Abstract: A seal structure for an air cushion vessel includes an inflatable bag secd to the hull and a plurality of juxtaposed, interconnected planer members maintained in operative position beneath the bag by a plurality of support straps. Each planer member includes a transversely reinforced shell portion and a flexible, resilient membrane secured to the longitudinal edge portions of the shell portion to form a flexible planing surface for the seal structure. The planer members may have tapered aft end portions and curved planing surfaces to provide a gradual change of the interface between the planer members and the water.

Abstract: A tank car stub sill support structure is provided in which a half ring is attached to the inner end of a stub center sill at each end of the car. The half ring includes a top cover plate which engages the lower half of the tank, and a lower cover plate which is vertically spaced below the top cover plate. A vertical web joins the top cover plate and the bottom cover plate. The height of the vertical web and the distance between the top cover plate and the bottom cover plate varies in accordance with the bending moment applied to the ring by the tank and lading in the car. Thus the height of the vertical web is maximum at the centerline of the car and decreases to a minimum at the sides of the car. The stub sill is welded to the upper cover plate, bottom cover plate and to the vertical web on the outboard side of the vertical web. The coupler impact loads are thus transmitted into the upper cover plate and into the tank substantially entirely in shear.

Abstract: A hanger carrying device for simultaneously carrying multiple clothes hangers upon which garments have been mounted comprising a flexible, support member having hanger-accommodating aperture means for removably fixedly mounting clothes hangers. The carrying device also includes handle means extending from at least one end of the flexible support member, the handle means usually having a generally cylindrical shape adapted to conform to the human hand.

Abstract: A passive vehicle passenger restraint belt system includes a single continuous drive wire driven by the output of a mechanical motion amplifier to pull a shoulder belt transfer ring forwardly along a guide rail above the door and push a lap belt transfer ring upwardly along the door upon opening motion of the door.

Abstract: An amusement and exercising vehicle for physically handicapped persons is driven by a motor. Operational movement of the drive mechanism is translated into reciprocal movement of foot pedals. The foot pedals are provided with orthopedic braces for supporting the legs of the driver whereby the legs are supported for exercising movement by the motor during movement of the vehicle.

Abstract: The exterior surfaces of an automobile is formed with a series of immediately adjacent or closely spaced wave-shaped flutes which extend longitudinally at an angle to the direction of travel and form a herringbone pattern. A series of parallel dividing walls extending in the direction of forward vehicular travel are integrally formed with the fluted surface. The dividing walls in one embodiment include trailing tapered projections slightly above the plane of flutes. The base of the flutes may have smaller rearwardly inclined pin-like projections to optimize air action within the flutes. In another embodiment, the curved or fluted member are shaped as feathered members with a plurality of parallel dividing walls for channelling the air.

Abstract: A front wheel drive narrow track passenger and/or cargo vehicle possesses some of the maneuverability of a motorcycle while providing the comparative safety and greater utility of a four wheeled automotive vehicle. Steering and tilting of the vehicle is counteract centrifugal force on curves is under control of a universally movable lever resembling an aircraft joy stick. A vehicle main frame forms a peripheral buffer around the entire vehicle.

Abstract: Trailer hitch apparatus is disclosed of the type having a ball and socket coupling wherein the ball includes an upper cap and lower ball section with opposing overlying faces in which electrical contacts are incorporated and wherein the upper cap section is suspended in the socket coupling and contoured to seat with the lower ball section to provide an unlimited universal-type action to insure positive electrical contact regardless of tilting and rotational movements.

Abstract: A method for converting a full-time four-wheel drive transfer case for part-time four-wheel drive operation includes substituting an output shaft having a radially extended mounting flange at the forward end thereof. The original output shaft has a rear wheel drive gear secured thereon for engagement with the spider gears of a differential assembly, the spider housing of which is mounted on the transfer case input shaft for rotation therewith. The mounting flange of the substitute output shaft is adapted for connection to the rearward end of the spider housing upon removal of the spider gears from the differential assembly thereby to connect the substitute output shaft to the input shaft for rotation in unison. With the spider gears removed, the front wheel drive mechanism is selectively actuated by the sliding lock clutch on the input shaft, the spider housing and lock clutch including coacting gears which are meshed when the clutch is engaged.

Abstract: An anti-jackknife mechanism for a tractor-trailer arrangement wherein a stop member on the tractor and an assembly on the trailer can be positioned relative to each other so that an angular change between the tractor and trailer from its normally longitudinally aligned position is resiliently resisted and such resilient resistance is under the control of fluid motors.

Abstract: A personnel carrier particularly suited for use in agricultural weed spraying is designed to be pulled behind a tractor having a standard three-point hitch. The carrier has two wings that extend laterally and forwardly from the attachment point behind the tractor at an angle of approximately 45.degree.. Platforms are provided on each wing for personnel to spray weeds from and wheels are located at the outer end of the wings to aid in support and balance of the device. A pair of skids whose lateral spacing corresponds to that between the front wheels of the tractor is located at the rear of the device and serves to support a large portion of the weight of the device in conjunction with the three-point hitch.

Abstract: A frame for a motorcycle is disclosed of the type including a main frame which extends rearwardly and downwardly from the journal for the steerable front wheel, and, which at its lower end is rigidly attached to a casing of the drive motor. In order to provide space for accommodating an air filter and ancilliary equipment, a pair of subsidiary tubes are rigidly attached to an upper portion of the main frame, the subsidiary tubes respectively diverging outwardly from the main frame and then extending rearwardly and downwardly to a rigid attachment with a transverse tubular member which is rigidly attached to a rear lower end of the main frame, the attachment of the subsidiary tubes to the tubular member being at positions spaced outwardly of the main frame.

Abstract: In an aerial transport system having an aerial track such as a cableway or tramway and one or more carriages travelling along the track, a structure for suspending the carriage from the track comprising a beam, both ends of which are pivotally connected to a plurality of frames supporting wheels, the frames being rotatable in a yaw direction about yaw axes with respect to the beam, and a hanger, the upper end of which is connected to the beam in a pivotable position in a pitch direction about a pitch axis with respect to the beam, the improvement comprising, in combination a plurality of separate beams being positioned apart from one another and linked to respective opposing ends by link members in alignment, a plurality of frames respectively connected to both ends of a respective beam in a pivotal position with respect to the beam about respective yaw axes, one wheel being mounted on each of the frames, and a plurality of hangers, the lower ends of which are connected to a carriage body in a pivotable posit

Abstract: A tracked vehicle includes an engine driven transmission having a pair of output shafts, each of which engages a planetary gear set for driving chain treads. An infinitely variable, hydrostatic/hydrodynamic, superimposed steering mechanism includes a neutral shaft in engagement with the sun gears of each of the planetary gear sets. The steering mechanism includes a hydrostatic drive unit with a regulating pump having a control lever operatively connected to the vehicle steering wheel and an oil motor having an absorption regulating lever. The steering mechanism also includes a hydrodynamic drive unit which is controlled as a function of the hydrostatic system pressure. Output gears of both steering drive units engage the neutral shaft. A torque control valve includes a plunger which positions the oil motor absorption lever as a function of the hydrodynamic drive speed to increase torque at low drive speeds and reduce torque at high drive speeds.

Abstract: A walker device for aiding invalids and other persons having walking difficulties has an upstanding open-bottomed framework toward and within which a person can take steps while holding on and being supported by the framework. The framework is provided with wheels and is motorized, with controls conveniently located for activation by the person using the device.

Abstract: A swivel truck frame of high torsional flexibility for rail vehicles is provided comprising a pair of generally straight longitudinal beams running parallel to one another, said longitudinal beams connected to one another by parallel running crossbeams to define a rectangular frame, said crossbeams being welded to said longitudinal beams, said crossbeams being disposed under said longitudinal beams, the lower chords of said longitudinal beams being welded to the upper chords of said crossbeams, said longitudinal beams being further interconnected by at least one middle crossbeam disposed between said parallel running crossbeams.

Abstract: In a coupling hook for the lower links of a three-point linkage for connecting an agricultural implement to a tractor, side walls define the lateral confines of a pocket. The side walls are shaped to form a jaw into which a coupling element is seated. A latch within the pocket secures the coupling member in the jaw. A bottom wall extends across the lower ends of the side walls and forms a closure for the pocket. One of the side walls has an opening just above the bottom wall for removing dirt from the lower end of the pocket.

Abstract: A camper suitable for mounting on a motor vehicle is disclosed and includes a generally rectangular frame which supports first and second living compartments. The frame carries means for releasably and adjustably securing it to the bumpers of the vehicle and supporting it thereon and these means are also capable of supporting the camper in a freestanding arrangement separate from the vehicle. The first and second living compartments are alternately collapsible and expandable so as to be converted from a traveling or storage mode to an occupancy mode. Additionally, the second compartment is capable of being telescoped into the first compartment when it is collapsed thereby rendering the overall structure extremely compact for purposes of transportation and also achieving the advantage of virtually eliminating any impairment of the visibility of the operator of the vehicle.

Abstract: A load transport carriage, designed to be carried by a truck, having two pairs of wheels, one being a front pair which is located at a relatively higher level and the other a rear pair which is at a lower level. The wheels of the lower pair are hinged to a carriage frame that is pivotable and lockable in its upper position. Locking mechanism is provided for locking the carriage in an upright position, this locking mechanism including one or more feeler wheels which engage the rear of the truck as the carriage is moved onto the truck and which operate to adjust the length of an adjustable strut connected between the pivotal legs carrying the rear wheels and the carriage frame. The locking mechanism may be either a mechanical locking mechanism or a hydraulic locking mechanism involving a check valve which permits fluid to flow in only one direction into a piston chamber.

Abstract: An inflatable skirting assembly acting as a barrier to the supporting cushion of a gaseous cushion supported vehicle, the skirting assembly being constructed from a single sheet of flexible material suspended from the vehicle to form an unrestrained loop in a vertical cross-section.