Abstract: A vehicle including a cross member and a tow hook assembly. The tow hook assembly is coupled to the cross member and includes a housing, a tow hook, and a shear pin. The housing includes an arcuate interior. The tow hook is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. The tow hook includes a retaining block and a receiving member having a distal portion extending from the retaining block and a leading portion extending from the distal portion. The shear pin is positionable to extend through the housing. When the tow hook is in the extended position and a force exceeding a predetermined threshold is applied to the leading portion of the receiving member, the shear pin shears to permit the retaining block of the tow hook to move along the arcuate interior of the housing and position the tow hook into the retracted position.

Abstract: A tonneau cover for a vehicle has a topside and an underside. The tonneau cover also includes a rail system attached to the underside. The tonneau cover also includes a ramp system. The ramp system is slidably engaged with the rail system and is configured to slide out from the underside along the rail system such that a rear end of the ramp system engages a ground surface to create a rampway between the topside and the ground surface. The ramp system can be used to load large cargo onto the topside of the tonneau cover. The ramp system is also removable from the rail system and attachable to an end of a truck bed of the vehicle such that the ramp system can be used to load cargo into the truck bed.

Abstract: Described herein are photonic communication platforms that can overcome the memory bottleneck problem, thereby enabling scaling of memory capacity and bandwidth well beyond what is possible with conventional computing systems. Some embodiments provide photonic communication platforms that involve use of photonic modules. Each photonic module includes programmable photonic circuits for placing the module in optical communication with other modules based on the needs of a particular application. The architecture developed by the inventors relies on the use of common photomask sets (or at least one common photomask) to fabricate multiple photonic modules in a single wafer. Photonic modules in multiple wafers can be linked together into a communication platform using optical or electronic means.

Abstract: Described herein are photonic communication platforms that can overcome the memory bottleneck problem, thereby enabling scaling of memory capacity and bandwidth well beyond what is possible with conventional computing systems. Some embodiments provide photonic communication platforms that involve use of photonic modules. Each photonic module includes programmable photonic circuits for placing the module in optical communication with other modules based on the needs of a particular application. The architecture developed by the inventors relies on the use of common photomask sets (or at least one common photomask) to fabricate multiple photonic modules in a single wafer. Photonic modules in multiple wafers can be linked together into a communication platform using optical or electronic means.

Abstract: A truck includes a passenger cabin and a truck bed located rearward of the passenger cabin in a vehicle longitudinal direction. The truck bed includes a bed deck and a pair of spaced apart sidewalls. A compressor unit is located between an inner sidewall panel and an outer sidewall panel of one of the sidewalls. A truck bed cover covers the truck bed. A bladder is connected to an underside of the truck bed cover. The compressor unit connected to the bladder and configured to inflate the bladder.

Abstract: A truck includes a passenger cabin and a truck bed located rearward of the passenger cabin in a vehicle longitudinal direction. The truck bed includes a bed deck and a pair of spaced apart sidewalls. A compressor unit is located between an inner sidewall panel and an outer sidewall panel of one of the sidewalls. A truck bed cover covers the truck bed. A bladder is connected to an underside of the truck bed cover. The compressor unit connected to the bladder and configured to inflate the bladder.

Abstract: A truck includes a passenger cabin and a truck bed located rearward of the passenger cabin in a vehicle longitudinal direction. The truck bed includes a bed deck and a pair of spaced apart sidewalls. A tailgate replacement extends across a rear opening to the truck bed and between the sidewalls. The tailgate replacement includes vertically-extending support rails and vertically spaced-apart, laterally-extending support rails that extend between the vertically-extending support rails. A slider is connected to the laterally-extending support rails. The slider includes a first connecting portion that slidably engages a first one of the laterally-extending support rails and a second connecting portion that slidably engages a second one of the laterally-extending support rails.

Abstract: The application generally relates to an apparatus comprising a tailgate protector having a base disposed atop a first portion of a tailgate, a support arm extending from a first edge of the base, and one or more mounting elements disposed within the base, wherein the one or more mounting elements are configured to removably couple an attachment via one or more attachment mounting elements includes in the attachment.

Abstract: A tonneau cover for a vehicle can include a panel and a table. The panel can define a cavity. The table can be modifiable between a stowable configuration and a standing configuration. In the stowable configuration, the table is configured to stow inside the cavity. In the standing configuration, the table is configured to stand on a ground surface when removed from the cavity. In the stowable configuration, the table may be configured to further rigidify the panel such that a user of the vehicle can store cargo on top of the tonneau cover.

Abstract: Apparatuses described herein relate to improving the prevention of cargo movement during vehicle travel. In one embodiment, an apparatus for securing cargo within a vehicle includes a bladder coupled to an underside of a cover that extends over a cargo area, where the bladder faces the cargo area. The apparatus includes a supply device coupled with the bladder via a connecting member to expand the bladder into contact with the cargo within the cargo area.

Abstract: A tonneau cover for a vehicle can include a panel and a table. The panel can define a cavity. The table can be modifiable between a stowable configuration and a standing configuration. In the stowable configuration, the table is configured to stow inside the cavity. In the standing configuration, the table is configured to stand on a ground surface when removed from the cavity. In the stowable configuration, the table may be configured to further rigidify the panel such that a user of the vehicle can store cargo on top of the tonneau cover.

Abstract: A tonneau cover for a vehicle has a topside and an underside. The tonneau cover also includes a rail system attached to the underside. The tonneau cover also includes a ramp system. The ramp system is slidably engaged with the rail system and is configured to slide out from the underside along the rail system such that a rear end of the ramp system engages a ground surface to create a rampway between the topside and the ground surface. The ramp system can be used to load large cargo onto the topside of the tonneau cover. The ramp system is also removable from the rail system and attachable to an end of a truck bed of the vehicle such that the ramp system can be used to load cargo into the truck bed.

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: A vehicle includes a driver seat, a front passenger seat and a console assembly located between the driver seat and the front passenger seat. At least one of the driver seat and the front passenger seat is spaced from the console assembly in a vehicle lateral direction forming a gap between the console assembly and the at least one of the driver seat and the front passenger seat. A retractable cover assembly includes a flexible, sheet-form cover that is connected to a retract device that takes up or pays out the cover between extended and retracted configurations.

Abstract: A window stabilization system for a window of a vehicle includes a first inflatable bladder positioned adjacent a path along which the window passes such that the inflatable bladder will engage a surface of the window when the window is opened at least a predetermined amount and the inflatable bladder is inflated; an inflator in fluid communication with the first inflatable bladder configured to pump a fluid into the inflatable bladder such that when the first inflatable bladder is inflated a predetermined amount, the first inflatable bladder comes into physical contact with a surface of the window when the window is opened at least a predetermined amount; and a bladder control system to control operation of the inflator in response to data received regarding operation of the window.

Abstract: A vehicle door assembly comprising includes a vehicle door panel, a vehicle door handle operably connected to the door panel so as to enable operation of a door latch by the door handle, and at least one sanitizer dispensing mechanism having at least a first nozzle coupled to the vehicle door panel and structured to discharge a sanitizing material onto an exterior surface of the door handle.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided with an integrated and removable traction device, such as a tread board. The traction device may be integrated into a bumper of the vehicle. When mounted/installed on the bumper, the traction device can act as a cover to a storage unit implemented in the bumper. When removed, the traction device can be placed under a wheel of the vehicle to provide increased traction on certain surfaces. By integrating the traction device into the vehicle's bumper area, the traction device need not occupy, e.g., interior storage space of the vehicle.

Abstract: A pickup truck includes a passenger cabin including a rear wall. A truck bed includes a front wall that faces the rear wall of the passenger cabin. A space is provided between the rear wall of the passenger cabin and the front wall of the truck bed. A combination absorber and seal member is mounted to the rear wall of the passenger cabin. The combination absorber and seal member includes an extended portion having an elongated dimension extending at an oblique angle to a vehicle lateral direction. The combination absorber and seal member is formed from a sound absorbing material and extends outward from the rear wall of the passenger cabin in a vehicle longitudinal direction toward the front wall of the truck bed providing a clearance of no more than about 15 mm between the extended portion and the front wall of the truck bed.

Abstract: A pickup truck includes a passenger cabin including a rear wall. A truck bed includes a front wall that faces the rear wall of the passenger cabin. A space is provided between the rear wall of the passenger cabin and the front wall of the truck bed. A combination absorber and seal member is mounted to the rear wall of the passenger cabin. The combination absorber and seal member includes an extended portion having an elongated dimension extending at an oblique angle to a vehicle lateral direction. The combination absorber and seal member is formed from a sound absorbing material and extends outward from the rear wall of the passenger cabin in a vehicle longitudinal direction toward the front wall of the truck bed providing a clearance of no more than about 15 mm between the extended portion and the front wall of the truck bed.

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.