Abstract: A towing vehicle has a front axle carrying at least one wheel, and a rear axle, the wheels of which are steerable and drivably connected to an engine of the vehicle. A coupling mechanism is carried by the vehicle frame and provided to give substantially rigid interconnection of the vehicle frame and an object which is to be towed. A lifting mechanism is provided and is adapted to allow lifting of the front wheels from the ground when the coupling mechanism is in engagement with the object. The lifting mechanism acts between at least a part of the vehicle frame and the front wheels.

Abstract: A rolling contact suction system for vehicle braking and adhesion, in one embodiment comprising a suction cylinder adapted to be mounted on a vehicle for rolling contact with the surface upon which the vehicle moves; a plurality of suction disks contained in a surface layer of, and positioned within the profile of, the suction cylinder, the surface layer being made of a resilient material; and passageway within the suction cylinder for allowing the passage way of air from inside each suction disk, operable only when the internal volume of the suction disk is decreased.

Abstract: A vehicle attachment has a pivoting frame connected to the rear driven axle of a vehicle, drivable wheels mounted on opposite ends of a drivable axle, an adjustable tension element that is capable of providing varying degrees of downward force on the drivable wheels. A sprocket is connected to the vehicle rear axle and another sprocket is connected to the drivable axle, the two sprockets being interconnected by a chain such that rotation of the vehicle rear axle causes rotation of equal velocity of the drivable axle.

Abstract: The trailer disclosed is hitched to an all-terrain vehicle, particularly an all-terrain tricycle, not just by the conventional universal-swiveling trailer hitch but also by spring struts. The springs extend and converge forwards and upwards from the ends of the trailer axle to attachment points behind the seat of the vehicle. The springs aid in making the combined vehicle and trailer more manageable over rough ground. The springs especially curb a tendency of a tricycle when under power to rear up at the front. The invention is particularly for use when tracks are added between the trailer wheels and the vehicle wheels.

Abstract: A six-wheeled motor vehicle has a pair of front wheels, a pair of middle wheels and a pair of rear wheels. These six wheels are supported on a frame and driven by an engine. The vehicle has the arrangement in which the engine is disposed between the axles of the middle wheel and the rear wheel, or, in a second embodiment, between the axles of the front wheel and the middle wheel. A footrest is disposed between the front wheel and the middle wheel in the first embodiment, and between the middle wheel and the rear wheel in the second embodiment. Due to this arrangement, the load on each wheel is substantially equalized with each other.

Abstract: A motorcycle sidecar apparatus attaches to a motorcycle. The sidecar has an independent reverse drive and is controllable in the forward and reverse directions from either the motorcycle or the sidecar. It is particularly adapted for the use of wheelchair-bound handicapped persons. The invention also includes a suspension mechanism which cushions the ride and a hand-operated gear shift which facilitates operation of the vehicle from the sidecar. Finally, the sidecar incorporates a new type of wheel mounting assembly.

Abstract: An agricultural tractor comprises lifting devices to which are hitched rotary supports in the form of rollers. The lifting devices push the rollers downwardly relatively to the rest of the tractor. This transfers some or all of the weight of the tractor to the rollers which reduces or eliminates pressure on the underlying surface, and consequent soil compaction, applied by wheels of the tractor. The rotary supports may be drivable and improve traction. If all of the weight of the tractor is placed on the rotary supports, the wheels are raised from the ground.A system is also described for automatically detecting and eliminating or correcting for skidding of the wheels of the tractor.

Abstract: An agricultural tractor comprises lifting devices to which are hitched rotary supports in the form of rollers. The lifting devices push the rollers downwardly relatively to the rest of the tractor. This transfers some or all of the weight of the tractor to the rollers which reduces or eliminates pressure on the underlying surface, and consequent soil compaction, applied by wheels of the tractor. The rotary supports may be drivable and improve traction. If all of the weight of the tractor is placed on the rotary supports, the wheels are raised from the ground.A system is also described for automatically detecting and eliminating or correcting for skidding of the wheels of the tractor.

Abstract: An agricultural type tractor with lifting devices on the front, rear and both sides for agricultural implements. Each pair of rear drivable wheels which are in tandem pivot about a common axle and each pivotable pair of such wheels is driven by a separate hydraulic motor, with each motor, however, connected to a common control whereby the velocity of the wheels on one side can be increased while the velocity of those on the other is decreased for steering around curves and the like. The arrangement also provides a hydraulically lockable differential to avoid the spinning of one set of the drivable wheels while the other set does not move due to an obstruction or the like. Outboard of each set of drivable wheels is a rotatable supporting element which is mounted from the tractor's frame so as to be displaceable outwardly and upwardly relative to the adjacent 0010 set of drivable wheels. Each supporting element has two wheel members which receive an endless chain tread.

Abstract: A flexible paddle wheel structure comprises a pair of axially spaced wheels, having flexible rims, such as, for example, pneumatic tires, with pairs of radially spaced, transverse, flexible members extending between, and attached to, the rims. A flexible membrane extends between the transverse members in each pair to form a flexible paddle. The wheels can tilt relative to each other and the whole structure can be arranged to be lifted and lowered.

Abstract: A traction-enhancing device for use with a drive wheel of an automotive vehicle comprises an annular disc mounted on the drive wheel axle inboard of the wheel for rotation therewith, at least one traction element rockably mounted on the inboard face of the disc and normally biased to a rest position, and an actuator mounted on the underside of the vehicle and remotely controlled from the vehicle instrument panel to enable an abutment member connected therewith to be selectively protracted into or retracted from the nadir of the path of revolving movement of a cam portion of the traction element with the disc. When the vehicle is trapped on a slippery surface, such as mud, snow or ice, and the drive wheels can only spin helplessly, the abutment member may be temporarily protracted toward the rotating annular disc, so that once during each full revolution of the wheel the cam portion of the traction element comes into engagement with and is drawn past the abutment member.

Abstract: An amphibious vehicle including an undercarriage having pairs of front and rear primary wheels, a vehicle body mounted on the undercarriage, a propulsion device operable while the vehicle is afloat and including drive wheel means mounted on arms pivotally secured to the rear of the vehicle so that the height of the drive wheel means may be adjusted by pivoting the arms about a horizontal axis, the drive wheel means having a ribbed pattern thereon.

Abstract: A skateboard having a fifth wheel attached to the board and coupled to a motor mounted on the board for driving the board in response to operation of the motor. The fifth wheel is attached to the board near the longitudinal center of the board and extends through a slot in the board for coupling to the motor. The board is resilient and the diameter of the driven wheel is of such dimension in relation to the height of the board above the ground and of the trucks that support the board, and in relation to the resiliency of the board and the height of its attachment to the board that drive wheel does not contact the ground to drive the board unless the weight of a person on the board is distributed toward the longitudinal center of the board so as to flex the longitudinal center of the board toward the ground.

Abstract: A simple and versatile knock-down scaffold structure is provided, complete in itself, supported on four normally inert corner wheels, and capable, through adjustment and/or substitution of parts, to be varied in length, width and/or height, is modified by the optional addition of a power driving and steering unit comprising a fifth wheel and a reversible, variable speed driving motor therefor, through which the scaffold may be driven forward or backward, being desirably steered and controlled as to speed and direction by a workman on the scaffold. The power driving and steering unit may be varied in height to accommodate whatever variations of height are available in the conventional scaffold structure. It may also be varied in ground pressure to increase the driving traction as desired.

Abstract: A vehicle anti-skid mechanism is a wheel attachment and fits on the outside of a vehicle wheel. The mechanism includes a central portion having an inner pair of plates between an outer pair of plates and tread members pivoted to each pair of plates. Turning the inner pair of plates relative to the outer plates displaces active portions of the tread members outwardly to more or less ground engaging positions. The tread members define the periphery of the mechanism and are configured to interfit with one another in their withdrawn inoperative positions. Hydraulic piston assemblies are mounted around the hub of the mechanism and connected to the inner pair of plates.