Abstract: A suspension bicycle is disclosed in which a rear suspension includes swing arms, control arms, and hub plates connected to the seat riser tube of the frame in a trapezoidal arrangement. The swing arms, control arms, and hub plates are configured to balance the forces applied to the rear wheel by the chain during pedaling so as to prevent energy absorbing movement of the rear suspension as the result of such pedaling. A shock absorber is also connected to the swing arms to absorb shocks during riding. The suspension of the present invention also is configured to provide improved traction during pedaling uphill or over uneven surfaces.

Abstract: An axle weight distribution controller for maintaining the weight borne by the steering axle of a load-carrying vehicle. A load transducer attached to the steering axle produces an electrical signal that is compared with signals representing desired minimum and maximum loads to be borne by the steering axle. If the load borne by the steering axle falls outside of the predetermined load interval, the pressure in an air spring supporting a third axle is adjusted so as to redistribute the weight borne by each of the other axles in the vehicle and to bring the load borne by the steering axle within desired limits.

Abstract: A vehicle for the disabled comprising a wheel-chair with seat and back-rest, on the chassis of which two coaxial rear wheels and at least one front wheel are mounted, a cycle frame arranged behind the wheel-chair with a drive wheel drivable by means of pedals, a saddle and coupling device, mounted pivotably on a steering bearing of the cycle frame about a substantially vertical pivot axis, for the detachable connection of the wheel-chair with the cycle frame, the coupling device having at least one cross-member extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the cycle frame, which cross-member is securable to the wheel-chair chassis through two coupling elements spaced from one another in the transverse direction and supports the forward end of the cycle frame on the chassis of the wheel-chair, is characterized in that the steering bearing (35) carrying the coupling device is connected with the cycle frame (2) through a joint (42) with substantially horizontal pivot axis but otherwise substantially rigidly

Abstract: Tread for the soles of long-distance ski boots (12), the tread consisting of grooves cooperating with mating ridges, the grooves and ridges being comprised in a sole (16) and in a plate (13) which is fitted to or forms part of a long-distance ski (10), the grooves (19-20) diverging from each other in the direction of the heel of the boot.

Abstract: Angular baffles for vehicle mounted tanks are disclosed which reduce the concentration of vehicle destabilizing inertial forces of contained liquids, generated by movements encountered during transportation. The baffles include symmetrical, hollow internal baffles antipodally positioned with respect to each other, which produce attenuation of such forces by redirecting them through deflection off the angular surface of the baffles into balancing force components, and by otherwise dampening liquid surges.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a belt guide fitting for guiding a safety belt of three-point type at its upper anchor point. The guide fitting comprises a plate with a through slot for the belt. The plate is pivotally mounted on a pin which lies forward, relative to the vehicle, of the mid-point of the slot when the fitting is mounted in a vehicle body. In order to prevent the belt in a collision from sliding laterally in the through slot and bunching at the end of the slot, the plate in accordance with the invention cooperates with structure limiting the pivotal movement of the plate, this structure being designed, when the belt is subjected to a collision load, to fix the plate in a predetermined angular position for collision.

Abstract: A grip plate to aid in freeing a vehicle from being stuck on a slippery surface, comprising a flat rectangular iron plate with a lip at one end and an upstanding lug at the other end, with an upward angular portion of the plate between the lug and the main body portion of the plate.

Abstract: An improved powered off the road three wheel vehicle comprised of a pair of front wheels and a single rear wheel carried by a frame that supports the saddle type seat adapted to seat a single rider. The track of the front wheels is equal to the wheel base between the front and rear wheels and a wider tire is carried by the rear wheel. The rear wheel has a footprint with the surface that is equal to the sum of the footprints of the front wheels. The rider is positioned midway between the front and rear wheels and is seated in such a way that he may shift his weight to aid in the maneuverability of the vehicle. In addition, the rear wheel, even though it is wide, is sized so that it will pass between the legs of a rider if he desires to permit the vehicle to ride out from beneath him.

Abstract: A passive seat belt apparatus including a lap belt retractor mounted inside of the door of a vehicle, a lap belt extending between the retractor and an engaging member in the interior of the vehicle adjacent the center line thereof, a through ring attached to a lower portion of the door having an oval opening through which the lap belt extends downwardly around a lower surface thereof, and a bar-shaped guide member attached to the door above and inside of the through ring with respect to the interior of the vehicle. The lap belt passes over the guide member.

Abstract: A steering system has a pair of rectangular frames for suspending rear wheels of a motor vehicle. Each frame is rotatably supported on eccentric portions formed on both sides of a shaft which is longitudinally disposed and rotatably mounted on a body of the vehicle. Accordingly, by rotating the shaft, the frame is deformed by deviation of axes of the eccentric portion to turn the rear wheels.

Abstract: An active suspension apparatus using hydropneumatic springs is disclosed to control damping characteristics in accordance with the vibration state of the passenger compartment of a vehicle during travel. An absolute acceleration of the floor of the passenger's compartment is detected and is compared with a reference value to discriminate the actual vibration state of the passenger compartment. The openings of restrictors arranged between hydropneumatic spring chambers and actuators are controlled in accordance with the discrimination result. In order to accurately detect the vibration state, specific vibration components are extracted by band-pass filters from the absolute acceleration signal.

Abstract: A seat belt buckling system has a switch mechanism in the seat belt anchor plate which prevents starting of the engine until the seat belt has been buckled. The switch mechanism includes a switch controlling actuation of the starter which is only closed by insertion of the anchor plate on the belt into the buckle locking system. Means are provided to lock the plate into the buckle locking mechanism when it has been inserted sufficiently to permit starting of the engine. A rockable latch member within the locking system is actuated by a manually manipulable key plate which plate, when pressed downwardly, will permit the anchor plate to be released without interrupting the ignition after the engine has been started.

Abstract: Tubular spacers (28) are positioned between the wheels (10, 12) of a unicycle. Inboard portions of tie bolts (34) extend through the spacers (28). A threaded end portion (38) of the tie bolt (34) screws into a T-nut (40) provided within an opening (26) in a wheel (12). The shaft of the tie bolt (34) projects through an opening (24) in the other wheel (10) and projects outwardly beyond the wheel (10). A second tubular spacer (50) is provided in the form of an enlarged diameter outboard portion of the tie bolt (34). A shoulder (52) at the inner end of this spacer (50) bears against an abutment (46). When the tie bolt (34) is tightly screwed into the T-nut (46), it is put into tension and the tubular spacer (28) is put into compression. A pedal element (56) is mounted for rotation about the outboard tubular spacer (50).

Abstract: A vehicle having spherical-shaped wheels and which may be steered, and whose speed may be controlled, by varying the inclinations of the wheels about respective horizontal axes parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

Abstract: Tubular spacers (28) are positioned between the wheels (10, 12) of a unicycle. Inboard portions of tie bolts (34) extend through the spacers (28). A threaded end portion (38) of the tie bolt (34) screws into a T-nut (40) provided within an opening (26) in a wheel (12). The shaft of the tie bolt (34) projects through an opening (24) in the other wheel (10) and projects outwardly beyond the wheel (10). A second tubular spacer (50) closely surrounds the outboard portion of the tie bolt (34). At one end (52) this spacer bears against an abutment (46). At its opposite end (54) it abuts against the inner surface of the tie bolt head (36). When the tie bolt (34) is tightly screwed into the T-nut (46), it is put into tension and the tubular spacers (28, 50) are put into compression. A pedal element (56) is mounted for rotation about the outboard tubular spacer (50).

Abstract: A saddle type four-wheel vehicle or buggy car for running on the unleveled ground in which a driver sits astriding on a saddle-type seat, and front and rear wheels are each provided with a tire of low pressure and wide width. The right and left front wheels driven by an engine are suspended on a vehicle body independently through an arm. Between the arm and the vehicle body, a shock absorber is disposed in such a posture as to direct in the generally horizontal direction. A drive gear case connected with the engine is placed at a forward location of a front axle. The drive gear case and the front axle are interconnected through a drive shaft having a universal joint at each end thereof. Otherwise, the front and rear wheels are suspended on the vehicle body through a front fork and a rear fork respectively, and the front wheels are driven by the engine through a drive shaft while the rear wheels are driven by the engine through a chain.

Abstract: Tubular spacers (28) are positioned between the wheels (10, 12) of a unicycle. Inboard portions of tie bolts (34) extend through the spacers (28). A threaded end portion (38) of the tie bolt (34) screws into a T-nut (40) provided within an opening (26) in a wheel (12). The shaft of the tie bolt (34) projects through an opening (24) in the other wheel (10) and projects outwardly beyond the wheel (10). A second tubular spacer (50) closely surrounds the outboard portion of the tie bolt (34). At one end (52) this spacer bears against an abutment (46). At its opposite end (54) it abuts against the inner surface of the tie bolt head (36). When the tie bolt (34) is tightly screwed into the T-nut (46), it is put into tension and the tubular spacers (28, 50) are put into compression. A pedal element (56) is mounted for rotation about the outboard tubular spacer (50).

Abstract: A steering column fastening arrangement for motor vehicles with an energy-absorbing deformation element which is arranged between a steering bracket retained fixed at the body and a tubular protective steering member. The deformation element consists of a metallic plate rigidly connected with a U-shaped member of the tubular protective steering member while the plate includes slot-like deformation sections that are arranged corresponding with elongated apertures of the U-shaped member. The tubular protective steering member is retained displaceable in case of a crash with respect to the steering bracket by way of the displacement bolts extending through the deformation sections and guided in the elongated apertures and, on the other hand, the tubular protective steering member is fixedly connected with the steering bracket.

Abstract: A rear wheels steering apparatus for vehicles including a left rear wheel steering device capable of shifting a left rear wheel in a toe-in direction, a right rear wheel steering device capable of shifting a right wheel in a toe-in direction, a steering operation detecting device for detecting a steering stage of the front wheels of the vehicle and a toe control device for actuating one of the left and right rear wheel steering devices to shift one of the left and right rear wheels in a toe-in direction at an initial steering stage of the front wheels in accordance with a detected signal of the steering operation detecting device and actuating at least the other of the left and right rear wheel steering devices to shift the other of the left and right rear wheels in a toe-in direction at a later steering stage of the front wheels in accordance with a detected signal of the steering operation detecting device.

Abstract: A rack-pinion type electrically powered steering apparatus is provided with an electronic control circuit adapted to control a motor driving current which is applied to a motor for power assistance, in response to a steering load characteristic and/or a vehicle speed characteristic. The steering apparatus is also provided with a rack end proximity sensor adapted to detect a position adjacent the both ends of the rack during a steering operation, and a device for providing the motor driving current with an attenuation characteristic in response to the detected signal from said rack end proximity sensor.