Abstract: A track system for a vehicle has an attachment assembly mountable to a chassis of a vehicle and defining an attachment-assembly-pivotable connector pivot axis; a track assembly including a support frame disposed laterally outward from the attachment assembly, the support frame including a leading frame assembly and a trailing frame assembly, each frame assembly including a frame member connectable to the attachment assembly pivotable connector and a frame-suspension pivotable connector; at least one wheel-load-bearing connector, and at least one idler wheel being at least indirectly connected to the frame member via the at least one wheel-load-bearing connector.

Abstract: A trailer for towing by a power vehicle is provided and generally includes a frame and a tandem wheel assembly. The frame forms an undercarriage chassis which the tandem wheel assembly is positioned there under. The undercarriage chassis includes a rear wheel assembly, a front wheel assembly, and an extension assembly moving the front wheel assembly between trailing position and a self-propelled position where the rear wheel assembly and the front wheel assembly are positioned to equally support the undercarriage chassis.

Abstract: A riding lawn care vehicle may include a frame, a steering assembly, a first brake assembly, and a first biasing assembly. A first drive wheel and a second drive wheel of the riding lawn care vehicle are operably coupled to the frame. The steering assembly includes a first steering lever and a second steering lever. The first and second steering levers are operably coupled to corresponding ones of the first and second drive wheels via a first hydraulic motor and a second hydraulic motor, respectively, to facilitate turning of the riding lawn care vehicle based on drive speed control of the first and second drive wheels responsive to positioning of the first and second steering levers to control the first and second hydraulic motors. The first brake assembly is operably coupled to the first hydraulic motor to enable a braking force to be selectively applied to a motor shaft of the first hydraulic motor responsive to movement of the first steering lever from an inboard position to an outboard position.

Abstract: A motorized self-balancing vehicle is provided. The vehicle may include at least two wheels. The vehicle may include a self-balancing mechanism. The vehicle may include a manual-drive mechanism. The self-balancing mechanism may constantly update the self-balancing vehicle in order to maintain the balance of a rider of the vehicle, while the rider is engaged in human motion on the manual-drive mechanism. The human motion may include pedaling and/or stepping. The vehicle may include an electric motor. The vehicle may include only an electric motor. The vehicle may include only a manual-drive mechanism. The vehicle may include both the manual-drive mechanism and the electric motor. In the embodiment including the manual-drive mechanism and the electric motor, the power generated by the electronic motor may be combined with power generated by the manual-drive mechanism in order to move the vehicle.

Abstract: Powered patient support apparatuses—such as beds, cots, stretchers, or the like—include a plurality of user controls that allow a caregiver to control the steering and/or driving of one or more powered wheels from multiple different locations around the patient support apparatus (e.g. head end, foot end, and/or the sides). The control is carried out by force sensors that detect both an orientation of the applied forces and a magnitude of the applied forces. Translational and/or rotational movement is effectuated, depending upon the magnitude and direction of the forces, as well as the physical location of the applied force relative to a reference point on the support apparatus, such as the center. One or more object sensors may also be included in the support apparatus to assist in steering and/or navigating.

Abstract: An electric motor bicycle system with an electric motor driven gear adapted to drive a wheel gear coupled to a bicycle hub. The motor driven gear is coupled to the wheel gear with a chain. The chain may be tensioned with one or more tensioners, which allow for a tighter system geometry. The motor may be supported with a bracket adapted to mount to industry standard disc brake mounting interfaces. In some aspects, the motor driven gear is coupled to the disc mounting interface of a wheel hub. In some aspects, the electric motor bicycle system may also have a disc brake system integrated therein.

Abstract: A multifunctional light-duty soft robot includes paired wheel power mechanisms, soft contact mechanisms, buffer spring mechanisms and a middle frame deformation mechanism. Each of the paired wheel power mechanisms includes a wheel frame and a wheel rotatably connected thereto. The wheel frame is internally provided with a power mechanism connected with a wheel axis of the wheel. Each of the soft contact mechanisms includes a flexible cantilever and a soft transmission belt. The two paired wheel power mechanisms are respectively arranged at two ends of each of the flexible cantilevers. The wheel on one of the paired wheel power mechanisms is connected with the wheel on the other of the paired wheel power mechanisms. The buffer spring mechanisms are arranged between the wheel frames and the wheels. The middle frame deformation mechanism includes a connection unit and two movable units rotatably connected to the connection unit respectively.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system comprising a zero turn riding lawnmower. The zero turn riding lawnmower is steerable solely via a first foot pedal and a second foot pedal. Each of the first foot pedal and the second foot pedal coupled to a mower linkage of the zero turn riding lawnmower. The first foot pedal is constructed to cause at least one wheel on a first side the zero turn riding lawnmower to be powered in a forward direction or a reverse direction. The second foot pedal is constructed to cause at least one wheel on a second side the zero turn riding lawnmower to be powered in a forward or reverse direction.

Abstract: A method of determining the configuration of a tow load (12) coupleable to a vehicle (10), the method comprising: controlling (116) a vehicle system to obtain an indication of the presence of a unique identifier (40) mounted on the tow load (12); retrieving data (120) encoded within the unique identifier to determine the configuration of the tow load; configuring (124) the vehicle in dependence on the determined configuration of the tow load.

Abstract: In an aspect, a self-balancing two-wheeled vehicle is provided, having a body, and first and second wheels rotatably coupled to the body. The second wheel has at least one lateral roller rotatable about an axis that is one of oblique and orthogonal to a rotation axis of the second wheel. At least one motor is coupled to the second wheel to control rotation of the second wheel and the at least one lateral roller. At least one sensor is coupled to the body to generate orientation data therefor. A control module is coupled to the at least one motor to control operation thereof at least partially based on the orientation data generated by the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch may include at least one support frame capable of engaging with a towing vehicle. The fifth wheel hitch may further include a cross-member attached to the support frame and an isolation system operatively coupled with the cross-member. The isolation system may include a beam engaged with the cross-member about a first axis, where rotation of the beam about the first axis is dampened via a cross-member isolator. The isolation system may also include a skid plate engaged with the beam about a second axis, where rotation of the skid plate about the second axis is dampened via a wing isolator.

Abstract: A storage box power supply structure for a saddled vehicle includes a storage box (30), a carrier (50) configured to detachably mount the storage box (30) on a vehicle body, a hook (33) configured to connect the storage box (30) to the carrier (50), a hook receiving section (53) configured to receive the hook (33), a hook-side terminal (70) provided inside the hook (33) and configured to supply electric power to an electrical component (46), and a receiving-side terminal (80) provided in the hook receiving section (53) and connected to the hook-side terminal (70) when the storage box (30) is mounted on the carrier (50).

Abstract: A vehicle includes a forward frame portion, a rear frame portion, and a motion control system that movably interconnects the forward frame portion and the rear frame portion. A forward acceleration of the rear frame portion resulting from a driving force imparted by a wheel supported by the rear frame portion imparts a first force onto the motion control system that counters a second force imparted on the motion control system by an acceleration of a payload supported by the forward frame portion as a result of the forward acceleration.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to facilitate a single pin load sensor coupled to a hitch receiver, the sensor to measure one or more loads on the hitch receiver. An example apparatus includes a load sensing pin coupled to a hitch receiver of a vehicle, the load sensing pin disposed in a cavity of a crossbar that is to couple the hitch receiver to the vehicle, wherein the load sensing pin is to measure a load transferred from the hitch receiver to the crossbar.

Abstract: A trailer stand positionable by a shunt truck is disclosed. The trailer stand includes a leg assembly having a front pair of legs and a back pair of legs, the front pair of legs connected by a front cross support and the back pair of legs connected by a back cross support, a wheel assembly having a wheel assembly frame that has a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the back pair of legs, the second end retaining an axle, the axle rotatably retaining at least two wheels, a stepped assembly having a front end, a back end, a top, and a bottom, the front end connected to the front cross support, the back end connected to the back cross support, the top of the stepped assembly providing a plurality of landing areas for an end of the semi-trailer, and a lifting frame.

Abstract: A controller controls the steering device so as to cause a vehicle body to turn toward the left when a left steering lever is operated without a right steering lever being operated. The controller controls the steering device so as to cause the vehicle body to turn toward the right when the right steering lever is operated without the left steering lever being operated. The controller reduces the rotation speed of the engine when both the left steering lever and the right steering lever are operated and both the operation amount of the left steering lever and the operation amount of the right steering lever are equal to or greater than a first threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a rear steering system and a front differential hydraulic drive system. A first front drive control valve is operable to output a defined fluid flow in response to a steering command input. A second front drive control valve is operable to selectively divert a portion of the defined fluid flow output from the first front drive control valve. When the vehicle is operating in a pre-defined condition, a steering controller may control the second front drive control valve to divert a portion of the defined fluid flow from the first front drive control valve to define a reduced fluid flow, which is communicated to the front differential hydraulic drive system, to reduce a steering ratio of the front differential hydraulic drive system relative to the rear steering system, to desensitize steering provided by the front differential hydraulic drive system.

Abstract: A balanced motorcycle powertrain is described. Embodiments of the balanced motorcycle powertrain include components mounted to a frame of a motorcycle such that the powertrain can be evenly balanced about a centerline of the frame. The balanced motorcycle powertrain can include, but is not limited to, a motor, a transmission, a pair of clutches, a clutch shaft, a crank shaft, a pair of superchargers, a pair of chains, a pair of rear sprockets, and a rear wheel. Each of the components can be oriented such that the powertrain is substantially balanced about the centerline of the frame.

Abstract: A composite boat trailer for use in saltwater. The beams, bolts, hangers, fenders, guide poles, suspension, and bunks of the trailer are formed from a composite material that cannot rust or corrode. The trailer employs a manufacturing technique that reinforces all beams to distribute forces anticipated during the movement of a boat on the trailer at highway speeds.

Abstract: A trailer controller for mounting on a trailer, wherein the trailer controller has at least one position-determining unit which is designed to detect a current position of at least two regions predefined on a trailer, in order to determine a current position and an alignment. In addition, the invention relates to a trailer having a trailer controller and a coupling system, as well as to a method for carrying out a coupling process between a tractor unit and a trailer with a coupling system.