Abstract: A safety output chute for a cushioning conversion machine includes a chute having an input end and an output end, the input end including an opening for receiving a flexible cushioning product from an outlet of the cushioning conversion machine; and a plurality of rollers situated inside the chute, the rollers being oriented such that the flexible cushioning product must follow a non-linear path from the input end of the chute to the output end of the chute. Other embodiments of a safety output chute are also disclosed.

Abstract: A kit for universal use with standard bicycles includes an electrical motor which is mountable to the pedal axle of a bicycle, the electric motor having permanent magnets, an electronic control for these motor magnets, batteries and a reduction gear based upon the motor's number of revolutions per minute. The kit uses special sensors which register the pedal rotation rate and the pressure exerted by the bicyclist upon the pedals, which information is processed by a control device which controls actuation of the electric motor as such is required by the bicyclist.

Abstract: A hydraulic steering system, which is used, in particular, for a mobile working machine, and has a steering unit that can be actuated by a first steering member, which is constructed as a steering wheel, that has a first fluid connection, which is connected to a pressure chamber of a steering motor, the pressure chamber being subjected to pressure for a steering movement to the left, and that has a second fluid connection, which is connected to a pressure chamber of the steering motor, the pressure chamber being subjected to pressure for a steering movement to the right, and which has a control valve that can be actuated by a second steering member, which is constructed in the manner of a joystick, and likewise has fluid connections that are connected to the pressure chambers of the steering motor.

Abstract: A utility vehicle is provided with a steering mechanism that increases the turning angle of the steered wheels without requiring a lengthening of the wheel base of the vehicle. The steering mechanism includes a pair of bell cranks pivotally mounted to the steering axle of the vehicle. A tie rod extends between the two bell cranks to effect coordinated pivotal movement therebetween. A rack and pinion mechanism transfers manipulation of the operator's steering wheel to move the rack connected to the first bell crank and cause pivotal movement thereof. Each bell crank is associated with a steering link connected thereto at a connection point which moves on an arc centered on the respective pivot of the bell crank. The connection point moves forwardly with respect to the inner steered wheel to permit the steering arm of the inner steered wheel to rotate to an orientation that is substantially transverse to provide an enhanced turning angle for the inner steered wheel.

Abstract: An omni-directional wheel for an omni-directional vehicle that exhibits constant ride height, low vibration, and reduced maximum ground contact pressure is disclosed. The invention consists of a wheel assembly rotatably connected to the omni-directional vehicle chassis. The wheel assembly comprises a hub on which free spinning rollers are rotatably mounted at an angle to the wheel axis. Constant ride height and low vibration operation are accomplished by configuring the rollers with an exterior profile, thickness, material properties and surface grooving to achieve constant deflection of the roller contact surface at all wheel rotation angles.

Abstract: A snowmobile suspension that provides a substantially constant motion-ration (i.e. reduced falling rate) over the entire suspension stroke of the suspension system. The suspension system includes a suspension assembly that includes a lower arm assembly, a suspension arm, and a shock absorber. The lower arm assembly pivotally interconnects the lower portion of the suspension arm and the lower end of the shock absorber to the slide frame at a location relative to the chassis and within the endless track. The upper portion of the suspension arm and the upper end of the shock absorber pivot independently from each other, and the upper portion of the suspension arm is positioned lower and forward of the upper end of the shock absorber. The upper end of the shock absorber is positioned relative to the chassis and within the endless track.

Abstract: A glider fifth wheel attachment assembly includes a support frame including a pair of spaced guide rails and a pair of upright assemblies attached to the guide rails. Each upright assembly includes a lower sleeve portion for receiving a respective guide rail, an intermediate housing portion vertically above the sleeve portion, and an upper mounting portion vertically above the housing portion. A head assembly may be adjustably mounted between respective housing portions of the upright assemblies. At least one roller is positioned within each housing portion of the upright assemblies such that the at least one roller contacts an upper surface of an upper guide rail. In addition, the glider fifth wheel attachment assembly includes a latching assembly for releasably locking the glider fifth wheel attachment assembly between a first and a second position.

Abstract: A trailer assembly for collecting litter. The trailer assembly includes a carrying member for collecting litter, a support frame for supporting said carrying member and a pair of wheels for making the trailer assembly mobile. The carrying member includes a top portion that has least one aperture for allowing litter to be placed in the carrying member. The support frame includes a main support portion. A distal end of the main support portion is pivotally coupled to a lower medial portion of the carrying member. The carrying member further has a rear portion. The rear portion is pivotally coupled to a rear top end of the top portion. A lower end of the rear portion extends away from a lower back portion of the carrying member when the carrying member is pivoted relative to the main support portion of said support frame. Thus any litter in the carrying member is forced out when the carrying member is pivoted relative to the main support portion of the support frame.

Abstract: An exercise cycle comprising a frame, a hinge, and a drive mechanism. The frame comprises a forward frame member and a rearward frame member. The hinge operatively connects the forward frame member to the rearward frame member such that the forward and rearward frame members are pivotally moveable relative to each other about a hinge axis between operable and stowable positions. The drive mechanism includes an endless loop assembly. The exercise cycle is configured such that the frame may be folded without removal of the endless loop assembly. The cycle further includes left and right linearly reciprocating assemblies. The left reciprocating assembly is configured for being moved back and forth with foot pressure and hand pressure from a user's left hand and left foot. The right reciprocating assembly is configured for being moved back and forth with foot pressure and hand pressure from a user's right hand and right foot.

Abstract: A wheel-mounted floating vehicle with superlow pressure tires which creates average ground pressure 0.008-0.009 MPa and does not destroy vegetal soil layer. The ratio of the total mass of the vehicle to the product of the overall diameter (D) of the tire, the section width (B) and the number of wheels fitted with tires ranges between 0.001-0.006 MPa, and the ratio of the mass of each tire to interior volume thereof lies within the limits of 35-80 kg/M3. The radial deflection of the tire with atmospheric interior pressure under the influence of the own mass of the wheel fitted with the tire ranges between 15-45 % of section height (H) of the tire. The interior pressure in the tire varies from 0,005 MPa up to 0,05 MPa. The invention is particularly intended for use in permafrost regions, in the tundra, in swamped areas, in sand deserts as well as in other remote regions.

Abstract: A side airbag is housed together with an inflator containing a high pressure gas as a module in a door-side side portion of a seat. The side airbag is deployed into a space between the door and an occupant sitting in the seat, on the basis of an instruction signal from an airbag control device. An occupant sensor is disposed at a position that is located in an upper portion of a seatback of the seat and shifted from a center of the seatback with respect to directions of a width thereof toward a vehicle body center. By using the occupant sensor, it is determined whether an occupant is present at a seat of a vehicle, excluding a case where an occupant having a constitution smaller than a predetermined constitution is leaning against the side vehicle body portion. The airbag control device permits operation of the side airbag if presence of an occupant is detected by the occupant sensor. The control device prohibits operation of the side airbag if absence of an occupant is detected by the occupant sensor.

Abstract: A double gooseneck trailer for hauling large, heavy loads wherein there is provided: a jeep having a connector for connecting the jeep to a hitch on a tractor and a first hitch; a dolly having a second hitch and a plurality of axles; and a load unit having a removable front gooseneck with a connector for releasably attaching the load unit to the first hitch, a removable rear gooseneck for releasably attaching the load unit to the second hitch, and a plurality of steerable wheel assemblies, each wheel assembly including a suspension hydraulic cylinder in communication with a hydraulic cylinder on either the front gooseneck or the rear gooseneck such that a portion of a load placed on the load unit will be distributed between the wheel assemblies and the goosenecks.

Abstract: A class of transportation vehicles for carrying an individual over ground having a surface that may be irregular. Various embodiments have a motorized drive, mounted to the ground-contacting module that causes operation of the vehicle in an operating position that is unstable with respect to tipping when the motorized drive arrangement is not powered. Related methods are provided.

Abstract: A drive gear (37) having integral drive teeth (37a) is rotatably mounted on a transmission shaft (36) for transmitting power to front wheels, and a movable clutch member (52) having integral driven teeth (52a) engageable with the drive teeth is slidably but non-rotatably mounted on the transmission shaft. A spring (54; 54A) for biasing the movable clutch member into a direction of causing engagement of the driven teeth with the drive teeth is inserted at a part thereof into an axial bore (52b) in the clutch member. A piston (54) is slidably fitted in a cylinder member (55) which is fixedly mounted on the transmission shaft at a radially inward location of the drive and driven teeth. The transmission shaft includes a fluid passage (60) which applies fluid pressure to the piston such that the piston is moved so as to move the movable clutch member into a direction of causing disengagement of the driven teeth from the drive teeth.

Abstract: Hydrostatic transmission apparatus for a vehicle having drivable front and rear wheels coupled to front and rear hydraulic motors. A group of motors comprises at least two motors coupled respectively to two wheels situated on either side of the vehicle. The other group of motors comprises at least one motor driving a wheel. The two motors of the first group are dual-capacity motors, each comprising a first elementary motor connected to the pump in parallel with a motor of the second group, and a second elementary motor which is connected in series with said motor of the second group. Two series pipes are thus defined. The apparatus comprises a selection valve connected to the two series pipes and to a port of the pump. This valve can take up a straight-ahead configuration in which the series pipes are isolated from the port of the pump, as well as a left-turn configuration and a right-turn configuration in which the series pipes are connected to said port.

Abstract: A towing apparatus capable of moving aircraft and other workpieces about an airfield or other workspace. The present invention includes a first frame which is rotatable relative to a second frame about a common substantially vertical axis. A wheel assembly is positioned within the first frame and driven by a motor which is also mounted on the first frame. A gripper assembly for engaging the aircraft or other workpiece is attached to the second frame. In this manner, the present invention provides for a towing of aircraft or other workpieces along an axis which is proximate the axis of the wheel assembly. Additionally, it provides for a low center of gravity significantly enhancing the stability and maneuverability of the present invention in a towing attitude or a non-towing attitude.

Abstract: A wheelchair includes two side frames (1L and 1R) consisting of respective lower frame parts (1′L and 1′R) and respective upper frame parts (1″L and 1″R). Each side frame has transverse, horizontal, tilt pivot axis (3) between its upper and lower parts. Forwards of each axis (3) is a tilt adjustment device (4) acting between the lower frame part and the upper frame part. Each device (4) may take the form of a gas spring, an electric motor or a screw device. The lower frame parts (1′L and 1′R) are linked by a pair of shear braces (5L and 5R) with a vertical pivot axis (6) in the center. The upper frame parts (1″L and 1″R) are linked by one or more pairs of transverse braces (8L and 8R) with a pivot axis (9) in the center. Seat plates are fixedly mounted at the top surfaces of the respective braces (8L and 8R). The seat plates can form the whole or part of the seat, or can be the basis for other seating elements, such as cushions and seat shells.

Abstract: A shock absorber for use with a cycle comprises elongated first and second tubular members and a biasing assembly. The first tubular member is associated with the cycle's frame and has a longitudinal axis. The second tubular member has a lower end portion adapted for connection to foot supports and an opposite upper end portion for connection to the cycle's seat assembly such that the foot supports and the seat assembly are interconnected for common movement. The second tubular member is slidably disposed with respect to the first tubular member for movement along the longitudinal axis away from an initial position as determined by a pre-impact condition.

Abstract: A method for actuating a “steer-by-wire” steering drive mechanism by means of at least two triggerable control motors and gear units downstream of them, by which a gear element, connected to the wheels, can be driven simultaneously, is characterized in that the two control motors can be triggered independently of one another in such a way that by them both, drive forces in both the same direction and opposite directions and of equal or different amounts oriented in both the same and in opposite directions can be generated simultaneously.

Abstract: The invention proposes a steering device for a motor vehicle which contains an inductive module for the contactless transmission of electric energy and data between the motor vehicle and the steering wheel, for measuring the rotational angle of the steering wheel and for generating torque between the motor vehicle and the steering wheel, with the inductive module containing a stator that is connected to the motor vehicle in a torsionally rigid fashion and a rotor that is connected to the steering wheel in a torsionally rigid fashion. Such a device should be realized in the form of a compact unit that has a very small space requirement due to the utilization of inductive principles, with said unit consisting of only a few components such that it can be manufactured in a particularly inexpensive fashion.