Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the speed of an engine of a vehicle includes a processor (26) for comparing actual speed of the engine with a reference speed and for generating output signals if the actual speed is in excess of the reference speed, the output signals controlling valves (13, 14 and 15) of an air supply system (12) to a retarder of the vehicle and being arranged to operate sequentially to control progressively magnitude of power applied to the retarder if control of the vehicle is not effected to reduce speed of the engine during sequential periods of predetermined duration.

Abstract: A heel holder of a ski binding for assuming an open position from a closed position when a ski boot is released from a toe holder of the binding, the heelholder including a baseplate, a housing mounted on the baseplate, a soleholder pivotally mounted on the housing for rotation between open and closed positions, a retaining member mounted on the soleholder for releasably retaining the soleholder in the closed position, a locking member for releasably restraining the retaining member to lock the soleholder in the closed position, a blocking member for blocking the retaining member from movement from its restrained position and a release member for moving the blocking member to free the retaining member when a ski boot is released from the toe holder to enable the opening of the soleholder.

Abstract: Load-handling trolleys of a type in which a load-supporting deck is displaceable into an out-of-use position and opposed load-retaining side walls can be pivoted about rear pivot axes to bring them into mutually inclined positions such that a number of such collapsed trolleys can be nested one into another. The trolley has a wheeled base unit to which the side walls are detachably connectable. The base unit comprises a bridge portion (4) and opposed side beams (2, 3) for supporting the load-retaining side walls. Such side beams are connected to the bridge portion by pivot joints (10, 11) so that the side beams can swing into mutually inclined positions together with the side walls.

Abstract: A roller skate has a truck supporting its rear-wheel axle on which a rearwardly extending rocker is swingable about a horizontal axis, the rear end of this rocker carrying a control roller while its front end engages or forms a pair of pressure elements disposed between the rear wheels. Normally, with all four wheels touching the ground, the control roller is elevated above the road surface; when, however, the front of the skate is lifted in a pivotal motion about the rear axle, this roller contacts the ground and causes the rocker to swing against a spring force whereby the pressure elements are cammed outward to engage the inner faces of the rear wheels for exerting a braking force thereon. The wheel faces may be clad with thin metal disks which coact with the pressure elements and which also form seats for wheel-supporting ball bearings.

Abstract: A load transporting manually operated vehicle comprising a single tubular frame member with an upward extendable longitudinal handle member as a continuation thereof; a pair of flat load support cross-members. One load support cross-member has rotatable wheels positioned on each end thereof and is selectively positionable longitudinally along the frame member. The other support member is removably secured to the frame member in a fixed location between the other cross-member and the handle; a positionable upright member for preventing longitudinal load movement is positioned between the positionable cross-member and the distal end of the frame member at a selected location. Both of the cross-members have a plurality of apertures therealong for the attachment of resilient load restraining strap members passing over the load between selected apertures.

Abstract: A anti-crash apparatus for motorvehicles with an airbag designed to be automatically inflated on deceleration of the vehicle being greater than a certain amount, the airbag being placed on the driver's side of a steering wheel shaft, which is at a slope of 10.degree. to 60.degree. to the horizontal within the steering wheel and on the driver's side of steering wheel spokes. The airbag is so placed and designed that, on inflation thereof, it takes up a position on the driver's side of a top third of the circumference of the steering wheel, its size measured in a direction normal to the plane of the steering wheel being less than 20 cm.

Abstract: An improved ski pole having an adjustable length is provided with two telescopically movable tube sections. The tube sections are inserted into each other and are movable relative to each other and are provided with a latch and a plurality of catches. When shortening the length of the ski pole, a spring is tensioned. The increasing of the length of the ski pole is caused by the tensioned spring. The switch is arranged at the reverse side of the grip of the ski pole. The latch is arranged fixedly at the inner tube section and the catches are arranged at a pivotable cylinder which can be elevated and lowered as well as rotated. The catches are defined by horizontally extending sections of at least one Z-shaped groove. The pivoting cylinder is connected at a off-center pivot point to the switching or operating, respectively, member. The entire mechanism for the longitudinal adjustment of the ski pole is arranged in the gripping section of the ski pole.

Abstract: An assembly intended to reduce the water splash and throw from operating highway transport trucks in wet weather conditions by the installation of replaceable sectionalized wheel skirts that modify vacuum/suction/pressure conditions within and about the skirt.

Abstract: Apparatus for limiting the allowed movement of a vehicle, such as a dump truck, when one of its components (e.g. the tippable truck bed or skip) is positioned out of its rest position. An interlock is provided which permits the vehicle to be driven for only a short distance with this component out of its normal rest position before the brakes of the vehicle are automatically applied. Thus, in the case of a dump truck, the vehicle can be driven forwardly with the bed raised only for a relatively short distance (e.g. so as to be moved clear of the load deposited by the tipped truck bed).

Abstract: A mechanism for adjusting the position of a ski binding jaw on a ski includes a guide rail which is secured to a ski and which has a pair of spaced guideways and a serrated strip therebetween extending parallel to the ski. The base plate of the binding is longitudinally movably supported on the guideways and has two longitudinally spaced extensions which extend downwardly between the guideways. A spring and a locking element having a recess and a tooth system thereon are provided between the guideways and between the base plate extensions, the locking element being supported for transverse movement between a first and second position in which its tooth system is respectively engaged with and free of engagement with the serrated strip on the guide rail. The spring urges the locking element toward the first position. The base plate has an opening which is substantially aligned with the recess in the locking element.

Abstract: A boat transporter has a single wheel rotatably supported in a cradle. The cradle is formed from a pair of frames which are spaced on opposite sides of the wheel. The boat is supported on the cradle and held by a strap. The boat which projects on either side of the cradle may then be rolled across a portage. To facilitate storage, the cradle is collapsible.

Abstract: A hopper or container for containing drywall joint compound or "mud" used in the "taping and floating" of seams between drywall panels, which hopper includes a shaped metal tank which tapers to define a closed funnel at the bottom, and a pump support projecting from the tank near the bottom, with a pump access opening in the pump support to receive a filler pump for pumping the joint compound from the tank on demand. The hopper can be fitted with wheels to better facilitate mobility, and is provided with a hinged lid fitted with a gasket, for loading the joint compound into the tank and maintaining a tight seal between the closed lid and the top of the hopper.

Abstract: A sole-support plate for a release ski binding is supported on the upper side of a ski by a pivot bearing and cooperates with a resilient restoring arrangement. The restoring arrangement includes an opening provided in the sole-support plate, which plate is made of an elastic material, the opening weakening the sole-support plate in the area of the pivot bearing so that it can be swung laterally through elastic deformation of the region having the opening and will thereafter return automatically to its original position through the resilience of this region.

Abstract: An inflator or gas generator is provided for inflating a protective cushion associated with a safety harness used in a vehicle including an aircraft. The generator is of a structure which provides a maximum quantity of inflating gases for a minimum size, weight, shape and general compactness of the generating unit.

Abstract: An electrically releasable safety ski binding in which a measuring system determines the load applied to a skier's leg during skiing and a release mechanism incorporating an electromechanical converter such as a solenoid acts on a clamp device securing the ski boot to the binding to release the ski boot when the aforementioned load reaches a dangerous level. To prevent the binding becoming inoperative on failure of the electrical power supply the binding is equipped with an auxiliary release mechanism having a first inoperative state and a second operative state which can be selected either manually or automatically should the electrically operated release mechanism fail.

Abstract: A delayed vehicle starter (DVS) that prevents a motor vehicle from being started and driven away before the driver has observed and determined that there are no persons or objects in the vicinity of the vehicle that may cause an impact. To preclude such an impact the driver must sequentially depress a series of switches, strategically located at the front and rear of the vehicle, within a preset time before the vehicle can be started. If the driver successfully performs the required sequential steps the DVS enables the vehicle ignition system allowing the vehicle engine to be started. Once started, the vehicle must then be moved for a predetermined distance within the preset time or the DVS will disable the vehicle ignition system. To restart the vehicle after the ignition system is disabled the required sequential steps must be restarted from the beginning.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling speed of a vehicle having a retarder includes a receiver (1) for receiving signals from a transmitter (2) indicative of a reference speed and a processor (26) for comparing actual speed of the vehicle with the reference speed and for generating output signals if the actual speed is in excess of the reference speed, the output signals controlling valves (13, 14 and 15) of an air supply system (12) to the retarder and being arranged to operate sequentially to control progressively magnitude of power supplied to the retarder if the vehicle speed is not reduced during sequential periods of predetermined duration.

Abstract: An arrangement in or a structure for motorcycles intended to protect a motor cyclist against injury in the event of a collision comprises a protective body (1), having a cushioning or impact surface (4) which faces the upper part of the cyclists' body. The cushioning surface has an area of at least 500 cm.sup.2, and is of such shape and so inclined that when the upper part of a motor cyclist's body lies against said surface, it forms an upwardly directed angle of at least 20.degree. to the horizontal. That part of the protective body located nearest the motor cyclist is provided with support portions lying over the thighs and knees of the motor cyclist and the structure is secured to the motorcycle by attachment means which will break at a given load so as to free the structure from the motorcycle.

Abstract: A small-type four-wheel automobile, especially one adapted to carry one or two persons, has a generally U-shaped swing arm pivotally connected at ends of its branched arms to a chassis frame which supports front wheels, on this swing arm is mounted an engine unit which includes a power train, from an engine to an axle for rear wheels that serve as drive wheels, in a unitary construction.

Abstract: A safety ski binding has a support member supported for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, and a sole holder is supported on the support member for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis. A lever supported on the support member for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis has a first locking element engageable with a second locking element on the rear of the sole holder and has a control surface on its side opposite the first locking element. A housing for a release spring is supported on the support member for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis and has a sliding element which the release spring urges against the control surface on the lever. A centering spring cooperable with the support member and housing pivotally urges the housing to a position in which the sliding member is engaging the control surface of the lever. A second set of locking elements yieldably resists pivotal movement of the support member.