Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle using wind force. An object of the present invention is to provide a wind force power system driven by wind is provided within a hood panel of the vehicle, whereby the vehicle continuously charge a battery with electricity while being stopped or driving. The vehicle using wind force includes a wind force power system, the Power system comprising a ventilator that is rotated by the wind flowing along the roof panel in the rear of the vehicle, a shaft connected to the ventilator, a rotary gear connected to the shaft, a follower gear engaged with the rotary gear, and an electric generator for generating electricity as the follower gear rotates, wherein the electric generator of the wind force power system is electrically connected to the battery and the battery is electrically connected to the driving motor.

Abstract: A wheeled hand truck installs, removes, and transports rim-mounted tires and brake drums for vehicles. The truck comprises an elongated frame and extended fork section supported by a transverse axle having wheels at the ends bracketing the frame. The frame includes a handle section extending opposite the fork section that terminates in a grip. The fork section extends opposite the handle for straddling beneath a tire or drum on both sides of its center of gravity. The tire rests against the handle portion and fork, while the drum is mounted in a movable cylinder. The tire or drum is transported by balancing the weight of the tire on the wheels while pushing on the grip. The truck also has an extended lift step for providing leverage, a kickstand, an oil catch pan for brake drum drips, and grab pins for spoke-type hub and drum assemblies.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a trailer support system secured to a trailer, the drive mechanism being operable to move the trailer support system relative to the trailer and including a gear box secured to the trailer support system, a motor supported adjacent to the gear box and having a drive shaft defining an axis, and a coupler positioned between the gear box and the motor shaft and facilitating movement a drive shaft relative to the gear box along the axis and in a direction substantially normal to the axis.

Abstract: A shopping trolley, which includes a holder for holding articles of shopping, and a wheeled undercarriage connected to the holder. The undercarriage is operable between an erected condition, in which the undercarriage supports the holder at a working height above the ground on wheels, and a collapsed compact condition, for loading of the trolley into a boot of a passenger sedan so that the holder provides a boot organizer. In one embodiment of the invention, the undercarriage comprises a pair of telescopically extendable curved legs, which have wheels mounted thereon. A vehicle, which has a securing arrangement in its boot specifically for securing the collapsible shopping trolley in a stable condition in the boot, when the undercarriage of the trolley is collapsed.

Abstract: There is disclosed a snowboard binding which is equipped with a single strap which acts as a collar for the boot and which is hinged at one side on the base of the binding and at the opposite side it is fastened to a triangularly-shaped fastening system which, in turn, is secured to the base of the binding.

Abstract: A hinge bar for the hinge assembly of a large motor vehicle's hood has a body with opposite ends, arms, curved end sections connecting the arms to the body at each end and hinge bar brackets extending from the arms. At least one ring is located between the midsection of the body and one of the opposite ends.

Abstract: An apparatus for assisting entry into high road clearance vehicles having a generally cylindrical side bar adapted for attachment to a vehicle chassis, one or more U-shaped cylindrical bars attached to and suspended from said bar comprised of two end portions and a center bar. The U-shaped bars may be of tubular construction and have a flat surface and are preferably angled from the side bar at an angle of approximately 45 degrees and each U-shaped bar has end portions that meet the center bar at an angle of approximately 0 to 45 degrees. The side bar may be attached to any of a variety of chassis designs and may have a plurality of steps at the doors and at or near the back of the vehicle.

Abstract: A hobby robot having a support structure includes a cavity defined within the support structure, wherein the cavity includes means positioned within the cavity for removably coupling at least one mounting element to an interior portion of the cavity. The support structure also includes means for securing an encasement shell to the support structure. The mounting element may be a tray or hardware that performs a desired function in connection with the operation of the robot. The support structure is adapted to receive a self-contained power source and means for imparting motive force to the support structure.

Abstract: In a solid-oxide fuel cell system, a catalytic reformer unit provides reformate fuel for use by the cells in generating electricity. Both the reformer and the fuel cells require elevated temperatures for satisfactory operation. The reformer unit is provided with a combustion chamber and igniter ahead of the catalytic reformer plates such that, during start-up, fuel/air mixture normally destined for reformation may be ignited in the combustion chamber to provide a hot combustion exhaust which is fed through the catalytic reformer and the anode reformate flow spaces to assist in rapidly bringing the fuel cell system to operating temperature.

Abstract: A mud flap system for vehicles is provided with first and second mounting arms that releasably engage side portions of a tow assembly. First and second support arms depend from the first and second mounting arms and support one or more mud flaps so that the mud flaps are positioned behind the rearward wheels of the vehicles and substantially across the space between the rearward wheels. A leash or brace are provided for structural stability and to secure the system with the tow assembly. A central mud flap may be provided in horizontal or vertical configurations according to the desired flow of matter beneath the vehicle.

Abstract: In mode switch control apparatus and method for a hybrid transmission, both of a torque transmission capacity of one of a predetermined clutch and a predetermined brake which is engaged when a mode switch is carried out and a torque change of one of motor/generators along with a polarity reversal in the one of the motor/generators when the polarity reversal is involved in the motor/generator before and after the mode switch is carried out are mutually interlocked.

Abstract: A reel stand has a main frame consisting of a rod, a connecting member and a standing frame. The rod is connected in the connecting member with its lower portion. The standing frame connected with the connecting member has a T-shaped rod and a wheel axle. The T-shaped rod includes a horizontal rod and a longitudinal rod connected vertically with the horizontal rod. The rear portion of the longitudinal rod is bent upwards to form a free end for connecting with the connecting member. The wheel axle is connected with the longitudinal rod on the bent portion of the longitudinal rod to parallel with the horizontal rod, and fitted with a wheel at its two ends respectively. The standing frame carries the band reel to stand on the ground and can be moved around.

Abstract: A three-wheeled stroller has a kickstand movable between a retracted position and a deployed position. When deployed, the kickstand has a pair of downwardly extending legs on either side of the front wheel to help prevent a tipping condition when an occupant enters or exits the stroller. Either a foot-operated actuator or a hand-operated actuator may be used to remotely operate the kickstand. In the case of a foot-operated actuator, stepping on a foot-operated brake bar can both operate the kickstand and immobilize one or more rear wheels to brake the stroller.

Abstract: The self-braking wheelbarrow of the present invention comprises a wheelbarrow bin assembly mounted so as to pivot relative to an undercarriage assembly whereby the bin assembly interferes with the wheels on the undercarriage assembly causing a friction on the tread of the wheel and restricting the rotation of the wheel. In normal usage the undercarriage assembly is secured to the wheelbarrow bin assembly by securing latches. Braking is accomplished by selectively releasing securing latches, thereby permitting the wheelbarrow to pivot, and lifting the handles as if to move the wheelbarrow. The braking force applied to the tread on the wheel is proportional to the bin load thereby resulting in higher braking force with higher bin loads.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein provides a replaceable edge cassette for skis or a snowboard. The skis have a top, a base, a core, two sides, and edges along the sides of the base. The cassette includes an edge portion removably secured adjacent the base of the ski. The edge portion has an attachment portion for securing the edge portion to the ski and a peripheral portion for contact with the surface to be ridden. The cassette includes a sidewall portion secured to the edge portion. A fastener is connectable through the sidewall portion to be secured to the ski adjacent the core. Base material is also secured beneath the removable edge portion so as to be adjacent the main base portion when the cassette is secured to the side of the ski. The edge cassette is removable and replaceable by removing the fasteners secured through the sidewall. The edge alone may also be separately replaceable by removing it from the sidewall portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting an oxygen tank having a main compartment containing a sleeve, the sleeve designed to secure either one or two tanks in place. The apparatus has wheels to facilitate movement of the tank or tanks from place to place and a number of pockets for storage of items. The apparatus further includes a port for a hose to be connected to the tank and to another point outside the apparatus.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a leg shield arranged to cover the front sides of the legs of a driver riding the vehicle and a heat exchanger arranged on the front surface side of the leg shield. The leg shield includes a wind guide space formed by a wall member of the leg shield, a first opening formed in a portion of the wall member of the leg shield located at least behind the heat exchanger for guiding air passing through the heat exchanger to the wind guide space and a second opening formed in another portion of the wall member of the leg shield separated from the first opening by a predetermined distance for discharging the air passing through the heat exchanger, guided to the first opening from the wind guide space.

Abstract: A fender assembly for a heavy-duty vehicle comprises a fender and clamping members having reciprocal mating elements for adjustably and removably coupling the clamping members and the fender. The clamping members are clamped to inner and outer edges of the fender and are adapted to receive and removably secure a mounting arm that extends from the vehicle. The position of the fender relative to the vehicle can be adjusted by repositioning the clamping members along the inner and outer edges.

Abstract: An exhaust pipe structure has, under a floor of a vehicle, an exhaust passage for exhaust gas discharged from a vehicle-installed engine, and at least one muffler is provided on an intermediate portion of the exhaust passage. The at least one muffler includes a main muffler having the greatest muffler capacity. An external cylinder forming an outer shell portion of the main muffler has a circular sectional shape having a diameter of 100 mm to 150 mm, or a sectional shape that is substantially equal to an area of the circular sectional shape. The external cylinder has a length of 800 mm to 12000 mm. The main muffler is disposed in a tunnel portion that is formed between the front wheels and the rear wheels.

Abstract: An apparatus for binding a boot to a base plate of a snowboard, having: a first band mounted on a first side of the base plate; a second band mounted on a second side of the base plate opposite the first side of the base plate in a width direction, the second band being removably attached to the first band, so as to fasten a toe end portion of the boot to the base plate wherein the second band fastens the toe end portion at an acute angle with respect to the base plate and the toe end portion of the boot.