Abstract: A hydraulic power steering apparatus having a hydraulic cylinder as a source for generating a force assisting a steering force, and comprising a directional control valve which switches the feeding direction of pressured oil to the hydraulic cylinder, and a constraining device which constrains its switching operation responsive to the vehicle speed, characterized in that an oil pressure control valve for controlling oil pressure fed to the directional control valve and constraining device is controlled by pressure of a vehicle speed sensor pump which develops oil pressure corresponding to the vehicle speed, and in that a sudden change of a constraining force caused by external disturbance signals such as electromagnetic waves is prevented and the constraining force corresponding to the vehicle speed can be obtained, by introducing oil pressure, which becomes higher or lower responsive to changes of the vehicle speed, into the constraining device to generate the constraining force responsive to the oil pressur

Abstract: The invention pertains to a motor vehicle with all-wheel steering, comprising a steerable front axle and a steerable rear axle. Associated with the steerable rear axle is an electrical steering gear that can be acted upon by an electronic control unit to turn the rear wheels of the rear axle out of their straight-ahead position. An additional, separate steering device independent of the electrical steering gear, is associated for this purpose with each rear wheel.

Abstract: A rear wheel steering control system comprising a rear wheel steering mechanism, drive motor connected with said rear wheel steering mechanism for actuating the same, target setting means for setting a target steering angle of the rear wheels in accordance with a predetermined factor, motor control unit for controlling said drive motor so as to accomplish the target steering angle of the rear wheels, lock device for preventing the rear wheel steering mechanism from any steering movement when the target steering angle is substantially constant, release device for releasing the lock device to allow the steering movement of the rear wheel steering mechanism even when the target steering angle of the rear wheels is substantially constant under a predetermined condition, the control system is responsive in controlling the steering of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system in which the throttle wire of an automobile engine to be operated by the accelerator pedal is arranged to as well be used for controlling a traction is disclosed.Since the present invention is structured in such a manner that an accelerator pulley and a traction pulley are provided such that they can rotate, the accelerator pulley is arranged to be able to rotate in a first direction in which the throttle is opened by the accelerator wire connected to the accelerator pedal, while the traction pulley is arranged to be able to rotate in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction by an actuator with a traction cable, and the throttle connected to the throttle wire is returned by the rotation of the traction pulley in the second direction, the throttle can be returned to the closing direction as to reduce the engine output when detection of an acceleration slip is arisen at the start or during running of the automobile.

Abstract: A self-locking trailer hitch has a frame arranged for attachment to a vehicle, a housing arranged to slide longtudinally on the frame between extended and retracted positions, a swing bar pivotally attached to the housing to swing laterally about a vertical axis so that a hitch ball on the free end of the swing bar can be moved about for coupling of two vehicles. The swing bar, housing and frame have holes that will align when the swing bar is centered and the housing is extended, and a spring loaded pin that will lock the three holes and, hence, the related parts into extended and centered position when the towing vehicle is driven forward after coupling.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle having a fluid-operated, four wheel steering system for steering not only the front wheel pair, but also the rear wheel pair as a function of the amount of turn of the front wheel pair with respect to the direction of straightforward run of the vehicle. The system makes use of a front cylinder operatively associated with a steering gear assembly and a rear cylinder operated by a fluid medium supplied from the front cylinder for steering the rear wheel pair. In order for the steering system to be responsive to the vehicle running speed thereby to control the amount of turn of the rear wheel pair appropriate for a particular range of vehicle running speed, a device is provided for accommodating a portion of the fluid medium to be supplied to the rear cylinder when the pressure of the fluid medium increases to a value higher than a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A double acting hydraulic shock absorber is connected across first and second fluid conduits that are connected to opposite ends of hydraulic steering motors of an articulated vehicle and to a control unit that is controlled by a steering wheel to control the direction of movement of the vehicle. A pump provides pressurized fluid to the control unit. The shock absorber has a response pressure of a predetermined value and includes a piston in a tubular housing intermediate portion. A first shank is joined to the piston to abut against a first closure that closes one end of the housing to limit movement from the piston's datum position and a second shank joined to the piston to abut against a second closure that closes the opposite end of the housing to limit movement from the datum position toward the second closure.

Abstract: In a power transfer device for four-wheel drive including a differential arranged to split the driving torque from a power transmission into two torque delivery paths, a first output shaft assembly in drive connection to the differential to transfer the split driving torque to front or rear-wheel drive axles and a second output shaft assembly in drive connection to the differential to transfer the split driving torque to rear or front-wheel drive axles, one of the output shaft assemblies being composed of a pair of split shafts, a shift mechanism includes a clutch sleeve slidably mounted on one of the split shafts for rotation therewith and shiftable between a first position where it is engaged with the other split shaft and a second position where it is disengaged from the other split shaft, a manually operated plug member rotatably coupled within a corresponding bore in the peripheral wall of a housing of the transfer device, and a fastening bolt threaded into the peripheral wall of the housing to fasten th

Abstract: A portable standing attachment for wheelchairs has first and second identical side assemblies constructed of front members, side members and stabilizers. The front member has a lower end pivoted on a pin extending laterally from a lower forward frame member of the wheelchair. A forward end of the side member is hinged near an upper end of a front member, and a rearward end of the side member is connected to the backrest frame of the wheelchair. An upper end of the stabilizer is pivotally connected to the front member. The stabilizer extends forward and downward through a guide on the side of a footrest. An upper cross bar has one end pivoted to an upper end of a front member. The other end of the cross bar telescopically connects to the upper end of the other frame member. Convertible armrests/knee supports are connected to the front members. Sliding upward on an armrest releases its upper end to pivot across the frame and to attach to the opposite front member after first twisting the cushion 180.degree.

Abstract: A folding wheelchair that employs a pair of side frames, a rear wheel associated with each frame and a forward caster wheel associated with each frame, a pivotable back with a releasable lock to retain the chair in an open usable position or foldable nonusable position, a wheel shifting plate and link apparatus to effect a folding of the chair to a non-use width as well as allowing the wheels to shift and encompass the frames therebetween within the diameter of the wheels.

Abstract: A bicycle buggy apparatus is set forth including a conventional bicycle provided with a seat and downwardly extending seat stud received within the framework of the bicycle. A sleeve is pivotally mounted about the seat stud and includes a rearwardly extending connecting shaft removably secured to an "S" shaped coupling shaft at an upper end of the coupling shaft with a lower end of the "S" shaped coupling shaft secured to a buggy formed with a seat, spaced parallel sides, an underlying floor, and a mount rigidly secured to a forwardmost edge of the floor connected to the aforenoted coupling shaft.

Abstract: A creeper assembly having a first body portion 11 for supporting the hip and lower spine area of a mechanic and a second body portion 25 pivotally connected thereto, via a swivel joint, for supporting the upper spine, shoulder area and head, is disclosed. The swivel joint includes a clevis 36, tongue 19, ball bearing assembly 60 and connecting pin 38. The openings in clevis 36 and ball bearing journal 61 are provided with an inwardly directed key extension 47, 48 received by key slot 39 in connecting pin 38. Fork detent 40 engages stop pin 42 to limit the horizontal, pivotal movement between body portions 11 and 25. Outrigger mounted wheels 17 and 31 permit the use of larger, more durable support wheels. The swivel connection permits quick evasive movement of the head and shoulders by a mechanic, while working, to prevent or minimize injury and discomfort from being struck with dropped tools, dripping oil or dislodged dirt particles.

Abstract: A towing device for vehicles comprises a transverse support, which is mounted at the rearward end and has a receiving part for the releasable holding of a ball neck with a coupling ball. An end part of the ball neck is inserted from below into the receiving part and is non-rotatably held by a locking mechanism. During the releasing of the ball neck, this ball neck can only cover a defined falling course, due to the provision of a catching device, having a transversely extending pin, which penetrates the ball neck and projects beyond it on both sides, and further has a catch hook located underneath the ball neck. The catch hook has a stationary upper part and a swivelling lower part, which is connected with the upper part, the lower part, which cooperates with a spring element, having hook portions for receiving the projecting portions of the transversely extending pin located above it.

Abstract: A scooter with a manual propelling system of the invention can be moved by pushing or kicking the ground as usual, operating the manual propelling sytem or combining the both methods. The scooter comprises a body or platform, a steering section attached to the body and a prpelling section. The steering section includes a front shaft rotatably attached to the body, at least one front wheel rotationally connected to a lower portion of the front shaft, and a steering rod. A middle portion of the steering rod is rotationally connected to an upper portion of the front shaft. The propelling section includes a rear wheel shaft rotationally attached to the body, rear wheels fixed to the rear wheel shaft, an engaging device connected to the rear wheel shaft, and a drive shaft connected to a lower portion of the steering rod. The drive shaft is provided with a rack engaging the engaging device.

Abstract: A lateral trailer tongue jack has a base plate for resting on a ground surface beneath a trailer tongue. The base includes a lateral channel iron track having a framework disposed over the track. A vertically oriented tubular socket has a wheel mounted at a lower end thereof which rides in the track. A lead screw disposed laterally across the framework is engaged with a threaded floating carriage within the socket. The socket accepts the lower end of a vertical tongue jack of the trailer. A crank attached to the lead screw is used to move the socket laterally along the track to align the trailer tongue hitch socket with the hitch ball of a towing vehicle.

Abstract: A steering torque detecting apparatus for use in an electrically-operated power steering system of a vehicle. Flexural load which is applied between a pair of input and output shafts during a steering operation is absorbed by the contact between a printed board and the end of a boss portion of a mounting ring for mounting a slider, thereby preventing displacement of the position of contact of the slider with a potentiometer element. The mounting ring is provided with an elastically deformable cylindrical collar portion which surrounds the slider and the printed board is movably disposed inside the cylindrical collar portion to thereby prevent intrusion of foreign matter into the area of contact between the slider and the printed board. A bush for supporting the printed board is rigidly secured to either the input or output shaft through engagement between a positioning groove and a fixing pin and engagement of a bent end portion of the bush with a groove provided in the shaft.

Abstract: A towing vehicle hitch assembly is pivotally mounted on a back plate and support element welded to a hitch bracket attached to the towing vehicle. The hitch assembly has a release arm maintaining a bottom plate with side guide plates integral thereto in an inclined position over a ball mounted on a post to the support element. There are a pair of pivoting release plates centered in the bottom plate. A corresponding hitch roller assembly is mounted to the tongue of a trailer with a ball socket at its distal end. The roller assembly has either ball bearings or rollers attached to its forward end. As the towing vehicle moves toward the trailer, the trailer's hitch assembly trips the release arm and stops at the forward edge of the towing vehicle hitch assembly. This places the socket above the ball and as it engages it falls by gravity over the ball.