Abstract: A warning device for skiers includes an audible sonic generator mounted on a ski pole grip with an actuating button for activating the warning device.

Abstract: A moving dolly is disclosed for transporting bulky articles, such as grand pianos, crates, and the like. A framework form fits a standard cushioning device conventionally employed in carrying a baby grand piano sounding board during moving or transport operations. An elongated rigid framework for receiving the cushioning device is mounted on corner caster wheels to facilitate moving in any desired direction. A detachable handle means is pivotally secured to one end of the framework, and can be detached and repositioned at the opposite end as needed during use of the device.

Abstract: An inflatable safety bag system for vehicles which comprises an electrical actuator device for detecting a vehicle collision, a mechanical actuator device for detecting a vehicle collision, and a valve opening device for a high-pressure gas container for supplying high-pressure gas to a safety bag at the time of a vehicle collision. The electrical and mechanical actuator devices are operatively connected to the valve opening device, and are actuatable independently of each other. The valve opening operation of the high-pressure gas container is effected in response to actuation of at least one of the electrical and mechanical actuator devices. When the electrical actuator device fails to operate, the mechanical actuator device enables the safety bag to be inflated, thereby ensuring positive and reliable operation of the safety bag system.

Abstract: A hand truck having a platform; a pair of wheel-connecting bars rotatably attaching to the platform; a plurality of wheels connecting to the bars, at least two of the wheels being rotatable thereon; and a handle member pivotally connecting at two points on an end of the platform and circumscribing three sides of the perimeter of the platform when the handle member is in a closed position. A handle release and locking means attaches to the platform and locks the handle member either in an open or in a closed position. The wheels fold up underneath the platform and lie horizontally with respect thereto when the handle member is in the closed position.

Abstract: A drain oil collection tank for use in an automobile service station, the device including a thirty gallon tank mounted on a hand cart, a drain valve at the bottom of the tank, a screen covered funnel extending telescopically adjustable upward from a cover of the tank and an oil level gauge in the tank.

Abstract: An over-the-counter cart utilizing separate rear and front baskets and having a wheeled metal frame. The front basket is made of plastic wherein the side panels, the bottom panel and the front panel, having an opening, are integrally molded of open lattice work construction. A metal unitary bar extends along the open perimeter of the plastic basket and along a portion of the underside of its bottom panel adjacent its rear edge. Separate metal hinge bars, on each side of the plastic basket, are attached to the unitary bar and extend along a portion of the underside of the plastic basket; the free ends of these bars are received within a hinge tube, mounted on the cart frame, to allow the basket's rotation from a horizontal position to a vertical position to allow nesting of the carts. A hingedly attached child seat and seat back panel are incorporated into the rear basket.

Abstract: Safety bar for a fire truck of the type having an open space behind the cab for carrying firemen. A bar is mounted to protect men from falling out from the space. The bar extends across the space and has movement up and in with respect to the truck. Stops restrain the bar from movement down or out with respect to the truck.

Abstract: A shoe skate includes a single row of in-line wheels or rollers, mounted on the shoe as front and rear wheel units. The front wheel unit includes a bogie pivoted about a transverse axis and carrying leading and trailing wheels, enabling the skater to maintain these wheels in contact with the skating surface where the heel of the shoe is raised. The rear wheel unit is mounted on the heel of the skating shoe. A leaf spring bears on the opposite ends of the bogie, to maintain the bogie in a normal stable condition relative to the shoe.

Abstract: In a tractor having a hood and a frame with a latch to establish a closed position of the hood on the frame, the present invention includes a frame track and a hood track secured to the frame and hood respectively, a pair of hood guides secured to the hood and movable in the frame track, a pair of frame guides secured to the frame and movable in the hood track and a mechanism for automatically rigidly connecting the hood to the frame in the closed position.

Abstract: A unitary run-flat insert for inflatable tires is provided in the form of a split ring having sufficient flexibility, through separation at the split portion thereof, to pass over the rim flanges of a tire mounting rim and having an inner periphery closely and circumferentially engaging the rim when the split portion is closed, with lock means at said split portion adapted for automatic engagement as the ends forming said split portion are moved into juxtapositioned alignment. As closed by the lock means, the insert engages the rim in a manner to rotate therewith in normal operation, but to slip circumferentially thereof when riding on a deflated tire.

Abstract: A noise-making device which is particularly adapted to be utilized in conjunction with a skateboard or similar wheeled vehicle. The device comprises a ring-shaped component having one or two cylindrical projections extending from the outer peripheral edge thereof in a direction parallel to the axis of the ring. The other side of the ring is fastened to the end wall of a rotatable wheel, such as a skateboard wheel. The other component of the device comprises a somewhat rectangular, flat piece of metal having a pair of rounded edges and a hole in the center. This component is fastened to the wheel support device so that an edge of the metal piece is adjacent the end surface of the wheel. As the wheel rotates, the projections from the rotating component intercept the stationary plate to flex same, thereby creating sound.

Abstract: An electric powered vehicle drive axle is disclosed. The axle of the present invention comprises a ring gear; a first pinion gear for rotating the ring gear; a differential carried by the ring gear; a pair of axle shafts driven by the differential for rotatably driving a pair of drive wheels; the device supported and enclosed by a housing. A second pinion gear is employed which rotatably engages the ring gear. A first electric motor rotatably connected to the first pinion gear is connected to a power source for rotatably driving the vehicle. A second electric motor/generator is connected to the second pinion gear and electrically connected to the power source. The second electric motor/generator selectively powers the differential or derives power from the differential to recharge the power source as dictated by the power needs of the electric vehicle. A plurality of bevel gears are deployed along the length of the axles.

Abstract: An elongated strut having first and second large and small diameter relatively telescoped opposite end portions. The free end of the large diameter end portion includes a mount for mounting a corresponding vehicle side with the strut downwardly and outwardly inclined from the vehicle side. The free end of the small diameter end portion includes a relatively extendable spring biased foot portion for engagement with the ground and a generally horizontal brace is provided including a first end for anchoring relative to the corresponding vehicle side and a second end including clamp structure removably clampingly engaged with the strut small diameter end portion immediately adjacent and abutting the corresponding strut large diameter end portion to limit telescoping of the small diameter strut end portion into the strut large diameter end portion.

Abstract: A ski brake arrangement having a U-shaped spring wire member pivotally secured to the upper surface of a ski about an axis which extends substantially perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the ski. Each leg of the U-shaped spring wire has a braking blade thereon. The pivotal support for the U-shaped spring wire is composed of a block having a shaft member thereon, which shaft extends parallel to the aforementioned axis and is received in an opening of a two-arm toggle lever pivotally secured to the ski about a further axis which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ski. The innermost arm of the toggle lever is operatively engaged with a pedal pivotally secured to the ski so that during a downward movement of the pedal, the toggle lever will be pivoted about its pivotal support to cause an upward and inward movement of the block member.

Abstract: In a forward engine compartment of a vehicle a power unit is suspended so as to have a controlled rearward movement in the engine compartment when exposed to excessive forces in the lengthwise direction of the vehicle during a collision. There is at least one rear mounting having a resilient body separating two members secured to the power unit and to structural portions of the vehicle body, respectively. Said rear mounting allows one of the members a limited movement relative to the other while absorbing deformation work. As the power unit travels further back the attachment of the rear mounting is gradually destroyed, but it holds long enough to allow the power unit to hit a cowl panel at the rear of the engine compartment, thus controlling the travel of the power unit.

Abstract: A one-piece, plastic molded, roller skate chassis, including foot plate, trucks, and wheel axles. Each truck, which provides for turning in a conventional manner, includes a cylindrical torsional member, inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the foot plate, and a shank attached at one end to the torsion member and at the opposite end to a cylindrical shaft which receives the axle of the roller skate. The plastic from which the present chassis is molded is tough and durable, and yet sufficiently flexible and resilient to allow turning. Also disclosed is an adjustable two-piece skate chassis in which each mating member is on a one-piece, molded plastic molded construction.

Abstract: Since the maximum jolt amplitude during gear shifts in an automatic transmission occurs when a frictional clutch band is first holding fully and since a mathematical relationship can be established between this maximum amplitude and the amplitude of the jolt while the band is slipping, the maximum permissible jolt amplitude during slippage (R.sub.O) is calculated as a function of the input and output speed of the transmission at the start of the gear shift and the predetermined maximum permissible over-all jolt amplitude (R.sub.max). The actual jolt amplitude is determined continuously, compared to R.sub.O, and the friction band is activated to maintain the actual jolt equal to R.sub.O, while the band is slipping.

Abstract: The running board of the present invention comprises an elongated extruded board member having in cross section a horizontal central portion, an upper vertical portion extending upwardly from one edge of the horizontal portion, and a lower vertical portion extending downwardly from the opposite edge of the horizontal portion. On the bottom surface of the horizontal portion is a key way formed by two downwardly extending flanges. Transverse cross members are press fitted into the key way without use of bolts or other fasteners. An end cap is placed on the rearward end of the board member, and a mud flap is secured to the forward end of the board member and is also secured to the wheel well of the vehicle. Additional support members are secured to the transverse members and extend beneath the vehicle for securement to the vehicle cab.

Abstract: In a highway type motor vehicle, a Multiple Stage Flexible Bumper comprising in combination a bumper bar mounted transversely across the front of the motor vehicle, multiple stage coil compression springs, a pair of spring seats to secure the ends of the springs, retainer bolts for securing the ends of the springs in the seats, longitudinal bolts, rivets or welds for securing the seats on one end of the springs to the vehicle frame, longitudinal bolts, rivets or welds for securing the seats on the other end of the springs to the vehicle bumper bar to form a completely flexible, 360.degree.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire having a "run-flat" capability, is disclosed. The tire is in the form of a substantially toroidally shaped carcass having a pair of bead-reinforced sidewall regions and a crown region annularly bridging the sidewall regions. Internally of the carcass, there is provided an expandable nail-deflector for deflecting a nail that punctures, for example, the crown region. The nail deflector has a releasably constrained normal condition when the crown region is puncture-free that is annularly spaced from the interior of the crown region, and is circumferentially self-expandable into engagement with the interior of the crown region upon puncture of the latter by a nail to deflect such nail harmlessly away from its path of entry.