Abstract: A four wheel off the road vehicle having a pair of dirigibly supported front wheels each carrying a respective brake. The front wheels are steered by a centrally journaled steering shaft that carries a handlebar at its upper end with a brake actuator. A brake equalizing device is disposed adjacent the longitudinal center line of the vehicle adjacent the steering shaft and transmits braking forces from the brake actuator to the front wheel brakes.

Abstract: A tandem drive includes a tandem housing having final drive and axle housings releasably mounted thereto and accurately located one to the other by locating dowels. The final drive and axle housings each have a mounting flange engaged against the tandem housing and having an O-ring groove located therein and receiving an O-ring.

Abstract: An auxiliary wheel is mounted on a lift truck caster wheel assembly to normally be carried above the floor, but to engage the floor to prevent overturning, thereby increasing the lateral stability of the truck.

Abstract: A structure on which electrically driven amusement bumper cars are operable comprises a trailer with fixed and fold out floor sections on a common level and fixed and fold out ceiling sections on an elevated level with respect thereto for supplying electrical energy to trolley equipped bumper cars.

Abstract: A hoist control valve interlock system for trolley-assisted dump trucks prevent a dump vessel from an unexpected upward movement caused by the operator's mismanipulation during running on an ascent course under the trolley mode condition. The interlock system has a pair of air cylinders for controlling a hoist control valve operatively connected to hoist cylinders for the dump vessel and directional control air valves for supplying and discharging compressed air from an air reservoir via a trolley mode interlock valve into and from the air cylinders by the operation of a hoist control lever. When the trolley mode interlock valve is shifted to its engine mode position to its trolley mode position, the hoist control valve is interlocked into its floating position by the action of one of the air cylinders where compressed air is supplied from the air reservoir via the trolley mode interlock valve and a shuttle valve irrespective of the air valves.

Abstract: A rolling vehicle having a generally spherical cage-like body with a diametrical axle on which a pod is suspended within the cage structure. The pod contains a propulsion unit which provides thrust for driving the vehicle in a particular direction and also carries aerodynamic lift and control surfaces. When the vehicle is rolling, the lifting surfaces reduce the bearing load of the vehicle on the supporting surface and the control surfaces provide directional control. Outrigger stabilizing wheels on the ends of the axle provide basic stability and can be made of buoyant material for operation on water.

Abstract: A spherical vehicle including a spherical shell having a drive shaft secured to the interior wall thereof. A drive motor is connected to the shaft for imparting a rolling motion to the spherical vehicle on a supporting surface. Continuous steering of the vehicle is accomplished by changing the position of a mass suspended from the drive shaft to thereby change the center of gravity of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle primarily intended for use as a recreational vehicle is disclosed having a pair of laterally spaced drive wheels and a pair of longitudinally spaced wheels mounted on the frame. A gasoline engine provides power to the drive wheels. Control levers are provided, one for each drive wheel, to simultaneously brake and disengage the drive power to one drive wheel. Two kinds of rotating vehicle motion is achieved. Rotation about a braked disengaged wheel occurs where the other wheel is not braked and fully engaged. Rotation about the vertical center-line of the vehicle occurs when one wheel is first braked, its power disengaged, and then its brake is released but its power remains disengaged where the other wheel is not braked and is fully engaged.

Abstract: An electrically powered vehicle transportation system including improvements in an electrified roadway system and a vehicle for operation on the roadway. The roadway is energized in response to the presence of a vehicle having certain control systems and only when that vehicle satisfies certain predetermined conditions which provide safety features for foot traffic on the roadway system. The vehicle includes means for controlling energization of the roadway in response to actions and demands within the vehicle. Automatic control means are provided to maintain the vehicle in alignment with the roadway energization system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle provided with a per se known supporting system (2) on a support (3) of its path and provided with at least one auxiliary wheel (1). The wheel (1) is joined to the frame (2) of the vehicle by means of a support (22a) for its axis of rotation and of a hinged linkage system (23, 24) of said support to the frame enabling the constant maintaining of the wheel in contact with a supporting surface (3) with known friction which is parallel with the path A of the vehicle and from which the frame (2) is held at a distance D which remains substantially fixed by a high resilient rigidity arrangement (12), said connections system being such that when the wheel is subjected to a force F contained in said supporting surface and being exerted at the point of contact C of the wheel (1) with the surface (6) said force produces a reaction force Q of the high resilient rigidity arrangement proportional to F tending to apply the wheel (1) against the surface (3).

Abstract: A mobile self-propelled chair includes a frame having at its top a pivotally mounted passenger seat and captively mounting for rotation about various possible axes a relatively large sphere, which supports the principal weight of the chair and user. Auxiliary support is provided by casters surrounding the sphere. The frame has a battery and one or more drive motors for producing rotation of the sphere by drive roller engagement of the sphere surface. Posturally-effected movement of the seat actuates switches to provide power to the motor. Various arrangements allow orienting the axis of rotation of the sphere to cause turning the chair. Thus, both translation and turning movement of the chair is posturally controlled by the user.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle comprising a frame, a load area on the frame, an engine mounted intermediate the front and rear ends of the frame. Closely spaced rear wheels are resiliently mounted at the rear of the frame. A front axle supports steerable front wheels and the front axle is resiliently mounted on the frame for movement vertically and horizontally. The mechanism is interconnected with the front axle such that when the steering is actuated, the frame is caused to tilt in the direction of the turn.

Abstract: This invention consists of a unicycle having a rubber tire equipped double wheel, located within a light adjustable body which serves as a seat and a handle for holding onto. It is further equipped with a water container located between the double wheel, and at the base of the unicycle, in order to provide greater stability. The unicycle is operated by a pair of the usual bicycle pedals.

Abstract: A land vehicle has front, rear and two side wheels arranged in a diamond-shaped configuration to provide a triple track mode of operation. A steering mechanism mounted on the vehicle frame controls one of the front and rear wheel assemblies. Each one of the other wheel assemblies includes an articulated suspension having a suspension arm pivotally connected to the frame and having its wheel journaled for rotation thereon. A device is controlled by the steering mechanism and rotates the arm about its pivotal axis to tilt its suspension into the direction of a turn of the vehicle to facilitate its maneuverability. Another device controls the movement of the suspension arm for the driving wheel to maintain it in engagement with the terrain. The steering mechanism includes devices for causing the side wheels to turn in unison with the main steering wheel to facilitate steering of the vehicle.

Abstract: A tractor which has three or four wheels on each side, two of the wheels on each side being mounted on a bogie which includes a wheel carrier. The bogie is pivotable relative to the rest of the vehicle about a horizontal transverse axle which connects it to the frame of the tractor. The foremost and rearmost wheels are steerable and driveable. In one embodiment, the intermediate wheels are also steerable and driveable. Lifting devices are provided to extend from both the forward and the rear of the tractor. An engine together with a transmission and differential gear is disposed between the foremost and the rearmost wheel axles. A cab has a driver's seat and steering wheel with a control console which may be rotated together whereby it selectively faces forwardly or to the rear. A cab in two embodiments is disposed forwardly and is centrally located in one embodiment.

Abstract: A wheeled vehicle provided with three individually driven wheels rotatable on horizontal axes. The wheels are disposed at the corners of a triangle. The periphery of each wheel is defined by a plurality of rollers rotatable on respective axes which are each at an angle to the axis of the respective wheel. The axes of three rollers, one for each wheel, when each such roller is in its lowermost position, form a triangle. Each roller axis may be at right angles or perpendicular to, or at 45 degrees to, or at some other acute angle to the respective wheel axis, and the triangle may be an equilateral triangle in a typical embodiment of the invention.According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, no two of the wheel axes are aligned or parallel to each other. In a typical construction, the wheels are at the corners of an equilateral triangle and the wheel axes intersect at the center of this triangle.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing or measuring omni-directional motion of the apparatus upon a relatively smooth but not necessarily planar surface and/or for producing or measuring omni-directional movement of the surface relative to the apparatus. The transport device includes a frame and at least two wheels having peripheral rollers. The wheels rotate about non-parallel axes. Any desired movement of the device relative to a given surface can be achieved by appropriate rotational inputs to the wheels. Movement of the device in all directions can be achieved without incurring significant sliding of the device relative to the surface. This relatively slip-free motion is achieved by means of the peripheral rollers which allow a given wheel to be moved in a direction parallel to its axis of rotation without sliding. In this manner motions of the device upon the surface are essentially completely reversible by merely applying a rotational input to the wheels opposite of the initial rotational input.

Abstract: A motorized skateboard having a drive axle with a drive wheel coupled to a prime mover and an idler wheel, wherein the drive wheel is made to support more weight than the idler wheel in order to improve the traction of the skateboard.

Abstract: The vehicle of the present invention has an ovular shape and is supported by four wheels which are arranged with one wheel in the forward position, one wheel in the rearward position, and two wheels at the lateral sides of the vehicle. A flexible bumper surrounds the vehicle and is rotatably mounted by bearing means to the vehicle so that the bumper can rotate with respect to the vehicle. The vehicle includes a folding shutter roof and seats which can fold up to form a bed for sleeping. The vehicle includes a tow bar which is retractable, and further includes means associated with the front wheel for minimizing the tendency of the vehicle to dip adjacent the forward end thereof whenever braking occurs.

Abstract: A power equipment includes a rotor containing a storage battery or an assembly of storage batteries, a main driving electric motor, and a generator. The rotor does a fly-wheel's function. An inertia force of the rotor gained is efficiently utilized for driving of a car and moreover the excessive inertia force is converted into electric energy and stored in the storage batteries supplying efficiently an automobile with power.

Abstract: A motor vehicle, particularly a bus, has right and left front steerable wheels whose axes are spaced a substantial horizontal distance apart in a direction lengthwise of the vehicle. The driver's cabin is in front of the left front wheel and the vehicle engine is disposed beneath the driver's cabin. A passenger door is provided on the right front side, and that door and the right front wheel are disposed one in front of the other. An assembly comprising a clutch and a torque converter and a differential is positioned, with a fuel tank, between the rear wheels of the vehicle; and a long transmission shaft extends from the engine rearwardly to this assembly. When the door is in front of the right front wheel, a spare tire can be located horizontally beneath the door and protruding forwardly of the chassis.

Abstract: A unicycle wheel has a fixed unit having fixed pedals on either side thereof on which the operator stands, and a rotatable ground engaging unit mounted on the fixed unit and forming a hollow body with it. Drive means are mounted within the hollow body together with means operated upon forward or rearward tilting of the pedals by the operator to rotate the wheel in either direction and to control its speed of movement in response to the degree of tilting.

Abstract: A powered transport unit which may be removably adapted to a standard golf bag cart or the like of the type having a pair of oppositely disposed wheels. A battery and a motor sit at opposite ends of a pivotally mounted power frame positioned between the wheels of the cart. A powered drive wheel is aligned with the wheels of the cart. The relative positions of the battery, motor and pivotal mounting allows the unit to achieve a zero resultant force on the cart's handle at a chosen motor output. A power control unit adaptable to the handle of the cart allows the user to activate and regulate the action of the drive wheel.

Abstract: A cleated roller enclosing an internal combustion engine is provided with two handles containing means for engaging the posterior of a skier. The engine is mounted within the roller on a frame which in turn is mounted to both of the roller hubs which are hollow. The roller hubs are connected to the handles. The engine's output shaft is operatively connected to both end walls of the roller so as to rotate the roller relative to the roller hubs. The roller hubs are in direct fluid communication with the atmosphere outside the roller so as to permit efficient cooling of the engine by a forced airflow through the hubs and the roller.

Abstract: A surface effect vehicle wherein wheels or other ground contacting devices are utilized for propulsion and/or steering. The air or gas cushion forces are used only for hull suspension or floatation purposes.

Abstract: A "short turn" vehicle having front and rear, centerline mounted, power driven, steerable wheels, and a pair of outrigger stabilizing wheels that are mounted on a rigid frame which is restrained against all but vertical movement relative to the frame. The vehicle is capable of zero radius turns under full load. The vehicle is ideally suited as a conveyance of rotary mowers since the vehicle's wheels "guard" the rotary mowing unit and three preferred arrangements thereof are shown and described.

Abstract: An attachment for bicycles for carrying packages, small articles, newspapers, and the like. The device includes a saddle-type load-carrying container over the rear wheel of a bicycle. An outrigger wheel assembly is connected to and spaced outwardly from each of the sides of the container including a load-bearing wheel mounted in a wheel skirt connected with the container side by an arrangement of straps and hinges which permit relative movement between the wheel skirt and the container allowing the wheel assembly to change positions relative to the rear wheel of the bicycle to compensate for irregular running surfaces. Vertically spaced bumper rollers are secured between the container sides and each wheel skirt to maintain the proper spacing in between the outrigger wheels and the container sides.

Abstract: A transport car for transporting motor parts or complete motors along an assembly path consisting of sequential working stations. The car has a base frame supporting a signal receiver and a fixture for the motor parts or the motor. The base frame has a main section provided with at least two wheels and a support section projecting out from this main section and having a smaller width than the main section and having at least one wheel at or near its outer end. The fixture is arranged so that a motor carried by it is situated at one side of the main section on the same side as the support section.

Abstract: A self-propelled high clearance machine for agricultural uses such as a sprayer having laterally adjustable drop axle wheel support means that may be positioned in a number of different settings to adapt the sprayer for universal use in the spraying of different crops that have been planted with variations in the width or spacing between their rows.

Abstract: An electrically powered wheel-chair for indoor and outdoor use comprising a pair of rear main wheels, which are non-pivotably connected with the frame-work of the chair, at least one of said wheels being driven by an electric motor. A steering wheel being rotatably connected with the frame-work of the wheel-chair and positioned in front of the main wheels, said steering wheel being asymmetrically located on one side of a longitudinal axis through the middle of the chair. A support wheel being positioned on the other side of said longitudinal axis relative to the steering wheel at such a level above a flat and horizontal ground surface that it will not touch this surface when the steering wheel directed straight ahead. The diameter of the support wheel is less than that of the steering wheel and the distance from the fore-most point of the steering wheel to a transverse axis through the centers of the main wheels is greater than the corresponding distance for the support wheel.

Abstract: Traction may be enhanced by jets of air which may be mounted in front and at the rear of the wheels of the automobile. Furthermore an embodiment of the present invention provides a means to support a single-wheeled vehicle in an upright position by directing jets of air against the roadway. The air from the jets being exhausted from nozzles in front and in the rear of the single-wheeled vehicle, whereby tilting of the singlewheeled vehicle forwardly or rearwardly while it is in motion is prevented.

Abstract: A vehicle adapted for overland travel, having: a top (or optionally bottom) vehicle-bracing frame of four end-joined angular members, each being angular in cross section, having elongated sides at angles to each other; tubular members, each formed of end-joined cans (or optionally of pipes that preferably are of plastic) and having joints of additional thickness of the pipe or can material; exterior skin means, preferably of mesh, and stucco of portland cement, epoxy putty or other cement and light-weight aggregate on the mesh; interior skin means that optionally may be of stucco on mesh or panels of plywood or the like; and insulation adjacent to tubular members. This insulation preferably includes light-weight, economical insulating material inside the cans or pipes. Optional insulation may include in-situ-applied foam plastic or strips of foam rubber placed in V-shaped spaces between sidewalls of the tubular members.

Abstract: A wheeled self-propelled vehicle has a load-carrying body, such as a platform or a driver's seat, which is horizontally rotatable on a spider-leg frame having a caster or support wheel swivelably mounted at the free end of each leg. The body is rigid with a vertical shaft carrying at its lower end a mounting for a guide wheel driven by a motor. Rotation of the body with reference to the frame imparts a desired orientation to the guide wheel which touches the ground, under load, with sufficient force to exert traction for advancing the vehicle. The body rests on the frame by way of one or more shock absorbers or springs which may be adjustable to different loads. The support wheels and the guide wheel may be positively interlinked, through a chain or toothed-belt drive, to rotate in unison about their respective swivel axes.

Abstract: A lightweight vehicle giving very high performances but affording a considerable degree of security for young athletic customers. It includes an aerodynamic cockpit protected by the spare-wheel and two lateral shields.Both occupants take places on two seats disposed tandem-fashion. An horizontal stabilizer extending on either side of the rear point of the cockpit ensures a perfect stability while an aerodynamic brake disposed at the upper part of said horizontal stabilizer affords a great security.