Abstract: A sheet material sling is supported on a horseshoe-shaped device mounted on three casters which forms a vehicle to support a knee of a user. Two such supports are used, unconnected to each other by users who must kneel in their work and must scoot along a support surface. Provisions are made for the supports to be interconnected by a flexible connector or by a rigid table like sheet.

Abstract: An energy dampening drawbar for use with receiver hitches and specialty types of hitches is described as including an elongated hollow shank having slots on opposite sides. A first cushion block is located within the shank and has a portion of the first cushion block adjacent one surface of a pin block. The pin block has a hole that aligns with a portion of the two slots. A second cushion block is located within the shank adjacent another surface of the pin block. A first restraint prevents longitudinal travel within the shank by the first cushion block. A second restraint prevents longitudinal travel within the shank by the second cushion block. A plate is attached to one end of the shank to provide a surface for attaching a trailer coupling.

Abstract: An inflatable restraint module mounting mechanism is disclosed for use in mounting an inflatable restraint module to a support structure such as the hub portion of a steering wheel. The inflatable restraint module is provided with a plurality of mounting members which are adapted to pass through and be retained within apertures in a support plate. The mounting members each include a slot for receiving a spring which traverses across the apertures of the support plate. The slots are preferably sized such that the mounting members are supported for limited movement in a direction longitudinal of the mounting members to permit actuation of a horn circuit. In addition, the springs are movable in a lateral direction to facilitate insertion of the mounting members through the apertures in the support plate.

Abstract: A multi-link type suspension for a steerable driving wheel includes a wheel carrier having a tie rod for a steering wheel, a pair of upper arms each having one end connected to a vehicle body and the other end connected to said wheel carrier, and a connector for connecting the upper arms to the vehicle body and the wheel carrier. A strut arm is connected to the connector wherein a lower section of the strut arm forks to form two separate ends, and a pair of lower arms are provided each having one end connected to one of the strut arm and the other end connected to the wheel carrier. The suspension is such that an intersecting point of an imaginary line parallel to a line that connects a hinge point where one of the upper arms is mounted on the vehicle body and a connection point of the connector, and an imaginary line orthogonal to a center line of the strut arm becomes an imaginary instantaneous center of the upper arms with respect to the vehicle body.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a hovercraft motorcycle for travel over a ground surface, comprising: a body portion having a front end, a rear end, a longitudinal centerline extending from the rear end to the front end, and a lower surface spaced above the ground surface; a generally horizontal, continuous, inflatable, resilient tubular member attached to, disposed around, and depending from the lower surface of the body portion having an air inlet port; the generally horizontal, continuous, inflatable, resilient tubular member having an air inlet port; an air plenum chamber defined between the tubular member, the lower surface of the body portion, and the ground surface; an apparatus to supply pressurized air to the air plenum chamber; a front wheel assembly, attached to the front end of the body portion and on the longitudinal centerline of the body portion, having a front wheel mounted thereon; and a rear wheel assembly, attached to the rear end of the body portion and on the longitudinal centerline of the bod

Abstract: A variable speed drive system for use with a self-propelled device is coupled by a belt to an engine which is mounted to the device. The variable speed drive system includes a variable pitch pulley held in spaced-apart relation to the drive shaft by a fixture and rotates about the drive shaft between a first position proximal to the engine and a second position distal to the engine. In the first position, the drive system is disengaged from the engine and the speed of the self-propelled device is zero, the belt being slack and providing no drive force to the drive system. In the second position, the drive system is moved a maximum amount about the drive shaft and is positioned to achieve a maximum speed. The drive system can also assume any intermediate position between the first and second positions, with the speed of the self-propelled device being determined by the amount of movement about the drive shaft toward the second position.

Abstract: Safety binding for an alpine ski, designed to hold a boot in place on a ski and to release this boot when it exerts excessive stress in the binding. The binding (1) comprises a base (3) , a boot position-retention device (5), a return spring (10), a linkage comprising a piston (13) whose head (16) is fitted with two pressure tips (20, 21) and a unit comprising two rolling surfaces (23, 24) which connect the spring (10) and the jaw (5), each rolling surface being positioned opposite a pressure tip. The pressure tip 21 projects forward in relation to the pressure tip 20, and a dynamic damping arrangement is interposed between this pressure tip 21 and the body (14) of the piston (13).

Abstract: A collapsible steering column apparatus comprises a steering column capable of receiving, a steering shaft having one end to which a steering wheel is fixed; and an energy absorbing member composed of a plastically deformable material and having its front end joined to a partial outer peripheral surface of the steering column and its rear end joined to a portion fixed to a vehicle body. The energy absorbing member is formed by punching out a sheet of metal plate to achieve a laterally undulating configuration with the extent of the undulations laterally of the energy absorbing member varying along its length. When applying an impulsive force to thrust the steering column forward due to a secondary shock in a collision, the energy absorbing member permits a forward displacement of the steering column while being plastically deformed in such a direction as to extend the undulations thereof.

Abstract: A conventional leaf spring suspension system as applicable to pick-up trucks, vans and motor homes produces a harsh ride and is unable to compensate for changes in vehicle ride height and quality brought about by uneven or heavy vehilcle loading conditions. A more effective suspension is achieved by incorporating air springs to compliment the existing leaf springs thus providing the ability to adjust ride height and hence, ride quality. This is accomplished by replacement of existing suspension components, such as shock absorbers, with, on the front suspension, an air spring and various attachment brackets and, on the rear, an air spring in combination with a sub-frame and torque arm linked cross beam, carried between which is a low pressure air spring.

Abstract: A collapsible occupant restraint system for a vehicle sleeper. A net is fixedly mounted to a web framework. The framework is slidably mounted to a plurality of webs extendable and retractable by retracting devices. The net and webbing is extendable from a stored collapsed position to an in use position over a bed having buckles to lockingly engage a plurality of tongues mounted to the framework securing the occupant restraint system in the in use position. A pair of side belts pull the net upwardly increasing the passenger reclining space.

Abstract: Art electrically assisted bicycle wherein electric assist is provided is proportion to the manual force for pedalling the bicycle. The device includes an arrangement for maintaining the speed of the electric motor at the same speed as the bicycle even when no force is applied to the pedal even though the bicycle is in motion so as to reduce the time delay and power losses when power assist is required.

Abstract: A body frame for a motorcycle including a head pipe for supporting a rotary shaft for a handle, a pair of left and right main body frame elements, connected to the head pipe and extending rearwardly of the head pipe, a pair of left and right engine supporting members, connected to and extending downwardly from the main body frame elements adjacent to said head pipe, and a horizontally extending frame element connecting said left and right main body frame elements to each other at intermediate portions in the longitudinal direction. The engine is supported at least at a lower end portion of the left and right engine supporting members and intermediate portions in the longitudinal direction of the left and right main body frame elements and an upper end portion of a shock absorber is connected to the horizontally extending frame elements.

Abstract: An extension axle unit for an over-the-road tractor/trailer for carrying earth moving equipment, and other heavy loads includes a rigid connecting beam affixed to the end of the trailer bed. A wheeled support frame is connected to the connecting beam by a parallelogram structure including upper and lower arms, and connects the unit to follow directly behind the trailer. The parallelogram structure is pressurized through hydraulic cylinder units to maintain the extension frame in level relationship to the trailer frame as the tractor/trailer assembly moves over uneven terrain thereby maintaining proper load distribution on the several axles and avoiding and maintaining smooth ride with minimum stress within the trailer and extension assembly. A plurality of hydraulic cylinder units are mounted within the parallelogram structure and pressurized from a hydraulic source to maintain load distribution, with a selected maximum load on the wheels.

Abstract: An accessory drive unit for attachment to the central support member of a non-motorized golf bag cart having two rear wheels, the accessory drive unit including a front wheel drive unit having a front wheel, a motor within the front wheel, control circuitry for controlling the speed and direction of rotation of the front wheel, and structure to steer the front wheel unit.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an automatic lateral guidance control system for motor vehicles is provided which includes a steering servo actuator which steers the vehicle. The steering servo actuator also allows for manual control by the driver. A detector detects when the automatic control is malfunctioning or is not present, and restores manual control to the driver. The system also includes a provision for stability augmentation to compensate for oversteering or understeering.

Abstract: A motor vehicle having exterior lateral side rails in the area of a passenger compartment has additional side rails which adjoin in the forward structure of the vehicle and/or in the rearward structure of the vehicle, which side rails are provided in particular with a right-angle bend. The elements which reinforce the vehicle body are connected with the side rails, on the one hand, and/or an underbody or underbody components, on the other hand. The reinforcing element has a first V-shaped strutting which extends in a horizontal plane in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is connected with a second-V-shaped strutting. This strutting is arranged in an approximately vertical transverse plane, in which case the first strutting, by its free ends, is fastened to the side rails and by its other ends, is fastened to the second strutting in a common connecting area. This second strutting is supported on the side rails by its free ends.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system for a steerable wheel includes a strut arm disposed vertically with respect to a vehicle body, and connected to a vehicle body by an insulator connecting part, a connecting arm of the strut arm projecting toward a wheel at a lower part of the strut arm. A pair of upper arms are connected between the vehicle body and a vehicle body side part of the connecting arm at both side ends. A steering knuckle rotatably supports the wheel by being connected to the wheel side of the connecting arm at the upper end by a ball joint, and a tie rod steerably connected to the steering knuckle. A pair of lower arms are pivotally connected to the vehicle body at the vehicle side ends and connected to a wheel side lower part of the steering knuckle at wheel side ends by ball joints.

Abstract: A suspension system which can simultaneously enhance ride comfort, cornering safety and running safety by optimally controlling the change of the camber in accordance with travelling conditions, wherein the suspension includes a wheel carrier for supporting a wheel; a strut assembly formed by uniting a shock absorber and a spring, the strut assembly including a lower end integrally connected with the wheel carrier and an upper end supportably connected with a vehicle body; a lower arm for connecting a lower side of the wheel carrier to the vehicle body or subframe; an arrangement for controlling the chamber by gradually pushing the lower arm outward when the lower arm moves upward, the arrangement being formed at the vehicle body side connecting portion of the lower arm and including a bracket having an arcuate elongated hole having an upper portion inclined in the outward direction, an elastic bushing having an eccentric axle hole which is inserted in the vehicle body side connecting portion of the lower arm

Abstract: The present invention is related to a tractive baggage handcart comprising a travel case, a tractive retractable device on the back of said travel case, a base retractable device on the bottom of said travel case, a tie belt and a foldable chair, wherein the tractive retractable device is provided with telescopic upper, middle and lower retractable pipes for shortening or lengthening the vertical dimension of the handcart. An extensible shelf is slidably mounted on the underside of the base for supporting a second travel case in front of the travel case positioned on the base. The tie belt can be extended around the two travel cases to retain them as a unitary package on the handcart.

Abstract: A vehicle having a length, a front end and a substantially opposing rear end useful for propelling an implement pivotably coupled thereto at or near the front end. The vehicle comprises two driven wheels located at or near the rear end and positioned to rotate in a direction generally parallel to the length of the vehicle; a power system acting to provide power to rotate the two driven wheels; at least one non-steered wheel located at or near the front end, the non-steered wheel being rotatable about an axis which axis is at least partially rotatable; and a seat acting to provide a location at which a human being can sit on the vehicle and control the vehicle. The vehicle is sized so that the human being sitting in the seat is capable of directly steering the pivotably coupled implement.