Abstract: The anti-jackknife device is installable on a tractor-trailer combination in which the tractor and trailer are detachably connected by a fifth wheel assemblage without any modification in the fifth wheel assemblage. The device includes a stop lug mounted on the underside of the trailer in fixed lateral and endwise position relative thereto, but for movement upwardly and downwardly into and out of engagement, respectively, with a limit stop mounted in fixed position on the tractor. When the lug and stop are interengaged, they permit free relative rotation of the tractor and trailer about the turning axis of the fifth wheel within certain limits extending a few degrees in each direction beyond a median position wherein the tractor and trailer are aligned for straight line travel.

Abstract: In a skateboard comprising a rigid elongated board having front and rear portions, and front and rear wheel assemblies, the rear wheel assembly being fixedly mounted on the board rear portion, the improvement comprising a steering platform and a linkage system, secured to the front portion, connecting the platform above the board front portion and the front wheel assembly below the board front portion for pivotable movement as a unit relative to the board. Preferably the angle through which the platform/front wheel assembly unit is pivotable is limited and the platform/front wheel assembly unit is biased to a given orientation. The steering platform is spaced only slightly above the front portion and adapted to be pivoted by the forwardly disposed foot of the skateboard rider.

Abstract: A power steering multi-way control valve is provided featuring means for effecting hydraulic blocking of a power cylinder so that the wheels of the vehicle will remain in the neutral or steered angle position even though the driver removes his hands from the steering wheel in order to operate other accessories. This is necessary for heavy work vehicles in the construction industry or other vehicles used in open terrain.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting a conventional skateboard into a scooter. A skateboard-receiving support is provided having an upright member at one end and steering handles at the upper end of the upright member. Any conventional skateboard can be quickly and easily secured to the support and used as a scooter without damage or change to the skateboard. The skateboard can be quickly and easily removed for use in its conventional manner.

Abstract: A quick disconnect trailer hitch for connecting a trailer vehicle to a tractor vehicle wherein a pair of pivotally connected jaws are slidably mounted in a vertically disposed tube connected to the trailer vehicle draw bar. A spring is mounted in the tube for biasing the outer ends of the jaws outwardly therefrom to an open position, the jaws being slidable inwardly of the tube to a closed position wherein the outer ends of the jaws surround a ball hitching element connected to the tractor vehicle, the spring biased jaws being latched in the closed position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a variable displacement fluid pump and a variable displacement hydrostatic motor for driving the tracks of the vehicle. An auxiliary reversible motor may be actuated in one and the other directions to provide steering of the vehicle through planetary drives associated with the tracks of the vehicle.

Abstract: A simplified overall hydraulic control system is provided for dual systems comprising a booster steering power cylinder and the power cylinder of an accessory of a work vehicle pressurized from a common engine driven hydraulic pump. The system utilizes conventionally constructed multiway valves for steering and accessory control and comprises flow dividing means effecting a constant minimum flow rate at all operational times for steering and variable flow rates for accessory power and additionally for steering dependent upon demand, essentially under vehicle operator control.A main steering flow to the steering control valve can connect with the minimum steering flow through a one way valve when steering is effected, less such flow as may be directed for accessory power by operation of the accessory control valve.

Abstract: A device for measuring torque in a shaft, e.g. for controlling a power-assist steering arrangement for a vehicle, in which two rotatable parts of a shaft are coupled together by an elastic body while one of the shaft parts comprises a magnet and the other has a differential field plate sensor responsive to the position of the magnet relative to the sensor for generating an analog output representing the torque exerted between the parts of the shaft and hence the torque applied to the latter in rotating the shaft. The magnet lies opposite the center of the differential field plate sensor in an unloaded condition of the shaft.

Abstract: A power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering mechanism for a vehicle provided with a beam axle and semi-elliptical springs, the steering mechanism comprising double-acting piston-and-cylinder means having a piston rod opposite ends of which are provided with ball joints whereby the piston rod is connectable with the steerable road wheels of a vehicle, a toothed rack spaced radially of the piston rod and extending away from the piston rod beyond one end thereof, a pinion connectable with the steering control of a vehicle and in meshing engagement with the toothed rack, the pinion being located outside, not between, said ball joints, a connecting member connecting adjacent ends of the piston rod and toothed rack, the connecting member being rigidly connected to the piston rod and being pivotally connected to the toothed rack, and a bifurcation of said connecting member for restraining the toothed rack against pivotal movement about an axis normal to the axis of said pivotal connection.

Abstract: A transmission apparatus for four-wheel drive motor vehicle comprising a sub-transmission adapted to transmit power of the engine to a main transmission, means for transmitting the output of the main transmission to the front axle and to the rear axle, clutch device provided in the means for transmitting the output of the main transmission for selectively connecting or disconnecting the transmission of the output to either of the front or rear axle, a shift rod shifting the clutch mechanism in the sub-transmission, an actuating rod slidably provided in parallel with the shift rod, a shift lever connected to the actuating rod, and a shift fork slidably mounted on the actuating rod and engaged with the clutch device.

Abstract: A power steering device includes a housing which couples to a pressure source in order to provide a power assist to the rotation of an output member upon rotation of an input member. The input member and the output member are rotatably supported within a housing bore such that the output member cooperates with an enlarged portion of the housing bore to define a plurality of pressure chambers. Slots on the input member and passages on the output member communicate the pressure source to one set of pressure chambers so that the increased pressure in these pressure chambers imparts rotation to the output member in response to rotation of the input member. A pair of cavities between the input and output members communicate the input member slots with the output member passages and projections on the output member oppose the slot side walls to limit rotation between the input member and output member.

Abstract: A trailer alignment device includes a pair of clamps one provided for each of a ball hitch mounted to a vehicle and a trailer hitch on a vehicle to be towed. Each clamp includes arms for supporting a collapsible vertically extendable rod such that the rods are aligned directly over the ball and hitch respectively. A sighting chain is provided at the end of each rod to assure vertical orientation of the rod. Such structure permits the clamps to be readily attached so that a vehicle can be backed into alignment with a trailer with the ball in alignment under the corresonding hitch when the pair of vertical rods contact one another.

Abstract: The invention provides a road vehicle having two vehicular sections connected together by an articulation joint having on each side thereof a shock-absorbing or arrester device having a pair of arms adapted to engage each other through an abutment when the two vehicular sections pivot relative to each other in one direction and to become disengaged from each other when the two vehicular sections pivot relative to each other in the other direction. The abutment of each pair of mutually engaging arms has an interlocking profile to prevent lateral movement therebetween, and stop mechanisms are provided to retain each arm when they are disengaged from each other, in such a position that when they next become engaged owing to said vehicular sections pivoting in said one direction, said arms are positioned for interlocking engagement with each other.

Abstract: A gooseneck trailer hitch to couple a trailer torque to a towing ball mounted on a towing vehicle to be used in pulling a trailer has a tow member which is to be secured to the trailer tongue to extend generally horizontally forward of the trailer. This tow member has at its outer end a connector which pivotally mounts an arm for the arm to be swingable from an outwardly extending position into a vertical position with the outer end of such arm having a socket suitable to cooperate with the towing ball on the vehicle used to pull the trailer and locking means is provided to retain the arm in its vertical position. A jack stand is utilized adjacent the forward end of the trailer and tow member to hold the trailer and tow member generally horizontal incident coupling and uncoupling the trailer relative to the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A hitch for connecting a trailer to a tow vehicle. The hitch has a beam attached to the tow vehicle for transmitting a load having vertical and horizontal components between the trailer and the tow vehicle. A bearing retained in a guide is connected to the beam by a rack and pinion connection. A shaft retained by the bearing has a yoke pivotally attached to the end thereof for connecting a ground wheel to the beam. By changing the position of the rack with respect to the pinion, the distance between the beam and wheel can be adjusted to distribute a selected portion of the vertical component of the load into the wheel. A linkage connects the tow vehicle to the shaft for maintaining the wheel in alignment with the tow vehicle to allow the wheel to resist the development of lateral forces between the tow vehicle and the trailer as a function of the vertical component of the load carried by the ground wheel.

Abstract: A device for controlling sway of a towed vehicle having a trailer tongue member connected to the trailer hitch member of a towing vehicle. A bar universally pivotally connected to one of the members extends through a brake assembly mounted to the other of the members for pivotal movement relative thereto about only a single axis. Within the brake assembly, the bar is contacted by friction surfaces while being permitted to move in directions parallel to the pivot axis of the assembly.

Abstract: A steering mechanism for a vehicle having steered front and rear wheels, comprises steering linkages for connection to both sets of wheels. The steering linkage to the rear set of wheels includes a variable length lever and a link mechanism to vary the length of the lever in response to the amount of steering movement imparted to the steering connection to the front wheels. The variable length lever mechanism is such that the amount of steering movement transmitted to the rear wheels for a given amount of steering movement imparted to the front wheels is greater when the front wheels approach full lock than when the front wheels are moving from the straight ahead position.

Abstract: A hitch member for an automotive vehicle is affixed to a mounting bar which is rotatably mounted in the side beams of the frame of the vehicle and is rotatable with such mounting bar. A brace member is pivotally mounted on a cross member affixed to the side beams of the frame and is movable and releasably affixable to the hitch member to secure said hitch member in operable position and in retracted position when the hitch member is not in use.

Abstract: The invention provides a self-steering dolly that is rigidly releasably connected to the rear of a forward vehicle, such as a tractor-trailer combination, and supports the front end of a towed rearward vehicle, such as a second or "pup" trailer so that the vehicles are in tandem. The wheels of the dolly are mounted on respective king pins; are connected by a linkage and are urged to the neutral or straight-ahead position by a centering device. The means for releasably connecting the dolly and the forward vehicle comprise two transversely extending headed pins on the dolly of the kind employed with a fifth wheel connection engageable in respective releasable spring latches on the frame of the forward vehicle.

Abstract: A tow tractor having a pair of front steerable wheels and a pair of rear steerable wheels is provided with attachment means for selectively connecting it to a vehicular trailer either by an articulated draft connection to permit swiveling movement therebetween or by a rigid unitary connection for operating the tractor and trailer as a straight truck. Steering mechanism is provided on the tractor for selectively affording four-wheel simultaneous steering of both said front and rear pairs of wheels in the same direction, or conventional front wheel steering only of the front pair of wheels while maintaining the rear pair of wheels locked in normal straightahead running position.