Abstract: A motorcycle has a frame assembly having at least a head pipe on which a front fork is steerably supported, a pair of laterally spaced main pipes of rectangular cross section extending rearwardly from the head pipe, and a rear fork swingably coupled to the main pipes, a front wheel rotatably supported on the front fork, a rear wheel rotatably supported on the rear fork, an engine disposed between the front and rear wheels and supported on the frame assembly, a fairing extending rearwardly from a position in front of the head pipe in covering relation to part of the engine and the frame assembly, and a pair of laterally spaced side covers disposed adjacent to and behind the fairing. The fairing has an upper end fastened to the main pipes. The main pipes on rear portions thereof brackets with bolt holes therein. The rear edge of the fairing and the front edges of the side covers are fastened together to the brackets.

Abstract: A coupler for a ball type hitch has a body member that includes a socket portion and a closure mechanism that is slidably mounted on the body member for movement between the open position, a closed position, and a third overshoot position. The closure mechanism includes a lower retaining plate and a latch plate which automatically latches when the closure mechanism achieves the closed position. A spring biases the closure mechanism from the open position to the closed position and third position. The closure mechanism is retained in the closed position when the coupler is engaged to a properly sized hitch ball. The closure mechanism is free to move to the third overshoot position when the coupler is engaged to an undersized ball. Visual indicators exit the coupler body member when the closure mechanism is in the open or third overshoot positions. The retainer plate includes a lock receiving aperture for receiving a lock that prevents unauthorized opening of the coupler.

Abstract: In a full time type four wheel drive power transmission system having a planetary gear mechanism for dividing input power supplied to the carrier into a first output power delivered from the sun gear for one pair of four wheels and a second output power delivered from the ring gear for another pair of four wheels or directly connecting the sun gear and the ring gear to the carrier by selectively rotationally connecting the sun gear and the ring gear by a clutch, the ring gear and the casing of the clutch are respectively provided with a series of teeth or other surface projections or unevenness, and two sensors are provided respectively to detect each unevenness for detecting rotational speed of the sun gear and the ring gear.

Abstract: A power steering system is hydraulically operated to decrease the manual steering force in response to the steering wheel angular displacement. A main pump supplies a first hydraulic fluid to the power steering system to operate the same. The main pump is hydraulically coupled to the power steering system so that the pressure of the first hydraulic fluid is affected by the operation of the power steering system and therefore is indicative of the steering wheel angular displacement. A reaction chamber receives a second hydraulic fluid from a subpump and is hydraulically operated to increase the steering force in proportion to the pressure of the second hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: This actuation of a differential lock consists essentially of the locking differential (10) and the coupling (11) connected thereto, which via an electromagnetic actuating means (12) connects that part of the locking differential (10) driven by the universal shaft when and as long as a predeterminable value of the steering angle is attained or exceeded. The sole signal generator used for this purpose may be, as required, realized as a contact built immediately into the switching circuit of the electromagnetic actuating means (2), or an inductive switch or potentiometer, respectively, in the area of the angle-dependent steering elements, and held fast in the axle housing (2), protected from damage. The switching means (7) is capable of being actuated either via further switches (17) and (30) manually by the driver, or may be combined with the engagement lever for the supplementary drive on steering axle (1) so that the locking differential (10) can only be actuated under appropriate driving conditions.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated, energy efficient wheelchair utilizes a pair of identical wheelchair drive units, with each unit having a constant speed battery powered electric motor driving a hydraulic pump and associated hydraulic motor. Hydraulic fluid flow between each pump and its hydraulic motor is controlled by the operator through the use of a solenoid actuated proportional control valve to determine the speed and direction of rotation of the hydraulic motor. One of these hydraulic motors is mechanically coupled to each wheelchair drive wheel. Means are provided to discharge excess pressurized fluid upstream of the hydraulic motor so as to minimize the backpressure on the pump and to thereby conserve driving energy and increase battery life. A method for hydraulically driving the wheelchair is also disclosed.

Abstract: A three point or other hitch for use in conjunction with a tractor, preferably for mounting onto its front end, a pair of side plates permanently mount onto the front side edges of the tractor, each side plate incorporating shaped cradles for holding the hitch thereto. The hitch incorporates laterally extending trunions for mounting onto the side plates, and the lift arms of the hitch have a stabilizing plate arranged intermediate thereof, in order to provide enhanced support. Each lift arm incorporates a clamp, at their frontal ends, with each clamp incorporating a support for holding a draw pin, and a dog associated with each clamp for locking the pin into position, but which can be manipulated by a cam for holding the respective dogs out of their locking position, so that any implement can be freed therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention is a steering system for an articulated vehicle which has at least one axle mounted for wagon-wheel steering with respect to the vehicle, a hydraulic actuator for pivoting the axle with respect to the vehicle and a pair of hydraulic actuators for causing articulation of the vehicle. The improved steering system includes sensors for providing signals dependent on the degree of axle pivot relative to the vehicle, the degree of articulation of the vehicle and the desired direction of the vehicle travel. These signals are detected by a controller which in turn controls actuation of the axle and articulation hydraulic actuators. The actuators are operated in a sequential manner so that small directional changes of the vehicle are achieved solely through pivoting of the axle.

Abstract: Present invention is a frame type flexible axle suspension system designated for use on automobiles. This system mainly consists of two parallel spring steel shafts (12, 14), ends of which pass through a pair of link stands (16, 18) which are perpendicular to the spring steel shafts, thus form a frame construction (10). The link stands are connected with elevation shaft or drive shaft or wheel shaft. In addition, on each steel shaft there is a pair of elastic sleeves which are fastened on the spring steel shaft by means of hoops (24). Supporting stand (26) is connected with the hoops at one end and fixed on chassis or mainbeam of automobile at the other end. This frame type flexible axle suspension system can be used for front and rear axles of automobiles. It is also possible to select optimal combination of parameters of parts according to needs.

Abstract: A motor-driven power steering system has a steering mechanism for interconnecting a steering wheel and a steerable wheel. An electric motor applies a steering assistive force to the steering mechanism. A plurality of frictional elements are each provided with a lubricating material having a temperature-dependent viscosity. The motor-driven power steering system also includes a steering torque detector for detecting a steering torque applied by the steering wheel through the steering mechanism and for generating a signal indicative of the steering torque a temperature detects for detecting the temperature of at least one of the frictional elements and generates a signal indicative of the temperature. A motor control signal generator generates a motor control signal based on at least the signals from the steering torque detector and the temperature detector. A motor driver controls the electric motor based on the motor control signal.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for detachably coupling a wheelchair to any bicyle such that they are transportable together as a unit without the need of anything or anyone other than the sole operator of the bicycle. The device allows the bicycle to travel in tandem with the wheelchair without any hindrance on mobility or agility. The device connects the wheelchair to the bicycle via the bicycle's front fork, and the device is substituted as the steering device.

Abstract: A suspension control system for an automotive vehicle automatically adjusts the damping strength of variable shock absorbers or other dampers in accordance with road surface conditions as recognized by frequency analysis of a vehicle height or vibration sensor signal. The sensor signal reflects vertical displacement of the vehicle body from the road surface and includes high-frequency components due solely to displacement of the wheels or unsprung mass relative to the road surface and low-frequency components due to displacement of the vehicle body or sprung mass. The sensor signal is filtered into these separate frequency bands and the amplitude of each is compared to a corresponding reference level to give an indication of the irregularities in the road surface. Specifically, a high-amplitude low-frequency component indicates large-scale bumps and dips capable of bouncing the vehicle whereas a strong high-frequency component reflects a rough-textured road surface, such as gravel.

Abstract: An aircraft loader having a mobile frame and hydraulically actuated components, includes a substantially rectangular frame hinged to and cantilevered from the mobile frame. The rectangular frame includes a pair of long tubes and a pair of short tubes which are sealingly connected to form a fuel tank. An internal combustion engine is mounted on the rectangular frame and drives a hydraulic pump which supplies hydraulic fluid under pressure to the components.

Abstract: In a tractor towed chassis having a telescoping, articulated stinger, a two function locking mechanism is disclosed complementary to the non-articulating and articulating functions of the chassis. In the non-articulating function, the chassis hauls short containers, has the stinger telescoped to a non-articulating disposition and conventionally pivots with respect to the towing tractor at a fifth wheel. In the articulating function, the chassis extends to expose the articulated portion of the stinger, is locked at the forward portion to the towing tractor for articulation and when turning of the tractor relative to the chassis occurs the rear wheels turn to assist in turning the tractor towed chassis. The locking mechanism has two discrete locks, a bolster lock that is engaged only when the chassis does not articulate and a fifth wheel lock that is engaged only when the chassis does articulate.

Abstract: A trailer which provides full enclosure for a boat during transport while permitting direct launch of the boat therefrom includes a floor with a sliding panel at the rear thereof, side walls, a top wall the forward portion of which is fixed and the rear portion thereof slidable between a forward, open position and a rear, closed position, and a rear door.

Abstract: A four wheel drive vehicle with an antilock braking system in which front and rear axles are coupled together by a power transmission assembly capable of directly coupling or uncoupling the axles, a hydraulic braking system controls the hydraulic pressure applied to each brake disposed in the wheel of the respective axles and an antilock control device is disposed in the hydraulic braking system for controlling hydraulic braking pressure such that it may be reduced when the axle is just about to become locked. In such a four wheel drive vehicle, the antilock control device includes a front wheel control section arranged to control the hydraulic pressure applied to the front wheel brakes and a rear wheel control section arranged to control the hydraulic pressure applied to the rear wheel brakes.

Abstract: A motorcycle is disclosed having a seat suspension system that is designed to move said seat in the opposite direction, relative to the frame, from the rear wheel when the rear wheel encounters bumps. A structural member is pivotally connected to the backbone of the frame at a location above the motor or near there. This pivoting structural member supports the seat and other components such as rear lights, side panels, rear fender, etc. It is caused to move downward relative to the main frame in response to upward motion of the rear suspension, by linkage means connecting it to the rear suspension. As the motorcycle frame experiences sudden upward motion due to bumps transmitted through the wheel suspension, the seat moves downward at the same time to prevent those bumps from disturbing the rider.

Abstract: A supporting band partly encircles a fuel tank and supports same upon a rear floor. The supporting band has a front end secured to the front end portion of the rear floor and a rear end secured to the rear end portion of the rear floor by means of a bolt screwed into a nut which is welded to a horizontal plate section of a nut plate. The rear end portion of the rear floor is formed with a downward flange secured to the inner face of a rear panel. The flange of the rear floor is formed with a projection which defines a hole between the flange and the rear panel. The nut plate is spot-welded at the horizontal plate section to the upper face of the rear floor and has a vertical plate section inserted into the hole and spot-welded to the flange and the rear panel.

Abstract: A power steering system includes an electric motor associated as an assistive power source with a steering mechanism. The steering system includes an electric power source for the motor, a motor driver connected to the electric power source for driving the motor, and a control system for controlling the motor driver. The steering system also includes a relay circuit for selectively electrically connecting and disconnecting the motor driver and the motor, thereby to effectively prevent a closed loop being formed which would otherwise provide a short circuit between the input terminals of the motor when the steering mechanism is manually operated without assistive steering power upon a failure of the power steering system.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for propulsion regulation of an automobile in the sense of prevention of undesirable spinning of the driven vehicle wheels whereby, as needed, only one of the wheel brakes is activated or the engine torque is reduced. Thereby is determined in the manner of an adaptive regulation in constant repetition from measured rotational speeds and stored vehicle and engine parameters for each driven wheel according to the relation M.sub.u =.theta.*..DELTA..omega., the excess moment causing the spinning of the wheel concerned and subsequently for each of the driven wheels in accordance with the relation M.sub.red =M.sub.u +k(.DELTA..omega.-s) the reduction moment required to eliminate the spinning/tendency to spin, which reduction moment is caused to be applied, depending on each driving situation, either in form of a brake torque in the correct magnitude and/or in form of a reduction of the engine torque in the correct magnitude.