Abstract: This invention is directed to a vehicle structure that provides for flexible seat rearrangement capability in which the second of two rows of tandem, rotatable seats are mounted on rails. The rails for one of the second rows of seats are parallel with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The rails for the other of the second row seats extend across the vehicle at an angle of about 60.degree. to the vehicle's longitudinal axis. These angularly disposed rails, moreover, extend to the front of the longitudinal rails.

Abstract: An improved cover for a golf cart is disclosed with a roof structure supported on the golf cart by a plurality of upstanding support members. A gutter extends about the periphery of the roof to collect water flowing from the roof structure. A conduit is connected to the gutter to extend along one of the upstanding supports for draining the collected water from the gutter to the ground. The invention may incorporate an integral roof and gutter structure included with new golf carts. The invention may also be an accessory device for attachment to a roof structure on an existing golf cart.

Abstract: A trailer for elongated loads, especially for torsionally-sensitive loads, such as a crane boom, consists of a channel cross-section body having a plurality of wheels at each side to the rear. Each wheel is independently mounted on the trailer frame by a cranked arm pivoted to the frame and carrying the wheel on a stub axle. Normal road shocks are accommodated by helical compression springs mounted around the piston rod of a respective cylinder and piston assembly mounted above the wheel between the arm and the trailer frame, the assembly permitting the height of the trailer frame above the ground to be adjusted. The cylinders of each plurality are connected to one another for equalization and all of the cylinders are connected together for slow travel over rough terrain so that the trailer stays relatively level if any one wheel encounters an obstacle. For rapid travel on smooth roads the cylinders of one plurality are isolated from those of the other plurality by a valve in the hydraulic supply system.

Abstract: A bed cover for a pickup truck comprises a plurality of horizontal, rigid panel sections supported on angle irons above the load supporting surface of the bed. The panel sections are coupled to each other through transversely extending hinges to enable the sections to pivot open for access to the bed. One of the panel sections is secured to the angle irons while enabling the remaining sections to pivot about their hinges. In one embodiment, only the panel section nearest the cabin is secured on the angle irons, enabling the remaining sections to fold into a storage position when not in use. In a second embodiment, only a center panel section is secured on the angle irons, enabling access to the pickup bed from either the cabin end or tail end of the bed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a universal, towed vehicle wind umbrella for use on a towed vehicle having a projected frontal area of a given size in combination with a towing vehicle having a projected frontal area of a smaller given size than that of said towed vehicle to thereby provide an aerodynamically improved combination of a towing and towed vehicle set. The wind umbrella includes a first section releasably secured to the towed vehicle. A second section is releasably secured to the towing vehicle. The final component of the wind umbrella is an adjustably flexible middle section integrally secured respectively to the first section and the second section to thereby form an aerodynamically efficient vehicle set.

Abstract: A motorcycle of standard configuration, having a number of cooperating protective features to protect riders against injury having a pair of wheels in tandem with a motor therebetween connected by a basic frame which supports at least one rider's seat assembly and a steering assembly and surrounded by body covered cage assembly of high strength, light-weight tubing fastened to the frame and forming part of the frame. A door is provided at the side of the rider extending outwardly when open in a manner such that the lower outer end of the door can engage the ground with the motorcycle tilted slightly in that direction to function as a side stand. A padded "bucket" type seat assembly with sides that extends partially around the rider's sides. A padded body restraint surrounds the front of the rider's torso and includes side portions which extend around into contact with the seat sides surrounding the rider's torso.

Abstract: A belt clamping apparatus is disclosed including a pivotal lever over which the belt is directed. A universal mounting bracket assembly is provided for the lever. A clamp bar is carried by the lever including a first clamping area for contacting the belt and clamping the belt against a corresponding second clamping area substantially fixed relative to the mounting bracket. The clamping bar is retained within an open channel and is provided with a centrally located spherical dome on its back side to provide point contact with the internal flat surface of the retainer channel on the mounting lever. The point contact assures multi-directional rocking or floating movement of the bar when the lever is actuated by a predetermined force on the belt assuring maximum restraining action.

Abstract: A camping trailer having a fold out body in which the top of the body is hinged to the base of the body and carries a luggage rack which servs as a ground support when the trailer is opened. A frame is supported by the body in its open position and carries a tent.

Abstract: A air deflector support structure for a vehicle side door window opening is disclosed, said support structure consisting of a triangle shaped framework applied parallel to the exterior front extremity of the window opening, said support structure having a channel shaped air deflector hinged to the vertical rail of the support structure, a wing nut and bolt applied to a elongated slot in the horizontal rail of the support structure and through a hole in a projection on the lower part of the air deflector regulates the angle of air deflection into the open window of the vehicle door.

Abstract: An air suspension assembly for a heavy duty truck or over-the-road vehicle includes a first beam pivotally mounted at its forward end to a hanger assembly depending from the vehicle chassis, a second beam connected to the first beam by a pair of bushings having resilient members therein, and an air spring extending between the second beam and the vehicle chassis. An upper torque arm extends between the axle housing and another chassis member to complete the substantial shape of a parallelogram to stabilize the axle as it deflects vertically with respect to the chassis. The vehicle axle is rigidly pivotally connected to the second beam so that the second beam moves with the axle about the longitudinal axis of the vehicle but the axle freely pivots in the fore and aft direction as required for parallelogram stabilization.

Abstract: The invention is a control for boat trailers. A body member is clamped under the forward tongue of a boat type trailer. A folding member is pivotally mounted on the body member. A wheel holding means is rotatably mounted on the folding member. A pair of wheels are mounted on the wheel holding member. A handle is pivotally mounted on the body member. A connecting link member is pivotally connected to the handle at its upper end and pivotally connected to the folding member at its lower end. Provisions are provided so that a removable steering handle may be used on the wheel holding member.

Abstract: A motor vehicle roof of the roof panel of which the side wall panels are attached forming a roof frame and roof pillars. The connecting region between the roof panel and the side wall panels is recessed and is covered by a profile strip made of elastic material assuming masking, sealing, gutter and styling functions.

Abstract: A retractable caster wheel for a trailer in which the caster wheel is mounted on the tongue of a trailer for swivelling movement about an upright caster axis and also for swinging movement between a lowered support position and a raised storage position, and in which the caster axis remains upright during swinging of the caster wheel between its lowered and raised positions. The caster wheel can be positioned and used at positions intermediate its lowered and raised positions to support the trailer tongue at different heights and mechanism is advantageously provided for positively adjusting the caster wheel between its lowered and raised positions.

Abstract: An improved, mobile, compartmentalized cart for newspaper inserts or other sheet-type items is provided which includes selectively operable brake mechanism for fixing the cart against translatory movement while at the same time allowing the cart to rotate for providing easy individual access to the respective cart compartments. The cart is preferably provided with a central, elongated, axially reciprocable, spring-biased rod having a floor-engaging brake pad on the lower end thereof, with the cart being rotatable about an upright axis coincident with the rod. A cam latch is secured to the upper end of the rod for selectively raising the pad from the floor-engaging position thereof, and for holding the pad in such position. The cam latch is especially configured for allowing the rod and pad to shift downwardly, under the influence of the biasing spring, to a point where the pad is below the level of engagement between the floor and the cart casters.

Abstract: A steering mechanism where the steering wheel and command console located behind it are mounted on a generally vertical support which can be pivoted about a stationary base on the floor of the vehicle in order to accommodate two side by side driving positions. A separate linkage between the command console and the stationary base keeps the latter at a constant angular position as the steering wheel is shifted between the two driving positions. A choice of gear-and-chain combination or flexible torsion-transmitting rods are disclosed for coupling the steering wheel to the vehicle steering mechanism and for keeping the command console at a constant angular position.

Abstract: A telescopic support post for a trailer with a shiftable top. The support includes guides which serve to direct the motion of the telescoping parts and also to inhibit moisture, such as from rain, from getting between the telescopic parts of the post.

Abstract: Steering apparatus for a reversible vehicle of the type adapted to travel on a guideway having at least one guide means extending parallel to the desired course of the vehicle, and wherein the vehicle includes front and rear guideaxle means adapted to follow the guide means together with front and rear wheel assemblies each having a pair of steerable wheels interconnected by tie rod means. The invention resides in the provision of a novel gear and linkage mechanism interconnecting respective wheel assemblies with the guideaxle means such that when the direction of movement of the vehicle is reversed, so also is the direction of rotation of the wheels about vertical axes in response to movement of the guideaxle means in one direction or the other.

Abstract: A flexible, plastics material boot for insertion within the adjacent opened windows in a camper, cap or canopy and truck combination. A central flexible tunnel has two inflatable toroidal chambers at the tunnel ends which are simply pushed or popped into placed after chamber inflation. No other attachment of any kind is required to install the boot in place.

Abstract: A device for providing a positive pushing or pulling connection between a bicycle pedal and the shoe worn by the cyclist, which includes a cylindrically projecting assembly to be attached to the pedal and a cylindrically recessed assembly to be fitted into the sole of the shoe. The recessed assembly is provided with radially inwardly directed lugs which can be received into a series of peripheral L-shaped slots in the assembly attached to the pedal so that by partial rotation of the foot a bayonet-type connection is made between the cyclist shoe and the pedal.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for rearwardly extending a van body having a rear door opening with rear doors hinged to the body on vertically spaced hinges at each side of the opening comprising a unitary hollow generally quadrangular module having a continuous outer shell free from supporting structural framework and an inner shell laminated to said outer skin, said module including spaced apart roof and bottom members connected by a back wall and two side walls, a front wall opening corresponding to the rear door opening in the van and defined by said roof, bottom and side walls and vertically spaced fastening means on said module on each side thereof adapted to enter said rear door opening and replace said hinges in said rear door opening.