Abstract: A full hydraulic power steering system for a forklift truck or the like is disclosed which employes a hydraulically operated cylinder for turning a steerable wheel of the vehicle with increased power in response to turning of a steering wheel and control means for making a position compensation of the steering wheel in accordance with a change in the relationship between the directional position assumed by the steering wheel and that assumed by the steerable wheel. When the turning speed of the steering wheel is relatively low, the position compensation of the steering wheel is not carried out irrespective of degree of the change in the relationship.

Abstract: A trailer hitch adapted to be attached to a towing vehicle and to be removably connected to a vehicle to be towed. The trailer hitch includes a tubular housing open at the rear end thereof and adapted to be rigidly attached to the towing vehicle. A hitch bar is slidably mounted in the housing and comprised of a front segment slidably received in the housing and a rear segment pivotally mounted on the rear end of the front segment for rotation about a generally vertical axis. A hitch ball is mounted on the rear end of the rear segment and is pivotal through an angle of approximately 180.degree., i.e., an angle of 90.degree. on either side of a center line extending longitudinally of the hitch bar. The housing has a pair of side bolts shiftably mounted thereon for insertion into respective side grooves or recesses in the sides of the front segment of the hitch bar.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for limiting the angular movement between the tractor and trailer wherein a fluid operated cylinder is mounted within a rigid frame, having a mounting bar attached to a forward member of the tractor, for moving an abutment means between a position extending downwardly within the longitudinal slot of the fifth wheel to a position wherein the abutment means is removed from the slot. Means are carried within the frame having fixed relation thereto for providing lateral support within the position of the slot.

Abstract: A toy in the form of a tracked vehicle containing a pair of tracks which turn in a manner which simulates a full-sized tracked vehicle, the vehicle having a supporting frame, a tricycle device mounted on the frame, the tricycle device having a pedal actuated drive wheel mounted at the forward end of the frame and a pair of auxiliary wheels in parallel relationship to each other mounted at the opposite end of the frame, a steering device connected to the drive wheel for turning the tricycle device in any direction thereby controlling the direction of the tracked vehicle, and idler devices mounted on the frame associated with each auxiliary wheel and positioned forward of the auxiliary wheels, each of the tracks being affixed respectively to one of the auxiliary wheels and the associated idler devices to allow for track movement in response to movement of the auxiliary wheels, the idler devices being positioned to maintain the tracks out of contact with the riding surface of the vehicle at the forward end of th

Abstract: A suspension bicycle is disclosed in which a rear suspension includes swing arms, control arms, and hub plates connected to the seat riser tube of the frame in a trapezoidal arrangement. The swing arms, control arms, and hub plates are configured to balance the forces applied to the rear wheel by the chain during pedaling so as to prevent energy absorbing movement of the rear suspension as the result of such pedaling. A shock absorber is also connected to the swing arms to absorb shocks during riding. The suspension of the present invention also is configured to provide improved traction during pedaling uphill or over uneven surfaces.

Abstract: The application discloses a compensating mechanism for vehicles having two or more wheels with one of those driven wheels being pivotally mounted at the rear end of a swingarm. The compensating mechanism is comprised of a eccentric cam arrangement for the forward end of the swingarm to pivot on and a rocker arm with connecting members to interconnect the swingarm and the eccentric cam. A method of controlling the rotation of the eccentric cam with respect to the swingarm is also disclosed to allow the rear driven wheel to remain a fixed distance away from the engine driver sprocket as the swingarm moves with respect to the driver sprocket.

Abstract: A collapsible wheelchair and a lift assembly which is permanently mountable in a vehicle and operable for moving the wheelchair and an occupant thereof between the interior and the exterior of the vehicle. The wheelchair includes a chair member and a pair of enlarged rear wheels on the chair member which are operable for movably supporting the rear portion of the chair member on a supporting surface when the chair member is in the erected position thereof. The wheelchair is movable to a collapsed position wherein one of the rear wheels is positioned behind the back portion of the chair member in substantially parallel relation therewith and the other rear wheel is positioned beneath the seat portion of the chair member in substantially parallel relation therewith. When the wheelchair is in the collapsed position, it has a reduced overall profile to enable the wheelchair and an occupant thereof to be effectively moved between the interior and the exterior of a vehicle with the lift assembly.

Abstract: A rear wheels steering apparatus for vehicles including a left rear wheel steering device capable of shifting a left rear wheel in a toe-in direction, a right rear wheel steering device capable of shifting a right wheel in a toe-in direction, a steering operation detecting device for detecting a steering stage of the front wheels of the vehicle and a toe control device for actuating one of the left and right rear wheel steering devices to shift one of the left and right rear wheels in a toe-in direction at an initial steering stage of the front wheels in accordance with a detected signal of the steering operation detecting device and actuating at least the other of the left and right rear wheel steering devices to shift the other of the left and right rear wheels in a toe-in direction at a later steering stage of the front wheels in accordance with a detected signal of the steering operation detecting device.

Abstract: A four-wheel drive vehicle has a permanently driven axle. A planetary gear set and viscous clutch are located in the power train leading to the second axle. The annular gear of the planetary gear set is mounted rotatably and can be stopped by a brake band. When the brake band is tensioned, the four-wheel drive, which is running via the viscous clutch, is in the state of readiness, while it is ineffective when the brake band is released.

Abstract: A steering force control apparatus for a power steering apparatus of a vehicle of the type having a reaction chamber responsive to fluid pressure applied thereto for producing a reaction force to counteract the steering force produced by a power cylinder. A main tubular spool is disposed in a valve case movably relative to the valve case and has an inner valve surface. A sub-spool is disposed in the main spool movably relative to the main spool and has an outer valve surface cooperative with the inner valve surface to define a variable throttle for selectively connecting a fluid pump to the reaction chamber and to the power cylinder according to the movement of the sub-spool relative to the main spool in response to the vehicle speed. The main spool is moved relative to the valve case and the sub-spool in response to the fluid pressure applied to the reaction chamber when the fluid pressure is above a certain value to enable the variable throttle to disconnect the fluid pump from the reaction chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for limiting the angular movement between the tractor and trailer wherein a fluid operated cylinder is mounted within a rigid frame, having a mounting bar attached to a forward member of the tractor, for moving an abutment means between a position extending downwardly within the longitudinal slot of the fifth wheel to a position wherein the abutment means is removed from the slot. Means are carried within the frame having fixed relation thereto for providing lateral support within the position of the slot.

Abstract: To match the wires of a pickup to a trailer, a conversion box is provided. The jumper adapters are used to convert the plugs from the pickup to a six connection plug. Another adapter connects the wires from the trailer to a six wire connector. Therefore, a standard six wire box is used regardless of the fact that the pickup and the trailer may neither have six wires nor the same number of wires as the other.The wires from the pickup are connected to switch wires which have banana plugs on the end. The wires from the trailer are connected to receptacles so that when each switch wire is plugged into a receptacle, a connection is made. Lights on the box are used to indicate which of the truck wires are activated.

Abstract: A snowmobile body having an improved seat construction for a snowmobile vehicle having a built-in backrest which is inclined at a small acute angle with respect to the vertical for providing support for the driver in the lumbar and thoracic regions when assuming a slightly reclining disposition. The seat back may be slidably adjustable relative to the frame of the vehicle and the steering wheel or handlebars use to control the front steering skis may also be adjustable to accommodate drivers of differing physical size.

Abstract: A riding-astride type whole-wheel steered vehicle (100; 200) comprising front wheels (2) and rear wheels (3) attached to the front part and the rear part of a vehicle body frame (1), respectively, a power transmission mechanism (8, 11, 21) for transmitting power of a midship engine (5), which is mounted on the vehicle body frame between axles (13, 14, 16 and 23, 24, 26) of the wheels in terms of the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, to at least either of the axles, left and right footsteps (7) attached to the vehicle body frame at both sides of the engine, respectively, a front-wheel steering mechanism (29) for interconnecting a handle member of the vehicle with the front wheels and steering the front wheels, a rear-wheel steering mechanism (19) for steering the rear wheels, and a steering transmission mechanism (34) for mechanically interconnecting the front-wheel steering mechanism with the rear-wheel steering mechanism.

Abstract: An improved pivot joint assembly is provided for use in the frame of a folding wheelchair or the like, wherein the pivot assembly provides a simple yet sturdy pivot interconnection between tubular frame members. The pivot joint assembly comprises a bearing of plastic or the like anchored within an open end of a first tubular frame member and defining an outwardly presented concave bearing seat, preferably of semi-cylindrical shape, for engaging the exterior of a second tubular frame member at a selected position intermediate the length of the second frame member. A strap bracket of generally U-shaped configuration is wrapped about the second frame member and secured by a lock pin or the like to the first frame member and to the bearing to retain the frame members in generally T-shaped relation with the first frame member pivotal about a central axis of the second frame member.

Abstract: In a cargo-carrying vehicle having a power unit, a first cargo-carrying unit releasably affixed to the power unit, the first cargo-carrying unit not being pivotal on the power unit, and a second cargo-carrying unit releasably and pivotally connected to the first cargo-carrying unit, wherein the improvement comprises:a folding door including a first and second halves, each half having a first and a second section, a plurality of hinges mounting said first section to said cargo unit, a hinge mounting said first section to said second section, a predetermined distance between the first and second cargo-carrying unit, said first section having a width less than the predetermined distance.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to novel improved recumbent vehicles having a frame comprising an elongate tubular support means adapted to substantially entirely enclose within its interior the vehicle's primary drive means thereby eliminating risk of rider entanglement. Other features of recumbent vehicles according to the invention include a steering assembly including handlebars selectively positionable along the frame and diametrically interconnected by steering cable means to a front fork selectively positionable along the frame and rotatably supporting a front wheel providing for nearly 90.degree. steering movement of the front wheel, and a seat means selectively positionable along the frame to accommodate various size riders and adapted to support a rider without the need for complicated seat bracing apparatus.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is an electric power steering system which comprises: a detecting unit for detecting the direction and magnitude of a relative angular displacement betweeen input and output shafts; and an electric motor connected to the output shaft and having its revolutions controlled through a controller in accordance with the output signal of the detecting unit. The detecting unit includes a converting mechanism for converting the relative angular displacement into an axial displacement, and a displacement detecting unit for detecting the magnitude of the displacement in the axial direction. The displacement detecting unit can have its neutral position adjusted independently of other parts.

Abstract: A slip control method controls slip of the driving wheels of a vehicle. The method includes detecting excess slip of the driving wheels of the vehicle during acceleration, and reducing a driving force to said driving wheels upon detection of said excess slip in order to limit the slip of the driving wheels. The slip control of said driving wheels is inhibited upon detection of the application of a parking brake of the vehicle, or upon the detection of the transmission of the vehicle as being in the reverse gear position.

Abstract: A multi-arm tractor hitch with an improved adjustable arm having a pair of threaded end members with slots therealong, a middle member engaged with the end members in turnbuckle fashion, a locking member movably, preferably pivotably, attached to the middle member and having tabs positioned to engage the slots of both ends members when the locking member is in a lock position, to firmly lock them and the middle against relative rotation without any connection beyond the middle member.