Abstract: Fuel tanks (52, 54, 56) are disposed in parallel along a vehicle transverse direction on a rear sub frame (40). The fuel tank (54) is placed on fuel tank supporting brackets (62) which span between a cross rail (46) and a cross rail (48) of the rear sub frame (40). In a case in which an impact load F1 is applied to the fuel tank (56), the fuel tank (56) abuts a rear cross member (20), and upward movement is impeded. Therefore, weak portions (70) of the fuel tank supporting brackets (62) break, and the fuel tank (54) limitedly moves toward a bottom of a vehicle body.

Abstract: A hitch storage device for securing a hitch to a vehicle that minimizes risk of accidental painful contact between the hitch and the operator of the vehicle. The hitch storage device includes a connecting member, a male hitch member, a hitch-support bracket, and a male protrusion member. The hitch storage device incorporates an integral passive securing mechanism whereby a hitch is secured without having to use an active hitch-securing device such as a bolt to secure the hitch shaft to the hitch storage device of the present invention. In a further embodiment, the male hitch member and hitch-support bracket are integrated to provide an L-shaped bracket with an integral sidewall.

Abstract: A snowmobile is provided that includes rearward portion comprising at least one vehicle component (e.g., a seat, or a fuel tank). The snowmobile also includes an exhaust pipe, a radiator, a fan, and a duct. The exhaust pipe extends from an engine compartment in a forward portion to the rearward portion of the snowmobile. The radiator is positioned in the engine compartment. The fan is positioned near the radiator and the duct is provided on a rear side of the fan. The duct extends from the engine compartment to the rearward portion of the snowmobile. The fan and the duct cause air to pass through the radiator and to be discharged outside of the engine compartment. The duct is located between the exhaust pipe and the at least one vehicle component.

Abstract: A steerable caddy trailer is provided that has an improved structure including a main frame assembly, spindle assemblies attached to each end of the main frame for attachment of a wheel, a pair of swinging arms forwardly extending from the main frame and pivotally attached to the main frame, and tie rods connecting the swinging arms with the spindle assembly such that pivoting of the swinging arms steers the wheels.

Abstract: A reserve tank layout structure of a motorcycle can secure a capacity of a reserve tank, and allow for easy checking of a remaining amount of a cooling water in the tank from the exterior. The layout structure is provided with a vehicle body frame, an engine supported by the vehicle body frame, a swing arm attached to the vehicle body frame so as to freely oscillate, a rear wheel supported by the swing arm, a wrapping transmission mechanism having an endless rope-like body wound between an output shaft of the engine and an axle of the rear wheel and transmitting power from the output shaft to the axle, and a reserve tank for storing cooling water of the engine, the reserve tank being disposed so that at least a part thereof is positioned at an inner peripheral side of the rope-like body.

Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch for towing a trailer behind a motor vehicle is adjustable between a forward position and a rearward position. The fifth wheel hitch includes a base assembly for mounting to the motor vehicle, head assembly for engaging the trailer and at least one pivoting arm coupled between the base assembly and the head assembly. The head assembly moves in an arcuate path between the forward position and the rearward position as the pivoting arm articulates relative to the base assembly. Once positioned in the forward or rearward position, the head assembly is locked relative to the base assembly so as to prevent further movement.

Abstract: Disclosed is a crawler robot which, even of a small size, can climb over a high step and which can perform various aspects of operations. Rollers, are arranged at apexes of triangular frames, and elastic crawlers are wrapped around the rollers, with the two frames being connected by a central support shaft. Rotatably provided to the central support shaft is a one-joint link composed of a first link and a second link connected together by a rotation shaft. An end portion of the second link is rotatably connected with a front shaft of a subordinate crawler device equipped with crawlers wrapped around rollers. As a result, the crawler robot is composed of a triangular crawler device and the subordinate crawler device connected together by the one-joint link. The crawler robot can be operated by rotating and bending the link and by rotating the crawler devices in arbitrary directions.

Abstract: A ground engaged vehicle includes a front portion and a rear portion joined by an articulation. The articulation rotates around a longitudinal axis. An engine drives a hydrostatic pump which drives four hydrostatic motors, each of the hydrostatic motors in operative engagement with one of four wheels. The wheels are on wheel mounts, each of the wheel mounts having a vertical axis around which one of the four wheels with one of the hydrostatic motors is turnable. A steering system turns the two wheels of the front portion in a first direction and the two wheels of the rear portion in an opposite direction. The steering system is powered by the hydrostatic pump. A pedal control system has a first pedal controlling driving the vehicle in a forward direction and a second pedal controlling driving the vehicle in a rearward direction.

Abstract: A touring motorcycle modification kit comprising: an internal frame, an external frame, and a fender; wherein the fender is situated between the internal and external frames; wherein the internal frame is situated inside of the fender; wherein the internal frame comprises two portions, and wherein the two portions are bolted together; wherein the external frame is mounted on the fender at three frame mounting points; wherein two of the three frame mounting points are located on the exterior of the fender; wherein none of the three frame mounting points is located inside of the fender; wherein the external frame does not bolt to the frame mounting points but is releasably attached to the three frame mounting points; and wherein no tools are required to install or remove the external frame. The present invention can be used with a factory seat, exhaust system, wiring harness, saddle bags and tour pack.

Abstract: A motorcycle support stand with a folding design, not attached to the motorcycle, but available for portability directly on motorcycles that have no attached means of upright support. The support device comprises an extended finger for intermittently interfacing with the hollow rear axle holes on these types of motorcycles, two support legs that pivot near the top, and a bottom brace member that pivots on the bottom of one support leg and intermittently latches to the bottom of the other support leg. When folded in this triangle shaped configuration, the extended finger can be inserted into the hollow rear axle hole, at the exact center of the rear wheel hub, on either side, and the weight of the motorcycle can be leaned onto the stand. When the stand is folded to its small straight configuration, it can be transported on the motorcycle for use in remote locations. The rider also has the option of having no stand on the bike, for competition situations.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a deflecting apparatus for wheelchairs to prevent objects from rolling underneath wheelchairs, especially when engaged in sport activities. The apparatus is an accessory item that attaches in the front of a wheelchair below the seat and just above the floor/ground level. It is configured as a guard specifically to prevent sport balls such as basketballs, soccer balls, volleyballs and the like from being trapped under the wheelchair. The apparatus is attached with a pair of clamping arms on the rear of the plate to connect the apparatus to the specific structure of the wheelchair, particularly on the kick plate and is adjustable to conform to various sizes of kick plates. Alternate embodiments could serve as deflectors for other objects that may become hazardous to the wheelchair free movement if allowed to travel underneath the chair from the front.

Abstract: The present invention provides robotic vehicles having wheeled and hopping mobilities that are capable of traversing (e.g. by hopping over) obstacles that are large in size relative to the robot and, are capable of operation in unpredictable terrain over long range. The present invention further provides combustion powered linear actuators, which can include latching mechanisms to facilitate pressurized fueling of the actuators, as can be used to provide wheeled vehicles with a hopping mobility.

Abstract: A bio-inspired device is provided designed to scale smooth vertical surfaces using anisotropic frictional materials. The device draws its inspiration from geckos and other climbing lizards and employs similar compliance and force control strategies to climb (or hang onto) smooth vertical surfaces including glass, tile and plastic panels. Foremost among the design features embodied in the device are multiple levels of compliance, at length scales ranging from centimeters to micrometers, to allow the device to conform to surfaces and maintain large real areas of contact so that adhesive forces can support it. Structures within the feet ensure even stress distributions over each toe and facilitate engagement and disengagement of the adhesive materials. A force control strategy works in conjunction with the anisotropic adhesive materials to obtain sufficient levels of friction and adhesion for climbing with low attachment and detachment forces.

Abstract: To provide a rear swing arm installation structure that does not require large tightening force and upsizing and can avoid backlash of a rear swing arm. In a rear swing arm installation structure, a cylindrical spacer into which a pivot shaft is inserted is screwed into the pivot bearing holes of a pair of vehicle body frames. The spacer includes a head section of a large diameter and a screw section having a smaller diameter than the head section. The head section touches an end face of the pivot bearing hole of the vehicle body frame and the tip of the screw section touches an end face of a rear swing arm.

Abstract: An electric power steering device (1) is provided which transmits output rotation of an electric motor for generating a steering assist force (16) to a steering mechanism (64) via a driving gear (22) and a driven gear (21). A housing (8) has a support hole (28) for supporting one end portion (23) of a shaft (20) co-rotatable with the driving gear (22) via a bearing (26) in such a manner as to permit the one end portion (23) to be offset toward the driven gear (21) radially of the driving gear (22). A biasing member (33) which biases the driving gear (22) toward the driven gear (21) includes an arcuate main portion (47) fitted around an outer peripheral surface (58) of an outer ring (36) of the bearing (26) and opposed to an inner peripheral surface (42) of the support hole (28). A pair of movement restriction portions (50, 51) which restrict circumferential movement of the main portion (47) are respectively provided at a pair of arc ends (48, 49) of the main portion (47).

Abstract: In a fifth wheel hitch, a locking mechanism for retaining a trailer kingpin within a fifth wheel slot. The locking mechanism includes a jaw assembly comprised of two opposing jaw members pivotally attached at one end to the underside of the hitch plate, a longitudinally sliding cam interposed between the jaw members with a tip that contacts a bumper. The bumper is pivotally attached to tie bar that has its rear most end pivotally attached to the underside of the hitch plate. The mechanism also includes a wedge member and a secondary lock member pivotally attached thereto, where the lock member has a guide extension inserted through a guide hole in the tie bar. Rotation of the tie bar inward causes the wedge member and secondary lock to move inward until the wedge member is seated to the rear of the closed jaw assembly and the secondary lock rotates to engage a detent.

Abstract: In a power steering device, a hydraulic power cylinder is configured to assist a steering force of a steering mechanism linked to steerable road wheels, a pump is configured to supply a hydraulic pressure to respective pressure chambers of the hydraulic power cylinder, an electric motor is configured to drive the pump, a torque sensor is configured to detect a steering torque of the steering mechanism, an operating load state detecting circuit is configured to detect an operating load state of the pump based on a viscosity resistance characteristic of a working oil, and an electric motor control circuit is configured to output a drive signal to the motor on the basis of a torque signal from the torque sensor and the operating load state of the pump.

Abstract: A sliding fifth wheel assembly for slidably connecting a trailer hitch to a vehicle, comprising at least one rail connectable to the vehicle and a platform connectable to the trailer hitch. The platform is slidably mounted to the rail for movement between a forward position and a rearward position. At least one stop bar is connected to the platform, and at least one locking bar is pivotally mounted to the rail for selective engagement with the stop bar to retain the platform in either the forward position or the rearward position. The locking bar may be selectively engaged by at least one actuator.

Abstract: An apparatus for steering a vehicle includes a hand steering device, a road wheel steering device, a steering motor and a connection device. The hand steering device is a device which a driver of the vehicle manipulates for steering road wheels. The road wheel steering device actuates the road wheels. The steering motor, which is attached to the road wheel steering device, produces an assist force for the road wheels. The connection device selectively connects and disconnects the hand steering device and the road wheel steering device. In the apparatus, a ratio of a displacement made by the hand steering device to a displacement generated by the road wheel steering device increases as a speed of the vehicle becomes greater while the vehicle is traveling in a predetermined range of speed, and a gradient of the ratio is adapted to be greater when the speed is lower.

Abstract: An adjustable seat for a children's ride-on vehicle includes a seat having a pair of tubular brackets mounted thereto. A pair of rails are positioned on the frame of the vehicle and are received within the tubular brackets so that the seat slides on the rails. A series of seat adjustment holes are formed in each rail. Locking rods have distal ends that engage the seat adjustment holes in a removable fashion so that the seat may be selectively locked in position. A locking mechanism is mounted on the seat bottom and features a housing that encloses a compression spring and a pair of squeeze buttons that engage the locking rods and urge them into the seat adjustment holes of the rails.