Abstract: A cushioning conversion machine (20) for converting sheet-like stock material (22) into a three-dimensional cushioning product (P) including a device (400; 400′; 500; 600; 600′; 700) which controls the width of the strip and which may be selectively adjusted to change the width of the strip. By selectively setting the device (400, 400′, 500; 600; 600′; 700), a cushioning product of a desired width may be produced. For more sophisticated packaging needs, the stock material may be converted into a first portion of a certain width, the device adjusted, and then the stock material may be converted into a second portion of a different width whereby the cushioning product will have continuous portions of different widths.

Abstract: A human powered drive units each including a pair of a rotatable member having a sprocket and a supporting member having a sprocket, which are arranged up and down, and including a chain extended around the rotatable member and the supporting member, are disposed at left and right sides, respectively. The left and right rotatable members 1, 100 are fixed on a driving shaft 15. A chain ring 6 on which the load is applied is mounted on the driving shaft between upper rotatable member 1 and rotatable member 100. In each of the units, constraining means including a free crank (10 for the right-hand unit, and 1000 for the left-hand unit) and arm (11 for the right-hand unit, and 1100 for the left-hand unit), is provided so as to maintain perpendicularity of a shaft of the pedal relative to the plane in which the chain moves.

Abstract: A coupling device is provided with one end secured to the front end of a skate board and the other end secured to the rear axle of a baby carriage. The coupling device includes a coupler, a belt, a buckle article and a mounting block. The coupler is divided into two halves. Both ends of each half are provided with screwing holes. Two halves of the coupler are screwed to the rear axle of a baby carriage, the mounting block is screwed to the front end of a skate board, and one end of the belt is connected with the buckle article. After being penetrated through the buckle ring of the mounting block and encircling the center of the coupler, the other end of the belt is penetrated through the buckle article and fastened by the pressing piece of the buckle article.

Abstract: A double-acting, weight distributing trailer hitch includes a drawbar assembly and a hitchhead assembly. The drawbar assembly is releasably connected to a tow vehicle and includes a first coupling component at its rearward end. The hitchhead assembly includes a second coupling component and a rearwardly extending drawbar extension, which are pivotably connected along substantially vertical axis by a yoke. The drawbar extension is pivotally connected to the yoke by a cam. The drawbar extension is also mounted pivotably to the hitch ball along a first horizontal axis that is transverse to the direction of travel. A rearward portion of the drawbar extension is pivotably interconnected to the trailer along a second horizontal axis, which is parallel to the first horizontal axis and located behind the hitch ball. This creates an overlap between the forward end of the trailer and the drawbar extension.

Abstract: A seal arrangement for a shaft end. The seal arrangement includes an annular sealing lip that before use is braced on a support sleeve. The seal arrangement also includes a sensor ring that overlaps, radially inward with a flange, the sealing lip and the support sleeve, at the end facing away from the sealed space. The sensor ring is axially displaceable with respect to the sealing lip. The support ring includes at least three segments movable relative to one another and abutting against one another in the circumferential direction. The segments are fastened on the sensor ring nondisplaceably in the axial direction and displaceably outwardly in the radial direction. For easier insertion of the shaft end, the support sleeve has at the end facing the sealed space an inside diameter that is expanded in hollow conical fashion, and/or the shaft end has an outside diameter tapered in conical fashion in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A band-like member which is made to wrap on an outer periphery of an exhaust pipe is interposed between the exhaust pipe and a heat insulator covering the exhaust pipe. Both end portions of the band-like member in the length direction and attaching portions formed at a pair of edge portions along the length direction of the heat insulator oppose each other and overlap each other. These members are fastened together by a bolt and nut, which have interposed therebetween a collar to ensure proper separation of ends of the band-like member and heat insulator.

Abstract: A rear suspension system for two-wheeled vehicles having a generally triangular configuration includes first and second spaced apart support axle plates having aligned apertures receive an axle of a rear wheel of the vehicle. An upper arm assembly is pivotally connected between a vehicle frame and the first and second support axle plates. A lower arm assembly is pivotally connected between the vehicles frame and the first and second support axle plates. First and second control arms are pivotally connected at the respected first ends to the vehicle frame, with the second ends thereof being pivotally connected to the first and second support axle plates, or the lower arm assembly. A shock unit is associated with a pivot arm assembly of the lower arm assembly at one end, and connected to the vehicle frame at the opposite end.

Abstract: A frame of an in-line skate of the type constituted of a main body that includes a transverse base equipped with at least one front support surface for the boot and one rear support surface for the boot, each of these forming a U-shaped front platform and a rear platform by extending downwardly, either by two lateral projecting parts on which are attached two parallel independent flanges adapted to receive a series of wheels, or directly by the flanges when these flanges form a one-piece element with an upper transverse connecting portion, wherein the front and rear support surfaces of the boot are connected together by an intermediate arch in order to constitute an anti-torsion base for the frame and an element for transmitting forces.

Abstract: A fifth wheel assembly for connecting a tractor trailer combination has a pressure actuated piston operated from within the cab of the tractor which releases the locking jaw from the trailer king pin. A piston rod has an internal floating rod which has a safety latch mechanism attached to its outer end to prevent premature movement of a locking lever which locks and unlocks the locking jaws. The safety latch mechanism has a pivotally mounted spring biased clevis which is moved to an unlatched position by outward movement of the piston rod when actuated to move the lever and connected locking jaw to the unlocked position. The locking jaw is retained in the unlocked position by the lever until the jaw is automatically actuated by an incoming king pin eliminating any manipulation of the locking mechanism by the vehicle operator.

Abstract: A wheel lock for a wheelchair, where the wheelchair has a rear drive wheel, includes a housing adapted to be mounted on the wheelchair. The housing has two pivot points spaced apart in a forward/rearward direction. A wheel contact arm has a pivot shaft pivotally mounted about one of the pivot points. The wheel contact arm has a wheel engagement edge adapted to contact the rear drive wheel. The wheel lock also includes an actuation lever pivotally mounted about the other of the pivot points, and a linkage connecting the wheel contact arm and the actuation lever. The housing, the pivot shaft, the actuation lever and the linkage form a four bar linkage. Pivoting of the actuation lever causes pivoting of the wheel contact arm to engage the wheel contact edge with the rear drive wheel.

Abstract: A steering cylinder for a tractor with internal, adjustable steering stops that do not occupy packaging space beyond the cylinder itself. End caps of the cylinder, between the piston rod and the cylinder, serve as the stops. The end caps are threadably mounted in the cylinder to enable adjustment. The stops can be rotated relative to the cylinder to thread the stops in or out, thereby changing the stroke of the steering cylinder. Once the stops are set to the desired location, they are held in place by a retainer that is bolted to the cylinder. The retainers can be selectively removed from the cylinder and then used as a wrench to rotate the stops to adjust the cylinder stroke. Adjustment is needed when different wheel and tire combinations are mounted on the tractor or when the tread width is changed. A travel limiter is mounted to the cylinder to prevent complete withdrawal of the stops and the resulting loss of hydraulic oil.

Abstract: A motorcycle comprising a frame; an engine mounted to the frame; a steering assembly interconnected with the frame; a front wheel rotatably mounted to the steering assembly; a swingarm mounted to the frame, the swingarm including a hollow portion adapted to contain oil for use in the engine; and a rear wheel rotatably mounted to the swingarm. A removable plate closes the hollow portion of the swingarm, and first, second, and third fittings are associated with the plate. An oil breather tube may be interconnected with the first fitting, an oil pickup tube interconnected with the second fitting, and an oil return tube interconnected with the third fitting. A fixed-position caliper mounting boss is provided on the swingarm, and the swingarm includes a fixed axle for the rear wheel such that the caliper is properly spaced with respect to the rear wheel.

Abstract: To provide a power transmission mechanism into which a driven flange is assembled, the power transmission mechanism producing no metal contact noises. A driven flange is divided into an engine side flange and a wheel side flange. The engine side flange may be formed of a steel forging and the wheel side flange may be formed of an aluminum forging. The engine side flange is spline-fitted in a final gear integrally rotated with a bevel gear. Furthermore, openings are formed in the wheel side flange at equal intervals and blocks having a threaded hole therein are pressed into the openings. In addition, the engine side flange, the wheel side flange, and the blocks are integrally connected together with bolts.

Abstract: A hydraulic suspension unit which is arranged in a supporting pipe has a piston arranged in a cylinder and a piston rod which is coupled with the piston and projected from the cylinder and detachably coupled with a slide pipe edge portion. Coil springs for buffering are further built in the cylinder. Thus, the hydraulic suspension unit can be easily exchanged.

Abstract: An automobile which is designed to be able to drive wheel tires by making use of a double series differential gear device 15 provided with both a first series gear constituted by a first ring gear 22A and a first drive gear 23A and a second series gear constituted by a second ring gear 22B and a second drive gear 23B, thereby, a back-up for an abnormal situation can be prepared and a high reliability is maintained, accordingly, with the use of highly reliable differential gear mechanism, an automobile in which a stable braking force is always obtained without being affected by its environmental conditions is provided.

Abstract: A one piece, lightweight, compressed gas module designed for easy loading, unloading and transport to and from automobiles, aircraft, etc. as well as easy transport across a variety of terrains including floors, asphalt, and other surfaces. The compressed gas module includes a pressure vessel and frame wherein the frame includes a vertical member and horizontal members extending perpendicular to the vertical member at opposing ends of the vertical member. The pressure vessel includes polar ends wherein each polar end includes a boss for rigidly engaging a respective horizontal member whereby the pressure vessel forms a load bearing component of the module in combination with the frame.

Abstract: A sidecar steering aid. A coupling mechanism is provided for coupling the sidecar to a steering member of a vehicle to which the sidecar is attached. The coupling mechanism includes a spring adapted to provide resistance to compression and tension about a neutral position of the spring. The neutral position is biased with respect to the turning wheel so that the wheel is “cocked” a predetermined amount by the spring.

Abstract: An electric power steering system for a vehicle that consists of a motor control signal calculation device for calculating a motor control signal for driving a motor to generate a steering assist torque, which is based on at least a steering torque detected by a steering torque sensor, a motor control signal correction calculation device for calculating a corrected motor control signal from an amount of motor control signal correction calculated by an external control device and the motor control signal, a driving device for driving a motor based on the corrected motor control signal calculated by the motor control signal correction calculation device; and a motor control signal correction amount reducing device for reducing the amount of motor control signal correction according to vehicle speed.

Abstract: A steering system (1) for a vehicle with a first steering arrangement (6), with a first sensor (7), with a second steering arrangement (8), which includes an articulated steering, which has a second sensor (9), and with a steering unit (5). To improve the steering comfort, the steering unit (5) is fixedly connected with the first steering arrangement (6) and the second steering arrangement (8) is connected with a follow-up arrangement, which comprises the first sensor (7), a control device (10) and a valve arrangement (11).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a suspension mechanism that is built into the rigid frame members of a vehicle such as a motorcycle to provide a softer ride while preserving the clean look of the rigid frame. The vehicle has a wheel mount for a wheel, a steering head for a steering handle, and a vehicle frame. The suspension mechanism comprises a lower frame member of the vehicle frame extending from the wheel mount, and an upper frame member of the vehicle frame extending from the wheel mount and being disposed above the lower frame member. An upper frame arm of the vehicle frame extends from the steering head and is movably coupled with the upper frame member at a location between the steering head and the wheel mount. The upper frame member is slidable relative to the upper frame arm along an upper arcuate path centered around a pivot axis disposed between the upper frame member and the lower frame member.