Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of flexible antennas, such as flexible planar inverted “F” antenna (PIFAs), inverted flexible PIFAs, flexible elevated notch antennas, flexible freestanding PIFAs, antenna systems including the same, etc. In exemplary embodiments, an inverted flexible PIFA includes a bottom-side radiating element and is configured for an inverted mount to a mounting surface whereby a radiation pattern of the bottom-side radiating element is directed outwardly away from the mounting surface.

Abstract: A vehicular camera includes a lens comprising a plurality of optical elements, a lens holder, and an imager printed circuit board. The plurality of optical elements includes at least one plastic optical element and at least one glass optical element. The imager printed circuit board has circuitry disposed thereat. The circuitry of the imager printed circuit board includes an imager that has an imaging array. The lens is held in optical alignment with the imaging array of the imager via an adhesive. The adhesive bonds the lens barrel to the lens holder. A flexible electrical ribbon cable electrically connects the circuitry of the imager printed circuit board with additional circuitry of the vehicular camera. The vehicular camera, when installed and used in a vehicle, captures image data for a vision system of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing essentially crack-free carbon foam structures and carbon foam structures made in single-piece flow through a continuous kiln under inert atmosphere at atmospheric pressure. This process greatly reduces the cost to manufacture by reducing manufacturing time and increasing the ability to integrate automation equipment.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing essentially crack-free carbon foam structures and carbon foam structures made in single-piece flow through a continuous kiln under inert atmosphere at atmospheric pressure. This process greatly reduces the cost to manufacture by reducing manufacturing time and increasing the ability to integrate automation equipment.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for optimizing a process of manufacturing a product. In one aspect, the method comprises repeatedly performing the following: i) selecting a configuration of input settings for manufacturing a product, based on a causal model that measures causal relationships between input settings and a measure of a quality of the product; ii) determining the measure of the quality of the product manufactured using the configuration of input settings; and iii) adjusting, based on the measure of the quality of the product manufactured using the configuration of input settings, the causal model.

Abstract: A reflective member having transflective and substantially opaque regions is disclosed. The transflective region may serve as a sensor opening region. When viewing the member from a first direction, the difference between a total light reflectance of the member at the substantially opaque region and at the sensor opening region is less than five percent. Additionally, when viewing the member from the first direction, the difference between a color reflectance of the member at the substantially opaque region and at the sensor opening region is less than 5 delta C* units. A sensor disposed in a second direction of the sensor opening region of the member is operable to receive light through the member at the sensor opening region. The second direction is opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A reflective member having transflective and substantially opaque regions is disclosed. The transflective region may serve as a sensor opening region. When viewing the member from a first direction, the difference between a total light reflectance of the member at the substantially opaque region and at the sensor opening region is less than five percent. Additionally, when viewing the member from the first direction, the difference between a color reflectance of the member at the substantially opaque region and at the sensor opening region is less than 5 delta C* units. A sensor disposed in a second direction of the sensor opening region of the member is operable to receive light through the member at the sensor opening region. The second direction is opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A warning system for a work vehicle includes an arm mount attached to a side portion of the work vehicle above a head of a person standing on a ground surface adjacent to the side portion of the work vehicle, and an arm attached to the arm mount. The arm is movable from an arm transport position, where the arm is oriented inside a path of the work vehicle, to an arm operating position, where the arm extends laterally outward from the side portion of the work vehicle. A warning light is mounted on the arm and is visible to traffic approaching the work vehicle from a rear end of the work vehicle, and a work light on the arm shines downward on the operator to illuminate the person the oncoming traffic and to facilitate operation of controls.

Abstract: A step apparatus for a vehicle with a rear impact guard beam includes top and bottom steps mounted on a step frame adapted to be pivotally attached to the rear impact guard beam about a step pivot axis oriented horizontally and perpendicular to an operating travel direction of the vehicle. The step frame is movable from an operating position to a stored position. A roller is mounted to a bottom rear end of the step frame about a roller rotational axis oriented parallel to the step pivot axis, and located above the step pivot axis. An upright surface moving toward the step frame contacts the roller component and the roller rolls upward along the upright surface and pivots the step frame about the step pivot axis from the operating position to the stored position.

Abstract: A reflective member having transflective and substantially opaque regions is disclosed. The transflective region may serve as a sensor opening region. When viewing the member from a first direction, the difference between a total light reflectance of the member at the substantially opaque region and at the sensor opening region is less than five percent. Additionally, when viewing the member from the first direction, the difference between a color reflectance of the member at the substantially opaque region and at the sensor opening region is less than 5 delta C* units. A sensor disposed in a second direction of the sensor opening region of the member is operable to receive light through the member at the sensor opening region. The second direction is opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A step apparatus for a vehicle with a rear impact guard beam includes top and bottom steps mounted on a step frame adapted to be pivotally attached to the rear impact guard beam about a step pivot axis oriented horizontally and perpendicular to an operating travel direction of the vehicle. The step frame is movable from an operating position to a stored position. A roller is mounted to a bottom rear end of the step frame about a roller rotational axis oriented parallel to the step pivot axis, and located above the step pivot axis. An upright surface moving toward the step frame contacts the roller component and the roller rolls upward along the upright surface and pivots the step frame about the step pivot axis from the operating position to the stored position.

Abstract: A winch apparatus for mounting to a load bed comprises a mounting bracket adapted to be mounted to a side edge of the load bed, and a pivot bracket pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket about a substantially vertical winch swivel axis. A winch is attached to the pivot bracket and configured such that, when the mounting bracket is mounted to the side edge of the load bed, a winch shaft of the winch is oriented substantially horizontally and a bottom of the winch is at a vertical location that is above a top surface of the load bed such that the winch can pivot over the top surface of the load bed. The winch can be configured to be conveniently driven by a conventional and commonly available ratchet wrench of a size appropriate to the particular winch.

Abstract: A pintle hitch apparatus has a pintle hook with a base portion adapted at a front end thereof for attachment to a towing vehicle, a bend portion extending rearward from the base, and a pin extending upward from a rear end of the bend portion. A recess is defined in a top surface of the bend portion, and a wear member is releasably attached in the recess such that a top surface of the wear member is above the top surface of the bend portion.

Abstract: A socket hitch apparatus comprises a socket member defining a socket. A swivel member is attached to the socket member about a horizontal swivel pivot axis located rearward of the socket, such that the swivel member can pivot from an open position to a closed position. The front ball engaging portion of the swivel member defines a ball recess between upper and lower recess ends, the recess configured such that as the hitch ball moves upward into the socket, same pushes the upper recess end upward and when the hitch ball reaches the top of the socket, the swivel member is locked in the closed position and the lower recess end is under a periphery of the hitch ball. A forward end of a lower surface of a ramp member is located below a rear edge of the socket and slopes downward and rearward from the forward end thereof.

Abstract: A winch apparatus for mounting to a load bed comprises a mounting bracket adapted to be mounted to a side edge of the load bed, and a pivot bracket pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket about a substantially vertical winch swivel axis. A winch is attached to the pivot bracket and configured such that, when the mounting bracket is mounted to the side edge of the load bed, a winch shaft of the winch is oriented substantially horizontally and a bottom of the winch is at a vertical location that is above a top surface of the load bed such that the winch can pivot over the top surface of the load bed. The winch can be configured to be conveniently driven by a conventional and commonly available ratchet wrench of a size appropriate to the particular winch.

Abstract: A socket hitch apparatus comprises a socket member defining a socket. A swivel member is attached to the socket member about a horizontal swivel pivot axis located rearward of the socket, such that the swivel member can pivot from an open position to a closed position. The front ball engaging portion of the swivel member defines a ball recess between upper and lower recess ends, the recess configured such that as the hitch ball moves upward into the socket, same pushes the upper recess end upward and when the hitch ball reaches the top of the socket, the swivel member is locked in the closed position and the lower recess end is under a periphery of the hitch ball. A forward end of a lower surface of a ramp member is located below a rear edge of the socket and slopes downward and rearward from the forward end thereof.

Abstract: A socket hitch apparatus comprises a socket member defining a socket. A swivel member is attached to the socket member about a horizontal swivel pivot axis located rearward of the socket, such that the swivel member can pivot from an open position to a closed position. The front ball engaging portion of the swivel member defines a ball recess between upper and lower recess ends, the recess configured such that as the hitch ball moves upward into the socket, same pushes the upper recess end upward and when the hitch ball reaches the top of the socket, the swivel member is locked in the closed position and the lower recess end is under a periphery of the hitch ball. A forward end of a lower surface of a ramp member is located below a rear edge of the socket and slopes downward and rearward from the forward end thereof.

Abstract: A pintle hitch apparatus has a base adapted at a forward end thereof for attachment to the towing vehicle. A hook member is attached to a rear end of the base and forms a cradle between the base and an upward oriented male portion of the hook member, the cradle configured to support the hitch ring member in a ring location. A latch member is pivotally attached to the base about a horizontal pivot axis such that the latch member can pivot from a closed position, where a rear portion of the latch member extends over the cradle above the ring location, to an open position where the rear end of the latch member is forward of the cradle. The latch member is weighted such that the latch member falls to the closed position when the latch member is in the open position.

Abstract: A pintle hitch apparatus has a base adapted at a forward end thereof for attachment to the towing vehicle. A hook member is attached to a rear end of the base and forms a cradle between the base and an upward oriented male portion of the hook member, the cradle configured to support the hitch ring member in a ring location. A latch member is pivotally attached to the base about a horizontal pivot axis such that the latch member can pivot from a closed position, where a rear portion of the latch member extends over the cradle above the ring location, to an open position where the rear end of the latch member is forward of the cradle. The latch member is weighted such that the latch member falls to the closed position when the latch member is in the open position.

Abstract: A locking hitch ring apparatus includes a hitch ring member adapted at a rear end thereof for attachment to a towed vehicle. A drawpin hole defined by the hitch ring member is oriented such that an axis of the drawpin hole is oriented vertically when the hitch ring member is attached to the towed vehicle. A lock plate is movably attached to the hitch ring member such that the lock plate is movable from a closed position, where the lock plate blocks the drawpin hole, to an open position, where the drawpin hole is open, and a lock mechanism is operative to lock the lock plate in the closed position.