Abstract: A motorized power steering apparatus for a vehicle has a torque sensor including a right turn potentiometer and a left turn potentiometer which generate output voltages corresponding to the steering torque during a right turn or a left turn, respectively. A motor controller controls the output torque of a drive motor which generates an auxiliary steering force corresponding to the output voltage of one of the potentiometers. A logic circuit prevents current from being supplied to the motor when both of the potentiometers generate an output voltage at the same time.

Abstract: An anti-jackknifing coupling device, for an articulated veicle such as a tractor-trailer combination, comprising a base member for mounting upon the tractor. A turntable member is rotatably mounted upon the base member, and a trailer support member is supported upon, and rotatable with, the turntable. The trailer support member, usually called a "fifth wheel", serves to releasably couple the trailer. A piston-and-cylinder device is connected at its one end to the turntable and at its other end to the base member, so taht it extends substantially diametrically across the turntable member when the vehicle is straight. As the tractor and trailer pivot, the trailer support member and turntable rotate together relative to the base member, causin contraction of the piston-and-cylinder device. The trailer support member will usually be able to tilt relative to the turntable about a lateral pivot axis.

Abstract: A handy attachment for a mechanics creeper that provides a tool storage tray and a plurality of lights for illuminating areas of a vehicle body that would otherwise be indistinct. One or more high intensity lights are mounted on the attachment to illuminate partially hidden vehicle surfaces, e.g. grease-encrusted bolt heads recessed upwardly within small clearance spaces. The attachment includes means for operatively mounting thereon dry cell batteries, used to power the lights.

Abstract: A steering system for a motor vehicle having power steering means including an actuator for turning steerable road wheels of the motor vehicle includes a control mechanism for eliminating a deviation between a desired direction of travel of the motor vehicle and an actual direction of travel of the motor vehicle, based on an output signal from a direction indicating mechanism which indicates the desired direction and an output signal from a direction detecting mechanism which detects the actual direction. The control mechanism determines a target turning angle for the steerable road wheels dependent on the deviation between the desired direction and the actual direction, and controls the power steering mechanism to turn the steerable road wheels up to the target turning angle.

Abstract: The subject-matter is a motor vehicle having a drive system which acts on the wheels of an axle via an automatic limited-slip differential (ASD) in dependence on the driving speed and on the slip of the driving wheels, rotational-speed sensors being provided for each vehicle wheel and a control logic circuit being provided which processes the signals of the rotational-speed sensors and other signals to form control signals for connecting and disconnecting the limited-slip differential, taking into consideration the driving-dynamic aspects in the respective driving condition, the limited-slip differential being combined with a wheel slip control (ASR) which exclusively acts on the drive torque of the vehicle engine in order to ensure a high measure of traction and driving stability overall with low expenditure.

Abstract: A steering system for use in a towing vehicle-steering trailer assembly, wherein all trailer axles are load-bearing and fixed. The steerable trailer includes a sectored radian steering mechanism which comprises a sectored rack-and-pinion mechanism keyed to the towing vehicle fifth wheel plate. The sectored rack-and-pinion mechanism provides a steering output signal proportional to the relative angle between the towing vehicle and the steerable trailer which approaches an asymptote and thus allows the towing vehicle to turn in relation to the steered trailer without generating the steering mechanism output signal.

Abstract: A Drive-slip control device for motor vehicles in which, when a driven vehicle wheel spins, this wheel is braked and wherein when both driven wheels spin, the engine power is additionally reduced. Spinning of the drive wheels is recognized by means of rotational-speed sensors and an electronic system and when a spin signal is present on account of a differential-speed threshold value between driven and non-driven vehicle axles being exceeded, the power of the engine is reduced in a controlled manner by the electronic system during the duration of the spin signal by means of a final control element. When the spin signal stops, the power of the engine is increased again in a controlled manner to the target value predetermined by the driver by means of the accelerator.

Abstract: The present invention solves the problems of the electrical surge and reduced reliability related to the shock loading experienced by previous two wheeled vehicle stands when the stand member contacts the ground during the time it is being driven by the stand motor to a position for supporting the two wheeled vehicle. This is achieved by having a drive mechanism consisting of a plurality of reduction gears to transmit the drive from the stand motor to the stand member, thereby reducing the torque loading on the stand motor, and by mounting the drive mechanism so that it can move relative to the body of the two wheeled vehicle when the stand member first contacts the ground, and restricting this movement with a buffer device which absorbs the shock loading.

Abstract: A frame extension system for adapting male and/or female bicycles to support a child seated within a child carrier seat in a position in front of the rider, behind the handle bars, in order to maximize child safety and to maintain the center of gravity between the front and rear wheels.

Abstract: A carriage conveying apparatus has a loaded carriage to be conveyed, and a driving vehicle for coupling, towing and conveying the carriage from below the carriage. Since the vertical load of the carriage is transmitted to the driving vehicle, controlled to a proper magnitude, the driving vehicle may be reduced in size and weight, and it is also possible to have stable travel if the carriage is empty. By designing all three wheels so as to be driven and steered, sideways and spin-turn motions are realized. By providing recognition marks and detecting means, it is possible to position the driving vehicle accurately if the setting position of the carriage deviates.

Abstract: A stand for a bicycle that supports it at an angle, the stand comprising a single elongated member which attaches to the bicycle at two locations by means of slotted members which encircle the chain stays and crank spindle to support the bicycle. The opposite end of the elongated member serves to contact the ground, having a flat, angled surface adapted for this purpose. The stand is readily installed and removed, and is stored in a second location on the bicycle when the bicycle is in use.

Abstract: A torque distribution control system for a four-wheel drive vehicle has an engine output controller which controls the output of the engine of the vehicle, a braking controller which separately controls the braking forces applied to the left wheels and the right wheels and/or the braking forces applied to the front wheels and the rear wheels. A torque distribution changing system determines the torque distribution to the wheels according to the running condition of the vehicle and controls the braking controller and the engine output controller to apply a braking force to one of the front wheels and the rear wheels or one of the left wheels and the right wheels and to increase the output of the engine by an amount substantially corresponding to the braking force applied to the one of the front wheels and the rear wheels or the one of the left wheels and the right wheels so that the torque distribution determined according to the running condition of the vehicle can be obtained.

Abstract: In a traction control system for motor vehicles, the design is made such that during traction control operation, detection is made as to whether both the left-hand and the right-hand driving wheel speed have become equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value, and detection is also made as to whether one of the driving wheel speeds which is increasing and the other one of the driving wheel speeds which is decreasing, have crossed each other; when the results of such detections are both "YES", this is regarded as an indication that a hunting phenomenon is likely to occur, and in response thereto, buildup and reduction of the brake hydraulic pressure is restricted; during the restriction, detection is made as to whether both of the driving wheel speeds have become equal to or lower than the predetermined threshold value, the above-mentioned restriction is removed.

Abstract: The hub (3) of the bicycle (1) is connected to a chain-driven sprocket (10, 12) through a sleeve (11) carrying the sprocket(s), and through a driving mechanism which comprises a driving member (15) slidable inside the sleeve (11) and driven in rotation by this sleeve, and a driven member (16) slidable on the fixed axle (8) of the hub. The driving member (15) and the driven member (16) which is linked to the hub (3) through a free-wheel device (19, 24, 25) both carry cams (27) producing an axial thrust which pushes these members (15, 16) apart when they are rotated. This axial thrust is applied through a thrust bearing (33-36) to a sensing device comprising a strain gauge (29) mounted on a flexible non-rotating disk (28) carried on the fixed axle (8). Signals from the sensor are processed by a measuring and display device (6) attached to the handlebar, so that the rider may know at all times the value of the torque transmitted to the wheel.

Abstract: A bicycle accessory for carrying a coiled shackle in which an elongated arm and a mechanism for releasably securing a coiled shackle to the elongated arm are provided. In one embodiment the carrier accessory includes a clip having lower and upper arms which extend outwardly from a mechanism for securing the accessory to a bicycle. In preferred embodiments a hinged lid is attached to the distal end of one of the arms in such a manner that a portion of the hinged lid and a portion of the other arm form a locking system. When a coiled shackle is inserted between the upper and lower arms of the carrier accessory, the arms may then be locked together by the lid to form a closed, and normally tightened carrier accessory for a coiled shackle, with or without a padlock. In another embodiment, the carrier accessory of the present invention includes a lower arm, which extends outwardly from a mechanism for securing the accessory to a bicycle, and a flexible strap which extends above the lower arm.

Abstract: In a traction control system for motor vehicles, a plurality of threshold values which are higher than the vehicle speed (equal to the non-driving wheel speed) are set up; the wheel speed as increasing or decreasing is compared with the above-mentioned plurality of threshold values to effect buildup or reduction of the brake fluid pressure; and holding of the brake fluid pressure is effected on the basis of a variation in the acceleration/deceleration of the driving wheel; in the case where the holding control mode in which the brake fluid pressure is held, persists for a predetermined time period or longer when the driving wheel speed is higher than a specific one of the above-mentioned plurality of threshold values, the holding control mode is switched to buildup control mode.

Abstract: A trailer aligning and hitching apparatus (10) for towing vehicles (100) and a trailer having a tongue (14) wherein the apparatus (10) includes: a ball equipped hitch unit (11) associated with the trailer tongue (14); and, a base unit (12) associated with the rear of a towing vehicle (100); wherein the base unit (12) includes a base housing member (17) having an enlarged housing cavity (22) that extends through the face (21) and the top (20) of the housing member (17) whereby a ball element (15) will enter the housing member (17) through the face opening a shaft element (16) attached to the ball element (15) will pass through both the face and the top openings in the housing member (17) such that the ball element (15) will be held captive in the housing member (17) when a slidable lock bar member (31) is inserted through the housing member (17).

Abstract: A self-propelled vehicle wherein a platform is mounted overlying a trio of support members wherein the platform is provided with a rearwardly and upwardly extending guard overlying a caliper arrangement mounted to a central support column of the trio of columns. Forwardly the columns fixedly are mounted to a support cylinder rotatably mounting a steering column therethrough. An uppermost end of the steering column pivotally mounts a handlebar wherein the handlebar is provided with an outwardly extending handlebar flange that fixedly mounts an uppermost end of a drive link with a lowermost end of the drive link mounted eccentrically to a drive disk secured to a remote end of a axle rotatably mounting the forward wheel of the vehicle. Oscillation of the handlebar relative to the steering column rotatably drives the drive disk and the forward wheel.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for steering a motor vehicle with a conventional steerable front axle and a steerable rear axle, in which the vehicle speed (V) and the front wheel steering angle (LWV) are detected in order to turn the rear wheels as a function of the vehicle speed (V) and the front wheel steering angle (LWV), with a limit angle (LWVgr) for the front wheel steering angle (LWV), being determined depending on the particular speed at which the vehicle is actually traveling (Vist). When a steering maneuver occurs, the actual front wheel steering angle (LWVist) is then continuously compared to the limit angle (LVWgr), and the rear wheels are turned in the same direction when the actual front wheel steering angle (LWVsit) is greater than or equal to the limit angle (LWVgr).

Abstract: A pintle hook type tractor-trailer coupling component for heavy duty use. Multiple detent and safety hook means are provided for maintaining it securely, but releasably, in its operative position, coupled to the eye component of a pulling truck or tractor. Automatic take-up means assure a snug fit between the hook and the eye, irrespective of wear.