Abstract: A sledge or equivalent transporting base, consisting of a frame (1) and of thereinunder mounted travelling members such as runners (2), with reference to which the frame is movable in the direction longitudinal to the sledge. To the runner (2) has been pivotally attached an arc-shaped rolling member (3) with the center-point of its radius at the pivotal point and which is free to roll along an opposed counterface (5) on the frame (1). With the aid of the invention, sledge runners which have frozen fast to snow or ice can be easily freed by first backing up so that the load rolls into its rear position, whereafter the sledge is started, whereby with the aid of the load's mass the runners are jerked free from frozen-on snow and ice.

Abstract: A safety ski binding includes a cross-country plate having a front jaw and heel holder thereon and pivotal about an axis extending transversely of the ski. Two W-shaped bar parts of different lengths are pivotally supported thereon and movable to positions between the plate and ski. Each bar part includes two spaced outer legs, two spaced inner legs therebetween, two support webs connecting adjacent outer and inner legs, and an inner web connecting the two inner legs. A respective pin extends through the inner legs of each bar part and is secured in the outer legs thereof, and portions of a sleeve are provided on the pin between each outer leg and the adjacent inner leg and between the inner legs. A further pin is preferably secured in the outer legs of one bar part and engages the inner web thereof. Damper elements are preferably provided on the support webs of each bar part.

Abstract: The disclosure herein describes a hand truck which comprises a base frame defined by side members and front and rear end members and into which may be compactly stored various components mountable to the base frame such as a handle, four uprights, a pair of bed plates and support elements for the bed plates; the base frame is equipped in one case, with supporting mounts for inclining two uprights relative to the base frame and, in another case, of an opening at each corner for mounting the four uprights to which are attached the support elements cooperating with the bed plates to form platforms which may be formed at various heights relative to the base frame.

Abstract: A powered roller skate apparatus includes a motor supported on the back of a user, with a flexible drive extending from the motor to a front wheel truck for a standard roller skate. The wheel truck is interchangeable with that of any standard roller skate, and only one bolt need be removed and replaced to effect the change.Instead of an internal shaft to drive the one driven wheel, the wheel drive system includes a hub adjacent to the outside of the wheel, and a series of prongs extend from the hub directly into the side of the urethane wheel. Gear reduction from the motor is achieved through two angle drive gear boxes, one at each end of the flexible drive, which may include different-sized gears for the reduction, at the same time this enabling the flexible drive to be oriented generally upright between the skate and the motor.

Abstract: A heel holder includes a sole holder which is supported for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis on a support member and has a control surface. A locking lever pivotally supported on the support member has a nose engageable with the sole holder control surface. A spring housing having a release spring therein is pivotal about the sole holder pivot axis, and a slide member movably supported in the spring housing is biased by the release spring against a side of the lever opposite the nose thereof when the spring housing is in an initial position. A centering spring is cooperable with the spring housing and with the sole holder or the support member and, after pivotal movement of the spring housing away from its initial position, urges the spring housing back toward such position.

Abstract: An underhood muffler mounted in the engine compartment of a motor vehicle supported on the turbo-charger and a resilient support supported on the engine.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a portable, foldable and convertible luggage trolley which includes first and second base supports joined by a pivot so as to be folded between a nested position and a position in side-by-side coplanar relationship, the first and second base supports carrying first and second sets of wheels, another pivot joining a handle to the first base support and still another pivot for pivotally connecting a luggage restraining member to the second base support, a plurality of locks for holding the handle in a position normal to the first base support, the handle being formed by handle members foldable between side-by-side and nested positions, the luggage restraining member further functioning as a carriage for the second set of wheels so that the same can be moved between operative ground engaging and inoperative nonground engaging positions when the first and second base supports are in their respective side-by-side and nested positions, and means for joining one of the handle members to an

Abstract: A jogging cart for exercising and training race horses includes a shell to protect the driver from the elements and from mud and debris kicked up by the horse. A very strong wheel mount is provided in conjunction with a supporting frame member for the shell which can be molded into the shell or body of the cart. A transparent windshield on the shell includes a forward gate section which may be opened. Below the gate section on the shell is a support ledge for reins. Simplicity of construction and durability are prime features of the jogging cart.

Abstract: An arrangement in a heavy motor vehicle affords relative rotation in a conduit connection for intake air from a supercharger via a charge air cooler to the combustion engine. The supercharger and the engine are fixed to the vehicle frame, while a body unit covering the engine is tiltably mounted relative said frame. For easy access to the drive unit, the charge air cooler is fixed to the tiltably mounted body unit. For tight and strong conduit connections between charge air cooler and supercharger or engine, at least one connection has two cooperating conduit ends joined to each other to form a swivel joint permitting relative rotation between said ends about their common center line.

Abstract: A stabilizing system for a wheeled vehicle having a movable mass on the vehicle, an actuator mounted on the vehicle connected to the mass for moving the mass, a sensor mounted on the vehicle for sensing movement of the vehicle about an axis to be stabilized, and a controller responsive to the sensor for controlling the actuator to cause movement of the movable mass in the same direction about the axis to be stabilized as the direction which the sensor is sensing movement of the vehicle and, in turn, the mass.

Abstract: The width of a laterally foldable wheelchair can be reduced by the chair occupant by manipulation of a hand lever on one side of the chair frame which is operable to elevate a flexible seat support member thereby inducing partial folding of the chair to reduce its width. The weight of the occupant on the chair seat tends to bias the hand lever toward its inactive stowed position.

Abstract: A motorcycle rear fender structure having a swingable rear fender. The rear fender is pivotally mounted on a motorcycle frame body. Further, the rear fender structure includes a side box which is fixed to the rear fender and is rotatable together with the swingable rear fender. The side box is also fixedly secured to the motorcycle frame body when the rear fender is held at its normal horizontal position. A utility rear receiving space may be made at the rear fender. Cowl portions are formed integrally with the rear fender.

Abstract: A snow ski is provided, including front and rear end portions, as well as front and rear binding mounting areas. A rear binding mount is attached to the rear mounting area and a boot heel binding is supported from the mount for selective guided shifting relative thereto between a forward active position and a rear inactive position. A front binding mount is attached to the front mounting area and downhill and cross-country boot toe bindings are supported from the front mount with the toe bindings positioned thereon in oppositely facing directions. The front bindings are supported as a unit from the front mount for selective position reversal thereon, whereby the front bindings may be selectively alternately positioned for binding the toe of a downhill or cross-country ski boot to the ski.

Abstract: A heel holder of a ski binding is mounted on a guide plate which is in turn supported on a ski for movement longitudinally thereof. A biasing mechanism yieldably urges the guide plate forwardly with respect to the ski. A ski brake mounted on the ski just ahead of the heel holder includes a pedal which is supported for pivotal movement and two braking mandrels operatively coupled to the pedal, pivotal movement of the pedal effecting movement of the braking bars between a braking and a retracted position. An inclined surface is provided on either the free end of the pedal or the forward end of the guide plate, and at least one roller engageable with the inclined surface is provided on the other of the pedal and guide plate. The biasing mechanism, through engagement of the roller and inclined surface, urges the pedal and braking mandrels toward the braking position. When a ski shoe is releasably secured in the heel holder, a small space preferably exists between the roller and the inclined surface.

Abstract: A skid attachment for a shopping cart, useful in operative position to allow easy movement of the cart over snowy and icy surfaces, as in supermarket parking lots, includes a pair of skid members near the front wheels of the cart, when the attachment is installed, which are selectively movable into inoperative storage position underneath the cart and into operative position with the skid surfaces thereof being lower than the front wheels of the cart, hand operable linkages for moving the skid members selectively into either inoperative or operative position, and fastening means for holding the skid members and the associated linkages to the cart. Preferably, the skid attachment includes stops for limiting the movements of the skid members, locking means for holding them in position and handle or equivalent means so that the skid members may be readily moved into desired positions.

Abstract: A battery-driven car which has an electrical system including a minimum number of electric storage batteries as the power source, a high-voltage converter with a high-voltage capacitor bank for driving a direct current impulse motor combined with a generator for supplying current to motor/generator sets respectively integrated with the wheels of the vehicle to drive the same or for recharging the batteries in accordance with a microprocessor control system, the wheel-actuated generators providing recharging current for the batteries whenever the motor component is not being energized and in addition, said electrical system also including an air-driven turbine generator component for recharging the batteries when the vehicle reaches a predetermined speed in accordance with the microprocessor controls.

Abstract: A ski has a safety binding which includes a support for a ski boot. The support carries retainers for the toe and heel of the boot and is pivotable about an axis extending transversely of the ski so that the ski boot may be swung away from the ski during skiing. A brake for the ski is mounted on the support and is arranged to be kept in an inoperative or non-braking position by the pressure of the ski boot. The brake is resiliently urged towards its operative or braking position and automatically moves to this position when the pressure of the ski boot is released. The ski is thus braked regardless of whether the boot is removed from the binding intentionally or unintentionally.

Abstract: A step-in binding for securing a ski shoe or boot having a latching element including a transverse bit across and in front of the shoe or boot onto a ski. The binding includes a support element to be mounted on a ski, and a movable latch to be secured to the ski. The latch includes a movable pressure element and means for biasing the movable pressure element towards the support element. The shoe or boot may be secured by the binding to the ski by inserting the transverse bit between the support element and the pressure element when the movable pressure element is biased towards the support element and lowering the transverse bit between the movable pressure element and the support element.

Abstract: The device comprises a locking lever having a bearing surface adapted to cooperate with a complementary bearing surface formed on a heel-gripping member. The angle of slope of the two surfaces is such that the resultant force of the bearing force and the friction force passes through the axis of rotation of the locking lever.

Abstract: A ski pole handle having both a finger shield and a thumb shield for restraining the thumb against backward movement relative to the fingers.