Abstract: An off-road vehicle includes a vehicle body with a passenger compartment and a cargo compartment adjacent to, and rearward of, the passenger compartment. A base is supported by the vehicle body and disposed over the cargo compartment, the base having a forward end, a rearward end, a first side, and a second side. A partition extends from the forward end of the base. A side panel is pivotally attached to the first side of the base about a longitudinal axis and attachable to the partition in a first configuration to facilitate storage, and moveable in an outward direction to provide a raised platform with the base in a second configuration. A rear panel is pivotally attached to the side panel about a transverse axis and connectable to the vehicle body in the second configuration to support the side panel without engaging an underlying external surface.

Abstract: An off-road vehicle includes a vehicle body with a passenger compartment and a cargo compartment adjacent to, and rearward of, the passenger compartment. A base is supported by the vehicle body and disposed over the cargo compartment, the base having a forward end, a rearward end, a first side, and a second side. A partition extends from the forward end of the base. A side panel is pivotally attached to the first side of the base about a longitudinal axis and attachable to the partition in a first configuration to facilitate storage, and moveable in an outward direction to provide a raised platform with the base in a second configuration. A rear panel is pivotally attached to the side panel about a transverse axis and connectable to the vehicle body in the second configuration to support the side panel without engaging an underlying external surface.

Abstract: A vehicle seat hinge assembly including a base plate, a seat support assembly, and an off-center hinge. The base plate is configured to mount to a vehicle and the seat support assembly is configured to mount to the seat. The off-center hinge of the vehicle seat hinge assembly is positioned at one corner of the base plate and pivotally couples at least part of the seat support assembly to the base plate. The base plate has a base plate centerline and the off-center hinge has a hinge axis that is arranged at an oblique angle relative to the base plate centerline.

Abstract: A pivotable bracket assembly adapted to be coupled to a vehicle bed includes a base, a frame, and a support. The frame has a first fixed end pivotally coupled to the base and a first free end. The frame can pivot about a first transverse axis. The frame can receive a container. The support has a second fixed end pivotally coupled to the base and a second free end. The support can to pivot about a second transverse axis. The second free end can slidingly engage the frame. Pivoting of the support about the second transverse axis causes the second free end to slidingly engage the frame and rotate the frame about the first transverse axis. The assembly is moveable between a stowed position and an angled position by pivoting the support about the second transverse axis.

Abstract: A vehicle seat hinge assembly including a base plate, a seat support assembly, and an off-center hinge. The base plate is configured to mount to a vehicle and the seat support assembly is configured to mount to the seat. The off-center hinge of the vehicle seat hinge assembly is positioned at one corner of the base plate and pivotally couples at least part of the seat support assembly to the base plate. The base plate has a base plate centerline and the off-center hinge has a hinge axis that is arranged at an oblique angle relative to the base plate centerline.

Abstract: A heater duct can be coupled to an instrument panel of a vehicle, and comprises a base, a nozzle, and a neck. The base is sealingly coupled to the instrument panel and includes an inlet opening to receive air from a heater. The nozzle includes an outlet opening and is fluidly connected to the base. The nozzle deflects the air through the outlet opening and toward a predetermined region of a windshield. The neck extends between and is sealingly coupled to the base and nozzle. The base, nozzle, and neck cooperate to at least partially define an interior volume. The heater duct is positioned in an orthogonal coordinate system comprising an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis. Air flowing from the inlet opening through the interior volume toward the outlet opening follows a path sequentially extending in substantially a negative z-direction, substantially a negative y-direction, and substantially a positive z-direction.

Abstract: A heater duct can be coupled to an instrument panel of a vehicle, and comprises a base, a nozzle, and a neck. The base is sealingly coupled to the instrument panel and includes an inlet opening to receive air from a heater. The nozzle includes an outlet opening and is fluidly connected to the base. The nozzle deflects the air through the outlet opening and toward a predetermined region of a windshield. The neck extends between and is sealingly coupled to the base and nozzle. The base, nozzle, and neck cooperate to at least partially define an interior volume. The heater duct is positioned in an orthogonal coordinate system comprising an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis. Air flowing from the inlet opening through the interior volume toward the outlet opening follows a path sequentially extending in substantially a negative z-direction, substantially a negative y-direction, and substantially a positive z-direction.

Abstract: A movable cargo rack assembly for installation on the cargo bed rails of a vehicle including a support assembly and a main arch that includes a leading edge, trailing edge, top segment, and side segments. The side segments extend downward from the top segment to body-side ends with insert portions that are received in stake holes in the cargo bed rails. The support assembly has two support arms with attachment ends that are pivotally connected to the cargo bed rails. The support assembly is pivotally connected to the main arch and is movable between a first configuration where the main arch is supported in two forward stake holes and the support arms extend out at an angle from the trailing edge and a second configuration where the main arch is supported in two rearward stake holes and the support arms extend out at an angle from the leading edge.

Abstract: A movable cargo rack assembly for installation on the cargo bed rails of a vehicle including a support assembly and a main arch that includes a leading edge, trailing edge, top segment, and side segments. The side segments extend downward from the top segment to body-side ends with insert portions that are received in stake holes in the cargo bed rails. The support assembly has two support arms with attachment ends that are pivotally connected to the cargo bed rails. The support assembly is pivotally connected to the main arch and is movable between a first configuration where the main arch is supported in two forward stake holes and the support arms extend out at an angle from the trailing edge and a second configuration where the main arch is supported in two rearward stake holes and the support arms extend out at an angle from the leading edge.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly for a vehicle having a cargo area bounded by a floor and at least one wall is provided along with a method of operation. The vehicle seat assembly comprises a seat back, a seat base, and a linkage assembly. The seat back of the vehicle seat assembly mounts to the wall and the linkage assembly mounts to the floor. The seat bottom is mounted to the linkage assembly and is moveable between stowed and deployed positions. When the seat bottom is in the deployed position, the seat bottom defines a deployed seat bottom plane. When the seat bottom is in the stowed position, the seat bottom is positioned below the deployed seat bottom plane. The seat bottom is separate from the seat back and is spaced apart from the seat back when the seat bottom is in the stowed position.

Abstract: A system for mitigating a threat in a facility according to the present disclosure includes a threat identification module and at least one group of drones. The threat identification module is configured to generate a threat identification signal indicating that the threat has been identified in the facility and transmit the threat identification signal to a central command center. The at least one group of drones is configured to move toward the threat in response to at least one of the threat identification signal and a command from the central command center.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly for a vehicle having a cargo area bounded by a floor and at least one wall is provided along with a method of operation. The vehicle seat assembly comprises a seat back, a seat base, and a linkage assembly. The seat back of the vehicle seat assembly mounts to the wall and the linkage assembly mounts to the floor. The seat bottom is mounted to the linkage assembly and is moveable between stowed and deployed positions. When the seat bottom is in the deployed position, the seat bottom defines a deployed seat bottom plane. When the seat bottom is in the stowed position, the seat bottom is positioned below the deployed seat bottom plane. The seat bottom is separate from the seat back and is spaced apart from the seat back when the seat bottom is in the stowed position.

Abstract: A method of modeling a three dimensional object defined by electronic data includes obtaining electronic data defining a first finished surface of the three dimensional object. A block of expanded polypropylene foam is shaped based on the electronic data. At least one surface of the expanded polypropylene foam block is offset from the first finished surface of the three dimensional object. A layer of hardenable paste is applied to the offset surface of the block of expanded polypropylene foam. The paste is hardened. The paste is machined to form the first finished surface of the three dimensional object.

Abstract: A seat for use with a cycle-type vehicle which includes a three-dimensional shaped insert constructed of a foam material. A structural foam backing is secured to a first surface of the foam material. One or more brackets are integrally formed with and extend from the structural backing and which engage given mounting locations of the vehicle. A fabric covering material is applied over a second surface of the foam material.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a vehicle door includes providing a lower door structure, providing an upper door structure having a pair of spaced apart frame rails, installing a window member between the frame rails, installing a window regulator to the window member and the upper door structure, and coupling the lower and upper door structures to one another. The window regulator may include a powered lead screw regulator, a rack and pinion regulator or a cable and drum regulator.

Abstract: A closure member assembly for a vehicle has a vehicle body that defines an aperture. The closure member assembly is positionable between a first position wherein the closure member assembly substantially covers the aperture and a second position wherein the closure member assembly substantially clears the aperture. The closure member assembly includes a first structure, a second structure and a drive mechanism. The first structure is movably coupled to the vehicle body. The second structure is pivotably coupled to the first structure about a generally horizontal pivot axis. The drive mechanism interconnects the first and second structures and is operable to pivot the second structure about the generally horizontal pivot axis.

Abstract: A motor vehicle for transporting passengers includes a body defining a passenger compartment, a first row of seats positioned within the passenger compartment, a second row of seats positioned within the passenger compartment rearward of the first row of seats, and a third row of seats positioned within said passenger compartment rearward of said second row of seats. The second and third rows of seats have seat backs and a seat bottoms. A first door is hingedly coupled to the vehicle for providing access to the first row of seats. A second door is positioned rearward and adjacent to the first door. The second door selectively encloses an opening formed in the body. The opening extends from a point forward of the seat bottom of the second row of seats to a point at least partially exposing the seat bottom of the third row of seats.

Abstract: A closure assembly for a vehicle includes an outer panel and an inner panel. The outer panel has an exterior surface and an opposed bonding surface. The inner panel has an interior surface and an opposed mounting surface The mounting surface of the inner panel and the bonding surface of the outer panel are coupled at their periphery to form a shell. The shell defines a pocket. An electrical device may be positioned within the pocket and coupled to one of the inner and outer panels In one embodiment, a majority of the interior surface of the inner panel is exposed to the passenger compartment. In another embodiment, the inner panel includes an integrally molded wire to conduct electricity to the electrical device.

Abstract: A door includes a door shell coupled to a door module. The door shell includes an outer panel secured to an inner panel, the inner panel having an opening therein. The door shell defines a hollow cavity. The door module includes a cassette and an interior trim panel coupled to the cassette. The door module further includes an attachment mechanism for securing the door module to the door shell. The attachment mechanism is visually hidden during operation of the door. The inner panel is cooperative with the door module to provide a positive rest position for the door module prior to securing the door module to the door shell.