Abstract: An apparatus for moving a wheelchair, the apparatus having a base including a drive motor drivingly connected to a drive wheel and a first forwardly extending lower arm member engageable with the wheelchair when the wheelchair is in the engageable position. The first lower arm member is operable between a lowered position in which the first lower arm member is disengaged from the wheelchair and a raised position in which the first lower arm engages the wheelchair. The first lower arm member has a first stop member whereby, when the first lower arm member is in the raised position and engages the wheelchair, and when the wheelchair is on a forwardly extending declined surface, the first stop member inhibits forward motion of the wheelchair.

Abstract: The drivetrain system includes an I shield, two motors, two A-shields, and a gearset. Each A-shield is affixed to a respective one of the two motors, and each A-shield is also affixed to the I-shield. The gearset includes a motor shaft of one of the motors and a motor gear affixed to the motor shaft. Three motor bearings are arranged co-linearly and coupled to the motor shaft. The gearset also includes an intermediate shaft and a wheel gear affixed to the intermediate shaft and engaged with the first motor gear. A pinion gear is also affixed to the intermediate shaft. Two intermediate bearings are arranged co-linearly and coupled to the intermediate shaft. The gearset also includes a drive shaft and a drive gear affixed to the drive shaft and engaged with the first pinion gear. The motor shaft, intermediate shaft and drive shaft form a shaft angle that may allow compactness.

Abstract: An automated trailer coupling arrangement includes a receiver member supported on a towed vehicle and including pneumatic and electrical couplers, a shuttle member including pneumatic and electrical couplers configured to couple to pneumatic and electrical supply sources and a control arm assembly supported on a towing vehicle and including a carrier member configured to operably couple and uncouple with the shuttle member, and an actuator coupled to the carrier member configured to move the carrier between a first position where the carrier member is coupled with the shuttle member and the shuttle member is spaced from the receiver member, and a second position where the second pneumatic coupler is coupled with the first pneumatic coupler and the second electrical coupler is coupled with the first electrical coupler and the carrier is uncoupled and spaced from the shuttle member.

Abstract: A steering device includes: a rack shaft; a rack housing; a pinion shaft that meshes with the rack shaft; a speed reducer having a worm wheel that is coupled to the pinion shaft and a worm shaft that meshes with the worm wheel; a speed reducer housing; a motor that drives the worm shaft; a plate-shaped cover that seals an opening of the speed reducer housing; and a breather valve that is mounted on the cover in a state of penetrating through the cover. An inner surface of the cover that faces the worm wheel has an entry restricting part that restricts entry of a lubricant into the breather valve.

Abstract: An electrical power assistance device designed to be removably coupled to existing transport wheelchairs to provide electric power to aid in transportation of a person sitting in the wheelchair, while being detachable to allow the transport chair to fold up for easy storage in a car or other vehicle. The electrical power assistance device includes a motor powered by a rechargeable battery, where the motor drives an internal shaft which rotates a pair of friction wheels. A clutch, provided on a separate axle coupled to the friction wheels by eccentric disks, allows the friction wheels to engage or disengage with the rear wheels of the transport wheelchair.

Abstract: New mobility components are provided that can enable a vehicle to traverse difficult terrain. In a particular aspect, vehicle leg components are provided that utilize unique degrees of freedom that can facilitate mobility. In a further aspect, vehicles are provided that contain such components.

Abstract: A selectable and height-adjustable hitch apparatus for towing comprising an elongated shank received by a vehicle attached to an upper bracket with pentagonal opposing vertical support arms with pinholes for angular adjustment of the elongate shaft to the upper bracket. An upper tube integral with the upper bracket in telescopic relation to at least one lower or middle tube and adjustable in length by aligned pinholes. A lower bracket integral with a lower tube receiving a ball mount, wherein the ball mount is angularly and height adjustable via the tow-hitch apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to a fifth wheel hitch and method of using a fifth wheel hitch that is mounted to a bed of a towing vehicle, and more specifically, to a fifth wheel hitch that is vertically secured to a kingpin of a fifth wheel trailer without requiring the use of adapters or extensions. One aspect of the fifth wheel hitch and method of use includes a hitch head assembly that is adjustable in height such that the fifth wheel hitch is compatible with different sizes of towing vehicles and fifth wheel trailers. The hitch head assembly also incorporates a funnel shaped design for receiving the kingpin of the fifth wheel trailer in a vertical fashion to prevent the kingpin from sliding horizontally out of the hitch head after being pulled forward by the towing vehicle. A four-way pivot joint accommodates instantaneous variations in pitch and/or roll attitudes between the towing vehicle and the fifth wheel trailer connected by the fifth wheel hitch.

Abstract: A front wheel pivoting assembly for a bicycle allowing for a front wheel of the bicycle to be articulated includes a bracket, a secondary head tube, a pivot unit, and a controller. The bracket and controller are mountable to an integral head tube and a handlebar, respectively, of a frame of a bicycle lacking a front fork assembly and a handlebar stem. Lower and upper ends of the secondary head tube engage the front fork assembly and the handlebar stem, respectively. A hinge is engaged to and extends between the bracket and the secondary head tube. The pivot unit is engaged to the bracket and is operationally engaged to the secondary head tube, allowing for reversible positioning of the secondary head tube. The controller selectively actuates the pivot unit, allowing a user to pull back and to push forward on the handlebar to extend and retract, respectively, the front wheel.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus includes a steering mechanism, an electric motor, a torque signal generator, a column angular position signal generator and a signal processing unit. The steering mechanism operatively connects a steering wheel to the road wheels of the vehicle. The electric motor may be operatively connected to the steering mechanism. The torque signal generator may produce a torque signal indicative of the torque carried by a portion of the steering mechanism. The column angular position signal generator may produce a column angle signal indicative of the angular position of the steering wheel or steering column. The signal processing unit may receive the column torque signal and the column angle signal and may produce therefrom a torque demand signal representative of a torque to be applied to the steering mechanism by the motor.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle has a tailgate. The tailgate has a framework to secure CNG tanks. A cover overlays the frame work to provide an aesthetic appearance to the vehicle.

Abstract: A riding lawn care vehicle may include a frame, a steering assembly, a first brake assembly, and a first biasing assembly. A first drive wheel and a second drive wheel of the riding lawn care vehicle are operably coupled to the frame. The steering assembly includes a first steering lever and a second steering lever. The first and second steering levers are operably coupled to corresponding ones of the first and second drive wheels via a first hydraulic motor and a second hydraulic motor, respectively, to facilitate turning of the riding lawn care vehicle based on drive speed control of the first and second drive wheels responsive to positioning of the first and second steering levers to control the first and second hydraulic motors. The first brake assembly is operably coupled to the first hydraulic motor to enable a braking force to be selectively applied to a motor shaft of the first hydraulic motor responsive to movement of the first steering lever from an inboard position to an outboard position.

Abstract: A retractable storage device for an armrest of a chair, including a vertically extending arm assembly including a first distal end and a second distal end, a horizontally extending arm assembly including a first distal end and a second distal end, a middle connector, and a storage container. The second distal end of the vertically extending arm assembly is pivotally secured to the middle connector, and the first distal end of the horizontally extending arm assembly is pivotally secured to the middle connector. The retractable storage device is moveable between a stowed position and a raised position. The storage container is coupled to the second distal end of the horizontally extending arm assembly, where the storage container is stowed beneath the armrest when the retractable storage device is moved to the stowed position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a main body configured to allow a user to ride on the main body, two driving wheels rotatably coupled to the main body, and a controlling wheel part rotatably coupled to the main body to control a direction of the vehicle in which the main body travels at a specific drive velocity by making contact with a ground surface to rotate about a vertical direction in a three-wheel mode. The main body includes a seat part formed to receive the user in a seated position, a steering part configured to obtain an inclination degree to perform steering based on the inclination degree in which the user seated on the seat part is inclined, in the three-wheel mode, and a post configured to connect the steering part with the seat part.

Abstract: A levelling assembly is provided, for levelling an upper carriage assembly of a machine with respect to an undercarriage assembly having a first track roller frame and the second track roller frame. A levelling body is rotatably coupled to the first track roller frame and the second track roller frame and defines a first side and a second side laterally opposite to the first side. The levelling assembly includes a first pair of fluid actuators for movably coupling first side of the levelling body with the first track roller frame and a second pair of fluid actuators for movably coupling second side of the levelling body with the second track roller frame. The first and the second pair of fluid actuators move the levelling body between a fore tilted position and an aft tilted position relative to the first and the second track roller frames.

Abstract: A vehicle propulsion system for maximizing power output, comprising: a frame; a first crankset and second crankset securably attached to the frame; a first sprocket wheel and second sprocket wheel attached to the first crankset and second crankset; a first pedal arm and second pedal arm attached to the first crankset and second crankset each having a pedal; a first chain and second chain disposed on the first sprocket wheel and second sprocket wheel, and the chain connecting to a wire on one end and a spring and wire on the other end; and a series of springs and wires attached to the distal ends of the first chain and second chain and disposed on a series of pulleys and sprockets.

Abstract: A hydraulic steering arrangement (1) comprising a supply port arrangement having a pressure port and a tank port, a working port arrangement having two working ports (L, R), a mechanical steering unit (3) connected to a steering wheel (2) and being arranged between the supply port arrangement and the working port arrangement (L, R), supply valve means (12) having a connection to the pressure port and to the working port arrangement (L, R) and being controlled by a controller (10), and a steering wheel sensor (9) connected to the controller (10) is described. Such a steering arrangement could allow a comfortable feeling for the driver.

Abstract: Powered patient support apparatuses—such as beds, cots, stretchers, or the like—include a plurality of user controls that allow a caregiver to control the steering and/or driving of one or more powered wheels from multiple different locations around the patient support apparatus (e.g. head end, foot end, and/or the sides). The control is carried out by force sensors that detect both an orientation of the applied forces and a magnitude of the applied forces. Translational and/or rotational movement is effectuated, depending upon the magnitude and direction of the forces, as well as the physical location of the applied force relative to a reference point on the support apparatus, such as the center. One or more object sensors may also be included in the support apparatus to assist in steering and/or navigating.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus having independent turning mechanisms for respective four wheels of a vehicle, has a problem in that, when a turning motor fails, a turning mechanism for a corresponding wheel stops functioning, resulting in reduction in the maneuverability and the stability of the vehicle. Turning motors of turning mechanisms independently disposed for respective four wheels of a vehicle, each have a redundant configuration. Specifically, each turning motor is configured as three-phase duplexing motors having two three-phase windings and two inverters for separately driving the three-phase windings.

Abstract: An assembly includes a vehicle frame, a base fixed relative to the vehicle frame, and a hook supported by the base and rotatable relative to the base between an extended position and a retracted position. One of the hook or the base has a flange and the other of the hook or the base has a pair of extensions. The flange is between the extensions. A post is fixed relative to the flange and engages both extensions. A spring is connected to the post and one of the extensions. The spring is positioned to bias the hook toward the extended position.