Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making a vehicle frame member having a shock absorbing mounting portion constructed and arranged to be mounted to a structural component within a motor vehicle. The method comprises hydroforming a tubular blank within a hydroforming die by supplying pressurized fluid to the hollow interior of the blank. A drawfornming member is moved inwardly with respect to the cavity of the hydroforming die while the fluid is pressurized so that the drawforming member deforms a portion of the tubular wall inwardly to form a recessed portion having an annular side wall portion and a bottom wall portion. The formed tubular blank is then removed from the hydroforming die and a mounting structure is disposed inside the recessed portion and the blank and mounting structure are then disposed within an injection molding die. Molten shock absorbing material is injected into the recessed portion so that the molten material surrounds the mounting structure.

Abstract: To improve the operability of push rods. A link-type front suspension for a front wheel includes forked pipes, push rods, damping devices, upper links, and pivot links. The push rod and the damping device are disposed substantially coaxially with each other in a side view and are rotatably connected to each other. Upper ends of the damping devices and upper ends of the forked pipes are connected by an upper bracket. A top bridge is provided to mount the upper ends of the forked pipes, and a steering stem is provided to mount intermediate portions of the forked pipes. A stem pipe is provided for connecting a rear central portion of the top bridge to a rear central portion of the steering stem and is turnably mounted to a head pipe. A leading end of the pivot arm is connected to an axle. The length of the pivot arm is equal to that of the upper link.

Abstract: A man-propelled vehicle includes a frame with a seat, two pedals, and two hand-operated handles, each linked with the frame by actuating devices capable of communicating to them an alternating translational motion. The actuating devices are coupled with unidirectional rotary transmission devices on a drive shaft by links adapted to drive in rotation the rotary transmission device when the pedals and operating handles are actuated.

Abstract: A rehabilitation device which includes a frame supported on a plurality of wheels. The frame includes a longitudinal member supported on a rear wheel and transverse member supported on a pair of front wheels. The longitudinal member includes a descending section which is located substantially close to the ground to facilitate getting on and off the rehabilitation device, without having to substantially raise a leg. The frame assembly may be connected using the interconnect fitting. The interconnect fitting enables quick assembly of assembly and disassembly of the device so that the device may be transported as two lightweight, compact pieces.

Abstract: A camera dolly has a steering unit which provides conventional, crab, and round steering modes, selected by the operator via use of a single steering/shifting handle. The steering unit includes first and second transmissions and a differential. Chains link sprockets on the transmissions and differential, to steer the wheels of the camera dolly to appropriate angles, so that the dolly can roll easily and without wheel scrubbing. A dolly leg position compensator adjusts the amount of steering angle correction provided by the differential, to compensate for changes in the dolly wheelbase/tread dimensions. Sprockets in the differential are locked into offset positions, during conventional and round steering, to maintain proper steering angle correction, even under heavy loads. Active idlers are mechanically linked within the steering unit to automatically maintain appropriate chain tension, in all steering modes.

Abstract: A tricycle pushing device for pushing a child's tricycle therewith. The tricycle pushing device includes an elongate shaft having opposite proximal and distal ends with a pushing head coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The pushing head has a generally U-shaped upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion of the pushing head comprises a spaced apart and substantially parallel pair of elongate fingers defining a generally U-shaped slot therebetween designed for receiving therein a rear post of a tricycle. The lower portion of the pushing head has front, intermediate and rear regions. The front and rear regions are spaced apart from one another to define a space therebetween designed for receiving therein a perimeter lip downwardly depending from a foot kick plate of a tricycle.

Abstract: A foldable bicycle comprises a front frame (1), a rear frame (21), and a seat tube (20). The front frame (1) and the rear frame (21) are foldable with respect to each other. In a first aspect, a single release clamp (12) releases the front frame from the rear frame in a single operation. This occurs by having the seat tube (20) slotted at the top (11). In a second aspect, the crank housing (34) is positioned in axial alignment with the seat tube (20) and one point (14) of folding occur below the crank housing. This aspect pertains to both a men's and a women's frame.

Abstract: The system for guided steering of a set of rear wheels of a semi-trailer comprises a pulling vehicle and a semi-trailer having rear wheels which are turnable with respect to a chassis of the trailer to turn from a neutral position to one or the other side of the semi-trailer for generating steering of the vehicle in one direction with respect to a neutral position. The system further comprises power generating apparatus to act on the rear wheels to generate turnings of the rear wheels, activating apparatus mounted in the driver's cabin of the vehicle for operation by the driver of the vehicle for generating a steering of the rear wheels independently of the steering of the vehicle as well as locking structure operated from the driver's cabin, in a first position for generating locking of the rear wheels in the neutral position, and switchable from the first position to a second position, where the rear wheels are released and brought to turn by activation of the activating apparatus.

Abstract: A bicycle footrest of a hollow tubular construction is fastened pivotally with the spindle of a bicycle fork tip and provided with a skid proof outer surface which is in turn provided with a plurality of retaining grooves arranged at an interval for retaining a plurality of C-shaped rings of a fluorescent material, elastic O rings of a fluorescent material, fluorescent paper strips, or reflecting paper strips.

Abstract: An inclined handle structure for a wheeled case comprises an inclined handle attached at a fixed angle with respect to a wall of the wheeled case. The inclined handle retracts toward and extends from the wall of the wheeled case while being held in a guide which is fixedly attached to the wheeled case. The wheeled case can be tipped on its wheels and pushed or pulled by means of the inclined handle. Alternatively, if the wheeled case has sufficient wheels the case can be pushed or pulled in an upright position by the inclined handle.

Abstract: Rear wheel steering device with two spaced apart positioned steerable wheels (2A, 2B) wherein each of the wheels (2A, 2B) are coupled fixed against rotation with a rotatably mounted steering element (4A, 4B) exhibiting an at least segment-wise curved circumference area (40A, 42A, 40B, 42B) and wherein the two steering elements (4A, 4B) are positively coupled via a coupling element (5).

Abstract: A seat restraint system whose torso belt includes an inflatable structure that inflates upon impact to protect the occupants of a vehicle such as an automobile. The inflatable structure is linked to a gas generator and crash sensor. When an impact above a predetermined level of severity is detected, the gas generator is ignited, inflating the inflatable structure which contracts in length as it inflates. In a preferred embodiment, the inflatable structure is a braided tube. As the braided tube inflates, the diameter of the tube increases significantly and its length decreases significantly, due to the orientation of the fibers comprising the braided tube. The contraction in length pretensions the seat belt system by pulling any slack out of the seat belt systems. In a frontal impact, the inflated structure restricts the forward motion of an occupant and distributes crash loads over a larger occupant surface area to reduce both primary and secondary injuries.

Abstract: Hydrostatic unit for driving an industrial truck with a pump, a hydrostatic propulsion unit and additional users of hydraulic energy, wherein the pump is located on an axle body of a drive axle. A control valve for the pressurization of the propulsion unit and at least one control valve for the pressurization of an additional user are located on the axle body or at least partly integrating into the axle body. In one embodiment, the axle body is a control seat receptacle of the pump and at least one traction motor of the hydrostatic propulsion unit. The control valves can be actuated electrically or hydraulically.

Abstract: A camera dolly has a steering unit which provides conventional, crab, and round steering modes, selected by the operator via use of a single steering/shifting handle. The steering unit includes first and second transmissions and a differential. Chains link sprockets on the transmissions and differential, to steer the wheels of the camera dolly to appropriate angles, so that the dolly can roll easily and without wheel scrubbing. A dolly leg position compensator adjusts the amount of steering angle correction provided by the differential, to compensate for changes in the dolly wheelbase/tread dimensions. Sprockets in the differential are locked into offset positions, during conventional and round steering, to maintain proper steering angle correction, even under heavy loads. Active idlers are mechanically linked within the steering unit to automatically maintain appropriate chain tension, in all steering modes.

Abstract: A transmission (14) for a vehicle (2) having a motor (9) including a motor unit (33) and an output shaft, the motor (9) being arranged outside the longitudinal center plane (7) of the vehicle (2). The transmission (14) comprises a reducing transmission (19) including a housing (22) for a fixed connection to the motor unit (33) and an output shaft (37) arranged out of line with respect to its input shaft (16), a transfer transmission (21) for driving drive shafts (11) arranged in the region of the longitudinal center plane of the vehicle (2), the transfer transmission (21) including a housing (27) and an output shaft (18) arranged out of line with respect to its input shaft (38). The housing (27) of the transfer transmission (21) is provided for a fixed connection to the housing (22) of the reducing transmission (19).

Abstract: A seat belt with light and lock. A manually operated light attached to the seat belt provides a visual indication of seat belt use. A key-operated lock on the buckle prevents a child from unfastening the buckle while the vehicle is moving.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a vehicle roof structure (12) and a motorized deployment assembly (40, 42). The roof structure (12) includes a roof panel (14) and a head liner (16) which conceals the roof panel (14) from view in a vehicle occupant compartment (17). The motorized deployment assembly (40, 42) is operatively engaged with the head liner (16), and is actuatable to move the head liner (16) downward away from the roof panel (14) to a deployed position in which the head liner (16) can restrain movement of a vehicle occupant upward toward the roof panel (14). The apparatus further includes means (44, 46) for sensing and responding to a vehicle crash by actuating the motorized deployment assembly (40, 42).

Abstract: A turn wheel locking device for use with shopping carts having at least one turn wheel. The locking device functions to automatically disable the cart when it is removed from a prescribed area by locking the turn wheel in a turned configuration so that the cart can travel only along a generally circular path.

Abstract: A system for detecting the weight of a person seated in a vehicle seat includes a pair of load sensor beams. Each load sensor beam has an intermediate section extending between a pair of opposite end sections. The opposite end sections of the load sensor beams are connected to a base frame of the vehicle seat. The load sensor beams are also connected to a seat pan of the vehicle seat that is positioned adjacent the base frame. The end sections of the load sensor beams are connected to opposite sides of the seat pan so that a plurality of loads generated by the weight of a person sitting on a seat cushion carried by the seat pan are transmitted to the intermediate sections of the load sensor beams. At least one sensor is mounted on the intermediate section of each load sensor beam for outputting signals representative of the plurality of loads generated by the weight of the person sitting on the seat cushion.

Abstract: A device is provided which secures one's leg and foot to a moving plane such as a skate board or ski board. The device comprises a first strap wrapped around the user's leg beneath the knee and above the calf. A second strap attached to the first strap and removably attached to the moving plane. Means are provided to hold the second strap in tension and to connect the second strap to the board.