Abstract: A weight distributing hitch system is provided with a shank and a head which is angularly adjustable relative to the shank. The head includes a plurality of adjustment teeth which are engaged by a toothed caster having corresponding teeth. The toothed caster has a mounting hole which is offset relative to a center of the tooth configuration so as to allow the toothed caster to be rotated 180 degrees in order to allow for angular adjustment of the head relative to the shank. In addition, the head is provided with both, mounting holes for receiving round spring bars and receptor grooves on a lower surface of an upper flange for receiving a trunnion-type spring bar.

Abstract: A multi-axle unit for a semi-trailer that is towed by a tractor vehicle and has at least three axles, at least one of the axles of the multi-axle unit being capable of being configured as a lifting axle and/or steered axle and all axles except for at least one axle being brakable and equipped with axle brakes having axle brake disks, the axle brake disks defining an effective frictional radius that is the same as an effective frictional radius of brake disks of the tractor vehicle. The multi-axle unit, due to the particular configuration of its braking system, has a lower unsprung mass, requires less maintenance outlay, and moreover is more economical to purchase and maintain.

Abstract: An electrical bicycle includes a front body unit, a rear body unit and a pivot coupler unit which couples the front body unit and the rear body unit. The coupler unit enables the front body unit to be turned relative to the rear body unit when the rider turns his or her body to shift his or her center of gravity.

Abstract: In en electric power steering apparatus, a motor controller unit controls PWM driving of a brushless motor for imparting a steering torque assist, on the basis of output signals of at least a steering torque detector section, motor current detector section and rotational angle detector section that includes a resolver. Either one of a predetermined frequency of the PWM driving and predetermined exciting frequency of the resolver is set to be an integral multiple of the other of the predetermined PWM driving frequency and the predetermined exciting frequency.

Abstract: Improvements to personal vehicles including self-propelled and balancing personal vehicles. Ready detachability of a seat, footrest, seat back, control unit, wheels and caster assembly is provided using quick disconnect mechanisms.

Abstract: A cable steering system is provided in which first control means controls the operation of a power steering motor disposed between Bowden cables and wheels based on a steering torque detected by a steering torque detection means disposed between a steering wheel and the Bowden cables, and a second control means controls the operation of a steering reaction force addition motor that applies a steering reaction torque to the steering wheel. It is possible to prevent deterioration of the steering feel by generating a steering reaction torque by the steering reaction force addition motor so as to compensate for a change in the steering torque while regulating the change in steering responsiveness due to expansion and contraction of the Bowden cables by generating an assist torque by the power steering motor so as to change the steering torque.

Abstract: A fore-end assembly for a motorcycle including an improved shock absorbing assembly, characterized in that the fore-end assembly comprises a single shock absorbing element coupled to the motorcycle chassis, and supporting, at the bottom thereof, at least an arm for supporting the front wheel of the motorcycle.

Abstract: A work vehicle is provided with an articulated frame having a first frame segment and a second frame segment that are pivotally coupled to one another by a vertical pivot. An actuator is coupled to the frame segments for articulating the segments relative to one another to steer the vehicle. Each frame segment is provided with ground engaging wheels which support the respective frame segments. A work implement in the form of a backhoe is mounted to the second frame segment. A stabilizer having two stabilizer arms is mounted to the first frame segment. The stabilizer arms have a work position and a transport position. In its work position the stabilizer arms are lowered and the ground engaging wheels of the second frame segment are lifted off the ground. The actuator for steering the vehicle can then be used to pivot the backhoe about a vertical axis defined by the vertical pivot.

Abstract: In a power transmission path of a vehicle for traveling on uneven ground, a torque converter is provided so that torque transmission to a propeller shaft varies smoothly. Accordingly, it is difficult for the torque transmitted to the propeller shaft to exceed a tire slip limit. This arrangement suppresses slippage during traveling on uneven ground such as a muddy, marshy, sandy, snowy, or gravel road surfaces.

Abstract: A trailer, comprising a trailer coupler portion, a trailer frame attached to the trailer coupler portion, and at least one caster wheel attached to the trailer frame. The trailer coupler portion comprises a trailer hitch including a proximal hitch portion, a distal hitch portion, a hinge link connecting the proximal hitch portion to the distal hitch portion, and a hitch locking mechanism adapted for locking the distal hitch portion in position with respect to the proximal hitch portion. The caster wheel(s) include a spindle attached to and adapted for swiveling with respect to the trailer frame. The trailer may further include a caster locking system adapted for preventing the spindle from swiveling with respect to the trailer frame. The caster locking system includes a drum attached to the spindle of the caster wheel(s) and further includes a hitch pin lock having a body and a pin. The drum has a pin aperture through which the pin may extend to prevent the spindle from swiveling.

Abstract: A trailer hitch alignment device is provided having a hitch alignment guide and a ball target mast. The hitch alignment guide has a vertically disposed, elongated alignment mast affixed to a magnetic, disc shaped hitch base. The ball target mast is composed of a vertically disposed, elongated alignment mast affixed to a magnetic, ring shaped ball base. The masts are telescoping shafts having linearly spaced alignment indicia are provided in a linearly spaced manner along the upper portion of the shafts.

Abstract: A quick release clamping mechanism for securing a sleeve about a tubular structure or post where the sleeve has first and second outwardly projecting lugs that may drawn together toward one another to compress the sleeve. Each of the lugs has a bore extending therethrough and is positioned on the sleeve such that the bores are generally aligned with one another. The bore on the first lug is internally threaded. The clamping mechanism comprises an elongate bolt member receivable through the bores in the lugs. The bolt member has a first threaded end that threadably engages the threaded bore through the first lug. The clamping mechanism further comprises a tensioning member operable between an engaged and a disengaged position. When in its engaged position the tensioning member bears against the second lug and draws the first lug toward the second lug to compress the sleeve. When in its disengaged position the tensioning member releases the force drawing the first lug toward the second lug.

Abstract: A bicycle suspension system that includes an indicator for displaying the travel of a bicycle suspension system in response to an applied load. The system includes an inner tube telescopically engaging with the outer tube along an axis. A biasing mechanism biases the inner and outer tube apart from each other along the axis. The indicator is disposed along a length of the inner and outer tubes. The indicator may include a plurality of markings on the inner tube and a pointer on the outer tube. Each marking corresponds to a distance that the inner and outer tubes may be displaced relative to each other. The suspension system may include an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the distance the inner and outer tubes may be displaced relative to each other in response to an applied load. The rider may select the desired travel by actuating the adjustment mechanism to align the marking corresponding to the desired travel with the pointer.

Abstract: To provide a steering system that may simultaneously allow manual steering and automatic steering, and in addition ensure the same steering feeling as normal even if the manual and automatic steering are simultaneously performed, there is provided a steering system including: a target reactive force generating unit for generating a target value of a reactive torque; a reactive torque detecting unit for detecting a reactive torque; a reactive torque controlling unit for controlling a drive torque; a steerable vehicle wheel controlling mechanism for controlling a steering direction of steerable vehicle wheels; an actual steering detecting unit for detecting the actual steering angle of the steerable vehicle wheels; a target steering angle generating unit for generating a target value of the steering angle of the steerable vehicle wheels; and an actual steering angle controlling unit for driving and controlling the steerable vehicle wheel controlling mechanism.

Abstract: A wheel chair having two rear wheels, two front wheels, a supporting frame, a seal and a backrest, where the seat can be moved from a sitting position to a driving position, and vice versa, and wherein the center of gravity of a user's body is moved rearwardly and downwardly when adjusting from the sitting position to the driving position.

Abstract: The present invention provides an easy turning and highly accurate personal vehicle. This is accomplished by providing a frame with at least one hubless wheel, wherein the passenger's foot may be contained. As such, the foot may accurately and safely steer and at the same time provide support. According to a preferred embodiment, there may be a frame, a first wheel with a first foot support in a center portion and a second wheel with a second foot support in a center portion. Also, there may be a human powered drive mechanism that allows the foot to be in the center portion of the wheel and yet still capable of providing human power to the personal vehicle. In this way a human powered, stable, highly accurate and fast personal vehicle is achieved as never previously accomplished within the art.

Abstract: A support for an auxiliary wheel of a bicycle which provides an inclination function includes an auxiliary wheel support arm and a bicycle support arm, wherein the auxiliary wheel support arm and the bicycle support arm connect the bicycle and the auxiliary wheel. The auxiliary wheel support arm partially overlaps with the bicycle support arm, and the bicycle support arm and the auxiliary wheel support arm are pivotable relative to each other at the end near to the bicycle in the overlap portion. The bicycle support arm and the auxiliary wheel support arm are bound by a T-shaped binding bar and an elastic member in the overlap portion.

Abstract: An assisted steering system is provided. In preferred embodiments, the system has driver and assist pinions that are out of phase with each other. As a tooth of the driver pinion is fully engaged with a rack tooth, a tooth of the assist pinion is only partially engaged with a tooth of the rack. Preferably, the driver and assist pinions have differing rack speeds and numbers of teeth.

Abstract: A computer controlled suspension system is provided for a bicycle, which can effectively absorb shock and provide stability on rough surfaces regardless of the speed of the vehicle. The suspension system has a control unit, a front suspension, a rear suspension, a front wheel terrain sensor, and a rear controller. The rear suspension is selectively adjustable by the control unit to change stiffness of the rear suspension. When the front suspension hits a bump or a depression in the surface of the ground, a signal is sent to the rear controller so that the rear suspension can react appropriately. In one embodiment, a pedaling torque sensor is operatively coupled to the control unit to input a signal that is indicative of pedaling force, and the rear controller adjusts stiffness of the rear suspension in response to the pedaling force via the control unit.

Abstract: The steering device for vehicle changes the steering angle by transmitting the movements of the steering electrical actuator to the vehicle wheels. When the vehicle is steered in the stationary state, the hydraulic fluid can be supplied to the steering assistance force generating hydraulic actuator from the pump within the hydraulic pressure imparting unit. When the vehicle is not steered in the stationary state, the hydraulic fluid can be supplied to the brake device from the pump via the hydraulic pressure distribution unit.