Abstract: A foot-rest for a motor vehicle including a support surface facing at least part of which a sound insulation mat can be extended, mounted on the floor of the motor vehicle, including an insulating layer interposed between the floor and a coating layer mounted on the insulating layer, the foot-rest further including a storage compartment. The support surface includes an inner face configured to be positioned facing an outer face of the coating layer, the inner face being including links configured to support the storage compartment such that an inner volume of the storage compartment extends between the inner face of the support surface and the outer face of the coating layer.

Abstract: A bumper beam assembly includes a reinforcement beam, the reinforcement beam including a front side, a top side, and a bottom side that is positioned opposite of the top side of the reinforcement beam, and a reinforcement patch coupled to the reinforcement beam, where the reinforcement patch extends across the top side and the bottom side of the reinforcement beam and the reinforcement patch includes a longitudinal deformation feature that is detached and spaced apart from at least one of the top side and the bottom side of the reinforcement beam.

Abstract: A wraparound meshed screen for a utility vehicle is disclosed that can be mounted to a roll cage or front portion of a UTV or suitable vehicle thereby allowing air to flow through and into a cabin area of the vehicle while blocking dust, dirt, insects, and other foreign objects from entering the cabin. In particular, the utility vehicle screen includes a flexible frame and a meshed flexible screen secured to the frame. In addition, the frame can include a first flap and a second flap at each opposing side end, wherein the first and second flaps extend along the length of each side end. In addition, the first and second flaps each have elastic, stretchable, and flexible properties, such as neoprene. Further, the first and second flap can each include a closure unit extending along their side ends, wherein the closure unit is configured to secure the first flap wrapped around a first side bar of a utility vehicle and secure the second flap wrapped around a second side bar of the utility vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle body has a longitudinal member and a bumper cross-member. Furthermore, the vehicle body has a cantilever, which extends transversely to the longitudinal member along a transverse vehicle axis and is fastened to the longitudinal member in a torque-resistant manner. The cantilever is arranged in such a way that the cantilever protrudes into an intermediate space between a wheel mount and the bumper cross-member.

Abstract: An upper frame swingable between an inclined posture and a substantially horizontal posture along a trajectory of movement of a four-bar linkage is held in the substantially horizontal posture by a simple operation when necessary. A front link mechanism control gives an external force for pushing down an operation member to thereby control a front link mechanism so as to displace the upper frame rearward while lowering a front side of the upper frame. Since a displacement direction for bringing the upper frame into the substantially horizontal posture and an operation direction for locking the front link mechanism or a rear link mechanism by the operation of the operation member are substantially the same direction, it is possible to perform two movements, the displacement movements to the substantially horizontal posture and the locking movements, only by operating the operation member in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A system and method for transporting a first and second airfoil using a center railcar coupled to two additional railcars. A pair of root brackets support the root ends of the two airfoils on the two additional cars, aligning the two airfoils over the center car. A lower sling stand on the center railcar has a pair of vertical side members extending upwardly to hang a lower sling that support the first airfoil. An upper sling stand has a base that is supported by the lower sling stand, and also has a pair of upper side members that support an upper sling. The second airfoil is supported by the upper sling. The upper sling stand is fixedly supported on the lower sling stand so as to support the second airfoil above the first airfoil in overlapping fashion.

Abstract: A front pin latching system for automatic securement of a container to a container chassis is provided. The front pin latching system includes a shelf configured to move vertically on an outer surface of the container chassis. The shelf and the container chassis have adjacent openings. The system also includes a pin configured to move horizontally through the adjacent openings and a linkage mechanism disposed on an inner surface of the container chassis. The linkage mechanism is operably coupled to the shelf and the pin. Placement of the container on the container chassis moves the shelf causing the linkage mechanism to move the pin such that the pin automatically secures the container to the container chassis.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed to an apparatus that may be used as a chain tensioner. The apparatus comprises a release handle, which is limited in motion by an elongate member that rides in a shaped guide slot. As a result of this configuration, two distinct forces must be applied to the release handle before a chain is released from the apparatus. Such a configuration reduces the chances of inadvertent releases of a chain.

Abstract: A frame portion for a vehicle includes a pillar component extending along a first direction and a beam component at least partially extending along a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction. The beam component has a rear end proximate the pillar component. The frame portion further includes a bracket coupled between the pillar component and the rear end of the beam component. The bracket spaces the beam component from the pillar component.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed to an apparatus that may be used as a chain tensioner. The apparatus comprises an attachment element, such as a hook, that is rotatably coupled to a locking plate. In use, the apparatus is operative to take on a plurality of locked states and an unlocked state. Each of the plurality of locked states is characterized by the locking plate being pressed into a cavity of a locking body in a manner that prevents the locking body, and, by extension, the attachment element from rotating. The unlocked state is characterized by the locking plate being outside the cavity, and thereby free to rotate. The attachment element is therefore capable of being swiveled between, and locked into, multiple orientations.

Abstract: An illuminated platform system which improves safety by providing an illuminated and non-slip surface adapted for lining a surface such as a truck frame. The illuminated platform system generally includes one or more platforms which are adapted to be secured to a surface such as a truck frame. Each of the platforms is interlockable utilizing side apertures extending along the outer perimeter of the platforms in combination with fasteners and anchors. A light source such as a light string is positioned within an outer channel extending along the lower surface of the platforms. Light from the light source will emanate through both the side apertures and a plurality of upper apertures which extend along the outer perimeter of the platform along its upper surface. By interlocking the platforms and activating the light source, the surface such as a truck frame may be safely illuminated and adapted to store heavy objects.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body and a storage compartment defined by the vehicle body and having a storage compartment length. The vehicle also includes a tailgate operatively connected to the vehicle body and configured to selectively expand and restrict access to the storage compartment. The vehicle additionally includes a pivotable section configured to selectively retract into and deploy out of the tailgate. In the state when the pivotable section is deployed out of the tailgate and when the tailgate restricts access to the storage compartment, the pivotable section operates to reduce aerodynamic drag on the vehicle body. Also, when the pivotable section is deployed out of the tailgate and when the tailgate expands access to the storage compartment, the pivotable section operates as a stop for cargo having a cargo length greater than the storage compartment length.

Abstract: A bulk material transport apparatus which includes a containment structure on a wheeled frame which is formed of perimeter wall members about a bulk material containment area, further includes at least one modular hopper unit mountable at a bottom side of the containment area for discharging contents of the bulk material containment area therethrough. The modular hopper units can be readily interchanged with other hopper units which are different in gate opening size, gate opening height, gate opening orientation, and/or other characteristics relative to one another. One optional modular hopper unit is a side discharge unit which is reversible for discharging to a selected one of two laterally opposed sides of the transport apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention includes a durable, weather resistant, and light weight apparatus for covering a vehicle and providing protection from objects that might strike and damage the exterior surfaces of the vehicle. The object of this invention is to provide a vehicle cover which covers both the horizontal and vertical surfaces of a vehicle, which can deployed by a single person, folded for easy deployment, retrieval and storage, and which can be stretched or compressed to fit various sizes of automobiles while maintaining its protective effectiveness.

Abstract: A shelter structure for a load deck includes: parallel arches each formed by facing uprights connected together by a cross-member and movable along a guide path between a deployed position of the structure, forming a shelter for the deck, and a more compact folded position releasing at least a portion of the deck; connection elements between the facing uprights of two adjacent arches; and a plurality of spreaders, each connected to an arch by a hinged connection so as to pass from a folded position in which it presses against the arch to a deployed position in which it forms an additional cross-member, and vice versa. The hinge connection, for at least one spreader, is a pivotal connection of the spreader to the arch about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cross-member, and a sliding connection of the spreader along an upright of the arch.

Abstract: A number of variations may include a method comprising providing a first design or a first reusable casting die for producing a vehicle rear rail having multiple pre-determined datum features; producing a first vehicle rear rail and a second vehicle rear rail from the first design or the first reusable casting die; wherein the first vehicle rear rail and the second vehicle rear rail are identical; using the first vehicle rear rail to make a first vehicle having a first wheelbase and using the second vehicle rear rail to make a second vehicle having a second wheelbase; and wherein the second wheelbase is longer than the first wheelbase.

Abstract: A modular utility truck bed has a deck assembly comprising a center section, a right side section, and a left side section. The right and left side sections are bolted to the sides of the center section to form a substantially planar deck. A tail piece extends across a rear end of the deck assembly. The tail piece is bolted to rear ends of each of the center and side sections of the deck assembly. A front rack extends across a front end of the deck assembly. The front rack is bolted to front ends of each of the center and side sections of the deck assembly. The deck assembly, tail piece and front rack are modular components that can be shipped disassembled in a compact configuration and bolted together by the end user.

Abstract: An energy absorbing member is fixed to a vehicle body. A joint has in a state where the longitudinal direction thereof extends along the front-back direction of the vehicle. Proximal and distal ends of the joint are respectively connected to the member and a bumper beam. The joint causes a collision load from the hamper beam to the vehicle body to act upon the member while collapsing in the longitudinal direction. A distal end has an inclined shape such that a distance from the member deceases gradually from the center toward the outside in the width direction of the vehicle. The distal end has a gradual increase region where a width in the height direction of the vehicle increases gradually and a gradual decrease region where the width in the height direction of the vehicle decreases gradually, from the center toward the outside in the width direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: Vehicle structures for dissipating energy associated with a collision are described herein. In one embodiment, a vehicle includes a first side support extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction, a second side support extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction and spaced apart from the first side support in a vehicle lateral direction that is transverse to the vehicle longitudinal direction, and a cross-vehicle stabilizing structure including a cross-vehicle stabilizer portion extending between the first side support and the second side support, the cross-vehicle stabilizer portion including a first stabilizer portion coupled to the first side support at a first securement location, and a second stabilizer portion coupled to the second side support at a second securement location, where the second stabilizer portion is pivotally coupled to the first stabilizer portion.

Abstract: A storage assembly for positioning between vehicle seats, includes an enclosable compartment that has opposing longitudinal sidewalls and opposing lateral sidewalls that are connected to the opposing longitudinal sidewalls to define an interior volume. A plurality of retention features are spaced along an upper edge of the opposing longitudinal sidewalls and the opposing lateral sidewalls. A hanging storage module has a rigid panel suspended in the interior volume and a pair of support elements protrudes horizontally from opposing ends of the rigid panel to removably engage a corresponding pair of the plurality of retention features on a select one of the opposing longitudinal sidewalls and the opposing longitudinal sidewalls. The rigid panel has a side portion configured to vertically hold at least one object.