Abstract: Disposed between a sprung element and an unsprung element is a shock absorber of multi-degree variable-damping-coefficient type. The change control of the damping coefficient is carried out so that an actual damping force generated by the shock absorber can harmonize with a target damping force, Fa. The foregoing target damping force, Fa, as functions of the sprung vertical displacement velocity Xs and the unsprung vertical displacement velocity Xu, is obtained by the formula: Fa=-Xs.multidot.gs-Xu.multidot.gu, wherein both gs and gu are coefficients and the relations of gs>0; gu.gtoreq.0 hold. Thus, while controlling the sprung vertical motion, cushioning action of the wheels can be enhanced to improve traveling stabilization.

Abstract: A rear suspension system for supporting dirigible rear wheels of a vehicle consists of left and right rear suspensions each of which includes first and second links which are connected for rotation to the rear wheel support in different positions at their outer ends and to the vehicle body in different positions at their inner ends and a damper which is connected to the vehicle body at its upper end and to the first links at its lower end. The dampers of the left and right rear suspensions are inclined to the corresponding first links so that they transmits force to the first links to generate moments about instantaneous centers of turn of the respective rear wheel supports. The moments are substantially equal to each other and are directed in opposite directions when the rear wheels are held in the straight ahead position.

Abstract: A double wishbone suspension system for a motor vehicle which achieves reduced roll center movement and wheel camber change relative to the vehicle body in jounce and rebound of the vehicle wheels throughout their suspension travel while requiring minimal packaging space. The system comprises upper and lower inwardly bifurcated control arms wherein each arm has an outer apex connected by a ball joint to a wheel carrier. The lower arm forked portions have the inner ends thereof pivotally connected to a lower pivot pin supported by a body bracket. The upper arm forked portions have the inner ends thereof pivotally connected to a floating upper pivot pin. A pair of first upstanding links each have their lower end pivotally connected at an intermediate point of an associated lower arm forked portion and an upper end pivotally connected to the upper floating pivot pin.

Abstract: A belted multi-purpose trailer vehicle has first and second roller frame assemblies and a main support frame assembly. The roller frame assemblies are connected to the support frame assembly by first, second, and third quick release connecting mechanisms. These mechanisms provide rapid and easy assembly and disassembly of the roller frame assemblies to the support frame. Many farm operations require several different trailer-type vehicles to perform the various work functions. The subject multi-purpose trailer vehicle uses a single belted undercarriage easily connectable to a plurality of cargo and hauling beds or carts. This eliminates the need to have a plurality of separate complete trailer vehicles, each with their own running gear or ground supporting assemblies.

Abstract: When voltage at the main battery 10 is lowered, an EV-ECU 36 instructs a starting motor 24 to rotate to actuate an engine 26 for the initiation of power generation. At that time, the starting motor receives electric current mainly from a power capacitor 34, while an auxiliary battery 22 is connected to the ECU 36 and an ECU 38 so that supply voltages at the ECU's 36 and 38 can be kept at a predetermined level irrespective of the drive of the starting motor 24. Also, when the upstream voltage of the auxiliary battery 22 is found to be less than a predetermined value through a comparator 40, the drive of the starting motor is not effected. This configuration prevents the voltage at the auxiliary battery 22 from continuing to be lowered due to the drive of the starting motor 24 in the case where the power capacitor 34 is in a poorly charged state.

Abstract: A variable tie-rod assembly for a steering wheel structure of a row crop applicator. The tie-rod assembly can be adjusted and secured in any position between a minimum and maximum track setting. Thus, a selectively variable track width is provided. Toe-in settings are maintained by implementing a dual-cam arrangement with a locking pin to maintain the steering structure in a forward direction during track width adjustment procedures. The track width setting can be adjusted without the operator ever having to leave the cab of the row crop applicator, wherein the track width can be visually ascertained by observing indicia on the telescoping wheel structure.

Abstract: A snowmobile having an improved power transmission system that is comprised of a split engine having two cylinder blocks each containing at least a pair of cylinders with their output shafts connected to each other. A belt drive shaft is journaled by the engine assembly and is driven off the output shafts at the point where they are joined together. The belt drive shaft drives the drive belt of the snowmobile through a variable pulley transmission.

Abstract: A collapsible recuperating walker having a seat frame and a standing frame is provided. The seat and standing frames are combined with bendable rods extending between the respective two side frames thereof. Each of the side frames are adjustable in height. The bendable rods are angularly displaced to collapse the walker to a smaller size for carrying and transportation. Casters are provided and are controlled to stop or to provide resistance, by means of brake units.

Abstract: A toy vehicle for a child has a frame having at least one front wheel mounted to a forward portion with real wheels mounted on a rearward portion of the frame. The front and rear wheels are adapted to engage a support surface, such as a floor, and a seat is mounted to the frame between the front and rear wheels at a height enabling a young child to propel the vehicle when seated on the seat by engagement of the support surface with the feet of the young child. Retractable foot pedals extend laterally from respective sides of the front wheels of the device and the pedals are retracted to enable the young child to either propel the vehicle by pedaling, or for enabling the child to propel the vehicle by pushing against the support surface with the pedals in the retracted position.

Abstract: In an air suspension system of a vehicle the height of the vehicle platform is maintained in use by height control valves. To facilitate loading, the height may be adjusted by an operator by overriding the height control valves by means of a selector valve. The height may then be adjusted by a Raise/Lower valve. If the operator omits to return the selector valve and/or the Raise/Lower valve to their normal condition, the selector valve is reverted to its normal condition by a pilot line connected to a service brake line so that the vehicle automatically returns to its normal ride height on the first brake application. Alternatively the valve may be operated by a solenoid connected to the brake light circuit so that the service brake line is not affected. In an alternative arrangement, the suspension system height is adjusted by two manually-operable spring-return valves. Again, a selector valve reverts to a condition in which ride height is attained on application of the service brake.

Abstract: A braking assembly mounted to a bottom wall of a truck trailer includes telescoping legs biased exteriorly of tubes, wherein the legs are in a parallel relationship pivotally mounted to opposed distal ends of a brake bar securing a brake pad longitudinally and coextensively thereof, with a medially oriented hydraulically actuated piston mounted to an elongate spring arranged for projecting the brake pad downwardly relative to the truck trailer bottom wall.

Abstract: A combined wheel cover and mounting device therefore intended for use on large vehicles with dual wheels such as buses, trucks, trailers and tractor-trailers. The wheel cover is a disc sized to engage the periphery of a wheel rim and cover the hub portion. The mounting device includes leg members secured to the wheel hub and a retaining ring for detachably securing the disc thereto.

Abstract: A slip control system for a vehicle having a differential which distributes engine output to left and right driving wheels suppresses the engine output when the slip of at least one of the driving wheels exceeds a first threshold value. Slips of the left and right driving wheels are periodically detected, and a spin pattern of the driving wheels is periodically determined on the basis of the slips of the left and right driving wheels. Whether the vehicle is running on a split surface road, where the parts of the road surface in contact with the left and right driving wheels have different friction coefficients, is determined on the basis of the present spin pattern and the preceding spin pattern according to a predetermined split surface determining rule. When it is determined that the vehicle is running on a split surface road, the first threshold value is increased.

Abstract: A collapsible recuperating walker having a seat frame, a standing frame, collapsing units and two brake units. Each collapsible unit consisting of bendable tube joints connected in intermediate portions of upper horizontal tubes and lower horizontal tubes of the seat frame and the standing frame. The collapsible units are capable of being folded so as to make the recuperating walker collapsible to a smaller dimension for transportation or storage. The brake units are used to break the casters and are provided below the standing frame.

Abstract: A restraining device for motor vehicle occupants has an inflation device, a housing, and an inflatable airbag connected with the housing. In order to provide a simple and inexpensive airbag attachment to the housing with a functionally correct grip, provision is made for the airbag to abut the outside of the housing by at least one suspender-like section.

Abstract: A leveling system for motor vehicles, having two work actuators each assigned to one vehicle axle, between a respective wheel suspension in the vehicle body and having a proportional pressure control valve associated with each actuator. The pressure control valves have three switching positions for alternatingly connecting the pressure chambers of the associated actuators to a pressure fluid source and a pressure fluid tank, and for blocking off the pressure chambers. To prevent unstable driving conditions if the leveling system should fail, it is assured by structural provisions that in the pressure chamber blocking phase of the two actuators their two pressure chambers communicate with one another via a throttle. As a result, greatly different pressures in the two actuators at the moment they are blocked can be equalized, so that the unstable behavior of the vehicle is avoided.

Abstract: A skateboard, adapted for use on ice, utilizes a blade assembly comprised of a bushing member, a blade member and a body member. The bushing member has an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining an aperture adapted to receive the skateboard axle. The blade member has finished edges and substantially parallel faces. The body member is made of fiberglass or high strength plastic compounds and is formed such that it holes the blade member and the bushing member in a fixed relationship to one another. The body member encases a portion of the outer surface of the bushing member, allowing the bushing member to receive the axle without substantial interference. The body member also encases a portion of the substantially parallel lateral faces of the blade member, leaving a portion of the blade member exposed for contact with the ice.

Abstract: A differential gear lock controller, in which it is judged that a speed sensor has failed if the throttle opening or the number of revolutions of an engine is greater than or equal to a predetermined value and if the state in which the vehicle speed is zero elapses a predetermined time or more, or if the deceleration of the vehicle speed is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. In such a case, the operation of controlling a driver for driving a mechanism for locking a rear differential gear is stopped.

Abstract: A tractor having a front axle that pivotally moves laterally in response to a corresponding steering action of the steerable wheels mounted on the front axle is disclosed wherein the ballast assembly is supported directly by the front axle so as to be laterally movable relative to the chassis with the shiftable front axle. The ballast assembly is formed by individual weights mounted on an arcuate rack detachably connected to the front axle. The individual weights are connected together by fasteners to form a unitary package positioned centrally between the steerable wheels.

Abstract: An active torque-split control system for actively controlling a distribution of driving torque applied to front and rear wheels in a four-wheel drive vehicle employing a transfer device including a transfer clutch for varying said driving torque distribution depending on the operating state of the vehicle, comprises sensors for monitoring the operating state, and a torque-split controller for switching from a normal torque-split control mode to a rigid torque-split control mode only when the controller determines that the vehicle is operated in a warning region closer to a critical state.