Abstract: A vehicle assembly can include a vehicle body structure, a front seat, a rear seat, and a grab bar assembly. The vehicle body structure can define a passenger area. The front seat can be mounted to the vehicle body structure. The rear seat can be mounted to the vehicle body structure. The grab bar assembly can be mounted to the vehicle body structure. The grab bar assembly can include a grab bar, a spacer bar and a cover assembly. The grab bar can extend across the passenger area. The spacer bar can be attached to the grab bar, with a first gap formed between the spacer bar and the front seat, and a second gap formed between the spacer bar and the grab bar. The cover assembly can be attached to the spacer bar and positioned in the first gap.

Abstract: A skid plate adapted to be disposed at an underside of a vehicle is disclosed. The skid plate includes a plate portion, a duct portion, and a screen. The plate portion has a first side adapted to be disposed facing a ground and a second side disposed opposite to the first side. The duct portion is connected to the plate portion and extends away from the plate portion. Further, the duct portion defines a channel for directing a flow of air from the first side to the second side. Also, the screen is disposed at an outlet of the channel to prevent an ingress of debris to the second side.

Abstract: A gear shift lever biasing apparatus includes a shift lever biased primarily along a first dimension axis using a spring. The shift lever is retained to a backing plate, which may be mounted on a frame. A contact area on the backing plate engages with a bumper that is secured to the frame with a semi-rigid retainer, thereby providing bias to the gated shift lever primarily along a second dimension axis that is primarily orthogonal to the first dimension axis.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly can include a vehicle body structure, a front seat, a rear seat, and a grab bar assembly. The vehicle body structure can define a passenger area. The front seat can be mounted to the vehicle body structure. The rear seat can be mounted to the vehicle body structure. The grab bar assembly can be mounted to the vehicle body structure. The grab bar assembly can include a grab bar, a spacer bar and a cover assembly. The grab bar can extend across the passenger area. The spacer bar can be attached to the grab bar, with a first gap formed between the spacer bar and the front seat, and a second gap formed between the spacer bar and the grab bar. The cover assembly can be attached to the spacer bar and positioned in the first gap.

Abstract: A system for herding a group of animals includes a master autonomous vehicle including a controller, a camera in communication with the controller for supplying image data to the controller, a global positioning satellite apparatus for determining a position of the master autonomous vehicle, and a ranging unit for determining a distance to an object to the autonomous vehicle in communication with the controller. The system further includes a plurality of client autonomous vehicles, each of the plurality of client autonomous vehicles being operated by the controller of the master autonomous vehicle and a herding apparatus for keeping the group of animals between the master autonomous vehicle and each of the plurality of client autonomous vehicles.

Abstract: A system for providing goods to a customer includes an autonomous vehicle, the autonomous vehicle including a first controller, a camera in communication with the first controller for supplying image data to the controller, a global positioning satellite apparatus for determining a position of the autonomous vehicle in communication with the first controller, and a ranging unit for determining a distance to an object from the autonomous vehicle in communication with the first controller. The system also includes a mobile vending machine affixed to the autonomous vehicle, the mobile vending machine including a second controller, a user interface for taking an order from the customer in communication with the second controller, and a delivery apparatus in communication with the second controller for delivering the order to the customer.

Abstract: A system and method for cleaning a beach includes a master autonomous vehicle that includes a controller, a camera, a GPS unit, a ranging unit, and a wireless communication unit. The system further includes at least one client autonomous vehicle in wireless communication with and operated by the controller of the master autonomous vehicle and a plurality of beach cleaners attached to the autonomous vehicles. The autonomous vehicles may detect and avoid obstacles on the beach being cleaned and each other.

Abstract: A system for herding a group of animals includes a master autonomous vehicle including a controller, a camera in communication with the controller for supplying image data to the controller, a global positioning satellite apparatus for determining a position of the master autonomous vehicle, and a ranging unit for determining a distance to an object to the autonomous vehicle in communication with the controller. The system further includes a plurality of client autonomous vehicles, each of the plurality of client autonomous vehicles being operated by the controller of the master autonomous vehicle and a herding apparatus for keeping the group of animals between the master autonomous vehicle and each of the plurality of client autonomous vehicles.

Abstract: An air intake system for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The motor vehicle has a frame and a body on the frame. The frame and the body define a passenger cabin and an engine compartment longitudinally rearward of the passenger cabin. A firewall separates the passenger cabin and the engine compartment. An engine is attached to the frame in the engine compartment, and wheels are driven by the engine. The air intake system includes an air intake snorkel for providing air to the engine, a first vent in the body for directing air to the air intake snorkel, a second vent in the body for directing air to the air intake snorkel, a flexible member installed around the air intake snorkel for isolating the air intake snorkel from the engine compartment, and a compartment floor isolating the air intake snorkel from the wheels.

Abstract: A gear shift lever biasing apparatus includes a shift lever biased primarily along a first dimension axis using a spring. The shift lever is retained to a backing plate, which may be mounted on a frame. A contact area on the backing plate engages with a bumper that is secured to the frame with a semi-rigid retainer, thereby providing bias to the gated shift lever primarily along a second dimension axis that is primarily orthogonal to the first dimension axis.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, an engine, and a plurality of mount devices. The frame includes a main frame and a sub-frame attached to the main frame. The engine is attached to the sub-frame.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, an engine, and a plurality of mount devices. The frame includes a main frame and a sub-frame attached to the main frame. The engine is attached to the sub-frame.

Abstract: A differential assembly includes an axle, a differential, a differential lock, a blocking member, and a pump. The differential is coupled with the axle and configured to facilitate operation of the axle at an axle speed. The differential lock is associated with the differential and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The blocking member is associated with the differential lock and is movable between a blocking position and a non-blocking position. When the blocking member is in the blocking position, the differential lock is inhibited from moving to the locked position. The pump includes an outlet in fluid communication with the blocking member. The pump is operably coupled with the axle and is configured to facilitate movement of the blocking member into the blocking position when the axle speed is above a threshold speed. Vehicles including a differential assembly are also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a roll cage and a net structure attached to the roll cage. The roll cage at least partially defines a protected area and at least partially defines an access opening communicating with the protected area. The net structure is selectively configurable in a lowered, closed configuration to at least inhibit passage of an operator of the vehicle through the access opening, and is further selectively configurable in a generally rolled-up, open configuration to facilitate passage of an operator of the vehicle through the access opening.

Abstract: A differential assembly includes an axle, a differential, a differential lock, a blocking member, and a pump. The differential is coupled with the axle and configured to facilitate operation of the axle at an axle speed. The differential lock is associated with the differential and movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The blocking member is associated with the differential lock and is movable between a blocking position and a non-blocking position. When the blocking member is in the blocking position, the differential lock is inhibited from moving to the locked position. The pump includes an outlet in fluid communication with the blocking member. The pump is operably coupled with the axle and is configured to facilitate movement of the blocking member into the blocking position when the axle speed is above a threshold speed. Vehicles including a differential assembly are also provided.