Abstract: A fastening apparatus for a vehicle may include: a first fastening unit fixed to a first structure; a casing fixed to a second structure and arranged in a manner that faces the first fastening unit; a guide unit formed in the casing in a manner that passes therethrough; and a second fastening unit installed on the guide unit in a manner that is rotatable and enabled to ascend and descend, and fastened to or separated from the first fastening unit according to a rotational direction thereof.

Abstract: A fitting for a vehicle seat may have a first ring gear having first ring gear teeth, a second ring gear having second ring gear teeth, and a planet gear mounted on a planet carrier and which meshes with the first and second ring gear teeth. A blocking planet gear, which can be rotated about a blocking-planet-gear axis of rotation, permanently meshes with the first ring gear teeth and with the second ring gear teeth, and the distance between the blocking-planet-gear axis of rotation and the axis can be changed so that the blocking planet gear can be transferred selectively between locking meshing and non-locking meshing with the first ring gear teeth and/or with the second ring gear teeth. A vehicle seat having a seat part, a backrest and a fitting of this type for setting an angle of inclination of the backrest is provided.

Abstract: A cargo securing kit which incorporates synthetic chains in a manner which addresses the increased pitch of the synthetic link and the increased elongation of the synthetic chain, while still allowing the usage of conventional prior art load binders in a timely and safe manner. The kit includes a tie-down chain assembly, the tie-down assembly including a length of synthetic chain formed of individual links, each of the links having a pitch of P1. The kit further includes a shortening chain assembly, the shortening chain assembly including a length of metal chain formed of individual metal links, each of the metal links having a pitch P2, wherein the pitch P2 is less than the pitch P1.

Abstract: A vessel controlling device for positioning a vessel includes a base for supporting the vessel. A primary guide is coupled to the base. A secondary guide is couple to the base. The vessel impacts with the primary guide and the secondary guide. The primary guide and the secondary guide direct the vessel towards the center of the base during launching and recovering the vessel relative to the base.

Abstract: A wall reinforcement and shelf system for a vehicle cargo area may have a first rib reinforcing member and a second rib reinforcing member. Both reinforcing members may each have two side walls connected together by a front wall to form a hollow channel. The hollow channel may be shaped and sized to selectively receive a vehicle side wall rib therein. A shelf member may be pivotally connected to each of the first and second rib reinforcing members.

Abstract: A two piece attachment device used for securing a protective shield to a vehicle's head rest poles. The attachment device, as a first piece, includes a pair of shield plates, which include a front plate and a rear plate, attached to opposite sides of the protective shield. The front plate includes a shield attachment screw hole. The attachment device also includes, as a second piece, a head rest pole attachment plate. The attachment plate includes a pair of horizontal pole attachment arms with pole attachment channels. The attachment arms adapted for receipt around a portion of a pair of spaced apart, vertical, head rest poles. The attachment device further includes an “L” shaped shield release plate for attachment to the head rest pole attachment plate. The “L” shaped shield release plate is releasably attached to the front shield plate, using a shield attachment screw received in the shield.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly is provided that affords multiple access points to a cold-storage container. The vehicle assembly includes a vehicle having a passenger cabin and a cargo area adjacent the passenger cabin. A cold-storage container is disposed in the cargo area and includes a first opening providing access from the cargo area to an interior of the cold-storage container, and a second opening providing access from the passenger cabin into the interior. In various aspects, the vehicle may be a pickup truck, where the cold-storage container is located in a cargo bed. A header portion of the cargo bed can include an access door configured to selectively provide a passageway between the cargo bed and the interior of the passenger cabin. The passenger cabin may include an access panel that selectively provides entry to the passageway and into the cold-storage container.

Abstract: A transportation system is disclosed. The transportation system includes a vehicle, a plurality of seating assemblies positioned within a passenger compartment of the vehicle and defining an arrangement, a plurality of actuators that effect movement of various components of the plurality of seating assemblies, a plurality of sensors, and a controller. Specific examples of pre-set or pre-programmed arrangements are disclosed, as well as the ability to customize the arrangement. Additionally, exemplary methods are disclosed that illustrate transitions between a variety of the pre-set or pre-programmed arrangements.

Abstract: A liftgate assembly having finished show surfaces, and process of manufacturing same. The liftgate assembly includes local reinforcements that are overmolded to first reinforcements, and the first reinforcements are infrared welding to a first panel. Second and third reinforcements are also infrared welded to the first panel. To infrared weld the respective reinforcements to the first panel in predetermined locations with respect to the first panel, nesting structures are provided to hold the respective reinforcements and first panel. At least one infrared heating fixture heats various predetermined surfaces on the reinforcements and first panel, and the parts are then pressed together for joining the predetermined surfaces of the respective parts together. The process is repeated, if needed, until all of the reinforcements are infrared welded to the first panel. Outer panels are bonded to the second and third reinforcements.

Abstract: A low-noise pocket-type wheel guard is provided and includes a guard that is installed to face a surface of a tire in a vehicle, in which a noise reduction pocket is formed to protrude toward an interior of the vehicle in the guard. Since the noise reduction pocket is formed on the end portion of the wheel guard, in which a sound field is expected to be formed due to tire pattern noise, formation of a sound field due to the tire pattern noise is disturbed and prevented.

Abstract: A pickup truck that includes a cab section located in front of a bed section is provided. The pickup truck comprises a tonneau cover that covers the bed section. The tonneau cover includes a plurality of panel sections; and wherein each of the plurality of panel sections is movable with respect to each other to allow access to, or conceal the bed section underneath. At least one prop rod assembly includes a longitudinally extending first rod having a first end and a second end. The first end of the longitudinally extending first rod is pivotably and removably coupled to a side rail that is secured to the first side of the bed section, and the second end of the longitudinally extending first rod is located opposite the first end and pivotably coupled to the first latch assembly of the third panel section.

Abstract: A reconfigurable compartment for a military vehicle. The reconfigurable compartment includes a floor, a front, a rear, a roof, and sides. The floor, the front, the rear, the roof, and the sides are removably coupled with each other to define the reconfigurable compartment. At least one of the floor, the front, the rear, the roof, or the sides are function-specific and replaceable with a different function-specific at least one of the floor, the front, the rear, the roof, or the sides and thereby facilitate transitioning an overall function of the military vehicle to accommodate a variety of different vehicle applications.

Abstract: The embodiments described and claimed herein are improved wheelchair passenger securement systems and stations. In particular, one embodiment described and claimed herein is a bumper being moveable from an extended or usage position to a retracted or storage position to increase the unobstructed floor area of the securement area in a vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle function arrangement for a vehicle includes a fender frame and a utility unit. The fender frame is adapted for attaching to a vehicle wheel position of the vehicle, wherein the fender frame has a sideward extension surface arranged for outwardly extending from the vehicle wheel frame. The utility unit is provided at the sideward extension surface of the fender frame for creating an additional utility space for the vehicle. In one embodiment, the vehicle function arrangement is installed to the vehicle wheel frame by fastening the fender frame of the vehicle function arrangement to the vehicle wheel frame.

Abstract: The vehicle with right and left front seats, a cargo bed located behind the right and left front seats, a guide rail located on the cargo bed, and a rear seat with a seat frame connected to the guide rail and slidable in the front-rear direction along the guide rail. This structure enables the cargo bed to have a sufficient capacity while preventing the vehicle body from increasing in size, and secures freedom in the shape of the rear seat.

Abstract: A seat adjustment first lever is adapted to be mounted to a first lateral end of a recline mechanism of a seatback. Rotation of the first lever about a pivot axis disengages the recline mechanism. The first lever includes a first lever input portion extending from the pivot axis for manual rotation of the first lever. A second lever input portion extends from the pivot axis and is sized to receive an input cable for actuation of the first lever from a remote location. A lever output portion extends from the pivot axis and is sized to receive an output cable to connect the first lever to a second lever on a second lateral end of the recline mechanism.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes: a seat cushion having a seat cushion body and a seat cushion front portion, the seat cushion front portion being provided in front of the seat cushion body and configured to be in contact with and distanced from the seat cushion body, and the seat cushion being configured to be rotated so as to be set to a traveling position facing a front of a vehicle and an ingress and egress position facing a side door; and an expansion and contraction mechanism configured such that the seat cushion front portion is brought into contact with the seat cushion body as the seat cushion rotates from the traveling position to the ingress and egress position, and the seat cushion front portion is distanced away from the seat cushion body as the seat cushion rotates from the ingress and egress position to the traveling position.

Abstract: A tonneau system that includes a tonneau cover and a canister. The canister includes one or more tracks for guiding the tonneau cover within the canister during movement of the tonneau cover relative to the canister; and a retraction system including: a drive roller; one or more drive gears; and a bias member that moves the drive roller and the one or more gears to assist in moving the tonneau cover relative to the canister.

Abstract: A school children rescue vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes an electric mobility scooter assembly. The vehicle includes a protective shell configured to attach to the assembly. The protective shell includes a plurality of hardened flat panels configured to connect between themselves and form an overall 5-sided shaped enclosure and arranged to fit on top of and connect to the electric mobility scooter assembly and structured to provide projectile protection for personnel situated within the protective shell. The shell includes a plurality of viewing ports of bullet proof glass positionable within the hardened flat panels and configured to provide line of sight viewing for personnel inside the protective shell. The overall external dimensions of the protective shell are such that the vehicle can maneuver within tight enclosed spaces. The vehicle functions as a deterrent to school violence and as a rescue vehicle for an active shooter situation.

Abstract: A high capacity cargo/container dolly. The cargo/container dolly includes retractable side stops that actively retract a roller linkage assembly upon retraction of the retractable side stops rather than relying on passive gravitational forces for the retraction. In some embodiments, the retractable side stops are configured to avoid hold up on the cargo during retraction. The retractable side stops may be coupled to a retraction mechanism that may be actuated from either side of the cargo/container dolly, as well as from one or both ends of the cargo/container dolly. The dolly may include aspects that accommodates dynamic loads that occur during transport to mitigate inadvertent retraction of the retractable side stops or spurious release of catch assemblies that retains cargo on the dolly. The dolly may also include self-locking roller assemblies that release only in the presence of cargo, and deck modules that protect the deck roller from road spray contamination.