Abstract: A bag holding cart for use in collecting and conveying materials in a hospital, hotel, or other institution comprising a pair of inverted U-shaped frame support members pivotably connected at about their respective centers is presented. A unitary base is provided to the lower portion of the cart. This base is pivotably connected to one of the frame members and is detachably connected to the other frame member preferably via a spring clip mechanism which affords a snap lock between the frame member and the base. This unitary base and associated snap lock mechanism is an important feature of the present invention as it permits the cart to be folded in a very compact fashion for improved storage and transport. Another important feature of the present invention is a foot pedal actuated cover or lid. This cover is pivotably attached to the upper portion of the cart and may be actuated by a foot pedal which is linked to the cover by a pair of wire supports.

Abstract: A paired, sporting, ski-steering device for use with a pair of skis with the skier's feet locked in position by standard ski bindings, providing the skier with an upright handlebar for each ski, both skis being totally independent from one another. The handlebars are attached to the front of each ski at mid-position between the toe piece of the standard ski binding and the front tip of the ski. The handlebars telescopically adjust in height so when retracted to a short length they reach vertically from approximately the knee to the mid-thigh of the skier so he/she can use this ski steering device in a tucked-in position; when extended, these handlebars are easily and manually detachable from the skis and instantly become a full length ski pole adjustable to the skier's height and comfort. Various locking devices to readily lock/unlock these handlebars to the skis are described.

Abstract: A road finishing machine comprising a diesel-hydraulically driven set of main wheels and at least one set of steerable wheels. An additional hydraulic companent is provided which transfers a driving force to the steerable wheels, and the peripheral speed of the steerable wheels is automatically adapted to that of the main wheels.

Abstract: An arrangement for the control of the force-transmission of a four-wheel drive vehicle in which a main driving axle is driven directly by an internal combustion engine by way of a clutch transmission unit and an auxiliary driving axle is driven by the internal combustion engine by way of a continuously controllable longitudinal clutch. A desired traction force of all wheels is determined from a desired power output and from a velocity of the vehicle, from which a control magnitude for the control of the longitudinal clutch is obtained by a distribution factor dependent on operating or driving parameters. The longitudinal clutch can additionally be controlled either alone or advantageously also in combination with this control magnitude by a further control magnitude which is determined by a square of a rotational speed difference at the longitudinal clutch, having a weighting dependent on operating or driving parameters.

Abstract: This invention relates to a ski carrier that has a wheel removable mounted on each upper surface of the tail end of two skis. The wheels are on stub axles that are received on the upper surface of the ski and allow the skis to be transported when the bottom of the skis are adjacent each other. In one embodiment a strap extends between each of the two wheels.

Abstract: A safety ski binding having a sole plate which is pivotally supported on a ski-fixed pivot pin in a horizontal plane, however, is secured against lifting off from the ski. The sole plate has a front jaw at its front end and a heel holder provided with a housing at its rear end. The heel holder has a sole holder which is pivotal upwardly about a transversely extending axle on the housing against the force of a pressure spring. The heel holder also carries a roller which is loaded by at least one further pressure spring on a control lever, with which roller is associated a cam surface arranged on a ski-fixed member. The pressure springs for controlling the vertical release and the ones for controlling the lateral release can thereby either be arranged among one another or nested into one another.

Abstract: A trailer hitch comprising a housing mountable on the vehicle, a ramp sloping downwardly and rearwardly from the housing away from the vehicle, and two laterally opposed pivotable jaws having recesses which when closed define a socket or pocket in which the ball coupling of the trailer tongue is retained. The ramp slopes downwardly at about 30.degree., and flares from a narrow neck to a wider lip, and has upstanding side curbs. The jaws pivot horizontally about vertical axes through jaw supports outboard of the housing. The jaws automatically close around the ball as it is moved forwardly along the channel into the socket. Aligned holes in interfitting locking arms of the jaws receive and are locked together and to the housing by a locking pin which drops into place when the jaws are completely closed. A load leveler distributes the trailer's weight between the wheels of the towing vehicle using a V-shaped rod detachably connected at its apex to a pivotable link below the housing.

Abstract: Binding assembly for a cross country ski boot, having a safety device comprising a hooking arrangement in which the forward end of the boot is retained, and lateral retaining, complementary engaging portions on the ski and in the sole of the boot. The hooking and lateral retaining devices are rigidly affixed to each other without intervening gap, and are releasable at least laterally about at least one rotational axis against the effect of a torsional retainer, whatever the elevation of the boot heel from the ski.

Abstract: A bicycle frame has front and rear frame portions interconnected at their top by a flexible spring connection, that allows relative vertical flexing of the frame portions, and by a tension cable and compression spring between a forward portion of the front frame portion and a lower portion of the rear frame portion. Integral stiffening means included with the vertical center post member of the rear frame portion and with the horizontal crossbar assembly of the front frame portion are provided to minimize the tendency of the front portion of the frame to yaw laterally from side to side relative to the rear frame.

Abstract: A pedal-powered golf cart includes a pair of pedal assemblies disposed to drive the input shaft of a transmission, the transmission provides at least two output gear ratios at a drive shaft operatively connected to a gear box adapted to rotate a pair of driving wheels. The golf cart further includes a storage compartment and means for supporting at least one golf bag thereupon. The seats are separately adjustable with respect to each of the pedal assemblies.

Abstract: A vehicle 1 comprises an upper mounting 2 which is a hollow beam pivotally attached via pivot means 4 to a lower mounting 3 which is also a hollow beam. A work platform 15 is fixed on to the upper mounting for translational movement with the mountings. Inner beams 5, 6, 10 and 11 are slidable within the outer beams 2 and 3 and have attached to each of their ends yokes, which in turn have attached at each of their ends legs 8 and 13. The legs have feet 9 and 14 and are telescopically extendible, so that the weight of the vehicle can be supported alternately on each set of legs i.e. on legs 8 or legs 13. By causing all the inner beams to slide in the outer beams simultaneously while the vehicle is supported on one set of legs and then transferring the weight to the other set of legs and causing the inner beams to slide in the opposite direction, the vehicle can "walk". The work platform can move forward continuously.

Abstract: An unmanned, self-propelled vehicle in the nature of a mobile robot has an on-board computer that stores path and machine function instructions and activates the drive and steering systems so as to cause the machine to follow a desired path. A plurality of retroreflectve targets are mounted along the desired path. They do not have to be mounted at a specific height or distance apart, nor need they be square to the path. An improved guidance system for keeping the vehicle on the prescribed path includes a laterally scanning laser transmitter-receiver mounted on the vehicle. An electromechanical tracking device controls the angle of elevation of the laser beam so as to keep it aimed at each target successively as the vehicle moves. The laser produces signals which steer the vehicle such that the laser transmitter and targets are kept aligned in a vertical plane.

Abstract: A transport device includes two substantially rectangular frames, each movable on wheels. The wheels of one frame have a fixed horizontal axis and the wheels of the other may be on swivel connection. At least one container is detachably secured at the top edge and bottom edge to each flat side of said frames. The frames include side members and one or more cross members. The bottom member includes an outwardly projecting ledge as a container support on which the container bottom edge rests. The bottom ledge and the container may have interconnecting openings and projections to prevent lateral movement. A container retaining or securement unit is secured to the upper end of the frames and includes a movable fish-plate or hook unit which hooks over the container top edge. Each frame may include a bottom section including the wheels, a bottom container support and upper securement unit, and an upper section releasably secured to the bottom section to form an extended frame.

Abstract: A collapsible carrier for transporting implements, goods or personnel over paved or sand surfaces which includes a horizontal frame mounted on wheels and having a rail extending about the frame to retain the load being carried on the frame. A handle is pivotally attached to one end of the frame while a slider device is carried on the underside of the frame at its opposite end. The rails and handle are arranged to fold into a storage position and to extend into an operative position. The utility carrier and its load is supported on the wheels or the slider device when in its operative position.

Abstract: A child's foot-assisted scooterlike locomotion device is provided which is adapted for use with wheels on improved hard surfaces and for use with skids for use on snow-covered surfaces. Turning of the device is accomplished, irrespective of whether the device is equipped with wheels or skids, by a shift of weight on the device in the direction in which turning is to occur.

Abstract: Free-play restraining apparatus for a three-point implement hitch, comprising a pair of adjustable, slideway-acting planar uprights mounted to the implement frame adjacent the hitch arms. Length adjustable fore and aft stops mounted to contact each clamp plate and multiple length adjustable stops mounted to each upright and contacting the vehicle frame, along with lubrication fittings opening to the slideway surface, provide a lubricated coplanar slidway restraint.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for limiting the angular movement between the tractor and trailer wherein a fluid operated cylinder is mounted within a rigid frame, having a mounting bar attached to a forward member of the tractor, for moving an abutment means between a position extending downwardly within the longitudinal slot of the fifth wheel to a position wherein the abutment means is removed from the slot. Means are carried within the frame having fixed relation thereto for providing lateral support within the position of the slot.

Abstract: A two-wheeled convertible barrow vehicle adapted to, on one hand, be used in a conventional wheelbarrow manually operated fashion and, on the other hand, converted to and used as a trailer hitched to a power-operated vehicle. Conversion is achieved by the use of elements secured in brackets having bent portions which when secured on the frame of the barrow in one relationship provide diverging arms for manual operation, and when switched in the brackets result in a converging arrangement to provide a tow bar to be hitched to a power vehicle. The vehicle can be stored in a vertical position with the arms tucked underneath. The barrow of the vehicle can be selectively dumped with respect to the frame, or dumped in the usual wheelbarrow tilting arrangement.

Abstract: A motor-driven power steering system for a vehicle capable of preventing a motor-related element such as a motor itself, power elements for controlling power supply to the motor or the like from being damage due to an abnormal temperature rise or overheating thereof, thereby substantially avoiding or reducing resultant unsureness or instability in the operator's steering feeling upon change in steering mode as well as improving safety in steering operation. The motor is operatively connected with a steering rack and energizable by a power source for power assisting the steering motion caused by the operator through a steering wheel. A temperature sensor detects the temperature of the motor-related element. An electromagnetic switching clutch is interposed between the motor and the steering rack for selectively establishing and interrupting the transmission of power assisting force from the motor to the steering rack in accordance with the travelling speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: The application discloses a compensating mechanism for vehicles having two or more wheels with one of those driven wheels being pivotally mounted at the rear end of a swingarm. The compensating mechanism is comprised of a eccentric cam arrangement for the forward end of the swingarm to pivot on and a rocker arm with connecting members to interconnect the swingarm and the eccentric cam. A method of controlling the rotation of the eccentric cam with respect to the swingarm is also disclosed to allow the rear driven wheel to remain a fixed distance away from the engine driver sprocket as the swingarm moves with respect to the driver sprocket.