Abstract: A system for simultaneously mounting a plurality of accessories such as panniers, baskets, trailer hitch and trailer, luggage carrier, wheel fender, etc. to a bicycle frame includes an upper mounting block rigidly attachable to the frame below the bicycle seat, and two lower stirrup members rigidly attachable to the frame adjacent the wheel axle on either side of the wheel. The upper mounting block has a socket for holding a tow bar and slots for mounting a luggage carrier, both of which have legs which are lockably inserted into receiving slots in the stirrup members. A key lock locks the mounting block to the bicycle frame and the accessories to the mounting block. Accessories may be locked to the carrier.

Abstract: An all-purpose/all-terrain tripodal stroller suitable for urban and rural or recreational and fitness related activities, including street strolling and shopping, or jogging and off-road hiking and strolling. An improved stroller chassis design with high ground clearance yet low center of gravity, maximizing collapsibility yet minimizing total size of vehicle envelope. When folding, the improved chassis allows the front wheel to pivot rearward until in alignment with both rear wheels, while the variable height steering handle folds down around central wheel. All pivot points engaged while collapsing are cantilevered out of plane with support members, which minimizes all scissoring and pinching actions between all framing members.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method detect the current thickness and thus the wear of a brake lining of a motor-vehicle brake system, which has a wheel-brake actuator at each wheel that actuates the wheel brake and is individually electrically controlled. The wheel-brake actuator contains a hydraulic piston which is moved by an electric motor and is provided with a sensor that detects the brake pressure or brake force as well as with a further sensor that detects the travel of the hydraulic piston. The thickness of the brake lining is determined from signals of the two sensors. To that end, a measurement is made of the travel performed by the hydraulic piston until a predetermined brake pressure is reached.

Abstract: A vibration damper includes at least one damper mass and at least one bush bearing, the bush bearing having an inner supporting core surrounded with radial clearance by an outer supporting sleeve, a spring mass made of elastomer material that extends essentially radially and joins the supporting core and the supporting casing being arranged in the gap formed by the clearance. The damper mass has an essentially pot-shaped recess, in which the bush bearing is arranged, the supporting casing being pressed in an essentially airtight manner into the recess, and the hollow space delimited by the damper mass and the bush bearing being designed as a pneumatic spring.

Abstract: A vibration damper including a mounting member fixed to a subject body whose vibration is to be damped, a first mass assembly disposed such that the first mass assembly is displaceable relative to the mounting member in a direction of vibration of the subject body, a first elastic member elastically connecting the first mass assembly to the mounting member, a second mass assembly disposed such that the second mass assembly is displaceable relative to the mounting member and the first mass assembly in the direction of vibration, a second elastic member elastically connecting the second mass assembly to the mounting member, and an oscillating device for generating an oscillating force acting on the first and second mass assemblies so as to cause relative displacement therebetween.

Abstract: A pump unit includes a first plunger pump including a suction port arranged at an end of the first pump distant from a camshaft and a discharge port arranged at another end thereof near the camshaft, and a plunger second pump including a suction port arranged at an end of the second pump near the camshaft and a discharge port arranged at another end thereof distant from the camshaft. The first and second pumps are arranged in parallel with each other along the camshaft so that plungers of the first and second pumps contact corresponding cams of the camshaft. The first and second pumps are connected in series so that the discharge port of the first pump communicates with the suction port of the second pump.

Abstract: A strut construction for holding aircraft cowlings in a raised position, comprises first and second telescoping members which are relatively shiftable between a collapsed inoperative strut position wherein the members are nested together, and an almost fully extended operative load-bearing position wherein the members are only partially nested, the relative shifting of said telescoping members to their partially extended operative position causing a blocking of any collapsing movement. The strut has a spring-charged collar which is slidable on one telescoping member between blocking and unblocking positions, and the collar has a latch which is responsive to its manual shifting to its unblocking position against the spring-action thereof, for holding the collar in an unblocking position. Such shifting unblocks the telescoping members, thereby to enable them to be relatively shifted to their collapsed position only after the cowling has first been raised to the full extent of its movement.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a brake control system for an electrically operated vehicle which is adapted to add a hydraulic braking operation to a regenerative braking operation, or change the former for the latter, rapidly and smoothly. An electric motor is operatively connected to a wheel for rotating the wheel, and a motor control unit for controlling the electric motor to apply a rotating force and a regenerative braking force to the wheel. In a main passage for connecting a master cylinder with a wheel brake cylinder, a pressure limit changeover device is disposed.

Abstract: An apparatus for an active suspension system provides independent control of each adjustable spring rate mechanism. Ride height, spring rate, and oscillation control are achieved with the use of transducers that send signals to a controller. The controller receives the signals and responsively generates signals to adjust pressure and flow between an accumulator and the adjustable spring rate mechanism.

Abstract: A disc brake includes a carrier with a pair of axially and outwardly extending arms. A pair of pad springs are mounted to the inner side of the arms. Each of the pad springs has a pair of return springs. The return springs extend radially of a rotor and have respective projections. Each of the return spring is made by bending an elongated tongue. A pair of backing plates are attached to a corresponding pair of friction pads and have lugs. A wear warning element is attached adjacent to the lug of each backing plate and has a bent portion. Each of the projections is resiliently in contact with the inner side of the bent portion so as to constantly urge the backing plate and the friction pad in a direction away from the rotor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic vehicle brake system with a master cylinder, with two brake circuits (I, II), with wheel brakes connected to the brake circuits (I, II), and with a wheel slip regulator device disposed between the master cylinder and the wheel brakes, which device has at least one brake pressure modulation valve device and at least one high pressure pump, and with a pump unit associated with this high pressure pump. In the automatic braking operation by means of at least one of the high pressure pumps, the pump unit is used for supplying hydraulic fluid to the high pressure pump. The pump unit has a low pressure pump in the form of a gear pump.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension strut includes a generally cylindrical housing having a first end and a second end. The housing defines a generally longitudinal axis extending between the first and second ends, and a housing interior for containing a fluid. A first closure closes the first end of the housing and includes a piston receiving aperture. A second closure is provided for closing the second end of the housing. A piston is extendable through the piston receiving aperture, and is moveable in an axial direction between a fully collapsed position and an extended position. The piston includes a first end disposed adjacent to the first end of the housing and exteriorly of the housing exterior, and a second end disposed adjacent to the second end of the housing and within the housing interior. The piston also includes an insertable portion having a length L.

Abstract: A brake control apparatus has a control unit 30 for controlling a brake mechanism 40 for braking each of the wheels provided for a vehicle, and a tire abnormality detection device 10 for detecting abnormal air pressure of a tire attached to each of the wheels and transmitting a signal to the control unit 30. When the control unit 30 determines that the air pressure of any one of the tires has become lower than a predetermined level, the control unit 30 controls the brake mechanism 40 to brake a tire opposite to the low-pressure tire to the right or left. As a consequence, safety is improved even if a tire has been punctured during operation of a vehicle.

Abstract: A crawler belt drive apparatus which can reduce meshing noises of drive sprocket and crawler belt in a reliable manner over a long period of time. An annular link guide member is provided on a housing of a reducer concentrically with the drive sprocket. As bushes of the respective track links of the crawler belt are meshed with the drive sprocket, the link guide member is held in sliding contact with inner end faces of the track links to maintain a clearance constantly between each bush and a bottom of the drive sprocket, thereby preventing the bushes from directly hitting against the bottom of the drive sprocket to suppress meshing noises or vibrations effectively.

Abstract: A liquid sealed-type vibration-insulating device includes an upper connection member to be mounted on a vibrating member; a lower connection member of a cup-shape to be mounted on a member on a vehicle body; a vibration-insulating rubber member provided between the upper and lower connection members; an annular plate fixedly secured to a lower portion of the vibration-insulating rubber member; a tubular metal member connecting the annular plate to an upper open end of the lower connection member; a heat-resistant rubber sheet member connected between an upper open end of the tubular metal member and the upper connection member; a main liquid chamber formed by the vibration-insulating rubber member and the lower connection member; an auxiliary liquid chamber formed by the vibration-insulating rubber member and the heat-resistant rubber sheet member; an orifice communicating the main liquid chamber with the auxiliary liquid chamber; and a stopper member which is connected to the upper connection member and is l

Abstract: An apparatus for absorbing vibrations in a structural member, such as in an aircraft fuselage, has a mounting member for attaching to the structural member. Two masses are coupled in a cantilevered manner to the mounting member by a plurality of flexible rigid members, such as rods or plates, which act as a spring that allows the masses to vibrate with respect to the mounting member. The spring-mass assembly has a resonant frequency that matches the frequency of the vibrations in the structural member. A mechanism, connected between the two masses, exerts a variable force on the plurality of rigid members to compensate for changes in their stiffness due to changes in temperature and thereby maintain the resonant frequency substantially constant. Preferably the mechanism includes a bimetallic element that has a shape which changes with temperature variation to produce the variable force.

Abstract: An inside shoe drum brake, particularly for motor vehicles, is disclosed which comprises a support arrangement for the brake shoes which can be pressed by means of an actuation device against the brake drum, and which has a brake anchor plate carrying the support arrangement and the actuation device as well as comprising an area for the attachment to a wheel carrier. According to the invention, a guide element is provided which is engaged in the axial direction of the brake with the brake shoes and which is guided, in a sliding manner, on the attachment area or on the actuation device. Thus a simply designed and lightweight inside shoe drum brake is provided which has an optimized noise behavior with respect to brake squeal.

Abstract: An improved brake system includes a parking brake piston fixed to the backing plate of a brake friction material for a large vehicle. Service brake pistons are positioned about the parking brake piston. Both the service and parking brake may selectively actuate the brake. Upon actuation by the service brake piston, the parking brake piston moves with the backing plate. The parking brake is set by a parking brake actuator which is connected through a connector to the parking brake piston. When the service brake is set, it causes the connector to move with the parking brake piston. If adjustment is necessary, the connector will hit a stop, and adjustment of the connector along the parking brake piston will occur to compensate for wear on the friction material.

Abstract: The Frustrator--Model C is a small and simple electric powered assembly of common-use components hidden within the automobile steering column enclosure. It inhibits car thefts by anyone not having the ignition key because normal use of the ignition key controls the flow of electric power which either locks the steering rod through braking action, making the automobile impossible to steer when the ignition key is turned to the `off` position or releases the braking action for normal steering action when the ignition key is turned to the `on` position.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of operating an anti-lock automotive vehicle brake system for driving stability control and/or traction slip control (DSC/TCS) including a brake power booster operable irrespective of the driver's wish. According to this method, the brake power booster is actuated irrespective of the driver's wish for prefilling the vehicle wheel brakes, and further pressure increase in the vehicle wheel brakes upon completion of the prefilling action is carried out by the ABS return pump.