Abstract: A steering device includes: a column pipe; an outer housing having a clamping portion; a pair of stopper plates; a fastener having a bolt shaft that is mounted on the clamping portion so as to fasten the clamping portion to thereby fix the column pipe; and a buffer member. The buffer member is mounted on any one of the pair of facing stopper plates and the bolt shaft and makes contact with the other by mutual displacement, and a plurality of projection ribs having a triangular cross-sectional shape is formed on a contacting surface of the buffer member.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a steering column, including: an inner tube; an outer tube formed in a hollow shape into which the inner tube is inserted and including a pair of telescope guides protruding to an outer circumferential surface thereof, a first slit cut in an axial direction between the pair of telescope guides, and a second slit cut toward both sides of a circumferential direction at one end of the first slit; and a control lever installed on the telescope guides, wherein the telescope guides have a taper that is formed obliquely along a lengthwise direction, and the operating force of the lever is uniformly maintained according to the position of the control lever in the lengthwise direction by means of the taper.

Abstract: A construction is realized in which a large difference in operation force to operate an adjustment lever 24a never occurs irrespective of a vertical position of a steering wheel and which is produced at low costs. In part of a supporting plate portion 15a of a pair of left and right supporting plate portions 15a which make up a supporting bracket 14a, a thickness of a peripheral portion 34 which surrounds a vertically elongated hole 17a is made small at an upper portion and large at a lower portion. Additionally, a change in operation force of the adjustment lever 24a based on the difference in thickness and a change in the operation force based on a difference in rigidity of the supporting plate portion 15a are offset by each other to thereby solve the problem.

Abstract: A steering column assembly includes a support bracket provided with a pair of side plates, a lower jacket provided with a pair of jacket side plates and pivotally coupled with the support bracket swingably about a tilt axis, an upper jacket provided with a support flange coupled with the lower jacket slidable between the pair of the jacket side plates in a telescopic direction, spacers disposed between the support flange and the pair of the jacket side plates, respectively, and a lock mechanism including a lock bolt. The lock mechanism fastens, by the lock bolt, the pair of the side plates of the support bracket to press and fix the pair of jacket side plates of the lower jacket, and to press and fix the support flange of the upper jacket via the spacers.

Abstract: A vehicle steering system includes a gear rack and a pinion engaged to the gear rack. The gear rack is movable in a translational manner relative to a housing in response to a steering input command received by the pinion. A first bracket is connected to a first end portion of the gear rack and a second bracket is connected to a second end portion of the gear rack. Each of the first and second brackets extends inwardly toward the opposite end portion of the gear rack. First and second tie rods are connected to the respective first and second brackets. The pinion is located between respective end portions of the first and second tie rods. A travel limit element is attached to and offset from the rack housing. Movement of the gear rack is controlled by engagement of the first and second brackets with the travel limit element.

Abstract: Disclosed are a follow-up steering control system for a multi-axle automobile crane and the multi-axle automobile crane. In a steering state of the multi-axle automobile crane, an output oil pressure of a first oil pressure output port is greater or less than that of a second oil pressure output port; a piston rod of a left-turning hydraulic cylinder is lengthened and a piston rod of a right-turning hydraulic cylinder is shortened, or the piston rod of the left-turning hydraulic cylinder is shortened and the piston rod of the right-turning hydraulic cylinder is lengthened; and a first knuckle arm and a second knuckle arm are driven to make a rear left steering wheel and a rear right steering wheel turn left or right.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a driver assistance system, and a driver assistance system. The method includes the steps: determination of a current position of a pedestrian in an environment surrounding the vehicle; determination of a first current state of motion of the pedestrian; determination of a second current state of motion of the vehicle; calculation of a sojourn probability distribution of the pedestrian, the sojourn probability distribution being a function of time and of space and being based on a pedestrian motion model in connection with the determined current position of the pedestrian and the determined current state of motion of the pedestrian; calculation of a trajectory, based on the calculated sojourn probability distribution of the pedestrian and on the second current state of motion of the vehicle, having a minimum collision probability for the vehicle and the pedestrian; and operation of the driver assistance system of the vehicle based on the calculated trajectory.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a front wheel. A steering column assembly is coupled to the front wheel. The steering column assembly includes a steering wheel and a steering column coupled to the steering wheel. A steering rack assembly includes a rack coupled to the front wheel. The rack extends in a vehicle lateral direction and is translatable with respect to a body of the vehicle in the vehicle lateral direction. A steering knuckle assembly is coupled to the steering rack assembly by a tie rod. A tie rod disconnect feature decouples the steering knuckle assembly and the steering rack assembly upon movement of the tie rod beyond a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least three wheels. The first and second wheels are assigned to a common axle to form a first wheel pair. A first wheel control part suspends the first wheel of the wheel pair from the vehicle body and a second wheel control part suspends the second wheel of the wheel pair from the vehicle body. The first wheel control part is coupled to the second wheel control part via a double lever rotatably mounted on the vehicle body. At least two pivot points for the double lever can be defined on the vehicle body, the pivot points being spaced apart in a direction of a longitudinal extent of the double lever.

Abstract: A robot assembly includes a drive system attached to a frame. The robot drive system includes a base platform, a driver motor base assembly attached to the platform and an adjustment device that adjustably attaches the base platform to the drive motor assembly. The robot frame includes a top horizontal beam assembly that defines a first rectangle, a bottom horizontal beam assembly that defines a second rectangle and a set of main support beams that join the first rectangle to the second rectangle to define a shape of an isosceles trapezoid.

Abstract: A front-end structure includes at least one lower longitudinal member and an absorber which is arranged on an outer side of a vehicle on the at least one lower longitudinal member and, in the event of an impact with a small overlap, provides an energy-absorbing load path into the at least one lower longitudinal member, wherein at least one deformation element is provided which is arranged at least between the absorber and a suspension strut dome and is connected to both thereof in a in a positive, non-positive and/or integrally bonded manner.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a left front wheel and a right front wheel, a left rear wheel and a right rear wheel, and a frame that rotatably supports the wheels. The frame includes a left frame portion and a right frame portion each extending in a front-back direction, a left protruded portion that protrudes to the left from the left frame portion, forward of the left rear wheel, and a right protruded portion that protrudes to the right from right frame portion, forward of the right rear wheel. In a front view, from outside to inside, the left rear wheel, the left protruded portion, and the left front wheel are arranged in this order. In the front view, from outside to inside, the right rear wheel, the right protruded portion, and the right front wheel are disposed in this order.

Abstract: A pair of front couplings and a pair of rear air spring over shocks couple the cab to the vehicle frame. A motion control link includes a central base and pair of arms extending longitudinally from the central base. A base coupling directly couples the base to the vehicle frame. A rear arm coupling for each arm directly couples the arm to the rear of the cab. The rear base coupling and the rear arm coupling essentially restrict lateral movement of the motion control link and permit tuned lateral movement of the frame relative to the rear of the cab to provide lateral motion control at the rear of the cab. The motion control link defines an arc that intersects the front coupling arc. The rear arm couplings include a rear elastomeric bushing member including voids to accommodate for the intersecting arcs.

Abstract: A method for actuating a closure element arrangement, of a vehicle, wherein the closure element arrangement has a control system having a controller and a sensor arrangement. The sensor arrangement has at least one elongate distance sensor with a sensor extent, wherein a distance A from a user B can be detected with respect to the sensor extent with the distance sensor, which user B is located at a longitudinal position along the sensor extent. At least two elongate sensor sections, of the at least one distance sensor are provided, which sensor sections are each configured to detect a distance A from a user B, that the sensor sections have changing sensor configurations along the sensor extent, and that the longitudinal position of the user B is determined as a function of the sensor measured values of the at least two sensor sections by means of the controller.

Abstract: A dashboard upper panel is provided with: a front vertical wall extending substantially vertically in a vehicle top/bottom direction; a horizontal bottom wall extending substantially horizontally in a vehicle front/rear direction from the front vertical wall; a rear inclined wall extending from the horizontal bottom wall toward the rear of the vehicle and diagonally toward the top of the vehicle; a front horizontal flange extending from the front vertical wall toward the front of the vehicle; and a rear horizontal flange extending from the rear inclined wall toward the rear of the vehicle. A dashboard lower panel is provided with an inclined flange formed at an upper end of the dashboard lower panel. By joining the inclined flange to a lower portion of the rear inclined wall, the dashboard upper panel is supported by the dashboard lower panel from below at substantially the center in the vehicle front/rear direction.

Abstract: An aerodynamic drag reduction device for use on an over-the-road cargo vehicle. The vehicle has a prismatically shaped cargo area, which includes a rear face of the cargo area substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel. The device comprises a plurality of resilient prongs arranged along a rear edge of the vehicle body, extending from a respective fixed end secured to the vehicle body rearward in a flow-wise direction beyond the rear edge of the vehicle body to a respective free end. Each prong is separated from an adjacent prong in the plurality, and each is flexible to permit deflection, under the influence of airflow over the vehicle at a predetermined speed, above and below a first plane defined by the surface of the vehicle to which the plurality of prongs is secured. Each prong is further resistant to deflecting in a direction parallel to the first plane.

Abstract: A semitrailer comprising a main frame having a hitch, an axle assembly connected to the main frame, the axle assembly including at least two wheels for rotation relative to the main frame, a fairing connected to an underside of the semitrailer intermediate the hitch and the axle assembly, the fairing including a pair of lateral surfaces, a bottom surface spaced from the underside of the semitrailer, and a leading surface, wherein the leading surface includes an intake opening, and wherein at least one of the bottom surface or the lateral surfaces includes an exit opening, and a flow path fluidly connects the intake opening and the exit opening.

Abstract: An air fairing device is connected below the bottom a frameless trailer to improve aerodynamic efficiency and improve fuel economy. One embodiment of the air fairing device provides an air deflector positioned forward of a trolley which supports the frameless trailer at a rear end. A second embodiment of the air fairing device provides two deflectors mounted below the frameless trailer. The first deflector is attached and extends downward from an articulating arm, said arm connecting the trailer to a semi-tractor or truck. The second deflector connected to below the bottom of the frameless trailer and positioned rear of the first deflector and forward of the trolley. A third embodiment is similar to the second but further includes a third deflector positioned between two axles of the trolley.

Abstract: A diffuser is arranged at the rear of a vehicle in the region of the underbody and has a fixed front part and an adjoining, pivotable rear part. Negative and positive lift effects and aerodynamic drag effects are obtained by adjusting pivotable rear part between an upwardly pivoted position and a downwardly pivoted position.

Abstract: A splash guard configured to reduce drag forces, and in turn, improve the aerodynamics of an associated vehicle. The splash guard in some examples defines a forward facing airflow contact surface and rearwardly extending side fins.

Abstract: A traction cell for use in a track drive of an amphibious or all-terrain vehicle includes a rigid section for connection to a track drive and at least one semi-rigid compliant section which is connected to the rigid section. The semi-rigid compliant section has a bottom surface to which a penetration resistant sole is secured on a rear face which is raked relative to the vertical.

Abstract: A training wheel apparatus for learning to ride a bicycle includes a lift activation assembly, wherein the lift activation assembly includes a grip. The training wheel apparatus further includes a wheel mount assembly configured to operatively connect to a wheel. The training wheel apparatus further includes a cable configured to operatively connect to the lift activation assembly and the wheel mount assembly via the grip. When activated by rotation of the grip in a first direction, the lift activation assembly is configured to use the cable to change an elevation of the wheel between a first position and a second position while the wheel is in motion.

Abstract: A bicycle saddle, in particular a bicycle sports saddle, comprises a saddle shell. On the lower side of the saddle shell reinforcing ribs are provided. The present design and the arrangement of the reinforcing ribs make it possible to realize a light bicycle saddle having a high inherent flexibility.

Abstract: A seat support structure for a saddle-riding vehicle having a rider's seat and a pillion seat separate from and disposed posterior to the rider's seat includes a bracket disposed on the rider's seat which is fixed to a vehicle body, the bracket providing a coupling between the rider's seat and the pillion seat, wherein the bracket is detachably inserted in a front portion of the pillion seat when the pillion seat is mounted to the vehicle body, and the pillion seat has a rear portion removably secured to the vehicle body.

Abstract: A front cowl for use with a saddle-ride type vehicle includes headlights as well as an air introduction passage configured to introduce a flow of air rearwardly. The air introduction passage is opened in a forward direction to enable the headlights to be cooled by the flow of air that flow through the air introduction passage. Headlights using LEDs as their respective sources of light are placed inside an air introduction passage while supported by a duct that forms the air introduction passage.

Abstract: A straddle type vehicle may be provided with a side bag support member in which a horizontal wall part is extended inward in the vehicle width direction from a vertical wall part fixed to a portion of a side bag on the inside in the vehicle width direction to an area below a lower surface part of a rear side cover, and the horizontal wall part is fixed from below to a side bag support part on a lower surface side of a seat frame.

Abstract: Modular human powered recumbent vehicle has a variable configuration and size. It comprises a group of standardized modules—fast attachable parts connected together by set of cross tubes (4) of variable length. It has three basic modules: middle (1), left (2) and right (3); each module has several modifications. One or more additional modules, like child seat (17), shopping basket (18), additional pedal (15) or electric (16) drive, also can be attached for performing a specific task. Vehicle can be transformed to a powered or unpowered trailer of variable configuration. It can be folded for storage and disassembled for transportation.

Abstract: A folding kick scooter includes a quick release clamp on top of a head tube and including a lever; a neck having a front end secured to the head tube and including two opposite slot members; a footboard having an upwardly bent front portion pivotably secured to the neck and including two front, opposite cavities; a brake member at a rear portion of the footboard; a lock device including a seat in the neck, the seat having a through hole, and a spring biased pin through the slot members to have two ends releasably anchored in the opposite cavities respectively; a cable extending from the lever and passing through the neck and the through hole of the seat to secure to the pin; a brake member including a hole and a slot element communicating with the hole; and a lever fastening device moveably secured to the brake member.

Abstract: An unmotorized sand-rideable bicycle utilizes oversized balloon tires that have an enlarged footprint to permit the bicycle to ride up over even loose sand to provide ease of pedaling, as well as enhanced steering and stability over that associated with standard bicycles. A positive traction gear assembly may be employed to switch between single and dual rear wheel drive.

Abstract: An inverted tube bike frame with bottle opener gusset system is a bicycle frame with the top tube and down tube having a heightened profile with concave sidewalls and a bottle opener gusset strengthening the joint between the seat tube and the top tube. The top tube has a downwardly curved design for added mechanical strength. Other tube-members of the frame have an elongated elliptical cross-section for increased strength and impact damage resistance. The wheel base is wider than that of a standard bicycle adding to forward movement stability and rider comfort. The design of the frame provides added strength and increased frame life with rugged service.

Abstract: Disclosed is a motorcycle clutch actuator, with mechanically linked foot clutch pedal and hand clutch lever, to be installed on motorcycles made with or to be converted from a conventional configuration of hand activated clutch and foot activated gear selection lever, to a configuration of foot activated clutch and hand activated gear selection lever, providing optimal clutch control with either a foot clutch pedal or a hand clutch lever, by means of innovative control linkage geometry and minimization of friction throughout the control linkage, releasing the rider's left foot from the foot clutch pedal, while holding the clutch in the disengaged position with a hand clutch lever, as the motorcycle is running while in gear, thereby enabling the rider to balance the motorcycle with both feet. The disclosed invention will improve safety in the operation of motorcycles equipped with a hand gear selection lever and a foot clutch pedal.

Abstract: A motorcycle suspension component operable to couple to an ATV. The motorcycle suspension component includes a first plate member and a second plate member that are parallel in manner being operably coupled intermediate an engine block and a gear differential. A shock-receiving member is mounted intermediate the first plate member and the second plate member and is perpendicular therewith. The shock-receiving member includes an upper portion that extends upward from the base. The first end of the first plate member and second plate member includes an angular edge having a first portion and a second portion. The second end of the first plate member and second plate member includes arcuate portions and two notches. A ornamentation area is included on the first plate member and second plate member.

Abstract: An upright three-wheeled vehicle. A footboard part is disposed between and connected to a pair of rear wheel parts, and has a space section therein. A frame connects a front section of the footboard part to a front wheel part. A handlebar part extends upward from the frame. A suspension includes a first link perpendicularly connected to a drive shaft of a corresponding rear wheel part to initially reduce delivery of shocks by rotating and reciprocating in a lateral direction when the rear wheel part moves up and down, a second link perpendicularly bent from the first link and accommodated within the space section in a rear frame of the footboard part to secondarily reduce the shocks, and an elastic member disposed on the second link to absorb the shocks depending on a direction of the shocks applied to the rear wheel part.

Abstract: Damper is provided with damper main body including cylinder, piston being slidably inserted into cylinder to partition interior of cylinder into extension and compression chambers, and piston rod being inserted into cylinder to be coupled to piston, and damping force adjustment mechanism including flow path permitting passage of fluid only during either extension or contraction, valve seat being provided at intermediate position of flow path, valve body being movable back and forth relative to valve seat, and motor driving and moving valve body back and forth relative to valve seat to adjust flow path area of flow path. Damper energizes motor to move valve body distance, which is two-fold or more of distance from separated position where valve body is separated from valve seat to seated position where valve body is seated on valve seat, when flow path is blocked by moving valve body from separated position to seated position.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a mount supporting a pedal and rotatably engaging a crank arm, a resilient member fixed to the mount, and a bracket fixed to the resilient member. The bracket selectively mechanically locks the mount in first and second positions relative to the crank arm. The first position of the mount locates the pedal in an operating position away from the crank arm, and the second position of the mount locates the pedal in a storage position along the crank arm.

Abstract: A bicycle component control apparatus is basically provided with a controller that is configured to operate a first electrical bicycle component in response to receiving a first signal from a first input member, and to operate a second electrical bicycle component in response to receiving a second signal from a second input member. The controller is configured to prohibit operation of the second electrical bicycle component upon starting operation of the first electrical bicycle component.

Abstract: A front derailleur for use on devices such as bicycles includes a moveable chain guide for engaging a chain and able to cause the chain to be moved between two or more chainrings. The guide includes a first discrete alignment indicator and a second discrete alignment indicator for aligning the derailleur.

Abstract: A bicycle transmission control apparatus includes an inclination sensor and a controller. The controller outputs a shift signal to shift a bicycle transmission to a prescribed shift position based on an inclination detected by the inclination sensor while a bicycle equipped with the bicycle transmission is determined to be in a state corresponding to at least one of stopping to a rest state and beginning to move from the rest state.

Abstract: An improved boat hull design includes a region of ellipsiodal fullness in the forward portion of the hull, ellipsiodal curvature over the remainder of the hull, a chine with a chine flat with an increasing width as it approaches the stern and one or more strakes. One of the strakes is located where the chine flat meets the V portion of the hull. The hull provides stability and a smooth ride at both high and low speeds in smooth and rough water and is highly maneuverable. The hull also has good weight carrying ability at speed while not requiring excessive power. The hull minimizes rolling when stationary or at low speed in waves.

Abstract: A portable sectionalized boat includes a floating body portion, a base plate portion and a boat shell. The floating body portion is disposed with one or more rows of boat base units, each row including at least one but generally a plurality of boat base units. Several connection holes are disposed on a peripheral edge of the boat base unit. The base plate portion includes a waterproof member and a base plate. The boat shell includes a first outboard plate, a second outboard plate and a lateral plate. The base plate portion and the boat shell are superposed and fixed on the floating body portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable boat with catamaran configuration. The boat basically consists of two inflatable floats joined by two connecting bars with plates at their ends for fastening the connecting bars to the floats. A rigid platform can be assembled between the two connecting bars, forming a deck for the occupant. The present invention allows the occupant to remain standing on the rigid platform while using a paddle to propel the boat. The lateral floats provide greater stability, making it easier for the occupant to keep his balance. Removable fins can be mounted on the rear underside of each float to help keep a straight path and improve performance (decreasing zigzags, and allowing a greater number of paddle strokes before having to change sides). The boat exhibits high hydrodynamic efficiency and can be disassembled so as to occupy a small volume, making it easy to transport and store.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a boat motor assembly which includes a boat motor with a housing that serves as the body or chassis of the boat motor; a handle, coupled to and extending at length from the housing and configured to be grasped by a user; and a shroud assembly, which includes a shroud extension coupled to the handle extending at length from the handle; and a shroud coupled to the shroud extension, wherein the shroud is spaced apart from the housing to allow access to the handle between the shroud and the housing.

Abstract: The invention provides a winch and method for raising and lowering a boat anchor attached to an anchor rope, comprising: an electric motor (10) operable to turn the winch in a rope raising direction or a rope lowering direction and powered from a power source supplying a supply voltage; and a boost controller (CB1-3,S1-2,K1-6,Kx1-4,25,30) for applying a boosted voltage higher than the supply voltage to the motor (10) so as to increase a turning speed of the motor when the motor is operating in the rope lowering direction.

Abstract: A shallow-water anchor comprises a parallelogram design which is relatively low cost to manufacture. It is electrically powered, eliminating cumbersome hydraulic components. The anchor moves down and out of the way when in operation. Two such anchors can be installed at an angle such that their outer ends and vertical rods are far apart to provide maximal holding power to prevent the boat from weather-vaning. Its electrical power source is located on top of the boat and is never under water, making the installation of the anchor very easy.

Abstract: A monohull offshore drilling vessel includes a hull having a moonpool; a multiple firing line hoist system mounted on the hull at the moonpool and including a mast having a top side and a base connected to the hull, wherein the mast has a hollow construction with a first side and an opposed second side; a first hoisting device having load attachment means displaceable along a first firing line extending on the outside of and adjacent to the first side of the mast; a second hoisting device having load attachment means displaceable along a second firing line, which on the outside of and adjacent to the second side of the mast; wherein the first and second hoisting devices each include cable(s) and associated winch(es), the winches disposed in the hollow construction of the mast, to manipulate the position of each of the load attachment devices relative to the mast.

Abstract: A boat lift transport device is disclosed for moving a boat lift in and out of the water. The transport device includes a floating platform depending from which are a plurality of booms, beams, or crane arms that extend outboard of the platform. Cables extending along and from the ends of the crane arms are attachable to the boat lift and can be reeled in or paid out by way of winch to move the boat lift between a suspended position and a lowered and resting position.

Abstract: A lift receives a boat to be washed. The lift has a forward end, a rearward end, and an intermediate extent. The lift also has a first side with lift pilings and a second side with lift pilings. A pump feeds water from a water tank to a plurality of spray heads on each side of the lift. Controls at the lift pilings adjacent to the first side include a driver to move the boat between first and second positions and an optical sensor to sense the presence of the boat to be washed and to activate and inactivate the pump for the washing of the boat as it is moved.

Abstract: An alert wristband device for use by a swimmer includes a wristband, an alert coupled to the wristband for movement between a stored condition and a deployed condition, and a pull coupled to the alert. The pull has a rigid, enlarged head which defines a prominent grasping point on the wristband for the swimmer to pull when the swimmer is in distress. The alert is a flag, and in the stored condition of the alert, the flag is within an interior storage volume inside the wristband. The flag moves into the deployed condition in response to the swimmer pulling on the pull, so that the flag is pulled out of the wristband and may be waved to signal distress.

Abstract: An emergency pod configured for use with a rotary wing aircraft is provided including a rigid, generally hollow shell. An inflatable raft is arranged within an interior portion of the hollow shell. The life raft is coupled to an inflation mechanism. A first activation device and a second activation device are operably coupled to the inflation mechanism, the second activation device being disposed within the shell and fastened to a movable portion of the shell, wherein the first activation device and the second activation device operable independently of one another. Inflation of the inflatable raft is initiated when a force is applied to one of the first activation device and the second activation device.

Abstract: The apparatus and method of the present invention provides for improving the reliability of the rescue of a man overboard, or MoB, whether or not that person is able to assist in their own rescue and whether or not the MoB is slightly submerged. The apparatus of the present invention is comprised of a foldable set of arms that, when deployed, are fixed at 90 degrees to each other forming an H-shaped geometry. The advantage of the H-shaped geometry is that it deploys both on, above and under the surface of the water, such that when the tether attached to the rescue device passes the MoB it readily becomes entangled. Advantageously, the apparatus of the present invention may be used with the majority of contemporary rescue devices.