Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for moving a heavy object into a confined space. The method comprises providing the heavy object in an initial position, the heavy object having an underside resting on a ground surface and comprising an inducible gas-cushion arrangement which in its inactive state causes the underside of the heavy object to maintain contact with the ground surface; activating the inducible gas-cushion arrangement by forming a gas cushion between the underside of the heavy object and the ground surface, the gas cushion generating a lifting force causing the underside of the heavy object to lose contact with the ground surface; moving the heavy object relative to the confined space until the underside of the heavy object at least levels with the supporting surface of the confined space; and moving the heavy object into its final position utilizing the lifting force of the gas-cushion.

Abstract: A pulley assembly for a steering assembly includes a motor disposed within a motor housing and having a motor shaft extending therefrom. The pulley assembly also includes a motor face plate having a motor pilot component extending therefrom in the same direction as the motor shaft extends away from the motor, the motor shaft extending through a hole in the motor face plate. The pulley assembly further includes an idler pulley post protruding from the motor housing and through the motor face plate in the substantially same axial direction of the motor shaft, the idler pulley post being radially offset from the motor shaft. The pulley assembly yet further includes a housing flange having a pilot bore to accommodate at least a portion of the motor pilot and the idler pulley post.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a connection plate, which is disposed between a drive unit configured to provide power to a traveling body for a dozer and a sprocket configured to rotate by receiving power of the drive unit, the connection plate including a body having a through-hole in which one region of the drive unit is penetratively disposed, a first support portion formed at one side of the body and configured to support the sprocket, and a second support portion formed at the other side of the body and configured to support the drive unit.

Abstract: A mount apparatus for a wheelchair is disclosed which is capable of transformation between an original form and a modified form. In the original form, a bearing member is released or otherwise disposed so that the mount apparatus exhibits substantially minimal projection in the direction of the outer lateral extents of the wheelchair. In the modified form, the bearing member is maintained in a projected disposition to enable load-bearing by the mount apparatus.

Abstract: A ramp transportation system for a wheelchair enables transportation, deployment, and retrieval of a portable ramp by a single wheelchair occupant in the absence of external aid. The device comprises: a platform, configured to support the width of a wheelchair for crossing the platform, having a sufficient stiffness to support a wheelchair and occupant load; a lifting mechanism interface in the platform, disposed at least near each end of the ramp, configured to support cantilever lifting forces on the ramp; a lifting element, configured to engage the lifting mechanism interface and to apply a force to raise and lower the platform between a raised, stowed position and a lowered position, suitable for traversal; and a motor, configured to supply sufficient force on the lifting element to raise and lower the platform.

Abstract: Multiple actuation devices may be coupled to a shipping crate. A first actuation device may be coupled to a first end of the shipping crate and a second actuation device may be coupled to a second end of the shipping crate. The actuation devices include various telescopic columns, by which the shipping crate may be raised and lowered. Some of the columns include a caster for rolling the shipping crate. Other columns include a drive unit for driving the shipping crate. By utilizing the actuation devices, the shipping crate may be loaded and unloaded from a trailer without the need for a forklift.

Abstract: A leaning vehicle including a braking mechanism, a linkage mechanism configured to cause a body frame of the leaning vehicle to lean leftward or rightward, a lean lock mechanism configured to restrict leftward leaning and rightward leaning of the vehicle body frame, and an interlocking mechanism configured to actuate the braking mechanism and the lean lock mechanism. The interlocking mechanism includes an operation input section configured to input a first operating force, a brake-operation-input section configured to input a second operating force, an operating force distributor configured to distribute the first operating force input by the operation input section to the lean lock mechanism and the braking mechanism, and a brake actuator configured to actuate the braking mechanism by the first operating force distributed to the braking mechanism by the operating force distributor, or by the second operating force input by the brake-operation-input section.

Abstract: Provided is a robot including a main body provided with a traveling wheel, a seat disposed above the main body, a foot supporter protruding forward from the main body, a lower plate disposed below the foot supporter, and a moving mechanism disposed between the lower plate and the foot supporter, the moving mechanism allowing the foot supporter to move forward and backward between a first position and a second position that is disposed in front of the first position.

Abstract: The present invention provides an assembly having a wheelchair and a wheelchair rigging receptacle. The wheelchair may include an appendage support rigging that is releasably affixed to the frame and configured to support a user's appendage, e.g. foot, when in use. The assembly also provides at least one receptacle configured to retain the appendage support rigging within, when the appendage support rigging is not affixed to the frame. The receptacle may comprise two opposing flexible side walls, a rear wall extending between the side walls, and a bottom extending between a lower edge of the walls to define an interior cavity between an inner surface of the wall and the base that has a width approximately equal to a width of the appendage support rigging. The receptacle also includes at least one mounting device to affix the receptacle to the anti-tip bar of the wheelchair at the rear of the seating surface.

Abstract: A stabilization system for an off-road trailer may include a hitch ball assembly, a tower assembly, and a stabilizer arm assembly. The tower assembly may include a pivot mechanism that allows the stabilizer arm assembly to pivot about a pivot axis relative to the hitch ball assembly. The stabilizer arm assembly may include one or more arms extending between the pivot axis and the off-road trailer and one or more piston damping assemblies extending between the arms and the off-road trailer. The piston damping assemblies may be configured to exert forces on the off-road trailer in response to the off-road trailer moving with respect to a towing vehicle to reduce further motion of the off-road trailer with respect to the towing vehicle.

Abstract: A hitch system comprising a hitch shaft with a forward end configured to rigidly attach to a tow vehicle and a rearward end extending rearwardly toward a trailer frame; a head unit pivotally attached to the rearward end of the hitch shaft at a first pivot point having an upper portion and a lower portion, comprising a hitch ball on the upper portion of the head unit positioned out of vertical alignment with the first pivot point creating a second pivot point between the hitch ball and a trailer attached thereto; and a slot on the lower portion of the head unit, the slot having portions in vertical alignment with the first pivot point and the second pivot point; a first moment arm with a distal end configured for slidable attachment to a first bracket on the trailer frame and a forked proximal end comprising a first tine pivotally connected to the lower portion of the head unit; and a second tine having a knob in a sliding connection with the slot; and a second moment arm with a distal end configured for slida

Abstract: A steering device is connected to a turning mechanism to which a part of a turning force is applied by a hydraulic mechanism. The steering device includes an electric motor, a rotation angle detector, and a steering control device. The steering control device is configured to acquire a target turning angle which is a target value of a turning angle of turning wheels, to control the electric motor such that a turning angle of the turning wheels reaches the target turning angle, to estimate a delay of an actual turning angle of the turning wheels with respect to the target turning angle based on a delay model with the detected rotation angle as an input, to output delay information, and to correct the target turning angle based on the delay information.

Abstract: A handwheel actuator assembly includes a handwheel shaft configured for connection to a handwheel, the handwheel shaft extending longitudinally about an axis. The handwheel actuator assembly also includes a motor operatively coupled to the handwheel shaft. The handwheel actuator assembly further includes a planetary gear assembly disposed within the motor. The handwheel actuator assembly yet further includes an electronic control unit (ECU) in operative communication with the motor.

Abstract: An adjustable capture plate for a fifth wheel hitch is disclosed. An example capture plate includes a skid plate couplable to a fifth wheel hitch, and a clamping system including, a base coupled to the skid plate, a pressure plate slidably coupled to the base, and a crank arm coupled to the pressure plate via a link, wherein rotation of the crank arm about an anchor pin of the base corresponds to linear travel of the pressure plate along the base, the pressure plate movable between a first position in which the pressure plate engages a pin box of a trailer and a second position in which the pressure plate is positioned away from the pin box.

Abstract: An auto-coupling system for coupling a trailer and a towing vehicle includes a base plate between a vehicle frame and a fifth wheel of the towing vehicle, an extendable arm rotatably coupled to the base plate at a first point and configured to extend in response to relative movement of the towing vehicle and the trailer, a spring fixedly coupled to the base plate at a second point and coupled to the extendable arm, the spring being configured to exert a retractive force onto the extendable arm, and an alignment assembly rotatably coupled to the extendable arm and configured to move against an outer perimeter of the trailer.

Abstract: Connecting straps for use for example in sports activities and methods of attaching the connecting straps. In one example, a connection strap system includes a connecting strap and a peg strap configured to be attached to the connecting strap. An example of the connecting strap includes (a) a sleeve of webbing having a first end and a second end and having a loop at each end, each loop having a base and a free end, (b) disposed within the sleeve of webbing, a band of elastic material extending in a continuous loop, and (c) an attachment strap, adjacent each loop, configured to secure a portion of the band to the webbing at the base of each loop. In some cases, the band has a solid, polygonal cross-sectional shape. The peg strap has a peg-loop at each end.

Abstract: A child trailer has a bottom frame and a side frame, and a folding joint is disposed on the tail support of the trailer. A front end of the bottom frame is rotationally connected with a front end of the side frame. A top support rod is fixed at a rear end of the side frame. Left and right ends of the top support rod are respectively connected with an upper-section tail support rod rotating around an axis thereof. A tail end of the upper-section tail support rod is connected with a folding joint. The other end of the folding joint is connected with a lower-section tail support rod. A rear end of the bottom frame is connected with a tail rack rotating around a shaft parallel to the axis of the top support rod.

Abstract: A pair of elongated housings are positioned generally parallel to each other for connection of a wheel to a vehicle. An elongated member comprising a plurality of rollers is positioned within each of the housings. Spring biasing urges the elongated members downwardly, with the spring biasing absorbing shocks received at the wheel and conveyed to the elongated members, causing movement of the elongated members within the housing. The series of rollers on each of the elongated members traverse the housing to reduce friction between the housing and the elongated member as the elongated members traverse the housing. At least one vehicle wheel is mounted to the elongated members.

Abstract: A steering system including a plurality of steering devices respectively provided for a plurality of steerable wheels that belong to at least one of a front-wheel side and a rear-wheel side of a vehicle, wherein the plurality of steering devices respectively include a plurality of steering actuators, and wherein each of at least one of the plurality of steering actuators is disposed on an inner side of a corresponding one of side members of the vehicle.

Abstract: A compact utility loader compact utility loader comprising a frame including a lower portion and an upper portion. A width of the lower portion is smaller than a width of the upper portion. The compact utility loader additionally comprises a first track and a second track, with each track being positioned on a side of the frame. Each of the tracks has a width of at least 7.5 inches, and the compact utility loader has an overall width of no more than 36 inches.