Abstract: The disclosure relates to a jackknifing controlling system, for reducing undesirable jackknifing in an articulated vehicle, particularly with a rear drive. Sensing means is provided for measuring the angle of steering as well as the angle of articulation. At all times, the actual angle of articulation is compared to an ideal angle of articulation for the particular angle of steering, the ideal angle having been preprogrammed into a memory device. Whenever the actual angle of articulation deviates from the preprogrammed ideal angle by a predetermined amount, control actions are initiated to control the articulation. Further articulation in the direction of deviation is immediately blocked. Articulation in the opposite direction, toward the ideal, is freely allowed if the deviation exceeds a predetermined amount. If it is less than the predetermined amount, articulation, even toward the ideal angle is, damped by throttling of hydraulic flows.

Abstract: An amusement occupant-propellable exercising device that has a platform intended to be securable to the foot of the user of the device and at least one glide set attached to the platform for travel along a surface. Each glide set is composed of a crank arm unit having a central shaft attached to the platform for pivotal movement about an axis transverse to the direction of travel, a pair of oppositely directed arms spaced apart from one another along the axis with one arm extending forwardly in the direction of travel and the other extending rearwardly. A stub axle projects outwardly from respective ones of the pair of arms and a surface traversing element such as a skate blade, wheel or the like is mounted on respective ones of the stub axles. The glide sets can be arranged with one or two under the toe portion of the boot and one or two under the heel. The platform may be a plate, a boot, a ski, a skateboard or the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steering device for paved surface cleaners, of a type commonly referred to as auto-scrubbers and comprising a first forward movement control assembly (11) having at least two manually seizable handle levers (13) for oscillation in an angular direction, an electric motor (8) controlled by the handle lever (13) oscillation, and two traction wheels (6) driven by the electric motor (8), and a second steering control assembly (12) independent of movements of the handle levers (13) and having at least two pushbutton controls (21a) located at the handle lever (13) ends and being actuatable manually, two electromagnets (19) connected electrically to said pushbutton controls (21a), and two brakes (9) for the traction wheels (6) applied selectively by the electromagnets (19).

Abstract: A motor vehicle is provided with a driving status discrimination device, which includes a detector for detecting a parameter signal (e.g., vehicle speed, engine rotational speed, the opening degree of an engine throttle valve, or the like) relating to the driving speed of the motor vehicle at a predetermined interval, and a microcomputer for processing the parameter signals input thereto. The microprocessor calculates a differentiated value of the parameter signal and stores the differential value in a memory device. The memory device has a plurality of memory locations each storing the differential value. The microprocessor futher calculates an integrated value of a plurality of differentiated values stored in the memory device and discriminates various driving status from one another (e.g., a mountain road driving from a high speed driving) based upon the calculated integrated value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ski brake that is integrated into the housing of a safety ski binding. The ski brake has a pair of bushings aligned along a horizontal axis through the housing of the ski binding. The bushings rotate in the housing of the binding and have non-circular axially aligned openings that move the arms of the ski brake outwardly, around the ski, as the arms are deployed. The short lever arm sections of the L-shaped ski brake arms are spring biased into contact with the bushing surfaces and are moved according to the non-circular surfaces in the bushing.

Abstract: A safety device is disclosed which is incorporated in a seat for a motor vehicle. The seat includes a seat frame and is slidably mounted for forward and backward movement. The seat is retained in a predetermined position by retaining means which are adapted to be released when the seat is subjected to predetermined deceleration forces is that the seat may then slide forward. The safety device has actuating means which are adapted to actuate the safety device as the car seat slides forward subsequent to the release of the retaining means.

Abstract: A track type vehicle is provided with debris removal apparatus to prevent packing in a cavity defined by the track, the vehicle body, the drive sprocket, the idler and the frame member which mounts the drive sprocket and the idler. The debris removal apparatus is constructed in the form of a shaped plate whose peripheral edge conforms to the shape of the cavity and the plate is dimensioned such that the peripheral edge lies in immediate proximity of the cavity defining elements. In a normal or reset position, the plate lies immediately adjacent the body of the vehicle and in the operated condition, is moved outwardly by a plurality of hydraulic rams to push debris out of the cavity and prevent accumulation and packing. The plate may be further shaped, as viewed from the top, to include pockets for receiving roller supports which carry rollers for supporting the upper section of the track. Advantageously, the roller supports may include holes therethrough for receiving the piston rods of the hydraulic rams.

Abstract: A four-wheel drive vehicle has an engine output shaft; a transmission having an input shaft connected to the output shaft and an output shaft connected through a transmission mechanism to the input shaft; a drive gear meshed with an output gear connected to the output shaft of the transmission; a front wheel side power transmitting mechanism; a rear wheel side power transmitting mechanism; a center differential mechanism coaxial with the drive gear and having an input member connected to the drive gear, a first output member connected to the front wheel side power transmitting mechanism, and a second output member connected to the rear wheel side power transmitting mechanism; a front differential gear coaxial with the center differential mechanism and connected to the first output member of the center differential mechanism; a power converting gear mechanism for converting a rotation about a first axis to a rotation about a second axis being perpendicular to the first axis to transmit power to the rear side p

Abstract: A trailer is provided including an elongated longitudinally extending frame incorporating longitudinally aligned and extending front and rear frame sections pivotally secured together at adjacent ends for free relative angular displacement about a horizontal transverse axis. The front end of the front frame section includes coupling structure for coupling the frame to a towing vehicle and the rear frame section includes a transverse axle assembly mounted from the rear frame section centrally intermediate its opposite ends and having a pair of opposite side ground engaging support wheels journalled therefrom. Further, the rear frame section includes structure for support and cradling the lower periphery of the rear wheel of a motorcycle in position rearward of the axle assembly and the front frame section of the trailer includes motorcycle front wheel supporting and cradling structure supported therefrom for adjustable shifting longitudinally of the front frame section.

Abstract: A traction control system is provided variable wheel slippage sensing level depending upon the vehicle speed. Adjustment of the wheel slippage sensing level by varying wheel slippage detecting threshold to be compared with preselected traction control parameter, such as, wheel speed, wheel acceleration and so forth. In practical control, wheel slippage sensability is lowered when the vehicle speed is lower than a given vehicle high speed criterion so as to provide better vehicle stating-up characteristics, and is rised when the vehicle speed is higher than the vehicle high speed criterion so as to provide higher driving stability.

Abstract: A motor-driven power steering system for a vehicle capable of ensuring the travelling stability of a vehicle during travel on a bad road by avoiding unintentional motion of the steering wheel caused by road surface irregularities. The power steering system includes a motor adapted to be energized by a battery to power assist the steering motion induced by an operator. The power assisting force is transmitted from the motor to the steerable road wheels through a first electromagnetic sliding clutch and a second electromagnetic switching clutch. The operations of the motor and the first and second clutches are controlled by a control unit in such a manner that the force transmitted from the motor to the steerable road wheels is reduced to make the steering operation heavier than when steering with full power assist when the vehicle is travelling on a bad road.

Abstract: A wheelchair having a propulsion and speed change mechanism, the mechanism has a clutch with a cam clutch (21) and a cylindrical fly wheel (23) installed on a hub (24) of the shaft (25) of the main wheel of the chair. The clutch includes roller bearings (14), plate springs (22) and forward and backward regulating device (15). A matched union gear (20) is formed at the center of the cam clutch (21) and matched with a union gear (19) formed on a propulsion and speed change bar (12) so that the cam clutch (21) and the propulsion and speed change bar move as one body. The cam clutch (21) and the bar (12) are installed with a bearing (17) on the axle of the frame (13) of the wheelchair. A connecting rod (2) has one end connected to one of a plurality of holes (10) on the propulsion and speed change bar (12) with a fixing pin. The other end of the rod is connected to the hole (7) of the propulsion and speed change bar with a moveable pin (6).

Abstract: A motorized golf trolley has a frame structure comprising three tubular frame members, a first member co-axially surrounding a drive axle for wheels (10), a second member (28) secured to the first frame member and slidably locating a handle member (30), and a third frame member (52) secured to the first member and slidably locating a bag support structure. The first frame member also mounts a motor and gearbox unit while the third member (52) provides a mounting (54) for a battery (56). A golf bag (48) can be located on a plate (70) of the bag support structure and rest at its upper end against a bag support (38) mounted on the handle member (30). The construction provides a relatively stronger, lighter, and cleaner apparatus employing good engineering standards and can be dismantled for transport and storage if required.

Abstract: A baby carriage has a pair of front legs (3, 4), a pair of rear legs (7, 8) turnably connected to the front legs (3, 4) by pins, a pair of seat support rods (9, 10) turnably connected to the rear legs (7, 8), a pair of seat suspending rods (11, 12) turnably connected to the seat support rods (9, 10), a pair of push rods (13, 14) turnably connected at their lower portions to the upper portions of the front legs (3, 4) and also turnably connected to the seat suspending rods (11, 12) by pins at their intersections. A widthwise connecting member (15, 16, 17) connects the right and left sides surfaces of the baby carriage, members (18, 19, 20) fix the open state of the baby carriage. When the baby carriage is in the folded state, the rear legs (5, 6) and the front legs (1, 2) lie substantially on the same level, enabling the baby carriage to stand by itself.

Abstract: A combination car seat and stroller having a plurality of wheels which are pivotable between a first, lowered position for use as a stroller and a second, raised position for use as a car seat. An extendable handle is provided for pushing the apparatus when the wheels are in the first, lowered position. A spring or clip is provided for locking the wheels in the first, lowered position for use as a stroller. The wheels are pivoted to a second, raised position to allow the apparatus to be placed on the seat of an automobile, an airplane seat, or other surface. Slots in the arms of the chair are provided for releasably engaging the apparatus with the seatbelt of the automobile or airplane seat. The apparatus is provided with a selectably extendable footrest whch can be retracted when the wheels are pivoted to the second, raised position.

Abstract: A scooter of an ordinary general shape but equipped with an improved mechanical drive for the rear wheel or wheels, which drive is comprised of a ratchet mechanism for driving the rear wheel, a stepping lever for transferring the stepping force of the rider to the ratchet mechanism and a retrieving means for raising the stepping lever to the orignal position as the stepping force is released therefrom; whereby, the scooter can be propelled by the intermittent force of the rider to advance forwardly.

Abstract: Apparatus for towing a vehicle is disclosed having a first member mounted in a stowed position under the undercarriage of the tow vehicle and a second member telescopingly mounted within the first member and movable to an extended position out of the first member when the first member is released from its stowed position. A cross member is mounted at the free end of said second member and transverse thereto and has a towing vehicle wheel support at each end for receiving the front wheels of a vehicle to be towed. Straps are associated with each wheel support to secure the wheels of the vehicle to be towed to the wheel supports. In this manner, a front wheel drive vehicle can be towed without effecting the odometer and the apparatus can be stored under the undercarriage of the tow vehicle when not in use.

Abstract: A power steering gear for a vehicle capable of providing a variable degree of power assistance to supplement manual steering effort wherein the variable assist is achieved by controlling directly the magnitude of the steering pressure made available to a pressure operated motor by a vehicle engine driven pump, the magnitude of the pressure being controlled by a central processing unit that responds to vehicle steering wheel torque and vehicle speed to produce an appropriate steering pressure and power assist for all driving conditions.

Abstract: A portable baggage carrier having the form of a shallow enclosed housing has straps for securing the carrier to one side of a suitcase. A side panel of the housing opens to provide access to a pair of wheels pivotably mounted to lie flat within the carrier, which extend downwardly below the carrier and articulate through 90 degrees upon being deployed to an operative position. A collapsible handle also is stored within the housing, being accessible through the side panel for attachment to the top of the carrier. Closure of the side panel with the wheels deployed serves to lock the wheels in their extended position.

Abstract: Earthmoving equipment especially of the loader/backhoe type is provided with hydraulically operated stabilizer arms having stabilizer members associated therewith. Each member or pad is of reversible type having a flanged surface for engagement with gravel, for example, in a somewhat resilient surface for engagement with concrete or asphalt for example. The resilient surface is formed by a laminate constructed of separate pieces each of synthetic rubber cord construction.