Abstract: A collapsible cart folds onto itself to provide a convenient, space saving method for transporting bulk goods. The cart has a floor panel and side panels. Each side panel is pivotally attached to two other side panels and the floor panel is pivotally attached to one of the side panels. To collapse the cart, the floor panel is pivoted up and toward the side panel to which it is attached. Opposing side panels are then pulled together causing the sides to offset and the cart to collapse.

Abstract: An adjustable skid to be attached to the frame of a boat trailer just forward of the trailer wheels. Two skids would commonly be used, one for each side of the trailer. The function of the skids is to prevent the wheels of the trailer from rolling over the end of the launching ramp.

Abstract: A wireless maitre d' system and method for providing interactive two-way communication between patrons and restaurant service personnel who have direct interaction with the patrons during restaurant encounters. The wireless maitre d' system includes a first wireless device and a second wireless device. The first wireless device establishes an interactive two-way electronic communication between at least one patron and at least one restaurant service personnel by a wireless communication link, and the at least one restaurant service personnel directly interacts with the at least one patron during a restaurant encounter. The second wireless device engages in the interactive two-way communication between the at least one service personnel and the at least one patron by the wireless communication link. The interactive two-way electronic communication includes an order for a retail item from the at least one patron to the at least one restaurant service personnel.

Abstract: Provided is a vehicle suspension member assembly suitable for a multi-link type rear suspension system. The suspension member assembly includes a pair of front and rear cross members and a pair of side members which are joined to constitute a generally rectangular suspension member subassembly. A pair of rear resilient supports are disposed at the opposite longitudinal end portions of the rear cross member. A pair of front resilient supports are disposed at the front end portions of the side members. The rear ends of the side members are attached to the front surface of the rear cross member. The front cross member is disposed between the side members and have opposite longitudinal ends attached to the inner side surfaces of the side members. To the rear cross members are provided a pair of brackets by means of which a rear connecting portion of a lower link is attached to the suspension member assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) including a side door (18) includes an inflatable tubular structure (14) and an inflation fluid source (34) for providing inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable tubular structure. The inflatable tubular structure (14) has a stored position in which the inflatable tubular structure is deflated and stored in the side door (18). The inflatable tubular structure (14) is inflatable from the stored position to a deployed position in which the inflatable tubular structure is inflated and positioned between the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant.

Abstract: A device for preventing a wheelchair or a walker from passing through a doorway, the doorway having a predetermined dimension, e.g., a predetermined height. The device includes a barrier and a coupling for securing the barrier to the; wheelchair or the walker such that a portion of the barrier extends from the wheelchair or the walker. The barrier has a primary dimension sized such that a combined dimension, e.g., a combined height, of the wheelchair or the walker and the portion of the barrier extending from the wheelchair or walker is greater than the predetermined height of the doorway, such that the barrier prevents the wheelchair or the walker from passing through the doorway. The present disclosure, therefore, provides a device for preventing a wheelchair or a walker from passing through a doorway to keep a patient in a defined area and prevent the patient from entering another area where the patient might be endangered or endanger others.

Abstract: A kicktail concave skateboard includes a blank having opposite ends, at least one end being recessed. An element is mounted on the recessed end such that a portion of the element adjoining the blank is flush with the blank. The element is formed of a material having a lower mechanical damping capacity and a higher modulus of elasticity than the blank. The element includes a downwardly facing exposed side having a downward projection thereon, to facilitate the execution of an “ollie” maneuver.

Abstract: A control system or apparatus (10) is provided which is deployed within a four-wheel drive vehicle (12) and which is adapted to automatically control the activation and deactivation (i.e., locking and unlocking) of hub locks (44) according to a certain control strategy. Hub locks (44) are effective to operatively connect and disconnect the front wheels (14) of vehicle (12) to the front axle assembly (16), thereby allowing torque from the front driveshaft (22) of the vehicle to be transferred to the front wheels (14) when the vehicle (12) operates in a four-wheel drive mode. Control system (10) is effective to detect system faults and malfunctions and to selectively alter the hub locks control strategy in response to such a detection, thereby substantially preventing the undesired locking/unlocking of the hub locks (44) resulting in possible ratcheting, binding or damage to the hub locks (44).

Abstract: An energy absorbing sheet 1 has alternating front 3 and rear 5 projections at angles between 25 to 60 degrees from the plane of the sheet. The sheet absorbs impact by plastic deformation such that the curve of stress to deformation shows a plateau for example at a level of stress which does not break bone. The sheet 1 may be made of aluminium.

Abstract: A four-wheeled utility vehicle has: a body frame; a driver's seat disposed on the body frame; and a cabin frame having a front portion and surrounding the driver's seat. The front portion has a pair of lower end portions with vertical joining surfaces. The lower end portions are joined to right and left side surfaces of the body frame via the vertical joining surfaces with bolts having horizontal axes.

Abstract: A vehicle stability control apparatus including a vehicle running stability control device for controlling an automotive vehicle for stable running of the vehicle, and a braking device for applying a brake to the vehicle, wherein a hazard detecting device or detecting a hazardous condition of the vehicle such as a collision of the vehicle with an obstacle and a deviation of the vehicle from the nominal running path, and an automatic brake application device is operable to activate the braking device, when the hazardous condition is detected at least during an operation of the vehicle running stability control device.

Abstract: A vehicle having an air pre-cleaner coupled with an engine enclosure such that the air inlet to the air pre-cleaner is positioned beneath the top wall of the engine enclosure and receives air from a duct within the enclosure, and the debris outlet of the air pre-cleaner is located above the top wall of the engine enclosure.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a vehicle chassis and a vehicle chassis that is formed in modules with couplers for connecting extruded beams. The method includes extruding a plurality of beams and a plurality of couplers that are loosely assembled together to a fixture having locating pins that are received in pockets formed on the couplers and securing the beams and couplers together to form a chassis. The chassis includes a center chassis module to which the fire wall bulkhead and passenger compartment are secured, a drive train and front suspension module to which the engine transmission and front suspension are attached, a rear suspension module to which the rear suspension and gas tank are secured, and front and rear crush modules including the front and rear bumper assemblies, respectively. Couplers used in forming the chassis include a central portion having an outer wall and a plurality of inner walls extending inwardly from the outer wall to the pocket.

Abstract: An airbag system comprising a bag which can be inflated with gas and a gas generator. At least one flexible guideway is firmly connected to the motor vehicle on one end and detachably connected to the motor vehicle on another. When the airbag is inactive, it is arranged on the end of the guideway which is firmly connected to the motor vehicle. Once the gas generator is ignited, the airbag can be displaced along the guideway in the direction of the detachable end using the gases entering the gas bag.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for use in a vehicle comprises a steering shaft (12) rotatable about a first axis (B) and an activatable lock (18) operatively coupled with the steering shaft for preventing rotation of the steering shaft. The lock (18) is deactivated by a key (19). A vehicle steering wheel (20) includes a hub portion (130) and is non-rotatably connected to the steering shaft (12) by the hub portion for joint rotation with the steering shaft. The apparatus (10) further comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (70) attached to the steering wheel (20). A movable member (200) blocks axial movement of the steering wheel (20) relative to the steering shaft (12). A housing (160) encircles a portion of the steering shaft (12) and the hub portion (130). The housing (16) includes at least one opening (194).

Abstract: A transmission mechanism and a pressure oil supply system therefor are provided for use in work vehicles provided with a work device externally of the body of the vehicle at longitudinal one side thereof, the transmission mechanism being simple in construction and serving to shorten the overall length of the vehicle while holding a transmission shaft interconnecting a PTO shaft and an input shaft for the work device close to a horizontal. A work vehicle provided with a work device in front of the vehicle body comprises a transmission 30 disposed between a differential gear unit 10 and an HST 20 and providing a travel cooperative mechanism, a PTO shaft projecting from the housing of the HST 20, and a PTO cooperative mechanism disposed in the housing for dividedly deriving power for the PTO shaft from the travel cooperative mechanism for the transmission of the power.

Abstract: A torsion bar suspension for an automotive vehicle includes powered means for remotely adjusting the trim height of the vehicle by varying the torque applied to the torsion bars. Height adjustment may be up or down or both from a normal running height. The suspension may be made capable of lowering vehicle height to allow entry into or passage through a low clearance location, such as a parking garage or overpass. Alternatively, the suspension could be capable of raising the vehicle height for passage over rough terrain. Various embodiments of adjusting mechanisms are disclosed including, for example, lever and wheel type torsion adjusting means with linear or rotary actuators.

Abstract: A steering device for steering the wheels of a steering axle of a motor vehicle having at least three axles. The steering axle is designed as a trailing or leading axle, with a hydraulic arrangement which has an actuating assembly for the steering actuation of the wheels, and a regulating/control valve for pressure to act upon hydraulic connections of the actuating assembly and a clearing valve, by means of which the steering device can be changed over between normal operation and emergency operation. In the emergency operation, the hydraulic connections of the actuating assembly are connected to one another. Four throttle elements are provided. The first is arranged upstream and the second downstream of a connection point of the clearing valve to a first hydraulic line connecting the regulating/ control valve and actuating assembly.

Abstract: A swivelable mount for the boot bindings of a snowboard or wakeboard or the like, including a low profile top plate with a downwardly extending circular outer wall which screws down onto matching threads on the outer edge of a circular bottom plate which attaches to a snowboard. The top plate provides an inner-facing threaded flange positioned opposite the outward-facing threaded surface of the bottom plate, and prevents upward movement of the top plate from the snowboard, thereby keeping the snowboard rider firmly attached to the snowboard. The two plate surfaces are slideable on each other when a spring pin, mounted to the top plate and extending through a hole in the bottom plate, is drawn upwardly, corresponding to an unlocked, rotatable condition of the top plate allowing the upper surface to rotate to another position as determined by the placement of the holes. When the spring-loaded pin is released, the pin engages the opposing bottom plate hole and prevents the top plate from rotating.

Abstract: An automotive suspension system bushing is provided, including an inner sleeve, an outer sleeve having an upwardly generally perpendicular extending flange, and a non-fluid filled elastomeric isolator bonded to the inner and outer sleeves, the isolator having transversely aligned solid sections and first and second generally arcuate axial slots geometrically spaced with respect to one another, the first slot having a major arcuate portion with a generally uniform axial first thickness and the second slot having a major arcuate portion with a non-uniform axial second thickness, the second slot on an axial upper end having a thickness more than one millimeter and less than the first slot thickness and the second slot thickness being tapered axially downward wherein at least one-third of the axial length of the second slot along the lower end has contact between the fore and aft walls of the second slot.