Abstract: A collapsible airstream deflector is secured to the roof of a towing vehicle to deflect air over a towed vehicle when the vehicles are in motion to reduce the air resistance or drag and fuel consumption of the vehicles. The airstream deflector has pivotal arms secured to the rear surface of a sheetlike airstream deflecting member. The arms respectively are swung to planes, each of which is generally perpendicular to the plane of the deflecting member, the arms being locked in place by means of a single removable locking bar applied to the ends of the arms before the deflector is secured to the roof. When the deflector is removed from the vehicle roof, the locking bar is removed; then the arms are swung against the rear surface of the deflecting member so that the deflector can be easily stored. Notwithstanding the fact that the arms are easily pivotable, the deflector is self-stabilizing when the arms are locked in their operative positions by the removable locking bar.

Abstract: A lightweight vehicle body and envelope construction for an elongated wheelbased vehicle of relatively narrow track where the aspect ratio for wheelbase to track is between approximately 2:1 and 3:1. The lightweight vehicle approach taught herein relies upon a central truss member within the passenger compartment which extends longitudinally and symmetrically between the wheel mounting positions as the main longitudinal bending load bearing member of the vehicle.

Abstract: The system includes a flexible button top which has a sleeve appurtenance which is force-fitted over an externally helically grooved stud assembly having an integral self-adhesive back mounting plate. The button top is flexible enough so that it can be applied to, and removed from the stud assembly without the use of a tool, yet it is hard enough so that the stud will not perforate the flexible button top when impacted. The adhesive-backed stud assembly includes a helically threaded metallic screw perpendicularly attached to a metallic circular disc with a plastic foam backing impregnated with adhesive. The adhesive backing is covered by a release film prior to use. The adhesive-backed stud assembly can be applied without the use of a tool.

Abstract: A foldable child walker includes two inverted U-shaped frame members pivotally joined at intermediate points in a scissor-like fashion. The lower, or free, ends of the legs of the frame members are pivotally mounted to an annular base supported on a plurality of castered wheels. A flexible seat is suspended from the upper lateral portions of the frame members. Various mechanisms allow folding of the walker into a flat, compact package, convenient for storage or carrying. For example, in one embodiment, one of the two frame members has telescoping legs which are locked in selected positions of adjustment by spring-loaded release buttons to maintain the walker in selected upright positions above the base. When the walker is unoccupied, each button can be released to fold the frame members into a flat position against the base. In another embodiment, the legs in one of the two frame members are articulated below the pivotal connection the other frame member.

Abstract: This invention relates to a unitary window assembly for vehicles and particularly to a frame or sash for resiliently supporting one or more windows in the areas between the windshield and the cab of the vehicle.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a sliding ring seal for bearings which includes a pair of annular members, a pair of annular rings constructed of metallic material, a flexible non-metallic annular seal, and one or more annular retaining rings of magnetically attractable or ferromagnetic material with the seal being sandwiched between the magnetic rings and the retaining rings as well as within the pair of annular members.

Abstract: A skateboard including a brake assembly for slowing and stopping the vehicle. A pivotal member on the board is provided with a depending rubber stop for engagement with the ground surface when the member is tilted by the heel of the shoe of the skater.

Abstract: A buffer for a vehicle comprising a fixing member inserted between a cab or rear body and a chassis frame, and a buffer means held on the member to contact with either of the cab or body or the frame. The fixing member is tilted to deform the buffer means to absorb energy when the cab or body moves relatively to the frame upon collision.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices removably mountable by magnetic means on a metallic hood of motor vehicle for deflecting air currents containing bugs, road grime, etc., to prevent contact thereof with the windshield of the vehicle. The deflecting devices generally comprise a horizontal base member containing semi-rigid, flexible, strip, permanent magnet members, and a transparent shield canted backwardly and connected to the base. The device is molded of a semi-rigid, flexible plastic material which permits the shield and base to flex with the air currents produced when the vehicle is in motion.

Abstract: A tracked vehicle suspension system employing torsion cells is described. Road wheels of the vehicle are supported by negative rake suspension arms, each coupled to the chassis of the vehicle by a torsion cell. An improved torsion cell is also described.

Abstract: Filament wear guides which are characterized by excellent resistance to abrasive filament wear. Also, the method of their fabrication. A chromium surface on a substrate is controllably oxidized or nitrided and oxidized. Such oxidation or nitriding plus oxidizing is accomplished thermally. The coatings consist of oxide alone, or oxide formed in conjunction with the nitride depending upon the treatment employed. Resulting chromium oxide or oxy-nitride surface layer is nonparticulate and substantially impervious.

Abstract: A trailer including a vehicle body having walls formed by lengths of preformed members that are welded or otherwise fixed together to provide a unitary wall structure, the preformed member having a lower inwardly turned flange for receiving a bottom and an upper outwardly turned flange. A simplified frame is provided by members which extend laterally across the unitary wall structure.

Abstract: A recreational device comprises an elongated board-like member for supporting the user and runner mounting means affixed in tandem to the underside of the member with two pairs of spaced parallel ice runners attached to the runner mounting means. Each such runner has a plurality of ice contacting portions selectively positionable for contact with the ice.

Abstract: A transport vehicle providing for a light-weight frame structure including a plurality of transversely extending, longitudinally spaced divider members for supporting bulk cargo in individual bays, and with the loads and stresses being dispersed throughout the frame structure. The frame structure extends into a goose-neck connection for a tractive vehicle.

Abstract: A sliding roof assembly for motor vehicles or the like in which the assembly is mounted on the exterior roof portion of a vehicle adjacent an opening in the latter for sliding movement between a forward closed position and the rearwardly open position. The sliding panel member is secured in a latched position in which it is firmly engaged with a resilient seal which prevents the entry of moisture or air through the roof opening. In the unlatched condition of the panel it is supported relative to the seal to minimize friction for facilitating easy sliding movement of the panel. A drain system is provided to prevent accumulation of moisture on the upper surfaces of the seal.

Abstract: The binding is specially designed to keep the boot attached to the ski by its sides and comprises a baseplate mounted on the ski, two hinged arms, each consisting of a jaw holding the boot and a resilient element urging the jaws of the hinged arms towards the lateral edges of the boot. The jaws carry at one end a first ramp and, at the other end, a second ramp. Each lateral edge of the boot has a first ramp and a second ramp. The binding is intended, more particularly, to keep the boot attached to the ski, without any play, even if there is snow under the sole of the boot.

Abstract: In a hydraulically powered pipe handling system, a general purpose digital computer is used to control the operation of hydraulically powered racker arms as well as the various auxiliary functions involved in vertical piperacking operations. The manual pipe-racking system (that is, that which is hydraulically powered and under the control of one or more operators) is retained, the computer controlled mode of operation being an alternative system present in the overall design.There is provided to the operator, while the system is in its automatic mode of operation, visual indication of length of drill string, depth of hole, depth of drill bit and composition of the drill string, including number and type of pipe lengths making up the drill string.

Abstract: A torsion bar oriented longitudinally of a motor vehicle and along the center thereof is connected at its ends to the frame of the vehicle so as to permit the frame to rotate about the axis of the bar. A pair of control arms are each connected between the torsion bar and a corresponding one of the front wheels. The inner end of a first control arm is rigidly connected near one end of the torsion bar and the inner end of the second control arm is rigidly connected to the other end of the torsion bar so that the upward movement of the wheels relative to the frame of the vehicle applies opposite torsional loads to the ends of the torsion bar. The torsion bar and control arms provide support for the vehicle frame at the front end of the vehicle while allowing complete transverse roll freedom of that end of the vehicle.

Abstract: An inflatable spherical device is disclosed made of two hemispherical shells or sections that are fastened together by a quick disengageable means, such as a zipper. Each hemispherical shell is made of an outer flexible skin and an inner flexible skin, concentrically spaced apart and having an annular circular flat member bonded by its outer periphery to the periphery of the outer skin and by its inner periphery to the periphery of the inner skin, forming a hemispherical air-tight compartment. Means are provided to inflate each shell. To maintain the outer and inner skins evenly spaced apart and to provide ventilation through the shells, a plurality of flexible wall tubes are disposed between the outer and inner skins. The respective ends of the tubes are bonded to suitable apertures in each of the outer and inner skins.

Abstract: A torsion bar mounting arrangement for a vehicular suspension system, including a lower control arm formed to include a trunk portion and a pair of leg portions, with a relatively wide trough formed in the upper surface of the trunk portion, a load reaction member having a narrow body portion inserted between the leg portions and seated in the trough, and a preloaded torsion bar secured to the head portion of the load reaction member, with some fore-and-aft movement of the trough permitted relative to the body portion of the load reaction member in response to load inputs into the system, resulting in improved ride characteristics while virtually eliminating bending of the torsion bar.