Abstract: A steering system has annular pressure responsive electric components, such as piezo-electric transducers, mounted between thrust and restraining faces respectively, the transducers respond to a mechanical load applied to them by generating or determining electrical signals which are proportional to the load, the signals are supplied to a comparator by way of electrical connections. The transducers are arranged in pairs on the axially opposed faces of a bearing, so that in response to an axial thrust applied to the bearing by an input shaft of a steering gear incorporated in the system, the signals provided by the transducers will change from a predetermined comparative condition, one signal increasing in response to the increased compressive load on one transducer, the other signal decreasing in response to a decrease in compressive load on the other transducer in the pair.

Abstract: A self-storing hitch for a single rear wheeled vehicle including a generally C-shaped support having opposite ends pivotally attached to the vehicle frame on opposite sides of the single rear wheel. The support carries a hitch plate and is movable between a lowered towing position and a raised stored position. Spring pins lock the hitch in the selected position. In the towing position, the hitch plate extends horizontally rearward of the rear wheel. In the stored position, the rear section of the C-shaped support conforms generally to the contour of an upper rear section of the vehicle body.

Abstract: A vehicle for transporting long objects such as combine platforms over highways is disclosed. The vehicle has a main bed with a vertically extending frame at one side. Cantilevered arms on vertical columns of the frame project laterally across the bed and provide support for an upper load. The arms are mounted for sliding movement vertically along the columns and are hoisted into their upper positions by cables trained over a sheave mounted on the end of a fluid piston and cylinder assembly. One side member of the vehicle is considerably shorter than the other side member to permit a combine to be maneuvered into position for directly loading and unloading the platform onto the vehicle. When the first platform is raised into its proper position for transporting, a second combine may be moved into position for directly loading its platform onto the main vehicle bed. The platforms are transported in vertically superposed position.

Abstract: A steering wheel fixing construction for toy vehicles has front wheel support rod which projects beyond the upper surface of a toy body. A sleeve integral with a steering wheel is removably fitted on the projecting portion of the front wheel support rod. The portion of the upper surface of the toy body around the front wheel support rod has with a relatively narrow groove and a relatively wide groove. The sleeve has an engaging projection sized to snugly fit in the narrow groove. The engaging projection can be selectively positioned in the narrow groove or in the wide groove. If the projection is positioned in the narrow groove, the rotation of the steering wheel is inhibited. If the engaging projection if positioned in the wide groove, the rotation of the steering wheel is allowed.

Abstract: In a branch hydraulic line (6.sub.a, 6.sub.b) upstream of the distribution servovalve (1) of the assisted steering system, a valve mechanism with electromagnetic control (10) is situated, which comprises a valve member biased by an electromagnetic actuator (16) having two states, energized and unenergized, which is controlled by a switch (20.sub.a, 20.sub.b) actuable by the lever (21) of the gear changing mechanism of the vehicle so as to close the branch line (6.sub.a, 6.sub.b) during engagement of the parking gears (first and reverse) and thus to obtain maximum hydraulic assistance power, the assistance power being reduced during other conditions of use (driving along the road) of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improvement in the cooling efficiency of an air cooling and vent device for use with a belt drive type power transmission for an all terrain vehicle, wherein cooling air introduced into a belt drive casing by an air suction fan built integrally with a drive pulley of the transmission is forced out of an air outlet provided in the middle position between the drive pulley and a driven pulley to the atmosphere by the suction effect of a cooling fan of the engine.

Abstract: A carriage adapted for an inboard-type motorboat provided with a power take-off device for a prime mover. The carriage comprises a dolly loading the watercraft, plural wheels inclusive of driving wheels rotatably supported by shafts on the dolly, an input shaft engaging with aforesaid power take-out device, and a power transmission fixed to the dolly to transmit torque of the input shaft to aforesaid driving wheels, and is driven by the torque transmitted from the power take-off device of the watercraft loaded on aforesaid dolly.

Abstract: In a bridging circuit (6.sub.a, 6.sub.b) connecting the two opposing chambers ( V.sub.1 V.sub.2) of the hydraulic assistance actuator (5), a valve seat (11) is interposed which may be closed selectively by a valve member which is biased by an electromagnetic actuator (14) having two states, energized and unenergized, which is controlled by at least one switch (18.sub.a, 18.sub.b) actuatable by the lever (19) of the gear changing mechanism of the vehicle so as to close the bridging circuit (6.sub.a, 6.sub.b) when the parking gears are engaged (first and reverse) in order to obtain maximum hydraulic assistance power, the assistance power being reduced during other conditions of use of the vehicle (driving along the road).

Abstract: A quick-release hub retention device includes a pair of protrusions respectively provided on the outward surface of the lower end portion of each front fork leg, and a pair of rigid clips each pivotally mounted on the axle and having a curved free end for hooking over the protrusion to mount the hub on the front fork. The axle is received in the open-ended slots in lower ends of a bicycle's front fork legs in a known manner. Each clip includes parallel upper and lower portions extending radially of the axle, and a middle portion bridging the upper and lower portions of the clip and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the axle. The bridging portions are of a length so that the upper and lower portions respectively abut on the opposite surfaces of the lower end portions of the front fork legs. The clips are incorporated with a main retaining device to prevent accidental separation of the wheel from the fork even if the main retaining device on the axle becomes loose.

Abstract: A wheel lift device for use on an auxiliary wheel and axle assembly on vehicles to increase the load carrying capacity and stability comprises a retractable wheel assembly adjustably positioned by a piston and cylinder configuration for engagement with the ground.

Abstract: A recovery unit for use by one truck tractor in towing another disabled truck tractor has an anchoring frame assembly with a king pin for coupling to a fifth wheel of the towing tractor and an attaching frame assembly with a king pin for coupling to a fifth wheel of the disabled tractor. The attaching frame assembly is mounted for pivotal movement relative to the anchoring frame assembly between stored and extended conditions. Actuating cylinders and an auxiliary frame assembly are selectively operable to pivot the attaching frame assembly relative to the anchoring frame assembly between the stored and extended conditions and to pivot the attaching frame assembly to and from an erected position relative to the anchoring frame assembly once the attaching frame assembly has been first moved to its extended condition and coupled to the fifth wheel of the disabled tractor.

Abstract: A motorcycle arrangement including a conventional head pipe with rectangular main pipe and down pipe elements rigidly attached to an engine to define triangular truss structures to create a rigid frame. Brackets cooperate with the ends of the main pipes to affix same relative to the engine. The brackets may be employed as part of a subassembly including the rear suspension. The rear swing arm and the cushion member are both attached to the bracket structure and may be removed from the frame together. Other components may be most advantageously coupled with a bracket structure to avoid excessive use of the frame itself for such mounting functions. Such items as footpegs, gear shift pedals and retractable stands may be fixed to side brakcets for easy preassembly and reduced complexity.

Abstract: A dual range planetary transmission which is located inside the hub of the driving wheel of a pedal powered vehicle such as a front wheel drive bicycle camper.

Abstract: An independent wheel suspension for steerable wheels has a wheel bearer connected to the vehicle body and first and second guide wheel members. The first guide wheel member comprises separate guide links coupled at articulated points to the vehicle body and to the wheel bearer, and a coupler connected between the articulated points at the wheel bearer. The coupler transverses a bisector of an angle formed by the guide links and is angled rearwardly and inwardly from the wheel. This wheel suspension enables the castor distance to be increased at the wheel in a curve during wheel turning, while maintaining a specified basic arrangement for the guide links.

Abstract: An active suspension apparatus detects an absolute acceleration Z in a passenger's compartment of a vehicle and a relative displacement X between an axle and a body, calculates an absolute value .vertline.Z.vertline. of the absolute acceleration, an absolute value .vertline.X.vertline. of the relative displacement and an absolute value .vertline.X.vertline. of a rate X of change in relative displacement, multiplies the absolute values .vertline.X.vertline., .vertline.X.vertline., and .vertline.Z.vertline. with coefficients A11, A12 and A13, and adding the resultant product to obtain a sum Y=A11.vertline.X.vertline.+A12.vertline.X.vertline.+A13.vertline.Z.vertlin e., compares the sum Y with a reference value C for evaluating the predetermined movement of the vehicle, and controls the damping forces of the hydropneumatic springs, thereby improving steering stability and riding comfort.

Abstract: A manually operated vehicle propelled by motion simulating rowing, the vehicle having a frame with drive wheels and a steering wheel and with a seat mounted between the drive wheels on a rail that rotates around its long axis and is connected to the steering wheel so that rotation of the rail causes steering movements of the steering wheel. The handle assemblies are moved to affect rowing motion and they have adjustable length to provide either greater torque or greater speed from the same rowing motion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-purpose trailer (24) with a universal mounting hitch (26) for use with a garden tractor (22). The multi-purpose trailer (24) includes two U-shaped front ends (36) having horizontally aligned apertures (40) therein to enable two point pivotal attachment to the garden tractor (22). The trailer (24) is supported above the surface of the ground by a single, pivotal wheel (46) and further includes a trailer box (30) which is pivotal about a substantially horizontal axis proximate the back end of the trailer. The universal mounting hitch (26) includes a U-shaped bracket (151) including two spaced apart vertically extending legs (152) including a plurality of apertures (164) therein. The vertically extending legs (152) are interconnected by a horizontally extending member (154) including a plurality of apertures (158). The apertures (158) enable attachment of the U-shaped bracket (151) to the draw bar of the garden tractor (22).

Abstract: An off-road vehicle is equipped with an endless articulated steel band drive system including a drive wheel, a plurality of idle wheels and an endless belt extending around the drive wheel and the idle wheel. A back slider plate extends along the inner surface of the endless belt to urge the ground contact surface of the endless belt against the ground. The leading portion of the back plate rises upwardly at an angle of with respect to the ground. One of the idle wheels is rotatably mounted to the rear end of the back plate and the back plate is mounted to the vehicle frame by a leaf spring.

Abstract: A pair of right and left main pipes and or a pair of right and left down tubes, or a main pipe and a down tube are formed of one piece of continuous pipe material with its intermediate portion warped. The head pipe has a supporting surface portion corresponding to the surface of the aforementioned warped intermediate portion. This supporting surface portion is integrally cast together with a tubular main body portion of the headpipe. The warped intermediate portion of the pipe material is fixed to the supporting surface portion of the head pipe by welding. According to the present invention, the constructions and shapes of the welded portions are simplified. Thus, the invention is best suited to robot welding in order to improve productivity. Also, the head pipe is formed at its front surface or its both sides of its tubular main body portion with an opening in order to reduce the weight.

Abstract: This invention relates to a suspension of an axle gear casing for motor vehicles comprising at least two elastic suspension elements, with one of the suspension elements arranged in front of the axle shaft and the other one arranged behind the axle shaft, in alignment with one another in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and offset to the side of the longitudinal axis of the gear casing, wherein coordination of the stiffnesses of the suspension elements causes a rotating movement of the axle gear casing opposing a movement of the axle gear casing that occurs under the influence of the driving reaction moment from the vehicle wheels and engine drive and which normally shifts the front end of the casing correspondingly in the upward direction to maintain the position of the drive shaft of the axle gear with respect to a center of a flexible disk of a driving cardan shaft to ensure that a change of angle between the drive shaft and the cardan shaft is limited to a tolerable extent.