Abstract: Vehicle lifting and towing apparatus utilizes a pair of frames, each pivotably mounted to a vehicle, and having their distal ends interconnected by cable means. In one embodiment, rotation of one frame causes rotation of the other. In that embodiment, a winch remote from the frames is coupled to one of the frames, so that winching of the winch cable causes both frames to rotate about their respective axes. Means are provided in association with the other of the frames to secure that frame to a vehicle to be towed. In another embodiment, one frame is fixed in a generally vertical orientation, and a winch is mounted on that frame. The second frame is caused to rotate by operation of the winch.

Abstract: A power-assisted steering device for a vehicle which has a steering column consisting of two coaxial shafts, an input and an output shaft, which are coupled so that they have a limited relative angular play between them and which are rotationally fast with rotors of a hydraulic distributor. In case of accidental breakage of the torsion bar which couples the two shafts elastically, an axially acting stop means is provided between the input shaft and the housing of the distributor so as to prevent the input shaft from separating from the output shaft. This stop means consists of a washer which has a prolongation projecting towards the input shaft. The washer additionally maintains the sealing gasket which is between the input shaft and the distributor housing in position on the housing.

Abstract: A truck trailer useful for hauling liquid and granular material includes two liquid end chambers and one center chamber or hopper. The two liquid end chambers are frusto-conical in shape and have insulation within jacket pieces around them. The end chambers are connected by an insulated pipe extending through the center chamber.

Abstract: A vehicle has two axially opposed driven wheels which are driven by two drive shafts of equal length, each flexibly drivingly coupled at its outer end to one of the wheels. A differential is located closer to a first one of the wheels and further from the other wheel. A short power output shaft extends from the differential towards the first wheel and is flexibly drivingly coupled at its outer end to the inner end of the drive shaft which drives that first wheel. A long power output shaft extends from the differential towards the other wheel and is flexibly coupled at its outer end to the inner end of the other one of the drive shafts, whose outer end is drivingly coupled to that other wheel. The long power output shaft passes through the inside space of a tubular housing, which is fixed at its inner end to the casing of the differential.

Abstract: An air cleaner system for a motorcycle having a single shock absorber disposed between an engine and a rear wheel so as to be close to the center of gravity of the vehicle body. The air cleaner system includes substantially one casing having an air intake opening and an air cleaner element provided therein, the casing being disposed between the engine and rear wheel substantially surrounding at least part of the shock absorber. The relatively large space between the engine and rear wheel is thus effectively utilized such that the air cleaner system has a desirably large capacity for supplying air to a multiple-cylinder, multiple-carburetor engine, and at the same time good maneuverability and high stability of the motorcycle is ensured.

Abstract: This footrest device is for use on the commonly known "moped", or bicycle, and represents a combination footrest and pedal. The footrest device comprises a pair of elongated members, which are fixedly secured to the ends of a rotatable crankaxle extending from the opposite sides of the vehicle. A pair of pedals are connected to the elongated members at diametrically positioned opposite ends. The pedals are used to manually rotate the crankaxle through the elongated members. When the pedals are not used the rider rests his feet upon the elongated members.

Abstract: Bow and side deck structures forming a part of the rigid body structure of an air cushion vehicle include a tubular circular section gunwale member and a tubular circular section chine member supported outwardly from a buoyancy tank structure which forms the base of the rigid body structure by frame members to which they are attached by welding. The bow and side deck structures are completed by hull plating attached to the gunwale, chine and frame members. The buoyancy tank structure may include unstiffened extruded deep I-section beams.

Abstract: An offshore service vehicle of tricycle configuration employs three vertical legs to support a platform which remains above the water surface as the vehicle travels from a dry land station outwardly to service stations offshore such, for example, as a stationary tower or anchored barge. One of the legs at a forward location is rotatable for steering. Wheels at the bottoms of the legs are individually driven by motors in sealed housings immediately adjacent of the legs.

Abstract: An air cushion vehicle comprises a structure to be lifted, a central lifting cushion, and a peripheral lifting arrangement constituted by a plurality of cells defined externally by an outer multi-lobed skirt.Each lobe of the outer skirt is constituted by an assembly of an upper part defined by a surface of revolution which diverges downwards with respect to the structure, and of a lower part defined by a surface of revolution which converges downwards with respect to the structure, so that the lobe projects outside the structure. The lifting surface of the cells and thus of the entire cushion is increased and they project externally of the structure thus protecting the structure against impact.