Abstract: A hitch for use with the rear bumper of a truck or the like. The hitch includes a hollow diamond-shaped housing having a forward end, an open rearward end, top and bottom portions. A horizontally disposed tongue member has its forward end selectively movably received by the open rearward end of the housing and is selectively movable from a towing position to a hitching position. In the towing position, the tongue member has its forward end positioned adjacent the forward end of the housing. In the hitching position, the forward end of the tongue member is positioned towards the rearward end of the housing. The horizontal width of the housing intermediate its rearward and forward ends is greater than the width of the tongue member to permit horizontal swinging movement of the tongue member, relative to the housing, when the tongue member is in its hitching position.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a manual control handle for an electrically powered utility vehicle. The handle provides three functions for the vehicle: steering guidance, speed selection and directional control (forward or reverse). These functions are so designed into the handle that the operator is able to use the handle to control the vehicle without training and with a high degree of safety.

Abstract: A plastic waterproof container for storing water has a top hole formed through the top and a bottom hole formed through the bottom. A combination cap and spout device is affixed to the top of the container and covers the top hole for selectively pouring water out of the container when it is used in the manner of a bucket. A handle extends from the top of the container to support the container from an overhead supporting member when it is used as a water source. A spigot device is affixed to the bottom of the container and covers the bottom hole for selectively pouring water out of the container at a desired rate of flow when the container is used as a water source. A volume control device in the container at the bottom in the area of the bottom hole adjusts the volume of water passing through the spigot device.

Abstract: An attachment for a standard bicycle which is installed by cutting the bicycle frame members in a substantially vertical plane and rigidly attaching a pair of hingedly connected bars to the cut ends. The bars may be welded to the bicycle frame members, or affixed at their ends to tubular members which are bolted or otherwise attached to the front and rear portions of the bicycle frame members. Movement about the hinged connection selectively places the bicycle either in the standard riding position or in a folded position with the front and rear wheels side-by-side.

Abstract: This invention, which provides a folding bicycle, comprises a foldable frame structure including a front support assembly having handlebars and arranged to be rearwardly foldable. According to the invention, the user can very quickly and easily fold the bicycle by manually rearwardly folding the front support assembly which includes upper and lower sections interconnected by a hinge.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tricycle for children which comprises a main rod, handle rods provided at the front end of the main rod, a front wheel provided between the lower ends of the handle rods, a pair of rear legs pivotally provided at the back portion of the main rod by an attachment, a pair of rear wheels provided at the lower ends of the rear wheels respectively, and a spring which is provided between the back end of the main rod and the attachment.

Abstract: A terminal tractor for maneuvering a trailer having a fifth wheel component in a confined area has front and rear wheeled sections pivotally connected via an intermediate section for steering the tractor by articulation of the front and intermediate sections relative to each other. The articulation pivot in combination with the fifth wheel pivot connection between the tractor and trailer allows the trailer to be parked by backing with relatively little longitudinal movement of the trailer required. The intermediate section is connected to the rear section by an oscillating connection for allowing the rear section to rotate with respect to the front and intermediate sections along a generally longitudinal axis to allow all of the tractor's wheels to maintain road contact while traveling on irregular road surfaces. The fifth wheel plate of the tractor may be selectively raised to lift the forward ground support of the trailer above the road surface to allow rapid repositioning of the trailers.

Abstract: A passenger support and protective device for use in connection with a motorcycle is disclosed, including anchoring means for attachment to the motorcycle seat, an upper support structure attached to the anchoring means, and including a back rest adapted to support the passenger seated in a motorcycle seat and a pair of protective upper side rails attached to the back rest for protecting at least the lower torso of the passenger, and a lower support structure for stabilizing the device, including a substantially U-shaped rigidifying member disposed substantially in the plane of the motorcycle seat, and a pair of depending protective lower support rails attached to the rigidifying member for protecting at least the legs of the passenger.

Abstract: An elastic intermediate inset means for a restraining device used in passenger motor vehicles comprising an inflatable bag, an inflating means, a flange and/or housing for holding the bag, and clamping means for connecting the rim and the flange. The elastic insert means connects the rim of the bag with the flange as well as the clamping means so as to avoid damage to the inflatable bag and, at the same time, to damp vibrations.

Abstract: A unicycle wheel has a fixed unit having fixed pedals on either side thereof on which the operator stands, and a rotatable ground engaging unit mounted on the fixed unit and forming a hollow body with it. Drive means are mounted within the hollow body together with means operated upon forward or rearward tilting of the pedals by the operator to rotate the wheel in either direction and to control its speed of movement in response to the degree of tilting.

Abstract: Hand operated throttle control apparatus includes a pivoting lever secured to a housing and connected to a cable which extends to the throttle of an engine. The lever, its housing, and the cable, are in turn secured to a gearshift lever conveniently for manual movement of the lever in conjunction with movement of the gearshift lever.

Abstract: A mixed propulsion system comprising a turbine unit having two output shafts which drive two counter rotating flywheels and, via a reduction gearbox, two generators which generate electricity to drive two electric drive motors the output shafts of which are connected to the wheels of the vehicle. A control system is provided, linked to the accelerator and brake pedal of the vehicle, for controlling the excitation of the field windings of the generators and the motors such that a predetermined excitation pattern is followed. The turbine unit is automatically controlled to run when the speed of the flywheels falls below a lower threshold value and is turned off when the flywheels reach a predetermined maximum threshold speed.

Abstract: A handlebar system for connecting the bicycle handlebar to the front fork structure in which the portion of the stem in the front fork structure is expandable by the use of a rubber block inside the said stem shank while the connection of the handlebar to the stem is effected by a cap mounted on the stem and removable therefrom to release the handlebar.

Abstract: An amplified steering system for a bicycle having a canted steering wheel is provided wherein the handlebar steering column which has a crank arm mounted thereon, is axially off set from the front wheel steering column, which has a smaller crank arm mounted thereon, the two crank arms being connected by a pivotably mounted crank shaft such that a turn of the handlebars is amplified to a greater turn of the steering column and wheel.

Abstract: A vehicle with a hydraulic system including an engine with a hydraulic pump with at least one driven wheel which incorporates a separate driving mechanism having a hydraulic motor in communication with the hydraulic pump. This motor includes a housing with pistons which are cycled by hydraulic pressure applied through a switching arrangement which periodically opens pressure and return ducts as the wheel turns. A cam plate associated with the wheel shaft allows sensing rollers to move control elements of the duct control members as the wheel turns. The wheel shaft is connected to a crank arm and the pistons' lower rods are drivingly connected to the arm to turn same. Upper rods of the pistons are reciprocated in a tube in a conical housing which extends above the motor housing.

Abstract: An independent strut-type suspension system for a front wheel drive vehicle, wherein the shock absorber is secured at the lower end thereof to the steering knuckle at an angle such that it extends rearwardly of the drive shaft and below the center line thereof, providing a low overall height profile, coupled with anti-dive and anti-lift characteristics, with a coil spring mounted eccentrically around the shock absorber to diminish bending moments on the shock absorber.

Abstract: A system for controlling vehicular four-wheel steering mechanisms, having means for varying the ratio of the steering angle of the rear wheels to that of the front wheels as a function of the vehicle speed to effect four-wheel steering in low-speed operations and substantially only front steering in high-speed operations of the vehicle.

Abstract: A tag wheel lift includes first and second brackets, spaced longitudinally and provided with inner and outer legs, with the former being attached to a mounting plate by spacing blocks which provide clearance for nuts for pivot bolts which extend through the legs. One end of a leaf spring for the corresponding tag wheel is pivoted on a bolt or pin extending between the lower ends of the legs of the first bracket, while the other end of the spring is pivoted between a pair of lower links, at the lower rear corner of a rearward offset. A hydraulic cylinder is pivoted on the first bracket, while the piston rod thereof is pivoted between the movable ends of a pair of upper links, on the same pivot which connects the upper links with the lower links.

Abstract: A gas bag safety device is mounted to the spokes of a vehicle steering wheel and has storage compartments extending from the steering wheel in the direction of the steering column for holding a folded gas bag. A gas generator for inflating the gas bag is located on the hub of the steering wheel.

Abstract: A convertible riding toy adapted selectively to simulate an automobile, a boat, and an airplane, having a body provided with an operator's cockpit and adapted for ground traversing movement; a pair of wings oppositely swivel mounted laterally of the body and adapted selectively to be positioned in a concealed, rearwardly extending automobile simulating positions within slots in the body, laterally extending aircraft wing simulating positions, and a converging, forwardly extending position for simulating the bow of a boat; a vertically slidable rudder member selectively for simulating the rudder of an airplane or of a boat; and a pair of airplane motor simulating discs adapted selectively to be retracted or to be laterally extended from the body.