Abstract: A release device for a tandem axle of a semi-truck is a compressible piston and cylinder, with the piston rod extending out of one end of the cylinder and biased into an extended position by a biasing mechanism such as compressed gas in the cylinder. A latch on the cylinder is releasably engageable with an indent on the piston rod to hold it in a retracted position. A hook on the cylinder engages over the handle of a manual release rod for a truck tandem axle, with an enlarged head on the end of the piston rod bearing against part of the frame adjacent the release rod with the piston rod in the latched, retracted position. Release of the latch puts biasing force on the piston rod, urging the cylinder outwardly away from the frame to pull out the release rod.

Abstract: A children's cycle comprising frames, wheels under the frames and a push-handle connected with the frames. The push-handle is arcuate in shape and movably connected with the frames. The push-handle may be turned down to the underside of the cycle body with its arcuate concave facing upward so that the cycle body is supported by the push-handle. The push-handle may be used for pushing or pulling the cycle, and may be turned down to the underside of the cycle body for rocking the cycle forward and backward.

Abstract: A wheelchair hand rim that increases the mechanical efficiency of a pushrim by providing a better complement to the hand and decreasing the likelihood of secondary injuries. The present invention includes a first rim made of a light weight metal tube without any coating on its lateral or interior exterior surface, a concave trough between the first rim and the side of a wheel of a wheelchair, and an second rim made of a light weight metal tube, uncoated, having the same tube diameter of the first rim, and concentrically aligned within the first rim.

Abstract: A trailer hitch and tongue alignment system for assisting a user in aligning a vehicle and trailer hitch. The trailer hitch and tongue alignment system includes a vehicle-mountable apparatus provided for mounting on a hitch ball support of a vehicle. The vehicle-mountable apparatus includes a first mount for mounting to the hitch ball support. A locator post is mounted to the first mount for extending in a substantially vertical orientation when the first mount is mounted on a hitch ball support. A light source is adapted for selectively shining light. The light source is mounted on an upper end of the locator post. A switch is designed for selectively activating the light source when the tongue of the trailer is located above the hitch ball of the hitch ball support. The switch is located on the locator post.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mobile standing device for use in rehabilitation. The running wheels of the device are drive-connected to driving handwheels by chain or belt drives. In order to reduce the risk of injury or accident with a standing device of this type, the chain or belt drives are arranged in such a way that they are enclosed, preferably inside the front frame tube of the standing device.

Abstract: A load distribution unit is utilized in a vehicle suspension system having at least one pair of laterally adjacent forward wheel assemblies, and at least one pair of laterally adjacent rear wheel assemblies. A wheel ram is associated with each of the wheel assemblies, each wheel ram including a major chamber therein. The load distribution unit includes a plurality of fluid chambers, each fluid chamber being divided into at least two control chambers by at least one piston supported therein. Two pairs of the control chambers which vary in volume proportionally and in opposite senses therein with piston motion are system chambers, and at least two of the remaining control chambers are bump chambers. The pistons are interconnected by at least one connection device. The major chamber of each wheel ram is in fluid communication with a respective system chamber. The vehicle suspension system provides a roll stiffness and a pitch stiffness while providing minimum cross-axial articulation stiffness.

Abstract: The invention relates to a single-track two-wheeled vehicle, in particular a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter or motor scooter. The vehicle comprises a front section and a rear section which are both pivotably connected to each other by a pivot mechanism (1-4) arranged substantially centrally between the front and the rear wheel. The front section comprises a front wheel suspension with the front wheel (11), a handlebar (21) offset towards the front in relation to the pivot mechanism (1-4), and a connection member (21′) of the handlebar (21). The rear section comprises a rear wheel suspension with the rear wheel (10) and a saddle support (26′) on which the saddle (26) is mounted. A drive unit (40-53) is provided which is either part of the front section or the rear section, the front wheel suspension and the connection member (21′) on which the handlebar (21) is mounted forming a first unit which cannot be rotated.

Abstract: A foldable skate board assembly includes a board having a front wheel and a rear wheel attached thereto, two mounting seats mounted on the board and each including a first notch and a second notch, and a steering column including a lower end attached to the front wheel to move therewith and an upper end. The steering column includes an inclined extension pivotally connected between the mounting seats by a pivotal pin. Two handles are attached to the upper end of the steering column. A slider is slidably mounted to the inclined extension of the steering column. A positioning member is mounted to the slider to move therewith. An elastic element is mounted between the pivotal pin and the slider.

Abstract: A removable multipurpose running board assembly for a motor vehicle wherein the running board is of extruded material provided with a pair of transverse sockets to receive support pins. A pair of clamps securable to the vehicle provide anchor ports to which the support pins are mounted to removably retain a running board in position when the support pins are located in the sockets.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint assembly 10 having a selectively inflatable and expandable assembly 20 and a member 34 which is selectively and removably coupled to a vent member 30 and which overlays the assembly 20. The member 34 cooperates with the vent member 30 to direct and transport air within the vehicle passenger compartment 28. The selectively expanded assembly 20 causes member 34 to become selectively dislodged from member 30, thereby allowing assembly 20 to enter the vehicle passenger compartment 28 and to desirably protect the vehicle occupants.

Abstract: An air-bag arrangement for use in a motor vehicle comprises a gas generator(9) which generates gas when an accident occurs. An air-bag is provided to be inflated by the gas. The air-bag comprises three super-imposed fabric layers(2,3,4), the outer peripheries of which are conjoined by a seam(5). A central aperture(6) in the lower-most layer receives the gas outlet(8) of the gas generator. A plurality of apertures(12) are formed in the intermediate layer and seams(13) interconnect the intermediate layer(3) and the lower-most(2) adjacent the apertures. The seams(13) partially surround each aperture, but are not present in a region(14) which is radially outwardly positioned relative to the center of the intermediate layer(3). This arrangement causes the bag, on inflation, to inflate laterally outwardly before inflating towards the occupant of the vehicle to be protected by the bag.

Abstract: A stairway assembly is pivoted between deployed and stowed positions. The stairway in one form includes a sliding support from which the stairway is suspended at a location spaced from a stairway pivot. A link, which may be adjustable in length, couples the coupler to the stairway. A snubber is provided to limit vibration of the stairway when stowed. An actuator, which may comprise an electric motor, is positioned above and overlies a portion of a platform of the stairway. Extension and retraction of the actuator pivots the stairway between stowed and deployed positions.

Abstract: An articulated tracked vehicle that has a main section, which includes a main frame, and a forward section. The main frame has two sides and a front end, and includes a pair of parallel main tracks. Each main track includes a flexible continuous belt coupled to a corresponding side of the main frame. The forward section includes an elongated arm. One end of the arm is pivotally coupled to the main frame near the forward end of the main frame about a transverse axis that is generally perpendicular to the sides of the main frame. The arm has a length sufficiently long to allow the forward section to extend below the main section in at least some degrees of rotation of the arm, and a length shorter than the length of the main section. The center of mass of the main section is located forward of the rearmost point reached by the end of the arm in its pivoting about the transverse axis.

Abstract: A transmission assembly for an electrically powered bicycle has a manual transmission unit and an electrical transmission unit. The electrical transmission unit includes a planetary gear device for transferring rotation of a motor shaft of a motor to a front sprocket. The electrical transmission unit further includes an auxiliary speed-reducing device, which is connected operably to a controller. Accordingly, a greater torque can be output from the electrical transmission unit to the front sprocket.

Abstract: A vehicle safety airbag assembly includes a cover for an airbag canister formed separately from the instrument panel to reduce the overall manufacturing expense. The cover is affixed to a hidden support frame so as to extend through an enlarged opening in the instrument panel to present an appearance of an embossed section of the instrument panel. In one embodiment of the invention, the cover extends laterally beyond the airbag canister to overlie an air conditioner duct located alongside the canister. An opening in the cover conducts air from the duct into the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A gooseneck trailer coupler is disclosed which secures a first structure such as a towing vehicle to a second structure such as a trailer. The coupler is provided with a mounting element extending from the first structure, a chuck having a top end and a base at a bottom end opposite the top end, with the chuck attached to the mounting element at the top end and adapted to receive a ball mounted to the second structure. A locking assembly is adapted to releasably secure the ball and the chuck, and comprises a ring gear mounted around the chuck and movable from a locking position where the chuck is secured with the ball and an unlocking position where the chuck is unlocked from the ball, wherein the ring gear translates from the base toward the top end of the chuck as the ring gear moves from the locking position to the unlocking position. The locking assembly can also comprise at least one jaw mounted in the chuck for engaging the ball when the ring gear is in the locked position.

Abstract: A hitch ball assembly which includes a housing adapted to be movably mounted within a conventional hitch receiver associated with a towing vehicle wherein a shock absorber is mounted within the housing and which is connected to a pivotable lever having a free end extending outwardly of the housing. A brake cable is connected between the free end of the lever and a brake pedal of a towed vehicle such that the brake pedal is applied by the cable whenever forces are developed by the towed vehicle in the direction of the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A cart pulling system for pulling a line of nested carts including a reelable retaining cord mechanism and a hitch to engage the line of nested carts. The reelable retaining cord mechanism is a dual spindle system which is attached to a motorized cart-puller. Attached to the spindles is a retaining cord which extends around and engages the line of nested carts. The retaining cord is preferably slidable with respect to the nested carts to prevent the line of nested carts from binding when they turn. A hitch is also attached to the motorized cart-puller and has a set of stationary jaws and set of movable jaws which slidably engage the line of nested carts.

Abstract: A children's cycle comprising frames, wheels under the frames and a push-handle connected with the frames. The push-handle is arcuate in shape and movably connected with the frames. The push-handle may be turned down to the underside of the cycle body with its arcuate concave facing upward so that the cycle body is supported by the push-handle. The push-handle may be used for pushing or pulling the cycle, and may be turned down to the underside of the cycle body for rocking the cycle forward and backward.

Abstract: A utility cart having a platform supported by a pair of casters at its front and a pair of traction wheels at its rear. A pair of battery-powered motors drive the traction wheels and are controlled by switches secured to a handlebar extending upwardly from the rear of the platform. A hopper is pivotally mounted atop the platform and its rear end may be elevated by a motorized dumping mechanism. The hopper is provided with a dual-hinge, swinging gate at its front end which permits the hopper to be unloaded with great ease.