Abstract: A four-wheel driven vehicle including a front wheel high/low speed changeover device adapted to be set to the high speed side upon detection of at least one condition out of three conditions, i.e. an excessive turning angle of the front wheel over a predetermined angle, a low vehicle speed below a predetermined speed and actuation of either rear wheel brake.

Abstract: Several embodiments of improved braking arrangement for off the road, single rider, multiple wheeled vehicles. In each arrangement, a shaft drive is incorporated and a brake rotor is fixed for rotation with the shaft drive. A brake casing encircles the brake rotor and has at least one opening that is aligned with the rotor surface and in which a brake pad is supported by a cover that closes the opening and which is adapted to brake the rotor. In some embodiments, the brake pad is actuated mechanically and in others, it is actuated hydraulically. In some embodiments, the interior of the brake casing is vented to the air cleaner of the engine and in others, the casing is provided with pie-shaped cutouts for cooling.

Abstract: A hand-powered toy vehicle with a pair of levers coupled to independent rear wheels. The levers can be operated together to accelerate forward movement of the vehicle, as well as to brake it. The levers also can be used to rotate one of rear wheels faster forwardly than the other in order to turn the vehicle. Each lever is connected to one of the wheels through disengagable drive and driven gears with a saw-tooth configuration which permits forward rotation of the drive gear to be transmitted to the driven gear and the wheel to accelerate forward rotation of the wheel. To brake forward rotation of the wheels, the levers can be used to rotate the drive gears rearwardly and force the drive and driven gears to mesh and lock.

Abstract: A bicycle having pedal bars pivoted on the frame near the rear wheel, with a pedal sprocket positioned above the rear wheel. A connection member couples the rear end of each of the pedal bars to the pedal sprocket and further includes conversion mechanism whereby up and down movement of the push bars induces rotative movement of the pedal sprocket. Foot pedals are mounted on the front end of the pedal bars. Downward pressure by a rider on the foot pedals (alternately applied) forces upper movement of the connection members and corresponding rotation of the pedal sprocket for driving the bicycle.

Abstract: A recreational snow sled comprises an elongated molded plastic shell having a longitudinal central rib forming a U-shaped bottom channel of gradually increasing depth toward the rear of the sled. The sled is designed to carry a person seated in a kneeling position straddling the hump formed by the central channel. The rider is restrained at the knees by a strap running across the forward gunwales of the shell. When the sled is sliding downhill, the central channel tends to form a ridge of packed snow enhancing axial stability and maneuverability. The angle of attack may be controlled by leaning backwards so that the front of the sled is tilted up by the knee strap.

Abstract: A vacuum wall crawler is provided with a pair of endless belts at both sides of the frame, the pair of endless belts having at their outer surfaces a plurality of recesses each of which has a through hole. Air in the recesses is sucked through suction chambers, each corresponding to one of the recesses, by an ejector independently provided in conformity with the suction chambers.

Abstract: A shift actuator for a vehicle transfer case includes a bidirectional electric motor for positioning gearing in the transfer case. An indicator mechanism associated with the drive train between the motor and the transfer case provides electrical signals indicative of the actual position in, and thus operating state, of the gearing in the transfer case. A selector switch provides electrical signals indicative of a desired operating state of the transfer case gearing. An electronic control is responsive to an input from the selector switch and to the indicator mechanism for effecting rotation of the motor in a predetermined one or other direction to attain the desired operating state. The indicator mechanism includes a contact plate, which rotates with the drive train, and a set of stationary contacts. A conductive pattern on the contact plate identifies the positioning of the operating states of the transfer case gearing.

Abstract: A shock absorber control system for controlling the damping force of a variable shock absorber comprises a speed sensor for generating a signal indicative of the wheel speed of at least one wheel of the vehicle and a control unit for controlling the damping force. The control unit derives the acceleration from the wheel speed signal and compares the derived acceleration with upper and lower references. The damping force control is effected when the acceleration varies successively so as to assume both values outside the range between the upper and lower references.

Abstract: A crash energy absorber mounted on the tip end of steering wheel including a structure including a top plate and a pair of side plates extending substantially perpendicularly to the top plate at the opposite sides of the top plate to define a substantially rectangular space with the top plate, and at least one reinforcement extending diagonally in the space defined by the plate structure. The crash energy absorber absorbs a crash energy applied thereto in any direction so as to relieve crash shock from a driver.

Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle having a pair of levers pivotably affixed to the chassis connecting the output of the steering gear mechanism, to tie rods which connect to the wheel assembly steering input. The steering system minimizes the space required for steering linkage.

Abstract: A wheelchair having a backrest assembly that is pivotally connected adjacent the rear end of its seat frame. The back assembly has a rear panel fixedly attached thereto and there is structure on the front surface of the rear panel which connects to structure on the rear surface of the front panel which allows the front panel to reciprocally travel upwardly and downwardly with respect to the rear panel. There is structure for forcing reciprocal movement of the front panel and this is attached to the rear surface of the front panel and this is made possible by the cutout slot in the rear panel. The wheelchair has structure for forcing the back assembly to recline rearwardly and this is coupled together with the structure for forcing the reciprocal movement of the front panel of the back assembly so that their travel is coordinated to operate together.

Abstract: Two support legs mutually coupled to have a common pivoting motion between a supporting position and a rest or idle position are mounted in a pivot block or head mountable behind the drive sprocket bearing of a two-wheeled vehicle, such as a bicycle or moped. In the rest or idle position, both support legs are substantially horizontal and in the supporting position both support legs are substantially upright and spread apart from one another. In order to reduce the construction height of the pivot block or head and not diminish the ground clearance of the two-wheeled vehicle, both support legs are arranged on the side of the vehicle opposite the drive sprocket when they are in the rest or idle position. An arrangement is provided to force one support leg away from the other support leg as both support legs are pivoted into the supporting position.

Abstract: A lightweight wheelchair is provided which includes a frame formed of a plurality of elongated members. The frame includes vertical polygon sides which have a generally triangular configuration. The wheelchair seat is supported above a pair of elongated axle support members which join to the rest of the frame at points near the front and back of the frame. An axle extends between the axle support members and is attached at a medial point on each axle support member. The configuration allows for flexing of the axle support members in response to shocks. The frame effectively handles loads and shock with a minimum of structural mass.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a simplified tractor hitch structure for use with implements and an improved plow attachment for use in developing firelines in forest soil. The hitch allows implements to be moved between a raised transport position and a lowered working position. In the former, however, a simplified approach is employed to provide locking and unlocking functions controlled by the tractor operator while seated in the tractor and to positively prohibit horizontal swaying of the hitch and thus the implement.

Abstract: A seat belt tension relief device is formed with an elastic self-retracting member which at one end is pivotally mounted adjacent the door frame while at the other end adjustably engages the torso engaging portion of the seat belt. The length of the elastic self-retracting member, as well as the strap engaging end portion, are readily adjustable to the comfort of the user. When not in use the device is adjustably mounted parallel to and along the door frame. The device is designed to be economically retrofitted in automobiles with spring-loaded seat belts.

Abstract: An instrument panel for an automotive vehicle is attached to a rigid beam that extends across the vehicle body beneath the windshield. The instrument panel is a plastic injection molding. Its outer surface may be provided with cushioning material. At the underside of the panel, beneath its top portion, at least two ribs are provided, which extend across the width of the vehicle and of the instrument panel, are spaced apart and have free edges that rest against the beam inside the vehicle, so that the instrument panel, the ribs and the beam together define an air duct extending across the width of the instrument panel. A seal may be provided at the free edge of each rib for sealing it to the beam. The air duct communicates with windshield defroster nozzles, or the like in the instrument panel.

Abstract: An adjustable control console is provided that includes an operator controlled latch mechanism wherein the console and the control lever therein can be pivoted to a position selected by the operator. The steering levers and the engine speed lever include extensions which extend through the pivotal axis of the console whereby repositioning of the console does not affect engine speed or steering control of the dozer.

Abstract: A bicycle is convertible into a unicycle by use of quick-release couplings. The front wheel and handlebar are separable from the frame and rear wheel of the bicycle by release of a quick-release coupling. The handlebar can be removed by another quick-release coupling and replaced with the saddle of the bicycle. The saddle itself is held in place by its own quick-release coupling. The crank and pedal of the bicycle can be moved and attached to the axle of the front wheel to permit pedaling of the bicycle.

Abstract: A container such as a fuel tank pivotally mounted on a vehicle for movement between an operation position adjacent the vehicle and an assembly position remote from said vehicle. The pivotal movement is accomplished by having a support for the container threadably engaged with a screw spindle supported on the vehicle. The support can swing about the screw spindle and also be moved vertically along the axis of the screw spindle by rotating said screw spindle. The vertical movement serves to bring the container in or out of mesh with a lock mechanism which avoids a further pivot movement in the operation position.

Abstract: A dolly carries a fifth wheel for connecting a trailing vehicle, a drawing device (18,20,24) for pivotable connection of the dolly (8) to a drawing vehicle and elongated side supports (22) are movable from a free position to a locked position in which they form an essentially rigid connection between the dolly and a support element (24) carried by the drawing vehicle. Hereby the connection between the dolly and the drawing vehicle can be made sidewardly rigid if needed. By the side supports (22) being carried by pivotal supports (26), which allow sidewards pivoting of the side supports to the locked position, a vehicle rig, including the dolly, can maintain a maximum of allowed length both with and without sidewards rigidity.