Abstract: A servo-assisted steering system for a motor vehicle, in which the steering system includes a steering wheel for presetting a desired steering angle for the wheels of the motor vehicle, a driving-dynamics means for superimposing a correction angle on the steering angle, the correction angle being determined with a view toward increasing the driving stability and/or the driving comfort of the motor vehicle, and a servo drive. To keep the efficiency of the driving-dynamics means nearly constant over the entire road-speed range of the vehicle, the servo drive is implemented as a variable torque assistance system, the degree of torque assistance being dependent on the road speed of the vehicle and on at least one variable of the driving-dynamics means that characterizes the correction angle.

Abstract: A steering system (10) for a vehicle, such as a gantry crane (12). The gantry crane (12) generally includes a support structure (14) having a first front wheel (32) and a second opposing front wheel (36) connected proximate a front portion of the crane (12), and a first rear wheel (30) and a second opposing rear wheel (34) connected proximate a rear portion of the crane (12). A control system connected to the crane includes a user interface (111) electronically coupled to a command potentiometer (114) and a programmable controller responsive to the command potentiometer for controlling the angular position of each of the first front wheel (32), the second front wheel (36), the first rear wheel (30) and the second rear wheel (34) to effect a steering mode selected through the user interface (111).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a retractable king pin assembly for a trailer operable between an extended position, for engagement with a truck or tractor fifth wheel, and a retracted position, wherein the king pin is retracted to prevent engagement by a fifth wheel to permit the trailer to be left unattended without the threat of being stolen. The king pin security device includes a base member having an aperture, a king pin disposed in the base member aperture, and an actuator operatively connected to the king pin. The actuator either rotates or slides the king pin to move it in an axial direction between the extended and retracted positions. The actuator can include an electric motor, a solenoid or a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for controlling an electric assist motor in a vehicle steering system during an enablement of an overuse algorithm. Electric power is provided to the electric assist motor of the vehicle steering system via a switching circuit. Temperature of one of at least electric assist motor and power driving circuitry that provides power to the electric assist motor is sensed. A determination is made whether the sensed temperature of the one of at least electric assist motor and power driving circuitry is increasing over a predetermined period of time. The electric power provided to electric assist motor is reduced in response to a lack of increase in said sensed temperature.

Abstract: A collapsible bicycle includes a collapsible frame and a retaining device. The collapsible frame can be switched between an extended position and a collapsed position in a longitudinal direction. The wheels of the collapsible bicycle can still roll on the ground when the collapsible frame is in the collapsed position. The retaining device includes a trigger. The trigger can be operated in order to switch the retaining device between a retaining position and a releasing position. In the locking position, the retaining device retains the collapsible frame in the extended position. In the releasing position, the retaining device allows the collapsible frame to be switched to the collapsed position.

Abstract: A trailer hitch assembly includes a hitch plate and a locking mechanism. The hitch plate includes a throat for receiving a kingpin of a trailer. The locking mechanism locks the kingpin in the throat and includes a pair of lock jaws whose lock jaw contact surface, which contacts the kingpin, is treated with an alloy obviating the need for a lubricant while maintaining the wear life of the pair of lock jaws.

Abstract: A four-wheel drive work vehicle includes an engine, a pair of right and left steerable wheels rotatably driven by receiving power from the engine via a differential mechanism, a pair of right and left non-steerable wheels rotatably driven by receiving power from the engine via right and left side clutches and a pivotal cam mechanism for operating a clutch operating member for controlling the side clutch based on a steered displacement of the steerable wheels. The pivotal cam mechanism includes a cam member which is displaced based on the steered displacement and a cam follower member operably associated with the cam member.

Abstract: A cover supporting structure for a light vehicle is provided in which the cover which covers a part of a power unit is supported by the power unit or a supporting member in a plurality of supporting portions.

Abstract: A isolation unit for a snowmobile connects to the forward frame members of the snowmobile and provides a plurality of receptacles and mounting points for receiving and securing various front-end components to the snowmobile. The isolation unit not only facilitates assembly and maintenance of the snowmobile but also protects and isolates vibration-sensitive components from the vibrations of the engine. The isolation unit is molded from plastic to accommodate a variety of components, including a hood, a console, a headlight, an ignition coil, fuel tank vent pipe, stepper motor, a km/MPH converter, an electrical wire harness, an electronic control unit, an exhaust pipe temperature sensor wires, a fuse box, an engine reverse buzzer, and a capacitor.

Abstract: A bicycle part comprises a tubular bicycle member elongated in a first direction and having a partition forming an interior partitioned chamber that is elongated in the first direction. The bicycle member does not form an opening extending along the entire length of the partitioned chamber that exposes the partitioned chamber, but does include an insertion opening for inserting an elongated member into the partitioned chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a steering device for facilitating the steering of an implement towed by a work vehicle. The towed implement, for example, a farm implement such as a seeding device, comprises a main frame having front and rear ends and at least one steerable surface engaging wheel attached to the frame. The steering device comprising a sensor means mounted on the main frame of the towed implement for sensing a misalignment of the towed implement and the work vehicle and producing a signal corresponding to the misalignment. The steering device further comprises a steering means associated with the steerable wheel for receiving the signal produced by the sensor means and for effecting movement of the steerable wheel in response to the signal until the towed implement and the work vehicle are once again realigned.

Abstract: An assist device is provided with a spring device that generates an auxiliary driving force, by an elastic energy, acting on a joint of a leg. The spring device includes a gas spring having a cylinder and a piston. Bending/stretching motion between link members and at the joint is transmitted to the spring device through a motion transmission device that includes a link arm. The spring device is provided so that the auxiliary driving force increases as a knee bending angle ? increases until the knee bending angle ? reaches a predetermined angle, and so that, once the knee bending angle ? exceeds the predetermined angle, the auxiliary driving force becomes smaller than or equal to the driving force obtaining at the predetermined angle, effectively reducing a burden on an actuator of the legged mobile robot joint.

Abstract: The present invention discloses unique apparatus for attaching a bicycle seat to a typical bicycle seat support post. The seat attaching apparatus permits the seat to controllably tilt, to the left and/or right of the bicycle longitudinal center line, as the bicyclist leans left or right as he/she pedals along. Thus, friction that normally occurs between the bicycle seat and the rider's inner thigh and crotch area significantly reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A structural member (38, 40) is designed to have a first portion having a first composite layup, a second portion having a second composite layup, and at least one center portion having at least a third composite layup such that it can flex near a desired point of the structural member. The structural member may be used as a chain stay (26) in a bicycle frame (10). The chain stays are designed to have a geometry that will allow for flexing or bending at or in the vicinity of a desired point. They may be pre-loaded for flex in both a positive and negative direction. The chain stays are designed having a varying cross sectional area. The bending or flexing location of the chain stays has a narrower height from the side view than the ends of the chain stay allowing the chain stay to flex. Additionally, the bending or flexing location has a wider width from the top view than the ends of the chain stay for additional torsional and lateral stiffness.

Abstract: A mounting structure for mounting a steer-by-wire vehicle steering apparatus on a vehicle body side, comprising: a housing for rotatably retaining therein one end of a steering shaft of the steering apparatus, while retaining therein an actuator for exerting reactive force in order to impart reactive force in response to turning of an operating member fastened to an other end of the steering shaft that projects from the housing and rotatable together with the steering shaft; and a plurality of mounting portions disposed about a turning axis of the operating member so as to extend diametrically outwardly, the mounting portions fastened at respective fastener portions thereof to a vehicle body side at multiple locations, at least one of the fastener portions of the mounting portions is fastened to the body side via a rubber elastic body so that the housing is elastically supported on the body side.

Abstract: A straddle type vehicle having an improved external appearance includes a connecting rod, the movement of which can be detected reliably by an input section of a brake switch. A structure around a brake switch of a straddle type vehicle including a foot rest disposed on the front portion side of a crankcase, a brake pedal having a rotational axis near the foot rest, a master cylinder capable actuating a brake by pressing a pressurization section, a connecting rod connecting a turnable operation section of the brake pedal and the master cylinder and capable of pressurizing the pressurization section through turning movement of the brake pedal, and a brake switch capable of lighting up a brake lamp through detection of the movement of the connecting rod by an input section, wherein the master cylinder is fixed on the rear portion side of the crankcase, and the input section of the brake switch is disposed near the master cylinder.

Abstract: A drive device for an industrial truck includes a pivoted bolster rotatable around a vertical axis (V), two drive wheels (4, 5) mounted on the pivoted bolster and a device located axially between the drive wheels (4, 5) to generate a differential action between the drive wheels (4, 5). A vertically oriented motor (6) can be provided above the drive wheels (4, 5) and a mechanical differential (7) can be coupled with the motor (6) and the drive wheels (4, 5). Alternatively, each drive wheel (4 or 5) can be coupled with its own motor (8 or 9). Alternatively still, a double rotor electric motor (10) having two rotors (10c, 10d) and a common stator (10b) can be located between the drive wheels (4 or 5) and coupled with a neighboring drive wheel (4 or 5).

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus transmits a driving force of an electric motor to a steering mechanism for steering assist. The apparatus includes a torque sensor which detects a steering wheel torque; a basic assist characteristic determining section which determines a basic assist characteristic defining a basic characteristic of a motor driving target value for the steering torque; a motor driving target value determining section which determines the motor driving target value for the steering torque in accordance with a modified assist characteristic prepared by shifting the basic assist characteristic along a steering torque coordinate axis; a shift amount determining section which determines the amount of the shift from the basic assist characteristic to the modified assist characteristic on the basis of the steering torque; and a motor driving section which drives the electric motor on the basis of the motor driving target value.

Abstract: A trailer for all terrain vehicles and/or snowmobiles for transporting injured persons from remote locations. Trailer has a frame of tubing, a main axle, spring and shock suspension, flotation type tires, IV pole with multiple mounting locations, carrier area for injured personnel transport, and accessory tube for attaching miscellaneous accessories.

Abstract: A rear suspension system for a snowmobile includes a plurality of adjacent closed-loop tracks disposed in a rear tunnel of the snowmobile. Each of the plurality of adjacent closed-loop tracks are rotatably driven by a drive system. One of a plurality of independent suspension assemblies is disposed in each closed-loop track and the plurality of independent suspension assemblies articulate independently of each other during travel of the rear suspension system.