Abstract: A rotary shaft assembly includes a rotary shaft having a first end portion, a second end portion opposite the first end portion, a longitudinal axis extending centrally through the first and second end portions, and a shaft body that defines a bore between the first and second end portions. An anti-flailing mechanism is positioned within the bore of the shaft body. The anti-flailing mechanism is coupled to rotary shaft and extends at least partially between the first and second end portions to contain the rotary shaft about the longitudinal axis when the rotary shaft fails.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enabling passenger transportation on autonomous commercial vehicles are disclosed, including a system comprising processor(s), and a memory storing instructions that cause the processor(s) to: receive a trip itinerary having a pick-up region, a time, and autonomous vehicle data; receive a rideshare request identifying passenger data and having a pick-up location, a drop-off location, and a pick-up time, the passenger data being associated with a passenger device; match the rideshare request with the trip itinerary as a list of matched itineraries; generate a passenger manifest based on the autonomous vehicle data and the passenger data; book a ridesharing trip including the passenger data and the autonomous vehicle data; provide the rideshare request to the autonomous vehicle device; transmit a rideshare request confirmation to a passenger device; and store the passenger manifest in the memory.

Abstract: A system and process for facilitating passenger travel, including receiving trip itineraries from a plurality of driver devices; receiving a rideshare request from at least one passenger device; matching the rideshare request with at least one trip itinerary; generating a passenger manifest identifying passenger name, selected driver name, pick-up location, drop-off location, a date of travel, a motor carrier name, and motor carrier number, and a signature of an authority owner; booking a ridesharing trip including the passenger with the selected driver; providing the driver device with the rideshare request based on the driver selection; providing a rideshare request confirmation to the passenger device; and storing the passenger manifest on the non-transitory computer readable medium.

Abstract: A vehicle side or step rail includes a longitudinal extending vehicle side rail having a vehicle frame-facing side arranged to mount to the frame of a motor vehicle and an outward-facing side to which a leading end of one or more steps is connected to the rail but the trailing end is not. The connection may be in the form of a brace. Depending on where the vehicle mounting points are located relative to the leading end of the step, one or more additional braces can be added. Regardless of whether additional braces are used, the trailing end of the step is not braced or connected to the rail and always extends past the brace. The step surface of the step is always spaced apart from the rail, leaving a gap between it and the outward-facing side of the rail.

Abstract: Embodiments of a motor vehicle bumper step include a housing connectable to a bottommost end of a rear bumper. The uppermost end of the housing may include a planar plate containing a curved perimeter portion and, above the planar plate, a bracket including mounting holes. A recessed portion of the housing defines an opening at least partly along two different sides of the housing, with a bottom end of the recessed portion containing a planar step surface having a curved outward-facing perimeter. A first and a second facia portion each located on a different side of the housing are spaced apart from one another by the recess. The facia portions extend downward from the uppermost end of the housing and connect to a respective side of the planar step. The housing may match the bumper profile and not extend past the bumper in a horizontal direction.

Abstract: A vehicle side or step rail includes a longitudinal extending vehicle side rail having a vehicle frame-facing side arranged to mount to the frame of a motor vehicle and an outward-facing side to which a leading end of one or more steps is connected to the rail but the trailing end is not. The connection may be in the form of a brace. Depending on where the vehicle mounting points are located relative to the leading end of the step, one or more additional braces can be added. Regardless of whether additional braces are used, the trailing end of the step is not braced or connected to the rail and always extends past the brace. The step surface of the step is always spaced apart from the rail, leaving a gap between it and the outward-facing side of the rail.

Abstract: Embodiments of a motor vehicle bumper step include a step housing connectable to a bottommost end of a rear bumper. The uppermost end of the housing may include a planar plate containing a curved perimeter portion and, above the planar plate, a bracket including mounting holes. A recessed portion of the housing defines an opening at least partly along two different sides of the housing, with a bottom end of the recessed portion containing a planar step having a curved outward-facing perimeter. A first and a second facia portion each located on a different side of the housing are spaced apart from one another by the recess. The facia portions extend downward from the uppermost end of the step housing and connect to a respective side of the planar step. The step housing may match the bumper profile and not extend past the bumper in a horizontal direction.