Abstract: A vehicle wheel alignment rack is described herein that includes at least one laser and a target. The laser is removably coupled to a wheel of a vehicle. The target corresponds to the laser and is disposed at an opposite end of the vehicle from the laser. The target is directly and removably coupled to a frame of the vehicle such that the target is aligned with the frame at a known angle. The wheel is aligned to the frame by comparing the known angle to an expected and actual position on the target where a beam of light from the laser strikes the target. Some embodiments of the claimed invention include at least a second laser and a second target similarly disposed. Various means of coupling the target or targets to the frame are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A vehicle is described herein that includes a unibody vehicle frame, a vehicle body panel, and one or more monolithic tripartite support mechanisms, which mechanisms provide structural support for at least three frame-mounted vehicle components. Each support mechanism includes a windshield support arm, a side view mirror support arm, and a body panel fixing plate. The side view mirror support arm extends from the windshield support, and the body panel fixing plate extends from the windshield support arm, the side-view mirror support arm, or both. Additionally, the windshield support arm holds a windshield to the vehicle, the side view mirror support arm holds a side view mirror to the vehicle, and the fixing plate secures the body panel to the frame.

Abstract: An air filter housing for is disclosed. The air filter housing is created by a base filter section and a top filter section. The top filter section is a hood of a vehicle. This allows the filter to be changed and inspected by simply lifting up the vehicle hood. Air channels are formed in a bottom portion of a two-layer hood allowing air to be delivered to the air intake of a combustion engine. The hood interfaces with the base filter housing section and seals the filter by pressure created by the hood.

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: 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: 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 three-wheeled vehicle crumple zone is described. The crumple zone includes a triangular, single-sided swing arm coupling a wheel to a frame of the vehicle at an end-most portion of the vehicle. The swing arm includes a u-shaped frame yoke coupling the swing arm to the frame and an angled wheel yoke coupling the wheel to the swing arm. The wheel yoke extends from the frame yoke at an angle ranging from 40 to 70 degrees, such that the frame yoke, the wheel yoke, and a centerline axis extending perpendicularly from the frame yoke form a right triangle.

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: Upcycled vehicle embodiments and methods of constructing and/or leasing an upcycled vehicle are described herein. A method of leasing an upcycled vehicle may include providing an upcycled vehicle, providing a label on the vehicle that indicates the vehicle is “upcycled,” and leasing the vehicle to a lessee. The upcycled vehicle may include one or more used engine components installed on a new chassis. The chassis may be assembled before selection of the engine, and modified after the engine is selected. The label may indicate to a consumer or other observer of the vehicle that the vehicle includes used engine components installed in a chassis constructed of new materials. The lease may last for a fixed term, the term based on a period of time, a fixed number of miles, or a combination thereof. The vehicle may be received back by the lessor at the end of the lease.

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 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 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: A three-wheeled vehicle crumple zone is described. The crumple zone includes a triangular, single-sided swing arm coupling a wheel to a frame of the vehicle at an end-most portion of the vehicle. The swing arm includes a u-shaped frame yoke coupling the swing arm to the frame and an angled wheel yoke coupling the wheel to the swing arm. The wheel yoke extends from the frame yoke at an angle ranging from 40 to 70 degrees, such that the frame yoke, the wheel yoke, and a centerline axis extending perpendicularly from the frame yoke form a right triangle.

Abstract: Several grill assemblies and methods for assembling the same are claimed and disclosed. In one embodiment, the assembly includes slotted panels with a single deformable wall to fix the slotted panels together. In another embodiment, slotted panels are fixed together using two deformable walls, one deformed subsequently after the other. The general shape of panels and grill assemblies is disclosed. Features of grill assembly members used to mount the grill to separate structural frame members and mount separate assemblies to the grill assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle is described herein that includes a unibody vehicle frame, a vehicle body panel, and one or more monolithic tripartite support mechanisms, which mechanisms provide structural support for at least three frame-mounted vehicle components. Each support mechanism includes a windshield support arm, a side view mirror support arm, and a body panel fixing plate. The side view mirror support arm extends from the windshield support, and the body panel fixing plate extends from the windshield support arm, the side-view mirror support arm, or both. Additionally, the windshield support arm holds a windshield to the vehicle, the side view mirror support arm holds a side view mirror to the vehicle, and the fixing plate secures the body panel to the frame.

Abstract: An articulating prop to prop panels in an open position is disclosed. In one embodiment, the prop includes a protrusion that rests in a groove to lock members of the articulating prop in position. An external force causes the articulating prop members to rotate into a locked position. In another embodiment, an additional latch is disclosed which further locks the articulating prop in a locked position. An external force causes the articulating prop member to rotate out of a locked position. Shapes and interfaces of handles of the articulating prop are disclosed. Openings and pivotal axes of members of the articulating prop are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system is described that includes a frame, a control arm assembly, a bell crank, and a shock. The control arm assembly includes upper and lower control arms. The bell crank is disposed above the upper control arm and is pivotally coupled to the upper control arm and the frame. The shock is coupled to the bell crank and the frame, and is disposed between the bell crank and a vehicle passenger compartment. In some embodiments, the bell crank is coupled to the upper control arm by a pushrod. Additionally, in some embodiments, the frame is a unitized frame and/or includes an engine cowling, and the bell crank is coupled to the engine cowling.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel alignment rack is described herein that includes at least one laser and a target. The laser is removably coupled to a wheel of a vehicle. The target corresponds to the laser and is disposed at an opposite end of the vehicle from the laser. The target is directly and removably coupled to a frame of the vehicle such that the target is aligned with the frame at a known angle. The wheel is aligned to the frame by comparing the known angle to an expected and actual position on the target where a beam of light from the laser strikes the target. Some embodiments of the claimed invention include at least a second laser and a second target similarly disposed. Various means of coupling the target or targets to the frame are also disclosed herein.

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.