Abstract: A step device that can reduce sound and vibrations generated when it comes in touch with the ground. The step device includes a platform for placing the driver's foot thereon, and a bank sensor that projects from the platform and comes into contact with the ground when vehicle body is inclined. The platform and the bank sensor are integrally formed so that these members can be formed by casting. This configuration provides for a reduction of the sound and the vibrations which are generated when the step device comes in touch with ground.

Abstract: Steering system for vehicles comprises a frame with a front axle and a rear axle, at least one of these carrying two steered wheels, the wheels of each axle being driven by a hydraulic motor via a differential unit, the steered wheels being connected, for steering control, to a cylinder-piston unit fed by a usual power steering device, in which at least the hydraulic motor associated with one axle is of variable piston displacement, and is associated with piston displacement adjustment means governed by the position of the cylinder of the cylinder-piston unit which controls the steering.

Abstract: A mounting member for mounting a luggage rack and/or a backrest to a motorcycle includes a concave recess on at least one side for snugly receiving a rounded side surface of a backrest assembly. This recess provides support to the back rest assembly such that vertical loads encountered during normal operation are carried by the snug engagement of the concave recess and the rounded side surface, reducing shear stress on fasteners used to couple the backrest to the mounting member. A portion of a motorcycle luggage rack is disposed over a rear portion of the mounting member and fasteners are extended through apertures in the luggage rack and threaded into substantially vertical threaded bores in the mounting member to affix the luggage rack to the mounting member.

Abstract: A motorized retrofit kit for lightweight collapsible mini scooter is a complete conversion for a lightweight push scooter to a motor driven unit. Owners of existing scooters can install a mini electric motor battery system, wiring and on/off button with limited skills and equipment to drive the rear wheel of the scooter.

Abstract: An omni direction vehicle with a frame having a round surface about its perimeter with no apparatus mounted on the frame extending beyond the perimeter. Two independent drive wheels located on an axis through the center of the frame are mounted at the same distance from a central vertical axis through the frame. Each wheel is powered independently of the other and can rotate at variable speeds in either direction. The vehicle is capable of movement in any direction by rotating the axis of the drive wheels to a position which is perpendicular to the desired direction of travel. The vehicle can spin about its vertical axis such that the axis of the drive wheels can be oriented at any direction without changing the original footprint of the space that the frame occupies over the ground. Thus, the vehicle requires a zero turning radius and requires only the space it occupies to change its forward orientation.

Abstract: A passenger car includes an engine that is mounted in the front end, from which a drive shaft leads to the rear wheels of the vehicle, and a fuel tank that is mounted between the vehicle seats and that extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the drive shaft running basically alongside the fuel tank from front to rear. An exhaust system of the engine, which is designed as an internal combustion engine, preferably runs from front to rear on the side of the fuel tank that is opposite the drive shaft. The fuel tank may be configured more narrowly in its top section than in its geodetically lower section and, in particular, have an approximately pear-shaped cross section and be designed to hold liquefied gas, especially liquid hydrogen. Preferably, the drive shaft of the vehicle engine runs in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and a gear reduction manual transmission that is provided between the engine and the drive shaft for the rear wheels is mounted on the side of the engine.

Abstract: A wheel set for boats attached to the transom has a first or non-operative position extending upwardly so as not to interfere with boat operation and a second or operative position where the wheel set is submerged below the surface of the water and makes rollable contact with the beach or land area beneath the boat. Supporting the wheel set is a base or rail fixed on the transom having a movable strut with one end supporting a wheel and the other end of slidably engaging with a track in the rail so that the strut is moved and pivoted from the non-operative position into the operative position. An open slot and pin arrangement is employed for holding one end of the strut in the non-operative position and an elongated closed slot and pin mechanism is provided for pivotally connecting the strut to the base or rail for pivoting into the operative position with the wheel downwardly depending from the boat, while another open slot and pin arrangement maintains the wheel in the operative position.

Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle includes a steerable wheel 1 capable of being steered, a steering wheel 20, and an electrical actuator 3 for altering the steering angle of the steerable wheel. The electrical actuator 3 has three electric motors 31, 32, 33 which act in parallel and three controllers 61, 62, 63 which operate in parallel, each forming part of an electrical control channel for the steering angle. The controller of each electrical channel receives one of the three electrical signals in the control channels and is connected to one of the position sensors and drives one of the electric motors in order to set the said steering angle. The torques delivered by the respective motors are added together in normal operation.

Abstract: A torque rod assembly for use in a vehicle suspension system, the torque rod assembly comprising a torque rod, which is preferably V-shaped. The torque rod has a first arm portion and a second arm portion, each arm portion having an end. A bend portion is disposed between the first and second arm portions, the arm portions being disposed at an angle with respect to each other. The bend portion, disposed between the first and second arm portions, is pivotably mounted to an axle. The ends of the torque rod are pivotably mounted to the vehicle frame.

Abstract: In an electric power steering apparatus, a motor control unit repetitively performs PI control based on feedback of motor current signals and motor drive control based on an electrical angle of a three-phase brushless motor while appropriately skipping the PI control. Thus, an execution cycle time of the PI control is set to be longer than that of the motor drive control.

Abstract: A steer axle assembly is provided having an axle beam disposed about a longitudinal axis and an inverted knuckle yoke. The yoke includes a body portion that is affixed to an external surface of the axle beam by welding. The yoke further includes first and second arms extending from the body portion. Body the body portion and arms are disposed one side of the axis extending through the axle beam. The drop of the axle is varied by varying the length of the body portion of the knuckle yoke.

Abstract: The mower has at least two independently driven wheels that are each capable of bi-directional rotation. The at least two wheels are independently driven so that operation of the at least two wheels causes the at least two wheels to independently rotate which propels and steers the mower. A microprocessor controls the operation of the at least two wheels in accordance with signals received by the microprocessor. The mower has at least one controller. The at least one controller sends signals to the microprocessor that the microprocessor uses to control the operation of the at least two wheels. The operation of the at least one controller causes the at least two wheels to propel and steer the mower.

Abstract: The chain fork (1) of a bicycle frame is designed as a single unit consisting of a fiber-reinforced polymer material. The chain fork (1) is preferably connected with and cemented to a pedal crank enclosure via an appropriate receptacle.

Abstract: A propulsion mechanism is provided for driving a vehicle having a frame and socket. The propulsion mechanism has a spherical ball disposed within the socket and adapted to frictionally engage the ground surface. First and second powered drive members are frictionally engaged with the spherical ball and powered to rotate the spherical ball to propel the vehicle. The first and second powered drive members drive the spherical ball in first and second directions and may be operated simultaneously.

Abstract: A legged mobile robot having having at least a plurality of movable legs. This robot includes, in addition to a road surface touching sensor for confirming the ground touching state between the foot part and the road surface, a relative movement measurement sensor for measuring the relative movement between the foot part and the road surface. The robot has its operation controlled on the basis of the amount of relative movement between the foot part and the road surface, so that, when an offset is produced between the intended or scheduled trajectory and the actual trajectory, the operation may be controlled adaptively to execute the robot operation.

Abstract: A hydraulic damper for the steering assembly of a cycle is provided with several circuits by which the resistance to fluid flow and hence the damping afforded by the damper can be adjusted. Two of the circuits have manually adjusted progressive valves therein, one of which is positioned adjacent a hand grip on the handlebar. Another circuit provides progressive reduction in damping when the steering assembly is moved toward a fully turned position. And a further circuit reduces damping as the assembly is turned toward neutral. Major damper components are preferably associated with the tube clamp of the steering assembly.

Abstract: A tow hook assembly for mounting to a front end of a vehicle. The tow hook assembly includes a base plate for mounting to the vehicle, the base plate having a central aperture for aligning over an opening in a mounting base on the vehicle. A tow hook has a shaft and an expanded base, with the aperture in the base plate receiving the shaft, and the expanded base being larger than the aperture to prevent the tow hook from being pulled through the base plate. In response to a frontal impact, however, the tow hook is released from the base plate, the shaft traveling freely through the aperture and the opening in the mounting base, so that minimal force of impact is transferred from the tow hook to the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle for transporting a payload over a surface that may be irregular and may include stairs. The vehicle has a support for supporting the payload and a ground contacting element movable with respect to a local axis, where the local axis can be moved with respect to some second axis that has a defined relation with respect to the support. The vehicle also has a motorized drive arrangement for permitting controllable motion of the ground contacting element so as to operate in an operating condition that is unstable with respect to tipping in at least a fore-aft plane when the motorized drive arrangement is not powered. The vehicle also has an input device for receiving an indication from an assistant who is not disposed on the vehicle of a direction of desired motion of the vehicle.

Abstract: A hitch assembly for attaching a trailer to a bicycle includes a hitch unit mounted on a wheelstay assembly above the rear axle of a bicycle. The wheelstay assembly is pivotally connected at its lower ends to a skewer extending through the rear axle hub and a strut member is pivotally connected to the seat post of the bicycle and to the hitch unit. The hitch unit is rotatable about a substantially vertical first pivot axis and includes a mounting for attachment by a tongue of a trailer, such as a trailer cycle. The tongue is attached to the hitch unit so that it can swing about a substantially vertical first axis and pivot about a substantially horizontal second axis. When the hitch assembly is mounted on a suspension bicycle, it is able to move up and down, substantially vertically, as the rear wheel moves up and down relative to the frame and seat of the bicycle.

Abstract: A trailer hitch guide adapted to enable a vehicle operator to hitch a trailer to a vehicle without assistance and without leaving the confines of his cab. The guide assembly includes a mounting plate and a pivot plate adapted for attachment to a trailer tongue and two lateral guide plates pivotally attached to the pivot plate in a V-shaped configuration. A stop plate is disposed across the base of the V-shaped configuration. In use, the hitch guide pivots to an extended position beneath the hitch socket at the end of the trailer tongue to guide the ball under the socket, and pivots to a retracted position beneath the trailer tongue after alignment.