Abstract: A spherical element is disclosed having an external pivotably mounted bail counterbalance by an internal counterweight where the sphere is operable over plane surfaces and water supporting a variety of counterbalanced instrumentalities upon the bail and maintained upright by the counterweight when the spherical unit is moving, as well as when at rest.

Abstract: An off road vehicle of the kind having fluid-distensible bag rollers for supporting the vehicle load uses bag rollers which are constructed to afford maximum flexibility in both the walls and tread and which are also constructed to be dynamically balanced.A top drive roller is associated with a bag roller in certain embodiments of the off road vehicle in ways which minimize bag wear.Specific bag constructions are provided for improved operation of the off road vehicle for on-highway use.The bag roller in a fixed position serves as a transport device for supporting and moving material having uneven and/or fragile surfaces and, in a specific embodiment, is mounted in a support for use as a transportation element in a conveyer system, or as a forceful puller for lineal objects, such as pipelines, accommodating uneven dimensions.

Abstract: An off road vehicle of the kind having fluid-distensible bag rollers for supporting the vehicle load uses bag rollers which are constructed to afford maximum flexibility in both the walls and tread and which are also constructed to be dynamically balanced.The vehicle also incorporates suspensions which effectively dampen oscillation of the bag rollers to facilitate and to permit high speed operations of the vehicle across rough terrain.A top drive roller is associated with a bag roller in certain embodiments of the off road vehicle in ways which minimize bag wear.Specific bag constructions are provided for improved operation of the off road vehicle for on-highway use.The vehicle includes two frame sections which are connected to permit frame (yaw) steering and swiveling (roll) between the two sections while preventing a bending between the frame sections (pitch) to thereby provide a strong back mode of operation. When equipped with 4 bags on each frame, the vehicle permits increased speed over rough terrain.

Abstract: An off road vehicle of the kind having fluid-distensible bag rollers for supporting the vehicle load uses bag rollers which are constructed to afford maximum flexibility in both the walls and tread and which are also constructed to be dynamically balanced. The vehicle also incorporates suspensions which effectively dampen oscillation of the bag rollers to facilitate and to permit high speed operations of the vehicle across rough terrain. A top drive roller is associated with a bag roller in certain embodiments of the off road vehicle in ways which minimize bag wear. Specific bag constructions are provided for improved operation of the off road vehicle for on-highway use. The vehicle includes two frame sections which are connected to permit frame (yaw) steering and swiveling (roll) between the two sections while preventing a bending between the frame sections (pitch) to thereby provide a strong back mode of operation.

Abstract: An off road vechile of the kind having fluid-distensible bag rollers for supporting the vehicle load uses bag rollers which are constructed to afford maximum flexibility in both the walls and tread and which are also constructed to be dynamically balanced. The vehicle also incorporates suspensions which effectively dampen oscillation of the bag rollers to facilitate and to permit high speed operations of the vehicle across rough terrain. A top drive roller is associated with a bag roller in certain embodiments of the off road vehicle in ways which minimize bag wear. Specific bag constructions are provided are improved operation of the off road vehicle for on-highway use. The vehicle includes two frame sections which are connected to permit frame (yaw) steering and swiveling (roll) between the two sections while preventing a bending between the frame sections (pitch) to thereby provide a strong back mode of opertion.

Abstract: An arctic vehicle is provided for the rapid transport of goods, machinery, and personnel over ice, snow and frozen ground surfaces.The vehicle is supported partially while at rest and/or under way by a cushion of air which is entrained by a system of seals. Seals along the sides terminate in runners for guiding and partially supporting the vehicles. A cutter system is deployed in front of each runner to form smooth running tracks or furrows over ice, snow, and frozen ground surfaces. A transverse cutter may be deployed in front of the forward transverse seal for removing major ice protrusions between the runners, to reduce seal leakage and wear, and improve ride characteristics. The cut tracks, in addition to providing smooth transit, engage the runners and side seals to prevent lateral shifting of the vehicle by the action of crosswinds and sideslopes.The vehicle may be self-propelled or towed.

Abstract: A cleated roller enclosing an internal combustion engine is provided with two handles containing means for engaging the posterior of a skier. The engine is mounted within the roller on a frame which in turn is mounted to both of the roller hubs which are hollow. The roller hubs are connected to the handles. The engine's output shaft is operatively connected to both end walls of the roller so as to rotate the roller relative to the roller hubs. The roller hubs are in direct fluid communication with the atmosphere outside the roller so as to permit efficient cooling of the engine by a forced airflow through the hubs and the roller.

Abstract: A detachable car rack is adapted to support a surfboard or similar elongated object atop a car mounting surface such as its roof. To preclude marring or similar finish damage, a pair of elongated, compressible support pads are disposed at a spaced distance from each other between the mounting surface and the surfboard. With each support pad there are provided a frame member, and first and second lengths of strap extending from opposite ends of the support pad to slidably pass through the frame member and form a loop that is adjustable to tightly gird the surfboard. Each length of strap folds back to extend away from the frame member to a remote end where there is attached an anchor such as a hook for gripping an edge of the mounting surface such as is commonly provided by a gutter extending along the respective side of the car roof.

Abstract: A suspension for off-road vehicles having a vehicle frame supported on flexible wall, fluid distensible rollers through a plurality of support rolls rotatably mounted to the frame. Each support roll contacts at least one roller, the axes of the rolls being parallel to the axes of the rollers and positioned vertically offset by an angle between 5.degree. and 19.degree. measured from the vertical. Means is also provided for positioning the rollers relative to the support rolls and maintaining a preselected contact pressure therebetween, these pressures being adjustable to accommodate various road and operating conditions.