Abstract: A shock absorbing device includes a mounting bracket which is fastened at a first end thereof to the vehicle body and removably mounted at a second end thereof to the vehicle body, an upper pedal arm which is rotatably mounted to the mounting bracket using a hinge shaft, and a lower pedal arm which is removably coupled to the upper pedal arm using a locking pin. The shock absorbing device further includes a locking pin removal device which removes the lower pedal arm from the upper pedal arm when a vehicle collision occurs, and a guide device which serves as a guide for movement of the mounting bracket when the vehicle collision occurs and provides a reaction force for the locking pin removal device.

Abstract: A parking brake actuator for a vehicle includes a toothed stationary sector fixed to a mounting structure, a brake lever pivotably mounted to the sector, a pawl mounted to the brake lever for movement between engaged and disengaged positions relative to the teeth, an elongated, substantially rigid release member mounted to the brake lever for movement relative to the brake lever between normal and depressed positions, and a motion-absorbing member connecting the release member to the pawl. When the brake lever is operatively connected to the vehicle brake cable and in a braking position thereof with the pawl in the engaged position thereof, moving the release member to the depressed position thereof without also moving the brake lever in the brake applying direction compresses the motion-absorbing member without moving the pawl from the engaged position thereof.

Abstract: A vibration damper for controlling the torsional and bending vibrations in a rotating shaft is provided. The vibration damper includes a hub, an inertia element, and an elastic element that possess a first shear modulus in a first direction and a second shear modulus in a second direction. The hub is adapted to be coupled to the shaft for rotational movement. The inertia element is concentric with the hub and has a mass. The elastic element is adapted to non-rigidly couple the hub and the inertia element. The elastic element may be a non-isotropic composite material having a plurality of fibers dispersed therein.

Abstract: A position control mechanism is provided for a bicycle control device that has a shifting unit. The position control mechanism has an operating member that is configured to operate a positioning member that moves through two of a plurality of predetermined shift positions during a single progressive movement of the operating member. The operating member is configured in the preferred embodiment to operate both a hydraulic braking unit and the shifting unit.

Abstract: A variable stiffness support has a support housing that is configured to adjust the orientation of an internal elastomer assembly. The support housing includes an adjustment mechanism, and the elastomer assembly includes an outer ring that encircles an elastomeric material, a central bushing embedded in the elastomeric material, and a plurality of shims embedded in the elastomeric material in a parallel planar fashion.

Abstract: A bicycle crank assembly is configured to simplify the work required to adjust the bearing play by the crank assembly when the crank assembly is mounted. The bicycle crank assembly has a left crank that is mounted on a crank axle of the bicycle, and is provided with a crank body and an adjustment member. The crank body includes a crank axle mounting part non-rotatably mounting to one end of the crank axle, an arm part extending from the crank axle mounting part, a pedal mounting part for mounting the pedal and provided at the tip of the arm part, and a male screw part formed on the crank axle mounting part. The adjustment member includes a tubular part having a female screw part into which the male screw part is screwed, and a contact part formed at one end of the tubular part and capable of contacting the bearing supporting the crank axle.

Abstract: An adjustable positioning apparatus, which may be used for a foot-operated control, includes a first member that is movably supported with respect to a base, an adjuster that is supported on the first member, and a second member. The adjuster includes a displacement device, an actuator, and a controller. The displacement device includes a first portion that is coupled to the first member, and includes a second portion that is displaced with respect to the first portion. The actuator displaces the second portion with respect to the first portion, and the controller operates the actuator and determines displacement of the second portion with respect to the first portion. The second member is coupled to the second portion.

Abstract: A housing is held by a bracket of a vehicle seat and receives a worm wheel and a threaded shaft. The shaft is driven linearly through the worm wheel. One end of the housing contacts the bracket and includes a receiving recess, which is recessed in the axial direction of the worm wheel. A sensor unit is installed in the recess of the one end of the housing and includes a support wall, which supports the housing relative to the bracket in the axial direction of the worm wheel.

Abstract: A device for the actuation of vehicle brakes has a pull element which can be brought into a lockable braking position in order to pull at least a part of a vehicle brake, the pull element being capable of being tensioned by a tension element in this braking position, and which can be brought into a released position, in which the pull element is relaxed to an extent such that the at least a part of the vehicle brake is released, the device being provided with a retensioning device which, in the released position, automatically retensions the pull element.

Abstract: A pedal assembly includes a pedal element 12 that may be displaced with respect to a base element 14 along its actuation path. The pedal element 12 may swivel out along the actuation direction B. A rotating element 26 is so linked to the pedal element 12 so that it rotates upon displacement of the pedal element 12. At least one return element 34, 35 is provided to return the pedal element 12 against the actuation direction. Further, the pedal assembly includes an electric motor 20 to create opposing force. A neutral coupling unit 54 is provided between the rotating element 26 and the drive device 20, preferably with a first stop 64 on the rotor, and a second stop 64 at the rotating element 26. A freewheel clutch unit 54 couples the rotor 24 and the rotating element 26 upon displacement along the actuation direction B, but allows separate motion against the actuation direction B. A sensor (32) is provided to position the pedal element (12).

Abstract: A shift lever device for operation of a transmission of a vehicle having a plurality of shift ranges is provided which includes a lever main body, a housing that movably supports the lever main body, a light source provided at one of the housing and the lever main body; a knob mounted to a distal end portion of the lever main body, and having a transmitting portion, a light guiding portion provided at the knob and guiding light from the light source to the interior of the knob, and a light guiding control portion. The light guiding control portion includes a shutter member operatively connected to and movable with the lever main body which, when the lever main body is positioned at least at one specific shift position, does not block light from the light source to the knob transmitting portion, and which, when the lever main body is positioned at a position other than the specific shift position, is moved to a position blocking the light to the knob transmitting portion.

Abstract: A brake pedal apparatus includes: an operating pedal to be depressed so as to be pivoted about a first axis; a pivot member pivotable about a second axis parallel to the first axis, and connected to the operating pedal via a connecting link so as to be pivoted about the second axis in response to a depression of the operating pedal; and an output member to receive an output generated upon pivot motion of the pivot member. The connecting link is connected, at respective connected positions, to the operating pedal and the pivot member. A relationship between a ratio of the output to a depression force acting on the operating pedal, and an amount of the depression of the operating pedal is changed depending upon the connected positions of the connecting link.

Abstract: A folding tiller for boats including a central fixed part and two essentially-symmetrical, opposing lateral segments which are articulated to the central part by respective hinges which are provided on two diametrically-opposed spokes of the tiller. The two lateral segments are folded down and stacked on top of the fixed part, in order to pass from an open extended position to a folded or retracted position. Moreover, respective longitudinally-opposing spoke segments are held in position by locking elements, at least while the tiller is to be maintained in the deployed configuration.

Abstract: A locking assembly for a motor vehicle of a saddle riding type includes, a reverse lock disposed in a transmission of the vehicle for preventing a shift change of the transmission into reverse when the vehicle is traveling forward, and a lock release mechanism having an actuator, wherein the lock release mechanism is disposed in an opening in a front fender of the vehicle, such that the actuator projects above the opening. Further the locking assembly includes a cable operatively connecting the lock release mechanism with the reverse lock, such that actuation of the actuator causes the reverse lock to be released, a main body of the lock release mechanism housed beneath the opening on an underside of the fender for covering the lock release mechanism, and a cover body disposed on the fender, such that sides of the actuator and the opening are covered.

Abstract: A crank including a mechanism capable of connecting the crank arm to a shaft to drive the shaft in rotation in either a unidirectional drive mode or a bidirectionally driving mode, the mechanism being quickly adjustable between modes. A coupler in the mechanism may be slidable between a first position engaging the crank arm with a hub portion fixedly mounted on the shaft and a second position in which a unidirectional clutch can operate to allow rotation of the crank arm freely about the shaft in one direction but cause rotation of the shaft in the opposition direction. The coupler may be arranged to be coupled only when the shaft is in a selected angular position.

Abstract: A reinforcing plate (405) is utilized with a lightweight hub (101) in a vibration damper. Holes (105) formed in the hub (101) and the reinforcing plate (405) allow the vibration damper to be mounted to a shaft with a stronger joint than when the reinforcing plate (405) is not utilized, thereby preventing deformation of the hub (101). Optional reduction holes (111) formed in the hub (101) provide for additional weight reduction, vibration reduction, and/or noise reduction.

Abstract: A composite steering wheel for an automotive vehicle having a steering column is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the composite steering wheel includes a rim, a center hub, and a plurality of spokes connecting the rim to the center hub. The rim, the center hub, and the plurality of spokes are formed from a deformable thermoplastic material. The composite steering wheel also includes an attachment member embedded in the center hub. The attachment member is sized to couple to the steering column.

Abstract: A drive assembly, particularly for driving arms around a compartment in a waste material digester, comprises a rotatable hub having an inner drive plate and a ratchet plate secured thereto for rotation therewith. Positionally opposed, parallel piston and cylinder drive reciprocatably drive an outer drive plate, drive arms pivotally carried on the outer drive plate engaging with drive pins on the inner drive plate to drive the hub in one direction. Movement of the hub in the opposite direction is prevented by latches engaging with respective shoulders of the ratchet plate when the outer drive plate moves in said opposite direction.

Abstract: The position of a lever is adjustable relative to its bearing via a locking clip that is arranged opposite to a catch. The lever is arranged in a bearing shell with a ball therein in which the lever is arranged so as to be displaceable with the catch attached. The locking clip is guided in the walls of the ball, and the locking of the locking clip and catch in the closed state of the bearing shell forms a positive engagement. The adjustable ball bearing apparatus for shift levers and selector levers compensates for tolerances in the installation of a lever between the ball, the bearing shell, and the axis of the lever.

Abstract: A vehicle handlebar grip for use in a bicycle or motorcycle is disclosed to include a plastic grip body peripherally covered with a flexible covering, the grip body having an axially extended mounting hole for mounting onto the vehicle handlebar, two annular end grooves at two ends, and two radial through holes in communication with the annular end grooves, two locating rings respectively fitted into the end grooves of the grip body, the locating rings each having a radial screw hole, and two tightening up screws respectively inserted through the through holes of the grip body and threaded into the screw holes of the locating rings to fix the locating rings and the grip body to the vehicle's handlebar.