Abstract: A track vehicle employing a rail track system attached to the sides of the frame of a track vehicle having a continuous track driven by pneumatic tires mounted to the frame proximate each end of the rail system along such that triangular torsion and compression links are mounted to the continuous track such that the apex end slides along the rail and the other ends extending against the track to provides lighter more even ground contact for use on snow and other soft terrain than present track vehicles.

Abstract: An automobile running control system having “Fast follow-up” and “Slow follow-up” modes controls so that the automobile may cruise at an optimum car-to-car space between the automobile and an object which is selected among those detected and faster than a preset ground velocity in the “Fast follow-up” mode. When the fast follow-up velocity of the automobile falls under the preset velocity, the system automatically enters the “Slow follow-up” mode.

Abstract: A mini-tricycle capable of being controlled by legs for determining the direction of the mini-tricycle comprises a front frame and a rear frame. The front frame has a front wheel fork and a pedal fork. The front wheel fork has front wheel spindle. The front wheel spindle is pivotally connected to a front wheel and a follower. The follower is fixedly connected to a front wheel. The front wheel fork is connected to a lower end of the pedal fork. An upper end of the pedal fork is connected with a pedal seat. A pedal shaft is pivotally installed to the pedal seat. The pedal shaft is fixed with a driving means. The driven means serves to connect the driving means and the follower. Thereby, the volume and weight of the tricycle are reduced so that it can be carried easily. Moreover, the tricycle is suitable for children and adults.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus for a vehicle includes a rack shaft having a rack of gear teeth formed at one end portion thereof and an externally threaded screw formed at a portion thereof excluding the toothed one end portion, a pinion meshing with the rack, a ball-screw mechanism having a nut threadedly engaged with the screw via balls, and an electric motor having a hollow motor shaft extending around the rack shaft and connected to the nut such that an assist torque generated by the electric motor is transmitted from the motor shaft via the nut to the rack shaft. The nut is disposed between the rack and the electric motor. This arrangement ensures that the electric motor and the electric power steering apparatus can be assembled easily and efficiently.

Abstract: A seat post assembly for a bicycle arranged to reduce vibrations that originate at either the front or rear wheel of the bicycle and are transmitted to the rider of the bicycle through the frame. Desirably, the seat post assembly is configured to be supported by a bicycle frame and is configured to support a bicycle seat on its upper end. Preferably, an upper portion of the seat post defines a cavity. A damping member comprised of a vibration damping material is positioned within the cavity. Preferably, the cavity passes completely through the seat post in a lateral direction and the damping member is retained within the cavity by a friction fit therebetween.

Abstract: A lock assembly for securing a trailer including a hitch ball, a lock housing, a lock washer and a nut. The lock housing is placed over the lock washer and nut to prevent the nut from turning. A threaded portion of the hitch ball is placed through a hole in the lock housing and through the lock washer and nut to secure the hitch ball. When a trailer coupler is locked to the ball portion of the hitch ball, the trailer and hitch ball are secure from theft.

Abstract: A four-wheel drive vehicle provides a torque distribution clutch mechanism which directly transmits the driving force generated from the engine to one of two front wheels or two rear wheels, and which transmits it to the other wheels therethrough in order to control the engaging force in accordance with a traveling status of the four-wheel drive vehicle. The vehicle further comprises a tight corner judging structure, a normal mode setting structure, a low friction road judging structure and a tight mode setting structure. The tight corner judging structure judges whether the vehicle travels at a large turning angle or not, and the normal mode setting structure sets a normal mode to control the engaging force when it is judged by the tight corner judging structure that the vehicle does not travel at the large turning angle.

Abstract: The invention concerns a bicycle frame (10) comprising a main frame (12), consisting of a seat pipe (24), a down tube (20) and a top tube (18) as well as a rear structure (14) with a pair of chain cross bars (46) and a pair of saddle cross bars (56) which are connected with their rear ends (50, 58) to an end run (54) each for the installation of a rear wheel axis, whereby the chain cross bars (46) are linked with their front ends (18) to a first fixed frame linkage point (40) of a main frame (12) and a see-saw equipped with three see-saw linkage points (60, 66, 68), which are a first see-saw linkage point (60) which is connected with the front ends (60) of the seat cross bars (56), a second see-saw linkage point (66) that is linked pivotally to a second fixed frame linkage point (42) of the main frame (12) and a third see-saw linkage point (68) that is pivotally connected with a first end (70) of a spring cushioning element (72).

Abstract: Provision of a power steering system capable of giving a driver no discomfort during high-speed travel. A controller calculates or stores a current instruction value I1 in accordance with a steering angle supplied from a steering angle sensor and a current instruction value I2 in accordance with a steering angular velocity; performs multiplication of the steering angle base current instruction value I1 and the steering angular velocity base current instruction value I2 by current instruction values I5, I6 set based on a vehicle speed, respectively; applies current instruction values I7, I8 in accordance with the vehicle speed serving as limit values to the corresponding steering angle base and steering angular velocity base current instruction values resulting from the multiplication; selects a larger value of the two current instruction values below the limit values; and determines the selected value as a solenoid current instruction value SI.

Abstract: A stability control system (24) for an automotive vehicle includes a plurality of sensors sensing the dynamic conditions of the vehicle. The controller (26) is coupled to the sensors. The controller (26) determines a lateral force in response to measured vehicle conditions, determines a slip angle in response to measured vehicle conditions, determines a first steering actuator angle change to decrease the slip angle until the lateral force increases, and thereafter determines a second steering actuator angle change to increase the slip angle until the lateral force decreases.

Abstract: A bicycle frame includes a first rigid member with means for mounting a rear wheel and a front wheel assembly thereto. A second rigid member having means for mounting a seat post and pedals thereto is also provided. The second member is not connected directly to the first member but rather is linked by pivotable linkage to the first member. A shock absorber is preferably pivotably located between mounting points on the first and second rigid members. In a preferred embodiment a number of shock absorber mounting points are provided on the first member and first link in order to obtain an optimal shock absorber mounting position.

Abstract: A rescue and exploration apparatus that has a first continuous track rotatably supported within a first frame and a second continuous track rotatably supported within a second frame. The first and second continuous tracks are driven by at least one drive motor. The first and second frames are pivotally connected about a pivot point. A steering mechanism articulates the first and second frames about the pivot point. A remote control is operatively connected to the rescue and exploration apparatus, and a power source is electronically connected to the remote control the drive motors, and the steering mechanism. A tether may be used for rescue type uses by pulling the rescue and exploration apparatus back to safety with a rescue victim. A joystick and microcontroller on the remote control controls the speed and direction of the drive motors and steering mechanism.

Abstract: A damped drawbar for use in towing a drawn trailer that provides for the attenuation of noise, shock, and vibration that may be conducted into the towing vehicle. The newly designed drawbar uses a resilient elastomer, operating in shear, sandwiched between an outer steel tube and an inner steel tube, to reduce noise by damping the undesirable vibrations. A cushioned hitch pin coacting with the ovate holes in the inner tube, reduces the noise from a jolt caused by the hitch pin over-travel, during acceleration or deceleration, by as much as 95 percent. The hitch pin coacting with the ovate holes in the inner tube, serves as a mechanical fail-safe should the towed member be grossly beyond the drawbar's rated load capacity.

Abstract: An axle driving apparatus of the invention is available for an economical vehicle having a belt type stepless transmission. The axle driving apparatus includes a pair of axles connected to respective drive wheels, a propelling transmission mechanism, and a steering transmission mechanism. The propelling transmission mechanism is drivingly connected to said prime mover through said belt type stepless transmission so as to transmit speed-variable output rotation of said belt type stepless transmission to both said axles, thereby rotating said axles together at various speeds in a common direction selected from two opposite directions for forward and backward traveling of said vehicle. The steering transmission mechanism is drivingly connected to said prime mover so as to transmit two oppositely directive output rotations to said respective axles, thereby differentially rotating said axles at various differences of rotational speed between said axles.

Abstract: An operating- and braking-assistance device for wheelchairs is attachable on the frame of a wheelchair. The device has at least one motorized pinion (15), which is driveable in both directions and which engages on an inner gear (14) that is attachable to the rim (11) of a wheel (10) of the wheelchair.

Abstract: A crawler vehicle has a frame extending along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and two lateral track carriages oscillating with respect to the frame about a rear transverse axis. Each carriage is connected to a front cross member by a respective connecting assembly having a pin, which permits relative oscillation of the cross member and the carriage about a hinge axis perpendicular to the rear transverse axis, and has an eccentric portion for varying the effective length of the cross member between two given values as the carriages oscillate about the rear transverse axis.

Abstract: A vehicle has a lockable differential. The lockable differential generally comprises an actuator and a locking mechanism. The vehicle also has a motor. The actuator, the motor or both are controlled according to a control routine that reduces wear on the components by reducing the likelihood that a locked differential will be requested when locking is not very practical. In one arrangement, actuation only occurs below a preset threshold speed and can occur through a specified range defined between the preset threshold and a second threshold. In another arrangement, the motor speed is controlled when actuation is desired such that motor speed is reduced to a lockable speed range.

Abstract: A wheelchair apparatus for permitting a user to sit in an upright position while operating a wheelchair. The wheelchair apparatus includes a chair member being designed for supporting the user. The chair member has a seat portion. The chair member has a frame portion. The chair member has at least one drive wheel. The drive wheel is rotatably coupled to the frame portion. The chair member has at least one support wheel. The support wheel is coupled to the frame portion. The support wheel is designed for permitting the chair member to roll along the support surface. At least one lever assembly is operationally coupled to the drive wheel. The lever assembly is coupled to the chair member. The lever assembly is for rotating the drive wheel for propelling the chair member across the support surface when the lever assembly is actuated by the user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulically supported steering system with a steering gear, which is driven by a hydraulic piston/cylinder unit. The steering system includes a piston. The piston is axially displaced in a cylinder and divides the cylinder into two cylinder chambers. Each cylinder chamber is connected to a separate hydraulic line that serves both as pressure supply line and as return line. The hydraulic lines are also connected to a servo valve. A throttle mechanism, which features a variable flow resistance in at least one flow direction is arranged in at least one hydraulic line. The flow of hydraulic fluid through the self-regulating throttle mechanism determines the flow resistance in this flow direction, namely a higher flow resistance will occur at low flow and lower flow resistance at high flow.

Abstract: A transaxle assembly having at least two transaxle housings for a zero turn or similar vehicle, where both housings mount separate hydrostatic transmissions. A mounting plate is provided to secure to the bottom of both of the housings to mount the housings to a vehicle frame and if required to seal openings formed in the bottom of both of the housings. The connection plate may include tabs or other structure to secure it to the vehicle frame to increase the ease of assembly of the transaxle unit in the vehicle.