Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for a covering equipped with a charging surface for a wall of a vehicle cargo bed. The covering includes a first portion structured to be attached to a top portion of the wall, the first portion having a first surface including a charging area configured to receive a rechargeable device and a second surface configured to face the top portion of the wall when the first portion is attached to the top portion of the wall. A charging unit can be disposed between the top portion of the wall and the second surface directly beneath the charging area for charging the rechargeable device in response to the rechargeable device being placed on the charging area of the first surface.

Abstract: A step pad assembly includes a step pad including a plurality of raised pads protruding from an outer side of the step pad and providing a traction surface to promote sure footing of a user stepping on the traction surface. The step pad assembly further includes at least one clip fastener including a head portion, a stem portion, and a flexible finger extending from the stem portion. The head portion is configured to be detachably coupled at the outer side of the step pad. When installed on a vehicle or support member (e.g., a bumper cover or frame), the stem portion is configured to extend longitudinally from an inner side of the head portion, through an aperture disposed in the step pad, to an inner side of the step pad. The flexible finger can snap into the support member to secure the step pad to the support member.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for a tow hook assembly for a vehicle. The tow hook assembly includes a tow hook having a distal end and a proximal end opposite the distal end, a translating member configured to be coupled to the tow hook, a hinge disposed between the tow hook and the translating member, a housing configured to house at least a portion of the translating member, and a biasing member disposed within the housing and configured to be coupled to the translating member such that the biasing member is configured to deploy the tow hook. A horizontal axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The translating member is configured to translate the tow hook along the horizontal axis, and the hinge is configured to rotate the tow hook about the hinge and radially away from the horizonal axis.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for a tailgate drawer for a vehicle. The tailgate drawer may include a bed floor positioned along a first horizontal plane. The tailgate drawer may further include a battery positioned underneath the bed floor and lying along a second horizontal plane being parallel to the first horizontal plane. The battery may be configured to store and supply electrical energy. The tailgate drawer may further include a drawer lying along the second horizontal plane and positioned rearward of the battery with respect to the vehicle. The drawer may be configured to move between a closed position and an open position. The drawer may include a plurality of walls defining a storage compartment. The drawer may further include one or more electrical outlets electrically connected to the battery and coupled to one or more walls of the plurality of walls.

Abstract: The application generally relates to an apparatus comprising a tailgate protector having a base disposed atop a first portion of a tailgate, a support arm extending from a first edge of the base, and one or more mounting elements disposed within the base, wherein the one or more mounting elements are configured to removably couple an attachment via one or more attachment mounting elements includes in the attachment.

Abstract: Apparatuses described herein relate to improving the prevention of cargo movement during vehicle travel. In one embodiment, an apparatus for securing cargo within a vehicle includes a bladder coupled to an underside of a cover that extends over a cargo area, where the bladder faces the cargo area. The apparatus includes a supply device coupled with the bladder via a connecting member to expand the bladder into contact with the cargo within the cargo area.

Abstract: A system for the protection of an electronic device in a vehicle includes a housing, a capsule, a trigger mechanism, and a supply of expandable material. The electronic device is positioned within the housing. The trigger mechanism is coupled to the capsule. The supply of expandable material is configured to move from a compressed state to an expanded state. The supply of expandable material is positioned within the capsule in the compressed state and positioned surrounding the electronic device within the bladder in the expanded state.

Abstract: A truck includes a passenger cabin and a truck bed located rearward of the passenger cabin in a vehicle longitudinal direction. The truck bed includes a bed deck and a pair of spaced apart sidewalls. A tailgate replacement extends across a rear opening to the truck bed and between the sidewalls. The tailgate replacement includes vertically-extending support rails and vertically spaced-apart, laterally-extending support rails that extend between the vertically-extending support rails. A slider is connected to the laterally-extending support rails. The slider includes a first connecting portion that slidably engages a first one of the laterally-extending support rails and a second connecting portion that slidably engages a second one of the laterally-extending support rails.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a seat assembly includes a seat portion and a back portion connected to the seat portion. The back portion has an opening sized to receive a backpack that extends through both a front-facing surface and a rear-facing surface. A backpack is located in the opening in a stowed configuration. The backpack is accessible at the front-facing surface and the rear-facing surface and is removable from the opening.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for a tow hook system for a vehicle. The tow hook system includes a sensor configured to detect a collision of the vehicle and an electronic control unit coupled to the sensor. The electronic control unit is configured obtain, from the sensor, the collision detection, and activate a tow hook assembly based on the collision detection.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for a tow hook assembly for a vehicle. The tow hook assembly includes a tow hook having a distal end and a proximal end opposite the distal end, a translating member configured to be coupled to the tow hook, a hinge disposed between the tow hook and the translating member, a housing configured to house at least a portion of the translating member, and a biasing member disposed within the housing and configured to be coupled to the translating member such that the biasing member is configured to deploy the tow hook. A horizontal axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The translating member is configured to translate the tow hook along the horizontal axis, and the hinge is configured to rotate the tow hook about the hinge and radially away from the horizonal axis.

Abstract: A vehicle including a cross member and a tow hook assembly. The tow hook assembly is coupled to the cross member and includes a housing, a tow hook, and a shear pin. The housing includes an arcuate interior. The tow hook is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. The tow hook includes a retaining block and a receiving member having a distal portion extending from the retaining block and a leading portion extending from the distal portion. The shear pin is positionable to extend through the housing. When the tow hook is in the extended position and a force exceeding a predetermined threshold is applied to the leading portion of the receiving member, the shear pin shears to permit the retaining block of the tow hook to move along the arcuate interior of the housing and position the tow hook into the retracted position.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided with an integrated and removable traction device, such as a tread board. The traction device may be integrated into a bumper of the vehicle. When mounted/installed on the bumper, the traction device can act as a cover to a storage unit implemented in the bumper. When removed, the traction device can be placed under a wheel of the vehicle to provide increased traction on certain surfaces. By integrating the traction device into the vehicle's bumper area, the traction device need not occupy, e.g., interior storage space of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle including a cross member and a tow hook assembly. The tow hook assembly is coupled to the cross member and includes a housing, a tow hook, and a shear pin. The housing includes an arcuate interior. The tow hook is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. The tow hook includes a retaining block and a receiving member having a distal portion extending from the retaining block and a leading portion extending from the distal portion. The shear pin is positionable to extend through the housing. When the tow hook is in the extended position and a force exceeding a predetermined threshold is applied to the leading portion of the receiving member, the shear pin shears to permit the retaining block of the tow hook to move along the arcuate interior of the housing and position the tow hook into the retracted position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a seat assembly includes a seat portion and a back portion connected to the seat portion. The back portion has an opening sized to receive a backpack that extends through both a front-facing surface and a rear-facing surface. A backpack is located in the opening in a stowed configuration. The backpack is accessible at the front-facing surface and the rear-facing surface and is removable from the opening.

Abstract: A truck includes a passenger cabin and a truck bed located rearward of the passenger cabin in a vehicle longitudinal direction. The truck bed includes a bed deck and a pair of spaced apart sidewalls. A compressor unit is located between an inner sidewall panel and an outer sidewall panel of one of the sidewalls. A truck bed cover covers the truck bed. A bladder is connected to an underside of the truck bed cover. The compressor unit connected to the bladder and configured to inflate the bladder.

Abstract: A truck includes a passenger cabin and a truck bed located rearward of the passenger cabin in a vehicle longitudinal direction. The truck bed includes a bed deck and a pair of spaced apart sidewalls. A tailgate replacement extends across a rear opening to the truck bed and between the sidewalls. The tailgate replacement includes vertically-extending support rails and vertically spaced-apart, laterally-extending support rails that extend between the vertically-extending support rails. A slider is connected to the laterally-extending support rails. The slider includes a first connecting portion that slidably engages a first one of the laterally-extending support rails and a second connecting portion that slidably engages a second one of the laterally-extending support rails.

Abstract: A truck includes a passenger cabin and a truck bed located rearward of the passenger cabin in a vehicle longitudinal direction. The truck bed includes a bed deck and a pair of spaced apart sidewalls. A compressor unit is located between an inner sidewall panel and an outer sidewall panel of one of the sidewalls. A truck bed cover covers the truck bed. A bladder is connected to an underside of the truck bed cover. The compressor unit connected to the bladder and configured to inflate the bladder.

Abstract: The application generally relates to an apparatus comprising a tailgate protector having a base disposed atop a first portion of a tailgate, a support arm extending from a first edge of the base, and one or more mounting elements disposed within the base, wherein the one or more mounting elements are configured to removably couple an attachment via one or more attachment mounting elements includes in the attachment.

Abstract: Apparatuses described herein relate to improving the prevention of cargo movement during vehicle travel. In one embodiment, an apparatus for securing cargo within a vehicle includes a bladder coupled to an underside of a cover that extends over a cargo area, where the bladder faces the cargo area. The apparatus includes a supply device coupled with the bladder via a connecting member to expand the bladder into contact with the cargo within the cargo area.