Abstract: A closed hydraulic system (22) is provided for transmitting steering movement to a rear wheel steering assembly (16) in response to steering movement of a front wheel steering assembly (14). The front wheel steering assembly is controlled by a steering wheel (18) and a power steering assembly (20). The closed hydraulic system (22) includes a pump assembly (44) and an actuator assembly (46) connected together by conduits (48,50) to define closed fluid flow branches or fluid links (49,51) for moving a piston (94) in the actuator assembly in response to movement of a piston (72) in the pump assembly. Movement of the actuator piston is transmitted to the rear wheel steering assembly via a cam assembly (92) which effects same direction rear wheel steering for rather small front wheel steering angles and which effects opposite direction rear wheel steering for greater front wheel steering angles.

Abstract: A closed hydraulic system (22) is provided for transmitting steering movement to a rear wheel steering assembly (16) in response to steering movement of a front wheel steering assembly (14). The front wheel steering assembly is controlled by a steering wheel (18) and a power steering assembly (20). The closed hydraulic system (22) includes a pump assembly (44) and an actuator assembly (46) connected together by conduits (48,50) to define closed fluid flow branches or fluid links (49,51) for moving a piston (94) in the actuator assembly in response to movement of a piston (72) in the pump assembly. Movement of the actuator piston is transmitted to the rear wheel steering assembly via a cam assembly (92) which effects same direction rear wheel steering for rather small front wheel steering angles and which effects opposite direction rear wheel steering for greater front wheel steering angles.

Abstract: A motorcycle frame structure is provided with means for mounting a fuel tank in a lower region of the structure and a storage container thereabove thereby to improve operating performance of the vehicle by lowering its center of gravity. The elevated disposition of the storage container facilitates access to the container whereby articles stored in the container can more readily be deposited therein or retrieved therefrom.

Abstract: Output signals from first and second speed sensors are inputted in a control unit to measure a car speed on the basis of the signals. When the measured value is higher than a predetermined value, control unit determines that one of the speed sensors is abnormal, whereby a motor current to be fed to a d.c. motor is interrupted and a voltage applied to a magnetic clutch is removed.

Abstract: An electronically controlled power steering system comprises a vehicle speed sensor, a steering wheel angle sensor, a power steering gear including a control valve, a bypass valve for regulating a flow rate of hydraulic fluid supplied to the control valve of the power steering gear in response to a control signal generated by a controller. The controller is operative responsive to sensor output signals of the sensors for generating the control signal. With the controller, the control signal is varied in response to the vehicle speed and the steering wheel angle when the steering wheel angle is less than a predetermined value, but this varying tendency of the control signal in response to the steering wheel angle is restrained when the steering wheel angle is not less than the predetermined value.

Abstract: The driver steering inputs of a closed-loop reference model rear vehicle steering system are measured and subjected to a filter function that delays application of the measured input to the reference model. Externally generated steering inputs appearing in the parameters measured for closed-loop control are subjected to a different filter function which imparts only minimal delay of the signal transmission. As a result, the rear steer control responds at a first, relatively slow rate to driver steering inputs, and a second, relatively fast rate to externally generated disturbances.

Abstract: This invention relates to a bicycle fork based on a resin reinforced by a textile reinforcement, in the form of a moulded assembly in one piece, forming the pivot, the fork head and the two blades, wherein the textile reinforcement is disposed around a previously formed core, the core having the configuration of the fork to be produced and being of slightly smaller dimensions in order to take into account the thickness of the reinforcement disposed around this core; and wherein the textile reinforcement is constituted, at least partly, by a superposition of bidirectional braided tubes imprisoning therebetween longitudinal yarns disposed parallel to the generatrices of said fork, said longitudinal yarns being distributed regularly over the whole periphery of the core defining the fork, both around the blades and around the fork head and the steering pivot.

Abstract: A caddy that is hitchable to a self-propelled power mower which comprises a pair of wheels and an axle for coupling the wheels including a main axle member which is positioned below the wheel center, an operator platform is mounted on the main axle such that the operator is positioned over the axle. The platform is located such that wheel centers are located in a vertical plane which substantially laterally bisects the platform so that the shifting rearwardly of the operator's weight cause concentration of the load on the wheels. A towbar is fixed to the axle and removably hitched to the mower. The wheel centers are located rearwardly from the main axle so that when the operator is normally positioned on the caddy a torque about the wheels centers is created that causes the towbar to apply a force at the mower.

Abstract: A snowmobile power steering system on a snowmobile having a body with a chassis and a pair of laterally spaced steerable skis includes a source a hydraulic pressure including a reservoir for storing hydraulic fluid, a hydraulic cylinder which is mounted to the snowmobile body and has two chambers and at least one end rod, a steering column, and a linkage arrangement including interconnected connecting rods and pivotal members which together transmit force from the steering column to the skis. The linkage arrangement is operably connected to the hydraulic cylinder end rod so that movement of the end rod rotates the skis. A selected connecting rod includes a valve which selectively directs hydraulic pressure to one hydraulic cylinder chamber to move the end rod so the skis rotate in the first direction when the selected connecting rod transmits a tensile force.

Abstract: A steering system for vehicles in which the steered wheels may be restored to the neutral position in an automatic manner or at the discretion of the driver when necessary. The steering system includes a steered wheel, a steering mechanism for transmitting a steering operation of a steering wheel to the steering wheel, and a connecting mechanism operably connected to the steering mechanism for restoring the steered wheel from a current position to a neutral position.

Abstract: A ski suspension strut for a snowmobile comprises: upper and lower telescopically arranged members guided for a predetermined range of relative axial movement but constrained against relative rotation. The lower member is of cylindrical profile and is rotatably supported in a fixed generally upright orientation by mounting means in the snowmobile. One end of the lower member is connected to a snowmobile ski and the second member is connected to a steering mechanism in the snowmobile to be rotated thereby in effecting steering movement of the ski. Damper means is located interiorly of the lower member and operatively connected to both members to dampen relative axial movement thereof. Linear bearing means are mounted in the lower member in sliding engagement with a section of the upper member that is of constant square profile over a suitable length.

Abstract: A new design of collapsible/folding bicycle construction which mainframe, handlebars, footpedals are all collapsible. Another main feature is that the connections of the mainframe, handlebars, seat stem, seat reinforcement rods are all adjustable, thus allowing minimal space consumption and enable easy transportion handling and storage.

Abstract: The vehicle toy includes a split central roller with end rollers on either side of it, a platform between the segments of the split central roller, side members along the ends of the rollers, and vertical members leading to handrails above the rollers to be grasped by the person standing on the rollers to manipulate the vehicle. The central roller is positioned below the end rollers and the vehicle is symmetrical, allowing either end roller to be selectively engaged with the supporting surface, along with the central roller.

Abstract: A mounting of a steerable wheel, in particular a driven wheel, which is carried on a front axle of an agricultural tractor, has a pivot axis which is displaced horizontally rearwardly with respect to the center of rotation of the wheel. The pivot axis is inclined to provide a positive caster. The horizontal displacement shortens the spacing between the pivot axis and the rearward end of the wheel so that the wheel can be turned to a greater extent before it strikes against the body of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: Vehicles which have power steering for rotating a steering force shaft articulated via tie rods to a steering linkage can be steered by manual force steering in event of failure of the power steering. The manual force must not exceed a legal limit. The invention accomplishes this by a geometric relationship between such shaft and the pivots for tie rods which connect the shaft to the tie rods for respective steered wheels. A link to which the shaft is secured has provision for carrying tie rod end pivots at a particular distance from each other and each at a particular distance from the shaft. The distances are such that the distance between the pivots is at least 0.8 the distance from the shaft to each pivot. By such proportioning the force transmittal that effects steering becomes more indirect as the medium steering angle of steering increases. The total steering forces then become lower.

Abstract: A boat trailer having a frame, wheel unit, an adjustably mounted winch unit including a keel engaging member, an elongated second keel engaging member pivotally mounted on the frame rearwardly of the winch unit and self-centering to engage a longitudinal length of the keel, a pair of fender units each of which is reversibly mountable on either side of the frame for protecting a wheel, a pair of unitary post load guide brackets slidably engaged with the rear of the frame members and each supporting both a post guide and a rear taillight, a cross member pivotally and longitudinally adjustably mounted at each end to a frame member, and a pair of bunks and a pair of aligned, resiliently mounted roller units interchangeably mounted on said cross member for providing an automatic, full line engagement of either the bunks or the roller units with the bottom of the hull, when loaded, in combination with the second keel engaging member, forming a self-adjusting three point support of the boat hull.

Abstract: An improved trailer hitch assembly of the draw bar type consisting of a receiver tube mounted on the tow vehicle to receive a draw bar tube in vibration damped retention while extending a hitch ball. The draw bar tube retains a resilient spring block assembly that is secured to the receiver tube by means of a hitch pin and the hitch pin moves within elongated slots on said draw bar tube so that vibration from the draw bar tube is damped by the spring block assembly and isolated from the receiver tube and tow vehicle. A shock absorber is connected between the receiver tube and some point on said draw bar tube.

Abstract: A trailer coupler having a ball-receiving cavity formed by a stationary and a movable ball-gripping member. A movable abutment at the edge of the cavity adapted to be displaced by the ball of a towing vehicle hitch entering the ball-receiving cavity. Before the movable abutment is displaced, it prevents movement of the coupler operating handle to locked position. When the movable abutment is displaced, the operating handle is able to move to locked position and to move the movable ball-gripping member to secure the ball in the ball-receiving cavity. A latch securing the operating handle in locked position until a movable latch piece is moved to unlatched position.

Abstract: A center take of power assisted steering arrangement comprises a rack and pinion in which the rack is constrained radially in a pressure fluid cylinder at two positions and has a floating piston at one end. One constraint comprises a bearing disposed at the point where rack and pinion mesh. With this arrangement meshing of the rack and pinion is not dependent on rack stiffness, manufacturing tolerances are compensated for and the effects of service loads are minimized, while allowing equal area pistons at opposite end of the cylinder.

Abstract: Apparatus suitable for the carriage and transport of relatively large objects such as cartons or pieces of furniture and also for carrying loose items such as varied purchases in a large self-service store.