Abstract: A vehicle employing a drive source for both running and direction changing, a wheelchair 30 for running primarily on a floor surface 9 has a main body 31, a drive motor 32, three rotary bases 37, 38 and 39, and ball-bearing casters 1. The drive motor 32 is installed in the main body 31. Each of the rotary bases 37, 38 or 39 is driven by the drive motor 32 via drive axles. The ball-bearing casters 1 each include braking means, and are installed on the rotary bases 37, 38 and 39, wherein they ride on the floor surface 9.

Abstract: An aluminum extruded node for interconnecting a longitudinal frame rail and a lateral frame member of a vehicle frame. The extruded node having a pair of longitudinal side walls received within an interior volume defined by the longitudinal frame rail and a pair of transverse side walls received within an interior volume defined by the lateral frame member. Interior wall portions extend between each of the pairs of longitudinal and transverse side walls to define closed cells for increasing the stiffness and structural integrity of the node. The longitudinal frame rail is peripherally welded around an end thereof to the node. The lateral frame member is peripherally welded around an end thereof to the node.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a traction control system for a four-wheel drive vehicle, which includes a braking operation detector for detecting operation of a brake pedal, an accelerating operation detector for detecting operation of an accelerator pedal, and a slip detector for detecting a slip of each wheel of the vehicle. A braking force controller is provided for controlling a pressure control apparatus to perform a traction control by supplying the hydraulic braking pressure discharged from an auxiliary pressure source to wheel brake cylinders operatively mounted on the wheels under a slip condition, when the accelerating operation detector detects the operation of the accelerator pedal and the slip detector detects the slip of at least one of the wheels.

Abstract: A new air bag restrictor for restricting the inflation of a driver's side air bag that has not inflated after a crash to permit safe extraction of an injured person within the vehicle. The inventive device includes an elongate bar having a longitudinal axis, a first end portion, a central portion, and a second end portion. The central portion is designed for positioning over the central hub of a steering wheel housing an air bag device. The second end portion is designed for abutting against the backside of a portion of the peripheral rim of a steering wheel. The first end portion forms a hook having an arcuate region and an arm region. The arm region of the hook is spaced apart from the central region to define a hooking space for receiving another portion of the perimeter rim of a steering wheel therein. The arm region also has a first bore extending therethrough while the central portion has a second bore extending therethrough coaxial with the first bore.