Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods disclosed herein include managing, by a controller, a state of charge of a battery of a hybrid vehicle at a particular location at a particular time based on a determined potential propulsion power for the vehicle; responsive to determining a downhill grade at the particular location, determining, by the controller, an amount of braking energy available during traversal of the downhill grade; and discharging, by the controller, the battery to direct energy to at least one of a generator or an electrified accessory of the hybrid vehicle before the downhill grade to enable reception of at least a portion of the determined amount of braking energy available.

Abstract: A beach cart kit and method for transporting cargo over soft-sand may include a handle and a telescoping support member coupled to the handle. The telescoping support member allows the handle to move between several positions. A cargo deck may be coupled to the telescoping support member via a hinge. The hinge permits the telescoping support member with the handle to fold towards the cargo deck when an assembled beach cart is placed in a storage state. An axle may be coupled to the cargo deck for supporting two wheels. Each wheel is removable from the axle when the assembled beach cart is placed in the storage state. Each tire is inflated within a predetermined pressure range such that each tire rotates properly over soft-sand environments when supporting the cargo deck along with any cargo. The kit includes a tire inflation tool providing a predetermined circumference for each inflatable tire.

Abstract: A step device for a vehicle includes a movable step supported under a door opening, and a coupling member supported by a sliding door that opens and closes in a vehicle front-rear direction with a shifting zone in a vehicle width direction. The movable step is provided with a guide rail that opens downward and extends in the vehicle front-rear direction. The coupling member includes: a fixed member fixed to the sliding door; an arm member coupled to the fixed member; a guide roller disposed inside the guide rail; and an urging member configured to apply to the arm member an urging force in a direction in which the guide roller turns upward.

Abstract: A braking and steering control apparatus to help a user stop, secure and move an object across a surface. The apparatus is particularly useful for securing and moving objects that are moveably supported on the surface by a wheel assembly, such as a caster, carriage and wheel float. The apparatus attaches to or is integral with a wheel assembly, an object or an item associated with the object. The apparatus has a wheeled action arm assembly, a reaction arm and a plurality of levers, links and pedals that are pivotally connected to the action arm assembly and reaction arm that allow the user to select whether the apparatus will allow safe, easy movement of an object or whether the object will be safely and effectively secured on a surface. The user selects the braking or steering operation and operates the controls using one of his or her feet.

Abstract: A side step for a vehicle includes an inner side coupled to or adjacent to a vehicle body, an outer side, a top side, a bottom side, a front end and a rear end, where the front end is adapted to be arranged closer to a front of a vehicle than the rear end. An air guide is provided at one or both of the front end and the rear end, the air guide projects outwardly relative to a central portion of the side step that is spaced from the air guide, and the air guide projects outwardly from one or both of the top side and bottom side, and the air guide is thicker, in a vertical direction, at said one or both of the front end and rear end than is the air guide at a location between the front end and rear end.

Abstract: A computer-controlled rubbish container includes a power bank, a control circuit, and a wheel assembly coupled to a bottom portion of a rubbish container. The wheel assembly includes an electric motor coupled to a wheel, wherein the wheel rotates upon a wireless signal sent from a computer to the control circuit. In some embodiments, the wheel assembly is configured to engage and disengage from a ground surface such that the rubbish container is capable of manual pushing.

Abstract: A conveyor system conveys devices for receiving components to be welded together, especially for internal combustion engine exhaust systems, into and out of a welding cell. The conveyor system includes a conveying vehicle (62) with a chassis (64) that can travel on a subfloor via rollers (68). A superstructure (78) is carried vertically adjustably on the chassis (64). At least one device carrier (14) receives components to be welded together in a position intended for the welding together in relation to one another. A positioning/holding formation (94) is provided on the superstructure (78) and a counter-positioning/holding formation (103) that meshes or can be caused mesh with the positioning/holding formation (94) is provided on the device carrier (14) for presetting a conveying position of the device carrier (14) on the superstructure (78).

Abstract: An inclined type swing step attached to a truck includes a step bracket mounted on a lower region of a cabin providing a driver's seat, a step for a foothold, and a step swing device composed of a hinge shaft spring and/or a press shaft spring, positioning the step inside a virtual approach angle line formed with respect to a ground from a front side of a wheel through one-side inclination in a state where the step is spaced apart from the step bracket, and generating spring elasticity acting to make the step return to an initial position after downward movement of the step. The inclined type swing step can hold shaking of the step due to driver's stepping, improve vehicle accessibility through prevention of an interference by the step, and absorb an external object impact exceeding an approach angle.

Abstract: A convertible, all-terrain gear cart convertible between modes of manual propulsion, trailering, and support by a motor vehicle. A control arm with a trailer hitch connector permits trailering or manual propulsion and is pivotally coupled to a first end of a cargo bin, and a vehicle engaging member to permit support and transport by a motor vehicle projects from the second end of the cargo bin. Detachable, all-terrain wheels with lateral axes of rotation are retained at a mid-portion of the cargo bin. Cargo retention and roll bars are removably coupled to the cargo bin, and a retractable support leg can cooperate with the wheels to stabilize the gear cart. The vehicle engaging member can comprise a receiver with a mitered end forming a shelf that can be rested on a rigid tongue of a trailer hitch adapter to permit levering of the gear cart relative to a vehicle.

Abstract: A utility cart including a rectangular base is provided. The utility cart includes at least one handle extending outward and upwards from a short side of the rectangular base and a leg extending down from the short side of the rectangular base on the short side of the handles. The utility cart also includes a first wheel assembly joined to the rectangular base on end opposite to the handles, wherein two wheels and the leg are positioned such that the rectangular base is horizontal with a floor, two holes centered along each long side of the rectangular base, and a first adjustable guard that fits into the two holes.

Abstract: A vehicle rock slider having a removable cover and methods of using the same. The rock slider may be attachable to a rocker panel of the vehicle along a length of the rocker panel such that an edge of the rock slider extends below a rocker flange extending downward from a bottom of the rocker panel. The rock slider may have a cover removably attachable onto the rock slider. The cover may be shaped and sized to conceal the rock slider when the rock slider is not in use.

Abstract: This assembly firstly comprises a framework fastened on the body of a vehicle, a swiveling floor intended for the forward motion of travelers, in particular, persons with reduced mobility, and an intermediate device, located below the surface for forward motion. The intermediate device and the swiveling floor are able to swivel in relation to the framework in a mutually independent manner. This assembly moreover comprises a sliding system that is movable in translation in relation to the intermediate device between a stowed position and a deployed position, in which this sliding system forms, together with the surface for forward motion, a ramp extending through a lateral opening of the framework.

Abstract: A ladder system includes a fixed support, a ladder bracket supported by the fixed support, a ladder coupled to the ladder bracket and configured to rotate with respect to the ladder bracket between a lowered position and a storage position, and an air spring coupling the ladder to the ladder bracket and configured to apply a force to the ladder when the ladder is in the lowered position to keep the ladder in the lowered position. An agricultural vehicle includes a chassis supported by a plurality of wheels, and a ladder system carried by the chassis. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electric truck ladder system comprises a support frame mounted beneath a vehicle in turn supporting a retractable ladder in hydraulic communication with a switch. The switch permits a user to deploy and/or retract the ladder. The system provides for an adjustable height, adjustable actuator stroke, a switch with wireless remote actuation and/or a door switch which actuates the ladder upon the opening or closing of a vehicle door.

Abstract: This disclosure details motor vehicles equipped with vehicle exterior components. One or more of the vehicle exterior components can be used both for their primary function when attached to the vehicle and for use as sand ladders when removed from the vehicle. In the first configuration, the vehicle exterior components may be configured as running boards, hood vents, grill inserts, bumper inserts, tailgate inserts, and/or door beams, etc.

Abstract: A drive module for an electric vehicle having noise, vibration, and harshness counter measures. The drive module includes multiple covers and mass dampeners in order to detune vibration and noise from the cabin of the vehicle.

Abstract: A device for a high-clearance motor vehicle is provided. Preferably, the device comprises a linear actuator, a hollow tube having a first helix and a second helix; a step arm connected at a distal end to the linear actuator such that when the linear actuator applies a linear force to the step arm, the step arm rotates. A first end portion of a distal end of the step arm inserted in the hollow tube extends through the first helix and a second end portion of the distal end of the step arm inserted in the hollow tube extends through the second helix. When the device is operated, depending on user selection, the device can serve as a vehicle step, protect the vehicle door(s), or be in a retracted position.

Abstract: A truck bumper dock extension with a flip step configurable for use on a truck body to provide a functional bumper and a dock extension for loading and unloading at an elevated truck-dock and with the flip step configurable for use on the truck body for loading and unloading at an un-elevated surface, such as for home delivery. A walking ramp and stowing compartment is secured by the flip step for secure transport and removable access to a walking ramp.

Abstract: A side step system and a vehicle including a side step have a side step including an inner space that is open in an opening direction and a means of transportation that is mounted in the inner space and that is operable when separated from the inner space.

Abstract: An automatically extending and retracting step system according to the solution may reside in a retracted state when the deck of a car-carrying vehicle is substantially horizontal to the ground, i.e. when the deck is in a payload state. Advantageously, when the deck is tilted and extended to a ramp state for receiving cargo, the step system according to the solution extends laterally outward from beneath the deck, thereby providing a convenient and visible step for a user to use in getting down from the deck. When the deck is returned from the ramp state to its payload state, the step automatically retracts to a travel state beneath the deck.