Abstract: A towing shield is provided for mounting to a tow bar. The shield apparatus has a first and a second frame section. Each frame section is substantially planar and has an inner edge and an outer edge, with the inner edge of the first section is hingedly connected to the inner edge of the second section. The shield apparatus also has a first and a second shield panel. The first panel is fastened in parallel planar relation to the first frame section, while the second panel is fastened in parallel planar relation to the second frame section. The panels form a shielding surface extending vertically from the tow bar when the frame sections are mounted in an open position. The first and second panels have a flexible peripheral portion extending beyond the outer edge of their frame sections. Either peripheral portion is adapted to flex when engaged by the rear portion of the towing vehicle when the vehicle's rear portion is caused to turn into either of the peripheral portions.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting and rocking a wheel chair has a support platform with at least one wheel-securing opening. There is a first ramp leading to the support platform and a filler platform adapted to fit in the wheel-securing opening. The apparatus also has a lifting mechanism for moving the support platform and filler platform relative to each other so that the support platform moves between a rocking position above the filler platform and a lowered, loading position in which the filler platform fits in the wheel-securing opening.

Abstract: Camber adjustment assembly for adjustably and securely positioning a wheel within a vehicular suspension system utilizing a generally vertically arranged support strut with the lower end of the strut being provided with a generally "U"-shaped bracket secured fast thereupon. The bracket is typically provided with two vertically spaced apart bore pairs for receiving through-bolts therethrough, and for retaining the knuckle assembly therewithin. The camber adjustment assembly includes an eccentric bolt having an eccentric segment between the head portion and the distal portion, with the eccentric segment being designed to be retained within either the upper or lower series of bores formed in the knuckle assembly.

Abstract: A shim is used to adjust camber in a wheel mounted on a suspension assembly that has a mounting plate with an opening for a drive axle for mounting both a brake caliper and a hub and wheel bearing assembly associated with the wheel. The shim has a central shim body tapered to define a shim angle. The shim body has a drive axle opening therethrough and a plurality of openings for fasteners connecting the hub and wheel bearing assembly to the mounting plate. At least one brake caliper lobe extends from the central shim body and provides an extension of the central shim body defining the same shim angle as the shim body. The lobe further has an opening therethrough for a fastener connecting the brake caliper to the mounting plate. The shim is interposed between the mounting plate, on the one hand, and the disk brake caliper and hub and wheel bearing assembly, on the other hand, to adjust the angle of both by the defined shim angle.

Abstract: A hinge and connection assembly kit is used in combination with an open vehicle box covered by a cap or topper and having a pair of opposed parallel sidewalls, each with a channel rail along the interior of the upper edge of the sidewall. The vehicle cap for covering the open vehicle box also has a pair of opposed parallel sidewalls, each of which has a base rail along its lower margin for resting on the channel rails of the vehicle box. The kit comprises a plurality of hinge connection assemblies connected between the channel rails of the box sidewalls and the adjacent base rails of the cap sidewalls. Each hinge/connection assembly grasps the channel rail of a box sidewall. A lower hinge plate is connected to the channel grasping structure and has a first, downwardly concave hinge channel at its outer edge. A corresponding upper hinge plate is connected to a cap base rail above the lower hinge plate.

Abstract: A unique shim and method for installing the shim to adjust camber and/or toe in a land vehicle wheel assembly is disclosed. The shim comprises an annular, tapered shim having a shim hub and a plurality of shim tabs extending radially outwardly from the shim hub. A camber and toe adjustment chart is used to determine the angular orientation of the shim required to achieve a desired camber and toe correction, and a template is provided to determine which shim tabs require detachment from the shim hub to provide bolt clearing gaps in the shim.

Abstract: A boot for enclosing a flexible rotating joint. The boot body has a generally tubular shape with end openings and at least one longitudinal seam running from one end opening to the other. The seam is formed by two edges. One edge mates with the other edge to form a boot with an annular cross-section. The edges of the seam are interbonded to one another by a thin, flexible bond extending along the contact surface between them. Adapter rings placed within the end openings permit a single boot size to be fitted to several different axle and housing sizes and shapes.

Abstract: A vehicle has an axle assembly which comprises an axle, which axle includes a steering knuckle pivotally mounted to a rigid axle housing, and a spindle, for supporting a wheel of the vehicle for rotation, mounted to the steering knuckle. The steering knuckle and spindle have mounting pads which are held in facing relationship. In its apparatus aspects, the present invention involves a tapered shim member interposed between the mounting pads in order to adjust the angle formed by the spindle and axle to thereby adjust the camber of the wheel. In its method aspects, the invention involves changing the angle between the spindle and axle. The present invention finds an important application in adjusting the camber of the front wheels of conventionally constructed four-wheel drive vehicles.