Abstract: The stair-climbing device is suitable for transporting a load up or down a flight of steps. The device includes a frame on which the load is seated and a number of load-bearing shoes which engage successive steps in the flight of steps to produce displacement of the device along the flight of steps. The shoes are pivotally connected to sprocket chains which are activated by a reversible electric motor. An arm is pivotally connected to the frame and is provided with a sensing head disposed forward of wheels on which the device rolls. As the device rolls forward on the tread of a step, the sensing head contacts the tread until it is beyond the forward edge whereupon the head falls with resulting pivotal movement of the arm.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device adapted for pivotal connection to a vehicle having a wheel and tire assembly, which device reduces the impact transmitted to the vehicle frame during collision of the device with an object. The vehicle, such as a golf car, also disclosed herein, includes a vehicle frame having a front portion and a rear portion, one of which portions includes a pair of laterally spaced channel members. The device includes a bumper having a pair of laterally spaced bracket members with end portions respectively pivotally connected within the vehicle frame channel members. The device further includes yielding means, such as rubber blocks, positioned within the channel members for retaining the bumper in a first position with respect to the vehicle frame during normal vehicle operation, and for affording displacement of the bumper from the first position into the vehicle wheel and tire assembly in response to a collision of the bumper with an object.

Abstract: A brake comprises an elongate friction pad engageable with a rotor surface, the friction pad being supported close to the rotor surface by a support. A connecting link connects the support to a fixed structure and transmits the braking drag forces to the fixed structure whilst permitting a degree of substantially friction-free movement of the body of friction material toward and away from the rotor surface.

Abstract: A restraint device which can be quickly and easily installed in a vehicle to restrain wheelchairs from moving in any direction. A base of the device bolts to the floor of a vehicle used to transport the physically handicapped. A pair of vertically inclined rods connected to the base are positioned on either side of a space for a wheelchair. A clamping member slidably mounted on each of the inclined rods rests against the top of a large wheel of the wheelchair to clamp the wheel between the clamping member and a horizontal rod connected to the base of the restraint device. The clamping members can be easily locked in position and unlocked by a patient in the wheelchair using very little pressure and requiring very little dexterity. The device prevents forward, backward, upward and sideways movement of a wheelchair which has thus been locked in position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a band pressing shoe. Such shoe includes a rigid body to which is attached a thin flexible and inextensible strip. When the rigid body is subjected to a pressing thrust, the strip assumes an arcuate shape and tautens. Between the strip and the band are interposed one or more fluid cushions supplied from a manifold through an elastic mattress made of a cellular material. The pressing shoe can be supplied in all cases where it is required to drive or restrain a band running over a cylinder (e.g. a roller, drum, pulley or the like), examples being conveyor belts, transmission belts, metal strips undergoing splitting, planing or coiling, and so forth.

Abstract: A brake device is provided for stopping the rotation of a rotor shaft of an open-end spinning unit wherein a rotor shaft is turnably supported by a bearing assembly which is held by a bushing member by way of a resiliently yieldable member disposed between the bearing assembly and the bushing member, a brake shoe is resiliently held by a spring means disposed to a bracket of the brake device so that an excess force for urging the brake shoe toward the rotor shaft can be absorbed into the spring means.

Abstract: The motor grader drawbar assembly has a blade mounted on a circle gear and a drive unit operatively connected to the circle gear to selectively rotate it and the blade. A plurality of radially mounted pistons operate against an upright wall of the circle gear to provide a brake and/or locking mechanism. The pistons, and their accompanying cylinders, are mounted in members which also underlie and support the circle gear. Thus, the vertical position of the circle gear is not affected by the braking operation. A hydraulic circuit is provided to alternately operate the drive unit and the braking operation.

Abstract: A spring-loaded semicircular member is attached to a bicycle frame directly in front of the rear wheel, to press against the wheel when released and thereby stop the wheel's rotation, serving as a brake. A trigger device and a reset device are connected to the member and to each other by conventional flexible bicycle hand brake cable. When the trigger device is operated the reset device is released and the member to be released. To reset the brake, the reset device is operated, causing the member to be pulled forwardly to release the wheel and resetting the trigger device.

Abstract: A caster assembly has a brake shoe member including a wheel tread contacting shoe, and a foot operable brake applying and release lever, the shoe member being guided horizontally, both longitudinally and laterally adjacent the wheel contacting shoe for positive shoe action in response to operation of the lever.