Abstract: A vehicle four wheel steering system including a rear wheel steering mechanism with a power assist device. The rear wheel steering mechanism includes a steering rod extending transversely of the vehicle and having the opposite ends connected with tie rods which are in turn connected with knuckle arms of the rear wheels. The steering rod is provided with a power cylinder in which a piston is slidably disposed. The piston is provided on the steering rod and defines hydraulic chambers in the cylinder. A control valve is provided to control hydraulic oil supply to the power cylinder. The control valve has a casing which is connected with the steering rod through an interconnecting section and hydraulic oil passages are formed in the interconnecting section for passing hydraulic oil to and from the power cylinder.

Abstract: A seat belt support position adjusting apparatus has a support device, a belt mounting device guided along the support device, a control device for making the mounting device stationary or movable relative to the support device with respect to a guide direction, and a detecting device for detecting whether the mounting device is in its stationary condition or in its movable condition.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for raising, lowering and positioning a pintle eye style detachable gooseneck hitch assembly of a trailer. The gooseneck hitch assembly is connected at its forward end to a pintle hook positioned at the rearward end of the truck. A hydraulic cylinder is pivotally connected at its rearward end to the gooseneck hitch assembly and has a pair of chains secured to its forward rod end with the chains extending forwardly and outwardly therefrom for connection to the rearward end of the truck laterally and above the pintle eye-pintle hook connection. Extension of the rod of the hydraulic cylinder causes the rearward end of the hitch assembly to be lowered relative to the ground. Conversely, retraction of the rod of the hydraulic cylinder causes the rearward end of the hitch assembly to be raised. The hydraulic cylinder permits the hitch assembly to be maneuvered or positioned relative to the trailer when the hitch assembly is being detached from the trailer or being connected thereto.

Abstract: A tubing connector for a tubular frame of a bicycle comprises a plurality of hemispherical mounting pieces protruding radially exteriorly from the tubing connector. These hemispherical mounting pieces are positioned on the tubing connector so that each of the ends of the tubes of the tubing frame can be engaged on one of the mounting pieces and attached thereto for example by welding. Using hemispherical instead of cylindrical mounting pieces allows the same tubing connector to be used in many different tubing frames having different tubing diameters and tubing angles.

Abstract: An electric power steering system (200) for vehicles including a driving control circuit (76, 100, 108) for feeding, in consideration of an output signal (S.sub.1, S.sub.2) from a steering torque detection mechanism (77) for detecting steering torque (Ts) acting on an input shaft (4), a drive signal (Va) to an electric motor (33) for producing auxiliary torque to be supplied to an output shaft (7). In the steering system, the auxiliary torque to be developed at the electric motor (33) is reduced, under the condition that a steering angle (Th) of the steering wheel has exceeded a predetermined angle (Th.sub.1).

Abstract: An all terrain vehicle has two vehicle units and an articulating link which interconnects the vehicle units in tandem. Each vehicle unit has a body and a pair of spaced crawler tracks which are powered for moving the respective vehicle unit. The articulating link has two longitudinally spaced apart pitch hinge assemblies, each of which cooperates with a respective vehicle unit to permit relative rotation therebetween about a horizontal pitch axis without interference between the vehicle units. Pitch swivelling means associated with one particular pitch hinge assembly can force relative rotation about the particular pitch axis between a particular vehicle unit and the link, so that one vehicle unit can be rotated forcibly relative to the other vehicle unit to negotiate marginal terrain. The remaining pitch hinge assembly can be either freely hinged to permit rotation about the remaining pitch axis or alternatively can have a similar pitch swivelling means.

Abstract: A pair of main frames, which form an essential part of a body frame of a motorcycle, are fixed at the front ends to a head pipe, and extend toward the rear portion of a body at a given increasing interval. Each of the main frames includes therein a partition extending in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A power assisted vehicle steering system has a rack and pinion steering gear 6 incorporating a servo motor 6a controlled by a valve 22. A fluid pressure supply line 3 to the valve 22 includes a throttle or regulating valve 5 which is adjustable by a stepping motor 30 that is speed responsive to increase incrementally the restriction by the valve 5 to fluid flow to the valve 22 as vehicle speed increases. A flow control valve 7 is responsive to fluid pressure in the line 3 upstream of the valve 5 and to fluid pressure in the line 3 downstream of the valve 5 so that a pressure differential across the valve 5 is sensed by spool 9 which is displaced to open the supply line 3 upstream of the valve 5 and a reservoir 1. This latter opening reduces the supply of pressure fluid available for actuating the servo motor 6a and the available power assistance as the vehicle speed increases.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the alignment of a trailer hitch socket with the ball mounted on the towing vehicle is provided wherein a couple of interfitting masts are used. The first mast mounts atop the socket on the trailer tongue and extends vertically upward high enough to the point which it is visible from the towing vehicle. The second mast has a collar to engage it on the ball of the trailer hitch attached to the towing vehicle. It also extends upwardly to a height at which it is visible from within the towing vehicle. As the vehicle backs up toward the trailer, the driver can see the two masts and steer such that they will come closer and closer together and finally nest together when the socket is directly over the ball.

Abstract: There is disclosed a cover structure in a power transmission device comprising a casing having an open side, a driver shaft rotatably supported by the casing, a driven shaft rotatably supported by the casing and drivable by the driver shaft, a power transmission mechanism housed in the casing for transmitting rotative power from the driver shaft to the driven shaft, a starter mechanism housed in the casing and engageable with the driver shaft for starting an engine, and cover means covering the open side of the casing. The cover means comprises a plurality of cover members, a cover member which supports the starter mechanism being securely coupled to the casing, the remaining cover member or members being coupled to the casing through a resilient member or members.

Abstract: A hitch assembly for coupling a trailer to a tow vehicle includes a mounting member positioned firmly at the rear of the tow vehicle, another mounting member connected to the tongue of the trailer such that it will not turn relative to the trailer about a vertical axis, and a pair of short connecting links which extend between the two mounting members and are pivotally connected to each. The connecting links are of equal length and converge forwardly. This has the effect of placing the effective pivot point for the trailer ahead of the actual hitch assembly, which in turn enhances the stability of the combination tow vehicle and trailer, rendering it less susceptible to swaying or fishtailing in the presence of side winds.

Abstract: This invention relates to a traction control system for a vehicle that combines the control of both air and fuel delivered to the vehicle engine for limiting the slip of the vehicle driven wheels.

Abstract: A vehicle anti-dive braking apparatus which prevents dive and increases suspension damping during braking. A rotatably mounted disc brake causes hydraulic fluid to flow from hydraulic reservoirs upon braking to an anti-dive cylinder, secondary damper cylinder and a bottom casing. Fluid flow to the anti-dive cylinder causes movement of a fork pipe therein to prevent dive while simultaneously causing valves in the secondary damper cylinder and bottom casing to close. The closing valves retain fluid pressure therein and thereby increase suspension damping. The damper in the bottom casing also provides increased suspension damping when a bump is encountered during braking action.

Abstract: The sports wheelchair includes a frame portion (A) having left and right side frame portions. Rear wheel assemblies (B) are connected with the left and right side frame portions such that the rear wheels are connectable to the frame in any one of a plurality of positions and with an adjustable camber. A pair of front wheel assemblies (C) selectively interconnect front wheels with the frame with any one of a plurality of adjustable height, inward-outward, and forward-aft positions. An operator supporting seat (D) having a segmented center portion and an outer portion is selectively interconnected with the left and right side frame portions. A folding mechanism (E) enables the left and right side frame portions to be folded together for easier transportation and storage.

Abstract: A rack and pinion steering gear assembly has a rack bar 5 displaceable through a cylindrical bush 7 secured by a pin 38 in a rack bar housing 11. A flexible concertina-type bellows 21 is provided between the housing 11 and a tie rod on the end of the rack bar. The bush 7 has an annular recess 42 which is in constant communication by way of longitudinal grooves 39 in the surface of the bush with the interior of the bellows 21. The recess 42 coincides with an aperture 43 in the housing wall 11 within which is snap fitted a tubular plug 44 through which the bellows 21 breathes by way of the recess 42 and grooves 39. The bellows 21 can breathe through the plug 44 to atmosphere (preferably by way of a filter) or by way of a pipe to the interior of bellows located at the opposite end of the rack bar. The bush 7 can partly define a pressure chamber 23 of a piston and cylinder unit for power assisted steering.

Abstract: A four-wheel steering system for a vehicle comprises a steering wheel, a front wheel turning mechanism for turning front wheels in response to operation of the steering wheel, and a rear wheel turning mechanism which turns rear wheels in response to operation of the steering wheel and is provided with an electric actuator for changing the position of a movable member the position of which determines a rear wheel turning angle ratio which is the ratio of the turning angle of the rear wheels to the turning angle of the front wheels for a given turning angle of the steering wheel. A control circuit receives a vehicle speed signal from a vehicle speed sensor and controls the electric actuator according to the detected vehicle speed so that a target rear wheel turning angle ratio determined in advance according to the vehicle speed is obtained. A preset vehicle speed detector detects a preset vehicle speed and a rear wheel turning angle ratio detector detects the actual rear wheel turning angle ratio.

Abstract: An improved drive and braking arrangement for an off the road single rider multi-wheeled vehicle. The drive arrangement includes a shaft drive and the brake includes a brake disk that is fixed for rotation with the drive shaft. The brake disk is contained within a housing for its protection and the housing is made up of two pieces, one of which is affixed to a tube that contains the drive shaft and is affixed to the engine and the other of which is affixed to a tube that forms a portion of the final drive.

Abstract: A urinary collection bag and tubing support system intended for use in combination with a folding wheelchair. The system includes a tubing support mounted immediately below the wheelchair seat and a folding collection bag support removably attached to the wheelchair frame below the tubing support. The support system does not interfere with nor hinder the normal folding of the wheelchair, and need not be removed prior to folding the chair.

Abstract: A boat trailer having the parallel boat supporting portions of the trailer frame free of any fixed cross frame members rigidly connected to the trailer side booms. The parallel spacing between this portion of the trailer frame is effected by a downwardly curved cross bar member pivotally connected at each end to the trailer side frames. The ends of the pivotally connected cross bar are supported from the trailer side frames in a manner which eliminates the necessity of any side frame-to-cross bar mounting bracketry, thereby improving the aesthetic appearance of the trailer and simulating a welded connection.

Abstract: The known fuel tank for straddled type vehicles that is formed to have an inverse U-shaped transverse cross-section with its lower section bifurcated into left and right branch portions so as to straddle a main pipe of the straddled type vehicle from the above, is improved in that at least one of the rear bottom surface and the front bottom surface of either one of the lower bifurcated branch portions of the fuel tank is formed in a slant surface inclined upwards toward the corresponding end of the fuel tank.