby actuate the component or accessory to stop the vehicle. This occurs through movement of the connection member to engage or disengage the component or accessory. The connection member suitably includes a rigid component attached to the seat belt or harness and a flexible component attached to the component or accessory.

Abstract: A motor vehicle speed governor has safety features to assure that the throttle is released when the brake pedal is depressed even if malfunctions occur in certain components of the system. The speed governor has a servo for moving the throttle, an accelerator device for causing the servo to advance the throttle, a decelerator device for releasing the throttle, a control circuit for controlling the accelerator and decelerator devices in response to vehicle speed, and a power circuit that energizes the control circuit. The power circuit is connected into the brake electrical line. It includes a latching device that is powered through the ignition switch, but will latch and conduct only when energized by a set/on switch. The set/on switch requires power in the brake line across the brake fuse. The resume switch also requires power from the brake line across the brake fuse. A brake switch in the brake line is closed by depressing the brake pedal, sending a signal to the control circuit to release the throttle.

Abstract: A safety binding adapted to be mounted on a ski for holding a ski boot thereon, wherein one of the parts, jaw or part connected to the jaw, is applied on the support means at three points, namely an upper point disposed in the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the binding and two lower points of support symmetrical with respect to this plane, the points thus defining the two lines of support, disconnection being effected by pivoting either on one of the lines of support, or on the other.

Abstract: An installation for vehicles moving automatically, without human intervention, between starting and arrival points along a predetermined path consisting of stops, junctions, crossings, inlets, outlets of elevators, etc.An installation in which each self-propelling vehicle is adapted to carry a load and has steering-wheels and a central driving-wheel as well as optical detectors designed to read an optical track laid out on the ground and furnishing passive driving signals, the vehicle also being provided with an ultrasonic emitter-receiver assembly working as a radar and operative to detect obstacles along the path of movement of the vehicle.

Abstract: An improved construction for roller skate apparatus is provided in which enhanced safety, performance, convenience and economy are achieved through the employment of a universal type of skate plate in conjunction with a correlated configuration for wheel carrying trucks adapted for permitting fabrication of the skate plate by molding from synthetic resin material, interchangeable mounting of trucks of either the recreation, speed or artistic skating types to selectively provide the user with various desired skating characteristics without the expense of purchasing multiple pairs of entire skates for different types of skating, interchangeable mounting of trucks at either the front or back of the skate, and selective mounting of a toe stop on the skate plate in a position most appropriate for use of the skate upon either the left or right foot. The features provided by the improved construction have individual utility, as well as accomplishing overall advantages when employed together.

Abstract: A ski having lower frictional resistance created by introduction of an air cushion. At least one chamber is formed in the running surface of the ski to hold air which is introduced through an air entrance on the ski. The sides of the chamber are formed to prevent lateral escape of the air. A channel in the form of a Venturi tube extends between the air entrance and the chamber.

Abstract: A safety walker includes a rigid framework which surrounds the front, back and sides of a handicapped person. The framework includes two sections which are hinged together at one side of the framework. The two sections can be opened with respect to each other to admit entry of the handicapped person. After entry of the handicapped person, the hinged sections are rigidly locked together. A vertically adjustable seat is supported within the framework adjacent to the rear portion thereof. A plurality of legs having outwardly flared lower portions with casters attached thereto support the framework and allow the safety walker to be rolled along a walking surface. A heavily cushioned support cord extends between the front of the seat and the front portion of the framework and functions as a saddle to partially support the weight of the person if he or she stumbles and begins to fall while utilizing the walker.

Abstract: A vehicle drive system including a wheel (16) to be driven, a suspension (18) having multiple relatively movable parts (24,26,28) and mounting the wheel for rotation and translation on a vehicle frame, a hydraulic rotary output motor (12) connected to the wheel for driving the wheel, a hydraulic pump (10) providing hydraulic fluid under pressure to the motor, a conduit (50) interconnecting the pump and the motor, and a flow control valve (40) in the conduit for controlling the flow. A switch (90) is associated with two of the relatively movable parts of the suspension for sensing relative movement therebetween indicative of the wheel losing contact with the underlying terrain and a valve (60) is responsive to the switch (90) for causing the flow control valve (40) to halt the flow of hydraulic fluid between the pump and the motor upon the wheel losing contact with the ground to prevent overspeed of the motor (12).

Abstract: A pullable golf club receptacle forms a unit by which a set of clubs is pulled over a golf course. Tubular elements are used for connection to the golf club receptacle or bag from the three ends of which a handle and a pair of wheel supporting arms are pivotally mounted.

Abstract: An electrically driven motor vehicle having an electric motor 31 arranged to drive the vehicle through a transmission system 29, 33 and a battery pack 22 to provide power for driving the electrical motor 31, the battery pack being provided with a charging unit 25, 26 including an internal combustion engine 26 and the battery pack 22 and the charging unit 25, 26 being mounted on the vehicle as a unit so as to be readily detachable therefrom to enable it to be replaced at suitable servicing establishments.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle that is powered by compressed air instead of by gasoline; the vehicle including air tanks that are filled with compressed air, while controls on a dashboard operate valves for flowing the air into cylinders of the vehicle engine in order to run the same.