Abstract: Provided are apparatuses, methods, and systems to clear a road surface of debris, water, or other contaminants. A system for clearing a road surface is provided including an air knife with an elongate orifice extending along a line, a frame configured to support the air knife in a position substantially parallel to a plane defined by the road surface, and a tow bar coupled to the frame, where the tow bar is pivotable relative to the frame along an axis orthogonal to the plane defined by the road surface. The system may include a mounting plate connected to the tow bar, where the mounting plate is pivotably mounted to the frame. The air knife may be supplied with pressurized air to clear the road surface of debris. A guide wheel may be attached to the frame, where the guide wheel is configured to rotate about an axis orthogonal to the plane defined by the road surface.

Abstract: Provided are apparatuses, methods, and systems to clear a road surface of debris, water, or other contaminants. A system for clearing a road surface is provided including an air knife with an elongate orifice extending along a line, a frame configured to support the air knife in a position substantially parallel to a plane defined by the road surface, and a tow bar coupled to the frame, where the tow bar is pivotable relative to the frame along an axis orthogonal to the plane defined by the road surface. The system may include a mounting plate connected to the tow bar, where the mounting plate is pivotably mounted to the frame. The air knife may be supplied with pressurized air to clear the road surface of debris. A guide wheel may be attached to the frame, where the guide wheel is configured to rotate about an axis orthogonal to the plane defined by the road surface.

Abstract: A system for securing a seat within a vehicle may include a seat bracket with a first portion configured to be attached to a structural frame of a vehicle by a first fastener passing there through, a second portion configured to be attached to a seat installed in the vehicle by a second fastener passing there through, and a third portion attaching the first portion to the second portion. The third portion may include a U-shaped bend, and the first portion may be configured to receive the second fastener there through. The second portion may include a hole for the second fastener to pass through, and the first portion may include a hole for the second fastener to pass through. The first portion may define a fracture propagation region disposed proximate the hole for the second fastener.

Abstract: An apparatus, method of manufacturing, and method of using a strain gage load cell anchor are provided that include a safety belt anchor for connecting a safety belt to a vehicle. The safety belt anchor may have a first anchor opening that connects the safety belt anchor to a safety belt, and the anchor may have a second anchor opening that connects the safety belt anchor to a vehicle. One or more strain gages may be provided on the safety belt anchor to measure a force applied to the safety belt anchor, such that the safety belt anchor operates as a strain gage load cell anchor.

Abstract: Provided are apparatuses, methods, and systems to clear a road surface of debris, water, or other contaminants. A system for clearing a road surface is provided including an air knife with an elongate orifice extending along a line, a frame configured to support the air knife in a position substantially parallel to a plane defined by the road surface, and a tow bar coupled to the frame, where the tow bar is pivotable relative to the frame along an axis orthogonal to the plane defined by the road surface. The system may include a mounting plate connected to the tow bar, where the mounting plate is pivotably mounted to the frame. The air knife may be supplied with pressurized air to clear the road surface of debris. A guide wheel may be attached to the frame, where the guide wheel is configured to rotate about an axis orthogonal to the plane defined by the road surface.

Abstract: Provided are apparatuses, methods, and systems to clear a road surface of debris, water, or other contaminants. A system for clearing a road surface is provided including an air knife with an elongate orifice extending along a line, a frame configured to support the air knife in a position substantially parallel to a plane defined by the road surface, and a tow bar coupled to the frame, where the tow bar is pivotable relative to the frame along an axis orthogonal to the plane defined by the road surface. The system may include a mounting plate connected to the tow bar, where the mounting plate is pivotably mounted to the frame. The air knife may be supplied with pressurized air to clear the road surface of debris. A guide wheel may be attached to the frame, where the guide wheel is configured to rotate about an axis orthogonal to the plane defined by the road surface.

Abstract: Provided are apparatuses, methods, and systems to clear a road surface of debris, water, or other contaminants. A system for clearing a road surface is provided including an air knife with an elongate orifice extending along a line, a frame configured to support the air knife in a position substantially parallel to a plane defined by the road surface, and a tow bar coupled to the frame, where the tow bar is pivotable relative to the frame along an axis orthogonal to the plane defined by the road surface. The system may include a mounting plate connected to the tow bar, where the mounting plate is pivotably mounted to the frame. The air knife may be supplied with pressurized air to clear the road surface of debris. A guide wheel may be attached to the frame, where the guide wheel is configured to rotate about an axis orthogonal to the plane defined by the road surface.

Abstract: A retaining system according to example embodiments of the present invention may include a base plate that includes a cam and alignment guides, where the cam defines both a locked position and an unlocked position, and a support shoe that includes alignment tabs and a locking tab, where the support shoe is configured to be inserted into the alignment guides when the cam member is in the unlocked position. Upon insertion of the support shoe into the alignment guides, the cam may be configured to engage the locking tab of the support shoe and bias at least one of the alignment tabs into engagement with at least one of the alignment guides as the cam advances from the unlocked position to the locked position.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to an air deflecting system positioned on an automobile and configured to produce an increased side force and/or a more favorable yawing moment when the automobile is cornering or is otherwise yawed relative to the direction of the free stream air flow. In one exemplary embodiment, the deflecting system comprises a downforce-producing horizontal rear wing located proximate the rear end of the automobile, the rear wing having an endplate on each end. In one embodiment, the endplates are angled or have cambered airfoil cross-sections such that they each generate an aerodynamic force towards the inside of a turn when the automobile is cornering.

Abstract: There is provided an aerodynamic stabilizer assembly adapted to be mounted in the rear portion of the roof of a motor vehicle. The assembly includes a framework having a front edge and partitioned to define separate openings. A pair of elongated air deflection panels each sized to cover one of the framework openings and each air deflection panel being pivotedly mounted to the framework along a longitudinal axis at the front edge of the assembly framework and being pivotable between a lowered passive position and a raised active position. The assembly framework also includes a restraint for limiting the upward rotational movement of the rear edge of each of the panels beyond the raised active position. There is also provided a deflection plate mounted along the left side of the assembly framework and a rear air deflector located on and adjacent to the rear window and extending from the roof to the rear deck.

Abstract: There is provided an aerodynamic stabilizer assembly adapted to be mounted in the rear portion of the roof of a motor vehicle. The assembly includes a framework having a front edge and partitioned to define separate openings. A pair of elongated air deflection panels each sized to cover one of the framework openings and each air deflection panel being pivotedly mounted to the framework along a longitudinal axis at the front edge of the assembly framework and being pivotable between a lowered passive position and a raised active position. There are springs arranged on each longitudinal axis for biasing each air deflection panel in the passive position. The assembly framework also includes cables means for limiting the upward rotational movement of the rear edge of each of the panels beyond the raised active position.