Abstract: A drawbar hitch mechanism has a fore-and-aft extending receiver, a gearbox assembly coupled to the receiver and a tongue assembly attached to the gearbox assembly. A first pivot mechanism couples the receiver with the gearbox assembly for side-to-side movement about a longitudinal axis of the receiver. A draft arm is configured to disperse draft loads between the tongue assembly and the receiver. A second pivot mechanism couples the gearbox assembly and the draft arm. The second pivot mechanism is oriented such that it pivots about an upright axis such that the gearbox assembly and second pivot mechanism enable pivoting movement of the tongue assembly relative the receiver.

Abstract: A rack drive assembly adapted for use in the vehicle electric power steering assembly includes a steering member operatively connected to a vehicle steering wheel; an electric motor for effecting axial movement of the steering member upon rotation of the vehicle steering wheel; a planetary gear assembly operatively coupled to the electric motor; and a pinion assembly operatively disposed between the planetary gear assembly and the steering member whereby operation of the electric motor is operative to effect axial movement of the steering member, wherein the electric motor includes an output shaft which defines a motor axis and the pinion assembly includes an output shaft which defines a pinion axis, wherein the pinion axis is coaxial with the motor axis and perpendicular with respect to an axis of the steering member.

Abstract: A cylinder assembly may include a cylinder end having a cylinder end opening, a cylinder barrel, a piston, a rod, and a shaft. An opening through the piston forms a sleeve passing through a portion of the piston. The rod extends out of the cylinder barrel and is configured to rotate with respect to the cylinder barrel and the cylinder end. An opening in the rod further forms the sleeve passing through an interior portion of the rod. A protruding end of the shaft passes through the cylinder end opening. A portion of the shaft has a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-section of the sleeve. The protruding end of the shaft is free to rotate within the cylinder end opening in response to a rotation of the rod. The shaft is free to slide within the sleeve in response to an extension or retraction of the rod.

Abstract: A tricycle includes a frame, a front fork connected to the frame, two rear forks each comprising a shank connected to the frame and two prongs extending from the shank, a front wheel rotationally connected to the front fork, two rear wheels each rotationally connected to the prongs of a corresponding one of the rear forks, and a steering mechanism connected to a selected one of the rear forks. There is a distance between an axis of the shank of each of the rear forks and a vertical line in which a center of the corresponding rear wheel rests when the rear wheels are laid on the ground.

Abstract: A mobile farm implement includes a track assembly with a plurality of arms that are pivotally coupled to support idler wheels and bogie wheels such that the track assembly is able to better conform to the terrain when the implement is towed behind a tractor or otherwise moved.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus includes: a worm gear; a worm wheel that is connected to the worm gear; a second bearing that rotatably supports the worm gear; a coil spring that biases the second bearing in a preload direction to push the worm gear against the worm wheel; a bearing case that supports the second bearing, and guides the movement of the second bearing along the preload direction; and a shock absorbing member that is provided at a location. The second bearing moves in an opposite direction of the preload direction to be brought into contact with the shock absorbing member at the location.

Abstract: A transport system for a wind turbine nacelle is provided. The transport system comprises a first trailer and a second trailer, as well as a first leg arrangement attached to a front end or a rear end of the nacelle and a second leg arrangement attached to a bottom portion of the nacelle. A bridge assembly interconnects the first trailer and the second trailer and is fixed to the first leg arrangement and to the second leg arrangement to define a stable frame suspended between the first trailer and the second trailer for the nacelle.

Abstract: A manual wheelchair including a frame, a drive wheel connected to the frame, having a first axis of rotation and configured to rotate relative to the frame, a push rim connected to the frame, having a second axis of rotation extending substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation of the drive wheel and configured to rotate relative to the frame, wherein the second axis of rotation of the push rim is offset from the first axis of rotation of the drive wheel in a direction orthogonal to the first axis of rotation of the drive wheel, and a transmission configured to transmit rotation of the push rim to rotation of the drive wheel. Additionally, the wheelchair may also include multispeed fixed-gear hubs for propulsion on different terrain and removable or rotatable push rims for easier transfers.

Abstract: A cover for a hydraulic master cylinder. The cover includes an interface configured to sealingly engage with a master cylinder body to jointly define a hydraulic fluid reservoir. An electronic display unit is positioned at least partially within the cover and viewable from outside the cover.

Abstract: A four-wheel drive vehicle includes an engine, a transmission provided on a power transmission path between a main drive wheel and a subsidiary drive wheel, and a connection-disconnection mechanism provided on a power transmission path between the transmission and the subsidiary drive wheel to selectively connect and disconnect the power transmission path. A control device for the four-wheel drive vehicle includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to control a transmission torque of the transmission to be less than or equal to a predetermined value when a predetermined condition is satisfied during traveling, and to control the connection-disconnection mechanism so as to at least partially overlap a time during which the transmission torque of the transmission is controlled to be less than or equal to the predetermined value and a time during which the power transmission path is disconnected by the connection-disconnection mechanism.

Abstract: A rig movement and rotation assembly, which includes a first pair of vertical lifting jacks and a second pair of vertical lifting jacks. Each of the vertical lifting jacks has an upper end connected to a rig substructure and a lower end. A roller assembly is connected to the lower end of each of the vertical lifting jacks with each roller assembly rotatable on an axis. A steering cam arm bracket extends from each roller assembly. A first connecting link joins the steering cam arm brackets from the first pair of lifting jacks together and a second connecting link joins the steering cam arm brackets from the second pair of lifting jacks together. An actuator extends or retracts the length of each of the connecting links. A skid jack for each of the vertical lifting jacks engages with the roller assembly.

Abstract: An automobile-RV trailer hitch, the first half of which is securely mounted to the rear underside of the automobile, and the second half of which is securely mounted to the underside of the trailer. When the trailer is attached to the automobile, the two hitch halves interlock. A locking rod is inserted horizontally to cause the hitch to act as a single unit. Horizontal rotation is prevented, but the trailer is able to pivot vertically around the locking rod to compensate for the trailer going over bumps in the road.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assembly comprising —an axle (1), —a steering pivot (2) mounted on the axle (1), —a wheel spindle (3) mounted on the pivot (2), —a hydraulic motor and a wheel mounted on said spindle (3), such that the spindle (3) is pivotally mounted relative to the axle (1), the axle (1), the spindle (3) and the pivot (2) being provided with communicating hydraulic pipes to supply the hydraulic motor with fluid, the hydraulic pipes being arranged in the axle (1), the pivot (2) and the spindle, the pivot (2) comprising a shaft member fitted in the axle (1) about which the spindle (3) is fitted, the axle (1) and the spindle (3) each comprising grooves connected respectively to the hydraulic pipes of the axle (1) and the spindle (3) in such a way as to form the rotating joint with the hydraulic pipes of the pivot (2).

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic power steering apparatus for an environment-friendly vehicle and a method of controlling the same is provided. In particular, a gear box assists in a steering force of a steering wheel, and a reservoir tank stores hydraulic oil therein. An electro-hydraulic power pump pumps the hydraulic oil via an electric motor to supply the hydraulic oil to the gear box. A first valve is mounted to a hydraulic line through which the hydraulic oil flows from the electro-hydraulic power pump to the gear box, and a second valve is mounted to a hydraulic line through which the hydraulic oil returns from the gear box to the reservoir tank.

Abstract: A ball mount head has a pivotable connection to a shank portion of a weight distribution hitch. A tilt selector receives a bolt through a hole and is connected to one of the shank portion and the ball mount head with two pegs extending into two of at least three connection points on the ball mount head. An operator selects which two out of the connection points to use, which determines and sets the location of the tilt selector bolt hole relative to the ball mount head, which in turn determines and sets the angular position of the ball mount head relative to the shank portion when the bolt is tightened.

Abstract: A surveillance module may be deployed from a vehicle. The vehicle to deploy the surveillance module includes a first portion configured to accommodate a user to operate the vehicle. A second portion includes a module configured to accommodate the user and comprising a roof and an entrance accessible through an interior of the vehicle from the first portion. The second portion also includes a lifting mechanism coupled to the module and operable to move the module vertically from a retracted position to an extended position. A third portion defines an opening to accommodate the module, wherein the roof of the module couples to a periphery of the opening in the retracted position.

Abstract: A vehicle having a rear fender disposed above a rear wheel and formed of a plate member having an upward projecting shape, includes a cover member which covers a portion of a lower open part of the rear fender on a lateral side of the rear wheel. The rear fender and the cover member are provided as separate bodies to keep the moldability of the rear fender favorable. The mud-guard performance can be enhanced by covering part of the lower open part of the rear fender by the cover member. Such configuration provides a vehicle in which the mud-guard performance can be enhanced while keeping the moldability of a rear fender favorable.

Abstract: A forged head pipe for a motorcycle frame is integrally formed and includes a main frame attachment portion, a pipe portion, and a lower extension extending downwardly from the pipe portion. A down frame attachment portion is provided on the lower extension, and is spaced away from the main frame attachment portion and the pipe portion. A down frame is welded to the down frame attachment portion by contacting the same without inserting the same. The down frame attachment portion is configured from a connecting portion, extending in parallel to the pipe portion, and an extension extending rearwardly from a lower end portion of the connecting portion. By eliminating an insertion socket, manufacturing cost is reduced, and welding quality is improved by spacing the down frame downwardly below the main frame attachment portion and the pipe portion, to which a high load is applied.

Abstract: A wheelchair leg-rest adapter is configured to attach to a wheelchair using mounting features functionally compatible with those of a leg rest suitable for the wheelchair, and having mounting features functionally compatible with those of a wheelchair suitable for the leg rest. The leg-rest mounting features are pivotally connected to the structure comprising the wheelchair mounting features, so that a leg rest attached to the former can rotate relative to a wheelchair attached to the latter. The adapter further comprises an adjustment mechanism to move an effective pivot point between the leg-rest and wheelchair mounting features at least in a vertical direction, to bring the pivot point near the knee of a user of the wheelchair.

Abstract: A control system includes a transfer. The transfer is disposed in a power transmission path between the driving power source and primary driving wheels and distributes dynamic power of the driving power source to the secondary drive wheels. A driving power transmission shaft transmits the dynamic power of the driving power source distributed by the transfer to the secondary drive wheels. A clutch mechanism is disposed in a power transmission path between the transfer and the driving power transmission shaft. A electronic control unit engages at least one of a first and second clutches and then engages the clutch mechanism on the basis of a steering state at the time of switching from a two-wheel-drive traveling state in which the clutch mechanism and the first and second clutches are disengaged to a four-wheel-drive traveling state in which the clutch mechanism and the first and second clutches are engaged.