Abstract: A variable effort power steering gear including a control valve substantially as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,454,801, an electromagnetic apparatus substantially as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,119,898 for varying the effective centering force of a torsion bar of the control valve, and a support means for a tubular spool shaft of the steering gear relative to a pinion head of the steering gear which affords the spool shaft a degree of freedom relative to the pinion head perpendicular to a lateral centerline defined by a pair of radially oriented pins connecting a valve body of the control valve to the pinion head to prevent binding between the valve body and a valve spool on the spool shaft.

Abstract: A foldable bicycle frame member includes first and second shafts connected pivotally at one end and a locking unit for retaining releasably the first and second shafts in a coaxial position. The locking unit includes a first locking arm having a first end connected pivotally to the second shaft, and a second locking arm having a first end connected pivotally to a second end of the first locking arm and a second end connected pivotally to the first shaft. The first and second locking arms are formed as elongated members that are generally U-shaped in cross section. A retaining pin extends through pivot holes formed in the first end of the second locking arm and into longitudinal slots formed in the second end of the first locking arm. The position of the retaining pin in the slots when the second locking arm is received in the first locking arm can be adjusted to adjust the force for retaining releasably the first and second shafts in the coaxial position.

Abstract: A wheelchair composed of a frame with a seating surface, a backrest, a plurality of wheels and a lifting device for lifting a user of the wheelchair from a seated position to a standing position. The lifting device includes two spars connected to the frame to have a substantially vertical orientation when in use and a mechanism for converting a manual force into a lifting force for lifting the user toward the standing position. The mechanism for converting is composed of: a seating band positionable to act on the user's body; at lease two deflection rollers on each spar; and at least one lifting cable linked to the seating band and passing around the deflection rollers in order to guide the seating band in a manner to cause the lifting force to be directed forwardly and upwardly.

Abstract: The compactly stowable and convertible hand truck-trailer of this invention comprises a T-shaped converter hitching assembly and a conventional hand truck which includes a carriage frame with legs supported by a pair of wheels at one end and having a transverse handle at the other end. The converter assembly releasably attaches through use of fittings to the legs and handle of the hand truck. The hitching assembly has a hitching adaptor that can be connected to a towing vehicle such as a lawn mower tractor.

Abstract: In machines that are articulated in response to a steer input mechanism, it is many times necessary for the operator to make a steer input and then to make corrective adjustments in order to obtain the desired steer angle of the machine. In the subject invention, an electro-hydraulic steering system is provided which senses the desired steer input by the operator, senses the degree of articulation of the machine and a microprocessor delivers an electrical control signal (P) to an electro-hydraulic valve mechanism which effectively controls articulation of the machine. Once the machine has reached the degree of articulation desired by the operator, the microprocessor signals the electro-hydraulic valve mechanism to stop articulation of the machine. Consequently, the operator does not have to provide any adjustments thereto. Additionally, the ground speed of the machine is sensed and the rate of articulation is controlled in response thereto.

Abstract: A tie rod extendable and retractable telescopic axle assembly wherein a pair of axle beams are slidably mounted in a box beam integral with a vehicle chassis. Steering linkage and associated wheel assemblies are mounted on the outer ends of the axle beams, and the inner ends of the axle beam within the box beam are telescopically mounted relative to each other which provides an increased wheel base when the axle beam are moved outwardly of the box beam. A hydraulic cylinder and piston rod assembly is mounted between the box beam and wheel assemblies so that the hydraulic cylinder and rod assembly function not only as an actuator for extending and retracting the axle beams but also as a tie rod for the wheel assemblies.

Abstract: This invention discloses a front wheel steering, front wheel drive, light weight, foldable, ground transportation vehicle. The disclosed vehicle is constructed for convenient manual transformation between a deployed operating configuration, for transporting one or more passengers, and a compactly folded position, for facilitating toting the vehicle about as well as stowing it away. Two-wheel and three-wheel versions of the vehicle are set forth. Both such embodiments can utilize basically the same drive and steering constructions.

Abstract: For use on a wheelchair, a wheel assembly has a change speed gear mounted in the wheel hub. A handwheel is connected to the input of the speed gear and the output of the speed gear is connected to the hub. A free wheel device can be provided between the handwheel and the speed gear. To prevent unwanted backward movement, a clutch assembly can be provided. The clutch assembly engages with a member attached to the hub and permits forward movement only. The clutch can be disengageable. The footrests of the wheelchair can be pivoted up and down by a hand lever mounted on the wheelchair and connected, as by a cable, to a lever on the footrest. A hand lever is provided on each side of the wheelchair.

Abstract: A leg structure for a walking robot includes first and second input links rotatably attached to a robot body, a connecting link connected with the second input link at a point whose position can be varied, and an output link connected at one end with the distal end of the connecting link and connected at an intermediate point thereof with the first input link. When the leg structure is to be converted for use as an arm mechanism, the connecting link and the output link are passed beyond the singular point where they lie on a straight line, whereby the angle between the connecting link and the output link moves through the 180.degree. boundary between the leg and arm operating states and the driving mode of the output link is changed from low speed and high torque to high speed and low torque.

Abstract: A personal support assembly accessible to a wheel chair bound user to support and elevate the user from a seated to an erect posture. A telescoping support column includes an adjustable tabletop, padded chest and leg supports and a pivotally mounted seat and hip support. A base frame includes transport wheels and a foot support. A manually controlled hydraulic lift pivots a cantilevered support arm to the seat support. A base frame of a stationary construction includes transport wheels and a clamped boot restraint. In a user maneuverable construction, a pair of hand wheels independently direct assembly movement via locking drive belt assemblies.

Abstract: A highly maneuverable bumper cart amusement vehicle is disclosed that is quite portable, uses a self-contained power supply and is designed to be operated on a plurality of surfaces without electrically-conductive flooring or a special track or facility.

Abstract: For obviating marring of a soft surface, a flat plate of metal construction material held by the weight in an interposed position over the soft surface and beneath a leg of a kickstand of a parked motorcycle against the urgency of a return spring, such that when released from the interposed position as when the kickstand leg is raised, the plate assumes a non-use storage position and the spring urgency obviates what would be an unacceptable rattling noise as might otherwise be caused by the typical bumpy travel of the motorcycle.

Abstract: A pinion head for a rack and pinion power steering gear including a pinion gear having hob-formed gear teeth, a spindle at one end of the pinion gear for a ball bearing, an annular skirt at the other end of the pinion gear having an outer cylindrical surface, and an annular runout groove between the pinion gear and the outer cylindrical surface affording exit clearance for a gear hob. The ball bearing on the spindle is closely adjacent the first end of the pinion gear. A plastic sleeve is in sire injection molded onto the pinion head in the runout groove after the pinion gear teeth are hob-formed and includes an outer cylindrical wall defining an extension of the outer cylindrical surface of the skin terminating close to the second end of the pinion gear. The plastic sleeve defines a sleeve bearing on the pinion head on one side of the pinion gear which cooperates with the ball bearing on the other side of the pinion gear in rotatably supporting the pinion head on a housing of the steering gear.

Abstract: A chainless transmission mechanism for a bicycle, including a right bottom bracket bearing axle holder and a left bottom bracket bearing axle holder bilaterally connected to the bottom bracket of a bicycle by connecting tubes and cone and locknuts to hold a bearing axle, a gear box coupled to one end of the freewheel hub of the bicycle, a transmission shaft having a bevel gear at one end engaged with a bevel gear in the bottom bracket bearing axle holder and a bevel gear at an opposite end engaged with a bevel gear on the freewheel hub, the bevel gear on the freewheel hub being mounted directly on the chain seat of the freewheel hub for gear clusters by a tightening up screw.

Abstract: In order to prevent a traction control system and an auxiliary steering or the like from combining stabilizing effects in a manner which causes excessive understeer, when the traction control is functioning in a predetermined manner, a signal is issued to the auxiliary steering control and reduces the gain with which the control thereof is implemented. As a result excessive understeer is avoided while maintaining suitable vehicle stability.

Abstract: A scissor coupler, for attaching to a trailer hitch ball having a widest point and a neck, comprising a top plate, a bottom plate, a hinge bolt, and a main spring connected between the top plate and bottom plate. The hinge bolt attaches the top plate and bottom plate so that they can pivot relative to one another from a closed position to an open position. The top plate and bottom plate have top plate and bottom plate bores that have a slightly larger diameter than the widest point of the trailer hitch ball, and are concentric when the top plate and bottom plate are in the open position. The top plate and bottom plate bores are not concentric when the scissor coupler is in the closed position. When the top plate and bottom plate are in the closed position, an elliptical hole is formed therebetween that is narrower than the widest point but wider than the neck of the trailer hitch ball. The main spring biases the scissor coupler to the closed position.

Abstract: A swing arm in supported with a simple structure by reducing the number of parts and the length of welding. Handling of the swing arm is made easier in a frame structure for a motorcycle or the like wherein the swing arm is pivotably supported at its front end to a rear portion of a body frame. A single main pipe is a component of a body frame composed of a rearwardly extending portion 16a located over an engine and extending rearwardly from a head pipe. A bent portion extends from a rear end of the rearwardly extending portion. A downwardly extending portion extends downwardly from the bent portion. A pair of cross pipes extend laterally and are vertically spaced from each other and are connected at their intermediate portions to the downwardly extending portion. A pair of supporting plates is located on the left and right sides of the downwardly extending portion and are connected to both ends of each of the cross pipes.

Abstract: A motorized cart apparatus includes a cart frame having front and rear portions and a wheel base defined by a pair of front steerable wheels and a pair of rear wheels. A seat is positioned between the front and rear wheels and a motor drive or engine positioned at the rear end portion of the frame behind the seat an adjacent the rear wheels. Brake and accelerator pedals are positioned side by side at the front of the cart inside the front wheels and on opposite sides of the steering column, and inclined steering rod that extends from the frame upwardly toward the user. A throttle cable controls the motor. The throttle cable is activated by a pushrod extending between the accelerator pedal and the engine. A brake pushrod extends between the brake pedal and rear brake so that when the brake pedal is depressed, the pushrod activates the brake.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving a piston with fluid power is disclosed. The apparatus includes a fluid filled cylinder having an inner and an outer wall and defining a longitudinal axis. A piston is slidably positioned in the cylinder to move along a path of travel parallel to the longitudinal axis. A magnet is coupled to the piston for movement with the piston, The apparatus further includes a pump in fluid communication with the cylinder and being selectively actuated to intermittently pump pressurized fluid into the cylinder to apply force to and move the piston in a first direction along the path of travel. A fluid releasing apparatus is provided to release fluid from the cylinder to move the piston in a direction opposite the first direction. The apparatus also includes a Hall effect sensor situated at a location along the outer wall of the cylinder for sensing a position of the piston by sensing a magnetic field associated with the magnet at the location of the sensor.

Abstract: A bicycle frame is disclosed wherein the down tube component comprises at least one aperture therein adapted for reception of an operating cable of the bicycle therein. The down tube is connected to the head tube and the bottom bracket of the frame, An open end portion of the down tube extends below the bracket so that cable threaded through the aperture may exit thereat below the bracket. A ferrule surrounds the aperture and helps to seal same from water which may otherwise penetrate into the tube.