Abstract: This joint allows a drive member and a driven member of a transversely divided or separated vehicle to be deflected relative to each other about a virtual pivot axis which extends in a direction transversely to the vehicle. The drive member and the driven member are connected on each side by a first support element which supports against forces acting parallel to the transverse and vertical axes of the drive member and by a second support element which supports against traction and braking forces. Each first support element contains a support roll rotatably supported in a support at the driven member and guided in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in a slide bracket arranged at the drive member. Each second support element comprises a hinged link rotatably mounted about a respective transverse axis at the drive member and the driven member.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for adjusting the steering column and handlebars of a snowmobile. The steering column has upper and lower sections, pivotable with respect to one another about a first lateral axis. A first pawl and cylinder, mounted respectively to the upper and lower sections, rigidly connect these sections when engaged, but permit these sections to pivot relative to each other when the pawl is retracted from the cylinder. A second pawl and cylinder are mounted at the top of the steering column upper section and rigidly connect the upper section and handlebars. Retraction of the second pawl from engagement with the second cylinder frees the handlebars for rotation, relative to the upper steering column section, about a second lateral axis parallel to the first axis. A single lever, pivotally mounted to the column upper section, has a cam which engages and retracts the first and second pawls simultaneously, for maximum ease in steering system adjustment.

Abstract: A carrier for rescuing patients having a frame having a pair of lower horizontal portions and upwardly inclined portions adjacent to the horizontal portions at rear end portions thereof.A pair of front and rear wheels are provided on the frame, and a pair of crawlers engaged with the frame and wheels to be moved on the frame and around the wheels.A seat having a handle is provided on the frame. A brake such as a centrifugal brake is provided for slowing the rotation of either of said front and rear wheels and for keeping the rotation speed in a constant speed.Travelling wheels are rotatably provided on the frame for moving the carrier on a flat surface.

Abstract: An electric power steering system (50) for vehicles has an electromagnetic servo device (1) including a drive control circuit (30, 40) for feeding a motor drive signal (Va) to an electric motor (14) for producing auxiliary torque to be supplied to an output shaft (6) in accordance with a steering torque signal (S.sub.1, S.sub.2) from a steering torque detection mechanism (32) which detects steering torque (Ts) acting on an input shaft (5) and a steering speed signal (S.sub.3, S.sub.4) from a steering speed detection mechanism (36) which detects a steering speed (Ns) of a steering wheel. The drive control circuit is adapted to determine, in dependence on the steering speed signal, a component (D(K.Nm)) of the motor drive signal that corresponds to the steering speed and to judge, in accordance with the steering torque signal and the steering speed signal, in which of a positive steering state and a steering wheel returning state the system is put.

Abstract: Apparatus facilitating the alignment of hitch elements on tractor and trailer vehicles includes elongated telescoping members, one of which is rotatably and adjustably connected to one vehicle. The apparatus projects longitudinally of the vehicle in a generally horizontal plane and carries a signal element at its free end. The signal element is pivotal on the free end and has a visual indicator that moves into view when the signal element contacts a target surface on the other vehicle. The telescoping members may be indexed so that their respective orientations are reproducible.

Abstract: The secured enclosure of the instant invention includes a multi-compartmental enclosure, each compartment having a watertight door. The enclosure includes a powered vent system to provide circulation of air through the enclosure and a hitch receiving well formed in the enclosure for receiving a hitch for attaching a pulled vehicle to the pickup truck frame. The fifth wheel hitch of the invention includes an engagement mechanism for engaging a pulling vehicle, a mount for the engagement mechanism, which is shiftable between an extended and retracted position, and an obstruction sensor which is operable to detect an impending impact between the pulling vehicle and the towed vehicle during the hitching process. A warning device means are operable with the sensor to alert the operator of the impending impact.

Abstract: A boat guide for use in loading a boat from a body of water onto a trailer. There is one upright post on each side of the boat trailer near the rear end thereof each of which is of sufficient height to extend above the water when loading the boat. A cross-member having a cradle in the center connects the upper ends of these two posts. The posts are each pivotally connected to the floor or frame of the trailer and are held by a spring in an upright position. When the boat is to be loaded, the keel of the boat is directed toward the cradle and as the boat moves over the trailer, the guide rotates but the keel still follows the cradle.

Abstract: A method of controlling a power train which drives a driving wheel of an automotive vehicle is disclosed. In the method, a slip rate is determined based on a difference between a ground speed of the vehicle and a peripheral revolution speed of a driving wheel and the engine output is increased or decreased so as to keep the slip rate at a predetermined target slip rate.

Abstract: An adjusting mechanism is provided for an automatically fastening seatbelt assembly which causes an occupant of a vehicle to be automatically held to a seat in the vehicle by restraining webbing after the occupant is positioned in the seat in the vehicle. The seatbelt assembly includes a guide rail, a slider which is displaceable along the guide rail and a restraining webbing which is fixed to the slider at one end thereof by an anchor plate. The adjusting mechanism allows adjustment of the position of an anchor plate in relation to the slider. The anchor plate is mounted pivotally to the slider by an anchor pin and a spring. The spring is located between the anchor plate and the slider and is fixed to either the anchor plate or the slider. Either the slider or the anchor plate (whichever the spring is not fixed to) has a plurality of adjusting holes. An engagement member on the spring selectively engages the plurality of adjusting holes.

Abstract: An elongated vehicle adapted to be propelled along an engaging surface and capable of climbing over obstacles on the engaging surface. The vehicle has a plurality of wheeled units including front and rear units with each unit having two axles and wheels mounted on the ends of the axles. Each unit, except for the front and rear units, shares its two axles with adjacent units. The front and rear units each share only one axle with an adjacent unit. Each unit has a body mounted on the axles and the body is rotatable relative to each of the axles. Each body includes side members to maintain the axles spaced apart longitudinally. The side members of the bodies of adjacent units intermesh and overlap at their shared axles to allow adjacent units to rotate vertically relative to each other. The side members include stop surfaces to limit rotation of adjacent units relative to one another about their shared axles. A drive mechanism is provided to drive the wheels.

Abstract: A protective bar assembly for a motorcycle comprising a side bar assembly that extends along the side of the motorcycle and operator and a vertical, U-shaped roll bar that extends upwardly from the side bars to a point above the operator. The side bars are mounted on transverse front and rear bars mounted on the frame, with the rear bar being mounted behind the seat and above the rear wheel. A vertically movable headrest is mounted on the roll bar and a storage container is removably mounted on the back of the roll bar.

Abstract: Each of suspensions provided on a vehicle includes a shock absorber capable of adjusting the damping force and an air spring capable of adjusting the spring constant. Small ports are provided respectively on two front sides of a car body suspended from the suspensions and pipes each of which is connected on one end to one of the small ports and connected on the other ends to a pressure sensor. A control unit calculates the size of a lateral force according to signals of a vehicle speed sensor provided on the car body and the pressure sensor and controls each of the suspensions such that the damping force of the shock absorber and the spring constant of the air spring are made rigid when the size of the lateral force exceeds a certain value.

Abstract: A resilient bicycle having a front wheel, a rear wheel, and a frame structure, including a head tube with a down strut. A level extension stem is provided at an end of the down strut and a tread board is fixed on top of the level extension stem for being treadled by a user standing on it. A rear fork member with an inclined connection plate at each end is connected to the rearward end of the extension stem. A hub fitting is eccentrically arranged in the rear wheel through a plurality of different length spokes and a transmission mechanism is elastically connected between the hub fitting and the rear fork member for converting the vibrating motion created by treadling into a rotational motion for driving the rear wheel. By repeatedly causing the tread board to be pushed down and rebound, the bicycle smoothly moves forward.

Abstract: A four-wheel vehicle having an upper frame, a lower frame and a pipe frame connecting the upper and lower frames at the forward end of the vehicle. A steering shaft extends from a steering handle through the pipe frame to steering linkages for controlling the front wheels.

Abstract: An electrical power steering apparatus includes a vehicle velocity sensor for detecting a vehicle velocity, a steering torque sensor for detecting a steering torque of a steering wheel, comparators for receiving the voltage signal from the steering torque sensor and detecting a steering direction, a motor drive mechanism, a vehicle wheel declination sensor for detecting a declination of a vehicle wheel, a nonsteering state detecting unit including an absolute value converter, a reference voltage generator and a comparator to detect a nonsteering state, and a controller for supplying a current of a magnitude corresponding to the declination of the vehicle wheel to the motor so as to decrease the declination during the nonsteering state.

Abstract: An improved roll-over protection system for a tractor of the type having a three-point hitch with a hydraulic power lift. A roll-over protection structure is movable between retracted and erect positions and the hydraulic lift of the hitch apparatus is linked to the roll-over protection structure to raise and lower it. The link is either detachable when the structure is in place or has a slotted section allowing the hitch to be lifted without detachment of the link from the roll-over protection structure.

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 boat trailer frame is described including an adjustable pair of elongated frame members extending from a tongue section to a wheel supported carriage. Bunks are mounted directly to the frame members. Forward ends of the frame members are pivotably mounted to the tongue and selectively clamped to the wheel carriage. Lateral adjustment of the distance between the frame members and bunks is provided to accommodate boat hulls of varying configurations. Such lateral adjustment is accomplished simply by pivoting the frame members together or apart about the forward pivots at the tongue. Clamps are included for selectively securing the frame members to the carriage assembly and tongue once a selected space between the bunks is achieved. Other clamps are used to facilitate longitudinal adjustment of the wheel carriage position along the frame members to adjust "tongue weight".

Abstract: A weight support assembly for mounting to the rear frame portion of a tractor comprising a first side and second sidewall, and a bottom support plate fixably mounted along the longitudinal sides thereof to the lower portion of respective sidewalls and extending generally horizontally. The frame's rearwardmost portion pivotally supporting the first and second sidewalls in transversely spaced apart relationship such that the first and second sidewalls extend generally vertical, the bottom support plate being located generally below the frame and extending generally inwardly forward of the frame. A first support arm and second support arm are pivotally mounted to the frame at a point therealong at one end and pivotally mounted at the other end to a respective one of the first and second sidewalls. A plurality of weights horizontally extending and vertically stacked on the bottom support plate. A plurality of bolts journalled vertically through the bottom support plate and weights.

Abstract: In the disclosure document DE-OS No. 31 49 700 the theory is put forward that the effective point of attachment of a trailer opposite the towing vehicle can be transferred in the direction of the center of gravity of the towing vehicle. The invention concerns itself with the actual possibility of the transfer while taking structural conditions into consideration. In this respect, the invention shows that at least the joints located at the trailer are to be arranged at a lower level than the ball head of a normal trailer coupling. The distance in height should be considerable, for instance approximately 75 mm. The front joints are located at a cross member, said joints being pivoted around a longitudinal axis in a coupling housing which is fixed rigidly at the ball head of the trailer coupling and thus is immovable.