Abstract: A mobile robot includes a robot chassis having a forward end, a rearward end and a center of gravity. The robot includes a driven support surface to propel the robot and first articulated arm rotatable about an axis located rearward of the center of gravity of the robot chassis. The arm is pivotable to trail the robot, rotate in a first direction to raise the rearward end of the robot chassis while the driven support surface propels the chassis forward in surmounting an obstacle, and to rotate in a second opposite direction to extend forward beyond the center of gravity of the robot chassis to raise the forward end of the robot chassis and invert the robot endwise.

Abstract: A u-MDPS (United Motor Driven Power Steering) system includes one MDPS motor, one MDPS ECU that assists steering force using power of the MDPS motor, and has a logic implementing tilting-up/down and telescopic movement, and a multi-function generator that switches a power transmission path of the MDPS motor to the steering path for assisting a steering force, the tilt path for tilting up/down a column tube, or the telescopic path for facilitating a telescopic movement of the column tube. The multi-function generator may include a motor power converting unit, a motor power transmitting unit and a tilt•telescopic motion unit. The tilt•telescopic motion unit further includes an electromagnetic clutch, which makes it possible to implement fail-safety function by switching to a lock-manual mode of one MDPS motor.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering device includes a steering wheel connected with a steering shaft, a steering angle sensor, a steering reactive force motor, and a steering control unit for controlling a steering shaft drive motor and the steering reactive force motor. Provided is a power transmitting mechanism for transmitting the power from the steering shaft drive motor to the steering shaft. A changeover unit for selectively connecting and disconnecting the power is disposed on the way thereof. The changeover unit includes a clutch mechanism comprised of an input member and an output member juxtaposed in an axial direction for movement in the axial direction and, also, rotatable relative to each other, a clutch groove provided in one of those members, and a clutch rolling element provided in the other of those members and biased in a radial direction by the clutch groove so that it can be selectively engaged and disengaged.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bicycle which comprises a bicycle frame, a pair of wheels, a gear assembly, and a bicycle saddle, the bicycle characterized in that: the bicycle saddle has a base and a main body, the main body being disposed on the base and extending to left and right sides along a longitudinal axis between front and rear ends of the bicycle frame. The rider feels comfortable when riding a bicycle of this invention because the rider's crotch area is not in contact with the saddle nor rubs against it. Moreover, a large area of the rider's buttocks can be in contact with the main body of the bicycle saddle, which makes the rider feel comfortable too.

Abstract: A reduction gear coupled to an electric motor includes: a first bearing that rotatably supports a first end portion of a worm shaft such that the worm shaft is allowed to oscillate in an oscillation direction about the first end portion; and a first elastic member that elastically urges a second bearing in such a direction that an axis-to-axis distance between the worm shaft and the worm wheel reduces. The first end portion and an output shaft of the electric motor are coupled by a joint. A second elastic member located between the joint and the first end portion elastically urges the worm shaft toward a second end portion and applies a preload on the first bearing. An outer ring of the first bearing is interposed in an axial direction by the third elastic member and the fourth elastic member.

Abstract: A receiver hitch includes a plurality of bores. Thus, an accessory is attached to the receiver hitch at two points of contact by being coupled to the plurality of bores. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the bores is positioned off center relative to the receiver hitch or the vehicle. In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the receiver hitch can include a trailer hitch receiving bore positioned on a centerline of the receiver hitch. In this exemplary embodiment, a trailer is attached to the trailer hitch receiving bore (through, for example, a ball mount) while an accessory is attached to one of the other bores. In yet a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is included at least one bore that is off centered relative to the receiving hitch.

Abstract: A utility trailer that includes a main compartment, an aft compartment, a hitch and jack assembly to attach it to a vehicle, and a number of components that will assist an individual in both shredding brush and branches as needed and also removing the resulting residue quickly and easily with use of various control boxes attached to the utility trailer. The trailer also includes a top-mounted shoot opening for throwing brush and debris into the utility trailer and conveyor belt system located within the main compartment for moving debris within the main compartment onto a pulled-out debris tray. A fold-down interior door is located within the main compartment and usually covers the conveyor belt system. Furthermore, a debris pusher blade is also located within the main compartment and can be utilized to push debris out of the main compartment by attached controls.

Abstract: A saddle-type vehicle is provided with: a seat on which a driver sits; a fuel tank positioned in front of the seat; an engine positioned below the fuel tank and having a crankcase and a cylinder projecting upward from a front of the crankcase; and a fuel vapor passage that is connected to the fuel tank and emits evaporated fuel in the fuel tank to an outside of the fuel tank. At least a part of the fuel vapor passage passes behind the cylinder. The fuel vapor passage is connected to the crankcase mat a portion in a rear side of the cylinder and opens toward oil in the engine.

Abstract: An electric motorcycle includes an electric motor for generating a traveling driving force, a battery for supplying electricity to the electric motor, and a case member for accommodating the electric motor and the battery therein. The battery includes a plurality of battery modules, which are disposed in the case member at positions forward of and above of the electric motor. Such arrangement of the electric motor and the battery in the case member helps to centralize mass in a vehicle body of the motorcycle, as well as simplifying assembly of the motorcycle.

Abstract: An above-bed structure having two or more feet is attached into a bed of a truck using inserts which can be removed or retracted to provide a flat, unobstructed truck bed. Each insert includes an above-bed cleat portion and a below-bed peg portion which is received in a below-bed socket. Each insert is received first vertically without substantial rotation into its socket and then by rotation to a terminal point wherein the insert is vertically held by the socket. The above bed structure is then placed onto the inserts such that the feet mate with the inserts to prevent the inserts from rotating away from their terminal point, thus preventing the inserts from being removed from their sockets. The attachment can be completed by inserting mounting pins into aligned holes on the cleat portions and the feet. In one embodiment, the feet are supported on a bed place section of the insert which is offset from the rotational axis of the insert.

Abstract: To provide a rear portion structure of a saddle-type vehicle, which enables securement of a space for arranging vehicle-mounted components on the upper side of a drive chain at a position apart from a pivot shaft. A motorcycle includes a rear wheel swingably provided on a main member via a swing arm, a drive chain entrained about a driven sprocket provided on the rear wheel and a drive sprocket, and a seat frame. An air-exhaust pipe extends from an engine on a lower portion of the seat frame, an extending portion extends rearward of the vehicle from the seat frame, and a chain guide roller is mounted on the extending portion.

Abstract: A two-legged walking transportation device includes an upper body unit for supporting the trunk of the rider, and leg units provided below the upper body unit, each of the leg units includes a link mechanism connected at one end to the upper body unit via a hip joint with at least three degrees of freedom, a foot mechanism connected to the other end of the link mechanism via an ankle joint with at least two degrees of freedom, and a fixing mechanism for fixing the rider's foot to the link mechanism via a multi-axis force sensor so as to be only rotatable with respect to directions in which the ankle joint is movable, the hip join is voluntarily controlled in accordance with operating force and/or operating torque provided by the rider's foot and sensed by the multi-axis force sensor, and control of the ankle joint while standing is automatically performed as balance maintenance control without directly involving the rider.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steering system for a motor vehicle with electrical power assistance comprising: a steering-spindle bearing unit, in which the steering shaft is mounted rotatably and is guided in a slide, which can be connected to the vehicle body, wherein the steering-spindle bearing unit is adjustable at least in its inclination, an electric motor, which is coupled rotatably via reduction gearing to a steering spindle, wherein the reduction gearing is enclosed and mounted in a housing, wherein the housing has means for forming a swivelling axis, about which the steering-spindle bearing unit is adjustable in its inclination, wherein the steering system further comprises a retaining clamp for fastening the steering system to the motor vehicle, wherein the retaining clamp has a guideway that interacts with a counterstay arranged on the slide, wherein the slide is movable along the guideway after it overcomes a presettable releasing force, and in the case of displacement of the slide along the guidew

Abstract: An apparatus and method is described for offsetting a lifting or lowering weight of a tow bar attached to a trailer. The apparatus includes nitrogen accumulators coupled in series to a hydraulic cylinder. The accumulators include volumes of hydraulic fluid and a gas, such as nitrogen, which are preset to have differing nitrogen pressures to accommodate a full range of motion. After initial system pressurization, no separate power source is needed to provide hydraulic support at static conditions, oscillation of the tow bar below horizontal, and lift support from horizontal to a positive angle, allowing the user to lift and position a heavy tow bar several feet with minor user force.

Abstract: An accommodating structure with a belt transmission structure. Two tracks are fixed on a body by several joining elements. Several sliding teeth are provided around the tracks. A belt is fixed at the sliding teeth along the loop structure of the tracks. The belt winds around the tracks as the sliding teeth slide.

Abstract: A wheelchair comprises a main frame and a seat mounted on the main frame. A pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels are also mounted on the frame. A propulsion mechanism is provided for driving the rear wheels, the propulsion mechanism comprising an arm lever for forward and back movement and a gear train between the arm lever and the rear wheels.

Abstract: The center-pivot vehicle has forward and rearward sections with traversing means for traversing terrain. A rotary actuator connects the forward and rearward sections. Rotation of the rotary actuator articulates the forward and rearward sections relative to each other for steering the vehicle. One of the sections includes a bed operably attached to a bed frame that is operably attached to a trailer frame for actuated movement between trailing and loading positions. The bed is pivotally attached to the bed frame for moving between tilted and non-tilted positions.

Abstract: A child vehicle includes a front frame having a handlebar and at least one front wheel, and a rear frame movably coupled thereto and having at least one rear wheel. At least one graphical interface is coupled to the vehicle and includes a placard having a frame secured to the vehicle and a working surface disposed generally within the frame. The working surface is configured to be marked thereon by the child using a marking utensil so as to create an artistic expression for customizing the vehicle. A tool-less coupling between the front and rear frames and an associated method of a tool-less assembly of a child vehicle are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrically-operated two wheeled vehicle provided with a swing unit which pivotally supports a drive wheel WR. The swing unit includes: a first rotary electric machine having a first rotor; a second rotary electric machine having a second rotor; and a planetary gear mechanism which combines a rotational drive force of the first and second rotors to each other and transmits a product of rotational drive forces to a drive wheel WR in a state where a rotational speed is increased. The first and second rotary electric machines are arranged parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle such that an axis Ax2 of the second rotor is positioned in front of an axis Ax1 of the first rotor along the vehicle body. This arrangement prevents a height position of a lower surface of a swing unit from becoming excessively low.

Abstract: A powered converter dolly for movement and attachment of trailers is provided. The dolly comprises a conventional converter dolly having a retractable landing gear assembly mounting wheels attached to the drawbar. The dolly has a power supply and operates as a towing device. The landing gear assembly provides steering for the dolly as well as motive power from a motor connected to the landing gear wheels. Alternatively, the wheels of the dolly may be powered for providing motion to the dolly. The dolly further comprises several attachment devices for securing the dolly to an intermodal railcar, including alternative hydraulic, mechanical, and electrically-powered tie down devices. A trolley movable along a railcar is provided for securing the dolly or trailer to the railcar and includes a hitch component for selectively interconnecting to a hitch component on the dolly or trailer.