Abstract: A suspension system for a motorcycle including a motorcycle main frame, a wing arm pivotally mounted to the motorcycle main frame about a pivot axis, and an air-bag suspension unit. The air-bag suspension unit includes at least one air bag constructed of an elastomeric material. The air pressure in the airbags in adjustable on the move by the use of pressure regulator operably connected to a small compressor mounted on the motorcycle. The air bag is housed within a slidable housing and is mounted at one end to the slidable housing and at its other end to mounting brackets on the motorcycle main frame. The housing is attached at its front end to the motorcycle main frame and at its back end to the swing arm. The housing also includes slide rods fixed to its forward end which slide within a pair of bushings. An alternate embodiment incorporates a conventional shock absorber along with the air bogs to improve the handling of the motorcycle on rough or uneven terrain.

Abstract: An apparatus for linearly driving a vehicle or machine. The apparatus includes a frame, at least one drive wheel, and at least one rotatable driver comprising a pulley or a sprocket, rotatably mounted with respect to the frame. Further, the system includes a flexible, elongated power transmitter comprising a belt, a chain, or a cable, the transmitter being mounted for reciprocating linear motion with respect to the frame and passing around and engaging the rotatable driver to rotate the driver in at least a first rotational direction. The apparatus also has a first and second pedal to engage the power transmitter in a first and second direction. The first and second pedals are mounted to the frame in a manner that permits only non-arcuate, linear reciprocating motion of the pedals with respect to the frame.

Abstract: A motorcycle frame is formed of tubular members which are hollow to provide a reservoir for oil used to lubricate the motor of the motorcycle. Fittings are provided within the tubular frame for receiving an oil filler cap, an oil spill hole, an outlet to the oil pump, an oil return inlet, an oil drain, and a crankcase vent. The seating area of the motorcycle frame is dropped closer to the ground due to the elimination of the oil reservoir normally located below the seating area of the frame, while incorporating a dampened rear wheel swing arm frame.

Abstract: A motorcycle footboard assembly with a decorative element. The footboard assembly includes a pad adapted for placement of a motorcycle operator's foot, a platform spaced from the pad and adapted to be mounted to a motorcycle, and at least one vibration-dampening mount that interconnects the footboard to the platform. The decorative element has at least one aperture that engages the mount. The decorative element includes a substantially rigid mounting plate that is configured to engage the footboard assembly and a trim piece that is mounted to the mounting plate. The trim piece can be a flexible panel such as a sheet of leather fringe.

Abstract: A hitch apparatus for connection between a tractor and a trailing implement such as a mower includes a hitch arm at one end of the apparatus extending forwardly and pivotal so as to extend either inwardly or outwardly thus offsetting the apparatus across the rear of the tractor. The apparatus includes the drawbar hitch at the rear spaced across from the hitch arm for attachment to the mower so that the mower is offset to one side of the tractor. Two gear boxes and a drive shaft provide connection from the PTO of the tractor to the drive input of the mower. The offset hitch apparatus allows the mower to run in a ditch while the tractor remains on level ground.

Abstract: A drive train arrangement for a motor vehicle that includes a pair of front and rear transfer cases each having a single-input shaft and dual-output shafts for providing drive to a front axle and to a pair of rear axles located in tandem and in which the arrangement is such that the rear transfer case normally provides a full-time four-wheel drive through the tandem axles and the front transfer case is selectively activated to direct power to the front axle so as to provide a full-time six-wheel drive for the vehicle.

Abstract: A crawler track guide rail having an upper elongated surface engagable with the shoes of a crawler track, a lower surface engagable with a crawler track support frame, and a foot which extends downward into the frame to transfer load resulting from the engagement of the shoes with the guide rail to the frame. The guide rail has at least one elongated lower surface and may have two elongated lower surfaces which are engageable with the frame. Where there are two elongated surfaces of the guide rail in engagement with the frame, the foot of the guide rail is positioned between the two elongated surfaces. The guide rail has a plurality of fasteners for retaining it on the crawler frame extending through the guide rail and the frame The fasteners have a selected tolerance fit with the frame and the foot of the guide rail has a smaller tolerance fit with the frame than that of the fasteners.

Abstract: An improvement of multi-stage sprocket assembly for bicycle includes at least a small sprocket and a large sprocket. The large sprocket includes at least two different sets of teeth. The large sprocket defines a radial second center line across the thickness thereof while the first set of teeth each defines a first center line across the teeth crest and parallel to the second center line. The first center line is moved away from the second center line in an opposite direction of the small sprocket. The second set of teeth includes at least two consecutive special teeth. The first special tooth has a recess formed under the root in a lateral side facing the small sprocket to avoid interference with the chain during shifting movement. The second special tooth has its first center line moving away from the second center line of the large sprocket toward the small sprocket for engaging with the chain at a small rotation angle without raising the chain or changing the tension of the chain during shifting movement.

Abstract: A folding utility cart for a providing a movable work platform which may be raised and lowered without the use of tools. The cart employs an upper support member that is spaced apart from a lower support member by a pair of cross braces. A biasing spring helps raise the upper support member into an elevated position, and a releasable lock secures the upper support member into the elevated position. A lock release disengages the upper support member from the elevated position. The cart also has a handle, support feet, and wheels, allowing use in a conventional manner.

Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus for applying an auxiliary torque generated in proportion to a steering torque, to a rack shaft to thereby reduce the steering torque. The rack shaft has at one end thereof rack teeth for meshing with a pinion. A rack guide mechanism is provided at the rack shaft one end oppositely from the rack teeth, for urging the rack shaft to the pinion. At the other end of the rack shaft, a screw portion and a ball screw mechanism are provided. A bush is provided for supporting an intermediate portion of the rack shaft to thereby restrict the bending of the intermediate portion beyond a predetermined value when an external force is applied to the rack shaft ends thereby bending the rack shaft intermediate portion. As a result, the vibration of the rack shaft and hence a steering wheel can be minimized.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle suspension unit assembly located near the sides of a vehicle includes a driving axle shaft, a gear box, an electric motor, and a suspension beam. The driving axle shaft, which drives a wheel hub of the vehicle, defines an axis of rotation about which the wheel hub rotates. The gear box includes a pinion shaft connected to a pinion gear which meshes with a ring gear. The pinion shaft is driven by a motor drive shaft which extends outwardly from the electric motor. The motor generates the torque necessary to drive the driving axle shaft. As known, suspension beams extend transversely to the axis of rotation of the driving axle shaft. The electric motor is pivotally attached to the gear box by means of a flexible coupling and is pivotally attached to the suspension beam by means of a movable connection.

Abstract: The invention concerns a driving system for a hybrid-powered motor vehicle. It includes a generator set producing a direct current used by a driving set with an electric motor for driving at least one driving wheel of the vehicle. Using an accelerator, the driver gives a power set-point signal that is used by a first adjusting device which acts on the thermal engine, the generator, and the AC/DC converter of the generator set. A second adjusting device adjusts the power of the driving set as a slave of the generator set, according to the variations in the voltage of the supply circuit with respect to a desired voltage, without considering the signal from the accelerator.

Abstract: A foldable frame and body for a vehicle or trailer provides a chassis, at least one frame member pivotally mounted to the chassis at a first pivot point, a hinge arm pivotally mounted to the chassis at a second pivot point and a release arm for closing the frame which is pivotally connected to the frame member at a third pivot point and to the hinge arm at a fourth pivot point such that the fourth pivot point moves toward a line between the second and third pivot points as the frame is unfolded, leveraging the frame to an open position. The foldable vehicle or trailer is lightweight and may be motorized or human-powered.

Abstract: Several embodiments of electric power-assisted manually powered vehicles such as bicycles. In these embodiments, the drive unit and control are mounted as a unit so as to minimize external wiring and to facilitate heat transfer from the control unit to the atmosphere while protecting the control unit. In some embodiments, sensors for the control unit are also mounted on the outer housing and cooperate with the internal components of the outer housing so as to provide the necessary signals for control. Several embodiments of improved torque sensors are disclosed that provide smoother operation.

Abstract: A variable-geometry stabilizing foot, in particular for earth-moving vehicles, comprising a support member (1) able to rotate about a fulcrum (3) associated with the chassis of a vehicle to be stabilized and a extendable arm (5) slidably mounted on this support member (1). A control linkage (9) is also provided, being hinged with the chassis (2) of the vehicle and with the extendable arm (5) is provided at the bottom end with a support foot (8) able to perform vertical displacements when a hydraulic jack (13) moves the support member (1) between a recovery position (15) and an operative position (16). In the recovery position (15) the stabilizing foot is thus arranged so as to be retracted and take up little space on the chassis (2) of the vehicle, while in the operative position (16), the stabilizing foot is rotated through an angle (.alpha.) towards the ground with respect to the recovery position (15).

Abstract: A new bicycle with improved pedaling efficiency for allowing a length of crank arms to change during pedaling. The inventive device includes a pair of crank shafts secured to opposing ends of an existing sprocket shaft of a bicycle. Each of the crank shafts have an elongated slot extending a length thereof. Each of the crank shafts have a sliding bearing coupled with upper free ends thereof. Each of the sliding bearings have a roller disposed on a rear surface thereof. The rollers are coupled with a pair of circular races. The circular races each have a circular track for receiving the rollers therein. The circular races are coupled with the existing sprocket shafts of the bicycle. A pair of pedals are secured within the elongated slots of the pair of crank shafts. The pair of pedals have interior shaft portions secured to the sliding bearings.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the operation of a vehicle with a plurality of electric motors includes an electric motor assigned to each wheel of an axle of the vehicle. Attached to each of the electric motors is a shiftable transmission (at least two-speeds). Shifting of a transmission is performed as a function of the total efficiency of the particular motor when reaching a predetermined shifting point. The transmissions attached to the electric motors are shifted, delayed in time. The shifting of the transmission attached to a first electric motor is monitored and the shifting of a transmission attached to a second motor is performed only when the shifting of the first transmission is completed. No interruption of the traction force occurs in the drive system.

Abstract: A control system is provided for a hybrid vehicle including an internal combustion engine, a drive shaft driven by the engine, a generator for converting kinetic energy of the drive shaft to electrical energy to generate electric power, and an electrical storage device for storing electrical energy output from the generator. Deceleration of the engine is detected. Supply of fuel to the engine is interrupted during the deceleration of the engine. An amount of intake air supplied to the engine is controlled such that the amount of intake air supplied to the engine is increased when the generator regenerates electrical energy during the deceleration of the engine. Calculation is made of an amount of electrical energy to be regenerated by the generator during the deceleration of the engine. An output from the generator is controlled based on the amount of electrical energy calculated.

Abstract: In a hydraulic power steering for motor vehicles having a steering control element, a position setting unit connected to the steering control element, a control motor connected to the position setting unit by way of a control circuit and a servo valve having control parts which are supported so as to be rotatable relative to each other but operatively interconnected by spring means retaining them in a central open position relative to each other, one of the control parts is operatively connected to the control motor and the other is connected to a steering gear mechanism associated with the steered wheels of the motor vehicle, and a hydraulic servomotor is associated with the vehicle wheel steering mechanism and hydraulically connected to the servo valve to receive hydraulic fluid therefrom depending on the relative rotary positions of the servo valve control parts.