Abstract: A child's ride-on vehicle including a body portion configured to carry a child rider and at least three wheels mounted to the body portion and configured to allow the body portion to travel. The vehicle also includes a drive system with an electric motor and a battery, the drive system being activatable and connected to at least one of the wheels to rotate the wheel upon activation to thereby cause the vehicle to travel. A primary motor control system is operatively connected to the drive system and configured to allow the child rider to control activation of the drive system. A primary steering system is operatively connected to at least one of the wheels and configured to allow the child rider to selectively steer the vehicle by causing at least one of the wheels to turn relative to at least one other wheel.

Abstract: A control device for switching control of vehicular accessories between separate vehicle control stations. The device has an output connector connected to the vehicle's accessories, input controls including a control switch located at each control station, and a gating means connected between the input controls and the output connector. When one of the control switches is activated, the gating means connects the control inputs of the corresponding control station to the output connector and disconnects all other control stations. When a control switch is continuously activated for a predetermined duration of time, control is transferred to the corresponding control station and a discrete vehicle accessory driven by the control switch is activated.

Abstract: A set of motor vehicle controls for the assistance of invalid drivers, especially those handicapped in the lower limbs, is provided. The system includes a set of controls mounted on the steering wheel for operating the accelerator and the brake, a set of controls mounted on the gear shaft lever for operating the clutch and brake, a set of motors controlling the position of each of the brake, clutch, and accelerator, at least one member transmitting commands to all controls by one of a wire control system and wire-free control system, at least one unit transmitting from each of the motors to the corresponding pedal, and an electronic unit controlling the motors. The system may be employed in any motor vehicle with a mechanical or automatic gear box.

Abstract: A system includes a selector switch and a control device. The selector switch is positioned inside a cab of a work vehicle and coupled to main and remote switches, which are in turn coupled to a voltage source. The selector switch can be used to select standard and remote modes that allow, respectively, the main and remote switches to engage and disengage a power takeoff (PTO) on the work vehicle. The control device is coupled to the switches and the PTO to interpret combinations of positions of the switches for engagement and disengagement of the PTO, preferably based on testing of the combinations with stored preselected conditions. Further, the control device activates warning signalers according to conditions of the system.

Abstract: A remotely-controlled system for the operation of the gas and brake pedals of a vehicle wherein a limited physical input is translated into desired vehicle acceleration and braking. A single joystick lever is linked electronically to mechanical components connected to the gas and brake pedals so as to operate those pedals in a fly-by-wire manner. The joystick lever is optionally tied to a feedback mechanism that permits the driver to adjust the resistance felt upon movement of the lever. In that way, the feel for the vehicle's operation can be experienced more readily. The control system of the present invention permits able-bodied operation of the vehicle without any interference.

Abstract: The present invention is a combination trailer and self propelled vehicle which combines the maximum gradeability of all wheel drive with the ability to be efficiently and conveniently towed by conventional means at maximum permissible highway speeds. As this invention relates to concrete mixing, it provides an advance in the ability to get to a job site quickly and then efficiently transport and place concrete mix at the job site.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly 20 which may be used for the purpose of selectively spraying weed killing chemicals onto weeds located amongst crops 21 planted in rows 22. The vehicle assembly 20 includes four user support assemblies 23, namely a master control support assembly 100 and three slave control support assemblies 101, supported by support means 24 and 84 on transportation means 25 which is capable of movement along the furrows such that the user assemblies 23 are positioned above respective rows 22 of crops. The master control user support assembly 100 is provided with direction control means 67 for selectively controlling the movement of the vehicle assembly in either a forward or a reverse direction and steering actuation means 68 for steering the vehicle assembly 20 and wherein the remainder of said user support assemblies 101 are slave control positions having direction control means 72 for selectively controlling the movement of the vehicle assembly in either a forward or a reverse direction.

Abstract: The handwheel of a vehicle is connected to a handwheel shaft which in turn is connected through a load torque isolating device (overrunning clutch) that acts in either of the two directions of rotation and is connected to a steering shaft that controls a hydraulic arrangement. The hydraulic arrangement controls a steering motor that in turn controls the direction of turning of the vehicle. A second motor is drivingly connected to the overrunning clutch to rotate the steering shaft when the second motor is operated but when the steering is controlled by the handwheel, movement of the second motor is prevented. The second motor is operable from a location remote from the vehicle. The overrunning clutch includes a hub connected to the steering shaft and is movable by the handwheel shaft, the hub being wedgable against the clutch housing for being driven by the second motor by two jamming rollers that each acts in one direction of rotation and can be released by rotating the handwheel shaft.

Abstract: A remote control system for transmitting control movement to a controlled member, such as a throttle or transmission control lever on a marine propulsion unit, which includes an actuator unit having a lever arm for mechanically actuating the controlled member and an electric motor for electrically actuating the controlled member. A first remote control unit is provided which has a first operator mechanically connected to the lever arm for selectively transmitting movement to the lever arm upon movement of the first operator. There is also provided a second remote control unit having a second operator electrically connected to the electric motor through a central control unit for selectively transmitting an electrical signal to the central control unit for selectively transmitting movement to the electric motor upon movement of the second operator.

Abstract: A concrete delivery truck having an electronically controlled transmission is shown and described. There are two (2) electronic control units, one in the truck cab and one at the rear of the truck. The rear electronic control is operative when the cab electronic control is in an neutral position. An actuator interface is connected to the cab and rear-mounted electrical control units for selecting the control unit and providing signals for the electronically controlled transmission.

Abstract: An auxiliary vehicle control device for maneuvering a vehicle (1) from a position other than the driver's position is disclosed which includes an operations unit (3) composed of an operating panel, a drive unit (40) and a control unit (23). The control unit (23) is mounted beneath the steering wheel (20) of the vehicle and coacts with the steering wheel (20) through a multi-disc clutch. The drive unit (40) is disposed in the region of the universal joint of the vehicle and coacts with a flange or collar on the output shaft of the gearbox, through a slip coupling arrangement. The front of the vehicle is equipped with a collision guard (50) which, when activated, is operative to activate devices, via operating devices, which apply one of the standard brake systems of the vehicle. The auxiliary vehicle control device can be fitted advantageously to many different types of vehicles.

Abstract: Systems are disclosed for the driving of a truck during a paving operation by an operator located alongside the truck and adjacent the paving site. The truck transmission power take off powers a hydraulic pump with pump output being controlled by a pair of solenoid valves with one regulating fluid flow to a hydraulic drive motor driving the truck differential through a gear reduction drive while the other valve controls fluid flow to a hydraulic motor coupled to a steering component of the truck. Both of the solenoid valves are in electrical circuit with switches located exteriorally on the truck for access by the dismounted driver as is a truck brake control. Accordingly steering, braking and fore and aft truck movement may all be accomplished by an operator positioned adjacent the truck.

Abstract: A vehicle is proposed, in particular a chassis of a bridge-underside inspection apparatus, having a frame (1) and road-vehicle wheels. In order to be able to quickly and simply convert such a vehicle into an operational chassis having increased stability, a pneumatically sprung axle unit (3) and, in front of and/or behind this pneumatically sprung axle unit, at least one unsprung auxiliary wheel (7, 8) are arranged on the frame (1). The axle unit (3) has a pneumatically actuated device (4, 5) which is connected to the spring-suspension arrangement and by means of which the frame (1) can be lowered from a top position in which the spring suspension is effective into a bottom position. The auxiliary wheel (7, 8) is lifted from the roadway in the top position of the frame (1) during the road-transport operation and stands on the roadway in the bottom position of the frame (1) during working operation.

Abstract: An electrical transmission control employs in one embodiment, a rotary dial switch as a gear selector control which includes a plug means for connecting the switch directly into a receiving socket mounted to the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle includes a plurality of sockets such that the gear selector control can be mounted at a preferred one of the locations. In another embodiment, the selector switch is a slide type switch. The switch can be removed from the socket and/or vehicle for providing anti-theft security preventing the transmission from being shifted without the gear selected control.

Abstract: A remote locomotive spotter control having a plug in remote unit to control braking and battery power to one or more traction motors for moving the locomotive from an outside location. The control system provides automatic bell operation when the brakes are released and brake application whenever the remote brake control is released. Additional features prevent operation of the spotter control until the locomotive independent brake has been set and whenever the main reservoir pressure is too low for repeated brake application. Damage to the battery through inadvertent connection to the main generator is also prevented.

Abstract: A rear discharge concrete mixer vehicle having a chassis comprising a cab for the vehicle operator; control means in the cab for operation of the vehicle; a rotary drum on the vehicle chassis; a discharge chute associated with the rotary drum; and auxiliary control means on the chassis for operation of the vehicle remote from the cab.

Abstract: A material handling vehicle is provided which is capable of operation on the highway, off-road and on railroad tracks. The vehicle includes a lower truck chassis having an engine and a first operator's cab and an upper structure which includes an upper structure operator's cab and a material handling implement. In the travel mode of operation, the engine is directly connected to the torque converter of a powershift transmission to provide a rotational output to the drive wheels. In the off-road or remote operating mode of the excavator, the transmission is controlled so as to prohibit the connection between the torque converter and the transmission gears. However, a power take-off on the transmission is coupled to a hydraulic pump which provides hydraulic fluid under pressure to a hydraulic motor which, in turn, may provide rotational power to a secondary input to the transmission to provide drive power.

Abstract: A vehicle for aerial working includes a vehicle, a rotary base disposed at a rear portion rearwardly of a frame of the vehicle, a folding arm assembly on the rotary base for vertically extending its arm, a boom assembly having an axially extendable first jib supporting at its distal end an aerial platform, a front axle disposed at a front portion of the frame, and a rear axle disposed at the rear portion and rearwardly of the rotary base, the rear axle having a pair of wheels oppositely sidewardly projecting beyond a pair of wheels of the front axle. The boom assembly also has a second jib disposed in parallel with the first jib and supporting at its distal end a counterweight to balance with the weight of the aerial platform, wherein the second jib axially slides to move toward and away from the first jib to an extent same as the latter moves.

Abstract: An electric rider vehicle control system is disclosed which includes a dead man brake that is normally set to prevent coasting, and controls which release the brake and permit normal transport operation of the vehicle at multiple speeds by an operator on the operator's platform. The controls also include a selector switch for selecting between such normal operation and another mode in which the brake is held in a release position by an electrical solenoid, the first controls are disabled or bypassed, and the propulsive drive is operated by jogging control switches mounted on the sides of the vehicle for convenient manipulation by an operator walking alongside. An adjustable hydraulic snubber also is provided to control brake application.

Abstract: A steering device for an automotive vehicle includes steering wheels one of which is associated with a driver's seat positioned at the front of the vehicle and the other with a seat positioned at the rear of the vehicle and available for manipulating a crane or the like. Power cylinders are provided for hydraulically steering front wheels only or both of front wheels and rear wheels of the vehicle. Hydraulic circuits associated with the power cylinders are controlled such that while the wheels are steered at the driver's seat, they cannot be steered at the craneman's seat. Such control of the hydraulic circuits occurs in response to actuation of a key switch. A four-wheel steering mode for steering the front and rear wheels at the same time is prevened from replacing a two-wheel steering mode for steering front wheels only, unless the vehicle runs at low speeds.

Abstract: A system for maneuvering steerable running wheels of a vehicle by means of a steering wheel via gear case equipped with input and output shafts and a gearing mechanism operatively interconnecting these shafts. On the vehicle, the output shaft is disposed outer than the input shaft, and the gearing mechanism is constructed with helical gears fitted respectively on the input and output shafts.

Abstract: A rear loading refuse pickup truck is modified to include auxiliary controls operable from a platform near the rear of the truck so that a single operator can both load refuse into the truck and effect unidirectional truck operation at limited speeds between relatively close refuse pickup sites. The auxiliary controls include directional steering, transmission shifting limited between neutral and reverse, and limited accelerator actuation.

Abstract: A remote driving system (40) for use on a material handling vehicle (10) having a rotatable upper structure (12) including means for driving said material handling vehicle (10) through powershift transmission. A hydraulic power supply (50) is provided on the upper structure (12) and the output of which is controlled by an operator in the excavator cab (32) to be supplied to the hydraulic motor (44) supported on the main chassis (26). The hydraulic motor (44) is connected to provide power input to the automatic transmission (34) for forward or reverse driving of the vehicle (10). Means are provided for selecting the gear ratio set in the powershift transmission (34) from the excavator cab (32). Hydraulic motor (44) drives a pump (68) which provides pressurized automatic transmission fluid for lubricating the powershift transmission (34) and provides power for operating selected clutches in the powershift transmission (34).

Abstract: A vehicle such as a tractor having a rear mounted backhoe is provided with a mechanism for adjusting the speed of the engine to control the flow of fluid in the hydraulic control system. In addition to a conventional hand throttle, the mechanism for adjusting the engine speed includes an electric solenoid that can be actuated by a switch to increase the speed of the engine beyond the speed at which the hand throttle is set, and preferably to full throttle. This enables the operator of the vehicle to use the backhoe at an intermediate engine speed to perform backhoe functions that do not require maximum engine speed. By actuating a switch, the operator can quickly and easily increase the engine speed to full throttle to perform backhoe functions that require maximum engine speed.

Abstract: A combination car system is made up from a first car and a second car, both of which are capable of running independently. The first car includes a pair of front wheels by which it is driven, a pair of rear wheels, and an engine the output of which is controlled by a first engine output control element. The second car includes a pair of front wheels, a pair of rear wheels by which it is driven, and an engine the output of which is controlled by a second engine output control element. When the cars are running independently, displacement of an accelerator pedal in the first car is transmitted by a first displacement transmission mechanism to the first engine output control element, and displacement of an accelerator pedal in the second car is transmitted by a second displacement transmission mechanism to the second engine output control element.

Abstract: A combination car system is made up from a first car and a second car, both of which are capable of running independently. The first car includes a pair of front wheels by which it is driven, a pair of rear wheels, a first engine, and a first transmission which drivingly couples this first engine to the front wheels. The second car includes a pair of front wheels, a pair of rear wheels by which it is driven, a second engine, and a second transmission, which drivingly couples this second engine to the rear wheels, and which is an automatic transmission which can be set to at least N, D, L, and R ranges according to the position of a switching valve. The first car and the second car are couplable together into a combination car which runs on the front wheels of the first car and on the rear wheels of the second car, the rear wheels of the first car and the front wheels of the second car being at this time removed from road contact.

Abstract: A combination car system is made up from a first car and a second car, both of which are capable of running independently. The first car includes a pair of front wheels by which it is driven, a pair of rear wheels, and a first wheel braking element which provides braking performance for the first car when it is displaced. The second car includes a pair of front wheels, a pair of rear wheels by which it is driven, and a second wheel braking element which provides braking performance for the second car when it is displaced. When the cars are running independently, displacement of a brake pedal in the first car is transmitted by a first displacement transmission mechanism to the first wheel braking element, and displacement of a brake pedal in the second car is transmitted by a second displacement transmission mechanism to the second wheel braking element.

Abstract: A dual steering system for use on a material handling vehicle having a chassis with front steerable wheels and an upperstructure movably supported from the chassis for rotary movement about a connecting center pin. The vehicle has a main truck cab on the chassis, from which the vehicle may be driven over road to a selected site, and an operator cab on the upperstructure from which the excavator vehicle may be operated and also driven for short distances. When the vehicle is driven over road, the vehicle is steered from a steering wheel in the main truck cab, and hydraulic power is provided by a hydraulic power supply mounted on the chassis. When the excavator is controlled from the operator cab, the vehicle is steered with a joy stick and hydraulic power is supplied from an alternate hydraulic supply on the upperstructure. Thus, two alternate but interconnected sources of hydraulic fluid are utilized to provide power to a hydraulically powered, mechanically controlled steering gear.

Abstract: A compact powered manlift cart suitable for usage in building interiors for raising and supporting an operator at elevated heights. The cart has front and rear wheels of which one front and one rear wheel are driven by a two-speed drive motor through a chain and sprocket drive train. Power driven front and rear steering assemblies allow the front and rear wheels to be steered independently of one another making the cart highly maneuverable. A lift mast for raising and supporting the operator includes a lift bucket wherein the operator stands during operation of the cart and also includes telescoping mast sections driven by a motor through a cable and pulley arrangement. The mast is extended and retracted for positioning the lift bucket at various heights up to a maximum height for supporting the operator for overhead work.

Abstract: An improved vehicle includes a truck mounted material-handling mechanism having a main cab or operator's station from which the vehicle is driven over a road or highway and a second cab or operator's station from which the material-handling mechanism is operated. When the vehicle is being driven over the road, power is transmitted to the driving wheels of the vehicle from a main engine by a main drive line which includes a main transmission assembly. When the material handling mechanism is being operated, a control means in the second cab or operator's station is selectively operable to drive the vehicle with power transmitted from an auxiliary engine to the main transmission assembly in the main drive line by an auxiliary drive line. The auxiliary drive line includes a pump which is driven by the auxiliary engine to provide fluid under pressure to operate a fluid motor which is drivingly connected with the main transmission assembly.