Abstract: At least first and second geofences are established. The first geofence provides for indicating to an operator of a vehicle a limit to the territorial extent of a permitted operational area for the vehicle. The second geofence limits the territorial extent of a permitted operational area for the mobile platform, typically by limiting the mobility of the mobile platform. The first and second geofences are located with respect to one another and the permitted operational area so that with movement through the limits of the permitted operational area, the mobile platform encounters the first geofence no later than it encounters the second geofence.

Abstract: An exterior lighting system of a motor vehicle (10) has headlamps (12) and foglamps (14) for illuminating a field of view. The headlamps have lenses (26) through which light passes to illuminate the field of view and are constructed to alter the light that is directed within the headlamps toward upper zones (26A) of the lenses relative to light that is directed toward lower zones (26B) of the lenses when both headlamps and foglamps are shining onto the field of view so as to attenuate headlight glare that would otherwise be seen by a driver of the vehicle looking toward the field of view in the absence of the light alteration. Various embodiments of inventive headlamps are shown.

Abstract: A lift gate (12) is raised and lowered on a motor vehicle by a prime mover. An electrical system of the vehicle has at least one D.C. storage battery (22) for raising and lowering the lift gate when the vehicle engine is not running. A disconnect, such as a mag switch (20) carries electricity from the battery to the prime mover when actuated to an enabling condition. Control logic for selectively enabling and unenabling the disconnect to carry electricity to the prime mover from the battery includes a control input (28, 32), a source providing battery voltage data corresponding to actual battery voltage (26), and a timer in an ESC (24).

Abstract: A disconnect switch (30, 30SA) is placed in circuit between a battery bank (12) and a distribution point (30B) for the entire electrical system load except the engine cranking motor (24). This allows the circuit between the battery bank and a cranking motor solenoid (22) that operates the cranking motor to be switch-free. A switch-free circuit allows a continuous cable to connect the battery bank to the cranking motor solenoid, significantly reducing the electrical resistance between the battery bank and the cranking motor solenoid.

Abstract: A control for raising and lowering a lift axle (16) on a motor vehicle (10) having an ignition switch (106) for turning the motor on and off. The control has a circuit (32) that is fed through the ignition switch when the ignition switch is on but not when the ignition switch is off and that has a first switch device (102F) that requires actuation to enable the lift axle to be lowered and a second switch device (94D) that, once the first switch device has been actuated to enable the lift axle to be lowered, is effective upon being actuated to cause the lift axle to be lowered. Placement of the vehicle transmission in reverse automatically raises the lift axle if it has been lowered.

Abstract: Clutching arrangements for motor vehicle standard transmissions. The force required to clutch a vehicle transmission using a foot pedal is reduced by providing a compressed air actuated boost device attached to the clutch linkage. The degree of boost is selectable using a hand controlled air pressure regulator. Activation of the boost device is controlled by switches which are sensitive to clutch pedal position.

Abstract: The disclosure describes clutching arrangements for motor vehicle standard transmissions. The force required to clutch a vehicle transmission using a foot pedal is reduced by providing a compressed air actuated boost device attached to the clutch linkage. The degree of boost is selectable using a hand controlled air pressure regulator. Activation of the boost device is controlled by switches which are sensitive to clutch pedal position.

Abstract: A control for raising and lowering a lift axle (16) on a motor vehicle (10) having any ignition switch (106) for turning the motor on and off. The control has a circuit (32) that is fed through the ignition switch when the ignition switch is on but not when the ignition switch is off and that has a first switch device (102F) that requires actuation to enable the lift axle to be lowered and a second switch device (94D) that, once the first switch device has been actuated to enable the lift axle to be lowered, is effective upon being actuated to cause the lift axle to be lowered. Placement of the vehicle transmission in reverse automatically raises the lift axle if it has been lowered.

Abstract: An anti-glare system for motor vehicle headlights is effective to illuminate the headlights at reduced intensity when the vehicle is not in motion and the headlight switch is on thereby promoting better visibility for the driver of an oncoming vehicle. This system is believed particularly useful in service vehicles, such as pick-up and delivery trucks and school buses.

Abstract: A circuit for the electrical system of an automotive vehicle, such as a truck, interfaces a two-speed axle selector switch (20) and a two-speed axle solenoid (18) with the vehicle ignition, or key, switch (12), the vehicle brake actuation switch (16), and the vehicle transmission neutral switch (14) to allow the axle to be shifted between its two speed ranges under certain conditions and to disallow such shifting under other conditions. The circuit includes a high range relay (22), a high range enable relay (24), a high range disable relay (26), and a low range relay (28).

Abstract: When the driver parks a truck for the purpose of sleeping in the cab's bunk space and desires to have the air conditioner operate, fan clutch cycling, which may create objectionable noise that disturbs sleep, is avoided by the inclusion of a branch circuit off of the air conditioner switch that comprises a parking brake switch in series with a relay coil. When the air conditioner is on and the parking brakes are set, this relay coil is energized to open a circuit to the engine fan clutch solenoid, preventing the fan clutch from being disengaged, and thereby keeping the fan in driven relation to the engine crankshaft so that fan clutch cycling does not occur.

Abstract: An engine diagnostic testing procedure requires that the fuel shut-off solenoid valve remain connected to the engine's electronic control module during diagnostic testing. A normally closed set of contacts of a relay is interposed in the wiring between the module and the valve. This relay is part of an automatic shut-down circuit that uses several principal components of a known shut-down system along with two additional relays and three diodes to provide the engine with an automatic shut-down system that is independent of the engine's electronic control module, yet that will not disconnect the fuel shut-off solenoid valve from the electronic control module during diagnostic engine testing.