Abstract: An alternative drive device for a bicycle comprising a drive wheel assembly having two drive shafts and a drive wheel with dual rachet assemblies therein; vertical frame for mounting the drive wheel assembly in frictional engagement with the bicycle front tire and connected to a first horizontal bar; vertical frame extension connected to said first horizontal bar and a second horizontal bar, and attachable to a bicycle's handle bars; a pair of handles slidably mounted on the second horizontal bar, attached to a cable and pulley system that engages the drive wheel assembly, and capable of driving the device by reciprocal motion along the second horizontal bar wherein the motion of the handles causes the drive wheel, and hence the bicycle's front tire, to rotate.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus includes a torsion bar, input and output shafts, an electric motor, and a detecting mechanism. The input and output shafts are coupled to each other by the torsion bar so as to be pivotally displaced in relation to each other. The electric motor is coupled to the output shaft so as to apply an auxiliary steering force. The detecting mechanism detects a relative, pivotal displacement of the input and output shafts. Main portions of the input and output shafts are coaxially arranged. One of the shafts is a cylindrical member having an outer end in which the torsion bar is housed. An inner end of one shaft is pivotally inserted in an opening of a cylindrical inner end of the other shaft. The detecting mechanism is arranged on the outer surface of an outer shaft of the input and output shafts at their overlap portion.

Abstract: A four-wheel drive vehicle has a front wheel side having a front wheel set, a rear wheel side having a rear wheel set, an engine having an output shaft extending in a transverse direction of a vehicular body, a transmission having an input shaft connected to the output shaft of the engine and an output shaft connected through a transmission mechanism to the input shaft such as to extend in a transverse direction of the vehicular body, a rotating member connected to the output shaft of the transmission, a front differential gear, a first output member connected between the rotating member and one of the wheel sets for transmitting power to one of the wheel sets through the front differential gear, a second output member coaxial with the first output member, a rear wheel propeller mechanism between the second output member and the other wheel set, and operative to convert the rotation of the second output member into rotation about an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the second output member for dr

Abstract: A trailer for transporting boats is provided with an automatic centering structure having a pair of equal-length centering cables each having a first exterior end connected to a forward interior portion of the trailer frame, and a second interior end coupled to a snap-hook, which snap-hook is securable to a bow-eye of the boat being loaded onto the trailer. The centering cables position the bow of the boat along the longitudinal center of the trailer frame as the boat is driven onto the trailer under the boat's own power. Bunks or boards are also provided to aid in the centering procedure, for carrying loads, and for structural integrity.

Abstract: Hydraulic recoil mechanisms are useful, for example, in maintaining desired tension in the drive belts of vehicles. The hydraulic components of such mechanisms are prone to leakage over an extended period of frictionally driven belted non-usage and thereby allow the tension in the belts to gradually decrease. The subject belt tension control system includes a friction locking device to automatically lock the piston rod relative to the cylinder to maintain a predetermined level of tension in the belt when the pump which furnishes pressurized hydraulic fluid to the system stops operating. Thus, the frictional couple between the belt and the drive wheel is maintained during periods of non-use and the parking brake is effective to hold the vehicle at a stationary position.

Abstract: A tow mechanism for vehicles including a frame having front and rear ends, a platform at the front end for supporting the front wheels of a towed vehicle, a pair of cables at the rear end of the frame adapted to be secured to the towed vehicle rear end, and a winch associated with the cables which elevates the rear end of the frame in spaced relationship to the ground and the towed vehicle rear wheels establish rolling support for the tow mechanism during a towing operation.

Abstract: A drive force distribution control system in a four-wheel drive motor vehicle for distributing drive forces from an engine of the motor vehicle to first and second wheels of the motor vehicle includes drive force distributing means for distributing and transmitting the drive forces to the first and second wheels, first speed detecting means for detecting a rotational speed (Nf) of the first wheel, second speed detecting means for detecting a rotational speed (Nr) of the second wheel, torque detecting means for detecting a torque (Tr) transmitted to the second wheel, and control means for controlling the drive force distributing means.

Abstract: A viscous shear coupling has housing and hub parts (20 and 22) with interleaved sets of plates (35, 36, 37), the set of plates carried by the housing part being in two sub-sets (35 and 36), the plates (36) of one sub-set being rotationally fast with the housing part and the plates (35) of the other sub-set being capable of limited relative rotation to the housing part and the plates of the other sub-set; plates of the first set carry projections (50, 52) so that upon said relative rotation the spacing of the plates is varied thus to control the torque transmitted by the coupling.

Abstract: A motorcycle having a swingable front frame, a stable, non-swingable main frame, a front cowling supported by the main frame and covering a forward part of the motorcycle and an extension projecting laterally outwardly from each side of the front cowling. An air stream rectifier is provided in each laterally projecting extension of the front cowling.

Abstract: A bicycle safety turning device for installation upon a bicycle frame lower cross bar adapted to be engaged by the bicycle front wheel fork shoulder to limit the front fork from turning so far to the left or right as to be at a right angle to the forward movement of the bicycle and cause the bicycle to jackknife while riding. More specifically, the bicycle safety turning device consists of a pair of clamp members adapted to surround the bicycle frame lower cross bar, capped with clamp plates, and a pair of bolts bringing the two clamp plates and clamp members together, the bolts also holding a striker plate against which the front fork shoulder comes in contact after the front fork has turned through an arc of 35 to 45 degrees as desired. Encountering the striker plate, the fork is prevented from further turning.

Abstract: A wheel chair (A) has at least one wheel (50) rotatably mounted to a side frame (14). A combined wheel lock and hill holder assembly (D) is mounted adjacent an outermost peripheral surface of a tire (60) mounted to a rim (58) of the wheel. The wheel lock and hill holder assembly has a linkage including a handle member (74) and a brake lever (80) both pivotally connected to the base. A link (84) is pivotally connected in between. Shifting the handle member causes the brake lever to move an axle (90) toward and away from the peripheral surface of the tire. A cam surface (94) having a plurality of projections (102) is rotatably mounted on the axle. In a first mode (FIG. 3), the wheel is free rolling. In a second mode (FIG. 4), the cam surface is moved by the handle into firm friction engagement with the tire peripheral surface to lock the wheel against any rotation. In a third mode (FIG.

Abstract: A working vehicle comprising a vehicle body having a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels, at least the rear wheels being drivingly rotatable and steerable, a working machine provided at the front end of the vehicle body, and a steering wheel and a seat which are disposed in the vicinity of the front wheels at the front portion of the body. The rear wheels can be steered between a forwardly directed position and a laterally directed position about a vertical axis approximately at the midportion between the pair of front wheels. The vehicle can make a quick turn with a small radius without subjecting the operator to a great centrifugal force.

Abstract: A three wheeled vehicle having one front wheel and two rear wheels. The front wheel is for steering. Each rear wheel is rotatably mounted to a swing arm means. The two swing arms are pivotably mounted to the frame. The swing arms are connected to each other through a rocking arm assembly. The rocking arm is pivotably connected to the frame with a roll joint. The operator has the ability to lean the vehicle while negotiating curves. The vehicle can be kept upright while traversing a slope.

Abstract: An apparatus for steering a vehicle having a longitudinal central axis. The apparatus comprises a pinion gear and a rack member in meshing engagement with the pinion gear. The rack member is movable in a path extending transverse to the longitudinal central axis of the vehicle. A bridge member is attached to the rack member and is movable upon movement of the rack member. The bridge member has a portion co-extensive with the rack member. A first attaching portion on the bridge member attaches a first tie rod at a location adjacent the rack member and intermediate the axial ends of the rack member. During steering of the vehicle, the first attaching portion moves in a path located entirely on one side of the longitudinal central axis of the vehicle. A second attaching portion on the bridge member attaches a second tie rod at a location adjacent the rack member and intermediate the ends of the rack member.

Abstract: A system for detecting a slip for four wheels of a four-wheel drive motor vehicle has a speed difference detector for detecting the difference between the front-wheel speed and the rear-wheel speed and for producing a speed difference signal when the difference is larger than a predetermined value. A wheel acceleration calculator is provided for calculating wheel acceleration, and a vehicle body acceleration detector is provided for detecting vehicle body acceleration. When the difference of the wheel acceleration from the vehicle body acceleration is larger than a predetermined value, and when the speed difference signal is not generated, which means that there is no difference between the front and rear wheel speed, a four-wheel slip signal is generated.

Abstract: An operating system used in a vehicle equipped with a part-time four-wheel drive comprises; a center-differential shiftable between at least a two-wheel drive mode and a four-wheel differential-locked drive mode; a free-wheeling device with a clutch mechanism incorporated in an output shaft of an axle differential associated with wheels which are rendered non-driven when the vehicle is traveling in the two-wheel drive mode and adapted to connect and disconnect the transmission of driving power between the axle differential and the non-driven wheel; a drive mode selecting member operated by a driver in the driver's compartment to select a desired driving mode of operation of the center-differential; and a shift control device which sequentially shifts the center-differential responding to an operation of the drive mode selecting member.

Abstract: A wheelchair anti-tip mechanism including an adjustable base that is bolted to the lower frame of a wheelchair inside of the wheels and below the center of gravity. Telescoping legs are placable into the sides and rear of the base in an outrigged fashion and are capable of extension out from and retraction into the base. The forward legs are adjustable and, when extended provide sufficient tilt toward the rear outrigged legs so as to raise the main wheels of the wheelchair off the ground. Once the wheelchair is rigged with the legs, and the forward legs adjustably extended, it becomes practically impossible for an unattended occupant to tip over the chair. When not in use, the legs may be stowed in the rear portion of the adjustable base.

Abstract: A boat trailer having a frame, a wheel unit supporting the frame, a rear cross member between elements of the frame for supporting a plurality of roller units, and a front cross member between other elements of the frame for supporting a hull supporting unit comprised of an elongated, resilient pad secured to the upper surface of the cross member, and with a plastic or like cover for the pad; and the front cross member having also mounted thereon a keel supporting unit with openings formed in an upper plastic-like element engageable with the front portion of the keel of a boat being transported by the trailer wherein foreign material such as sand and gravel on the keel front portion is removed by said keel supporting unit by passage through the openings, and thereby preventing scouring and scratching of the keel front portion.

Abstract: An electric bicycle which includes an electric power driving mechanism in combination with a manual pedal driving system. The electric bicycle may be actuated by manual pedalling of the user, or through electrical power actuation or a combination of electrical power and manual operation. The power driving system includes a motor coupled to reduction gears for driving a set of bevel gears. The bevel gears are coupled to a shaft member having secured thereto a transmission gear to engage with a sprocket wheel to displace a standard chain member. The motor is supplied with DC electricity by a battery which may either be charged by solar cells or alternating current passing through a rectifier supplied by an external power system. Still further, the electric bicycle may have its speed controlled with a user's hand actuated speed controller mechanism.

Abstract: The fuel tank of a motorcycle or other similar vehicle contains an immersible fuel pump unit arranged to effectively pass fuel from the fuel tank regardless of reduced levels of fuel therein. Also, the fuel pump unit and other elements of the fuel supply system are organized to lower the center of gravity of the vehicle and to improve operation of the engine by more effectively exhausting air bubbles from the fuel flow stream and reducing the amount of heat capable of being transferred from the engine to the fuel supply pipe, thus to prevent expansion of any air bubbles that may migrate through the fuel supply pipe.