Abstract: A mass transit vehicle includes one or a combination of the following: floor portions that are angled for creating an incline of a floor of the buss; a door or entranceway that is angle relative to a fore-aft axis of the vehicle; and/or an entranceway that opens a relatively low height relative to the ground.

Abstract: A mass transit vehicle includes one or a combination of the following: floor portions that are angled for creating an incline of a floor of the buss; a door or entranceway that is angle relative to a fore-aft axis of the vehicle; and/or an entranceway that opens a relatively low height relative to the ground.

Abstract: A mass transit vehicle includes one or a combination of the following: floor portions that are angled for creating an incline of a floor of the buss; a door or entranceway that is angle relative to a fore-aft axis of the vehicle; and/or an entranceway that opens a relatively low height relative to the ground.

Abstract: A mass transit vehicle includes one or a combination of the following: floor portions that are angled for creating an incline of a floor of the buss; a door or entranceway that is angle relative to a fore-aft axis of the vehicle; and/or an entranceway that opens a relatively low height relative to the ground.

Abstract: A step-down power transfer device for providing a dropped drive line in a front engine and rear drive vehicle. The step-down power transfer device is preferably chain or gear driven. A preferred vehicle a includes a power train having a longitudinally mounted front engine, a step-down power transfer device, a single segment drive shaft, a half-shaft differential, swing axles and geared reduction wheel end drives. The vehicle can have an exceptionally low, i.e., 16 to 18 inches, load floor that is flat at least between the step-down power transfer device and the differential. The resultant vehicle has many parts in common with popular traditional front engine/rear drive trucks. Combining the power train described above with a low profile rear suspension provides added low load floor benefits.

Abstract: A mass transit vehicle includes one or a combination of the following: floor portions that are angled for creating an incline of a floor of the buss; a door or entranceway that is angle relative to a fore-aft axis of the vehicle; and/or an entranceway that opens a relatively low height relative to the ground.

Abstract: A tailgate that is hingeably connected to a vehicle and configured to pivot from a closed position to a generally vertical open position includes an inner panel having an inner tailgate surface and an outer panel having an outer tailgate surface. The outer panel is attached to the inner panel to define a pocket therebetween. An opening extends from the inner tailgate surface to the outer tailgate surface and is configured to receive a foot. A step assembly is housed in the pocket and is moveable from a retracted position enclosing the opening, to an extended position revealing the opening. The step assembly includes a stationary frame fixed with respect to the pocket and a moveable frame moveable with respect to the stationary frame. The moveable frame extends from a lower peripheral edge of the tailgate in the extended position.

Abstract: A step-down power transfer device for providing a dropped drive line in a front engine and rear drive vehicle. The step-down power transfer device is preferably chain or gear driven. A preferred vehicle a includes a power train having a longitudinally mounted front engine, a step-down power transfer device, a single segment drive shaft, a half-shaft differential, swing axles and geared reduction wheel end drives. The vehicle can have an exceptionally low, i.e., 16 to 18 inches, load floor that is flat at least between the step-down power transfer device and the differential. The resultant vehicle has many parts in common with popular traditional front engine/rear drive trucks. Combining the power train described above with a low profile rear suspension provides added low load floor benefits.

Abstract: A step-down power transfer device for providing a dropped drive line in a front engine and rear drive vehicle. The step-down power transfer device is preferably chain or gear driven. A preferred vehicle a includes a power train having a longitudinally mounted front engine, a step-down power transfer device, a single segment drive shaft, a half-shaft differential, swing axles and geared reduction wheel end drives. The vehicle can have an exceptionally low, i.e., 16 to 18 inches, load floor that is flat at least between the step-down power transfer device and the differential. The resultant vehicle has many parts in common with popular traditional front engine/rear drive trucks. Combining the power train described above with a low profile rear suspension provides added low load floor benefits.

Abstract: A step-down power transfer device for providing a dropped drive line in a front engine and rear drive vehicle. The step-down power transfer device is preferably chain or gear driven. A preferred vehicle includes a power train having a longitudinally mounted front engine, a step-down power transfer device, a single segment drive shaft, a half-shaft differential, swing axles and geared reduction wheel end drives. The vehicle can have an exceptionally low, i.e., 16 to 18 inches, load floor that is flat at least between the step-down power transfer device and the differential. The resultant vehicle has many parts in common with popular traditional front engine/rear drive trucks. Combining the power train described above with a low profile rear suspension provides added low load floor benefits.

Abstract: The present invention provides a front engine/rear drive vehicle, such as a medium-sized bus, having a power transfer device and a sloped lower load floor. The power transfer means enables advantageous packaging of a drive shaft for driving a rear-positioned drive. The sloped lower load floor provides a continuously flat load floor without requiring a step over a differential area. Further the sloped lower load floor enables lower ground clearance at a front portion for implementation of a manageable wheelchair access ramp, as opposed to an expensive elevator system. Additionally, the sloped lower load floor provides sufficient rear ground clearance for managing inclines and is kneelable enabling easier load/unload access to the rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: A brush guard is attachable to a vehicle frame rail or a vehicle bumper mounting bracket by means of mounting members, each having a mounting surface mountable between the bumper mounting bracket and the bumper frame rail mounting bracket. Each mounting member includes a crush surface positioned in the same spatial relationship from a vehicle mounted sensor crush surface as the original crush surface of a bumper mounting bracket. The brush guard is mounted on the vehicle independent and free of the bumper and is disposed in a position so that the brush guard does not extend forwardly of the frontmost surface of the bumper. In one aspect, the mounting members are pivotally connected to the vehicle to allow pivotal movement of the brush guard during a front-end vehicle collision. A pair of optional outriggers are releasably secure to the outer lateral ends of the brush guard and the vehicle bumper.

Abstract: A trailer hitch includes a cylindrical receiver perpendicularly mounted on a horizontal laterally extending tube attached to a vehicle. The receiver carries a slider movable between a first, retracted position substantially entirely disposed beneath the vehicle bumper and a second, extended position wherein the slider projects rearwardly of the vehicle bumper and carries a hitch ball for attachment to a towed object. A cam slot and cam follower are cooperatingly formed on the slider and the receiver, with the cam slot having angularly disposed ends for rotation of the slider between first and second angularly disposed position simultaneous with translation of the slider between first and second retracted and extended positions. A decorative cover overlays the exposed portions of the horizontal tube and the slider when the slider is in the retracted position.

Abstract: A towable trailer has a load floor supported by air springs on a torsion box suspension system. The load floor consists of a plurality of preformed panels comprised of a plate section and a plurality of I beam members. Adjacent panels are interconnected with a tab and slot structure and then secured as a unit by a pair of angle beam side rails. The suspension system includes a pair of spaced parallel transverse beams extending between and secured to a pair of trailing arms which are pivotally mounted on brace members secured to the underside of the load floor and the front of the trailer. A pair of plates are secured to respective ends of the transverse beams adjacent the trailing arms. Cross beam members are positioned between and secured to the plates and the transverse beams. The trailer wheel are supported on wheel support arms which are secured to and extend upwardly from each trailing arm to position the center of each wheel above the load floor of the trailer.

Abstract: A body assembly is for attachment to a tow truck chassis. The body assembly includes a left body unit and a right body unit. Each body unit has a structural unit and a plurality of exterior panels attached to the structural unit. The structural unit is preferably formed from flanged aluminum panels that are attached using adhesive disposed on the flanges. The exterior panels are preferably formed from molded composite panels. The exterior panels are removably attached to allow for simplified repair.

Abstract: A tow truck is disclosed equiped with an improved body assembly, underlift assembly and lifting boom assembly. The body assembly includes a left body unit and a right body unit. Each body unit has a structural unit and a plurality of exterior panhed to the structural unit. The structural unit is preferably formed from flanged aluminum panels that are attached by adhesive. The improved underlift assembly comprises a support arm coupled to the vehicle. A base is coupled to an end of the support arm, a boom base is pivotally attached to the base at a first pivot point and a boom is pivotally attached to the boom base at a second pivot point. A first actuator is coupled to the support arm and the boom base. The operation of the first actuator pivots the boom base with respect to the support arm. A second actuator is coupled to the boom base and the boom. The operation of the second actuator pivots the boom with respect to the boom base.

Abstract: An improved underlift assembly is provided for attachment to a vehicle. The improved underlift assembly comprises a support arm coupled to the vehicle. A base is coupled to an end of the support arm, a boom base is pivotally attached to the base at a first pivot point and a boom is pivotally attached to the boom base at a second pivot point. A first actuator is coupled to the support arm and the boom base. The operation of the first actuator pivots the boom base with respect to the support arm. A second actuator is coupled to the boom base and the boom. The operation of the second actuator pivots the boom with respect to the boom base. The first actuator is used to position the boom during lifting operation, and the second actuator is used to position the boom into a folded rest position.