Abstract: The intention is to specify a simplified design for a device which is used in vehicles for determining a vertical distance between a vehicle body and at least one vehicle wheel which is adjustably mounted thereon. In the device according to the invention, a first inclination sensor which generates first inclination signals which are correlated to the inclination of the vehicle body with respect to a reference position, and transmits them to a control unit, is attached to the vehicle body. Attached to a coupling component which is adjusted, together with the vehicle wheel, relative to the vehicle body, is a second inclination sensor which generates second inclination signals which are correlated to the inclination of this coupling component with respect to a reference position, and transmits them to the control unit.

Abstract: A lightweight, easily removable, full length bicycle fender system designed to accommodate the tight clearances between the front and rear tires and the fork, frame, and brakes tire of modern racing-style bicycles. The front and rear fenders mount to the bicycles by means of hook and loop fastening straps and single support stays that are secured between the wheel quick release and the fork and frame dropouts. One embodiment is a sectional fender that can be disassembled and carried in a bag that attached to the bicycle frame or below the saddle. An optional tensioning means provides additional stability for the fenders and helps to ensure a tight connection of the sections of the sectional fender embodiment. The fender system includes optional front and rear mudflaps that provide front wheel spray protection for the cyclist and rear wheel spray protection for following riders.

Abstract: A self-steering auxiliary axle assembly having an elastic member for use as a steering damper is provided. The axle assembly has a frame with an axle supported by the frame in spaced relation therefrom with retracted and highway positions. At least one air spring is arranged between the axle and the frame. The air spring is actuateable between an operative mode for damping the axle in the highway position and a non-operative mode when in the retracted position. The axle has opposing ends with spindle assemblies pivotally supported thereon for permitting rotation of said spindle assemblies relative to said axle. Steering arms extend from the spindle assemblies. A control rod interconnects the steering arms for linking the spindle assemblies together. The elastic member interconnects one of the steering arms and the axle for damping the rotation of the spindle assemblies relative to the axle.

Abstract: A gaiter or bellows for a power-assisted steering system for motor vehicles is connected on one hand to a steering gear housing and on the other hand to an adjacent track rod. The gaiter or bellows is characterized in that it is manufactured at least partially from a gas permeable, liquid repellent material. In a common configuration the power assisted steering system has a steering rod disposed in a general longitudinally extending manner in a steering gear housing as well as having track rods associated with the steering rack. The gaiter or bellows is connected in such an application at one end to the steering gear housing and at the other end to an adjacent track rod.

Abstract: A cab for earth-moving machines comprising a structure, a control station for the operator defined within the structure, a safety bar pivotally fastened internally to the structure and movable from a safety position in which said bar is positioned in front of the control station and in which the operator is secured in the control station, to a non operative position, distanced from the safety position, in which the operator is free to move from the control station, and at least a control panel of the machine mounted in the structure and oriented towards the control station, integrally mounted on a portion of the bar oriented towards the control station when the bar is in the safety position.

Abstract: A hinge system for pivotally coupling a skate lower portion to a skate upper cuff. The multi-hinge design incorporates a four link chain mechanism. The pivot axis defined by the four link chain can be designed to shift through a path of travel that generally coincides with the path of travel of the anatomical pivot axis defined by the user's foot and leg. The upper cuff and boot lower portion account for two of the four links of the four link mechanism. The other two links are either rigid bars with pin connections on both the upper cuff and the lower portion, or roller links with a pin connection to the upper and a slot sliding surface on the lower portion. A slider link can be substituted for the roller and a slide surface can be substituted for the slot.

Abstract: A combine header transport trailer including a wheeled frame for endwise transport of a combine header. An elongated header support bar is positioned at one side of the trailer and is normally supported upon a pair of posts or supports which extend upwardly from one of the frame members of the trailer. The header support bar is adapted to engage the underside of the header adjacent the forward end thereof. The lower rearward end of the header is supported upon a pair of brackets. The header support bar and the brackets are positioned at opposite ends of pivot arms which are adapted to pivotally move the combine header from a substantially horizontally disposed position to a substantially vertically disposed position. As the header is pivoted to its substantially vertically disposed position, the lower end of the header moves inwardly with respect to the trailer to stabilize the trailer by centering the weight of the header on the trailer.

Abstract: A front axle suspension having on each side of a vehicle a spring beam pivotally attached at its fore or front end to a bracket depending from a chassis frame side beam with its aft or trailing end mounted on the vehicle front axle. An assembly of integrated parts serves to resiliently support each chassis frame side beam on the spring beam and axle below. A key part of each assembly is a multi-functional component having a central body portion mounted on the trailing end of the spring beam which has: (1) fore-and-aft spring support formations projecting in cantilever relationship from its fore and aft sides; (2) seats for the bight portions of U-bolts located inwardly of the spring support formations; (3) a laterally projecting shock absorber mount on its front wheel facing side; and (4) a track rod attachment bracket projecting laterally from its vehicle center facing.

Abstract: A roll over protection structure for a work machine includes an operator cab and a rotation mount connecting one face of the cab to the work machine. The rotation mount provides for rotation of the cab about an axis parallel to the work machine longitudinal axis. A deforming member connects a second face of the operator cab with the work machine and is characterized by elastic deformation responsive to normal operational shocks acting on said cab, and by controlled plastic deformation responsive to larger forces indicative of a machine roll over.

Abstract: A shaft assembly capable of length variation is disclosed including a shaft and telescoping tube. A coupling is provided between the shaft and tube including torsion means on the shaft for providing minimal rotational backlash and roller bearings for providing minimal sliding resistance between the tube and shaft. The torsion means may take various forms such as a torsion spring or a torsion bar.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a vehicle seat (10) having a tubular seat frame (60) defining a fluid manifold (66). The apparatus also includes at least two deployable vehicle occupant protection devices (120, 130, 140, 142) for helping to protect a vehicle seat occupant from injury in the event of a vehicle collision. The protection devices (120, 130, 140, 142) are spaced apart from each other. The protection devices (120, 130, 140, 142) are in fluid communication with the fluid manifold (66) and are deployable by fluid directed into the protection devices from the fluid manifold. A single actuatable device (150) provides pressurized fluid for deploying one or more of the protection devices (120, 130, 140, 142). The actuatable device (150) is in fluid communication with the fluid manifold (66).

Abstract: A braking system preferably for an in-line skate includes a brake pad mounted to a forward end of a skate frame and an elevated front wheel attached to the skate frame by two pivot arms. The pivot arms are biased forward which is in a clockwise direction with respect to their pivot point. When skating normally, the pivot arms bias the wheel against the brake pad, but the wheel is elevated from the skating surface and thus the brake is not engaged. When skating in a rearward direction, or desiring a push start, the skater rotates the toe portion of the skate downward and raises the heel. The front wheel will engage the skating surface and the reaction force on the wheel due to friction between it and the skating surface which will urge the wheel forward and increase the contact pressure between it and the brake pad.

Abstract: Pressurized gas from a gas source for inflating one or more vehicle airbags is routed along a path that includes at least a portion of the air-conditioning ducts of the vehicle. In one arrangement a pressurized gas hose is routed through the ducts. In another arrangement the pressurized gas flows through a portion of the air conditioner ducts that is isolated by valves.

Abstract: There is provided an air bag device of the present invention which allows generation of suitable reaction force which corresponds to a physical constitution of a vehicle occupant abutting against an air bag body. In the air bag device, a region of an outer air bag body pressed by the vehicle occupant abuts an inner air bag body and closes vent holes formed in the inner air bag body. Therefore, a quantity of gas flowing from the inner air bag body into a space formed between the outer air bag body and the inner air bag body can be controlled. Accordingly, the quantity of gas flowing through the vent holes into the space and further escaping from the air bag body via vent holes formed in the outer air bag body can be adjusted in accordance with a physical constitution of the vehicle occupant abutting against the air bag body.

Abstract: An ice skate assembly with a provision for the replacement of ice skate runners. The ice skate assembly includes a molded runner holder having a pair of side walls, the side walls extending downwards and forming a groove therebetween where a runner is received, a recess and a bore suitable for receiving a fastener. The ice skate runner is fastened to the runner holder by a runner projection suitable to be engaged with the recess on the molded runner holder and a fastener passing transversely through the runner and through the bore of the molded runner holder. The fastener is adapted to exert a force on the ice skate runner such that the hooked portion is engaged on the recess and the runner is secured to the runner holder. The force exerted on the ice skate runner comprises a generally longitudinal component, a generally upward component and a generally transversal component.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus having a rack and pinion movement converting mechanism for converting rotation movement of a steering wheel into linear movement by engagement between a pinion shaft and a rack shaft. A motor for assisting a driver's steering force asserted on the steering wheel is provided along with the rack and pinion movement converting mechanism and, an elastic body is inserted in a mechanism passage from the pinion shaft to an output shaft of the motor to produce system with low load exerted on the steering mechanism and with reduced rattle and reduced influence from frictional force of a power assisting motor.

Abstract: This present invention provides variable deployment performance by controlling the quantity and fluid flow path of the inflator gas into or out of an air bag module according to the present invention. The air bag module includes a slide ring mechanism disposed about an inflator and adjacent at least a portion of a cushion retainer. The slide ring mechanism comprises an annular ring having openings formed therein, wherein during rotation of the slide mechanism, the openings of the annular ring align with openings formed in the cushion retainer to define a fluid flow path away from an air bag cushion for venting some of the inflator gas. Preferably, the annular ring is rotated by attaching a pair of tethers to the annular ring and to a rear surface of the air bag cushion.

Abstract: A slider pin release mechanism for a slider suspension system of a semi-trailer which includes a trailer body and a slider suspension which is movable longitudinally forwardly and rearwardly relative to the trailer body. Locking pins carried on the slider suspension are movable laterally into and out of locking engagement with the slider suspension and the trailer body. A longitudinally extending pivot rod connects to the locking pins. A ratchet gear is affixed to the forward end of the pivot rod. A handle is mounted on the pivot rod for rotation relative to the ratchet gear. A drive pawl is mounted on the handle and engages the ratchet gear to drive the ratchet gear upon rotation of the handle. A holding pawl is engageable with said ratchet gear. A drive pawl release rod is connected to the drive pawl. The drive pawl includes a release tooth which is moved into contact with the holding pawl to disengage the holding pawl from the ratchet gear.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel tank (1) for heavy vehicles, said fuel tank being adapted for mounting to a vehicle frame (2) by means of at least one supporting bracket (3) which discloses a partly circular contact surface (4) against said fuel tank, wherein the tank (1) comprises two end gable sections (5, 6) and an essentially cylindrical casing section (7) which extends between said end gable sections. The invention is in particular characterized in that the fuel tank (1) comprises a first section (8) which is partly circular and faces towards the vehicle frame (2) and is adapted for bearing against said partly circular contact surface (4) on the supporting bracket (3), and a second section (9) which is essentially rectangular and faces away from the vehicle frame (2).

Abstract: A two stage-ignition air bag apparatus for a vehicle of the present invention includes an air bag, a first inflator ignited when a value according to collision severity has reached a first threshold value in order to inflate the air bag, and a second inflator ignited at earlier one of times when the value according to collision severity has substantially reached a second threshold value that is greater than the first threshold value and when a predetermined time has passed since the value according to collision severity reached the first threshold value in order to inflate the air bag.