Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a rack assist type power steering apparatus that includes: a ball nut that is rotated by the rotating force transmitted from a motor and has an internal screw groove formed in the inner circumferential surface thereof; and a rack bar that has an external-screw-groove-formed part that has an external screw groove formed in the outer circumferential surface thereof, and is coupled with the ball nut by a ball, wherein the external screw groove has a first curved portion and a second curved portion connected to each other, and is formed such that a contact angle formed by a line that is normal to a tangent line at a point where the ball makes contact with the first curved portion and a line that is normal to a tangent line at a point where the ball makes contact with the second curved portion gradually decreases from the central portion toward opposite end portions of the external-screw-groove-formed part, thereby reducing friction generated when the ball performs a rolling motio

Abstract: A mobile robotic floor-cleaning device with wheels that may be expanded or contracted to suit various needs by rotating an inner shaft within the main housing of each wheel relative to the main housing. A series of rollers form the circumference of the wheels, and are connected to the inner shaft via a set of spokes. Rotation of the inner shaft relative to the main housing causes the spokes to pull the rollers in or push them out, changing the diameter and circumference of the wheel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a locking device for locking a movable component, in particular a superposition drive of a superimposed steering system, comprising a locking element reciprocatable between a locking position and a release position, which in the locking position cooperates with a movable component located outside a housing of the locking device; and a damping device which damps a movement of the locking element into the release position. The damping device comprises a damping element with a damping portion which is located outside the housing of the locking device. The locking device is designed such that during a movement of the locking element into the release position an end of the locking element moves out of the housing of the locking device and impinges on the damping portion.

Abstract: Devices and methods for legged locomotion, including a robotic leg for spring-mass legged locomotion incorporating passive dynamics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable storage and locking apparatus that permits towing hitches and hitch-mountable accessories to be stored and locked to trailers, vehicles, buildings and other locations having exposed frames, beams, channels or other structures and storage locations. The apparatus does not require tools or hardware to mount and uses a pair of spaced-apart side plates joined to form a u-shaped mount that slides over a frame. The side plates have at least one pair of square-shaped aligned holes near the open ends, which extend past the frame and are configured to insert a towing hitch or accessory. With the apparatus over a frame, and a towing hitch or accessory inserted in the square holes, the apparatus is effectively secured to the frame and cannot be removed. A trailer hitch locking pin may be used to lock the hitch or accessory to the apparatus, and therefore to the frame.

Abstract: A bicycle drive unit is basically provided with a crankshaft and a housing. The housing includes a synthetic resin first portion, a synthetic resin second portion and a metallic third portion. The synthetic resin first portion supports a first end of the crankshaft. The synthetic resin second portion supports a second end of the crankshaft. The metallic third portion is disposed in between the synthetic resin first portion and the synthetic resin second portion. The metallic third portion defines an internal space of the housing along with the synthetic resin first portion and the synthetic resin second portion.

Abstract: A handle structure is provided that maintains strength and rigidity of a steering handle bar or object, is lightweight, and does not require a steering handle bar with a large rise (height). A steering column is rotatably supported by a head tube, while left and right fork legs are attached along a left and a right side of the steering column. The axle of the front wheel is rotatably supported by a dropout at a bottom end of the left and right fork legs. The top edges of the left and right fork legs adequately projects upward from the top end of the steering column. One steering handle bar is is supported by split couplers or connectors coupled to each top fork portion of the left and right front legs.

Abstract: A bicycle saddle suspension assembly comprises a body configured to couple to a bicycle frame; a saddle support mechanism configured to couple to a bicycle saddle; a suspension spring that biases the saddle support mechanism in a first direction with respect to the body; and a damping apparatus configured to damp motion of the saddle support mechanism with respect to the body, the damping apparatus configured to reduce a level of damping responsive to a terrain-induced force.

Abstract: A crawler vehicle drive system, in particular for a crawler vehicle configured to groom ski slopes, having: a drive wheel rotating about a first rotation axis; an idle wheel rotating about a second rotation axis parallel to the first rotation axis); and a track looped around the drive wheel and the idle wheel, and comprising a plurality of belts made of an elastomeric material and a plurality of metal grousers fixed to the belt; wherein at least one belt has at least one continuous toothed strip extending along the inner face of the belt and configured to mesh with the drive wheel.

Abstract: A moveable platform apparatus comprising a platform adapted to receive and support a moveable drilling rig or drilling equipment. The platform comprises a first set of legs connected to the platform, wherein the first set of legs support the platform in a first vertical position above ground, wherein each leg of the first set of legs is extendable with respect to the platform to vertically move the platform. The platform further comprises a second set of legs connected to the platform, wherein the second set of legs support the platform in a second vertical position above ground, wherein each leg of the second set of legs is extendable with respect to the platform to vertically move the platform. A method for a moving a platform apparatus along the ground.

Abstract: Control device for a 4WD vehicle is provided. The 4WD vehicle includes a driving force source, main driving wheels, auxiliary driving wheels, a driving force transmission shaft, a first disconnection mechanism, and a second disconnection mechanism. The first disconnection mechanism and the second disconnection mechanism are engaged during 4WD traveling. One of the first disconnection mechanism and the second disconnection mechanism is a clutch. The control device includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to execute engagement control for controlling the engagement force of the clutch so that the driving force transmission shaft is maintained in a state prior to the initiation of a continuous increase in the rotation speed of the driving force transmission shaft.

Abstract: A storage device includes an attachment unit and a storage unit. The attachment unit includes a bracket, a support connected with a bottom end of the bracket, and a first joining member. The bracket includes at least one through-hole adapted for attachment to a bicycle by a fastener. The support includes a first pivoting portion, and the first joining member is inserted through the first pivoting portion. The storage unit includes a container adapted for storing articles and a second joining member. The container includes a second pivoting portion pivotally connected with the first pivoting portion of the support. The second joining member is inserted through the second pivoting portion and is engaged with the first joining member. The storage unit is pivotable with respect to the attachment unit about an axis extending through the first and second joining members.

Abstract: A propulsion system may include an electric machine and a gear set that may be operatively connected with the electric machine. A crank shaft may extend through the electric machine and the gear set. A battery array may be disposed around the electric machine and the gear set.

Abstract: A four-wheel drive vehicle includes front wheels, rear wheels to which a driving force of an engine is transmitted via a propeller shaft, a dog clutch that enables blocking of transmission of the driving force from the engine to the propeller shaft, and a multi-disc clutch that enables blocking of transmission of the driving force from the propeller shaft to the rear wheels. During two-wheel driving in which the transmission of the driving force through the dog clutch and the multi-disc clutch is blocked, an ECU in the four-wheel drive vehicle calculates an estimated driving force estimated to be transmitted to the front wheels based on a vehicle speed and an amount of acceleration operation. The ECU allows the multi-disc clutch to transmit the driving force when the estimated driving force is larger than a driving force threshold defined according to a slip limit torque for the front wheels.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a base having a length and including a plurality of caster wheels enabling movement of the patient support apparatus across a floor surface. An auxiliary wheel support structure is secured to the base and rotatably supports at least one non-castered auxiliary wheel about a rotational axis transverse to the length of the base for engagement with the floor surface. The auxiliary wheel support structure may be configured to support the auxiliary wheel and to enable movement of the auxiliary wheel out of engagement with the floor surface to a non-engaged position wherein the at least one auxiliary wheel is out of engagement with the floor surface. A control apparatus is in communication with and moves the at least one auxiliary wheel between at least one deployed position and a non-engaged position.

Abstract: A self-balancing enclosed motorcycle includes a platform base, a seat, a first wheel and a second wheel, a rear cabin, a door component and a gyroscope system. The gyroscope system includes a housing, a gyroscope sensor, a calculation device, an electrical coding device, a microprocessor, a servomotor, a vertical corrective rod movably extended from the servomotor, a first balancing assembly and a second balancing assembly. The first balancing assembly is mounted in the housing to engage with the vertical corrective rod. The second balancing assembly mounted in the housing at an opposite side of the first balancing assembly to engage with the vertical corrective rod. The vertical corrective rod is normally retained in a substantially vertical orientation with respect to the platform base.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a removable trailer coupler that may be used to prevent trailer theft. One end of the coupler includes a connector with a unique pattern of indentations and/or protrusions. The unique pattern corresponds to a pattern of protrusions and/or indentations located on a connector on the end of the tongue of a trailer. If the pattern of protrusions and indentations match, the coupler may be slid onto and connected to the trailer tongue. If an attempt is made to use a different coupler, the unique pattern of the indentations will not match, and the coupler will not be able to attach to the tongue. Without a coupler the trailer cannot connect to a tow hitch and the trailer cannot be towed.

Abstract: A trailer yaw sensing apparatus is provided. The trailer yaw sensing apparatus includes a housing, a yaw sensor, and a docking station. The housing is configured for installation on a trailer. The housing defines apertures that are configured to engage fasteners for mounting yaw sensors in a plurality of orientations. The yaw sensor includes an external casing and is disposed within the housing. The docking station is affixed to the housing and is configured to receive a trailer-to-vehicle electrical connector.

Abstract: A trailer hitch spring bar cover system for providing clean and safe storage of a trailer weight distribution system including spring bars and towing balls. The cover for a trailer weight distribution spring bar generally includes a first body and a second body movably connected to the first body. Each of the bodies have a first end, a second end, a perimeter edge, a cavity, and a cutout near an end of the body. The cover has an opened state adapted to receive or remove a greased portion of the spring bar. The cover also has a closed state to substantially enclose a greased portion of the spring bar.

Abstract: A recreational vehicle includes a seatbelt sensor configured to detect when a seatbelt is in an engaged position or a disengaged position and an engine control module in communication with the seatbelt sensor to automatically limit a maximum speed of the vehicle to a reduced maximum speed limit upon detection of the seatbelt is in the disengaged position.