Abstract: A vehicle speed control system for controlling the speed of a controlled vehicle to follow a preceding vehicle detected at a constant interval is provided. In this system, when a preceding vehicle traveling ahead of the controlled vehicle is detected, it is checked if the preceding vehicle detected meets a given tracking condition. When the tracking condition is encountered, it is reported to a driver. The system is responsive to a manual operation of the driver after the driver has perceived that the preceding vehicle can be tracked to initiate constant inter-vehicle distance control.

Abstract: All improvement in a kit for converting a motorcycle to a tricycle is described. The kit includes a pair of swing arms having a first end and a second end. Axle couplings are provided at the first end of each swing arm whereby the swing arms are secured to an axle which supports two wheels. Pin receiving couplings are provided at the second end of each swing arm whereby the swing arms are pivotally secured by pins to a motorcycle frame. The improvement is characterized by swing arms having a top surface and a bottom surface. The axle coupling and the pin receiving coupling extend vertically from the top surface of the swing arms. The top positioning of the axle couplings and the pin receiving couplings leaves the majority of the top surface of the swing arms dropped below the level of the original floor boards of the motorcycle. The swing arms can pivot as intended without their movement being impeded by the original floor boards.

Abstract: A traction control system for a motor vehicle has an engine with a catalytic converter in an exhaust path. The traction control system has wheel speed sensors for detecting wheel speeds of respective wheels, a slip amount detection device for calculating slip amounts in driven wheels based on the wheel speeds, an engine output controller for decreasing engine output based on predetermined engine output decreasing patterns which correspond to the slip amounts, and an octane number detection device for detecting a difference in octane numbers of fuel between fuel designated in the engine and fuel actually supplied to the engine. The engine output decreasing pattern is changed so as to decrease unburned hydrocarbons in the exhaust gas flown into the catalytic converter when the octane number of the actually supplied fuel is more than a predetermined number smaller than that of the designated fuel.

Abstract: This discloses a two part assembly that allows one person from a vehicle to align a trailer onto any size hitch ball on a bumper or a receiver hitch in only one attempt. The first part of the two part assembly, the horizontal steel plate is attached to the bumper by its hitch ball. A similar horizontal steel plate is attached to a receiver hitch by its hitch ball also. The second part of the assembly, the V shaped guide, acts as the guide for the trailer tongue to be guided onto the hitch ball. The V shaped guide fits into the horizontal steel plate by its male dowels which are inserted into the female dowels of the horizontal steel plate. This extended V shaped guide will assist the towing vehicle in backing up to a trailer at any angle, allowing the trailer tongue to be guided onto the hitch ball of a bumper or receiver hitch that has a horizontal steel plate attached. The V shaped guide is then removed after the hitch ball has been locked into place.

Abstract: According to the present invention, front visibility is improved, entry into a cab or exit therefrom by an operator is facilitated, fine operability by a traveling pedal is improved, and foot fatigue is decreased. To achieve this, when the palm rest (56) is detected in its neutral position N, forward or rearward speed signals for respective traveling hydraulic motors in response to detection signals of control input detectors (19a, 20a) of left and right traveling knobs (19, 20) are outputted to respective control valves from a controller (15).

Abstract: An adjustable length leg and foot assembly is incorporated in a lifting/leveling leg for a fifth-wheel trailer. The foot is connected to the lower end of a threaded shaft, which in turn is received at its upper end by a nut welded to a U-shaped bracket on the leg. This enables the foot to be raised and lowered in infinite increments and avoids any need for insertion of boards or shims in making final leveling adjustments.

Abstract: A compensating apparatus resists movement of the steered wheels of a vehicle to either side of a selected center position, and returns them to this center position after such movement. The apparatus includes a cam member connected to the steered wheels for movement therewith and having a cam surface with a centering depression. A follower member is pivotally mounted on one end of an elongated rocker member and may be received in the centering depression to define the center position. An actuator assembly applies a resilient force against the other end of the rocker member to press the follower member into the centering depression in response to the pressing of a resilient mechanism by a fluid pressure system. The amount of the resilient force may be varied remotely either by the driver during vehicle operation or automatically in response to vehicle speed. The center position also may be changed during vehicle operation.

Abstract: Many known all wheel steer arrangements suffer from the problem that the front and rear wheels getting out of synchronization due to leakage and/or inadvertent passing of fluid across the control valve arrangement therein. In the subject invention, a hydraulic system has front and rear pairs of steerable wheels respectively interconnected by first and second fluid cylinder arrangements. A steering control arrangement operatively controls the front and rear pairs of steerable wheels between a mode in which only the front pair of wheels are steered, a second mode in which both the front and rear pairs of wheels are simultaneously steered but in opposite directions, and a third mode in which the rear wheels are steered independently of the front pair of wheels.

Abstract: A trailer hitch cover assembly covers the entire V- shaped trailer hitch assembly to protect the trailer hitch from the elements and prevent injury to horses and children. A cap snaps or locks onto the hinged sides of the cover, and the sides snap or lock onto a base. A top rear panel folds down from the cap to just above the top of the trailer hitch, and a bottom rear panel folds up from the base. A wheel block in the base supports the wheel of the trailer hitch, and holds the cover assembly firmly over the hitch assembly. The cap, base and sides of the cover are preferably formed of a light-weight plastic, such as low density polyethylene. Locking connectors may be used to connect the cap and base to the sides.

Abstract: A foot-rest device for a motorcycle, the foot-rest having a telescopable assembly of at least two and preferably three cylindrical support bodies, whose telescoping nature provides that they may be easily adjusted to either an extended foot-rest position or to a retracted position. Screw-type and spring components releasably hold each of those conditions, providing a safe foot-rest position for the cycle's passenger, but also a retracted position not attainable by swivel-type connectors.

Abstract: A closure for an air bag deployment opening is provided. The closure includes at least one integral reinforcement rib and/or appropriately thickened hinge section to prevent undesired tearing of the closure.

Abstract: A base frame assembly for suitcase trucks, including a base frame equipped with a pair of wheels and having two longitudinal sleeves; two first tubes respectively slidably coupled to the sleeves; two tubular stop members respectively fastened to the outer ends of the first tubes on the inside; two second tubes respectively slidably inserted through the tubular stop members into the first tubes, each second tube having an inner end fixedly mounted with a plug cap, which is stopped in place by one tubular stop member when the second tubes are extended out of the first tubes; two stands respectively fixed to the outer ends of the second tubes; and a transverse connecting bar connected between the stands.

Abstract: A multi-purpose repair assembly including a first member having two platforms, a first cavity between the two platforms, and two alcoves each at one side of each of the platforms, each of the two platforms being provided with two castors, a first drawer engaged with the first cavity of the first member, a second member pivotally connected with the first member, the second member having two indentations, a second cavity between the two indentations, and two shoulders each at one side of each of the two indentations, each of the shoulders being provided with a castor adapted to be received in a corresponding one of the alcoves of the second member, the second cavity being adapted to receive the two castors of the first member, and a second drawer engaged with the second cavity of the second member.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an end release belt buckle that is operable for releasable latching a tongue plate of a vehicular safety belt restraint system. The end release belt buckle of the present invention includes a base having a latch portion adapted to lockingly engage the tongue plate. The end release belt buckle further includes a release mechanism for permitting the seat occupant to intentionally release the tongue plate from locked engagement with the latch portion of the base in response to movement of a push-button actuator from a "latched" position to a "released" position. The push-button actuator is normally biased to the "latched" position by a spring-biasing mechanism. In addition, the end release belt buckle further includes a locking mechanism for inhibiting unintentional movement of the push-button actuator from the "latched" position to the "released" position when the vehicle is subjected to a deceleration force exceeding a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A power operated wheeled cart for hauling bulk materials is constructed so that it can be knocked-down into a condition of partial disassembly in a manner such that a base platform can be inverted and used as a structural base for attaching crating members to form a compact modular shipping unit which utilizes a minimum of crating components.

Abstract: A triggering circuit for a crash sensor-controlled protective system for the occupant of a vehicle includes a firing capacitor being charged to a capacitor voltage by the electrical system of the vehicle before an accident, as an energy source for firing a gas generator, that is for firing an explosive charge or for firing a firing cap of an explosive charge. At least one crash sensor detects the occurrence of the sensor values that trigger the firing and controls the firing of the gas generator by one or more contacts by discharging the firing capacitor.

Abstract: A handle assembly for carts and wheeled luggage includes a pair of tube assemblies disposed in substantially parallel relation and connected by a handle member. The tube assemblies carry locks that cooperate with the tubes to releasably lock the tube assemblies in an extended or a retracted position.

Abstract: A skateboard truck (10) for a skateboard (100) having a pivotal member (12) which is arranged to be connected to the deck (102) of the skateboard. The pivotal member (12) carries the wheel assembly (13) of the truck (10). A locking mechanism (14) is also provided. In a first (unlocked) mode of operation, the pivotal member (12) is a able to pivot so that the truck (10) is movable in a to and fro manner. This first mode of operation permits a rider to perform advanced maneuvers using a skateboard (100). In a second (locked) mode of operation, the truck (10) is locked against such to and fro movement by the locking mechanism (14).

Abstract: A cover assembly (40) includes a deployment door (60) which covers a deployment opening (26) in an air bag module (10). A retainer assembly (70) connected with the deployment door (60) has an engaged condition blocking movement of the deployment door from a closed position to an open position. The retainer assembly (70) is moved to a disengaged condition when the deployment door (60) is opened by the inflating air bag (22). When it is in the disengaged condition, the retainer assembly (70) can not be returned to the engaged condition, and the deployment door (60) can not be returned to the closed position.

Abstract: A bicycle having pivotally mounted steps on alternate sides receives a rider straddling the bicycle frame while standing upon the steps. The rider shifts weight from side to side alternately driving each of the steps downward while the other step moves upward. A belt drive is attached to each step and through a pulley arrangement rotates a pair of drive pulleys on a rear axle to engage and alternately disengage the rear axle or the rear wheel for driving in a forward direction upon each down stroke.