Abstract: A load-support module comprises first and second frame structures of rectangular plan form disposed one above the other on a common central axis, with load support members attached to and extending between the structures. The frame structures are such that the modules can be stacked one on another in nested relationship. The modules are disposed in close-packed rows on a base frame structure, forming a load-support surface. Contiguous modules are demountably secured to one another and are each provided with fitted floor members. The entire structure is provided with a demountable, peripheral flexible skirt. A number of such structures can be combined to transport very large objects.

Abstract: A bag member for an air cushion vehicle flexible skirt has an apertured portion by which a space enclosed by the bag member and hard structure of a vehicle to which it is attached, is placed in communication with the vehicle cushion area. The apertured portion comprises a plurality of strips of flexible material laid across each other so as to form apertures therebetween. The apertured portion may be formed by a plurality of apertured panels comprising the aperture-forming strips of flexible material joined to strips of flexible material defining side edges of each panel.

Abstract: Device for stabilizing the lower links of a three-point hitch conventionally used on farm tractors having a sway bar rotatable connected to the tractor axle by a first pin with its axis paralled to the longitudinal axis of the axle. The other end of the sway bar is connected to one of the lower links by a second pin encased in a rubber metal element and oriented with its axis transverse to the first pin axis.

Abstract: One embodiment of this invention is a specially folded steering wheel safety bag adapted to be mounted in a steering column of a vehicle to cushion the driver. Another embodiment is a specially folded passenger safety bag adapted to be mounted in the dashboard or in another area of the vehicle to cushion a passenger. Both the steering wheel safety bag and the passenger safety bag include: a plurality of adjacent first-pleats; a plurality of between-first-pleat-folds; and a plurality of cross-pleat-folds. Each first-pleat has a first-pleat-fold. One such between-first-pleat-fold is disposed between adjacent first-pleats. The cross-pleat-folds are disposed substantially transverse to the first-pleats, the first-pleat-folds and the between-first-pleat-folds. The steering wheel safety bag may have from six to twenty such first-pleats and from one to four such cross-pleat-folds.

Abstract: A passive seatbelt system including a passenger restrictive seatbelt of which an inner end is attached to a roller mechanism fastened to a center of the motor vehicle and an outer end which is fastened to a moving plate, the moving plate is fastened to a roof side of the motor vehicle and constrained to forward and rearward motion, a narrow belt is attached to the moving plate at one end and to a winding roller located to the rear of the roof side for winding up the narrow belt, the narrow belt and winding roller being arranged and configured such that it permits free unwinding to accommodate passengers of different physique except at times of a vehicular emergency wherein the unwinding of the narrow belt is stopped by an emergency locking retractor.

Abstract: Electrovalves are opened in automobile piping of a brake line, a clutch line and a fuel line by a current through normally open contacts of a plurality of control relays and through normally closed contacts of an interlocking relay. The control relays are operated by selected switches of a plurality of push-button switches while the interlocking relay is operated by the non-selected switches of the plurality of switches. The control relays are interconnected so that the selected push-button switches must be operated in a selected sequence. All the relays have holding circuits.

Abstract: The vehicle has a body provided with ground-engaging portions and has an imaginary longitudinal medial vertical face of symmetry. At least one pair of devices which produce fluid streams is disposed substantially symmetrically on opposite sides of the face of symmetry. The devices have axes of rotation which parallel one another and the said face of symmetry. The body has further mounted thereon at least one pair of matching hydraulic motors whose rotors are connected with the fluid-stream producing devices to drive the same. The motors are supplied at the same rate of flow with streams of hydraulic pressure fluid, and consequently the fluid-stream producing devices are driven at equal velocities and, in turn, produce equal reaction thrusts symmetrically on both sides of the said face of symmetry. This stabilizes the attitude of the vehicle and produces forward movement in the direction of its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A generally T-shaped wheeled support frame is provided with an upstanding hand grip bar and a rearward foot supporting tailpiece pivotally connected for horizontal movement with the hand grip bar by a flexible shaft permitting the user to generate forward movement of the frame by lateral to and fro bending movement of the shaft and pivoting movement of the tailpiece.

Abstract: The vehicle including a dual function hand operated control system including a lever affixed to a rotatable shaft, two spaced arms extending generally upwardly from the shaft forward of the lever, one the arms being pivotally connected to a substantially vertical push rod which extends downwardly into a substantially vertical sleeve, the lower end of the sleeve being operatively connected to a power brake booster through pivotally connecting linkage, and the second arm being operatively connected to a throttle cable extending from the dash through flexible connecting means.

Abstract: A guide surrounding a trailer hitch ball protects the bumper and the rear end of the vehicle from damage by the trailer hitch member during connection thereof, and comprises a plate secured under the trailer hitch ball and having vertically extending wall portions which join at the rear of the trailer hitch ball in an obtuse dihedral angle. The guide functions to guide the trailer hitch member into cooperating engagement with the trailer hitch ball carried on the vehicle without allowing the same to engage the bumper or rear end portion of the vehicle. The side walls of the guide are sufficiently high to protect the trailer hitch ball from engaging and locking with the bumper of a vehicle used to push the vehicle having the trailer hitch ball installed.

Abstract: Rapid movement of the gas pedal initiates a shifting operation to the next higher or next lower gear depending upon whether the speed of the gearing lies above or below a predetermined speed range. The speed range extends from a first to a second predetermined speed. Both the width of the range and the actual values of the first and second predetermined speed are automatically adjusted as a function of the throttle valve position and the then-present gear. If the gas pedal is not activated but the gear speed is less than a predetermined first threshold speed, an automatic down-shift takes place. Up-shifting can only occur when the speed of the gearing exceeds a minimum up-shift speed. Engagement and disengagement of the clutch is controlled and may include jolt limiting. The engine speed is limited during gear shifting.

Abstract: A steering assembly or system for vehicles such as a car comprises a speed increasing gear for the turning movement of the car steering wheel located under the steering wheel, at least one flexible shaft having the inner end connected to the speed increasing gear mechanism, and a transmission mechanism connected between the outer end of the flexible shaft and the steered road wheels of the car for transforming and transmitting the turning or rotary movement to a swinging movement of the steered road wheels. In one embodiment, the transmission mechanism includes a speed reduction gear mechanism at the terminal output end of the flexible shaft.

Abstract: The belt or belts of a passive vehicle occupant restraint belt system are moved from a restraining to a releasing position by a motion transmission system which transmits opening motion of a vehicle door to a belt transfer guide and includes a motion amplifier, the output of which drives the guide, and a folding linkage which remains folded and transmits door motion to the motion amplifier input device when the door moves between the closed position and a partly open position and unfolds and substantially ceases to transmit door motion to the motion amplifier when the door is moved between partly and fully open positions.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing or measuring omni-directional motion of the apparatus upon a relatively smooth but not necessarily planar surface and/or for producing or measuring omni-directional movement of the surface relative to the apparatus. The transport device includes a frame and at least two wheels having peripheral rollers. The wheels rotate about non-parallel axes. Any desired movement of the device relative to a given surface can be achieved by appropriate rotational inputs to the wheels. Movement of the device in all directions can be achieved without incurring significant sliding of the device relative to the surface. This relatively slip-free motion is achieved by means of the peripheral rollers which allow a given wheel to be moved in a direction parallel to its axis of rotation without sliding. In this manner motions of the device upon the surface are essentially completely reversible by merely applying a rotational input to the wheels opposite of the initial rotational input.

Abstract: An instrument panel device for automobiles, particularly cars, wherein the space on the rear side of the instrument panel is employed to provide air conduits for feeding conditioned air to the interior of the automobile. A closing plate is employed to close the space on the rear side of the instrument panel, and the closed space is vertically sectioned with a partition plate to provide two systems of air conduit passages which are insulated from each other. The respective air conduit passages communicate with blowing ports provided on the front surface of the instrument panel, with defroster blowing ports, and with side defogger blowing ports.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tandem wheel arrangement for construction vehicles, such as a motor grader. Most particularly the invention relates to such an arrangement wherein both the forward and rearward wheels of the tandem wheel arrangement are mounted to levers and the levers are mounted to the vehicle frame. For example, when one of the roadwheels becomes elevated relative to the other when such roadwheel runs over a rock, a fluid circuit including cylinders interconnected between the vehicle frame and the levers, functions to change the lever relationship between the ascending and descending roadwheels such that the resistance to upward motion of the ascending wheel is reduced, a lowering force is imposed on the descending wheel to increase tractive effort thereof and the upward movement of the frame is reduced.

Abstract: A conveying device, particularly suited for lifting purposes comprises a load holding carriage mounted within a hollow column for longitudinal reciprocating movement in the column, the carriage having load holding arms which project transversely from the column through a longitudinal slot in the wall of the column. The carriage has rollers which engage the walls of the column internally to guide the same and a traction chain which is guided around reversing pulleys at the two ends of the column is accommodated within the column, has its opposite ends attached to opposite ends of the carriage to form, with the carriage, an endless loop the run of which not containing the carriage passes the same within the column.

Abstract: A motorcycle sidecar securely accommodates a handicapped driver seated in a wheelchair. Handlebars are mounted directly in front of the driver for steering the motorcycle. Other controls, including a throttle, a front brake lever, and a clutch lever are mounted on the handle bars. A rear brake lever and a gear shifting control are conveniently located in the sidecar for manipulation by the handicapped driver. A retractable ramp is provided for permitting the driver to roll his wheelchair into the sidecar. Brackets are provided for securely attaching the sidecar to a conventional motorcycle.

Abstract: A steerable wheeled assembly for a vehicle such as a harvesting or windrowing machine of the type adapted to be drawn over crop rows in the ground is disclosed. The assembly includes rotatable vertical members and a horizontal axle member which are arranged in a "C" frame supportingly connected to the vehicle and which provides clearance under the axle. Ground engaging wheels rotate on stub axles which pivot in steering movement when the vertical members are rotated. Steering or pivot arms are mounted on each of the vertical members and are connected together by a tie rod. A fluid power actuated cylinder connected to one of the arms is used to pivot the arm and stear the vehicle.

Abstract: Apparatus for compacting or consolidating a strip of road surfacing material essentially comprises a self-propelled compacting machine and a guide vehicle. The guide vehicle has a steerable wheel and a set of drive wheels. The compacting machine is guided for orbital movement around the guide vehicle at a preset turning radius. The guide vehicle may be self-propelled in which case it carries its own motor for driving its driving shaft. Preferably the guide vehicle is driven for progressive displacement along the strip of surfacing material in response to the turning of a coupling bar, connecting the compacting machine with the guide vehicle about its end for determining the turning radius of the former. The coupling bar in turn rotatably drives the driving shaft of the guide vehicle which in turn drives the drive wheels of the guide vehicle through a power transmission.