Abstract: A power grass mower (1; 100; 200) comprising a grass cutter (6) disposed under a mower body (2), a cutter housing (7; 107), a travelling mechanism (3, 4; 203, 204, 201) adapted to have the mower (1; 100; 200) travel, a power source (5) mounted on the mower body (2) to drive the cutter (6) and the travelling mechanism (3, 4; 203, 204, 201), and a handle member (14) connected to the mower body (2). The power grass mower (1; 100; 200) further comprises a handle position setting mechanism (39) for interconnecting a lower end part (14c) of the handle member (14) with the mower body (2), such that the handle member (14) is selectively turningly movable in the plan view thereof, relative to the mower body (2), substantially about the lower end part (14c) thereof, and for locking to set the handle member (14) at a voluntarily selected turning position thereof.

Abstract: A method for playing a plurality of segments, selected from a plurality of reference segments recorded on each of a plurality of video tape recorders in a known recorded sequence, provides for a continuous replay without the need for creating a master tape. The playback sequence, defined for example by an edit decision list, defines an order different than the order in which the reference segments have been recorded and typically represents all or part of a program. The method provides for playing successive segments with different tape recorders so that the various tape recorders have sufficient time to reach their next assigned segment. The method further provides for continuous replay of the program until interrupted by an external command.

Abstract: A rack-and-pinion steering gear device has a mechanism for adjusting backlash and eliminating lost motion or play between a rack and a pinion. The pinion is formed on a pinion shaft angularly movably supported by a pinion holder, the pinion shaft having an axis out of alignment with the central axis of the pinion holder. The pinion holder is angularly movably supported in a housing such that the relative positions of these components with respect to each other are adjustable. A subpinion is supported on the pinion shaft for angular movement with respect to the pinion, the pinion and the subpinion being held in mesh with the rack. The subpinion is normally urged by a resilient member in a direction to turn with respect to the pinion. By adjustably turning the pinion holder with respect to the housing, the backlash between the rack and the pinion is adjusted and the lost motion or play between the rack and the pinion is eliminated by the subpinion.

Abstract: A fluid-filled bushing with variable damping forces includes an inner tube, an outer tube, an elastomeric body joining the inner and outer tubes, a plurality of fluid chambers defined by the elastomeric body between the inner and outer tubes in circumferentially spaced relationship, a fluid passage for providing communication between the fluid chambers, a valve disposed in the inner tube for controlling fluid flow through the fluid passage, and a valve actuator for actuating the valve. The fluid passage includes a plurality of first passages defined in the inner tube and each communicating with one of the fluid chambers, and a plurality of second passages defined in the valve and communicable with the first fluid passages, respectively, the second fluid passages cooperating with the first fluid passages in varying cross-sectional areas thereof.

Abstract: A trailing arm suspension includes a holder pivotally supported on a vehicle body by a first pivot shaft extending substantially longitudinally of the vehicle body and supporting a second pivot shaft extending substantially transversely of the vehicle body, a trailing arm pivotally supported by the second pivot shaft on the holder and having a spindle mounted on a rear portion thereof for rotatably supporting a wheel, and a plurality of links have first ends thereof coupled to the trailing arm and extending substantially transversely of the vehicle body. The point at which the trailing arm is pivotally supported by the second pivot shaft can easily be displaced transversely through swinging movement of the holder about the axis of the first pivot shaft. A rubber bushing interposed between the trailing arm and the second pivot shaft can be harder or higher in rubber rigidity in the longitudinal and vertical directions of the vehicle body for limiting changes in wheel alignment when wheels are driven or braked.

Abstract: There is disclosed a cover structure in a power transmission device comprising a casing having an open side, a driver shaft rotatably supported by the casing, a driven shaft rotatably supported by the casing and drivable by the driver shaft, a power transmission mechanism housed in the casing for transmitting rotative power from the driver shaft to the driven shaft, a starter mechanism housed in the casing and engageable with the driver shaft for starting an engine, and cover means covering the open side of the casing. The cover means comprises a plurality of cover members, a cover member which supports the starter mechanism being securely coupled to the casing, the remaining cover member or members being coupled to the casing through a resilient member or members.

Abstract: An apparatus regarding a wood workpiece or the like when being routered or cut on a drill press or like machine, comprising, in combination a substantially flat member, first means regarding routering or cutting of the workpiece operably attached in a predetermined manner to said flat member, and second means for attaching said flat member to said drill press or other like machine.

Abstract: A motor vehicle includes at least one steerable wheel, at least one drive wheel, a frame supporting the steerable and drive wheels, a power unit assembly mounted on the frame between the steerable and drive wheels, a speedometer supported on a front portion of the frame. The power unit assembly includes a crankcase, a gear transmission case connected to the crankcase, and a gear case attached to one side wall of the gear transmission case. A crankshaft is rotatably disposed in the crankcase. An output shaft operatively coupled to the crankshaft is rotatably disposed in the gear transmission case. A pair of bevel gears meshing with each other is rotatably mounted in the gear case and operatively coupled to the output shaft. A propeller shaft is connected between one of the bevel gears and the drive wheel. A speedometer cable has one end operatively coupled to the one bevel gear and the opposite end operatively coupled to the speedometer.

Abstract: An apparatus for steering the front and rear wheels of a motor vehicle includes a detector for detecting an effect of operation by a driver of the motor vehicle on the behavior of the motor vehicle, and a rear wheel steering control device for returning the rear wheels to a neutral steering position when a rate of change of a detected output from said detecting means is in excess of a prescribed value. The apparatus may further include another control device for variably controlling the ratio of a rear wheel steering angle to a front wheel steering angle according to a speed of the motor vehicle. The detector comprises a steering angle sensor for detecting a steering angle of the front wheels or a speed sensor for detecting the speed of travel of the motor vehicle. The rate of change of the detected output is calculated by said rear wheel steering control device from time-series steering angle data or speed data produced from information generated by said steering angle or speed sensor.

Abstract: There is disclosed a power lawn mower which comprises a carriage having a top deck and side walls, a pair of front wheels, a pair of rear wheels having corresponding wheel axle shafts, a cutting mechanism having a rotary cutting element, a prime mover mounted on the top deck of the carriage and having an output shaft drivingly connected to the cutting element to rotate the same, and a rear wheel drive mechanism for transmitting driving power of the prime mover to the rear wheels and including at least one drive shaft. In this arrangement, the carriage includes front and rear openings. The front wheels are independently supported on the front portion of the carriage and the rear wheels are independently supported on the rear portion of the carriage. Further, front and rear guard members are swingably mounted to the lower surface of front and rear portions of the top deck, respectively.

Abstract: A wheel suspension in a road vehicle having a frame includes a longitudinal arm extending substantially in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and having a front end, a rear end, and an intermediate portion. The longitudinal arm also having, on the rear end, a member for supporting the wheel and, on the intermediate portion, a member for pivotally coupling the longitudinal arm to the frame. The wheel suspension further includes a guide assembly for controlling movement of the longitudinal arm in a transverse direction of the vehicle while allowing the rear end of the longitudinal arm to move substantially in a vertical direction. The guide assembly comprises a first lateral link having a first end coupled to the frame and a second end coupled to the front end of the longitudinal arm, the first lateral link extending substantially in the transverse direction of the vehicle, and a link assembly coupling the frame and the longitudinal arm to each other and cooperating with the first lateral link.

Abstract: A body construction for a motor scooter vehicle, is supported by a vehicle frame assembly comprising a front frame having a head tube on a front end thereof and a rear frame, and comprises a front cover covering the head tube and a front half portion of the front frame, a central cover covering the rear frame, a floor panel disposed on a rear half portion of the front frame between the front cover and the central cover, and a pair of laterally spaced rear covers cooperating with the central cover in surrounding an engine and its exhaust system. The floor panel has at least a portion integral with the central cover. The rear covers are arranged to cover sides of the floor panel. Each of the rear covers has a side portion extending in covering relation to a side of the vehicle frame assembly, and a substantially flat upper portion bent inwardly from an upper edge of the side portion, the upper portion having at least one outlet opening defined therein for discharging hot air out of the rear cover therethrough.

Abstract: An automatic parts feeder has a bed, a base movable on the bed in a first direction, a hopper assembly mounted on the base, a delivery mechanism, a transfer mechanism, and a supply mechanism for supplying parts to a processing machine. The supply mechanism supplies the parts in a second direction normal to the first direction, and includes a movable assembly movable in both the first and second directions, a swing arm pivotally supported on the movable assembly and angularly movable in a plane normal to the second direction between a substantially vertical upstanding position and an inclined position, and parts receivers detachably mounted on the swing arm for receiving, holding, and releasing the parts.

Abstract: A motor vehicle with a handlebar includes a vehicle frame assembly, at least one front wheel rotatably supported on the vehicle frame assembly, at least one rear wheel rotatably supported on the vehicle frame assembly, an engine mounted on the vehicle frame assembly between the front and rear wheels, and a hydraulicaly operated power steering system operatively coupled to the handlebar. The power steering system comprising a substantially cylindrical housing, an input shaft rotatably supported in the housing and coupled to the handlebar, an output shaft rotatably supported in the housing coaxially with the input shaft and operatively coupled to the front wheel, a hydraulically actuated vane motor coupled to the output shaft for applying a torque to the output shaft, and a control valve mechanism combined with the input and output shafts for controlling the vane motor based on a relative angular difference between the input and output shafts. The housing serves as part of the vehicle frame assembly.

Abstract: A cutter housing for use in a power-driven lawn mower has a substantially cylindrical skirt wall and a top wall covering the upper end of the skirt wall. The top wall has a substantially central recess for accomodating the engine of the lawn mower and includes a pair of half members positioned one on each side of the recess and lying substantially flush with each other in symmetrical and contiguous relation. The cutter housing also has a rear housing portion extending rearwardly in contiguous relation to the skirt wall and the top wall, and a partition disposed in the rear housing portion and dividing the rear housing portion into two spaces. The skirt wall, the top wall, the rear housing portion, and the partition are integrally molded of synthetic resin.

Abstract: A motorcycle having a fairing and a radiator. The motorcycle includes a head pipe fixedly mounted on a front end of a motorcycle frame and inclined rearwardly with respect to a vertical line, a radiator disposed forwardly of the head pipe substantially parallel to an axis thereof and positioned in a plane lying normally to the longitudinal axis of a motorcycle body, and an instrument cluster unit disposed in a slanted plane extending upwardly and forward from above the radiator. A headlight is disposed in a recess defined between the instrument cluster unit and the radiator and having a substantially V shape as viewed in side elevation. A fairing covers the headlight, the radiator, and the instrument cluster unit.

Abstract: A device for back scraping snow, earth, or other like substances which generally includes a truck having a concave snowplow blade mounted on its front. The blade has shoes provided on its backside, wedge shaped hinged connections mounted on the shoes, and a flat blade mounted pivotably on said wedge brackets. When the flat blade is brought in contact with snow to be scraped and the snowplow blade is moved in a backwardly direction, the snow to be scraped is moved by the flat blade.

Abstract: A damper for use on a motor vehicle has a fluid cylinder, a piston axially slidable in the cylinder, and a piston rod secured to the piston. A seal incorporated in the damper includes an annular contacting portion held in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the piston rod and a resilient connecting portion having one end joined to the contacting portion and the other end secured to the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder. Due to the resiliency of the resilient connecting portion, the contacting portion is movable with the piston rod to a certain extent when the piston rod is moved with respect to the cylinder in a higher-frequency, smaller-amplitude range.

Abstract: A switch attachment structure on a motor vehicle having an handlebar such as a motor scooter, a motorcycle, a snowmobile, or the like includes a handle cover fixed to the handlebar and at least partly covering the handlebar, and a plurality of switches mounted on the handle cover for controlling electric components on the motor vehicle. The handle cover has a plurality of juxtaposed switch attachment seats to which the switches are fittingly attached, respectively.