Abstract: A dump box configured for mounting on a vehicle and providing a method of extracting chips from the dump box without tilting the dump box is presented. The dump box may receive chips through a first opening on a side and utilize an auger mounted near the floor and in a channel to move the chips through a second opening to the exterior of the dump box.

Abstract: An electronic backbone architecture is configured to provide electrical power to an aerial device. The isolated electronic backbone architecture comprises: a power source for generating electrical power, a first actuator, a first electrical motor for powering the first actuator, a second actuator, a second electrical motor for powering the second actuator, and a protected electrical line. The first actuator is disposed adjacent to the first electrical motor. The second actuator is disposed adjacent to the second electrical motor. The protected electrical line is configured to carry electrical current between the power source, the first electrical motor, and the second electrical motor.

Abstract: An assembly for utility truck bodies having metal and/or composite reinforcement(s) and/or foam reinforcements and/or honeycomb reinforcement/ and/or wood reinforcements encapsulated within a thermoformed thermoplastic, or thermoset or fiber-reinforced thermoset walking surface floor structure of the truck bed assembly or other composite floor structure with attachable components and junctions, e.g., sidepack(s), and methods of making the same are provided.

Abstract: A position-determining actuator includes a rod, a barrel, a wave detector, and a controller. The barrel at least partially surrounds a piston of the rod so as to define a cap-side void and allow the rod to telescope relative to the barrel. The wave detector is associated with the cap-side void and configured to read fluid pressure of a hydraulic fluid disposed in the cap-side void. The controller is configured to receive, from the wave detector, a pressure reading from within the cap-side void; analyze the pressure reading to determine an extension standing wave; and analyze the extension standing wave to determine an extension dimension of the cap-side void.

Abstract: A toe space module for elevating platforms, wherein the module wraps around the edges and bottom of the platform in order to transform tension stress into shear and compression stresses. Also, a platform with a toe space module attached, and method for manufacturing the platform and toe space module. Also, a combination toe space module and step, a platform with the combination toe space module and step, and methods for manufacturing the platform with the combination toe space module and step.

Abstract: An assembly for utility truck bodies having metal and/or composite reinforcement(s) and/or foam reinforcements and/or honeycomb reinforcement/and/or wood reinforcements encapsulated within a thermoformed thermoplastic, or thermoset or fiber-reinforced thermoset walking surface floor structure of the truck bed assembly or other composite floor structure with attachable components and junctions, e.g., sidepack(s), and methods of making the same are provided.

Abstract: A remote sensor control system provides a sensor reading from an insulated environment at a certain interval dependent upon the threat level. The remote sensor control system has a control module and a remote module. The control module is disposed outside the insulated environment. The control module includes an energy source configured to produce an energy beam. The remote module is disposed at least partially within the insulated environment. The remote module is configured to receive the energy beam from the energy source. The remote module includes a battery, a sensor reader configured to sample a sensor, and an optical power gate configured to provide power from the battery to the sensor reader upon receiving said energy beam from the energy source.

Abstract: An insulated utility vehicle for supporting a utility worker during the performance of a task is provided. The utility vehicle comprises a base, a boom assembly, and a utility platform. The base includes a power source of electrical energy and an energy emission assembly for emitting light energy within an enclosed housing. The boom assembly presents a proximal end pivotably attached to the base. An insulated energy transmission assembly associated with the boom assembly for receives and transmits the emitted light energy from the energy emission assembly. The utility platform is secured to a distal end of the boom assembly. An energy reception assembly associated with the utility platform receives the transmitted light energy from the energy transmission assembly and converts at least a portion of the transmitted light energy into electrical energy, which can be utilized by the utility worker in the utility platform to power a device.

Abstract: A chassis-stabilization system is shown and described that promotes chassis stability over chassis leveling. The chassis-stabilization system equalizes, or more equalizes, the loads on the chassis. This is because uneven loads can cause the chassis (and by extension the entire utility vehicle) to overturn. The chassis-stabilizing system may include a first pressure transducer, a second pressure transducer, a level sensor, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a first initial reading from the first pressure transducer and a second initial reading from the second pressure transducer; determine an initial pressure profile based at least in part on the first initial reading and the second initial reading; compare the initial pressure profile to a known level profile; and instruct the first actuator to actuate so as to adjust the initial pressure profile to proportionally nearer to the known level profile.

Abstract: An assembly for utility truck bodies having metal and/or composite reinforcement(s) and/or foam reinforcements and/or honeycomb reinforcement/ and/or wood reinforcements encapsulated within a thermoformed thermoplastic, or thermoset or fiber-reinforced thermoset walking surface floor structure of the truck bed assembly or other composite floor structure with attachable components and junctions, e.g., sidepack(s), and methods of making the same are provided.

Abstract: A deploying ladder assembly configured to be associated with a vehicle and configured to be selectively placed into a deployed position and a stowed position, the deploying ladder assembly comprising an outrigger, an actuator, a ladder support, and a ladder. The actuator is associated with the outrigger, and is configured to selectively move the outrigger between the deployed position and the stowed position. The ladder support apparatus configured to be secured to the utility vehicle. The ladder is secured to the outrigger and moveably secured to the ladder support apparatus. The actuator imparts a force on the ladder through the outrigger, such that the ladder is in the deployed position while the outrigger is in the deployed position and the ladder is in the stowed position while the outrigger is in the stowed position.

Abstract: A utility vehicle is configured for use in emergency situations. The utility vehicle includes a base, a set of tracks, and a set of outriggers. The set of tracks is secured to the base configured to move the base through rough terrain. The set of outrigger is configured to be disposed in a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration. The outrigger is disposed above the deck level in the stowed configuration. The outrigger also remains outside the set of tracks in both the stowed configuration and the deployed configuration. The outrigger comprises an upper leg, a lower leg, and an actuator.

Abstract: A jib tool is configured to be secured to a distal end of a jib. The jib tool includes a wire-handler segment and a sheave segment. The wire-handler segment is configured to receive a wire. The sheave segment including a housing and a sheave. The sheave is configured to receive a load line. The sheave segment is configured to be placed in an operating position and a removal position, wherein the sheave is in a first location relative to the housing while the sheave segment is in the operating position, and wherein the sheave is in a second location relative to the housing while the sheave segment is in the removal position. The removal position is configured to allow a utility worker to remove the load line.

Abstract: A stowable luffing jib provides easy installation to add luffing capabilities to a crane. The stowable luffing jib comprises a base trunnion, a jib assembly, and a cable strut. The base trunnion is secured to the boom assembly and can be selectively placed into a stowed position and a deployed position. While the base trunnion is in the stowed position, the base trunnion is secured along the boom assembly substantially parallel with and adjacent to the boom assembly. While the base trunnion is in the deployed position, the base trunnion is secured to a distal end of the boom assembly and oriented substantially in line with the boom assembly. The jib assembly is secured to the base trunnion and configured to pivot in a substantially vertical plane. The cable strut receives a luffing guy line so as to set an inclined angle of the cable strut relative to the base trunnion.

Abstract: A deflection detection system determines a deflection of a boom assembly. The deflection detection system may include a beam source, a beam target, and a processor. The beam source is configured to be installed into a hollow boom section at a first end and configured to emit a beam. The beam target configured to be installed into the hollow boom section at a second end that is opposite the first end. The processor is configured to instruct the beam source to emit the beam; acquire a first target-impact indication that is associated with a first impact location of the beam on the beam target; acquire a second target-impact indication that is associated with an impact location of the beam on the beam target; and determine a deflection of the hollow boom section based at least in part on the first target-location and the second target-location indication.

Abstract: Systems and methods for intelligently gated operation of hydraulic equipment. Control logic for operating a number of hydraulic functions of hydraulic equipment using the same physical controls is disclosed, including dynamic gating functions that allow the same controller to operate gated and ungated functions. By adjusting control inputs for each axis, the controls can be operated jointly, mutually exclusively or in a blended fashion. Additionally, control signals for one axis can be adjusted based on the control signal for the other axis to prevent abrupt transitions from controlling one function to controlling another function.

Abstract: An apparatus and a system directed to a towed device powered by a tow vehicle. The apparatus and system include a woodchipper configured to be mounted on a towed vehicle, with the towed vehicle configured to be towed behind the tow vehicle. Additionally, a motor may be coupled to the woodchipper to provide power to the woodchipper. A power converter obtains power from the tow vehicle from a power takeoff coupled to the tow vehicle. Further, one or more power transfer lines connect the power converter with the motor to communicate motor-operating power from the power converter to the motor.

Abstract: A lighting system is configured to provide lighting on an interior of a utility platform. The lighting system comprises a rope light and a power source for installing in or near the utility platform. The rope light includes a plurality of light emitters and a casing. The casing surrounds the plurality of light emitters, which are spread along the rope light. The rope light is configured to provide light to an interior surface of the utility platform. The isolated power source provides electrical power to the rope light, and is configured to prevent a discharge of electricity.

Abstract: A multi-sheet component for a utility vehicle that includes at least one gap between at least two of the sheets, thereby providing a component that enhances worker safety by increasing component stiffness and reducing component thickness. The component is manufactured through multi-sheet thermoforming and uses a conical frustum corrugation to increase stiffness.

Abstract: A spacer-locator with integrated locator pins and spacer tabs for use in joining applications. The spacer-locator provides consistent and accurate spacing between mating surfaces and the locator pins provide enhanced location control of the joining components while providing a mechanical advantage to the shear strength at the joint. Also, a spacer-locator for joining at least two objects along mating surfaces, the spacer-locator constraining more than five degrees of freedom for the objects to be joined.