Abstract: A vehicle system has a pedal, a first internal combustion engine, a second internal combustion engine and an electric engine. The first internal combustion engine, the second internal combustion engine and the electric engine are respectively coupled with the pedal. The first internal combustion engine, the second internal combustion engine and the electric engine are operatively supplementary to one another.

Abstract: A vehicle system has a pedal, a first internal combustion engine, a second internal combustion engine and an electric engine. The first internal combustion engine, the second internal combustion engine and the electric engine are respectively coupled with the pedal. The first internal combustion engine, the second internal combustion engine and the electric engine are operatively supplementary to one another.

Abstract: A motor vehicle is provided with a power train having primary and auxiliary internal combustion engines which selectively feed power to a jackshaft. The power accumulated in the jackshaft is conveyed to a speed change transmission. Fuel economy is achieved by utilizing only one engine when lesser power is needed by the vehicle.

Abstract: A drive-train for a fuel-efficient wheeled vehicle includes a first internal combustion engine and a second internal combustion engine of lesser power adapted to drive a generator. An electric motor is adapted to drive the vehicle primarily during cruising mode operation. The first engine is employed primarily to provide maximal power to the vehicle for acceleration, hill-climbing and towing. The power from both the motor and first engine can be selectively combined for varied conditions of operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A fuel-efficient automotive vehicle is provided having a power train including a primary internal combustion engine, an auxiliary engine, and a coupling system which selectively transfers power from the auxiliary engine to the primary engine when the speed of operation of the auxiliary engine equals the speed of the primary engine. The speeds of both engines are controlled by separate gas pedals conventionally located within the vehicle. The primary engine is of smaller power and better fuel efficiency than an engine which would generally be required by the vehicle. Although the primary engine can maintain the vehicle at a cruising speed, it relies upon the added power of the auxiliary engine for acceleration and hill-climbing.

Abstract: A motor vehicle is provided with a power train having primary and auxiliary internal combustion engines which selectively feed power to a jackshaft. The power accumulated in the jackshaft is conveyed to a speed change transmission. Fuel economy is achieved by utilizing only one engine when lesser power is needed by the vehicle.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle having improved fuel economy is equipped with a drive system having a primary internal combustion engine and an auxiliary internal combustion engine of smaller size and better fuel economy than the primary engine. The primary engine is adapted to take the vehicle to its cruising speed, at which point the auxiliary engine is activated and interacts by way of an automatic clutch system to power the vehicle while the primary engine is disconnected from the drive system and throttled down.

Abstract: A motor vehicle having a primary internal combustion engine is equipped with a secondary engine and an electric motor to supplement the power produced by the primary engine. The primary engine provides power for acceleration and hill climbing. When in a cruising mode of travel, the primary engine is deactivated, and the secondary engine, which is smaller and more fuel-efficient than the primary engine, provides the driving power. The electric motor adjustably augments the power provided by the secondary engine.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle is constructed having a metal framework and a body made of interconnected plastic components including a floor module. The framework has elongated longitudinal and transverse structural members of uniform cross sectional configuration. The underside of the floor module has downwardly directed troughs positioned and configured to engage the elongated structural members. Resilient bushing material is disposed between the engaged troughs and structural members, and is compressively held in place by U-shaped brackets which urge the structural members into the corresponding troughs. By virtue of such construction, the framework and body are integrated in a manner which minimizes stresses that would otherwise be conveyed to the body from the framework.

Abstract: An improved transmission system is provided for an automotive vehicle having multiple engines for reason of fuel economy, including primary and secondary internal combustion engines separately supplied with fuel and having crankshafts in parallel orientation and terminating in co-directionally rotating flywheels. The improved transmission system includes a clutch mechanism associated with the flywheels for controllably transferring rotary force axially to input shafts in spaced apart parallel relationship and coupled by a power transfer mechanism. A sprag clutch is interactive between the secondary input shaft and the power transfer mechanism. A main gear, driven by the power transfer mechanism, is located within a gear box having speed change gears.

Abstract: A multi-cylinder internal combustion engine for a wheeled vehicle is divided into at least two power producing sub-units designated primary and secondary sub-units. The primary sub-unit operates during all powered movement of the vehicle. The secondary sub-unit is activated only when additional power is needed. When inactive, no fuel is delivered to the secondary sub-unit, and there is no movement of its components. Each sub-unit has its own crankshaft, and the crankshafts are connected by a clutch mechanism interactive with a single output shaft that delivers power to the wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: A rear view monitoring system for motor vehicles employs three video assemblies, two of which view regions rearwardly at opposite sides of the vehicle, and the third views the region directly rearwardly of the vehicle. Each assembly has an optical lens which gathers light at a particular viewing angle to produce a focused image, and a camera body which converts the image to an electronic signal capable of adjustment and transmission by electrical conductors. The assemblies also have provision for reversing the image to a mirror-image format. The mirror images are of substantially equal magnification and are displayed on screens mounted within the vehicle at positions generally associated with conventional rear view mirrors.

Abstract: An aircraft is provided having an inflatable parafoil canopy wing and a suspended fuselage. The wing is constructed such that, when inflated, it has an airfoil configuration having leading and trailing edges, thereby producing lift by interaction with air encountered by the leading edge. A central compartment confines a buoyant gas which causes the total volume of the wing to be varied in response to the degree of inflation with the buoyant gas. With sufficient inflation, the aircraft is capable of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL).

Abstract: An apparatus for extending the drive ratios and versatility of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) includes an enclosure which houses parallel input and output shafts journaled to front and rear walls of the enclosure. The input shaft receives rotative force directly from one or two CVT units. Low gear, drive gear and reverse gears are disposed upon the input shaft. Corresponding driven low gear, drive gear and reverse gears are disposed upon the output shaft. The corresponding gears are connected by positive drive belts. Coupling devices axially sliding upon splines in the input shaft in response to a shifting lever achieve low, drive, reverse and park modalities of the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for extending the drive ratios and versatility of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) includes an enclosure which houses parallel input and output shafts journaled to front and rear walls of the enclosure. The input shaft receives rotative force directly from one or two CVT units. Low gear, drive gear and reverse gears are disposed upon the input shaft. Corresponding driven low gear, drive gear and reverse gears are disposed upon the output shaft. The corresponding gears are connected by positive drive belts. Coupling devices axially sliding upon splines in said input shaft in response to a shifting lever achieve low, drive, reverse and park modalities of the apparatus.

Abstract: A multi-hulled watercraft adapted to travel above the surface of a body of water includes deck structure disposed between the hulls and defining with the hulls and water surface a channel through which air is compressively funneled with forward travel of the watercraft. The deck structure includes a bridge component having an airplane wing airfoil configuration. At least one air-moving propulsion unit is mounted on the deck structure at an elevation such that its thrust axis is above the bridge component. Elevon and rudder components located at the rear of the watercraft control the movement of the watercraft when airborne and when riding on the surface of the water. During forward travel, lift is imparted to the watercraft by the combined effects of the channelled air flow beneath the deck structure, and the airfoil configuration of the bridge component.

Abstract: A wetness monitoring system for a disposable diaper includes an elongated compliant sensor installable within the front portion of the diaper and having an inner conductive layer, a hydrophilic porous middle layer containing a water-soluble ionizable salt, and an outer conductive layer. The several layers are non-conductively interbonded at discontinuous sites. The upper extremity of the sensor provides electrical connector terminals. When urine contacts the sensor, the salt dissolves to form a highly conductive volume of solution that causes an electrical short circuit between inner and outer layers. The short circuit enables a low voltage direct current to activate an alarm mechanism.

Abstract: An automobile which affords increased safety to its occupants and sustains minimal damage during a frontal collision includes elongated force-transmitting members that extend between front and rear bumpers in slidably telescopic interaction with the chassis of the automobile. Energy-absorbing springs receive force from a rearwardly displaced rear bumper during a frontal collision, and impart a rearward pulling effect on the automobile.

Abstract: An automobile which affords increased safety to its occupants and sustains minimal damage during a frontal collision includes elongated force-transmitting members that extend between front and rear bumpers in slidably telescopic interaction with the chassis of the automobile. Energy-absorbing springs receive force from a rearwardly displaced rear bumper during a frontal collision, and impart a rearward pulling effect on the automobile. The automobile may also be equipped with a passenger module that moves forwardly and tilts upwardly during a frontal collision. An air bag device may be disposed between the front bumper and the passenger module.

Abstract: An automotive wheeled vehicle of light weight and improved fuel efficiency has first and second laterally opposed drive wheels mounted upon a stationary axle positioned transversely to the direction of vehicle motion, each of the drive wheels being driven by separate and independent internal combustion engines to provide controlled forward motion of the vehicle. An electric motor provides controlled reverse motion of the vehicle. One engine serves as a primary engine, and the second engine serves to provide auxiliary power when the primary engine is operating.