Abstract: To generate a damping force in a steering damper only upon an unintentionally caused handle action when it is truly necessary to restrain the turning of the handle, according to whether the cause of a handle action is intentional or unintentional. A rotation type steering damper is provided coaxially with a steering shaft, and the generation of a damping force or zero damping force is selected through a changeover by a variable valve provided in a bypass passage for communication between a right liquid chamber and a left liquid chamber of the steering damper.

Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle, the steering system includes a rack-independent actuator. The rack-independent actuator has component parts isolated from undesirable loads by two universal joints that isolate mechanical components of the actuator from transient loads that may be encountered by the rack or rack housing.

Abstract: In an electric power steering device equipped with an anti-theft function, a steering shaft is surrounded by a coil inside a sensor housing of a torque sensor. A receiving portion is provided on the outer circumference of an upper shaft which is provided as a separate entity to input and output shafts that are capable of mutual elastic relative rotation. This coil is disposed between the receiving portion and an auxiliary steering power transmitting driven gear which is provided on the outer circumference of the steering shaft. The outer diameters of the receiving portion and the driven gear are larger than the inner diameter of the coil. A lock member is received by the receiving portion, whereby the rotation of the steering shaft is restricted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrostatic traveling mechanism (4) that comprises a closed hydraulic circuit (6) in which a first hydraulic pump (4) with a first hydraulic engine (12) is linked with a flow pipe (7) and a return pipe (8). Said hydraulic engine (12) drives the vehicle wheels (14, 15, 18, 19) of two first vehicle axles (17, 20). According to the invention, an additional open hydraulic circuit (9) is used in which a second hydraulic engine (22) and a third hydraulic engine (24) are linked with a second hydraulic pump (5) via a supply pipe (11) and a control valve (21). Said second hydraulic engine (22) and said third hydraulic engine (24) drive the vehicle wheels (23, 25) of a second vehicle axle (36).

Abstract: A front visor attachment structure provided with a front fender attachment member formed in a front part of a bottom bridge supporting a front fork. A front fender and a lower part of a front visor are attached to the front fender attachment member, and an upper part of the front visor is attached to a top bridge. A projection member at the end of a bolt projects above the front fender attachment member, and the lower part of the front visor is engaged with the projection member. Since the front fender and the front visor are attached to the front fender attachment member of the bottom bridge, the shape of the bottom bridge can be simplified.

Abstract: An air management system for a motorcycle including a first air channel and a second air channel. The first air channel defines a first passageway extending through a body of the motorcycle, the first passageway having an inlet located on a first side of the motorcycle and an outlet located under a seat of the motorcycle. The second air channel defines a second passageway passing through the body of the motorcycle, the second passageway having an inlet located on a second side of the motorcycle and an outlet in communication with an engine air inlet. The first and second passageway inlets are relatively symmetrically disposed relative to a longitudinal axis of the motorcycle. The first air passageway delivers cooling air to a radiator that is disposed beneath the motorcycle seat, while the second air passageway delivers air to the engine air inlet. An air filter is disposed in a terminal portion of the second air channel and is oriented relatively transverse to the motorcycle axis.

Abstract: The invention concerns a drive unit for a tracked vehicle with a first and a second electric generator (6, 8) and with a first and a second internal combustion engine (10, 12), such that one generator (6, 8) can be driven respectively by one combustion engine (10, 12), and with electric drive motors (14, 16, 18, 20) for driving a right-hand and a left-hand drive track (4, 2). According to the invention it is proposed that the elements of the drive unit are linked in such manner that the right-hand drive track (4) is associated with first and second right-hand electric drive motors (14, 16), the left-hand drive track (2) is associated with first and second left-hand electric drive motors (18, 20), the two first drive motors (14, 18) being fed by the first generator (6) and the two second drive motors (16, 20) being fed by the second generator (8). Due to the wiring of the energy paths according to the invention, very great operational security is achieved even when the drive unit is partially damaged.

Abstract: The device for damping yawing motions between a highway motor vehicle and its trailer is composed of a curvilinear damping track (4) acted upon by a friction device (17) which may be a pneumatic device attached to the extremity of the shaft (2); the track (4) may be articulated to a fixed portion of the rear of the truck or flexible enough to absorb lurching and pitching motions. The friction device (13) consists of friction slides (21, 22) pressed against the track(4) by an actuator (27) that may be pneumatic. The intensity of the force it generates varies depending upon the cargo in the trailer and/or vehicle speed in order to automatically adapt the yaw-damping effect. This adaptation is achieved by making the actuator (27) subject to suspension pressure and/or vehicle speed. This invention is of interest to manufacturers of trailers and couplings.

Abstract: A boat trailer having a multi-wheel supported frame and an extendable tongue which facilitates launching a boat into the water. A tongue member has a rear portion connected to and forwardly extending from the frame and a forward portion adapted for releasable connection to a trailer hitch of a tow vehicle. A tongue extension includes two extension members pivotally connected together to a central connecting member and pivotally connected at a corresponding opposite end of each extension member between the forward and rear portions. The extension members are pivotally movable between the upright side-by-side stored position and the deployed position in end-to-end fashion and longitudinally aligned with the forward and rear portions wherein the effective length of the tongue member is extended by an amount equal to the combined length of the extension members.

Abstract: A bicycle head tube and ball bearing mounting arrangement in which two gasket rings are respectively mounted in expanded top and bottom receiving portions of a head tube to support a respective ball bearing assembly in each end of the head tube, which ball bearing assembly supports a handlebar stem and front fork assembly in the head tube, the gasket rings each having a curved inner diameter fitted over the bottom edge of the respective ball bearing assembly to prevent direct contact of the bottom edge of the respective ball bearing assembly from direct contact with the respective expanded receiving portion of the head tube.

Abstract: A remote controlled inspection vehicle provides interchangeable modules, permitting the vehicle to be easily configured to perform a wide variety of tasks. The vehicle includes at least one frame module having a pair of drive modules on either side. Each drive module includes a continuous track surrounding a permanent magnet, and is dimensioned and configured to pivot around its longitudinal axis. The frame modules are dimensioned and configured to be hingedly secured to other frame modules, end effectors including various sensors for performing inspections, and tail units to assist in placing the vehicle in the desired environment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fifth wheel for the coupling of the tractor of an articulated truck with a truck trailer. The inventive fifth wheel comprises a wheel plate, a kingpin (20) with an inner bore and with an outer coupling or engaging surface (30) as well as with connections for linking electric and pneumatic supply lines between the tractor of an articulated truck and the truck trailer. The supply lines of the tractor of an articulated truck lead to a male connector (100) of a supply unit (10) and the supply lines from a female connector (200) in the interior of the kingpin (20) to the designated places on the truck trailer. The parts of the male connector (11-15) and the female connector (21-25) that pertain to the supply lines and that are interlinkable are configured as respective rotation-symmetrical bushes that are fit into each other in pairs. All bushes (11-15, 21-25) are aligned coaxially with respect to one another and with respect to the axis of the kingpin (20).

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of steering a vehicle, particularly an articulated vehicle, in which a valve element of a main valve is moved so that it releases or closes connections between a supply connection arrangement and a working connection arrangement in dependence of a steering direction and a steering angle. To improve the steering comfort, the movement speed of the valve element is controlled.

Abstract: A device for connecting two bicycles to one another in a side-by-side relationship allows two riders to simultaneously use the bicycle and not have the view blocked by a rider directly in front of them. A steering bar insures that the front wheels of both bicycles are always pointed in the same direction so that, when connected, the joined bicycles both head in the same direction. Additional bars are connected between the two bicycles to provide a rigid connection between the bicycles. The rigid connection insures that both bicycles travel at the same speed. If one rider causes one of the bicycles to move faster, the acceleration and speed of the first bicycle will be transferred to the second bicycle due to the rigid connection. For all intents and purposes, when joined, the two bicycles act as a single vehicle. The connection between the bicycles can be easily disassembled so that each bicycle can be used separately.

Abstract: A dolly is disclosed and includes a pair of wheels; a frame mounted to the wheels and movable to an engagement position beneath the forward end of a trailer; a fifth wheel assembly; a mounting assembly and a clamp system. The fifth wheel assembly includes a track and a fifth wheel mounted thereto for movement parallel to a translation axis defined by the track. The mounting assembly connects the fifth wheel assembly to the frame for movement between a raised position, whereat the fifth wheel is positioned to receive the trailer kingpin upon movement of the frame to the engagement position, and a lowered position, whereat the forward end of the trailer is supported on the frame. The clamp system is mounted to the frame and selectively locks same against rotation relative to the trailer, to permit the trailer to be towed from its rearward end.

Abstract: An easy-to-assemble electric power steering device, in which an approximately cylindrical housing is divided at about the central part into a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber is for housing a motor for assisting the steering force. A stator of the motor is inserted at one end of the housing and fixed. The second chamber is for housing a rack shaft assembly which comprises a rack shaft connected with the steering shaft and a ball screw mechanism. The rack shaft assembly is inserted at the other end of the housing, to thereby spline a rotor of the motor for assisting the steering force with a nut of the ball screw mechanism. A bearing supporting the nut of the ball screw mechanism is axially movably held in the inner wall of the second chamber. The rack shaft is arranged through the first and second chambers of the housing.

Abstract: A trailer system is provided in which the trailer system can include a frame having a front end, a rear end, opposing sides between the front end and the rear end and a hitching mechanism coupled to the front end of the frame. The trailer system can also include a wheel assembly coupled to the frame in which the wheel assembly contains at least two wheels and a stabilizing mechanism coupled to the frame and the wheel assembly. The trailer system can also include a plurality of wheel assemblies and stabilizing mechanisms. Further, the frame of the trailer system can have at least one first support member extending from the front end section to said rear end section and at least one second support member extending from said first support member towards one of said side sections. Each stabilizing mechanism can be coupled to the rear end, front end or one of the opposing sides of the frame. In addition, each stabilizing mechanism can be coupled to one of the first or second support members of the frame.

Abstract: A wheeled walker convertible to a transport chair. The walker has a strap-type backrest that is pivotally attached to the upper end of the handlebars. The backrest can be placed in a forward position when the apparatus is used as a walker and the user wishes to rest in a rearward facing sitting position and in a rearward position when the apparatus is used as a transport chair and the user sits in a forward facing position and is propelled by a care-giver. A novel braking system locates the brake actuating linkage inside the leg and handlebar members and provides accommodates extension height adjustment of the handlebars. A brake lever system providing a linear pull non-cable brake actuation is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electric power steering system for a vehicle comprising a hand wheel in operable communication with a shaft, a motor in mechanical communication with the shaft, and a non-compliant torque sensor located between about a midpoint along the shaft and an upper end of the shaft.

Abstract: A class of transportation vehicles for carrying an individual over ground having a surface that may be irregular. This embodiment has 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.