Abstract: A removable trailer hitch assembly for connecting a gooseneck trailer to a pickup truck is disclosed. The hitch assembly provides a base frame having a ball hitch mounted thereon and adapted to be positioned in the floor of the pickup truck box so the frame straddles both wheel wells and positions the ball hitch over the rear axle of the pickup truck. Two pairs of pivotable elongate members telescopingly attach to the base frame to frictionally engage the lower surface of the upper horizontal side rail caps of the pickup box. Biasing between and toward each side pair of side rail engaging members is provided to secure the hitch assembly in the pickup bed by making a positive frictional engagement with the box side rails. Upon the connection of the trailer to the hitch assembly the weight of the trailer and the fore and aft pull of the trailer further secure the hitch assembly to the pickup box. The hitch assembly is attached to the pickup box without the necessity for drilling, bolting or welding.

Abstract: The cross-country ski binding has a plate which is arranged on the upper surface of the ski and is pivotable about a vertical axis located in the ball region of a boot. The plate is held in the central position by means of a latch device which releases to permit rotation of the plate relative to the ski on the occurrence of impermissibly high turning moments relative to the vertical axis and thus relative to the ball region.

Abstract: An exercise vehicle is provided where foot actuated pedals caused the vehicle to move forward by means of a one-way clutch and hand operated pulling motions may be utilized likewise by means of a one-way clutch to move the vehicle forward, the hand operated mechanism being part of an extensible steering column so that as the operator leans forward and moves back and extends or retracts his arms the steering column will lengthen or shorten as required. Irrespective of the position of the hand operated bar the front wheels may be rotated by rotating the hand operating bar.

Abstract: A body structure for a motorcycle with a front wheel and a rear wheel, including a body frame assembly having an engine mounted thereon and having vertically swingably joined thereto a front leading arm for supporting the front wheel and a rear trailing arm for supporting the rear wheel. The front leading arm as viewed from the side thereof is curved upwardly in the direction of a steering axis of the front wheel. The body frame assembly is shaped in a concave form having front standing portions and rear standing portions to thereby surround the engine. The engine is a V-type with at least a pair of internal combustion cylinders substantially vertically arranged to be respectively forwardly and rearwardly inclined, and may be secured at a front part thereof to the front standing portions of the body frame assembly and at a rear part thereof to the rear standing portions of the body frame assembly.

Abstract: A steering device for an automotive vehicle includes steering wheels one of which is associated with a driver's seat positioned at the front of the vehicle and the other with a seat positioned at the rear of the vehicle and available for manipulating a crane or the like. Power cylinders are provided for hydraulically steering front wheels only or both of front wheels and rear wheels of the vehicle. Hydraulic circuits associated with the power cylinders are controlled such that while the wheels are steered at the driver's seat, they cannot be steered at the craneman's seat. Such control of the hydraulic circuits occurs in response to actuation of a key switch. A four-wheel steering mode for steering the front and rear wheels at the same time is prevened from replacing a two-wheel steering mode for steering front wheels only, unless the vehicle runs at low speeds.

Abstract: A front wheel drive speed control system for a vehicle having a main rear wheel drive and an assisting hydraulically powered front wheel drive. A hydraulic pump is connected by a hydraulic circuit to a hydraulic motor at each driven front wheel. A clutch assembly between the hydraulic motor and the associated wheel facilitates rotation of the driven front wheel. A speed sensing device is mounted to sense speed of the main rear wheel drive and each driven front wheel. A speed control system is connected to the speed sensing devices and to the hydraulic pump and is operable to terminate the pumps operation when the speed of the main rear wheel drive exceeds a predetermined speed and to resume assisting operation of the driven front wheel when the speed of the main rear wheel drive drops below a second predetermined speed.

Abstract: A motor-driven truck of the type comprising a front lifting stand, first guide and journalling elements including a longitudinal stand stationary mounted on the chassis, second guide and journalling elements including a stand movable along the stationary stand, and an operator's cab supported by the movable stand and arranged to be placed in a desired position which is variable with respect to the stationary stand and to the front lifting stand as well, said first guide and journalling elements are firmly connected to the movable stand and guided by the stationary stand. The stationary stand is diagonally arranged so that it encompasses an acute angle .alpha. with the center line C.sub.1 of the truck and so that it extends between a rear place at the center line C.sub.

Abstract: A special `kart`-type vehicle is disclosed having independent suspension on all four wheels, featuring a rigid central structure which cradles the driver seat, and incorporating interchangeable and adjustable mechanical features designed to give adaptability to different conditions of use, and to the physical stature of a given rider. The special kind of adjustable, accessory-orientated design is such as to recommend the vehicle for dirt track, rough terrain and general off-highway use as well as for running on metalled road surfaces; likewise, a vehicle of the type might be used either for utility purposes or simply for sports or liesure activities.

Abstract: A control system for a four wheel drive vehicle wherein the front wheels (or rear wheels in a conventional front wheel drive set up) are automatically engaged and disengaged from the vehicle drive train at both the transfer case and at the front wheel hubs. The engagement and disengagement at the transfer case is accomplished with conventional controls. The engagement and disengagement between the axles and wheel hubs is accomplished by providing concentric gear teeth portions in overlaping sections of the axle and wheel hub. A clutch ring with corresponding gear teeth is moved into and out of simultaneous engagement with the wheel hub and axle to lock them together. A pressure chamber having a movable wall associated with the clutch ring, is connected by an air line and control valve to the intake manifold of the vehicle's engine.

Abstract: A suspension system for the front wheel of a motorcycle having a frame assembly for supporting the suspension system, which includes a pair of upright bars having upper and lower ends and adapted to rotatably mount a wheel between their lower ends, a brace assembly is attached to said bars adjacent the upper ends thereof to hold the bars in spaced and parallel position, a parallelogram mechanism is affixed to the cycle frame and to the pair of upright bars to control up and down movement and to allow rotary movement of said pair of bars, a pair of semi-handlebars are movably mounted on the cycle frame, and a steering linkage operatively connects each semi-handlebar with the bar pair, both linkages pivot about a common pivot pin whereby the pair of bars may be rotated by movement of either semi-handlebar independent of the other semi-handlebar.

Abstract: Hydraulic assisted steering for a motor vehicle comprising a control shaft (1) mounted for rotation in a casing (2) and connected to the steering wheel, a follower shaft (3) also mounted for pivoting in this casing and connected mechanically to a pinion (4) engaged with the steering rack (5) resilient means connecting the control shaft (1) and the follower shaft (3) together so that there is produced a relative angular movement of the two shafts when a torque is exerted on the control shaft (1) a hydraulic valve (13 or 13a-13b) responsive to this relative movement, and an assisting cylinder (10) in the supply line of which the valve is inserted and whose mobile element is connected to the rack (5).

Abstract: A folding wheelchair comprising first and second side frames which are hingedly secured together to enable the wheelchair to be moved between folded and operative positions. Drive wheels are located at the lower rearward ends of each of the side frames and are driven by hand wheels rotatably mounted on the side frames. A removable seat is positioned between the side frames and when in position, provides a seating area for the user of the wheelchair and also serves to maintain the wheelchair in its operative position. Folding arm supports and foot supports are also provided.

Abstract: A fuel tank configured for universal use in the rear region of motor vehicles beneath the vehicle floor is mounted so that it can yield in the case of a rear deformation caused by an accident. The fuel tank is connected firmly to parts fixed to the vehicle in the forward region of the fuel tank in the direction of travel and is retained laterally in the rear region of the fuel tank in the direction of travel by guide bolts or the like in guides with slots open towards the rear, the guides being fixed to the vehicle frame and extending horizontally in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, so that upon rear impact, foreshortening of the vehicle frame causes the guide bolts to leave the guide slots resulting in downward rotation of the rear part of the fuel tank.

Abstract: A knock-down tricycle has its main structural parts made of stamped metal or molded components which are relatively inexpensive to fabricate and which, when disassembled, occupy a minimum volume allowing the tricycle to be shipped in a knocked-down condition in a minimum size package. The various components of the tricycle can be assembled easily using simple tools and, when assembled, they form a tricycle which is unusually strong and sturdy.

Abstract: A safety belt restraint system for restraining a passenger in his automotive vehicle seat has a pair of emergency locking safety belt retractors mounted in relatively close proximity to each other on the vehicle door near a lower portion thereof with a single safety belt strap running therebetween and through associated upper and lower belt guides on the door, there being a single connector fitting mounted in fixed relation to a mid-portion of the strap and being releasably anchored in a conventional safety belt buckle anchor located inboard of the vehicle seat, the retractors having large diameter spools sufficient to wind all of the webbing up adjacent to the vehicle door when the connector is released from the buckle.

Abstract: This invention relates to equipment for securing a truck trailer against theft by protecting the trailer kingpin against being secured by a tractor. The device employs a lock housing or body which has a hole which is adapted to fit over the trailer kingpin. A sliding member is employed to go into sliding contact with the groove in a standard trailer kingpin. The sliding member is configured with a concave edge on one end in order to contact the annular groove in the standard trailer kingpin. A slot in the sliding member is used to engage the body of a heavy duty padlock when in the locked position thus holding the sliding member in contact with the trailer kingpin. A retaining means such as a screw threadably secured to the lock body and a mating slot in said sliding member is employed to prevent the inadvertant removal of said sliding member from the lock body.

Abstract: A track drive converter for two or four wheel driven vehicles is disclosed. The converter has three interworking elements: a track, a wheel disc and a roller assembly. Each set of tires on a vehicle's side is overfitted with one track. Each wheel is fitted with two discs and each tire is provided with a roller assembly. The track is composed of padded links and connectors. The links are made of three parallel rods joined at their ends by an omega-shaped bracket. Also attached to the brackets are the connectors which are a series of three end-to-end, movably connected, bars. Each bar may move independently of its mates, allowing a set of links to compress along one edge and remain apart on their opposite edges. This compression provides the curvature in the track needed for turning. The track drive is provided by teeth on the link sets meshing with indents on the wheel disc. The track is tensioned by rollers positioned at each tire.

Abstract: This invention is an adjustable height hitching device adapted to connect a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle. The invention consists of a tow bar pivoted upon an attaching element which is coupled to the towed vehicle. The end height of the tow bar can be varied by a turnbuckle movably coupled between the tow bar and the attaching element. The height of the coupling portion of the tow bar can be adjusted to the height of the coupling on the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A method and device for controlling a power steering device wherein a flow control valve unit is arranged between an oil pump and a power steering unit, the flow control valve unit being controlled to supply oil to the power steering unit at a flow rate corresponding to a vehicle speed, has the steps of determining whether or not the flow rate of oil supplied to the power steering unit corresponds to a value required in accordance with current steering conditions, and increasing the flow rate to a value so as to correspond to the steering conditions when the flow rate does not correspond to the current steering conditions.

Abstract: A power steering device including a vane type oil pump having vanes which are radially movable in slits of a rotor to supply hydraulic fluid from an oil reservoir tank to a power cylinder through a flow passage switching valve. Chambers are defined behind the valves at base ends of the slits. Hydraulic fluid having a pressure built up by the reciprocal motion of the valves in the chambers is supplied through a solenoid coil type flow control valve to hydraulic reaction force chambers of a power cylinder control valve to thereby control a force applied between input and output shafts thereof, thereby to determine the steering force required.