Abstract: A control mechanism for two consumers includes a flow divider valve (3) which is connected to a pump 2. From flow divider valve (3) springs a flow line (12) for the working flow (A) of a first adjustment device (10) such as a steering motor. Another flow line (13) of the flow divider valve (3) leads via an activation valve (14) to a second adjustment device (15). A pilot flow line (4) connected with the flow divider valve (3) via a measurement diaphragm (3A), is connected with a pilot valve (5). Pilot valve (5) can choke or entirely block the connection from the pilot flow line (4) to a nonreturn line (11) for the purpose of setting a pressure in flow line (12). For purposes of activation, pilot valve (5) is coupled with a steering valve (6) that controls flow line (12) so that both valves can be deflected together during one steering movement. A hydraulic steering unit is provided as the steering mechanism and it includes a rod-set connection from a manual steering wheel to the vehicle wheels.

Abstract: An electrical winch mounted to a drawbar having at one end a receptacle and at the other end a stub. The winch drawbar can be connected between a vehicle hitch and a ball-type hitch member which is then adapted for supporting pulling and downward loads. A trailer can be connected to the ball so that the winch can be utilized to pull loads onto the trailer. Because the winch is load bearing, the loaded trailer can be repositioned or towed at low speeds, via the winch, by the vehicle. Front and rear-mounted hitches allow the winch to be releasably attached thereto for self recovery of the vehicle from either direction.

Abstract: A power-assisted steering system for a vehicle such as an automobile or truck and having an electro-mechanical servo drive. The servo drive directs the wheels to be steered which are journalled on a wheel carrier assembly and coacts with a steering wheel of the vehicle. The steering system includes a controller to which a steering wheel torque and a steering torque are supplied for forming a control difference with the steering wheel torque being generated by the driver when steering. The steering torque is the actuating torque occurring between the servo drive and the wheel carrier and the forces developed on the steering wheel are controlled to pregiven values while considering the mechanical reaction.

Abstract: A safety cable trailer coupler having a steel cable loop for encircling the shank of a ball hitch. The cable is fed through a slidable sleeve and the ends of the cable are pressed into a ferrule, and the ferrule may be bolted to a trailer tongue immediately behind the trailer coupler.

Abstract: A vehicle tow bar includes a transverse cross member which mounts one elongated leg assembly in fixed position at one end of the cross member and a second elongated leg assembly for movement along the cross member between a collapsed condition closely adjacent the first leg assembly and an erected, operative position at the opposite end of the cross member. Stub shafts reinforce the ends of the cross member at the points of maximum stress. The ends of the leg assemblies opposite the cross member are connected to an apex frame which detachably mounts a socket coupler component of a ball and socket trailer hitch. Each leg assembly includes telescopic sections for adjusting the length of the leg assembly, and a locking pin mechanism releasably interconnects the telescopic sections.

Abstract: A fluid-operated transfer clutch provided adjacent a rear differential so as to transmit output torque of a transmission to a front differential. A fluid-operated restricting clutch is provided adjacent the rear differential and disposed between a differential case and a corresponding axle so as to restrict differential operation of the rear differential. Clutch pressure of each clutch is controlled in accordance with driving conditions of the vehicle.

Abstract: A reverse drive apparatus for a motorcycle is disclosed. The apparatus (10) includes a drive wheel (12) for releasably engaging a wheel (15) of the motorcycle (11). The drive wheel (12) is driven by an electric motor (16) which is powered by the motorcycle's battery. Support means (20) are provided for securing the electric motor (16) to a stationary portion, preferably the frame (22), of the motorcycle (11). The support means (20) include means for selectively moving the drive wheel (12) into and out of engagement with the driven wheel (15) of the motorcycle.

Abstract: This invention relates to a collapsible bicycle and in particular to one including a top tube, a seat tube pivotally connected with one end of the top tube, a down tube pivotally connected at the lower end with a lower end of the seat tube and being collapsible at the intermediate portion, a reinforcing tube pivotally connected at the upper end with an intermediate portion of the top tube and having at the lower end two rollers and a spring-loaded positioning member adapting to groove and the recess of the down tube respectively, a head tube fixedly connected with down tube and pivotally connected with the top tube, a handlebar composed of a major bar and an auxiliary bar, and two crank arms pivotally connected with an axle of the bicycle and being able to be folded in alignment with center of the axle.

Abstract: An assembly for coupling a tractor to a trailer comprising a fifth wheel bearing plate and a trailer bearing plate assembly. The trailer bearing plate assembly includes a ring having a collar and is adapted to securely attach to an underside of the trailer. The trailer bearing plate further includes a disk disposed between the collar and the trailer underside.

Abstract: A fully hydraulic power steering apparatus provided with a hydraulic power cylinder driven by turning a steering wheel to provide rear wheels of an industrial vehicle with a pivoting motion, to thereby steer the vehicle, and an error correcting unit for mechanically correcting an error between an angle of turn of the steering wheel and a corresponding stroke motion of the hydraulic power cylinder. The error correcting unit mechanically derives respective linear movements from the angle of turn of the steering wheel and the corresponding stroke of the power cylinder, and utilizes a difference between both mechanical linear movements for operating a directional control valve for controlling a flow of a pressurized oil supplied from a power steering valve unit toward the power cylinder to correct the amount of the stroke of the power cylinder with respect to the amount of angle by which the steering wheel is turned.

Abstract: A four-wheel steering system for an automotive vehicle includes a front wheel steering mechanism operable in response to a steering effort applied thereto to steer a pair of dirigible front road wheels, a rear wheel steering mechanism arranged to steer a pair of dirigible rear road wheels in response to steerage of the front road wheels, and a control apparatus arranged to control the rear wheel steering mechanism in such a manner that the rear road wheels are retained in their neutral positions when the front road wheels are steered at an angle less than a predetermined small angle and that the rear road wheels are steered in an opposite direction relative to the front road wheels when the front road wheels are steered at a larger angle than the predetermined small angle.

Abstract: A transport tank for storing and dispensing a liquid which includes a forward liquid compartment and a rearwardly positioned equipment storage compartment. The liquid compartment is of substantially right parallelepiped configuration. The equipment storage compartment is of inverted L-shaped configuration and includes a forwardly extending upper portion which projects above the level of the roof of the liquid compartment. This configuration allows the tank to be more utilitarian without in any way interfering with its over-the-road transport when it is empty. The equipment storage compartment has a rear wall, and is accessed by at least one door in the rear wall. It is separated from the liquid storage compartment by a vertically extending rear partition wall and a horizontally extending shelf member which extends between and interconnects the rear partition wall and the roof of the liquid compartment.

Abstract: A vehicle such as a tractor having front and rear drive axles with crown wheel and pinions (10 and 11) driven from a prime mover (E) via an inter-axle differential (12). The rear drive axle has left and right hand brakes (40) and the inter-axle differential has a lock (22, 23, 24) for locking-up the differential. The lock is biased to an engaged condition by a spring (25) and an hydraulic actuator (27). A control system (CS) is provided which is arranged to engage the lock (22, 23, 24) when both rear axle brakes (40) are applied.

Abstract: A power transfer apparatus for imparting drive motion to followers. The power transfer apparatus mechanically and rotatably communicates with a driven wheel of a vehicle and transfers rotary power to the non-driven wheel of a vehicle. The present invention teaches a power distribution apparatus for mountain bicycles that mechanically and rotatably communicate with a pedal driven wheel and that transfers rotary power to the non-driven wheel to improve the forward propulsion of the mountain bicycle under rough terrain riding conditions. The power transfer apparatus includes a first caliper assembly having a driver idler and an auxiliary free wheeling idler for engaging a pedal driven wheel of a bicycle, a cable drive system coupled to the driver idler transfers drive motion from the driven wheel to a second caliper assembly having a receiver idler that engages the drive motion to the non-driven wheel.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, at least one front wheel, at least one rear wheel, a motor mounted on the frame and operatively connected to drive the front wheel and the wheel rear, and the gearbox connected to the motor and having an output shaft. A front suspension arm operatively supports the front wheel and is pivotally mounted about the output shaft for pivotal movement in the plane of the front wheel. A rear suspension arm operatively supports the rear wheel and is pivotally mounted about the output shaft of the gearbox for pivotal movement in the plane of the rear wheel.

Abstract: Two-way shock proof and shock absorbing towing coupling, including two opposite planar chain holders, each holder having at least two equally spaced lugs; at least four pairs of chains, each pair having two chain sections, each chain section having a plate link and a joint connected by a pin, two ends of each pair of chains being connected with the opposite lugs on the opposite planar chain holders by pins respectively; two towing frames for connecting with two neighboring vehicles, each frame having at least two arms, each of the arms being connected pivotally with another end of each chain section in each pair of chains, at least one shock proof bearing spring provided between two planar chain holders and the spring being coaxial with the two towing frames, the two nds of the spring abutting against an inner surface of the planar chain holders respectively, and a piston sleeve.

Abstract: In a chassis for a motorcycle including a frame with means for holding a rear wheel, a single pronged swing arm is connected to the forward area of the frame for pivotal movement about a pivot axis parallel to the axis of the rear wheel, with the swing arm near its free forward end being connected to a hub carrier for supporting a forward wheel, a steering mechanism with a handle bar carrier pivotally connected to the frame and a steering linkage with at least two hinge axes perpendicular to one another and to the pivot axis of the handle bar carrier, and a spring and damping device arranged between the swing arm and the frame for damping the movement of the wing, the hub carrier being supported on a stub axle connected with the swing arm for movement about a pivot axis perpendicular to the stub axle, which pivot axis of the hub carrier relative to the stub axle lies in a plane normal to the axis of the forward wheel and located in the middle of the forward wheel with said pivot axis of said hub carrier relat

Abstract: The power steering system of this invention has a motor which provides auxiliary torque for the steering shaft to assist in steering.The maximum level of the motor current is varied in response to the mean motor current at predetermined intervals of time so as to regulate the maximum motor current and thereby prevent overheating or burning of the motor when, for example, the steering wheel is held for a long time in an extreme position.

Abstract: A hand operated propulsion drive mechanism for a wheelchair which has a driven gear (20) attached to the wheel of the wheelchair. A drive gear (26) is rotatably mounted to a support arm bracket (30) and intermeshes teeth with the driven gear. A hand crank (36) with a handle (40) allows a disabled person to propel the wheelchair by rotating the handle. A protective disc (38) covers the drive gear and also becomes part of the hand crank further allowing adjustment of the rotational radius of the drive using a slot (46) and removable mounting hardware. A second embodiment adds additional drive gears (26') to relocate the hand crank at different positions and the support arm bracket (30') is wide enough to cover the gears.

Abstract: A hitch device adapted to be mounted on a draft vehicle for towing a trailer vehicle having a tongue with a latch pin hole, including a rearward biased yoke member normally engaging and retaining a downward biased latch pin in an elevated armed position. When the draft vehicle is moved rearward toward the tongue, the yoke member is engaged and thrust forward by the tongue to release the latch pin which is thrust downward through the aligned latch pin hole in the tongue. Remote-control means are provided for elevating the latch pin in order to unlatch the draft tongue.