Abstract: Methods of teaching and learning bicycle riding skills are disclosed, including training a student to ride a bicycle comprising positioning a student on a bicycle at the top of an inclined surface with a slope in a range of 8 to 15 degrees and a distance of at least 30 feet, wherein the student straddles the bicycle's seat such that the student's feet engage the inclined surface and the student's hands engage the bicycle's hand brakes. The student releases the brakes and lifts his/her feet from the inclined surface. Under angular momentum, the bicycle moves down the inclined surface while the student steers the bicycle. The bicycle is returned to the top of the inclined surface and the steps are repeated. The student also learns to pedal the bicycle using the inclined surface with similar repeatable steps. Other skills such as starting the bicycle with the pedals are taught.

Abstract: A handbrake structure includes a fixing base, a linking member and a brake handle. The fixing base is located on a handle of a moving apparatus. The linking member is located on the fixing base, wherein a first portion of the linking member is connected to a first brake wire, and a second portion of the linking member has a first limit part. The brake handle is located on the linking member, wherein a first portion of the brake handle is connected to a second brake wire. When the brake handle is rotated in a first direction, the brake handle pushes the first limit part to rotate the linking member, and the linking member pulls the first brake wire. When the brake handle is rotated in a second direction different from the first direction, the brake handle pulls the second brake wire.

Abstract: An adjustable clamping mechanism for a throttle control device on a handlebar of a vehicle includes a throttle lever and a clamp assembly that retains the throttle control device at a desired angular position upon said handlebar. The clamp assembly includes a body having a main section and a secondary section, the secondary section being disposed in a slot of the main section. A clamping member provides a clamping force upon the main section and secondary section. In an engaged position of the clamping member, the clamping member provides a clamping force to retain the throttle lever in a predetermined angular orientation upon said handlebar during operation of said vehicle. In a disengaged position of the clamping member, the clamping member does not provide the clamping force in order to permit the throttle lever to rotate about a longitudinal axis of said handlebar.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake actuator adapted to be mounted on a vehicle handlebar and hydraulically coupled to a brake mechanism. The brake actuator includes a brake base adapted to be secured to the handlebar, and a reservoir adapted to be coupled to the brake base and containing brake fluid, the reservoir having a bottom surface. The hydraulic brake actuator further includes a piston-cylinder assembly coupled to the reservoir, a brake lever movable relative to the brake base between a released position and an actuated position, and a locking pawl positioned to limit movement between the brake lever and the piston-cylinder assembly, the locking pawl being at least partially positioned directly below the bottom surface of the reservoir.

Abstract: A manual operator for a vehicle, wherein the manual operator can be simply operated, has a good appearance, and allows a sufficient space for a manual operator for a parking brake. A first manual operator (13) pivotably mounted on a handlebar (11) has an output section (26) mounted so as to be pivotable about the center of a first support shaft (12). A second manual operator (15) has an input section (44) provided so as to be pivotable about a second support shaft (14) when pushed by the output section (26). The second manual operator (15) is a manual operator adapted for a vehicle parking brake and capable of setting the vehicle to a parked state.

Abstract: A lockable braking device comprises a controlling set having a cover fixed to a frame, a braking grip pivoted to the cover and partially protruded out of the cover, a connecting member pivoted to the cover and one end thereof being propelled by the braking grip, and a crank pivoted to the cover and being motivated by the braking grip. Whereby, the braking grip adjustably controls a braking state of a braking unit to attain a common stopping performance and a constant stopping effect. Accordingly, the structure of the braking device is simplified and the operation thereof is more easy and handy.

Abstract: A parking brake lever which provides ease of recognition of a locked state of the parking brake lever and improves the arrangement of the parking brake lever around a handle bar. A parking brake lever includes a handle rear arm portion provided adjacent to a left handle bar rearward thereof in an unlocked position in which a parking brake caliper is in an unlocked state, and a handle upper arm portion provided adjacent to the left handle bar upward thereof in the unlocked position in which the parking brake caliper is in the unlocked state. A rotating shaft of the parking brake lever is provided in the handle rear arm portion that is substantially parallel to the direction of the axis of the left handle bar, so that the parking brake caliper can be operated into the locked state by pulling the parking brake lever upward.

Abstract: A parking brake lever apparatus for a vehicle includes a first latchet member and a second latchet member arranged along the direction of an axis of a rotating shaft of a holder member which rotatably supports a parking brake lever. The first latchet member and the second latchet member are arranged so that respective teeth thereof come into contact with each other at end surfaces facing in the direction of the axis of the rotating shaft when the parking brake lever is in an unlocked position. The first latchet member is moved toward the second latchet member by springs so that the respective teeth of the first latchet member and the second latchet member are engaged with each other when the parking brake lever is in a locked position.

Abstract: The present invention describes a device for locking a lever of a motor vehicle. The device permits an operator to quickly lock the lever in an engaged position and unlock the lever from the engaged position. The device may be used even when the manual dexterity of the operator is limited by protective equipment. The device includes a pin and spring. The pin passes through aligned holes in the flange and lever. Releasing the lever exerts a lateral force on the pin, thereby preventing the pin from lifting from the lever hole and locking the lever in the engaged position. The spring lifts the pin from the locked position when the lateral force is reduced. The device may be used on a brake or clutch lever of a motorcycle, thereby permitting the operator to have at least one free hand at a stop.

Abstract: A method of actuating an automatic parking brake for a vehicle, comprising a spring device, designed to absorb the actuating forces, situated in the actuating mechanism of a brake device. This method comprises at least the following steps: application of a preload to the spring device to a value situated in part IV of the operating characteristic, and adjustment of this preload to a level corresponding at least to a minimum braking force required for the vehicle.

Abstract: A device and method adapted to keep a bicycle upright and stable while not in use that engages one or more brake levers and the brakes of the bicycle, while the bicycle is leaned against an object. A device and method which is lightweight, easy to keep with the bicycle, and which is adapted to be used with a large variety of types of bicycles. A device and method adapted to keep a bicycle upright and stable while leaned against an object while on a slope.

Abstract: A mechanism for switching the wheels of baby stroller between a fixed-direction mode and a free steering mode by a far-end controller drives a positioning member through a connecting member. The positioning member is used to catch and fix the wheel seat of the stroller into the fixed-direction mode, and is also capable of releasing the wheel seat back into the freeing steering mode. The far-end controller enables a user to shift the mode of steering without bending down, and eliminates the need to suspend the front wheel while steering the baby stroller, in order to change direction.

Abstract: A device and method adapted to keep a bicycle upright and stable while not in use that engages one or more brake levers and the brakes of the bicycle, while the bicycle is leaned against an object. A device and method which is lightweight, easy to keep with the bicycle, and which is adapted to be used with a large variety of types of bicycles. A device and method adapted to keep a bicycle upright and stable while leaned against an object while on a slope.

Abstract: A parking brake assembly for an air actuated disc brake includes an operating shaft for amplifying a force supplied by an air actuator and transmitting the force to brake pads. The operating shaft is pivotable about an axis between a rest position at which a braking force is not applied and an actuated position at which the braking force is applied. An abutment surface on the operating shaft is selectively engageable by a complementary latch of the assembly to retain the operating shaft in the actuated position and thereby apply the parking brake. The abutment surface has a helical configuration.

Abstract: A brake control device has a handle, a controlling lever, a driving member and a swing lever. The controlling lever is designed for manipulating by hand and fingers that can be shifted between a braked position, a temporary braked position, and a released position. The swing lever has one end pivotally connected to the handle, and another end pivotally connected with the controlling lever and the driving member. The driving member has a portion slidably abutting an upper wall formed within the handle, and drives braking mechanism by pulling a connecting element via a rotation while the controlling lever moves the driving member either downwardly or upwardly. Preferably, the controlling lever is formed with a stop or protrusion at the lower edge thereof for self-keeping in the braked position for parking the wheeled walker.

Abstract: A brake and lock device includes a lever pivotally connected with a fork of a bicycle, a brake shoe attached to the lever for braking a wheel and a lock attached to the lever for locking the wheel. The lock includes a core for receiving a key and a latch connected with the core for locking the wheel. The core includes a first end for receiving the key and a second end connected with the latch. The first end of the core defines a keyhole. The core includes a mandrel extending from the second end thereof for connection with the latch. The latch defines a recess for receiving the mandrel and two holes in communication with the recess. The mandrel defines a hole. A pin can be inserted through the holes defined in the latch and in the mandrel. The latch may include a protective sleeve mounted thereon. The mandrel can be rotated so that the latch can be pivoted to interfere with spokes of a wheel mounted in the fork.

Abstract: An apparatus for the application of a braking force to a wheel of a wheelbarrow, hand cart or other type of a cargo portage device includes a twist grip mechanism with a latching type of a ratchet attached to the handlebar of the device. As the twist grip mechanism is rotated a progressive braking force is applied to the wheel by tightening a brake band that extends around a drum that is attached to the wheel. A cable is attached at one end to the twist grip mechanism and to the brake band at its remaining end. The ratchet maintains the braking force that is applied until a thumb release lever is depressed which disengages a ratchet dog from contact with any of a plurality of ratchet teeth.

Abstract: A parking lever for drawing a cable for locking rear wheels of a three-wheeled vehicle is provided on the front body. A rear wheel lock mechanism for locking the rear wheels is provided on the rear body. A roll lock mechanism for locking the relative rotation between a joint shaft and a case body is provided on the joint case provided with the joint shaft and the case body. The cable for locking the rear wheels is extended over between the parking lever and the rear wheel lock mechanism. The cable for roll lock is extended over between the rear wheel lock mechanism and the roll lock mechanism. The torsion of the cable for locking rear wheels caused by relative roll between the front body and the rear body can be absorbed at a long distance as compared with the prior art. Excessive load is not applied to the cable for locking the rear wheels, and even if the joint case is miniaturized, there is less restriction to easily realize miniaturization of the body.