Abstract: A body frame structure for a saddle type vehicle includes a pair of left and right main frames extending rearward from a head pipe. A down frame extends downward from the head pipe, and a pair of left and right reinforcement members range between the main frame and the down frame. Each of the reinforcement members is formed in a roughly U-shaped form in sectional view, and ranges between the main frame and the down frame in the state where an opening portion of its roughly U-shaped sectional form is oriented inward in the vehicle width direction. Its end portions are welded respectively to the main frame and the down frame.

Abstract: A ball robot formed from a spherical shell includes a main axle, first and second pendulums pivotally coupled to the main axle, and a drive mechanism for the first and the second pendulums. The drive mechanism drives the first and second pendulums together in a first rotational direction to move the ball robot forward and backward and in opposing directions to cause the ball robot to turn right or left. In an alternative embodiment, a flywheel is used to provide forward and backward movement and a pendulums is used to cause the ball robot to turn right or left.

Abstract: A drive unit has three axles, three rotation transmitting members and an acting force detecting unit. The first axle is configured to be rotated by a crank arm. The first rotation transmitting member is arranged on the first axle to transmit rotation of the first axle by the crank arm. The second axle is spaced from the first axle. The second rotation transmitting member is arranged on the second axle, and is operatively engaged with the first rotation transmitting member to transmit rotation of the first rotation transmitting member. The third axle is spaced from the first axle and the second axle. The third rotation transmitting member is arranged on the third axle, and operatively engaged with the second rotation transmitting member to transmit rotation of the second rotation transmitting member. The acting force detecting unit arranged to detect a force acting on the second axle.

Abstract: Bicycle frame formed by a half-shell (1) made of a thermoplastic material. The half-shell (1) is fiber-reinforced at least in regions, and includes a cover element (2), which is, at least in regions, connected to the half-shell and preferably closes the half-shell.

Abstract: In vehicle track-module apparatus including a module frame, a drive wheel rotatable with respect to the frame, ground-engaging leading and trailing wheels, at least one ground-engaging bogie wheel, and an endless track extending around the wheels and driven by its engagement with the drive wheel, the improvement comprising: (a) a leading suspension arm rotatable with respect to the frame and extending forwardly to a distal end at which a leading-wheel assembly is rotatably attached and rearwardly to a rearward suspension end; (b) a trailing suspension arm rotatable with respect to the frame and extending rearwardly to a distal end at which a trailing-wheel assembly is rotatably attached and forwardly to a forward suspension end; (c) a bogie assembly having a bogie mount and the at least one bogie wheel rotatable with respect thereto; and (d) leading and trailing suspension elements rotatably attached to and extending from the rearward and forward suspension ends, respectively, to rearward and forward rotatabl

Abstract: An adjustable height hitch apparatus for a trailer includes a base having opposite first and second end portions. An elongated shaft extends outwardly from the base first end portion, and an elongated height adjustment member is attached to the base second end portion. A coupling apparatus, such as a lunette ring, is supportable by the height adjustment member via one or more fasteners at any of a plurality of elevations. The height adjustment member is configured to provide height adjustment for the coupling apparatus of at least about eight inches.

Abstract: A plurality of protective cover assemblies and methods for protecting the front brake-side axle clamp and the front non-brake-side axle clamp of a motorcycle. A brake-side plastic cover plate is shaped to cover the brake-side axle clamp and brake caliper support and is coupled to the brake-side axle clamp utilizing existing brake-side axle clamp pinch bolt holes. A non-brake-side plastic cover plate is shaped to cover the non-brake-side axle clamp and is coupled to the non-brake-side axle clamp utilizing existing non-brake-side axle clamp pinch bolt holes. The cover assemblies deflect and absorb impact forces that would otherwise impact the axle clamps and the brake caliper support.

Abstract: A vehicle steering system includes: a steering wheel having the capacity to steer a vehicle; a turning actuator having the capacity to turn a wheel; a backup clutch arranged between the steering wheel and the turning actuator and having the capacity to be able to mechanically connect the steering wheel to the turning actuator; and a clutch disengagement checking unit having the capacity to check whether the backup clutch is disengaged.

Abstract: An omni-wheel of a highly compact and light-weight is provided. The omni-wheel includes a disk-shaped hub member (110), a plurality of support arms (114) extending axially from the peripheral part of the hub member and arranged along a circle concentric to a rotational center line of the hub member at a regular interval, and a free roller (140) rotatably supported by a free end of each support arm around a rotational center line extending tangentially to a circle concentric to the rotational center line of the hub member and passing through a center of the free roller. The present invention also provides a wheel device incorporated with such a wheel and an inverted pendulum type vehicle using such a wheel device as a tail wheel unit.

Abstract: An adjustable rear wheel dropout system includes an over center clamp, toggle clamp or four bar link mechanism to tension a bicycle's chain or belt drive system. A toggle clamp system moves the rear axle as needed to achieve the desired tension in the chain or belt. The over center toggle clamp system is also useful in facilitating the repeatable reinstallation of a rear wheel in a predetermined position. A wheel skewer system secures or locks the adjustable rear wheel dropout in the desired location. The dropout system includes a chain stay adjustment area or void to allow the wheel skewer to be inserted though the dropout. After the end position is secured by the toggle system, the wheel skewer further secures the dropout position as the wheel skewer is tightened to secure the wheel to the bicycle.

Abstract: A tensioning device for bicycle front and rear wheel assemblies. A skewer assembly with a thumbnut is securable to the wheel assembly with a quick-release assembly. Portions of the skewer assembly are removable from the quick-release assembly by turning the thumbnut a partial turn, such as a quarter of a turn. Removal of the skewer assembly allows the front wheel to be removed. In another embodiment, the skewer assembly is able to be removed by turning the quick-release assembly by a partial turn, such as a quarter of a turn.

Abstract: A storage tank containing a suspended liner for the supply and storage of a full strength corrosive liquid such as a strong acid or base, the liner suspended within the storage tank from several locations by upper suspension straps from above held in place by corrosive resistant rods through rod suspension supports from the ceiling of the storage tank, and by a plurality of tie clips integrated within the suspended liner attaching to a plurality of suspension hooks placed within the interior of the storage tank to fully deploy the suspended liner to fill and to dispense the corrosive liquid within the suspended liner from the storage tank.

Abstract: A robotic mobile low-profile transport vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle can comprise a first transport module having a frame assembly, a mobility system, and a propulsion system and a second transport module having a frame assembly and a mobility system. A multi-degree of freedom coupling assemblage can join the first and second transport modules together. The vehicle can include a first platform supported about the frame assembly of the first transport module, and a second platform supported about the frame assembly of the second transport module. Each of the platforms can be configured to receive a load for transport. Additionally, the vehicle can include a control system that can operate to facilitate intra-module communication and coordination to provide a coordinated operating mode of the first and second transport modules and the coupling assemblage about a given terrain.

Abstract: The inventive technology relates to methods and apparatus for an improved self-contained extendable trailer mount that may be independently used, and/or retrofitted to existing vehicle mount/hitch systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to a trailer coupling for motor vehicles, comprising a coupling ball carrier which can be mounted on a vehicle body and a coupling ball with a ball body which has a ball surface extending between a ball attachment and an upper end surface of the ball body, with which the ball surface comprises a sensor zone for recognizing a body located close to or on the coupling ball, several detection locations different from one another are located in the sensor zone, a sensor unit arranged stationarily in the ball body beneath the ball surface is associated with each detection location and each sensor unit is designed such that it detects a body present in a close-proximity area above the ball surface at the respective detection location.

Abstract: A power assist apparatus includes an electric motor, a speed reducer, an annular torque sensor, a housing in which the speed reducer and the torque sensor are arranged, and an annular center aligning bracket. The housing includes a first housing element and a second housing element, and one of the first housing element and the second housing element is made of a synthetic resin. The center aligning bracket is fixed to the one of the first housing element and the second housing element by insert molding such that the center aligning bracket is concentric to the one of the first housing element and the second housing element. The first housing element and the second housing element are joined such that the first housing element and the second housing element are engaged with each other in an axial direction of the torque sensor via the center aligning bracket.

Abstract: A battery box for an electric cycle includes a battery and a case enclosing the battery. The case includes an air inlet and an air outlet in communication with the air inlet for directing air flow through the case to cool the battery. An adjustable vent is disposed at the air outlet for deflecting the air flow from the air outlet in a selected direction, such as toward an occupant of the electric cycle.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus includes an input shaft to which steering force from a steering wheel is applied, an output shaft to which assisting force generated by an electric motor is applied, and a torque detection sleeve. One of the input shaft and the output shaft includes a cylindrical portion having a female stopper portion and a circumferential groove. The other of the input shaft and the output shaft has a male stopper portion being in concave-convex engagement with the female stopper portion and relatively rotatable in a given angular range. An edge of a base end portion of the torque detection sleeve is clinched to the circumferential groove. The circumferential groove is provided on a portion of an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion radially overlapping a stopper engagement region in which the female stopper portion and the male stopper portion are engaged with each other.

Abstract: A snowmobile includes a frame, an engine mounted on the frame, a pair of skis connected to the frame, and a front body including a nose cone, a pair of side panels, and a hood covering a front portion of the frame. The nose cone, the pair of side panels, and the hood are preferably made of plastic.

Abstract: A dual drive wheelchair comprising a frame with a seat, a rear driving wheel set including a cross axle and a vertical rod, wherein the cross axle connects two rear wheels, a supporting structure including a support and an axial tube, wherein the support is connected to the frame and a front driving wheel set; and the axial tube fits around the vertical rod, and further comprising a first steering member of the first turning structure connected to the support and a second steering member of the first turning structure; wherein the second steering member is fixed to the vertical rod and a control structure including a pair of backrest canes fixed to the first steering member enabling a user or a caregiver to operate the control structure of the dual drive wheelchair.