18249 results about "Vehicle frame" patented technology

A modular segmented structural reinforcement system for use with closed forms or cavities defined with automotive vehicles having a plurality of modular segments designed to be secured within a defined portion of an automotive vehicle applications. An expandable or bonding material, such as an epoxy-based reinforcing foam or other sound absorption, damping, vibration reduction, or sealing material is disposed on at least a portion of the outer surface of each of the plurality of segments. Once the system is flexible fitted within the closed form or placed within a selected cavity of an automotive vehicle, the material expands and cures during an automobile assembly operation, bonding the reinforcement system to the segments. As a result, the reinforcement system provides enhanced load distribution over the vehicle frame without adding excessive weight and further serves to reduce noise and vibrational characteristics of the automotive vehicle.

A frame assembly positions a license plate along a back end of a motor vehicle. The frame assembly includes a base frame adapted to be secured along the back end of the motor vehicle to retain the license plate thereto. A camera is secured to the base frame to produce an image representing an area adjacent to and behind the back end of the motor vehicle. A camera light is fixedly secured to the base frame for illuminating the area adjacent to and behind the back end of the motor vehicle. The camera light assists the camera in producing the image during low lighting conditions.

Methods and systems of operating a support structure and beam shaping mechanism in a manner that compensates for motion patterns exhibited by a patient, promotes comfort of the patient, and optimizes accuracy of delivery of radiotherapy to a targeted location within the patient. The support structure can be a treatment table or couch and the beam shaping mechanism can be a multi-leaf collimator (MLC), and/or an MLC-bank/-carriage. The control system can utilize algorithms for predicting tumor motion and loading condition on the table/couch during radiation therapy.

A method and a system for identifying a vehicle in a parking area includes receiving video data from a video camera observing a parking area from a first field of view over duration of time and receiving image data from a still camera observing a second field of view overlapping the first field of view. The method includes tracking a location of a vehicle across a sequence of frames. The tracking includes determining a time instant at which each frame was captured. The method includes comparing a select frame captured by the video camera with an image captured by the still camera. Based on the comparing, the method includes matching the vehicle in the image with the vehicle in the frame. The method includes determining a license plate number of the vehicle by locating a license plate on the vehicle in the image.

A wheel with a self-contained drive mechanism is provided to propel (or assist in propulsion of) bicycles, tricycles, and similar vehicles. The wheel preferably takes the form of a detachable wheel which is readily received within the dropouts of a bicycle frame or fork to be attached therein by a standard quick-release mechanism. Thus, the wheel may be added to (or removed from) preexisting standard bicycles and the like.

A steering apparatus for altering steering direction of an exercise bicycle utilizing an interactive computer or television video game simulation which consists of a steering mechanism primary frame (22) that includes a steering tube (24) and a steering plate (26). The steering tube is disposed within an exercise bicycle frame head. A steer frame (58) is rotatably mounted within the primary frame and utilizes a pair of springs (60) that are suspended between the primary frame and the steer frame. Changing steering direction by rotation of the handlebar (70) attached to the steer frame creates progressively linear resistance to the handlebar movement. The steer frame returns to a centered position when unrestrained, duplicating the feel and impression of riding a bicycle. A potentiometer (32) interfaces with the rotating steer frame providing variable electrical resistance relative to the directional movement of the steer frame to the primary frame. An electrical signal is transmitted from an interactive computer or television video game to the potentiometer which interprets the actual steering position of the exercise bicycle.

An energy management system and device for use in an automotive frame, rail, or other structural component of an automotive vehicle. The frame or rail having a cavity or exposed surface capable of supporting at least one member. The member having an interior portion and an exterior portion with the interior portion being defined by at least one trigger or step change to the geometry of the inner portion to target and direct axial bending of the system. A reinforcing material, such as a polymer-based expandable material, is disposed along the exterior portion of a member prior to final assembly of the vehicle by the vehicle manufacturer. The system is activated as the vehicle undergoes the final vehicle assembly process and paint operation which activates and transforms the reinforcing material to expand, bond and structurally adhere the frame rail to mange, direct, and/or absorb energy in the event of an impact to the vehicle from an applied load or an external force.

A sub-frame 11 of a vehicle, which is made by means of die casting into a substantially rectangular shape and attached to a front lower portion 14 of a vehicle body 13, includes: a C-shaped front sub-frame 15; and a C-shaped rear sub-frame 16, wherein a right and a left front beam members 65, 67, which are formed at a right and a left end portion of a front beam member 47 constituting the front sub-frame 15, and a right and a left beam rear members 96, 97, which are formed at a right and a left end portion of a rear beam member 53 constituting the rear sub-frame 16, are joined to each other, and flat portions 113, 114 are formed in the right and the left front beam members 65, 67 so that the flat portions can be start points of plastic deformation of the sub-frame 11 when a load, which is heavier than a normal load, is given to the sub-frame 11 in the longitudinal direction.

Adjustable height bicycle seat mounting assemblies, bikes using such assemblies, and methods of use are provided. One such adjustable height bicycle seat mounting assembly includes first and second tubes in telescoping arrangement. The first tube is adapted to be coupled to a bicycle frame and the second tube is adapted to be coupled to a bicycle seat. A bulkhead is disposed in one of the first and second tubes. The bulkhead has an orifice therethrough, with a rod extending through the orifice and coupled to a movement device disposed near an end of the second tube. The first and second tubes are axially adjustable relative to one another by regulating a flow of a fluid disposed in the first and second tubes.

An extremely light weight one-piece “thin-skin” molded RV body that can be manufactured without a heavy steel chassis frame, and which construction method minimizes costly hand labor . . . while lending itself to automated assembly line manufacturing processes as used in the automotive and sport boat industries. Aspects include a variable-height suspension system to decrease frontal area when towed, and which raises the body for use of slideouts; a streamlined storage nose cap that reduces air turbulence to increase fuel economy of the tow vehicle; pivoting road wheels to eliminate tire scrub on multiple axles; steerable wheels for backing in restricted areas; adjustable tongue weight sliding suspension; and a pivoting nose wheel to minimize tongue weight on the tow vehicle.

An automotive vehicle frame has a front frame portion, a rear frame portion and an intermediate frame portion connecting the front frame portion and the rear frame portion. The front frame portion has a pair of relatively spaced front strut towers and the rear frame portion has a pair of relatively spaced rear strut towers. Each of the front strut towers and each of the rear strut towers may have a plurality of frame components connected thereto. Portions of the vehicle suspension system may be secured to the front strut towers and the rear strut towers. The strut towers may have vehicle shock absorbers secured thereto. Numerous other vehicle components may be secured to the strut towers. The strut towers are unitary metal castings.

A backpack assembly for a self contained breathing apparatus comprises a plurality of components positioned in housings that define a body for the backpack assembly. The body is assembled to a back frame. A pivoting and swiveling hip plate is connected to the back frame in multiple distinct positions to provide a customizable and comfortable fit for the wearer.

A bike mount for securing a bicycle to a vehicle rack. The bike mount includes arms that pivot apart to receive a bicycle wheel and pivot together to cooperatively hold the bicycle wheel. The bike mount may be configured to include a lever that pivots the arms together as the bicycle is positioned on the vehicle rack.

A recess is defined in one of the top tube, the down tube and the seat tube of a bicycle frame and a power supply unit is engaged with the recess. The power supply unit includes an engaging frame engaged with the recess and a battery is removably engaged with a main space defined in the engaging frame. The engaging frame includes a chamber defined in an end thereof and a control box is received in the chamber so as to be electrically connected with the control box. The top surface of the battery is in flush with the one of the top tube, the down tube and the seat tube. An ON/OFF switch is installed on a top of the engaging frame and an indication bulb is installed on a top of the battery for convenience of observation by the user.

A three-wheel vehicle has two forward steered wheels, one rear powered wheel, and a straddle-type seat disposed between the forward and rear wheels. The vehicle's frame has interconnected tubular members that create a strong, light, rigid frame that can accommodate a high performance engine. The frame's components include upper spars, lower spars, rear suspension plates, a front suspension sub-frame, rear suspension braces, a pyramid-shaped upper support assembly, various cross braces, and a rear sub-frame, among other components. Two or more of the frame components may be integrally formed and removably connected to the other frame components to simplify assembly, maintenance, and replacement. The frame is designed to lower the center of gravity of the vehicle and rider so as to stabilize the vehicle. The front suspension sub-frame includes a longitudinal air passage that directs air into the engine compartment and around an oil cooler.

An integrated support structure apparatus is provided for attaching either a fifth wheel trailer hitch or a gooseneck trailer hitch to a truck bed. The integrated support structure comprises an H-shaped body that is attached to at least one truck frame rail below the truck bed. A gooseneck ball receiver is attached to a central portion of the body and aligned with a gooseneck opening in the truck bed. A plurality of mounting pads are formed integrally as part of a plurality of end inserts that are assembled to the body.

A collapsible two wheeled vehicle comprises a substantially rigid main structural frame (10) defining a head section (16), a saddle pillar mount (17) and a bottom bracket (15). A rear wheel sub-frame (22) is pivoted to the frame (10) about the bottom bracket (15), and carriers a rear wheel (23), the sub-frame (22) being arranged for movement between a folded position where the rear wheel lies within the frame, between the head section (16) and the saddle pillar mount (17), and an active position where the sub-frame projects rearwardly beyond the frame. A pedal arrangement (19, 20, 21) is journalled in the bottom bracket (15) and drives the rear wheel (23) through an endless chain (25). A front wheel carrier is journalled to the head section (16) of the frame and has an arm (30) rotatably supporting a front wheel (31), the arm (30) being pivoted to the carrier for movement between a folded position where the front wheel (31) lies adjacent the rear wheel (23) when the sub-frame is in its folded position, and an active position where the arm projects generally downwardly from the carrier. The frame (1) carriers two opposed side panels (50) which are dimensioned so that the folded rear wheel sub-frame, rear wheel, front wheel carrier, folded arm and front wheel all lie substantially wholly within the confines of the side panels, the rear and front wheels lying outside the confines of the side panels when the sub-frame and arm are in their respective active positions.

A frame structure and a method of manufacturing a body frame that is divided into small assemblies to facilitate the carriage and storage of articles and individuals and the manufacturing efficiency. A body frame is divided into three, namely, a front assembly having a closed loop structure, an engine support system assembly having a closed loop structure and a rear suspension support system assembly having a closed loop structure. The front assembly and the rear suspension support system assembly are connected to the engine support system assembly to form the body frame. The small assemblies have a closed loop structure whereby the rigidity is enhanced, and the shape is also stabilized. Therefore, the accuracy management can be performed.

A monolithic dual-purpose trailer for transporting cargo includes a frame including two longitudinally extending side rails and a central reinforcing member in the form of an engineered truss is located between the two side rails. Wheels are mounted to the frame. A deck including a load bearing surface with a grate is formed on the frame. Hoppers are positioned below the grate. The frame is formed as one solid welded unit. The deck has a portion formed of flat aluminum. A perimeter frame rail is located around the deck. The trailer can transport multiple types of loads and does not have to be converted from one mode to another and additionally has reduced longitudinal flexing.

Bicycle frame components without laps made by a method comprising;shaping a fluid-removable core in the general form of the component,placing a flexible inflatable bladder around the core,wrapping over the assembly of core and bladder at least one ply of fiber impregnated with a curable resin, forming a cured part by inflating the bladder while the assembly of core, bladder, and impregnated fiber is in a mold to force the plies against the inner surfaces of the mold, such that compaction of the fiber against the mold is predominantly from the bladder inflation and not from the core, and heating to cure the resin to form a cured part, removing the bladder and the fluid-removable core from the interior of the cured part by disintegrating the fluid-removable core with a fluid sufficient to allow removal of the core and the bladder.

A pull-out step assembly for a cargo box vehicle is disclosed. The assembly provides one or two steps to access the cargo box of a pickup truck or similar vehicle. The pull-out step assembly can be deployed with the tail gate of the cargo box in a closed or open condition. The pull-out step assembly attaches to the vehicle frame and stores beneath the cargo box when not in use. Also disclosed is a protective box member that covers the step assembly when stored beneath the cargo box.

A battery support structure for a vehicle includes a first peripheral member configured to be supported by a longitudinal section of a vehicle frame. A second peripheral member has an end surface that selectively attaches at an inside surface of the first peripheral member to enclose a corner section of a battery containment area. Prior to fixed attachment of the first and second peripheral members, a slip plane is defined between the end surface and the inside surface to adjust the second peripheral member along the first peripheral member to a predefined dimension of the battery containment area.

A bicycle frame with a counter-rotating four bar linkage system includes a front frame section, a rear frame section, and a shock absorber. The front frame section includes a top tube, a head tube, a seat tube, a bottom bracket, a down tube and a pivoting base formed on the down tube near the bottom bracket. The rear frame section is connected pivotally to the front frame section and has two seat stays, two chain stays, two dropouts, a connecting member, an upper linkage member, a lower linkage member and a parabolic virtual pivot (PVP). The PVP moves in a forwardly and upwardly parabolic trajectory and the dropouts of the rear frame section move in a nearly vertical trajectory when the rear frame section is pivoting.

The invention discloses a wheel-foot combined obstacle detouring non-contact magnetic absorption type wall climbing robot system, belonging to the technical field of robots and comprising a robot frame, a 5-DOF (degree of freedom) robot arm, three groups of mobile absorption mechanisms, linear sliding rails, screws and drive motors, wherein the linear sliding rails, the screws and the drive motors respectively correspond to the three groups of mobile absorption mechanisms; the five-DOF robot arm is arranged above the robot frame; the three groups of linear sliding rails and screws are vertically arranged below the robot frame and two ends thereof are connected with the robot frame and the mobile absorption mechanism respectively; and the drive motor is fixedly connected with the mobile absorption mechanism. The invention solves the technical defects of the existing wall climbing robot in vertical wall surface operation, enables the robot to have the advantages of rapid speed and flexible steering of a wheeled mobile robot and have the characteristics of large magnetic absorption force and good load capacity as well as obstacle detouring capacity, and can satisfy the requirements of motion and operation in complicated environments.

A tank for storing urea solution and a tank assembly for storing disparate fluids, such as diesel fluid and urea solution, are disclosed. The tank may further include a filler assembly and/or a sensor assembly, either of which are adapted to be connected to the tank without the use of separate fasteners, The tank assembly may include a reservoir and a sensor for automatically diverting non-conforming urea solution to the reservoir. A recess may be defined in the tank body in order to accommodate a strap for securing the tank to the frame of vehicle. The tank may include parallel sidewalls that include a projection on one and a corresponding indentation on the other in order to allow the tanks to be easily stacked during assembly.

A bicycle rear derailleur includes a base member, a movable member, a torsion spring, a linkage assembly and a damping member. The base member is configured to be attached to a bicycle frame. The movable member includes a support portion and a chain guide coupled to the support portion. The torsion spring is disposed about a pivot member of at least one of the base member and the movable member. The linkage assembly is coupled between the base member and the support portion to move the chain guide between a retracted position and an extended position. The damping member is at least partially disposed between an adjacent pair of coils of the torsion spring.

An extendable frame work vehicle offering enhanced versatility, safety and effectiveness. The vehicle includes an adjustable frame with front and rear portions that extend or retract with respect to each other. The front portion is supported by a first pair of wheels and said rear portion is supported by a second pair of wheels. Each wheel is independently driven and steered. The vehicle also includes an engine mounted on the rear portion of the frame. Incorporated into the vehicle is an electro-hydraulic assembly which enables extension and retraction of the adjustable frame. The assembly includes a sensor-responsive microprocessor controller, at least one hydraulic pump, at least one hydraulic drive motor, and at least one valve network.

An axle assembly connecting a wheel assembly to a vehicle frame. The axle assembly includes a tubular body having first and seconds connectable to the vehicle frame and open-ended slots disposed proximate at least one of the first and second ends of the tubular body. An expansion element is engageable with the tubular body to radially deform the tubular body at a mounting point to the vehicle frame. This configuration provides a rigid connection between the axle assembly and the vehicle frame in both the linear and radial directions.

An energy management system and method for absorbing and directing kinetic energy during an impact event of a motor vehicle includes a vehicle subframe 30 attached to a vehicle chassis 20, with a pair of deformable attachment brackets 40 and 42 interposed therebetween. The deformable attachment brackets 40 and 42 are preferably fixedly attached to the subframe 30 and removably attached to the vehicle chassis 20 via fasteners 50 extending through a fastener hole 52 in each of the attachment brackets 40 and 42. A relief opening 54 is proximate to and aligned with the fastener hole 52, the relief opening 54 being larger than the fastener 50. A deformable barrier 56 disposed between the fastener hole 52 and relief opening 54 may be provided with a slot 58 extending between the fastener hole 52 and relief opening 54. Upon an impact generating an impact force above a predetermined force, the fastener 50 deforms the deformable barrier 56, whereby the deformable attachment bracket 40 and 42 is displaced longitudinally such that the fastener 50 is relocated from the fastener hole 52 into the relief opening 54. The fastener 50 slides out of the relief opening 54 and the subframe 30 drops beneath the vehicle chassis 20, whereby the subframe 30 translates longitudinally relative the vehicle chassis 20 during the crash event, safely away from the vehicle occupant compartment.

A bicycle gearshift system is mounted on the rear part of the frame of the bicycle. The bicycle gearshift system includes an electrically powered rear derailleur, a rear hub, a charger part, and a gearshift control part. The electrically powered rear derailleur is mounted on the rear part of the frame. The rear hub is also mounted to the rear part of the frame. The rear hub has an electrical generator mechanism that generates electricity through the rotation of the wheel. The charger part is mounted on the rear hub and stores the electrical energy that was generated by the generator part. The gearshift control part is equipped on the electrically powered rear derailleur, where gearshift control of the electrically powered rear derailleur is performed through the energy that is stored in the charger part.