Abstract: A vehicle and a method for controlling the same are provided. In particular, the wheels of the vehicle wheels are controlled based on a possibility of collision between the vehicle and an object located in a peripheral region of the vehicle to minimize influence caused by the collision while simultaneously ensuring driving safety. The method includes estimating whether there is a high possibility of collision between the vehicle and the detected object. When the high possibility of collision between the vehicle and the object is estimated the wheels of the vehicle are operated based on a situation of the estimated collision to ensure driving stability of the vehicle during an actual collision between the vehicle and the object.

Abstract: A seat folding apparatus is provided with a passive Rf frequency link that requires that a person be within a certain limited distance from the vehicle to operate the seat folding mechanism. A foreign object detection system, such as a plurality of weight sensors, is provided in the seat to detect foreign objects on the seat.

Abstract: A bicycle attachment comprises a pair of spaced rotatable wheels for engaging with a support surface, a connecting portion extending between and secured to the wheels, and a securing portion hinged relative to the connecting portion such that the securing portion is able to pivot relative to the connecting portion. The securing portion is adapted to be secured relative to a fork of a bicycle such that swiveling the fork relative to a frame of the bicycle also swivels the wheels and the connecting portion relative to the frame, and such that pivoting the securing portion relative to the connecting portion also pivots the fork relative to the connecting portion.

Abstract: An occupant classifying device for a vehicle includes a load detection device for detecting a load applied on a vehicle seat, a control device for judging classification of an occupant on the basis of load data inputted from the load detection device, and a communication control portion provided on the control device, the communication control portion for controlling bilateral communication conducted between the load detection device and the control device. The bilateral communication is conducted at different communication speeds on the basis of a communication state of the bilateral communication or an operational state of the control device.

Abstract: A pivoting handlebar assembly connector is mounted on a scooter and has a housing, two stationary frames and a stem. The housing has an outer tube. The outer tube has a pivot slot formed through a sidewall of the housing. The stationary frames are attached to the sidewall of the outer tube and a front axle housing of the scooter. The stem attaches to the housing and has a pivotal bar a bolt and a nut. The pivotal bar securely connects to a bottom end of the stem and attaches to the mounting collar and pivots in the housing. The bolt extends through the pivotal bar. The nut screws onto the bolt to hold the pivotal bar in the mounting collar and to allow the pivotal bar to pivot in the pivot slot.

Abstract: A seat folding apparatus is provided with a passive Rf frequency link that requires that a person be within a certain limited distance from the vehicle to operate the seat folding mechanism. A foreign object detection system, such as a plurality of weight sensors, is provided in the seat to detect foreign objects on the seat.

Abstract: A three wheeled vehicle comprises a front subframe having a front wheel journaled thereto and a seat for a rider mounted thereon, and a rear subframe having a pair of rear wheels journaled thereto. The front subframe is journaled to the rear subframe at a kingpin axis, which defines a caster angle with respect to the vertical. The kingpin axis is spaced by a trail dimension from the rear axle axis. The caster angle and trail dimension, together with the wheelbase dimension between the front and rear axle axes and the track dimension across the rear wheels, are chosen cooperatively to define the desired handling characteristics of the vehicle.

Abstract: An inline skateboard capable of being propelled by leg motion of a rider and which includes a platform supporting the rider along with a front wheel truck and a rear wheel truck. Each of these wheel trucks carry a single wheel. Moreover, the wheels are capable of slight turning movement transversely with respect to the platform and provide a high degree of maneuverability and turning capability. The wheels on each of the trucks are offset with respect to a pivot axis for each of the trucks. In addition, the axis of rotation of the front wheel is displaced rearwardly of the front pivot axis and the axis of rotation of the rear wheel is displaced forwardly of the rear pivot axis. Further, the angle of displacement of these pivot axes with respect to the axis of rotation is the same.

Abstract: A skateboard apparatus for higher turning capabilities. The skateboard apparatus includes a board for supporting a user. The board has a top surface, a bottom surface, a front end and a back end. A first wheel assembly is coupled to the bottom surface of the board. The first wheel assembly is positioned generally nearer the back end than the front end. A second wheel assembly is coupled to the bottom surface of the board and is positioned generally nearer the front end than the back end of the board. The second wheel assembly generally comprises an axle and a pair of wheels. The axle is adapted to rotate with respect to a longitudinal axis of the board. A steering assembly is used for altering the rotational direction of the wheels of the second wheel assembly. The steering assembly has a first end coupled to the second wheel assembly. The steering assembly extends away from the second wheel assembly such that a user may grasp a free end of the steering assembly.

Abstract: The correction system of this invention simulates a power steering leak which the driver can manually adjust or automatically tune to offset vehicle drift and/or pull generated by road crown, wind, vehicle alignment, and tires during straight ahead driving. The drift and pull correction system taps into the bypass line of a vehicle's power steering system and can be added to the vehicle as an aftermarket device. For example, the standard rack or power gear, the power steering pump and reservoir and the steering assembly of the power steering system can be used in combination with the addition of correction lines and correction valves of the steering correction system to correct the vehicle's steering system for "straight ahead driving" without operator assistance. The magnitude of the drift and/or pull is a direct function of the magnitude of the leak and the back (parasitic) pressure in the system.

Abstract: A wheelchair frame comprises a base frame part (1, 2) with a plurality of wheels (3, 33), including two front wheels (3), wherein each of said front wheels can be driven by an electromotor (4). The base frame part carries at the back side a castor assembly (13) located in the center and comprising a swivel axle (14) with a neutral straight on position, wherein a device 22 is are provided for exerting a rotation force on the swivel axle in the direction of the straight on position at rotation of the swivel axle out of the straight on position.

Abstract: A gymnastic toy car comprising a car body with a housing and a chassis, two front wheels on the front two sides of the chassis, two rear wheels on the rear two sides thereof through a rear axle, two rockers on two fixing frames on the front two sides of chassis, the upper ends of two rockers extending to the upper side of housing, a four-bar linkage between the two front wheels, two drive mechanisms on the rear axle, and a brake device on the chassis nearby one rear wheel on one side. Shaking the two rockers forward and rearward continuously and simultaneously or alternately actuates the two drive mechanisms to drive the two rear wheels moving forward. Shaking and tilting the two rockers left or right actuates both the two rear wheels moving ahead and the four-bar linkage turning the two front wheels left or right, and stopping the shaking of two rockers and stamping the pedal of brake device slows down or stops moving the two rear wheels.

Abstract: The rider powered vehicle has two steerable front wheels, each with a turning arm, and a single rear drive wheel. Power transmission means is provided between the rear wheel and a single push-pull and steerable handlebar mounted in a column assembly supported to oscillate about a lateral pivot axis. The handlebar is connected to a steering arm, and two steering links are connected at respective inboard and outboard pivotal connections between the steering arm and the two turning arms. Handlebar rotation causes the inboard pivotal connections to trace an arcuate path, and the lateral pivot axis is located to intersect the arcuate path generally at two spaced locations. This geometry provides a propulsion and steering mechanism that has substantially no interaction between the push-pull power strokes of the handlebar, for vehicular propulsion, and the handlebar rotation, for vehicular steering.

Abstract: A recreational vehicle has a seat for a rider, mounted on a frame, steering apparatus, and a drive train for supplying driving power to a drive wheel incorporating a pair of reciprocating pedals connected to the drive wheel through one way clutches. The pedals are connected to the clutches by cables which operate to return each pedal as the other receives power from the rider. The vehicle has three sets of wheels, and two handles which are effective for steering all three sets of wheels (or other supports, such as skates) independently. The vehicle is braked by steering two sets of wheels in opposite directions.

Abstract: A three wheeled vehicle with an elongated body and independent front and rear steering is provided. The vehicle is preferably a pedal driven three wheeled vehicle. The rear wheels are mounted on a rear wheel assembly which is pivotably mounted on the body and displaced by a control lever mounted on one side of the body.

Abstract: A compensator is disclosed for centering a frame supported steerable member comprising part of the steering system for a vehicle. The compensator is connected between the frame and the steering system and comprises a cylinder containing a pair of pistons and an actuator for engaging the pistons in response to movement of the steerable member. A fluid system provides fluid resistance to off-center piston movement and fluid force for return piston movement and includes components for independently varying both the resistance and the return force. The compensator may include a trimming apparatus for remotely varying the center position of the steerable member and components for controlling the rate of both turning and return movements. Optional valves may provide for deactivating the compensator manually or in response to power steering system failure, overpressurization, or vehicle speed.

Abstract: Programmable motor vehicle steering control apparatus, which enables zero settings of front wheel caster, camber, toe-in and steering axis inclination, comprises left and right pairs of first and second, tangentially loaded helical spring elements and means for connecting the left pair of spring elements between a left front wheel steering arm and tie rod and the right pair of spring elements between a right front wheel steering arm and tie rod. Parallel connecting arms of each second spring element cross so that when either pair of spring elements in push or pull loaded during vehicle turns, the two spring elements in each pair act in opposite, spring coil opening or closing directions. The connecting means includes means for offsetting outboard ends of the spring elements in each pair and preloading means are provided for selectively preloading each of the spring elements.

Abstract: A wheel construction and arrangement wherein a wheel which has a relatively wide surface contact tire, pneumatic, for example, is mounted for rotation in a yoke which extends in the direction of travel of the vehicle which the wheel supports. The yoke is tiltable on a substantially horizontal axis which extends below the wheel axis and relatively close to the supporting surface. Lateral displacement of the body to which the yoke (and wheel) is attached will cause the wheel to tilt in that direction and any subsequent longitudinal motion in either direction of wheel travel will result in the wheel righting itself; i.e., correcting for that displacement. Conversely, tilting of the yoke and wheel to a certain degree will cause the wheel to travel in a precisely prescribed arc. The vertical plane in which the tilt axis lies passes through the area of tire contact with the supporting surface regardless of the angle of tilt.

Abstract: A two wheeled, rider propelled vehicle having both wheels pivotably mounted upon a medial principal frame. The pivotable rear wheel frame supports pedal mechanism propelling the rear wheel and may be steered by the feet of the user. Mechanical biasing means communicate between the pivotable rear wheel frame and main frame to bias motion and a latching mechanism allows fixed positioning of the two members. A vertically adjustable seat is fixedly carried by the principal frame and the forward portion of the vehicle provides a traditional manually steerable, pivotably mounted front wheel frame.