Abstract: A safety control that can be used on all tandem wheel vehicles, except that throttle and engine ignition controls are additions to the structure of the safety control for motor driven vehicles. The driver can operate the following mechanisms: horn (motorcycle only), throttle (motorcycle only), wheel brakes, controllable legs, engine ignition switch (motorcycle only), locking devices in a predetermined sequence for up-holding the vehicle by applying only a single operation of the hand grip or foot pedal or both of them to prevent the vehicle from tilting over in an emergency or in an ordinary stop or parking or at a very slow speed of the vehicle. The driver does not necessarily use his feet to touch the ground to remain erect, nor to get off from the vehicle to stow up said legs by foot power, thereby allowing safety and ease in using a tandem wheel vehicle.

Abstract: A decorative apparatus making use of a filmy flow of fluid, which comprises: an outlet having an outlet box containing a rectifying member for regularizing a fluid, the outlet box being formed with an outlet hole at the bottom thereof for pouring down the regularized fluid therethrough; an expanding member for transforming the poured fluid into a filmy flow of fluid, which is located beneath and opposing to the outlet hole; a feed device for supplying the outlet with the fluid; and a supporting apparatus for supporting the outlet and the expanding member and for storing the fluid. The fluid which is regularized by the rectifying member contained in the outlet box and thereafter poured through the outlet hole, is spread on the expanding member and forms itself into a stable and three dimensional filmy flow of fluid such as a globe, spheroid, or parasol.

Abstract: A vehicle drive system for driving the front and/or the rear wheels of a vehicle wherein the power is transmitted from the rear axle to the front axle by cross-axis gearing mounted on the rear input pinion shaft which meshes with the driven cross-axis gearing connected to a forwardly extending propeller shaft.

Abstract: A power lawn mower has a drive which includes a pair of pulleys affixed to a shaft which is rotatably supported on a pair of arms which are each mounted at one end for pivotal movement about the axis of the engine power takeoff shaft. The arms are also supported intermediate their ends by rods which are pivotally supported at the lower ends on the rear wheel axles. A belt and a pair of pulleys couple the power takeoff shaft to the pulley shaft. A second pair of belts and pulleys couple the pulley shaft to pulleys affixed to each of the rear wheels.

Abstract: Compressed air brakes on a vehicle are actuated by an obstacle sensor switch via electromagnetic valves to draw compressed air from both parking and service brake compressed air supplies for operation of the service brakes to avoid depletion of the service brake air supply. Also, the parking brake cylinder may be rapidly emptied from control of the obstacle sensor by means of a rapid empty valve connected to the brake cylinders of the parking brake circuit.

Abstract: A speed change mechanism for a transmission comprises a main shaft provided with a plurality of power transmitting gears, and a propelling speed change gear system and a power takeoff speed change gear system supported on the opposite sides of the main shaft in parallel thereto. Each of the propelling and power takeoff speed change systems includes a speed change shaft freely rotatably carrying a suitable number of speed change gears meshing with the power transmitting gears on the main shaft at all times. The speed change shaft accommodates an axially slidable speed change rod which, when moved, forces pins outward or inward radially of the shaft to couple the speed change shaft to the corresponding speed change gear or disconnect the shaft from the gear. The freely rotatable speed change gears are held against axial movement, while axially slidable engaging members which are otherwise provided between the adjacent speed change gears are eliminated.

Abstract: A roadway having a smooth road surface for automotive vehicles includes means for transmitting electric current through the road surface to electrically-operated vehicles travelling thereon. Each electrified traffic lane is provided with at least two spaced parallel electrical contact assemblies mounted with their top surfaces flush with the road surface and in position to be contacted one with a wheel on each side of the vehicle, with the contact assemblies each requiring a predetermined weight thereon to maintain electrical contact with the vehicle wheels. The vehicle employs electrically-conductive tires which roll on the electrically-conductive surface of the contact assemblies, and the current thus picked up is transmitted, through rolling-sliding contacts, conductors, etc. to controls for controlling the operation of the vehicle through individual wheel motors.

Abstract: An arctic vehicle is provided for the rapid transport of goods, machinery, and personnel over ice, snow and frozen ground surfaces.The vehicle is supported partially while at rest and/or under way by a cushion of air which is entrained by a system of seals. Seals along the sides terminate in runners for guiding and partially supporting the vehicles. A cutter system is deployed in front of each runner to form smooth running tracks or furrows over ice, snow, and frozen ground surfaces. A transverse cutter may be deployed in front of the forward transverse seal for removing major ice protrusions between the runners, to reduce seal leakage and wear, and improve ride characteristics. The cut tracks, in addition to providing smooth transit, engage the runners and side seals to prevent lateral shifting of the vehicle by the action of crosswinds and sideslopes.The vehicle may be self-propelled or towed.

Abstract: A vehicle steering and chassis oscillation system with a steering mechanism for steering the vehicle through articulation and a chassis oscillation mechanism for controlling the transverse oscillation of the chassis through pivoting of a link in the articulating mechanism of the vehicle. The oscillation control of the chassis is accomplished through pivoting of a connecting link between the axle and the chassis to tilt the axis of articulation as the connecting link is pivoted. The oscillation of the chassis through oscillation of the articulating axis provides for a means of leveling the vehicle chassis when the terrain carrying the vehicle is on an incline.

Abstract: A foot operated control for operating an accelerator and braking means of a motor driven vehicle through actuation of a single suspended pedal. A brake lever associated with the vehicle braking means is mounted at one end to a shaft pivotally supported in a mounting bracket and carrying a pivot pin adjacent the other end, the brake lever providing vehicle braking action when pivoted in a first direction; an accelerator lever associated with the vehicle carburetor and mounted on the brake lever pivot pin so as to be pivotal in an opposite direction to cause acceleration of the vehicle; and a provision for preventing the two levers from concurrently actuating the associated braking means and carburetor to avoid simultaneous functioning of the system to accelerate the motor while applying the brakes to decelerate or stop the automobile. There is also disclosed a foot pad assembly for the foot operated control which precludes vehicle acceleration when the foot control is unattended.

Abstract: A hose tray for storing a fluid fill and drain hose for a liquid transport truck includes a cover having a closed position covering the tray to prevent access to, or accidental loss of, the hose and an open position permitting access to the hose. The tray is mounted on the vehicle adjacent, and extending longitudinally of, the liquid transport tank. The tray includes a safety interlock such that when the cover is in the open position, the truck brake system is actuated to prevent movement of the truck. This prevents movement of the truck such as would tear the hose from the truck drain fitting, causing spilling of the tank contents. This is extremely important, particularly in view of the flammable nature of many liquids transported in tank trucks, and further in view of the expense to repair torn and damaged drain hose and fittings for such trucks.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for recording and reading the itinerary travelled through by a vehicle and in particular an automobile vehicle such as an agricultural machine. The device is adapted to reproduce on an indicator band a trace of the path followed by the vehicle over a given surface so as to enable the operator to follow, with fidelity, in the course of a second passage of the vehicle, the trace of the preceding passage which permits, for example in the case of spraying, a rational treatment of the surface to be treated in strictly parallel strips with no omission or overlapping of zones. The device comprises a programmer constituted by the indicator band which travels at a speed which is proportional to the speed of the vehicle in front of a movable recording element which is controlled by the steering of the vehicle and reacts in accordance with the variations in the steering.

Abstract: Improvements in the mounting of the transmission chain of bicycles for guiding and supporting the chain, comprising an arc-shaped guide applied on the inner side of the end of the rear fork of the bicycle, substantially concentric to the axis of the rear wheel of the bicycle itself, and mechanism for controlling the change-speed gear, which comprise a control lever rotatable with high friction into an appropriate seat of a clamp fixed to the front tube of the bicycle frame, to which lever is connected the change-speed gear control cable, a pawl mounted on said lever freely oscillating against the action of a spring, and a fixed stirrup associated with said seat and/or clamp. The pawl is adapted to cooperate with two ratchet gear teeth of the stirrup to permit movement of the chain to either an adjacent sprocket or to the guide.

Abstract: A turbine in the form of an endless "Venetian blind" set of arcuate turbine blades mounted to extend between a pair of endless chains that are entrained over sets of sprockets so that two flights of the blades travel in opposite directions in closely spaced parallel planes. Shafts connect sprockets of the sets to maintain the blades parallel and to deliver to an alternator the torque applied to the sprockets by the reaction of the blades to a fluid passing therethrough.

Abstract: An aspirator using pressure from a suitable source boosts the vacuum available when intake vacuum drops. The pressure source may be the A.I.R. pump, for example. At low throttle settings engine vacuum is high and pump pressure is low. At 25% throttle engine vacuum is lower and the A.I.R. pump pressure is higher. With some flow the output vacuum from the aspirator is greater than the engine vacuum. This is also true at greater throttle openings. The device has a regulation effect causing output variation to be less than the variation in manifold vacuum. This makes the lock-up transient and lockup error less dependent on engine speed and makes cruise performance more uniform over the entire range of cruise speeds.

Abstract: A manually controlled set-speed-selector on the speedometer of a vehicle causes a pair of normally open electrical contacts to close when the speedometer indicator needle reaches the set point. This actuates a solenoid valve which applies intake manifold vacuum to an accelerator actuator to pull on a chain connected to the accelerator, thereby decelerating the vehicle. A vacuum relief valve enables the driver to over-ride the decelerating action for passing or emergency purposes. The flexibility of the chain enables the driver to slow down at any time by simply releasing foot pressure on the accelerator. One electrical contact is connected to the speedometer indicator needle by a torsion spring, which allows the contacts to chatter as they close due to vehicle vibration. The on time of the chattering contacts increases as the set speed is exceeded and reaches 100% at a predetermined overspeed value.

Abstract: A side wheel outrigger assembly for each side of a motorcycle, includes an arm pivotally connected to a mounting plate which in turn is attached rigidly to the frame of the vehicle. A strut is fixed to the arm and extends outwardly and rearwardly therefrom for supporting rotatably a wheel mounted at the outer end thereof. A piston cylinder assembly has a piston rod pivotally connected to the arm for latching releasably the arm to connect rigidly and releasably and the wheel in position for adding stability to the vehicle. A bypass conduit connects the interiors of the cylinder housing between the opposite sides of the piston head for enabling the piston head to move within the cylinder during normal operation of the vehicle to permit in turn the wheel to follow freely the contours of the ground and to absorb impacts encountered by the wheel.

Abstract: A wheel suspension arrangement is provided for the front nondriven wheel of a motor vehicle. This arrangement includes a lower guide rod linkage connecting the wheel carrier to the vehicle frame, as well as an upper guide rod linkage also guidingly connecting the wheel carrier with the vehicle frame. The upper guide rod linkage is elastically supported at respective front and rear elastic guide rod bearings carried by a longitudinally extending axle fixed to the vehicle frame. These front and gear guide rod bearings include elastic material which is either cut away internally to form kidney-shaped recesses or is reinforced such that the bearings exhibit different elasticities depending upon the relative direction of movement of the upper guide rod linkage and the frame in the vehicle horizontal transverse direction.

Abstract: An instrument panel cover pivotally connected to the vehicle dashboard and adapted to be folded upon itself into a position above the dashboard to minimize the storage space required by the panel cover when not in use and to eliminate obstructions in the operator compartment or the operator's field of vision.

Abstract: A hydraulic system and latching mechanism for a cab tiltably mounted to the chassis of a vehicle. The cab is normally disposed over the engine of the vehicle and is pivotally attached to the chassis at its forward end for movement through 90.degree.. The cab is powered by an air-motor-actuated hydraulic pump which energizes lifting cylinders disposed between the chassis and cab. When the system is energized, a hydraulically actuated latch is released prior to commencement of the tilting movement of the cab. A direction-control valve is employed which, when in the neutral or closed position, utilizes the pressures generated in the hydraulic system by the weight of the tilted cab in certain positions to assist the valve in sealing the reservoir port in the valve against leakage thereby preventing the cab from creeping.