Abstract: A multi-wheel heeling apparatus is provided. The multi-wheel heeling apparatus has a sole with a first opening formed in a heel portion of the sole and a second opening in the sole formed adjacent the first opening. The multi-wheel heeling apparatus includes a first and a second wheel assemblies. The first wheel assembly includes a first wheel mounted on a first axle, and a first mounting structure operable to support the first axle so that a portion of the first wheel resides in the first opening. The second wheel assembly includes a second wheel mounted on a second axle, and a second mounting structure operable to support the second axle so that a portion of the second wheel resides in the second opening.

Abstract: In a cart and a carrier for medical equipment, the carrier has a bottom section and a back section and a pair of wheels and is arranged on an axle at the junction between the bottom section and the back section. The axle functions as a pivot axle and the back section as a lever for lifting the entire bottom section off the floor when the carrier is moved. Smooth and convenient interaction between the cart and carrier is achieved because the cart has a receiving part and a first locking part, and the carrier has a coupling arrangement and a second locking part. The coupling arrangement can be inserted into the receiving part and serves as a pivot axle for the carrier. The carrier locks to the cart when the second locking part is moved toward the first locking part when the carrier is lifted around the pivot axle.

Abstract: A wheeled caddy for washing a vehicle for providing tools and supplies readily reachable for a user to wash one's vehicle. The wheeled caddy for washing a vehicle includes a base assembly including a base member being mounted upon a wheel assembly for movement upon a ground; and also includes a support member being mounted upon the base member and having an open top; and further includes a handle assembly including a handle holder member being securely attached to the support member, and also including a handle member being pivotally attached to the support member; and further includes a bucket being removably supported upon the support member; and also includes cleaning accessory holders being securely attached to the support member for holding items used to wash a vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with umbrella types of folding strollers includes a platform with two casters disposed under opposite rear corners thereof. A pair of members are attached to the platform and extend vertically a predetermined distance from two opposite front corners. The pair of members each include a ninety degree radius turn and continue to extend in a direction away from the rear of the platform. The pair of members each terminate in a loop, at least one of the loops having an axial offset wherein an end thereof is disposed further away from a center of the apparatus than is the remainder of the loop. A rod with an offset weight at a first end is provided. The main longitudinal axis of the rod includes a jog at an opposite second end. The rod can be inserted through the loop having the axial offset only if the offset weight is held vertically above the main longitudinal axis of the rod.

Abstract: A detachable mounting arrangement, for a stroller front guard adapted to transversely extend from a seat frame of the stroller to form a front boundary thereof, includes two joint members provided at two ends of the front guard for detachably mounting on the seat frame, wherein each of the joint members has a base joint having two supporting walls to mounted on the seat frame. Each joint member further has at least a locking slot provided on one of the supporting walls and has an opening formed at an edge of the respective supporting wall. Two locking shanks, which are provided on two sides of the seat frame, each has a neck portion protruded from the seat frame and arranged to slide into the locking slot so as to lock up the joint member on the seat frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to a parallel spacing guide that when attached to a hand-held marking device (spray gun), it enables the user to mark an accurate and consistent extended line one to four feet from a curb, wall, or other vertical surface; and one to four feet from a line or score mark along the ground in cases where a vertical surface is temporarily absent. This is achieved by having the parallel spacing guide soundly attached to a hand-held marking device. While holding the parallel spacing guide in one hand by the embodied handle and the attached marking device by it's handle in the other hand, the user pushes the invention along the street or highway with the end of the parallel spacing guide butted against the curb or wall while simultaneously using the marking device to mark the line by discharging paint or chalk.

Abstract: A four-link suspension system provides an almost infinite amount of adjustments to compensate for changing weather and road conditions. The suspension system includes a main support bracket with a plurality of holes formed therein and a plurality of links attached thereto. Each of the plurality of links has a plurality of holes formed therein for engaging a respective one of the plurality of holes formed in the main support bracket. The particular placement and combination of the holes in the main support bracket and each link, the size of each hole and slot, the shape of each link, the shape of the main support bracket, and the engagement of the links to the main support bracket permit the four-link suspension system to have hundreds of possible instant center (I/C) choices and locations. The assortment of configurations available allow the user to have an ideal four-link suspension system for any particular application.

Abstract: A skateboard for use on a hard surface, configured to simulate the response of a snowboard, has a support platform to which sets of wheels are mounted. The wheels have successively decreasing diameters mounted on a common axle. The wheels of successively decreasing diameter may additionally or alternately be formed of materials of successively greater frictional and compressibility characteristics.

Abstract: A dynamically adjustable motion stabilizer, including a motion stabilizer in combination with a centering adjustment mechanism for yieldingly urging a relatively movable load member toward a normal or centered position relative to another load member, includes a telescoping body that shortens (retracts) as the load members move toward one another and lengthens (extends) as the load members move apart. The centering adjustment mechanism includes a spring assembly, a locking mechanism structured to lock the spring assembly, a releasing mechanism structured to unlock the locking mechanism, and a control mechanism structured to control the releasing mechanism.

Abstract: An air suspension for a vehicle includes at least one air spring per wheel at at least one vehicle axle, one pump, at least one accumulator, and one circuit arrangement for connecting these units, the pressure side of the pump being connected to the accumulator or the air springs. To form a closed compressed-air system, the intake side of the pump is connected via at least one valve to the accumulator or the air springs, and at least the air-guiding interior pump chambers between the intake side and the pressure side of the pump have a pressure-tight design. The air suspension system requires comparably low energy consumption and small unit volume at a high level of efficiency.

Abstract: A kinetic energy generating mechanism includes a driven mechanism having a transmission member wound around two driving members that are rotatably connected to two pivotal shafts fixedly connected to a vehicle at predetermined positions, a transmission mechanism having front and rear rotating shafts mounting on the vehicle, and two transmission members separately wound around two pairs of front and rear driving members that are engaged with two unidirectional-rotation control members provided on at least the rear rotating shaft, and two actuating mechanisms fixedly connected to the transmission members of the driven and the transmission mechanisms. By applying a rearward force to slide either of the two actuating mechanisms, two rear wheels of the vehicle connected to two ends of the rear rotating shaft could be rotated forward with largely reduced effort.

Abstract: A computer controlled suspension system is provided for a bicycle, which can effectively absorb shock and provide stability on rough surfaces regardless of the speed of the vehicle. The suspension system has a control unit, a front suspension, a rear suspension, a front wheel terrain sensor, and a rear controller. The rear suspension is selectively adjustable by the control unit to change stiffness of the rear suspension. When the front suspension hits a bump or a depression in the surface of the ground, a signal is sent to the rear controller so that the rear suspension can react appropriately. In one embodiment, a pedaling torque sensor is operatively coupled to the control unit to input a signal that is indicative of pedaling force, and the rear controller adjusts stiffness of the rear suspension in response to the pedaling force via the control unit.

Abstract: In a wheeled cycle, including a bicycle, having a headtube supporting a front handlebar stem and front wheel fork yoke, a tool-free stem-to-yoke mounting assembly and method is provided for mounting the front handlebar stem to the front wheel fork yoke in mating relation rotationally supported in the headtube, the tool-free stem-to-yoke mounting assembly mounting the stem to the yoke within the headtube with an insertion motion requiring no tools. Disassembly desirably requires a tool.

Abstract: A multi-functional vehicle for being used selectively on land or in a body of water, the vehicle includes a vehicle frame mounted on two grouped pairs of frame wheels. A passenger cabin is releasably attached to the vehicle frame. A pair of floatation pontoons is releasably attached to the passenger cabin. The vehicle frame is convertible between a cabin receiving configuration and a load receiving configuration. The vehicle can be used to carry additional passengers or load while being attached to conventional vehicles such as conventional ATV vehicles. The trailer can be specifically designed so as to be able to follow the often rugged off-road terrain on which some vehicles such as ATV vehicles are commonly used. The passenger cabin can be readily converted into a water craft through a set a quick and ergonomical steps. The vehicle may also be used on a gliding surface such as snow and converted into a gliding vehicle.

Abstract: The invention is an articulated frame for attachment to a trailer hitch for purposes of facilitating alignment and coupling of the trailer hitch to a vehicle hitch.

Abstract: An extensible draw bar for facilitating coupling of a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle. An extension may be slidably secured to a static portion of a draw bar. A lock may be secured to the draw bar and be activated and deactivated to fix and release the extension, respectively. An extender may be activated to move the extension outwardly from the static portion. The extension may be slidable with respect to the lock while the lock is activated for certain positions of the extension relative to the lock. The extension may be positionable relative to the activated lock to automatically engage the lock to fix the position of the extension relative to the static portion.

Abstract: A hitch mounting assembly for connecting a vehicle to an object. The hitch includes a first member mountable to the vehicle and a second member for receiving the object that is displaced from the fixed member by a plurality of elongate relevant members.

Abstract: A tractor having a cargo box and an axle mounted hitch ball in which the hitch ball projects upward through an opening in the cargo box floor. This arrangement enables the ball to be used when the cargo box is mounted to the tractor.Furthermore, since the ball is mounted to the axle and not the cargo box, greater load carrying capacity is achieved and the hitch can be used when the box removed from the tractor.

Abstract: Step-in snowboard binding designed to hold a boot by its sides. The binding comprises at least one jaw (2) secured to a driving arm (9) intended to be driven by the boot. The jaw has a cam-shaped part (9) collaborating with a locking element (12) which can move in a guide (13) in such a way that the jaw is locked for various positions of the jaw. The jaw (2) is equipped with a return spring which tends to keep it in the open position, and the jaw and the locking element cooperate to keep the locking element away from its locking position when the jaw is raised. In this way, the jaw cannot be closed inadvertently and the locking element does not hamper the closure movement.

Abstract: A foldable structure for an infant stroller has a frame of an extended length for holding one or more seats. The frame is foldable and includes a handle bracket, armrests, front wheel brackets, rear wheel brackets and a seat bracket. The seat is mounted to the seat bracket. The seat has a backrest supported by an extendable rod. The extendable rod consists of an inner rod and an outer rod. The outer rod has a longitudinal trough to allow the inner rod to slide reciprocally therein. For installation, the inner rod is inserted into the longitudinal trough of the outer rod, pivotally engaged with the armrest, and the outer rod is pivotally engaged with the seat bracket. After completing all pivotal fastening, the armrest and seat bracket form a restriction to prevent the extendable rod from separating from the structure. When the frame is folding, the extendable rod is safer to use and more appealing because of no jutting screws or pins.

Abstract: A golf bag cart (10) having a frame (14), a handle (22), first and second rear wheels (18, 20), and first and second wheel struts (52, 54), to which the first and second rear wheels (18, 20) are rotatably mounted, the first and second wheel struts (52, 54) being pivotally mounted to the frame (14) by mid-frame pivots (68). A front wheel (16) and a front wheel mount (44) are included, the front wheel mount (44) being pivotally attached to the frame (14) by a lower frame pivot (40). The golf bag cart (10) is movable from an extended configuration (12) to a collapsed configuration (13), such that the rear wheels (18, 20) pivot about the mid-frame pivots (68) to move towards the front wheel (14). The front wheel (14) and the wheel mount (44) pivot about the lower frame pivot (40) so that the front wheel (16) moves towards the rear wheels (18, 20), as the golf bag cart (10) is being collapsed.

Abstract: An air belt that includes a bag-shaped mesh webbing, a bag inserted into the mesh webbing, and a tube shaped mesh cover which covers the mesh webbing. The mesh cover includes warp yarn, weft yarn, and an connected part formed by connecting the weft yarn with an entanglement-thread at a hem. The entanglement-thread of the connected part breaks due the force of the bag expanding so that the bag and the mesh webbing expand further than the cover. The thickness of the cover is uniform across its width, resulting in a uniform bending strength of the mesh cover between the left and right hems and providing comfort to the wearer.

Abstract: A two-stage ignition type air bag actuator having first-stage inflators and second-stage inflators, comprising power supply 11 for supplying power to the igniting devices for the inflators, a mechanical acceleration switch 12 disposed between the common junction of the respective igniting devices 4, 5, 7, and 8 and the power supply 11, and a forcible igniting mechanism 15 disposed in parallel with the mechanical acceleration switch 12 for electrically connecting or disconnecting the common junction and the power supply 11.

Abstract: A simple string device 1 is used to retain an airbag in its folded position. The string device 1 is comprised of a string 10 formed in a loop or various types of loops, according to particular airbag configurations. The string device 2 is looped over securing studs 46 which protrude from the base 41 of the airbag assembly and are used to secure the airbag unit to a mounting structure. The string device 1 is then looped over the folded airbag 44 and looped around the securing studs 46 from the opposite direction, thus securing the folded airbag 44 in position.

Abstract: An instrument panel extends in the widthwise direction of a vehicle body, and is vertically separated into an upper panel and a lower panel. A bolt member for fastening a column-mounting bracket and a column holder is independently fixed to the column-mounting bracket and to the column holder. In a state in which the bolt member is fixed to the column holder, a first nut member is screwed onto a first externally-threaded portion from above the lower panel mounted on the vehicle body, thereby fastening the column holder to the column-mounting bracket.

Abstract: A vehicle protector has a sheet with peripheral channels containing an endless elasticized cable, such as a bungee cord, chock cord. At the corners exposures exposing the cable, and karabiners engage the cable and attach to eyebolts mounted on vehicles. The protector is slung below a tow bar connecting the vehicles. The sheet has side exposures exposing the endless cable, to which is attached a support bar. This has end hooks engaging the peripheral cable at the side exposures, connected by a second elasticized cable, such as a bungee cord. This second cable passes through tubes and collars so the support bar can rest on top the tow bar and support the protector at its sides. A loop of another cable, such as bungee cord, is attached by grommet and knot or ball bungee in the middle of the protector. The support bar is passed through this loop supporting the protector in the middle. A kit of protector, support bar and eyebolts is supplied.

Abstract: A seat belt system for a vehicle, for restraining an occupant in a seat disposed in a compartment of the vehicle. The vehicle comprises an opening formed on at least one side of the vehicular body, and a first door moving between a first state where the first door closes at least a part of the opening and a second state where the first door opens the opening. The seat belt system includes a belt webbing, a retractor disposed in the first door for retracting the proximal end of the belt webbing, and a sliding device fixed on a lower edge of the opening, to which the distal end of the belt webbing is attached. The sliding device permits the distal end of the belt webbing to slide along the lower edge of the opening between a forward position and a rearward position. The distal end of the belt webbing is located at the rearward position when the first door is in the second state.

Abstract: This is to provide a cover suitable to hollow-backed binding and provide a binding method for an album and the like for obtaining a well-bound appearance using the cover at low cost and easy to turn over. A cover is composed of a decoration cloth, a pair of substratum paper and a spine affiche adhered on required positions on the back of the decoration cloth, an interconnected reinforcement paper adhered to substratum paper to create a space between a spine affiche and a reverse paper.

Abstract: A pocket size booklet for keeping statical records of a particular person from birth and for keeping records of an adult person. Non-tearing waterproof pages made from a synthetic material are used, and the data is printed, or data is written, on the pages with an indelible ink. The pages include a water mark on each page. Pages may include medical history, physical conditions, surgeries, medications, and vaccination records of a person or child. Pages may be provide on which to place the footprints and fingerprints of a new born child.

Abstract: A micromachined O-ring is described. The O-ring can be formed for use in micromachined microfluidic devices.

Abstract: A spud assembly for use with a fuel tank having a body defining an interior chamber and having an outer periphery. The spud assembly includes a base attached to the outer periphery of the fuel tank and the base has a throughbore open to both the interior chamber of the tank as well as exteriorly of the tank. An elongated spud having an axial throughbore is movable relative to the base between a connected and an unconnected position. In its connected position, the spud is positioned through the base throughbore so that the spud fluidly connects the interior of the fuel tank to the spud. Additionally, when the spud is moved to its fully connected position, a locking finger on the base engages a lock abutment surface on the spud to secure the spud and base together. In an alternate embodiment, a locking ring is coaxially disposed over the spud and base when the spud is in its connected position.

Abstract: An articulating connector system including an active connector coupled to a first line and a hub assembly coupled to a second line. The active connector includes a swivel coupling element intermediate a grip and a ball nose to allow rotational and articulating motion. A seal is coupled to the ball nose and is protected and guided by an alignment lip into mating engagement with a sealing surface defined by the hub. A clamp closes about the swivel coupling element and hub to draw together the seal and sealing surface into sealing contact to connect the first line to the second line.

Abstract: Disclosed is a connection stub and a housing, in particular a high-pressure fuel reservoir, for a fuel injection system for internal combustion engines with a welded connection stub, in which sealing faces between the housing and the connection stub are provided, spatially separately from the weld seam.

Abstract: A pipe joint formed by screwing a pin portion having a tapered male thread formed on the outer peripheral surface of the end of a pipe into a box portion having a tapered female thread formed on the inner peripheral surface of the end of a pipe or a short pipe so as to threadingly engage with the tapered male thread, the pipe joint having the following shape: clearance C between thread stab flanks: 0.5-1.0 mm thread stab flank angle &thgr;:  15-60 degrees thread crest surfaces and parallel to the pipe axis thread root surfaces: radius R of stab flank corner  1.0-1.25 mm portions of male thread: In addition, the taper of the incomplete thread portion of the pin portion is preferably 0.96-0.90 times the nominal taper of the complete thread portion.

Abstract: A door latching mechanism includes a slide housed within a frame adapted for sliding motion of the slide within the frame and a spindle rotatably mounted to the frame and adapted to move the slide between a retracted and an extended position. A void is defined between an exterior surface of the frame and an interior surface of a cover housing the frame and the slide. An insert includes wings, which extend into the void and are positioned on opposite sides of the slide from each other.

Abstract: A control unit is configured to carry out a given controlling of an electric motor when a given operation is carried. The given operation is an operation wherein under operation of a closure mechanism, the door is moved in a close direction passing through an operative position of a half-latch switch and then moved back in an open direction at a position just before the half-latch position. The given controlling is so made that when the moving member takes a position other than a neutral position upon completion of the given operation, the electric motor is rotated in a reversed direction to move the moving member to the neutral position, and when the moving member takes the neutral position upon completion of the given operation, the electric motor is stopped to keep the moving member at the neutral position.

Abstract: A motor vehicle electric door lock with an outside housing which is essentially closed on all sides, with an inlet channel for a key collar and located in the outside housing, a rotary latch, a detent pawl which holds the rotary latch, a separate detent pawl lever which is dynamically connected to the detent pawl or which is made on the detent pawl as an extension, and an electrical opening drive unit with a drive motor, step-down gearing, and a driven element, the driven element via the detent pawl lever driving the detent pawl in the lifting direction and engaging the actuating section of the detent pawl lever. The drive unit is located in the drive housing which is located in the outside housing and which is sealed relative to the remainder of the outside housing, the driven element of the drive unit is a cam wheel which is located on the outside of the drive housing and the drive shaft of the cam wheel is sealed by a rotary bushing which is routed through the wall of the drive housing.

Abstract: An elongated channel protector has an end wall that precludes axial displacement of the protector along an elongated rail car plug door operating handle in one direction. Angle shaped members extend from the protector laterally for engaging a cover appurtenance on the door for precluding axial displacement of the protector in the opposite direction. A pair of legs depend from the protector side walls and have aligned holes for receiving a bolt seal. Tubular elements surround the holes to protect the seal head and locking body. The seal is seated beneath the handle which is covered by the protector locking the protector to the handle.

Abstract: A latch guard for covering a door latch opening in a door jamb. Covering the door latch opening in a door jamb enables a door to be opened easily without requiring opening of a door knob. The latch guard contains a C-shaped piece attached to a rectangular piece. The C-shaped piece fits into the door latch opening in a door jamb. The rectangular piece serves as a backing to the C-shaped piece, and the rectangular piece lies flat against a door jamb when the latch guard is installed in a door latch opening in a door jamb. The latch guard is easily installable and removable.

Abstract: A motor vehicle bumper has an internal bumper part mountable on a motor vehicle body. An external bumper part is fastened to the internal bumper part. The internal bumper part includes a base body fastened to the motor vehicle body and a holding bar fastened by a releasable fastener to the base body. An edge of the external bumper part is releasably fastened thereto. The holding bar is unfastened from the base body by the application of force to the external bumper part on the lengthwise direction of a motor vehicle and to the vehicle body.

Abstract: An energy absorbing assembly for a vehicle including an elongated crash box having ends with circular cross-sections. One end of the crash box is received in a bumper beam and is friction welded to an inside surface of the beam. The other end of the crash box is friction welded to a bracket assembly.

Abstract: The subject of the current invention is an eight-functions-in-one truck tailgate extender. It consists of a load-carrying member positioned parallel to and proximate the upper edge of a truck tailgate with one or more telescoping assemblies connecting the load-carrying member to either the tailgate or to the truck body. Depending on the degree of extension of the telescoping assemblies, the load-carrying member may be resting on or near the top of the tailgate, or it may be extended at various lengths up to the full extension of the telescoping assemblies. A locking mechanism between the individual elements of the telescoping assemblies allows the load-carrying member to be affixed at varying distances away from the top of the tailgate. Further, the load-carrying member has a plurality of holes, or other suitable means along its length, to serve as tie-down points for various width loads. The load-carrying member can also be fitted with one or more horizontal, elongate members which serve as a bicycle rack.

Abstract: An attachment (A) mounted on an end of a litter (L) used for transporting a person includes a frame (3) extending transversely of the litter between poles (P1, P2) at one end of the litter. A pair of collars (4) are attached to the frame and sized to fit over ends of the poles for mounting the attachment to the litter. Wheels (1, 19) carried by the frame extend beneath the litter so when the attachment is mounted in place, the litter is movable over a surface by only one attendant. A trapezoidal support (18) extends upwardly from the frame above an upper surface of the litter so when the attendant lifts the end of the litter opposite that on which the attachment is mounted, the person placed on the litter is supported in place and will not fall off the litter.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for transporting an animal container with a towing vehicle is disclosed. The animal container is rotatable about an axis from (1) an upright position disposed on a support surface, to (2) a tilted transportable position. The apparatus includes a tongue having a pivot end pivotally connected to the animal container and an opposite towing end selectively connectable to the towing vehicle. A stop is connected to the animal container, wherein when the animal container is in the upright position and the towing end of the tongue is pulled by the towing vehicle in a direction away from the animal container, the stop engages the support surface thereby enabling the rotation of the animal container about the axis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle-seat storing structure having in combination an instrument panel disposed in the front end zone of a cabin space of a vehicle along the width direction of the vehicle, and a seat disposed opposed to the instrument panel. A concave portion is formed in the surface of the instrument panel opposed to the seat so as to receive therein at least a part of the seat in a seat position where a seat cushion is slidingly moved to a given position in the front end zone of the cabin space and a seatback is inclined frontwardly by a given angle. Further, the instrument panel defines an inside space having a given zone containing an air-conditioning unit for controllably adjusting cabin air and outside air to provide a desired cabin-air condition.

Abstract: A sun visor that has a core formed of first and second foldable halves. A guide is mounted on one of the core halves and receives a support arm. A carrier has a through aperture. The support arm moveably extends through the guide into the carrier. Ribs are formed on each of the core halves and respectively engage oppositely opening channels in the carrier to support sliding movement of the carrier and the core as the core is moved relative to the support arm. In a non-sliding configuration, a short length support arm extends through the guide with the carrier, with the carrier non-moveably mounted in the guide.

Abstract: The sun visor includes a core formed of first and second foldable halves. A recess is formed in one of the halves and receives a filler member. In one aspect, the filler member has a thickness the same as the depth of the recess. A cover is mountable over the core and the filler member. Another aspect, a mirror assembly is mountable in the recess. In one aspect, the mirror assembly is mounted in the recess, with the cover interposed between the mirror assembly and the core half Lock projections carried on the mirror assembly are extendible through apertures in the core half into engagement with lock receivers carried on the other core half to attach the mirror to the core when the core halves are locked together. The mirror assembly may include a mirror, or a frame surrounding a mirror, or an optional pivotal cover carried on the frame or optional illumination elements carried in a frame for illuminating the mirror.

Abstract: A variable opacity sunscreen. The sunscreen includes sunshade body having a plurality of apertures therethrough. A blade slidable relative to the sunshade body is provided. The blade includes a plurality of apertures and a blade slot therethrough. The sunscreen further includes a lever cooperable with the blade slot to slide the blade relative to the sunshade body so that the apertures and the blade move relative to the apertures in the sunshade body to vary the opacity of a sunscreen across its entire surface or a part thereof.

Abstract: A variable rate covering system for open top vehicle containers includes a hydraulic actuating system for pivoting arms carrying a roll up cover wherein the fluid flow rates to the hydraulic cylinders are reduced during the initial and final phases of the stroke to reduce acceleration and impact forces on the arms, cover and components, and normal fluid flow rates are provided during central phase movement without significantly affecting overall cycle time. The hydraulic cylinders are provided with metering orifices that reduce fluid flow rates to and from the cylinder pressure chambers for predetermined portions of the stroke length, thereby cushioning the pivoting mechanism at the terminal positions.

Abstract: A slideout-bed coupling system for a recreational vehicle that allows the bed to be positioned at desirable locations when the slideout is in retracted and extended configurations. By selectively coupling the slideout to the bed during the movement operation of the slideout, the bed's position relative to its surrounding can be controlled. In one embodiment, the bed's axis is oriented to be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the recreational vehicle, and the bed partially moves when the slideout extends. As such, when the slideout is in the retracted configuration, the bed can be positioned to provide selected access to the one or more side of the bed. When the slideout is in the extended configuration, the coupling system allows the bed to be positioned to provide enhanced accessible clearance to both sides of the bed.