Abstract: A system for moving cargo is disclosed. The system includes a cart, which, in turn, includes a body with a battery compartment and a platform. The cart also includes wheels and a motor for driving the wheels. A battery is housed in the battery compartment for powering the motor. The system also includes a cargo carrier mounted on the platform. The cargo carrier includes a base, two side walls, and two end walls. At least one end wall or side wall is adapted to be moved between different positions to change the shape and/or size of the compartment.

Abstract: A vehicle is described herein that includes a body structure such as a windshield and/or a windshield frame, a compartment such as a passenger compartment, one or more body panels around the compartment, and an at least partially floating cover, such as a roof, disposed over the compartment. The floating cover includes one or more body structure mounts and an overhang extending from the body structure over the compartment to an aft portion of the compartment. Other similar embodiments include features such as support structures, support structure mounts that mount the floating cover to the support structures, and various aerodynamic features incorporated into the floating cover. For example, some embodiments include roll bars and roll bar mounts, aerodynamic arcs, and aerodynamically continuous surfaces.

Abstract: Embodiments of a parking brake and anti-theft apparatus for a vented disc brake system are described herein. Such embodiments may include a brake assembly, an actuator and a rocker or a locking arm. The brake assembly by include a first and second rotor plates separated by spacers and slots. The rocker and locking arm may include pawls extending from an edge, and may be positioned adjacent to a circumference of the rotor plates, aligned between the rotor plates. The actuator may move the rocker and/or locking arm between locked an unlocked positions such that, in the locked configuration, the pawls are inserted into the slots, and in the unlocked configuration, the pawls are disposed outside the slots.

Abstract: An apparatus for pivotally fixing a non-driven wheel assembly to a vehicle frame is disclosed. The apparatus provides a trough through which non-driven wheel assembly components can be passed and protected. In one embodiment, the trough is circular in shape and is fully enclosed by the apparatus. In other embodiments, the trough has various shapes and comprises retaining members to secure and protect non-driven wheel assembly components. A suspension system interface is provided that allows the apparatus to suspend the non-driven wheel assembly. Openings used to pivotally and rigidly fix a mounting plate, suspension system, pivotal axes, and fender assemblies are also disclosed and claimed herein.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an apparatus for changing the in-air pitch and/or roll of a land craft are described herein. The apparatus may include a steering input mechanism, a support structure, and an articulator. The apparatus may include one or more of a pitch-forward input mechanism, a pitch-back input mechanism, a roll-right input mechanism, and a roll-left input mechanism. The vehicle may include a set of wheels on which the vehicle travels over ground. The steering input mechanism may receive steering inputs from a driver of the vehicle. The steering input mechanism may receive pitch and roll control inputs from the driver. The support structure may connect the steering input mechanism to the vehicle, at least one of the wheels, or the vehicle and the at least one of the wheels. The articulator may rotatably connect the steering input mechanism to the support structure.

Abstract: A vehicle frame may comprise a plurality of interlocking tab and slot frame members forming a three-dimensional structure. A custom vehicle frame construction may be specified, designed and built based on a purchaser's selection. The three-dimensional structure may comprise a tab and slot panel to which additional tab and slot frame members are attached. The tab and slot frame members may have an attachment device disposed thereon for attachment of a vehicle component selected by the purchaser of the vehicle frame.

Abstract: A thermoforming apparatus is described herein. The apparatus may include a pressure mechanism, a thermal device, a plurality of individually actuatable pins, and/or a pin actuation mechanism. The pressure mechanism may create a force against a die surface. The thermal device may change a thermal state of a material forced by the pressure mechanism against the die surface. The plurality of individually actuatable pins may form the die surface. The pin actuation mechanism may be connected to the plurality of actuatable pins and/or may actuate the pins. This apparatus improves on prior solutions in many ways. For example, embodiments of the thermoforming apparatus may require significantly less time between different molds than previous thermoforming machines and 3D printers.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for an automotive vehicle is described herein. The assembly includes a cylindrical rim, a tire around the rim, two spoke assemblies, a wheel hub, a brake assembly, and a mounting arm. The rim is symmetrical, and has a first flange on a first side of the rim and a second flange on a second side of the rim. The tire is disposed around the rim. The first spoke assembly is coupled to the first flange and has a hub-mounting structure at its center. The second spoke assembly is coupled to the second flange and has an opening at its center. The wheel hub and brake assembly are disposed inside the rim between the first and second spoke assemblies, coupled to the hub-mounting structure. The mounting arm passes through the opening at the center of the second spoke assembly and couples the wheel assembly to the vehicle.

Abstract: A parking brake and anti-theft apparatus as described herein may include a brake assembly, a linear actuator and a plurality of locking pins. The brake assembly may include a rotor plate. The rotor plate may include a plurality of openings in and/or through the rotor plate. The plurality of locking pins may be extendable by the linear actuator. The pins may be aligned perpendicular to a face of the rotor plate such that, as at least one of the pins is disposed over one of the plurality of openings and the actuator extends the plurality of locking pins, the pin disposed over the one of the plurality of openings passes into the one of the plurality of openings. In various embodiments, the plurality of pins may comprise a length equal to or greater than a length between two adjacent openings of the plurality of openings.

Abstract: An exchangeable electric vehicle battery receptacle, kiosk is disclosed herein. The kiosk includes a receptacle, a bell crank and solenoid that lock a battery in the receptacle, and circuitry that dispenses the battery. The bell crank includes a first arm extending into the receptacle and a second arm coupled to an extension spring that is coupled to a fixed point on the kiosk. The battery includes a form factor dimensioned to fit at least partially around the first arm. The solenoid has an armature and is positioned adjacent to the second arm. The armature fixes the bell crank and fixes the extension spring in an extended state, thereby locking the battery in the receptacle slot. The circuitry retracts the armature into the solenoid. A retraction force on the second arm by the extension spring rotates the bell crank, at least partially dispensing the exchangeable battery from the receptacle slot.

Abstract: An out-of-autoclave compression molding system is disclosed herein. The system includes a mold, a vacuum bag, a vacuum valve, a pressure plate, and a pressure valve. The mold includes a concave feature and a flange. The vacuum bag covers at least the concave feature. The pressure plate is positioned outside the vacuum bag clamped to the flange and on the mold to form a pressure cavity between the vacuum bag and the plate. An out-of-autoclave compression molding process is also described. The process includes pressing a composite material and thermoset resin into a mold having a flange; surrounding the mold, composite material, and resin with a vacuum bag; sealing and evacuating the vacuum bag; clamping a pressure plate to the flange; and pressurizing the cavity.

Abstract: One of the most popular and exhilarating stunts in off-road vehicle driving is catching air off a jump. Unfortunately, once the vehicle is in the air, the driver loses significant control of the vehicle. An electronic vehicle control system is described herein that addresses this problem. The system may include an ABS module, a shock position sensor, and an ABS override module. The ABS override module may be coupled to the shock position sensor and the ABS module. The ABS override module may receive a shock-extended signal from the shock position sensor indicating one or more of the shocks are fully extended. The ABS override module may send a stop-ABS signal that may prevent the ABS module from operating. The ABS override module may additionally be connected to a yaw rate sensor, the brakes, and the throttle, and may automatically control the pitch, roll and yaw of the vehicle.

Abstract: A three-wheeled automobile is described herein. The automobile may include a unibody frame, a flexible engine cowling, and a fastener. The unibody frame may include an exposed unibody panel and/or a removable-panel securing fixture disposed adjacent to the exposed unibody panel. The engine cowling may be secured to the securing fixture. The fastener may pass through the engine cowling panel and may be affixed to the securing fixture, thereby securing the engine cowling panel to the unibody frame. The engine cowling panel may pass over the securing fixture and/or behind the unibody panel. The engine cowling panel may be pressed against the unibody panel outwards from the automobile by a bending force in the engine cowling panel such that the exposed unibody panel may prevent bowing of an outside edge of the engine cowling panel directly adjacent to the unibody panel.

Abstract: A fuel tank and a motor vehicle equipped to recapture, store and recycle atmospheric carbon dioxide is disclosed. In one embodiment, such a vehicle includes a fuel tank which stores carbon dioxide in a same area with the combustible fuel of the vehicle. The fuel tank may include one or more pistons, baffles, bladders, or fixed dividers to separate carbon dioxide storage from fuel storage within a fuel tank area. The fuel tank may share volumetric space between carbon dioxide and fuel within the fuel tank. The fuel tank may be integrally formed into a carbon fiber vehicle body. The fuel tank may be integrally formed into a frame of a vehicle.