Abstract: An improved trailer is provided for use with an automotive draft vehicle. The trailer is of the class including a coupling member attached on its forward end to a draft vehicle and having a trailer rear axle assembly slidably mounted on the rear end so as to be movable longitudinally along the coupling pole between predetermined long-coupled and short-coupled positions to thereby adjust the effective length of the trailer. Improved coupling assemblies are also provided for adjusting the effective length of the trailer and maintaining the rear axle assembly in the adjusted positions.

Abstract: A snow assembly for conversion, for snow operation, of a normally road operable vehicle includes ski and track assemblies which are adapted to be mounted on the vehicle in place of the tires normally mounted thereon for road operation. The ski assembly includes a raise bracket which is mounted to a brake housing of the vehicle by the bolts which normally mount the tire to the brake housing and a ski which is mounted at the bottom of the raise bracket such that the ski is rotatable relative to the raise bracket to vary the angle between them. The raise bracket is preferably pivotally linked to the vehicle to stabilize the bracket in the direction of movement of the vehicle. Pneumatic tires are also preferably positioned on the ski assembly to enable operation of the vehicle both in snow and on open road when the snow assembly is installed on the vehicle.

Abstract: A slider engaging an occupant restraining webbing is driven to move along a guide rail laid on a roof side of the vehicle, whereby a webbing can be automatically fastened to an occupant. One-way latch means is provided which allows the slider to move only to an automatically fastening position but does not allow same to move in the direction opposite to the above, whereby the slider is prevented from moving in a collision of the vehicle, thereby securing the safety of the occupant.

Abstract: A buckling angle control arrangement for the articulated front and trailing members of a vehicle, including an element, such as a disk or ring, pivotable about the first axis of the articulation between the vehicle members. A pushrod pivotally interconnects the pivotable element with the steering mechanism of the vehicle in such a way that the steering mechanism and pivotable element rotate in opposite directions. Two hydraulic cylinder and piston assemblies are arranged on opposite sides of the articulation axis, each assembly being between the two vehicle members. A three-position valve, for controlling hydraulic fluid flow between the two cylinder and piston assemblies, is itself controlled by an actuating member which cooperates with two cams carried by the pivotable element.

Abstract: A passive seatbelt system for a vehicle including a tape having a plurality of holes formed therein at regular intervals, a passenger restraining seatbelt coupled at one end to the thick tape, a sprocket wheel which is engaged with the holes in the thick tape and a motor means which is coupled to a power source of the motor vehicle for driving the sprocket wheel. With such a system, the sprocket wheel causes the thick tape to move back and forth to thereby cause the seatbelt to move back and forth along the length of the vehicle. In this way, the seatbelt is automatically fastened or unfastened from the passenger.

Abstract: A tractor has three pairs of ground wheels: a front steerable pair, a rear steerable pair and a central pair. The central pair of wheels each are fitted to the frame through a hydraulic piston assembly that can be controlled to raise those wheels above the ground or to lower the wheels to engage the ground. The central wheels can be the same as the other wheels or traction caged wheels of hollow beams wherein a hub is connected to outer fellies with spokes. Supports interconnect the fellies at the inner or outer sides. All of the wheels can be driven independently by an engine and the central wheels are each detachable from a driven axle. The hub of the central wheels includes an outer cylindrical sleeve to which an end plate and the spokes are affixed. Each wheel is mounted on a hydraulic motor which is mounted on the tractor's frame, the forward and rear motors being turnable with the wheels mounted thereon. A hydraulic jack connected to the motors of the central wheels is adapted to raise and lower same.

Abstract: A load locking junction device for coupling a continuous-loop belt having ends mounted on the door with an anchor belt retractably mounted inboard the seat includes a frame having an aperture defining spaced apart first and second load bearing walls. The continuous-loop belt is slidable over the first wall to define a lap belt portion and a shoulder belt portion. The anchor belt extends through the aperture and has a pin engaged in the end thereof to enlarge the end for simultaneous engagement against the second wall and the continuous-loop belt so that the belts are coupled together and maintained in engagement with the load bearing walls. A spring acts on the pin to space the anchor belt from the continuous-loop belt to permit movement of the continuous-loop belt through the frame.

Abstract: An electrical connector arrangement for a motor vehicle steering assembly which includes a stationary steering column member rotatably supporting a steering shaft fixed with a steering wheel and characterized in that the steering column member supports a pair of concentric conductor rings that are adapted to be electrically connected to a sensor that forms a part of an occupant restraint cushion system. A heater element is provided for heating the conductor rings so as to prevent frost from forming thereon in cold weather and causing variations in the contact resistance of the electrical connector arrangement.

Abstract: A steering circuit for an articulated farm tractor having front and rear frame sections pivotally interconnected with steering cylinders pivotally connected between the frame sections. An open center hydrostatic steering unit selectively directs hydraulic fluid from a pump to the steering cylinders and a pilot-operated, alternating check valve is interposed in the conduit connecting the steering mechanism with the steering cylinders.

Abstract: A transport apparatus having a loading bridge, is movable by hand for transporting loads over stairs. There are two front rollers (3), which are either extendable or variable in their angular position, and two rear rollers (7), which are secured to downwardly extending arms (6). The loading bridge (1) takes up a rearwardly tilted position when the transport apparatus rests with the rollers (3, 7) on a horizontal surface. The spacing between the front and rear rollers (3, 7) and the roller diameters are selected so that, when climbing a stair, the front rollers (3) rest on an upper tread while the rear rollers (7) simultaneously rest on a lower tread. When the apparatus is not in use, it may be folded to take up but a small space by folding the tiltable hand levers (14) inwardly and by tilting the arms (6) upwardly.

Abstract: An improved belt clamp apparatus for a vehicle occupant safety restraint system includes: a lever, a clamp bar, a mounting device for movably mounting the bar on the lever, a crest on the bar, and a first spring for biasing the lever to a non-clamping position. The bar is movable on the crest for applying a substantially uniform force over an area of contact on a safety belt. The belt clamp apparatus may be used in a variety of ways in an improved occupant restraint system such as to provide: a belt sensitive restraint system, a vehicle sensitive restraint system, a dual sensitive restraint system, or a force limiting restraint system. The invention also relates to a method for absorbing unwinding force and a method for reducing undesired unwinding of the belt.

Abstract: A bicycle (10) includes a frame (14), wheels (16) and cushions (18,20,22,24,26). The buggy (10) is connected by means of a tow bar (30) to a seat stud (28) of a bicycle (12). The buggy frame (14) can be disassembled into various components including side frames (36,38), a back bar (52), cross bars (82,84,86,88) and a foot support (90). The buggy is supported by wheels (16) and is drawn by the tow bar (30) which is connected to the bicycle (12) by means of a scissor latch (112).

Abstract: A two-wheel man-powered vehicle having a frame, a steerable front wheel and a rear wheel, both rotatably mounted on the frame. A hand operable power lever has a lower end pivotally mounted on the frame so as to be capable of swinging back and forth in a vertical plane passing through the frame. The lever is constructed in such manner that an upper portion is capable of rotating about its own longitudinal axis. The power lever is provided with a handle at its upper end. A seat for an operator of the vehicle is mounted on the frame so as to be movable back and forth with regard thereto. A flexible transmission mechanism has one end connected to the power lever and one end connected to one of the wheels through a unidirectional drive. The front wheel is connected to the rotatable portion of the power lever by flexible connecting cables so as to be steerable upon rotation of the power lever about its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A tractor-trailer unit (10,26) including a trailer (26) having wheels (30) at its rear and adapted to have its front supported by a hitch (16) to a tractor (10), a draft assembly (20) having spaced elongated arms (24) extending from the front rearwardly along the sides of the trailer, each arm being pivotally connected (34) to the trailer on a common horizontal axis intermediate the front and the rear, each arm further being jointed (54) intermediate its end to define front and rear sections (50,52) and dampeners (56,74,76) interconnecting the front and rear sections of each of the arms.

Abstract: For use in an agricultural machine which is automatically steered by sensing along a row of plants, a component of the automatic steering system, namely, a comparator system is disclosed herein which utilizes hydraulic signals from independent sensors and mechanically compares such signals with each other and with a mechanical feedback responsive to the degree of angularity of the steered wheels of the vehicle. The net result of the combination and construction of the comparator system is to provide automatic steering control for a small variation of steering of left and right steering courses, for example 2 to 5 degrees, wherein any large amount of deflection of the steering wheels that may be caused by the vehicle operator taking over the steering function will not affect the automatic operation of the comparator mechanism nor will the comparator mechanism have any response thereto.

Abstract: An agricultural type tractor with lifting devices on the front, rear and both sides for agricultural implements. Each pair of rear drivable wheels which are in tandem pivot about a common axle and each pivotable pair of such wheels is driven by a separate hydraulic motor, with each motor, however, connected to a common control whereby the velocity of the wheels on one side can be increased while the velocity of those on the other is decreased for steering around curves and the like. The arrangement also provides a hydraulically lockable differential to avoid the spinning of one set of the drivable wheels while the other set does not move due to an obstruction or the like. Outboard of each set of drivable wheels is a rotatable supporting element which is mounted from the tractor's frame so as to be displaceable outwardly and upwardly relative to the adjacent 0010 set of drivable wheels. Each supporting element has two wheel members which receive an endless chain tread.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying and converting full-time four-wheel drive vehicle transfer cases to adapt them for optional two-wheel drive operation are described. A gear arrangement is provided for locking the main drive shaft from the transmission to the rear output gear of the transfer case, while permitting the differential cage of the transfer case to be engaged or disengaged with a forward drive gear for the front wheels, as desired.

Abstract: This invention relates to a bicycle of the kind having the seat placed low so that the legs of the rider are substantially horizontal.The improvements comprise a simple frame having simple connections between its members, a rear wheel suspension in which the drive chain or other means serves to limit the loads on the wheel suspension fork, a simple front wheel suspension, a steering linkage and post serving as support for a rear view mirror, a simple air cushioned seat and a baggage carrier serving as a marker to enhance visibility in traffic.

Abstract: A power-assisted steering system for a motor vehicle comprises a flexible tie, the ends of which are wrapped in opposite directions around, and are anchored to drums which turn with the steering movements of the steerable guiding wheels. The tie carries at its center, rollers which follow fixed cams. The profiles of the cams are such that, during the steering of the wheels under the action of two hydraulic rams acting through racks and pinions fixed to the drums, the wheels always turn about a single common instantaneous center of turning. The rams are controlled by a distributor valve which is in turn controlled by a rocking lever which is actuated by Bowden wire cables from a steering wheel. The system is especially applicable to load handling trucks having small turning circles.

Abstract: An electronic reversing control system is disclosed for preventing excessive shock loading of the vehicle driveline when the operator calls for vehicle reversal with the vehicle in motion. A digital logic forward-reverse control channel links the operator's direction control lever and the reversing means in the transmission. When reversing is called for the control channel logic is inhibited by a speed responsive signal unless the vehicle speed is below a predetermined value. A speed retarding control channel controls the vehicle brakes and throttle when a reversing signal is produced provided the speed is above the predetermined value. Additionally, the system is provided with a logic power loss detector which resonds to power supply failure and automatically shifts the transmission into neutral.