Abstract: A motorcycle in which a front end portion of a rear swing arm for rotatably supporting a rear wheel is swingably supported via a supporting shaft by an engine supported by a body frame. The rigidity of a rear swing arm is enhanced without increasing the weights of the supporting shaft and the like. Upper end portions of a pair of right and left bracket are fixed to both ends of a supporting shaft. A cross-pipe connects lower end portions of the brackets and is fixed to the engine at a position under the supporting shaft. A pair of right and left rotatably supporting portions are swingably supported by the supporting shaft at positions between the brackets and the engine.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a support guide consisting of a frame with two side bars (1-1′) of suitable dimensions which are attached, by bolts for example, to the sides of the front of a wheelchair, and between which there is a transversal rod (3) which forms the support guide in itself and is affixed to the bottom ends of the side bars (1-1′). The transversal rod has two lateral projections pointing backwards and closing over each other in the form of a transversal extension forming a raided loop or semi-ring (11) that is located along an imaginary plane angled forward and downward in such a way that the loop (11), located centrally, is suitable in terms of its dimensions and position to act laterally on a ball pushing it over a field of play when a wheelchair is moved. This therefore forms a type of housing for a ball at the front of a wheelchair as it makes it possible to receive and drive the ball over a field of play.

Abstract: A motorized golf buggy or cart that is readily convertible between a “ride on” condition in which the golfer sits on the buggy and a “walk” condition in which the golfer walks behind the buggy or cart in a forward direction is described. The buggy or cart can be readily converted between the two different positions as desired by the golfer during the round of golf. The golf buggy or cart has a steering member pivotally connected to a wheel assembly such that movement of the steering member causes the golf buggy or cart to turn. The steering member can adapt to at least two different positions in which one of the positions corresponds to the “ride-on” position and another position corresponds to the “walk” position by movement in a substantially vertical plane containing the steering member. The steering member is also provided with at lease two steering elements so that the buggy can be steered by the golfer in either mode.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for adjustably securing an axle and a brake carrier to a front monofork of a motorcycle. The axle is received within an eccentric axle carrier and extends through a lower end of the brake carrier. An opposite end of the brake carrier includes an opening through which a carrier mounting device extends. The carrier mounting device is secured to the monofork and guides or aligns the brake carrier relative to the monofork. When the axle carrier is rotated to adjust the attitude of the motorcycle front end, the mounting device moves relative to the brake carrier while the brake carrier is maintained in a relatively fixed relationship to the wheel.

Abstract: A cushioning conversion system includes a cushioning conversion machine which converts stock paper into a plurality of cut pads, and a conveyor system positioned to receive pads produced by the cushioning conversion machine and including a conveyor which conveys the pads away from the machine and at least one moveable gate having an open position allowing a pad to pass, therethrough and a closed position for stopping progress of a pad along the conveyor when there is insufficient space on the conveyor downstream of the gate to permit a pad to progress substantially through the gate.

Abstract: An axle case assembly is provided with a speed sensitive torque coupling mechanism used to transmit torque from the ring gear to a planetary differential assembly. The differential assembly provides torque transfer proportional to the speed difference between the ring gear sub-assembly and a planetary gear set sub-assembly, wherein the invention splits a differential case assembly into two primary pieces and a speed sensitive mechanism is installed between each piece. The mechanism is entirely contained inside an axle differential case assembly. An optional limited slip device may be provided for the differential gears. The torque transmission coupling assembly eliminates the need for a center differential in the transfer case, i.e. an interaxle differential, thereby reducing the driveline complexity and cost without requiring a separate torque coupling in the transfer case or in-line with the driveline.

Abstract: A method of converting a refuse collection body into a semi-trailer. A refuse collection body having a front end and a rear end, and a frame extending along a bottom of the body from adjacent the front end to adjacent the rear end is provided. A king pin is mounted to the frame proximate the front end for attachment to a fifth wheel of a tractor and an axle assembly is mounted to the frame proximate the rear end.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus includes a control unit 12 for outputting an electric motor control signal VO to control an electric motor 8 for adding an auxiliary steering torque, in response to at least the manual steering torque signal T from a torque sensor TS. The control unit 12 carries out a control to limit a maximum value of the electric motor control signal V0 in response to an electric motor current signal IMO sent from an electric motor current detecting unit 14. The control unit 12 includes a maximum value limitation indicating unit 26 for measuring the number of times of a maximum value limitation of the electric motor control signal VO and has such a structure that conditions for starting the maximum value limitation of the control signal VO are set to be more strict at a first time than those at a second time and thereafter.

Abstract: An electronic power steering apparatus according to the present invention uses hypoid gears having a larger gear on a steering assisting motor side and a smaller gear on a pinion shaft side as a transmission device for transmitting a rotational force of the motor to the pinion shaft or a column shaft, thereby reducing a shaft-to-shaft distance required between the motor and the pinion shaft. Further, rack teeth, which have a pressure angle that reduces toward both of the ends of a moving stroke of a rack shaft, are formed on the rack shaft that engages the pinion gear so that an insufficient steering assisting force is supplemented at the stroke ends, that is, at a large steering range; thus, it is possible to miniaturize the motor. Therefore, it becomes possible to reduce a space occupied by the motor on the periphery of the column shaft or the pinion shaft, and consequently to allow easy installation inside the automobile room or the engine room.

Abstract: An airbag includes first and second base cloths and a middle base cloth arranged therebetween for defining first and second compartments in the airbag. Gas communicating ports are arranged in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the middle base cloth to ensure gas communication between the two compartments. Four ring-shaped fixing portions are arranged around a gas introduction port to connect the second and middle base cloths, one of which has an exhaust port formed inside.

Abstract: A differential assembly having a preload or biased differential case. A beveled thrust washer is disposed between each side gear and the differential case. The beveled thrust washer induces a preload between the side gear and differential case to help ensure that each differential side gear and output half shaft are running at the same speed as the differential case is rotated. The preload or bias is set to be slightly greater than the difference in drag forces acting on each output half shaft. Thus, when the transfer case is engaged to bring the differential case up to speed, the differential gears will be prevented from spinning and the output half shafts will rotate at the same speed coincident with the vehicle road speed. The preload facilitates more desirable engagement of the wheeled hublocks in front wheel steerable wheel axle assemblies in selectable four-wheel drive trains.

Abstract: An angularly-adjustable steering system is provided for an off-road vehicle such as a snowmobile or an ATV. The steering system employs a modular handlebar-angling mechanism interfaced between the steering column and the handlebar apparatus of the steering system. The angling mechanism operates by pivotal mechanics to enable a user to position the handlebar apparatus of the steering system to any desired angle of tilt along a radial tilt range, and then to lock the apparatus into position using a cable-assisted lever or other mechanical control. The steering system is utilized in side-hilling and other difficult maneuvers for the purpose of improving stabilization of the vehicle over sloping terrain, improving the balance of a user operating the vehicle from a running-board position, and decreasing muscular strain on the user.

Abstract: A bicycle features an automatically shifting transmission. The shifting is controlled by a controller. The controller has a number of ranges that comprise a subset of the available gear steps. The operator of the bicycle can select an appropriate range and the controller shifts gears within the range depending upon a preset map of bicycle speeds and gear steps. The operator can select other ranges as desired by upshifting or downshifting. The controller also has at least one cruising mode that decreases the likelihood of inadvertent shifting during operation of the bicycle at speeds within a preset range of speeds. In addition, the controller has an elapse mode that further reduces the number of available gear steps in a range during resumed operation after slowing below a preset speed or stopping.

Abstract: A vehicle trailer hitch including an aluminum tubular U-shaped strut and a cast aluminum receiver mounted thereto. Ends of the strut tube are flatted to form integral planar mounting flanges for mounting the hitch to a vehicle.

Abstract: A tilt mechanism for pivoting a vehicle body panel relative to a vehicle chassis includes a pivot pin having a pivot pin axis. The pivot pin provides a single-point pivot attachment of the body panel to the chassis such that the body panel can articulate about the pivot pin axis relative to the chassis. A support member pivotably connects to the chassis about the pivot pin axis by the pivot pin. The support member has a tilt axis along a longitudinal extent of the support member. The tilt axis is perpendicular to the pivot pin axis. The support member supports the vehicle body panel weight through a pivotal connection between a support member end and the body panel. The pivotal connection allows the body panel to pivot relative to the chassis about the tilt axis via a bearing. A torsion bar is within the support member. One portion of the torsion bar is secured to the support member and another portion is secured to the body panel by a slot that receives a torsion bar end.

Abstract: A bicycle features an automatically shifting transmission. The shifting is controlled by a controller. The controller has a number of ranges that comprise a subset of the available gear steps. The operator of the bicycle can select an appropriate range and the controller shifts gears within the range depending upon a preset map of bicycle speeds and gear steps. The operator can select other ranges as desired by upshifting or downshifting. The controller also has at least one cruising mode that decreases the likelihood of inadvertent shifting during operation of the bicycle at speeds within a preset range of speeds. In addition, the controller has an elapse mode that further reduces the number of available gear steps in a range during resumed operation after slowing below a preset speed or stopping.

Abstract: A ski binding includes a stop (3) and a heel piece (5). An elastic means opposes the release of the stop and the heel piece. The elastic means includes a blade (6) working in buckling mode between two slides (2, 4) which correspond to the stop and the heel piece, respectively. Conventional springs for releasing the stop and the heel piece are therefore replaced by this longitudinally arranged blade.

Abstract: A collapsible panel forming a separation structure between a generally closed inner environment and an outer environment, for instance consisting of a motorvehicle stratified window, incorporating within its mass at least one explosive charge to which an igniter/detonator device is operatively associated to produce detonation of the explosive charge so as to shiver the panel in a controlled way substantially within the plane thereof.

Abstract: A child stroller apparatus for allowing the child to either ride in the seat member or upon a seat just like a bicycle. The child stroller apparatus includes a seat assembly; and also includes a storage member depending from the seat assembly; and further includes a rear wheel assembly being mounted to the storage member; and also includes a canopy member being removably mounted to the seat assembly; and further includes a handle assembly including a handle member being securely attached to the seat assembly; and also includes a bicycle frame assembly being securely attached to the storage member; and further includes a seat member being mounted upon the bicycle frame assembly; and further includes a steering assembly being attached to the bicycle frame assembly.

Abstract: An all-terrain bicycle is comprised of a bicycle frame having a front and a rear fork to which is removably secured a front and a rear wheel. Each wheel has a circular rim which is interconnected to the hub by spokes. The rear wheel has sprockets secured to the central hub and which is interconnected to a driving sprocket by a chain or other such belt-like drive connector. Each of the rims is provided with a surface engaging support shoes assembly to provide support of the bicycle on a surface. Such bicycles are particularly useful for riding on soft and also irregular surfaces which are deformable such as sand, snow or the like.