Abstract: A machine for utilizing muscular energy is disclosed which can be driven, through separate operating means, by movement of a user's legs and by upper body (i.e. arms and torso) movement. The movement of the legs and the upper body movement need not be synchronized, and each part of the user's body can work at the rate most suited to it.A bicycle with a driven rear wheel is a typical example of such a machine. Both of the separate operating means can be arranged to drive a common spindle so that the power applied to the spindle is greater than would be the case in a conventional bicycle where only leg power is applied in driving the machine.

Abstract: A wheelchair having a hand operated steering mechanism that can be easily mounted and/or dismounted from the chair. The mechanism involves a steering rod having a center section cojoined to an upper section and a lower section by means of a pair of universal joints. The lower section of the shaft is slidably secured to the fork of one of the chair casters and the top section is rotatably mounted in a bearing block which is, in turn, secured to the front column of one of the chair arms. A crank arm is slidably received in the top section of the steering rod to provide sufficient leverage by which the chair occupant can turn the caster. An adjustable locking mechanism is also operably associated with the shaft for holding the caster at a desired position to prevent the chair from moving in an uncontrollable manner.

Abstract: A recumbent bicycle includes a seat with a back rest and pedals forwardly of the seat so that reaction from the pedals can be communicated by the rider into the back rest of the seat. A pair of levers immediately in front of the seat can be operated in reciprocal movement to add to the propulsion effort of the pedals with the levers communicating to the chain wheel of the pedals through connecting levers and a further chain wheel. Steering movement is obtained by a common pivotal movement of the levers to the left or to the right about a longitudinal horizontal axis with the common movement of the levers being communicated to the front wheel by a system of levers.

Abstract: A steering system for a motorized cycle including a vehicle frame, a front suspension steerably supported by the frame, and a single front wheel integrally steerably suspended by the front suspension. The steering system comprises a handlebar, a steering stem formed to be integrally rotatable with the handlebar, another steering stem formed to be integrally rotatable with the front suspension, and a connection mechanism for operatively interconnecting the steering stems with each other.A handlebar is permitted to be selectively set with respect to the mounting position and angle, thus being likewise also capable of being set with respect to the steering position and angle and, moreover, the structure is relatively simplified.

Abstract: A steering device for a vehicle including a steerable wheel, a front fork rotatably supporting the same, a steering member connected to the front fork, and a link mechanism. The link mechanism supports the front fork on the frame of the vehicle to allow it to rotate with respect to a given steering axis while restricting any other motions. The link mechanism includes a pair of first links having axes intersecting the steering axis and three second links arranged on planes including the steering axis but not the axes of the first links.

Abstract: A motorcycle having a number of cooperating protective features to protect riders against injury in high speed crashes or other accidents. A motorcycle of the usual basic configuration, having a pair of wheels in tandem with a motor therebetween connected by a basic frame which supports at least one rider's seat assembly and a steering assembly for steering the front wheel is surrounded by a cage assembly of high strength, light-weight tubing fastened to the frame and forming part of the frame. The steering assembly includes handlebars which are padded and mounted on a folding mechanism to move forwardly as the rider moves forwardly into contact with the handlebars upon front impact. The seat assembly is in the form of a padded "bucket" type seat with sides that extend partially around the rider's sides. A padded body restraint surrounds the front of the rider's torso and includes side portions which extend around into contact with the seat sides to completely surround the rider's torso.

Abstract: An arrangement for coupling a seat to the frame of a recumbent bicycle includes brackets on the seat for engaging a frame member of the bicycle, openings in the frame member and the brackets for alignment and locking pins for insertion into the aligned openings to attach the seat to the frame. A steering arrangement for the recumbent bicycle includes a fork for supporting the steerable front wheel of the bicycle, a fork tube on the frame for pivotally supporting the fork from the frame, a pair of steering arms on the fork, a handlebar pivotally mounted on the frame generally beneath the seat, and cables coupling the steering arms to respective sides of the handlebar.

Abstract: A steering and suspension system for the front wheel of a three-wheeled vehicle in which a pair of suspension frames pivotally support the front wheel and are in turn pivotally supported for variable movement upon rotation of the vehicle's steering wheel.

Abstract: A disk on a motorcycle fork blocks the flow of air and water upwardly along the fork and is rotatable in a frame mounted carrier located inside a motorcycle fairing mounted on the motorcycle frame. The disc also functions as an engine noise barrier. A pair of crash bars, one on either side of the motorcycle, have forward ends secured to the fairing mounting plates above the front wheel. The crash bars extend downwardly and rearwardly and diverge outwardly from the motorcycle. The intermediate portions of the crash bars are secured to the motorcycle frame and the rear portions rest on the engine.

Abstract: A three-wheeled vehicle has three major frame components: the first two being spaced parallel bars disposed horizontally relative to the ground; the second being two bars hingedly connected to the first bars at an angle thereto and approaching each other at their second ends; the third being a third bar to which the second bars are hingedly attached intermediate the ends of the third bar. The first wheel pair supports the first frame member and the second steerable wheel supports the third frame member at one end. The other end of the third frame member carries a seat which is supported between the spaced bars of the first frame member. The seat is adjustable and the height of the frame components is also adjustable. The second wheel means is remotely controlled by hand controls provided at convenient locations on the first frame member. The first, second and third frame components may be locked in place for use and the walker may be collapsed in and upon itself for storage and transportation.

Abstract: A planetary gear reduction unit is drivingly connected between the handlebars and front fork of a motorcycle for steering. The handlebar is coaxially mounted for rotation with respect to the front fork of the motorcycle; sector gears are respectively mounted on the front fork and handlebar for respectively engaging rigidly innerconnected spur gears rotatably mounted on a carrier that is fixed to the vehicle frame to provide a gear reduction so that there is a reduction of the angular movement of the fork with respect to that of the handlebar.

Abstract: An improved wheel support apparatus for a mowing machine of the type having a body movably supported by three drive wheels, one of which is a steerable drive wheel. The wheel support apparatus includes a sleeve fixed to the body and a bracket member carried on the steerable drive wheel. The bracket member carries an upwardly extending spindle which is rotatably received inside the sleeve. The spindle and the sleeve are angularly oriented relative to a vertical axis through the drive wheel such that rotation of the drive wheel from its straight ahead position raises the body of the mowing machine upwardly a small distance. When the turn is completed, the weight of the body bears down on the wheel support apparatus to self-correct the wheel to its normal straight ahead position regardless of the direction in which the mowing machine is moving.