Abstract: An automatic tire chain for driver operated vehicles includes a chain device that is moved to the road contact surface of a tire from a position adjacent thereto by means of a spring mechanism placed under tension when the chain is held away from the road contact surface of the tire. A pair of rings, one being fixed to the wheel and the other being slideably mounted thereon are provided with indexing slots. The slideable ring has a chain affixed thereon and is moved relative to the fixed ring by an operator activated engaging mechanism mounted on the vehicle. The engaging means engages the indexing slots and moves the slideable ring relative to the fixed ring while the vehicle moves along the road at a speed less than 10 miles per hour placing the chain adjacent to the road contact surface of the tire.

Abstract: A regenerative braking device for an automotive vehicle includes an energy storage assembly (12) having a plurality of rubber rollers (26, 28) mounted for rotation between an input shaft (30) and an output shaft (32), clutches (50, 56) and brakes (52, 58) associated with each shaft, and a continuously variable transmission (22) connectable to a vehicle drivetrain and to the input and output shafts by the respective clutches. In a second embodiment the clutches and brakes are dispensed with and the variable ratio transmission is connected directly across the input and output shafts. In both embodiments the rubber rollers are torsionally stressed to accumulate energy from the vehicle when the input shaft rotates faster or relative to the output shaft and are torsionally relaxed to deliver energy to the vehicle when the output shaft rotates faster or relative to the input shaft.

Abstract: An energy supply device for supplying a predetermined amount of energy by means of rotating rollers driven by an electric motor to a power toy driven by elastic materials is disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a regenerative braking system for an automotive vehicle. The system includes a regenerative braking device and an electronic control therefor. The regenerative device includes a transmission assembly and an energy storage assembly. The transmission assembly includes first and second power paths operative, respectively, when actuated to effect the flow of energy to and from the storage assembly. The storage assembly includes a plurality of cylindrical rubber bars which are torsionally stressed via the first path during vehicle braking and drained of the torsional stress via the second path during vehicle acceleration.

Abstract: An automotive energy absorption, storage and retrieval system consisting primarily of an elastomeric member or the like for absorbing and storing the energy of a moving vehicle when the vehicle is being decelerated, by stretching the elastomeric member, and for transmitting this stored energy, of the stretched elastomeric member, to enable the vehicle to be accelerated.

Abstract: A spring power device is provided which includes a multiturn coil spring having its inner end anchored to a rotatable shaft and its outer end anchored to a large drive gear which is mounted to rotate freely on the shaft. An electric motor is connected to rotate the shaft. Whenever the coil spring winds down, a microswitch senses the radial outward movement of the outermost turn thereof and connects a battery to energize the motor to wind up the inner end of the coil spring at a fast rate. The drive gear is controlled to release the power stored in the coil spring to drive a load.

Abstract: A spring motor for providing motive power for vehicles, in particular automobiles, golf carts and the like, includes a plurality of interconnected spirally-wound spring power cells arranged in parallel relation in a supporting frame. Individual power cells are adapted to be wound in situ independently by manual means or collectively by motorized means.