Abstract: This invention relates to bicycle and tricycle seat posts and more particularly to shock-absorbing seat posts. This unique device, which fits in place of the conventional rigid seat post, supports the rider and absorbs all shock produced from traversing over small bumps, holes, etc., in the road. Another unique feature is that the seat is allowed to swing slightly from side to side, which not only produces a comforting effect, but also increases peddling efficiency.

Abstract: This invention relates to ground-reaction machines, such as hovercraft, and is particularly concerned with flexible enclosure arrangements, often referred to as skirts, for enclosing a fluid cushion beneath the loading platform of the machine. According to the invention, air fed into the arrangement to form the cushion, is channelled or directed by cells having walls which are linked in series along the periphery of the platform. This ensures the feed and enclosure of a single undivided central cushion at a pressure which is substantially uniform and of which the boundaries represent an auxiliary structure. In a preferred construction, each of the cells is bounded by two flexible walls, all the horizontal sections of which are of bi-convex, lenticular shape.

Abstract: A baby carrier which can be converted into an infant's stroller comprising first and second tubular frame members which are bent to form a three-sided rectangular shaped opening in order to support a baby seat. The extending ends of the first and second tubular members are connected to articulated joints so that parallel spaced apart front and rear legs can be connected to the tubular members. At the ends of the legs are provided wheels so that when the legs are opened to their fully extended position, they form a stroller for the seat. One of the tubular members includes loops which are formed as handles at the rear portion of the seat. A shoulder strap is also provided as well as a back rest which spans between the ends of the tubular members adjacent to the articulated joints.

Abstract: A mounting for the front wheels of an automobile in which the wheels are driven by spherical gears, and in which the wheels may be turned about a vertical axis to a position at 90.degree. to the normal straight forward position at least toward one side of the automobile.

Abstract: An hydraulic drive supplies power to the rear wheels of a scraper at loading speeds providing a pushing assist to the tractor engine powering the tractor wheels at the front. The drive includes a piston type motor mounted on the stinger or pusher frame of the scraper and connected through a short torque shaft to a drive axle driving the scraper wheels. A signal generator senses ground speed to maintain the motor free-wheeling at speeds attainable by the tractor which would be destructive to the motor.

Abstract: A bicycle support stand for detachable engagement with the bicycle pedal crank hub and adjacent bicycle frame element, for extending beneath the bicycle frame a sufficient distance to selectively support the bicycle upright on either its front or rear wheels. The stand is formed of a pair of metal rods joined together to form an upper frame element receiving fork and a pair of downwardly diverging legs extending transversely of and on opposite sides of the plane of the bicycle frame, with an upwardly opening support bracket joined to the rods between their ends, to receive and support the bicycle pedal crank hub. A manually applied hook engages over the bicycle frame element to releasably fasten the stand to the bicycle frame.

Abstract: A closed recirculating hydrostatic transmission system suitable for driving a traction vehicle. The system includes a pair of hydrostatic engine driven variable displacement pumps either of different displacements or engine driven at different speed ratios and each pump being operative to drive hydrostatic motors at the various wheels and in separate closed loop drive circuits such that accurate flow division as between the circuits is effected for driving the vehicle in four-wheel drive or, at the operator's selection, for driving the motors in the one closed loop circuit at a higher speed in two-wheel drive by means of the pump of larger discharge volume. An operator's control operates both pumps together within the limits of the smaller discharge pump in four-wheel drive, and operates the larger discharge pump within the limits thereof while rendering ineffective the smaller discharge pump in two-wheel drive. Valve means enables smooth transition and shifting between two and four-wheel drive at any time.

Abstract: This disclosure teaches a foldable bicycle divided into a front frame part and a rear frame part. The front frame part and the rear frame part are hingedly connected together. A front fork and steering assembly is hingedly connected to the front frame part. A saddle supporting assembly is hingedly connected to the rear frame part. Locking means are provided in operative association with each of the hinged connections.

Abstract: An air-cushion vehicle is provided with an inflatable flexible skirt of bag-like form. The bottom of the skirt defines a convex face in close proximity to the surface over which the vehicle travels so as to form an atmosphere-seeking plenum gap. The flexible skirt is impermeable except for the convex face which is perforated so as to allow skirt inflation air to bleed through the face and suppress any vibration induced by the Bernoulli effect.

Abstract: A tile laying cart comprising a simple base frame composed of a pair of elongated channel members connected in transversely spaced relationship and the opposite ends thereof comprising the forward and rearward ends of said cart, a chest and chin-supporting pad member which is narrower at the forward end than at the rearward end is mounted for vertical adjustment relative to and above the forward portion of said base frame member and the upper surface of said base frame member comprising a supporting means for a stack of tiles to dispose the same conveniently for access to the occupant of the cart. The rearward portion of the base frame member also supports a transverse knee-supporting pad member so that when a worker is disposed in kneeling position upon the knee-supporting pad member and chest-supporting pad member, the worker may propel the cart by operation of his toes while leaving both hands and arms free for manipulation incident to laying tiles.

Abstract: In combination with a bicycle having a frame, and having a seat mounted on a seat post which is removably and adjustably connected to the frame, the combination of a seat covering, for keeping the seat clean and dry when not in use, and a receptacle for the seat covering having the covering received bodily therein when not in use. The seat covering is formed of flexible non-elastic water proof sheet material and shaped to conform to the contour of the seat, and has elastic means acting on the material of the covering to gather it, along its peripheral edge, to secure the covering in engagement with the seat. The material of the covering is such that it may be rolled or folded, for storage in small space. The receptacle consists of a cylindrical container, open at one end and having a screw cap therefor, which is rigidly and removably connected to the bicycle structure and positioned rearwardly of the seat and below it, with its open end facing rearwardly for convenient access to its interior.

Abstract: An improved ball and socket joint assembly is effective to apply force to a steering system tending to return it to a straight ahead condition upon actuation of the steering system. The ball and socket assembly includes a rotatable ball which is disposed in a socket chamber. The ball is rotatably supported by a pair of seat members which engage opposite sides of the ball. A rod element extends through the center of the ball. A pair of sleeve members are urged into engagement with opposite end portions of the rod by biasing springs. Upon actuation of the steering system, the ball is rotated and the rod moves the sleeve members against the influence of the biasing springs. The force exerted on the end portions of the rod by the sleeve members applies a torque to the ball urging it back to its initial position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a cab mounted on a frame capable of vibratory, beam-like bending about at least one nodal point. To minimize the fore and aft motion of the cab caused by the vibratory bending of the frame and by pitching of the vehicle, while reducing vertical motion of the cab, one portion of the cab is resiliently mounted on the frame at or near a nodal point. Preferably, the resilient mount includes at least one pneumatic spring. Another portion of the cab is secured to the frame by a pivotal support that transmits to the cab vibratory movement of the frame at the support.

Abstract: A bicycle frame of relatively large diameter tubing formed of a light weight, high strength metal tubing, such as titanium, is provided with integral stiffeners at the top of the seat tube, the bottom of the down tube and the top of the fork blades. In larger sizes of frames, stiffeners may also be included at the bottom of the seat tube and at the top of the down tube. The placement of stiffeners at these selected locations results in overall frame stiffness characteristics not previously considered achievable without substantial increase in the weight of the frame. As an additional feature, the enlarged diameter of the down tube is reduced at appropriate locations to enable standard gear shift lever and control cable fittings to be used.

Abstract: An air cushion vehicle has a flexible skirt assembly including an inflatable bag member. When inflated, the bag member is supported by a reticulated member, so that loads acting on the bag member are transferred to the reticulated member. Preferably a buffer material is interposed between the bag member and the reticulated member to prevent chafing of the bag member by the reticulated member.

Abstract: A low coolant level protection system for a vehicle having a radiator, an engine operated by a fluid fuel, a fuel source, and a conduit connecting the fuel source with the engine, the low water protection system including a probe extending within the radiator for conductive contact with coolant when the coolant is at proper operating levels, a voltage source, and a valve positioned in the conduit between the fuel source and the engine, the valve having an electric operated closure means in series with the voltage source and probe such that when the probe has continuity with the coolant in the radiator the value is actuated to an opened position allowing unrestricted flow of fuel to the engine, and when the continuity between the probe and coolant is lost, the valve closure member is moved to the closed position allowing only a preselected restricted rate of flow of fuel to the engine such that the operator may continue to operate the vehicle but at a greatly reduced rate of speed.

Abstract: A catch bar is pivotally mounted on the rear end of a tractor and an alignment roller is mounted on the catch bar. A coupling plate is mounted on the implement to be connected. An aligning hook is secured on the coupling plate and has an opening engageable with the catch bar alignment roller so as to align vertically and horizontally the plate and its transmission shaft with the power take-off shaft on the tractor. The tractor power take-off shaft and the coupling plate power transmission shaft are provided with mutually engageable means for coupling the shafts in the vicinity of the coupling plate.

Abstract: A supporting strip to which is applied upward spring tension has an inwardly inclined heel member to be urged against the heel of a bicyclist. The heel member permits upward force on the crank of a bicycle such that driving force can be applied from each pedal to the crank most of the time during each revolution.

Abstract: The invention has to do with a system designed to support and/or guide a ground effect machine (1) along a supporting surface (2).This system consists of structure (4) carrying a load (F), a floating partition (5) holding the cushion (9) and a flexible partition (10) defining laterally between the structure (4) and the partition (5) an enclosure of suspension (13) having a variable volume which is connected with the cushion (9) through calibrated orifices (6). The enclosure of suspension (13) has a convergent-divergent configuration, for example biconic. The area of the base (S), the area (S.sub.o) at the level of the collar (15) and the angle (.theta.) of the enclosure (13) are predetermined and remain constant.

Abstract: A suspension system for a bicycle having a frame with rearward and forward ends and a fork means rotatably mounted on the forward end thereof and having a pair of downwardly extending fork arms. A pair of arms are pivotally secured to the lower ends of the fork arms and extend forwardly therefrom. A wheel is rotatably secured to and is positioned between the pair of arms. A pair of spring support rods are pivotally secured at their lower ends to the pair of arms and extend upwardly and rearwardly therefrom. A bracket is secured to the fork and extends forwardly therefrom and has the spring support rods movably extending therethrough. An upper pair of springs are mounted on the upper ends of the spring support rods above the bracket and are maintained thereon by acorn nuts or the like. A lower pair of springs are mounted on the spring support rods below the bracket and are maintained in position by an adjustable clamp means secured to and extending between the spring support rods.