Abstract: The invention relates to an articulated tractor with two engines in tandem, particularly an agricultural tractor having a three-point lifting device. A unit having a selectively positioned drawbar adapted to turn about an upright shaft carried between parallel supporting plates is detachably fastened to the lifting device.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus functions when the pressure in a sensing chamber attains a predetermined pressure level in response to a crash environment to actuate a pressure release valve and thereby provide an output resulting in the deployment of an air bag within the confines of a vehicle for restraining forward movement of an occupant. The particular level of pressure developed in the sensing chamber relates to the velocity of flow of a fluid under the control of a sensing means movable in the sensing chamber and whose movement, in turn, is responsive to the relative velocity of a vehicle and an impacted object. The operation of the impact sensing apparatus is the resultant of a true measure of the relative velocity of the vehicle and the impacted object; and upon attainment of a velocity of flow equal to or greater than a threshold velocity the pressure release valve will be actuated.

Abstract: As a clutch between a motor and a vehicle transmission is progressively engaged through the region of slipping engagement, the jolt effect produced is measured and at the same time the jolt effect that would be produced if the clutch were at once grippingly (fully) engaged is predicted. The higher of the respective measured and predicted jolt effects is subtracted from a signal representing maximum permissible jolt, and the resulting difference is used as the input of a three-term (PID) controller, the output of which produces a displacement of an electrically actuatable clutch control member. The controller and control member are so designed that when the controller is shut off, the clutch goes at once into full engagement. The circuit compares motor speed with transmission input speed in order to shut off the controller when these two speeds are equal, thus fully engaging the clutch, and also to shut off at the same time the jolt-measuring and predicting circuits.

Abstract: A fluid film bearing suitable for use with either liquid or gaseous fluid and capable of far greater lift because of the larger usable lifting surface. The larger lifting surface is achieved in that the bearing assumes a square, rectangular, or race track configuration, a configuration which is more easily adapted for use in combinations of multiple bearings for large lift capacity and further may more closely approximate the shape of an object to be lifted or moved. An integral high tensile strength, flexible membrane gives the fluid bearing sufficient strength to withstand internal pressures over elongated, non-circular peripheral portions and also gives the bearing a far greater ability to flex and conform to an uneven or undulated surface thereby enabling the bearing to comply with a surface of far less uniformity without the loss of support than was heretofore possible.

Abstract: In a bicycle having the usual main shaft with a pedal crank normal thereto, a pedal assembly wherein the foot support may be in the same plane as a shaft secured to the pedal crank or below same, such latter being of the underslung type. A toe clip and a rigid support stand are provided on the pedal and being so constructed and arranged that when in disuse, the toe clip will be presented for facile insertion of the operator's foot and with the support stand in operative bicycle supporting position. In one form of the invention, a bearing structure is provided on the shaft engaged to the crank and with a plate disposed on said bearing structure to which the pedal is secured; said plate extending forwardly and rearwardly of the bearing structure and such relationship thereto as to create a counterbalance for the toe clip.

Abstract: A land vehicle such as a motorcycle has a frame and seat which, when the seat is in a normal operating position, define between themselves a space which is substantially closed and substantially inaccessible. A structure which includes components such as electronic components is situated in this latter space so as to be protected from the outer atmosphere and from unauthorized access when the seat is in its normal operating position. By way of a suitable connecting structure the seat can be displaced from its normal operating position to a location where the seat is at least partially spaced from the frame to give access to the space where the structure which includes electronic components or the like is situated, so that access may be had to the structure for servicing or the like.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for the terminal drive of the track of a tracked vehicle, especially a tank or like military vehicle, comprises a final-drive assembly which is received in an opening of the hull of the vehicle with all-around clearance and means bridging the housing of this drive assembly and the hull for elastically supporting the drive assembly with limited freedom of movement thereof transverse to its axis.

Abstract: A tractor having two power units supported on respective frame portions which are pivotably connected in tandem, each power unit operatively connected to its respective fore or after axle which respectively mounts four or six wheels. The frame portions supporting the power units are joined between the fore and aft axles by vertical and horizontal solid steel pivotable shafts so as to be pivotable within limits about both a vertical axis and a horizontal axis aligned with the longitudinal axis of the tractor. Hydraulic piston and cylinder units extending from one power unit to the other on either side of the vertical pivotable shaft provide steering from controls located in a cabin suspended by an inverted "U" structure included in the frame of the after power unit. Both power units are provided with large capacity fuel tanks which extend transversely above each set of wheels and have a configuration whereby they function as fenders or mudguards.

Abstract: Bicycle wheels are mounted on single suspension struts, each having an axle secured horizontally. Adjacent to the strut is an independently rotatable assembly. For the rear wheel, the assembly includes an overrunning clutch having its outer driven portion, which bears a brake disc, splined into the inner surface of the wheel hub, and its inner driving ratchet operably coupled to a drive sprocket. For the front wheel, an identical wheel hub is splined into the outer surface of a rotatable assembly which bears a brake disc.

Abstract: An occupant restraint cushion made of a single sheet of woven material and having an upper compartment that is adapted to engage the windshield of a vehicle and be guided thereby rearwardly when deployed so that subsequently a lower compartment extends downwardly from the upper compartment and is inflated in a position between the driver and the steering wheel.

Abstract: A swinging power unit type motorcycle having an engine swingably hung and pivoted on a body frame, and a pair of plates forming a rear fork connected to the engine. A chain drive transmits power from the engine to a reduction gearbox which incorporates the rear wheel axle and is supported between the rear fork. Shock absorbers are connected between the body frame and the rear fork. The engine, rear fork, rear wheel axle, chain drive, and reduction gearbox are interconnected to swing as a unit relative to the body frame.

Abstract: An inflating device for safety air bag for an automotive vehicle is basically constructed with an air bag inflating implement, a first sensor which is installed in the neighborhood of the vehicle cabin and generates an actuating signal when a change in the running speed of the vehicle within a sampling time exceeds a predetermined value, a second sensor which is provided in a position forward of the first sensor and which detects the change in the vehicle speed at the initial stage of the collision, a third sensor which is provided within the vehicle cabin, the third sensor having no sampling time relative to a predetermined speed reduction value in the vehicle, and a memory device which is composed of an electronic circuit or mechano-electric components, in which construction the actuating signal is made to be applied to the air bag inflating implement when output signals are generated from the memory device and the first sensor simultaneously.

Abstract: A pivotal support for a vehicle drive line of an articulated vehicle using gimbal rings supporting two universal joints and equally dividing angularity of these two joints and controlling the angularity of a third universal joint of the drive line.

Abstract: Juvenile toy vehicle with a braking arrangement including front and rear axles supporting front and rear wheels, respectively, a pipe frame having the front and rear axles mounted in the front and the rear ends thereof, respectively, a sprocket wheel having a crank shaft provided with a pair of pedals and positioned on the pipe frame, another sprocket wheel rigidly mounted on the rear axle and linked with the crank shaft sprocket wheel by the intermediary of an endless chain, and a steering wheel linked with the front axles to permit change of a running direction of the vehicle.One of the rear wheels is rigidly disposed on the rear axle for integral rotation with the rear axle sprocket wheel, while the other rear wheel is journaled rotatably on the rear axle. The rear axle and the crank shaft are rotatably supported between an opposed pair of complimentary bush halves which are surrounded and held together by a fixture rigidly secured on the pipe frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to control devices for electrical, hydraulic or other forms of decelerator for heavy vehicles. For the purpose of avoiding skidding of the wheels of the vehicles when empty, in the case of a false maneuvre by the driver, the devices comprise means for automatically neutralizing the brake when the deceleration of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined level of the order of 1-3 m/s.sup.2.

Abstract: A vehicle differential control wherein the two axles and wheels thereon are influential in controlling the differential. Thus, speed sensors are on the two axles and link mechanisms connect the sensors to a valve unit which controls the flow of fluid to the differential and thus controls the operation of the differential and the subsequent speed of the respective axles. Also, the wheels on the axles are steerable wheels, and there is interconnecting mechanism between the wheels and the differential control mechanism so that when the wheels are steered the control mechanism is actuated to again influence the operation of the differential and thus rotate the respective axles accordingly. As such, there is a steering compensated differential controlled device which is both torque and speed sensed, and there is a wheel steering position compensated device which also influences the operation of the differential. The system is such that it assures traction control of all drive wheels at all times.

Abstract: The effective sensor width of a path following vehicle guidance system is enlarged by having a first gain control amplifier for amplifying the sum of the path sensor signals, a second gain control amplifier for amplifying the difference of the path sensor signals and a third amplifier, in tandem with the second amplifier for amplifying the output of the second amplifier once the second amplifier's output has peaked out. All three amplifiers are gain-controlled by the same negative feedback signal. The outputs of the first and third amplifiers are synchronously detected to provide an error signal for an electromechanical steering servo for the vehicle.

Abstract: A dirigible wheel of an automotive vehicle has its steering axis on the vertical center line of the wheel, and a brake disc is supported with annular braking surfaces in vertical planes adjacent to the center line and are engaged by caliper type brake shoes.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system associated with a pair of laterally spaced, steerable wheels includes novel wheel-control mechanism operable in response to steering of the vehicle during a turn thereof for tilting the outside wheel at a greater angle than the inside wheel in the direction of the turn in order to automatically compensate for the effects of lateral forces acting on the wheels which tend to be greater on the wheel tracking the outside path of the turn compared with those forces acting on the wheel tracking the inside path due to the lateral shifting of the vehicle's weight as a result of body roll or the like.

Abstract: A motorcycle braking mechanism includes a brake plate that is rotatably mounted on a front axle and a torque arm is secured to the brake plate. A rod has one end pivotally connected to the torque arm and the other end is pivotally connected to a clamp that is secured onto the upper fork tube so that when braking action is applied to the front brake, the brake plate applies a torquing force to the torque arm which is translated into a linear force via the rod thereby reducing the downward movement of the fork tube relative to the slider.