Abstract: To protect a vehicle occupant from injury by a safety airbag activated in the event of a collision when the occupant's actual position is different from a normal occupant restraint position, an occupant-moving arrangement is provided to move the occupant into the normal restraint position prior to full activation of an airbag. The occupant-moving arrangement is effected by inflation of the airbag with an initially limited pressure or by a movable cushion or a pivoted flap driven by a gas generator.

Abstract: Control system for controlling the locking and unlocking of seat belt retractors in response to the opened/closed state of the vehicle doors and also the on/off state of the ignition switch.

Abstract: A hitch rack is described which cooperates with a hitch receiver on an automotive vehicle to enable a recreational or sporting article to be carried at the rear or front of a vehicle. The hitch rack includes a foot engagement bar for operating a cinch enabling the article support structure of the rack to be moved between a transportation and an inactive position.

Abstract: A motorized wheelbarrow comprises a pan for receiving a load to be transported by the barrow, at least a wheel arranged to bear on the ground and a motor arranged to rotate the wheel for moving the wheelbarrow over the ground. The motor is located under the pan and with its center of gravity in front of a vertical plane including the axle of rotation of the wheel as seen in the direction of movement in the transport position of the wheelbarrow.

Abstract: In a vehicle suspension system including a hydraulic actuator between a sprung mass consisting substantially of a vehicle body and an unsprung mass consisting substantially of a wheel, a force proportional to but opposite in phase to an inertia force acting on the unsprung mass is applied by the actuator to the unsprung mass so that the ability of the tire to maintain contact with the road surface may be improved. This produces very little effect on the behavior of the sprung mass, but the vehicle handling is significantly improved. Better contact with the road surface not only improves the vehicle handling but also reduces the consumption of energy by the hydraulic actuator. A particularly favorable result can be obtained when the hydraulic actuator further applies a damping force proportional to the absolute velocity of the sprung mass to the sprung mass.

Abstract: A rear fender of a motorcycle, particularly a racing motorcycle, is securely connected to the cross frame under the motorcycle seat. The rear fender includes a front portion, a flexible center hinge, and a rear portion. The front portion is fixably connected under the motorcycle seat with the rear portion free to rotate about the hinge. The front portion can be of any desired length in order to fit the various models of motorcycles.

Abstract: A stacker crane comprising a trolley moveable above the ground, the trolley including a frame, a turntable supported by the frame for rotation relative to the frame about a generally vertical rotation axis, and a rotate drive which rotates the turntable relative to the frame, a mast assembly depending from and fixedly mounted to the turntable so that the mast assembly rotates with the turntable relative to the trolley frame, a carriage supported by the mast assembly for vertical movement relative thereto and for common rotation therewith relative to the trolley frame, a load engaging mechanism mounted on the carriage, and a hoist assembly including a hoist drum which has an axis of rotation fixed relative to the trolley frame and which is rotatable in one direction and in an opposite direction, and a hoist rope wound around the drum and connected to the carriage such that rotation of the drum in the one direction raises the carriage and rotation of the drum in the opposite direction lowers the carriage.

Abstract: A support mounting unit is provided for mounting a transportable cart or like apparatus to a vehicle so as to provide an easy method of transport for an apparatus. The mounting unit includes a mounting means for securing the invention to the rear bumper of a vehicle, a top and bottom clamping jaw for securing the cart to the mounting unit, and an automatic locking mechanism. The top jaw of the invention is attached to a main body portion by means of hinges on each side of the body portion. The top jaw can then be moved from a nominally horizontal closed position to an angled upwardly open position. Thus, once a lower attachment bar secured to the transportable apparatus has been placed in the lower U-shaped bracket, the apparatus is rotated and the upper attachment bar pushes the top jaw into the open position. The attachment bar can now be secured in the U-shaped bracket embedded in top jaw, and the top jaw can return to a closed position where the locking bolt automatically secures it.

Abstract: A hidden, receiver type trailer hitch is provided for vehicles and comprises an elongate curved or straight transverse tubular strut of rectangular cross-sectional configuration and having reinforced horizontal connection plates at each end of the strut for bolted connection of the strut to the lower surface of the longitudinal frame members of a vehicle. Vertical connection plates are connected by welds to the outside edges of the horizontal connection plates and project upwardly from the horizontal connection plates for bolted connection to the outside side walls of the frame members. A tubular hitch receiver is connected by welds to the upper wall of the transverse strut and is reinforced by reinforcing plates that are connected by welds to both the side walls of the receiver and the front wall of the transverse strut.

Abstract: The warehouse has a high storage density and is suitable for the storage of bulk goods. The warehouse has at least three superimposed storage areas. A storage area is laid out as the operational level for the storage and withdrawal of the goods. A further storage area consists of a storage level with one or more superimposed storage levels for storing and consigning goods. A further storage area is used as an auxiliary operational level for preparing roller pallets and taking them to the operational level.

Abstract: A pretensioner for vehicle seat belt systems comprises a belt-pulling member connected to a belt system component, a driving device for moving the belt-pulling member along a predetermined path in a direction to apply pretension to the belt, and a return-prevention device for preventing the belt-pulling member from moving in a direction such as to release the belt pretension. The return-prevention device includes a pawl coupled to the belt-pulling member, a support member having a set of ratchet teeth engageable by the pawl and a spring coupled to the pawl for biasing the pawl in a direction to engage it with a tooth of the set of ratchet teeth. The spring is a leaf spring having a base portion attached to the pawl and a tongue portion extending from the base portion and engageable with one of a series of ratchet teeth on the support member upon movement of the belt-pulling member and the pawl in the release direction.

Abstract: A motorcycle rear wheel frame is pivotally mounted to the motorcycle main frame. A torsion bar is positioned on the pivot axis, with one end of the bar rotationally fixed with respect to the main frame. The other end of the bar is fixed to the rear frame so that pivotal movement of said rear frame with respect to the main frame is primarily absorbed by said torsion bar.

Abstract: A turning control system for an electric vehicle includes a differential filter which receives a signal indicative of a desired vehicle steer angle and generates a pair of signals representative of proportional speed and direction at a left and a right drive wheel of the vehicle. Speed limit factors generated by an angular speed limit filter and an operator set throttle control are applied to the signals indicative of proportional speeds to generate desired proportional speed signals. The desired proportional speed signals are applied to a motor coupling controller along with signals indicating the actual motor speeds.

Abstract: An automotive air bag cover is provided having a decorative applique fastened thereto. The air bag cover is manufactured from plastic and includes a front cover adapted to enclose an uninflated automotive air bag. The front cover includes an inner and outer surface. Side panels are further provided and are connected to and extend from the front cover. The decorative applique is fastened to the outer surface of the front cover. Seams are provided for permitting the air bag to inflate and exit the front cover. The decorative applique is fastened to the front cover adjacent the seams in a non-overlapping fashion such that the decorative applique does not interfere with exit or inflation of said air bag.

Abstract: A transmission apparatus is used in an electrical bicycle which includes a power switch, a rear wheel and a hub in the rear wheel. The transmission apparatus of the electrical bicycle includes an upper transmission set including a speed-reducing motor connected to a drive gear which is meshed to a driven gear, a middle transmission set including an upper rod, a lower rod, and a universal joint connected therebetween, where the upper rod is connected to the driven gear, and a lower transmission set including a first bevel gear extended from the lower rod, a second bevel gear meshing with the first bevel gear, a tube extended from the second bevel gear and received in the hub of the rear wheel, and at least one unidirectional needle bearing positioned between the hub and the extended tube allowing the extended tube to drive the hub to rotate thus moving the rear wheel forward yet not allowing the hub to drive the extended tube to rotate.

Abstract: A rear wheel steering device utilizes a hypoid gear wheel having a spherical bearing disposed eccentric to a center axis of the hypoid gear wheel. A stud shaft mounted to a rod has an end connected to the hypoid gear wheel via the spherical bearing so that rotation of the hypoid gear wheel moves the rod in an axial direction. The rod may then be jointed to the steering arms of a pair of wheels in order to steer them. This device is an improvement over the prior art in that it eliminates the costs of production required by a rack and pinion system, and the tensioning system therefor.

Abstract: An apparatus to dampen a vehicle pneumatic suspension system wherein high impulse road vibration is transmitted from the pneumatic suspension elements of a vehicle's wheel assembly to a serially arranged variable-volume chamber and biased damper, such that the high pressure impulse is absorbed by gas compression and damper displacement. The biasing element of the damper returns the damper back to a normal position, which returns the displaced gas volume back into the pneumatic suspension system.

Abstract: A sled construction consists of a generally concave sled which conforms to the buttocks of the sledder and a strap assembly for releasably securing the sled to the body of the sledder. A body portion of the concave sled includes an inner contoured surface which is received in conforming relation with the buttocks of a sledder and a outer surface having longitudinal runners extending downwardly therefrom. The sides of the body portion taper inwardly and curve upwardly to form symmetrical triangular wing portions which extend around the hips of the sledder. The front of the body portion tapers inwardly and curves upwardly to form an apex received adjacent to the crotch of the sledder. A substantially planar flange portion extends outwardly from the back of the body portion so that it is received adjacent a waist of the sledder. The body portion includes a lateral slot adjacent to the apex and the flange portion includes two symmetrically spaced slots therein.

Abstract: A single track vehicle includes at least one front drive wheel and one rear steered wheel. A steering mechanism causes the front and rear wheels to substantially track each other during a turn and also causes the center of gravity of the vehicle to be raised during a turn. The steering mechanism further allows simultaneous variance of both the camber angle and turn angle of the rear wheel for even more exact tracking of the front and rear wheels. The steering mechanism further provides for a more linear relationship between the rate of change in the angle of rotation of the steering head of the vehicle and the rate in change of the turn radius of the vehicle. In other aspects, a steering mechanism is provided which allows the operator to maintain a constant width between his hands while turning a vehicle incorporating the steering mechanism. Preferred embodiments of the vehicle are shown in the form of a bicycle and a motorcycle.

Abstract: A dolly includes an elongated rigid support member for receiving a lower end portion of a panel-shaped support leg of an upright piano. The support member is formed by an elongated bottom wall and a pair of side walls rigidly connected along opposite longitudinal side edges of the bottom wall and extending upwardly therefrom so as to define an elongated channel extending between the spaced side walls and above the bottom wall of the support member. The channel is open along its upper end to receive the lower end portion of the support leg of the upright piano. The dolly also includes a pair of carriages supporting the opposite ends of the support member.