Abstract: A trailer hitch has a boom which is slideable from a drawn in position to different extended positions and which independently of its extendability is swingable from a centered position to different sideways angled hook up positions. The trailer hitch is hand operated to pull the boom inwardly from any one of the different extended positions to the drawn in position with a manual pusher for pushing the boom towards the centered position. It further includes safety stops for preventing any outward swinging of the boom while the boom is being drawn inwardly.

Abstract: A bicycle mechanism to permit a forward force to be applied to the bicycle's drive wheel by backward rotation of the bicycle's pedals in addition to permitting a forward force to be applied to the drive wheel by a forward rotation of said pedals. A preferred embodiment allows one of the pedals to be rotated in one direction while the other pedal rotates in the opposite direction.

Abstract: Non-circular front chain wheel for a crank gear is comprised of a crank gear wheel allowing to a progressive increase of the cycling torque from the dead point up to the point where the extension of the leg allows to create the maximum effort, due to a progressive variation of the primitive radius of the toothing between these two points, followed by a rapid decrease to the next dead point. The principle is that the force to be provided is proportional to the muscular force that the user may provide. The non-circular front chain wheel essentially pertains to the cycle industry but may also find applications in other fields, for example physical exercisers for body building or reeducation, and in general all apparatus utilizing cycling motion and a chain or belt transmission system between the front wheel or wheels of the crank gear and one or a plurality of pinions actuating the device to be driven.

Abstract: An adjusting device assembly for making, a manual adjustment of a bicycle head bowl bearing comprises a front fork upright tube inserted into a head tube in which a bearing bowl is received. A bearing is received in the bearing bowl and can be located securely by an inner ring, which can be forced to move downwards by a locating ring which is in turn caused to move downwards by a clamping ring capable of being caused to move downwards by an adjustment bolt which can be fastened manually.

Abstract: Methods and devices for enhancing shudder stability in servo systems comprising hydro-mechanically driven actuators are disclosed. Series damping devices forming compliant couplings having series damping characteristics are disclosed. The series damping devices are utilized for mounting the hydro-mechanically driven actuators or coupling them to load elements which they position. The improvement consisting of providing series damping associated with the hydro-mechanically driven actuators for absorbing sufficient energy to provide adequate gain and phase margins for the open-loop feedback characteristics of systems utilizing the hydro-mechanically driven actuators in order to substantially prevent high frequency shudder from occurring during operation of the systems.

Abstract: A bicycle steering assembly is disclosed. The assembly has a threadless steerer tube passing through a head tube. Bearing assemblies are mounted at either end of the steerer tube. A stem assembly is fastened to the upper end of the steerer tube with an expansion bolt, which is preferably a wedge clamp, inside the bore of the steerer tube. The stem has an integral sleeve which extends over the upper end of the exterior surface of the steerer tube. The sleeve reinforces the steerer tube. The lower end of the sleeve is threaded to accept a threaded locking collar. Pre-load on the bearings can be adjusted by turning the locking collar. The stem assembly has few parts, fastens securely to the steerer tube, is robust and does not have projecting bolts which could harm a rider.

Abstract: An auxiliary power steering unit, especially for motor vehicles, contains a control valve (1) made as a rotary slide valve for controlling a pressure medium conveyed by a servopump (3) out of a tank (4) to and from the pressure chambers of a servomotor (2). Control valve (1) reveals two feedback chambers (10, 11) that are connected via one, each, fixed throttle (12, 13) and a common throttle (14) to a pressure line (15) of the servopump (3). The feedback pressure that takes effect in the feedback chambers (10, 11) can be limited to a maximum value by a cutoff valve (18). The cutoff valve (18) is made as pressure balance whose response pressure can be adjusted from the outside without dismantling.

Abstract: A fifth wheel hitch assembly includes a frame for mounting to a towing vehicle and a head assembly including a jaw mechanism for engaging a trailer. The head assembly is mounted to the frame so as to allow for relative fore-and-aft as well as side-to-side pivotal movement. A side pivot lock mechanism, including a contoured plate, over-center spring and control handle, allow the user to selectively lock the head assembly relative to the frame and prevent side-to-side pivotal movement as desired.

Abstract: Vertical and longitudinal shocks imparted to a bicycle seat are absorbed by a compression spring disposed between the seat and the seat strut, with one end of the spring being mounted to a seat retainer that is moveably secured to a pair of slide plates which are in turn slidably engaged with a stationary strut head. A semi round seat secured to the strut head permits the angle of inclination of the bicycle seat to be adjusted. The compression strength of the spring may also be adjusted by urging a cover towards and away from the moveable end of the spring.

Abstract: A creeper includes a torso supporting platform with a number of bores formed vertically therethrough. Each of the bores has a polygonal recess formed around the bottom thereof. A caster extends downwardly from each of the bores. Each caster includes a caster wheel, a bracket secured thereto and extending upwardly therefrom and a shaft extending upwardly from the bracket. Each of the shafts is positioned in a different one of the bores and is axially aligned with the same. A polygonal nut is secured around each of the shafts and is positioned atop a corresponding bracket. Each of the polygonal nuts is sized to be inserted in a corresponding one of the polygonal recesses. A hollowed cap with an internal thread is inserted into the top of the bore and over the shaft in order to secure the shaft to the platform.

Abstract: A coupling system for attaching a utility item to a vehicle trailer hitch is disclosed. The system provides improved ease of attachment and removal of the utility item to the vehicle trailer hitch. Further, the system allows access to the rear of the vehicle without removal of the utility item from the trailer hitch. The system design also provides reduced movement between the trailer hitch and the utility item.

Abstract: A vehicle including a change speed device having an output shaft for outputting drive from an engine in varied speeds, and a differential having a drive pinion shaft for receiving output of the change speed device. The output shaft of the change speed device extends substantially horizontally, while the drive pinion shaft of the differential extends substantially vertically. A bevel gear mechanism transmits drive between the output shaft of the change speed device and the drive pinion shaft of the differential. The drive pinion shaft defines a pinion meshed with a ring gear of the differential in a top region of the differential. The drive pinion shaft has a brake for braking the vehicle. The brake includes a brake drum attached to the drive pinion shaft, and a brake shoe for engaging the brake drum.

Abstract: A reversing drive or transmission is shown which is particularly useful for all-terrain vehicles. The drive includes a drive shaft and an intermediate axle spaced therefrom. The drive shaft and intermediate axle have respective pulley and drum assemblies mounted thereon in registration, with a V-belt coupling the drive and driven pulleys. A swing arm moves the intermediate axle toward and away from the drive shaft to tension the V-belt or alternatively engage the drive wheels for reverse rotation of the intermediate axle. An intermediate sprocket mounted on the intermediate axle drives a driven sprocket co-axially mounted on the pivot axis of the swing arm. The plane of rotation of the intermediate sprocket is transversely orientated with respect to the swing arm pivot axis, so that torsional forces on the intermediate sprocket tend to reinforce the engagement between the respective pulley and drum assemblies in the forward and reverse directions.

Abstract: A stabilizing or digger accessory for in-line skates is provided which is adapted to assist roller hockey goaltenders by permitting them to stabilize themselves in a stationary position in goal so that they may react laterally to incoming shots on goal. The digger accessory is easily installed and removed, replacing the frontmost wheel of the skate, so that it may be utilized while the skater is tending goal but removed when he or she wishes to skate normally. Furthermore, even when installed, because of its configuration and orientation with respect to the remaining wheels, the goaltender may skate normally with only a slight change of skating style, so that he or she may easily perform those goaltending duties which require mobility. Essentially, the digger accessory comprises a molded rubber insert wherein the bottom surface consists of a tread. When the heel of the skate is lifted, the tread contacts the skating surface to prevent rolling of the skate.

Abstract: A chain drive which has an automatic chain tension adjustor. The chain adjustor has a housing cover with a cover head suitable for being turned with a ratchet for transferring torque to an adjacent motor spring. The motor spring is connected to a shaft within a chain adjustor screw housing. A chain adjustor screw within the shaft is urged by the motor spring through the shaft and housing against the chain adjustor arm. The arm pushes the chain and reduces slack in the chain.

Abstract: The tow bar and trailer hitch comprise a bracket having an attachment plate and a cylindrical sleeve which are mounted on the deck of the personal watercraft and a generally triangular rigid tow bar which has a first pin at its apex which is inserted into the sleeve to provide pivoting capability between the bracket and the front of the tow bar. A second pin or bolt is inserted through each of the legs extending from the corners of the base of the triangle and into corresponding attachment points on the underside of the trailer. The second pins also allow vertical pivoting movement between the tow bar and the trailer.

Abstract: A throttle valve control apparatus serves to electrically drive a throttle valve which adjusts a rate of air flow into an engine mounted on a vehicle. The throttle valve control apparatus includes a lever connected to the throttle valve for movement in an opening direction and a closing direction together with the throttle valve. An opening degree limiting member is located in a side of the lever which corresponds to the opening direction. A spring urges the opening degree limiting member in a direction of closing the throttle valve. An accelerator interlocking and driving device serves to move the opening degree limiting member in accordance with a degree of operation of an accelerator member. A throttle actuator functions to adjust a degree of opening of the throttle valve. A vehicle speed sensor functions to detect a running speed of the vehicle. A guard actuator serves to adjust a position of the opening degree limiting member.

Abstract: A multiple sprocket chainwheel for bicycle derailleurs to drive a hub bushing on the rear wheel by means of at least two sprockets which have different numbers of teeth, and which are located non-rotationally on a chainwheel bushing, whereby spacing connecting rings with bearings and a drive bushing are located between the sprockets, which drive bushing is driven in the driving direction by the chainwheel bushing by means of a freewheel mechanism, whereby the connecting rings have clamping projections which can be inserted into clamping points on the sprockets, which makes possible it possible to have an alternating arrangement in series of a sprocket, a connecting ring, a sprocket, a connecting ring etc. The desired position of one sprocket in relation to another is achieved when a guide tooth on the inside diameter of the one sprocket coincides with the guide tooth on another sprocket.

Abstract: Trim compensation for a hovercraft having two engines (2,3) with flow outlet apertures. The two engines (2,3) are arranged laterally at the stern of the hovercraft to generate air jets for forward motion. The hovercraft also includes a compressor to generate an air cushion beneath the hovercraft. The trim compensation includes a tail plane arrangement located in the air jets in the two engines for directional control of the hovercraft by deflection of the air jets. The tail plane arrangement consists of a negatively arranged V-plane (7) with a middle upper section from which extends stabilizer surfaces (9,10) at both sides in a downward direction. The stabilizer surfaces (9, 10) are provided with rudder elements (11, 12) which are swingable in the same or opposite direction to deflect the air jets. The stabilizer surfaces (9, 10) and the rudder elements (11, 12) run centrally across the flow outlet apertures of the engines (2, 3).

Abstract: A bicycle frame manufactured of one or more continuous fiber composite tubes, wherein the tubes are joined to one another without lugs by overlaying the joints with resin impregnated continuous fiber composite material and clamping the joints in static pressure molds. Gussets are integrally formed as part of the joints. One or more of the tubes may be metal, preferably titanium. The bicycle frame is provided with metal drop outs which are also preferably titanium.