Abstract: The invention refers to a forced steering device of a vehicle, with a master cylinder, which extends between the vehicle-stationary point and a point following the steering movement and is connected to a slave cylinder coupled for the forced steering of a wheel. It is proposed to have a force-limiting element absorb the movement between the vehicle-stationary point and the point following the steering movement, as soon as the pressure in a chamber of the master cylinder exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: The device comprises a sheet of paper or card, having a slit formed therein. The slit makes an inverted U-shape, having left and right leg portions, and a cross-bar. The slit divides the sheet into a front panel, on which a greetings message can be written or printed, and a fixing-loop, which slips over the neck of the bottle. The vertical length of the legs of the slit is shorter than the width between the legs, whereby the device comes to rest on the bottle, with the neck of the bottle touching the inside of the front panel and the back of the fixing-loop. The bottle does not touch the legs of the slit. An envelope for the device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A power reverse system for an engine driven motorcycle with two or more than two wheels permits the motorcycle to execute power reverse.

Abstract: A personal transporter that provides both for propulsion by a user, and, at the same time, for dynamic stabilization by means of a powered actuator. A pitch variable such as pitch or time rate of change of pitch is sensed and used to determine the torque provided to a wheel, whether in a co-rotating or counter-rotating direction, in order to maintain stability of the transporter with respect to tipping in the fore-aft plane.

Abstract: A two-wheeled vehicle uprighting device having a support bar with a stabilizing base on one end and a ratcheting mechanism on another end, and a lifting strap with a first end adapted for attachment to a lower portion of the two-wheeled vehicle and a second end for engaging relationship about a spindle of said ratchet mechanism.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling torque delivery independently, i.e., asymmetrically, to the two rear axles and wheels of a vehicle with front wheel drive provides improved vehicle handling and performance. The apparatus includes a prime mover, transaxle, power takeoff, rear axle having a pair of independently controllable modulating clutches driving respective rear axle and wheels, various vehicle sensors and a microprocessor. The method, embodied in software in the microprocessor, senses wheel speeds, yaw rate, lateral acceleration, throttle position and steering wheel angle, determines various reference values and oversteer and understeer conditions and activates one or both of the two clutches.

Abstract: A crawler vehicle having a lower works comprising a carbody and a pair of crawler assemblies. Each of the crawler assemblies are removably connected to the carbody by a plurality of carbody to crawler connections. The carbody to crawler connection each comprise at least one keyway for aligning the connection components of the crawler assembly with the connection components of the carbody, and for preventing these connection components from becoming misaligned in response to eccentric forces or deflections generated between the carbody and each of the crawler assemblies.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for hitching and unhitching of trailers or other towed devices are disclosed. The hitch assemblies may include alignment features to correct for errors in alignment of the hitch and trailer tongue during the hitching process. The hitch assemblies may compensate for vertical as well as horizontal misalignment. In addition, the hitch assemblies may include automated capture and release of the tongue on the hitch. The hitch assemblies may also disengage integral braking systems that are present on the trailer during the hitching process and re-engage the brakes after unhitching. All of these operations may be accomplished without requiring the driver of the towing vehicle to leave the driving position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a driving apparatus for a robot cleaner enabling drive wheels to be in contact with a floor all the time. The driving apparatus for a robot cleaner includes a robot cleaner main body, driving motors mounted in the robot cleaner main body, and for transferring power to drive wheels, driving motor housings hinged with the robot cleaner main body, and for accommodating the driving motors therein, and pressure members disposed between the robot cleaner main body and the driving motor housings, and for pressing the driving motor housings. Accordingly, the driving motor housings are mounted to rotate about the center of the rotation hinges so that the drive wheels come in contact with the floor all the time, preventing the drive wheels from being lifted over the floor and making lost rotations due to curved portions of the floor or obstacles.

Abstract: A hitch ball assembly includes a towing ball having a mounting aperture and an annular race in communication with the mounting aperture. A post includes a base, an axial bore and a plurality of openings in communication with the axial bore. A ball bearing is received in each of these openings. A plunger is axially displaceable in the post between a first position allowing the towing ball to be removed from or attached to the post and a second position for securing the towing ball to the post while allowing the towing ball to turn on the post. A spring, received in the axial bore, engages an end of the plunger and biases the plunger to the first position.

Abstract: The Feet First Footrest assembly is comprised of an outer rail, a carriage, a footrest arm a footrest, and clamps for attaching the outer rail to the wheelchair frame. The top end of the footrest arm is attached to the carriage with mounting hardware. The footrest is attached to the bottom end of the footrest arm by associated hardware. The carriage, with footrest arm and footrest attached, slides to the extended position and retracted position along the outer rail. In the extended position the footrest assembly locks in place to permit use when needed. In the retracted position, beneath the wheelchair seat, the wheelchair can be conventionally folded for storage or transportation.

Abstract: A pendant display includes a hanger slidably disposed over an inwardly pivoting door and having a holder at an outwardly facing end supporting a pole at a snap-fit ball and socket connection that is pivotal to a horizontal position for displaying into an adjacent hallway an attribute of the room or the adjacent vicinity.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a steering system selectively operable in one of three modes: steer-by-wire, electronic power assist steering (EPAS), and manual steering. The steer-by-wire system includes a driver interface system (DIS), a road wheel actuator system (RWAS), and a controller for monitoring and implementing the preferred control strategy. The steering system of the present invention operates normally in a steer-by-wire mode. In each of the EPAS mode and manual mode, the controller causes a clutch mechanism to engage, thus creating a mechanical linkage between portions of the DIS and the RWAS. In the EPAS mode, one of the road wheel actuator or the reaction torque generator is available to assist in the steering operation. Alternatively, in the manual mode, both the DIS and the RWAS are deactivated and the vehicle is steerable through entirely mechanical means.

Abstract: A vehicle which has a function to help a person walk and a function that a helper can move a person, comprises a frame (1) extending around a body of a user for supporting the body of the user when the user walks using the vehicle, wheels (7,9) mounted on the frame, and a seat plate (11) which can project from the generally lateral side of the user into an area where the legs of the waling user move. The seat plate is withdrawn from the area where the legs of the walking user move when the user walks using the vehicle.

Abstract: A novel mountain snowmobile comprises a frame, an engine disposed on the frame, at least one ski disposed on the frame, a seat disposed on the frame, a steering device disposed on the frame forward of the seat that is operatively connected to the at least one ski for steering the snowmobile, and a novel long length drive track disposed below the frame and connected operatively to the engine for propulsion of the snowmobile. The novel drive track comprises an endless body having a ground-engaging outer surface with a central portion flanked by first and second lateral portions, a plurality of longitudinally spaced reinforcing rods disposed in the body along a transverse direction of the body. The rods define a plurality of pitches, and a plurality of profiles project from the outer surface of the body along the plurality of pitches. A plurality of non-profile regions is defined along the plurality of pitches, and the profiles and profile-free regions define a pattern for each pitch.

Abstract: A driving control unit (21b) of a controller (21) determines which of an input shaft (32) and an output shaft (33) in a steering shaft (3) is dynamically superior and when the output shaft (33) is dynamically superior to the input shaft (32), a motor (6) is driven so that torque resulting in a time integral value smaller than a time integral value of relative torque between the input shaft (32) and the output shaft (33) is generated in a backward assist direction.

Abstract: A hitch structure for connection between a pair of elongated, laterally spaced hydroformed frame members of a vehicle chassis having preformed apertures formed therein. The hitch structure comprises a hitch base adapted to receive a hitch ball member, a pair of side plates connected respectively to opposite ends of said hitch base, a pin sized, positioned, and oriented on each of the side plates to enable reception of the pin member in the preformed aperture of an associated hydroformed frame member, and a pair of clamp members on each side plate to clamp the side plate with an associated frame member at such a location as to position the pin member in alignment with the associated preformed aperture to thereby secure said hitch base in transverse relation between the frame members.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to turn steerable wheels (12) of a vehicle comprises a hydraulic power-assisted steering gear (16). An electric motor (92) actuates the steering gear (16). A pump (84) supplies the steering gear (16) with hydraulic fluid. A vehicle speed sensor (102) senses vehicle speed and provides a vehicle speed signal. A controller (104) is responsive to the vehicle speed signal for controlling the pump (84). The controller (104) activates the pump (84) to supply hydraulic fluid to the steering gear (16) when the vehicle speed signal indicates a vehicle speed below a predetermined value and the controller (104) deactivating the pump (84) when the vehicle speed signal indicates a vehicle speed above the predetermined value.

Abstract: A wheel including a rim member (20), and a hub member (22) which is connected to a center of the rim member via a wheel part (21). The wheel is rotatably connected to a chair part (1). The wheel fixes a cushion ring 26 on the outer periphery of the rim member (20), and has a continuous wall portion (31) on an outside portion of the outer periphery. The continuous wall portion (31) is shaped in form of a ring along the rim member (20), and provides a grip ring (27) on an edge portion thereof. The wheel provides a finger-holding cavity (32) which is formed by the continuous wall portion (31).

Abstract: A pocket chamber calendar and an assembly blank therefor which calendar is provided with a slit entering into said chamber for receiving a notice or the like so that a portion of the notice when positioned in the pocket chamber extends outwardly therefrom for ease in removal.