Abstract: In a bicycle frame of the type wherein front and rear portions of the frame are connected together by a flexible spring member, the spring includes at least two laterally spaced, elongated rods extending between opposed mounting blocks in the front and rear portions of the frame, with the ends of the rods being held in the mounting blocks by a clamping mechanism that can be released to permit removal and replacement of the spring members when desired. A replaceable wire management tube is attached to the side of the crossbar of the bike by adhesive tape and extends at least a portion of the length of the crossbar. The bicycle frame can incorporate a folding mechanism that permits the front and rear portions of the bike to be folded together for easy portability of the bike.

Abstract: A wheelchair includes a seat frame having two transverse support rods, a foldable sunk-type seat module mounted on the seat frame and located between the two transverse support rods, a backrest frame having two upright support rods, and a foldable sunk-type backrest module mounted on the backrest frame and located between the two upright support rods. Thus, the backrest module may be mounted on and detached from the upright support rods of the backrest frame easily, rapidly and conveniently, and the seat module may be mounted on and detached from the horizontal support rods of the seat frame easily, rapidly and conveniently.

Abstract: A patient support including a propulsion device for moving the patient support. The patient support includes a propulsion system having a propulsion device operably coupled to an input system. The input system controls the speed and direction of the propulsion device such that a caregiver can direct the patient support to a desired location.

Abstract: A weight distributing hitch assembly includes a shank, hitch head, spring bar and lift assembly. The lift assembly is preferably removably mountable to the frame members of a trailer frame while the spring bar extends below the frame members relative to the ground. The lift assembly mounts a hanger assembly which engages a cantilevered segment of the spring bar to drive the spring bar from a free state to a loaded state to distribute the hitch load to a towing vehicle as well as to the trailer. A lever assembly mounts the hanger assembly to the lift assembly and supplies mechanical advantage to assist a user during tensioning of the spring bar. By moving the lever assembly, the cam rotates about a pivot. As the hanger assembly is engaged with the cam, the hanger assembly is driven from a disengaged position to an engaged position which moves the spring bar from its free state to its loaded state with a minimum of user effort.

Abstract: A steering damper has a pair of damper portions each including a variable throttle valve for restricting inflow from a power cylinder into a flow passage change-over valve, the variable throttle valve provided on the way to each cylinder passage and a first check valve for permitting inflow from the flow passage change-over valve into the power cylinder, the check valve connected in parallel with the variable throttle valve. The steering damper has a second check valve in communication to a tank between the first check valve and left and right chambers of the power cylinder.

Abstract: In a motorcycle in which a main seat, a fuel tank, and an engine are supported by a vehicle body frame, a center cover is disposed so as to be laid across a pair of left and right pipe support members. A fuel pump and an ignition coil are supported by and positioned on the center cover. The aforementioned arrangement provides support for auxiliary equipment for the engine without the necessity of using a special supporting member and without impairing the layout of members, such as a battery case in the vicinity of the engine.

Abstract: An assembly for coupling a tractor to a trailer is disclosed. The assembly comprises a fifth wheel bearing plate and a trailer bearing plate assembly. The trailer bearing plate assembly includes a self-lubricating plate securely attached to an underside of said trailer by a chemical attachment means.

Abstract: A bicycle for providing stair-stepping exercise motion, recreation, and mode of transport comprising a frame that includes a unique triangular rear portion, a pair of wheels, one for the front, one for the back, a chain driven, teardrop-shaped propulsion system, left and right pedals having multiple positions between a horizontal and angular vertical upon which the operator rides, adjustable handle bars for steering, and a safety housing for covering the propulsion and wheel sprockets, chain, braking mechanism, and bike stand. In an alternate embodiment the pedals on each side may be made of telescopic members to provide reciprocal motion so that the forward end of the pedal does not move reciprocally. Also a terrain engaging frame extension is provided below the middle portion of the frame for engaging terrain objects to prevent the pedals from engaging the terrain during activation.

Abstract: Suspension system for a bicycle has a damper assembly coupled to a first portion of the bicycle relatively movable to a second portion of the bicycle and includes a hydraulic damper made of polyurethane material. The damper assembly has an outer casing from which extends an arm for applying a torque to the damper. The arm may be segmented or include a series of apertures for coupling to the second portion of the cycle so that the effective length of the arm and the torque applied to the damper can be adjusted to suit the rider's requirements. A link couples the arm to the second portion of the bicycle and the link maybe adjustable in length so that the bicycle geometry can be adjusted.

Abstract: A biased cable mechanism is provided for enabling a secondary connection between a trailer and a vehicle. The biased cable mechanism includes a housing supporting a cable for resilient extensions from the housing. A first end of the cable is fixedly attached to the housing and a second end extends therefrom. A biasing member is operably interconnected to a mid-length of the cable enabling resilient extension of the cable from the housing for attachment to the vehicle, thereby providing the secondary connection.

Abstract: An over-the-road trailer for an over-width object, such as an ocean-going speedboat, is made up of a cradle on which the object is seated, a wheeled frame, carrying the cradle, and a device for moving the cradle relative to the frame from a generally horizontal position to a position at an angle to the frame sufficient to make the effective width of the object within legal limits for over-the-road travel. The moving device includes a lifting arm mounted on a pivot pin at one end on the frame and pivotally connected at another end to the cradle. A hydraulic cylinder and piston are mounted on the frame and connected to the lifting arm. A track, mounted on the frame, has a ramp part on the side of the frame opposite the pivot pin, and a linear section tending slightly upwardly in a direction towards the pivot pin. An arm on the cradle has, at its outer end, a wheel that runs in the track and moves in a direction toward the pivot in response to the raising of the cradle by the lifting arm.

Abstract: An adjustable fifth wheel hitch includes a support frame having base rails that are secured to the frame of a vehicle and a pair of spaced guide rails that bridge between the base rails. The fifth wheel hitch also includes a head assembly having a jaw assembly for engaging a king pin on a trailer. A head support includes a pair of uprights having sets of rollers for mounting the head assembly for relative fore-and-aft sliding movement along the guide rails between the towing position and a maneuvering position. A releasable lock secures the head assembly in either selected position.

Abstract: A foldable unicycle attachable to a wheelchair to form a hand driven tricycle. The unicycle has upper and lower drive train frames. The means for attaching the unicycle to a wheelchair includes a positioning stand that holds the unicycle and its attachment means in a position adapted to receive and engage hitch means attached to the wheelchair frame. The positioning stand of the unicycle and the front castor wheels of the wheelchair are lifted off the ground during engagement of the unicycle attachment means to the hitch means of the wheelchair. The upper drive train frame includes means to allow it to be folded downwardly into a position adjacent the outer face of the lower drive train frame, and the unicycle attachment means includes means to allow it to be folded downwardly into a position adjacent the inner face of the lower drive train frame.

Abstract: A trailer hitch elevator includes a guide unit for fixable mounting at the rear of a towing vehicle, a track unit axially vertically movable as guided by the guide unit, a jackscrew journaled at the top of the track unit and threadingly engaging the guide unit, and a lock mechanism for locking the track unit in closely vertically spaced positions relative to the guide unit without subjecting the jackscrew to shock loading. One or more rearwardly oriented hitch receiver sockets are formed on the track unit for receiving a moduler trailer hitch. A wide range of vertical travel is provided with full engagement between the guide and track units, and with generous ground clearance in raised positions of the track unit.

Abstract: A ergonomic tandem bicycle suitable for riders with some limited physical capabilities. The ergonomic tandem bicycle includes an elongated frame with an angled steering column attached to the front portion that positions the front wheel substantially in front of the frame, and the handlebars towards the rear. A transmission assembly includes the necessary pedal sprockets, along with idler sprockets that maintain continuous contact between the sprockets and the long drive chain required with this type of design. The seat is positioned in such a manner so as to allow the riders to sit in a near vertical position.

Abstract: A hitching towing arrangement for a motor vehicle is connected with a rear-side cross member. The arrangement forms a bumper unit and is provided with a deformation element. The cross member is connected by way of holders with side members of the vehicle body. The holders can be fastened by way of expansion screws to the side members.

Abstract: A modular inflator system is disclosed that allows standardized inflator sections to be connected to assemble an airbag inflator. The modular inflator also allows the inflator to bend to follow the contour of a vehicle roof. The system includes one or more inflator sections, and a connector. The connector may be flexible to allow the modular inflator to be installed along a curve vehicle roof rail.

Abstract: A wheeled transport vehicle includes a frame with two slidably interconnected frame members. A tongue projects from one of the members and is operable to move one of the frame members between extended and retracted positions. Wheel mounting members are pivotally connected to the frame. Mechanical linkage interconnecting the wheel mounting members and the tongue result in raising or lowering of the trailer frame. Stabilizers and locks are utilized to maintain trailer stability.

Abstract: A recumbent bicycle, the manufacture thereof, and apparatus for forming same, is provided. The recumbent bicycle generally includes a frame having joined forward and rearward frame portions. The forward frame portion is a sit-up bicycle frame adpated to support a steerable front ground engaging wheel. The rearward frame portion is adapted to support a suspension assembly and substantially bear a rider thereon. Preferably, the sit-up bicycle frame includes a head tube, down tube, bottom bracket, seat tube, chainstay, seatstay, and dropouts, and the rearward frame portion includes a supplemental chainstay. The rearward frame portion is joined to the forward frame portion such that the supplemental chainstay rearwardly extends from the dropouts as a substantial continuation of the chainstay of the forward frame portion.

Abstract: A saddlebag support assembly for use on a motorcycle includes a mounting member mounted to the motorcycle's shock bolt. A portion of the mounting member extends below a lower edge of the motorcycle's rear fender. The saddlebag support assembly also includes front and rear arms having front and rear plates. The front plate is mounted to the portion of the mounting member below the lower edge of the rear fender. An internal support member is mounted to the shock bolt and extends rearwardly thereof. The internal support member includes a depending portion defining a slot that receives the rear plate. The rear plate is fastened to the depending portion of the internal support member. The saddlebag support assembly further includes a bottom support for supporting the saddlebag from underneath, and a bracket having quick-release bosses. Quick-release fasteners are used to secure the saddlebag to the quick-release bosses from the inside of the saddlebag.