Abstract: The invention relates to an electric propulsion system for a multi-wheeled vehicle including though not limited to a bicycle. The preferred embodiment consists of a standard street bicycle with multi-speed transmission, plus an electrical propulsion system and a solar charging apparatus. This preferred embodiment is normally powered by a combination of motor and pedals, coupled such that either or both may provide power at any time.

Abstract: A transport apparatus is arranged to include a platform pivotally mounted relative to and within the legs of a table structure, whereupon the platform includes lever apparatus to cantilever the platform and project wheel members of the platform to engagement to an underlying support surface to permit rolling support of the table structure.

Abstract: A wheelchair adapted for use both on smooth surfaces and uneven or rough ground wherein a cleated belt is trained around a plurality of wheels on both sides of the chair and is driven by a spring-loaded handgrip engaging therewith. Means are provided for tensioning the belt and for locking the hand grip in engagement with such belt.

Abstract: A single-handed manual drive wheelchair assembly (20) for a wheelchair (10) is provided for triplegic persons having use of only one hand. A first drive wheel (22) is provided rotatably mounted to one side (13) of a wheelchair frame (11), while a second drive wheel (23) is rotatably mounted to an opposite side (14) of the frame (20). A manual hand-rim assembly (26) positioned proximate the first drive wheel (22) which is mounted for rotation relative to the first drive wheel (22) about a common wheel axis (24). An elongated drive axle member (30) is coupled between the hand-rim assembly (26) and the second drive wheel (23) which is substantially axially aligned to rotate about the common wheel axis (24). The axle member (30) includes a first latching mechanism (31) on one end thereof which is releasably coupled to the hand-rim assembly (26).

Abstract: A non-rigid airship is provided which includes a gas envelope having propulsion units mounted on either side thereof. Thrust emanating from the propulsion units is deflectable to control at least the vertical positioning of the airship. Horizontal positioning of the airship may be controlled by varying the relative thrust of the propulsion units. A method is also provided for controlling the flight path of an airship. The method includes providing propulsion units on opposite sides of the airship and deflecting the thrust of the propulsion units to control vertical placement of the airship. Horizontal placement of the airship may be carried out by varying the relative thrust of the propulsion units.

Abstract: A sidecar for a bicycle comprised of an accessory rear mounting frame, four elongated mounting members an attachment for sidecar wheel and a framework for supporting a load. The accessory rear mounting frame extends from the rear axle of the bicycle to the seat post or the seat tube of the bicycle. Two elongated mounting members extend from the load supporting frame to the accessory rear mounting frame. Two more elongated mounting members extend from the load supporting frame to the forward structural tubing of the bicycle frame. And an attachment member, on the opposite side of the load supporting frame, and located forward of a line formed by extending the rear axle of the bicycle, comprises a support for an axle for the sidecar wheel. In one preferred embodiment each elongated mounting member and the accessory rear mounting frame has adjustments which allow the sidecar to be attached to various sizes of bicycle frames.

Abstract: A trailer hitch guide with a first portion to be mounted on a tractor vehicle, and a second portion to be mounted on a trailer vehicle. The first portion having a guide telescopically mounted to the tractor such that it can be viewed by the tractor operator while the vehicle is in motion. The second portion having a hood telescopically mounted to the trailer drawbar at a height equal to that of the guide. The relative spacial relation between the hood and guide emulating the relative spacial relation between the tractor hitch ball and trailer drawbar, such that when the operator is attempting to couple the tractor to the trailer, he can position the tractor for coupled engagement with the trailer by viewing the relative spacial relation of the two portions of the trailer hitch guide.

Abstract: A self aligning hitching device having a tongue support mountable on a vehicle or vehicle hitch. The tongue support has a mounting support so that the tongue support can easily be mounted on a vehicle. A tongue is provided that is mounted in the tongue support and is slideably free floating when in the unlocked position. It is at this time the connection is made between the towed & towing vehicles. Both the tongue and tongue support have wedging surfaces that guide the tongue now connected to a wedged or fully seated position at which time a spring biased locking pin secures them both together so that a towing vehicle carrying the tongue support and a towed vehicle connected to the tongue are now joined and ready for a towing movement.

Abstract: A human-powered vehicle includes a folding front axle with front wheels, at least one rear wheel, and rear castors. The vehicle may stand upright on the castors and the rear wheel in order to reduce the parking area. The vehicle driver reciprocates a manual lever to drive the rear wheel through a roller chain which runs from the lever to a tensioning means through a free-wheel hub on a rear wheel shaft. The driver's feet are used to steer by pushing against the front axle assembly. The front axle assembly has two half-axles and a central member to which they are hinged. The assembly is locked into a rigid configuration for running the vehicle, and when unlocked, the half-axles and the central member fold up into the shape of an "N" to reduce the axle length. The combination of standing upright and folded axle make the parked "footprint" very small.

Abstract: An anti-theft ball assembly for a ball and socket hitch is disclosed where the mounting bolt and retaining nut that clamp the ball assembly to a tow bar are covered by a cup-shaped cover that combines with the socket to prevent access to the mounting bolt and mounting nut.

Abstract: A device for coupling the hitch socket of a trailer to the hitch ball of a tow vehicle is attached to a tongue jack having a centered post. A rigid elongate bar comprising a pair of laterally spaced apart beams is mounted around the tongue post below the frame for longitudinal movement, lateral angular movement and vertical angular movement of the bar relative to the tongue. A ring on the bar fore end attaches to the ball such that the ball and socket may be hitched with the ring attached. A cable from a winch attached to the tongue pulls the bar centrally rearward whereby the hitch components are pulled into registry. In an alternate embodiment, a bracket mounting the bar centrally under the tongue includes a roller for bearing against the bar upper surface and supporting the tongue during retraction of the bar. The bar upper surface includes a vertical drop such that, upon registry, the roller descends the vertical drop and lowers the socket onto the ball.

Abstract: A bypass and switch arrangement is connected to the conventional steering system on a towable vehicle. A rotary bypass valve includes two ports connected between the two hydraulic lines leading from the steering control valve to the steering cylinder or motor. The bypass valve has a normal operating position which blocks flow between the lines so that normal steering operation is provided. When the vehicle is connected for towing, the bypass valve is rotated to an open towing position to permit free flow of fluid between the ports and lines so that fluid may move freely to and from the steering motor or cylinder. If a steering cylinder is used, a third port on the valve is connected to the oil cooler on the vehicle and opens the lines to reservoir through the cooler to accommodate the deficient or excess flow from or to the cylinder which results from the difference in effective area on opposite sides of the ram.

Abstract: A power-driven and steered wheelchair comprises a pair of ground-engaging wheels mounted in laterally-spaced relationship to a frame carrying a seat for an occupant and supporting the power source and a transaxle transmission for imparting parting both driving and steering power to the ground-engaging wheels. Steering is accomplished by employing separate planetary drive mechanisms for each of the primary ground-engaging wheels and imparting rotation in opposite directions to the ring gears of such planetary drive mechanisms to effect the rotation of one wheel at a greater speed than the other wheel in either a forward or rearward direction, thus producing power steering of the wheelchair.

Abstract: A power steering system is provided which, upon malfunction thereof, causes a warning lamp to be turned on or turned on and off alternately and produces a cyclically varying steering assist force for causing vibrations of a steering wheel so that a warning to the driver against the malfunction is given not only by the lighting of the warning lamp but by the vibrations of the steering wheel.

Abstract: A method for controlling reorientation of a spacecraft's spin from a minor axis spin bias to a desired major axis spin after spin transition. A control system monitors rotational rates about the principal axes to detect a separatrix crossing of a polhode path therein. Controlled thruster firings resulting from spin rate information successively decrease and increase a characteristic parameter and capture the spacecraft during a spin transition to a desired major bias orientation. It is possible to monitor only .omega..sub.1 and .omega..sub.3 in an alternate embodiment.

Abstract: A frame that includes first and second tubular members, joined at a predetermined angle to each other solely by a bond along a joint between a surface along a portion of a wall of the first member and an edge along at least a portion of the wall of the second member, is fabricated by cutting the edge of the wall of the second member at the joint being to a shape that conforms to and abuts the surface of the first member so as to establish and maintain the predetermined angle between the members. The first member is formed with a slot that registers with the edge of the second member, and the second member is formed with an integral tab along part of the edge forming the joint. The tab on the second member is received in close-fitting relation in the slot of the first member so as to establish and maintain a predetermined position of the second member axially and rotationally relative to the first member.

Abstract: A power transmitting system of a four-wheel drive vehicle having primary driven wheels driven directly by a prime mover, and subsidiary driven wheels driven through a hydraulic clutch. The power transmitting system comprises a first hydraulic pump driven in operative association with the primary driven wheels and a second hydraulic pump driven in operative association with the subsidiary driven wheels. Each hydraulic pump has a pair of ports which serve as an intake and a discharge with the functions of such ports being reversed between forward and backward movement of the vehicle. A first oil passage connects the intake port of one pump with the discharge of the other pump and a second oil passage connects the discharge of the one pump with the intake of the other pump. Third and fourth oil passages connect the first and second oil passages, respectively, with a working hydraulic pressure chamber in the hydraulic clutch.

Abstract: A bicycle accessory is provided for stabilizing a bicycle while the operator of the bicycle pops a wheelee. The accessory acts as a safety by providing one or more wheelee wheels behind the rear wheel to limit the upward excursion of the front wheel of the bicycle. The accessory is attachable and detachable from conventional bicycles of various sizes and designs. The accessory is adjustable in size for compatibility and operator preference. The accessory is convertible between receiving one or two wheelee wheels.

Abstract: A converter assembly for converting a drive-wheel-driven tractor into a track-driven tractor, the assembly having its frame separate and unattached relative to the frame of the tractor and constructed and arranged, together with a continuous track, to be positioned beneath the drive-wheel of the tractor, and within the track, in cooperating position with the drive-wheel and track, to effectively extend the ground-engaging area of the tractor. A pair of transversely spaced, relatively light, plate members rotatably mount a pair of idler wheels, one ahead and one behind the drive-wheel within the track. A pair of alignment rollers are also rotatably mounted between the plate members in engaging and aligning relation ahead and behind the drive-wheel, whereby the converter assembly is maintained in aligned relation with the drive-wheel, and some of the weight is transferred from the drive-wheel, through the alignment rollers and plate members, to the idler rollers.

Abstract: A lift generating method and apparatus for aircraft is provided which generates lift in forward flight, in vertical flight or while hovering. A disk (24) is positioned between first and second counterrotating blade assemblies (22 and 36). The disk (24) generates lift in vertical flight or while hovering due to radial flow of air over an upper surface (28) thereof. In forward flight, the disk (24) functions as a fixed wing to generate lift. The assemblies (22 and 36) may be rotated to provide equal and opposite torques so that a torque compensating tail rotor is unnecessary.