Abstract: A trailer bed having ground wheels at the rear and tractor engaging means at the front is formed of front and rear portions joined together by pivoted links, the rear portion being vertically movable relative to the front portion and the wheels to convert the trailer from a low-bed stepped configuration to a continuous flat bed configuration, and vice versa. A single cable is trained over pulleys on the bed portions and wheel mounts to effect simultaneous lifting or lowering of both ends of the rear bed portion.

Abstract: A cable for towing vehicles comprises a cable device having ends adaptably secured to respective vehicles. A magnetic apparatus is operatively associated with the cable device for selectively connecting and disconnecting the cable device to the vehicles.

Abstract: A disk brake system is provided for a tractor and trailer combination in order to control articulation between the tractor and trailer. The hydraulically operated disk brake and disk brake housing are operatively secured to the fifth wheel coupling provided on the tractor and are positioned by a disk brake housing receiving structure located on the trailer when the trailer is attached to the tractor. The fifth wheel coupling has a concentric attachment secured thereto on the side opposite the kingpin receiving socket provided therein. The disk brake has an annular disk brake concentric surface which is pivotally attached at its ends to brackets provided on the fifth wheel and which is slidably engaged by the concentric attachment when the tractor and trailer are attached. The disk brake includes pads located on opposite sides of the disk brake concentric surface.

Abstract: In a vehicle wheel mounting and driving assembly, power from a vehicle drive unit is transmitted through a differential gear system to a first universal joint assembly and then to a second universal joint assembly mounted in the wheel of the vehicle. The wheel hub is formed with an inner bearing ring which has a diameter greater than the outer diameter of the outer joint member of the first universal joint assembly of the differential gear system. The vehicle wheel is formed with a central bore having a diameter which is greater than the outer diameter of the outer joint member of the second universal joint assembly of the wheel.

Abstract: This disclosure deals with a locking mechanism for a stand that keeps a two-wheeled vehicle upright with one of its wheels substantially free of the vehicle weight. The stand is pivotable relative to a frame member of the vehicle to a standing position, and it has a recess therein. The lock mechanism has a lock member or pin which is movable to project therefrom by turning a key, the movement causing the pin to engage the recess when the stand is at the standing position.

Abstract: A seat belt comfort device located in the tongue and buckle interconnection which eliminates the tension exerted by the rewind force of a seat belt retractor. The comfort device is manually actuable between engaged and disengaged positions with the seat belt. Preferably, the comfort device is automatically disengaged when the tongue is inserted into the buckle and when the tongue is released from the buckle.

Abstract: A motor vehicle wheel support assembly, with a stationary casing, a stub axle for a road wheel supported within the casing by thin-walled bearing liners, a thrust plate carried by the axle and engaged by thrust washers in the casing to take axial loads, and a reservoir above the bearing liners from which lubricant is delivered to the liners. Lubricant collects in a sump at the bottom of the casing and is returned to the reservoir by being impelled by the thrust plate.

Abstract: A belt for restraint of a seat occupant has an upper end mounted on the vehicle body generally above and rearward a door opening and a lower end mounted on the body generally adjacent the occupant hip. A retractor mounts one of the belt ends and winds the belt to a stowed position extending partially across the door opening and partially obstructing access to a vehicle compartment located behind the occupant seat. A track extends along the roof rail forwardly from the upper end of the belt. A carriage is slidably movable along the track and has a belt loop slidably encircling the belt. A hand grip is provided on the carriage by which the carriage may be manually gripped for forward sliding movement along the track to unwind the belt from the retractor and stow a belt portion along the roof rail and thereby substantially lessen the belt obstruction of access to the compartment behind the seat.

Abstract: A bicycle employing a hydraulic multi-speed drive mechanism in which the speed at which the bicycle is driven is determined by the volume of fluid pumped to a hydraulic motor connected to the rear wheel of the bicycle. Provisions are included to permit the rear wheel to be removed from the bicycle frame when required for servicing without the necessity of interrupting the hydraulic circuit leading to the motor.

Abstract: In a seat belt emergency locking device for retaining a seat belt by inserting into a latch portion a tongue portion connected to the seat belt, which device comprises a base tongue having the tongue portion thereof secured to the seat belt and an auxiliary plate, a retaining device actuable by an inertia device sensing an impact or a sudden acceleration or deceleration exerted on a vehicle and an auxiliary engaging tooth provided on the auxiliary plate are primarily engaged with each other, and subsequently a pallet provided in the latch portion and an engaging tooth provided on the base tongue are secondarily engaged with each other. The primary and secondary engagement actions are operatively associated with each other.

Abstract: In a conventional hand truck, a stair tread engaging device having reduced friction and improved mobility provided by a plurality of rollers each rotating freely in its own socket and only on its own axis without forward movement.

Abstract: A vehicle seat belt system operational as a passive two-point or as a part passive and part active three-point seat occupant restraint. A continuous belt 15 coupled at one end to a retractor mechanism 16 mounted within a vehicle door passes through a guide ring 19 on the door frame and extends diagonally downwardly across the seat 13 to a second guide ring 23 anchored to the floor. The terminal end of the belt projects through the guide ring 23 and carries a buckle engaging element 27 that engages the guide ring 23 to prevent retraction of the belt 15, whereby the latter automatically operates as a two-point restraint system.The seat occupant has the option of extending the belt 15 as a lap belt to a buckle device 32 on the outboard side of the seat. This changes the belt system to a partially passive and partially active three-point restraint system.

Abstract: This skateboard has a central section which is supported by longitudinally spaced wheel units under its end portions. A forward extension unit connects with the forward end portion of the central section and is preferably of arcuate shape, in longitudinal section, and extends forwardly and upwardly. The length of the forward extension unit is in the order of about one-half the length of the central section. Connecting means, as holes, are provided in the forward extension unit so the lower end portion of an operator support rope may be connected with a selected one thereof and thus the angular relation of the support rope and the operator's arm engaging the rope to the plane of the forward extension and the central section may be maintained in the range of 60.degree., with a variation of plus or minus 7.degree., and this for all average people regardless of their individual heights.

Abstract: In a seat belt device including at least a belt for constraining the upper half of the body of a seat occupant, the shoulder belt, when in occupant constraining position, is guided so as to prevent the end portion of the belt adjacent to the shoulder of the occupant from bearing against the neck or the head of the occupant.

Abstract: A front wheel suspension mechanism for a vehicle having two front wheels. The suspension mechanism includes two transverse leaf springs mounted on a front portion of the frame of the vehicle and vertically spaced apart from each other, supports for supporting the front wheels, and elastic members for connecting both ends of the leaf springs and the front wheel supports.

Abstract: An apparatus for coupling a tractor, a dump trailer and a dump truck wherein the dump trailer is adapted to be selectively towed by the tractor or by the dump truck. A draw bar having a trunnion and a hole at the leading end portion is pivotally mounted on the dump trailer. The trunnion is adapted to be engaged with a gripper mounted on an arm member of the tractor so as to enable the dump trailer to be towed by the tractor. The hole of the draw bar is adapted to be engageable with a coupler pivotally mounted on a rear axle of the dump truck thereby allowing the dump trailer to be drawn by the dump truck.

Abstract: A three-point type seatbelt system wherein ends of a lap outer webbing and a shoulder webbing are secured to the upper and lower portions of a vehicle door, whereby an occupant opens or closes said door so as to automatically fasten the webbings or unfasten same from the occupant. A non-locking retractor is provided between the lap outer webbing and said door and an emergency locking retractor between the lap inner webbing and the substantially central portion of the vehicle, whereby the waist of the occupant is moved by a certain length more forward in the vehicle than his head so that his head can be prevented from dashing against a dangerous obstacle.

Abstract: A seat-belt system for a vehicle, automatically restraining and releasing the driver or a passenger in response to the closing and opening of the door, respectively, which system comprises a hip belt with one end thereof connected to a hip-belt anchor fixed near the center side of the seat and the other end wound around a hip-belt retractor fixed to the lower rear of the door through a run-through member slidably guided on the door, a shoulder belt with one end thereof connected to a shoulder-belt anchor slidably guided along a roof rail above the seat and other end wound around a shoulder-belt retractor fixed near the center side of the seat, and a driving mechanism adapted to function on sensing the closing and opening of the door so as to move the run-through member and the shoulder-belt anchor to the restraining and non-restraining position, respectively, whereby the seat-belt system securely holds the driver or the passenger in position when the door is closed and releases him or her from the seat to get

Abstract: A compact power driven ski bob is attained by locating the driving tracks of a rear power ski beneath the seat and pivotally mounting the front end of the power ski longitudinally forward of the seat. The rear end of the power ski is biased into engagement with the snow and is located lower than the front end of the ski to enhance driving contact with the snow. The seated operator is cushioned from impact forces and up and down movements of the power ski by a rear attachment means comprising a lost motion connection and a shock absorber. To aid in transportation of the snow bob, the front ski and the fuel tanks are detachably connected to the frame.

Abstract: A portable folding bicycle for compact storage in a folded position utilizes a main frame having front and rear frame sections supporting front and rear wheels and hinged together for folding and positioning the wheels into compact side-by-side relationship. A seat structure is removably attached to the rear frame section and power transmission members such as crank assemblies, sprockets and a drive chain extend between the rear frame section and the rear wheel for causing powered rotation. The front frame section has at least one frame member defining a receptacle for receipt of the front wheel upon folding, and a steering assembly affixed thereto and including upper and lower end portions.