Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved braking system. The braking system includes a valving arrangement which reduces the dead band of the system and the freedom to randomly select the pistons return position. In particular, the system includes a fluid reservoir, a piston located in a cylinder including a reservoir port, a first fluid channel connecting the reservoir to the reservoir port, a brake actuator, and a second fluid channel connecting the cylinder to the brake actuator. The piston is moveable within the cylinder to produce fluid flow within the first channel. A first valve is disposed between the reservoir and the cylinder to prevent fluid flow from the cylinder to the reservoir when the piston is moved to pressurize fluid in the second fluid channel.

Abstract: A trailer of the type for securing to and following a bicycle. The trailer includes a frame, a wheel rotatably mounted on the frame, and an extension member having first and second ends. The first end is hingedly connected to the frame such that the extension member is selectively positionable between an extended position wherein the extension member extends outwardly from the frame and a folded position wherein the extension member is disposed adjacent the frame for compactness of storage and transport.

Abstract: An automatic stop mechanism for a rolling door includes two brake members mounted to the stop member which is removably engaged with the fixture, the stop member having a flange disengagably contacting the inclined flange to normally stop the rolling door, a handle pivotally connected to the fixture and connected to the first member and the second member so as to shift the stop member along the shaft of the motor, the two brake members each having a brake pad and located within the motor casing, when the rolling door runs downwardly fast and the normal stop mechanism fails, the two brake members are expanded due to the eccentric force to stop the door by the two brake pads contacting the motor casing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hydraulic brake apparatus for applying braking force to each wheel of a vehicle in response to depression of a brake pedal. A master piston is received in a cylinder body to define a pressure chamber ahead of the master piston and a power chamber behind it. An auxiliary pressure source is provided for pressurizing the brake fluid in a reservoir to discharge power pressure. A control piston is slidably disposed in the cylinder body ahead of the master piston to be movable in response to movement thereof, so that a regulator chamber is defined ahead of the control piston, and a rear end thereof is exposed to the pressure chamber. A first passage is adapted to communicate the auxiliary pressure source with the power chamber, and a second passage is adapted to communicate the power chamber with the reservoir through the regulator chamber.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle having an engine and a motor to be controlled independently of each other for running the vehicle. This hybrid vehicle is given a braking demand detecting function to detect a braking demand through an idle ON of the engine while the vehicle is running, and a first braking function to suppress the rise in the vehicle speed of the vehicle by a regenerative braking force of the motor if the braking demand is detected by the braking demand detecting function.

Abstract: An integrated brake pad and back plate having a brake pad section formed from a first fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite (FRCMC) material and a back plate section formed from a second FRCMC material. The brake pad and back plate are integrated because the sections are molded together to form an integral, unitary structure. The first FRCMC material used in the brake pad section includes a pre-ceramic resin in its ceramic state, fibers and possibly a filler material. The types and amount of these constituents are generally chosen so as to impart characteristics desirable in brake pads, such as high temperature and erosion resistance, and a high coefficient of friction. The second FRCMC material used in the back plate section includes a pre-ceramic resin in its ceramic state and fibers.

Abstract: A vehicle steering apparatus (10) includes a fluid motor (42) having first and second chambers (44, 46). A relatively rotatable, coaxial valve core (22) and valve sleeve (24) control the fluid pressure in the chambers (44, 46). The valve sleeve (24) has first and second recesses (72a, 74a) spaced around an axis (26) on opposite sides of a fluid inlet port (70a). The valve core (22) has a third recess (80a) which communicates the port (70a) with the first and second recesses (72a, 74a) when the valve core and valve sleeve (24) are in the neutral position. The valve core (22) has first and second axially extending lands (90a, 90b) on opposite sides of the third recess (80a) and land surfaces (92a, 92b) facing the first and second recesses (72a, 74a). The valve core (22) has a first passage (100a) for communicating with the first recess (72a) and a second passage (100b) for communicating with the second recess (74a) when in the neutral position.

Abstract: A new Anti-Collision System for providing an audible warning to a vehicle operator indicating that the collision time to an obstacle located ahead of the vehicle is less than a pre-determined warning time and for providing a braking pressure to the vehicle's hydraulic fluid braking system upon the condition that the collision time is less than a pre-determined danger time and that the vehicle brake pressure is under a pre-determined brake pressure limit.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a one piece, integrally molded, bumper-bellows subassembly for use in vehicles, for example, for use in suspension systems, rack and pinion steering systems and airsprings. The present subassembly prevents the elements from entering the bottom of the subassembly and thus eliminates the possibility of damage to the piston rod and seals of the damper. The present subassembly is cost-effective to produce and can be installed quickly and easily. During operation, the present subassembly is stable and is not affected by a severe drop in the suspension.

Abstract: A torsion element (1) for a steering valve is provided. The torsion element (1) comprises a torsionally elastic rod member (2) having axially opposite first and second end areas (3, 4) which are rotatable relative to one another. The rod member (2) has a circumferentially spaced plurality of radially and axially extending indentations (10) adjacent the second end area. A generally tubular, torsionally stiff sleeve member (6) encircles the rod member (2) and is fixedly attached to the first end area (4) of the rod member. The sleeve member (6) includes a circumferentially spaced plurality of radially and axially extending grooves (9) which align with and radially overlie the plurality of indentations (10) in a neutral steering condition. The sleeve member (6) further includes a circumferentially spaced plurality of radial slots (7).

Abstract: A retractable step assembly (10) includes a step (12) pinned to the lower ends of a pair of swing arms (14, 16) depending downwardly from a bracket (30) for mounting the step assembly to the underside of a vehicle. An electric motor (20) powers the upper end of a swing arm (14) to rotate the two swing arms between retracted and extended positions. A clutch assembly (24) is interposed between the electric motor and the swing arm (14) to allow the motor to continue to operate to the end of its cycle if the step or swing arm become obstructed. A lock assembly (170) is provided to lock the step in retracted position, with the lock being automatically disengaged when the step assembly is actuated to extend the step from retracted position.

Abstract: A knock-down cart has a generally rectangular box-like structure having two side panels and at least two columns of vertically spaced horizontal ledges struck out inwardly from each of the side panels. The side panels are reinforced and stiffened by a C-shaped bracket attached between each side panel and a corresponding outer panel. A bottom wheel mount is provided for mounting caster wheel units to a bottom panel. The cart has a simple construction, and is sturdy, easy to use, and adapted to receive modular containers and shelves in a variety of arrangements.

Abstract: A bicycle frameset having a front frame portion and a rear triangle swing arm portion, a head tube mounted don the forward end and a seat tube mounted on the trailing end. The rear triangle swing arm incorporates a rigid channel member having a pair of reinforced legs joined by an integral base piece. The lower end of the channel has a shaped edge which is shaped complementary to the shape of the external surface of the bottom bracket. The swing arm bearing and pivot connection to the front frame portion utilizes a clevis-like member bridging the upper ends of the legs of the rigid channel member.

Abstract: A brake system for a wheelchair is disclosed. The brake may comprise two assemblies one for each of the wheels. Each brake comprises a mounting bracket adapted to be connected to a frame portion of a wheelchair, a handle pivotally attached at a pivot point to the mounting bracket, a cable having one end connected to the handle and another end connected to a pivot arm. The pivot arm is pivotally attached to one end of a cam rod. The rod is attached to another mounting bracket adapted to be connected to another frame portion of the wheelchair and has a latching mechanism connected to a portion of the rod and biased into engagement with a splined disc by a spring. The disc is adapted to be connected to a hub of the wheel chair.

Abstract: A number of embodiments and accessories for a watercraft that is comprised of a main hull that defines a berthing area to receive a small self-propelled watercraft. The main watercraft hull has no propulsion device of its own and is adapted to be propelled by the propulsion device of the smaller watercraft. The controls of the smaller watercraft are accessible from the passenger compartment of the main hull so that the main hull need carry no controls of its own. Various arrangements for accommodating passengers, permitting attachment of an outboard motor to the main hull for its own propulsion and for improving the utility of the main hull are disclosed.

Abstract: In a hydraulic brake for a transmission, an assist piston, a reaction piston and a main piston are accommodated on a cylinder. The assist piston has a first acting portion in abutment against the main piston, and the main piston has a second acting portion facing one end of stacked frictional engaging elements. The assist piston and the main piston are moved rightwardly by a hydraulic pressure supplied to a first oil chamber and a second oil chamber to bring the frictional engaging elements into engagement with one another. The first and second acting portions are superposed as viewed axially, thereby preventing a jarring of the assist piston and the main piston. In one embodiment, each of the pistons is formed from a pressed article, whereby the machining cost can be reduced and, moreover, oil passages connecting the first and second oil chambers can be provided in a simple manner.

Abstract: A restrainer for shopping cart wheels is a strip of stainless steel or other resilient metal, bent into a generally C-shaped curve. The restrainer is compressed and inserted into the space between a shopping cart wheel and its frame; a shoulder and a tab on a straight end of the restrainer engage the wheel frame to hold the strip in place. A curved end of the restrainer bears against the wheel with sufficient force that resulting friction will prevent the cart from rolling freely down an incline of less than about 15.degree., while allowing the cart to be pushed by shoppers in the usual way. Corrugations in the curved midsection of the strip add stiffness to increase the amount of friction applied to the wheel.

Abstract: A Shock absorber, in particular a MacPherson strut unit, with a decompression stop limit bracket which is fastened to a container tube and which, in the event of a rebound of a vehicle axle, comes into contact with a body-side support surface, comprising a base plate with side walls which is welded to a reinforcement plate and a radial guide plate which is connected to the container tube, characterized by the fact that the side walls and the guide plate as well as the reinforcement plate form a groove which is filled by a weld seam such that all the parts forming the groove are connected to one another by means of the weld seam.

Abstract: A propulsion and stabilization system with a plurality of superconducting magnetic devices affixed to the dual-keels of a vehicle, where the superconducting magnetic devices produce a magnetic field when energized. The system also includes a plurality of figure-eight shaped null-flux coils affixed to opposing vertical sides of slots in a guideway. The figure-eight shaped null-flux coils are vertically oriented, laterally cross-connected in parallel, longitudinally connected in series, and continue the length of the vertical slots providing levitation and guidance force. An external power source energizes the figure-eight shaped null-flux coils to create a magnetic traveling wave that interacts with the magnetic field produced by the superconducting magnets to impart motion to the vehicle.

Abstract: A stator (2), a rotor (5, 6, 7, 8), and an elastic element (3) and rolling members (4) are provided to collectively form a rotational damper. When the rotor has, with respect to the stator, a rotational movement to be moderated, the balls or rolling members (4) are driven by the rotor while remaining partially embedded in the elastic element (3), the latter having a wall (16) parallel to the end walls (10A, 10B) of the stator (2), in which the balls (4) penetrate, so as to resist and thereby dampen the rotational movement. This embodiment provides two-directional dampening. In accordance with a second embodiment, one-directional dampening is achieved by the balls (4) being disposed within variable depth recesses (24') of the rotor element (5').