Abstract: A convertible cart for transporting objects having a frame, a first handle connected to the frame, a second handle connected adjacent an opposite end of the frame, a plurality of wheels attached to the frame. Each of the handles is selectively movable between a first position generally perpendicular to the frame and a second position generally aligned with the frame. The wheels support the frame at a position parallel to the surface on which the wheels are placed. The frame has a longitudinal member extending centrally of the frame. The longitudinal member has an end offset from overlapping relationship with one end of the frame. A snap button is provided within the longitudinal member so as to limit telescoping movement of one portion of the longitudinal member with respect to another portion.

Abstract: A bracket for fastening an axle housing to a suspension beam of a vehicle comprises a base with a pair of upwardly extending opposing walls. The base is configured to be secured to the lower portion of the axle housing and is provided with apertures for receiving fasteners attached to the suspension beam. Each of the opposing walls is configured such that they frictionally engage the lower channel portion of the lateral walls of the axle housing. Each opposing wall also has a upper surface suitable for welding to the lateral wall of the axle housing near the channel seam weld and an aperture through the wall for welding the wall to the fractionally engaged lateral wall. The top surface of each opposing wall is rounded off at each end to facilitate placement of a weld that extends down onto the lower portion of the axle housing. The welding aperture on each wall is preferably an elongate slot, especially one where the elongate dimension of the slot is parallel to the top surface and has rounded ends.

Abstract: A compound steering mechanism for use on a compact tractor is disclosed wherein the chassis is provided with alternate mounts for the selective connection of the inboard tie rod ends at transversely spaced apart locations. The inboard ends of the tie rods are pivotally connected to a triangular mounting plate that is detachably connectable to a selected one of the alternative chassis mounts to vary the transverse spacing of the inboard ends of the respective tie rods. Greater lateral spacing is utilized whenever additional clearance is required for the swinging motion of a PTO shaft connected to an implement mounted to the laterally movable front axle. The smaller lateral spacing is otherwise selected to keep the tie rods as long as possible and, thereby, minimize angular deflection in the tie rod ball joints when the front axle oscillates.

Abstract: An extension bracket is provided to vary the distance between the upper guide of a vehicle seat belt system and the upper anchor to which this guide is attached. Variation of this distance changes the angle at which the shoulder restraint portion of the seat belt system pulls across the driver or passenger in the vehicle. The extension bracket preferably provides adjustment by allowing the upper guide to be attached in one of a number of positions. A decorative cover is provided for attachment to the extension bracket.

Abstract: A safety switch and delay switch is provided for an air powered actuator which is utilized for retracting the locking pins of a slider which is used for the adjustment of the suspension of a vehicle longitudinally with respect to the body of the vehicle. The safety switch prevents the air powered actuator from being operated unless the trailer emergency brake is in its set and locked position. The delay switch prevents the inadvertent actuation of the air powered actuator when the truck brake is momentarily actuated.

Abstract: Composite of trailer construction utilizing steel and aluminum components to take advantage of the durability and light weight of aluminum components and the proven strength and fabrication ease of structural steel. More particularly, the process of the present invention is directed towards an apparatus and method of securing two dissimilar metals together in a trailer construction by using a bi-metal intermediate element which is provided for the welding of the like materials to form a superior bond between the bi-metal and the respective dissimilar materials.

Abstract: A gas generator apparatus for an air bag is provided and includes a pressure container for receiving a high pressure, highly compressed gas. The container includes an opening closed by a seal. While the seal, by itself, would not withstand the pressure in the gas-filled container, the apparatus also includes a supporting element, which supports the side of the seal opposite the opening. The supporting element is displaceable by action of a release mechanism to effect release of gas from the container.

Abstract: An airbag system for motor vehicles and the like includes an inflatable airbag contained in a housing having a protective cover normally closing a panel opening aligned with an open end of the airbag housing. The cover is bodily movable away from the opening during deployment of the airbag and a flexible tether is interconnected between the cover and the panel or the housing for limiting the travel of the cover away from the panel opening during deployment. The cover includes an integral outer skin and inner skin folded over and spaced therefrom having slots to permit passage of tethers into a space formed between the skins and eventually filled with foam. An anchor in the form of an elongated element is placed between the skins and the tether and is secured to the anchor for spreading the load exerted by the tether over a wide area of the cover to prevent fracturing or breakage thereof.

Abstract: A snowboard binding that can readily attach and release a boot from a snowboard. The binding includes a binding housing that is mounted to the snowboard. The housing has a pair of pin holes that receive locating pins which extend from the sole of a boot. When the snowboarder inserts the pins into the holes, a pair of locking pins extend through apertures in the locating pins to secure the boot to the board. The locking pins are coupled to a lever which can be rotated by the user. Rotation of the lever moves the locking pins out of the locating pin apertures so that the boot can be detached from the board. The binding housing includes a base plate that is mounted to the snowboard and a cover plate which contains the locking pins and release mechanism. The cover plate is coupled to the base plate by a tie down bolt which can be unscrewed to allow rotation of the cover plate relative to the board. Rotating the cover plate also rotates the pin holes and the corresponding foot position of the snowboarder.

Abstract: An air powered actuator is provided for exerting sufficient force on the locking pins of a slider for the adjustment of the suspension of a vehicle longitudinally with respect to the body of the vehicle. The air powered actuator is controlled from the cab of the vehicle.

Abstract: A pedal operated vehicle such as a bicycle having an electric motor assist. The assist ratio provided by the electric motor may be varied in response to a variety of vehicle conditions such as speed so as to reduce the consumption of electrical energy and to avoid over speed conditions. Various control ratio options are depicted and an embodiment is also shown wherein the operator may select the assist ratio or assist ratio curve provided.

Abstract: A cart provides facilities for handling and transporting a wide variety of equestrian equipment and supplies, including a saddle, tack containers, bales, packages and buckets, and includes a wheeled frame, a foot pivoted on the frame for retraction to a compact configuration and extension to support some of the items, a rack pivoted on the frame for retraction to a compact configuration and extension to support others of the items, and a shelf pivoted on the frame below the rack for retraction to a compact configuration and extension to support still others of the items.

Abstract: A rear suspension device for a ride-on mower that includes a pivoting assembly coupled to the ride-on mower. The pivoting assembly is coupled to a torsion bar and the torsion bar is coupled to a rear portion of the ride-on mower. The coupling to the rear portion is accomplished by insertion of a portion of the torsion bar that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the ride-on mower into an aperture coupled to the rear portion. The device is callable of transferring weight from one portion of the: ride-on mower to another portion of the ride-on mower, thereby enhancing stability.

Abstract: An L-shaped extender for a hand truck including a support brace and an extension member extending transversely therefrom, the L-shaped extender provided with a pivotal connection for connecting the vertical support brace to the axle of a hand truck. The extender is configured to position the extension member to a folded position behind the side supporting surface of the hand truck and alternatively to a carrying position with the extension member supported on the blade of the hand truck. The extension member is tapered to a thin forward edge for maneuvering the forward edge of the extender under a load.

Abstract: An improved passenger air cushion module having a module cover which snap-fit engages to a corresponding complementary module reaction canister which eliminates the need for fasteners or retaining clips and brackets when assembling the cover to the canister, and particularly retains the cover to the canister in a manner which allows for aesthetic and mating flush-mount engagement of the cover with corresponding vehicle structure supporting the canister module. Such a passenger air bag module further provides for positive retention of the cover to the canister during deployment of an air cushion, namely an air bag, from within the module in response to a sensed vehicle collision.

Abstract: A trailer, as for example for towing behind a bicycle, has an upper frame member, a lower frame member and a pair of folding frame units. The trailer may be folded into compact position by collapsing the folding frame units allowing the rotation of the upper frame member toward the lower frame member. The trailer is easy to manufacture and offers a simplified folding procedure over previously known trailers. The trailer may be modified for use as a stroller.

Abstract: A carrying plate having a fastening portion for connecting the carrying plate to a ski in at least three zones that are located one beside the other in the longitudinal direction of the ski. The carrying plate is connectable to the ski in the at least three zones in a torsionally fixed manner with respect to the longitudinal, transverse and vertical axes of the ski zones, is connectable to the ski in the at least three zones in a non-compliant manner in the transverse and vertical directions of the ski, and is connectable to the ski in only one of the at least three zones in a non-compliant manner in the longitudinal direction of the ski.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling hop in an all wheel drive machine having a torque control lever and a pump for supplying pressurized fluid to wheel motors for effecting all wheel drive. The method includes monitoring machine speed and motor pressure, sensing a first motor pressure fluctuation and subsequent motor pressure fluctuations indicative of a hop, determining desired pump pressure based upon machine speed, and overriding the torque control lever and holding pump pressure constant at desired pump pressure for a preselected time in response to detecting a predetermined number of hops occurring at a predetermined frequency.

Abstract: An anti-collision device in the form of a portable air bag which may be attached to the dashboard of any car. The air bag may be easily moved from car to car or left attached in a single car, adding the passenger side protection which was omitted by the manufacturer. The invention is independently powered, and requires no more effort to install than attaching the base to the vehicle dashboard, adjusting the angle, and turning the device on. If desired, the device can be attached to the dashboard with Velcro.RTM. fastening material or the like, allowing easy movement between multiple vehicles. The activating mechanism automatically adapts to any angle of dashboard, and automatically triggers the bag on impact without need for manual intervention. The activation mechanism is disarmed when the bag is turned off and/or removed from a dashboard, eliminating the danger of false triggering when it is not installed.

Abstract: A driven wheel torque control system includes a slip-reduction output torque control device for adjusting the output torque from a prime mover of a vehicle in accordance with the slipping state of a driven wheel driven by the prime mover in order to reduce an excessive slipping of the driven wheel, an operation quantity detecting device for detecting the operation quantity of an operating element for adjusting the output torque from the prime mover, a grip force detecting device for detecting a grip force of a road surface, an output torque gain changing device for changing the output torque control gain from the prime mover with respect to the output from the operation quantity detecting device on the basis of the output from the grip force detecting device, and a gain variable output torque control device for adjusting the output torque from the prime mover on the basis of the output torque control gain changed by the output control gain changing device.