Abstract: An unmanned and self-powered vehicle or Towable Autonomous Dray (TOAD) may follow a vehicle and tow a trailer, haul a load, and/or recharge a pilot vehicle. The TOAD may be semi-autonomous and may attach to a pilot vehicle by an electronic identification. Further, wireless charging of the pilot vehicle may be provided by the TOAD. Smart trailer brakes, electric trailer axles, and a mechanically coupled tow vehicle may be provided by the TOAD in combination with additional units. A smart trailer controller may include a smart head unit and a smart tail unit in a trailer that may offer trailer security and increased safety. A smart trailer brake controller on the pilot vehicle and a smart module on the trailer may be applied where no unmanned vehicle is employed, such as, in a classic pick-up/trailer combination.

Abstract: The front fork of the present invention has a wheel-side bracket that closes another end of an inner tube which is movably inserted inside an outer tube from one end thereof; a cylinder provided inside the inner tube; and a head member that is fitted to the cylinder side on the opposite side from the wheel-side bracket, in which the cylinder and the head member are sandwiched, while subjected to an axial force, by a fastening portion formed on the inner tube and the wheel-side bracket.

Abstract: A work vehicle includes a hydraulic actuator that changes an actual steering angle, an actual steering angle detecting part, an operating unit that performs a steering operation, a position adjusting control part that controls the position adjusting part based on the actual steering angle, and a steering control part that controls the hydraulic actuator. The operating unit includes a support part, a rotating part supported rotatably by the support part, an operating part supported rotatably by the support part or the rotating part, a biasing part that biases the operating part to a predetermined position with respect to the rotating part, a position adjusting part that adjusts a rotation angle of the rotating part with respect to the support part, and a rotation angle detecting part configured to detect the rotation angle of the operating part with respect to the support part or the rotating part.

Abstract: A front suspension (4) of the telescopic type with anti-dive effect, comprising at least one sheath (32) and at least one stem (36), housed and guided telescopically inside said sheath (32) according to a direction of the fork axis Z-Z, the suspension (4) comprising a foot (44) associated to the sheath (32) or to the stem (36) that rotatably supports a wheel spindle (44) of an associable front wheel (12) defining a rotation axis X-X, a braking device (52) for the associable front wheel (12), having a support (56) rotatably mounted with respect to the wheel spindle (44) so as to be able to oscillate about the rotation axis X-X. Between the support (56) of the braking device (52) and the foot (44) of the suspension (4) are interposed transfer means (64) of the braking force, exerted by the braking device (52), on an element (32, 36) between the sheath (32) and the stem (36) that does not support the foot (44).

Abstract: Motorcycle including at least one rear wheel, at least two front steering wheels, a handlebar, the front wheels being rotatable about respective lateral steering axes, according to lateral steering angles; the handlebar being rotatable according to a central steering angle about a central steering axis, the front wheels being kinematically connected to the steering handlebar by transmission means that realize a transmission ratio defined by the ratio between the lateral steering angles and the central steering angle, where the transmission means has a steering bar, kinematically connected to the handlebar, which directly links the front wheels together, wherein the transmission ratio between the front wheels and the steering handlebar is variable as the central steering angle of the handlebar varies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an urban vehicle for transporting large volume and light weight cargo that is subdivided into two: a mini-tractor unit and a lightweight semi-platform. These are coupled by means of a fifth wheel with a kingpin, allowing transporting high cubic coefficient products including long formats. The mini-tractor unit of the invention is shorter between the steering and drive axles compared with a vehicle for transporting cargo of the common type. The wheelbase between the steering (front) and driving (rear) axles of the mini-tractor unit is 1.3 to 1.7 times the width of the steering axle.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for exploiting modern controls, sensors and actuators to realize a novel family of in-line two-wheeled vehicles (Twills) as robots. Each robot has a front-wheel with a substantially horizontal axis of rotation and a substantially vertical steering axis. The front-wheel with its substantially vertical steering axis has a steering-angle that can be sensed by one or more sensors. There is a rear-wheel with a substantially horizontal axis of rotation. A control module stabilizes the roll angle when the robot is in a forward motion or when it is stopped. There is an energy source to power the controls and to drive one or both the front and rear wheels.

Abstract: Bicycles and automobiles share the roads and it is imperative that a collision between a car and a bicycle be avoided. A warning system that can be placed on the back of a bicycle that extends upward to alert the general traffic in the area. The top portion of the pole will be equipped with a flag or other warning device and will also be illuminated for greater visibility. The warning system can also be extended outward to alert oncoming traffic to a bicycle in the area. When the arm is extended outward it can also rotate backwards if the warning device is struck by an obstacle.

Abstract: Systems for facilitating movement of a patient transport apparatus are provided and include user input control device that includes a mode switch selectable between a longitudinal transport mode and a multidirectional mode and a driving assist device actuatable between at least one engaged state and a non-engaged state. The mode switch generates signals based on the selected mode and the driving assist device generates engaged or non-engaged signals which are received by a controller. The controller is configured to generate an output signal sent to a lift actuator, swivel actuator, and/or a powered drive system to assist a user in propelling the apparatus in a desired manner.

Abstract: A coupling plate for a fifth wheel coupling, wherein the coupling plate on a top side includes a planar bearing surface and at a rear end it includes two entrance horns bordering on an entrance opening, the entrance opening extends in a longitudinal axis (x) of the coupling plate and ends in a kingpin bearing region, and the coupling plate is configured with a respective receiving structure for a bearing block on its bottom side, on either side of the kingpin bearing region and spaced apart from each other on a transverse axis (y). The problem which the invention proposes to solve is to provide a standardized coupling plate, having a minimal natural weight, given a slight loading, and whose strength can be adapted for higher anticipated loads. The problem is solved according to the invention in that at least one connection means for the releasable mounting of at least one stiffening element is formed on the coupling plate beneath the planar bearing surface.

Abstract: A steering device includes an electric actuator that applies a steering force to one end side of a steering shaft. The other end side of the steering shaft is provided with a displacement detection part for detecting the movement amount of the steering shaft. Either a detection target or a displacement detection sensor is provided on the steering shaft and the other is provided in a housing so as to output a signal according to a relative position change amount of the detection target with respect to the displacement detection sensor in the direction of the first axis. A first restriction mechanism restricts the relative movement of the detection target and the displacement detection sensor in a radial direction regarding the first axis to limit the change in the relative position in the radial direction of the detection target and the displacement detection sensor.

Abstract: The present invention disclose a continuously variable reciprocating prime mover. The feature of this continuously variable reciprocating prime mover is that the reciprocating rotatory motion of the legs is modified into the reciprocating linear flexion and extension of the legs, by which one leg is flexed while the other leg is stretching, the combined force of the legs can be multiplied by the force. After each linear motion stroke is completed, the reverse linear motion stroke is repeated, and the driving direction remains unchanged. At any moment of the full stroke of the reciprocating linear flexion and extension of the legs, both can generate 2 times of the instantaneous power equivalent to the maximum moment point of the circular rotation.

Abstract: A rotatable trailer bed includes a frame, a trailer bed, a turntable swivel assembly, and a plurality of swivel casters. The frame includes a bed section, a hitch section, and two wheel sets. The hitch section is adjacently connected a front end of the bed section. The two wheel sets is rotatably mounted to the bed section. The plurality of swivel casters is mounted to the bed section is perimetrically positioned around the bed section. The trailer bed is rotatably mounted to the bed section through the turntable swivel assembly as the plurality of swivel casters maintain the balance and level of the trailer bed.

Abstract: A tube for a bicycle has a body, an indented portion, and a machined hole. The indented portion is radially recessed in the body and has an outer bottom surface, an outer annular surface, and a first round corner being a curved surface smoothly connecting an outer tube surface of the body and the outer annular surface. The machined hole is formed through the outer bottom surface of the indented portion and has an area being less than an area of the outer bottom surface. The indented portion formed around the machined hole distributes stress to prevent cracking occurring from an edge of the machined hole. The structural strength of the tube is increased under a same total weight.

Abstract: A bicycle seat accessory that includes an adjustable seat and a rear seat accessory to provide a seating surface for a user and a rider or passenger. The adjustable seat is movable between a first and second position and when in the second position, the seating surface of the seat substantially aligns with the seating surface of the rear seat accessory to form a substantially continuous seating surface. The frame of the bicycle includes an accessory shelf onto which the rear seat accessory can be mounted. Additionally, the frame includes one or more brackets to which footpeg accessories can be mounted to provide foot rests for the passenger of the bicycle while seated on the rear seat accessory.

Abstract: A terminal tractor includes a fifth wheel coupling which is rotatable relative to a longitudinal axis of the terminal tractor such that an opening in the fifth wheel coupling may be reoriented depending on the terminal tractor's direction of approach to a semi-trailer.

Abstract: Provided are embodiments of a hitch lift system including an elongated receiver member configured to engage a complementary opening of a receiver hitch of a vehicle, and a lift system that includes a lifting shaft adapted that extends and retracts vertically, and a lifting system to regulate the vertical extension and retraction of the lifting shaft.

Abstract: A powertrain for a pedal vehicle, such as a bicycle, which powertrain comprises a first and a second electric motor and a planetary gear set comprising a sun gear, a ring gear and a planet carrier, wherein the sun gear is connected to the first motor, the ring gear is connected to the crank axle receiving the user input, and the planet carrier is connected to an output of the powertrain for transmitting power to at least one output element, such as a wheel, of the vehicle, wherein the second motor is directly connected to the output of the powertrain.

Abstract: An auxiliary wheel mechanism 151 of a two-wheeled vehicle disclosed herein includes an auxiliary wheel 1, a saddle support member 7, a transmission member 9, and an auxiliary wheel urging member 23. The auxiliary wheel 1 is supported by a vehicle body 11 to be located on a side of a rear wheel 13 and to be movable between a retracted position retracted from a road surface 17 and an operative position where the vehicle body 11 is supported against the road surface 17 so as not to tilt. The saddle support member 7 is provided on the vehicle body 11 and supports a saddle 27 such that the saddle 27 is movable backward and forward. The transmission member 9 transmits a backward and forward movement of the saddle 27 to the auxiliary wheel 1 such that the auxiliary wheel 1 is located at the retracted position when the saddle 27 is located at a front position, and the auxiliary wheel 1 is located at the operative position when the saddle 27 is located at a rear position.

Abstract: A towing attachment is designed to facilitate the towing of bobtail trucks and similar vehicles. The towing attachment includes a tube, a hitch attachment body, a first mounting bracket, a second mounting bracket, a first locking mechanism, and a second locking mechanism. The tube is preferably a rectangular, tubular, structure that receives the first mounting bracket and the second mounting bracket. The hitch attachment body is an assembly that allows attachment onto the hitch feature of a bobtail truck or other similar vehicle. The first mounting bracket and the second mounting bracket allow engagement to a wheel lift of a towing vehicle. The first locking mechanism maintains the first mounting bracket in place along the tube. The second locking mechanism maintains the second mounting bracket in place along the tube.