Abstract: A refrigerated cargo vehicle has components therein effective to uniformly distribute cooling air throughout a cargo body which is divided into a plurality of compartments including a center compartment by a plurality of longitudinally spaced partitions extending transversely between opposite side walls of the cargo body. Laterally spaced walls extend longitudinally from each end wall of the cargo body and terminate at the respective partitions defining the center compartment thereby defining upwardly opening passages each communicating with respective opposite end portions of a duct extending between and through the partitions defining the center compartment.

Abstract: A travel trailer with a vertically foreshortened forward section, which is configured for extending over a towing vehicle for fifth wheel connection therewith, has folding side walls and front wall which open to extend the front section downward, providing full height throughout the trailer. The floor of the forward section is movable vertically between a raised position above the folded side walls and front wall for transportation of the trailer and a lowered position adjacent to the lower margins of the side walls and front wall when they are in their unfolded living positions. Winches and cables are arranged for separately raising and lowering the side walls, the front wall and the floor.

Abstract: A road vehicle having at least one pair of wheels at each side the axles of which are connected together by a tandem suspension in such a way that as one wheel of a pair is subjected to load during running, a part of the load is transmitted by the suspension to the axle of the other wheel of the pair so that the load is shared between the axles characterized in that a pair of rocker plates is pivotally mounted on the vehicle for each of the two axles of the pair at each side of the vehicle, each pair of rocker plates being so located and arranged as pivotally to engage each end respectively of a leaf spring associated with the respective axle, the four rocker plates at each side of the vehicle being pivotally connected by a connecting rod.

Abstract: A combination door header and rain gutter for a trailer is disclosed. A generally U-shaped section having vertically oriented leg portions of different height extends across the top of a door opening of the trailer. A substantially Z-shaped closure member is secured to the upper edges of the leg portions on the U-shaped section. The forward portion of the Z-shaped member defines a rain gutter and provides for attachment of the roof skin of the vehicle and the rearward end of the Z-shaped member forms a drip cap.

Abstract: According to this disclosure, a suspension system for a motor vehicle having a pair of rear wheel rotatably supported by a solid rear axle comprises upper and lower pairs of suspension arms pivotally connected to the vehicle frame and the axle. In the preferred embodiment, a leaf spring extends in a generally transverse direction and has its ends rigidly secured to two of the suspension arms. The leaf spring provides lateral stability to the vehicle suspension and resiliently resists angular displacement of the vehicle body about a longitudinal roll axis.

Abstract: The invention provides an underframe for use in a transportable home, the underframe including a pair of longitudinally extending side girders positioned in parallel and spaced from one another by almost the width of the home to be built on the underframe. A plurality of transverse elements are rigidly attached to the side girders and spaced from one another and each of the transverse elements as an upper extremity below that of the side girder. At least one longitudinal member is positioned between the side girders, and means are attached to the transverse elements and to the longitudinal member to support the longitudinal member above the transverse elements.

Abstract: A crawler type vehicle has a car body, a pair of track roller frames connected to the car body and a pair of drive motors each being attached to a respective roller frame. Each of the roller frames are movable between first and second positions at which the roller frame and associated drive motor are a minimum and maximum distance respectively from a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. A first guard assembly is fastened to the car body and is of a construction sufficient for substantially encompassing the drive motors at the first position of the roller frames and for encompassing at least the distal end portions of the drive motors at the second position of the roller frames. A pair of second guard assemblies is mounted on a respective roller frame and movable therewith when the roller frame is moved between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A device for holding a wheel chair in a vehicle, such as a school bus, comprising a pair of movable arms for engaging the wheel chair's large wheels. The arms are adjustable to accommodate the distance between the wheels.

Abstract: A kit for altering the front suspension of an automobile or other vehicle which has a pair of independent front axles, to provide greater clearance for traversing rough terrain normally requiring the use of four-wheel drive vehicles that cost more and have lower fuel mileage. The kit includes a pair of auxiliary axle mounting blocks for holding the inner ends of the front axles at positions spaced directly below the original mounting points thereof on the vehicle frame, and a pair of curved longer replacement radius arms with inner and outer ends for mounting in the same locations and orientations as the inner and outer ends of the original radius arms respectively on the frame and now-lowered front axles.

Abstract: A multi-layer sound- and vibration-absorbing covering for vehicle body parts which consists of a layer of a springy porous material fixed to the body which is covered off by an adherent heavy coating; the porous layer receives a viscous damping mass which wets at least the walls of the pores of the porous material.

Abstract: A multiple axle suspension for vehicles has a first arm pivotally mounted at its rearward end from the vehicle chassis to suspend a first vehicle axle and a second arm pivotally mounted at its forward end from the vehicle chassis to suspend a second vehicle axle. A beam connects the first and second axles, either directly or by connecting the suspending arms. The forward end of the beam bears downwardly on the first axle or arm in opposition to that axle load, and the rearward end of the beam bears downwardly on the second axle or arm in opposition to that axle load. Resilient means are mounted between the vehicle chassis and the beam at a location between the axles. Other resilient means are mounted between the beam and the points where the beam joins the pivoting arms, if that configuration is used.

Abstract: A truck having a cab of the tilting variety includes an enclosure for the engine which enclosure is in two parts, the first part carried by the chassis and the second part carried by the cab so that when the cab is tilted the enclosure is opened for access to the engine.

Abstract: This disclosure pertains to an air deflector mounted on the roof of a towing vehicle to deflect upwardly a stream of air impinging on an inclined surface of the deflector thereby decreasing the drag of the towed vehicle. A pair of accordian side sheets prevent cross currents of air from acting on the lowermost surface of the inclined sheet and minimizes the vacuum pocket otherwise formed. Members for mounting the inclined surface to the roof of the vehicle and members to adjust the angle of inclination thereto are disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle windshield, for example for a snowmobile, comprises a contoured sheet of transparent plastics material having upper and lateral edges strengthened by the marginal areas thereof being sharply curved in the forward direction. Thus the edge of the windshield presented toward the vehicle operator is smoothly rounded and is less likely to cause injury.

Abstract: A latching mechanism for a cab which is tiltably mounted to the chassis of a vehicle. The cab is normally disposed over the engine of the vehicle in a first or lowered position and is pivotally attached to the chassis at its forward end for movement through 90.degree. to a second or raised position. The latching mechanism securely locks the cab in the lowered position and includes interengaging latching elements attached to the underside of the cab and to the chassis of the vehicle. The receiving means includes a ball detent arrangement actuated by means of a hydraulically powered cam sleeve. The ball detents move radially between a first or unlocked position and a second and locked position. When in the locked position, the detents engage shoulder portions on one latching element to securely lock the cab to the chassis.

Abstract: A safety-type improved motorcyle windshield assembly is described. The windshield panel has lower, central, and upper portions, with at least the upper portion thereof being transparent. The lower portion of the windshield panel is attached to a first part of a motorcycle with which the shield is to be associated in use, and mounting rods attach a part of the windshield panel disposed above the lower portion of said panel to the same or to another part of the motorcycle which is fixed with respect to the first motorcycle part. The mounting rods each include an end portion disposed remotely of the windshield panel, an end portion disposed proximate to the windshield panel, and an intermediate portion extending between the end portions thereof. The proximate end portions include means attaching the windshield panel to the proximate end portions.

Abstract: A wind deflector arrangement for a motor vehicle roof of the type having a roof cutout closeable by a rigid sliding cover is provided. The wind deflector is mounted along its forward edge of the roof cutout and pivotable and about an axis located transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Lever arms are provided at each lateral side of the sliding cover and extend from a pivot connection at the sliding cover to a frame part surrounding the roof cutout. A spring is provided which biases the wind deflector to pivot about the transverse axis. In order to minimize the lateral dimensions of the wind deflector arrangement, the lever arms are disposed directly underneath guide shoes for the sliding cover. The forward portion of the guide frame for the guide shoes of the sliding cover is cut away in the position above these lever arms so that the guide shoe rides on the lever arm to close the wind deflector when the sliding cover is moved to the closed position.

Abstract: A final gear-reduction unit is mounted at each wheel of a motor vehicle and is pivotally connected to one end of a lower control arm so that the unit may be turned to steer the vehicle. The other end of the lower control arm is pivotally connected to the frame of the motor vehicle on the side of the vehicle opposite the side on which the wheel is mounted. This allows a considerable amount of up and down movement of the wheel relative to the frame of the vehicle. The wheel is rotatably mounted to the gear-reduction unit with the gear-reduction unit positioned above the axle of the wheel to provide greater ground clearance for the drive to the gear-reduction unit. A pair of universal joints and a length of axle shaft connected between motor-driven differential gears of the vehicle and the gear-reduction unit provides the drive to rotate the wheel.

Abstract: A motor vehicle with a stepped rear section and with a shield-like guide installation extending in continuation of the roof up to the area of the rear window, which -- matched to the outer contour of the rear window -- surrounds at least the upper half thereof.

Abstract: A vehicle guidance system is described in which vehicles are steered in accordance with signals picked up from a leader conductor positioned along a route. By passing two signals at different frequencies along the leader conductor and having two receivers on each vehicle, each sensitive to one of the frequencies only, interfering signals from currents induced in other conductors along the route, such as reinforcing bars in concrete roads or structures are substantially eliminated. Ways of combining the signals from the receivers to provide interference free steering control signals are described.