Abstract: A transportable storage container assembly for transport by a tow vehicle. The assembly includes a trailer having a center rail with a two-point trailer hitch at the front end and a pivotable single wheel at the rear end. The trailer has a first cross channel adjacent the front end of the rail and a second cross channel adjacent the rear end of the rail. A storage container mounted on the trailer includes bottom support skids at each end that seat in the cross channels and are secured in the channels by casters that are attached to the skids through mounting holes in the cross channels. There is a jack on the bottom of the trailer rail movable along the length of the rail to facilitate the raising of the trailer for attachment to, and disattachment from, the tow vehicle trailer hitch.

Abstract: A wheel suspension system having under powered acceleration a squat response that begins in the realm of anti squat and passes through a point of lessened anti squat at a further point in the travel.

Abstract: A four wheel drive assembly 10 including a torque transfer assembly 60 which operates under the control of the controller 62 and which receives and selectively transfers a certain desired amount of torque to a front axles 14, 15 and to the rear axles 14 17. The amount of transferred torque varies depending upon the occurrence of a sensed slip condition the use of a pre-emptive slip control mode of operation in which the controller 62 determines that it is likely that a slip may occur. Particularly, controller 62 is allowed to enter the preemptive mode of operation only after an actual slip has occurred and the controller 62 exits this preemptive mode of operation upon the occurrence of a certain event or condition or upon the passage of a certain amount of time.

Abstract: A transfer ratio varying apparatus includes: a steering shaft configured to transmit a steering angle, an actuator connected to the steering shaft and a damper disposed between the input shaft and the steering shaft and configured to absorb vibration caused by the actuator. The actuator includes: a housing, an input shaft configured to integrally rotate with the housing and connected to the steering shaft, a motor including a rotatable shaft, an output shaft configured to transmit an angle to a wheel assembly, and a gear mechanism between the rotatable shaft and the output shaft at the housing, configured to adjust a rotational angle of the rotatable shaft and to output the adjusted rotational angle to the output shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a trailer hitch receiver including a cross member, a first mounting flange carried on the cross member between the midpoint and a first end thereof and a second mounting flange carried on the cross member between the midpoint and a second end thereof. The trailer hitch receiver also includes a pair of opposed mounting brackets. Each of the opposed mounting brackets includes a first mounting arrangement or series of apertures that secures the mounting brackets to the cross member in a first position and a second mounting arrangement or second set of mounting apertures for securing the mounting brackets to the main frame member in a second position.

Abstract: A treadle scooter for providing mobility to a user. The treadle scooter includes a frame assembly comprising a front end and a rear end. A steering assembly is rotatably coupled to the front end of the frame assembly and is designed for being actuated for directing the frame assembly in a desired direction. A front wheel is rotatably coupled to the steering assembly. A rear wheel is rotatably coupled to the rear end of the frame assembly. A drive assembly is coupled to the frame assembly and operationally coupled to the rear wheel for rolling the rear wheel across the support surface when the drive assembly is actuated. A transition assembly is operationally coupled between the drive assembly and the rear wheel. The transition assembly is for rotating the rear wheel when the transition assembly is rotated by the drive assembly.

Abstract: A motorcycle or bicycle front end having coaxial steering and suspension components, and having telescopic forks. Swing weight of the forks is dramatically reduced by removing their suspension components to the central location, coaxially within the steering tube. Ride height can be adjusted without loosening the forks in the triple clamps.

Abstract: A motorcycle includes an axle of a rear wheel supported for rotation at a rear end of a swing arm. The swing arm is supported at a front end portion thereof for rocking motion on a vehicle body frame. A rear end exhaust portion of an exhaust system connected to a cylinder head provided on an engine body carried on the vehicle body frame forwardly of the rear wheel is disposed at a position higher than the axle. An exhaust control valve for adjusting the flow area in an exhaust pipe, which forms part of the exhaust system, is disposed in the exhaust pipe. The exhaust control valve is disposed forwardly and upwardly of the axle of the rear wheel to dispose the exhaust control valve in a better environment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a four-wheel drive motor vehicle provides improved cornering by disengaging drive torque to the inside rear wheel during significant steering maneuvers. The apparatus includes a primary front wheel drive motor vehicle driveline having a center differential which provides drive energy to the primary (front) driveline and secondary (rear) driveline and a rear axle assembly having a pair of normally engaged (active) clutches which provide drive energy to the respective rear wheels. A steering angle sensor detects angular displacement of the steering column or front (steering) wheels and an associated controller disengages the clutch associated with the rear wheel on the inside of the turn as determined by the steering angle sensor.

Abstract: A fifth wheel mounting frame can be used to convert a conventional vehicle having a fifth wheel, such as the semi-tractor, into a tow truck. The fifth wheel mounting frame advantageously mounts to the tow vehicle's fifth wheel assembly to provide stability and other advantages. Additionally, various coupling members having selectably adjustable lengths and having various coupling mechanisms are used for variable placement of the coupling mechanisms and coupling members to the frame of the fifth wheel vehicle to accommodate such things as obstructions found on the vehicle frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling recovery in an electric power steering system which can enhance the recovery control function during recovery after steering when discriminating a recovery state using a steering angle and a steering angular velocity by determining whether or not the steering angular velocity is more than a predetermined value and carrying out recovery control only in the corresponding recovery state. The method of controlling recovery of the present invention comprises a first step of setting a recovery gain and a recovery pattern; a second step of obtaining a recovery current; a third step of determining whether the steering angular velocity is more than a predetermined value; and a fourth step of obtaining a motor driving current and performing the recovery control function by controlling the operation of the motor according to the obtained motor driving current.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a scooter that is self propelled with a uniquely designed spring winding propulsion system. Using a system of interrelated gears and sprockets, the propulsion system is automatically rewound as a user manually propels the scooter. Accordingly, when the propulsion system is sufficiently rewound, a release button transfers energy contained within the wound springs to a rear wheel thereby automatically propelling the scooter.

Abstract: A bipedal robot of the present invention has a trunk consisting of an upper trunk and a lower trunk which are rotatable around a rotation axis relative to one another. The upper trunk has shoulders on the right and left sides. An arm is provided at each shoulder. A pair of right and left legs is attached to lower ends of the lower trunk. A storage battery is mounted to the back of the upper trunk, positioned within a shoulder width. The storage battery is positioned below the top of a head mounted on the upper trunk. When the robot walks a narrow passage or corridor having a width slightly larger than the width thereof, for example, this arrangement prevents the storage battery from interfering with the passage or the like.

Abstract: An all terrain vehicle has a frame carried by a group of wheels. At least one of the wheels is steerably connected to the frame. A steering handle assembly is rotatably connected to the frame. A servo valve has an input shaft connected to the steering handle assembly and an output shaft connected to a pitman arm. A linkage extends from the pitman arm to the steerable wheel or wheels. A pump draws fluid from a reservoir and passes the fluid through the servo valve before the fluid is returned to the reservoir. The servo valve redirects at least a portion of the flow to a cylinder to drive a ram within the cylinder in response to steering movement of the steering handle assembly. The ram, in turn, provides a power assist to the steerable wheel or wheels. A variable speed, constant displacement pump can be used to vary the flow rate in a manner that reduces the flow rate as the vehicle speed increases. Alternatively, a bypass can be used to vary a flow rate through the servo valve.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved structure for a rack drive assembly adapted for use in a vehicle electric power steering assembly. The electric power steering assembly includes a steering member (32), a ball nut assembly (70), a bearing assembly (80) and an electric motor (60). The steering member (32) is disposed in a rack housing (30) and includes a rack portion (34) operatively connected to a vehicle steering wheel (12) and a screw portion (40) having an external thread convolution (42). The ball nut assembly (70) is operatively connected to the screw portion (40) of the rack portion (34) of the steering member (32) for effecting axial movement of the steering member (32) upon rotation of the vehicle steering wheel (12). The ball nut assembly (70) includes a rotor shaft (76) and a ball nut (72) fixed to the shaft (76) for rotation therewith. The ball nut (72) includes an outer surface (96) and the rotor shaft (76) includes an inner surface (114).

Abstract: A head tube for a bicycle frame that accommodates oversized frame tubing and the use of a standard sized head set. Preferably, the head tube includes a body defining a pair of lateral extensions that cooperate with the body to define an outer surface configured to receive at least a portion of a frame tube. In addition, preferably, the head tube defines a wall thickness that is thicker at the bottom of the head tube than the thickness at the top of the head tube. In addition, preferably, the wall thickness is greater at both of the top and the bottom of the head tube than the wall thickness of the middle of the head tube. Preferably, in at least a portion of the head tube, the wall thickness is thicker in a forward side than the thickness in a rearward side.

Abstract: A CPU computes a throttle opening degree increasing speed V?h and a steering wheel angular velocity V? based on a throttle opening degree ?h and a steering wheel angle ?. Based on the throttle increasing speed V?h and the steering wheel angular velocity V?, the CPU selects one of a first drive mode and a second drive mode. The CPU controls the power transmission ratio of a power transmitting device according to the selected drive mode. Therefore, the power transmission ratio of the power transmitting device is properly controlled in accordance with the degree of intention for acceleration of the driver, which is computed based on the throttle increasing speed V?h, and the turning speed of the steering wheel, which is computed based on the steering wheel angular velocity V?. Therefore, the drive mode is properly switched in accordance with the driving state of a four-wheel drive vehicle.

Abstract: A securing bolt device is inserted into a bore of a subassembly body. The device has a bolt and a spring element. The bolt has a shank which is insertable into the bore. A radial transverse bore extends through an end portion of the shank opposite to the insertable portion of the shank, and the shank has a blind bore in an axially directed end face. The spring element includes a loop, a first end of which is insertable into the transverse bore and a second end which is insertable into the end face bore. The loop forms a crossmember which extends across the shank of the bolt, and pressed against the bolt element by the spring force of the spring element. The locking device includes a subassembly body having a bore in which the bolt is axially movable. In a locked state a free end of the shank extends out of the bore and locks the securing bolt.

Abstract: A power steering system and a method of charging the power steering system with hydraulic fluid are provided. Hydraulic fluid is selectively supplied to hydraulic chambers of a power cylinder via oil passages from a reversible pump, according to a steering torque. In addition, a bypass passage is provided between oil passages. A normally open switching valve is provided in the bypass passage. When the system is assembled, the hydraulic fluid is supplied from an oil reservoir via the switching valve or the reversible pump, and circulated in the hydraulic circuit. The air in the hydraulic circuit is discharged via the switching valve.

Abstract: Since a large part of an outer tube is made of light alloy such as aluminum, plating on a surface of the outer tube sometimes peels off. Thus, the surface of the outer tube is generally painted. However, a problem is presented in the external appearance of the outer tube due to painting. A structure of a front fork includes an outer tube into which an inner tube is movably inserted in an axial direction thereof. A stepped part is formed in the outer tube with a third elastic member fitted to the stepped part. A tube cover includes a lower portion which is supported by the third elastic member. Since an outer surface of the tube cover covering the outer tube is plated, the external appearance can be enhanced. Even if the outer tube has a rough surface, light metal castings or forgings can be used.