Abstract: A steering apparatus for an automotive vehicle is provided with an electric drive unit that varies a steering ratio between a road wheel angle and a steering wheel angle of the vehicle, a temperature sensor that detects a temperature of the electric drive unit, and a control unit including a steering ratio characteristic setting block that sets a characteristic of the steering ratio including a steering gain and a steering response rate in accordance with an operating state of the vehicle and, when the temperature of the electric drive unit exceeds a first temperature threshold, adjusts the steering response rate in such a manner that the steering response rate comes closer to a base steering response rate level as the temperature of the electric drive unit becomes increased and a drive block that drives the electric drive unit to vary the steering ratio according to the steering ratio characteristic.

Abstract: There is provided a trammer in the present invention, comprising a panel and a handspike, with the handspike slots corresponding to the handspike located on both sides of the panel and the locating device connected with the handspike also located on the panel. The locating device comprises the locating hole at the inside bottom of the handspike, the elastic fastener corresponding to the locating hole and the handspike connector. In the present invention, the position of the handspike can be selected according to the demand of users. When the handspike need to be used, the handspike can be turned out, and the handspike and the carrying panel are localized at a certain angle via locating device for operations; when the handspike need not to be used, the handspike can be embedded in the panel to effectively decrease the space volume of the trammer and be advantageous to overlap and stack up the carrying panel of the trammer.

Abstract: Devices and methods facilitate inspections, repairs, and other operations within vessels without human entry into the vessels, and without introducing contaminants that could reduce the purity of materials held in the vessels below predetermined minimum levels.

Abstract: To provide an inverted wheel type moving body capable of improving the operability, and a method of controlling the same. An inverted wheel type moving body in accordance with one aspect of the present invention includes motors 34 and 36 for rotationally driving a right driving wheel 18 and a left driving wheel 20 respectively, a passenger seat 74 rotationally supported on mounts 26 and 28 through swing arms 17 and 19, a passenger seat drive motor 70 for driving the passenger seat 74, a control portion 80 for determining whether the manipulation amount exceeds the threshold value or not, and a motor driver 70a for control the passenger seat drive motor 70 such that the passenger seat 74 is moved in accordance with the manipulation amount when the manipulation amount does not exceed the threshold value and the movement of the passenger seat 74 is restored after the manipulation amount exceeds the threshold value.

Abstract: A rear axle radius arm reduces chassis-induced roll oversteer and improves handling and safety both on and off road. Each rear axle radius arm has a single point of frame attachment in a variety of locations, and pivots on a center, allowing lifting to relatively large heights, very large suspension strokes, and high degrees of axle articulation. Four factory axle mounts on the stock axle may be used for many retrofit applications. An additional compliant bushing in the rear axle radius arm accommodates movement in an otherwise fully constrained rear axle suspension design. The additional bushing is another reason why this design improves vehicle performance so much, as it allows for increased axle articulation (differential wheel elevations) with reduced torque applied to the axle and control arm attachment brackets.

Abstract: A seat delivery pallet including a platform including: end members, side members, and a center member extending between the side members; a seat support member positioned between and moveably attached one end member and the center member; a seat support member positioned between and moveably attached to the side members; and a first foot locking device slidably attached to one seat support member and another foot locking device slidably attached to another seat support member. A method of delivering a seat having feet with enlarged locking studs is also disclosed.

Abstract: A machine includes a clevis joint connecting a first frame structure to a second frame structure. The clevis joint includes two plates configured to receive a rotatable element of the first frame structure. An expandable thrust washer is positioned on at least one side of the rotatable element. A pin extends through the two plates, the rotatable element, and the expandable thrust washer. The expandable thrust washer has a variably selected length and includes an outer ring configured to receive at least a portion of an inner ring. Expanding the expandable thrust washer to an expanded length reduces clearance along an axis of the clevis joint.

Abstract: A “super fuel efficient”, safe, low-cost and yet high performance 4-wheeled vehicle is configured with motorcycle wheels and tires having continuous radius tires and of outside diameter (20-26 inches). A special configuration of the invention permits a 4-wheeled vehicle to naturally camber while engaging a corner, or while maneuvering on a slope. Integration of a “short-cycling”, low storage mass hybrid drivetrain into the vehicle, and further, an exhaust heat energy recovery system, secures the efficiency opportunity.

Abstract: A door positioning device for use in a ground surface having an elongated platform with an upper surface and a lower surface. The platform also includes a first end portion and a second end portion. At least one wheel is located at the second end portion of the platform while a brake mechanism is located at the first end portion. A brake is provided with an actuator at the first end portion and a cable and cam mechanism for activating and deactivating the brake member contacting the wheel of the second end portion of the platform. As support is also employed for aiding in the securement of the door on the upper surface of the platform prior to and during movement of the door to a desired position.

Abstract: A multi-axle unit for a semi-trailer that is towed by a tractor vehicle and has at least three axles, at least one of the axles of the multi-axle unit being capable of being configured as a lifting axle and/or steered axle and all axles except for at least one axle being brakable and equipped with axle brakes having axle brake disks, the axle brake disks defining an effective frictional radius that is the same as an effective frictional radius of brake disks of the tractor vehicle. The multi-axle unit, due to the particular configuration of its braking system, has a lower unsprung mass, requires less maintenance outlay, and moreover is more economical to purchase and maintain.

Abstract: A wheelchair includes an anti-wobbling roller mounted at a front portion of a seat frame and spanning across a center of the front portion in such a manner that the roller is capable of balancing the wheelchair in case the roller collides with an obstacle during forward movement of the wheelchair.

Abstract: A suspension device suspends a driving wheel and a caster, which are laterally spaced from one another. A cab is located above the caster. A drive unit support supports a drive unit to which the driving wheel is attached. The drive unit support is fixed to a rotary shaft that extends in the lateral direction of the vehicle. The rotary shaft is located in front of the drive unit. The drive unit support is not located between the drive unit and the cab. Thus, the width of the cab is maximized without increasing the width of the vehicle body.

Abstract: An independent suspension system has a pair of control arms having inner ends which are attached to a vehicle body and outer ends which support a wheel hub therebetween. A ball joint interconnects each control arm with the wheel hub. Each ball joint has a ball pin rotatably mounted in an associated housing. A first threaded shank on the ball pin is bolted to one of the control arm and the wheel hub. A second threaded shank on the housing is bolted to the other of the control arm and the wheel hub. Thus each ball joint is a separate unit which is demountable from the control arm and wheel hub and can be installed without dismantling the ball joint. Conveniently also a threaded shank of the ball joint may screw into a complementary threaded socket in a control arm to allow adjustment of the effective length of the control arm.

Abstract: A vehicle comprising a body having a front end and a rear end, front wheels carried by a front axle mounted to the body proximate the front end of the vehicle, rear wheels carried by a rear axle mounted to the body proximate the rear end of the vehicle, a cargo body mounted to the body for carrying a load, a framework having an inner end pivotally mounted to the rear end of the vehicle and having an outer end, wheels mounted for rotation to a trailing axle, the trailing axle mounted to the outer end of the framework for transverse pivotal movement relative the cargo body, the trailing axle movable between an extended orientation wherein the trailing axle is located generally outboard of the outer end of the framework and a retracted orientation wherein the trailing axle is located generally inboard of the outer end of the framework, and a pair of lifting arms for moving the framework relative the cargo body of the vehicle from an operative position wherein the trailing axle is positionable in the extended ori

Abstract: A swing-frame auxiliary axle system for a work vehicle having a main frame including spaced chassis rails is disclosed which includes a pivot frame having a pair of spaced pivot arms connected by a common torque tube and each of which is pivotally mounted to a vehicle chassis rail, said spaced pivot arms including at least one tag axle and wheel and a cross member at the other end. An operating system is provided for moving the auxiliary axle assembly between a stowed and a support position. An independent modular arm pivot joint and attachment system pivotally mount each of the spaced pivot arms to a corresponding one chassis rails. The operating system also has a tag lever fixed to the torque tube and a hydraulic operating cylinder having a rod end journaled about an independent modular tag lever pivot joint and attachment system, connected between the rod end and the tag lever removably attaching the cylinder rod to operate the tag (U.S. Pat. No. 4,647,267) lever.

Abstract: A wheeled platform system for moving heavy or bulky loads wherein the system includes a plurality of wheeled platforms, each having a spacing element of thickness determined by the application placed upon said platform, a side wall integrated with the horizontal portion along the platform=s long edge, and multiple wheels at each end of each of two axles. The platform extends beyond the line of intersection of the axles with the platform to form a means by which when the load is tilted towards one end of the assembly the other end will be lifted off the floor. The wheels consist of commercially available ball or roller bearings of the appropriate size and strength characteristics to support the load range desired.

Abstract: In a stabilizing device provided for jointly raising and lowering and also pivoting the steering wheel or steering column and the instrument panel, toothings (45, 46) assigned to guide rails (37, 38) are formed directly on the guide rails (37, 38). At the same time, the guide rails (37, 38) are shaped in such a way that the toothings (45, 46) point toward the guide plane or a supporting shaft (50), said guide plane being determined by slots (39, 40). Twist-preventing profiles are formed at the ends of the supporting shaft (50), and gearwheels (51, 52) which are assigned to the supporting shaft and are assigned means for axial securing are connectable to the supporting shaft (50) solely in a pluggable manner.

Abstract: A towing vehicle and towed attached trailer connected using a ridged non-pivoting connection. The connection can be released by the user as desired to use the towing vehicle as a separate independent vehicle and reconnected as needed for towing of the trailer. The driving wheels of the towing vehicle are the front wheels. After the trailer is connected to the towing vehicle, the rear wheels of the towing vehicle are retracted vertically off of the ground shifting the combined weight of the vehicle and trailer to the front wheels of the vehicle and to the trailer wheels.

Abstract: To provide a small-sized vehicle in which a convenient pocket is provided in a single driver's seat portion. Furthermore, a brake master cylinder is disposed by making effective use of space without reduction of the capacity of the pocket, and the maintenance of a reservoir tank of the brake master cylinder thus disposed is ensured. A meter cover portion is disposed in a pocket of an inner panel at a position offset rightwardly from the center in the width direction of the vehicular body to form small and large capacity pocket parts on the right and left sides of the vehicle. A brake pedal is disposed on the right side of a steering column extending in an approximate center line in the width direction of the vehicular body, and a brake master cylinder connected to the brake pedal is disposed behind the meter cover portion. Such a layout is advantageous since it allows a driver to easily operate the pedals while ensuring the pocket capacity.