Abstract: The present invention provides a non-rotating wheel disk for the main wheels of conventional wheelchairs. The non-rotating wheel disks shield the spokes from damage and a user's hands from injury. Easily accessible pockets for storing needed materials, catheter bags, and the like, are attached to an outer surface of the non-rotating disk. An exercise device for use from a conventional wheelchair is also provided. The exercise device may be used alone or in combination with the wheel disk of the present invention, which provides additional support for the exercise device.

Abstract: A parking device attachable to one end of a vehicle understructure for use in parking the vehicle, includes a carriage and coupling mechanism which permits the carriage to move either to a retracted position or to a deployed vertically-spaced position, and a parking wheel having a pivotal mechanism which permits the parking wheel to be pivoted either to a folded, substantially horizontal position or to a deployed, substantially vertical position. A drive is coupled to the carriage and to the parking wheel and is effective, when the carriage is in its retracted position and the parking wheel is in its folded position, first to move the parking wheel to its deployed position and then to move the carriage to its deployed position lowering the parking wheel into engagement with the ground and raising the respective end of the vehicle off the ground.

Abstract: A improved trailer for transporting large round coil stock. The trailer includes a platform having opposed front and rear portions and a pair of opposed sides, and a frame fastened to the platform and cooperatively supported by axles, wheels and suspension equipment. The frame has at least two parallel beams interconnected by cross beams and a plurality of brackets attached at spaced intervals along the length of the parallel beams. Each bracket includes a support member having an opening adapted to receive a removable post. A cross piece block is positioned between the coil stock and two or more removable posts which are inserted within the opening at equal distances from a front portion of the trailer to restrain forward movement of the coil stock.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) that can be converted into an air cushion support or into an air cushion support for a vehicle (3). This apparatus can be folded into a compact container or put onto its own wheels (2) permitting it to be hauled as a trailer. The apparatus comprises a latticed folding base composed of hingedly connected main sections (10) and perimeter sections (11-14), a flexible inflatable air cushion skirt (5) and coupling means (8,9) for coupling the vehicle (3) to the main sections of the base, to propulsion and blowing means (6) and to a steering gear mechanism (7). The lower surface of latticed sections is covered by elastic airtight sheet material (33,34) which forms a chamber (35) of the flexible inflatable skirt and an air cushion chamber (37).

Abstract: A wheelchair or water closet chair that has arms that may be selectively raised and lowered and a water closet chair that has handgrips that may be selectively raised and lowered. The arms and handgrips have extensions movable towards each other to effect engagement with each other. In addition, each has sensors that sense when the extensions of each are in alignment with each other.

Abstract: To mount a fuel tank storing a compressed fuel gas on an automobile, the tank is placed on a tank supporting frame and tightened to the frame by a belt, pipes neighboring with the tank and leak preventing seals are assembled with the tank, the tank supporting frame installed with the fuel tank is mounted and fixed on a car body, and then the pipes neighboring with the tank are connected to pipes of the car body side.

Abstract: A trailer hitch assembly for use in hauling a motorcyle behind a motorcyle which includes a wheel cradle for positioning the front wheel of the motorcyle in front of the hitch. Such arrangement allows for the use of a lighter weight trailer and provides for greater stability as the front wheel is held in-plane with the vehicle during travel.

Abstract: A bicycle towable collapsible cart comprises a framework engageable to a rear bike wheel hub and expandable to stretch a fabric basket into container form. The framework engages removable wheels and, when the cart is in its collapsed state, a small package for storage or transport is formed.

Abstract: An improved multi-wheeled vehicle having adjustable wheelbase dimensions. The preferred embodiment is a wheelchair which is adjustable as to length and width "on-the-fly." Contracting the two side frames effects a simultaneous retraction of the forward wheel struts. Thus, the length of the wheelchair is reduced at the same time the width is reduced, and vice versa. The linkage between the two side frames is preferably two cross members in an X configuration, one end of each cross member being pivotally affixed to one side frame on one side of the wheelchair, with the respective other end of each cross member being pivotally affixed to a wheel strut on the opposite side of the chair, the two wheel struts each being slidably attached to respective side frame.

Abstract: A rear suspension system for a bicycle or a tricycle having a main frame which includes rear wheel chain stays. Two or more swing arms, one for each chain stay, are pivotally mounted to the chain stays, with the front of the swing arms extending into the interior of the chain stays. The rear wheel or wheels (in the case of a tricycle), are rigidly attached to the end of these swing arms. An elastic member is interposed between the front end of each swing arm and the interior of each chain stay. This elastic member is preferably urethane rubber or a similar material placed in compression by being positioned underneath the front of the swing arm. When the cycle encounters a bump or road irregularity, the rear of the swing arms move upward, causing the front of the swing arms to pivot downward, increasing the loading on the elastic member and at the same time absorbing the shock from the road irregularity before it is transferred to the bicycle frame and rider.

Abstract: A trailer ball guard that is lockably connectable about a ball shaft and a mounting nut of a trailer ball and hitch assembly for deterring removal of the ball from the tow bar and theft of the trailer ball assembly and a connected towed vehicle. The trailer ball guard includes a sleeve assembly that is connectable between a tow bar and a mounting nut, a cap that is connectable to the sleeve assembly in a manner to entrap the ball shaft and mounting nut therein, and a locking mechanism securable in connection between the sleeve assembly and the cap.

Abstract: A wheelchair with two facing, interconnected, adjustable sideframes having fit thereto a seat, backrest, driving wheels and guide wheels is described. The wheelchair is characterized in that each sideframe has two rigid frame parts, which are adjustably interconnected in the longitudinal direction of the wheelchair by elongated frame sections. On one rigid frame part of each sideframe can be fit one of the driving wheels and on the other rigid frame part of each sideframe one of the guide wheels. The wheelchair frame is readily longitudinally adjustable. Simultaneously with the adjustment of the seat position, there is an adjustment of the wheels so that an optimum weight distribution over the wheelchair wheels is maintained. The frame has an extremely high rigidity.

Abstract: An anti-jackknifing device for a tractor and trailer combination is provided having a pressure cylinder with an axial bore which mounts to the lower surface of a fifth wheel plate of the tractor. A piston locates within the axial bore and has a stop pin which project into a stop bore formed in the fifth wheel plate and into a slot formed in a trailer plate of the trailer. An end plug couples to the pressure cylinder for sealing the axial bore and is removable to allow the interior of the axial bore to be accessed. Also provided on the piston is a socket which allows a piston removal tool to be inserted therein so that the piston can be removed from the axial bore when the end plug is removed. The structure of the anti-jackknifing device prevents stresses on the fasteners or bolts used in securing the pressure cylinder to the fifth wheel plate as a result of lateral forces being exerted on the stop pin.

Abstract: A moveable driver floorboard device for motorcycles, which allows the driver to make rapid and easy adjustments to the preset positions in the driver's floorboard plates that hold the floorboards. The adjustable floorboard device may be applied to existing fixed floorboard systems that may already be on a motorcycle or they may also be used as a complete new system with new floorboards and new brake lever, along with the adjustable plates and associated hardware. The invention allows for immediate adjustments without unbolting and reinstallation of the existing floorboards.

Abstract: A combination articulated vehicle damping method for absorbing the kinetic energy of the trail vehicle during a collision that includes crushing a damping material, positioned at a connection of the lead vehicle and the trail vehicle of a combination articulated vehicle, during the collision.

Abstract: A power steering system includes first and second valve members (40 and 42) which are movable relative to each other to port fluid to a vehicle power steering motor (31) and a pump (24) for providing fluid to the first and second valve members (40 and 42) and the power steering motor. A force transmitting member (116) is connected with the first valve member (40) and movable toward and away from the second valve member (42) for applying a force to resist relative movement between the first and second valve members. A fluid pressure chamber (138) receives fluid from the pump (24), the pressure of which acts on the force transmitting member (116). The first and second valve members (40 and 42) include passages for conducting fluid to the fluid pressure chamber (138). A fixed size bleed orifice (182) conducts fluid from the pressure chamber (138) to a reservoir (32). The orifice (182) restricts the flow of fluid from the chamber (138) to the reservoir (32).

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting hydraulic or pneumatic hoses and electric cables which extend between a prime mover and a trailer, comprises an elongate channel shaped member 11 which is attached to an intermediate member 21, the intermediate member being attached to a bearing member 16. Elongate channel shaped member 11 can then swing from side to side and can hold the hoses or cables to prevent damage thereto. The cables can pass through the hollow bearing member 16 and into channel member 11 without needing to be unnecessarily exposed.

Abstract: A stabilization apparatus for stabilizing articulated vehicles includes a damping device connected between a prime mover and its trailer and is arranged about the articulation pivot. The damping device provides resistance to movement of the trailer relative to the prime mover substantially reducing undesirable loping motion of the prime mover.

Abstract: A sway stabilization system to inhibit an undesirable sideways sway between a towed vehicle (15) and a lead vehicle (14) comprises a brake assembly (17) having towed vehicle parts and lead vehicle parts operatively connected together in parallel with the draw bar and hitch assembly (16). The towed vehicle parts include a sway transmission member (21) secured to a draw bar (18). The lead vehicle parts include a braking surface carrier member (22), which engages with the draw bar (18), for pivoting movement with the sway transmission member (21) about the axis of the hitch pin, the braking surface carrier member (22) being subject to braking action by clutch plates (33, 34) in response to undesirable sway being detected by a coupling sensor (36).

Abstract: A cradle is supported by a frame. Two rear supports and two from supports are each rotationally affixed to the frame by a rotational shoulder connection. Each rear support has a telescoping adjustable leg, a spring shock absorber, an adjustable clamp joint, and a vice clamp. Each front support has a vice clamp attached to the rotational shoulder connection. To mount the cradle to the front of a conventional wheelchair, the vice clamps of the rear supports are atttached to a tubular frame of a leg rest normally provided with the wheelchair. The vice clamps of the front supports are then attached to tubular frames of arm rests normally provided with the wheelchair. The cradle may also be attached to the rear of the wheelchair.