Abstract: A personal transporter includes a tubular metal frame supporting a platform for supporting an operator, and the frame has forwardly projecting and parallel spaced inverted L-shaped frame members which support a pair of freely rotating front caster wheels. A pair of reversible electric motor and attached gearbox drive units are mounted on the rear portion of the frame on opposite sides of the platform, and the gearboxes have right angle output shafts forming axles supporting a pair of rear wheels. A storage battery is enclosed within a box in front of the platform, and a vertical adjustable post projects upwardly in front of the box to support a handlebar. A hand control unit is mounted on the handlebar and is connected to the drive units through a control system within the box. The rear wheels are covered by fender guards which also cover the drive units.

Abstract: According to this method for controlling the coupling and the decoupling of the first and second motors of a parallel hybrid motive power group comprising a first motor driving an input shaft, a second motor, and a coupling/decoupling means motors, maneuverable between an open position and a closed position, the motive power group is controlled so that the rotational speed of the input shaft at the moment of coupling and of decoupling remains unchanged while using a law of control that creates a discontinuity between the torques output to the input shaft when the first and the second motors are decoupled or coupled, selected for compensating for the difference between the inertias produced by the input shaft when the first and the second motors are decoupled or coupled in order to ensure a continuity of the acceleration of the input shaft when coupling or decoupling.

Abstract: A fixture is disclosed for holding a container therein and for allowing rotation of the container for dispensing a fluid therefrom. The fixture can be mounted to a hand cart for transport of the container and for tilting the container so that the liquid can be dispensed therefrom. The tray can be pivotally mounted such that when pivoted and released, the tray automatically returns to a rest position.

Abstract: A hydraulic hybrid vehicle includes elements such as a hydraulic pump driven by an internal combustion engine and arranged to draw in low pressure fluid and pump the fluid at high pressure to an accumulator. A hydraulic motor is powered by the pressurized fluid. Safety processes are provided for detecting and addressing a number of conditions that may arise in the operation of the hydraulic hybrid vehicle, including an initialization procedure for start-up of the vehicle, a shut-down procedure, and procedures for detecting and responding to failure of the pump or motor, internal and external fluid leaks, and non-responsive actuation and mode control systems.

Abstract: A golf cart collapsible device includes a frame folding articulation mounted between an upper frame and a lower frame for folding the upper frame, a frame collapsing articulation mounted on the lower frame for folding the lower frame, a rear wheel frame mounted between the frame folding articulation and a rear wheel, a first pull bar mounted between the frame folding articulation and the rear wheel frame for folding the rear wheel, a front wheel folding articulation mounted between the lower frame and a front wheel frame for folding a front wheel, and a second pull bar mounted between the rear wheel frame and the front wheel folding articulation. Thus, the front wheel and the at least one rear wheel are folded simultaneously by linking of the first pull bar and the second pull bar.

Abstract: A device for transporting a physically impaired person includes a support frame member having electric motors secured thereto for operating rear drive wheels; a stabilizing plate for maintaining the position of the support frame member when lifting a physically impaired person, the stabilizing plate being positioned via an electric motor operating a linear actuator; and opposite lifting arms rotationally extended from the support frame member via electric motors operating linear actuators, the lifting arms ultimately placing a physically impaired person upon or removing the impaired person from an inclinable seat member secured to the support frame member.

Abstract: A system for alpine touring, a low-profile, selectively pivotal riser, and a method of releasably locking a ski boot heel. In an embodiment, the system for alpine touring includes a pair of skis; a pair of low-profile, selectively pivotal risers, and a pair of alpine ski boot bindings. In one embodiment, the riser includes an alpine binding attachment plate, a first anchor portion for pivotally attaching the riser thereto; and a second anchor portion for selectively attaching the riser thereto.

Abstract: A method for controlling power sources or energy sinks on an energy accumulator, in particular for a motor vehicle, is disclosed. Conventional systems for power supply to the motor vehicle modules are often excessively used, in particular in utility vehicles when an optimal availability is required. The present method includes measuring parameters characterizing the charge of the accumulator, and transmitting the results of a measurement to a control unit and in generating control signals for the energy sinks or the power sources by a control unit. The method makes it possible to eliminate a frequent cause of a low availability in motor vehicles.

Abstract: An adjustable fender vehicle has an upper wall with inner and outer side walls. The inner side wall includes an elongated longitudinal clamping edge and an interior wall depends from the underside of upper wall between the inner and outer walls. The interior wall has an elongated longitudinal opening in registry with the elongated longitudinal clamping edge in the inner side wall for receiving a fastener for adjustable mounting of the fender to a vehicle. The inner side wall includes an elongated longitudinal opening in registry with the elongated longitudinal opening in the interior wall and the elongated longitudinal clamping edge is formed in the elongated longitudinal opening in the inner side wall. The elongated longitudinal opening is configured to receive a mounting arm that is adapted to extend through the elongated longitudinal opening to the interior wall. Fasteners on the mounting arm clamp the fender to the mounting arm.

Abstract: A bearing lubrication device in a right angle gear reducer includes a gear housing having an interior portion and a lubricating fluid reservoir therein. An oil slinger, rotating pinion shaft, pinion shaft housing, and bearings for supporting the pinion shaft within the pinion shaft housing work together to provide a continuous supply of oil to the bearings. The pinion shaft includes two radially and longitudinally extending passageways therethrough which supply oil from a recess in one end of the pinion shaft to the bearings. Oil is slung from the reservoir into the recess of the rotating pinion shaft where it is forced outwardly and through the passageways to a chamber formed by the rotating pinion shaft, shaft housing and bearings. The roller bearings pump the oil from the chamber back to the fluid reservoir. Oil passageways in the shaft housing enable the return of oil from one bearing set.

Abstract: A vehicle can ensure an engine torque the driver desires even though the load torque of a generator with respect to the engine varies, and in particular can restrain occurrence of such a risk that an engine stall occurs when a load to the engine is large upon, for example, engagement of a clutch. A controller predicts a load torque of the generator with respect to the engine in future several hundred milliseconds at maximum from the present time, in view of a magnetic field voltage and a speed of the generator at the present time, and controls the engine in accordance with the predicted load torque in order to prevent the output torque of the engine from being insufficient.

Abstract: During periods of vehicle inactivity, a vehicle-based APU electric generating system may be coupled into a regional electric grid to send electricity into the grid. A currently-preferred APU is a solid oxide fuel cell system. When a large number of vehicles are thus equipped and connected, substantial electric buffering can be effected to the grid load. A vehicle-based APU can also function as a back-up generator to a docking facility in the event of power failure of the grid. Gaseous hydrocarbon is readily supplied by pipe in many locations as a commercial and residential heating fuel source, and a hydrocarbon reformer on the vehicle can be attached to the fuel source, enabling an APU to operate as a stationary power source indefinitely. An optional storage tank on the vehicle may be refueled with gaseous fuel, for example, while the battery is being electrically recharged by the grid.

Abstract: A transportation device consisting of an elongate central member with a handle at one end, and a pair of wheels rotatably mounted on the other end. A first cross member is oriented generally perpendicular to the central member between the first two ends thereof and has a connector attached thereto for removably retaining an object to the first cross member. A yoke is moveably attached to the elongate member near the pair of wheels and a second cross member also having a connector thereon for removably retaining an object thereto is attached to the second cross member.

Abstract: A coaxial two-wheel vehicle with which a rider stably travels without the upper body being swayed left and right in a riding state of the center of gravity being positioned high. The coaxial two-wheel vehicle includes: a step plate for a driver to ride; a vehicle body that supports the step plate to be capable of changing a posture in a roll direction of rotating around a roll axis as the center, when a traveling direction is made the roll axis; a pair of wheels with one wheel disposed on each side of the body on the same axis in the direction orthogonal to the traveling direction of the vehicle body and rotatably supported by the vehicle body; a pair of wheel drive means to drive and rotate the pair of wheels independently; and a handle for directly changing a posture of the step plate or indirectly changing the posture through the vehicle body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a snowboard binding for coupling a snowboard boot to a snowboard. The binding includes a highback that extends upwardly from a midfoot or heel region of the binding to provide rear support for the boot. In one embodiment, the highback is formed of a plurality of modular components that each can be manufactured of a separate material to collectively provide desired structural characteristics to the highback. The attachment of the highback, its supporting elements and one or more straps to retain the boot within the binding are arranged such that certain attachment points are fixedly connected to each other and thus made to move synchronously when the position of the highback with respect to the binding's base is adjusted.

Abstract: A running board assembly for mounting to a vehicle such as a truck includes an extruded running board body and a cover member. Advantageously the extruded running board body is made from an extrudable plastic and the cover member is advantageously made of a material having the desired exterior finish. The cover member may be metallic and have the appearance of a chrome or polished finish. The cover extends over the upper and outboard surface of the running board body to provide the desired appearance characteristics. The running board assembly is affixed to the vehicle by a plurality of mounting brackets.

Abstract: A frame has rear, upper and front components. A rear wheel and two laterally spaced spindles with wheels are supported by the front frame component. A steering assembly includes a steering shaft, a handle bar and horizontal steering rods. The steering shaft has an upper end, a lower end and a central extent. The shaft is rotatably supported in the front frame component. The handle bar is coupled to the upper end of the steering shaft. The horizontal steering rods pivotally couple the lower end of the steering shaft to the steering rods. In this manner steering purposes is facilitated. A suspension assembly includes an upper and lower wishbone subassemblies. Each wishbone subassembly has front and rear wishbone arms. Two outboard carriers are provided. The carriers are adapted to function as parallelograms while riding.

Abstract: A vehicle, in particular an agricultural tractor, is disclosed with a vehicle chassis, which is formed at least partly from two laterally spaced side members (1, 2) with C-shaped profile, comprising a vertical bar (1a, 2a) and two horizontal flanges (1b, 2b) and containing hydraulic lines in the space between the flanges, and with a radiator sub-assembly (5), fitted to the vehicle chassis, which consists of a carrier plate (6) fitted to the side members and several oil coolers (8, 9) supported by the carrier plate.

Abstract: A collapsible utility cart for holding working materials, such as a five-gallon drywall mud bucket and related drywall tools, is disclosed. The utility cart is expandable from a collapsed configuration to an extended configuration. A base has a plurality of legs that extend downwardly therefrom, each including a rolling means. A plurality of nestable, generally planer shelves each have a central aperture therein and a retaining lip extending upwardly therefrom at least partially around a perimeter thereof. A bucket holder is adapted to hold the five-gallon bucket and has a peripheral wall extending upwardly around a perimeter thereof. A plurality of support poles each have the interlocking means at each end thereof. A handle is included and adapted to interlock with the interlocking means of the top-most support pole, such that the utility cart may be carried thereby, whether the utility cart is in the extended configuration or the collapsed configuration.

Abstract: A heavy panel transport system and method. The system includes a load-bearing horizontal bar for supporting a substantially planar panel placed upon the horizontal bar. The system also includes a lateral support bar attached to the horizontal bar to provide sideways support to the substantially planar panel. The system also includes a wheel system operable without gears. The wheel system includes a wheel disposed between a fork. Here, the horizontal bar and lateral support bar are then mounted over the wheel system for steering and propelling the system in a desired direction.