Abstract: A mounting assembly for securing a bracket, to which a side skirt may be attached to a frame of a wheeled container chassis semi-trailer. The assembly includes a support and at least one resilient securement member. A proximal end of the support may be mounted in a substantially outwardly transverse horizontal orientation to one side of the semi-trailer; a distal end secures the bracket in a position to maintain the side skirt in a substantially vertical configuration between the frame and a ground surface on which the semi-trailer is situated and substantially in line with the wheels on the one side of the semi-trailer. The securement members mount the support to the frame. The support may move relative to the frame in response to an applied force and is biased to return and maintain the support in the substantially outwardly transverse horizontal orientation when the force is removed.

Abstract: A vehicle bumper assembly 10 including a reinforcement beam member 12, a cover 20, energy absorbing foam 22 and a material 18 which has a relatively low coefficient of friction and which is disposed between member 12 and foam 22. Material 18 allows foam 22 and cover 20 to move longitudinally along member 12 during an "offset" collision, thereby reducing the likelihood of vehicle damage and passenger injury.

Abstract: A protective assembly and method for use in combination with a vehicle body to protect the side and door panels of the vehicle body comprises an elongated guard movable between a retracted position in which it underlies the vehicle body and an extended position in which it overlies the side of said vehicle body, a bi-directional electric motor for rotatingly driving the guard between its retracted and extended positions, a pair of linkage assemblies pivotally securing the guard within the wheel wells of the vehicle body wherein one of the linkage assemblies is secured to a drive shaft of the motor to define an intermediary through which the motion of the drive shaft is transferred to the guard, an electrical energy source, and wireless control units allowing for the remote activation of the protective assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a kit or assembly for mounting to a vehicle to protect the side body and particularly the doors of the vehicle from being banged and scarred by doors being opened from other vehicles. When mounted on a vehicle, the side body protector includes a telescoping rod that is extended from a rear wheel well to a front wheel well. The extended telescoping rod is supported in spaced apart relationship from the vehicle by a support structure secured about both the front and rear wheel wells.

Abstract: A cover which covers the top and glassed area of a vehicle and includes hard, impact resistant panels to cover windows of the vehicle against breakage. The cover may be associated with bars which are stowed beneath the doors of the vehicle and which are movable upwardly to a position outwardly of the sides of the vehicle. When in the upper position, the bars protect the sides of the vehicle and prevent the doors from being opened. Controlling the bars are cables which are motor driven. Brackets extend outwardly from the cables to mount the bars. A locking latch may also ride within slits in the door and door jam to prevent the door of the vehicle from being opened when the system is in the operative position. With the protection bars in the up position, the cover may be attached thereto.

Abstract: A protective guard is provided for a school bus. A series of telescoping members retracts along the front of the bus, and are in a compact form when the bus is moving. When the school bus stops two of the members telescope outwardly in series and extend across the lane of oncoming traffic. The members are so long and strong that any motorist attempting to pass the bus will damage his car. Flashing red lights are mounted on the extended members. The members are extended and retracted by a lead screw. The lead screw, when it extends the telescoping members, first drives the innermost member outwardly and away from the other movable member. The lead screw then engages the other movable member and drives it outwardly and it carries the innermost member to its ultimate extended position.

Abstract: A protective device for a motor vehicle comprises an elongate guard member having a longitudinal axis oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The guard member is variable in length between a contracted position and an extended position. A pivot assembly operatively connects the guard member to the underside of the vehicle so that the guard member can be moved between a lower position and an upper position along the side of the vehicle. As the guard member is raised to its upper position, the pivot assembly acts on the guard member to extend its length to its extended position, while lowering the guard member causes the pivot assembly to contract the guard member to its contracted position. The pivot assembly includes front and rear "L"-shaped pivot members each having a first arm rotatably mounted in a tube attached to the underside of the vehicle, and a second arm pivotably connected to a telescoping, sliding portion of the guard member.

Abstract: A system for protecting the doors and part of the side panels of a stationary vehicle includes a sheet-like shield that is selectively power actuated from a recessed position within the body of the vehicle to an extended position to protect the vehicle's door panels and part of the side panels. The shield, formed of flexible, yet rigid, material, is engaged by a motor-driven spindle mounted within a cylindrical housing. Projecting members, affixed to the inside of the shield, include end portions that are slidably housed within tracks secured to the door frame to provide paths extending from the cylindrical housing (located within the vehicle's rocker panel) so that, upon activating of the motor, the shield is unwound from the spindle and guided to a side covering position.

Abstract: A protective guard to protect the sides of a motor vehicle comprising a bumper, apparatus to move the bumper from a position adjacent the vehicle to a position away from the vehicle, and apparatus to raise and lower the bumper when in the latter position.