Abstract: A multi-piece siderail is fabricated for use as a truck frame which has potential cost and weight reductions while also providing superior weight loading characteristics. Each section of the multi-piece siderail includes a webbed portion having longitudinal ribs that form alternating protruding and recessed sections. An upper and a lower flange are provided on each section and each flange is formed with a stepped, lipped configuration. The unique structure of each section provides increased rigidity and support to that section and also allows for a nesting arrangement between each of the three components. Furthermore, this structure provides multiple attachment zones throughout the frame—two zones on each flange and three zones on the front and rear section webs and five zones on the center section web. Each of these attachment zones are surrounded by a work hardened corner to provide reinforcement.

Abstract: An all terrain vehicle comprises an engine located under a hingably mounted seat, the seat providing ready access to the engine for maintenance and repair. The engine is placed in the vehicle such that the crankshaft is parallel to the line of travel and the crankshaft is in line with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The engine has two output shafts. The front output shaft extends forwardly of the engine to a front differential on the front axle and the rear output shaft extends rearwardly to a rear differential on the rear axle. The front and rear output shafts are in communication with one another by gears which enables different ratios of revolution between-the front and rear axle. The all terrain vehicle is also equipped with a parking gear which locks the two output shafts and prevents rotation with respect to the transmission housing.

Abstract: An instrument panel for a motor vehicle. The panel is adapted to cover the front passenger air bags with webs in one piece with a support preform of the instrument panel, in which case the webs are situated outside a passage contour of the front passenger air bag. The wall thickness of the support preform is reduced at least in sections in the area of the webs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to vehicle frame rails, preferably of steel, which are formed with a web section which is not of a constant thickness. Preferably, the frame rail is formed by roll forming to produce the variable thickness, although other techniques, such as machining, could be used.

Abstract: A steering system (10) includes a vehicle steering mechanism (34) which, when actuated, turns steerable wheels (12) of a vehicle. The vehicle steering mechanism (34) is mounted for limited movement in opposite directions from a normal position. An intermediate steering column (26) includes first and second column members (28, 30) which are axially movable relative to each other. The first and second column members (28, 30) are rotatable together about a common axis. The first column member (28) is connected with the steering mechanism (34) to actuate the steering mechanism upon rotation of the first column member. The first and second column members (28, 30) move axially relative to each other upon movement of the vehicle steering mechanism (34) from the normal position. A flexible mount (70) for the second column member (30) elastically deforms in the event the steering mechanism (34) moves from the normal position and the first and second column members (28, 30) fail to move axially relative to each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a steering wheel (22) of a vehicle (10) comprises a first steering column part (32), a second steering column part (34), and supporting structure (46) supporting the first steering column part and the vehicle steering wheel for movement relative to the second steering column part. An energy absorbing device (20) is interposed between the first steering column part (32) and the second steering column part (34) for resisting movement of the first part relative to the second part. The energy absorbing device (20) comprises a fluid (50) having a viscosity which varies in response to an energy field acting on the fluid. The energy absorbing device (20) also comprises at least one orifice (76) through which the fluid (50) flows upon movement of the first part (32) relative to the second part (34).

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle tandem axle has air springs positioned adjacent the ends of the trailing and lead axles of the tandem axle. Pairs of air springs on each side of the vehicle are pneumatically connected to form a common reservoir. Displacement of the ends of the lead and trailing axles of the tandem axle are averaged to provide a controlling input to air spring pressurization controllers provided for each pair of air springs.

Abstract: An air bag is divided by a partition wall into an upper section and a lower section. When the vehicle occupant is wearing a seat belt, gas is supplied from an inflator only to the upper section, so that the air bag mainly restrains the head of the vehicle while applying a reduced restraining force of the chest of the occupant. When the vehicle occupant is not wearing the seat belt, gas is initially supplied from the inflator to the lower section, until the upper section and the lower section are brought into communication with each other as a result of expansion of the lower section, and then the gas is also led to the upper section, so that the air bag accurately and effectively restrains the head and chest of the vehicle occupant.

Abstract: An in-line skate with a main skate frame, a skate boot coupled to the skate frame, a carriage frame pivotally coupled adjacent to an anterior end of the main skate frame, a plurality of wheels rotatably coupled to the carriage frame to form a pivoting wheel group, and at least one wheel rotatably coupled adjacent to the posterior end of the main skate frame to form a fixed wheel group. A pivot axis of the carriage frame can be horizontally located anterior to a reference point that is three-tenths of the length of the open inner volume of the skate boot from the anterior end of the open inner volume, and the pivot axis could be aligned with or anterior to the anterior end of the skate boot. The pivot axis can be vertically located immediately adjacent to the sole of the skate boot, or it can be coincident with or distal to the sole of the skate boot relative to the wheels of the in-line skate.

Abstract: A skate particularly adapted for speed contests has a foot-receiving boot hinged about a fore-foot section of the sole to a in-line wheel-mounting or blade-mounting truck so that the heel-section of the boot can be rotatively lifted away from the truck while keeping the skate is full contact with the skating surface. The boot is biased down toward the truck by a strong spring in a first embodiment of the invention, or by the resiliency of a hinge-forming web linking the boot to the truck in an alternate embodiment. A quickly set mechanism is provided to lock the boot onto the truck to turn the device into a conventional skate.

Abstract: A utility cart is provided which minimizes damage caused by impact with objects, particularly for use on a windy airport tarmac, the cart comprising a frame having main wheels bearing most of the cart's weight, these main wheels being fitted with latch-type brakes. The cart has a top structure, such as a roof, which extends horizontally above the frame, the periphery of which approximates or extends beyond the periphery of the frame. The top structure is normally supported above the cart's frame using three or more laterally collapsible supports for permitting the top structure to be displaced laterally while remaining substantially horizontal so as to minimize energy transfer upon lateral impact of the periphery of the top structure with an object. Each of the preferred collapsible supports comprises a tubular member elastically sandwiched between top and bottom plates mounted to the top structure and frame respectively.

Abstract: A front portion of a vehicle body frame is provided with a structure wherein the number of locations to be welded can be reduced and is superior in the absorption of an impact. A vehicle body frame main part having a substantially T-shape as viewed in side elevation is formed from a pair of left and right main frames, center frames and rear frames, and supports an engine and rear wheel suspension mechanisms thereon. A vehicle body frame front portion supports a front wheel suspension mechanisms and includes a lower steering stay extending obliquely downwardly and rearwardly as viewed in a side elevation from front end portions of the main frames, and down pipes and front side members of a lower frame which make a substantially triangle whose oblique line is provided by the lower steering stay.

Abstract: A foot-operated propulsion apparatus for a wheelchair and/or other selected devices such as desk chairs and furniture. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a support structure coupled to the selected device and having at least one roller aperture. A roller element having a circular cross-sectional shape is received in the roller aperture and is rotatable relative to the support structure about a rotation axis or a plurality of rotation axes. The roller element has a first external portion projecting upwardly from the aperture to engage the user's foot and a second external surface portion projecting downwardly through the aperture to engage the ground or other support surface. As the user engages the roller element and rotates the element by foot, the propulsion apparatus and the device to which it is coupled move along the ground. The user can directly engage the roller element or can engage a brake device coupled to the roller element to slow the propulsion device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a vehicle occupant restraint system in which, after igniting of the first stage of the gas generator, the second stage not necessary to achieve the desired restraining effect is ignited when through its igniting no further restraining effect can be produced on the occupant in the case of an accident. Thereby, it is ruled out that the non-ignited stage can ignite itself in an uncontrolled manner. Further the invention relates to a device for carrying out the invention.

Abstract: A device for preventing over-articulation of a trailer towed by a towing vehicle. The device includes a bracket and a pair of opposed shock absorbing members affixed to and extending outwardly from the bracket. The bracket includes a horizontally oriented upper portion, a pair of side portions extending downwardly from the upper portion, and at least one opening defined in at least one of the side portions for connecting the device to a trailer tongue.

Abstract: An all terrain vehicle comprises a frame supported by at least a left wheel and a right wheel. The left wheel and the right wheel being connected to said frame by a left suspension and a right suspension respectively. The independently suspended wheels preferably are drive wheels. The wheels are driven by an engine through a transmission. The transmission is connected to the left wheel by a left half shaft and to the right wheel by a right half shaft. Constant velocity couplings are used to coupling the half shafts to the respective wheels and to the transmission. The constant velocity couplings connecting the two half shafts to the transmission are joined in a single housing. The housing includes a body portion and a gear portion. The two portions can be integrally formed. A left cage and a right cage are mounted within a left axial bore and a right axial bore formed in the body portion. The cages are secured for rotation with the body portion but can move axially within the respective bores.

Abstract: A trailer is provided for accommodating various sized watercraft thereon. The trailer includes a frame structure extending along the longitudinal axis and a wheel and axle assembly for supporting the frame structure above a supporting surface. First and second bunk elements are supported by the frame structure. The first bunk element is movable along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis to vary the distance between the bunk elements and is also movable along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame structure between a forward position and a rearward position.

Abstract: In an electrically operated power steering device wherein a rotational shaft of an electric motor is rotationally driven so as to apply a steering assist force to a steering shaft, a stator of the electric motor is provided with teeth portions composed of electromagnetic steel plates, coils wound around the teeth portions, and a yoke portion made of a magnetic substance that accommodates the coils and the teeth portions and can be utilized as a housing. Hence, the electrically operated power steering device can be made simple and compact, and it is possible to ensure running stability of the vehicle appropriately (i.e., to prevent swinging motions in response to a force inputted from the steering wheels).

Abstract: A steering column support bracket for a vehicle that is attached to HVAC ducts extending transversely across the vehicle that are located between the dashboard and the front of dashboard cowl. The steering column support bracket is attached to the hinge pillar, the front of dashboard cowl and is connected by a brace to the compartment pan of the vehicle. Several embodiments of steering column support brackets are disclosed that are designed to engage the HVAC ducts. The steering column support bracket may be formed as a C-shaped structure, an under duct configuration, or in a clam shell structure. In addition to supporting the steering column of the vehicle, the steering column support bracket may support brake switches, a power steering motor, and a cruise control system.

Abstract: A bicycle stand, which includes a prop that may be attached to a bicycle pedal. Attachment of the prop to the pedal may be by a “socket-bolt” having a hole in one end and a threaded hole in the other. The socket-bolt replaces the lock nut normally located on the bearing spindle of a pedal. In one embodiment, the socket and prop may include socket and prop having the same polygonal cross section thereby preventing rotational instability of the inserted prop-member. The prop-member may be substantially “L” shaped, thereby providing a ground contact point located below and outboard of the pedal. When the pedal assembly is rotated near its lowest point, the bicycle can be securely tilted onto the prop-member. The prop-member may also be configured to serve as a lever that applies torque to standard mechanic's toolbits.