Abstract: The automatic transmission of the present invention prevents fluctuation of torque transmission through a band brake. In the hydraulic operator for the band brake, a resilient elastic cushion is provided between a rod abutting one end of the band of the band brake and a piston. Any slippage between the band and drum of the band brake will result in oscillation of the rod. However, the elastic cushion absorbs oscillation of the rod, thereby isolating the piston from that oscillation.

Abstract: A skid-steer mini-loader (10) has a compact chassis formed by two side walls (11,12) fixed to either side of a tank (13) which forms an oil reservoir for a hydraulic drive system for the mini-loader. A hydraulic pump (30) is located within the tank (13), and is driven by a motor (31) mounted directly on top of the tank. A panel (19), which forms the rear wall and top of a cover for the power plant, is pivotally mounted at its lower end to the chassis, enabling the panel (19) to be opened out and allow access to the power plant. The mini-loader has a lifting arm (17) of inverted channel configuration with a relatively wide central web which forms the front face of the arm. The lifting arm has a mounting plate (16) pivotally mounted at its free end for mounting a bucket (15) or other attachment. A toggle arm (34) is provided on the mounting plate (16) for automatically locking the attachment to the mounting plate.

Abstract: A gas bag arrangement for a motor vehicle safety system is provided. A gas generator is disposed in a housing to which is connected an airbag that is unfolded and inflated by gas produced by the gas generator and guided to a gas discharge area of the housing. A first partial discharge area of the gas discharge area is formed by a discharge part that projects from the housing into the airbag. A second partial discharge area is formed by openings disposed about a location where the discharge part is attached to the housing. Two partial flows of gas from the gas generator are separately directed, in the same direction, onto the material of the airbag. The first and second partial discharge areas are staggered relative to the airbag when viewed in a direction of discharge of gas from the housing.

Abstract: In a spring applied mechanism such as a fail-safe disc brake having a disk and pads, there is provided an automatic adjuster to maintain even travel and pressure to the brake pads from the spring pack regardless of pad wear. The adjuster has a piston operable by hydraulic pressure to draw a pushrod back from the brake pad and a lock actuator in the form of a collet operable between the piston and the pushrod to provide positive movement of the pushrod with the piston in the direction of force application from the spring pack while allowing relative movement between the piston and the pushrod during movement of the piston in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A two solenoid pressure modulated ABS relay valve incorporates a quick release valve in the control air circuit to allow a majority of the air in the control cavity to escape directly to ambient. The orifice through the exhaust solenoid need only handle a relatively small volume of air upstream of the quick release valve, i.e., between the quick release diaphragm and the inlet solenoid seat.

Abstract: An apparatus particularly designed to receive, support, transport and/or position tire and wheel assemblies of vehicles, particularly large vehicles, is described. One embodiment of the apparatus comprised a lower frame, an upright support coupled to the lower frame, a vertical positioning device, and a tire and wheel assembly support operably coupled to the vertical positioning device. Working embodiments included a lower U-shaped frame, generally having plural casters attached thereto, for easy positioning about tires attached to vehicles. A method for receiving, supporting, transporting and positioning tire and wheel assemblies also is described. The method comprises first providing a suitable apparatus. The apparatus is positioned adjacent a tire and wheel assembly of a vehicle. The vertical position of the tire and wheel support assembly is adjusted to engage the tire and wheel assembly. The tire and wheel assembly is then placed on the apparatus, which supports the tire and wheel assembly.

Abstract: A parking braking system for a brake in a vehicle wherein, upon moving a parking brake selector to a park position, the brake is arranged to be mechanically locked or latched into place by means of a variable position park latch mechanism which is adapted to co-operate with an operating member of the brake so as to set the park load on the brake at a desired level. The parking braking system includes a control system which has a brake level determining means (134) to determine the brake load level at which the brake is to be parked and a control means (136) for controlling the actuation of the latching mechanism, or a combination of several latching mechanisms, to selectively maintain that brake load level during a parking phase. In order to determine the park load level to which the brake should be applied in a given situation, there is provided a static mode 1 which generates a signal representative of the static condition of the vehicle or a static compensation signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a track frame connecting structure of a heavy work vehicle that can minimize the amount of up and down movement of the ends of an equalizer bar, so as to make track frames have a sufficiently wide range of straight-line motion for a heavy work vehicle like a tractor. In the track frame connecting structure of a working vehicle in which an equalizer bar which is pivotally mounted on a body is connected to connecting links, the connecting links and the track frames are connected with each other, the connecting links and limiting links are connected with each other, and the links and the body are connected with each other.

Abstract: A brake assembly includes a rotatable disc which is movable along its axis of rotation. Brake pads on caliper arms are engageable with opposite sides of the disc. An actuator assembly is operable to move the caliper arms to press the brake pads against opposite sides of the disc. To accommodate movement of the disc along its axis of rotation, the actuator assembly is movable along the axis of rotation of the disc under the influence of force transmitted through the caliper arms to the actuator assembly. The caliper arms have arcuate end surfaces which engage arcuate surfaces on the brake pads.

Abstract: A tricycle includes left and right front wheel support members which rotatably support left and right front wheels, respectively, and which are disposed on laterally opposite sides of a handle post and pivotally supported on left and right leg members which are supported by the handle post, a steering shaft which is connected to the front wheel support members to steer the front wheels in response to the turning operation of the steering shaft, and a driven wheel supported at a rear portion of a vehicle body frame structure. In this tricycle, a banking travel is possible, leading to an enhanced steering travelability. The handle post 21 and the left leg member 29L are connected to each other through a pair of left upper and lower links 38L, 39L to form a left parallel link arrangement 37L, while the handle post 21 and the right leg member 29R are connected to each other through a pair of right upper and lower links 38R, 39R to form a right parallel link arrangement 37R, 94R.

Abstract: An adjustable pedal assembly (10) includes two pedal mechanisms (12 and 14) disposed on a top side (16) of a carrier plate (18). Two parallel tracks (20 and 22) are disposed on a bottom side (24) of the carrier (18) for supporting the carrier (18) for movement between a fore and an aft position. The parallel tracks (20 and 22) are spaced apart a first distance for minimizing torque when either of the pedal mechanisms (12 and 14) is actuated. Additionally, the pedal mechanisms (12 and 14) are within the first distance separating the tracks (12 and 14). The carrier plate (18) has a periphery (26) extending about and spaced from the parallel tracks (20 and 22) to overlie the peripheral surface (34) of the floorboard (32) and limit access to the recess (36). An adjustment mechanism (28) for adjusting a fore and an aft position of the carrier (18) is disposed on the bottom side (24) of the carrier (18) between the parallel tracks (20 and 22).

Abstract: A starter/alternator system 40 for an automotive vehicle 10 with an internal combustion engine 12 has a crankshaft 50 coupled to pistons 16 and a flywheel 90 coupled to the crankshaft 50. The vehicle 10 also has a transmission 20 having an input shaft 22. A starter/alternator 42 has a rotor 48 and a stator 46. The rotor 42 is fixedly coupled to the input shaft 22. A clutch 52 selectively couples the input shaft 22 and the crankshaft 50. The rotor 48 has a rotor carrier 70 and a rotor coil 71. The rotor carrier 70 has a radially extending portion 72 and an annular portion 74 spaced from the input shaft 22. The annular portion 74 has an inner surface 80 and outer surface 82 wherein the rotor coil 71 is fixedly coupled to the outer surface 82.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a positioning device for a backrest of a stroller, which can fix the backrest frame of the stroller on different positions to meet variety-resting needs. Especially, when the backrest frame is on a position undertaking larger loading, it secures the backrest from taking off or dropping down. The positioning device for a backrest of a stroller comprises a positioning seat mounted on a rear frame of the stroller and a wedging hook mounted on the backrest for engaging with the positioning seat. A safe shield is equipped on the positioning seat for securely maintaining the position between the wedging hook and the positioning seat to make the backrest firmly keep fixed position when an accidentally torsion force occurs.

Abstract: A trailer air dryer is provided to minimize contamination, leakage or freeze-up of the valves used in a pneumatic braking and suspension system caused by moisture or foreign particles in the system. A bypass assembly is provided to ensure normal brake operation should the filters or drying material/desiccant become plugged. In one embodiment, an audible signal or warning is provided to the operator indicating need for servicing the trailer air dryer.

Abstract: A liquid filled vibration isolator incorporates an inner cylindrical metal member 10, an intermediate metal member 20 coaxially disposed on the outside of the inner cylindrical metal member and at a position apart from the inner cylindrical metal member, having paired ring portions 21 at two ends in the axial direction and a connection portion 25 structured to integrally connect the ring portions 21 to each other and having an opening 26 formed in a direction in which main vibrations are input; and a rubber member 30 structured to connect the intermediate metal member and the inner cylindrical metal member 10 to each other and incorporating a recess 33 corresponding to the opening 26.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an airbag device for a motor vehicle with at least one cover flap, behind which is a gas generator with which a gas bag can be inflated, and also moving drive devices that can be actuated by and are connected to each cover flap, where the latter is moved before or during triggering of the gas generator within the airbag device or within a part of the motor vehicle containing the airbag device. Furthermore, it is provided that the drive devices contain at least one piston running within a channel.

Abstract: In a cylinder body of a cylinder apparatus of the present invention for a brake fluid pressure control system, primary and secondary pistons having different pressure-receiving areas are provided. A pressure chamber between the primary and secondary pistons is communicated with a reservoir through flow passages formed between the cylinder body and a sleeve and between the sleeve and the secondary piston. In normal operation of the brake fluid pressure control system, the cylinder apparatus serves as a stroke simulator by releasing the fluid in the pressure chamber through the flow passages to the reservoir and contracting a spring in the pressure chamber. In the event of a failure of the system, the cylinder apparatus serves as a tandem master cylinder in which the flow passages are closed by a seal member in accordance with movement of the secondary piston, and the primary and secondary pistons move, while substantially no contraction of the spring in the pressure chamber occurs.

Abstract: A tracked vehicle has an electrohydraulic drive/steering system having an engine driven variable displacement hydraulic steering pump which drives a hydraulic steering motor which is coupled to a differential track drive mechanism via a transmission with multiple gear ratios. A steering wheel is coupled to a variable friction device which produces a variable friction force which resists rotation of the steering wheel. A control system is responsive to a position of the steering wheel and controls the steering pump displacement and controls the friction device. The control system sets the variable friction device to its high friction level when a limit of the steering pump displacement is reached when the transmission is in a higher one of its gear ratios.

Abstract: A wheelchair and bicycle combination assembly for pushing a wheelchair while riding a bike. The wheelchair and bicycle combination assembly includes a bicycle frame. A seat assembly slidably mounts to the bicycle frame. A gear assembly comprises at least a first gear and a second gear. The first gear is rotatably coupled to a front portion of the frame. The second gear is rotatably coupled to a back portion of the frame. A bike chain extends around and is in communication with teeth on the first and second gears. A crank axle extends through the first gear. The crank axle has a pair of ends. Each of a pair of pedals is rotatably coupled to one of the ends of the crank axle. A bike wheel is securely attached to the second gear. A wheelchair includes a seat portion. A back rest is securely coupled to and extends upwardly from a back edge of the seat portion. A pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels are rotatably coupled to the seat portion. An axle extends between the back wheels.

Abstract: The protrusion 14d of a friction pad 8 on a reacting portion side is fitted in the fitting hole 4g of the reacting portion 4b on the rotor-in side, whereas the rotor-out side of the friction pad 8 is supported by the torque-receiving stepped portion 3h of a caliper bracket 3. The pad assembling pieces and 17b of the pad spring 17 secured to the acting portion 8 are brought into resilient contact with reaction pawls 4e and 4f on the outer surface, and the inside and outside of the reaction pawls 4e and 4f are held between the back plate 14 of the friction pad 8 and the pad assembling pieces and 17b so as to fit the friction pad 8 to the reacting portion 4b. The contact piece 17e of the spring piece 17c is brought into resilient contact with the upper bottom wall of a piston receiving recess 24 in order to urge a caliper body 4 outwardly in the radial direction of a disk whereas to urge the friction pad 8 inwardly in the radial direction of the disk.