Abstract: The present invention provides a slidable support assembly which is affixed to an extensible jack leg of a typically heavily loaded commercial trailer and is used to support the front end of the trailer when not connected to a towing truck. The support assembly is able to slide laterally for the purpose of properly aligning the trailer hitching and towing vehicle mechanisms without injury to the operator.

Abstract: A steering axle is disclosed which comprises a girder having a respective wheel hub spindle hinged to its opposed ends by means of two hinges. An elastic element, such as a Belleville washer, is fitted between the elements of one of the hinges for adjusting the backlash between the girder and the spindle.

Abstract: An upper control arm for a vehicle suspension system and a method of making the same to form a reinforced arm for receiving a ball joint assembly. The arm is constructed by inserting an aluminum rod into a straight piece of steel tube with aluminum insert positioned at the center point of the tube, the tube is bent into the general shape of the control arm. The apex of the arm containing the aluminum insert is flattened into a substantially oval cross-sectional configuration. A hole is tapered reamed at the apex through both the tube and the aluminum insert to receive the ball joint assembly. As a result, critical sections of the control arm are reinforced yet a lightweight construction is maintained.

Abstract: A combination wheelchair/gurney comprising a three-part seat/gurney bed assembly, hingedly connected and pivotally mounted on a rigid metal rectangular frame, having two large side wheels for patient self-locomotion and two front caster wheels, and a seat support/locking position mechanism which carries most of the seat weight and is pivotally mounted to the frame bottom. The wheelchair converts to a gurney by an attendant pulling back and downwards on the top back of the chair in a levered action, causing the seat/bed assembly to pivot at the top of the frame and raising it horizontally to the top of the frame to form a gurney bed. The gurney bed is at the approximate height of a typical hospital bed, making it easy to move a patient from the bed to the gurney. Side-rails attached to the two top sides of the frame, pivot up and are locked in position for gurney travel security.

Abstract: A wheeled tailer power unit includes a self-powered, self-contained towing servomechanism that permits selective towing and control of a trailing vehicle by a leading vehicle in the absence of a power transmitting and control umbilical between the leading vehicle and the trailer power unit, A controller included in the trailer power unit measures the relative displacement of the unit and the leading vehicle and communicates to a unit control and drive means appropriate signals to operate variable torque transmitting drive means operating the respective wheels of the trailer power unit.

Abstract: A frame isolation system is presented which enhances the ride quality of a terminal tractor. The isolation system includes an axle saddle provided with leading and trailing anti-torque links which permit the axle to move through a limited displacement to compensate for rough and uneven road surfaces. The terminal tractor includes a main frame and a rear axle, the axle saddle being rigidly coupled to the rear axle, and a resilient bumper positioned between the main frame and the axle saddle. The rear axle is also permitted to move through limited range of side to side oscillation because of the use of spherical bearings and ball joints between the anti-torque links and their respective connections with the axle saddle and the main frame.

Abstract: An alternative fuel system and compressed natural gas (CNG) conversion kit, primarily for smaller size industrial vehicles, such as compact loaders and lift trucks restricted in the space available in the engine compartment for the components of a CNG system where the vehicle was initially engineered for other fuel systems such as gasoline liquid petroleum gas (LPG) or diesel fuel having substantially fewer parts and components and less complex systems. A CNG tank is mounted horizontally outside of the engine compartment and a high pressure line connects from the tank to a regulator mounted inside the engine compartment for decompressing the gas to a pressure suitable for mixing with air in the carburetor of the engine. The CNG system has a refilling receptacle with an electrical interlock to the ignition preventing accidental drive-away.

Abstract: An agile and highly stable auto-reversing front wheel steering mechanism. Its main components include a chassis, a steering shaft, a pair of front wheels, a connecting rod, front axle end beams, steering pitch axles, king pins, and transversal pulling rods. It uses the steering shaft to turn the steering pitch axles, which then turn the two wheels through the transversal pulling rod so that the turning of an electra mobile can be agile and highly stable and an auto-reversing, by which the steering shaft will return to its original forward position after making a turn, can be achieved.

Abstract: A steering control system for a tracked vehicle having a left track and a right track, e.g., a bulldozer, assures smooth turning performance in a normal steering operation, provides a comfortable ride, and is durable. Power is transmitted to the right and left tracks via right and left drive sprockets having right and left driving shafts, with the right driving shaft being coupled to an output shaft of a speed change gear via a right clutch and a right brake, and the left driving shaft being coupled to the output shaft via a left clutch and a left brake.

Abstract: A trailer driver for moving and supporting a trailer is disclosed. A frame provides a base for supporting two downwardly facing opposing arms. A fixed bearing extends upwardly from the base and supports a vertical hitch shaft that is rotatably engaged within the bearing. A trailer hitch clamp is removably fixed to the hitch shaft and is adapted for holding a trailer hitch. The hitch shaft engaging a cover and further provides a fixed steering sprocket coaxial with the hitch shaft. A drive wheel is rotatably mounted on a horizontal axle, which is positioned between the two arms of the frame, and engages a drive sprocket for rotating therewith on the axle. An electric motor is fixed to the frame and provides a driven sprocket interconnected with the drive sprocket by a first drive belt. A drive circuit drives the motor in either a forward or reverse direction.

Abstract: An anti-theft coupler device obstructs a trailer hitch coupler to prevent undesired coupling to the tow ball of a towing vehicle. The device comprises a lock body cooperating with and obstructing front and rear facing portions of a trailer hitch coupler, a ball coupler having a resilient, smooth circular face for receipt by the trailer hitch coupler, a locking pin that locks the coupler device to the trailer hitch coupler, and a lock device for preventing access to the locking pin and the ball coupler. The lock body has upright sides with one upright side having an aperture aligned with the trailer hitch coupler for receiving the locking pin, such that the coupler device cooperates with the trailer hitch coupler to prevent undesired coupling. The lock device comprises a padlock that prevents access to the lock pin and undesired removal of the lock body from the trailer hitch coupler.

Abstract: An engine/transmission mount for a vehicle including first and second brackets, the first defining an aperture, the second having spaced legs to either side of the first bracket. An elongated bar which has ends adjacent the legs and extends through the aperture is radially expandable whenever the legs are flexed toward one another by selective application of compressive forces on the legs by operation of a compressive fastener. While prior to operation of the compressive fastener the first bracket is free to slide along the elongated bar, radial expansion of the elongated member fixes the first bracket in a desired axial position.

Abstract: An overhead screen is provided for mounting above a wheelchair. The screen has an opaque canopy that protects the wheelchair occupant from direct sunshine as well as precipitation. The canopy is held in an extended position out over the wheelchair seat by a screen framework. The framework is releasably connected to the wheelchair by means of coupling elements, which may the form of elbows that fit telescopically over the rearwardly extending handles at the back of the wheelchair which are normally provided for the purpose of allowing a companion of the wheelchair occupant to push the wheelchair.

Abstract: A front suspension for a bicycle includes lower swing arms, upper swing arms and hub plates connected to the front forks in a substantially rhomboidal arrangement, and communicating with a shock absorber through a stabilizer tube, wherein the geometries of the trapezoid are balanced to provide substantially the same trail through the travel of the suspension.

Abstract: A four-wheel steering apparatus operates such that only when the vehicle velocity is lower than a predetermined value, is the provision of the steering angle to the rear wheels electrically controlled by the steering angle sensor for the front wheels and vehicle velocity sensor while at a high-speed traveling, the provision of the steering angle to the rear wheels is performed by the compliance steering mechanism. Hence the control and stability are improved as compared with the case where the steering angle is given to the rear wheels electrically even at a high-speed traveling.

Abstract: In a vehicle safety belt system a gripping means (16) is arranged at a webbing section (10) extending between a deflection fitting (12) and the belt retractor (14). In the rest condition the webbing is led freely between the oppositely disposed clamping elements of the gripping means (16). The gripping means (16) is connected via a pulling cable (38) to a pyrotechnic or mechanical belt tightener drive. Return blocking means are formed by a cylinder (44) attached to the vehicle bodywork and a piston (42) displaceable therein, whereby the cylinder wall is deformed plastically for absorbing load peaks.

Abstract: A portable furniture and appliance mover includes a frame which has a handle on the rearward portion and a lateral load-engaging member on the forward portion. A forward projecting member engages the load longitudinally and permits application of a moment on the load about a lateral axis that is both perpendicular to the direction of motion and parallel to the incline on which the load is moved. An operable winch is mounted on a medial lateral member of the frame. The winch cable is played off of the winch and is trained around a pulley which is removably secured below the center of gravity of the load. The free end of the cable is then removably attached to a fixed point at or beyond the top of the incline.

Abstract: In a mounting arrangement for supporting a radiator in a motor vehicle the radiator is pivotally supported by a first pair of pins extending from its narrow side while a second pair of pins which is spaced from the first pair of pins is engaged by flexible holding members locating the radiator in a predetermined installation position but permitting the radiator to yield when subjected to impact forces thereby to void damage to the radiator.

Abstract: An inflatable air bag (10) for restraining an occupant (12) of a vehicle (14) has a deflated, folded condition and an inflated, unfolded condition. The air bag has layers (20, 22) defining between them an inflation volume into which gas is directed to inflate the air bag. The air bag when in the inflated and unfolded condition has upper and lower sections (30, 40). The air bag when in the deflated and folded condition has a lower end portion (60) of the air bag disposed between the layers at a location adjacent an upper end portion (50) of the air bag. The lower section of the air bag is turned inside out and located inside the upper section of the air bag. The lower section of the air bag is the final portion of the air bag to unfold when the air bag is inflated.

Abstract: A pivotable rollover bar for motor vehicles, in particular for four-seater convertibles, which, bent in the shape of a U, surrounds the rear seating area of a passenger compartment in a lowered rest position. The rollover bar can be pivoted by a drive about lateral bearings on a vehicle body, about a transverse axis of the vehicle, into a raised operative position in which its crossbar spans the interior of the passenger compartment. The rollover bar is provided on its lateral limbs with a flattened portion on the side facing the interior of the passenger compartment, this flattened portion enlarging the interior or the passenger compartment at the sides of the seat. At least one supporting tube projects from the rollover bar towards the vehicle body, the supporting tube being displaceable together with the rollover bar and being guided in a guide in the vehicle body and positioned to take up forces in the transverse direction of the vehicle.