Abstract: A vehicle comprises a main frame, a pair of front wheels and at least a rear wheel operably associated with the frame for engagement with the ground, a steering mechanism, a seat associated with the frame for an operator, an engine including a drive shaft, a device for mounting the engine to the main frame, and a torque converter operably associated with the drive shaft and the rear wheel. The mounting device has a first position whereby the drive shaft is in driving engagement with the torque converter and a second position whereby the drive shaft is in disengagement from the torque converter. The mounting device includes a brake mechanism for stopping the vehicle and having operative and non-operative positions such that when the brake mechanism is in the non-operative position, the drive shaft is in the first position and when the brake mechanism is in the operative position, the drive shaft is in the second position.

Abstract: A headrest control device and a headrest drive mechanism for use with an automotive rear seat are disclosed. In the headrest control device, it is determined whether an occupant is present or absent in a rear seat and, if no occupant is detected, then, in linkage with gear change to reverse, the headrest of the rear seat is rotated forwardly and downwardly from its support position to its storage position situated below the backward field of view line of the driver, so that a good backward visual field can be secured for the driver in backing the car.

Abstract: A safety arrangement for a driver's seat in an automotive vehicle having a steering column extending to the driver's seat. The safety arrangement is comprised of a column bracket to which the steering column is secured. The column bracket is slidably secured to a sliding block 5 fixed to vehicle body side. The column bracket is put into a slidable condition under the action of a solenoid when a driver is restrained by a seat belt, while into a fixed condition under the action of the solenoid when the driver is released from the seat belt. The column bracket is moved forward together with the steering column when an impact force is applied to a knee protector, thereby absorbing impact energy while withdrawing the steering column. Even under the fixed condition of the column bracket, an impact force applied to the steering column can be effectively absorbed by an energy absorbing mechanism provided between the steering column and the column bracket.

Abstract: In a rear suspension system for a four-wheel-steered vehicle, each wheel support is connected to a rear wheel turning rod so that the rear wheel on the wheel support is turned about a king pin axis when the rear wheel turning rod is displaced. Upper and lower arms define the king pin axis, and the rear wheel on the wheel support is turned about the king pin axis in response to displacement of the rear wheel turning rod. The king pin axis is tilted inward from the vertical and intersects the tread of the rear wheel at a point which is longitudinally offset from the point at which a side force acts on the rear wheel during cornering. A coil spring is connected between the wheel support and the vehicle body and restrains vertical motion of the wheel support under the counterforce thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus located between a ski and a binding mounted thereon, including at least one shock absorption buffer positioned partially in a seat cut-away with respect to the most elevated portion of the ski and extending beyond this portion at rest. The comfort of the skier and the steering of the skis is enhanced without raising the binding with respect to the ski by utilizing the natural cut-aways. The cut-aways are created during the manufacture of the ski or are provided in the thickness of the ski after manufacture. The buffer is then installed within the seat thus cut-away, rather than merely installed on the upper surface of the ski. The buffer is preferably made of viscoelastic material.

Abstract: An independent wheel suspension system having a differential with an output axis therethrough, the differential being coupled to a transverse support tube pivotable about a transverse axis therethrough and by an inboard constant velocity universal joint to a wheel assembly, the wheel assembly being coupled by an arm to a torsion rod carried by the transverse support tube and pivotable about a swing axis through the inboard constant velocity universal joint, whereby the differential is adapted to pivot relative to each of the output, the transverse and the swing axes.

Abstract: A pair of g-responsive first parallel sensors and a pair of g-responsive second parallel sensors provided in a motor vehicle. An inflator is mounted on a steering wheel of the vehicle and cruise operating switches are provided on the steering wheel. An air bag circuit is from a first source to a ground passing through the first parallel sensors, a pair of first parallel leads in a connector provided on the steering wheel, inflator, a pair of second parallel leads in the connector, and the second parallel sensors. A cruise operating circuit is from a second source to the ground passing through a lead in the connector, cruise switches, and the second parallel leads, so that the second parallel leads are common to the air bag circuit and the cruise operating circuit.

Abstract: An instrument panel and associated inflatable restraint door, capable of producing a "hinging effect" preferential opening of the door upon deployment of an air bag concealed in the instrument panel, has locating peripheral surfaces with a dielock angle which is flared five degrees along one edge and between fifteen and twenty degrees along the opposite edge to impove door release action.

Abstract: A ski binding mechanism for retaining a ski boot in fixed position on a ski and providing for release of the binding at any angle and for precisely controlling the required forces at various release angles. A plurality of retaining points each consisting of a spring plunger mechanism with a spherical tip which is fitted to a contoured retaining socket or groove in the boot sole plate, and the socket or groove is milled away at it's periphery are varying angles. In one embodiment, a plunger is mounted on a rocker arm to counter balance ski brake forces and to facilitate removal by altering release force levels.

Abstract: A ski provided with an upper surface, a lower surface, and two lateral surfaces connecting the upper and lower surfaces. At least a portion of each lateral surface is inclined with respect to the lower surface, and the width of the lower surface, at each point along the length of the ski, is greater than the width of the upper surface at each point along the length of the ski.

Abstract: A car height adjusting apparatus for a tractor, which lifts the car body by utilizing the driving power of the tractor and thereby without using a lifting device, such as a jack or a crane.

Abstract: A camber control system varies the camber of a wheel of a motor vehicle. The camber control system includes a detector for detecting a direction in which front wheels are steered, a controller for producing a control signal in response to a signal produced by the detector, an actuator operable in response to the control signal from the controller, and a rear wheel camber varying mechanism actuatable by the actuator for varying the camber of rear wheels. The controller is arranged such that the control signal produced thereby enables the actuator to operate the rear wheel camber varying mechanism so that the camber of outer and inner rear wheels with respect to a motor vehicle turning direction corresponding to the direction in which the front wheels are steered, is rendered negative and positive, respectively.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor system comprising a seat belt retractor unit having a winding spool for winding a seat belt thereon, and a seat belt tightening unit for tightening the seat belt upon detection of occurrence of a vehicle crash. The seat belt tightening unit is placed lower than the seat belt retractor unit, for instance, one on top of a floor tunnel and the other on a side wall of the floor tunnel, whereby the seat belt can be favorably passed closely across the waist and the shoulder of the vehicle occupant and a favorable occupant restraining capability of the seat belt is ensured. If the seat belt tightening unit uses an explosive propellant, it may be placed externally of the passenger compartment, for instance on the external wall surface of the floor tunnel, so as to eliminate any ill effects, such as explosive sound and combustion gas, which may be produced as a result of the combustion of the propellant.

Abstract: In a buckle stalk for a seat belt system, a stalk member connecting an anchor member and a buckle includes a webbing integrally covered with a resin cover, and a suppport member extending longitudinally in a folded-back portion of the webbing at one end near the anchor member to make the stalk member self-supporting. The support member is embraced by the webbing and the resin cover in a unitary form therewith.

Abstract: The invention provides a torsion spring bar axle which combines a rubber spring axle with a steel torsion rod for an unexpected result. The axle comprises an axle tube which houses a hollow torsion rod between which are placed rubber bodies creating a rubber spring axle inside the hollow torsion rod there is also a steel torsion which is internally biased. The steel torsion rod is adjustably connected to the axle tube on one end and a wheel swing lever on the other end. The hollow torsion rod is also connected to the wheel swing lever. This allows for less spring action with increasing loads and a soft deflection of the wheel swing lever.

Abstract: A plastic janitorial x-frame cart which is stable when in the closed position. The cart contains a circular rotator which allows the unit to take advantage of the symmetry of legs. Further the unit contains a bottom tray with elevated ends.

Abstract: A ski comprises a longitudinally extending body having a central region interposed between anterior and posterior segments. The body has a lower sliding surface whose width is defined by a pair of opposed lower edges connected to two lateral side surfaces that are inclined relative to the lower sliding surface. An upper surface is connected to the laterally side surfaces and has a width defined by opposed lateral edges which diverge towards the front of the ski in both the anterior and posterior segments thereof.

Abstract: An air bag restraint system has an air bag module located centrally of a steering wheel and secured with respect thereto by at least one fastener, the air bag module including an inflator and a screw for arming the inflator, an interlock is associated with the screw which will prevent release of the fastener until the inflator has been disarmed and will provide an indication of whether the inflator is armed or not.

Abstract: A swivel wheel wheelbarrow includes a pair of spaced beams that project forwardly from a tray. The wheel is supported by a fork from which a post extends. The lower end of the post is connected to the beams by a lower yoke support, and the upper end of the post is connected to the beams by an upper yoke support. The lower and upper yoke supports are maintained in a stationary position in order to provide optimum support for the wheel. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a lock is provided for the post. When the lock is engaged, the wheel is locked in a wheel-straight position; when the lock is disengaged, the wheel can pivot freely about the post.

Abstract: A three-wheel utility vehicle employing a power head with a hydraulic motor and having power wheel suspension. A trailer is connected to the power head and has a large capacity and low bed and is pivotably coupled to the one-wheeled power head. A gasoline engine drives a two-stage, variable displacement pump which is controlled by a directional valve, to drive a reversible hydraulic motor coupled to the front drive wheel. The power head includes a hydraulic braking system.