Abstract: A movement assistance device comprising a first element for rigidly connecting the device to one foot of a user and transmitting a thrust force to said foot; and a second element linked to the first element by link means and intended to be in contact with the ground; the device further comprises means for transmitting a force from an exogenous energy source, to the first element and/or to the second element, in order to separate them from each other.

Abstract: A control system for downhill skis enables effective, continuous control of ski-to-surface resistance, to accommodate changing steepness and other conditions during a downhill ski run. Controllably positionable brake elements are mounted on the skis, centrally between the side edges thereof. Positioning motors are mounted on each ski and are operable to controllably project or retract the brake elements relative to the ski bottoms, continuously or in finite increments, allowing the skier to maintain a safe and comfortable skiing experience over almost any ski slope under a wide variety of ski conditions. The braking elements, preferably blade-like and oriented at right angles to the ski axis, are positioned close to the skier's feet, allowing the skis to be easily controlled in turns and other maneuvers. A spring-loaded, hinged mounting arrangement allows the mechanisms to momentarily pivot to retracted positions whenever the braking elements engage a rock or other immovable object.

Abstract: An attachment apparatus and related method for enhancing traction during winching for a flatbed tow vehicle, comprising: a top planar surface; a bottom planar surface integrally-connected to the top planar surface at a fixed mating angle therebetween, wherein the fixed mating angle is substantially equal to a rear extremity angle between top and bottom surfaces of a rear extremity of a flatbed of the tow vehicle with which the apparatus is to be used; and a plurality of sprags permanently affixed to an underside of the bottom planar surface.

Abstract: A control system for downhill skis enables effective, continuous control of ski-to-surface resistance, to accommodate changing steepness and other conditions during a downhill ski run. Controllably positionable brake elements are mounted on the skis, centrally between the side edges thereof. Positioning motors are mounted on each ski and are operable to controllably project or retract the brake elements relative to the ski bottoms, continuously or in finite increments, allowing the skier to maintain a safe and comfortable skiing experience over almost any ski slope under a wide variety of ski conditions. The braking elements, preferably blade-like and oriented at right angles to the ski axis, are positioned close to the skier's feet, allowing the skis to be easily controlled in turns and other maneuvers. A spring-loaded, hinged mounting arrangement allows the mechanisms to momentarily pivot to retracted positions whenever the braking elements engage a rock or other immovable object.

Abstract: A braking feature is provided that can resist gliding board runaway, i.e., uncontrolled gliding without a rider, or other movement of a gliding board, e.g., a gliding device having no foot bindings. The braking feature may always be active to resist gliding board movement, and/or resist movement only when a rider is not supported on the gliding device. Activation of a braking feature may be delayed. The braking feature may be controlled based on a force urging a bottom surface of the gliding device into contact with the gliding surface, e.g., the braking feature may be deactivated if the weight of a rider is supported on the gliding device. A force that deactivates a braking feature may be made adjustable, e.g., to accommodate riders of different weights or to provide different braking feature responses.

Abstract: The invention consists of a brake device for snowboards (5) comprising a fitting part (1, 2), which is attached to the board, and a braking part (3). The braking part (3) is attached to the fitting part (1, 2) and can be maneuvered from a non-braking position, in which all parts of the braking part (3) are situated on top of the board (5) and within the boundary edges of the board (5), to a braking position, in which the braking part (3) is situated essentially outside one of the boundary edges of the board (5) and extends below the board (5).

Abstract: A braking system for an inflatable vehicle, including a rigid housing attached to the deck of the vehicle and a braking lever pivotally attached to the housing. The lever is frictionally held in an inactivated position where the drag arm forming the lower portion of the lever is positioned above the lower panel of the deck. When the hand grip that forms the upper portion of the lever is pulled up, it overcomes the frictional force and moves the drag arm down below the lower panel of the deck to provide a braking force. In one embodiment, the brake system housing is matingly received and frictionally secured in an open cavity extending between the top and bottom panels of the deck. In another embodiment, the top and bottom panels of the deck are sealingly attached to the housing. A pair of housings with associated braking levers may be transversely spaced on the deck to provide braking and selective steering of the inflatable vehicle.

Abstract: A braking and steering mechanism that is located near, but behind the steering pivot point of a runner of a ski vehicle. In a conventional snowmobile, for example, the steering pivot point is near the middle of the longitudinal axis of the runner, and, hence, the preferred braking and steering mechanism extends from behind the middle of the runner, but not at the rear end of the runner, to contact the snow or ground to slow or stop the snowmobile movement relative to the snow or ground. The preferred braking and steering mechanism has a brake that is a retractable, protruding member that extends down from the runner bottom surface near, but behind the steering pivot point a sufficient distance to frictionally engage the snow/ground significantly more than does the bottom of the runner. The protruding member may take the forms of a prong or spike, a blade or plate, or other single, plural, smooth or toothed member(s) that can make frictional contact with the snow/ground.

Abstract: A braking device for a motorized snow vehicle having a front steering assembly with at least one steering column secured to at least one ski, and articulated in rotation around a spindle. The motorized snow vehicle further has a rear support assembly, equipped with at least one driving caterpillar track. The front steering assembly comprises at least one mobile braking element operated, by control means, between a retracted rest position inside a cavity of the ski, and an active braking position protruding out under the general sliding surface of the ski in a middle zone situated appreciably at the level of the articulation spindle between the steering column and the ski.

Abstract: An anti ice skidding apparatus for providing resistance to lateral forces acting on a vehicle. The anti ice skidding apparatus includes a disc chassis, a device for engaging a roadway pivotally connected to the disc chassis and a device for securing the disc chassis to an underside of the vehicle. A device is connected to the securing device for pivoting the securing device between a first position maintaining the disc chassis and engaging device at a distance above the roadway and a second position placing the engaging device in engagement with the roadway. The engaging device is able to engage the roadway and provide additional resistance to lateral forces acting on the vehicle when in the second position. The engaging device may be one of a plurality of rollers or a blade which will engage with icy surfaces on the roadway and cut a groove in the icy surface to provide additional resistance to the lateral forces acting on the vehicle.

Abstract: A snow ski traction device includes a traction blade pivotally mounted on blade-to-ski attachment device so as to secure the blade to the side of a snow ski. The blade pivots through a pivot arc of substantially 90 degrees and is stopped from pivoting outside of that arc. At one end of the arc, the length of the blade is substantially parallel to the length of the ski; while at the other end of the arc, it is perpendicular to the length of the ski. When perpendicular to the ski, the blade engages with and presses backwards against snow or ice beneath the ski, thus propelling the wearer of the ski in a forward direction and preventing backward slippage of the ski. When parallel to the ski, the blade permits a full, forward sliding movement of the ski. The ordinary motion of the ski causes the blade to pivot as required between these parallel and perpendicular positions. This device, and its method of use, are particularly applicable for cross-country skiing, though can be used by downhill skiers as well.

Abstract: A snowmobile braking system providing blades which are downwardly extendible from each side in the central portion of a steering ski controlled by the user by means of an electrically powered pump activating a hydraulic ram which, when desired, rotates the blades downward from the plane of the ski.

Abstract: A wheel supported irrigation system is provided with a locking assembly to immobilize the system against travel resulting from high winds or other causes. A system water pipe carries positionable leg members which, when deployed, are in ground contact. Wheel engaging arms carried by each leg member are adapted for engagement with wheel segments to stabilize the associated leg member when operatively deployed. The leg members include extensions to facilitate ground contact. The system water pipe is provided with leg engageable retainers to allow stowage of the leg members when retracted and stowed lengthwise along the water pipe. The retainers are of I cross-section with flanges confining the retracted leg members in place.

Abstract: A snowmobile ski-type runner braking system provides a braking "claw" at the trailing end of each snowmobile ski-type runner that can be activated by the operator from his console to pivot downward into digging engagement with the snow to help brake the snowmobile. The claws are activated in unison so that balanced braking force is applied to each trailing ski end on both sides of the snowmobile. Even with the claws extended into their digging mode, the operator can still steer by turning the skis. Each claw can be actuated by an electric motor and power screw mechanism mounted on the runner. Alternately, each claw can be actuated by a hydraulic piston/cylinder mechanism mounted on the runner.

Abstract: A snow break system, as a supplemental break device to a regular break system in a vehicle, comprises at least a pair of brake boosters. Each of the brake boosters mounted under the vehicle has a frictional head made out of a heavy duty material. A hydraulic booster drives the frictional head downward to confront a road surface to cause a considerable frictional force. A mechanism controlled by an operator of the vehicle controls the positions of the brake system, being either in a released position or an engaged position. When the snow brake system is in the released position, the brake pedal operation actuates the regular brake system. When the snow brake system is in the engaged position, the same brake pedal operation actuates both of the snow brake system and the regular brake system.

Abstract: A ski brake, which can assume a skiing position and a braking position, having a base plate adapted to be fastened on a ski or a ski binding, and on which breaking levers, each having a braking arm and an operating arm, are arranged symmetrically with respect to a central longitudinal plane are pivotal about an axis extending essentially transversely with respect to the ski. A stepping plate is connected to the base plate through a connecting piece and is loaded upwardly by at least one operating spring. The operating spring is supported in the base plate and engages through at least one extension arm spaced from the connecting piece the underside of the stepping plate, with the point of engagement of the spring on the stepping plate being variable in longitudinal direction during a pivoting movement of the braking levers.

Abstract: A torque coupling sprag system which provides contact between the sides of at least one groove and at least two contact surfaces angled with respect to the central axial direction of at least one rotatable 3-D sprag member located between a drive member and a reaction member. The surface contacts between the members include various combinations of surface segments arranged in a predetermined manner to define a desired configuration. The contact radius of the 3-D sprag member is significantly larger than its rolling radius; however, radii can be varied in size and shape independently of each other, particularly the contact radius.

Abstract: A folding cart can be unfolded from a flat, collapsed position to an open position. The cart has opposing front and back side walls which have ledges on their opposing faces, and opposing foldable walls hingedly secured to the front and back side walls. A bottom shelf is positioned on the ledges, and a top lid is positioned on top of the walls to form an inner storage cavity. The cart has wheel assemblies which are pivotally mounted to opposite sides of the back wall, and adjustable legs for firmly fixing or securing the cart to the ground. An umbrella pole passes through openings in the lid and the bottom shelf.

Abstract: A swingable skateboard includes a base board, and a handle assembly retained firmly on the leading end portion of the base board. The base board has a movable tail end. The front rollers are mounted on the crank arm of a crank member which is journalled on the base board. The handle assembly rotates synchronously with the crankshaft of the crank member to swing the front rollers. A rubber cushion is attached to the bottom surface of the base board for braking purposes. A linkage is connected between the movable tail end of the base board and brake shoes so that when the movable tail end is depressed, the linkage moves the brake shoes so as to engage with the rear rollers.

Abstract: A child's foot-assisted scooterlike locomotion device is provided which is adapted for use with wheels on improved hard surfaces and for use with skids for use on snow-covered surfaces. Turning of the device is accomplished, irrespective of whether the device is equipped with wheels or skids, by a shift of weight on the device in the direction in which turning is to occur.

Abstract: An automobile tire having retractable tread studs for increasing traction of the tire on slippery surfaces which are actuated by air pressure that is controlled by the automobile driver from the driver's seat.

Abstract: One pair of emergency drag brake units are at each end of a vehicle. Each unit comprises a leg member with a serrate-toothed, ground-engageable foot telescopically movable in a support member carried by the frame. An elastic member is shown in one embodiment urging the leg downwardly to maintain pressure on the ground. Hydraulic jacks move the feet to braking positions engaging the ground while the axes of the leg members at each end of the vehicle are inclined toward the other end of the vehicle at an acute angle of 15.degree. or more relative to the vertical, thereby automatically enabling the so-inclined legs at the trailing end of a skidding vehicle to exert a greater frictional drag than the oppositely inclined legs at the leading end regardless of the vehicle's forwardly or rearwardly skidding orientation, and stopping it in a straight line. In one embodiment, the jacks swing the support members about pivots.

Abstract: A ski brake, which is mounted on the ski and provided with two brake arms, one on each side of the ski, which brake arms by spring action can be turned to a catching position, in which the brake arms extend downward, substantially perpendicularly to the ski.The invention is characterized in that the ski brake consists of single piece of material, and the resilience is obtained by utilizing the design of the sheet metal material, a.o. reinforcing grooves.

Abstract: A ski brake, which is equipped with at least one brake arm, a foot element and a spring-loaded articulated lever system arranged between the brake arm and the foot element, has a sliding crank as the articulated lever system. The crank is connected with the brake arm and the coupler forms the foot element. A sliding element is arranged spring-loaded in a housing. Joints between the foot element and the sliding element can be arranged at different levels relative to the surface of the ski. If two brake arms are used, they are connected with each other by way of a U-shaped intermediate zone.

Abstract: A ski brake having a ski mountable base plate and having a pair of braking arms, each braking arm having a disk-shaped head at one end and being supported intermediate its ends on the base plate for limited pivotal and axial movement about an axis normal to the arm and transverse of the ski. A bearing bar is pivotally supported in the base plate about the axis, and a pedal is pivotally supported on the bearing bar at a location remote from the axis. A receiving recess is provided in each lateral side of the pedal and defines a guide surface which forms an acute angle with the ski surface when the ski brake is fully retracted. Each disk-shaped head is supported for pivotal movement about its axis on a respective guide surface with a side thereof disposed against and parallel to the guide surface. The undersurface of the pedal includes a flattened surface extending forwardly from beneath the pivot axis and upwardly at an acute angle to the rest of the undersurface.

Abstract: The snow ski braking device comprises a bracket adapted to be mounted on the top face of the ski and having a pair of pivoted brake members straddling each side of the ski and biased to pivot downwardly to penetrate into the skiing surface when forward motion of the ski is arrested. Each brake member has a vertically oriented lower blade and a top horizontal paddle which cooperate to provide the desired braking action without interferring with the normally intended use of the ski.

Abstract: An emergency braking system is operably associated with a vehicle operated on a road surface. The system comprises an anchor device releasably carried by the vehicle for adherence to the road surface. An activation device in the vehicle releases the anchor device from the vehicle. Cable apparatus joins the anchor device to the vehicle for braking the movement of the vehicle when the anchor device is adhered to the road surface. One embodiment of the invention includes a vacuum housing device which acts as an anchor. This embodiment provides a vacuum housing structure which adheres to the road surface by means of a vacuum. A second embodiment employes an explosively driven stud, spike or bolt anchor device for imbedding a stud, spike or bolt anchor into the road surface. A third embodiment discloses a spike which is driven into the road surface by the weight of the vehicle.

Abstract: Pivoted 180.degree. apart on the periphery of a sprinkler wheel, a pair of arms can be swung from folded position within the compass of the wheel to unfolded or operative position whenever it is necessary to immobilize the wheel. The distal end of the arms carries a foot plate with spikes, enabling the operator to force the spikes into the ground with foot pressure. In the operative position, the arm pivots are located on a horizontal diameter of the wheel and the arms are inclined downwardly at an angle of 45.degree. for effective holding effort.

Abstract: A ski brake comprises plow means pivotally mounted to the trailing end of each of a pair of skis and hydraulic operator means to move said plow means downwardly and under the trailing ends of the skis to plow snow on which the skis are operating upwardly behind the skis. The hydraulic operator means is assembled to a ski pole carried by the skier, hydraulic forces developed by the operator means being transmitted through a harness attached to the skier's waist.

Abstract: A safety device for lawn mowers includes an elongated frame assembly having a pair of laterally spaced leg elements connected by a bight section. A plurality of ground anchoring elements depend from the bight section and are adapted to be selectively affixed in the ground to prevent rolling of the mower. The device includes clamping plates for fixedly securing the assembly to the handle of a lawn mower in angular relation thereto such that the ground anchoring elements are out of contact with the ground during normal operation of the mower and the mower is pivotable upon its rear wheels in an emergency to thereby shift said leg elements into a position substantially perpendicular to the ground and drive the ground anchoring elements into the ground to prevent rolling of the mower.

Abstract: Ski braking devices are described for braking skis when they become accidentally detached from skiers' boots so as to bring the skis to rest in safe positions without hurting the skiers or other persons. Each described device has a frame with spaced parallel plates extending across the ski and a braking lever pivoted between them about an axis at one edge of the ski. A pivoted holding device snaps over the lever to hold it in an inoperative position in which it lies over the ski. When putting on the ski, the skier releases the holding device, for example with his boot, but the braking lever is retained in the inoperative position by the boot. On being released, the holding device is swung away from the braking lever by spring action. When the ski becomes detached, a spring swings the braking lever through about 270.degree. so that it projects downwards into the snow.