Abstract: A vehicle includes a system for storing items that achieves a stowed configuration and an accessible configuration. The storage system includes a tray affixed to a frame of the vehicle by a joint, and optionally an element arranged on a top surface of the tray for holding items. In the stowed configuration, the tray and optional element are tucked under the vehicle. In the accessible configuration, the tray is positioned outward of a bumper of the vehicle. The tray may optionally rotate, translate, swing, or undergo a combination thereof, to achieve the accessible configuration from the stowed configuration and return to the stowed configuration from the accessible configuration. For example, when stowed the tray is arranged between a drive unit and the bumper, beneath the vehicle, and then moves into a more accessible position at least partially outward of the bumper such that a user can retrieve or store items.

Abstract: A storage tunnel assembly for the bed of a pickup truck or other vehicle. The storage tunnel assembly generally includes a deployable vertical wall separated from a bulkhead of the bed and disposed across a width of the bed and a deployable cover separated from a floor of the bed between the vertical wall and the bulkhead and disposed across the width of the bed. The vertical wall, the cover, the bulkhead, and the floor define a storage space within a space defined by the bed. The vertical wall and the cover may be fixed components, separate components, and/or hinged components in various assemblies. One or both side walls of the bed define a storage tunnel access opening coincident with the storage space defined by the vertical wall, the cover, the bulkhead, and the floor and may include a door adapted to selectively open and close the associated storage tunnel access opening.

Abstract: A vehicle seat having a base (10) and a squab (11) and an adjustment mechanism (20) whereby the position of an occupant sitting in the seat can be adjusted, the mechanism being configured so as to permit the seat to follow a motion path that provides coordinated adjustment of both height and back inclination of the occupant, the motion path being such that as the height of the occupant is raised the back inclination of the occupant becomes less supine.

Abstract: A vehicle seat having a base (10) and a squab (11) and an adjustment mechanism (20) whereby the position of an occupant sitting in the seat can be adjusted, the mechanism being configured so as to permit the seat to follow a motion path that provides coordinated adjustment of both height and back inclination of the occupant, the motion path being such that as the height of the occupant is raised the back inclination of the occupant becomes less supine.

Abstract: A seat having a base support extending under a base of the seat and a squab support extending behind a squab of the seat, the squab support being integral with the base support, the seat presenting a base seating surface upward of the base support and a squab seating surface forward of the squab support, and the seat comprising a first inflatable bladder disposed between the squab support and the squab seating surface for permitting adjustment of the inclination of the squab seating surface relative to the base seating surface.

Abstract: A laser-cut and spot-welded tubular frame chassis typically has an accuracy of ±1.5 mm. To allow positioning of exterior body panels to an accuracy of ±0.2 mm we propose that the vehicle comprise one or more integration panels, lying between the tubular framework and the exterior body panels. These can be made of a lightweight material, and can be made to be structural or non-structural depending on the intended use and location of the panel. It can also be attached adhesively to the framework at an early stage of manufacture. A jig with a suitable datum point can hold the integration panels while the adhesive sets, or a robotic arm or the like can hold the panel in the correct position. An adhesive thickness of about 3 mm will allow chassis tolerances of ±1.5 mm in any direction to be accommodated. The exterior body panels can then be attached to the integration panels in any preferred manner, such as adhesives, bolts, clips or the like.

Abstract: A laser-cut and spot-welded tubular frame chassis typically has an accuracy of ±1.5 mm. To allow positioning of exterior body panels to an accuracy of +0.2 mm we propose that the vehicle comprise one or more integration panels, lying between the tubular framework and the exterior body panels. These can be made of a lightweight material, and can be made to be structural or non-structural depending on the intended use and location of the panel. It can also be attached adhesively to the framework at an early stage of manufacture. A jig with a suitable datum point can hold the integration panels while the adhesive sets, or a robotic arm or the like can hold the panel in the correct position. An adhesive thickness of about 3 mm will allow chassis tolerances of ±1.5 mm in any direction to be accommodated. The exterior body panels can then be attached to the integration panels in any preferred manner, such as adhesives, bolts, clips or the like.