Abstract: A road vehicle utilizes hydraulic machines for primary and accessory vehicle drive functions. An internal combustion engine directly drives a first variable capacity hydraulic machine selectively operable as pump or motor, an electric machine electrically coupled to a storage battery is selectively operable as motor or generator and is mechanically coupled to a second hydraulic machine operable as pump or motor, and at least one hydraulic drive motor is coupled to a vehicle drive wheel. A controller regulates the capacity of the first hydraulic machine, and controls the functionality of the first and second hydraulic machines to selectively crank the engine or charge the storage battery. The first hydraulic machine also supplies hydraulic fluid to accessory drive motors including a power steering drive motor, an air compressor drive motor and a supercharger drive motor.

Abstract: A walk-behind self-propelled working machine includes an engine disposed with a crankshaft extending vertically in a downward direction and a cylinder disposed horizontally, and a generator having a drive shaft disposed vertically downward. The drive shaft of the generator and the crankshaft of the engine have respective axes that are disposed on a line perpendicular to an axis of the cylinder, as viewed in plan. The crankshaft and the drive shaft are connected together via a power transmitting mechanism.

Abstract: An improved wheelbarrow in a disassembled condition is disposed in a carton that conforms substantially with the orthogonal dimensions of a tray of the wheelbarrow. The other components of the wheelbarrow comprise a frame subassembly, a pair of handle members, a wheel, an axle, and a number of fasteners, and these other components are disposed substantially entirely within an interior of the tray within the carton, such as during shipping and storage. The wheelbarrow is assembled by removing the wheelbarrow components from the carton, pivoting a pair of riser members of the frame subassembly with respect to a frame member of the frame subassembly, and attaching the pair of handle members to the frame member and to the riser members. The tray and the wheel are mounted to the riser members.

Abstract: A steerable inline skate which allows user to change direction more easily and reduce the abrasion of wheels to thus lengthen the life of the wheels by allowing front and rear wheels 30 and 50 among a plurality of wheels arranged in a line to be steered within a predetermined angle utilizing the structure of a trapezoidal linkage.

Abstract: A sliding device for snow is provided with a supporting slide (1) and a turning slide (2) arranged in front of the supporting slide. The smallest portion of said turning slide (2) is wider than the widest portion of the supporting slide (1). The ground contact portion (2a) of said turning slide spreads out forward and is essentially a trapezoid-like plate. The largest width of this ground contact portion is about 1.01–1.1 times the smallest width of the ground contact portion.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments of the present invention utilize the internal combustion engine of a hybrid vehicle, coupled with an energy storage device and series of inverters to provide electrical power generation capability for an electric power take-off (EPTO) system. Additional embodiments of the present invention utilize an existing on-board AC induction motor to provide filtering capability for the generated AC power.

Abstract: A system for a hydraulically driven vehicle includes a pump producing fluid flow at an outlet, pump-motors having variable flow rates for driving the wheels, a hydraulic rail having a pressure and connecting the pump and the pump-motors, sensors producing signals representing rail pressure, pump-motor speed, pump-motor displacement, and a controller for determining a target hydraulic system parameter, determining, based at least in part on the flow rate of the pump-motor, rail pressure, and a flow rate produced by the engine-pump, a flow rate produced by the engine-pump that is required to produce the target system parameter, and adjusting an engine operating parameter of a cylinder-pump bank such that the demanded magnitude of the system parameter is produced.

Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a rear frame, a rear axle fastened with the rear frame, a rear wheel mounted on the rear axle, and a driving mechanism mounted on the rear frame to drive both ends of the rear axle. The driving mechanism has a first motor for driving one end of the rear axle in conjunction with a first driven member and a first transmission member, and a second motor for driving the other end of the rear axle in conjunction with a second driven member and a second transmission member.

Abstract: A vehicular distance to a preceding vehicle is controlled on the basis of a mixed combination of a longer range radar sensor and shorter range microwave sensors.

Abstract: An inverter apparatus includes a liquid path in which cooling water flows, and in which the cooling water performs cooling at a cooling part located directly underneath the power circuit part of the inverter apparatus. The liquid path includes a first partial structure part formed between a feed pipe and the cooling part, and having a liquid path cross-sectional profile that is gradually reduced in the short-side direction of the cooling part and that is gradually enlarged in the long-side direction thereof; and a second partial structure part formed between the cooling part and a drain pipe, and having a liquid path cross-sectional profile that is gradually enlarged from the short-side of the cooling part and that is gradually reduced from the long-side thereof.

Abstract: An anti-darting ski for snowmobiles, the ski including a longitudinally extending runner with a central keel. A generally flat wear strip with two skags is attached to the bottom of the keel. The wear strip is contoured to match the bottom surface of the keel. The skags are laterally spaced beneath the wear strip such that their inside surfaces do not extend towards each other. The skags and wear strip may be mounted flush with the outside edges of the keel. The skags may also be located asymmetrically about a longitudinal center point of the ski. The dual skag system acts to minimize darting of the snowmobile in the snow.

Abstract: A jack handle includes a handle arm having first and second ends, a jack driver having a coupling shaft, and a spring clip detachably securing the jack driver to the handle arm. The first end of the handle arm forms a socket receiving the coupling shaft. The spring clip has a protrusion resiliently deflectable between a locking position interlocking with the coupling shaft to secure the jack driver to the handle arm and a releasing position free of the coupling shaft such that the jack driver is released from the handle arm. Preferably, the spring clip encircles the periphery of the handle arm at the socket, the handle arm has an opening at the socket, and the protrusion of the clip extends through the opening and into the groove to interlock the jack driver with the handle arm.

Abstract: An electric motor includes a chassis having a front tube to rotatably support a handle, two arms each having one end pivotally attached to the chassis to support two front wheels on the outer ends. A cushioning device may be used to cushion the front wheels and the arms relative to the chassis. A carrier is pivotally attached to the rear portion of the chassis, and includes a spindle to support two rear wheels. An electric motor device is attached to the carrier to drive the rear wheels. Another cushioning device may be used to cushion the rear wheels and the carrier relative to the chassis.

Abstract: A sports board with an expanded foam core that has a density adapted so the core will receive a solid sheet skin laminated directly thereto without an adhesive layer. The sports board includes a bottom solid sheet skin laminated directly to a bottom surface of the expanded foam core, and a foam top skin laminated to a top surface and heeled to side surfaces of the expanded foam core.

Abstract: A skateboard for use on pavement, ice or snow using a single narrow-footprint wheel, ice-blade or ski-runner attached to each foot, thus requiring the rider to dynamically balance the board. The skateboard is capable of self-propulsion at considerable speed on the flat or uphill by using an undulating motion. It can also lean up to 30 degrees and has a steering circle of only two feet. The board's construction comprises a front footboard, a rear footboard, and a strut which connects the two footboards and resists bending and extension. Each footboard includes a footpad, an attachment (i.e. a wheel, blade or ski), and a pivot joint connecting to the strut. The axis of this joint is aligned perpendicular to the footpad which allows the rider to steer each footboard independently by torsionally rotating the lower leg.

Abstract: A vehicular collapsible trailer comprising a platform (11) made of two longitudinal sections (28, 30) hingely mounted about a third central section (20). Front and rear flanges (16, 22) abut against the longitudinal sections and maintain the platform in its load carrying position. Two flanges (64A, 64B) along the distal ends of the longitudinal sections abut against central section to provide a folded trapezoid stowage position. Suspension joints (52) are fixed about the exterior edges of the longitudinal sections, and collapsible arms (82, 84) joined to axle (66) facilitate the platforms' progression to open and closed positions. A permanent hub (70) and wheel assembly is mounted to each axle end.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle comprises an engine and a motor as power sources, the output power of at least one of the engine and the motor being transmitted to driving wheels for driving the hybrid vehicle, an accelerator pedal for increasing and decreasing driving power of the hybrid vehicle, and a drive control section which is provided for operating and stopping the engine and the motor, and which is adapted to control the engine and the motor in such a manner that when the engine is stopped and the motor is operated solely for driving the hybrid vehicle, change in desired output power is predicted, and the engine is maintained to be stopped, even when the predicted output power falls in a drive zone in which the engine is supposed to be operated, when the movement of the accelerator pedal in a predetermined period is less than a predetermined amount, and that the motor is controlled so as to output the predicted output power for continuing drive of the vehicle solely by the motor.

Abstract: When a starter switch is switched from OFF to ON, a hybrid ECU determines that a driver intends to start driving a vehicle, reads a temperature of each of items (engine coolant, injectors, lubricating oil, and the like), and makes a determination on the necessity of preheating depending on whether each of the items has reached a corresponding one of suitable temperatures. If preheating is required, the hybrid ECU sets an engine start permission flag so as to prohibit the engine from being started, and instructs an engine ECU to preheat the item requiring preheating. On the other hand, if every one of the items has reached the suitable temperature range of its own, the hybrid ECU determines that preheating is not required, and sets the engine start permission flag so as to permit the starting of the engine.

Abstract: An audio system which system is incorporated in a child's stroller. The system includes speakers permanently enclosed in the sidewalls or canopy of the stroller. Protective padding is provided for the speakers to prevent damage thereto and to dampen the sound to afford protection to the child's hearing. A pocket is provided in the rear of the stroller whereby to house an audio player such as a CD player. Appropriate jacks are provided to connect the CD player to the speakers.

Abstract: A method and system for limiting motor performance in a hybrid electric vehicle system. During a condition in a primary drivetrain, the method limits performance of an electric motor used in an auxiliary drivetrain to control energy consumed from a battery in the auxiliary drivetrain. A calculation or measurement is made to determine available battery energy remaining in the battery after the condition. The performance of the electric motor is then limited based on the available battery energy.