Abstract: A transport assembly for use, for example, in mass transportation, comprises a track and a frame mounted to the track for motion therealong, the frame including a housing which defines a traction chamber in communication with the track. At least one traction wheel is rotatably mounted to the frame in friction contact with the track. The traction wheel is at least partially disposed in the traction chamber. A car with a passenger compartment is coupled to the frame via a shock absorbing linkage so that the car is substantially isolated from irregularities in the track during motion of the frame and the car along the track. A suction source is operatively connected to the housing for generating a vacuum in the traction chamber during motion of the frame and the car along the track. A drive mounted to the frame is operatively connected to the traction wheel for drivingly rotating the wheel to propel the frame and the car along the track.

Abstract: The swash plate engine is provided with an Aspin type rotary valve system with a variable compression capability. The engine may be of four-piston type or six-piston type. The size of the combustion chambers can be changed from time to time to vary the compression ratio. The engine may also be coupled with an accumulator to store the energy of braking for subsequent acceleration of the engine.

Abstract: The swash plate engine is provided with an Aspin type rotary valve system with a variable compression capability. The engine may be of four-piston type or six-piston type. The size of the combustion chambers can be changed from time to time to vary the compression ratio.The engine may also be coupled with an accumulator to store the energy of braking for subsequent acceleration of the engine.

Abstract: In order to reduce steering effort in an automobile at low speeds, without excessive power consumption, a low amplitude dither is introduced into the steering linkage to break away the friction between the tires and road surface.

Abstract: A door is mounted to hinge about a horizontal axis between a closed position and an open position. A torsion bar is mounted in pretensioned manner to bias the door from the closed position to the open position and to hold the door in the open position in a tensioned manner. The vehicle body is made of molded reinforced plastic while the hinges and mounting plates are metal.

Abstract: The invention relates to the fabrication of composite rigid tubular structures which include a rigidified tubular core member, an initially open-cell resilient foam material helically wrapped about the core member, a layer of reinforcing elements helically wrapped about and radially compressing said foam material, and a thermoset resinous matrix filling the compressed open-cells of said foam material and encapsulating said reinforcing elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to the fabrication of composite rigid tubular structures which include a rigidified tubular core member, an initially open-cell resilient foam material helically wrapped about the core member, a layer of reinforcing elements helically wrapped about and radially compressing said foam material, and a thermoset resinous matrix filling the compressed open-cells of said foam material and encapsulating said reinforcing elements.