Abstract: A steering mechanism for a tracked vehicle wherein a motor-operated gear is rranged to rotate two planetary gear components in opposite directions. A single input shaft drives two planetary gear systems at different speeds and/or different directions to achieve a vehicle steer action. The mechanism is compactly arranged so that the control gearing is centered on the input shaft axis.

Abstract: Motorcycles having front and rear swing arm assemblies as the suspension members therefor are employed with lower frame structures incorporating the power unit as a structural element thereof. The lower frame structures are shown to include brackets mounted to the power unit itself, separate loop frame members and an under channel member. Upper frames are shown to be associated with the lower frames. The upper frames do not support the suspension systems but do support motorcycle equipment such a fuel tanks, air cleaners and the like.

Abstract: A motor vehicle comprises at least two driven axles (2, 5). One (5) of said axles can be disconnected from the prime mover (1). In order to prevent a swerving of the vehicle without a need for interrupting the transmission of power to one (5) of the driven axles (2, 5) during each braking operation, the vehicle is provided with a sensor (6) for measuring the angular acceleration of its yawing movement. In response to a rise of the angular acceleration to a predetermined value the sensor (8) causes a clutch control means (15) to disconnect one driven axle (5) from the prime mover (1), or operates means for effecting a pressure drop in the brake system.

Abstract: The articulated vehicle of the present invention includes a front frame and a rear frame which are interconnected by a universal coupling joint which is capable of pivoting about a vertical axis and about a horizontal axis. Mower decks may be mounted on the vehicle and raised and lowered by hydraulic cylinders. Hydraulic cylinders are also used to cause articulated movement with respect to the front and rear frames about a vertical axis.

Abstract: Control for the automatic locking of the transfer transmission of a motor vehicle equipped with a multi-axle drive, having a wheel slip control system for the wheels of one axle and having an electronic unit that carries out a comparison of a quantity determined from the steering angle and the rotational speed difference of the wheels of the other axle that characterizes the moving condition of the motor vehicle with a limit value assigned to the steering angle and the driving speed. Control signal for the lock of the transfer transmission is generated when a control signal of the wheel slip control system is present or the quantity characterizing the moving condition of the motor vehicle exceeds the limit value.

Abstract: A tubular frame member forming a part of a vehicle body structure is formed at one end portion with a joint end portion adapted to joint the tubular member with another member. This joint end portion comprises depressed portions formed by opposite wall portions folded inwardly in two along widthwise intermediate portions respectively and remaining opposite wall portions sandwiching the depressed portions from both sides. The depressed portions and the remaining opposite wall portions are crushed together.

Abstract: A foldable wheelchair having opposed main side frames each comprising front and rear members supported on respective front and rear wheels and connected by upper and lower cross members, and a back member mounted for folding movement relative to the rear member wherein the side frames are connected by first and second foldable links for maintaining the side frames spaced apart in the erected condition of the wheelchair in which the back members are aligned with the rear members and support a flexible back panel, and the wheelchair is collapsible to a compact folded condition by folding the links to move the side frames adjacent to each other and by folding the back members to extend downwardly adjacent to the rear members and the associated rear wheels.

Abstract: An oil hydraulic clutch having opposite disks is provided in a power transmitting system. One of disks is operatively connected to one of side gears of the central differential through a gear train and the other of the disks is operatively connected to the other side gear of the central differential through another gear train, whereby torque is transmitted to front and rear wheels in a distribution ratio.

Abstract: A power transmission for a four wheel drive vehicle having a transfer gear assembly consisting of a planetary gear unit, a center-differential gear assembly consisting of a planetary gear unit which is located coaxially relative to and adjacent to the transfer gear assembly, and two shift mechanisms one individual to each gear assembly. One shift mechanism shifts the transfer gear assembly in a desired drive range and is located coaxially relative to and adjacent to the transfer gear assembly opposite to the center-differential gear assembly. The other shift mechanism shifts the center-differential gear assembly and is located coaxially relative to and adjacent to the center-differential opposite to the transfer gear assembly. Each shift mechanism consists of three splined clutch rings disposed coaxially relative to the gears and an axially movable clutch sleeve for selectively engaging with the three clutch rings so as to shift the gear between different operating modes.

Abstract: An electric power steering device for generating and controlling auxiliary steering force using a motor, having, a detector for detecting operation force transmitted from a steering wheel to a steering mechanism of a vehicle, and a controller for controlling current supplied to the motor depending on the detected operation force, wherein the electric current is maintained zero when the detected operation force is smaller than a predetermined value and a proportional relationship is maintained between the detected operation force and the electric current when said detected operation force is greater than the predetermined value.

Abstract: A method of controlling a power steering device controls the output from the power steering device in accordance with a vehicle speed and a steering angle. According to this method, the output from the power steering device is caused to be inversely proportional to the steering angle when the vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined vehicle speed and the steering angle is below a given angle and the output from the power steering device is caused to be proportional to the steering angle when the steering angle exceeds the given angle.

Abstract: An electronic control system for a steering assembly having an electric motor coupled to the steering assembly for providing power assist. The electric power assist motor is drivably connected to a steering member for assisting movement thereof in response to applied input torque to the vehicle steering wheel. The electronic control unit monitors an output signal from a torsion sensor which measures the amount of applied input torque. The electronic control unit generates a pulse width modulated signal having a duty cycle proportional to the measured amount of applied input torque. Solid state switches provide connection between the vehicle battery and the motor, the connection time being controlled by the duty cycle of the pulse width modulated signal. A speed decoder determines which of a plurality of speed ranges the vehicle is moving. A plurality of look-up tables are provided, each table includes a value of power assist for a given amount of applied input torque.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a front cover for a multi-wheeled vehicle. Although such vehicles typically take the form of a motorcycle, motor scooter or a motor tri-cycle, no such limitations are inherent in the present invention. Rather, the present invention provides an aerodynamically efficient front cover for covering the front portion of such a multi-wheeled vehicle body forward of a head pipe and includes a front surface and at least two side surfaces. Auxiliary member such as headlights, radiators, horns or the like may be positioned within the protected area of the front cover. An inspection lid for covering the mounting portion of the handlebars and facilitating inspection of the auxiliary members is removably mounted between the opposite side surfaces of the front cover. Aternative embodiments include means of mounting a windshield and a headlight shield in a common plane and flush with the front cover.

Abstract: A moped comprises a beam-type frame having a substantially horizontal central portion, to one end of which there is connected a front portion that carries the articulation of the front-wheel fork, and the other end of which extends to become an upwards-slanting rectilinear portion carrying at its end the support elements for the saddle and the rear mudguard. Said central portion is adapted, as a result of its width and length, to constitute a footrest, and said extended end, as a result of its dimensions and slanting upwards at an angle of less than 45.degree., is adapted to consitute a luggage carrier or a second footrest.

Abstract: An auxiliary support for moving car trailers or truck trailers is supported by wheels on an axle and has a drawbar at its front end. To facilitate connection to a trailer and prevent the auxiliary support from tilting, the auxiliary support is provided with a detachable outrigger that can be connected to the axle at the side opposite the drawbar and has a swivelling wheel.

Abstract: A pair of flow restricting orifices regulate flow from a main engine driven pump through a control valve and steering wheel metering device to a servo motor in a vehicle steering system. Under emergency conditions, an additional flow restricting orifice connects the downstream side of one of the aforementioned pair of orifices to a flow dividing valve. The flow dividing valve connects a reserve pump in parallel with the main pump to augment the supply of pressure medium and sustain a minimal operational steering speed under control of the differential pressure across the other of the pair of orifices, which then dominates control of the supply of pressure medium to the servo motor through the additional flow restricting orifice while there is no flow through said one of the pair of orifices.

Abstract: A motorcycle, comprising a power unit including an engine having a substantially vertically disposed cylinder and a transmission extending rearwardly from a lower part of the engine; a fuel tank arranged above the power unit; and a seat arranged behind the fuel tank; further comprising: an air cleaner unit accommodated in a space defined by a rear surface of the engine and an upper surface of the transmission; an upper part of the air cleaner unit protruding into a concave bottom surface of a rear part of the fuel tank while an outlet port of the air cleaner unit is connected to an intake port of the engine by way of a passage which is slanted downwards as it extends to the intake port of the engine. Thus, the internal volume of the air cleaner case can be increased without affecting the position of the set, the wheel base, or the width of the part of the motorcycle body which is to gripped between the knees of the rider.

Abstract: A semi-trailer includes a self-steering rear axle assembly and a stationary axle assembly located at least 10 feet in front of the self-steering axle assembly and at least the minimum distance from the tractor front axle. The wheels on the self-steering axle assembly are carried on king pin assemblies which are movable between forward and reverse positions so that the self-steering axle wheels track the stationary axle wheels during turning in both the forward and reverse directions. The self-steering axle assembly preferably is retractable so the wheels can be raised when not needed. In one embodiment, the tractor has only a front axle and a single drive axle and all axles have a load rating of at least one-fourth of the load rating of the semi-trailer truck unit so that a maximum gross load can be hauled even though the unit has only four axles.

Abstract: A pedal-powered golf cart includes a pair of pedal assemblies disposed to drive the input shaft of a transmission, the transmission provides at least two output gear ratios at a drive shaft operatively connected to a gear box adapted to rotate a pair of driving wheels. The golf cart further includes a storage compartment and means for supporting at least one golf bag thereupon. The seats are separately adjustable with respect to each of the pedal assemblies.

Abstract: A four wheel drive vehicle comprising dirigible front wheels and nondirigible rear wheels. Drive of an engine is transmitted to the front and rear wheels through a propelling drive transmission for producing at least two, high and low, speeds, a front wheel change speed mechanism, and a rear wheel change speed mechanism. The front and rear wheel change speed mechanisms are controlled by a control device to produce a high speed state with the front wheels accelerated when a steering angle of the front wheels exceeds a predetermined angle and the propelling drive transmission is in a low speed position, to produce a low speed state with the front wheels accelerated when the steering angle of the front wheels exceeds the predetermined angle and the propelling drive transmission is in a high speed position, and to produce a standard state in which the front and rear wheels are driven at the same speed when the steering angle of the front wheels is below the predetermined angle.