Abstract: A convertible cargo bed assembly for a utility vehicle is provided. The assembly includes a single piece molded main body having a pair of integrally formed hip restraints that each include a passenger hand hold integrally formed within the respective hip restraint. The assembly additionally includes a molded pivoting panel that has a cargo deck side and a seat side. The cargo deck side functions as a portion of a cargo deck when the pivoting panel is in a deployed position. The seat side has at least one full-sized seat cushion coupled thereto. That is the full-sized seat cushion is approximately the same size as the forward facing driver's and passenger's seats. Therefore, when the pivoting panel is transitioned from the deployed position to a stowed position, wherein the convertible cargo bed provides a full-sized rear facing seat.

Abstract: Real-mower accessories according to the present teachings are electrically driven. The electrically powered accessories use electric motors that can be operated independently of the transport wheels of the mower. Electrically powered accessories can use the on-board power source of the mower to which it is attached along with the control assembly thereon. The electrically powered accessories enable rotational rates and direction of rotation of the components of the electrically powered accessories to be easily adjusted and changed independently of other components of the mower. The electrically powered accessories can provide a more efficiently powered accessory. The electrically powered accessories can allow a user to independently verify the speed and direction of the electrically powered accessory relative to the other electrically powered accessories or other electrically driven components of the mower.

Abstract: A turf cutting unit includes a reel assembly having a plurality of blades rotatable relative to the ground. A groomer includes a plurality of spaced apart and vertically oriented cutting plates fixed to a driven shaft. The groomer is moveable between a first position where the cutting plates engage the turf and a second position where the cutting plates are spaced apart from the turf. A method of operating a turf cutting unit is also described.

Abstract: A turf cutting unit includes a reel assembly mounted to a frame and having a plurality of reel blades rotatable about a reel axis extending substantially parallel to the ground. A drivingly rotatable groomer includes a plurality of spaced apart and substantially vertically oriented cutting plates. An adjustment mechanism is operable to move the reel assembly relative to the turf to set a turf cutting height. The adjustment mechanism is operable to adjust the position of the cutting plates to set a depth of cut that the groomer cutting plates engage the turf. The adjustment mechanism limits a maximum depth of cut of the groomer cutting plates based on the cutting height of the reel assembly. A method of operating a turf cutting unit is also discussed.

Abstract: Energy active composite yarns include at least one textile fiber member of either an elastic or inelastic material, and at least one functional substantially planar filament, which surrounds or covers the textile fiber member. The composite yarns can include an optional stress-bearing member, which also surrounds or covers the textile fiber member. The composite yarns may be multifunctional, meaning the functional substantially planar filament can exhibit combinations of electrical, optical, magnetic, mechanical, chemical, semiconductive, and/or thermal energy properties.

Abstract: A power situation indicator configured to provide power information in a rotorcraft is presented. The power situation indicator includes a detection unit configured to detect a current value of each of a plurality of control parameters, each of the plurality of control parameters including a pre-determined operating limit; a calculation unit configured to normalize on a common power scale (a) the current value and (b) the pre-determined operating limit of each of the plurality of control parameters, and a display unit configured to dynamically display on the common power scale a first moveable indicator and a second moveable indicator. The first moveable indicator is driven by one of the plurality of control parameters having the highest normalized current value and the second moveable indicator is driven by one of the plurality of control parameters having its normalized current value that is the closest to its corresponding normalized pre-determined operating limit.

Abstract: An operator presence control assembly for a walk-behind greens mower includes a handle supported on a frame of the walk-behind greens mower, a ribbon switch on the outer perimeter of the handle, and a circuit including the ribbon switch. The circuit is completed by applying a threshold pressure to the ribbon switch, and a device selectively energizeable via the circuit in accordance with the threshold pressure applied to the ribbon switch. As the user of the greens mower grips the handle, the ribbon switch completes a circuit to energize a switch to engage an electromagnetic clutch.

Abstract: A turf maintenance vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a traction drive system structured and operable to provide movement of the vehicle across a ground surface, and an electric motor structured and operable to provide rotation of a cutting device that includes a plurality of cutting blades. The vehicle additionally includes a vehicle controller that is configured to receive a programmable vehicle clip rate data input and monitor a groundspeed of the vehicle and a rotational speed of the cutting device as the vehicle moves across the ground surface. The controller is additionally configured to actively control the electric motor based on the monitored vehicle groundspeed to thereby actively control the rotational speed of the cutting device in order to maintain the programmed clip rate of the vehicle as the vehicle moves across the ground surface.

Abstract: A system for towing a light-weight utility vehicle is provided. The system includes a tow arm connectable to a distal portion of a towing vehicle. The system additionally includes a tow mode mechanism connectable to a distal portion of a towed vehicle and connectable with the tow arm. The tow mode mechanism automatically places the towed vehicle in a tow mode when the towing vehicle begins to tow the towed vehicle.

Abstract: A plastic battery tray is provided for use in a golf car. The plastic battery tray can be integrally formed and include a floor and a sidewall. The floor can include a centrally disposed convex portion and a series of reinforcement ribs. The floor can further include a series of dividers extending therefrom for separating batteries. The sidewall can extend from the floor.

Abstract: A bracket can be easily attached to and removed from a support structure of a small utility vehicle. The bracket can receive a gauge or meter therein. The bracket can include features that facilitate the attachment and removal of the bracket to the support structure. The bracket can be configured to utilize existing fasteners to retain the bracket to the support structure. The bracket can be configured to facilitate attachment to and removal from the support structure using these existing fasteners without detaching other components from the small utility vehicle that the existing fasteners secure to the support structure.

Abstract: A lightweight utility vehicle brake lighting system comprising a brake pedal position sensor, a controller and a brake light circuit. The brake pedal position sensor senses the position, e.g., amount of depression, of a vehicle brake pedal. The controller of interprets a brake pedal position signal from the brake pedal position sensor to determine the position of the brake pedal. When the controller determines that the brake pedal has been depressed to initiate a braking operation of the vehicle, the controller transmits a brake light signal to an electronic switching device, such as a relay switch, of the brake light circuit. Upon receipt of the brake light signal, the electronic switching closes to complete, or close, the brake light circuit to enable a current flow through the brake light circuit, thereby illuminating at least one brake light of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present teachings can provide for a golf car including: a front body; a rear body; a roof suspended above at least a portion of each of the front body and the rear body; an instrument panel mounted to the front body, the instrument panel having an outer surface facing the roof; a aperture in the outer surface of the instrument panel; and a roof strut extending from the roof and passing through the aperture.

Abstract: An electric braking system and methods for a utility vehicle is provided. The system includes a rotor coupled to a rear axle of the utility vehicle. A caliper is electrically controlled to provide stopping force to the rotor. A spring is pre-loaded to actuate the caliper when additional stopping force is needed. A controller controls the activation of the caliper by generating an electrical braking signal to control operation of the caliper based on a brake position signal generated from a brake pedal position sensor.

Abstract: An electric vehicle is provided with motor braking and includes a locking differential that provides positive braking on slippery surfaces so as to prevent relative movement of the first and second output shafts of the differential.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a battery lifting device is provided that includes an expandable retention subassembly, a shaft and a handle. The expandable retention subassembly is adapted to engage lifting tabs of a battery to be lifted and the shaft is pivotally coupled to the retention subassembly. The handle is connected to the shaft such that a lifting force applied to the handle utilizes the weight of the battery to expand the retention subassembly. Expansion of the retention subassembly, via the weight of the battery as the battery is lifted, firmly engages the retention subassembly with the battery lifting tabs such that the battery will not become dislodged or disconnected until the lifting force is removed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lightweight structure for simultaneously providing a reduced infrared and radar signature, while adding little or no weight to a vehicle. As such, the present invention allows for substantial improvements over prior systems. An example of the type of vehicle able to make use of the present invention is a military helicopter, but there is nothing within the spirit and scope of the present invention limiting it to any particular vehicle. The teachings of the present invention are useful with any vehicle for which a reduction in infrared emissions and microwave reflections is desired.

Abstract: In various embodiments of the present disclosure, a cargo bed pivoting panel assembly is provided. The assembly includes a panel having a pair of studs extending from corresponding opposing ends of the panel adjacent a bottom of the panel. The assembly additionally includes a main body having a first deck portion and a pair of opposing sidewalls extending substantially perpendicular from the first deck portion. Each sidewall includes an elongated receptacle for receiving, and slideably and pivotally retaining, a respective one of the studs. Accordingly, the panel can be moved between a stowed position and a deployed position by sliding the studs between first ends of the elongated receptacles and second ends of the elongated receptacles while simultaneously rotating the panel about a centerline of studs.

Abstract: A golf car suspension system includes a coil-over-shock strut assembly having a shock absorber cylinder and an offset bracket including a semicircular member and bracket legs extending from the semicircular member angularly offset from the semicircular member. The semicircular member engages the shock absorber cylinder. A spacer bracket has a semicircular portion engaging the shock absorber cylinder and opposed sleeve legs received between the bracket legs. A U-shaped knuckle bracket has a web and opposed flanges extending transversely from the web. The bracket legs and the sleeve legs are fixed to the web of the knuckle bracket. A steering knuckle connects to the knuckle bracket flanges. A wheel hub connects to the steering knuckle. A wheel connected to the wheel hub has a side-to-side tread face remaining in contact with a ground surface over a total travel distance of the strut assembly of up to 8.4 cm.