Abstract: The two-wheel/four-wheel drive switching device including a switching unit provided in either a power transmitting mechanism interposed between an engine and front wheels or a power transmitting mechanism interposed between the engine and rear wheels for switching between the continuation and interruption of power transmission in the power transmitting mechanism, and a control unit for controlling the switching unit. The control unit detects a drive current supplied to the switching unit and performs variable duty control to maintain the drive current at a given value. As a result, the two-wheel/four-wheel drive switching device reduces the generation of noise and greatly suppresses the consumption of power.

Abstract: An improved trailer dolly having a fifth wheel and also carrying a ball-type trailer hitch to give the driver the option of towing either type of trailer and having steering means built into the dolly to provide sure and positive steering and control of the towed trailer.

Abstract: A hitch bar includes an integral post and mounting rack cast from ductile iron. A midline channel in the mounting rack and face cavities in the post significantly reduce the overall mass of the hitch bar. The physical properties of the cast ductile iron material serve to increase the overall towing capacity above that possible with rolled steel hitch bars of prior art design.

Abstract: A coupler for coupling two standard bicycles together to form a tandem tricycle. The coupler includes a clamp for clamping the coupler to one of the tines of the seat stays of the leading bicycle and further includes a quick release clamp for releasably gripping one of the tines of the front fork of the trailing bicycle. The quick release clamp is rotatable about a transverse axis relative to the clamp, so the trailing bicycle is likewise rotatable about a transverse axis relative to the leading bicycle. This permits the trailing bicycle to pitch independently of the leading bicycle, thereby allowing the two bicycles to smoothly traverse uneven terrain.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting an auxiliary wheel on a bicycle wheel. A resiliently flexible arm, such as a coil spring, laterally spaces from a wheel of the bicycle a smaller auxiliary wheel. A pintle is connected to the arm at an end remote from the bicycle wheel for mounting the auxiliary wheel for rotation parallel to the rotation of the bicycle wheel. A shank is connected to an end of the resilient arm remote from the pintle for radially offsetting the arm downwardly from an axle of the bicycle wheel, and a bracket mechanism for coupling the shank to the frame at the axle to secure it in fixed relation to the bicycle wheel. Preferably the amount of radial offset can be adjusted to fit one size of the apparatus on at least two of the most popular sizes of children's bicycles, namely 12" and 16" (wheel diameter) bicycles. The radial adjustment can also be used to compensate for variations in tire depth and inflation.

Abstract: A cart for maintaining items, which are used in a cleanroom, at a predetermined cleanliness level. The cart includes a cabinet having an internal cavity and opposed first and second internal walls. The cart further includes a shelf affixed horizontally within the cavity to form top and lower compartments within the cabinet. In addition, a lower horizontal track is affixed to the cabinet above the top compartment. A lower door is slidably affixed within the lower track. Additionally, the cart includes an upper horizontal track affixed to the cabinet above the lower track and an upper door slidably affixed within the upper track, wherein the upper and lower doors are movable in a horizontal direction above the top compartment. The top compartment is substantially isolated from contamination when the upper door contacts the first wall and the lower door contacts the second wall or when the upper door contacts the second wall and the lower door contacts the first wall.

Abstract: A robot for performing a working operation on a surface. The robot comprises a frame which supports a pair of parallel tracks. An endless link chain is mounted for travel on each track and each chain is driven by an independent motor mounted on the frame. Each track is provided with at least two recesses with each recess having an open side facing the respective chain. A series of vacuum cups are mounted on each chain and are adapted to engage the surface to be traversed. A first series of ports connect a first recess of each track and a first group of vacuum cups on each chain, while a second series of ports communicate between the second recess of each track and a second group of vacuum cups. A source of vacuum is connected to the recesses and acts through the ports to the respective vacuum cups to enable the vacuum cups to grip the surface. In a preferred manner of use, the robot is employed with a laser tracking system in the non-destructive inspection of an aircraft.

Abstract: A molded plastic drum storage and/or transportation device has an inner wall conforming to a drum to be carried or stored. An outer wall is spaced from the inner wall to create a containment space therebetween. One end of the cart has a recess for collecting spills or overflow from the drum. Apertures in the recess allow fluid to flow into the containment space where it is held until emptied through a drain hole. According to one aspect of this invention, the device is tiltable and has wheels to facilitate transport of the drum. According to another aspect of the invention, the device is stationary and is adapted to store multiple drums in spaced horizontal adjacency and, with a drum spacer, in spaced vertical adjacency.

Abstract: In a shopping cart comprising a main basket and a transverse handle mounted behind the main basket, two bars are mounted fixedly to the handle so as to extend forwardly from the handle. Also, a cupholder formed of wire is mounted slidably to the bars so as to permit the cupholder to slide forwardly to a storage position and backwardly to a usage position within a limited range of movement of the cupholder relative to the bars. In the usage position, the cupholder is capable of holding a large cup and a small cup. Each of the bars is wrapped around the handle and has a lower portion, to which one of the end portions of the cupholder is mounted slidably, and an upper portion, on which a coupon tray formed of wire is mounted fixedly.

Abstract: A connector assembly for interconnecting a vehicle and a trailer having a hitch element includes a gripper assembly which is operable to engage the hitch element. The gripper assembly includes a plurality of jaws which are pivotally connected with and are disposed in a circular array on a base. A rotatable ring circumscribes the circular array of jaws. A motor is connected with the ring and is operable to rotate the ring in a first direction to pivot the jaws toward each other. The motor is operable to rotate the ring in a second direction, which is opposite to the first direction, to pivot the jaws away from each other. The ring and jaws are interconnected by a plurality of links. The motor is connected with the ring by a drive chain. A hitch element detector detects when the hitch element is positioned in the gripper assembly. A ring position detector detects when the ring is in predetermined positions relative to the base.

Abstract: A gear transmission mechanism for driving a bicycle to run, comprising a base supporting frame attached to the down tube, the seat tube and the seat stay; a first axle inserted through the rear wheel hub of a bicycle into one hole on said base supporting frame with the two opposite ends thereof respectively coupled with two cranks; a first gear mounted on said first axle and carried by it to rotate; a second axle fastened in another hole on said base supporting frame to carry a second gear, which is engaged with said first gear, and a third gear, which is engaged with a one-way gear on said rear wheel hub, to rotate. Rotating the cranks causes the wheel hub to carry the bicycle wheels to rotate.

Abstract: A personal mobility vehicle including rear and front frame sections which are quickly and easily engageable and disconnectable one to another. The rear frame section has a pair of coaxial rear spaced wheels and a pair of locator pins laterally extending preferably from each side margin adjacent each forward corner of the rear frame section. These locator pins engage with a locking bar rearwardly extending from and adjacent each rear corner of said front frame section. Each bar has a notch formed into its lower and upper margins adapted to engage the locator pins in a pivotal motion to guide the front and rear frame sections into abutting generally coplaner assembled relationship, thus preventing fore and aft and vertical movement therebetween. A latch-type connector preferably centrally positioned releasibly secures this coplaner relationship during use of the vehicle.