Abstract: A ride system includes a tunnel, a vehicle ride path, a ride vehicle, and a projection system. The tunnel includes a first end and a second end and is curved between the first and second ends. The vehicle ride path extends within the tunnel from an entrance at the first end of the tunnel to an intermediate position within the tunnel. The second end of the tunnel is not visible from the intermediate position. The ride vehicle travels along the vehicle ride path and decelerates as the ride vehicle approaches the intermediate position. The projection system projects images onto one or more walls of the tunnel, such that the images are synchronized with the deceleration of the ride vehicle and a perceived speed of the ride vehicle, as perceived by a guest in the ride vehicle, exceeds an actual speed of the ride vehicle.

Abstract: Aluminum belt-discharge bodies configured for installation on frames of straight truck or trailer chassis used in construction materials hauling. The use of aluminum provides substantial weight savings, which allows for an increase in the payload that can be hauled by the truck to the paving machine. The belt bodies also feature a wider unloading belt as compared to conventional steel live-bottom trucks, which increases efficiency, reduces unloading time and generates faster cycle times. The wider bottom lowers the center of gravity of the vehicle, resulting in more stability and safety. Furthermore, a wider body with sloped side walls reduces and/or eliminates the effects of transportation segregation of the asphalt or aggregate being hauled. Belt-discharge bodies according to the invention effectively remix the material being hauled as it is unloaded.

Abstract: A cross-member for a trailer frame and a frame incorporating the same. The cross-member extends between longitudinally aligned rails designed to pivotally support a dumping body thereon. The cross-member includes a cylindrical tube having a wall defining a bore therethrough. A planar member is received within the bore and is axially aligned therewith. The tube includes one or more axially aligned openings proximate a central region thereof. The planar member is disposed intermediate the openings and is aligned axially with the openings. The cross-member is substantially rigid under tension and at least a portion thereof is flexible under torsion.

Abstract: A tapered octagonal frame rail tip for use with automotive bumpers is configured to axially crush in a controlled manner in the event of a vehicle impact. The rail tip is tuned to carry a constant load while crushing to absorb a higher amount of energy than alternative crush modes. Body mounts for attaching front end sheet metal or other body components to the frame rail tip are configured to centrally align loading to avoid interference with the desired axial crush.

Abstract: A wheel assembly attached to, or integrally formed with, the underside of an object for allowing the object to roll in one of at least two rolling directions includes a fixture and a wheel. The fixture has a first pair of spaced-apart axle mountings defining between them a first axial direction perpendicular to a first rolling direction, and a second pair of spaced-apart axle mountings defining between them a second axial direction perpendicular to a second rolling direction. The wheel has an axial projection extending from each side. The axle mountings and the axial projections are configured such that the wheel can be located with the axial projections retained by the first pair of axle mountings for allowing the object to roll in the first rolling direction, and alternatively, with the axial projections retained by the second pair of axle mountings for allowing the object to roll in the second rolling direction.

Abstract: An improved amusement ride and ride vehicle that permit a passenger to control the rotation of a passenger car as the vehicle travels along a ride course. The ride vehicle includes a support tube upon which the passenger car is rotatably mounted and a passenger operable steering mechanism. The ride vehicle also includes a spin shaft that extends down through the support tube. The spin shaft permits the use of safety systems that are mounted to the chassis of the ride vehicle. Control logic may be used to turn the passenger cars to a preferred orientation at the end of the ride. The ride vehicle itself may be barbell shaped to permit it to turn sharp corners along the ride course. The passenger car also includes a readily adjustable lap bar that is self-releasing. A slot cover, a plow assembly for displacing the slot cover and a slot cover switch are also provided.

Abstract: An automotive truck for moving a robot along a surface comprises a chassis and at least one platform hingedly connected to the chassis at one end of the platform. A drive wheel is rotatably mounted to the platform. A spring is connected at an opposite end of the platform pressing the drive wheel against the surface.

Abstract: A light weight knuckle bracket for supporting a wheel hub and longitudinal and lateral control arms on a shock absorber strut of a vehicle rear suspension system. The bracket is formed from a pair of forward and aft mirror image body units stamped from sheet metal integrated with each other by mutually facing outboard and inboard planar portions welded together. Each body unit is formed with a semi-cylindrical socket portion intermediate the outboard and inboard planar portions. The mutually facing socket portions define a cylindrical pathway snugly enveloping and connecting a tubular member of the strut to the bracket providing a combined rigid structure.

Abstract: A strut for MacPherson-type suspensions for motor-vehicles comprises an upper tubular member of sheet metal which forms the cylinder of a telescopic shock absorber, and a sheet metal housing having an upper wall with a circular aperture. An additional reinforcing member of sheet metal is welded to the housing to define a supplementary wall adjacent to the upper wall of the housing. The supplementary wall has a circular aperture, aligned with, and spaced from, the circular aperture of the upper wall. A lower portion of the tubular member is engaged with a close fit into the said two aligned apertures and is fixed by welding to an edge of at least one of the apertures.

Abstract: A stand for supporting boat motors comprising a generally horizontally disposed base and a motor support means for supporting said boat motor on said base comprising connection means for connecting the stand to the cavitation plate of said boat motor on said each side of said motor and a support member extending between said base and said connection means.

Abstract: A mounting structure for a wheel mounting assembly such as a caster assembly having a mounting plate. Mounting blocks of viscoelastic rubber-like material are mounted on corners of the mounting plate. Each mounting block includes flanges which define a slot in which an edge portion of the mounting plate is received. Brackets attached to a support panel of a cart or the like supported by the caster assembly hold the flanges in compression against the faces of the mounting plate and against the panel so that the panel and the cart or the like are viscoelastically supported in spaced relation to a surface on which a wheel of the assembly runs.

Abstract: A windshield carrier for supporting and transporting glass panels such as curved windshields for automobiles and the like. The two elongated sides of a body frame are covered with a medium hard rubber base and each side includes a spaced row of upright dowels. Each dowel has a sponge rubber sleeve and a medium hard rubber cap. The spacing between adjacent dowels is sufficient to supportively receive a windshield having the greatest curvature expected to be encountered. At least a portion of the lower edge of the windshield rests on the base and a portion of its side rests against one of the sleeves to prevent breaking, scratching and slipping of the windshield. A sponge rubber pad may be inserted between the opposite side of the supported windshield and the adjacent dowel to further secure and protect the windshield.

Abstract: A swivel caster is disclosed having a mounting plate, swivel yoke, swivel bearing, a wheel on the yoke, and structure which will locate and cammingly index the yoke and plate in a predetermined relative radial position and cammingly release the index in response to a torque force between the yoke and the plate.

Abstract: A portable tote bin which may be stacked in vertical registry with similar bins. The bin has a tray section with channeled support members at each end which support the tray in spaced relation to an underlying surface. Inverted U-shaped handles extend upwardly from the tray section, and are insertable within the channeled support members of identical bins for stacking. The handles each have a horizontal transverse segment for engaging and supporting the tray section of a superimposed bin when stacked. An adapter and a dolly combine with the tote bin to provide a material handling system.

Abstract: A symmetrical dolley structure for the local movement along a common latitudinal alignment of one or more traffic barricades comprising a sturdy structural frame capable of receiving either end of a traffic barricade or two abutting ends of adjacent barricades, such that for every n barricades to be moved, n + 1 dolleys would be used, said dolley structure having two transit seats consisting of displaced complementary paired angle members secured at their ends by transverse plate members and secured mediately to a horizontal latitudinal reinforcement plate by vertical plate members, the horizontal latitudinal plate extending beyond the width of the paired angle members to accommodate casters.

Abstract: A cart having a wheeled metal frame and a plastic basket. The two sides, the front, and the bottom of the plastic basket are integrally molded, and are of open lattice construction. An endless metal ring encircles the upper edge of the basket, and also wraps around the corner posts of the metal cart frame to anchor the basket to the cart frame. The bottom portion of the basket is also anchored to the frame. The back panel of the basket is of latticed plastic, and is pivotally attached to the endless metal ring by support wires, which also function as bumpers to protect the plastic back panel during nesting of the carts. The rear edges of each side of the basket conform with the rear posts of the frame. A child's seat is incorporated into the back panel of the basket.

Abstract: A dolly for moving automobiles has structure stably mounted on a plurality of casters which defines first and second horizontally aligned and laterally spaced apart cradles for receiving and supporting an axle or other structural member on the underside of an automobile. An additional caster may be mounted on the dolly in an extended position to prevent the dolly from tipping over while moving an automobile when the dolly is rolled across a crack or other obstruction. The dolly may be designed for selectively adjusting the lateral distance between the defined first and second spaced apart cradles.

Abstract: A tile laying cart comprising a simple base frame composed of a pair of elongated channel members connected in transversely spaced relationship and the opposite ends thereof comprising the forward and rearward ends of said cart, a chest and chin-supporting pad member which is narrower at the forward end than at the rearward end is mounted for vertical adjustment relative to and above the forward portion of said base frame member and the upper surface of said base frame member comprising a supporting means for a stack of tiles to dispose the same conveniently for access to the occupant of the cart. The rearward portion of the base frame member also supports a transverse knee-supporting pad member so that when a worker is disposed in kneeling position upon the knee-supporting pad member and chest-supporting pad member, the worker may propel the cart by operation of his toes while leaving both hands and arms free for manipulation incident to laying tiles.

Abstract: A luggage carrier which includes a small folding horizontal platform upon which suitcases are secured. The platform is mounted on wheels and has a pull cord with which the traveler can pull the loaded carrier from place to place. When not in use, the carrier may be folded into a slender, easily stowable package.

Abstract: Elongated loads, such as rolls of materials, conveyor rollers or drums are movable by a five-wheel carrier apparatus comprising an elongated frame with rear wheels for carrying the load and a tow dolly which comprises a single front wheel and a pair of swivelling rear wheels which seat under the front end of the carrier frame.

Abstract: The self equalizing ball caster lift mat of the present invention includes a load support sub-assembly and a caster sub-assembly interconnected by a pressure member. The load support sub-assembly is a flat plate adapted for insertion under a load and for bearing the weight of a load. The caster sub-assembly comprises an alignment plate having a plurality of transverse bores therethrough arranged in an array. A ball caster is mounted for reciprocating movement in each of the bores.

Abstract: A mobile storage and transport unit for use in a shelf storage system. Each unit comprises a first part consisting of a four sided frame in which rollers are housed with their axes of rotation above the frame and a second part which is adapted for receiving and carrying the goods to be stored and is detachably supported on the first part. The frame of the first part comprises two profile cross members, each of them being equipped with a first, protruding member extending towards the outside of the frame in a direction parallel to the frame, and with a second protruding member arranged on the opposite side of said first member on said profile member and extending upwardly inclined towards the inside of the frame.

Abstract: A dolly for a plow or other utility attachment of the type having a blade and a yoke with spaced means for connection to a vertically adjustable lift bracket on a vehicle. The dolly is self-supported on wheel means and comprises a blade support on which the plow blade may be lowered by vertical movement of the lift bracket, and a pair of manually and independently adjustable, mutually spaced yoke lift means each engageable with the plow yoke for supporting and vertically adjusting the spaced means for connection in relation to the lift bracket.