Abstract: A technique for managing a cable for an antenna involves applying (or providing) a cable retracting force to a carrier which is movable relative to a cable guide. The cable extends from a connector through the carrier and through the cable guide to an antenna platform for the antenna. The cable retracting force biases the carrier away from the cable guide. The technique further involves moving the carrier toward the cable guide to dispense the cable through the cable guide in response to a pulling force on the antenna platform exceeding the cable retracting force. The technique further involves moving the carrier away from the cable guide to retract the cable through the cable guide in response to the pulling force on the antenna platform being less than the cable retracting force.

Abstract: A technique for forming a releasable attachment provides first and second latch strips each having an alternating pattern of lobes and troughs. The lobes of the first latch strip are adapted to fit within the troughs of the second latch strip, and vice versa, with the lobes retained within the troughs until sufficient force is applied between the first and second latch strips to separate them.

Abstract: A firefighting vehicle includes a chassis that houses an electric drivetrain for driving wheels of the vehicle. A conduit extends within the chassis from back to front for conveying firefighting fluid. Within the chassis, a first motor and a first battery pack are disposed on a first side of the conduit and a second motor and a second battery pack are disposed on a second side of the conduit. The first motor is configured to drive a first wheel on a first side of the vehicle, and the second motor is configured to drive a second wheel on a second side of the vehicle. The conduit is configured to provide firefighting fluid to a monitor mounted at the front of the chassis, where the fluid can be discharged toward a target, such as a fire.

Abstract: A modular apparatus is disclosed in which wheel assemblies of a tracked vehicle can be added, removed, located, and/or relocated over a wide range of adjustments. The apparatus includes a rail attached to the tracked vehicle. Modular wheel assemblies can be attached to the rail at variable locations.

Abstract: An overridable failsafe brake apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The overridable failsafe brake apparatus includes (a) a lever accessible from outside the vehicle, the lever being operable at a first position and a second position; (b) a brake; and (c) a spring having a first end coupled to the lever and a second end coupled to the brake. (d) The lever disposed in the first position is configured to induce tension in the spring that enables the brake to be activated, and the lever disposed in the second position is configured to reduce tension in the spring to disable the brake from being engaged. A method of operating an overridable failsafe brake apparatus for a vehicle and a vehicle including an overridable failsafe brake apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: Techniques are directed to utilizing a suspension protector to deflect debris away from a set of suspension components of a tracked vehicle. The tracked vehicle includes a vehicle body, a suspension, and a set of suspension protectors. The suspension couples with the vehicle body and is constructed and arranged to control movement of the vehicle body using tracks. Each suspension protector couples with the vehicle body and is disposed a predefined distance from a respective wheel of the suspension to deflect debris thrown from the respective wheel and a respective track away from a respective set of suspension components of the suspension.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body defining a front, a rear, lateral sides extending between the front and the rear. The vehicle further includes a fluid delivery system supported by the body. The fluid delivery system includes an intake manifold disposed at the rear, the intake manifold being constructed and arranged to receive fluid from at least one external fluid source, an outlet disposed at the front, the outlet being constructed and arranged to distribute fluid from the at least one fluid source to an external target, and a fluid conduit coupled with the intake manifold and the outlet to convey the fluid from the intake manifold to the outlet through the body. The vehicle further includes track assemblies coupled with the body, the body being disposed between the track assemblies to enable the track assemblies to provide stability to the vehicle during high speed fluid discharge from the outlet.

Abstract: Techniques are directed to utilizing a suspension protector to deflect debris away from a set of suspension components of a tracked vehicle. The tracked vehicle includes a vehicle body, a suspension, and a set of suspension protectors. The suspension couples with the vehicle body and is constructed and arranged to control movement of the vehicle body using tracks. Each suspension protector couples with the vehicle body and is disposed a predefined distance from a respective wheel of the suspension to deflect debris thrown from the respective wheel and a respective track away from a respective set of suspension components of the suspension.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a floor plate defining a front and a back of the vehicle, wall sections to receive vehicle loading and transfer the vehicle loading to the floor plate, and a fluid delivery assembly supported by the floor plate. The fluid delivery assembly includes an intake manifold that resides at the back, an outlet that resides at the front, and a set of lateral conduits extending between the intake manifold and the outlet to laterally convey fluid entering the intake manifold from a fluid source to the outlet for delivery to a fluid target. Accordingly, the back may connect to the fluid source and the front may deliver the fluid thus keeping the vehicle sides and top available for other uses. Moreover, the low isolated placement of the fluid delivery assembly safeguards the fluid delivery assembly and provides a low center of gravity for vehicle stability.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a floor plate defining a front and a back of the vehicle, wall sections to receive vehicle loading and transfer the vehicle loading to the floor plate, and a fluid delivery assembly supported by the floor plate. The fluid delivery assembly includes an intake manifold that resides at the back, an outlet that resides at the front, and a set of lateral conduits extending between the intake manifold and the outlet to laterally convey fluid entering the intake manifold from a fluid source to the outlet for delivery to a fluid target. Accordingly, the back may connect to the fluid source and the front may deliver the fluid thus keeping the vehicle sides and top available for other uses. Moreover, the low isolated placement of the fluid delivery assembly safeguards the fluid delivery assembly and provides a low center of gravity for vehicle stability.

Abstract: An overridable failsafe brake apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The overridable failsafe brake apparatus includes (a) a lever accessible from outside the vehicle, the lever being operable at a first position and a second position; (b) a brake; and (c) a spring having a first end coupled to the lever and a second end coupled to the brake. (d) The lever disposed in the first position is configured to induce tension in the spring that enables the brake to be activated, and the lever disposed in the second position is configured to reduce tension in the spring to disable the brake from being engaged. A method of operating an overridable failsafe brake apparatus for a vehicle and a vehicle including an overridable failsafe brake apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: Techniques control attachment of equipment to a vehicle deck. Such techniques involve positioning an equipment base that serves as a base of the equipment on the vehicle deck. Such techniques further involve extending a latching mechanism of the equipment base to provide a first latching width that captures the equipment base between a set of deck clamps and a deck jamb mounted to the vehicle deck to fasten the equipment to the vehicle deck. Such techniques further involve contracting the latching mechanism to provide the equipment base with a second latching width that enables the equipment base to escape from the set of deck clamps and the deck jamb mounted to the vehicle deck to unfasten the equipment from the vehicle deck.

Abstract: A technique for a modular tracked vehicle that can be reconfigured as needed to address different requirements and use cases. The modular tracked vehicle includes a chassis hull that allows interchangeable components to be connected thereto. The interchangeable components include interchangeable final drives which drive the vehicle's tracks. The chassis hull stores an energy reservoir, such as a battery or fuel tank, and the final drives include at least a gear box and drive axle. Different final drives may be provided for different torque levels, speed levels, energy sources, and or other specifications, and the final drives may be swapped based on mission requirements. Other components of the modular tracked vehicle may be interchangeable, as well. The technique may be provided, for example, as a modular tracked vehicle, a platform for a modular tracked vehicle, and/or as a method for use with a modular tracked vehicle.