Abstract: An adjustable trailer hitch which includes a frame or housing capable of being removably attached to the bumper or frame of a truck, car, or other vehicle, and a rotatable, extensible, hinged arm adapted to pivot on, extend from, and retract into the housing. The arm is formed of an inner arm and an outer arm, the former of which is pivotally pinned at one end of the housing, and is fitted with a hinge which permits the inner and outer arm to selectively fold and retract into and extend from the housing. The outer arm is fitted with a ball coupling adapted to mate with a ball receptacle mounted on the tongue or other frame member of a trailer to be towed, and can be equipped with an optional shock absorber.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has an open luggage compartment behind the rearmost seat. The luggage compartment has two transversely spaced side panels which form part of walls surrounding the luggage compartment. A shelf in the form of a flat panel has a first pair of pins laterally projecting, in the opposite directions, from forward end portion of the shelf, and a second pair of pins laterally projecting, in the opposite directions, from rearward end portion of the shelf.

Abstract: This axle suspension system for a vehicle includes a stabilizer connecting the body and axle. The stabilizer is a generally rectangular frame made up of two opposed, U-shaped frame elements the distal ends of the limbs of which are connected together by flanges, preferably at the longitudinal central plane of the vehicle. One transversely extending side of the frame is pivotally connected to the axle, and the other is pivotally connected to the body and force transmitting elements connect the axle and one of said flanges and the body and the other of the flanges.

Abstract: A device for automatically stabilizing moving ground vehicles against the effects of transverse acceleration forces and roll moments, due to turning maneuvers, by means of an on-board pendulum, suspended from a stable platform, part of the vehicle, and intercoupled to pivotally supported vehicle ground wheels, acting so as to incline the planes of rotation of the pivotally supported ground wheels of the vehicle to the angle of the vector resultant of the gravitational force component acting on the pendulum and the transverse acceleration force component acting on the pendulum; the device thereby provides, within the design maximum angle of inclination of the ground wheels and the adhesion capability of the tires on the roadbed, essentially complete stabilization of the turning vehicle.

Abstract: A self-propelled drive mechanism for a crawler crane or the like including a variable displacement pump and one fixed and one variable displacement motor for each crawler assembly. The displacement of the variable displacement motor may be regulated to alter the combined driving torque and speed imparted by the motors to the crawler assemblies and includes automatic self-balancing feedback means for maintaining the hydraulic pressure within predetermined limits.

Abstract: A snowmobile drive assembly includes an engine mounted on a frame by vibration isolation mounts and having an output shaft connected, by means of a flexible coupling, to a first shaft which is rotatably supported on the frame by a first pair of axially spaced bearings. A variable speed primary clutch is mounted on the first shaft between the first pair of bearings and is connected, via a drive belt, to a variable speed secondary clutch mounted on a second shaft disposed parallel to the first shaft and rotatably mounted on the frame by a second pair of bearings.

Abstract: A ride strut for a vehicle suspension system having relatively reciprocable piston and cylinder members which provide a pair of variable volume chambers and a fixed volume chamber interconnected through a pair of orifices which serve to dampen the relative movement of members. The piston member is formed with a passage that cooperates with a recess formed in the cylinder member for providing a continuous flow leveling system.

Abstract: A power steering system has a valve between the pump and steering unit. The valve maintains a constant pressure differential so that the pump is unable to deliver aerated fluid to the unit in the event of loss of fluid or fracture of a pipe.

Abstract: A stabilizer assembly including a torsion bar twistably mounted on the frame of a vehicle and a slidable braking device provided at one end or both ends of the torsion bar. The slidable braking device comprises two members which are slidable relative to each other, one member being secured to the end of the torsion bar and the other member being secured to the lower arm in a suspension system of the wheel. The sliding braking device is arranged to move when its predetermined resistance is less than, and thus is overcome by the spring-back force due to the distortion of the torsion bar. Thus, the initial distortion of the torsion bar has no effect upon the stabilizing action unless the resultant spring-back force exceeds the predetermined frictional resistance. The stroke of the slidable braking device is limited to about 15 mm from a neutral position. This limited stroke overcomes the unevenness in the road surface, and produces a roll angle of about 1.degree.

Abstract: The piston rod of a pneumatic spring is expelled from the cylinder by compressed fluid in the cylinder until a normally open channel connecting two compartments of the cylinder cavity on opposite axial sides of the piston is blocked by cooperating valve elements on the cylinder and on the piston assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a new and improved support assembly arranged to support a load upon the chassis of a carrying vehicle, said assembly comprising at least one member arranged to be secured transversely to the longitudinal members of the vehicle chassis and provided with means arranged to assist in retaining a load thereupon.

Abstract: A toy having a body and a downwardly-extending rear frame movably supported on the body with a spring on the frame to urge the body upwardly, an axle supported on the lower end of the frame and wheels attached to the axle. The axle has a one-way clutch attached to it and the clutch is connected to the body by a cord. As the body moves downwardly, stressing the spring, the clutch is free-wheeled in a first direction and, when the spring forces the body upward, the cord rotates the clutch rotating the axle and, with it the wheels.

Abstract: The invention relates to an anti-jackknife apparatus for a tractor-trailer having a fifth wheel on the tractor unit to which the trailer is coupled. The fifth wheel is adapted to permit the trailer to be coupled thereto so that the trailer can turn with respect to the tractor unit when the tractor-trailer is in normal use. Braking means are provided in association with the fifth wheel and are adapted, when operated, to restrict turning of the trailer with respect to the tractor unit in use. Control means for the braking means are provided and are adapted to be operated from the driving cab of the tractor unit whereby, in use, the braking means can be used to arrest or prevent uncontrolled swinging of the trailer with respect to the tractor unit.

Abstract: A glare shield adapted to be positioned within the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle adjacent to the windshield to absorb and intercept light rays in which the glare shield is made up of flexible material forming compartments containing ballast material acting as a base to support a relatively flexible shield member which may be deflected to various positions relative to the base member.

Abstract: A motor truck comprising energy transforming means located between a chassis frame and a rear body and adapted to allow an upward movement of the body relative to the frame to absorb kinetic energy of the body upon collision.

Abstract: A safety enclosure for use with underground mining machinery for protecting the operator of the machinery from overhead and lateral falls and the like. The safety enclosure comprises a cage-like structure of generally rectangular cross section for receiving and surrounding the operator while operating the machine. A pair of longitudinal male slide members are vertically secured to the cage-like structure along one side thereof, the slide members being slidably mateable with a pair of cooperating female channel members vertically secured along one side of the mining machine. Shear pins are provided for adjustably maintaining, under normal operating conditions, the cage-like male slide members assembly disposed above the mine floor by a preselected distance and for releasing the assembly for sliding displacement to the floor of the mine in response to an overhead fall causing a predetermined force on the top of the enclosure.

Abstract: A temporary extension enclosure for motor vehicles having enclosed bodies, includes a tent-like sheath erected atop a floorboard which extends horizontally from the doorway of the loading door of such vehicles. The floorboard is arranged to act as an extension of the floor of the vehicle body and is supported on and releasably secured in position by brackets at the lower frame of the loading door and by hangers affixed to the laterally opening door panels which normally close the doorway itself. The tent-like sheath may be attached to the vehicle body by snap closures and may be provided with a door, formed by tent-flaps, and with windows.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system has a hydro-pneumatic suspension unit for each wheel, transducers for sensing the pressures in the respective suspension units, transducers for sensing the velocities, relative to the vehicle body, of the respective wheel axes, damping control valves for the respective suspension units and control means, responsive to signals from the pressure and velocity transducers, for varying the damping effects of the control valves.

Abstract: An Anti-Hydroplaning Device System for a vehicle comprising a blower driven by the engine of the vehicle. A pair of hoses are connected to the blower and each terminate in a nozzle disposed immediately ahead of the traction portion of the vehicle wheel and pivot therewith, whereby surface water is dispersed prior to engagement by the vehicle tire.

Abstract: An air deflector for deflecting airborne particles, such as dust, rain, insects, road spray and the like, clear of the windshield of a vehicle comprising a member of channel-shaped in cross section having a substantially planar web and side portions. The member is adapted to be mounted in inverted position on the hood of the vehicle with the side flanges engaging the hood and extending generally longitudinally thereof with the front and rear edges of the web extending transversely of the hood and with the rear edge being spaced above the hood so that the web constitutes a ram angling upwardly from front to rear whereby as the vehicle is driven forwardly airborne particles are deflected by the web up over the windshield.