Abstract: An exemplary shift lever includes a mounting assembly, a flexible member coupled to the mounting assembly, and an interface coupled to the flexible member. The flexible member is resilient so as to provide a selected biasing force at a predetermined deformation angle, and flexible enough to elastically deform across a selected angular range. The mounting assembly is configured for connection with the input shaft of a transmission, and the interface is configured for connection with an output of a drive selector.

Abstract: Unique systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of onboard battery charger systems are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a battery charging system comprising an isolation device and an electric vehicle charger. The isolation device includes an AC input terminal; an AC output terminal; two DC output terminals; a first portion of a detection circuit including a first sensor and a first resistor coupled in series; and a first controller. The charger includes an AC input terminal; two DC input terminals; and a second portion of the detection circuit including a second sensor and a second resistor coupled in series. The first controller is structured to isolate the AC input terminal of the isolation device from the AC output terminal of the isolation device when the two DC input terminals of the electric vehicle charger are not coupled to the two DC output terminals of the isolation device.

Abstract: A modular pedal assembly for use with a vehicle that includes a prime mover, a control circuit, and a brake assembly. The modular pedal assembly including a base that is removably connectable with the vehicle, a brake pedal, an accelerator pedal that is displaceable between a first position and a second position, and a control output regulator that includes a first sensor and a second sensor. In a vehicle having an electric motor prime mover, the first sensor is a limit switch electrically connected to the control circuit, and the second sensor is a variable resistor. In a vehicle having an internal combustion engine prime mover, the first sensor is a limit switch operable to control a starter motor, and the second sensor is a limit switch operable to control a spark plug ignition.

Abstract: A unique method for charging a battery includes comparing a parameter to a limit, wherein the parameter relates to previous charging of the battery; determining a current state of the battery; and performing a next charging cycle based on the comparison and/or the current state of the battery. A unique system includes a vehicle, a battery, and a charging system for charging the battery. The charging system includes a controller for determining whether the battery is in short term storage or long term storage; starting a new charge cycle after a first amount of reduction in the charge of the battery if the battery is in short term storage; and starting the new charge cycle after a second amount of reduction in the charge of the battery if the battery is in long term storage.

Abstract: An exemplary drive selector includes a housing, a cam positioned in the housing, a follower coupled to a shaft and in contact with the cam, and a biasing member urging the cam toward the follower. One of the cam and the follower includes at least one protrusion, and the other of the cam and the follower includes a plurality of recesses configured to receive the protrusion. When the protrusion is received in the recess, the force provided by the biasing member resists relative rotation of the cam and the follower.

Abstract: A full width tailgate release handle is pivotably connected to tailgate and extends substantially along the entire width of the tailgate for a cargo bed or the like. The full width tailgate release handle provides access for an operator to open the tailgate at any location along the width of the tailgate.

Abstract: A golf cart is provided with an adjustable golf bag hoop. The hoop is provided with a rod and a cam-locked collar. The collar is moveable along the length of the rod to adjust to varying heights of golf bags.

Abstract: An exemplary shift lever includes a mounting assembly, a flexible member coupled to the mounting assembly, and an interface coupled to the flexible member. The flexible member is resilient so as to provide a selected biasing force at a predetermined deformation angle, and flexible enough to elastically deform across a selected angular range. The mounting assembly is configured for connection with the input shaft of a transmission, and the interface is configured for connection with an output of a drive selector.

Abstract: A charging system is disclosed for charging a battery system of an electric vehicle. In one form, the charging system includes a first connector including a power control unit that is operable to selectively supply charging power from a power source. A second connector is connected with the first connector and includes a fault detection circuit. A controller is connected with the fault detection circuit and the power control unit. The controller is operable to control the power control unit to selectively supply charging power to a battery system if a fault is not detected from fault detection circuit. A cordset for use with the charging system is also disclosed that allows the cordset to perform certain electrical functions and connect the cordset to a connector of the vehicle in a breakaway manner.

Abstract: An electric vehicle battery recharging system is disclosed that is capable of generating an audible sound to indicate that the battery system of the vehicle is being recharged. The system includes an audible indicator that is connected or otherwise associated with a controller. The controller is configured to actuate the audible indicator in response to a voltage or current of a battery system rising a predetermined amount after recharging is initiated so as to provide audible confirmation to a recharging operator that the battery system is being recharged.

Abstract: An AC cord/plug is “dead” while disconnected and goes “live” only when connected. The plug has a set of spring-loaded, normally-open contacts, each having two sets of fixed contacts and a single set of movable contacts. The movable contacts are in a spring-loaded assembly that has an iron core opposite the contacts, and the fixed contacts are in a hermetically sealed compartment shielding them from the plug's exterior. The AC plug inputs (L1, L2) are connected to one set of the normally open, fixed contacts, and the plug's socket terminals are connected to the other set of normally opened, fixed contacts. In the unplugged state, the plug's socket contacts are electrically isolated from the L1 and L2 inputs. When plugged-in, the plug's socket terminals go “live” when a magnetic circuit closes between the plug and socket that causes the plug's spring-loaded assembly to move to close the contacts.

Abstract: A frame assembly for an off-road vehicle including a left frame rail and a right frame rail that are identical to each other, a front frame module that includes at least one left toot and at least one right foot, an occupant frame module that includes at least one left foot and at least one right foot, a rear frame module that includes at least one left foot and at least one right foot, and a plurality of identical adapters mounting the components to the left and right frame rails.

Abstract: An AC cord/plug is “dead” while disconnected and goes “live” only when connected. The plug has a set of spring-loaded, normally-open contacts, each having two sets of fixed contacts and a single set of movable contacts. The movable contacts are in a spring-loaded assembly that has an iron core opposite the contacts, and the fixed contacts are in a hermetically sealed compartment shielding them from the plug's exterior. The AC plug inputs (L1, L2) are connected to one set of the normally open, fixed contacts, and the plug's socket terminals are connected to the other set of normally opened, fixed contacts. In the unplugged state, the plug's socket contacts are electrically isolated from the L1 and L2 inputs. When plugged-in, the plug's socket terminals go “live” when a magnetic circuit closes between the plug and socket that causes the plug's spring-loaded assembly to move to close the contacts.

Abstract: A frame assembly for an off-road vehicle including a left frame rail and a right frame rail that are identical to each other, a front frame module that includes at least one left toot and at least one right foot, an occupant frame module that includes at least one left foot and at least one right foot, a rear frame module that includes at least one left foot and at least one right foot, and a plurality of identical adapters mounting the components to the left and right frame rails.

Abstract: An electric vehicle battery recharging system is disclosed that is capable of generating an audible sound to indicate that the battery system of the vehicle is being recharged. The system includes an audible indicator that is connected or otherwise associated with a controller. The controller is configured to actuate the audible indicator in response to a voltage or current of a battery system rising a predetermined amount after recharging is initiated so as to provide audible confirmation to a recharging operator that the battery system is being recharged.

Abstract: A frame assembly for an off-road vehicle including a left frame rail and a right frame rail that are identical to each other, a front frame module that includes at least one left foot and at least one right foot, an occupant frame module that includes at least one left foot and at least one right foot, a rear frame module that includes at least one left foot and at least one right foot, and a plurality of identical adapters mounting the components to the left and right frame rails.