Abstract: A skateboard accessory is disclosed comprising a rotatable platform coupled to a bearing, which bearing is in turn mounted onto a conventional skateboard. The platform is fully rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the skateboard so that the skateboard rider may twist and rotate while operating the skateboard, thereby allowing the skateboard operator to maximize his skill. The device includes a mounting apparatus for bolting the platform to skateboards without modification.

Abstract: The normally provided manually operable switch lever on an electrically drive wheelchair incorporates pairs of switch arms so that additional circuitry can be provided for interconnection with the normally provided left and right wheel drive motors. This additional circuitry comprises electrical resistances arranged to be connected across the motor leads by the manually operable switch when in an unactuated position for the particular motor in question. The provision of these resistances across the motor leads when the motors are unenergized results in absorption of back voltage spikes to thereby avoid burning out the switch means, dynamic braking when the motors acts as generators as a result of the wheelchair coasting, easier steering control when only one of the motors is energized to effect a turn, and permits the use of permanent magnet type d.c. motors for the left and right wheel drive motors.

Abstract: A tag axle is mounted to the frame at the rear of a vehicle on an articulated linkage which extends downwardly and rearwardly. Springs bias the tag axle and its bearing-supported wheels in an upward direction. The tag axle is actuated downwardly by two air bags, one at each end of the tag axle. The tag axle provides vertical support at the rear of the vehicle through the air bag actuators. The tag axle is guided vertically by means of two upright arms, one at each side of the frame, and including anti-friction roller bearings and associated tracks which permit free vertical movement of the tag axle but prohibit lateral and torsional, and limit differentially vertical, movement of the wheels. A greater vertical movement of the tag axle is permitted because of the location and disposition of the tag axle and associated components, thereby preventing ground-bottoming or ploughing by any component at the rear portion of the vehicle. The total package is lighter and more compact to reduce weight and cost.

Abstract: A rotary mower is supported from the three-point hitch of a tractor with the rear ends of the lower arms of the hitch pivotally attached to opposite sides of the forward portion of the mower and the mower includes a rigid standard with the upper arm of the three-point hitch anchored relative to the upper end of the standard by means of a flexible adjustable length tension member, the rear portion of the mower including dirigible ground engaging support wheel structure. The flexible tension member comprises a length of link chain including front and rear anchor structures for releasable anchoring relative to the upper arm of the three-point hitch and the upper end of the standard, the front and rear anchor structures including double and single clevis assemblies for adjustable anchoring to selected longitudinally spaced portions of the link chain.

Abstract: An anti-sway device for a towing vehicle and a trailer is disclosed, comprising a channel rigidly mounted on the underside of a trailer hitch attached to the towing vehicle and a rigid elongated member mounted on the trailer and engageable within the channel, whereby, when the member is so engaged, lateral movement of the trailer with respect to the vehicle is prevented.

Abstract: An articulated vehicle having two frame sections interconnected for pivotal movement about a vertical axis as well as a longitudinal axis is disclosed herein. The joint between the two frame sections includes upper and lower spaced pivotal connections between the two frame sections which define a vertical pivot axis and one of the pivotal connections is movable along a plane extending transversely of the frame sections to accommodate pivotal movement of the frame sections about a longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A power steering apparatus for a vehicle comprising a center open type changeover valve which, on turning of a steering shaft, is moved to be changed over from a neutral straight running position to either of left and right steering positions so that an oil supply passage connected to an operation oil pressure source and an oil discharge passage connected to a return tank are selectively and respectively connected to the left and right chambers of a power cylinder. On one side of the changeover valve is at least one oil pressure reaction chamber which is connected through an oil passage to the oil supply passage to urge the changeover valve to return to its neutral straight running position on the changeover movement of the changeover valve in either direction. The operation oil pressure source is so constructed to provide increased delivery amount according to increase of vehicle speed.

Abstract: Paired, laterally opposed generally vertical poles mounted at their lower ends to a towing vehicle horizontal frame and pivotable about a horizontal axis, bear a carriage which extends between the poles and is mounted on rollers for vertical movement on the poles. A hitch-ball carrier extends from the carriage for coupling to the end of the mobile home. Paired hydraulic cylinders pivotably mounted to the frame at their lower ends pivot about a horizontal axis parallel to and generally at the same vertical height as the horizontal pivot axis for the poles, have their upper ends, which are extendable, pivotably connected to the carriage. Paired telescoping beam assemblies are pivotably coupled at one end to the horizontal frame at a point spaced some distance from the pivot mountings of the paired vertical poles and are pivotably coupled at their other end to the upper ends of the laterally opposed vertical poles.

Abstract: A hydraulically operated variable length top guide coupling member for use in three point linkage couplings for attaching agricultural implements to farm tractors includes a cylinder and a main piston with piston rod carried for longitudinal movement within the cylinder to thereby vary the length of the coupling member. Articulation means are carried at one end of the cylinder and at the other end of the piston rod for connecting the coupling member between a tractor and an agricultural implement. A pair of hydraulic lines provide communication between a source of hydraulic fluid and cylinder spaces on opposite sides of the main piston. A one-way valve is located in the path of communication between each of the hydraulic lines and the respective cylinder spaces. A control piston is carried between the two one-way valves for controlling opening of the valves.

Abstract: This power steering gear has steering travel limiter for controlling the input rotation so that the hydraulic valve of the gear cannot be moved to a closed position previously established by contact of the wheel stop or internal stop in the gear. The limiter in the preferred embodiment employs a series of rings which are engaged in series in response to handwheel input and which prevent rotation of the input beyond a certain point at or inboard of internal stops or the wheel stops so that the valving of the gear cannot close to a point requiring the power steering pump to operate in relief.

Abstract: A golf cart which can be attached to a golf bag to provide for a quick and easy conversion to a hand cart or a carry bag with a bag stand that can be stowed aboard a powered golf cart. The golf cart requires minimum storage and is easy to assemble and can be quickly disassembled.

Abstract: A wheeled carriage for recreational purposes comprising a platform large enough for a person to stand on with his or her feet side by side, and a single front wheel and a single rear wheel mounted to said platform so as to be capable of rotation about spaced parallel axes and with the centers of the wheels lying in the longitudinal vertical central plane of said platform, the wheels being of rounded profile to enable the platform to tilt laterally in use, the platform being offset above or below the axes of the wheel, whereby the carriage can be used either way up, the platform being above the wheel axis when the carriage is one way up so as to require a high level of skill to maintain the carriage balanced, and the platform being below the wheel axes when the carriage is the other way up so as to require a lower level of skill to maintain the carriage balanced.

Abstract: A trailer having a front undercarriage assembly including lower members or "feet" that are adapted to automatically retract when the trailer is coupled to a tractor. Direct mechanical linkages are provided throughout the retracting mechanism to insure positive operation of the apparatus. In addition, a novel latching mechanism is disclosed that is adapted to automatically lock the vehicles in the coupled position and permit convenient disengagement of the trailer from the tractor.

Abstract: A three point linkage for attaching a working machine to a vehicle includes two lower guide members, a substantially U-shaped coupling frame pivotally connected at its ends with the lower guide members, and an upper guide member supported by tension springs from the U-shaped coupling frame. A length adjusting device is carried by the upper guide member for longitudinally varying its length. The upper guide member can be secured in various adjusted length positions. A link is connected between the coupling frame and the length adjusting device for actuating the adjusting device to vary the length of the upper guide member upon the application of pressure to the coupling frame. A catch hook for connection to the working machine is carried at one end of the upper guide member and the hook can be locked and unlocked by movement of the coupling frame.

Abstract: A fuel transport land vehicle formed by a tractor and a trailer carrying fuel in which the tractor has a plurality of axles all of which are steerable. The tractor and trailer are detachably coupled so that they remain along the same general longitudinal axis and sideways relative motion between the tractor and trailer is prevented. A pumping module is removably coupled to the vehicle and has disposed therein means for pumping, filtering and modulating the flow of fuel from the trailer.

Abstract: A hydraulic device for the lifting and lowering of a mobile home or trailer on a towing truck containing a hitching ball is provided. The hitching bar is permanently affixed to a vertical steel casing in which is contained and affixed a hydraulic cylinder. A piston is contained within said cylinder and is affixed to a piston rod which is permanently connected to a plate made integral with the towing vehicle. Hydraulic fluid is injected into the chamber of the cylinder above the piston for raising of the hitching ball and is injected in the bottom chamber of the cylinder for lowering of the hitching ball. The piston and rod do not move. The cylinder and casing and hitching ball move with injection of the hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: Axle mounting of integral power steering is provided by a central adjustable locating pin that prevents lateral movement of the mounting base plate of the steering gear with respect to the axle. The locating pin includes an opening adjacent the slightly oversized hole in the vehicle axle with radially extensible ball bearings positioned in the opening. The bearings are spaced around the pin to provide engagement against the periphery of the wall of the hole. The pin is accurately positioned in the base plate of the mounting bracket by employing a tight fit in a reamed mounting aperture in the bracket. The locating pin includes a central bore having a cam screw including a frusto-conical section on the lower end to force the ball bearings outwardly against the wall of the hole in the axle. The opening for the bearings is filled with high viscosity grease to hold the ball bearings in position during mounting and for lubrication.

Abstract: Improvements in trailer hitch apparatus of the type used in heavy hauling, particularly for the transport of mobile home structures. The apparatus includes hydraulically elongatable tongue structure with height adjustable connector ball assembly as supported from the main rear truck frame structure; the apparatus is utilized in combination with a leaf-coil rear wheel spring structure that provides primary truck suspension. The trailer hitch is operable to support its towed structure in any of the open or closed elongated positions in order to better enable certain vehicle maneuvers, achieve optimum handling in emergency situations, and provide a more rugged, yet smoother riding connection to the towing vehicle.

Abstract: This device for lifting the pole of a trailer of the semi-carried type and coupling same to a tractor vehicle comprises a supporting bracket secured beneath and at the rear of the tractor in alignment with the center line thereof, a lever having a hook portion adapted to pick up the shackle of the trailer pole and a crosshead-shaped opposite end, this lever being pivoted to said bracket about a horizontal axis in order to move said hook portion by means of a hydraulic actuator from a low, shackle picking-up position to a high coupling and hauling position in which said lever is locked by a safety system releasable by manual, electric or electromagnetic, or hydraulic means.

Abstract: A vehicle tow trailer particularly useful for farm vehicles such as tractors or combines having an underslung frame with cradles for receiving the front wheels of the vehicle. The trailer is arranged with steerable wheels which track the angular relationship of a tow bar. Light weight towing vehicles can tow heavy equipment by arranging the cradles to position the axes of rotation of the trailer supported wheels of the towed vehicle ahead of the axis of rotation of the trailer wheels thereby loading the towing vehicle through the tow bar to give it better traction. The towed vehicle is afforded an abutment bar near the center of the cradle supported wheels to prevent the overrun of the towed vehicle on the towing vehicle and to provide a means for securing the towed vehicle to the trailer as by a chain. The underslung trailer body has skids on its underbody to facilitate traversing rough terrain as where a trailer wheel falls into a hole.