Abstract: This invention relates to front fork, telescoping type suspension systems for bicycles. The main focus of the invention is the brake bridge assembly, the fork crown assembly and the joinder of these assemblies to form the fork suspension. The brake bridge assembly serves two main functions: 1) it provides a stiff structural connection between the right and left telescoping struts, to reduce wheel wobble during high speed wheel impacts, and 2) it provides a structural support for the brake cable stop. The invention provides for increased stiffness and lower stresses in the brake bridge, which translates into improved directional stability for the front wheel, less displacement for the brake cable stop .(when the brake loads are applied) and improved fatigue life for the assembly. It also provides for a simpler and less expensive means for mounting the brake bridge to the fork assembly. The invention also encompasses the fork crown producing a lightweight structure with high torsional and bending rigidity.

Abstract: A transport apparatus for disabled individuals has a frame for carrying a driver, drive wheels, at least one front wheel, a back support and a push structure. The drive wheels are removable connected to drive wheel mounts. Those mounts are positioned on the frame near the rear of the frame. The front wheel is connected to a rotating fork that is mounted to the front of the frame by a fork mount. The push structure extends upward from the rear of the frame and is positioned behind the back support. For overcoming obstacles, pre-wheels are connected to the frame on mounts positioned ahead of the drive wheel mounts. For travel on narrow trails, the pre-wheels are removed from the side mounts and connected to an auxiliary mount attached to the rear of the frame. Once on the auxiliary mount, the drive wheels are removed and the pre-wheels serve as the rear support for the apparatus. A steering bar is coupled to the front of the frame for towing applications and for steering purposes.

Abstract: The invention provides a saddle support for use on a bicycle frame having a tubular upright with an exposed open upper end to receive the support. A tubular post is proportioned to slidably engage in the tubular upright and a clamp is coupled to a first end of the post for engagement inside the upright. The clamp includes an actuator inside the post for operation to releasably clamp the post in the upright and a saddle coupling is attached to the other end of the post. The coupling includes a base attached to the post and a top coupled to the base and adapted to be attached to a saddle. The top is moveable between a closed position where the top bars access into the post, and an open position where the top permits access into the post for a tool to operate the clamp. A lock is coupled to both the base and to the top to retain the top in the closed position to prevent unauthorized access into the post to release the clamp. The lock is operable to release the top for movement into the open position.

Abstract: The invention provides a bi-material tubing formed of a composite member and a noncomposite member. The tubing has a locking portion where the composite member is secured to the noncomposite member by chemically bonding alone or in combination with mechanical joining techniques. A method of making the tubing is also provided.

Abstract: A rack steering system for motor vehicles has inner track rod joints which are offset transverse to the longitudinal axis of the rack. The inner track rod joints are arranged on separate deflection levers which are, in turn, drive-connected to a central tap-off connection of the rack by connecting struts.

Abstract: A speed change mechanism, principally for use on a bicycle, is provided in which a plurality of driving gears and an associated plurality of driven gears are coupled by a plurality of drive chains, such that each driving gear and its associated driven gear form a gear pair, with each gear pair providing a different input-to-output drive ratio. The driving gears are fixedly mounted to a driving shaft that is operatively coupled to a power input, such as a pedal and crank assembly of a bicycle, and the driven gears are rotatably disposed around a driven hub, with means provided for shifting between and engaging one of the driven gears to the driven shaft, with the driven shaft further operatively coupled to an output gear that will transmit power to a rear wheel of a bicycle, for example.

Abstract: A turning speed control system for use in a track-laying vehicle comprising: a steering motor for driving crawler belts provided at both sides of the vehicle such that a relative travel difference is caused between the crawler belts, thereby turning the vehicle to the right or left; a steering instructing device which can be displaced from a neutral position by operation and which instructs, according to the direction and distance of its displacement, a turning direction and a turning radius for the vehicle, the turning radius decreasing as the displacement distance increases; a displacement detector for detecting the displacement of the steering instructing device; and a control unit for performing a control such that when making the turning radius of the vehicle small by increasing the revolution speed of the steering motor according to the displacement of the steering instructing device detected by the displacement detector such that the crawler belts are driven with a relative travel difference therebetwe

Abstract: A fork for use on a vehicle, such as a bicycle. The fork includes a steer tube, a crown and two fork legs. The steer tube includes a cylindrical main body portion, an upper insert portion intended for attachment to a handlebar-holding mechanism, and an inner reinforcing sleeve that adds strength to the steer tube. The main body of the steer tube and the fork legs are manufactured from resin and filament in order to yield a very high strength, lightweight and shock-absorbing fork.

Abstract: An adjustable bicycle parking frame comprises a fastening plate, an inner rod, a support rod and an adjustment rod. The parking frame can be turned and located by a spring, an outer tube and a fitting ring, which are disposed between the fastening plate and the inner rod. Located at the bottom of the inner rod is a receiving space having on the top edge thereof a round hole in which a spring and a retaining block are received. The support rod is provided at the bottom thereof with a support block and at the top thereof with an outer threaded portion. The adjustment rod is provided axially with a fitting hole having therein at the midpoint thereof an inner threaded portion engageable with the outer threaded portion of the support rod. The fitting hole is provided therein at the top end thereof with a retaining groove engageable with the retaining block of the inner rod when the inner rod is fitted into the fitting hole of the adjustment rod.

Abstract: A recumbent bicycle including a frame having a longitudinal main tube divided into a main tube front section telescopically inserted into a main tube rear section to form an adjustable length frame. A forked yoke is pivotally fixed to the main tube front section. A front wheel is rotatably mounted on the yoke. A rear wheel is rotatably fixed to the main frame adjacent the frame rear end. A pedal assembly of a driving mechanism for driving the rear wheel is mounted on the main tube front section adjacent the frame front end. A seat and a handle assembly are mounted on the main tube rear section adjacent the frame rear end. A linkage rod operatively connects the handle assembly and the front wheel yoke. The linkage rod is preferably slidably mounted on a central member of the handle assembly allowing a user to modify the steering ratio between the rotation of the handlebar assembly and the corresponding rotation of the front wheel yoke.

Abstract: A hydraulic drive system for a vehicle includes a pressurizing circuit and a working circuit that are interconnected by suitable valving. The pressurizing circuit incorporates a fixed displacement pump which is driven by a prime mover having a nominal horsepower rating. The prime mover is shifted between an idling speed when the pressure sensed within the pressurizing circuit is within a desired range and an optimum high RPM range when the pressure within the pressurizing circuit falls below the desired range. At least one accumulator is provided in the pressurizing circuit. The working circuit includes a plurality of motor units for driving the vehicle wheels and a plurality of motor control valves which can be placed in a de-activated position to isolate the associated motor unit from the flow of pressurized fluid and an activated position wherein the motor unit aids in driving the vehicle.

Abstract: An electric powered bicycle having a dip sensor or switch and/or a gradient sensor or switch. The bicycle has front and rear wheels each rotatably supported by a frame; a chain slung between the wheels and a chainset for transferring manual power to the wheels; an electric motor coupled to one of the wheels for driving the wheel directly; and a power supply capable of supplying electric power to the motor. The dip gradient sensors are associated with a pulse width modulation circuit.

Abstract: An axial mounting of a rack-and-pinion steering system takes transverse forces and, at the same time, permits a defined resilience of the rack mounting in the transverse direction of the vehicle for affecting steering behavior of the vehicle and, in particular, permitting desired understeer during cornering. Mountings of this kind are particularly applicable to passenger vehicles in which the track rods are arranged behind the steered axle in the direction of travel. The rack-and-pinion steering system is mounted by two bearings arranged upright and at a relatively great distance from one another at the ends of the steering gear casing. The bearing bodies are either V-shaped or Y-shaped as viewed in longitudinal section.

Abstract: A vehicle steering system having a rack and pinion housing, a steering shaft assembly, a driven rack assembly, and an idler lever. The housing has a unitary idler lever mount. The steering shaft assembly has a pinion gear located in the housing. The driven rack assembly is operably connected to the pinion gear and extends out of the housing. The idler lever is pivotally mounted to the housing at the idler lever mount. The driven rack assembly is attached to the idler lever.

Abstract: A device for a receiver-type hitch used on vehicles for towing a load, wherein the device acts to prevent movement and resultant rattling between a receiver tube of the hitch and a ball mount shank. In operation, the receiver tube receives the ball mount shank. The device applies a force to the ball mount shank which presses the ball mount shank against the inside of the receiver tube and therein prevents movement.

Abstract: A wheelchair basically designed for mobility impaired children ages 2-6. The wheelchair is especially designed to facilitate the child's access to all objects and activities that would normally be available to a non-disabled child. The chair includes a power base, including large front drive wheels and small rear casters, and a seat that is positioned directly over the drive wheels and that is readily detachable from the base. All components of the wheelchair are positioned inboard of the side edges of the seat and inboard of the front edge of the seat so as to maximize access to areas alongside of and in front of the wheelchair.

Abstract: A device capable of suction-adhering to a surface and moving therealong includes a pressure receiver, a partitioning device mounted on the pressure receiver and defining a pressure reduction space in cooperation with the pressure receiver and the surface, and a pressure reducing device for discharging a fluid from the pressure reduction space to decrease the pressure inside the pressure reduction space. The partitioning device includes a lip portion extending along the surface. A plurality of contacting devices are disposed at intervals at the part other than the outer peripheral edge portion in that opposing face of the lip portion of the partitioning device which is located opposite to the surface. The outer peripheral edge portion in the opposing face of the lip portion is brought into contact with the surface. At the same time, at the part other than the outer peripheral edge portion in the opposing face of the lip portion, the contacting devices are brought into contact with the surface.

Abstract: Straight travelling apparatus for construction vehicles capable of keeping the construction vehicle travelling straight even when a work implement of the construction vehicle is manipulated during travelling. The apparatus includes hydraulic circuitry for making the hydraulic oil of first and second pumps be supplied to left and right travelling motors respectively when only the left and right travelling motors are operated, and making the oils be confluent together and equally distributed and supplied to the left and right travelling motors when even one work implement is to be manipulated at the same time as operating the left and right travelling motors. The hydraulic circuitry includes left and right directional selecting valves and a confluent line extending between the directional selecting valves for selectively making the hydraulic oil confluent together.

Abstract: The frame (2) for a collapsible bicycle of the present invention includes a head tube (10), a front frame (11), a rear frame (12), a handlebar locking mechanism (14)and a frame locking mechanism (17). On the head tube (10) the front fork (4) is mounted to support the front wheel (5). The front frame (11) is coupled to the head tube (10) in a manner that allows the leading edge to freely rotate perpendicular around the axis using a bearing (13). The rear frame (12) is coupled to the front frame (11) in a manner that allows the leading edge to freely rotate perpendicular around the axis using a hinge (16) as well as be able to support the rear wheel (6) on other edges. The handlebar locking mechanism (14) locks and freely releases the head tube (10) and front frame (11). The frame locking mechanism (12) locks and freely releases the front frame (11) and rear frame (12).

Abstract: A skid steer loader is adaptable to be used with a hydraulically powered attachment. A hydraulic system in the skid steer loader includes a hydraulic circuit providing fluid under pressure. A first auxiliary control valve is coupled to the hydraulic circuit and is movable between a full open position and a full closed position, and is couplable to the attachment. An operator input device provides a variable operator input signal. A controller is coupled to the operator input device and to the first auxiliary control valve. The controller controls the first auxiliary control valve to move a portion of the way between the full open position and the full closed position based on the operator input signal. This provides smoother control over systems which merely operated the auxiliary control valve in a full open or full closed manner.