Abstract: A Full Access wheelchair in which the seat can be raised to a height of about forty inches above the ground, or lowered to a height of about ten inches above the ground, while providing constant and comfortable support for the legs of a user throughout the range of motion of the seat. This Full Access wheelchair can increase the independence of many disabled individuals, and enhance their quality of life.

Abstract: A power steering casing capable of operating in a power-assist mode and also capable of operating in a strictly mechanical mode. The power steering casing includes an inner cylinder where there is disposed a piston affixed to an end of a rack bar. The rack bar projects outside of the steering casing for connection to steering linkage of the vehicle. The steering casing is in communication with a valve which controls the passage of a power-assistance fluid in response to turning of a steering wheel. The valve comprises a jacket and a valvular nucleus. The valvular nucleus is connected to the vehicle's steering column, while the jacket is connected to a bushing on the pinion. The pinion meshes with the rack bar. The bushing is connected, via an anchorage piece and pin, to a torque bar that coaxially extend through the valvular nucleus from the bushing to the steering column.

Abstract: In order to provide safe and effective surface climbing and descending vehicles, the vehicle includes a base for supporting a platform to be maintained in a generally horizontal orientation. The mechanism automatically raises and lowers the platform as the vehicle is descending or climbing the surface, respectively, in order to maintain the platform in the generally horizontal orientation. With this arrangement, the vehicle further includes a pair of endless belts normally to be maintained in driving engagement with the surface in a manner to conform to the surface during climbing and descending.

Abstract: A device for transmitting torque produced by a cylinder, includes two combination spline shaft members hingedly connected at the inward spline ends thereof to a double acting cylinder member within a shaft guided hollow tube member. Said combination spline shaft members are, operative reciprocatively and counter torsionally, against key embodied effectual connection members meshed thereon when, said cylinder member is reciprocatively enabled and said effectual connection members are firmly held.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel configuration of a transport means (5) for a controlled, striding motion along a substrate (14), having several striding elements each comprising a standing or foot element capable of being lowered and raised, respectively, for placement in contact with and removal from contact with the said substrate by means of a lift element (12) in a first axial direction, and having servo links (10) acting between the striding elements (9) to generate a linear relative motion in each instance between two striding elements (9) within a preassigned travel in an axis of motion.

Abstract: A portable quick hitching device connects to a vehicle equipped with a bucket or other attached implement. The base of the device is constructed so as to engage the lip of the bucket and to support a towing ball or wagon hitch pin. A brace attached to an opposing side of the bucket secures the base to the bucket.

Abstract: A tractor and a trailer are designed for operation in tight spaces, The tractor's wheels can each be powered and steered under user control. Preferably the frame is less than nine by nine feet, can support at least ten thousand pounds, can change direction in place, and can be operated by remote control. In some embodiments the trailer's hitch connector is a fifth wheel. In others it is mounted at the end of a powered, telescoping, horizontally swinging arm. The tractor can include connections for supplying hydraulic or electric power to one or more external devices, such as ones which can be mounted on the end of its rotable arm, instead of the hitch connector. The arm can have a double-jointed, hydraulically powered extension for extra flexibility. The tractor's engine can be non-polluting so it can be used inside. The wheel of the trailer can each be powered and steered, so the tractor-trailer combination is highly maneuverable. The trailer can receive power for its wheels from the tractor.

Abstract: A system for the control of couplings in the locking mechanisms or differentials of a drive train in an all-wheel-drive vehicle is disclosed. The drive train of a vehicle having at least two drive axles (4.times.4 vehicle) comprises, starting from the engine and transmission block 1, a power take-off with switchable coupling 2, a front axle differential with locking coupling 3, a rear axle differential with locking coupling 5, steering angle sensor 10, rotational speed sensors 11, status sensors 12 and actuators 13, 14, 15. The rotational speed sensors 11 are installed in proximity to the wheels 4, 6. To be able to automatically switch all the couplings in keeping with terrain conditions, a control system 18 having individual modules (21,24,25) for each coupling (2,3,5) is provided. The control modules (24,25) of the hierarchically lower couplings (3,5) also emit control signals for one or several hierarchically higher coupling(s) (2,5) before they actuate their own couplings (3,5).

Abstract: A coupling mechanism for operatively connecting a sulky to a motorized vehicle. The sulky includes a support platform including a seat for an operator secured thereto and at least one wheel operatively, rotatably connected to the support platform. A hitch point is provided to be connected to a motorized vehicle. An upper support member includes a first end pivotally connected to the hitch point and a distal end extending a predetermined distance therefrom and being pivotally connected to the support platform. A lower support member includes a first end pivotally connected to the support platform and a distal end extending towards and being pivotally connected to the hitch point. The hitch point, upper support member and lower support member are operatively connected together for adjusting the disposition of a sulky relative to a motorized vehicle during the traversing of a crest in terrain and a ravine in terrain.

Abstract: A cover for a receiver-type trailer hitch includes a first panel which visually masks upwardly facing portions of the hitch assembly, a second panel which masks rearwardly facing portions of the assembly, and means are further provided for holding the cover in place. In the preferred embodiment, the first and second panels are joined at right angles to one another, and both are shaped to tightly conform dimensionally to receiver-type hitches having central, rearwardly projecting draw tubes. The panels are preferably constructed of a relatively thin, substantially rigid material such as molded plastic. Various means are disclosed for holding the cover in place, including bolts with hand-operated fasteners, hook-and-loop fasteners, magnets and straps.

Abstract: A vehicle drive transmission includes a hydrostatic transmission (14) which comprises a hydraulic motor (16) of a variable displacement type. Swash plate (29) of this motor is displaced from its neutral position in one direction in a stepwise manner to plural angular positions. The motor is used for setting one of plural speed ranges or low-speed and high-speed ranges of vehicle within which vehicle speed can be changed in a non-stepwise manner by a hydraulic pump (15) having a non-stepwisely displaceable swash plate (28). Output shaft (18) driven by the motor is connected to rear wheels (2) for a constant drive thereof through a mechanical transmission mechanism (21) and to front wheels (1) for a selective drive thereof through a clutch mechanism (26; 126; 226). The clutch mechanism preferably includes a one-way clutch (85) for providing a selective drive mode in which front wheels are additionally driven automatically when slipping of the rear wheels is caused during the two wheel-drive condition.

Abstract: A towing assembly includes a mounting member fixed to the frame of a towing vehicle. The mounting member includes two support bars in spaced relation that are fixed perpendicularly to two cross bars that are in turn fixed to the frame of the towing vehicle. Both the support bars and the cross bars take the form of angle irons, with the horizontal legs of the support bars fixed to the horizontal legs of the cross bars. A motion assembly is coupled to the vertical legs of the support bars. The motion assembly comprises a first vertical tube coupled to the support bars and a second vertical tube associated with the first vertical tube for uniform vertical translation. A pair of roller assemblies facilitate the uniform vertical translation of the second tube. The roller assemblies are offset from one another both in a vertical plane and a horizontal plane. A horizontal tube is coupled to the second vertical tube and vertically translates therewith.

Abstract: A trailer hitch alignment device which allows the driver of a vehicle to align the hitch of the driven vehicle with that of its trailer with no aid from another individual. The invention utilizes two masts having acrylic flags attached thereto mounted upon the hitch components of the respective vehicles to provide visual reference points for the driver. The acrylic flags are bright in color which allow them to be sufficiently illuminated by the reverse lights of the towing vehicle during times of darkness, thereby making night-time hitch alignment possible. Each mast is mounted to a hitch component via a dome-shaped base having several magnets underneath. The magnets provide the attraction force necessary to mount the masts to the hitch components and the shape of the mounting bases provide the bases with the ability to mounted upon virtually any hitch configuration. The mountings are further secured through the use of velcro-type straps which extend from the mounting bases to the hitch components.

Abstract: Adjustable riding toys are provided in both bicycle and tricycle forms. The bicycle and tricycle each have an adjustable height axle connection. Multiple axle apertures are provided on mounting arms for adjustably receiving an axle. Methods of adjusting the bicycle and tricycle are also provided.

Abstract: A 4-wheel tractor having brakes on the rear wheels only and an FWD clutch for selectively drivingly coupling the front wheels to the rear wheels, is provided with a control circuit, operative during rear wheel braking, for controlling the clutch so that the front wheels are intermittently coupled to and uncoupled from the rear wheels. Brake pedals which individually control the rear wheel brakes, and a hand brake all control switches connected to a controller. An FWD switch is also connected to the controller. A ground speed sensor applies to the controller a signal representing the speed of the tractor. If the tractor speed is above 15 mph at the time both brake pedals are depressed, the controller selectively controls a solenoid so that the clutch is selectively engaged and disengaged in a first sequence if the FWD switch is ON but selectively controls the solenoid so that the clutch is selectively engaged and disengaged in a second sequence if the FWD switch is in an OFF or an AUTO position.

Abstract: Tricycle vehicles of the type in which the rider provides the power for moving the vehicle, and more particularly, to improvements in the steering action and drive arrangement of tricycle vehicles of the type described. The tricycle includes a worm/worm gear arrangement that permits the steering wheel to be rotated about either rotational axes of the worm or worm gear to effect turning. A steering wheel clamping arrangement and slip clutch are also provided.

Abstract: A remote control apparatus of a construction machine in which steering control is performed by hydraulically controlling the steering clutches and the steering brakes, comprises remote operating unit for generating a first steering command for turning on or off the steering clutches of the construction machine and a second steering command for turning on or off the steering brakes of the construction machine, steering operation of the construction machine being controlled by the first and second steering commands; and a control unit provided in the construction machine, for performing a control in such a manner that when the first steering command becomes on, the steering clutches are released for a duration during which the first steering command is on, and when the second steering command becomes on in the duration during which the first steering command is on, hydraulic pressure of the steering brakes is gradually changed from a releasing side to a braking side with a predetermined gradient.

Abstract: A device for transporting a boat consisting, in combination with the boat, of an attachment device adapted to attach the boat to a pulling vehicle, and a second device attached to the boat at the end opposite the vehicle and including a wheel adapted to roll on the surface and support that end of the boat. The attachment device is designed to support the end of the boat nearest the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle dolly particularly suited for four-point front wheel drive vehicles and employing a telescopic forward stabilizer bar mounting a pair of swivel casters and a pair of pivotable tube-point plates for attachment at first and second points of the vehicle frame. First and second adjustable rear struts are mounted to the forward stabilizer bar by respective U-joints so as to pivot in both the horizontal and vertical planes. Respective connectors or four-point adjusters are mounted to the respective rear struts and are adjustable along the respective axes of the rear struts for attachment to third and fourth points of the vehicle. Apparatus for adapting the dolly to transport three-point vehicles is also disclosed.

Abstract: A composite bicycle frame containing a hollow slanted-Y-shaped front frame portion, a hollow upper support paw and a hollow lower support paw. The hollow slanted-Y-shaped front frame portion comprises: (1) a generally common junction; (2) a main tube connected between the front fork assembly of the bicycle and a middle portion of the common junction in a slanted manner; (3) an upper branch tube connected between the seat assembly of the bicycle and an upper portion of the common junction in a slanted manner; and (4) a lower branch tube connected between the pedal support assembly of the bicycle and a lower portion of the common junction in a slanted manner. The hollow upper support paw is connected between the seat assembly and the rear wheel shaft assembly of the bicycle, and the hollow lower support paw connected between the pedal support assembly and the rear wheel shaft assembly.