Abstract: A selectively rigidizable membrane for cargo management comprises a vacuum bladder, and a first architectural layer and a second architectural layer, each of the first and second architectural layers including a plurality of tiles interconnected by flexural elements, each of the tiles of the first and second architectural layers including at least one constraining element extending therefrom, wherein, when atmospheric pressure is present within the vacuum bladder, the first and second architectural layers are slidably moveable relative to one another and the membrane is flexible, and further wherein, when negative pressure is applied to the vacuum bladder, the first and second architectural layers are forced into engagement with one another, the constraining elements of the first and second architectural layers providing mechanical interference and preventing sliding movement of the first and second architectural layers relative to one another, causing the membrane to become substantially rigid.

Abstract: An energy absorbing device includes a deformable elongate member that is arranged in a manner such that the device, in use, deforms in a controlled manner upon the absorption of impact energy. The invention also provides a method for manufacturing the energy absorbing device.

Abstract: Exemplary vehicle truck bed assemblies may include a unibody construction. A cargo box of an exemplary truck bed assembly may include at least two different floor-to-side wall mating configurations, and each of the at least two different mating configurations is non-visible from within a cargo space established by the cargo box. In addition, each of the at least two different mating configurations may include a fastener, such as a weld, an adhesive, and/or a bolt, for adjoining adjacent mating surfaces of the cargo box floor and side wall.

Abstract: A side part structure of a vehicle includes a side door and a second seal member. The side door includes a lower end edge which substantially overlaps a wheel arch. The second seal member is configured to seal a gap between a wheel house and the side door. The side door includes a door garnish which faces an outer edge of the wheel house. The second seal member includes an installation base member and a lip integrally formed with the installation base member. The installation base member is configured to operably couple to the outer edge of the wheel house. The lip has a substantially tongue-shaped cross section in a width direction of the vehicle, and makes contact with the door garnish. The lip extends toward an outside in the width direction of the vehicle from a part on an outer side in a radial direction of the installation base member.

Abstract: The present invention is a securement apparatus and method of use. The securement apparatus comprises a spring E-fitting device connected to a strap device. The securement apparatus is preferably releasably attached to a section of E-track that is preferably fastened to a head wall of a pickup truck bed or a trailer and is useful in quickly and easily securing objects thereto.

Abstract: A mobile performance stage is configurable between a compact transport condition to a performance condition with expanding deck wings and expanding canopy wings. The deck wings are carried directly on top of the main trailer deck and roll on tracks to deploy to the performance condition. The roof canopy includes a main roof element and two foldable roof wings. The roof wings pivot from fully open to a fully closed stowed condition below the main roof element to reduce the height of the stage when transported. Lift columns are hinged to reduce height. The roof wings may also be stored in a vertical position to provide side walls for a cargo trailer configuration. The roof may also be completely removed to form a deck only stage.

Abstract: An aircraft cargo restraint system includes a fuselage framework defining a cargo cabin, a webbing configured to restrain cargo positionable within the cargo cabin, one or more spring tension reels configured to bias the webbing towards a bottom of the cargo cabin, and one or more actuators configured to move the webbing toward a top of the cargo cabin against the bias of the one or more spring tension reels.

Abstract: A retractor restraint system is provided for securing wheelchairs and/or people in vehicles. The system includes a housing, a retractor reel mounted to the housing rotatably in a positive and a negative direction of rotation for receiving a belt which can be coupled to a wheelchair, an arresting unit for arresting the reel to prevent rotation in the negative direction of rotation in an operating state of the retractor restraint system, a clamping unit arranged at the housing for releasably clamping fast the belt unwound from the reel, and a triggering mechanism for actuation of the clamping unit. The triggering mechanism is coupled to the arresting unit and the reel in such a way that the clamping unit is actuated when a torque acts on the reel in the negative direction of rotation and the reel is arrested by the arresting unit.

Abstract: A litter lift system includes a motor-driven winch and a lifting strap. The motor-driven winch includes a rotatable spool. The lifting strap has one end coupled to the rotatable spool and is movable in response to rotation of the rotatable spool. The lifting strap has a first lifting segment and a second lifting segment positioned away from the end of the lifting strap coupled to the rotatable spool. The first lifting segment and the second lifting segment are each forked to define two separate lifting loops. Rotation of the rotatable spool in a first direction raises the first lifting segment and the second lifting segment. Rotation of the rotatable spool in a second direction different from the first direction lowers the first lifting segment and the second lifting segment.

Abstract: Vehicle tie down assemblies may be provided for securing cargo and/or accessories at vehicle front ends. The tie down assemblies may be mounted to a vehicle fender without obstructing the opening and closing of the vehicle hood. Exemplary vehicle tie down assemblies may embody a multi-piece design that establishes a pass-through for receiving various tie downs. The tie down assemblies may additionally include one or more bolt assemblies for mounting accessories.

Abstract: The seat base may include a frame with a polygonal geometry, a first leg assembly hingedly coupled to the frame, and a second leg assembly hingedly coupled to the frame. The seat base may also include a first leg hingedly coupled to the frame, a second leg hingedly coupled to the frame, and a cross member coupled to the first leg and the second leg. A guide may protrude from the frame. The guide may define a recess. A retention pin may engage the recess and retain the first leg assembly in a deployed position. The frame may also have quadrilateral perimeter. The seat base may further include an interior cross member fixedly coupled to the frame, and a pin protruding from the cross member. The pin may engage a seat. A loop may extend from the frame and engage the seat.

Abstract: A storage device for a vehicle cab, said storage device comprising: a vertically moveable storage unit onto or into which items are intended to be stored, a support structure configured to support the storage unit and to allow vertical movement of the storage unit between a first/upper position and a second/lower position when the storage device is mounted to a wall or similar, wherein the support structure comprises a first spring member arranged to dampen downwards movement and assist upwards movement of the storage unit.

Abstract: A crash-arresting unit for a vehicle seat may have a locking element and an actuating unit. The locking element can be brought into form-fitting engagement with a mating element via the actuating unit. The actuating unit may be an electromechanical actuating unit having a fusible wire, where destruction of the fusible wire frees a movement of the locking element in the direction of the mating element.

Abstract: Provided are a vehicle interior structure in which a burden for passengers caused by reflected light generated due to a mirror phenomenon and the like can be reduced while at the same time the design can be enhanced, an interior member used therefor, a method for producing the same, and a method for producing a polarizing member. An instrument panel as an interior member includes a glossy portion and a polarizing layer formed on the surface of the glossy portion, the glossy portion being adapted to reflect light coming through a windshield and the polarizing layer being adapted to absorb optical oscillation components in the vehicle width direction.

Abstract: A seating arrangement for a vehicle is shown to include a plurality of seats, including at least two front seats, at least two rear seats, and a rear jump seat positioned intermediate the two rear seats. The jump seat comprises a seat back which is positioned rearwardly of the rear seats, and the rear seats are movable laterally between a first position where the rear seats are proximate to each other and generally covering the seat back of the jump seat, and a second position where the rear seats are spaced apart from each other and the seat back of the jump seat is exposed. The arrangement may also include rear seats which are rotatable relative to the seat backs to provide a storage surface.

Abstract: A tour bus includes a vehicle body, a front door, a rear door, a plurality of wheels, a luggage compartment door and a movable placing portion. The front door, the rear door and the luggage compartment door are all disposed at one lateral side of the vehicle body, with the luggage compartment door between the front door and the rear door. The wheels connected individually to a bottom of the vehicle body are used for displacing the vehicle body. The movable placing portion is foldably disposed in a storage area of the vehicle body. The movable placing portion includes a placing platform and a supportive structure. The placing platform can protrude out of the storage area of the vehicle body. The supportive structure is pivotally connected with the placing platform, and the supportive structure supports the placing platform while the placing platform is moved out of the vehicle body.

Abstract: A vehicle cabin structure includes a vehicle cabin and a handrail having an inverted U-shape and including an upper portion extending in a width direction of a vehicle along a ceiling surface of the vehicle cabin, and right and left vertical portions connected to both ends of the upper portion and extending downward along right and left side surfaces of the vehicle cabin from the respective ends of the upper portion, in which the right and left vertical portions of the handrail are fixed to the right and left side surfaces of the vehicle cabin, respectively.

Abstract: An enclosure for protecting a load comprises a truck bed to hold items, a front wall affixed to a proximal end of a width of the truck bed, and a rear wall affixed to a distal end of the width. A main header member runs along the length of the truck bed connecting the rear and front walls to form a central mounting point along a length of the truck bed that is disposed at a maximum height of the rear wall and the front wall. A passenger side gull wing door and a driver side gull wing door are mounted to the main header member by a plurality of hinges affixed to the main header member and which provide a movable joint for the gull wing doors. One or more hydraulic lift cylinders are operative to raise and lower a respective gull wing door.

Abstract: A vehicle may include an integrated connector system. The vehicle includes a body having an outer surface and a plurality of attachment ports arranged on the outer surface. The attachments ports include a recess that extends below the surrounding outer surface. Each attachment port is configured to receive and engage with an attachment plug of an accessory. In some embodiments, there are different types of attachment ports, configured to engage with respective types of attachment plugs. Various accessories may be engaged with the attachment ports, allowing a range of items and equipment to be secured to the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle arrangement is provided including a vehicle body having at least a partially open top and transverse window with a ferromagnetic frame, a flexible membrane sunscreen cover for at least a portion of the vehicle. A magnetic member connected with the sunscreen cover holds an end of the cover with the window frame.