Abstract: A trailer hitch, including a structural frame member which receives a tow bar/hitch ball assembly, and includes a way to attach the structural member to a towing vehicle. The trailer hitch further provides a way to securely mount one or more tow bar assemblies, on, and in, the structural frame member.

Abstract: A retractable towing system which is mounted on the undercarriage of a vehicle, with the towline extending beneath the vehicle, secured at a secondary stress-bearing point near the rear of the towing vehicle, and attached to the object or vehicle to be pulled or towed.

Abstract: A trailer is provided having a support frame and a steering axle. The trailer is interconnected to a tow vehicle. The steering axle is rotatable between a first position providing positive caster and a second position providing negative caster.

Abstract: An improved bicycle rear suspension system comprises a main frame (20) and a swingarm (22), the former having a seat (32) and the latter having a rear wheel (34) and a pedal crankset assembly (38) mounted on it. The suspension has predetermined proportions which provide long travel, or bump absorbing motion, without exhibiting pedaling-induced motion. The swingarm (22) is hinged to the main frame (20) at a single pivot axis (24). The specified location of the pivot axis is such that the suspension is several times firmer when the rider is standing than when the rider is sitting. This pivot location also ensures that the pedaling forces applied to the swingarm (22) are substantially balanced throughout the pedal stroke. This mechanism also provides a frame geometry which can adjust to different terrain conditions. A lightweight structure for the swingarm (22) provides high strength and stiffness. The swingarm (22), when viewed from the side, presents a diamond shape divided into a plurality of triangles.

Abstract: A coaster board operable on irregular terrain includes a longitudinally elongated platform supported on a pair of spaced suspension and steering systems. Each suspension and steering system includes a suspension rod and a cooperative steering bar. Each suspension rod is resiliently attached to the platform near the lateral center of the platform and is supported on independently rotatable wheels mounted laterally exterior of the platform. Each suspension rod includes a laterally central orifice. A steering bar is fixedly attached to the platform. A steering bar segment extends downwardly from the platform through the suspension rod orifice and engages interior lateral sides of the orifice whereby rotation of the coaster board platform and the steering bar in a vertical plane about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the platform exerts downward force on a side of each suspension rod.

Abstract: A hydraulic power steering system includes a pump, a flow control valve, and a bypass control valve. The flow control valve responds to a pressure drop across a metering orifice disposed in a fluid supply passage so as to control the flow rate of operational fluid by bypassing part of the operational fluid to a reservoir. A spring chamber of the flow control valve is connected to the supply passage through a control orifice. The bypass control valve is disposed between the spring chamber and the reservoir so as to increase the amount of bypassed fluid by controlling the pressure in the spring chamber. The bypass control valve has a control spool, a load pressure introduction port connected to the upstream side of the control orifice for leading the load pressure to a first end of the control spool and a pilot port connected to the downstream side of the control orifice for leading the pressure in the spring chamber of the flow control valve to a second end of the control spool.

Abstract: A stabilizer system, primarily for supporting a pedal bicycle and its rider upright at the halt, comprises a spring-loaded telescopic arm (26) which is connected at its upper end by a pivot (21) adjacent the rear wheel spindle (12) to a bracket secured to the spindle (12). A bolt (31) pivoted to the bracket engages the gusset plate (13) to resist clockwise motion of the bracket and a gas strut (28) extends between the bracket and the arm (26). At the lower end of the arm (26) is a cross-shaft (33) carrying stabilizer wheels (34,35). The arm can be lowered by a cable (46) to move a roller (36) on the cross shaft beneath the tire of the wheel (11) so that a large part of the weight of the rider is transferred to the ground through the rear wheel (11), the roller (36), the cross shaft (33) and the stabilizer wheels (34,35).

Abstract: A bicycle front fork is disclosed, in which paired front fork assemblies capable of being elongated and contracted are coupled together at their upper ends by a cross member each lower end provided with an axle support for supporting an axle, the axle supports each having a support surface perpendicular to the axis of the axle. Each front fork assembly has a cross member holder having a mounting surface, which is perpendicular to the support surface of each axle support. The cross member is mounted by holding its outer surface in contact with the mounting surfaces and inserting mounting bolts in a direction parallel to the axle.

Abstract: A wheel end assembly for driving an individual wheel of a motor vehicle, with the assembly comprising a stationary, annular spindle which is operably affixable to the vehicle, a wheel hub rotatably mounted to and coaxial with the spindle, and an electric motor and axially spaced apart inboard and outboard speed reduction gear sets for driving the wheel hub and vehicle wheel at a speed less than the speed of the motor output shaft. The assembly further comprises a cartridge bearing disposed between the inboard and outboard gear sets with the wheel hub rotatably mounted to the spindle via the cartridge bearing.

Abstract: In an actuator structure of a vehicle suspension apparatus, an operation rod of an actuator is swingably connected to a vehicle body side end of a lower suspension arm through a rubber bushing, the operation rod is contained in a body and is slidable in a longitudinal direction of the lower suspension arm, and the body is mounted on a vehicle body through a rubber mount, thereby improving durability, environmental resistance, and mounting workability of the actuator structure.

Abstract: A scooter comprising a frame having a downwardly extending frame support member having an upper end and a lower end, a back fork including a stem having two spaced prongs extending therefrom, and a platform coupled between the lower end and the stem to support a user; a rigid yoke connected to the frame support member; a front fork including a stem with two prongs extending downwards therefrom, the stem disposed within the yoke; a steering column having a upper end and a lower end, the lower end coupled to the stem of the front fork within the yoke; handlebars coupled to the upper end of the steering column so that the front fork can be directionally pivoted by the operator in relation to the frame; a front wheel mounted between the prongs of the front fork for rotation; and a back wheel mounted between the prongs of the back fork for rotation.

Abstract: A bicycle frame having improved fatigue life of the frame. Cable entry/exit points for internally routed control cables are formed to produce strategically reduced stiffness zones so as to reduce peak stresses in the frame. Preferably, dimples are formed in the bicycle frame tubes with bulkhead walls deformed at an angle between 45 and 90 degrees and transverse to a line through the axial center of the tubes. Cable access holes formed in the bulkhead have a low friction plastic insert cable guide retained in the hole to provide aesthetic enhancement and weather seal for the tubing.

Abstract: A wheelchair attachment for enabling an occupied wheelchair to be pulled or pushed by an attendant which comprises an enclosed frame having a closed end and two sides extendable from the forward end toward a wheelchair, frame mounting connectors for detachably mounting the frame to a wheelchair with said frame projecting outwardly of the wheelchair whereby an attendant facing forward may grip the frame and pull or push the wheelchair, and frame stabilizers connected to the frame and detachably mountable to the wheelchair for positioning the frame in a desired plane projecting outwardly of the wheelchair. The frame and stabilizers are stiff enough that the attendant can lift up on the closed end to elevate the small front wheels of the wheelchair so that the wheelchair can be pulled along with its front wheels elevated.

Abstract: A motorcycle frame, an engine and transmission mounted on the frame, a drive sprocket coupled to the transmission and rotatively mounted about a first axis, a rear wheel suspension including a roller arm having a plurality of rollers at one end and rotatably supporting a rear wheel at the other end. An arcuate support is provided on the frame for supporting the roller arm for movement in an arcuate path whose center of curvature is coincident with the axis of the drive sprocket. A spring/damper is connected between the frame and the roller arm. A driven sprocket is mounted on the rear wheel and a drive belt or chain extends around the drive and driven sprockets.

Abstract: A motor vehicle power steering gear having a spool shaft connected to a steering wheel, a pinion head connected to a steered wheel, a torsion bar between the spool shaft and the pinion head, a control valve for regulating a hydraulic steering assist boost pressure in response to rotation of the spool shaft from an on-center position relative to the pinion head against a restoring force of the torsion bar, and a quiet preload apparatus including a C-shaped spring around the spool shaft having a pair of resilient jaws, a drive pin on the spool shaft clamped with a preload between the resilient jaws, and a cushioned abutment on the pinion head clamped with the preload between the resilient jaws.

Abstract: A towing hitch for attaching a towing vehicle to a towed object includes an arcuate guide attached around the back of the towing vehicle. A traveller, which moves freely along the guide, is hinged to a coupling which is, in turn, rotatably attached to the towed object. Steering the towing vehicle in either a clockwise or counter clockwise direction causes the traveller to move along the guide in the opposite direction, and the steering of the towing vehicle is facilitated. If the hitch includes a drive to power the traveller along the guide, the hitch alone can steer the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A low deck trailer comprising of a rigid frame adapted to be towed by a motor vehicle, the frame having a front, back and sides with upper and lower surface. Tires are secured to and disposed under the frame, each tire having a diameter of between about 14 and 15 inches with its center beneath the frame and its upper extent beneath the upper surface of the frame, the tires being located closer to the rear end than the front end. An axle has two ends coupled beneath the sides of each end having a tire coupled thereto the frame for supporting the axle. A step has a horizontal long leg coupled to the rear end of the frame extending away from the frame at an elevation beneath the frame.

Abstract: A four-wheel all terrain vehicle having a centrally-mounted engine, straddle type seating and oversized balloon tires. The vehicle is arranged such that footpegs for the rider are located inwardly of the tires to avoid interference between either the footpegs or the rider's feet and the tires. The rear tires are positioned forwardly relative to the frame such that obstacles may be encountered by the rear tires prior to the obstacle coming to beneath the center of gravity of the vehicle. The footpegs are arranged at the center of gravity and approximately half way between a ground plane and the top of the seat for clearance and rider control. The tires are spaced apart approximately the same distance as the length of the radius of the tires to improve all terrain capability and allow access to the rider position. Centers for the wheels are arranged in a substantially square configuration and the vehicle swing arms are designed to have an effective length shorter than the associated tire radius.

Abstract: Hand-powered and controlled two-wheeled cycle for use of disabled persons having reduced leg functions. The cycle provides a rapid and efficient means of mobility for leg-disabled persons. A preferred embodiment comprises a cycle having a low rider position, hand-powered and controlled front-drive crank and variable gear propulsion means, braking means, and remotely controlled outrigger means.

Abstract: The head rest is detachably mounted to the seat back of the front seat and the air bag unit with an air bag mounted therein is mounted to the head rest. The air bag is expanded toward the passenger seated on the rear seat in response to an explosion signal from the control unit into which signals are entered from impact sensors. The air bag is so disposed as to expand only when the passenger is seated on the rear seat. The posture and position of the air bag unit is adjusted in association with the movement or displacement of the front seat to which the air bag is mounted, thereby improving the ability of the expanded air bag to confine the passenger seated on the rear seat and protecting the passenger in a more safe fashion. Further, the air bag unit is mounted to the head rest of the front seat, so that the air bag can be exchanged with ease and at cheap costs without exchanging the front seat itself.