This invention relates to a universal brake system (UBS) that combines features from an adjustable wheel traction system (WTS) and an improved anti-lock brake (ABS) system. The WTS provides a plurality of extendable and retractable spikes contained in a wheel assembly or wheel adapter to increase traction (friction) between a vehicle's wheel and its supporting surface. To further improve wheel traction each wheel spike has different types of changeable heads for different types of terrain and road surfaces. When operating in dry road mode, the UBS operates as an anti-lock braking system except the spikes can operate during emergency braking to provide additional traction between the tire and wheel support surface. When operating in slippery road mode, the UBS activates the WTS for increase traction control and utilize an improved computer controlled anti-lock braking system to alternate between wheel lock and anti-lock brake with skid control to provide the ultimate solution to decreasing a vehicle's stopping distance and controlling a vehicle's skid on slippery and dry road surfaces.

A vehicle brake control device performs select-low anti-lock brake control. In the select-low anti-lock brake control, in a decrease period, in which braking force on a first wheel that is one of left and right wheels that has a lower wheel speed is decreased, braking force on a second wheel that is one of the left and right wheels that has a higher wheel speed is also decreased. In an increase period, in which the braking force on the first wheel is increased, the braking force on the second wheel is also increased. The vehicle brake control device is configured such that, when performing the anti-lock brake control, the vehicle brake device sets the braking force on the second wheel to be greater when the tendency for instability in the vehicle behavior is small than when such tendency is large.

Cleaning head (22), cleaning device (8) comprising one or more cleaning heads (22), and a method for cleaning a surface, such as a ship's hull. The cleaning head (22) comprises: a frame (18) comprising a nozzle shaft (32); one or more nozzles (44) for cleaning the surface that are connected to the nozzle shaft (32) of the frame (18), with rotating means such that the nozzles (44) are rotatable around magnetic positioning means (46, 42); magnetic positioning means (46, 42) for positioning the head (22) relative to the surface that are provided or attached to the frame (18); andan activating element for manipulating the distance between the surface and the positioning means (46, 42), the activating element being connected to the positioning means, wherein the magnetic positioning means (46, 42) are movable between at least a first state and an active second state.

Cleaning head (22), cleaning device (8) comprising one or more cleaning heads (22), and a method for cleaning a surface, such as a ship's hull. The cleaning head (22) comprises: a frame (18) comprising a nozzle shaft (32); one or more nozzles (44) for cleaning the surface that are connected to the nozzle shaft (32) of the frame (18), with rotating means such that the nozzles (44) are rotatable around magnetic positioning means (46, 42); magnetic positioning means (46, 42) for positioning the head (22) relative to the surface that are provided or attached to the frame (18); andan activating element for manipulating the distance between the surface and the positioning means (46, 42), the activating element being connected to the positioning means, wherein the magnetic positioning means (46, 42) are movable between at least a first state and an active second state.

A metering device for granular material, includes a housing that can be arranged inside a container for the granular material. The housing has at least one inlet for the granular material and an outlet, which outlet can be closed by a sealing element. The sealing element is arranged on a metering piston, which is preloaded by a spring and can be moved axially in a compressed-air cylinder, wherein a compressed-air connection is provided on the compressed-air cylinder such that the metering piston can be moved against the spring by compressed air and the outlet can be opened, and the spring has an at least two-stage design such that the stroke of the metering piston can be changed at least in two stages by varying the compressed air.

A control device for a motorcycle includes a removal detecting unit for detecting the removal of an equipment, which is required during a public road running of the automotive vehicle, from the motorcycle, a determining unit for determining the presence of the motorcycle on a non-public road area in the event that a determining condition including a detection signal fed from the removal detecting unit is satisfied, and a drive control unit operable in response to a determining signal from the determining unit to set a non-public road mode appropriate to the non-public road running. The equipment referred to above is at least one of a back viewing mirror, a headlight, a tail lamp, a number plate, a license lamp, a warning horn, a side stand and turn indicators.

A traction board for insertion under a vehicle's tire for freeing the vehicle from a stuck condition includes an elongated board body and an end plate pivotally connected to an end portion of the elongated board body. According to a further aspect, a traction board includes an elongated board body and a finger pivotally connected to the elongated board body and pivotally extending below the elongated board body in order to prevent the elongated board body from sliding rearward.

A traction board for insertion under a vehicle's tire for freeing the vehicle from a stuck condition includes an elongated board body and an end plate pivotally connected to an end portion of the elongated board body. According to a further aspect, a traction board includes an elongated board body and a finger pivotally connected to the elongated board body and pivotally extending below the elongated board body in order to prevent the elongated board body from sliding rearward.

A mowing deck assembly for an outdoor power machine includes: a mowing deck defining an open-bottomed housing, including a top panel and a peripheral wall structure; one or more mowing blades rotatably mounted to the mowing deck; a baffle assembly including a plurality of baffles positioned so as to define an individual circular enclosure for each of the one or more mowing blades.

An outdoor power machine includes: a chassis including main frame rails; two or more drive wheel assemblies physically mounted to the chassis, each drive wheel assembly coupled to an electric motor; an electric power pack configured to supply electric energy to the electric motors; one or more steer wheels; and: an electric power takeoff, including: a receiver attached to the chassis and configured to removably connect an accessory; and an electric receptacle electrically coupled to the electric power pack.