Abstract: A multi-wheel bicycle with a dual universal joint disposed on a bicycle frame, wherein a first end of the universal joint is mounted to the bicycle frame and a second end of the universal joint is mounted on a moveable end of a bicycle steering fork. A front drive chain is couple from the universal joint to a front tire disposed on a free-wheeling front hub, and a second drive chain is coupled from the first end to a drive sprocket. The drive sprocket is further coupled to a free-wheeling hub attached to a front tire. The coupling provides for transfer of rotational power from the drive sprocket to the front and rear tires through the dual universal joint even as the universal is flexed through its range of motion while steering the bicycle.

Abstract: A motorcycle includes a front wheel drive train that supplies power to a front wheel and a rear wheel drive train that supplies power to a rear wheel. The front wheel drive train is configured to drive the front wheel at a selected rate that is faster than a rate at which the rear wheel drive train drives the rear wheel. Driving the front wheel at the selected faster rate relative to the rear wheel provides enhanced steering capabilities in soft terrain, as the front wheel pulls the motorcycle in a direction that the front wheel is pointed.

Abstract: Foldable scooter comprising a footboard, a front wheel, a rear wheel and a steer. The front wheel is suspended to a front frame carrying the steer. The front frame is connected to the footboard by a lockable hinge allowing hinging about a hinging axis by the front frame relative to the footboard between a position for use and a folded position. One or more extensions of the front frame are slideably received in a support frame of the footboard. A rod pivotably connects the footboard support frame to the front frame at a distance below the hinging axis.

Abstract: A motorcycle where the rear wheel of the motorcycle is not only driven but the front wheel is also driven. Power for the motor of the motorcycle is transmitted to a power transmitting joint which includes an output shaft. The power transmitting joint is mounted directly below the steering stem and on the steering axis of the motorcycle. The power to the front wheel is supplied through a chain which connects between the steering assembly and the front wheel with the chain being movable in conjunction with the front wheel when the front wheel is steered and with suspension movement as when bumps are encountered.

Abstract: A motorcycle includes a front wheel drive train that supplies power to a front wheel and a rear wheel drive train that supplies power to a rear wheel. The front wheel drive train is configured to drive the front wheel at a selected rate that is faster than a rate at which the rear wheel drive train drives the rear wheel. Driving the front wheel at the selected faster rate relative to the rear wheel provides enhanced steering capabilities in soft terrain, as the front wheel pulls the motorcycle in a direction that the front wheel is pointed.

Abstract: A motorcycle with a muffler disposed downwardly of a rider's seat positioned, in a side view, upwardly of a rear wheel when a rear shock absorber is extended, to minimize sideway bulging of the muffler from a vehicle body and improve ride comfort, while avoiding interference between the muffler and other parts. An outer shell of a muffler has a rhombus cross section. The muffler is disposed on at least one side in a vehicle width direction of a rear wheel wherein one pair of side walls extend in parallel with each other out of side walls of the outer shell extending in a vertical direction. A side cover is formed to extend along the upper and outer side walls of the four side walls of the outer shell to cover the muffler from a side, downwardly of a rider's seat.

Abstract: A two-wheel, self-balancing personal vehicle having independently movable foot placement sections. The foot placement sections have an associated wheel, sensor and motor and are independently self-balancing which gives the user independent control over the movement of each platform section by the magnitude and direction of tilt a user induces in a given platform section. Various embodiments are disclosed including those with a continuous housing, discrete platform sections and/or tapering platform sections.

Abstract: A two wheeled vehicle with a first wheel and a second wheel includes a first electrical motor operable to drivingly rotate the first wheel and a second electrical motor operable to drivingly rotate the second wheel. The vehicle also includes a controller operable to independently control the first and second electrical motors to drive rotation of the first and second wheels independent of each other.

Abstract: An inverted pendulum type vehicle provided with a body, a pair of wheels and that is attached to the pertinent body and that is arranged in parallel, drive mechanisms and that separately rotate the pertinent pair of wheels and around wheel axes, and a control member that controls the drive mechanisms and, wherein: the body is provided with a base to which the pair of wheels and is attached, a column disposed upright from the base, and a load-supporting part that is attached to the column and that sustains a payload; the column is joined to the base via a shaft that extends in a non-parallel direction relative to the wheel axes, and is provided so as to be capable of sliding around the shaft; and the shaft is provided with an actuator which imparts torque to the column that slides around the shaft with an orientation that is the reverse of the sliding direction of the column.

Abstract: A motorcycle where the rear wheel of the motorcycle is not only driven but the front wheel is also driven. Power from the motor of the motorcycle is transmitted to a power transmitting joint which includes an output shaft. The power transmitting joint is mounted directly below the steering stem and on the steering axis of the motorcycle. The power to the front wheel is supplied through a chain which connects between the steering assembly and the front wheel with the chain being movable in conjunction with the front wheel when the front wheel is steered and with suspension movement as when bumps are encountered.

Abstract: A motorcycle where the rear wheel of the motorcycle is not only driven but the front wheel is also driven. Power from the motor of the motorcycle is transmitted to a power transmitting joint which includes an output shaft. The power transmitting joint is mounted directly below the steering stem and on the steering axis of the motorcycle. The power to the front wheel is supplied through a chain which connects between the steering assembly and the front wheel with the chain being movable in conjunction with the front wheel when the front wheel is steered and with suspension movement as when bumps are encountered.

Abstract: An all wheel drive motorcycle includes an internal combustion engine having an output shaft extending from the engine. A back wheel drive train is coupled to the output shaft with either a first chain or a first shaft. The first chain or the first shaft couples to a rear wheel drive sprocket or a rear wheel drive gear that couples to the first chain or first shaft, respectively. The motorcycle includes a front wheel drive train that extends from the output shaft to a universal joint that is positioned on the motorcycle within a range of about plus or minus ten degrees of perpendicular to the steering axis of rotation of the front fork where the front fork supports and retains the front wheel. The universal joint and the output shaft are coupled together with either a second drive chain or a second drive shaft.

Abstract: A two-wheel drive motorcycle having a drive train that supplies power to the front wheel and includes a series of rigid shafts or other internalized drive systems. The front wheel drive consists of components located on the axis of steering within the head tube and positioned symmetrically in a counterbalancing fashion within the front fork in order to counteract the torque reactions from the rotating front wheel drive while providing a full range of steering. The front wheel drive lengthens and shortens in parallel with the shock-absorbing front fork. An engagement clutch, a one-way hub, and torque limiting clutch operatively engaged with the front wheel drive are also disclosed.

Abstract: An all wheel drive motorcycle includes an internal combustion engine having an output shaft extending from the engine. A back wheel drive train is coupled to the output shaft with either a first chain or a first shaft. The first chain or the first shaft couples to a rear wheel drive sprocket or a rear wheel drive gear that couples to the first chain or first shaft, respectively. The motorcycle includes a front wheel drive train that extends from the output shaft to a universal joint that is positioned on the motorcycle within a range of about plus or minus ten degrees of perpendicular to the steering axis of rotation of the front fork where the front fork supports and retains the front wheel. The universal joint and the output shaft are coupled together with either a second drive chain or a second drive shaft.

Abstract: A two-wheel drive motorcycle, or all wheel drive bicycle, has a spring loaded shock absorbing suspension and traction system for the front wheel. A swing arm, rather than the front steering fork, is mounted to the front wheel axle. A modified steering fork is mounted to the swing arm and a shock absorber extends between the front steering fork weldment and the swing arm. The shock absorber allows the front wheel axle to move upward relative to the front steering fork and motorcycle (or bicycle) in general to absorb upward shocks on the front wheel, and also pushes the wheel downward, thereby improving traction. The front chain drive includes two chains in series which are isolated from excessive shock forces.

Abstract: An all wheel drive motorcycle includes an internal combustion engine having an output shaft extending from the engine. A back wheel drive train is coupled to the output shaft with either a first chain or a first shaft. The first chain or the first shaft couples to a rear wheel drive sprocket or a rear wheel drive gear that couples to the first chain or first shaft, respectively. The motorcycle includes a front wheel drive train that extends from the output shaft to a universal joint that is positioned on the motorcycle within a range of about plus or minus ten degrees of perpendicular to the steering axis of rotation of the front fork where the front fork supports and retains the front wheel. The universal joint and the output shaft are coupled together with either a second drive chain or a second drive shaft.

Abstract: An arrangement is utilized for reducing the manual steering force associated with steering a motorcycle. A steering assist for a vehicle includes a handlebar, and the handlebar being rotatable around a center of rotation. The steering assist further includes a damping device that includes a damping chamber, and a hydraulic valve being in fluid communication with the damping chamber and includes a first shaft section and a second shaft section. The hydraulic valve also includes a bearing mounting, and a bearing mounted in the bearing mounting. The steering assist further includes an upper fork crown attached to the first shaft section of the hydraulic valve, and a lower handlebar mounting attached to the second shaft section via the bearing arranged in the bearing mounting of the hydraulic valve. The handlebar being attached to the lower handlebar mounting, and the damping device being attached to the bearing mounting and the upper fork.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention a two-wheel vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a pair of wheel housings, each wheel housing having an inner circumference and an outer circumference, and further having an annular gear rack being positioned on the inner circumference and a wheel secured on the outer circumference. A motor mechanism drives a gear train that is meshed to the annular gear racks. A chassis is connected to a frame and interconnects the pair of wheel housings to the frame such that the frame moves independently from the pair of wheel housings. A tilting mechanism tilts the frame about the chassis such that the vehicle turns in the direction of the tilt. A stabilizing mechanism, when the frame is tilting, counteracts the forces on the vehicle to assist in maintaining an upright position while the vehicle is turning.

Abstract: A two-wheel drive motorcycle having a drive train that supplies power to the front wheel and includes a series of rigid shafts or other internalized drive systems. The front wheel drive consists of components located on the axis of steering within the head tube and positioned symmetrically in a counterbalancing fashion within the front fork in order to counteract the torque reactions from the rotating front wheel drive while providing a full range of steering. The front wheel drive lengthens and shortens in parallel with the shock-absorbing front fork. An engagement clutch, a one-way hub, and torque limiting clutch operatively engaged with the front wheel drive are also disclosed.

Abstract: An all-wheel-drive vehicle in which flexibility in setting the diameter of a driven gear is increased. In an all-wheel-drive vehicle in which an engine drives a rear wheel and also drives a hydraulic pump, and oil pressure generated by the hydraulic pump is supplied to a hydraulic motor for driving a front wheel. A front wheel hub provided on the front wheel is formed into a cup-shaped hub provided with a recess portion covered by a cover. The hydraulic motor is supported by the cover. A drive gear is provided on an output shaft of the hydraulic motor and a driven gear is provided in the recess portion of the hub with the driven gear being provided on the side of an axle.

Abstract: A two-wheel drive motorcycle having a drive train that supplies power to the front wheel and includes a series of rigid shafts or other internalized drive systems. The front wheel drive consists of components located on the axis of steering within the head tube and positioned symmetrically in a counterbalancing fashion within the front fork in order to counteract the torque reactions from the rotating front wheel drive while providing a full range of steering. The front wheel drive lengthens and shortens in parallel with the shock-absorbing front fork. An engagement clutch, a one-way hub, and torque limiting clutch operatively engaged with the front wheel drive are also disclosed.

Abstract: A dual wheel drive motorcycle includes a transmission that receives power and torque produced by the engine and, through multiple gears, provides power and torque to a rear wheel drive line and a front wheel drive line. The motorcycle is provided with an expendable and replaceable, torque overload component for both the rear wheel drive mechanism and the front wheel drive mechanism. The torque overload component is preferably a shear pin that is externally exposed and easily replaceable in the field. The transmission and front and rear drive lines are designed using keys, pins and adhesive to have sufficient torque capacity so that connections between these components can withstand greater torque loads than the torque overload components, thus protecting the internal components from failure due to shock loads during off-road or sporting uses. A safety factor of at least 1.5 is desirable in order to isolate failures within the externally accessible torque overload components.

Abstract: A two-wheel drive motorcycle having a drive train that supplies power to the front wheel and includes a series of rigid shafts or other internalized drive systems. The front wheel drive consists of components located on the axis of steering within the head tube and positioned symmetrically in a counterbalancing fashion within the front fork in order to counteract the torque reactions from the rotating front wheel drive while providing a full range of steering. The front wheel drive lengthens and shortens in parallel with the shock-absorbing front fork. An engagement clutch, a one-way hub, and torque limiting clutch operatively engaged with the front wheel drive are also disclosed.

Abstract: A beach buggy includes a frame, a rear wheel installed on the frame, a rear engine installed on the frame and operably connected with the rear wheel, a front wheel installed on frame and a front engine installed on the front fork and operably connected with the front wheel. The beach buggy includes a seat installed on a post extending from the frame.

Abstract: The present invention is a two-wheel drive motorcycle. The drive trait that supplies power to the front wheel is modified to include a series of rigid shafts or other internalized drive systems. The front wheel drive consists of components located on the axis of steering within the head tube and positioned symmetrically in a counterbalancing fashion within the front fork in order to counteract the torque reactions from the rotating front wheel drive while providing a full range of steering. The front wheel drive lengthens and shortens in parallel with the shock-absorbing front fork. An engagement clutch, a one-way hub, and torque limiting clutch for the front wheel drive are also disclosed.

Abstract: An all terrain vehicle has a lubrication system that draws from an oil pan and lubricates the main bearings and the piston. A drive shaft for the vehicle is positioned outside of the oil pan such that the oil pan's lateral dimension may be decreased. Additionally, a lubricant pump pickup is located within a recess in the bottom of the oil pan such that the pick-up is at about the same vertical height as the lower surface of the crankcase. The vehicle is also shiftable from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive. The shifting mechanism is located within the crankcase or transmission case. A locking collar selectively engages or disengages two of the four wheels from the output.

Abstract: A driving gear for a motorcycle transfers power to both wheels. The driving gear has a pair of drive trains that are each coupled to one of the wheels of the motorcycle with a spherical joint through conical gears.

Abstract: A two wheel drive motorcycle is provided with an unsteerable rear wheel, a steerable front wheel, a drive unit having a driving motor for driving the rear wheel and a transmission device coupled to the drive unit for driving the front wheel. The transmission device has a hydrostatic drive having a hydraulic pump driven by the driving motor and whose hydraulic motor is mounted on an arm of the front fork. The hydraulic pump has constant output and the hydraulic motor has a constant input matched to the pump output. Hydraulic fluid is delivered from the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic motor by a pressure line. The pressure in the pressure line is controlled by a pressure control valve which can be adjusted to maintain a pressure in the range of approximately 20 to 200 bars.

Abstract: A hydrostatic drive assembly for a front wheel of a motorcycle type steered vehicle. The hydrostatic drive is configured so that the hydrostatic motor is nested behind the front fork and contained within the area encompassed by the hub of the front wheel so as to permit the use of a conventional type of front wheel and mounting arrangement.

Abstract: In a continuous process for drying a sludge composed of combustible material and water, the wet sludge is first mixed with a proportion of material which has been dried in the process and is then fed into a hot gas stream from a burner. The hot gas stream carries the mixture along and dries it, and a proportion is tapped off and mixed with the incoming wet sludge. A part of the remainder is fed, with supplementary fuel, if necessary, to the burner to create the hot gas stream. The rate of fuel supply is varied in dependence on a temperature of the hot gas stream when it exhausts from the mixture drying operation.

Abstract: A tractor-trailer vehicle includes one, and typically a plurality, of signal switches mounted at spaced intervals along a top wall of the trailer structure, wherein engagement of the signal switches relative to an abutment effects audible and visual alarm within a cab of the associated transport vehicle structure.

Abstract: A drive mechanism is disclosed that is selectably engageable to provide a bicycle that has normally driven and nondriven wheels with either single or dual wheel drive. The drive mechanism includes a power take off means that has: a first power transmission mechanism mounted on said frame; a second power transmission mechanism mounted on the bicycle frame in positive drive power transmitting engagement with a normally non-driven wheel of the bicycle; and a power transfer apparatus connected to receive power from the first power transmission mechanism and transmit it to the second power transmission mechanism. A coupling mechanism is operatively connected with the power take off and is selectively actuatable to place the first power transmission mechanism either in a drive position receiving power from the normally driven wheel or a disengaged non-power transmitting position.

Abstract: A front and rear wheel drive motorcycle includes an engine unit including a cylinder assembly and a crank shaft and first and second speed change belt mechanisms mounted to one end of the crank shaft for driving the front and rear wheels, respectively. The first and second speed change belt mechanisms are operatively connected to first and second speed change gear mechanisms through first and second speed change gear mechanisms through first and second driven pulleys respectively provided to the first and second change belt mechanism. To one end of the crank shaft is mounted a driving pulley means operated in common with the first and second speed change belt mechanisms. The driving pulley means comprises a stationary driving pulley mounted to one end of the crank shaft and operated in common with the first and second speed change belt mechanisms and a pair of movable driving pulleys mounted to one end of the crank shaft with the stationary driving pulley interposed therebetween.

Abstract: A front wheel drive system for a motorcycle. The system is particularly adapted to be incorporated in a one-sided front wheel suspension system. The front wheel drive system may be used alone, to provide a motorcycle having front wheel drive only, or it may be used in combination with a conventional rear wheel drive to provide a two wheel drive motorcycle. The system includes a control arm (24) which is pivotably attached to the motorcycle body (22) and which houses a drive chain (42). The drive chain is connected through a constant velocity ball joint to a second drive chain journalled in an upright kingpin (28), which connects to a wheel sprocket. The constant velocity joint allows power to be transmitted to the front wheel (12) while also allowing for steering and suspension motions of the front wheel.

Abstract: A vehicle comprises at least two wheels, a front wheel and a rear wheel. A driving motor is connected as a unit to a framework, the framework being made up of a number of tubular members forming two trapezium structures. The wheels are connected to the motor-framework unit by further members, as well as dampening devices. A transmission between the driving motor and both of the front and rear wheels is also provided. A steering assembly is connected to the front steering wheel and the framework. A strut, which may be part of the transmission, is adjustably connected between the motor-framework unit and the steering assembly. Furthermore, the vehicle can adjust the castor angle of the front wheel.

Abstract: A motorcycle apparatus having improved features relating to an improved overall drive system for providing automatic transmission operation. Also described is an improved transmission construction relating to a gear selection means. Furthermore, there is described an improved spring (one-way) clutch having a pair of members secured to a drive shaft for the front wheel and the transmission output shaft, respectively, along with a clutch spring disposed about the members and a novel means for interlocking the members but enabling rotation therebetween.

Abstract: A two-wheeled vehicle such as a bicycle includes a variable displacement fluid pump such as a radial plunger pump provided at a crankshaft of pedals and a fixed displacement fluid motor such as a gear motor at a rear wheel or a front wheel. The fluid pump and motor are connected through hydraulic passages. Plungers of the radial plunger pump are driven by a cam assembly whose eccentricity is adjustable by means of an eccentricity control means dependent upon the load acting upon the vehicle in a stepless manner, so that the speed of the vehicle can be changed in a stepless manner. Moreover, the vehicle includes automatic speed change means which automatically change the eccentricity of the eccentric cam assembly according to hydraulic pressure of the variable displacement fluid pump, so that the speed of the vehicle can be automatically changed.

Abstract: A power drive unit for driving a utilization mechanism such as, for example, a roadwheel of a light vehicle such as a bicycle, tricycle, or quadricycle. The utilization mechanism is driven from the output shaft of a prime mover mounted through a controllable clutch and chain drive train. Preferably, the prime mover is an internal combustion engine driven chain saw from which the saw chain and chain bar have beem removed and replaced by an adapter providing a chain and belt drive from the chain saw engine output shaft to a chainwheel coupled to the utilization mechanism, for example, a bicycle conventional chainwheel such as to drive the bicycle rear wheel through the conventional multi-speed hub or multi-speed sprocket cluster, or alternatively, to drive the front wheel of a bicycle through a chainwheel coupled to the front wheel hub, the front wheel hub being preferably a multi-speed hub with internal gears.