Abstract: Motor-assisted unit for moving hospital gurneys. The unit includes a gurney, a detachable power unit for propelling the gurney, and a docking unit. The motor-assisted unit is usable with a plurality of gurneys. The unit further includes a power unit, having a plurality of sockets, which are adapted to engage one of a plurality of engagement pins or a plurality of recharging pins. Additionally, the power unit is steerable and includes a power supply, at least one drive wheel, a drive system, a steering column with handle bars attached substantially perpendicular thereto, and a plurality of idler wheels. Alternatively, the motor-assisted unit employs a drive-shaft mechanism to drive a retro-fitted hospital gurney center caster wheel. A method of propelling a gurney. The method includes docking the detachable power unit with a hospital gurney and propelling the gurney. The method further includes recharging the power unit.

Abstract: An electric power steering system remaining stable when subjected to forces from the road surface, the engine or motor, or from other sources. The electric power steering system has a torque sensor for outputting a signal corresponding to the value of the steering torque, a derivative component for outputting a signal obtained by differentiating the output signal of the torque sensor, a driver for electrically driving an assist apparatus which assists a steering force, an assist current determining component for determining current flowing to the driver in accordance with the output signal of the torque sensor and the output signal of the derivative, and a gain control for setting a gain of the derivative component to zero or reducing the gain when the output signal of the torque sensor is smaller than a predetermined value. Methods to provide a stable steering system are also part of the subject matter.

Abstract: An interval between an attachment portion of a rear shock absorber on a side of a swing arm and an attachment portion thereof on a side of a vehicle body can be reduced with the present invention. When the rear shock absorber is attached between the swing arm and the vehicle body side, a new space can be formed at an area surrounding an end portion of the rear shock absorber. One end of the swing arm is swingably attached to a pivotal shaft provided at a power unit. A rear wheel is attached to other end of the swing arm. A side face of a cylinder portion of the rear shock absorber is attached to the swing arm via an attachment member and a lower end of the rear shock absorber is attached to the power unit.

Abstract: A lean-right steel motorcycle support brace which is removably attachable to the left side of the lower portion of a motorcycle frame. A generally flat elongated beam of steel is formed with a hook portion at one end and a circular footpad formed at a thirty degree angle to the beam at a second of the beam. The beam has elongated strengthening ribs along the beam sides. The ribs extend from a point adjacent to the hook portion to a point adjacent to the footpad. The hook is shaped to conform to the outer diameter of the tubular frame portions on the underside of a motorcycle, particularly the frame of a HARLEY DAVIDSON™ motorcycle. When properly installed, the brace temporarily supports a motorcycle in a generally upright position leaning on the brace slightly to the right for easy cleaning and servicing.

Abstract: A conveniently transportable, foldable infant stroller for safely and smoothly carrying an infant at walking speed and at a relatively higher speed than the normal walking speed of approximately 3-4 miles per hour, and convertible to a trailer for safely and smoothly carrying an infant pulled behind a bicycle. The stroller has a collapsible child enclosure that folds onto the seat portion. A folding trailer hitch assembly is pivotally attached to the frame of the stroller. A front wheel is removable from the stroller to convert the stroller to a trailer. The rear wheels are removable for storage.

Abstract: A hitch mounting assembly for connecting a vehicle to an object. The hitch includes a first member mountable to the vehicle and a second member for receiving the object that is displaced from the fixed member by a plurality of elongate relevant members.

Abstract: A speedometer mounting structure in a motorcycle is provided which is capable of mounting the speedometer without deteriorating the design of the motorcycle. A handlebar holder is provided to secure a steering handlebar, on a fork support member for supporting a front fork of a motorcycle. The speedometer is mounted on the handlebar holder.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for supporting a fore-and-aft wheeled vehicle in a generally upright stationary position, comprising a pair of laterally extending support legs independently moveable between a raised retracted position permitting normal motion of the vehicle and a lowered ground-engaging position, an operating lever responsive to user input to generate separate control inputs for displacing said respective support legs so as to permit independent movement thereof, actuator mechanisms responsive to the respective control inputs for displacing the support legs between the ground-engaging and retracted positions in response to user input.

Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag module for motor vehicles, comprising a housing for an inflatable airbag and a gas generator, with the gas generator being coupled to the housing without securing means via at least one elastic and/or oscillation damping coupling member.

Abstract: A power train for a motor vehicle including an internal combustion engine, a power transmission, and an energy converter positioned between the engine and the transmission. A first clutch is positioned between the engine and the energy converter and a second clutch is positioned between the power transmission and the energy converter. The energy converter is operatively connected with at least one accessory for driving the accessory by energy derived either from the rotational motion of the engine crankshaft or from rotational motion transferred from the vehicle's drive wheels through the transmission.

Abstract: A self-propelled exercise device such as a bicycle includes a frame having a drive wheel rotatably supported thereupon. The bicycle includes a first and a second foot link which are powered by the user. A coupler assembly directs the first end of each foot link in an arcuate path of travel, and a foot link guide directs the second end of each foot link in a reciprocating path of travel. A power transfer linkage is in mechanical communication with the coupler assembly and with the drive wheel. When the device is in use, a user's foot disposed upon the foot link travels in an elliptical path of travel and provides power to the foot link. This power is transferred to the drive wheel by the power transfer linkage so as to propel the bicycle.

Abstract: A vinyl pouch designed to house a foam cushion or padding intended specifically to mount on to a motorcycle gas tank. The method of mounting and the mounting points are disclosed. The cushion is wrapped in vinyl having side vinyl flaps attached at both the left and right ends containing magnets used for mounting purposes. The cushion is designed to make riding a motorcycle more comfortable by having this cushion padding between the rider's groin area and the metal surface of the gas tank. The side flaps of the cushion each contain heavy-duty square ceramic magnets that are flexible and wrap around the sides of the motorcycle gas tank. The side flaps contain cutouts with cargo net inserts for aesthetic appearances allowing the motorcycle paintwork to be seen through the cutouts.

Abstract: The combination of a binding and boot is provided. The binding has a pair of pistons (7, 8) extending under the boot. Each piston is stressed by a spring (14, 15). The arms of a sole clamp (2, 3) act on these pistons. The pistons are connected together by a linking device (20). The combination magnetically controls the linking device which is capable of occupying a first position, in which the pistons arc secured by the linking device, and a second position in which one of the pistons is able to move on its own, at least over a certain travel common to the two pistons. The combination thus provides asymmetrical release resistance.

Abstract: To enable common use of the vehicle body frame even when the rear wheel diameter has been changed. In a rear wheel supporting device for a vehicle, the pivot member is removably attached to a rear portion of the vehicle body frame. The swing member is vertically swingably attached on the pivot member. The rear wheel is rotatably mounted on the rear portion of the swing member. A plurality of mounting portions, which are vertically arranged, are provided on the vehicle body frame. The plurality of vertically arranged mounting portions are selected in accordance with the rear wheel diameter. The pivot member is installed, so that the mounting height of the pivot member will be freely adjustable.

Abstract: A bicycle fork travel limiter that limits the maximum extension of the fork, but permits the fork to function as a shock-absorbing unit. A ratchet rod with teeth on the side thereof connects to the upper member of one leg of the fork. A shuttle is slidably mounted to a neutral shaft mounted to the lower member, and contains two pawls that engage and disengage from the teeth based upon the rotational position of the ratchet rod. A coil spring biases the shuttle upwardly toward the ratchet rod. The ratchet rod can move downwardly when the fork is compressed, but upon release of the compression on the fork, the shuttle, with its pawls engaging the teeth, prevents rebound of the upper member other than through a shortened stroke.

Abstract: A suspension system for supporting a trailer frame on a trailer axle is provided. The suspension system includes a connector disposed about the trailer axle and upper and lower arms. The upper and lower arms are each coupled to the frame and to the connector. The upper arm is coupled to the connector at a point between the axle and the longitudinal rails of the frame. The lower arm is coupled to the connector at a point between the axle and ground. The upper and lower arms together form a Watt's linkage that minimizes and/or eliminates movement of the axle in the direction of vehicle travel.

Abstract: Provided is a seatbelt device capable of reliably securing and protecting a passenger. This seatbelt device has a first seatbelt tension increasing unit (9a) for increasing the tension of the seatbelt (4), and a second seatbelt tension increasing unit (9b, 20, 30) for increasing the tension of the seatbelt (4). When this seatbelt device judges that the collision of a vehicle is unavoidable, it operates the first seatbelt tension increasing unit (9a) before the collision and operates the second seatbelt tension increasing unit (9b, 20, 30) when it detects the collision of the vehicle. Thereby, the passenger is reliably secured to the seat and his/her safety is ensured.

Abstract: A series type hybrid electric vehicle that controls an internal combustion engine, generator, and electric motor for reducing the load applied to the internal combustion engine when the internal combustion engine is restarted, lowers the thermal stresses to the internal combustion engine when the engine is turned off and is able to remove excess fuel when turning off the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A control system of a vehicle including a fuel cell and an electric motor that drives drive wheels of the vehicle with electric energy generated by the fuel cell is provided wherein a traction controller controls the output of the drive wheels so as to secure tractive force of the vehicle when a certain traction control start condition is satisfied.

Abstract: A motorcycle having a housing box and storage space arranged to increase the capacity of the intake system. In a motorcycle, a crank case, an engine, including a cylinder that extends forwardly from the crank case, and a housing box are arranged under a seat. An intake passage extends rearwardly from above the cylinder. An intake port of the intake passage is connected to an air chamber, and an intake port of the air chamber is connected to an air cleaner through a communication path. The air chamber is arranged upwardly of the crank case. The housing box is arranged rearwardly of the air chamber and the air cleaner is arranged to the side of the housing box.