Abstract: A power clutch mechanism of a scooter is formed of a power unit, an elastic member, a connection rod set, and an urging member. The power unit comprises a suspension seat pivoted with a footboard of the scooter, and a motor mounted on the suspension seat and provided with an output shaft on which a drive wheel is mounted in such a manner that the drive wheel is detachably engaged with a rear wheel of the scooter. The elastic member connects the suspension seat and a rear fork of the scooter. The connection rod set is formed of a first rod member and a second rod member pivoted with the first rod member by a pivot such that the second rod member and the first rod member form therebetween an angle, and that the first rod member is pivoted with the rear fork, and further that the second rod member is pivoted with the suspension seat.

Abstract: In an electric power-steering gear, in particular for motor vehicles, having a steering shaft (1) which is actuated by a steering wheel and which forms an input for a step-down gear in the form of a harmonic drive (2) and which makes available an output, in the form of a steering element (3), to a conventional steering gear, sensors which output a signal for the steering torque which is applied being arranged on the steering shaft (1) in a known fashion, and said sensors leading, via a corresponding amplifier circuit, to an electric motor (10) which is arranged coaxially with respect to the steering shaft (1) and the steering element (3), the stator of the electric motor (10) is arranged fixed in terms of rotation in the externally toothed flexible rotor (4) and the elliptical driver (6) of the harmonic gear (2) acting, as a result of the elastically deformable, externally toothed flexible rotor (4), with migrating engagement on the internally toothed annular stator (5), which is fixed in position, and the fl

Abstract: A torque detection device for detecting a torque applied to a bicycle for controlling power output of a motor applied to the bicycle in helping moving the bicycle is disclosed. The torque detection device includes a shaft coupled to a driving chain wheel and pedals of the bicycle. A circuit including strain gauge based elements is embedded in the shaft for converting a torsional deformation caused by the torque applied to the shaft by a rider via the pedals into an electrical signal. The electrical signal, after being properly processed, is applied to a motor power controller which in turns controls the power output of the motor whereby the torque from the motor is determined based on the torque applied by the rider to the bicycle. Thus, as the rider applies a great torque to the pedals, the motor correspondingly supplies a large output of power to the bicycle for helping moving the bicycle. No additional manual control of the motor is needed.

Abstract: A system for moving a step assembly in response to maneuvers of an articulated work vehicle. The step assembly moves to avoid interference with the vehicle's wheels or tracks. A push rod assembly provides actuation to the step assembly in response to the vehicle motions.

Abstract: A bicycle passenger carrier for a child includes a longitudinally extending body having a front end and a rear end, with a passenger seat disposed medially between the two ends. The rear end of the body includes a rear clevis to engage the seat post of a bicycle frame in close fit. The passenger seat includes a curved seat back extending upwardly from the body. At the front end of the body, a forward portion extends downwardly and includes a front clevis adapted to engage either the oblique down tube of a woman's bike or the horizontal tube of a man's bike. A pair of bolt holes extend through the forward portion to receive a bolt that retains the front end on the bicycle. Extending upwardly at the front end of the body is a pommel that provides a hand rest for the passenger, and also serves as a support for a foot rest assembly. The foot rest assembly includes a platform suspended by a strap assembly from the pommel.

Abstract: An apparatus, interposed between and attached to a drive vehicle and an object to be moved, dampens the force (drive, resistance, inertia, etc.) between them. The apparatus has a rigid structure which is capable of transferring the large forces required to pull the object, from the drive vehicle to the object, but uses damping to moderate the impact of the forces on the drive vehicle/object combination.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic power steering system having a motor, a pump, and a control module all formed as an integral unit. The motor is shaft coupled to the pump and the pump housing and the motor housing are sealingly attached to prevent any fluid leakage. The control module is sealingly attached to the pump housing to prevent any fluid leakage. The control module is in electrical communication with the motor in order to drive a motor shaft and operate the hydraulic pump. The entire unit is submersible and can operate when submersed.

Abstract: A bicycle front fork and head tube mounting arrangement includes a front fork having a tubular top shaft and an annular bearing portion around the top shaft, a head tube sleeved onto the top shaft of the front fork and supported on a ball bearing in the annular bearing portion of the front fork, a locating ring supported on a ball bearing in the top end of the head tube around the top shaft of the front fork, a split screw cap tightened up with a locating screw and threaded into an inner thread in the locating ring, a ruuber ring mounted in an inside annular groove in the split screw cap and disposed in close contact with the periphery of the top shaft of the front fork, and a tightening up screw threaded into a radial screw hole on the locating ring to hold down the split screw cap.

Abstract: To enable a rider to control in real time the type of ride he desires, a snowmobile is equipped with a suspension system that includes at least one fluid actuated device which can be adjusted in real time to control the relative distance between the body of the snowmobile onto which the rider sits and the frame, or the slide tracks about which the drive belt is mounted. By setting a constant predetermined desirable distance between the body and the slide tracks, or the frame, of the snowmobile, an optimal cushioned ride for the rider is obtained. The control of the fluid actuated device(s) may be effected at any time manually by the rider, or be effected by a feedback system. The snowmobile is also equipped with an ABS system for enhancing the traction of the drive belt on snow and therefore the control of the snowmobile by the rider.

Abstract: A pivot frame is formed as a casting of an aluminum alloy in a substantially U-shaped manner to be open toward a front side. Attaching bosses of a crankcase are placed between a left sidewall and a right sidewall of the pivot frame. Bearing portions of a rear swing arm are coaxially arranged on outer sides of the pivot frame. A pivot bolt is penetrated from one side and is fastened by a nut on the other side. An adjustment collar is interposed between the attaching boss and the right sidewall of the pivot frame. A side of a fixed portion of the adjustment collar is fixed to the right sidewall, and a side of a movable portion of the adjustment collar is pivoted by a tool. The adjustment collar allows the fastening torque of the nut to be constant, thereby preventing deformation from occurring in a fastening operation even when a pivot plate of an aluminum alloy is used.

Abstract: A power steering apparatus which generates a steering assist force by a hydraulic pressure generated by a pump driven by an electric motor. The power steering apparatus actuates the electric motor in its off state, on condition that a change amount of a steering angle exceeds an actuation threshold. A first actuation threshold which is to be employed when a steering wheel is operated away from a steering angle midpoint and a second actuation threshold which is to be employed when the steering wheel is operated toward the steering angle midpoint are determined in accordance with a sensed steering angle so that the sum of the first and second actuation thresholds is virtually constant.

Abstract: A towbar adapter assembly that attaches to a towbar boom and acts as a link between the towbar boom and a vehicle attachment point. The assembly has a base for attachment to the towbar boom and an anchoring strut that attaches to the vehicle. The base is incrementally positionable with respect to the towbar boom and the anchoring strut is incrementally positionable with respect to the base.

Abstract: A wheelchair suspension system includes suspension members that interact to cause a positive movement of the suspension members to urge the drive wheels into contact with the ground. The resilient suspension system comprises a drive wheel suspension member for supporting a drive wheel and a front wheel suspension member for supporting a front wheel. The drive wheel suspension member and the front wheel suspension member are each adapted to be movably attached to the wheelchair frame. Each suspension member cooperates with a resilient element to resist movement of the suspension members relative to the frame. The suspension members are adapted to cooperate with each other in response to movement of the suspension members relative to the frame to urge the drive wheel into contact with the ground.

Abstract: A single seater snowmobile type recreational vehicle and a steering assembly for such as vehicle is described herein. The recreational vehicle includes a longitudinal frame, a suspension mounted to a rear portion of the frame, an endless track rotatably mounted to the suspension, an engine mounted to the frame and associated to the endless track to selectively rotate the endless track about the suspension thereby allowing displacement of the vehicle. The recreational vehicle also includes a steering assembly provided with a handlebar portion mounted to the frame and pivoting about a first pivot axis, a fork portion mounted to the frame and pivoting about a second pivot axis, a direction bar having a proximate end linked to the handlebar portion and a distal end linked to the fork portion, the direction bar being offset from the first and second pivot axis. A rotation of the handlebar portion thereby causes a rotation of the fork portion.

Abstract: A device and method for coupling a trailer which has a trailer tongue mount attached to the trailer and a coupler attached to the trailer tongue mount. The coupler has an outer tube assembly, an inner tube assembly slidably received by the outer tube assembly, and a return spring having a first end attached to the outer tube assembly, and a second end attached to the inner tube assembly for drawing the inner tube assembly upwardly toward the first end of the return spring. The inner tube assembly may include an inner tubular member which has a plurality of height adjusting holes, a top end and a bottom end. The inner tube assembly may also include a female coupling member attached to the bottom end of the tubular member. A locking handle assembly may be attached to the inner tube assembly to prevent the coupler from disengaging from the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A head tube of a bicycle includes two enlarged ends each having a first groove defined at the inside thereof, and a steering bearing assembly includes a first race which is engaged with the first groove manually. The first race has a second groove so as to receive a bearing therein which is positioned by a retaining member and a pressing member. Each enlarged end of the head tube has a straight tubular portion and a shoulder is connected between the inside defining the second groove and the inside of the straight tubular portion of the enlarged end. A gap is defined between the inside of the straight tubular portion and the first race so that the first race is manually to be engaged with the first groove of the enlarged end.

Abstract: The invention concerns a ground effect vehicle comprising hydrofoils or hydrofoil outer parts (18) which can pivot about a parallel line relative to the longitudinal axis of the body in order to increase the speed range when flying close the ground. In addition, the hydrofoils and the body can be provided with trailing edge flaps (19) which are articulated so as to pivot about a horizontal axis and, depending on the selected angle of incidence of the hydrofoils or hydrofoil parts, can be controlled as lift-increasing ailerons or flippers.

Abstract: An occupant-propelled vehicle comprising a vehicle frame, a vehicle propulsion system with a movable force receiver, and a vehicle steering arrangement in one embodiment comprising a tilt-grip steering post, a steering drum, a steered wheel, a steered drum, and a flexible, sheathed cable. An inner member of the cable overlies the steered drum and the steering drum whereby a pivoting of the tilt-grip steering post induces a steering of the steered wheel. The steering post may have an axis of rotation perpendicular to its longitudinal axis and tangent to an arc of rotation of the moveable force receiver. The diameters of the steered and steering drums may be varied, and the steered drum may be disengagably indexed to the steered wheel. The steered wheel may be coupled to a second wheel to steer the second wheel in response to a steering of the steered wheel.

Abstract: A binding strap for use in a soft boot snowboard binding is provided, the binding strap including a flexible, unitary binding member having an ankle section connected to a toe section by a midsection. The binding strap may be configured and dimensioned to preferably provide a rider with easy entry and exit from the strap. In addition, the shape and flexible nature of the binding makes it comfortable to use, while also allowing it to perform well by securely engaging the rider's boot to the snowboard. The unitary construction allows the binding strap to move in an integrated manner, while the surface area of the binding strap reduces pressure points by distributing pressure exerted by the binding over a relatively large surface area of the boot, and hence foot, of the rider.

Abstract: A spokeless bicycle system for providing a bicycle that does not have spokes within the wheels. The inventive device includes a frame having a seat structure and handle bars, a rear bracket having rear bearings within that rotatably engages a rear wheel, a front bracket having front bearings within that rotatably engages a front wheel, and a drive train that engages the rear wheel for driving the rear wheel. The rear rim of the rear wheel includes a rear groove that receives the plurality of rear bearings. The rear rim of the rear wheel includes a rear gear that is engaged by a drive sprocket from the drive train. The front rim of the front wheel includes a front groove that receives the plurality of front bearings.