Abstract: A floor securing apparatus comprises a riser slot formed in a floor riser, extending from a top surface toward a bottom surface of the floor riser. The floor riser is configured to support a floor sheet. The apparatus further includes a key including a locking head and at least one anchor tab, where the key is slidable into the riser slot and configured to engage a portion of the floor sheet when slid into the riser slot to prevent vertical movement of the floor sheet relative to the floor riser.

Abstract: A side underride system configured to be coupled to a trailer is disclosed. The side underride system comprises a support system configured to be positioned below the trailer to provide side underride protection. The support system includes a cable system and a brace system. The cable system is configured to couple to the trailer. The brace system includes a plurality of cross-braces that each extend at least partially across a width of the trailer, are spaced apart at intervals along a length of the trailer, and are configured to capture the cable system.

Abstract: A method of making a vehicle coupler assembly comprises the steps of assembling together a coupler assembly, the coupler assembly comprising a coupler grid plate and a kingpin coupled together with the coupler grid plate and extending below a bottom surface of the coupler grid plate and after assembling together the coupler grid and the kingpin, applying a coating to at least a portion of the coupler assembly.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a header for enclosing a counterbalance assembly for use with an overhead door assembly. The header comprises a top surface, a rear surface coupled to a rear end of the top surface, a bottom surface coupled to a bottom end of the rear surface, and at least one reinforcement member disposed rearward of the counterbalance assembly and forward of the rear surface. The at least one reinforcement member provides necessary reinforcement to the header while allowing for a vertical height of the header to be minimized.

Abstract: A counterbalance assembly for use with an overhead door assembly of a trailer, for example, includes a first counterbalance mechanism having a first adjustment mechanism for adjusting a tension force of the first counterbalance mechanism and a second counterbalance mechanism having a second adjustment mechanism for adjusting a tension force of the second counterbalance mechanism. The first and second counterbalance mechanisms are spaced-apart from each other.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a door sealing system for an overhead door assembly of a vehicle comprises a rotating seal apparatus. The overhead door assembly includes a door frame and a door panel. The rotating seal apparatus comprises a rod, a first seal, and a second seal. When the door panel is in a closed position, the rod is actuatable, so that, when actuated, the rod is rotated, compressing the seal against the door panel and compressing the second seal against the door frame.

Abstract: A tire inflation system for use with a vehicle includes an airflow regulator configured to adjust a tire pressure of an inflatable tire coupled to an axle included in a wheel-axle system of a vehicle. The tire inflation system may further include a controller including a processor and a memory, the memory having stored therein a plurality of instructions that when executed by the processor cause the controller to receive data indicative of a force load acting on the axle and adjust the airflow regulator to cause the airflow regulator to control the tire pressure of the inflatable tire based on the data indicative of the force load acting on the axle.

Abstract: A stabilizer designed to be used in a single shear fastening configuration to secure a composite panel to an adjacent material is disclosed. The front side of the composite panel is flush with the adjacent material and the back of the composite panel is flush with the stabilizer. As a result, the adjacent material and the stabilizer sandwich the composite panel and mimic a double shear configuration. The stabilizer helps to prevent fastening devices (e.g., screws, rivets, nails) from pulling through the composite panel and adds to the mechanical strength of the fastening application.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a logistic rail assembly configured to be installed within a composite panel of a vehicle, the composite panel being comprised of an inner sheet, an outer sheet, and a core member positioned between the inner and outer sheet, the logistic rail comprising a central portion including a plurality of apertures formed therein, the central portion defining a first thickness and first and second outer flange portions coupled to the central portion to position the central portion therebetween, wherein the first and second outer flange portions are configured to be coupled to the inner sheet of the composite panel, and wherein the first and second outer flange portions define a second thickness that is less than the first thickness.

Abstract: A floor securing apparatus comprises a riser slot formed in a floor riser, extending from a top surface toward a bottom surface of the floor riser. The floor riser is configured to support a floor sheet. The apparatus further includes a key including a locking head and at least one anchor tab, where the key is slidable into the riser slot and configured to engage a portion of the floor sheet when slid into the riser slot to prevent vertical movement of the floor sheet relative to the floor riser.

Abstract: A side underride system configured to be coupled to a trailer may comprise a first skirt wall coupled to the trailer, positioned below a first side wall of the trailer, and extending along a first length of the trailer between a skirt wall front end and a skirt wall rear end and a cable system including a first cable coupled to the trailer, positioned below the first side wall, and extending along a second length of the trailer between a cable system front end and a cable system rear end, the skirt wall rear end being positioned forward of the cable system rear end.

Abstract: A floor securing apparatus comprises a riser slot formed in a floor riser transverse to a longitudinal axis of the floor riser, the floor riser configured to support a floor sheet and a key including a locking head and at least one anchor tab, wherein the key is slidable into the riser slot transverse to the longitudinal axis of the floor riser, wherein the key is configured to engage a portion of the floor sheet to prevent vertical movement of the floor sheet relative to the floor riser.

Abstract: An integrated tire inflation valve comprises an inlet configured to receive air from an air tank, a pressure protection assembly configured to control air flow into the tire inflation system when an air pressure reaches a pre-set pressure level, a valve assembly in fluid communication with the pressure protection assembly, a pressure regulator configured to be adjusted to a desired pressure to thereby allow air through the pressure regulator at a desired level, a flow switch configured to selectively allow air therethrough, and an outlet configured to provide air from the flow switch to one or more tires of a vehicle. The inlet, pressure protection assembly, valve assembly, pressure regulator, flow switch, and outlet are all positioned within a single housing.

Abstract: A side underride system configured to be coupled to a trailer is disclosed. The side underride system comprises a support system configured to be positioned below the trailer to provide side underride protection. The support system includes a cable system and a brace system. The cable system is configured to couple to the trailer. The brace system includes a plurality of cross-braces that each extend at least partially across a width of the trailer, are spaced apart at intervals along a length of the trailer, and are configured to capture the cable system.

Abstract: A method for coupling a first structure to a second structure is disclosed. The method includes providing a rivet having a shaft with a first end and a second end, a head positioned at the first end, and a cavity formed in the second end and extending along an axis of the shaft. The method also includes positioning the first structure and the second structure against each other and inserting the second end through the first structure and the second structure until the head contacts the first structure and the second end extends past the second structure. The method further includes positioning a first flat tool and a second flat tool against the head and the second end, respectively, and moving the first flat tool and the second flat tool toward each other until the second end expands radially against the second structure.

Abstract: A side underride system configured to be coupled to a trailer may comprise a first skirt wall coupled to the trailer, positioned below a first side wall of the trailer, and extending along a first length of the trailer between a skirt wall front end and a skirt wall rear end and a cable system including a first cable coupled to the trailer, positioned below the first side wall, and extending along a second length of the trailer between a cable system front end and a cable system rear end, the skirt wall rear end being positioned forward of the cable system rear end.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a logistic rail assembly configured to be installed within a composite panel of a vehicle, the composite panel being comprised of an inner sheet, an outer sheet, and a core member positioned between the inner and outer sheet, the logistic rail comprising a central portion including a plurality of apertures formed therein, the central portion defining a first thickness and first and second outer flange portions coupled to the central portion to position the central portion therebetween, wherein the first and second outer flange portions are configured to be coupled to the inner sheet of the composite panel, and wherein the first and second outer flange portions define a second thickness that is less than the first thickness.

Abstract: A stabilizer designed to be used in a single shear fastening configuration to secure a composite panel to an adjacent material is disclosed. The front side of the composite panel is flush with the adjacent material and the back of the composite panel is flush with the stabilizer. As a result, the adjacent material and the stabilizer sandwich the composite panel and mimic a double shear configuration. The stabilizer helps to prevent fastening devices (e.g., screws, rivets, nails) from pulling through the composite panel and adds to the mechanical strength of the fastening application.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a header for enclosing a counterbalance assembly for use with an overhead door assembly. The header comprises a top surface, a rear surface coupled to a rear end of the top surface, a bottom surface coupled to a bottom end of the rear surface, and at least one reinforcement member disposed rearward of the counterbalance assembly and forward of the rear surface. The at least one reinforcement member provides necessary reinforcement to the header while allowing for a vertical height of the header to be minimized.

Abstract: A method for coupling a first structure to a second structure is disclosed. The method includes providing a rivet having a shaft with a first end and a second end, a head positioned at the first end, and a cavity formed in the second end and extending along an axis of the shaft. The method also includes positioning the first structure and the second structure against each other and inserting the second end through the first structure and the second structure until the head contacts the first structure and the second end extends past the second structure. The method further includes positioning a first flat tool and a second flat tool against the head and the second end, respectively, and moving the first flat tool and the second flat tool toward each other until the second end expands radially against the second structure.