Abstract: A vehicle-mountable accessory for a vehicle includes an access platform or landing for accessing a portion of the vehicle. The accessory is removably coupled to the vehicle. The access platform may be pivotably operable between a stowed configuration for travel and a deployed configuration that provides access to the vehicle. A deployable step or set of stairs nest under or inside of the body of the access platform and slideably deploy from the access platform to provide additional access to reach the access platform. The stairs are returned to a nested configuration for travel. The set of stairs may also pivot during deployment to improve vertical access to the access platform. The accessory includes a storage unit for storage and support of various equipment, tools, and accessories. A piece of equipment, such as a generator, can be securely mounted on top of the storage unit.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes an engine, a transmission, a differential, and a waste heat recovery (WHR) drive that converts thermal energy into mechanical and electrical energy. The WHR drive can include a WHR power unit structured to convert thermal energy into rotation of a WHR drive shaft. A motor/generator having a motor/generator shaft can selectively operate as a motor or a generator. A mechanical linkage is structured to selectively link an output shaft to one of the WHR drive shaft and the motor/generator drive shaft independently of the other of the WHR drive shaft and the motor/generator drive shaft. The output shaft is selectively coupled to one of the engine, the transmission, or the differential. The vehicle system may also include a traction motor to provide drive to the vehicle. The output shaft can be selectively coupled to the traction motor or the engine.

Abstract: This invention relates to an auxiliary tool for automobiles, specifically an adjustable car latch footboard that includes a footboard, a hook, a bracket component, and a pivot. The footboard hinges on the bracket component through the pivot, and the hook is mounted at one end of the bracket component opposite to the other end of the footboard. The hook is attached to the car latch, and the other end of the bracket component is pressed against the car door frame. One end of the footboard is pressed against the hook or the car latch. When the footboard is pressed against the hook, the car latch is positioned between the footboard and the hook. When the footboard is pressed against the car latch, the footboard and the hook grip onto the car latch.

Abstract: A handcart may include a chassis unit and a container unit configured to be detachably attached to the chassis unit. The chassis unit may include a front wheel unit rotatably supporting a front wheel; a rear wheel unit rotatably supporting a rear wheel; a chassis frame extending in a front-rear direction and supporting the front and rear wheel units; and a prime mover configured to rotate at least one of the front wheel and the rear wheel as a drive wheel. The container unit may be selected from a group including at least a first container unit and a second container unit. The first container unit may include a first container and a first container frame extending in the front-rear direction and supporting the first container. The second container unit may include a second container and a second container frame extending in the front-rear direction and supporting the second container.

Abstract: A low-profile cart for transporting a large, nonambulatory animal includes a floor supported a predetermined height above the ground by a set of wheels including rear wheels, each of which has a radius approximately equal to the predetermined height. A push bar coupled to the floor may support a sun shade for protecting the animal from sunlight. The floor may be surrounded by detachable railings. A ramp may be provided for allowing the animal to easily enter and exit the cart.

Abstract: A recreational vehicle step attachment device for attaching a foldable step device to a recreational vehicle includes a frame. A footing base is coupled to a surface of the frame. Each base of a pair of bases is coupled to a respective one of each back corner of a pair of back corners. A pair of hinges of a plurality of hinges is coupled to a respective one of each of the bases. A folding support of a pair of folding supports is coupled to a respective one of the pair of hinges of the plurality of hinges. Each of the folding supports has an aperture and a hook. The aperture is circular and provides a space where a bolt can be inserted through to secure to a recreational vehicle stairs. The hook attaches to the recreational vehicle stairs to provide stability to the frame.

Abstract: A heavy-duty vehicle may include a vehicle frame, a plurality of rear-wheel assemblies, and a plurality of front-wheel assemblies. The wheel assemblies are mounted to the vehicle frame. Each of the front-wheel assemblies may include a rim, a spindle, a brake assembly, a motor, and a transmission assembly. The spindle may be at least partially disposed within the rim. The brake assembly may be disposed within the rim and may extend around the spindle. The motor may be disposed within the cavity in the spindle. At least a portion of the motor is disposed between first and second axial ends of the rim. The transmission assembly may be disposed within the rim. The transmission assembly may transmit rotary motion of the motor to the rim to rotate the rim relative to the spindle.

Abstract: A motion-based push activation power assist system for manual wheelchairs. The system uses motion-based measurements to determine when the user applies a push to the wheelchair handrims and brakes with the handrims. The push recognition activates a drive system that provides an assistive driving force-pulse to the wheelchair to reduce the demand on the user during propulsion. The brake recognition deactivates the power assist. The provided power assist is proportional to the sensed push and can be modulated to different proportional settings.

Abstract: A quick disconnect mechanism for a detachable stair system for vehicles. The apparatus includes mounting brackets for installation at either side of a doorway in a recreational vehicle such as motorhome, camping trailer, or camper on a pickup truck. Fixed plates in the form of open jaw brackets are provided at each side of a sill cover plate, to enable operation of a pivotable detachable stair portion. The open jaw of the fixed plates are pivotable about pivot studs located in the mounting brackets. The fixed plates further include an arcuate channel defined radially outward from the pivots studs. The arcuate slot is sized and shaped for engagement with a pivot lock also located on the mounting brackets. The pivot locks extend inward for sliding operation with the arcuate slot, but not so far inward as to interfere with the pivoting motion of the sill cover plate.

Abstract: A toe guard for use on a wheel assembly may include a first and second sidewall, each sidewall including an opening configured to engage with an axle of the wheel assembly. The first and second sidewalls may each further include one or more notches. The toe guard may further include a first locking pin configured to engage with at least one of the notches of the first and second sidewalls. Additionally, the toe guard may include one or more support plates connecting the first and second sidewalls, and a front plate configured to engage with at least one of the support plates or connect with at least one of the sidewalls.

Abstract: A handcart may include a drive wheel; a prime mover configured to rotate the drive wheel; a grip portion configured to be gripped by a user; and a visibly noticeable portion that is clearly noticeable from behind the user when the user stands behind the handcart, gripping the grip portion.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to an engine support system and method. The engine support system includes a frame mounted engine support and at least one engine mounted coupler. The engine support includes a frame mount with a telescoping body and opposing arms to releasably engage a frame of a vehicle, and at least one jack assembly. Each jack assembly includes a collar coupled to and horizontally movable along the telescoping body, and a jack rod coupled to and vertically movable relative to the collar. The jack rod includes a ball mount configured to insert into the coupler at an underside of an engine block of the vehicle. Each jack assembly is configured to support and/or lift the engine block relative to the vehicle frame by vertical movement of the ball mount into the coupler and relative to the frame mount engaged with the vehicle frame.

Abstract: A handcart may include a frame; a drive wheel rotatably supported by the frame about a rotation axis extending in a right-left direction; a prime mover configured to rotate the drive wheel; a bracket pivotably supported by the frame about a pivot axis extending in an up-down direction; and a non-drive wheel supported by the bracket about a rotation axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction. The non-drive wheel may include a first non-drive wheel and a second non-drive wheel, and the first non-drive wheel and the second non-drive wheel may be configured to be rotatable independent of each other.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an electric vehicle for the transportation of persons and/or loads, having a frame structure and axle modules which are coupled to the frame structure, a front axle module and a rear axle module, to which in each case the wheels are coupled kinematically, at least one of the axle modules having a drive and an energy source. One of the axle modules has four suspension points for the attachment by means of elastic bearings to the frame structure, in each case, two suspension points forming a pair, and the pairs lying at different heights in the motor vehicle vertical direction.

Abstract: A pallet truck wheel guard assembly is configured for use on a pallet truck of a type having a spaced pair of rear steer wheels rotatable about an axle residing and steerable within a horizontal plane relative to said pallet truck. The wheel guard assembly comprises a shroud having a width approximately equal to or larger than a spacing between rear steer wheels of a pallet truck. One or more connectors are configured to fixedly attach the shroud only to an axle between the steer wheels of the pallet truck, wherein the shroud is fixed relative to the steer wheels such that a spacing between a bottom edge of shroud and a floor level upon which the steer wheels rest is sufficiently narrow so as to prevent extremities from slipping beneath the shroud and be caught under the pallet jack wheels.

Abstract: An apparatus for suspending one or more items is disclosed. The apparatus includes a vertical back plate, a vertical front plate, and a connector plate for connecting the vertical front plate to the vertical back plate. The apparatus further comprises an angulated base member attached to the vertical front plate at an obtuse angle. An arched hanging member for receiving one or more articles to be hanged is provided on the apparatus, the arched hanging member comprising a rounded ball end to avoid tears and perforations to the one or more suspended items.

Abstract: A method of controlling an electric oil pump configured for a vehicle, may include a step of determining whether a vehicle has entered a sloped road, a step of determining whether a drive motor of the vehicle is in one or more overheatable conditions when it is determined that the vehicle has entered a sloped road, a step of determining whether the overheatable condition is maintained over a preset reference time when it is determined that the vehicle is in the over-heatable condition; and a step of supplying a pulse to an RPM input for the electric oil pump when it is determined that the duration of the over-heatable condition exceeds the preset reference time.

Abstract: A wheel guard is provided for use on a material handling vehicle comprising a steering assembly, an axle extending through the steering assembly and a steer wheel mounted on the axle. The wheel guard may comprise: a front plate to be positioned adjacent to the steer wheel; an axle support coupled to and extending transverse to the front plate and comprising an axle aperture through which the vehicle axle is to be extended, the wheel guard to be rotatable about the axle; and a stop coupled to at least one of the front plate or the axle support to limit rotational movement of the wheel guard about the axle.

Abstract: A drive train for a motor vehicle has at least one internal combustion engine with an output shaft for providing torques for driving the motor vehicle and having a full load curve, and at least one electrical machine with an electrical operating voltage of at most 60 volts that is designed to drive the output shaft in order to assist the internal combustion engine in driving the motor vehicle.

Abstract: Presented are battery assemblies with integrated fuel tanks, methods for making/using such battery assemblies, and fuel cell electric vehicles having rechargeable traction battery packs with integrated fiber-composite hydrogen fuel tanks. A rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) assembly includes a battery pack housing with an internal battery module compartment located between two tank mounting cavities. Each mounting cavity is recessed into a respective lateral side of the battery pack housing. Multiple rechargeable battery modules are electrically interconnected with one another and mounted inside the battery module compartment. Each battery module contains multiple battery cells, such as a stack of series-connected lithium-ion pouch cells. A fuel tank is mounted in each of the tank mounting cavities on the lateral sides of the battery pack housing.