Abstract: A vehicle (10) includes a pair of hybrid track assemblies (12) mounted on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis (A) of the framework (11) of the vehicle (10) for cooperating to steer the vehicle (10). Each of the hybrid track assemblies (12) includes a first lead track (14) entrained about a first plurality of wheels (16) and a second lead track (18) entrained about a second plurality of wheels (20). A plurality of first lead rollers (26) are rotatably supported in spaced and parallel relationship to one another along the longitudinal axis of the first lead track (14). A plurality of second lead rollers (38) are rotatably supported in spaced and parallel relationship to one another along the longitudinal axis of the second lead track (18). The assembly is characterized by the first and second axes of the first lead rollers (26) and second lead rollers (38) being disposed in opposite directions, i.e., a herringbone configuration.

Abstract: The present invention directed to a motorcycle that includes a frame, a steering fork, a triple clamp and a motorcycle accessory mounted to a bottom surface of the triple clamp. The triple clamp rotatably couples the motorcycle frame to a pair of fork tubes that are part of the steering fork such that the steering fork and triple clamp rotate with respect to the motorcycle frame. Mounting a motorcycle accessory to the bottom surface of the triple clamp locates the mounting hardware beneath the triple clamp such that the mounting hardware is hidden from casual viewing. Hidden mounting hardware increases the aesthetic appearance of a motorcycle.

Abstract: A floor for a tank formed of a superstructure and a skin, wherein the superstructure is formed of a pair of spaced floor rails, one on the left and one on the right side of the tank, and a spaced series of normally disposed thereto V-trough struts or cross-members each of which slopes from the interior sidewall edges of the tank toward the center longitudinal axis, while at the same time their respective effective elevation is decreased from the back to the front of the tank, such that the skin attached over the superstructure slopes both inwardly toward the middle of the tank from each side and forwardly from the rear of the tank toward the front of the tank.

Abstract: A tensioning device for a head protection restraining system in vehicles comprises an inflatable gas bag with two ends extending between an A-column and a C-column of the vehicle, one of said ends of said gas bag being fastened to the A-column and the other to the C-column. To provide a tensioning device for the gas bag which ensures that the gas bag remains tensioned between the A and C columns even in its vented state, a tensioned spring is arranged between at least one of said ends of the gas bag and its adjacent column.

Abstract: A fifth wheel type hitch adapted for engaging a king pin of a trailer comprises a hitch head with downwardly opening pivot saddles which are pivotally supported on pivot bearings on a hitch base such that the hitch head pivots fore and aft relative to the hitch base. Outer portions of the pivot bearings are preferably formed from polyurethane. Latches, secured to the hitch head adjacent each pivot saddle, biasingly engage the pivot bearings when the hitch head is supported on the hitch base to prevent the hitch head from being separated therefrom. Lift handles connected to each latch are graspable by a user and pivotal to advance the latches to an unlatching position such that the hitch head can be separated from the hitch base and such that further lifting on the lift handles lifts the hitch head off of the hitch base. The hitch head comprises an intermediate pivot frame, in which the pivot saddles are formed and a coupler assembly which is adapted to releasably engage the king pin.

Abstract: A safety stand for helping keep a user stable and upright while in-line skating. The safety stand includes an upper ring defining a center space. A plurality of support legs downwardly extend from the upper ring to support the upper ring above a ground surface. The lower end of each of the support legs has a ground engaging swivel wheel.

Abstract: A steering system for a straddle type four-wheeled all terrain vehicle comprises a steering shaft, a first stopping mechanism combined with a lower end part of the steering shaft, and a second stopping mechanism combined with an upper end of the steering shaft. The first stopping mechanism comprises a first shaft-side stopper including a base plate welded to a part of the steering shaft near the lower end of the steering shaft so that the opposite side parts thereof project on the right and the left side of the steering shaft, and adjusting bolts fixed to the opposite side parts of the base plate, and a first frame-side stopper attached to a body frame of the vehicle and provided with a stopping projection. The second stopping mechanism comprises a second shaft-side stopper similar to the first and a second frame-side stopper including an upper bracket fixed to the frame of the all-terrain vehicle.

Abstract: A motorcycle is generally provided with a lateral pair of frame bodies, a pivot shaft connected between the frame bodies, a swing arm mechanism supported to the pivot shaft to be swingable and adapted to support a rear wheel. A housing box for accommodating articles is disposed below a seat, and the housing box is composed of an upper portion and a lower extension portion which extends vertically downward so as to pass through a space of the swing arm mechanism between the pivot shaft and the rear wheel in an installed state of the motorcycle.

Abstract: A semi-integrated sealing system applied to the extremity of the output shaft (1) of the transmission case (2) of automotive vehicles and consisting substantially of assembling flange (10), static sealing element (20), which seals the interstice between the flange and gear shift block (2), and radial sealing retainer (30) around the shaft (10), with the mentioned flange (10) being a plate composed basically of peripherical holes (11) that receive the fastening screws to the transmission case and housing (12), receiver of the radial sealing retainer (30), the static sealing element (20) consisting of a thread of rubber type material (21), originally incorporated in the flange by means of vulcanization; the retainer of radial sealing (30) being of the cartridge type and mountable in the housing (12) of the assembling flange (10) around the output shaft (1) of the transmission case (2).

Abstract: A steering device is mounted in a limited space in a small engine compartment, thereby providing improved efficiency for assembly on production lines and improved vehicle maintenance. A steering column extends upward diagonally from in front of an engine into a driver's cabin. When seen from above the vehicle, the steering column extends from the front of the engine to driver's cabin through a space formed between the engine and a side member of a chassis frame. A steering shaft and a middle shaft of the steering column are connected via a joint, which passes along the side of the engine. The joint has a pair of tightening bolt holes, and serrations. Both shafts also have serrations mating with the serrations on the joint. One of the bolts is loosely fitted into one of the bolt holes during installation. A flat cavity on one of the joining shafts receives the loosely fitted tightening bolt. The flat cavity permits limited in and out motion of the joint for setting the final position of the joint.

Abstract: An in-line skate (10) has an upper shoe portion (40) for receiving a person's foot that is secured to an upper surface of an upper base (56). A lower base (14) has an upper surface (64) that is detachably secured by fasteners (72) to the lower surface (60) of the upper base. A frame (16) for mounting a plurality of wheels (20) is secured to the lower surface of the lower base. The lower base defines a plurality of grind apertures (82) laterally and medially adjacent either side of the frame. A plurality of wear pads (32, 36, 38) are received on the upper surface of the lower base, and include wear portions that project downwardly through the apertures below the lower surface of the lower base. A flange defined on each of the wear pads is captured between the lower base and the upper base when the bases are assembled together. An additional wear pad (34) is secured to the exterior of the base by a tongue and groove engagement.

Abstract: A cable steering device in which the steering torque of a steering wheel is transmitted to wheels by a driven pulley provided in a driven pulley housing, cables, a follower pulley provided in a follower pulley housing and a gear box, and a power steering motor for assisting in the generation of the steering torque is provided in the follower pulley housing and not in the gear box.

Abstract: A coupling device for coupling an adult bicycle to a child's bicycle. The coupling device includes a linking bar having a generally flattened "S"-shaped configuration such that the front wheel of the child's bicycle is in a spaced relationship relative to the ground surface when the child's bicycle is being towed by the adult's bicycle. The linking bar can be readily attached to both the adult's bicycle and the child's bicycle by respective attachment components. A releasable locking structure is provided for stabilizing the handle bar of the child's bicycle thus allowing a child to grasp onto the a handle bar for stability while being pulled by the adult's bicycle.

Abstract: A vehicle steering apparatus (10) comprises a rack (24) connectable with steerable vehicle wheels and a housing (20) partially enclosing the rack and defining a fluid chamber (50). The housing (20) includes an inner surface (30) and a radially extending end surface (36). An annular seal member (72) seals the fluid chamber (50). The seal member (72) encircles the rack (24) and extends between the rack and the inner surface (30). A bushing (70) encircles the rack (24) and is attachable to the housing (20). The bushing (70) includes a first portion (80) disposed between the rack (24) and the housing (20). The first portion (80) supports the seal member (72) and supports the rack (24) for sliding movement relative to the housing (20). The bushing (70) includes a second portion (82) having a first section (130) disposed between the rack (24) and the housing (20). The second portion (82) has a second section (132) extending beyond the end surface (36).

Abstract: A locking system has a side frame having an open end and a spring-loaded hanger release insert extending therefrom. The system also has a hanger body having an upper portion with a terminal end. A hanger pivot fitting extends generally downwardly from the upper portion of the terminal end. A hanger locking surface extends outwardly from the terminal end. The spring-loaded hanger release insert has an upturned mating surface and the hanger locking surface has a downturned mating surface compatible with the upturned mating surface. A hanger release arm is interconnected with the spring-loaded hanger release insert. The system may further include a hanger brace extending from the hanger body, having an alignment guide at an end of the hanger brace. The hanger locking surface may have an angled, generally outwardly-extending face with a step, and the hanger release insert may have an angled, generally outwardly-extending face with a step, each of the steps defining a mutually-compatible mating surface.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus includes a control unit for controlling a steering assist from an electric motor in accordance with steering torque detected by a torque detector. The control unit includes a plurality of assist mode generators to which are allocated respective target motor current signals representative of different steering characteristics, and any one of the assist mode generators can be switchably selected by a mode switching unit according to a predetermined condition. The mode switching unit switches between the assist modes in such a manner that one target motor current signal having been used before an assist-mode-change instruction is gradually shifted over time to another target motor current signal to be used after the assist-mode-change instruction. Thus, it is possible to prevent an unwanted abrupt change in the steering characteristic at the time of the assist mode change.

Abstract: A housing for an inflatable air bag in a motor vehicle with a diffusor section capable of receiving a gas generator, a shot channel section receiving the airbag, and fastening brackets. A plurality of reinforcing ribs have a shape and are positioned on the shot channel section for counteracting expansion of the shot channel section at an outer contour. The diffusor section, the shot channel section, the fastening section and the plurality of reinforcing ribs are formed in one piece and with a plurality of walls. An edge of the shot channel section is multiwalled and all the parts of the housing are homogeneously connected to each other.

Abstract: A power assist bicycle includes a front wheel and a rear wheel, a bicycle body frame supporting the front and rear wheels to be rotatable, a saddle mounted to the bicycle body frame on which a rider rides, and a pair of pedals which are operatively connected to each other through a crank shaft, and the bicycle body frame includes a head pipe supporting the front wheel, a main pipe extending obliquely downward in a rearward direction from the head pipe, and a saddle pipe supporting the saddle at an upper end portion thereof in a standing attitude of the bicycle.

Abstract: A baby tricycle, which includes a head unit holding a pair of handlebars, a front wheel, and a pair of pedals, a body unit having a seat frame, a saddle mounted on the seat frame, and a rear wheel frame holding a pair of rear wheels, and a folding collapsible connecting frame unit coupled between the head unit and the body unit, the folding collapsible connecting frame unit including rear tubular connecting rod having a rear end welded to the rear wheel frame of the body unit and a front end pivoted to the rear end of the seat frame, a link, and a front locating frame, the front locating frame having a front end fixedly connected to the head unit and a rear end coupled to the front end of the rear tubular connecting rod by the link and a coupling portion on the middle pivoted to the front end of the seat frame.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a suspension fork assembly particularly for use with bicycles. The assembly comprises an outer tube which is mounted via brackets to the steering tube of the bicycle frame, and an inner tube that telescopes within the outer tube. A shock absorbing system, preferably in the form of a cartridge is provided within the tubes. The inner surface of the outer tube and the outer surface of the inner tube each have a plurality of axially arranged opposing longitudinal flat sections, such as four on each tube. A plurality of needle bearings are disposed between the tubes on these flat sections. This arrangement, with the needle bearings arranged on the flat sections between the inner and outer tubes, allows the two tubes to freely telescope in and out with respect to one another without any significant static friction, and also serves to maintain torsional rigidity between the outer tube to the inner tube.