Abstract: A device for releasably coupling a trailer to a towing vehicle comprising a support plate mountable on the towing vehicle, and a parallelogram-like arrangement of articulated mechanical members mounted on the support plate including a lifting bar movable between a raised position and a lowered position. A hitching ball that is matable with a socket on the trailer is mounted on the lifting bar. Mechanical means are provided for moving the lifting bar between its raised position and its lowered position. Also, means are provided for locking the device in its raised position.

Abstract: A traction control system includes means for detecting a vehicle driving condition and disabling traction control for reducing driving torque distributed to vehicular driven wheels for avoiding wheel slippage when a predetermined vehicle driving condition is detected. In the practical control, a vehicle speed is taken as a traction control enabling/disabling criterion for disabling control while the vehicle speed is lower than a given criterion.

Abstract: The required rate of acceleration of a vehicle is detected. The speed of the vehicle is detected. The rotational speed of a vehicle driving wheel is detected. An air adjusting device adjusts the rate of air flow into a vehicle powering engine in accordance with an adjustable controlled quantity. A target rotational speed is determined on the basis of the detected required acceleration rate. The controlled quantity of the air adjusting device is feedback-controlled so that the detected rotational speed of the driving wheel essentially equals the target rotational speed. The output torque of the engine is estimated in accordance with the detected rotational speed of the driving wheel and the controlled quantity of the air adjusting device.

Abstract: An improved freestyle bicycle construction is disclosed, featuring an improved rear wheel caliber brake linkage which can be preassembled while the bicycle is in relatively unassembled condition, thereby facilitating assembly by a merchant or the ultimate user.

Abstract: A suspension control system for an automotive vehicle automatically adjusts the damping strength of variable shock absorbers or other dampers in accordance with road surface conditions as recognized by frequency analysis of a vehicle height or vibration sensor signal. The sensor signal reflects vertical displacement of the vehicle body from the road surface and includes high-frequency components due solely to displacement of the wheels or unsprung mass relative to the road surface and low-frequency components due to displacement of the vehicle body or sprung mass. The sensor signal is filtered into these separate frequency bands and the amplitude of each is compared to a corresponding reference level to give an indication of the irregularities in the road surface. Specifically, a high-amplitude low-frequency component indicates large-scale bumps and dips capable of bouncing the vehicle whereas a strong high-frequency component reflects a rough-textured road surface, such as gravel.

Abstract: An aircraft loader having a mobile frame and hydraulically actuated components, includes a substantially rectangular frame hinged to and cantilevered from the mobile frame. The rectangular frame includes a pair of long tubes and a pair of short tubes which are sealingly connected to form a fuel tank. An internal combustion engine is mounted on the rectangular frame and drives a hydraulic pump which supplies hydraulic fluid under pressure to the components.

Abstract: A wheelchair construction particularly adaptable for collapsible wheelchairs and which may be formed of all nonmagnetic material, wherein the major components are skinned polymeric foam wheels and panels. The seat and back panels are hingedly supported on side panels, wherein the back panels include a downwardly opening V-shaped channel adjacent the center hinge which receives the upwardly foldable seat panels as the wheelchair is collapsed and the seat panels are supported in an overcenter hinge position on transverse foldable panels. The side panels include openings at their upper rearward corners forming integral C-shaped handles and the footrests are supported in a horizontal use or angled non-use position in configured slots formed in a support block.

Abstract: A brake control system for a vehicle provided with a four-wheel drive mechanism and an antiskid brake system for controlling the braking effort upon application of the brakes to prevent locking of the wheels comprises a brake application sensor for detecting application of the brakes over a predetermined level to such a degree that can lead to locking of the wheels, and a releasing mechanism which releases the driving connection between the front wheel driving system and the rear wheel driving system of the four-wheel drive mechanism when the brake application sensor detects application of the brakes over the predetermined level.

Abstract: Two pivoting parts (8a, 8b) each mounted on one of the skis (1, 2) forming a pair are arranged so that each of them cooperates with two retaining parts (7a, 7b) each fixed on one of the skis. When each pivoting part (8a, 8b) is fixed via its free end to the retaining part (7a, 7b) of the same ski, the skis are separate (FIG. 1), whereas when these pivoting parts (8a, 8b) are rotated through 90.degree. and are fixed via their free end to the retaining part (7a, 7b) of the other ski, the two skis (1, 2) are locked in position relative to each other (FIG. 2). These parts allow the skier to change from conventional skiing to monoskiing and vice versa, by operating the pivoting parts and without having to remove his skis.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for detachably coupling a wheelchair to any bicyle such that they are transportable together as a unit without the need of anything or anyone other than the sole operator of the bicycle. The device allows the bicycle to travel in tandem with the wheelchair without any hindrance on mobility or agility. The device connects the wheelchair to the bicycle via the bicycle's front fork, and the device is substituted as the steering device.

Abstract: A baby carriage capable of climbing stairs utilizes a tubular frame with rear legs pivotably connected to and a basket tiltably positioned on said frame.The basket in its position is secured by a pair of pins inserted in slots in a plate fixedly positioned on the frame.When operated on a flat surface the pivoting movement of the rear legs is checked by locking latches mounted on the frame, these latches, when necessary, can be desengaged by the operator.

Abstract: In a bicycle frame adapted for internal control cabling, at least one control cable entrance port is located through the wall of the frame at a position ahead of the steering axis, such a port providing a bend-free cable path into and through the interior of the frame. This path passes laterally between the inner wall of the frame and the outer wall of the steering tube of a front wheel fork. A range of applicable port locations permits multiple internal cables to be installed together without interference. The frame configuration and associated cable guidance elements thereby facilitated provide direct cable paths to actuated devices such as a rear brake, front derailleur and rear derailleur. Because such paths are relatively short, incur minimal cable bending, and do not require outer cable within the frame, control actuation is characterized by particularly low levels of friction and elasticity.

Abstract: A collapsible trailer having a platform made of two longitudinal sections which folds against each other along its central longitudinal axis. Two lateral panels are hingely mounted on each side of the platform to fold over the platform. Removable front and rear panels maintain the lateral panels in their upright position and prevent the platform from folding. Flanges along the longitudinal axis of the platform abut against each other to keep the platform flat in its load carrying position. Beams along the lateral sides of the platform also abut against beams secured to the lower edge of the lateral panels to keep the panels from collapsing outwardly. A towing bar is hingely mounted to the front of the platform for collapsing against the latter. A wheel is resiliently mounted under each lateral panel.

Abstract: A freewheel flywheel transmission system capable of storing and releasing kinetic rotational energy, which includes a shaft rotatively supported by a frame and a plurality of flywheels rigidly mounted on the shaft. The transmission system is provided with an input sprocket for rotating the shaft in response to power transmitted from a power source. A sprocket assembly is mounted on the shaft for transmitting the rotational movement from the flywheels to a drive-wheel sprocket. In one embodiment, power is provided to a freewheel sprocket which rotates the shaft, and thereby the plurality of flywheels. The sprocket assembly includes a first and a second sprocket of different diameters each rotatively supported on bearings on the shaft.

Abstract: In a tractor towed chassis having a telescoping, articulated stinger, a two function locking mechanism is disclosed complementary to the non-articulating and articulating functions of the chassis. In the non-articulating function, the chassis hauls short containers, has the stinger telescoped to a non-articulating disposition and conventionally pivots with respect to the towing tractor at a fifth wheel. In the articulating function, the chassis extends to expose the articulated portion of the stinger, is locked at the forward portion to the towing tractor for articulation and when turning of the tractor relative to the chassis occurs the rear wheels turn to assist in turning the tractor towed chassis. The locking mechanism has two discrete locks, a bolster lock that is engaged only when the chassis does not articulate and a fifth wheel lock that is engaged only when the chassis does articulate.

Abstract: A motor vehicle wheel suspension has a composite leaf spring arranged transversely supporting a wheel support. A pivot retainer and tuneable rubber bushing arrangement supports the spring on the vehicle frame so that the spring is positively retained thereon while elastically supported with a tuneable fore/aft, vertical and lateral compliance and while also being pivotal about an axis intersecting at right angles with the neutral shear plane of the spring.

Abstract: An auxiliary pad for attachment to the foot portion of a bicycle kickstand is molded in two pieces of polypropylene. A clamp section has a pair of opposing semicylindrical clamp elements and can be folded to clamp around the downwardly extending rod of the kickstand. A pair of semicylindrical shims is attached to the clamp elements and can be used if required. A pad section is provided having a ribbed underside and a pair of brackets to accept a pair of clamp legs serving to hold the pad section against the foot portion of the kickstand.

Abstract: A system comprising a cross country ski boot and a device for fastening the front of the boot to a ski. The holding device holds the front part (15a) of the sole (15) of the boot flat on the upper part of the ski in a front holding area up to a rear limit thereof located substantially under the metatarsal-phalangeal joint area (A) of the skier's foot, and comprises bindings (4) exerting a longitudinal stress on the front end of the boot, and at least one fastening block (5) attached to the ski rearwardly of the bindings (4).

Abstract: A steering mechanism of a vehicle including a four-wheel steering system in combination with a four-wheel drive system having a front wheel steering mechanism for steering front wheels of the vehicle, a steering wheel for effecting a steering movement of the front wheel steering mechanism to a desired angle, a rear wheel steering mechanism for steering rear wheels of the vehicle, a control circuit for effecting a steering movement of the rear wheel steering mechanism in relation to the steering movement of the front wheels, and a torque ratio control assembly for compensating the steering angle of the rear wheels in accordance with torque distribution for the rear wheels. The arrangement is such that a ratio of the steering angle of the rear wheel to the steering angle of the front wheel as considered in the same direction of steering is increased in accordance with an increase in the ratio of the torque distribution for the rear wheels.

Abstract: A rear wheel steering apparatus for a vehicle has a vehicle speed sensor for detecting a vehicle speed, a front wheel steer angle sensor for detecting a steer angle of front wheels of the vehicle, a rear wheel steer angle driving device for varying the steer angle of each of the right and left rear wheels, and a rear wheel steer angle controller for controlling the rear wheel steer angle driving device. The controller is adapted to calculate a toe-in quantity of the rear wheels as an increasing function of the vehicle speed, calculate a steer angle of each of the right and left rear wheels by the use of the vehicle speed and the steer angle of the front wheels, and control the rear wheel steer angle driving device on the basis of results of these calculating operations such that the steer angle of each of the right and left rear wheels changes by a predetermined angle. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the response to the steering input for turning the vehicle.