Abstract: A fender flare removably secured to a vehicle fender. The flare has an upper edge abutting the fender surface and an intermediate bowed configuration terminating in a flange that underlies an inturned flange of the fender. The flanges are secured together and the upper edge of the flare is fitted with a bonding strip that bonds the full length of the edge to the fender surface. The bonding strip is characterized in having a sufficient thickness to prevent rubbing of the flare edge against the fender, seals the juncture against leaking of contaminants into the cavity defined by the flare, and securely adheres the upper edge of the flare to the fender surface.

Abstract: An automatic brake for vehicle winch that is automatically applied when the applied torque of the drive motor ceases and automatically released upon application of motor torque. The brake features brake pad segments that move radially outward against the interior of the drum to affect braking and retract radially inward to affect releasing of the brake. The pads have tapered ends that mate with opposed frusto-conical shoes. The brake utilizes rotation of a cam rotatable with respect to a cam follower in one direction to force one shoe toward the other to force the pads radially outward to engage the interior surface of the drum. Rotation of the cam with respect to the cam follower in the opposite direction releases the braking action. A wave spring is incorporated to eliminate chatter as the brake is applied and released. The configuration of the brake components provides a conductive path for the dissipation of heat generated by the braking action.

Abstract: A winch having an electronic current limiter to shut off power to the drive motor when a load limit is attained. The electronic current limiter utilizes a linear hall effect transducer mounted in a torroid surrounding a conductor carrying current to the motor. The transducer outputs a voltage which is compared to a regulated preset voltage. The regulated preset voltage is preset at a value that corresponds to the voltage output of the transducer when the maximum allowed current is flowing in the current carrying conductor. The preset voltage establishes a trip point or threshold. The output voltage of the transducer and the preset voltage are compared and when the output voltage of the transducer crosses the threshold or trip point, power to the winch drive motor is shut off. The electronic current limiter includes a reset circuit that requires the motor to be driven in the reverse direction after an overload shut down before the motor may be run in the initial direction.

Abstract: A clutch mechanism for the drive train of a four-wheel drive vehicle for controlling the application of braking power between the front and rear wheels as applied through the drive train. A driving shaft is connected to a driven shaft through a roller clutch assembly and the driven shaft is coupled to a wheel set equipped with anti-lock brakes. The driving shaft has a drive cam race and a driven shaft has a cylindrical race. A cage carries the clutch rollers and is provided with drag shoes biased against a fixed drag ring. The rollers captured by the cage continuously drag against the rotative urging of the driving shaft whereby the rollers engage the cylindrical race with the driving shaft inducing driving rotation of the driven shaft, and disengage with the driving shaft inducing braking rotation of the driven shaft.

Abstract: A running board removably mounted to a vehicle on a sub frame support system. The sub frame support system has brackets adjustably mounted to the vehicle frame which support a receiving frame. The receiving frame is adjustably mounted to the brackets and has a pair of sockets for receiving the supporting members of the running board. The running board is a structural member having shaped support members extending from its ends and configured to mount in the sockets of the receiving frame. The running board is mounted to the vehicle by inserting the supporting members of the running board into the sockets of the receiving frame. Pins retain the support members in the sockets. The running board is removed from the vehicle by merely removing the pins and removing the running board from the receiving frame.

Abstract: A shift assembly for shifting the gears of a transfer case of a vehicle as between two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, neutral and four wheel drive range. A mounting plate rigidly mounted to the transfer case has a bottom configuration characterized by two cut out portions separated by a dependent landing portion. The shaft rod and its support housing are pivoted to the plate with a locating pin protruded from the shift rod through the housing and into the configured cut out portions of the mounting plate. The shift rod is biased upwardly relative to the support housing and is retained by the upward biasing into whichever of the cut out portions it is positioned. Repositioning is accomplished by depression of the rod against the upward biasing and pivoting of the rod to position the locating pin to the other cut out portion or on the landing portion separating the cut out portions. A depression in the landing portion identifies the neutral position.

Abstract: A winch powered by an electric motor. A steel torroid determines the magnetic field generated by the current demand of the motor. A voltage sensitive hall effect switch is provided with a voltage input. The magnetic field detected by the steel torroid is also provided to the hall effect switch. Upon receiving the combined input of magnetic field and voltage, the hall effect switch is activated to shut off the motor. A potentiometer varies the voltage input to the hall effect switch to vary the demand of magnetic field necessary to activate the shut off function.

Abstract: A removable canopy cover for an open truck bed. A cap having an inverted U-shaped rearwardly directed edge is provided over the front end of the bed, and a movable hoop having a forwardly directed edge is provided over the rear of the truck bed. The inwardly directed edges of the side walls, cap and hoop are channeled to receive the conforming edges of a multiple panel cover. The panels are foldable for compact storage and when unfolded, conform to the corresponding inwardly directed edges of the cap, hoop and side walls. The rear hoop is moved rearwardly, the cover positioned at the edges of the cap and the side walls, and the hoop pushed forward to trap and interconnect the cover as between the side walls, cap and hoop. A locking member in the form of a support bar extends between the hoop and cap. The support bar telescopes to permit the rearward movement of the hoop and includes a lock member that locks the bar against telescoping as desired.

Abstract: A hub mechanism for four wheel drive vehicles. Movement of the clutch ring into and out of position for interengaging the pinion of the axle end and a housing portion of the wheel hub, is provided by a pair of opposed spring members. The first spring member provides continuous urging for disengagement. A second spring member is coupled to a camming mechanism that is activated by a manually operated dial. Turning the dial physically moves the second spring member relative to the clutch ring. In a retracted position the strong spring member is backed away from the clutch ring to permit disengagement. Opposite dial turning moves the strong spring member for urging engagement of the clutch ring with the pinion.

Abstract: A winch design for consumer applications wherein the planetary carrier assemblies are split between the two ends of the drum. The drum is mounted on heavy duty brackets and the housing elements surround the planetary carrier assemblies and also, independent of the drum, are mounted to the brackets. The housing elements are molded with the ring gear configured therein. They are produced from the same moldings. Interconnection as between the planetary carrier assemblies is through an interconnect shaft that is driven by the output shaft of the first planetary carrier assembly (coupled to the motor drive shaft) and carries the sun gear of the second planetary carrier assembly.

Abstract: A hydraulic actuated winch adapted to be manually mounted and dismounted from a three point hitch of a farm tractor. The winch is mounted on a specialized mounting member that is specifically designed to quickly mount onto the link connections of the three point hitch. Quick connections are provided on the hydraulic lines of the winch adapted to quick connect into the hydraulic power source of the tractor.

Abstract: A control system for a four wheel drive vehicle wherein the front wheels (or rear wheels in a conventional front wheel drive set up) are automatically engaged and disengaged from the vehicle drive train at both the transfer case and at the front wheel hubs. The engagement and disengagement at the transfer case is accomplished with conventional controls. The engagement and disengagement between the axles and wheel hubs is accomplished by providing concentric gear teeth portions in overlaping sections of the axle and wheel hub. A clutch ring with corresponding gear teeth is moved into and out of simultaneous engagement with the wheel hub and axle to lock them together. A pressure chamber having a movable wall associated with the clutch ring, is connected by an air line and control valve to the intake manifold of the vehicle's engine.

Abstract: A winch is powered by a motor mounted at one end of a drum through a three-stage planetary drive train disposed adjacent the opposite end of the drum. The motor includes a first drive shaft which extends axially into the interior of the drum. The drive train includes a second drive shaft which extends axially into the interior of the drum toward the motor. A brake-clutch assembly is disposed within the interior of the drum and operably interconnects the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft. The brake-clutch assembly operates automatically in response to the direction of the torque being transmitted between the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft. In operation, the brake-clutch assembly permits the second drive shaft to rotate relative to and power the drum to reel in the load on the cable and then frictionally locks the second drive shaft to the inside diameter of the drum to hold the load on the cable when the motor is stopped.

Abstract: A winch (10) is powdered by a motor (20) mounted at one end of a drum (12) through a three-stage planetary drive train (26) disposed adjacent the opposite end of the drum (12 ). The drive train (26) includes elongate drive shaft (25) which extends longitudinally through the interior of the drum (12) toward the motor (20). A brake-clutch assembly (24), disposed within the interior of the drum (12) operably interconnects motor (20) and drive shaft (25). The brake-clutch assembly (24) automatically operates in response to the magnitude and direction of the torque being transmitted between motor (20) and drive shaft (25). In operation, the brake-clutch assembly (24) permits the drive shaft (25) to rotate relative to and power the drum (12) to reel in the loaded drum cable and then frictionally locks the drive shaft (25) to the inside diameter of the drum (12) to hold the load on the drum cable when motor (20 ) is stopped.

Abstract: An improvement to a clutch housing, including a clutch mechanism manually operable to lock and unlock the vehicle axle to the vehicle wheel hub, is disclosed. The improvement comprises the clutch housing attachable to the vehicle wheel hub by a lock ring disposed around the clutch housing. The lock ring engages an annular groove within the vehicle wheel hub allowing the clutch housing to be secured to the wheel hub.

Abstract: An improved clutch of the type having concentric and spaced apart driving and driven members with a clutch ring in engagement with one of the members and urgeable into a simultaneous engagement with the other member is provided. A fixed cam member is provided nonrotational with respect to the driving and driven members. A second cam member is slidably movable around the first cam member whenever the clutch ring is in simultaneous engagement with the driving and driven members. A cam follower is in a cammed engagement with the first cam member and is movable axially apart from the first cam member into cammed engagement with the second cam member. The cam follower further urges the clutch ring into a simultaneous engagement with the driving and driven member whenever the driving member rotates with respect to the driven member.

Abstract: A locking clutch associated with a standard size wheel having a pilot hole opening therein, the clutch being of the type comprising a housing having the clutch mechanism therein including manual means for locking or unlocking the clutch means, the clutch housing comprising an outer body adapted to fit coaxially within the wheel pilot hole opening and having an annular flange at one end with a plurality of wheel stud openings matching the stud openings in the wheel, said annular flange being disposed between the vehicle wheel hub and the wheel and secured to both by the same mounting studs and stud nuts that secure the wheel to the wheel hub.

Abstract: A semi-automatic roller type locking clutch for use between concentric rotational driving and driven members comprises a semi-automatic locking means and a manually activated locking means. The semi-automatic locking means is adapted to displace a plurality of rollers each disposed within a plurality of grooves circumferentially disposed on one member up onto one edge of the grooves and into contact with one edge of each of a plurality of grooves disposed on the other member whenever the driving member rotates faster than the driven member. The manually activated locking means is adapted to urge a clutch ring member slidably splined to one member into splined engagement with the other member when the members are nonrotational with respect to each other.

Abstract: A clutch adapted for use in a four-wheel drive vehicle or the like and between concentric driving and driven members having a plurality of axially extending grooves opening radially toward the other member. A plurality of rollers are disposed within the grooves. Torque responsive means moves the rollers radially out of the grooves to one edge thereof and into contact with the driven member, thereby locking the driven member to the driving member whenever the driving member rotates faster or slower than the driven member. Means responsive to the driven member rotation displaces the rollers from one edge of the grooves to a position on the opposite edge of the grooves and into re-engagement with the driven member, thereby locking the driven member to the driving member whenever the driving member attempts to rotate slower than the driven member.