Abstract: An apparatus for propelling a wheelchair includes a spokeless power ring connected to the wheel chair, and a drive wheel supporting the chair and engaging the floor. The power ring and drive wheel are coupled together in such a way that rotation of the power ring drives the drive wheel proportional to the rotation of the power ring.

Abstract: A folding trailer is described including a wheeled first frame portion having a tongue secured thereto which extends forwardly therefrom for connection to a hitch adapter which is mounted on the hitch of the an all-terrain vehicle. A second frame portion is pivotally secured to the rearward end of the wheeled frame portion and a rear frame portion is pivotally secured to the rearward end of the second frame portion in such a manner that it may be pivotally moved upwardly from a horizontally disposed position on the rearward end of the second frame portion to an upwardly extending position. The rear frame portion may be folded onto the second frame portion with those frame portions being folded upon the wheeled frame portion. The trailer may then be pivotally moved upwardly and secured to the rack of the all-terrain vehicle.

Abstract: A boat trailer formed of aluminum sections includes aluminum bunks formed of simple T shaped components bracketed to the trailer support assembly in an adjustable fashion. The bunks can be one piece or two piece bunks. In the case of two-piece bunks, standard components can be used for both the base part and the cross part.

Abstract: A carrier frame for a spring cushion truck hitch includes first side mounting plates and a transverse load-resisting tube connected between the mounting plates. The stiffener extends laterally beyond the first plate and includes second side plates which connect the frame of the hitch to the truck frame, so that the carrier frame can be removed from the hitch and the hitch re-used on a different truck having a different frame configuration.

Abstract: A belt tensioner, in particular a buckle tensioner, for a vehicle occupant restraint system having a belt, comprises a housing, a gas generator for generating compressed gas in the case of restraint, a working space into which the compressed gas flows, a piston part displaceable by the compressed gas and a belt engaging device. The belt engaging device is in force-transferring relationship with the fastened belt. The tensioner further comprises a traction transfer device extending through the working space, which traction transfer device connects the belt engaging device with the piston part, and a sheathing for the traction transfer device which at least partially covers the traction transfer device within the working space. The sheathing is of a material having a temperature stability with respect to the hot compressed gas.

Abstract: A power steering apparatus is provided, which is adapted to generate a steering assist force by a hydraulic pressure of a pump driven by an electric motor. The apparatus includes: a pulse width modulation control circuit for controlling the electric motor through a pulse width modulation control; a load detection circuit for detecting a load applied on the electric motor; and a control circuit for progressively increasing the PWM duty of the pulse width modulation control circuit up to 100% if the load on the electric motor is not lower than a predetermined level.

Abstract: A bogie construction includes at least two stiff axles interconnected by a rocking lever. The rocking lever is pivoted in its middle so that it can move in its longitudinal direction as a result of steering movements. The rocking lever is preferably connected to the bogie axle that turns the least, by a joint of an ear, and thus this axle determines the longitudinal displacement of the rocking lever. The rocking lever is connected to the other axles which turn more by suspension rods. A suspension rod pivoted below the axle is used, and thus the suspension rod can be made as long as possible. Consequently, the suspension rod tilts less as a result of the longitudinal movement of the rocking lever.

Abstract: An articulated self-propelled agricultural machine, in particular, a forage harvester, whose group of rear axles comprise two frame parts having regions thereof arranged one above the other and the frame parts being coupled to one another by a bearing which limits the angle of rotation. One of these two frame parts is coupled to the front axle of the forage harvester by an articulated joint, while one frame part is coupled to the optionally driveable rear axle of the forage harvester via an elastic joint.

Abstract: An air bag device that includes an inflatable shoulder belt 16 having an end in which a gas generator 30 is arranged. A retainer 32 holds the gas generator 30 and the shoulder belt 16 integrally. The gas generator 30 is movable along a guide rail 34. One end of the shoulder belt 16 is connected to a webbing 18, while the other end is connected to the lap belt 22. A retractor 20 retracts the webbing 18, while a retractor 24 retracts the lap belt 22. The tongue 26 is fastened to the buckle 28.

Abstract: According to the invention, the connection between the truck (1) and the trailer (2) consists of a pivoting linkage (13, 19, 37) pivoting about an axle (43) or (26) generally perpendicular to it, forming part of a pivot center (18) attached in overlapping arrangement to the front part of the tailer chassis, and of at least one oblique connecting rod (20, 39, 40) of constant length, extending obliquely in relation to the straight line direction between the truck (1) and the trailer (2). The invention is of interest to vehicle manufacturers, especially trailer manufacturers.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement (1) for a wheelchair drive ring (2) that is separate from the wheel of the wheelchair and exhibits a drive-actuating surface (5) facing in a direction outwards from the wheelchair wheel. In accordance with the invention, an upper concave drive-actuating surface (6) of the drive ring (2), which can be attached separately to the rim of the wheelchair wheel, is transformed directly into a lower convex drive-actuating surface. The aforementioned lower convex drive-actuating surface (7) is transformed into a circular gripping part (9) on the underside of the outward-facing drive-actuating surface (5). The aforementioned upper concave drive-actuating surface (6) and the gripping part are transformed jointly into a downward-angled finger guard extending in towards the center of the wheel. Friction-increasing gripping material (100) is provided only on the upper concave drive-actuating surface (6) of the drive ring (2).

Abstract: A removable trailer hitch ball in which a generally spherical configuration hollow ball with opposed upper and lower vertically aligned bore holes for removable attachment to a stud with a cross bore aligned with transversely aligned holes on opposite sides of the hollow ball. A removable lock pin with a spring loaded detent ball is inserted through the transversely aligned holes of the hollow ball and stud. The spring loaded detent ball is protruded into a cavity between the side of the stud and the inner wall of the hollow ball to detachably secure the hollow ball onto the stud which may be integrally formed at the end of a drawbar for detachable connection to a receiver of a trailer hitch. Different size balls may be detachably secured to a given stud. In one embodiment the stud is formed in a shank integrally at one end of a drawbar.

Abstract: A power steering unit according to the invention scarcely transmits sounds and vibrations coming from the electric motor to the steering wheel of a motor vehicle. It comprises a rack-shaft 2 to be coupled to the guiding wheels of a vehicle, a housing A for slidably containing the rack-shaft 2 and holding therein a coupling section 6 for causing the teeth of the rack-shaft 2 to engage those of a pinion arranged on the steering column 5 linked to the steering handle of the vehicle and an electric motor 1 coaxially arranged around the rack-shaft 2, which the rotary force is transmitted to the rack-shaft 2 by way of a ball screw mechanism 3 as the steering assisting power. It further comprises another housing B, for rotatably supporting the nut section of the ball-and-screw mechanism 3, the housing B being provided with a fitting section to be secured to the vehicle main body.

Abstract: A trailer hitch for attachment to a towing vehicle comprises an elongated cross-beam which is secured to the frame of the vehicle and which has a hitch receiver extending rearwardly therefrom at the center thereof. The hitch receiver is adapted to removably receive an elongated tow bar therein to enable the vehicle to tow a trailer or the like. A tow bar support is secured to the cross-beam for removably receiving and supporting the tow bar therein when the tow bar is removed from the hitch receiver so that the longitudinal axis of the tow bar is disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cross-beam.

Abstract: The trailer hitch guide includes a V-shaped fence removably attached to a base plate, the base plate being attached to a tow bar by a ball hitch. The V-shaped fence formed by a pair of plates defining a dihedral angle. The fence is temporarily and removably attached to the base plate by a pair of studs extending from the bottom edges of the fence plates. The base plate has a pair of elongated cylindrical tubes which define sockets into which the fence studs may be inserted. In a first embodiment, the base plate has a U-shaped member attached to the sides of the base plate with the crossbar in a plane vertically below the base plate, defining a rectangular collar in conjunction with the base plate having a perimeter slightly larger than the tow bar so that the collar slides over and encircles the tow bar. The elongated cylindrical tubes are attached to the sides of the U-shaped member.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) which has a side structure (16) and a roof (18) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The vehicle occupant protection device (14) has a stored position extending along the side structure (16) adjacent to the roof (18) of the vehicle (12). The vehicle occupant protection device (14) has first and second portions (34 and 40) inflatable into a position between the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and a vehicle occupant. The second portion (40) is folded and overlies the first portion (34). An inflator (24) provides inflation fluid for inflating the vehicle occupant protection device (14). The second portion (40) when inflated unfolds into a position overlying a pillar (60) of the vehicle (12) and covering at least a portion of the pillar (60).

Abstract: An underhood air flow management system for a truck which includes cowl openings defined between cowl extensions and the rear edges of depending hood sections. Most preferably the cowl extension extends forwardly and inwardly toward the longitudinal centerline of the truck. The cowl extensions assist in deflecting air to the cowl openings, the air having passed through a radiator, along the sides of an engine and engine compartment, and through the cowl openings. The cowl openings preferably extend the full height of the depending hood sections. The bumper of the truck includes a lower extension. In addition, the front wheel wells of the truck are sealed at the front, partially sealed at the side and may be sealed at their rear to reduce the escape of air from the engine compartment through the front wheel wells. The cowl openings are preferably door-free and also lack air flow hindering severe transitions.

Abstract: A composite gasket comprising a metal flange having graphite sealing surfaces overlaid thereon, has load stabilizing ribs formed in the metal flange in the parallel sides not having bolt holes therein. The ribs provide a more even load distribution in the graphite sealing surfaces such that a more efficient and longer lasting seal is provided, particularly in mis-designed or misapplied applications.

Abstract: A detachable gooseneck trailer (20) having a gooseneck (24) and a detachable trailer deck (22) utilizes a trailer attachment assembly (30) to draw the trailer deck (22) toward the gooseneck (24) during attachment. The attachment assembly (30) includes a pivoting carrier (66) having a retainer leg (84) with a rearward facing load carrier engagement surface (90). A slide member (68) is attached to the trailer deck (22) and provides a forward facing slide member engagement surface (94). As actuators (70) pivot the carrier (66) rearward, the load carrier engagement surface (90) slides over the slide member engagement surface (94). A latching mechanism (34) utilizes an elongated latch plate (122) pivotally mounted on the retainer leg (84) to automatically latch the carrier (66) to the trailerdeck (22). A latch biasing spring (124) biases the latch plate (122) toward its latched position, so that it automatically engages a catch (126) mounted on the trailer deck.

Abstract: A laminate-type metallic gasket comprising adjacent combustion chamber holes (A, A), a pair of bead substrates (3, 4) made of an elastic metallic plate with a bead (1) formed along each of the combustion chamber holes (A, A) and first and second intermediate plates (6, 8), in which peak portions of beads (1) are symmetrically opposite to each other, disposed between the two bead substrates (3, 4) according to the present invention wherein a first intermediate plate (6) is provided with a step (9) having a thickness less than that of a second intermediate (8) formed along an edge portion (7) of the combustion chamber holes (A, A).