Abstract: A weighting device is suspended beneath a tractor and between its wheels to improve the traction of the wheels and the stability of the tractor. The device has the general form of a flat, elongated element with a width substantially less than the spacing between the wheels of the tractor and which extends from at least the rear of the tractor to a point beyond the front of the tractor in order to carry weights which are utilized to prevent the tractor from rearing or lifting. The weight is suspended on the tractor by elements which include flaps, sliding shoulders integral with the tractor, sliding wing flanges and jacks. The jacks may be controlled by fluid distributors for driving the device, and therefore the weights, both longitudinally and transversely along a plane substantially parallel to the ground or other support surface.

Abstract: A vehicle for snow and ice which is ridden by standing thereon is provided with a boat-like hull section having a bottom and curved upwardly at its forward and after ends. At least two outer longitudinal runners are located on the outer portions of the bottom. Preferably, a center longitudinal runner is located between the outer runners and may extend to the forward and after ends of the hull section. To accommodate the feet of a rider, forward and after platform members are mounted on each end of the hull which members are preferably tilted upwardly. A center platform member is mounted atop the hull section between the forward and after platform members.In other embodiments, a portion of the center runner at its forward end is serrated to allow frontal pivoting and acrobatic exercises.

Abstract: Lightweight collapsible bicycle fenders are selectively attached to and detached from a bicycle frame by ties. The fenders are preferably formed from a sheet of durable flexible material, and the sheet of material is given sufficient rigidity and form to define the bicycle fender by lateral support elements. Flexible ties extend from the support elements. Once the fender is placed in the appropriate position, the ties are extended around opposite sides of a bicycle frame member and twisted together or otherwise fastened, thereby attaching the fender to an appropriate part of the bicycle frame and retaining the support elements and the flexible sheet of material in functional form as a fender.

Abstract: A regenerative braking device for an automotive vehicle includes an energy storage assembly (12) having a plurality of rubber rollers (26, 28) mounted for rotation between an input shaft (30) and an output shaft (32), clutches (50, 56) and brakes (52, 58) associated with each shaft, and a continuously variable transmission (22) connectable to a vehicle drivetrain and to the input and output shafts by the respective clutches. In a second embodiment the clutches and brakes are dispensed with and the variable ratio transmission is connected directly across the input and output shafts. In both embodiments the rubber rollers are torsionally stressed to accumulate energy from the vehicle when the input shaft rotates faster or relative to the output shaft and are torsionally relaxed to deliver energy to the vehicle when the output shaft rotates faster or relative to the input shaft.

Abstract: A fluid pressure motor having a normally used internal electrical heating element which vaporizes internal fluid to actuate the motor. The motor further includes means in heat transfer proximity to the outside of the motor which can be caused to convert its stored energy to sufficient heat to actuate the motor.

Abstract: An occupant protection device for holding back the lower body portion, i.e., knees and pelvis, of an occupant of a veicle during a crash, including a plastically stretchable hollow sheet metal girder structure on opposite sides of the vehicle, secured in spaced relation to the panel separating the passenger compartment from the forward part of the vehicle by a frame supported on the panel, and including a linkage coupling the structure on opposite sides of the vehicle for effective force distribution between the vehicle sides and separating panel.

Abstract: A ski binding in which a locking bar is rotatable between a locked and unlocked condition of the binding. In the unlocked condition the extension of the sole of a ski boot can be inserted into an archplate of the same height and width as the extension, with the bar passing through an inlet of extension to a position within an opening which is larger than the inlet. Angular movement of the bar to the locked position prevents withdrawal of the extension from the archplate.

Abstract: An ice skate blade having an elongated flat blade body defining opposed side walls and a support bottom edge having a slot in at least a forward half portion thereof intermediate the opposed side walls. The rear portion is a solid support portion.

Abstract: A device for closing the ignition circuit of a vehicle or automobile thus permitting the starting of the motor. The device employs a pair of key operated locking ignition switches located on either side of the steering column. A source of electrical energy connects to the pair of switches and travels to the ignition circuit of an automobile.

Abstract: A self-locking step assembly is attached to a vehicle by rigidly connecting the outer cylinder of the assembly to the vehicle frame. The outer cylinder is secured with the centerline of its concentric inner and outer walls being substantially vertical. The inner cylinder of the assembly is slidably and rotatably positioned within the inside wall of the outer cylinder. The inner cylinder has a step secured to its bottom section, with the step being substantially perpendicular to the inner cylinder. The assembly also utilizes a locking pin that is rigidly secured to one of the inner or outer cylinders, and a cam slot that is in the other of the inner and outer cylinders. The pin engages the cam slot which has first and second portions connected by a third portion. When the pin is in the first portion of the cam slot, the step is held in its used position by gravitational forces. When the pin is in the second position of the cam slot, the pin is held in its stored position by the same gravitational forces.

Abstract: A structure for securing one end of a safety strap to a ski or a component fixedly mounted on the ski. The other end of the safety strap is presumed to be secured to the skier by any conventional means. The structure by which the safety strap is secured to the ski structure enables the strap to hold the ski to the skier should the ski become disconnected from the skier while travelling on a chairlift or at slow speeds. However, this same structure will facilitate a release of the strap from engagement with the ski structure should the ski be pulled away from the skier with a sufficient magnitude of force, such as will occur during falls at high speeds. The thereafter released ski will be stopped by, for example, a ski brake mechanism mounted on the ski.

Abstract: A ski binding having both a toe jaw and a heel holder. An electrical circuit is incorporated in the toe jaw and heel holder and indicates whether the ski boot is correctly clamped therebetween. The electrical circuit includes switch contacts located at strategic points on the toe jaw and the heel holder to indicate when the sole of the ski boot is not properly oriented relative to the toe jaw and heel holder.

Abstract: The body structure 12 of a rear engine riding mower 11 is resiliently mounted on a main frame structure 13 by four cushion mounts 14. The engine 48 and steering shaft are mounted on the main frame structure 13 and the operator's seat 53 is supported on the body structure 12. Each of the mounts 14 is provided with a restrainer in the form of an inverted cup 69 which serves to stiffen the mount when the body structure 12 shifts horizontally (see FIG. 6) relative to the main frame structure 13 and when unusual vertical loading (see FIG. 7) is imposed on the mount.

Abstract: A sled apparatus of the ski type having a single ski upon which there is mounted a form fitting bucket seat fixedly connected to fixed side rails, the rails bearing opposed apertures so that the seat can be located in a proper position fore and aft and a heel stop can also be installed fore and aft for proper riding position.

Abstract: A cross-country ski binding for use with a ski shoe having a recessed sole area has a guiding plate affixed to the ski, a bearing plate and a heel part arranged on the bearing plate. The guiding plate has an upper surface defining a plurality of transverse depressions. The bearing plate is of elastic material and is longitudinally slidably mounted on the guiding plate. It includes a projection matching the depressions for selectively engaging a respective depression for retaining the bearing plate in a selected longitudinal position relative to the guiding plate and an extension projecting longitudinally beyond the bearing plate and having an underside rising from the upper surface of the guiding plate. The heel part has a raised portion matching the recessed sole area for engagement therewith.

Abstract: An assemblage for hand trucks which provides for interchangeable runners and wheels, as desired, to move the hand truck over a particular surface. The assemblage has a support frame which may be releasably secured to the frame of a hand truck and a supporting means which is releasably secured to the support frame to permit movement with respect thereto. The supporting means may be manipulated to rotate runners or wheels into contact with a surface while simultaneously rotating the wheels or runners out of contact with the surface. The support means may be releasably locked in position with respect to the support frame to ensure contact of the wheels or runners with the surface over which the hand truck is moved.

Abstract: A control for selectively setting the operating depth of a ground working agricultural tool without changing the elevated height of the tool when in the transport position. The control includes a ground supported wheel frame pivotally mounting a tool frame. The tool frame is pivoted on the wheel frame between a raised inoperative position and a lowered operative position by operation of a cylinder assembly. The cylinder assembly is pivoted at one end to the tool frame. Its remaining end is connected to a bracket on the wheel frame. The bracket includes a slot, slidably mounting the remaining end of the cylinder. The slot is aligned along an arc centered on the pivot axis of the cylinder at its one end when the tool frame is elevated to the inoperative position. The slot is inclined upwardly toward this pivot axis as the tool frame is lowered to the operative position.

Abstract: A snow glider in the form of an elongated glide plate (1), the upper side of which has at least one stand-on area (2, 3) for the feet of the user and the front part of which is bent upwards in the manner of ski tips. The glide plate (1) is wider at the rear than at the front and in the middle, this wider rear part (6) being bent upwards out of the plane of the middle part (5). The snow glider makes free smooth running on snow possible, changes in the direction of running being effected by a corresponding shift of the center of gravity of the body.

Abstract: A size-adjustable high performance slip-on plastic roller skate has an injection-molded sole support piece in the form of separable front and rear sections respectively provided with wheel assemblies secured thereto. The sections are slidingly interfitted for movement toward and away from each other to vary the longitudinal extension of said sole support piece and can be locked at a plurality of the adjusted interfitted positions to enable accommodation of a plurality of shoe sizes. A metal reinforcing frame member is molded into one of said front and rear sections and extends within at least the interfitted portion of said sections, to bridge said portion at all size-adjusted positions, whereby to provide rigidity for the skate, enabling use of same in high performance applications.

Abstract: A ski binding for a cross country or touring ski. The binding has an archplate to receive an integral forward extension of the sole of the ski boot, and a crossbar engages behind a shoulder on the extension to fasten the boot to the ski. The crossbar forms an upper transverse portion of the archplate and also fastens the extension of the boot in the binding.