Abstract: A sissy bar assembly including a backrest portion and a pair of latching mechanisms mounted on the backrest portion for securing the backrest portion to a motorcycle mount upon movement of the backrest portion toward the mount. The backrest portion includes a pair of side plates each having front recesses engageable with the front mounts, and rear recesses engageable with rear mounts. The latching mechanisms each include a latch member mounted on the side plates movable for pivotal movement between an unlatched position, in which the front recesses are engageable and disengageable with the mounts, and a latched position, in which the front recess is held in engagement with the mounts. The latching mechanisms further include a locking member movable relative to the latch member between an unlocked position, in which the latch member is movable between its latched and unlatched positions, and a locked position, in which the latch member is held in the latched position.

Abstract: An electrically powered vehicle wherein the electric power may be provided by an auxiliary electric motor with power assist being determined by a manual force applied by an operator for manually propelling the vehicle. The vehicle control includes a method for determining when the vehicle is being started from a stop and for providing a gradual application of electric power assist during such start-up. In addition, if the operator calls for an abrupt change in power assist, the actual power assist is applied only gradually to provide smoother operation. The system also has self-checking functions and the electric power assist is disabled in response to certain types of failures. However, the operator is warned in advance that the power will be shut down so as to avoid emergency situations. The self-checking provides an arrangement for checking when the speed sensor is inoperative by sensing certain output characteristics of the speed sensor and the force application.

Abstract: A vehicle extender is connected to a towing vehicle by way of a towing beam bolted to the normal tow hitch and presenting two ball and socket joints so that the vehicle extender can pitch upwardly and downwardly but cannot yaw from left to right nor roll clockwise or anti-clockwise relative to the vehicle. The vehicle extender has a single castor mounted wheel set so located that even in reversing mode in which by castor action the wheel set swivels to a forward located position the center of gravity of a load in the vehicle extender such as sand still remains forwardly of the horizontal axis of rotation of the wheels of the wheel set providing for security and stability in use. The vehicle extender is very adaptable to different applications.

Abstract: The main wheels of a wheelchair are attached to the chair at a predetermined one of a plurality of camber angles differing by one or more predetermined angular measure(s). The apparatus comprises a bracket extending from the wheelchair's frame as well as a plurality of axle retainers disposed about and juxtaposed along the stub axle, the retainers used to mount the axle in the bracket. Switching from a first of two predetermined camber angles to the second requires removing the axle and retainers from the bracket, translating the axle either inboard or outboard (i.e., either toward or away from the center of the chair) by a predetermined amount, and reattaching the wheel to the chair. The operation may also involve adjusting the length of one or more of the bracket legs. Switching between camber angles preferably does not affect the height of the chair's seat or the position of the top of the wheels relative to the user's shoulders.

Abstract: An electrically assisted pedalled bicycle that has a rear wheel mounted on a frame supported elongated axle, a modified freewheel that has an electric motor's brushes, frame, and field coil windings supported to its body, a commutator and armature that are stationarily fastened to the stationary axle, a battery that is controlled by a manually operable rheostat, and an electric circuit that includes a chain actuated on/off switch, so that when the rheostat is advanced, and the chain is actuated, the circuit goes on, and the rider's pedalling provides pedal torque to the freewheel sprocket, and while the bicycle is commencing to be propelled, the motor's brushes and field are rotated about and interact with the motor's commutator and armature and simultaneously provide a motor torque that is blended with the rider's pedal torque as it flows to the freewheel sprocket, to thereby assist the rider's pedalling as it propells the bicycle.

Abstract: An auxiliary chain tension system for a rear derailleur in a bicycle, the auxiliary chain tension system being composed of: an elongated member having two opposed ends, one end being formed to secure the member in a fixed position relative to the rear wheel fork of the bicycle so that the other end extends rearwardly from the rear wheel fork, the other end of the elongated member being formed to retain; a spring retention member securable to a pulley shield of the derailleur; and a tension spring having a first end connectable to the other end of the elongated member and a second end connectable to the spring retention member for imposing an auxiliary tension force on the bicycle drive chain.

Abstract: In a servo-steering unit provided for motor vehicles, one pinion (2) supported in a steering housing (1) meshes with a rack (6). A steering valve (8) which serves to control the pressurized fluid for the servo-steering unit has two inlet seat valves (10, 11) and two outlet seat valves (12, 13) the closing members of which are movable via actuating tappets depending upon rotation of a steering spindle. The outlet seat valves (12, 13) are open in the neutral position of the steering valve. The inlet seat valves (10, 11) are actuatable in a closing direction by the force of pressure springs and are opened only after closing of the respective outlet seat valve (12, 13). A limiting piston (31) is provided for each side of the steering valve (8). Each limiting piston (31) is actuated on one side by one of the centering springs (30) and by a first pressure prevailing in a working chamber of a servo-motor and on the other side by a limiting force.

Abstract: An anti-sway trailer hitch for connecting a trailer to a tow vehicle. The hitch includes a first pivotal element attached to the tow vehicle and a second pivotal element attached to the trailer with a set of a converging link assembly on the first element connecting it to the second element. The converging link assembly projects the effective pivot point forward adjacent the rear axle of the tow vehicle and prevents lateral sway while allowing changes in the angular relationship between the two elements as the tow vehicle and trailer negotiate turns. The second pivotal element includes a yoke attached to the trailer frame. The yoke includes Spaced apart side members with a hitch ball mount in sliding engagement with the side members. The trailer is attached to the hitch ball. A pivotally attached strut extends between the first pivotal element and the-hitch ball mount.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved "on-demand" power transfer system of the type having a transfer case incorporated into the driveline of a four-wheel drive vehicle. The transfer case is arranged to normally deliver drive torque to the driven wheels so as to establish a two-wheel drive mode of operation. In addition, the transfer mechanism is equipped with a clutch assembly for selectively delivering drive torque to the non-driven wheels for establishing an on-demand four-wheel drive mode of operation. The transfer mechanism is also equipped with a rotary actuator and a drive mechanism for actuating the clutch assembly. The power transfer system further includes sensors for detecting various dynamic and operational characteristics of the vehicle and generating sensor input signals indicative thereof. A controller is provided for processing the input signals and controlling actuation of the rotary actuator in response thereto.

Abstract: A mobile storage tank having a jack system on the front thereof and a rear wheel lift system to facilitate the draining of fluid from the tank and the towing of an empty tank from one job site to another. Recesses are provided in the walls of the storage tank for receiving manholes, fittings and a ladder so that a maximum volumetric dimension can be obtained for the storage tank while still conforming to highway laws regulating the size of trailers. The manholes are positioned at a predetermined height above the ground to allow a person standing on the ground to have access to the interior thereof for cleaning and the like.

Abstract: The wheel-supported apparatus is used for climbing and descending stairs. The apparatus comprises a hollow main frame. A first carriage unit is located within the main frame and is slidably connected thereto. The first carriage unit is horizontally movable between a maximum front position and a maximum rear position by a first screw mechanism. A second carriage unit is slidably interconnected with the first carriage unit and is provided with a lower ground-engaging portion. The second carriage unit is movable vertically between a fully retracted position and a fully extended position by a second screw mechanism. The first and second screw mechanisms are operated in sequence for rising and backing the apparatus during climbing, and lowering and moving forward the apparatus during descent. Extendable supporting legs are used with a pair of rear caster wheels operatively connected under the main frame for periodically supporting the apparatus when climbing and descending the stairs.

Abstract: A steering system in an all-terrain four-wheeled vehicle with independent suspension wherein necessary forces for wheels to respond to steering control is supplied by fluid pressure or electrical actuators mounted parallel to the suspension arm between vehicle frame and wheel control arm, steering control by the driver being by manipulation of right and/or left steering levers eliminating the need of steering wheel and steering column in front of the driver. The steering actuators are independent and there is no tracking rod or other linkage for coordinating their turning angles; rather, close coordination of the wheel turning angles for achieving the Ackerman angle relation or other non-linear turning angle relation between the wheels is by a now-linear linkage between left and right steering levers or elsewhere or by a computer control for electric actuators.

Abstract: A servo-assisted rack-and-pinion steering system includes a rack which cooperates with a pinion which is capable of limited movement transversely or, in particular, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rack. The movements actuate the servomotor or its control elements.

Abstract: A power drive/steer attachment for a wheelchair having a framework supporting a plurality of front and rear wheels and a seat for accommodating an operator, is adapted for use with a motive source and includes a frame for attachment to and detachment from the framework of the wheelchair, a ground engaging mechanism, coupled to an end of a column, for driving the wheelchair by frictionally contacting a ground surface, a mechanism for driving the ground engaging means, and a mechanism, coupled to the second end of the frame, for controlling the driving mechanism and for steering the ground engaging mechanism to thereby steer the wheelchair.

Abstract: An improved trailer hitch which can be used to more easily attach a trailer to a towing vehicle by simply engaging a horizontal coupling shaft in a latch assembly, and closing the latch. The trailer hitch comprises six main components: a yoke assembly, a latch assembly, a transverse horizontal coupling shaft, a connector bar, a trailer yoke and a pivot bolt. The yoke assembly provides for rotation about the vertical axis, the latch assembly provides for rotation about the transverse horizontal axis, and the pivot bolt for rotation around the longitudinal horizontal axis. A trailer can be easily attached to a towing vehicle by placing the transverse horizontal shaft in the latch assembly, and closing and fastening the latch.

Abstract: A suspension member for a bicycle is set forth which includes a strut telescopically received into a cylinder. A head assembly extends from the cylinder through a piston defined at the end of the strut and into the strut. Mounted to the assembly is a valve member which forms between it and the piston a volume which increases and decreases as the suspension telescopes. In response to a bump, the suspension collapses against a bias. The bias urges the member to rebound. When rebounding the valve member acts to define a restriction to exhaust air from the volume to dampen removed. Also set forth are elastomer pads and couplers which can be removed from the suspension member as a unit for replacement.

Abstract: A combination articulated vehicle damping system for absorbing the kinetic energy of the trail vehicle during a collision. Affixed to the trail vehicle is a damping material retainers that holds a damping material. The back of the damping material retainer engages the rear end of the damping material. A slider frame is slidably mounted in the damping material retainer and engages the forward end of the damping material. A shearable fastener prevents the slider frame from moving relative to the damping material retainer until subjected to a predetermined force. Secured to the slider frame is the connector for coupling the lead vehicle to the trail vehicle. Once the combination articulated vehicle is subjected to a predetermined force, the shearable fastener breaks allowing the slider frame to move and thereby deform the damping material. The deformation of the damping material absorbs the kinetic energy of the trail vehicle.

Abstract: An acceleration slip control system for a motor vehicle, comprising a "fuel-cut number" alteration restraint device (in FIG. 1) for restraining the alteration of the number of those cylinders of the engine of the motor vehicle to which fuel is to be cut off. When the fluctuating magnitude of the reduction of the torque of the engine as based on an actual engine torque and a target engine torque falls within a predetermined range which can be coped with by a brake control, the "fuel-cut number" alteration restraint device inhibits the alteration of the "fuel-cut number". Thus, frequence in the change of the "fuel-cut number" is lowered to prevent the temperature rise of a catalyst which is mounted in the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A rear suspension system for a bicycle. The system directs the rear wheel along a predetermined, S-shaped path as the suspension is compressed. The path is configured to provide a chainstay lengthening effect only at those points where this is needed to counterbalance the pedal inputs of the rider; at those points in the wheel travel path where there is a chainstay lengthening effect, the chain tension which results from the pedal inputs exerts a downward force on the rear wheel, preventing unwanted compression of the suspension. The system employs a dual eccentric crank mechanism mounted adjacent the bottom bracket shell to provide the desired control characteristics.

Abstract: A continuously variable friction drive transmission for a bicycle is provided by driving the rear bicycle wheel by frictional engagement with a rotating rim driver. The rim driver has a lateral conical surface matching a lateral conical surface of a driver plate. A transmission driver wheel is selectively positioned between the lateral conical surfaces of the rim driver and driver plate. The position along a shifting arm of the transmission driver wheel determines the speed ratios obtained between the driver plate and rim driver. The driver plate is then rotated by the pedal assembly through a speed increasing coupling. The transmission driver wheel is always in contact with the driver plate.