Abstract: A railway car for transportation of motor vehicles. The railway car may be articulated, comprising two or more units. The railway car may have end doors which are pivotally attached to the roof of the railway car. Flexible seals may be provided along the inner and outer edges of the end doors. Ventilation in the side walls of the railway car may be provided by small diameter perforations grouped at elevations near the top and bottom of each level. The side walls may be constructed by a combination of load bearing side wall panels which function as shear plates, and vertical posts. Protection for the door edges of motor vehicles being carried in the railway car may be provided by providing a plurality of parallel horizontal strips of a relatively soft material along the inside of each side wall on each level. A flexible enclosure may be provided between adjacent car units. A heat-reflecting corrosion-resistant coating may be provided on the galvanized steel corrugated roof to extend the life of the roof.

Abstract: A coupling device for coupling a leading bicycle to a trailing bicycle which includes an elongated assembly having a first connecting device located at one end of the elongated assembly for connecting to the shaft of a handle bar of the trailing bicycle, a second connecting device located at an opposite end for connection to a leading bicycle about a seat post thereof, and an interconnecting portion extending between the first connecting device and second connecting device, the interconnecting portion having a rigid segment and a flexible segment, the rigid segment having a telescopic arrangement for length adjustment, the flexible segment permitting movement in all planes including a torsional or rotational movement while being substantially inextensible in the longitudinal axis. The arrangement permits both bicycles to be ridden at the same time in a tandem type arrangement.

Abstract: A hydrostatic zero turn transaxle is provided with two transmission housings, wherein the housings and the output axle for the hydrostatic transmission can be easily adapted to be use for left-hand or right-hand drive, without the need for changing the casing or any of the internal gearing. Such housing may be used to improve tracking efficiency in a zero turn vehicle. Another feature of the invention comprises the arrangement of axles and shafts relative to one another. A further feature of the invention is an improved parking brake feature comprising a brake shaft forming part of the output gear train and means for securing said brake shaft when the gear train is stopped to prevent movement of the gear train and the vehicle.

Abstract: A generally inverted “T” shaped, resiliently self locking, integral sportboard fastener is adapted to be received in a countersunk aperture formed in a sportboard such as a snowboard, ski, boogie board, skateboard or any other board which supports a person and has one or more structures attached thereto. The fastener comprises a noncircular base portion to be received within a countersink defined in the sportboard. The base and the countersink comprise two parallel sides and two opposite concentric arcs forming two opposite ends. A generally cylindrical integral ferrule portion extends upwardly from the base, through a bore defined in the sportboard, concentric with the countersink. The ferrule defines internal threads to receive a screw to secure a binding or other fixture to the sportboard. An internal annulus portion is defined at the juncture of the base and ferrule. A generally circular, preferably nylon, resilient insert ring is disposed within the annulus.

Abstract: A brake force control apparatus generates a brake force to which a driver's intention is reflected when an emergency brake operation is performed by the driver. The brake force control apparatus generates an increased brake fluid pressure which is greater than that generated in a regular brake operation when an emergency brake operation is performed by the driver. A brake operating speed is detected. Execution of an emergency brake operation is detected based on the brake operating speed. The increased brake fluid pressure is generated by adding an assist pressure corresponding to the brake operating speed generated in a process of the emergency brake operation, when the emergency brake operation is detected.

Abstract: A control cable quick release device for use with cable-actuated brake arms that permits disengagement of the control cable from the brake arm without braking the seal between the quick release device and the deformable bellows thereby preventing premature corrosion of the control cable and permitting quick and easy removal of the bicycle wheel.

Abstract: A device which automatically adjusts a kickstand's point of contact with the ground to insure that the vehicle is always resting at the optimal angle of lean when parked, irregardless of the contour of the surface of the ground. The device is designed to be installed between the frame of the motorcycle and the existing kickstand, and can therefore be installed when a motorcycle is being assembled, or on motorcycles already in use. It is also designed to be minimally visible in order to preserve the aesthetic qualities of a motorcycle.

Abstract: The damper includes a cylindrical housing with a cylindrical passageway formed therewithin. A piston traverses the cylindrical passageway. A strand element is integrally molded with the piston on a first end and integrally molded with an attachment element on a second end. The portion of the cylindrical passageway through which the piston traverses when the damper is in its retracted position has a reduced diameter.

Abstract: The invention discloses an automatic brake system for motor vehicles which serves to shorten the stopping distance by means of propulsion motor vehicle control signals while simultaneously lowering the required costs. According to the invention, means are provided which ensure pre-filling of the wheel brakes when a control signal which represents the motion of the gas pedal when the actuating force is discontinued is received by the brake system control unit.

Abstract: A wheeled vehicle comprises a frame having a steerable front wheel having an axle affixed to a front portion of said frame, and a hub rear wheel having an axle affixed to a rear portion of said frame. A unitary power module is used as a propulsion system, which includes a target sprocket and a mounting frame, with the target sprocket comprising a disk shaped assembly having an center opening to allow the unitary member to be placed about the wheel axle. The target sprocket mates to the hub (or axle) of either of the wheels to enable target sprocket to be concentrically attached to the wheel by engagement with the wheel by securing elements. The mounting frame may be aligned with and rotatably attached to the target sprocket to allow for aligned rotation of the target sprocket about the wheel axle.

Abstract: A method of constructing a wheelchair that is durable, lightweight, economical and fully adaptable to any end user's requirements, such as sizing, convertibility, environment and lifestyle, and the resulting wheelchair, is disclosed, made possible by the utilization of specially designed weld-free connector fittings with any desirable or available tubular materials.

Abstract: A brake system for an air braked trailer includes a first control line for transmitting air from a source, a second control line for transmitting air, a relay valve allowing air to flow therethrough, and a pneumatic control module (PCM) having structure for reducing pressure from an inlet port of the PCM to an outlet port of the PCM. The PCM is connected to the first control line and is solely connected to the relay valve by the second control line. The first and second control lines are capable of being decoupled from the PCM and being coupled to each other to remove the PCM from the system so that a technician can check the system. An exhaust valve is integrally connected with the PCM and is capable of exhausting air to atmosphere. When the system is used on trailer, the PCM is mounted away from the relay valve, and preferably forwardly of a forward axle of the trailer.

Abstract: The modulation characteristic (static characteristic or dynamic characteristic) of a clutch and a brake are changed according to various operating conditions of a vehicle such as a high load driving state, slope traveling state, low engine speed state, and high speed driving state, to enable optimum steering performance that matches each operating condition of the tracklaying vehicle.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus includes a motor condition detector for detecting a stationary, i.e., zero-rotating-speed condition of an electric motor, and a motor resistance calculating section for, when the motor is at the zero rotating speed, executing a division of a voltage supplied to the motor and a current flowing through the motor to thereby calculate a winding resistance value of the motor. Thus, the apparatus can determine an actual winding resistance value of the motor at the zero rotating speed.

Abstract: In a braking system including a plurality of independently operable hydraulic brake assemblies, a controller is provided for monitoring the hydraulic pressure at at least some of the brake assemblies and for comparing that pressure with a brake control demand signal so that all or substantially all brake assemblies can be brought into operation if that comparison indicates a requirement for additional or full braking operation.

Abstract: A compressed air braking system for a railcar and railcar moving vehicle combination. The railcar moving vehicle comprises a modified semi-tractor configured to ride on railroad track and couple to a railcar, having a conventional pneumatic braking system for braking itself, and a conventional pneumatic trailer brake system for providing compressed air for actuating the brakes of a semi trailer. In accordance with the invention, the brake line connecting the railcar brake system to the railcar brake cylinder is disconnected, and in its place the trailer brake line is connected directly to the brake cylinder of the railcar, whereby the railcar brakes may be actuated independently or in concert with the tractor brakes by an operator of the modified semi-tractor using either the standard brake pedal or a separate trailer brake lever.

Abstract: The invention relates to a damper for vehicle components, particularly motor vehicle components such as steering tie rods and antiroll bar struts, with an elastic unit that is loaded in substantially axial direction of the component. To create a damper that will require little space but exhibit high reliability and a long service life and to permit a modular assembly from structurally simple and inexpensively producible parts for different applications, the elastic unit comprises at least two elastic elements 30 that are reciprocally, substantially pressure loaded and are disposed inside a housing (10) between the housing (10) and a coupling element (20) which transfers compression forces in substantially axial direction. The elastic elements (30) counteract an inclination and a coaxial offset of coupling element (20) with respect to the longitudinal axis of housing (10).

Abstract: The wheel speeds are measured and are transmitted to a control unit. The control unit calculates the wheel slip from the wheel speeds and determines a continuous correction value for the setpoint value of the wheel brake pressure from the wheel slip. Using the thus determined correction value, the setpoint value of the wheel brake pressure is continuously changed as a function of the wheel slip. The control unit contains an arithmetic circuit which determines the correction value for the setpoint value of the brake pressure from the wheel slip.

Abstract: The cylinder of the combined service and spring brake comprises a service brake piston rod capable of being connected to a brake linkage by means of a clearance adjuster. It combines the releasing pistons (26, 50) of the spring brake and service brake cylinder (2) with its piston (11) and its piston rod (12) provided with a clearance adjuster (16), and at least a dividing attachment rotating between the spring piston (26) and the ring-shaped base (37), such as a spindle (55) simultaneously passing through an axial bore (56) provided in the ring-shaped base (37) and a conjugated blind bore (57) provided in the spring piston (26). The invention is applicable to combined spring cylinders using the service brake clearance adjuster.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for braking a vehicle by means of at least a service brake and a retarder brake, the brake pedal velocity (vB) is detected and the brake pressure is increased by a control device (10) if the pedal velocity exceeds a definable activation threshold value (S). In addition, the position of an operating element of the retarder brake is detected, and the activation threshold value (S) is reduced if the position of the operating element exceeds a definable limit value (G).