Abstract: An inventive electrical motor-assisted power-steering system is compact while still providing adequate steering assist force. The system can also act as a manual steering system in the event of failure of an electrical motor. The system includes a steering gear with a shaft rotated manually via a steering shaft, a worm driven by the electrical motor operating in response to rotation of the steering shaft, and a worm wheel fixed to the steering gear shaft and meshing with the worm. The lead angle of the worm is selected to be larger than the friction angle between the worm and the worm wheel so that the worm wheel can drive the worm freely if the motor should fail.

Abstract: A detachable towing bracket for a vehicle, particularly for an automobile. The towing bracket includes a towing hook with a first coupling member which is engageable to a second coupling member having fittings attachable to the towing vehicle. The coupling members are linked together by a tapered dovetailed connection, which linkage is tapered so as to prevent wear. Connection is secured by a spring-loaded locking pin which positively prevents separation of parts.

Abstract: Constant-percent break interval pulse correctors insure that the break interval of a dial pulse subsists for a substantially constant percentage of the total pulse interval; i.e., break interval plus make interval. The constant-percent break interval pulse correction of the first pulse in a string of pulses is realized by employing an up/down counter which is controlled to count up at a first clock rate for a first predetermined interval from the beginning of the dial pulse, then to count down at a second clock rate for a second interval from the end of the first interval to the beginning of a subsequent dial pulse and then to count down at a third clock rate until a predetermined count is reached, e.g., zero. The second clock rate is the difference between the third and first clock rates. In one embodiment, proper correction of the last dial pulse in a string of dial pulses is realized by employing a plurality of such up/down counters.

Abstract: An integrated circuit for squaring an original input signal includes a pair of dual-ended difference amplifiers to each of which the input signal is delivered, a pair of dual-to-single-ended converters, each receiving the respective dual-ended output of the respective difference amplifier, and a summing network for summing the squares of the outputs of the dual-to-single-ended converters. One of the dual-to-single-ended converters receives the dual-ended output of the corresponding dual-ended amplifier in opposite (cross-coupled) order from that of the other, whereby the output of the summing network is, except for an additive constant, proportional to the square of the original input signal independently of power supply voltage fluctuations within reasonable limits.

Abstract: A disk on a motorcycle fork blocks the flow of air and water upwardly along the fork and is rotatable in a frame mounted carrier located inside a motorcycle fairing mounted on the motorcycle frame. The disc also functions as an engine noise barrier. A pair of crash bars, one on either side of the motorcycle, have forward ends secured to the fairing mounting plates above the front wheel. The crash bars extend downwardly and rearwardly and diverge outwardly from the motorcycle. The intermediate portions of the crash bars are secured to the motorcycle frame and the rear portions rest on the engine.

Abstract: A cover system according to one aspect of the invention includes a tarpaulin and a series of support rods attached to a longitudinal medial section thereof in spaced parallel relation and arranged to extend transversely of the truck box in the installed condition. A cable system is provided adapted to be installed such that each one of a pair of horizontal reaches of the cable extend along parallel to and above respective ones of the upper edges of the box. The support rods are adapted to be connected at their opposing ends to the respective horizontal reaches of the cable. These rods, save for a final or terminal one of the rods, are arranged to be connected to said reaches of the cable for relative movement therealong. The final rod is adapted to be connected to the tarpaulin and to said reaches of the cable so that movement of the latter can carry the tarpaulin along the upper edges of the box in either direction.