Abstract: A vehicle includes a fuel tank arranged underneath a seat, a fuel pump housed inside the fuel tank and including an attachment portion arranged to attach the fuel pump to an upper wall of the fuel tank, the fuel pump including at least one connector projecting upwards from the attachment portion, and a vehicle cover covering at least a portion of the vehicle. A portion of the vehicle cover extends between the upper wall of the fuel tank and the lower surface of the seat and includes an upright portion extending between an upper wall of the fuel tank and the lower surface of the seat. The vehicle protects the at least one connector of the fuel pump without causing an increase in the number of components and manufacturing steps.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of determination of the driving mode of a hybrid vehicle. The method is executed by a hybrid control unit (HCU) and includes the step of modeling a PNGV (Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles) systems analysis toolkit (PSAT) to calculate power reserved to drive a motor. Thereafter, whether or not the driving mode of the hybrid vehicle is consistent with an electric vehicle (EV) mode is determined using the power reserved to drive the motor, which has been calculated using the PSAT model. If the driving mode is not consistent with the EV mode, whether or not the driving mode is consistent with a maximum (MAX) torque mode is determined. If the driving mode is not consistent with the MAX torque mode, the driving mode is determined to be a hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) mode.

Abstract: An in-wheel motor system, wherein the non-rotating side case of a motor and the knuckle of a motor are connected to each other by a buffer mechanism 10 having plates 11 and 12 interconnected by a linear guide 15 with springs composed of a linear guide 13 consisting of a linear bearing 13A and a rod 13B and spring members 14 and 14 moving in the vertical direction of a vehicle and integrated with the linear guide 13 and a damper 16 moving in the vertical direction of the vehicle and interconnecting the plates 11 and 12. Thus, the motor can be securely float mounted to a part around the wheel of the vehicle and the buffer mechanism 10 can be easily assembled.

Abstract: A lift truck is provided comprising: a power unit assembly comprising a power unit base, a wheel coupled to the base, and a system for driving the wheel; and a main frame assembly detachably connected to the power unit assembly. The main frame assembly comprises a main frame base, a mast assembly coupled to the main frame base, a carriage assembly coupled to the mast assembly, and hydraulic drive apparatus coupled to the mast assembly. Preferably, substantially the entirety of the hydraulic drive apparatus is provided on the main frame assembly such that the main frame assembly is detachable from the power unit assembly without requiring disconnecting hydraulic connections to the power unit assembly.

Abstract: An engine-driven assembly including an engine-driven device, a vertical-shaft engine, a frame, and a handle. The vertical-shaft engine supplies power to the engine-driven device. The frame is coupled to the vertical-shaft engine and the engine-driven device. The frame includes at least one frame foot in contact with a ground surface when the frame is in an operating position. The handle has legs coupled for to the frame for movement of the handle between retracted and extended positions. The legs are oriented such that an acute angle is formed between the ground surface and the legs when the handle is extended and the engine-driven assembly is in the operating position. The handle is higher in the extended position than in the retracted position.

Abstract: A vibration adjustment of a drive assembly is achieved by way of a pivoted mount about a longitudinal vehicle axis of an articulated column. An exhaust system with exhaust mufflers and catalytic converters is used to shift a total powertrain vibration to a lower engine speed, and a significantly improved vibrational behavior can be achieved at idle speed.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a system for automatically transferring a personal-transportation vehicle, such as a power chair, between a first and a second position proximate a motor vehicle such as a minivan is provided. The system can be used to transfer the personal-transportation vehicle between a first position on a lift and carrier assembly mounted on the motor vehicle, and a second position proximate a door of the motor vehicle, so that the user can transfer to and from the personal-transportation vehicle with minimal physical effort and movement. The system can generate guidance information for the personal-transportation vehicle based on position information generated by sensors located on one or both of the personal-transportation vehicle and the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A three-section outrigger for a boom truck or the like which may be pivotally moved with respect to the boom truck so that the outrigger may be extended outwardly, forwardly and downwardly with respect to the boom truck to eliminate the need for an outrigger at the front end of the boom truck.

Abstract: A portable tool box for facilitating transporting of tools to a desired location through a crawl space includes a container receiving tools to be transported. The container includes a base wall and a perimeter wall extending upwardly from the base wall to define an interior space of the container. The interior space of the container receives the tools when the tools are positioned in the container. A top edge of the base wall defines an open end of the container. A lifting handle is coupled to the container. The lifting handle is graspable to permit lifting of the container when the container is to be transported. Each of a plurality of wheels is rotatably coupled to the container. Each of the wheels rolls across a support surface to facilitate transportation of the container across the support surface.

Abstract: A grille arrangement for an enclosure of a drive unit of a self-propelled agricultural applicator is provided. The grille arrangement includes a screen, and a frame mounted by the screen. The frame includes a first strut connected by at least one movable latch assembly to the enclosure, and a second strut having a first linear portion aligned at an obtuse angle relative to a second linear portion in top plan view. The screen is attached at the first linear portion. With the frame and screen aligned at the obtuse angle relative to a vertical plane perpendicular to a forward direction of travel, the second linear portion slides into a notch at a vertical support strut fixed at the enclosure. Upon sliding the second linear portion in the notch, rotation of the frame rotates the second linear portion to a lock position securing the frame and screen at the enclosure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a trash bin, namely an enclosed trash bin having a top and front doors that swing open on a hinged system. The enclosed trash bin contains a detachable cart in which trash and/or trash cans can be placed upon for storage and the cart can be detached from the rest of the trash bin and wheeled to the curb on trash pick-up day. The wheeled cart can either be removed from the inside of the trash bin or makes up at least one portion of the trash bin so that when it is removed it is brought to the curb with at least one portion of the cart. When the cart is returned to the trash bin and placed inside of the bin the trash bin is then whole and impermeable to raccoons and other animals and/or rodents.

Abstract: A power train mounting system includes a front mount, a rear mount, an engine mount, and a transmission mount. Installation heights and spring constants of each mount are predetermined such that the majority of the weight of the power train is supported by the front and rear mounts. Mounting axes of the engine mount, front mount, and rear mount are vertical while the mounting axis of the transmission mount is lateral. The transmission mount may include bridges which vary its spring constant during vehicle roll.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for passive stabilization of a wheeled object by employing secondary wheels rotating about secondary axes offset from a common axis of a primary set of wheels, where the secondary wheels are positioned such that tilting of the object during rolling causes one of the secondary wheels to contact the surface and counteract tilting tendencies. The offset of the secondary axes can include angular, vertical, and/or horizontal components.

Abstract: A hockey skate includes a system for adjusting the position of a blade holder on the sole of a hockey skate. The system allows for both toe in and toe out adjustment as well as movement relative to the centerline. The system allows a player to try various positions and determine which positions produce superior skating performance relative to his foot, ankle and leg alignment.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine, a traction motor, a starter motor, and a battery bank, all controlled by a microprocessor in accordance with the vehicle's instantaneous torque demands so that the engine is run only under conditions of high efficiency, typically only when the load is at least equal to 30% of the engine's maximum torque output. In some embodiments, a turbocharger may be provided, activated only when the load exceeds the engine's maximum torque output for an extended period; a two-speed transmission may further be provided, to further broaden the vehicle's load range. A hybrid brake system provides regenerative braking, with mechanical braking available in the event the battery bank is fully charged, in emergencies, or at rest; a control mechanism is provided to control the brake system to provide linear brake feel under varying circumstances.

Abstract: A downhill ski having a thrust support acting elastically downwards on a point in that portion between the front jaw (P) of the binding and the section where the tip curvature commences.

Abstract: An ice brake is presented that provides stopping traction on ice, snow, water, dirt, gravel, and solid ground. It is driven by a hydraulic ram to provide quick response. The brake has a blade with a bottom edge that has cutout portions to allow up to 50% debris accumulated by the brake to escape. This increases drag, because debris is forced to pass through these cutout sections. The brake is strong enough to apply sufficient loading force on ice to break a craft's hull free from being frozen down to ice, yet it is flexible enough to bend out of the way of rocks and other immovable objects.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine, a traction motor, a starter motor, and a battery bank, all controlled by a microprocessor in accordance with the vehicle's instantaneous torque demands so that the engine is run only under conditions of high efficiency, typically only when the load is at least equal to 30% of the engine's maximum torque output. In some embodiments, a turbocharger may be provided, activated only when the load exceeds the engine's maximum torque output for an extended period; a two-speed transmission may further be provided, to further broaden the vehicle's load range. A hybrid brake system provides regenerative braking, with mechanical braking available in the event the battery bank is fully charged, in emergencies, or at rest; a control mechanism is provided to control the brake system to provide linear brake feel under varying circumstances.

Abstract: A device (1) for mounting the components of a safety binding on a ski (2), comprising: a rigid platform (3) that extends over the entire length of the area in which the binding is mounted and comprises lateral slides (12); an elastomer element (4) that extends under the rigid platform (3) and is intended to come into contact with the upper surface of the ski (2); two limit stops (6) and (5), front and back respectively, that cooperate with the rigid platform (3) in order to restrict its longitudinal displacement; a rear plate (7) capable of accommodating the heel piece of the binding, said rear plate (7) being mechanically linked to the rigid platform (3) and secured on the board through retention elements (42, 44) that are directly fixed on the ski either side of the rigid platform (3).

Abstract: A protective guard member is provided in order to protect a high-voltage wire connected to a control unit in an electric vehicle, in which the control unit, for controlling a drive motor of the vehicle, is mounted to a rear swing arm thereof. The high-voltage wire protecting guard member may be provided as a guard arm of a main vehicle support stand, arranged to shield the external side of the high-voltage wire, when the support stand is in a stored position thereof. The guard arm may be configured to protectively shield a water supply pipe and a water discharge pipe for a cooling plate associated with the control unit, as well as protecting the high-voltage wire, when the support stand is in the stored position thereof.