Abstract: A dual-step rear bumper assembly for a truck. The bumper assembly comprises a main or lower crossmember 15 extending the full width of the truck. The crossmember provides the principal bumper strength and also the lower step (16 or 17) of a dual-step feature. To this crossmember 15 is attached an upper crossmember 28 having tread portions providing the upper step 29 or 31 of the dual-step feature. The bumper assembly ends are capped by end bulkheads 41 and 44. Intermediate bulkheads 42 and 43 box in the ends of the license plate cavity located at the center of the bumper assembly. The bulkheads may be of a much lighter gauge metal then the bumper cross members. The bulkheads provide the necessary vertical compression load resistance to support the weight of a person stepping on the upper step portions.

Abstract: A towing apparatus of enhanced stability is illustrated for attaching an automobile and other vehicle to be towed to a towing vehicle wherein diverging arms are pivoted adjacent one end of a central bar or frame member which extends rearwardly from a towing vehicle with a slide carried thereon for attachment at predetermined positions along the bar, and diverging links each having pivotal connection on one end on a respective arm and on the other end to the slide member. A chain attaching means is provided for use with the tow bar wherein respective chains carried by the arms are positioned in spread relation adjacent a free end of respective arms and extend inwardly across one another and are attachable to spaced vehicle frame members thus serving as a towing and positioning chain with an extending portion acting as a safety chain.

Abstract: A stabilizer rod and lower draft link are supported on opposite ends of a common supporting pin on a tractor with each being carried thereon by a ball and socket joint. The stabilizer rod and draft link converge rearwardly. The rod is provided with external threads on its rear end portion. A ball and socket joint is fixed to the draft link and the threaded portion of the rod extends through the ball portion of the joint. Nuts are provided on opposite sides of the ball and may be adjusted axially along the rod for varying the amount of sway of the respective draft link or for locking the draft link entirely against sway.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic steering system is disclosed for a wide track steerable vehicle which changes the position of each steerable slave wheel to an optimum angle depending on the angle of a hydraulically steerable master wheel. Controls, including electro-hydraulic steering mechanisms, are provided to cause the steerable slave wheels to turn relative to one another to assume and maintain an optimum turning radius and optimum turning relationship as the vehicle operator maneuvers the vehicle along a desired curved path of travel by hydraulically controlling a master steerable wheel. The system minimizes tire wear, reduces structural stresses in the vehicle, and maximizes traction during turning maneuvers. No conventional tie rods are required and the system may be implemented to permit two wheel steering, four wheel crab steering, and four or more wheel coordinated steering.

Abstract: A vehicle, its frame, with a driver's seat, mounted on two rear wheels and a single steerable front wheel, is made to enable a wheel-mounted motor-driven rotary mower to be removably installed with its rear wheels between those of the vehicle, its front wheels behind the vehicle's front wheel. A drive to the vehicle's front wheel is releasably connectible to the drive shaft of the mower's motor, and means are provided for automatically lifting the mower's front wheels above the ground when the vehicle's front wheel is turned to steer to one side or the other, so as to prevent the mower wheels from being dragged sideways across the ground.

Abstract: A splash guard or mud flap comprising a flexible, splash-intercepting body portion which may be fabricated of a material such as rubber or plastic or metal, and which is supported on and maintained in a preselected position on the fender of a vehicle by means of anchoring members adapted to be engaged along the fender of the vehicle. The anchoring members have a projection or pin-like member thereon for engaging and retaining the flexible, splash-intercepting body portion on the anchoring members. In a preferred embodiment of the splash guard, the body portion is fabricated of a material such as rubber or plastic which can be fully penetrated by the pin-like member utilizing only finger pressure. Locking means in the form of a push-on type nut advantageously is provided for the members. The splash guard, in its preferred form, can quickly and properly be positioned on the fender of a vehicle without the need for any tool.

Abstract: A generally horizontal forwardly opening U-shaped frame is provided including a pair of front to rear extending elongated opposite side members and a rear cross member extending and secured between the rear ends of the side members. The forward ends of the side members may be removably anchored to transversely spaced rear portions of a forward implement and an elongated front-to-rear extending draw bar is provided and pivot structure pivotally anchors the draw bar to the cross member for oscillation relative thereto about an upright axis disposed intermediate the opposite ends of said cross member and the front and rear ends of said draw bar.

Abstract: For a track laying vehicle, a convertible chassis comprising endless track driving sprocket wheels and track guide bogie wheel assemblies, both mountable upon the vehicle to accommodate wide or narrow endless tracks selectably, the sprocket wheels being reversibly mountable upon the sprocket drive shafts of the vehicle using flanges axially offset from the track engaging teeth of the sprocket wheel, and the bogie assemblies being mountable at selectable locations upon elongated cross-members secured to the frame of the vehicle.

Abstract: A steering stabilizer is provided for a conventional multi-trailer combination or train consisting of the usual powered vehicle or pulling tractor constituting the No. 1 element of the train; a lead or first trailer constituting the No. 2 element of the train; a wheeled and rotatable vehicle or dolly constituting the No. 3 element of the train and a rear or second trailer constituting the No. 4 element of the train. A conventional drawbar has one end pivotally connected to the forward end of the frame of the No. 3 element and has the other end pivotally connected to the trailing end of the frame of the lead trailer or No. 2 element.

Abstract: A universal command signal producing apparatus adapted for use in an electrically operated vehicle. The apparatus includes a rotatable electrical element for use in controlling a drive function of the vehicle, such as a speed control function or a braking function. The apparatus is arranged to act as a transducer between a foot pedal, adapted to be actuated by the user of the vehicle, and the propulsion control to selectively control the electric drive motor of the vehicle or the braking system thereof. The transducer apparatus may include a sprocket associated with the rotatable electrical control device and driven by a chain forming a part of the transducer. The chain may be mounted on a suitable carrier which is adapted to be moved by movement of the foot pedal.

Abstract: A wheelbarrow having a frame including a pair of subframes each made of a continuous length of tubular material and held in spaced apart relationship to each other to form a load carrying platform above and rearwardly of a wheel supported between the subframes.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided with right and left traction drives powered by first and second reversible two-speed hydraulic motors. A solenoid-operated speed control valve is coupled to the motors for shifting the latter to high speed operation in response to the valve being energized. Travel control valves for the motor are coupled to switches connected in the circuitry for controlling the speed control valve such that during high speed operation of the vehicle the motors will be automatically downshifted in response to the travel control valves being operated to cause the vehicle to be turned.

Abstract: A van having a forward cab section and a rear passenger/cargo section is convertible to a tall wall pickup or camper shell configuration by an overhead door or roof panel which is movable from a position overlying and covering an overhead roof opening to an upstanding vertical position. The movable roof panel defines a partition between the cab section and the rear passenger/cargo section, thereby providing a tall wall, open cargo area or camper conversion space. The van is equipped with a side wall door opening and docking receptacles for receiving stub tow bar beams of a trailer vehicle wherein the trailer can be towed by the van to a camping location, uncoupled from the rear of the van and docked into engagement with the side wall door opening, thereby augmenting the living space within the van through its side door opening.

Abstract: A safety binding adapted to be mounted on a ski comprises a one-piece jaw in which engages and is maintained one end of the sole of a ski boot, this jaw being urged under the action of a resilient device against two support lines provided on a rear transverse face of a support member. The support lines, viewed along the axis of the ski, converge towards a point located above the ski. The resilient device comprises a pressure member bearing upon the front transverse face of the support presenting at least two lines of reaction converging towards the ski.

Abstract: Skirt segments for a segmental skirt of an air cushion vehicle can be removed and replaced without getting under the vehicle hull, by providing a rod or tube at each top edge of a segment, the inner ends of the rods or tubes being inserted into sockets on the vehicle bottom surface. The outer edge of the skirt segment, and the outer ends of the rods or tubes, are held against the vehicle structure by a clamping member. A tool can be provided which attaches to the outer ends of the rods or tubes to assist in removing or replacing a segment, the tool removed before applying the clamping member.

Abstract: A passive vehicle occupant restraint system for use with a vehicle seat which has a foldable back includes an inboard movable belt guide through which a portion of the belt intermediate an inboard and an outboard portion freely passes. The belt guide includes a guide member having a ring portion receiving the belt and mounted on the inboard side of the seat for generally backward and forward movement of the ring portion. A drive device is coupled between the belt guide member and an element associated with the back of the seat such that the belt guide ring portion is moved forwardly in response to forward folding of the seat back and is moved rearwardly in response to restoration of the seat back to the normal upright position.

Abstract: A drive mechanism is provided particularly suitable for use in ambulators ving a mobile platform that transports a paraplegic in a standing position, the unique drive mechanism enabling the platform to be of a minimum size with a very low center of gravity, and being movable about three axes to provide maximum maneuverability and access to confined spaces.

Abstract: An air bag system to protect occupants of automobiles against injury in case of collision. An air bag is housed, when empty, in a tapered open container in the passenger compartment of the car. It is inflated by compressed air from an air tank in the vehicle. Inflation is controlled by solenoid valves actuated by switches responsive to excessive brake pedal pressure, harness tension, or force against the front bumper. The speed of inflation may vary. A manual switch controls a deflation pump which deflates the bag and also mechanically draws it back into its container. Normal repeated use of the brake pedal operates air pumping means to keep up the pressure in the air tank.

Abstract: An extendible and pivotal steering column for a vehicle having a wedge lock extension mechanism for providing an extension and pivotal arrangement of the upper end of the steering column pivotally mounted within the operator station of the vehicle.

Abstract: A passive occupant restraint belt system for a vehicle which includes a restraining belt and apparatus for moving the belt between occupant-restraining and occupant-releasing positions in response to partial opening of a door of the vehicle. A belt transfer device engages the seat or shoulder belt for moving the belt from the retraining to the releasing position and is actuated by a motion transmission mechanism which transmits and amplifies door opening motions to the belt transfer device. The transmission includes a motion amplifier mounted on either the vehicle body or door, and a force transmitting input rod having one end coupled to an input component of the motion amplifier.