Abstract: A central articulation with pivot axles standing perpendicularly to one another for a self-driving articulated vehicle comprising two parts which are mutually moveable with respect to one another, whereby the steering is brought about by mutual pivoting of the two vehicle parts with respect to one another about a vertical axle of the central articulation and the adjustment of the vehicle to the unevenness of the ground is brought about by a mutual pendulum course of movement of the two vehicle parts with respect to one another about an axle which is horizontal in the longitudinal direction and a restoring device counteracts the pendulum course of movement of the front car and of the rear car by means of compression springs. Rubber hollow springs are prestressed by means of a tensioning device.

Abstract: A vehicle steering and chassis oscillation system with a steering mechanism for steering the vehicle through articulation and a chassis oscillation mechanism for controlling the transverse oscillation of the chassis through pivoting of a link in the articulating mechanism of the vehicle. The oscillation control of the chassis is accomplished through pivoting of a connecting link between the axle and the chassis to tilt the axis of articulation as the connecting link is pivoted. The oscillation of the articulating axis is generated by the suspension system for the vehicle.

Abstract: An improved power steering system for displacing a tie rod connected to a wheel of a vehicle for rotational actuation of the vehicle wheel. Rotational actuation of a steering wheel of the vehicle correspondingly rotatively displaces a pinion gear mounted within a rack housing. The pinion gear matingly engages rack teeth of a rack member which is slidingly mounted within the rack housing. Relative displacement between the rack housing and vehicle frame actuates a hydraulic valve secured to the frame of the vehicle. Actuation of the hydraulic valve permits fluid under pressure to egress from the hydraulic valve through one of two outlet ports. The high pressure fluid is inserted into a power cylinder which drives a cylinder rod in a longitudinal direction. The cylinder rod is secured to a stabilizer tube mechanism which has a fork member secured to a movable element of the stabilizer tube and extending in a transverse direction to the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A roller skate type scooter for improved maneuverability and control. The scooter includes an articulated support platform with pivotally connected forward and rearward footboards. At least one wheel is secured to the underside of each footboard and a steering assembly, such as a semi-cylindrical cab, is mounted upon the front footboard for remotely and arcuately maneuvering the first footboard generally in a horizontal plane about a pivot point. The cab has a semi-cylindrical front surface for substantially protecting the rider and for avoiding puncturing other objects and persons during accidental collision. The cab defines a shield which is constructed and arranged to substantially deflect the flow of oncoming air generally around the body of the rider during propulsion of the scooter. In one preferred form, the scooter is equipped with brake and kickstand assemblies.

Abstract: A pair of substantially identical elongated steel lift rails which are adapted to be mounted upon the ends of the rear frame members of a tractor of the fifth wheel coupling type. Each lift rail comprises an elongated steel member which slopes downwardly at its rearmost end and, when mounted on the frame member, presents an upwardly inclined surface. The lift rails facilitate the coupling of an associated trailer onto the tractor by, upon rearward movement of the tractor, lifting the trailer gradually to the proper height for coupling. The invention prevents damage to the trailer and tractor in those frequent cases where the boxcar of the trailer may become positioned below the normal coupling height.

Abstract: A golf cart comprising a supporting chassis assembly and a wheel assembly th two, preferably foldable wheel struts connected to the chassis assembly. The chassis assembly is provided with a mounting assembly for mounting two separate golf bags in an individually detachable manner on the chassis assembly, the golf bags being each of a size suitable for accommodating half a normal set of golf clubs. The two golf bags are detachably mounted on opposite sides of a center beam member in the chassis assembly substantially in the same plane as and substantially parallel to the center beam member.

Abstract: A convertible vehicle is provided in which a flatbed unit can be used to convert a tractor into a flatbed truck when the tractor is not used for towing a trailer unit.

Abstract: An improved wheelchair having electrically powered drive motors in which a battery support tray is secured within an opening in a side frame of the wheelchair. Two batteries can be supported, one on each side frame, whereupon the conventional undercarriage battery support rack may be eliminated. Each side frame of the wheelchair contains a drive motor and battery support tray and forms a self-contained assembly such that left and right hand side assemblies can be joined together by foldable links having any desired length to provide a correspondingly desired seat width.

Abstract: A riding toy vehicle for picking up objects from a playing surface such as the floor, comprises a vehicle body having a seat, an open mouth adjacent the forward end and a bottom wall rearward of the mouth for holding the objects as they are picked up. A pair of front and rear wheels are provided for supporting the body for movement over the playing surface and a pair of pick up members are mounted for rotation in the mouth and are driven independently by the front wheels for engaging the objects on the playing surface and moving them upwardly onto the bottom wall of the body through the open mouth. A deflectable tongue is provided to extend downwardly towards the bottom wall for retaining the objects that are picked up once they are positioned on the bottom wall in the vehicle body.

Abstract: A rough terrain mobile crane in which the operator's control cab is mounted on a rotatable superstructure has all the controls grouped in the cab including a mechanical, preferably power assisted, steering system mechanically engagable when the cab is in a road travel position, an hydraulic steering system is alternatively engageable for on-site use and includes a separate directional control valve for steering road wheels on one of the axles, and utilizing the power assisted part of the mechanical steering.

Abstract: This invention is a collapsible bumper hitch apparatus that is readily attachable to a bumper of a vehicle movable from a collapsed, folded, storage condition to an extended condition connectable to a trailer hitch ball member. The collapsible bumper hitch apparatus includes a hitch assembly pivotally connected to a bumper frame by a connector means. The hitch assembly includes first and second hitch arm assemblies, each having one end pivotally connected to the connector means and the other outer ends connectable to each other. The first and second hitch arm assemblies are movable into overlapping positions above the bumper member for storage purposes.

Abstract: A steering assembly for a floor-type industrial vehicle, for example, a fork-lift truck, which comprises an elongated axle body to which the steerable wheel axles are affixed by pivotal axle carriers at the ends of the axle body and a steering linkage is mounted on the axle body for displacing the wheels. The axle assembly is at least limitedly swingable on the vehicle frame by a mounting assembly which comprises a pair of ball joints whose centers lie in the vertical median plane of the vehicle and transverse to the axle assembly.

Abstract: A weight transfer mechanism for a machine to be towed by a towing vehicle, said mechanism having a lifting device and a member in use, coupled to the lifting device and mounted for vertical pivotal movement with respect to the vehicle. Means are included to provide an abutment between the member and a relatively fixed location associated with the vehicle so that when the machine is lifted, such abutment prevents relative lifting between the machine and the vehicle.

Abstract: A boat trailer comprising a wheeled frame having a tongue extending from the forward end thereof. A boat support bed is provided on the frame between the opposite sides thereof for supporting the bottom portion of a boat. A pair of spaced apart arms are pivotally secured to the frame at one side thereof and extend upwardly therefrom. A guide rail is secured to and extends between the upper ends of the first pair of arms for engagement with one side of the boat. A spring is connected to each of the arms for yieldably urging the guide rail into engagement with the side of the boat. A second pair of arms are pivotally secured to the frame at the other side thereof and extends upwardly therefrom. A second guide rail is secured to the upper ends of the second pair of arms for engagement with the other side of the boat. The guide rails are laterally adjustably mounted on the arms which are also laterally adjustably mounted on the frame.

Abstract: A tubular metal chair frame covered with canvas with a two-wheeled pivoted upwardly foldable front end and a pivoted rear support stand with two swivelled additional wheels, the support stand being lockable in a normal rearward position with the swivelled wheels engaging the floor and spaced rearwardly from the two front wheels. The support stand is foldable upwardly and can be locked in an elevated position, substantially coplanar with the upper portion of the frame. The lower portion of the frame is provided with a pair of parallel tread belts mounted on supports having rollers underlying the belts, the belts being located behind the front wheels and being usable to engage the edges of steps when the chair and its occupant are moved down stairs. Foldable handles are provided on the front end of the frame.

Abstract: A self-releasing jack for installation on a trailer tongue that releases upon the application of strong rotational forces applied to the base of the jack when the trailer is inadvertently towed without raising the jack.

Abstract: A vehicle steering and chassis oscillation system with a steering mechanism for steering the vehicle through articulation and a chassis oscillation mechanism for controlling the transverse oscillation of the chassis through pivoting of a link in the articulating mechanism of the vehicle. The oscillation control of the chassis is accomplished through pivoting of a connecting link between the axle and the chassis to tilt the axis of articulation as the connecting link is pivoted. The oscillation of the chassis through oscillation of the articulating axis provides for a means of leveling the vehicle chassis when the terrain carrying the vehicle is on an incline.

Abstract: Steering apparatus for a trailer vehicle is disclosed providing preselected turning characteristics for the vehicle. A pair of wheel assemblies are mounted at the front of the vehicle and are each pivotal about an associated vertical axis. A tie member having a plate with a longitudinal slot formed therein extends between and connects the front wheel assemblies to provide for the simultaneous pivoting of the front wheel assemblies. A tow bar is pivotally connected to the vehicle between the front wheel assemblies and is provided with a pin that extends into the slot in the plate. During pivoting, the pin is displaced both transversely and longitudinally of the vehicle, but since the pin slides in the slot only the transverse component of displacement of the tow bar is transferred to the tie member.

Abstract: A trailer hitch having a bar with a hitch socket at its forward end is releasibly, pivotally and longitudinally mounted on the trailer frame such that it can be automatically latched in place merely by forward movement of the towing vehicle. A pivot is provided which includes a first member movable longitudinally of the trailer frame with a pivotal second member pivotally mounted on the first member. Spring biased pins automatically lock the slidable and pivoting members rigidly to the trailer frame when in latching positions and provided back-up safety protection against surge overloads.

Abstract: A vibration damper for a windshield, comprising a suction-type mounting assembly having a suction cup consisting at least partially of resilient material and adapted to engage the internal surface of the windshield and to form therewith a peripheral seal; a bell member having a peripheral flange portion adapted to bear against the suction cup; and a fastener assembly accessible from the outside and acting between the central region of the suction cup and the bell member. The fastener assembly when tightened drawing the suction cup into the interior of the bell member for increasing the cavity between the internal surface of the windshield and the suction cup, whereby the mounting assembly adheres to the internal surface of the windshield and absorbs or at least substantially dampens vibrations occurring in the windshield.