Abstract: This invention relates to a self-propelling construction machine comprising a frame provided with at least two groups of ground engaging members disposed and spaced longitudinally on said frame, either the front or rear end of the frame being provided with means for coupling to a tractor or articulated vehicle. The group of ground engaging members disposed near the end with the coupling means comprises a device for adjusting their height with respect to the frame, enabling them to retract away from the ground when said machine is coupled to the tractor, whereas the ground engaging members other than those disposed near the end with the coupling means are constituted by a wheel assembly which is irremovable whilst the machine is functioning. One application of the present invention is the production of a travelling crane.

Abstract: An electrically assisted pedal cycle including a frame rotatably mounting a ground engaging wheel. A pedal shaft is supported by the frame with its axis extending transverse to the plane of the frame, the shaft being supported for rotational movement and limited axial movement relative to the frame. A coupling is provided whereby rotation of the shaft relative to the frame at least in one direction can be transmitted to the ground engaging wheel to propel the cycle. A screw arrangement is incorporated whereby rotation of the shaft in the one axial direction moves the shaft axially relative to the frame in one axial direction. An electrical switch is operated by such axial movement of the shaft relative to the frame and the electrical switch is associated with an electric motor and associated power source which are carried by the frame to prevent energization of the electric motor until the electrical switch is operated by the axial movement of the shaft.

Abstract: A new and improved sissy bar for a motorcycle which has a movable portion so that a single rider on the motorcycle can use it as a conventional sissy bar or can position it immediately behind him for use as a backrest. If the rider has a passenger, he can position it for the comfort of the passenger. Preferably the slidable portion of the sissy bar is slidably mounted on a support bar which is attached to the frame of the motorcycle. When used as a backrest, it is slidably positioned relative to the seat to the position that the operator desires, and locked into place. A variation also permits the operator to adjust the tilt for maximum comfort. The device is simply constructed and easy to operate with a minimum of moving parts.

Abstract: In a bus having a replaceable power drive unit docked in a compartment provided in the rear end of the bus body, jacking devices are provided between the power drive unit and the body for raising the rear end of the body relative to the power drive unit, thereby tilting the body about the axes of the front wheels of the bus as a fulcrum to provide increased working clearance between the body and the bus propulsion engine, which is mounted on the power drive unit. Safety support devices are provided to retain the body in elevated position, and latch devices to retain it in lowered, operative position.

Abstract: An improved chain control unit for a bicycle of the type having a pair of crank arms rotatably mounted at their rear ends on a mount secured to the frame of the bicycle behind the rear wheel thereof. Thus, pedals on the front ends of the crank arms are driven up and down by upward and downward movements of the legs. The chain control unit includes a follower for each crank arm, respectively, each follower operating to change the angular relationship between a pair of adjacent stretches of the chain in a manner to progressively increase the angular travel of a sprocket at the hub of the rear wheel in response to uniform angular, downward travel of the corresponding crank arm to thereby provide for optimum torque applied to the rear wheel. Several embodiments of the chain control unit are disclosed including one having an overriding feature operated by a manually actuated control device carried on the handlebar or other suitable location.

Abstract: In a safety bag device for use in a vehicle and of the type wherein a rupture plate is interposed between a high pressure gas container and a conduit leading to an inflatable safety bag. A nozzle having a plurality of nozzle holes opened into the conduit is interposed between the rupture plate and the conduit. A spool is slidably fitted to the nozzle in such a way that it may normally close a predetermined number of nozzle holes, but may be displaced away from the nozzle to open them in response to the increase in pressure in the nozzle chamber when the rupture plate is ruptured in case of a collision, whereby the flow rate of the high pressure gas flowing into the inflatable safety bag may be suitably controlled so as to prevent very rapid expansion of the bag resulting in the injury to an occupant.

Abstract: A safety arrangement for passengers of a moving vehicle includes an inflatable air cushion for maintaining passengers in their seat positions and a plurality of gas generators for inflating the cushion. The cushion is inflatable at different rates depending on vehicle deceleration by the employment of an electrical release circuit. The circuit includes a piezoelectric sensor for providing a signal representative of deceleration, a first threshold value switch, an integrator, a plurality of threshold value switches having different thresholds and a plurality of firing elements for the gas generators.

Abstract: An inflating system of the type utilizing a propellant charge and stored fluid under pressure to inflate an inflatable member such as a vehicle safety bag. The propellant chamber in which the propellant burns is separated from the reservoir in which the fluid is stored by a nozzle member. Means is provided for reducing the throat area of the nozzle member upon actuation of the high or fast deployment of the system to increase the burning rate of the propellant charge.

Abstract: A motorcycle driven by a water cooled engine mounted on a frame includes a radiator attached to a front fork rotated with a handle. A water circulating system between the engine and the radiator is constructed by a head pipe and a steering shaft rotatably inserted through the head pipe.

Abstract: There is disclosed an extension for a motorcycle fork of the type including a downwardly biased damper and having its upper extremity received in a hollow fork tine and having its bottom extremity secured to the bottom end of a hollow slider which has its upper extremities telescoped over such tine. The bottom wall of the slider is severed from the slider itself and the damper rod extended and severed medially. A damper rod extension of a predetermined length is fitted between the top and bottom sections of such damper rod and has its opposite ends affixed to the medial ends of the damper rod sections. The damper rod is then retracted into the tine and a slider extension formed with an extension chamber having an axial length at least equal to such predetermined length is fitted over the lower end of such damper rod and affixed thereto. The slider extension is then secured to the lower extremity of such slider as by welding.

Abstract: Device for tensioning safety belts in vehicles in which one end of the safety belt is securable to the vehicle and the other end of the belt is securable to the tensioning device. The device includes a cylinder having a piston with a piston rod extending from one side of the piston out of the cylinder to which the safety belt is securable. The piston is provided with a recess receiving an electrically ignitable propellant charge cartridge such that upon ignition of the cartridge propellant gases are generated which flow into the cylinder at the piston rod side of the piston for causing the piston and piston rod to be displaced into the cylinder to effect a tensioning of the safety belt.

Abstract: An inflator assembly including a flow control device associated with a safety system for controlling flow of fluid from a fluid source into an inflatable restraint, such as an inflatable confinement associated with a vehicle for protecting an occupant during a collision. The flow control device includes a shiftable valve which is normally responsive to fluid flow initially actuated by an explosive. The shiftable valve contains or orifice which is progressively opened during the opening movement of the valve to provide for controlled flow of fluid into the restraint.

Abstract: A stabilizing assembly is provided for bicycles having a collar mounted on a bicycle frame and a pair of clamps, each of which is on a separate branch of a front wheel steering means, the clamps each being connected to the collar by an adjustable tensed spring, which inhibits excess turning and jackknifing of the front wheel of the bicycle.

Abstract: An elongated gas generator, designed especially for use on the passenger side of the front seat position of an automotive vehicle, has a combustion cartridge having a central, electrically initiated igniter surrounded by gas generant material. This, in turn, is surrounded by filtering screens and by a perforated, tubular housing. A pH neutralizing material is located adjacent the openings of the housing for neutralizing gases produced by the burning gas generant. At least one other perforated case encloses the housing, and multiple layers of wire cooling screens are interposed between the housing and the case enclosing it. The openings in the housing are arranged relative to those of the outer case so that a long path is created for gases passing through the cooling screens, parallel to the layers thereof. The cooled and filtered gases are discharged directly from the outer case into a structure to be inflated.

Abstract: A vehicle, such as a tractor, having propelling wheels connected by a differential, together with a traction control device for connecting the propelling wheels directly when the differential permits relative motion between the propelling wheels, including a rotatable shaft having friction rollers secured thereon at axially spaced positions to engage the propelling wheels, lever means pivotally mounted on the vehicle chassis and having bearings for supporting the rotatable shaft, and handle means connected with the lever means for moving the friction rollers into contact with the propelling wheels.

Abstract: A confinement is composed, in its collapsed stored condition, two diametrically opposed double-layer portions folded to meet each other and another two opposed double-layer portions folded to cover at least in part the first two portions. The folded confinement is placed in its receptacle.

Abstract: A gas bag safety apparatus comprises an inflatable torso bag installed within the compartment of a vehicle, a gas-diffuser assembled within the torso bag and having a number of jet holes to supply pressurized gas fluid into the torso bag from an external gas pressure source, and an inflatable knee bag housed within the torso bag and mounted on a portion of the diffuser through a check valve to be inflated by the pressurized gas fluid supplied from the diffuser, the check valve being provided on the opening end of the knee bag to be opened into the knee bag. The valve seat portion of the check valve is at least double-layered to reinforce a portion of the knee bag exposed to the jet holes.

Abstract: The wheels of the cart are arranged so that a front wheel and a rear wheel can be interconnected with each other and driven off a steering gear. Upon pivoting of the steering gear during turning of the cart, these front and rear wheels pivot in opposite directions so that the rear wheel follows in the wake of the front wheel. When disconnected from the steering gear, the front and rear wheels, as the remaining wheels, are freely rotatable.

Abstract: An independent rear suspension and drive system for a motorcycle having a steerable front wheel and a laterally mounted pair of rear wheels, including a transverse driveshaft having a differential connection with the engine, a pair of trailing-links journaled on the drive-shaft and mounting the respective rear wheels pivotally about the driveshaft, a pair of driveshaft output sprockets respectively on opposite sides of the differential, a pair of chains operatively connecting the driveshaft output sprockets with respective wheel drive sprockets, and a transverse arm centrally pivoted to the frame and having at each end a dashpot connecting to a respective trailing link; associated dashpot spring means is arranged to be determinative of the combined trailing link positions relative to each other, but not to the motorcycle frame.

Abstract: An improved safety device for protecting an occupant of a vehicle during an accident includes a confinement which is inflated to an expanded condition to restrain movement of an occupant. To effect inflation of the confinement, a fluid source is actuated to provide a high-velocity fluid stream which cooperates with a nozzle to draw a relatively large volume of air into the confinement. .Iadd.