Abstract: The invention relates to suspension systems comprising, in certain embodiments, a pivoting means concentric to a wheel rotation axis so that braking forces can be controlled by placement of an instant force center, and so that acceleration forces can be controlled by a swinging wheel link.

Abstract: Disclosed is an undercarriage having a shock absorption function, including a pair of roller frames facing each other, each roller frame having a plurality of vibration-proof rollers inside thereof, at a lower portion thereof, a main frame disposed between the roller frames and provided with a turn table at a center portion thereof, and a shock absorption bridge for connecting the main frame to the roller frame. According to the present invention, vibration-proof rollers are installed inside a roller frame instead of conventional rollers and the shock absorption bridge is fixed between the main frame and the roller frame, thereby absorbing an external shock in two steps and thus enhancing ride comfort.

Abstract: A motorcycle trailer has a wheeled frame which may be hitched to and unhitched from a towing motorcycle. The frame has a towbar which is movable from a projected position in which it may be hitched to the motorcycle to a retracted position in which it underlies the frame. The frame or the towbar has a handle which may be grasped by a person to enable the frame and the container conjointly to be towed by a person in a manner similar to that of a wheeled suitcase. When unhitched from the motorcycle, the frame and container may be maintained in either an upright or horizontal position.

Abstract: A motor-driven steering assist apparatus includes a single unit body covered by first to third housings, an upper end portion of an input shaft and a torque sensor are supported to the first housing, an upper end portion of an output shaft, an electric motor, a worm gear and a worm wheel are supported to the second housing, and a lower end portion of the output shaft is supported to the third housing.

Abstract: An air box for a motorcycle including a motorcycle engine and a fuel tank. The air box includes a housing having an inlet configured to receive intake air into the housing and an outlet configured to direct the intake air from the housing to the motorcycle engine. A filter element is coupled to the housing and is configured to separate debris from the intake air. A mounting feature is configured to connect the housing below the fuel tank of the motorcycle.

Abstract: A snowmobile footrest has a top surface, a first foot gripping element extending upwardly and forwardly from the top surface, and a second foot gripping element extending upwardly and rearwardly from the top surface. A snowmobile frame and a snowmobile having the footrest are also disclosed.

Abstract: An anti-jackknifing system is provided for tractor trailers. The anti-jackknifing system includes pressure vessels mounted to the tractor for extending and retracting pins. The pins are positioned adjacent to the trailer kingpin so as to extend or retract into slots formed in plates mounted to the apron of the trailer. A controller is provided for automatically extending or retracting the pins based upon speed measurements made by a speed sensor such as the tractor's speedometer or separate GPS sensor. The controller connects to the speed sensor and pressure vessels and causes the pins to project into the race plate slots in the event that the vehicle exceeds a predetermined speed threshold and causes the pins to retract from the race plate slots in the event the vehicle has reduced its speed below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A hitch coupling assembly attaching a trailer to a towing vehicle. The towing vehicle including a hitch plate that has an upper surface and an open end for receiving a king pin. The coupling assembly has an arm with opposite ends. A skid plate is attached to one end of the arm and the skid plate has a perimeter defined by sides. The king pin extends from a surface of the skid plate. A journal pin is attached to the opposite end of the arm and is rotatable relative to the arm. The journal pin is optionally lockable or the arm relative to the hitch is optionally lockable.

Abstract: A ball hitch coupler permits self-latching with a ball hitch. The ball hitch coupler has a housing with a generally downwardly facing open socket for receiving a ball hitch. A ball clamp member within the open socket is attached to an adjustment lever by a clamp rod that extends through a top surface of the housing. A camming surface provided on the lever causes the clamp rod to pull the ball clamp member upwardly and outwardly from the socket as the lever is pivoted to an open position. When the lever is in a neutral ready position, a ball hitch may be inserted into the socket and will automatically be coupled with the ball hitch coupler without further adjustment.

Abstract: An apparatus for detachably connecting a selected one of various accessories to a bicycle includes a receptacle, an insert and a fastening device. The receptacle is connected to the bicycle. The insert is connected to the selected accessory so that the selected accessory is detachably connected to the bicycle when the insert is inserted in the receptacle. The fastening device is used to keep the insert in the receptacle.

Abstract: A vehicle drive control for a wheeled vehicle including a first motor generator, and a second motor generator. A planetary gear set includes a first rotating element connected to the first motor generator, a second rotating element connected to the second motor generator, and a third rotating element connected to a drive wheel. A rotation control mechanism selectively restricts rotation of one of the first and second rotating elements of the planetary gear set to establish a fixed speed ratio mode, and releases the one of the first and second rotating elements to establish a variable speed ratio mode. A control unit is configured to control each operating state of the rotation control mechanism, the first motor generator, and the second motor generator, and configured to establish the variable speed ratio mode when a slip state of the drive wheel is detected in the fixed speed ratio mode.

Abstract: A bracket attaches rigidly to the steering head tube member at the front of a motorcycle frame, so that the fork steering assembly can be relocated and pivotally attached to the front of the bracket. This bracket permits the fork steering assembly to be mounted in a new position which is ahead of, and higher, or lower than its former, manufacturer's specified position. The steering axis can be positioned such that it is tilted at a greater angle of inclination from the vertical, permitting use of longer fork tubes. The bracket permits any motorcycle to be reversibly modified to have the appearance and handling characteristics of a chopper style motorcycle. No modifications to the motorcycles frame are needed, in order to relocate the fork steering assembly. Thus, the originality and value of the motorcycle, if the owner decides to, later, revert to the original appearance, is maintained.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus requires no external connecting member connecting between a power main body and a control main body, and hence can be reduced in size and cost, and the reliability of electrical connection between the power main body and the control main body can be improved. High current parts constituting the power main body and low current parts constituting the control main body are mounted on opposite sides of a circuit board, and are electrically connected with one another via conductor layers of the circuit board and through holes formed therein.

Abstract: A device for reversing the steering movement of a steering-wheel shaft of a vehicle, it being possible to switch the reversal process only at a standstill of the vehicle in a center position of the steering device.

Abstract: A protective cover for the underside of a vehicle is formed substantially from plastic and can provide a skid plate for the vehicle. The protective cover includes at least one fastening portion which is configured to facilitate attachment of the protective cover to the vehicle. In one embodiment, the protective cover includes a rib that is movable to matingly contact a feature on an underside of a vehicle so that loading from an impact is distributed in a predetermined manner. In another embodiment, the fastening portion includes an abutment wall that substantially transmits a shearing load from the protective cover to a vehicle. In yet another embodiment, the fastening portion is adjacent to an edge portion of the protective cover. The protective cover may be included in a vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a kind of portable power-saving and foldable electric wheel chair, characterized in that there is a hand control direction device on the left elbow 10 to control the specific running direction of the electric wheel chair; the left and right rear wheels 3 are integrated with the motors 30 respectively, so as the two motors 30 can directly drive the two rear wheels; two disc brakes 20 are installed on the left and right rear wheels 3, the two disc brakes are connected to the brake handle 15 via the main steel string 24, by means of a single hand press brake handle 15, the two rear wheels 3 braked simultaneously; switches 18 for positive or inversion running control the main running direction of electric wheel chair; an intellectual control rod may also be installed on the right elbow 12 to replace the speed-adjusting turning handle 14 and switches 18 for positive or inversion running.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for controlling a vehicle actuatable occupant restraining system including a discrimination crash sensor (32, 34, 36) for sensing a vehicle crash condition and providing a discrimination crash signal indicative thereof. A first crush zone sensor (40) is located at a first vehicle crush zone location and provides a first crush zone signal indicative of crash acceleration sensed by the first crush zone sensor. A second crush zone sensor (42) is located at a second vehicle crush zone location for providing a second crush zone signal indicative of crash acceleration sensed by the second crush zone sensor. A crush zone safing determining function (218) of the controller (50) monitors the first crush zone sensor and the second crush zone sensor and provides a crush zone safing signal in response to one of the first and the second crush zone sensors signals exceeding a first threshold and the other of the first and the second crush zone sensors signals being faulty.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission having a pair of left and right HSTs for driving respective axles is applicable for a riding lawn mower. The transmission comprises a center casing incorporating a distributing drive train. In the fore-and-aft direction, an input shaft of the distributing drive train projects from the center casing toward a prime mover, and a PTO shaft for driving a mower unit projects from the center casing opposite to the prime mover. A pair of left and right deceleration drive train casings for incorporating respective deceleration gear trains and supporting the respective axles are disposed on respective left and right sides of the center casing. A pair of left and right stepless transmission mechanisms, each of which is drivingly interposed between the distributing drive train and each of the deceleration gear trains in the deceleration gear train casings, are mounted on left and right side portions of the center casing opposite to the prime mover in the fore-and-aft direction.

Abstract: An assembly 10 which may be selectively and removably attached to a selectively movable assembly, such as a vehicle 90 and which provides the driver 94 of the selectively movable assembly 90 with an image of the trailer connection portion 99 of the selectively movable assembly 90 as the selectively movable assembly 90 is moved toward a trailer 102.

Abstract: A hitch support system for relieving a portion of the weight placed upon a rear end of a vehicle. The hitch support system includes a connecting structure for connecting to a hitch unit of a vehicle and for receiving a receiver, a vertical member adjustably connected to the connecting structure, and a wheel rotatably connected to a lower end of the vertical member. When the connecting structure is connected to the hitch unit of a vehicle, the wheel supports the extra weight of the vehicle or the extra weight of a trailer attached to the receiver.