Abstract: A dual-motor electric drive system is particularly suited for driving track-laying vehicles. The propulsion motors of the drive system are each individually selected to provide the speed and torque for selected portions of the operational requirements of the vehicle. The electric drive system utilizes a primary motor to provide the maximum speed requirements and a secondary motor to provide the high torque requirements for low speed operation. The primary and secondary propulsion motors are interconnected by a predetermined drive ratio so that the secondary motor provides torque until it attains a maximum predetermined speed whereupon it is disconnected from the primary motor.

Abstract: A steering wheel drive assembly for steerable wheels of vehicles. A hydraulic motor is provided for driving the wheel and includes a fluid distribution assembly located between the bearing assembly and piston drive assembly. Upper and lower bores are provided in the distribution assembly cover and extension arms attached to the vehicle chassis extend over the bores and are provided with pivot pins detachably attached to the extension arms and extending into the distribution cover bores. The distribution cover bores are coaxial and thereby allow the fluid motor to pivot about an axis of rotation. The motor axis of rotation is preferably colinear with the vertical center line of the steerable wheel. Sleeve bearings are provided within the distribution cover bores and thrust bearings are provided inbetween the extension arms and the distribution cover.

Abstract: The shock absorber mechanism for a bicycle (10) is a device mounted between the handlebar stem (4) and fork stem (5) of a bicycle and includes a sleeve case (11), a spring (18), and a free cushion bushing (20). The sleeve case (11) is mounted to the lower edge of the handlebar stem (4) and joins when the upper portion of said fork stem (5) slides freely and does not rotate. The spring (18) is arranged between the sleeve case (11) and the fork stem (5). The free cushion bushing (20) is mounted to the lower edge of the sleeve case (11) and can be freely installed and removed as well as slide on the outer peripheral surface of the fork stem (5) controls relative movement of the handlebar stem (4) and the fork stem (5) caused by friction on the outer peripheral surface of the fork stem (5). One purpose of the present invention is to allow for easy adjustment of the dampening characteristics of a dampener depending on bicycle riding conditions and rider requirements.

Abstract: In certain machines, such as construction equipment, it is desirable to provide a supplemental fluid supply for hydraulic steering systems to maintain sufficient fluid flow should a failure occur in the primary fluid supply. It is also desirable to provide retarding or dynamic braking to help control speed of the machine when operating downhill with a heavy load. A ground driven pump is provided to supply fluid to a selector valve for selectively directing the output of the ground driven pump to a steering system or a dynamic braking system. The selector valve is responsive to pressure in the steering system to direct flow from the ground driven pump to the steering system when the pressure drops below a predetermined level. The operator may selectively direct flow from the ground driven pump to the dynamic braking system when dynamic braking is needed.

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant restraint apparatus (26) and a steering wheel (22) are mounted on an upper portion (38) of a vehicle steering column (20). The upper portion (38) of the steering column (20) is supported for pivotal movement relative to a lower portion (40) of the steering column (20). A latch member (72) on the steering column (20) is moveable into and out of a locked condition. In its locked condition, the latch member (72) engages the upper and lower portions (38 and 40) of the steering column (20) with each other to block manual pivotal movement of the upper portion (38). An actuator (100) can pivot the upper portion (38) of the steering column (20) automatically when the latch member (72) is in the locked condition. The actuator (100) moves the latch member (72) relative to the lower portion (40) of the steering column (20) to pivot the upper portion ( 38) relative to the lower portion (40) when the actuator (100) is actuated.

Abstract: A dockable container chassis has a slidable bunk for carrying the container between transport and docking positions. This chassis may be used as the lead trailer of a "B train" or as a single semi-trailer. When the chassis is the lead trailer, a fifth wheel is mounted at the rear thereof between the chassis sides. The tail trailer is then equipped with a kingpin mounted to connect with the fifth wheel on the rear of the lead trailer, without interference between the chassis of the two units. The bunk on the lead trailer rides over the fifth wheel of the lead trailer which is located between the sides of its chassis. Locking mechanisms are provided to restrain the bunk from movement unless unlocked and the bunk is being moved from the docking to a transport position.

Abstract: A retractable step apparatus for providing access to a recreational vehicle (6), or trailer includes a mounting frame (10), a top tread assembly (12) pivotally attached to the mounting frame, a center tread assembly (14) swingably coupled to the top tread assembly, and a bottom tread assembly (16) pivotally attached to the center tread assembly. The mounting frame includes right and left mounting brackets (18) and at least one crossmember (20, 22). The top tread assembly includes right and left top brackets (26) and a top step (28) attached between the right and left top brackets. The center tread assembly includes right and left center brackets (36) and a center step (38) attached between the right and left center brackets. The bottom tread assembly includes right and left bottom brackets (46) and a bottom step (48) attached between the right and left bottom brackets.

Abstract: An apparatus which is attachable to and operable for unlocking existing, adjustable suspension systems. The apparatus comprises: a housing; a securing member for securing the housing on a suspension system actuating member; a spring member positioned in the housing and having a secured first end such that the first end of the spring is prevented from rotating in the housing; and a tensioning member associated with a second end of the spring. The tensioning member includes a tensioning member arm such that, by pivoting the tensioning member arm to a tensioning position with respect to the housing, the second end of the spring rotates with respect to the first end of the spring whereby the spring is tensioned. When the housing of the apparatus is secured on a suspension system actuating member and the tensioning arm is pivoted to its tensioning position, the apparatus will impart a force to the actuating member such that the suspension system locking member(s) is/are thereby urged to move to unlocked position.

Abstract: A thin plastic film is used to make the airbag of this invention. A preferred embodiment uses multiple thin film airbags which are inflated and confined to act together through the use of a surrounding net. In another embodiment, multiple layers of anisotropic film are joined together to form an airbag which is resistant to tearing. The inflator, which is typically of the aspirated type, fills the airbags through a manifold in a controlled sequence until each bag is filled to a specific pressure indicative of either being fully inflated or of interaction with an occupant.

Abstract: A reaction canister for a passenger side airbag module is designed with a collapsible sidewall to prevent impact injuries occurring through the instrument panel. The sidewall is connected to the reaction canister base by means of a friction fit hook assembly. The assembly disengages upon impact with the mouth of the canister.

Abstract: An airbag safety module for automotive vehicles is provided. This module includes a box-like cover and a housing. The cover incorporates therein an airbag, an inflator, and an airbag control unit and has a plurality of openings formed in its side wall. The housing includes a base wall on which the airbag and the inflator are mounted and a side wall having thereon a plurality of protrusions engageble with the openings of the cover, respectively to complete the airbag safety module. Each of the protrusions is shaped to allow the housing to be inserted into the cover in an assembling direction of completing the airbag safety module to engage one of the openings of the cover while restricting the cover from being disengaged from the housing in a disassembling direction opposite to the assembling direction.

Abstract: A boot for use with a snowboard includes a binding for attachment to the boot. The boot includes a base, a highback, and an upper. The base includes a binding-receiving plate for attaching the boot to the binding on the snowboard. The base also has toe and heel ends. The base is formed with a toecap at the toe end and has a heel counter at the heel end. Tread projects from the bottom of the base for traction when the boot is not attached to the-snowboard. The highback extends upwardly from the heel counter of the base. The highback provides aft support to the user. The upper is fixedly attached to the base and is arranged and configured to receive the foot and ankle of the user. The upper has a rearward side adjacent the highback. The upper is more flexible than the base and the highback. A base strap is connected to opposing sides of the base and extends across a portion of the upper.

Abstract: A trolley comprising a pair of vertical bars, a pair of linking bars, and a wheel assembly operable by the linking bars to pivotally move between an extended and a retracted positions. A movable block slidable on the vertical bars is connected with the linking bars. A positioning plate is fixedly mounted on the movable block and a sliding movement of the movable block relative to the vertical bars is controlled by a biasing unit in cooperation with the positioning plate. A respective compression spring is additionally provided on the vertical bars to facilitate the sliding movement of the movable block when the movable block is released to move.

Abstract: A pivotable armrest is disclosed for presenting a seat belt buckle to a vehicle's occupant when the armrest is lowered from an upright retracted position to a lowered working position. The armrest movement may be manually or automatically driven. The armrest is preferably attached to the outboard side of a seat, and is used in conjunction with a conventional shoulder and lap belt arrangement.

Abstract: An end-to-end nestable shopping cart having a frame supported on casters with a basket having an open top end supported elevated by the frame. The basket has a bottom wall, opposed side walls tapering inwardly from a rear end to a front end, a front wall, and a rear gate hinged along a top edge thereof and having leg holes therein. A handlebar is disposed rearwardly of the rear gate to displace the shopping cart on the casters. A babyseat compartment is defined in the basket between the rear gate and a hinged backrest disposed in the basket and spaced from the rear gate. The backrest has a hinged connection at the basket bottom wall for hinged displacement of the backrest forwardly over the bottom wall. Arresting means is provided to maintain the backrest upright above the bottom wall. The rear gate has engagement means to displace the backrest when in the upright position to a forward collapsed position over the bottom wall when another cart is nested through the rear gate.

Abstract: A stabilizer bar attachment apparatus (15) is disclosed for use in a motor vehicle (10) for attaching a stabilizer bar (14) to the motor vehicle. The stabilizer bar attachment apparatus operatively provides for enhanced suspension articulation when a valve spool (84) is in a first position and a predetermined suspension roll stiffness when the valve spool (84) is in a second position.

Abstract: A four wheel drive and steering system for a motor vehicle includes a splitter gear assembly coupled to the transmission for splitting rotational power between the front wheels and one set of wheels of a tandem rear wheel vehicle. A first drive train rotationally couples the front wheels to the transmission, while a second drive train drives the one set of rear wheels. The second drive train includes a pair of shaft assemblies, each corresponding to a respective rear wheel. Each of the pair of shaft assemblies includes a rear shaft extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle adjacent a vertical plane including the corresponding rear wheels, thereby providing clearance for the floor of a dropframe cargo compartment. A transfer gear assembly couples the corresponding rear wheel to the rear shaft of the shaft assembly. The steering system is coupled between the steering linkage for the front wheels and the other set of tandem rear wheels.

Abstract: A skate support and bracket system includes an elongated main body structure in the form of a tubular aluminum extrusion. A bracket attachment track is formed on the extrusion. A pair of boot brackets are slidably mounted on the track for continuous and infinitesimal movement therealong. The brackets carry boot mounting platforms at the upper ends thereof and the platforms are cantilevered outwardly from the upper end of the pedestal both rearwardly and laterally so as to present a generally unimpeded area under the platform to facilitate manipulation of an attachment component.

Abstract: An electrical power steering device for an automobile is disclosed. The device has a steering motor, a transmitting mechanism having two transmitting portions rotating in opposite directions respectively, by the steering motor, a coupling for coupling one of the two transmitting portions to at least one of the steering shaft and the steering link, and a switching device applying a driving signal to the steering motor when the steering wheel rotates and applying a selective coupling signal to the coupling corresponding to the steering direction of the steering wheel.

Abstract: A motorcycle having a stub-axle steering for the front wheel (16) of the motorcycle, said front wheel (16) being suspended on the frame (2) of the motorcycle by at least one swinging arm (1) linked to a stub-axle bearer (21) journalling a stub-axle pin (3) rotatable about its longitudinal pin axis constituting the steering axis (12) about which the front wheel (16) can be pivoted, the stub-axle pin (3) being arranged in the front wheel hub (5) of the front wheel (16), the longitudinal pin axis being offset from the front wheel axis (14) towards the rear of the motorcycle and extending in the center plane of the front wheel (16) at such an angle (.alpha. alpha!) of the steering axis with respect to the ground (15) that a positive trail (n) results. The stub-axle pin (3) is longitudinally divided and the pin sections are screwed into the front wheel hub (5) and clamped to the stub-axle bearer (21) through taper roller bearings (24).