Abstract: A vehicle steering apparatus (20) includes a steering feel motor (50). A torque sensor (58) senses steering torque applied by a vehicle driver. A sensor (24) senses a characteristic of a driver and provides a signal indicative thereof. A hazard sensor (44) senses a potential steering hazard. The steering feel motor is controlled in response to the sensed driver characteristic and to any sensed potential steering hazard. Either open-loop or closed-loop control is provided for controlling the feel motor in response to sensed static and dynamic forces.

Abstract: A force actuator (11) is connected between a vehicle body (15) and each vehicle wheel (16). A position sensor (66) senses displacement between the vehicle body and each vehicle wheel and provides a position signal (67) indicative thereof. An acceleration sensor (60) senses vertical inertial acceleration of the vehicle body relative to ground at each vehicle wheel and provides an acceleration signal (61) indicative of vertical inertial acceleration of the vehicle body at each vehicle wheel. A controller (70) including a digital signal processor (80) determines a velocity signal based on each acceleration signal. The controller determines a plurality of modal forces including heave, pitch, and roll modal forces which act on the vehicle body. The plurality of modal forces vary as a function of the position and velocity signals at the vehicle wheels. A force actuator control signal (94) at each vehicle wheel is produced which varies as a function of the plurality of modal forces.

Abstract: An actuator for a vehicle suspension system comprises a first member connectable to one of a sprung mass and an unsprung mass of the vehicle. The first member has an opening with an inside wall of predetermined dimension. A second member is connectable to the other of the sprung mass and the unsprung mass of the vehicle. The second member has an outside wall of a predetermined dimension. The dimension of the outside wall of the second member is adapted so as to be telescopically received within the opening of the first member thereby defining a fluid chamber. A source of pressurized fluid is connectable to the fluid chamber. A fluid seal is located near an end of the first member form a fluid seal between the first member and the second member.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle comprises at least one adjustable wheel corner, each adjustable corner including a linear actuator operatively connected between a sprung mass and an unsprung mass of the vehicle. The linear actuator is actively movable in at least one direction in response to applied fluid pressure. The system further includes a first electrically controlled servo valve having a quiescent pilot fluid flow. An accumulator is connected to its associated actuator through a second electrically controlled servo valve also having a quiescent pilot fluid flow. The quiescent pilot flows from the first and second servo valves are connected to the accumulator for pressurizing the accumulator. A pump is operatively connected to the servo valve for providing pilot pressure, the pump being connectable to the actuator upon operation of the first servo valve. A sensor is provided for sensing force inputs to the vehicle.

Abstract: A semi-active suspension system having a linear actuator operatively connected between a sprung mass and an unsprung mass of the vehicle for each corner of the vehicle. An accumulator connected to the actuator through an electrically controlled valve. An actuatable fluid RAM is in fluid communication with the accumulator for controlling fluid pressure in the accumulator. A hydraulic ram driver is operatively connected to the RAM. A sensor senses force inputs to the vehicle. A controller controls (i) the ram driver for pressurizing the accumulator to a desired fluid pressure, and (ii) the electrically controlled valve in response to sensed force input so as to effect a fluid pressure change in the actuator. Each fluid RAM includes a hydraulic motor having a housing and a piston slidably mounted in the housing.

Abstract: A beach lounge which may be folded up to form a carrying case with two separate compartments and a handle. The lounge includes two pairs of identically formed shell members pivotally connected in series to one another. The shell members are vented and have notches for gripping a towel cover to the lounge. A shade/support assembly may be adjusted to support the upper two shells in various positions to provide a frame for draping a towel to provide shade and to provide a handle when the lounge is folded into the carrying case position.

Abstract: A shower device for connection to a fixed water outlet that extends out from a vertical wall includes a T-connection having a central opening that is mountable on the water outlet. A first articulated shower-head assembly is movably mounted on one side opening of the T-connection so that a first shower-head can be manually disposed at any position in a first predetermined sector that lies in a plane normal to the wall. A second articulated shower-head assembly is movably mounted on the other side opening of the T-connection so that a second shower-head can be disposed at any position in a second predetermined sector that lies in another plane normal to the wall.

Abstract: A spectator seat for optional use either in one mode of assembly as a carrying case for transporting articles to and from a stadium event or the like, such as a parade, or in another mode of assembly as a seat for attachment over a space on a conventional flat backless bench seat and wherein the spectator seat is composed of a seat member of open shell form with hooks extending downwardly from it which are sized and configured for hooked-up engagement with the front portion of a flat bench-type stadium seat, a mating one-piece back member of open shell form and wherein the backrest and seat member are adapted for telescopic interconnection of the backrest member in upstanding relation to the seat member and wherein the device includes orienting surfaces for the two members relative to one another as a carrying case and a locking means to lock the two members into a shell defining relation for use in transporting articles to and from an event.

Abstract: An information system for storing and automatically retrieving selected information and transmitting it to a user over a telephone line is described. The system includes a recorder unit on which a series of information messages can be recorded on a recording medium and replayed from the recording medium. A telephone coupler unit for connection to a telephone line detects incoming calls on the line. An automatic controller operates the coupler unit to connect calls through an audio switch assembly to the recorder unit. The controller monitors connected calls to detect touch tone signals from a user and automatically operates the recorder unit in response to the signals to drive it to a user chosen position represented by the signals and to play the message recorded at that position.