Abstract: A vehicle steering apparatus includes a steering reaction actuator that produces a steering reaction force to be applied to the manual steering unit, a steering reaction force controller that outputs a steering reaction force command value to the steering reaction force actuator, and a road surface input torque detector that detects a road surface input torque inputted to steerable road wheels from a road surface, wherein the steering reaction force controller includes a low cut-off frequency filter that extracts a low frequency component equal to or lower than a predetermined frequency from an output of the road surface input torque detector and sets the steering reaction force command value on the basis of a vehicle driving condition and an output of the low cut-off frequency filter. A vehicle steering method is also provided.

Abstract: A work vehicle with a hydrostatic steering system is disclosed which is capable of performing optimum control of the absorption torque of a hydraulic pump according to running load; capable of preferentially ensuring turning performance and implement speed when running load is relatively low; and capable of ensuring desired turning performance even when running load is relatively high. To this end, a bulldozer with a hydrostatic steering system, wherein the power of a hydraulic motor driven by pressure oil fed from a hydraulic pump operated by an engine is transmitted to right and left crawler tracks through a differential steering means composed of planetary gear trains etc., is designed to control the absorption torque of the hydraulic pump according to the speed ratio of a torque converter calculated by a speed ratio operation unit.

Abstract: A bicycle control apparatus comprises a mounting member structured to be attached to a bicycle, a control unit structured to be mounted to the mounting member and a battery unit structured to be detachably mounted to the control unit above the control unit.

Abstract: A foldable bicycle frame includes top and bottom connecting bars respectively pivotally connected between front and rear top tubes of the bicycle, a plurality of springs supported between the top and bottom connecting bars for pushing the top and bottom connecting bars vertically away from each other for allowing the front top tube and the rear top tube to be turned relative to each other between an operative position and a non-operative position, and a locking mechanism controlled by a locking lever to lock the top connecting bar and the bottom connecting bar in a position where the front top tube and the rear top tube aren't movable relative to each other.

Abstract: A steering unit of an electric vehicle is equipped with an electric motor having a tubular output shaft assembled so as to rotate around its own longitudinal axis, and a steering rod assembled through the output shaft and connected to the same output shaft by means of a screw-nut screw coupling so as to control the steering of a pair of wheels of the vehicle; the steering rod being equipped with a sleeve extending around the output shaft and having an internal thread connected to an external thread of the same output shaft.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for a fifth wheel hitch that automatically closes a jaw and locks the hitch when the hitch engages a kingpin. The latch mechanism includes a handle that is used set the latch for receiving the kingpin. The latch mechanism also includes a latching member that is biased toward a closed position and tripped in response to engagement of the kingpin with a jaw.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an auxiliary power unit starting apparatus for an electric bicycle, which can convert the rider's pedaling force into mechanical displacement at the time the bicycle is being pedaled, and then the mechanical displacement can start the auxiliary power unit of the electric bicycle. The device of the present invention has simple structure and small size, and it can be easily manufactured and assembled.

Abstract: A belt continuously variable transmission apparatus having a case which includes a power transmission case (which is part of a crankcase of an engine), a power transmission case cover, and an actuator cover assembled forwardly of the power transmission case cover (displaced forwardly on a vehicle body). The actuator cover is formed as a separate member from the power transmission case cover, and supports a motor for driving a movable part of a driving pulley. In addition, the actuator cover covers a gear system. The actuator cover is integrated with a cover of the water pump. The resulting configuration improves the assembling of the actuator cover of the belt continuously variable transmission apparatus.

Abstract: This invention relates to a protective cushion assembly that is adapted to protect equipment involved with vehicle towing, particularly the towing vehicle's rear bumper which contemporarily may be comprised of plastic. The cushion assembly includes an elastomeric plastic body and an associated bracket means for fastening the plastic body to an arm member that extends outwardly from the location of a vehicle-associated trailer hitch. The cushion and the bracket means can each be embodied in various forms and constructions. Combinations of the cushion assembly with various arms are disclosed. The arm preferably is a transversely extending, horizontally oriented, elongated cross bar that extends across and medially adjoins the rear end of a tow bar, more preferably the cross bar is part of a trailer hitch extension.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a zero turning radius vehicle having at least one steerable front wheel and a multistage steering input system separately capable of steering the at least one front wheel and selectively driving the drive wheels. A front wheel steering system comprises at least one oblongated sprocket meshingly connected to a steering shaft. An engagement cam system provides the ability to selectively, independently couple the steering wheel to pump arms driving a first and second drive wheel. A steering cam shaft comprises at least one steering cam that acts on at least one bearing. Once the engagement cam system rotates the at least one bearing into place to receive the at least one steering cam, rotation of the steering cam independently alters the speed of one drive wheel in relation to the other drive wheel in response to steering input provided by the operator.

Abstract: Disclosed is a trailer hitch system that is configured to rotate to a stowing position and an operating position. When in the operational position, a coupler arm of the trailer is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the trailer so that the coupler arm contributes to the length of the trailer. When in the stowing position, the coupler arm of the trailer is bent at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the trailer so that the coupling arm does not contribute to the overall length of the trailer.

Abstract: For a manually propelled wheelchair having a rear wheel located on either side of the wheelchair, each rear wheel including an annular or round push rim of substantially uniform, uninterrupted cross section, a grip attachment attachable to the rim used by an occupant of the wheelchair to propel the wheelchair. The grip attachment includes a gripping body having a preferably convex palm-pushing surface on a posterior side thereof and a preferably concave finger-pulling surface on an anterior side thereof. A rim-engaging member having an annular or circular-shaped attached to each rear wheel is adapted to cooperate with the gripping body to clampingly secure the gripping body to the rim in a laterally outwardly extending orientation. By this arrangement, an occupant may propel the wheelchair forwardly by exerting palm pressure against the posterior side and rearwardly by exerting finger pressure against the anterior side.

Abstract: A folding or collapsible bicycle includes a bifurcated solid frame defining a first storage space and a second storage space. The front and rear wheels are held by pivoting forks that can be selectively moved from an operational position to a closed position in the closed position, the front wheel is disposed in the first storage space and the rear wheel is disposed in the second storage space.

Abstract: A mechanism for ensuring that a trailer is properly attached to a trailer hitch on the back of a vehicle. The mechanism ensures that the trailer tongue on the trailer is properly and securely mounted on the metal ball on the trailer hitch on the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling an automotive vehicle includes determining a steering wheel angle, determining a steering wheel direction, determining a steering wheel angular rate and applying brake-steer as a function of steering wheel angle, steering wheel angular rate and steering wheel direction.

Abstract: An improved bicycle seat includes a seat base having a base plate and a seat cushion mounted on the base plate and a seat base mounting shaft mounted on and extending downwards from the base plate of the seat base. A seat back mounting shaft assembly is mounted on and extends rearwards and upwards from the seat base mounting shaft and the base plate of the seat base and a generally upright seat back is adjustably mounted on the seat back mounting shaft assembly for vertical and horizontal adjustment of the positioning of the generally upright seat back relative to the seat base. The seat cushion further includes a generally flat front face and a forwardly tilted top surface wherein the top surface of the seat cushion is forwardly tilted from horizontal between two and thirty degrees.

Abstract: A bicycle suspension assembly elastically supports a first frame member to a second frame member. The suspension assembly preferably forms a bottom bracket unit that allows the rear frame member to pivot about the axis of the bicycle crank axle without any adverse affects to the drive train assembly. Preferably, the suspension assembly includes a first suspension member, a second suspension member, a first bearing unit, and a shock-absorbing structure. The first bearing unit is operatively disposed between the first and second suspension members to movably support the first suspension member for rotation relative to the second suspension member about a center pivot axis. In the preferred embodiment, each of the shock-absorbing structure includes a plurality of biasing members. Preferably, the suspension assembly includes a second bearing unit that is axially spaced from the first bearing unit along the center pivot axis.

Abstract: A push handle for a child's vehicle has an elongated body with at least two elongated tubes of different diameters configured in a telescoping relation where the tube(s) of smaller diameters are slidable within the tube(s) of larger diameters between an extended state and a retracted state. The tubes include a top tube with a top end and a bottom tube. The bottom tube is fixed to the child's vehicle. A grip is mounted on the top end of the top tube for gripping by a user's hand. A locking mechanism is disposed within the body for locking the tubes in either the extended state or the retracted state. A release device is disposed on the body and activated for remotely unlocking the locking mechanism so that the body may be moved between the extended and retracted states.

Abstract: A tow hook hitch assembly attaches to one or both of the front tow hooks provided on a four wheel drive vehicle for mounting a tow ball, winch, or other accessory to the front end of the vehicle. The tow hook hitch includes an upper member extending above the tow hook, a lower member extending below the tow hook, a shaped insert secured to the upper member or lower member for extending within the tow hook, and a clamp bolt for securing the aforementioned components together.

Abstract: A trailer ball raising and lowering apparatus includes vehicle attachment means, a first hitch-support unit connected to the vehicle attachment means, a raisable and lowerable second hitch-support unit, continuously movable first-to-second connector means connected between the first hitch-support unit and the raisable and lowerable second hitch-support unit, unit-to-unit lock means for locking the raisable and lowerable second hitch-support unit to the first hitch-support unit, and a hitch member connected to the raisable and lowerable second hitch-support unit. An important feature of the present invention is that the interconnection between a trailer-mounted ball connector and a hitch ball unit on the motor vehicle is not disconnected during raising and lowering of the respective ends of the trailer.