Abstract: A structure is disclosed for mounting a cover which closes a controller room of a battery-driven fork lift, and the structure includes body-side hinge members integrally molded in a counter-weight of fork lift body and cover-side hinge members fixed to the cover in such a manner that the cover-side hinge members can be brought into detachable engagement with the body-side hinge members simply by allowing the cover-side hinge members to drop toward the body-side hinge members together with the cover by the weight thereof.

Abstract: A seatbelt system for restraining and protecting an occupant in an emergency of a vehicle, and more particularly to improvements in a fully passive type seatbelt system wherein a motor for driving the webbing is automatically actuated in accordance with the actions of an occupant entering or leaving the vehicle so as to fasten the webbing to the occupant or release the webbing from the occupant. When a closed door condition is detected by a door switch for detecting the opened or closed door condition, the motor is actuated to fasten the webbing to the occupant. When an opened door condition is detected by the door switch, the motor is actuated to release the webbing from the occupant. When limit switches detect the movement of the webbing to a normal fastened position or a normal released position are not actuated within a given period of time during which the webbing is being driven by the motor, the driving of the webbing by the motor is brought to a stop.

Abstract: Coupling and uncoupling of a vehicle trailer hitch is controlled from a safe location spaced rearwardly from and laterally of the hitch assembly between the vehicle and the forward end of the trailer through a pair of remote control actuating cables. By means of the cables extending through a curved guide tube, an operator may control a pivoted locking element and releasable latch associated with the hitch assembly.

Abstract: A bed structure which is primarily intended for use in an extension of the body of a motorhome extending over the cab of the motorhome can be constructed so as to utilize a support holding a mattress pad so that they are capable of being manipulated between normal use positions in which the support and the pad serve as a normal part of the bed to another non-use position in which both the support and the pad are located above another second support of the bed. This second support holds a second pad which is constructed so as to coact with the first pad on the first support so as to fit on top of the first pad when the first support and pad are shifted to the non-use position above the second support. A strap is provided for returning the second pad to its normal position when the first support and the first pad are moved back to their normal positions.

Abstract: An improved form of three-wheeled vehicle of the type having a front wheel arranged in the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the vehicle and a pair of rear wheels arranged symmetrically with respect to the vehicle plane. The pivot joint interconnecting the front and rear frames of the vehicle has a turning axis offset from the vehicle plane to that side of the vehicle on which the driving rear wheel is arranged and extending in a direction inclined laterally outwardly from rear to front of the vehicle. Such pivot arrangement is highly effective to improve the driving stability of three-wheeled vehicles of the type concerned, without involving any structural complication or increase in cost of production.

Abstract: A passive safety belt device for a vehicle having sashless doors, comprising a retractor provided on the floor at the central portion of the vehicle, a resilient support provided to upwardly extend from a rear portion of the sashless door, and a safety belt connected between the retractor and the resilient support. When the door is closed, the safety belt extends diagonally across the passenger's body and when the door is opened, the safety belt is positioned to permit the passenger to get in and get off the vehicle.

Abstract: An arrangement of a seat structure of a vehicle equipped with a hooking device for safety belts. The seat structure comprises a backrest and a seat and the backrest is mounted at the base thereof on the rear of the seat to pivot about a first transverse axis. The seat is mounted in the vicinity of the front part thereof to pivot about a second transverse axis. The hooking device is fixed to the seat and a connecting assembly is provided for connecting the hooking device to the floor of the vehicle. The connecting assembly comprises a latch carried by the hooking device and a keeper which is pivotally mounted on the floor. A device acting in opposition to elastically yieldable apparatuses is provided for maintaining the keeper engaged with the latch when the backrest is in the operative position thereof.

Abstract: A steering apparatus for a hydraulically driven vehicle having a pair of independent hydrostatic transmissions, comprising a pair of steering levers mounted for movement to a dashboard of the vehicle, a pair of swivel levers pivotally mounted on the dashboard each being pivotally connected to the respective steering levers, a pair of steering valves each for controlling the respective hydrostatic transmissions so that each hydrostatic transmission has forward and reverse positions and a stop position therebetween, a pair of linkages each for operatively interconnecting the respective swivel levers and the steering valves, and a seesaw member pivotally mounted at an intermediate portion thereof on the dashboard for preventing the pair of swivel levers from being simultaneously pivoted to such a degree that both of the steering valves are changed over to their reverse running position.

Abstract: A land vehicle has front, rear and two side wheels arranged in a diamond-shaped configuration to provide a triple track mode of operation. A steering mechanism mounted on the vehicle frame controls one of the front and rear wheel assemblies. Each one of the other wheel assemblies includes an articulated suspension having a suspension arm pivotally connected to the frame and having its wheel journaled for rotation thereon. A device is controlled by the steering mechanism and rotates the arm about its pivotal axis to tilt its suspension into the direction of a turn of the vehicle to facilitate its maneuverability. Another device controls the movement of the suspension arm for the driving wheel to maintain it in engagement with the terrain. The steering mechanism includes devices for causing the side wheels to turn in unison with the main steering wheel to facilitate steering of the vehicle.

Abstract: A steering apparatus for vehicles which includes a pinion rotatably mounted on an arm movable longitudinally in response to turning movement of a steering wheel, and a pair of longitudinally movable racks held in meshing engagement with the pinion. One of the racks is operatively coupled with front wheels of the vehicle and with a pivot arm pivotable on a movable pivot which is displaceable along the pivot arm in response to vehicle speeds. The other rack is coupled through a pivotable lever with an arm which is pivotally mounted on the pivot arm and is operatively coupled with the rear wheels. When the steering wheel is turned, the front and rear wheels are turned in the same direction or in opposite directions, depending on the position of the movable pivot on the pivot arm, which position is a function of the vehicle speed. The front and rear wheels are turned in the same direction when the vehicle is running at a high speed, and in opposite directions when the vehicle is running at a low speed.

Abstract: An independent vehicle wheel suspension arrangement which includes a pair of control arms disposed in a superimposed relationship. The control arms are articulated to a wheel carrier and are selectively in a mutually parallel or non-parallel position. A wheel suspension unit is supported on the wheel carrier with a steering knuckle of the wheel being also articulated to the wheel carrier along the steering axis of the steerable wheels. The control arms are articulated to the wheel carrier by means of ball and socket joints and the wheel carrier is supported against a twisting about a substantially perpendicular axis of rotation determined by the ball and socket joints, with respect to the vehicle body, by an additional moment supporting arm. The moment supporting arm is likewise connected to the wheel carrier and the vehicle body by ball and socket joints.

Abstract: A trailer hitch embodies simple weight adjustment and trailer side sway control. In addition, up-down motion transmission between the towing vehicle and trailer is dampened; a safety stem and receptacle interconnects the hitch and towing vehicle; a safety latch connects the stem and receptacle; and a retractable safety line is provided for a safety pin that interconnects the stem and receptacle.

Abstract: A guard for a constant-rotating drive shaft in an articulated farm tractor in which a pair of universal joints are connected on either side of a sliding coupler in the drive shaft, the guard having a pair of U-shaped members, one member affixed to a wall with a bearing supporting the drive shaft from the engine on the front frame and the other member affixed to a transfer case on the rear frame. The two members are spaced apart a slight distance in the straight ahead position, but a portion of one member nests within the other member during articulation of the tractor.

Abstract: An input-output force correlated drive system for driving any driven device such as the rear wheel of a bicycle, a flywheel, or the like comprising: input force applying apparatus for transmitting input force to and causing operation of the drive system; rotatable output force transfer apparatus operable by the input force applying apparatus for transferring output force to the driven device; and input-output force correlation apparatus being continuously operatively connectable to and operable by the input force applying apparatus and being continuously operatively connectable to and operating the output force transfer apparatus for variably changing the rotational speed and circumferential location of the output force transfer apparatus relative to the input force applying apparatus during each revolution in accordance with predetermined input-output force correlation characteristics to be provided by the drive system.

Abstract: A pivoted linkage is associated with an anti-sway mechanism in such a manner as to enable the mechanism to retard lateral sway of a trailer while preventing the mechanism from restricting forward surging of the trailer. As a result of the linkage, the anti-sway mechanism does not interfere with the operation of a surge brake actuator having pivotally interconnected front and rear units.

Abstract: A lightweight utility trailer with a lockable enclosure to provide additional carrying space for vehicles having small trunk areas. The utility trailer is closely connected to a towing vehicle by two pivoted, laterally spaced apart attachment members. Two pivoted wheel assemblies allow the utility trailer to follow a towing vehicle's rear end movements, so as to facilitate the parking and the overall operation of the trailer. A unique frame and suspension provides a low mounting for the center part of the trailer body. The trailer body is attached to the frame by slides to allow the trailer body to be in a closely coupled relationship with a towing vehicle during a towing operation, and yet permit the trailer body to be moved apart from the towing vehicle to allow easy access to the vehicle trunk. A low, lift-over, cut-out is provided in the rear of the trailer body to allow easy placing of objects in the trailer body, and removal of the same.

Abstract: A system for maintaining substantially uniform tension in an endless track for a track driven vehicle having a vehicle body and a suspension assembly and in which a tensioned endless track passes around end support and guide members, one of said end support and guide members being imparted vertical and some horizontal displacement relative to a rigid frame upon response of the suspension system to variations in loading and/or to terrain irregularities. The constant tension system provides a cam member having a cam surface in contact with the bottom surface of the top lay of the endless track, the cam member being supported by the suspension system and movable in correlation with movements of the suspension system so that differences in track length or track tension caused by movement of the suspension system will be compensated for and substantially uniform track tension will be maintained during travel of the suspension system.

Abstract: A transmission apparatus for a wheeled vehicle is disclosed. The wheeled vehicle includes a rotatable driving member, to which power is delivered by rotating the driving member in a first direction, and a ground engaging wheel. The transmission apparatus includes a cylindrical spring which encircles an axle of the ground engaging wheel. A first end of the cylindrical spring is connected to the axle, and a second end is connected to a one-way clutch mechanism which periodically engages an inner surface of a hub of the ground engaging wheel to periodically deliver energy stored in the spring to the wheel. An engaging mechanism, which is mounted on the axle adjacent to the clutch mechanism, is capable of periodically engaging the clutch mechanism.

Abstract: Transport apparatus is provided for heavy duty equipment which allows for the interchangeable connection of the caterpillar power drive units used for transport of a plurality of supporting frames holding different pieces of heavy equipment. A lesser number of expensive drive units is required for moving a lot of equipment. This is achieved by providing separate support bases or feet for each of the supporting frames. Each of the bases include a mechanism for lifting the supporting frames so that the power drive units can move under the supporting frame being transported. Also, each of the caterpillar power drive units include a connector device for connection to the supporting frame to be supported. Each connector device, in turn, includes hydraulically operated arms for relative vertical displacement between the drive unit and the support frame and universal relative horizontal displacement.

Abstract: In a steering mechanism for bicycles, motorcycles or the like a plurality of cylindrical rollers are positioned between an inner and an outer race which are attached, respectively, to the stationary part and the rotatable cylinder of the steering mechanism. The rollers are inclined in opposite directions wth respect to the axis of the steering mechanism.