Abstract: A three-wheeled vehicle or tricycle having an elongated frame mounting an auxiliary tricycle seat behind an operator's seat with handle bars and pedals for the auxiliary seat which are not connected to tricycle wheels for providing an auxiliary simulated tricycle arrangement upon a tricycle for small children.

Abstract: An auxiliary speed control system for a vehicle having an engine, a multiple ratio transmission and an operator's foot pedal for varying the engine speed. To obtain a vehicle speed which is different from any of those normally provided by the multiple ratio transmission, a device is moved into proximity to the operator's foot pedal. The device is contacted by the foot pedal when the foot pedal is depressed. When the speed of the vehicle reaches a predetermined maximum, the device acts on the foot pedal to prevent the operator from exceeding the selected speed.

Abstract: The motor vehicle comprises a body, a pair of headlamps which are mounted on a common cross rod angularly movable relative to the body, and a headlamp tilting mechanism. The mechanism comprises a tensioned cable secured at one end to an axle housing of the motor vehicle and at its opposite end to a spring arm. An outer sleeve over the cable abuts against the underside of the body. The spring arm is clamped at one of its ends to the cross rod and a further spring arm is also clamped to the cross rod and has its free end urged into abutment with a stop fixed relative to the body. The cable is secured to the end of the spring arm which is remote from cross rod and the cable biases the further arm into engagement with the stop. The provision of the spring arms serves to reduce the amount of angular movement imparted to the cross rod by the cable when changes in the attitude of the vehicle body relative to the wheels occurs under changing conditions of load carried by the body.

Abstract: An electrically powered wheel-chair for indoor and outdoor use comprising a pair of rear main wheels, which are non-pivotably connected with the frame-work of the chair, at least one of said wheels being driven by an electric motor. A steering wheel being rotatably connected with the frame-work of the wheel-chair and positioned in front of the main wheels, said steering wheel being asymmetrically located on one side of a longitudinal axis through the middle of the chair. A support wheel being positioned on the other side of said longitudinal axis relative to the steering wheel at such a level above a flat and horizontal ground surface that it will not touch this surface when the steering wheel directed straight ahead. The diameter of the support wheel is less than that of the steering wheel and the distance from the fore-most point of the steering wheel to a transverse axis through the centers of the main wheels is greater than the corresponding distance for the support wheel.

Abstract: A wheel and bearing unit for a vehicle comprising inner and outer rings in between which two rows of rolling bodies and sealing means are applied. The outer or inner ring is connected to a member of a brake device while the inner forms a connecting means for the wheel and a shaft. The unit is characterized in that the wheel is mainly a conical shaped disc one side of which is smooth while the other side is provided with connecting means for connecting the disc to the bearing inner ring and brake device parts. The disc is further provided with air cooling apertures having edges which can lead cooling air streams mainly in the direction of the brake device.

Abstract: A hand operated wheel-chair with a pair of main wheels rigidly connected with the frame-work of the chair, at least one of which is either motor or hand operated and at least one castor wheel being pivotally connected with the frame-work of the chair and at least one support wheel being rigidly connected with the frame-work. At least one castor wheel and support wheel are positioned on each side of a line extending between the support points of the main wheels and at a level above the ground surface to permit either the castor or the support wheels to be in contact with the ground surface depending on whether the vertical through the center of gravity is located on one or the other side of said line between the support points of the main wheels.

Abstract: An independent wheel suspension system particularly suitable for recreational vehicles, providing high front end ground clearance therefor, the system including a pair of forwardly extending torque-reaction struts, each extending from a pivotal connection along the side of the automotive frame to a location adjacent the center of one of the front wheels for connection therewith of a steering knuckle and wheel support member, with upper and lower lateral control arms being pivotally mounted between respective upper and lower portions of the support member and portions of the vehicle frame.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system which includes a bladder member secur affixed to shoulder straps and a lap belt is disclosed. The bladder member comprises a central pocket portion in fluid communication with two pelvic bags and two chest bags. The chest bags are additionally interconnected with a chin bag member. Upon impact the bladder member automatically inflates to thereby cushion the pelvic and chest areas against the forces of the collision and simultaneously the chin bag member inflates to thereby prevent rotation of the vehicle occupant's chin into his chest.

Abstract: Apparatus for mounting a sidecar to a motorcycle having a vertically disposed trapezoid-shaped frame section comprised of elongate struts interconnected at their ends defining a first vertex adjacent the motorcycle seat cushion and second and third vertices substantially below and in front of the first vertex includes three mounting bracket plates that are secured to the frame adjacent the three vertices, respectively. In one embodiment, three mounting brackets overlie two struts of the frame adjacent the vertex and are respectively clamped thereto by U-bolts. In another embodiment, a front engine mount of the motorcycle adjacent the third vertex is replaced by a mounting bracket plate which is secured to both the engine block and a frame member. Each mounting bracket plate carries the male portion of a clevispin connector for releasably attaching the sidecar to the mounting bracket plates.

Abstract: The invention comprises a suspension system for a motorcycle or the like wherein the rear wheel suspension spring is connected to the frame in such a manner that upward impacts received by the rear tire are reacted on the frame in a substantially horizontal direction rather than vertically as in conventional motorcycles so that the pitching motion and vertical thrust on the rear end of the motorcycle is considerably reduced over rough terrain, a feature which is particularly advantageous in offroad racing.

Abstract: A safety steering wheel for motor vehicles is disclosed, the improvement sisting in that between the steering wheel hub and the wheel rim and spokes assembly a yieldable connection structure is inserted, said structure comprising an annular rib and a central framing in the shape of a lattice work. The stiffness of the component parts of the resilient structure is so designed as to permit a temporary deformation of the wheel assembly so as to spread the impact energy over a surface which is the widest possible.

Abstract: An energy absorbing steering assembly for a motor vehicle having a steering column supporting assembly for supporting the steering column substantially at a right angle from the instrument panel of the vehicle and a steering wheel supporting assembly being able to forwardly deflect. The steering column supporting assembly is enabled to bukcle to absorb forward impact energy when an impact force is exerted onto the steering wheel and the steering wheel supporting assembly functions to absorb further the forward impact energy in addition to the buckling operation of the steering column supporting assembly.

Abstract: A chassis for a vehicle having three large diameter, low soil pressure tires includes two elongate linear side rails which diverge from one another from back to front and are spaced far enough apart at the front to house a large engine and more closely at the rear to reduce the wheel span. A special front portion to which the front wheel assembly and associated steering means are mounted is constructed of beam-like members extending forwardly and upwardly from the side rails. The beamlike sides of the front portion are bent to forwardly approach one another, terminating at a bearing which receives a mounting yoke carrying the front tire.

Abstract: A low profile air cushion loading platform is provided with a driving and steering device comprising a plurality of laterally spaced steering boxes located under the platform. Each steering box includes a plurality of wheel members adapted to be driven by motors about horizontal axes of rotation, with the wheel members and their driving motors being located within a ball race and rotatable with said ball race as a unit about a vertical axis. The ball race has gear teeth which cooperate with a driving gear operated by an electrohydraulic steering system to rotate the ball races of different ones of the steering boxes through different angles respectively during the steering operation, to cause the wheel members of all the steering boxes to be driven along arcs having a common center of curvature.

Abstract: The skirt of a surface effects vehicle is made up of a plurality of oblong lements which are slanted toward the stern of the vessel. Each element partially rests against and/or supports the adjacent elements. This configuration reduces skirt drag, cushion leakage, skirt wear, as well as reducing the impact forces transmitted to the vehicle itself and increases obstacle heights which can be successfully crossed.

Abstract: A mounting bracket for supporting a bicycle safety flag wand adjacent the rear end of a bicycle so as not to interfere with a rider swinging his leg over the rear wheel when mounting or dismounting. The bracket is preferably formed of hollow tubular or strip stock with one leg being longer than the other and with the distal end of the longer leg adapted to be secured to a rigid part at the rear of the bicycle such as on one of the sides of the rear wheel fork so that the bracket extends to adjacent the rear end of the bicycle. The second leg of the bracket extends generally upwardly and being open and hollow serves as a socket for receiving the bottom end of the flag wand.

Abstract: In a vehicle a drive unit adapted to drive four wheels, the wheels being driven by axle shafts. The drive unit comprises a change speed transmission with its longitudinal axis extending lengthwise to the vehicle longitudinal direction. The drive unit further comprises a transfer gear assembly connected to the output of the transmission and to two transfer shafts which extend parallel to the vehicle longitudinal direction. The drive unit further comprises differential gears driven by the transfer shafts and driving the axle shafts. A housing encloses commonly the change speed transmission, the transfer gear assembly, at least one of the transfer shafts and at least one of the differential gears. The vehicle may be equipped with a starting device attached to the drive unit and employing a brake assembly which may be watercooled.

Abstract: A conventional bicycle of the type having a frame with an upper bar between an upright seat-supporting member and a steering fork bearing assembly is converted to a high-ride bicycle by a bifurcated seat extension having a housing for a pedal sprocket bearing assembly on the end of one branch which extends forwardly along the upper bar. Clamping means secures the forwardly extending branch to the upper bar. A downwardly extending branch is clamped in the bicycle frame in the place of the seat, and the seat is clamped in place at the upper end of the seat extension.

Abstract: An energy absorbing steering assembly for a motor vehicle having a steering column supporting assembly for supporting the steering column substantially at a right angle from the instrument panel of the vehicle and a steering wheel supporting assembly being able to forwardly deflect. The steering column supporting assembly is enabled to buckle to absorb forward impact energy when an impact force is exerted onto the steering wheel and the steering wheel supporting assembly functions to absorb further the forward impact energy in addition to the buckling operation of the steering column supporting assembly.

Abstract: This invention is a unique vehicle towed trailer, useful in loading and unloading power driven equipment. The trailer has the features of a rotatable bed, means for tilting the bed, means for locking and clamping towing tongue to the trailer, means for removing to trailer from the lower frame, for use as a pallet, means to use the lower frame as a trailer and means to rotate the trailer bed to facilitate loading and unloading of power equipment.