Abstract: A rollover protection system for a working vehicle including a pair of lower props fixed at lower ends thereof to a chassis, a U-shaped upper cross bar pivotally connected to upper ends of the lower props, and connectors disposed between the lower props and the upper cross bar for selectively permitting the upper cross bar to pivot relative to the lower props. The connectors have a pair of right and left engaging members disposed at the upper ends of the lower props, respectively, a pair of right and left engageable members disposed at lower ends of the upper cross bar, respectively, and control handles for selecting between a first state to engage the engaging members and the engageable members, and a second state to disengage the engaging members and the engageable members.

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).

Abstract: The in-line roller skate includes a shoe (10) having a sole plate (12), a toe attachment (14) and a heel attachment (16) which is secured to the sole plate (12). A suspension system (18) is secured at one end thereof on the central part of the rear axle (40) of the wheel frame (44). The opposite end thereof is guided by an extended pin (20) through the centering cut bore (38) which is located inside the heel attachment (16). This allows vertical movement of the shoe (10) in that the spring (15) is supported by the cavity washers (22) located on the top and bottom of the extended pin (20). Two parallel flanges (30) of the toe attachment (14) are connected to the wheel frame flanges (28) by a pivoting axle (42) which allow vertical clearance movements of the extended pin (20) of the suspension system (18).

Abstract: An electrically power-assisted steering apparatus comprises resilient torque transmitting means for resiliently transmitting said steering torque from said steering shaft to said rotation shaft, and a switch assembly disposed between a battery and an electric motor which is controlled by a control unit to assist the steering effort of a vehicle driver. The switch assembly is designed to automatically turn off the electric current supplied to the electric motor independently of the control unit when the steering shaft is rotated with respect to a rotation shaft such as a pinion shaft within the range of a predetermined angle. The electric motor can be certainly prevented from being erroneously driven if the control unit controlling the electric motor is damaged or operated in a wrong manner.

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 merchandise display apparatus is disclosed, which comprises a foldable/erectable tubular structure formed of a series of foldably connected wall panels. When erected, the tubular support has at least three sides, at least one of which has an intermediate hinge line to accommodate a bellows fold. A plurality of caster assemblies is provided, one for each corner of the polygonal configuration formed by the erected tubular support. The caster assemblies include rigid channel-forming flanges, arranged at a predetermined angle corresponding to the corner angles of the erected polygon. When the foldable polygon is erected, the caster assemblies are applied over the lower end portions, at each corner, providing mobile support for the structure and simultaneously rigidly securing the otherwise foldable wall panels in the desired, erected cross sectional configuration. A rigid forming panel is inserted into the erected structure and is supported by the caster assemblies.

Abstract: A steering system for an automotive vehicle, arranged to effectively absorb an impact energy at a secondary collision in a head-on collision. The steering system comprises a steering column including an upper shaft and a lower shaft. The lower shaft is axially movably connected to the upper shaft and includes a first section connected to the upper shaft, and a second section. An upper bracket is connected to the steering column. An energy absorbing member is provided in a manner that the upper bracket is connected through the energy absorbing member to a vehicle body to be generally horizontally movable relative to the vehicle body. A first universal joint is disposed between the first and second sections of the lower shaft. A bearing bracket is rotatably supported to the vehicle body and rotatably supports the second section of the lower shaft. A second universal joint is disposed between a lower end section of the second section of the lower shaft and an upper end section of an intermediate shaft.

Abstract: A rotatable fifth wheel mechanism for use on converter dollies, truck tractors, and permanently attached dollies. The mechanism includes: a fifth wheel supported on a frame for rotation about a vertical axis; and a clutch secured between the fifth wheel and the frame, to control rotation of the fifth wheel relative to the frame. The clutch includes a drum secured to the fifth wheel, friction pad completely surrounding the drum and an inflatable bladder for applying pressure to the friction pad. The fifth wheel mechanism also includes apparatus for increasing or decreasing the pressure in the bladder to selectively vary the engagement force between the drum and friction pads. The apparatus for selectively increasing or decreasing pressure includes at least a pair of electrically operated air valves.

Abstract: A vehicle seat with an inflatable air cushion in which an air cushion module comprising the inflatable air cushion and a gas generator for inflating the air cushion is mounted to a hollow member of the seat frame. The gas generator is substantially contained within the seat frame to minimize the packaging space required for the air cushion module. In addition, back pressure release gas from the gas generator is directed into the hollow interior of the frame to avoid the discharge of hot gas directly into the seat foam where the foam may be damaged by the heat.

Abstract: A self-propelled personal mobility vehicle and frame therefor and method of assembly of the dismantled vehicle. The frame includes a front support for a steerable wheel and a coupling member connected to a rear portion of the frame which is releasibly engagable with a drive assembly operably positioned immediately rearward of the frame. The drive assembly includes a centrally positioned drive gear housing having a transversely extending tubular drive shaft housing and spaced rear support wheels operably connected at each end of the drive shaft housing for supporting and propelling the vehicle. The coupling member is releasibly engaged over the drive shaft housing by first lifting the rear of the frame with the drive assembly resting on the ground. The frame is then moved diagonally rearwardly or toward the drive assembly and downwardly so that, when fully engaged over and upon the drive shaft housing, the coupling member, by frame and vehicle weight alone, prevents further lateral and fore and aft (e.g.

Abstract: A tough, semi-rigid, dimensionally-stable, hydrocarbon resistant film shaped to fit the underside configuration of a vehicle; a plurality of flexible securing straps affixed to the lateral edges of such film and extending outwardly therefrom, each of such straps having a fastening device on the outer end thereof to permit anchorage to the frame on which the invention is placed; and a removeable, disposable absorbent liner adapted to be inserted into spaced pockets in such film between such film and the underside of the vehicle to which such film is secured. The invention will capture and retain all liquid drippings such as grease, engine oil, hydraulic or brake fluids, etc. preventing contamination not only of the floor of a garage or car port where the vehicle is normally parked, but also of the driveway, street or other surfaces over which the vehicle passes.

Abstract: The air cushion chambers of an air cushion vehicle are horizontally delimited by a skirt. The skirt comprises brushes with elongated downwards extended filaments (9), which have downwards diminishing cross-sectional area thereby providing the brushes with sufficient stiffness to maintain the pressure in the air cushion chamber and such a large flexibility in the lower section of the skirt that ice can hardly deposit thereon. The filament members are mounted in a guide profile (2) in such a manner that above the members there is a chamber (12) for dispersion and conveying of deicing fluid which form the chamber (12) via a flow passage in every filament member may pass down into a clearspace (10) between the filaments (9). At least one of the filaments (109) has forward protruding web (115) on one of its sides and a backwards protruding web (116) on its other side.

Abstract: The invention is an airbag having two modes of deployment. In the normal mode, with a driver in the normal seated position, the airbag is fully deployed and inflated to attain its full normal reach and provide a cushion for protection of the driver in a collision. In the other mode, when a driver is too close to the airbag at the moment of collision, the airbag will deploy only to a shorter reach and thus protect the too-close driver from being forcibly pushed backwards by the airbag inflating to its full normal reach. In the mode for normal deployment an inner flap covers gas exhausting structure on the rear panel of the airbag to prevent escape of inflation gas from the airbag during inflation. But when a driver is too close to the airbag at the moment of collision the inner flap is held away from the gas exhausting structure, keeping such structure uncovered for escape of inflation gas which would otherwise fully inflate the airbag.

Abstract: An air bag activation device for a vehicle air bag system eliminates the need to feed a small test current during the standby state so that the power consumption is minimized, and detects faults of the air bag activating device accurately even if the battery voltage fluctuates, and prevents the air bag from expanding erroneously. The device bases the fault detection on the calculation of the difference between an amplified voltage when a small constant current is fed to the air bag activating device from a constant current circuit, and an amplified voltage in the absence of the current.

Abstract: A multistage telescopic boom or jib, in particular for a loading crane on a truck, has hydraulic units each including a piston and a cylinder arranged between the successive, telescopically nested arms. A pipe projects axially from the bottom of the cylinder into the chamber of the cylinder, sealingly extending into the hollow piston rod when the piston is retracted and sealing the chamber of the cylinder from an inner chamber of the hollow piston rod. In order to ensure an automatic extension sequence of the telescopic arms, the inner chamber of each hollow piston rod is linked to the cylinder chamber of the next outer hydraulic unit by a preferably rigid line, and the inner chamber of each hollow piston rod communicates with the cylinder chamber of the same hydraulic unit when the piston is fully extended.

Abstract: This invention relates to a clamping structure for assembling an automotive air bag to an automotive air bag inflator. The clamping structure includes an annular retainer ring and module housing. Integral "L" shaped tabs or studs descending from the annular retainer are designed to pass through radial slots in the air bag and module housing. The tab or stud is formed to have an "L" shape with the short leg of the "L" having a slight angle. Then as the retainer is rotated into place, the short leg of the "L" shaped tab or stud will be forced into contact with the housing and clamp the assembly together.

Abstract: An inflator for inflating air bags has a housing for holding a self-sufficient initiator, i.e. an initiator containing a crash sensor and a small explosive charge set off by the sensor. The housing also includes a gas generating material set off by the small charge and filters for filtering the gases. The filters and gas generator material are separated by a choke plate. Advantageously, a portion of the housing is arranged to secure the initiator while the choke plate is securely clamped between two housing members.

Abstract: A snap-on air bag cover for use with an uninflated air bag container including a retaining member, the snap-on air bag cover comprising, a plastic front cover adapted to directly enclose the uninflated air bag container, a pair of plastic side panels connected to opposite sides of the front cover, a resilient clip member extending from each of the side panels, the clip member having an extending snap-on groove defined therein adapted to cooperate with the retaining member for affixing the air bag cover to the air bag container, wherein the pair of side panels are connected to the front cover such that the side panels and resilient clip members are permitted to pivotably travel away from each other in opposite directions allowing the retaining member to enter and abuttingly engage the snap-on groove thereby retaining the air bag cover on the air bag container.

Abstract: A child's tricycle comprising a pair of rear wheels, a front wheel, a seat positioned between the front and rear wheels, a support for the seat extending between the front and rear wheels, a handle for steering, and a steering fork having an upper end for supporting the handle and a bifurcated lower end for supporting the front wheel. A one-piece crank extends through the front wheel and defines outer ends disposed on opposite sides of the front wheel for holding pedals whereby a child can propel the tricycle by applying foot pressure to the pedals to thereby turn the crank and associated front wheel. A driving connection between the crank and front wheel is provided by a centrally located bend in the crank, and a centrally located opening defined by the front wheel snugly receiving the bend. A head tube is eliminated by using a steering fork and steering wheel telescoping combination which extends through vertically-aligned openings in the tubular support extending longitudinally of the tricycle.

Abstract: A wheel support structure of a motor vehicle wherein a double angular bearing 11 is constituted of an outer race 12 integrally installed in one of such members as a hub 9 on which a wheel is mounted and a knuckle 3 to which a suspension arm is installed, inner races 14a and 14b installed in the other, and double rows of balls 13a and 13b inserted between the races; and a lock nut 15 is tightened to compress the inner races 14a and 14b in an axial direction. There is formed a clearance between the inner races 14a and 14b in a no-load condition. The bearing thus constituted is provided with a large rigidity to thereby improve the steering stability of the motor vehicle.