Abstract: An exercising, recreational and utilitarian apparatus, particularly useful for persons handicapped as to use of their lower limbs or having cardio-pulmonary or ancillary physical problems, comprising a mobile chassis having forward and rearward ends referenced to the normal direction of its motion and mounting a forwardly and upwardly inclined adjustable support having thereon a body rest for mid and upper portions of the body of a user and immediately to the rear thereof an upwardly projecting vertically inclined forwardly facing seat which backs the buttocks of the user and induces the forward inclination of the mid and upper portions of the user's body. Immediately forward of said support, within easy and comfortable reach by the user's hands, is a transversely extending rod-shaped control bar which commonly mounts the controls for driving, steering and braking said apparatus in the course of its travel.

Abstract: A steering apparatus for a front wheel drive tractor comprising, at each of opposite lateral sides thereof, a front axle, a front axle case housing the front axle, a kingpin, a transmission case provided in an outer end region of the front axle case to be pivotable about the kingpin, and a front wheel attached to the transmission case and including a hub shaft. The kingpin is operatively connected to the front axle through a bevel gear transmission, and the hub shaft is operatively connected to the kingpin through a bevel gear transmission and a planetary reduction mechanism. The front wheel has a substantially zero camber angle, and the kingpin is inclined such that a lower portion of the transmission case disposed inwardly with respect to a center of the tractor is substantially contained inside a rim of the front wheel.

Abstract: A power steering system for use in a large vehicle comprises: a main booster; an auxiliary booster; a main hydraulic line for connecting the main booster to a hydraulic pump; an auxiliary hydraulic line branching off from the main hydraulic line and connecting the auxiliary booster to the hydraulic pump; a control valve disposed in the main hydraulic line; a reaction pressure supply passage for the control valve; a reaction pressure supply-side variable throttle disposed in the reaction pressure supply passage; a reaction pressure relief-side variable throttle disposed in a reaction pressure relief passage for the control valve; and a load sensing valve. A controller opens and closes the variable throttles in response to the vehicle speed to control the flow rate of hydraulic oil flowing into a reaction chamber of the control valve and flowing out from the reaction chamber, and a hydraulic reaction force generated in the control valve is controlled.

Abstract: The invention provides clean and decorative wraps for automotive shoulder belts. The shoulder belt minicover and cushion wraps around and closes with hook and pile type fastening or closure. The minicover for the shoulder belt may have an intermediate layer of padding material. The particular material ranges widely from strong nylon or denim to quilted cloth, fake fur, real fur or sheepskin. The minicover overlies the shoulder and neck area of a user. Bright and reflective surfaces of minicovers indicate shoulder belt usage. Unique shapes and bright colors remind occupants to use seat belts.

Abstract: A wheelchair is adjustable between a compact configuration, in which the center of gravity lies in a vertical plane (50), which intersects wheels (16,116) on a front carrier of the wheelchair and an extended configuration in which the center of gravity lies in a vertical plane spaced substantially from all wheels of the wheelchair.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for controlling the ratio of the assisting force produced by a power-steering system installed in an automobile to the steering torque supplied by the driver. The apparatus primarily consists of a microprocessor, a ROM, and a RAM. The microprocessor controls the amount of current supplied to a solenoid valve according to the velocity of the automobile. The aforementioned ratio is varied according to the driver's condition and the road condition. Four graphs representing the relation of the electric current supplied to the solenoid valve to the angle through which the steering wheel is rotated are stored in the ROM. Each graph has two characteristic curves for two different values of the velosity of the automobile. The microprocessor calculates a driver's condition index from the output signal from a velocity sensor. Also, it calculates a road condition index from the output signal from a steering angle sensor.

Abstract: An arrangement for the control of the force-transmission of a four-wheel drive vehicle in which a main driving axle is driven directly by an internal combustion engine by way of a clutch transmission unit and an auxiliary driving axle is driven by the internal combustion engine by way of a continuously controllable longitudinal clutch. A desired traction force of all wheels is determined from a desired power output and from a velocity of the vehicle, from which a control magnitude for the control of the longitudinal clutch is obtained by a distribution factor dependent on operating or driving parameters. The longitudinal clutch can additionally be controlled either alone or advantageously also in combination with this control magnitude by a further control magnitude which is determined by a square of a rotational speed difference at the longitudinal clutch, having a weighting dependent on operating or driving parameters.

Abstract: Binding assembly for a cross country ski boot, having a safety device comprising a hooking arrangement in which the forward end of the boot is retained, and lateral retaining, complementary engaging portions on the ski and in the sole of the boot. The hooking and lateral retaining devices are rigidly affixed to each other without intervening gap, and are releasable at least laterally about at least one rotational axis against the effect of a torsional retainer, whatever the elevation of the boot heel from the ski.

Abstract: A children's mini-car includes a three-gear set disposed on a rear axle. The three-gear set, which is driven by the ropes disposed on both sides of the rear axle, is arranged to cooperate with accelerator pedals located on both sides of a front transverse rod to alternatively drive the rear wheels to move the mini-car forward. In addition, a gear shifting lever is used to control the gear set, so as to reverse the direction of movement of the mini-car with the aid of a rear view mirror. Furthermore, a detachable car seat can be removed from the mini-car and a steering wheel can be replaced by a movable pedal, such that the instant mini-car may act as a safe children's sliding car by utilizing an auxiliary brake system located below the steering wheel.

Abstract: A stair-climbing and descending vehicle is disclosed, comprising a frame and a pair of transverse, co-axial, power-driven axles, each rotatably carrying a spider assembly at its outer end. Each spider has at least three wheels, one at each equi-spaced extremity of its radial arms. Each axle drives either the spider or the associated wheels through a differential gearing. When climbing a stairway, the spiders are rotated immediately when the wheels are prevented from rotating by encountering a stair riser. The differential also serves to safety and smoothly descend the stairs. The vehicle is adapted for use as a wheelchair, in which case a chair-shifting device is provided to shift the center of gravity of the vehicle, rearwardly.

Abstract: Bicycle seat post clamp mechanism comprising a locking shoe supported in a seat stay tube for movement to and from a locking position engaging the seat post. The locking shoe has a pair of beveled rear cam faces and a rear extension with a through hole. A pair of clamp members, each with a through hole and a beveled cam face, are supported in diametrically spaced circular openings in the wall of the seat stay tube, and extend along a horizontal axis transverse to the seat post. An adjusting screw extends through the clamp members. Tightening the screw draws the clamp members together causing the cam faces to move the locking shoe forwardly into its locking position against the seat post. The locking shoe and clamp members have circular cross-sections of a size small enough to be inserted through the openings in the seat stay tube and then to be assembled therein.

Abstract: A motor-driven power steering system for a vehicle capable of preventing a motor-related element such as a motor itself, power elements for controlling power supply to the motor or the like from being damage due to an abnormal temperature rise or overheating thereof, thereby substantially avoiding or reducing resultant unsureness or instability in the operator's steering feeling upon change in steering mode as well as improving safety in steering operation. The motor is operatively connected with a steering rack and energizable by a power source for power assisting the steering motion caused by the operator through a steering wheel. A temperature sensor detects the temperature of the motor-related element. An electromagnetic switching clutch is interposed between the motor and the steering rack for selectively establishing and interrupting the transmission of power assisting force from the motor to the steering rack in accordance with the travelling speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: An adjustable cycle-type seat post assembly comprises a tubular seat post which fits slidably within an upstanding tubular seat mast. The seat post has a cylindrical bore with a closed upper end and an open lower end. A mounting shaft has an elongated body comprising upper and lower head portions with an intermediate portion between them. The upper head portion has a piston with O-ring seals engaging the cylindrical bore and defining with the closed upper end a variable volume air chamber. The intermediate portion has an axially extending slot engaging a pin secured to the seat post to limit relative axial movement and prevent relative torsional movement. The mounting shaft is secured in the seat mast by axially spaced openings in the lower head, one of which is engaged with a water bottle connecting stud extending through the seat mast wall. Ribs flanking the openings align them with the water bottle stud to facilitate assembly.

Abstract: A suspension mechanism includes a pair of generally oppositely directed support arms which may be connected to support forks for the wheels of a bicycle, the support arms being pivotably mounted about a common with respect to a load bearing member to which a bicycle saddle may be mounted. The support arms are urged away from the load bearing member by a biasing arrangement which may be in the form of a leaf spring set.

Abstract: A power transmitting system for a four-wheel drive vehicle having an automatic transmission has a central differential operatively connected to an output member of the automatic transmission for providing a full time four-wheel drive vehicle. A fluid operated multi-disk friction clutch is provided for locking the central differential. A hydraulic control circuit is provided for applying line pressure in the automatic transmission to the friction clutch so as to engage it to lock the central differential.

Abstract: An active suspension apparatus using hydropneumatic springs is disclosed to control damping characteristics in accordance with the vibration state of the passenger compartment of a vehicle during travel. An absolute acceleration of the floor of the passenger's compartment is detected and is compared with a reference value to discriminate the actual vibration state of the passenger compartment. The openings of restrictors arranged between hydropneumatic spring chambers and actuators are controlled in accordance with the discrimination result. In order to accurately detect the vibration state, specific vibration components are extracted by band-pass filters from the absolute acceleration signal.

Abstract: A rack-pinion type electrically powered steering apparatus is provided with an electronic control circuit adapted to control a motor driving current which is applied to a motor for power assistance, in response to a steering load characteristic and/or a vehicle speed characteristic. The steering apparatus is also provided with a rack end proximity sensor adapted to detect a position adjacent the both ends of the rack during a steering operation, and a device for providing the motor driving current with an attenuation characteristic in response to the detected signal from said rack end proximity sensor.

Abstract: Front suspension device comprising a lateral arm, for supporting and steering a front wheel of a motorcycle, wherein the lateral arm is connected at its upper end to a suspension and/or shock absorbing block with telescopic cylinder of which the external movable rod is articulated at its end on an axis orthogonal to the median longitudinal plane of the motorcycle, the arm comprising in the lower part a ball and socket articulation support of which the center of pivoting is located substantially in the alignment of steering axis and cooperates with a connection arm rotationally mounted on an axle of the chassis perpendicular to the median plane of the motorcycle.

Abstract: A safety device for maintaining in place a pin connecting the drawbar of a tractor to the tow bar or tongue of a towed piece of equipment. The safety device is mounted on the drawbar and is slideable along the drawbar. An arm extends outwardly from the device, and the device is moved so that the arm is over the top of the drawbar pin when the pin is in place thereby preventing it from becoming disengaged from the drawbar and tongue. A locking pin prevents the safety device from sliding along the drawbar so as to keep it in its pin retaining position.

Abstract: A motor-driven power steering system for front and rear road wheels which is capable of preventing uncontrolled steering resulting from abnormal movement of the rear road wheels in case of a failure in various sensors and/or an electric motor or breakage in the wiring, and enabling vehicle to continuously travel in a safe manner by means of front wheel steering alone after occurrence of such troubles.