Abstract: A truck includes at least three steered wheels (5, 6, 7) that are mounted on a chassis (1). The arrangement of the wheels relative to the chassis (1) is predetermined to increase the stability of the truck during the pivoting of the steered wheels (5, 6) and to protect the wheels in frontal mode.

Abstract: A serpentine robotic crawler capable of multiple movement moves is disclosed. The serpentine robotic crawler includes a plurality of frame units, coupled together by at least one actuated linkage. Each frame unit includes a continuous track, enabling forward movement of the serpentine robotic crawler. The at least one actuated linkage has at least 7 degrees of movement freedom, enabling the serpentine robotic crawler to adopt a variety of poses.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steering system for an agricultural or industrial utility vehicle, especially for a tractor. An electric drive (22, 24) is provided for each half of an axle, preferably a front axle (20), of the utility vehicle (10). Said electric drive can be driven by at least one wheel (26) associated with the each axle half. The electric drive (22, 24) can be controlled in such a manner that predetermined torque can be transmitted from the electric drive (22, 24) to the wheel (26) which is being driven. Preferably, the wheels (14) associated with a mechanical drive axle, particularly a rear axle (12) of the utility vehicle (10), can be driven by a mechanical drive (16, 18) of the utility vehicle (10). The invention also relates to a method for operating a steering system.

Abstract: A motorcycle is provided having an engine disposed between a front wheel and a rear wheel and functional components, e.g., a first radiator, a fuel pump, a rear shock absorber, etc., are arranged, as viewed from the side, on a circumference of a circle with a radius R corresponding to a distance from a crankshaft, serving as a center, to a corner of an oil pan, serving as a part of the engine most distant from the crankshaft, to concentrate the functional components of the motorcycle at positions substantially equidistant from the crankshaft of the engine whereby a mass concentration toward the vehicle body center of a motorcycle is achieved.

Abstract: Steering drive for a wheel of a ground conveyor with an apparatus for recording the actual angle of the steered wheel, with a steering motor, a steering controller or regulator driven by a steering angle transmitter, the input signal of which is given to the steering motor, a steering drive coupled with the shaft of the steering motor, the output side of which is connected with a steering plate, which mounts the steered wheel, and a rotation angle sensor, which records the rotation angle of the steering plate, wherein the shaft of the steering motor is designed as a hollow shaft, through which a sensor drive shaft is inserted and which is connected on the drive side with the output side of the steering drive and works together with the angle sensor on the side of the steering motor facing away from the steering drive.

Abstract: A bicycle transmission assembly that is mountable to a bottom bracket shell of a bicycle frame. The bicycle transmission assembly includes an input crank assembly, an output chainring, a planetary gear mechanism, a control system and a mounting system. The input crank assembly is mounted to a rotatable crank axle mounted to the bottom bracket shell. The planetary gear mechanism is mounted to the bottom bracket shell and provides a plurality of transmission paths. The planetary gear mechanism includes a sun gear, a ring gear and a locking element operatively connecting the sun gear and the ring gear. The control system is operatively connected to the planetary gear mechanism for selecting one of the transmission paths.

Abstract: A freely pivoting lock ball fits within a trailer hitch ball receiver. A top lock shaft on the ball extends up through a hole in the top of the ball receiver into a lock collar welded to the top of the ball receiver. A cylinder lock fits into a top opening in the lock collar over the lock shaft to lock the lock ball within the ball receiver to prevent theft by towing the trailer with a conventional towing hitch ball. The cylinder lock and lock ball spin freely within the ball receiver and collar to prevent drilling or sawing the lock. There is no room between the cylinder lock and collar or between the ball lock and ball receiver to pry them loose. The lock collar is too thick for cutting with a bolt cutter.

Abstract: A bicycle transmission assembly that is mountable to a bottom bracket shell of a bicycle frame. The bicycle transmission assembly includes an input crank assembly, an output chainring, a planetary gear mechanism, a control system and a mounting system. The planetary gear mechanism is mounted coaxially about an axis of the bottom bracket shell and provides a plurality of transmission paths. The control system is operatively connected to the planetary gear mechanism for selecting one of the transmission paths. The mounting system mounts the planetary gear mechanism and the control system to the bottom bracket shell. The mounting system includes at least one attachment point disposed on at least one frame boss extending radially outwardly from the bottom bracket shell. The control system is mounted nonrotatably to the at least one attachment point.

Abstract: A bicycle transmission assembly that is mountable to a bottom bracket shell of a bicycle frame. The bicycle transmission generally includes an input crank assembly, an output chainring, a planetary gear mechanism, a control system and a mounting system. The output chainring engages a bicycle drive chain that includes a plurality of chain links. The planetary gear mechanism includes a ring gear and provides a plurality of transmission paths. The planetary gear mechanism is mounted coaxially about the shell axis. The control system is operatively connected to the planetary gear mechanism for selecting one of the plurality of transmission paths. The mounting system mounts the planetary gear mechanism and the control system to the bottom bracket shell. At least one chain link overlaps the ring gear as viewed along the shell axis. The at least one chain link engages the output chainring.

Abstract: A snowmobile rear suspension is shown comprised of a linear force element (LFE) positioned outside the envelope of the snowmobile endless track. The snowmobile frame includes a chassis mounted to a tunnel, where the chassis includes a central mounting bracket. The LFE is attached at one end to the bracket and at the other end to a bell crank. The bell crank is operatively connected to the slide rails. When the slide rails collapse in normal operation, the bell crank strokes the LFE, and the suspension is progressive throughout the range. The suspension includes front pivot links which are connected to the tunnel coaxially with a drive shaft.

Abstract: The trailer steering mechanism automatically steers the wheels of a trailer in accordance with the tow vehicle steering and articulation between the tow vehicle and trailer during backing maneuvers in order to facilitate backing maneuvers and to prevent or greatly reduce the possibility of jackknifing between tow vehicle and trailer. The mechanism includes a pivotally attached steering frame connected between the steerable wheels of the trailer and one or more hydraulic cylinders that, when locked, create a very strong link between the tow vehicle and the trailer and its steering system. The hydraulic cylinders are able to withstand great loads, and more importantly, are able to disengage while under great load without jamming. The hydraulic cylinders provide links that exert lateral force to the trailer to push or pull the trailer into a turn while backing, in addition to controlling the steering mechanism of the trailer.

Abstract: A straddle-type vehicle that adequately and smoothly sucks air into an air cleaner arranged between a front wheel and a leg shield while inhibiting foreign matter from being drawn thereinto. An intake port of the air cleaner is opened rearwardly. The leg shield is formed with a recess that surrounds the air cleaner. The recess includes a round portion along a direction in which the intake 61a is opened.

Abstract: A motorcycle having a belt type CVT and an engine unit in which an axial length of a cylinder is restricted. A body frame comprises a down frame extending vertically. The engine unit comprises a four-stroke engine, a belt type CVT, a clutch and a crank case. A cylinder is arranged rearwardly of the down frame with an axis thereof extending vertically. The clutch is provided between a secondary sheave shaft and an output shaft. The crank case is formed with an oil reservoir portion below a crank shaft to store lubricating oil. A rear end of the oil reservoir portion is rearward of a front end of a secondary sheave. An axis of the crank shaft is below an axis of the secondary sheave shaft.

Abstract: A powered omni-directional security, patrol and surveillance vehicle that includes a circular frame and two drive wheels capable of independent powered forward and rearward rotation about a horizontal axis. The drive wheels are adapted to allow the vehicle to spin in place about a vertical axis which intersects the horizontal axis midway between the drive wheels and which is generally centered in the circular frame. An observation platform including an operators control station is mounted to the frame on a lift such that it is capable of selective elevation for superior vantage points. A cab preferably encloses the operator's station. A plurality of swivel casters disposed on distal ends of telescopic outrigger arms are circumpositioned about the circular frame.

Abstract: A motorcycle that reliably supports a load imposed on a seat while increasing charging efficiency. An intake pipe is provided in a center area in a width direction and extends rearward across and beyond an upper cross member. Left and right seat rails are provided on opposite sides of the intake pipe, and are connected to left and right main frames at portions forward of a point at which the intake pipe exceeds the upper cross member in height.

Abstract: A motor driven stand device for a motorcycle has motors for driving stands for self-sustaining a vehicle body in a parking state in which a rear wheel is lifted and in a stopping state in which the rear wheel is contacted with the ground. A stopping switch actuates the motor for self-sustaining the vehicle body in the stopping state. A parking switch gives an instruction to the motor for self-sustaining the vehicle body in the parking state. The stopping switch is arranged in a right handlebar grip. The parking switch is arranged in a stand step and/or a grab rail. An automatic stopping control unit rotates the stands by a predetermined amount in response to an on operation of the stopping switch in an automatic stopping mode and rotates the stands for the stopping state while an on operation of the stopping switch is maintained in a non-automatic stopping mode.

Abstract: An electrohydraulic steering system includes a steering unit, triggerable via a user control element, for supplying a steering motor with pressure fluid. As a function of the actuation of the user control element or as a function of an external signal, the steering motor can be supplied with an additional quantity of pressure fluid via a steering valve. A blocking valve is located in the flow path of the additional pressure fluid and can be put in a blocking position in order to block the flow path of the additional pressure fluid to the steering motor.

Abstract: A steering device for a vehicle includes a planet gear mechanism which can vary transmission ratio, and a lock mechanism for fixing the transmission ratio. The planet gear mechanism includes a first sun gear connected to a steering member, a second sun gear connected to turning wheels, a planet gear which is meshed with both the first and second sun gears and a carrier in an annular shape which supports the planet gear. The lock mechanism includes a restraining member which is engageable with the carrier thereby to restrain rotation of the carrier.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to an adapter that fits over a wheel barrow handle that is extendable. By way of this extension, the height of a handle portion of the adapter may be changed so as to change the effective height of the wheel barrow handle. In this way, a user of the wheel barrow can lift the wheel barrow from a more comfortable height.

Abstract: A speed limit assembly for a vehicle includes a cam member having varying thickness, a frictional member, and a handle. The frictional member maintains sufficient frictional forces to resist movement of the cam member during ordinary operation of the vehicle. The handle may be manipulated by an operator of the vehicle to overcome the friction created by the frictional member and move the cam member into a desired position. A portion of a speed control handle on the vehicle abuts against the cam member to define an end of the range of motion of the speed control handle. A desired permitted range of motion may be set by moving the a portion of the cam member having a corresponding thickness into the path of the portion of the speed control handle.