Abstract: A vehicle electric drive system has an internal combustion engine which drives an electric generator. The generator powers a motor which drives the wheels. The system has operator controls including a speed control member movable from a zero speed position to a high speed position, an FNR direction control member having forward, neutral and reverse positions. The system also includes a wheel speed sensor and an electronic control unit. Upon startup, the control unit senses the position of the direction control member, senses wheel speed, and senses position of the speed control member. The controller prevents vehicle operation if the direction control member is not in its neutral position, or the sensed wheel speed is not close to zero, or the speed control member is not near its zero speed position. The controller permits vehicle operation if the direction control member is in its neutral position, and the sensed wheel speed is close to zero, and the speed control member is near its zero speed position.

Abstract: A frame structure of a vehicle includes a flywheel housing, an intermediate housing and a transmission case that are connected to each other along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle to constitute a vehicle frame with an inner space for accommodating a running-power transmission path for transmitting power from an engine to drive wheels via a HST unit. The flywheel housing has a first end connected to the engine and a second open end opposite to the first end along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The intermediate housing has a hollow shape with a first end and a second end located along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The first end has an abutting surface against which the second end of the flywheel housing abuts, a support surface located radially inwardly of the abutting surface so as to support the HST unit, and an opening surrounded by the support surface. The opening serves as a first-end opening of the intermediate housing along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

Abstract: An accessory cart having a J-shaped frame for removable mounting of a spray gun to convert a conventional airless paint sprayer into a line striper to paint lines on parking lots, curbs, warehouse floors and other pavement surfaces, and which can alternately be used in conjunction with a traditional line striper in cramped spaces or between parked cars, and which is easily converted from a 3-wheeled device to a 2-wheeled device for painting curved lines, and which permits adjustable positioning of the spray gun at a desired location on the cart to optimize the spray pattern in a particular application.

Abstract: Apparatus 10 for a skateboard deck 14 connected to a skateboard carriage 22 by means of a rotative mechanism 24 positioned between the deck and carriage. The carriage 22 is comprised of a platform having the trucks and wheels 18 mounted thereunder with fasteners fixedly positioning a bearing insert 34 and carriage retaining ring 32 to the top side of the platform. The deck 14 has a friction ring 30 fixed to the underside with fasteners 28 passing through the deck and friction ring into the carriage retaining ring thereby enabling the deck to rotate relative to the carriage 22. Additionally fastened to the underside of the deck 14 are pivot brakes or segments 16 positioned on opposing ends of the deck 14 and within the perimeter of the carriage platform. Once the carriage platform 22 and deck 14 are relatively aligned, a user 12 shifts their weight causing the segments 16 to engage the carriage ending or preventing any further rotation of the deck relative to the carriage.

Abstract: To provide a fuel cell vehicle in which a fuel cylinder and a fuel cell stack are arranged so that the barycentric position is kept low and load is appropriately shared between the front and rear wheels. The fuel cylinder is mounted further forward than a seat, at a recumbent attitude inclined such that the shut-off valve side faces to the rear and the shut-off valve end is higher than the other end. The fuel cell box is positioned below the fuel cylinder between the pair of left and right lower frames and is fixed by being suspended from brackets provided at two places on the left and right upper frames, so as to overlap and run along a line connecting a rotational axis of the front wheel FW and the rotational axis of the rear wheel.

Abstract: A device for retaining a boot on a board adapted to a sporting activity, and a boot therefor. The device includes a base, a lateral edge, a rear support element, and at least one linkage for holding the boot above the base. The edge and the rear support element each have an inner surface. One or several of the inner surfaces of the device has at least one friction plate that projects at least partially with respect to the inner surface, the friction plate being provided at least to oppose a movement of the boot in relation to the base.

Abstract: A snowmobile has a pair of steering skis. Each ski has an elongated primary section that has a bottom surface. The bottom surface extends generally horizontally and warps upward at a forwardly end. A keel section extends along the primary section. The keel section projects downwardly from the primary section. A pair of generally vertical sections extends along the primary section. Each generally vertical section has a generally vertical surface that extends upwardly from a side edge of the bottom surface of the primary section. In one embodiment, a pair of generally horizontal sections extends along the primary section. Each horizontal section has a generally horizontal surface that extends generally horizontally outward from a top end of the generally vertical surface of each generally vertical section.

Abstract: A moveable ball cart having a lower receptacle and an upper receptacle vertically stacked and spaced, with the top of each being open. Each of the receptacles is accessible through its top and through a vertically hinged door in a sidewall that pivots horizontally. The receptacles also have a floor sloped toward the door, to facilitate removal of balls from the cart.

Abstract: A transporter for foldable tents is provided. The transporter comprises a case and a transport device for folded-up tents. The case is connected to an L-profile. The L-profile comprises a vertical plate and a horizontal plate. The horizontal plate engages below the tent while the vertical plate is releasably connected to the case. The tent is rigidly held together by way of a strip which extends around the tent in a horizontal plane. Generally, two wheels are used for the transport. The wheels are provided at two sides of the transporter. The wheels may be kept in a chamber near the very top of the case. The packed tent is pulled or pushed in a slanted position. The transporter allows the foldable tent to be transported and stored easily. Also, the erection and packing of the tent may be accomplished by only a single person.

Abstract: Skate boot apparatuses, a skate, and a method are provided. A base including an upper face configured to receive a wearer's foot and a lower face configured to structurally support a skate mechanism is provided. An integral upper support is provided, the integral upper support extending upwardly from the base to a point above an ankle of the wearer, the integral support having a varying rigidity decreasing from a high rigidity near the base to a low rigidity near the point above the ankle of the wearer.

Abstract: A motorized apparatus for towing a wheelchair includes a framework, a handle assembly, a motor driving assembly and a wheelchair connecting assembly. The framework includes a chassis. The handle assembly is adjustably mounted on the chassis. The motor driving assembly is mounted on the chassis and includes a wheel assembly with a single wheel rotatably mounted on the chassis, a combined clutch and brake assembly connected to the wheel assembly, a motor assembly connected to the combined clutch and brake assembly to drive the single wheel assembly through the combined clutch and brake assembly and a one-hand operated battery assembly coupled electrically to the motor assembly to drive the control unit and the motor assembly. The wheelchair connecting assembly interconnects the framework to a wheelchair. Consequently, the motorized apparatus will tow the wheelchair along a path, road and so on.

Abstract: A scooter includes a platform and at least three casters. The platform has a horizontal top surface and at least one vertical side surface extending downwardly from the top surface. The casters extend downwardly to support the platform when the platform rolls. The scooter also comprises a horizontal flange and a vertical flange. The horizontal flange extends away from the vertical side surface. The vertical flange extends from the horizontal flange. The vertical side surface, the horizontal flange and the vertical flange define a groove adapted to receive a mating tongue on a second scooter. This provides an integral, low-profile tongue-and-groove type of connection between two or more scooters.

Abstract: A stroller includes a wheel, a rotation control device mounted above the wheel, and a wire control device mounted on a position that facilitates operation of a user and connected to the rotation control device to lock and unlock the rotation control device between. Thus, the wire control device is mounted on a position that facilitates operation of the user, so that the user directly controls rotation of the wheel, thereby facilitating the user controlling the moving direction of the stroller.

Abstract: A mechanic's creeper (10) includes a pad (12) supported between a plurality of side rails (14) by a plurality of crossbars (15). The side rails (14) are of tear-shaped cross section such that no sharp edges are provided adjacent to the pad (12) held between the side rails (14). The pad (12), side rails (14), and crossbars (15) are held off the ground by a plurality of caster assemblies (20). The caster assemblies (20) are connected only to the bottom surface (16) of the side rails (14) such that no protrusion is created on the top surface (17) of the side rails (14). Specifically, each of the caster assemblies (20) is connected to an associated side rail (14) by a rivet nut (54) that communicates only with the bottom surface (16) of side rail (14). The caster assemblies (20) further include rolling elements (24, 26) and bearing races (32, 34) that allow the caster assemblies (20) to rotate about the axis of a kingpin (42).

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission circuit for a vehicle having at least two displacement members (12) driven by at least one hydraulic motor (10) having a feed main duct and a discharge main duct (16, 18). Skid control means for controlling skidding of at least one displacement member comprise a skid control valve (20) and an additional valve (22) that are disposed in parallel on a main duct (16). At least the skid control valve (20) has a constriction of variable section, while the additional valve has two end positions (22A, 22B), in which its through sections are respectively at their maximum and at their minimum. Control means (UC, 26, 28) make it possible to cause said valves to move as a function of a skid situation detected by detection means (24).

Abstract: A direction-limiting device for a stroller includes a mounting seat, a wheel assembly, and a direction-limiting device. The mounting seat includes a base coupled to a frame of a stroller. The wheel assembly includes a frame having a positioning hole. The direction-limiting mechanism includes a press button and a positioning member. When the press button is in an initial position, a lower end of the positioning member is disengaged from the positioning hole to allow free pivotal movement of the wheel assembly relative to the base. When the press button is pressed and then released, the lower end of the positioning member is engaged in the positioning hole, allowing joint movement of the wheel assembly and the base. Thus, even moving on a rugged road or hitting a bump on a road, the stroller will move straightly forward or rearward without the risk of turning over.

Abstract: A mobile storage unit is disclosed. The mobile storage unit comprises at least two structural frames, a seat portion coupled to the at least two structural frames, a handle assembly coupled to the seat portion, a bottom panel coupled to the at least two structural frames whereby a storage area is created below the seat portion, above the bottom portion and between the at least two structural frames and at least two wheels coupled to the bottom panel. Through the use of the present invention, the potential for back problems that are associated with the use of the traditional backpack is eliminated. Additionally, the mobile storage unit provides an easily accessible storage area for the user/student in the case where no locker is provided. Furthermore, the mobile storage unit incorporates a seat portion which allows a user to utilize the mobile storage unit as a seat in situations where one is needed yet not available.

Abstract: A heavy duty wheeled vehicle for an industrial environment is electrically driven by one or more switched reluctance motor traction drive system connected to the wheels. The switched reluctance motors are powered by an electrical generator that is driven by an engine, such as a diesel engine, which may run at a substantially constant RPM. A digital control system provides operator displays and controls power conversion from the generator, as well as providing maintenance and control functions for the switched reluctance motors. A heavy-duty hoisting apparatus electrically drives a hoisting mechanism using an SR motor, providing power for lifting a load. The heavy-duty hoisting apparatus may include an engine and generator or provide power to the SR motor from an external source.

Abstract: A mobility aid, such as a wheelchair or walker, includes first and second structural members and a fastener for connecting the members together. A washer has first and second portions connected by a bridge portion, each with a fastener opening for receiving the fastener. The washer is self-supporting on a structural member to take the place of two individual washers. A method of connecting first and second connecting members to a frame member of a personal mobility aid includes placing a washer on the frame member so that the washer has first and second portions spaced apart on opposite sides of the frame member; placing the first and second connecting members adjacent the first and second portions of the washer; and fastening the connecting members and the frame member and the washer together with a fastener.

Abstract: A retaining arrangement, including a support arm is proposed, by means of which an operating unit is connected with a vehicle. The retaining arrangement includes a safety device which operates such that, as long as a predetermined condition is not fulfilled, the connection of the operating unit with the vehicle is maintained. The operating unit is connected with the support arm in such a way that the operating unit can pivot with respect to the support arm about at least one axis provided with at least one vertical component that is arranged in a generally central region of the operating unit, when the safety device frees the connection.