Abstract: A vehicle BIW sub-assembly comprising two or more structural members each having at least one engaging portion. The engaging portions of at least two of the structural members being connected to each other by a node unit formed of two or more shell members assembled with each other. The node unit having at least two designated sockets, each snugly receiving one engaging portion of one of the structural members, wherein at least one of said designated sockets is an interior socket formed between the two or more shell members.

Abstract: A running board comprising at least one composite material wherein the miming board is produced in a one continuous step pultrusion process wherein the pultrusion process parameters are selected to yield a miming board with specific one or more characteristics selected from dimensions, three dimensional shape, light weight/lightness, strength, fatigue, stiffness, rigidity, chemical resistance, fire resistance, reduced sensitivity to corrosion, UV resistance, thermal resistance, bending forces, impact resistance, wear resistance and visibility.

Abstract: An armor assembly for mounting to a vehicle to protect it from an expected explosion. The assembly comprises at least two layers, each contacting an adjacent layer. One of said layers is a perforated layer and another one is a covering layer. The perforated layer is made of a material of a first density, and having a first surface configured to face towards the vehicle when the armor assembly is mounted thereto, and a second surface opposite thereto. The perforated layer is formed with holes each having an opening at least at said second surface. The covering layer is made of a material of a second density which is greater than the first density and is configured to be permanently bent by said explosion into the openings, at opening covering portions of the covering layer, to such a depth as to restrict sliding movement at least between the two layers.

Abstract: A modular slave vehicle articulatable at one end thereof to another slave vehicle and at another end thereof to an independently driven master vehicle, simultaneously. The slave vehicle comprising a body including a driving system; a structural frame supporting said body; a master coupling system in the form of a mechanical stress absorbing coupling mechanism; at least one first slave coupling device; at least one second slave coupling device; said first and second coupling devices, when mounted to two adjacent slave vehicles intended to be articulated to each other, are detachably connectable to each other to form a tandem coupling configured to constrain all DOF therebetween.

Abstract: An articulated vehicle assembly comprising a master vehicle having a master steering system and an onboard sensor arrangement configured to monitor at least said master steering system; a slave vehicle having a slave steering system and an onboard actuator arrangement configured to manipulate at least said slave steering system; an articulation system for articulating in a queue the master and the slave vehicles along a common longitudinal axis; and a processing unit configured to receive input signals from the onboard sensor arrangement and produce corresponding output signals to the onboard actuator arrangement to manipulate said slave steering system so as to maintain the master vehicle and the slave vehicle aligned along the common longitudinal axis, at least when the master vehicle performs a turn on a horizontal plane.

Abstract: A coupler for the attachment of an armor panel to a structure to be protected, the coupler having a first end unit configured for attachment to the armor panel and a second end unit configured for attachment to the structure, the units being axially spaced from one another by an elongated plate member having, in cross-section taken along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction, an asymmetric shape allowing the plate to be differently susceptible to bending forces in at least two different directions.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a hybrid slat armor configured for protecting a body against a threat having an anticipated impact direction. The hybrid slat armor comprises a plurality of slat units, each extending along a first longitudinal direction, the units being spaced apart along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each slat unit has a strike end configured for facing the anticipated impact direction, a rear end opposite the strike end, a top set of piercing elements and a bottom set of piercing elements. The piercing elements of each set are successively arranged along the longitudinal direction of the slat unit at the strike end thereof and are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction; The piecing elements of the top set are spaced from the piercing elements of the bottom set in the second longitudinal direction to a distance which is considerably smaller than that between adjacent slat-units.

Abstract: An armor module for protecting a body against a threat having an anticipated impact direction. The armor module comprising a ballistic armor unit, and a low density arrangement providing the entire armor module with an average density lower than that of water.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a hybrid slat armor configured for protecting a body against a threat having an anticipated impact direction. The hybrid slat armor comprises a plurality of slat units, each extending along a first longitudinal direction, the units being spaced apart along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each slat unit has a strike end configured for facing the anticipated impact direction, a rear end opposite the strike end, a top set of piercing elements and a bottom set of piercing elements. The piercing elements of each set are successively arranged along the longitudinal direction of the slat unit at the strike end thereof and are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction; The piecing elements of the top set are spaced from the piercing elements of the bottom set in the second longitudinal direction to a distance which is considerably smaller than that between adjacent slat-units.

Abstract: An underbelly system for a vehicle. The system includes: a deflector configured to be disposed under a cabin structure of the vehicle and constitute an underbelly thereof; a plurality of explosive charges, each being associated with a different deformable portion of the deflector and configured, upon charge detonation, for deforming its corresponding deformable portion of the deflector to project in a direction away from the cabin structure relative to its original structure; a sensing arrangement configured for sensing an external detonation under the vehicle and obtaining detonation data of the external detonation; and a control unit, in communication with the sensing arrangement and the explosive charges, configured for receiving said detonation data, and initiating detonation of two or more selected explosive charges in a sequential manner corresponding to said detonation data.

Abstract: An armor element configured to be employed within the armor module, the armor element being formed with a base portion and a claw portion. The armor element has a longitudinal axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the base portion, the claw portion comprising two or more claw members extending from the base portion generally along a longitudinal direction defined by the longitudinal axis. Each claw member has a rear end associated with the base portion and a front end spaced from the base portion. The claw members are tapered with respect to the longitudinal axis so that the distance between the corresponding front ends of the two or more claw members is greater than the distance between the rear ends of the two or more claw members.

Abstract: An underbelly system for a vehicle. The system includes: a deflector configured to be disposed under a cabin structure of the vehicle and constitute an underbelly thereof; a plurality of explosive charges, each being associated with a different deformable portion of the deflector and configured, upon charge detonation, for deforming its corresponding deformable portion of the deflector to project in a direction away from the cabin structure relative to its original structure; a sensing arrangement configured for sensing an external detonation under the vehicle and obtaining detonation data of the external detonation; and a control unit, in communication with the sensing arrangement and the explosive charges, configured for receiving said detonation data, and initiating detonation of two or more selected explosive charges in a sequential manner corresponding to said detonation data.

Abstract: A reinforcement system for a vehicle comprising side walls and a floor extending therebetween and meeting with each side wall along an intersection line dividing the side wall into an upper and a lower side wall section. The vehicle further comprises a belly attached to the lower side wall section at a location thereof spaced from the intersection line. The reinforcement system comprises a central reinforcement assembly configured for reducing deformation of the floor due to torque generated along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The reinforcement system further comprises a peripheral reinforcement assembly configured for localizing bending of the side wall at the lower side wall portion due to movement of the belly towards the floor.

Abstract: An armor panel for ballistic protection, comprising at least an armor layer which is at least partially made of cemented carbide in the form of metal-carbide aggregate embedded within a metal binder matrix.

Abstract: A system for use in a construction including a compartment to be protected from an explosive threat incoming from an expected threat direction. The construction comprises a surface disposed in front of the compartment and having at least a section thereof expected to be impacted by the explosive threat, and a component disposed between the surface and the compartment. The system comprises two cables, and an elongated element having two end portions and a bendable portion and being configured for mounting in the construction so that at least a part of the bendable portion is disposed between the section and the compartment and flexible towards the compartment to be protected, upon application thereto of a force caused by the explosive threat. Each cable is connectable at one end thereof to the component, and at the other end thereof is connected to one of the ends of the elongated element.

Abstract: An armor element configured to be employed within the armor module, the armor element being formed with a base portion and a claw portion. The armor element has a longitudinal axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the base portion, the claw portion comprising two or more claw members extending from the base portion generally along a longitudinal direction defined by the longitudinal axis. Each claw member has a rear end associated with the base portion and a front end spaced from the base portion. The claw members are tapered with respect to the longitudinal axis so that the distance between the corresponding front ends of the two or more claw members is greater than the distance between the rear ends of the two or more claw members.

Abstract: A blast armor including a base plate made of a ballistic material and having an inner and outer surface. The cover plate is made of ballistic material and spaced from the inner surface of the base plate to form a space therebetween. The armor comprises at least one energy absorbing module disposed within the space between the base and cover plate. The module has front and rear surfaces, and side surfaces extending therebetween. The module is positioned with at least one of its surfaces facing the base plate and at least another surface thereof facing the cover plate. The base and cover plate are each made of a material tougher than that of the module. The module is configured to progressively deform between the base and cover plate under the application of a force to the outer surface of the base plate at least partially directed towards its inner surface.

Abstract: An attachment mechanism adapted for attachment of an armor element to a body to be protected by the armor element, the attachment mechanism comprising a first unit and a second unit which are adapted to engage with each other to provide the attachment comprises a second static member and a working member. One of the static members is adapted for fixed attachment to the armor element, and the other is adapted for fixed attachment to the body to be protected. The mechanism further comprises a screw-free locking arrangement between the two static members, defined by a locking gap associated with a locking body portion in the first static member, and a locking tongue portion of the working member in the second unit.

Abstract: A method of designing a driver's compartment for accommodating different driver's sizes, the compartment having a floor and a top end. The method includes: designing a driver's seat having a seat reference point (SRP) designating the position of a seat rear part and a seat pan height reference point (SPHRP) defining the position of the front portion of the seat. A seat moving mechanism moves the SRP vertically between a smallest position, where the SRP is at a vertical height H1 from the top end, and a largest position where the SRP is at a vertical height H2 from the top end, where H2 is greater than H1. The vertical height H3 of the SPHRP from the floor is maintained and constant. Front portion of the seat remains fixed. The top end is disposed at a vertical distance H4 from the floor, where H4 is the sum H1 and H3.