Abstract: A mobile trailer structure designed, constructed and equipped to provide a completely self-contained facility for the retail promotion and selling of carpets and similar merchandise.

Abstract: A hospital patient transfer system is provided by a transfer trolley with a wheeled undercarriage. A lift ram is movable up and down with respect to the undercarriage and can also tilt about a horizontal pivot on the undercarriage. The lift ram supports an upper frame so that it can be raised, lowered or tilted in response to varying positions of the ram. The upper frame has parallel end pieces spaced from each other by a distance such that a hospital bed, operation table or trolley can be received between them. The end pieces of the upper frame are provided with lift members which can be raised or lowered with respect to the end pieces. A flat rectangular patient-supporting element can removably be inserted in opposed tracks in the end pieces so that it may be positioned below a stretcher supported by the lift members when they are in a raised position. The lift members can then be lowered to enable the weight of the patient to be taken by the patient supporting element.

Abstract: The front pillar consists of three sheet-formed members, each of which is bent lengthwise to form a central crease, assembled back to back and in close contact with each other so that the three ridges of the respective creases form one line and the cross-section of the pillar is Y-shaped. The front pillar is arranged such that the front windshield and a window glass panel are mounted on the pillar partitioned by one leg of the letter Y, while the remaining side of the pillar is exposed to the interior of the body.

Abstract: An equalizer bar is mounted on a track roller frame bearing by a split cap arrangement. The split is angled relative to a transverse axis of the vehicle, so that fastening means may be easily reached sidewardly of the track frame to disconnect the equalizer bar from such bearing means. In one preferred embodiment the equalizer bar main body, to which the cap is removably secured, overlies and is in contact with the bearing means to provide that, upon removal of the cap, the equalizer bar rests on the track roller frame.

Abstract: A slip-proof connection provided between the tractor and trailer of a tractor-trailer combination for carrying the superstructure of a mobile crane. The connection or mechanism comprises a mounting assembly secured to the tractor bed, a mounting plate carried on the front portion of the trailer supporting the crane superstructure, and means for cooperatively interconnecting the two mechanisms to assure an interlocked connection therebetween. The connecting mechanism comprises a positive interlock wherein a mounting post carried on the mounting plate on the tractor is received into a complementary opening provided in the mounting plate on the front end of the trailer, and a sleeve is then mounted on the mounting post and positively locked in position to hold the tractor and trailer locked together. Although the combination does not provide for the quick disconnect of the tractor from the trailer as is common with typical fifth wheel designs, it does permit articulation of the tractor and trailer combination.

Abstract: A suspension arm and joint assembly for a motor vehicle suspension system and a method for making the assembly is disclosed. The assembly is manufactured by first stamping a sheet metal suspension arm with an inner portion constructed to be pivotally connected to a vehicle chassis member and an outer portion with a recessed socket configuration. A plastically deformable element is situated within the socket and a frangible bearing is positioned adjacent the deformable element. The ball of a ball stud engages the bearing. A second frangible bearing is placed in engagement with the ball. A second socket part exerts a force against the bearings during the assembly of the joint and causes each bearing to fracture into circumferentially spaced bearing pieces. The second socket part is secured to the suspension arm stamping while retaining the load upon the bearings whereby the ball and socket joint thus formed is preloaded.

Abstract: A vehicle leveling system comprising at least one leveling strut having a pressurizable chamber and a height sensing and controlling mechanism located directly on the strut, the height sensing and controlling mechanism being operable to control the internal pressure within the chamber without requiring any mechanical connection or engagement of the component parts thereof which are associated with the sprung and unsprung portions of the vehicle. In one embodiment of the invention, the height sensing and controlling mechanism includes a light source and a light responsive device for controlling operation of an electrically energized compressor, while in another embodiment of the present invention, the height sensing and controlling mechanism includes a proximity switch arrangement.

Abstract: A flat bed truck or trailer is provided with extensible side plate members or segments to increase the area of the truck or trailer bed. The side members are capable of being retracted when not in use so as to lie substantially within the area of the truck or trailer bed. When in their extended position, the side members are provided with suitable supports to lend strength and rigidity thereto. The increased bed area enables farm machines, such as tractors, combines, windrowers and the like as well as off highway earth working machinery to be readily supported thereon while being transported from one area to another.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system for use with a vehicle having an earthworking implement for selecting the speed range and for locking the vehicle in a forward drive condition.

Abstract: A convertible adjustable tilting bed for vehicles which is operable by power actuated means selectively to and from load-carrying and tilted dumping positions relative to a vehicle frame in one adjustment thereof and selectively to and from load carrying position and a ramp forming position at the rear of a vehicle frame in another adjustment. The adjustments entail selective application of connecting members at two longitudinally spaced positions of the vehicle frame and the bed.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a spaced apart sprung and unsprung portion with suspension and vertical dampening connected therebetween. A first pair of link members are pivotly attached to the sprung portion in a laterally spaced apart relationship and second pair of link members are pivotly connected to the unsprung portion. Each link of the first pair of link members is pivotly connected to one link of the second pair of link members at their ends opposite their respective sprung and unsprung portion attachment by a common link pin. A rod is fixedly attached at each of its ends to one of the link pins and is substantially parallel with said sprung and unsprung portions. The first link members are parallel and the second link members are parallel and equal angles are formed between the first and second links at their joinders.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pipe handling device, power-driven in three degrees of freedom, for manipulating pipe that is essentially vertically oriented. Specific embodiments described relate to racking and unracking drill pipe in a drilling derrick. A maneuverable arm, mounted on the derrick at an appropriate height, grips the pipe, lifts it and moves it to another location. A cable-assisted embodiment designed to handle heavy drill collars features a shock absorber assembly.

Abstract: The present invention includes a suspension system for use with railroad freight car trucks, or the like, wherein vertical, transverse and longitudinal movements of the car body sprung mass are restrained and isolated from rail-induced excitations and dampened by captive elastomeric means. This system employs crossed levers to restrain said sprung mass parallel with respect to the supporting railroad track.

Abstract: A self-centering clutch thrust bearing with a resilient ring between the bore of the bearing and a sliding sleeve for damping radial play therebetween.

Abstract: A lateral protection for motor vehicles in which at least one reinforcement extending essentially in the vehicle longitudinal direction is arranged on the inside of each door, whereby in case of an external force influence or action which occurs in the vehicle longitudinal direction the reinforcements, preferably constructed as hollow bearers, are supported in the vehicle longitudinal direction with one end each either directly or indirectly at a fixed structural part such as, for example, at an upright column or at a wheel casing or at a further reinforcement belonging to an adjacent door.

Abstract: A shock absorbing cab mounting device for a vehicle is disclosed, comprised of a flange member fixed to the vehicle frame and an elastomeric vibration absorbing device, the flange member having a projection extending upwardly and inwardly with an axial bore centrally located in the top portion. The projection is bondingly surrounded by an elastomeric member which has embedded therein and interior of the projection a fastening nut, the fastening nut axially aligned with a bore in the elastomeric member and of greater outside diameter than the bore in the top portion of the projection. A fastening means disposed through a mounting hole in the cab and threadably engaging the fastening nut serves to affix the cab to the mounting device while pre-stressing by compression the elastomeric member to lessen shear forces imposed thereon by the transmission of vibrations from the vehicle frame thereby prolonging the life of the mounting device.

Abstract: The camper vehicle disclosed herein provides a self-contained mobile body having a convertible enclosed living compartment defined by laterally extendable berth pods and a raisable top so that in a first roadable configuration, the berth pods and top serve as the opposite sides and top closures and when in a second configuration, the extended berth pods and raised top constitute a pair of berths separated by an interior compartment suitable for standing and moving about. Foldable side covers carried by the top are deployed over the length of each berth panel to enclose the interior compartment areas when in their second configuration. Raising mechanism for the top is employed to support the top and side covers over the berths which include telescoping supports.

Abstract: In a leading link type independent suspension system a pair of leading links are mounted for oscillating movement on the vehicle chassis. A half axle is fixed to each leading link and is pivotally connected to a stub axle by a vertical swivel pin. An assembly mounted between each link and its half axle comprises a deformable chamber disposed in parallel with an anti-roll damper, a clevis with a vertical pivot axis connecting the deformable chamber to an arm fixed to its leading link. One of the ends of each anti-roll damper is connected to its associated clevis. A connecting bar with ball joints interconnects the clevises of the pair of leading links. The half axles are blocked by pneumatic jacks during backing up movement of the vehicle. A safety microswitch controls the supply of compressed air to the deformable chamber and is mounted on each leading link for detecting pivotal movements of the associated half axle.

Abstract: A seat structure includes a seat cushion supporting frame connected to a platform by suspension linkage permitting vertical movement of the seat relative to the platform, the platform in turn being connected to a base through means of guide track and latch means for permitting selected fore-and-aft adjustment of the platform relative to the base member. A U-shaped safety bar is disposed such that opposite vertical legs thereof extend upwardly through fore-and-aft extending openings in a horizontal plate member of the platform, the upper ends of the legs of the safety bar being fixed to the platform so that the safety bar is carried therewith during fore-and-aft adjustment of the platform.

Abstract: A crankshaft which is composed of a plurality of individual elements. Each of said elements comprises a crankshaft section with an end face and bearing surface means and also comprises a main shaft journal section with an end face and with bearing surface means. The end faces of pin sections to be connected to each other are electron beam welded together after centering pins have been inserted in bores arranged in, and perpendicular to the end faces to be welded together.