Abstract: A braking and auxiliary driving unit for an internal combustion engine which produces braking and auxiliary motive power by converting electrical energy in both directions between a polyphase AC circuit of a squirrel-cage polyphase induction machine linked to the rotary shaft of the internal combustion engine and the DC circuit of an electricity storage means, the electricity storage means comprises an electrostatic capacitive circuit. A low-voltage storage battery is provided in addition to this electrostatic capacitive circuit, and this can be coupled to the electrostatic capacitive circuit by a bidirectional DC-to-DC converter.

Abstract: A slip anchor for a seat belt device has a webbing guide portion including a steel plate pivotably mounted on a part of the vehicle body by a fixing portion and a webbing through opening formed in the steel plate by punching. The steel plate as an insert metal is provided with a resin coating at least at the position of the webbing through opening. The webbing through opening of the steel plate has a flange formed at an edge of the opening at least on the side contacting the webbing and a portion of the steel plate under the webbing through opening is provided with a bend for stiffening.

Abstract: A stroller comprising a respective folding device connected between one of a pair of front legs and a corresponding one of a pair of rear legs. A fastener is provided for pivotally coupling a substantially U-shaped handle to the folding device. A latch assembly is slidably mounted on a respective arm of the handle. The latch assembly is spring-biased to be releasably immobilized with respect to the folding device. The latch assembly is manipulatable to permit the handle and the latch assembly in together to pivot between a forward position and a rearward position.

Abstract: A portable airbag device for use in an automotive vehicle having passenger seat belts therein, the device comprising a housing having a projecting male buckle element and a female buckle receiving element for insertion between the two buckle elements of the seat belt system, or the housing being adapted to be attached to the seatbelt so that the seatbelt forms an S-shaped path for exerting tensile force against the elements forming the bends in the path, the housing also including a source of compressed gas and a sensor for detecting the occurrence of a collision, an inflatable airbag connected to the source of compressed gas, and a releasable fastener for securing the airbag to the passenger seat belt and positioning the airbag in front of a user, whereby upon occurrence of a collision, the sensor detects the collision and inflates the airbag.

Abstract: The present invention is a pedal-powered two-rider four-wheel vehicle which has a general configuration of two bicycles attached in a side-by-side relationship. The four-wheel vehicle includes four mechanisms which are utilized to construct the present invention: (a) a "king-pin" front-wheel steering system; (b) a differential axle; (c) an intermediate driving shaft; and (d) a unified brake system.

Abstract: A single wheel running stroller for carrying a child which has a large front wheel with a U-shaped frame and foot supports for receiving the child's feet and has a curved main frame member which extends from the U-shaped frame to a handle at the upper end thereof. Cross-bars are attached to the frame member and a canvass seat is attached to the cross-members for receiving the child's body. A kick stand is attached to the main frame and can be moved into a support position when the stroller is stationary and can be moved to an upper position out of engagement with the ground when in use. A waist band bracket is attached with a universal joint to the main frame member of the stroller and the waist band fits around the user's waist to drive and stabilize the device. An upper extending handle is provided. The stroller may be folded and stored by use of a pivot in the main frame member which allows it to be folded over for storage purposes.

Abstract: A trailer ball lock apparatus includes an externally threaded connecting bolt member which has a longitudinal axis and which includes a first longitudinal slot. A ball assembly includes an internally threaded, longitudinally oriented, connecting-bolt-receiving well and is adapted to receive the connecting bolt member. The ball assembly includes a top ball portion and a base portion. The ball portion includes a pin-receiving well portion located on a first side of the connecting-bolt-receiving well and includes a pin-receiving channel portion located on a second side of the connecting-bolt-receiving well. A locking pin assembly includes a lock pin portion adapted to extend through the pin-receiving channel portion into the pin-receiving well portion of the ball portion. The lock pin portion is placed in registration with the first longitudinal slot of the connecting bolt member for preventing rotation of the connecting bolt member within the ball assembly.

Abstract: A power steering system is disclosed which automatically corrects unexpected variations in the path of a vehicle without requiring a driver to make corrections. A rotary valve in the power steering system includes an inner sleeve connected to a steering wheel, an outer sleeve connected to a pinion shaft meshed with a rack bar, and a torsion bar coupled to the inner sleeve and the pinion shaft. The rotary valve switches oil passages communicating with a power cylinder by means of relative rotation between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve to thereby assist in steering. The outer sleeve and the pinion shaft are connected to each other for slight relative rotation through an elastomer or resilient connecting member. If an unexpected variation in path is produced in the vehicle, the outer sleeve is rotated by the operation of a torque motor which causes the operation of the rotary valve, thereby moving the power cylinder whereby a steering force is produced for correcting the variation in path.

Abstract: A running control structure for a lawn tractor switchable between a two-wheel drive mode and a four-wheel drive mode. The control structure includes a first driving device for driving a first pair of wheels, a second driving device for driving a second pair of wheels, and a clutch mechanism for switching the second driving device between a driving state and a non-driving state. The clutch mechanism has a controller for operating a clutch, and a spring for biasing the controller to a position corresponding to the non-driving state of the second driving device.

Abstract: A wheeled hamper has a hinged lid that freely pivots between a closed position and a position, preferably past ninety degrees, at which the lid is latched into place by a releasable catch mechanism. In the latched position, the lid can be used as a handle to tilt the hamper and wheel it. In a second embodiment, the lid has at least one stable position intermediate the closed position and the latched position. It can be held there by detents which can be released by appliying a torque to the lid as opposed to the catch mechanism which in its preferable form does not release simply by application of a torque. This provides a way to keep the hamper open when it is in stationary use and to conveniently close it after such use by simply pulling on the lid as opposed to going through a procedure to release the catch mechanism. Two embodiments of catch mechanisms are disclosed. Other features are also disclosed.

Abstract: An impact absorbing type steering column apparatus with a motorized power steering device secures an amount of displacement in a secondary collision in spite of the presence of a housing for supporting an electric motor. A housing fixed to the fore end portion of the steering column is supported on a vehicle body by an energy absorbing member. During a secondary collision, the energy absorbing member permits the forward displacement of the steering shaft and steering column while being plastically deformed. When the distance between a first and a second universal joint is shortened with the displacement, the full length of a transmission shaft is shortened.

Abstract: A hitch assembly for connecting a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle having a pair of longitudinally extending frame portions. The hitch assembly is attachable to a selected vehicle of a group of towing vehicles having frame portions spaced apart a variety of different widths. The hitch assembly includes a pair of end members. Each end member has an attachment connectable with a respective frame portion of the towing vehicle and a support fixed to the attachment. Each attachment has a plurality of elongate openings each for receiving a fastener to attach its end member to the frame portion of the towing vehicle. At least one of the attachment elongate openings in each attachment extends in a direction parallel to the support. At least one of the elongate transverse openings extends in a direction perpendicular to the support. The support has at least one elongate transverse opening extending in a direction parallel to the length of the support and a transverse circular opening.

Abstract: A ski binding including a rocking anti-friction device for cooperating with a base plate to maintain the level of friction between the ski boot sole and the sole holder, as the ski boot is laterally released from the ski binding.

Abstract: A braking device, particularly usable for skates including a shoe composed of a quarter articulated to a shell in turn associated with a supporting frame for one or more wheels. The device comprises at least one rod-like element which is rotatably associated with the quarter and is slidingly associated with a guide formed on a wing which is associated with the frame. The rod-like element is kinematically connected to a braking element articulated to the frame. When the quarter is rotated backwards, the rod-like element causes the braking element to rotate so that it interacts with the ground.

Abstract: An improved landing gear assembly made up of a pair of supports having extensible legs, each support having a generally rectangular air lift bladder encased in a box enclosure, which forces a leg downwardly when the bag is inflated, there being an internal compression spring urging the leg upwardly against the air bladder, the leg and spring being located within a generally tubular housing. Each support includes a safety latch and lock mechanism for fixing the leg with respect to the leg housing. The safety latch and lock includes an array of notches formed on the lower end of the extensible leg, a pivoting latch for engaging a selected notch, a torsion spring urging the latch into engagement with a notch, a rotatable rod linked to the pivoting latch of each support, and a handle for rotating the rod.

Abstract: An air bag assembly for an inflatable passenger vehicle restraint system comprises an inflatable air bag, a thrust neutral inflator for generating pressure gas and a reaction canister. The inflator has a cylindrical casing with a plurality of holes on opposite sides for discharging the gas to inflate the air bag. The reaction canister houses the inflator and has a part-cylindrical bottom wall terminating in upstanding side walls which operatively connect the inflator to the air bag. A plurality of aspiration holes are formed in the reaction canister side walls. A part-cylindrical baffle is mounted in the canister between the inflator and the bottom wall and has an outlet to direct gas discharged from the inflator away from the walls and to the air bag. Ambient air is aspirated through the aspirator holes upon gas delivery from the inflator discharge ports to augment the volume of gas delivered to the air bag. The aspirator holes also serve as pressure relief vents for the air bag.

Abstract: A kit for converting a wheelbarrow for use as a towed garden cart is especially suited for wheelbarrows of the type comprising a pan supported on diverging beams, and a brace between forward ends of the beams, a forward wheel mounted to the beams adjacent the brace and a pair of depending legs mourned to the beams behind the forward wheel. The kit comprises rear wheel assemblies mounted to each of the depending legs and a front hitch plate releasably attached to the forward ends of the beams adjacent the brace and having a forwardly extending tongue adapted to connect to a hitch on a towing vehicle. The hitch plate has a riser received behind the brace and a return flange forming a channel to receive laterally extending support members which rest atop the beam forward ends. The rear wheel assembly preferably comprises an axle tube adapted to mount to each of the rear legs and axles bearing wheels releasably mounted within each of the axle tubes.

Abstract: A mechanism for controlling the direction and speed of an off-road vehicle having a frame, an operator seat, a steering wheel, an engine and a variable speed transmission coupled for driving at least one of a plurality of ground wheels. The mechanism comprises a floor plate carried by the vehicle for receiving the heel portion of an operator's foot, a pedal operatively connected to the variable speed transmission and pivotally mounted above the floor plate for movement between a forward zone for controlling the forward speed of the vehicle, a neutral zone wherein the vehicle is in neutral, and a reverse zone for controlling the reverse speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: In an auxiliary power steering intended especially for motor vehicles, a pinion (2) positioned in a steering housing (1) engages a steering rack (9). A steering valve (14) that is used to control the pressure medium for the auxiliary power steering provides two inlet-seat valves (15, 16) and two outlet-seat valves (17, 18) whose closing bodies (20, 21, 35, 36) can be shifted in the axial direction by a rotary movement of a steering spindle. Closing bodies (20, 21) of inlet-seat valves (15, 16) can be biased in the closing direction by the force of pressure springs (22, 23). In the process, pressure springs (22, 23) bias the closing bodies (20, 21) of inlet-seat valves (15, 16) only if the particular outlet-seat valves (17, 18) are in their neutral position. Each pressure spring (22, 23)--when steering valve (14) is in the neutral position--keeps closing body (20, 21) of the particular inlet-seat valve (15, 16) resting against a valve seat (26, 27) that is fixed on the housing.

Abstract: A recumbent bicycle has a tubular frame member with a longitudinal axis running from front to rear. A rear support module includes a saddle for nestingly embracing a rear portion of the frame member. Cantilever support members extend downward from the saddle to free ends which are attached to an axle for a rear wheel. A head tube and bearing attached to the front of the frame member support a head shaft and a fork with a bifurcated lower portion suitable for mounting a front wheel. The fork lies generally in a plane and is supported, set forward of the head shaft, by extension plates such that the head shaft axis intercepts the fork plane. A drive sprocket assembly is at the front of the frame member. A seat assembly has opposing track slides engaging a track at the top of the frame member. The slides can be drawn together to clamp the track and fix the seat.