Abstract: An auxiliary drive for a travelling device has a boosting effect when the driving power requirements are high and has a regenerative effect when the driving power requirements are low or negative. The auxiliary drive is provided with a measurement device for the primary driving power and with a control that increases or diminishes the generated torque by reducing or increasing the regenerative braking torque when a predetermined primary driving force is exceeded or not reached, respectively. The use of regenerative braking to charge the batteries allows small and relatively light batteries to be used.

Abstract: A power steering apparatus comprises a fluid source for supplying pressurized fluid, a power cylinder having a pair of fluid chambers, a control valve, and a drain control mechanism. The control valve is composed of first and second control portions. The first control portion has four paths connecting the fluid source and the reservoir, and each of the four paths is formed with a variable orifice of center-open type. The second control portion has two supply paths communicating the fluid source with the fluid chambers of the power cylinder, each of the supply paths being formed with a variable orifice of center-open type, and two drain paths communicating the fluid chambers with the reservoir, each of the drain paths being formed with a variable orifice of center-closed type.

Abstract: A fluid supply system provides hydraulic fluid to a series combination of an automotive fan motor and a power steering unit. There is a bypass line around the fan motor for prioritizing the operation of the power steering unit. A normally closed pressure sequencing valve opens the bypass line when the pressure across the overall series combination exceeds a predetermined limit. Optional second and third bypass lines are disclosed for respectively bypassing either the power steering unit or the fan motor in case of abnormal conditions therein.

Abstract: A steering detection device for articulated vehicles, such as consisting of a tractor truck and a semitrailer, connected by a thrust bearing on the truck and having a hole designed to house a corresponding pin on the semitrailer, creating an axis of relative rotation between the tractor truck and the semitrailer. The device has a shaft rotatably mounted to the pin, a sensor connected to the shaft to interact with the thrust bearing when the tractor truck is coupled to the semitrailer, and a transducer actuated by the rotatable shaft to produce electric signals corresponding to the angular rotational movements between the shaft attached to the thrust bearing by means of the said sensor, and the pin, in order to obtain signals relative to the rotation of the tractor truck with respect to the semitrailer.

Abstract: An ornamental cover for a fifth wheel hitch plate for use when the hitch is not engaged. The hitch plate cover comprises principal and tail portions and a kingpin shaft and locking washer for locking the hitch plate cover in place after the trailer has been removed from the fifth wheel hitch. The cover is further stabilized with a kingpin guide tab and moldings covering the edges of the cover.

Abstract: A tow-behind implement and a hitch therefor are provided. The hitch is for securing the implement to a pulling vehicle such as a tractor. The hitch attaches a farm or industrial implement to the drawbar of a pulling vehicle. The hitch mechanism includes a clevis swingingly and rotatably mounted to an offset hitch component which is secured to the tongue or the like of the pull-behind implement. This swinging attachment is at a location forward of the hitch pin. The clevis remains parallel to the drawbar regardless of the attitude of the implement in order to increase contact surface area. In addition, the weight of the implement is ahead of the hitch pin in order to reduce stress on the drawbar. Angular movement which is provided by the hitch is greater than that provided by standard implement hitch devices.

Abstract: A chain of a driving device for a snowmobile can be adjusted by a simple operation. A gear case is provided with lever portions. One lever portion is mounted on a gear case pivot. The other lever portion is fastened with a bracket provided on an upper frame through a chain adjuster. The chain adjuster has a cam surface and has a rotational shaft held in a slit of the bracket. The chain adjuster is loosened and rotated through a predetermined angle. Then, the gear case rotates around the gear case pivot and the idle shaft moves whereby stretching of the chain can be finely adjusted.

Abstract: A drivetrain and load bearing swivel hitch assembly is provided which separates the load carrying function from the power transmitting function and features a swivel hitch assembly having three axes of rotation which allow for roll, pitch and yaw movement, respectively. One end of the load bearing swivel hitch assembly is secured to an implement such as a peanut combine, while the other end is securely joined to the drawbar of a pulling vehicle such as an agricultural tractor in a manner such that the draft and tongue load are not borne by the drivetrain assembly. Drivetrain assembly includes a swivel gearbox having a generally vertical axis above the generally vertical yaw axis of the load bearing swivel hitch assembly. Combines incorporating this drivetrain and load bearing swivel hitch assembly are also provided in order to present combines that will maintain the proper operational angle for combine operation irrespective of the tractor type or size used as the pulling vehicle.

Abstract: An endless track mechanism for vehicles and self-propelling machines having a front axle and a rear axle fixedly connected with a machine frame, the endless track mechanism comprising a plurality of endless track supports, a endless track supported by the endless track supports and having a drive wheel, an end transmission mounted at a rear end of the endless track supports for driving the drive wheel of the endless track, wherein each of the endless track supports has a closed hollow profile provided with mounting and service openings and non-rotatably articulated in the region of its front end portion with the front axle, and also through the end transmission which is mounted on an opposite end with the rear axle, an input transmission connected at a drive side with a machine drive, the input transmission and the hollow shaft which transmits a drive movement being arranged in the hollow profile of each of the endless track supports, bearings each provided in the input transmission and the end transmission,

Abstract: A power steering system has a power assist for the steering gear of an automotive vehicle. The power assist comprises a piston reciprocable in a cylinder. Hydraulic fluid is delivered to opposite sides of the piston by a control valve. A pressure line delivers hydraulic fluid to the control valve from a pump. A return line returns hydraulic fluid to a pump reservoir. An anti-rattle device provides a restriction in the return line to suppress the transmission of noise and vibrations from the road travelled through the steering gear to the steering wheel.

Abstract: An articulated trailer utilizing two pivot points and an angular transfer system to control the radial movement of the front axle during turning is disclosed. The articulated trailer comprises an elongated carriage having two spaced-part, wheeled axles. The rear axle rigidly attaches to the carriage while the front axle is pivotally mounted. The carriage front end comprises two spaced-apart pivot points, a hollow jack column assembly and a tongue assembly. A structural assembly supports the jack column assembly and the tongue assembly. A draw bar extends from the tongue assembly to the draft vehicle. Tie-rods attach the ends of the upper tongue assembly to a pair of plates. The plates are interconnected by a shaft. A responder plate is coupled to an electric motor. The electric motor selectively rotates to effect the radial movement of the tongue assembly to transfer angular movement to the jack column assembly.

Abstract: Articulated machines normally have a well known mechanical beveled gear arrangement for dividing power between the respective drive wheels and a differential lock that locks the two drive wheels when traveling in a straight direction. Likewise, articulated machines normally use externally mounted hydraulic cylinders to provide steering of the articulated machine by causing a front unit to articulate relative to the rear unit. In the subject invention, a unitary powered differential and steering mechanism is provided and includes a gear differential portion that provides input to respective first and second output drive members through a gear differential portion. Additionally, a hydro-mechanical portion is included and operatively disposed between the input member of the gear differential portion and one of the first and second output drive members.

Abstract: A shock absorbing device includes an upper cap, a plurality of absorbing blocks, a plurality of middle elements and a lower cap, each of the upper cap, the lower cap and the middle elements has a hole centrally defined therein for a shaft extending therethrough, the absorbing block disposed between the upper cap and the following middle element, every two adjacent middle elements and the middle element adjacent the lower cap and the lower cap, the upper cap, the lower cap and each of the middle elements having a skirt portion extending vertically from a respective periphery thereof, the adjacent skirt portions will abut each other because of the deformation of the absorbing block disposed therebetween wherein the deformation does not yet reach an elastic fatigue point of the absorbing block.

Abstract: The skate of the present invention includes a foot receiving boot having a substantially rigid shell and sole. A frame is fixedly attached to the sole and includes a forward frame portion and a rear frame portion. The frame, and thus the boot, is adapted to receive interchangeably a wheeled truck for in-line roller skating, a blade carrying truck for ice skating, and a ski assembly for use on snow. The ski assembly includes a ski member and an adapter wherein the adapter is releasably attached to the boot and the ski is releasably connected to the adapter. The adapter includes a bottom surface that facilitates walking when the ski is removed. In another embodiment, each of the wheeled truck, the blade carrying truck and the ski have an integral mounting structure complimentary to the frame and are removably attached directly to the boot.

Abstract: An integrated powered walker and parallel bar that provides a stable and mobile walking frame for those who must pull on objects is adapted to move forward according to a user's needs. The user controls movement of the walker by depressing a switch; the speed at which the device moves is also user controlled.

Abstract: Bicycles are adapted to be combined by removing the front wheel of a trailing one of the bicycles and attaching the front fork ends to the rear axle of a leading one of the bicycles, resulting in a three-wheeled tandem bicycle with two drive wheels. To allow for relative pitching motion of the coupled bicycles, the attachment includes bearings. Each bearing may include a brass sleeve over the rear axle and a separable end cap on each fork end, the cap held to the fork by screws. The sleeve is longer than the width of the fork end to prevent binding. Each fork includes a yaw-correction torsion spring that resists angular rotation of the handlebars of the trailing bicycle relative to the rear axle of the leading bicycle. The yaw-correction spring may include a flat tine portion of the fork. The tine preferably slides into the upper part of the fork in a slot.

Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch having a fifth wheel hitch plate with a bifurcated rear portion defining a kingpin-receiving mouth, throat and latch, an upper surface and an upstanding peripheral rim defining a pocket over substantially all of the hitch plate, a plurality of lubricious polymeric pads filling the pocket, specially configurated to interfit and form a bearing surface over substantially all of the hitch plate, the pads each comprising a steel underlayer having a bottom surface on the hitch plate and having a top surface, and a lubricious polymeric overlayer bonded on the top surface of the steel underlayer and extending above the rim, the hitch plate having a pattern of a plurality of vertical, fastener-receiving orifices extending therethrough, a plurality of threaded studs having upper ends stud welded to the steel underlayer bottom surface, positioned to correspond to the pattern of orifices in the hitch plate and having lower ends extending down through the orifices, and a plurality of fastener nuts on t

Abstract: A bicycle for converting reciprocal human motion into linear vehicular translation. The inventive device includes a frame supported relative to a ground surface by front and rear wheels. A pedal assembly converts user pedaling into rotational torque output through a pedal shaft extending vertically through the frame. A first transmission receives torque from the pedal shaft and couples with a drive shaft extending through the frame. A second transmission couples the drive shaft to the rear wheel such that the vehicle can be accelerated by an individual.

Abstract: A steering device for a hovercraft having two driving engines (2, 3), a back skirt (5), a finger skirt (6) and a jet deflection device located downstream of the two driving engines (2, 3). The jet deflection device includes a negative Vee stream deflector (7) and rudder elements (11, 12) which can be operated in opposite directions. The Vee stream deflector (7) is arranged behind the driving engines (2, 3) in such a way that each driving engine (2, 3) is assigned a portion of the Vee stream deflector (7) having the rudder element (11; 12). The rudder elements (11; 12) run diagonally through an axis of symmetry of the respective driving engine (2, 3). The Vee stream deflector (7) further includes a middle section which acts as a stabilizing nose (8).

Abstract: A hitch or towing device to connect a trailer having at least two swivelable ground-contacting wheels to an automobile or similar prime mover includes two arms to connect the trailer to the prime mover. The arms are flexible in a vertical direction but rigid in a longitudinal and in a sidewise direction. This permits the automobile to push the trailer backwards and also permits relative motion between the trailer and the automobile in roll and pitch but not in yaw. In a preferred embodiment the arms connecting the trailer to the automobile are leaf springs, and couplings permanently fastened to the automobile engage the front end of the springs in a hinge-like manner, the hinge-pin being easily removable to facilitate connecting and disconnecting of trailer and automobile.