Abstract: A rigid motorcycle frame comprises a pair of spaced swingarms attached to a shock absorber which comprises a shock absorber casing or housing pivotally mounted on the swingarms and having a shock absorber rod which is pivotally attached to the motorcycle frame at a point below the housing whereby the movement of the rear wheel of the motorcycle causes the outer housing of the shock absorber to move upwardly relative to the shock absorber, rod which is attached to the motorcycle frame and which is opposite from the normal operation of a shock absorber. The shock absorber may include a spring means and/or hydraulic means to provide the usual resistance provided by a cushioning arrangement. In operation swing arms are moving downwardly the shock absorber moves its mounting points closer together which is different from most shock absorbers which move their mounting points further apart.

Abstract: An improved fifth wheel incorporates a junction fitting for pneumatic, hydraulic and electrical control lines which mates the truck to the tractor simultaneously with the connection performed by the fifth wheel. The deck plate is pivoted about a vertical axis to maintain the connection and facilitate turning of the rig.

Abstract: A trailer hitch including a pin that extends axially from a pivotal mounting by a universal joint of a rocking or tilting platform of a trailer draw or towbar. The pin is preferably cylindrical and is grooved circumferentially for fitting into a wide head end of a keyhole or keyway slot formed in a mounting plate attached to a truck bed. The keyway forward circular end includes a flange therearound that fits into the cylindrical pin groove, prohibiting the pin from lifting from the keyway. To complete the locking of the pin to mounting plate, either the pin includes a plug for extending axially into a hole formed in the mounting plate in the center of the keyway forward end, or a brace plate is installed in a keyway large rearward end, resting against the pin prohibiting the pin for being slid therefrom. Which plug is extended or withdrawn by turning a locking or camming rod journaled across the pin, which locking or camming rod is spring biased to a plug extended attitude.

Abstract: A vehicle dual function tow hook bent from one length of steel bar stock into a generally P-shaped member so as to be available for either a tie-down line, a towing line, or a tow bar. The tow hook comprises upper and lower longitudinally extending rod-stem portions having their aft ends terminating in upper and lower eyelet portions separated by a gap for receiving a substructure flange of the vehicle therein. With the eyelet portion central openings aligned with an aperture in a flange a single fastener secures the tow hook on the flange. The upper rod-stem portion has a length at least twice the length of the lower rod-stem portion while the lower rod-stem portion forward end terminates in a bend portion joined to a downwardly sloped rod-angled portion. The forward ends of the upper rod-stem portion and the rod-angled portion are joined by an open loop portion available for a towing or tie-down line.

Abstract: A bicycle trailer for transporting small children comprising a rigid, lightweight frame partially covered with fabric and provided with fabric sling seats for accommodating one or more small children. The wheels of the bicycle trailer are journaled on an axle the ends of which are mounted on vertical frame members for vertical sliding. The ends of the axle are resiliently coupled to the frame by elongated elastic members which pass over their associated ends of the axle and also pass around a boss which projects downwardly from the frame.

Abstract: A cushioned landing gear foot is attached to the landing gear leg by a tubular suspension axle within a housing abutment member on the lower end of the leg, and which abutment engages a resilient pad in a pocket on the foot when under compression load. The abutment member has a rectangular cross section including a flat bottom surface for abutting the pad. The clearance between this flat surface (in elevated condition) and the resilient pad is less than the potential vertical movement of the hollow suspension axle in a pair of slots into which it extends. The pad retaining pocket includes a pair of fore-and-aft inverted L-shaped retaining walls allowing approximately 20 degree fore-and-aft articulation of the foot on the leg, and approximately five degree side-to-side articulation. When the leg and foot are put under load, the pad will be deformed until a predetermined maximum force is applied to it, and then the axle will bear all load exceeding this predetermined amount.

Abstract: A rugged but inexpensive bicycle frame comprises a tubular head post welded to the flattened forward end of a relatively large diameter tubular crossbar. The rear end of the crossbar is flattened laterally and provided with a concave rear edge. A tubular rear fork has a rounded bridge portion which is fitted to the crossbar rear edge so that the nominal plane of the rear fork is perpendicular to the headpost. Welds permanently connect the front and rear ends of the crossbar to the headpost and rear fork bridge portion respectively. There are openings in the top and bottom walls of the crossbar just forward of the rear end thereof for receiving a tubular seat post so that the lower end of set seat post extends appreciably below the crossbar. Welds permanently connect the seat post to the crossbar. A short tube is welded to the lower end of the seat post to support the pedal crank.

Abstract: A four-wheel steering apparatus comprises a front wheel steering member for steering front wheels by being displaced according to a movement of a steering wheel, a rear wheel steering mechanism for steering rear wheels, a coupling mechanism for mechanically coupling together the front wheel steering member and an input member of the rear wheel steering mechanism, and a play mechanism provided between an end of the coupling mechanism and the front wheel steering member or the input member or in an intermediate part of the coupling mechanism, the play mechanism effecting transmission of displacement only when a displacement in excess of a predetermined amount is produced in either direction from a position corresponding to a neutral position with respect to the steering angle of the front wheels.

Abstract: This invention discloses a control system for integrally controlling steering and a power unit of a vehicle includes: a front-wheel steering device for steering the front wheels of the vehicle in connection with the operation of a steering handle; a rear-wheel turning device for turning the rear wheels of the vehicle in connection with steering of the front wheels; an adjustment device for adjusting an engine output of the vehicle; a first detection device for detecting an amount in which an accelerator member is operated; a driving device for driving the engine output adjustment device in response to the amount in which the accelerator member is operated; a second detection device for detecting either an instruction given by a driver who wants to change a travel characteristic or changes in an environment in which the vehicle is running; and a change/correction device for changing or correcting a control characteristic which controls the rear-wheel turning device and the driving device in response to an outp

Abstract: A steering control system for a vehicle is provided. This system includes a front power cylinder which provides steering assistance for front wheels and a rear power cylinder which provides steering assistance for rear wheels. The system further includes a single hydraulic pump which provides a pressurized hydraulic fluid to the front and rear power cylinders and a flow dividing valve which controls a supply rate of the pressurized hydraulic fluid to the front and rear power cylinders based on vehicle speed to steer the front and rear wheels with a preselected steering angle relationship.

Abstract: This is directed to a mounting mechanism for supporting a fifth wheel hitch on the bed of a pickup truck. In incorporates a fixed framework which is ideally bolted to the bed of the pickup. It has a pair of lengthwise facing guide rails which are spaced from one another and extend toward the rear of the truck parallel to the centerline of the truck. That supports on a set of rollers a slidably mounted and movable mounting means so that the mounting means can travel along the facing guide rails. Moreover, the mounting mechanism receives a fifth wheel hitch mechanism thereon. The mounting mechanism is held in the forward most position by means of a latch means which hooks against the mounting means and holding it. The latch means is optionally defeated by an extending lever positioned and located so that it is moved by the trailer mechanism during turning whereupon the slide mechanism moves the trailer toward the rear of the truck.

Abstract: A removable wheelchair handle for mounting on a wheelchair to permit an attendant to maneuver the wheelchair from a location behind and above the back of the wheelchair inlcuding a handgrip cross bar, a support post connected with each end of the crossbar, mounting members connected with the support posts in spaced parallel relation and having mounting pins at the distal ends for insertion into open ends of handles on the wheelchair. One embodiment of the removable handle is formed by two telescopically connected elbow members which form the handgrip crossbar and portions of spaced mounting posts at opposite ends of the crossbar and the other portions of the mounting posts and mounting members connected to the ends of the mounting posts are formed by two elbow members telescopically connected with the first two elbow members.

Abstract: In the bicycle disclosed herein, the axle of a driving wheel is journaled in a yoke at one end of an elongate frame and a steerable wheel is mounted at the other end of the frame. A rocking column is pivotally mounted on the frame for rotation around an axis which is concentric with the driving wheel axle, a backed seat being mounted on the other end of the column. The high speed element of a concentric speed transforming mechanism is connected to the axle and the low speed element is connected to the rocking column.

Abstract: A traction control device comprising a fuel supply control device for controlling the supply of fuel fed into the engine cylinders. When the temperature of the engine is high, if the speed difference between the rotating speed of the free running wheel and the rotating speed of the driven wheel exceeds a predetermined value, the supply of fuel fed into some of the cylinders or all of the cylinders is stopped. Conversely, when the temperature of the engine is low, even if the speed difference exceeds the predetermined value, the feeding of fuel to all of the cylinders is continued.

Abstract: In a four-wheel drive work vehicle selectively drivable in a standard four-wheel drive mode, an accelerated four-wheel drive mode and in a two-wheel drive mode, the invention provides an improved drive-mode switching operability through a linearly operable link mechanism for operatively connecting one operational system for directly operating a shift fork member with another operational system for operating the same via a cam member connected to a steering wheel.

Abstract: A control valve for a variable assist power steering apparatus comprises a bypass line having one end connected to one of two parallel fluid flow paths of a distributor circuit at an inflow section thereof and an opposite end connected to the one fluid flow path at an outflow section thereof. The bypass line is arranged in parallel to primary variable flow restrictors and in series with secondary variable flow restrictors. An externally controlled variable flow restrictor is disposed in the bypass line.

Abstract: An improved spindle arrangement for a suspension system for supporting skis of a snowmobile induces a steering bias in each of the respective skis. A spindle is attached to respective upper and lower linkages of unequal dimensions by ball joints. The ball joints attached at each respective spindle are offset from the longitudinal axis of the spindle in a manner such that a bias is induced in each respective ski causing it to toe-out. Accordingly, the bias induced in the skis creates a situation wherein the snowmobile will give the rider much more confidence and a more comfortable ride when operating the snowmobile at high speed by eliminating the disconcerting feeling that can be generated when the skis tend to toe-in.

Abstract: A visual aid to assist a driver in maneuvering a towing vehicle toward a trailer or other vehicle to be towed for precisely aligning the hitch components of the two vehicles. The device mounts only to the towed vehicle and includes an integral bumper member to protect the vehicles should the driver back too far. The device is adaptable to all conventional trailer hitch components and is simple and easy to use. It comprises a universal adaptor, a sighting mast and a strap for attaching the assembly to the towed vehicle. The mast can be mounted in the vertical position for viewing through the back window or at an angle to extend laterally past the side of the tow vehicle to allow the driver to view the mast even if rearward visibility is blocked through the rear window of a tow vehicle. The mast is disturbed from its rest position when the hitch components are aligned.

Abstract: Device for steering the rear wheels of a vehicle with four wheel steering comprising an electric drive systems (1), a bolt-nut system (2) and a reduction mechanism (3), bolt (4) is placed between two guide elements (5) and is integral with an interball joint bar (6) by two connecting elements (7), said interball joint bar (6) being parallel to bolt (4); the unit being supported by a central plate (8) which receives two cases placed on both sides of said plate (8) to which they are attached so as to have a closed unit, interball joint bar (6) passing through said central plate (8).

Abstract: A suspension/traction unit for a snowmobile is disclosed as having an area of primary support and a two stage angle of attack. The traction unit includes a drive sprocket rotatably mounted to the snowmobile chassis a predetermined height above ground level when the snowmobile is at rest. An endless belt is guided by slide rails such that a low primary angle of attack of about 6 degrees is presented as well as a secondary angle of attack steeper than the primary angle attack making it possible for the snowmobile to effectively start and move in deep snow.