Abstract: A roller blind can be provided for a roof system of a vehicle. A shade (e.g., cloth) of the roller blind can be retracted into a coil with bow springs fully extended in a straight configuration at their maximum width. When deployed, the ends of the bow springs are urged towards each other to form a narrower width and a curved shape. This allows the shade to conform to the curved shape of the overlying roof system (e.g., glass) and provide more headroom within the cabin.

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 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 with a load space to provide a chassis comprising a framework (10) comprising a pair of spaced-apart elongate longitudinal members (12, 14) connected by a pair of spaced-apart elongate lateral members (20, 22) and bracing for the thus-defined framework, a rear suspension attached to the rearmost lateral member (20) and comprising a trailing-arm arrangement (52), and a front suspension attached to the front most lateral member (22) and comprising a leading-arm arrangement (58). This creates a rigid core for the chassis, which also provides all four suspension mounting points.

Abstract: A vehicle with a load space to provide a chassis comprising a framework (10) comprising a pair of spaced-apart elongate longitudinal members (12, 14) connected by a pair of spaced-apart elongate lateral members (20, 22) and bracing for the thus-defined framework, a rear suspension attached to the rearmost lateral member (20) and comprising a trailing-arm arrangement (52), and a front suspension attached to the front most lateral member (22) and comprising a leading-arm arrangement (58). This creates a rigid core for the chassis, which also provides all four suspension mounting points.

Abstract: A kit for constructing a commercial vehicle supplied ex-works as a flat-pack package using the vehicle chassis as a pallet. The kit includes components comprising: a chassis, an engine attachable to the chassis, located within and supported by the chassis, and a plurality of upright chassis members attachable to the chassis thereby to define at least a cabin, placed flat over the chassis. The component making up the kit can be restrained in place, such as by wrapping or tying with suitable film, bands or cords. Body panels attachable to the chassis uprights can be supplied, placed flat over the chassis. Brake line, a wiring loom and major drivetrain items such as the engine, differential and propshaft may be pre-attached to the chassis in their final locations before shipping the kit. With suitable spacers, several such kits could be packed for transport in a single vehicle or container.

Abstract: Current systems of distributing vehicles are inefficient, particularly in developing nations. To resolve this, we provide a kit for constructing a commercial vehicle supplied ex-works as a flat-pack package using the vehicle chassis as a pallet. Thus, the kit may include a chassis, an engine attachable to the chassis, located within and supported by the chassis, and a plurality of upright chassis members attachable to the chassis thereby to define at least a cabin, placed flat over the chassis. The elements making up the kit can be restrained in place, such as by wrapping or tying with suitable film, bands or cords. Body panels attachable to the chassis uprights can be supplied, placed flat over the chassis. Brake line, a wiring loom and major drivetrain items such as the engine, differential and propshaft may be pre-attached to the chassis in their final locations before shipping the kit. In this way, the complete kit can be prepared at a suitable factory and shipped as a “flat-pack” item.