Abstract: A person support apparatus comprises a lower frame, an upper frame, a drive structure, and a control system. The upper frame is movably supported above the lower frame. The drive structure is coupled to the upper frame and configured to selectively engage a surface to, when activated, propel the person support apparatus along the surface. The control system is configured to determine an engagement status of the drive structure with the surface and trigger a response based on the engagement status.

Abstract: A versatile patient care and transport assembly having a patient support frame constructed of multiple sections, each including pluralities of individual patient sensors, and which can be cooperatively tilted or otherwise inter-articulated to a variety of support positions. Pull-out/expandable side and end railings are provided for patient safety. Power and drive components are incorporated into a base module upon which the patient support module is mounted in multiple elevatable and/or articulating fashion. Also provided is paired side-by-side docking of two identical assemblies such as for facilitate patient transfer and in order to drastically reduce the risks associated with handling of patients by caregivers.

Abstract: A parking system for a vehicle provides a self-contained vehicle lift with jacks on wheels and mounted on a vehicle frame, wherein the jacks are operable between a retracted position permitting the vehicle to move in a normal fashion, and an extended position effective to raise the entire vehicle off the ground to allow the wheels move the vehicle into the parking position.

Abstract: A patient transportation system includes a patient transportation apparatus. The patient transportation apparatus is configured for docking to a medical device and includes a plurality of wheels. The patient transportation apparatus also includes a handle unit that may be moved in a plurality of positions for controlling the patient transportation apparatus. The patient transportation apparatus also includes a coupling unit for connecting the plurality of wheels to the handle unit and for changing a wheel position of at least one wheel of the plurality of wheels in accordance with a position of the movable handle unit.

Abstract: An integrated jacking system includes built-in jacks for each wheel of the vehicle. Electric motor-driven screw or worm-gear jacks are welded to the vehicle frame or unibody aft of the front wheels and forward of the rear wheels. The four jack screws each terminate on the lower end in a rotatable ball-jointed footing adaptable to uneven drive surfaces beneath the vehicle wheels. The integrated jacking system is controlled by the vehicle computer through a passcode-accessible central jacking control interface. The vehicle computer is programmed to implement safety protocols: allowing only one wheel at a time to be jacked up, limiting jacking height of a wheel to not more than six inches (6?) off the ground, and disabling the jacking system if the grade of the underlying surface exceeds twenty percent (20%) or if the parking brake is not set.

Abstract: An occupant protection device includes (i) an electronic control unit having a control board, (ii) a parallel connection bus having two lines, (iii) multiple satellite sensors connected to the parallel connection bus, (iv) a squib connected to the parallel connection bus, and (v) an accident prevention diode located close to the squib. The control board includes an interface and a processor. Each of the satellite sensors includes a distributed system interface which is located between the two lines. The parallel connection bus is supplied with a sensor drive voltage. The electronic control unit starts to operate at least one of the occupant protection portions based on a result of the collision determination by the control board.

Abstract: A parking device for motor vehicles to facilitate and expedite the parallel parking operation especially when the space available between two parked vehicles is not abundant. The device is typically operated after the car has entered the parking spot diagonally so that one of the front wheels is touching the sidewalk curb. The device is normally mounted on the bottom surface of a motor vehicle, preferably in the rear part of a motor vehicle. The device consists essentially of a powered wheel that is lowered to the ground and it is further pushed down to raise the rear part of a motor vehicle until the rear wheels are no longer in contact with the ground. The lowered wheel, perpendicular to the other wheels of the motor vehicle, is then powered to turn in either directions to cause the rear part of the motor vehicle to move toward the sidewalk until the motor vehicle is parallel to the sidewalk curb and mostly aligned with the other parked vehicles.

Abstract: A power unit includes an engine having a crankshaft, and a continuously variable transmission having a drive pulley operatively connected with the crankshaft, a driven pulley, and a belt extended between and wrapped around the drive pulley and the driven pulley. The power unit further includes a transmission input clutch, which allows or interrupts the transmission of a rotational drive force of the crankshaft to the drive pulley, mounted on a drive pulley shaft; and a starter clutch, which allows or interrupts the transmission of a rotational drive force of the driven pulley to the drive wheel, mounted on a driven pulley shaft. The transmission input clutch and the starter clutch are arranged such that a continuously variable transmission is sandwiched therebetween.

Abstract: A parking assistance system includes front and rear auxiliary wheel assemblies mounted to a chassis of the vehicle and adjacent front and rear wheels of the vehicle. Each of the front and rear auxiliary wheel assemblies includes two auxiliary wheels and an auxiliary motor coupled to the auxiliary wheels for driving the auxiliary wheels to rotate in a forward or backward direction. A plurality of lift devices are mounted between the auxiliary wheels and the chassis and control upward and downward movement of the auxiliary wheels. At least one parking assistance controller is coupled to the auxiliary motors. A control unit is coupled to the at least one parking assistance controller and manually operable to control a rotating direction and speed of the auxiliary motors via the at least one parking assistance controller, controlling a moving distance and direction of the auxiliary wheels in the forward or backward direction.

Abstract: A power module provides power to move a vehicle, such as a mini-bike, and includes a portable electric drill acting through a gear box and chain drive to rotate a wheel of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle for parallel parking includes a front wheel for supporting a portion of a weight of the vehicle, a primary driving wheel to drive the vehicle in a substantially longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a secondary driving wheel to drive the vehicle in substantially a traverse direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: A hospital bed includes a carrier frame, a driven wheel unit disposed below the frame, a motor unit, a drive wheel unit disposed below the frame and coupled operably to the motor unit in such a manner that actuation of the motor unit results in rotation of the drive wheel unit. A lifting-and-lowering device interconnects the frame and the drive wheel unit for lowering and lifting the drive wheel unit with respect to the driven wheel unit between an upper position, in which, the drive wheel unit is disposed at an elevation above the driven wheel unit, and a lower position, in which lower surfaces of the driven and drive wheel units are flush with each other.

Abstract: This invention is a “four-direction moving” structure that can move in all four directions without turning first. It contains two groups of wheels that are arranged perpendicular to one another, i.e. four rows of wheels form a quadrate. Within each group, the wheels turn in the same direction. The conventional circular wheels are replaced with circular eccentric or elliptical or noncircular (e.g. polygonal) wheels so that one group of wheels will not impede movement when the other group of wheels is turning by virtue of the longer diameter of the turning wheels.

Abstract: A trailer provided with a manoeuvring device. The manoeuvring device has a pivoting frame that can be moved with respect to the chassis of a trailer, such as a caravan, and is provided at the end with a roller driven by an electric motor. This roller does not engage on one of the wheels but is itself able to function as a wheel. Lifting of the chassis of the trailer is achieved with the aid of the pivoting frame, as a result of which the existing wheels at least partially lose contact with the ground surface.

Abstract: A mounting device for a pedal is installed on a fixed wall of a vehicle in an arrangement where a brace holding the pivotally mounted pedal is firmly attached to the wall and the connection between the brace and the pedal is self-releasing in the case of a collision.

Abstract: A parking device attachable to one end of a vehicle understructure for use in parking the vehicle, includes a carriage and coupling mechanism which permits the carriage to move either to a retracted position or to a deployed vertically-spaced position, and a parking wheel having a pivotal mechanism which permits the parking wheel to be pivoted either to a folded, substantially horizontal position or to a deployed, substantially vertical position. A drive is coupled to the carriage and to the parking wheel and is effective, when the carriage is in its retracted position and the parking wheel is in its folded position, first to move the parking wheel to its deployed position and then to move the carriage to its deployed position lowering the parking wheel into engagement with the ground and raising the respective end of the vehicle off the ground.

Abstract: A laterally movable mechanism for moving a vehicle in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction by a slide mechanism attached to the vehicle chassis. Laterally movable mechanisms are disposed at front and rear portions of the chassis, and each movable mechanism includes a pair of lifting devices capable of lifting the chassis upward, and a slide device is connected to the lower portion of the lifting devices and is capable of moving laterally while contacting the ground.

Abstract: A car-parking and rotating mechanism including a controlling unit, four retrieving cylinders, four lifting cylinders and four transmisssion units each of which includes a two-way motor and a driven wheel. The controlling unit includes a controlling panel and an electric oil pump connected to a car battery serving as a power supply. The retrieving cylinder, lifting cylinder and transmission unit are disposed under a chassis of the car, whereby the controlling panel is selectively operated to control the movements of the four retrieving cylinders and lifting cylinders so as to lift the car on one side or all sides and the two-way motors of the transmission unit is controlled by the controlling panel to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise for driving the driven wheel so as to transversely move the car left or right into a parking site or rotate the car.

Abstract: A bowling lane maintenance machine (10) performs selected maintenance operations on the surface of the bowling lane, shifts itself to the approach area spanning a plurality of lanes behind the foul line end of the lanes, indexes to another lane, and then shifts to the lane to again perform a maintenance operation thereon. The machine (10) includes structural housing (12) cleaning maintenance assembly (14), propulsion assembly (16), and electronic control system (18); which cooperate for controlled maintenance operations as described above.

Abstract: The invention provides controlled omnidirectional relative movement between a device and a selected surface in contact therewith. The device is preferably a vehicle having a first and second track mounted thereto, which tracks are parallel and spaced from each other and are independently driven in a first direction. A plurality of spheres are mounted in each of the tracks at intervals spaced in the first direction and the spheres in at least one of the tracks are driven to rotate in a second direction, generally perpendicular to the first direction. By suitably controlling the movements of the tracks in the first direction and of the spheres in the second direction, movement along any desired trajectory may be achieved with three degrees of freedom. By having the device stationary and the surface movable, an omnidirectional platform is provided.

Abstract: A powdered maneuverable cart with a cart frame including a top load bearing portion and a bottom portion interconnected having hydraulic cylinders for raising the top portion in relation to the bottom portion. Situated above the cart frame top portion is a generally horizontal load bearing portion having head and feet ends with means included for allowing the head and feet ends to be raised and lowered independently in relation to the cart frame top portion. The cart frame bottom portion includes four swivel wheels mounted at each of the four corners of the bottom portion for allowing rolling and turning movements of the cart. Situated between the four swivel wheels, and generally in the central area of the cart frame bottom portion, is a drive wheel carriage having two opposing drive wheels. The rotational rate and direction of each drive wheel may be controlled independently for steering the cart.

Abstract: A method of moving an electrically powered mining machine between locations that have electric power supplies, the mining machine of the type having at least one electric motor for moving the mining machine, the method including connecting a temporary power unit to the motor on the mining machine and operating the power unit to selectively power the mining machine. The temporary power unit comprises at least one battery, and a relay for selectively making an electrical connection, a connector for connecting the relay to the battery pack, and a connector for connecting the relay to the electric motor for selectively connecting the battery to at least one electric motor on the mining machine to selectively power the electric motor to move the mining machine. At least one of the connectors is long and flexible to permit relative movement between the battery and the mining machine. The power unit also includes a remote control device for operating the relay.

Abstract: An improved structure of lateral driving device for car, particularly related to a simple hydraulic loop and structural element to achieve the purpose of laterally driving the car through a remote control device to control the operating sequence thereof and the power source of hydraulic pump is the engine torque of car at neutral so that the car can park in a limited space to fully utilize the parking space and to lessen the driver's trouble when parking and this device is in favor of replacing the wheel or repairing the car when the vehicle body is lifted from the ground.

Abstract: Four lift units are installed at the axle shaft of the car wheels and can be swung from the bottom plate by means of a hydraulic drive motor, to enable the car to move horizontally to the left or to the right into a parking space. Besides enabling the car to move horizontally for parking, the device can also be used for tire replacing or to perform a U-turn.

Abstract: A lifting and maneuvering device for motor vehicles is disclosed, including an auxiliary wheel assembly mounted adjacent to the front and/or the rear wheels of the vehicle. Vertical drive means raise and lower the auxiliary wheel assembly from retracted position to an operative extended position in which the front and/or rear wheels are lifted off the vehicle supporting surface. The orientation of the auxiliary wheel assembly is adjustable to permit driving of the wheel assembly in a manner which will rotate the vehicle.

Abstract: A motorcycle sidecar apparatus attaches to a motorcycle. The sidecar has an independent reverse drive and is controllable in the forward and reverse directions from either the motorcycle or the sidecar. It is particularly adapted for the use of wheelchair-bound handicapped persons. The invention also includes a suspension mechanism which cushions the ride and a hand-operated gear shift which facilitates operation of the vehicle from the sidecar. Finally, the sidecar incorporates a new type of wheel mounting assembly.

Abstract: A tricycle type vehicle with two forwardly disposed spaced apart drive wheels and a rear centrally disposed caster wheel. Spaced apart auxiliary drive wheels flank both sides of the rear caster wheel and are arranged for vertical movement on the vehicle. The auxiliary drive wheels may be in an up inoperative position to permit the vehicle to act solely as a tricycle with two driving wheels, or down in ground engaging operative position causing the caster wheel to be raised off the ground and thus converting the vehicle to a four wheel drive vehicle.