Abstract: Fuel anti-theft systems, apparatus, and methods. Embodiments provide fuel anti-theft systems including a circuit and sensors which define nominal (secure) and tampered-with states. The tampered-with states are indicative of the sensor(s) being absent. Controllers of the current embodiment, moreover, senses a combined state of (all of a pre-selected number of) the sensors and determines therefrom whether all of the sensors are present and secure. In some embodiments, the controller senses the sensors (which can be wired in parallel) via a vehicle chassis ground. If desired, a resistor (which is about electrically equivalent to one of the sensors) and/or a geo-positioning system can be connected to the controller. The sensors can include normally open switches and clamps, cable ties, adhesives, etc. which close the switches. Some sensors include grounding straps while others include ground return leads. In some embodiments, sensors are positioned at vehicle fuel caps and/or fuel filters.

Abstract: A system includes a remote control unit, such as a fob, and a base station at a target, such as a vehicle. The control unit and the base station are configured to communicate authorization signals and time-of-flight (ToF) ranging signals concurrently between one another. The base station is further configured to confirm from the authorization signals whether the control unit is authorized for controlling a target function and to confirm from the ToF ranging signals whether the control unit is within range of the target. The base station is further configured to prevent the target function from being controlled by the control unit when the control unit is not within range of the target.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer readable media for protecting a pilot of an aircraft or an operator of a vehicle against glare from a luminous object. A system for attenuating glare experienced by an operator of a vehicle is provided with a transparent display unit or screen with adjustable pixels that is interposed between an operator of a vehicle and all or part of a windshield of the vehicle, and a device to control pixel intensity to attenuate glare from a luminous object. A system is provided with a positioning module for determining the position of the operator inside the vehicle, and for determining the position of at least one luminous object outside the vehicle that is a source of glare experienced by the operator. A system is provided with a computing device for computing a glare line between the operator and luminous object and the position of the display screen where the glare line intersects the display unit.

Abstract: A cleaning device is provided for a window element, which is insertably and retractably provided in a vehicle panel of a vehicle, with a cleaning element designed so as to rotate around its longitudinal axis, and with a feeder device to supply cleaning liquid to the cleaning element for cleaning the window element. A vehicle is also provided with such a cleaning device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wiping rubber for wiper blades in windshield wipers, comprising a profile body formed of an elastomer or rubber material, at least partially having a surface coating. The surface coating (22) comprises carbon fibers (24).

Abstract: A windscreen wiper device includes an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade includes opposing longitudinal grooves on its longitudinal sides, in which grooves spaced-apart longitudinal strips of the carrier element are disposed. Neighboring ends of the longitudinal are interconnected by a respective connecting piece. Also included is a connecting device for an oscillating wiper arm. The connecting piece comprises engaging members engaging around the longitudinal strips, wherein the strips and the connecting piece are slidably connected by means of a snap connection. At least one pin extending in a direction perpendicular to the windscreen to be wiped engages the wiper blade at a location of a hole in one of the longitudinal strips.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly for producing a vehicle windscreen wiper system, comprising an end piece (12) of a wiper holder, said wiper holder being intended to move a wiper (14), a connection interface (20) and an intermediate piece (30), said assembly being able to take up a working position in which said interface (20) is free with respect to said end piece (12) and a service position in which said interface (20) is retained in an oriented manner with respect to said end piece (12) by said intermediate piece (30). The invention also relates to a connecting device for a vehicle windscreen wiper system, comprising the assembly as above, a connector (40) intended to be fixed to said wiper (14) and an adapter (50) for attaching the connector (40) to said wiper holder. The invention also relates to a vehicle windscreen wiper system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wiping device, in particular a wiping device for a motor vehicle pane, comprising a wiper blade adapter (12a-12c) that has at least one detent element (40a-40c, 42a-42c), said element being designed, when mounted, to prevent a movement of the wiper blade adapter (12a-12c) relative to a retaining element (10a-10c) in a longitudinal direction (22a-22c). According to the invention, the wiping device has at least one securing means (30a-30c, 32a-32c) that is provided in order to secure the at least one detent element (40a-40c, 42a-42c) when mounted.

Abstract: A device or tool for removing snow and other debris from vehicles, and other surfaces including a handle having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a scraper portion coupled to the first end, and a head coupled to the second end. One or more light emitting elements are incorporated into the head to provide for ease of use in low light situations. The head may be a laterally extended foam head that is non-abrasive, freeze resistant, and durable. The handle may include a telescopic extension to allow a reach of a user to be increased or decreased allowing the user to clear away snow and other debris from various sizes of vehicles.

Abstract: A modular, environmentally friendly mobile fuel distribution station includes a fuel tank, a support structure having a plurality of legs for supporting an operation platform in an elevated position a predetermined distance above ground, an alternative power generation device, the alternative power generation device being one of a solar power generator and a wind power generator for providing primary power to the mobile fuel distribution station and a central platform operatively connected to at least two of the legs, the at least two of the legs bearing the weight of the central platform, wherein the fuel tank and the alternative power generation device are disposed on the operation platform.

Abstract: An electrical vehicle including a vehicle body, a passenger compartment, a chassis supporting the passenger compartment, a plurality of wheels and at least one electrical motor for driving the wheels. A battery compartment of the vehicle is configured to removably mount therein a plurality of more than two rechargeable batteries which are movable into position in the battery compartment by a battery conveyor system which has a battery access opening through which batteries are installed or removed, one by one, to and from the battery compartment. In the battery compartment, a connection mechanism effects the needed mechanical and electrical connections. An overall control system controls the conveyor system and the connection mechanism to enable rapid replacement of the removable batteries, whereby an electrical vehicle can be instantly driven, even after its batteries have been discharged by a replacement of the discharged batteries and the installation of freshly charged batteries.

Abstract: A length-adjustable telescopic tube (1) has a longitudinal axis (L), an inner tube (2) and an outer tube (4). In one of the tubes (2, 4) a component (20) is arranged, which features first attachment structures (28a, 28b). The tube (2, 4) has second attachment structures. Furthermore, at least one plug-in element (50, 60, and 70) with third attachment structures (58, 68, and 78) is provided, which cooperate with the first (28a, 28b) and second attachment structures (48a, 48b) to form a form-locking connection with the component (20) in at least one direction along the longitudinal axis (L) or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: At the connection region (connection mechanism of a parking lever and an electric actuator, a first connection pin is fitted in the end of a shaft member, is orthogonal to the shaft member, and is disposed parallel to the support shaft of the parking lever. A second connection pin is fitted in the swinging end of the parking lever and is parallel to the first connection pin. A connection member is rotatable with respect to the end of the shaft member in the circumferential direction of the first connection pin at a first hole where the connection member is fitted on the first connection pin, is rotatable with respect to the parking lever in the circumferential direction of the second connection pin at a second hole where the connection member is fitted on the second connection pin, and connects the two pins.

Abstract: A brake hub assembly for coupling to a wheel rim includes a hub body and a brake disk coupled to the hub body. The hub body and brake disk are shaped to allow maximum airflow through the brake disk during operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A driver assistance system in a motor vehicle includes an electronically controllable braking system and a control unit assigned to this braking system and connected with an operating element also assigned to the braking system. The operating element, when correspondingly actuated, can initiate an automatic braking function in the form of a normal braking by use of the electronically controllable braking system independently of the actuation of the brake pedal. The control unit is operatively configured such that, when the operating element is continuously actuated beyond a predefined minimum duration, an emergency braking function can be initiated.

Abstract: To determine whether an emergency braking situation exists for a vehicle, the vehicle determines at least the following state variables: its own velocity, its own longitudinal acceleration, its relative distance from an object in front, and the speed and acceleration of the object in front. A suitable evaluation method to assess whether an emergency braking situation is present is determined as a function of these state variables from a plurality of evaluation method options, including at least a movement equation evaluation method in which a movement equation system of the vehicle and of the object in front is determined, and an evaluation method in which a braking distance of the vehicle is determined.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a motor vehicle brake system, including several wheel brakes, an electrically controllable pressure supply device, dispenses a pressure medium volume for actuating the brakes, and an analogized or analog-controlled inlet valve, arranged in each wheel brake between the pressure supply device and wheel brake, for adjusting wheel-individual brake pressures. A check valve is connected in parallel to each inlet valve. At the start of a wheel-individual brake pressure control, all inlet valves are closed, and a pressure build-up is carried out in a predetermined group of one or more wheel brakes by displacing a pressure medium volume into the predetermined group of wheel brakes by the pressure supply device. Each inlet valve of the predetermined group is controlled such that the inlet valve is overflowed, wherein each inlet valve of the remaining wheel brakes is controlled such that the inlet valve remains closed.

Abstract: A method for operating a braking apparatus with a service and parking brake function, which braking apparatus can be applied both in a hydraulic manner by means of a hydraulic pressure generator and by means of an electromechanical force generator. A transfer takes place from the pressure generator, which exerts the hydraulic brake application, to the force generator, which exerts the electromechanical brake application, as soon as the braking torque is active at the braking apparatus. During the transfer, the braking torque, which is applied by the hydraulic pressure generator and the braking torque which is applied by the electromechanical force generator, is at least as high as the braking torque applied solely by the hydraulic pressure generator before the transfer.

Abstract: A method for controlling a braking system for motor vehicles having a hydraulically actuatable wheel brake which can be actuated by an electronically controllable pressure supply device having a cylinderpiston arrangement with a hydraulic pressure chamber, the piston of which can be displaced by an electromechanical actuator such that a pre-defined desired pressure value can be adjusted, a position of the pressure supply device being detected, and an actual pressure (Pv, act) of the pressure supply device being determined by a measurement device.

Abstract: A system and a method of operating an antilock braking system in a vehicle. The system and method include an electronic control unit that monitors an angle sensor to determine whether the vehicle is moving straight. The electronic control unit also monitors a plurality of images produced from a vehicle camera orientated towards a road surface. The electronic control unit determines a type of road surface and whether the road surface is slippery based on these images. The electronic control unit operates the antilock braking system in a plurality of modes depending on information received about the road surface and the angle sensor.

Abstract: A braking device including a travel sensor, which consists of a movable travel indicator and a sensing device for detecting a displacement or position in an actuation direction, wherein the braking device is structurally combined as a compact unit including a housed electronic control unit, a hydraulic unit, and in particular a pump unit, wherein the sensing device is integrated on or in the housed electronic control unit and the sensing device is arranged directly or indirectly on a circuit board, wherein the circuit board is either a main circuit board of the electrohydraulic device or an additional auxiliary circuit board connected to the main circuit board electrically and in particular also mechanically.

Abstract: A method for dimensioning a component of a braking system; the braking system having at least two brake-circuit partial circuits; each brake-circuit partial circuit having at least one pump element for building up a brake-circuit pressure and/or for returning brake-circuit fluid in an ABS case, the pump elements of the at least two brake-circuit partial circuits being operable using a motor element; and the at least two brake-circuit partial circuits being separable using a separating element, so that different brake-circuit pressures may be created in the at least two brake-circuit partial circuits.

Abstract: In a system and a method for performing a safety function of a vehicle, control signals are generated and transferred to a functional unit of the vehicle by a control unit. The safety function is performed by the functional unit in dependence on the control signals. Diagnostic tests are repeatedly performed at time intervals, the diagnostic tests being used to check if a fault that can interfere with the performance of the safety function is present. Metadata of the data are transferred to the control unit by the communication system, the metadata containing information about systems. This information is used to determine at least one reliability value of the data by the control unit. In dependence on the at least one reliability value, the control unit checks if the transferred data are sufficiently reliable for the performance of the safety function.

Abstract: A gearing unit of a motor vehicle actuator, in particular an electric parking brake, includes a gearing housing in which a driven first shaft and a driving second shaft having fixed rotational axes are located. A first toothed wheel is mounted on the first shaft and a second toothed wheel is mounted on the second shaft. The first toothed wheel and the second toothed wheel engage with one another through a third toothed wheel. The housing for the third toothed wheel has at least two spatially offset bearing points in order to adjust a transmission ratio between the first shaft and the second shaft. An electric parking brake having a gearing unit is also provided.

Abstract: An input device of a vehicle brake system which is downsized and has an improved general versatility in comparison with conventional vehicle brake systems is provided. An input device 14 includes: a master cylinder 34 that produces a fluid pressure in accordance with an input of an operation of a brake operating member 12; and a stroke simulator 64 which is provided side by side with the master cylinder 34 and which applies in a pseudo manner a force counteracting the operation of the brake operating member 12 to the brake operating member 12. The master cylinder 34 and the stroke simulator 64 are formed integrally.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spring-force brake system having a brake operating unit, having at least one sensor for detecting a driver braking demand upon operation of the brake operating unit by the driver, having at least one actuation unit for setting and regulating a braking force. For this purpose, it is provided according to the invention that at least one primary electronic control and regulating unit is provided which is connected at the signal input side to at least one sensor and which activates the actuation unit as a function of or on the basis of the signals of the sensor, and that at least one secondary control and regulating unit is provided which is connected at the signal input side to at least one sensor and which activates the actuation unit on demand on the basis of or as a function of signals of the sensor.

Abstract: An electromechanical actuator for a vehicle brake, the actuator comprising first and second portions 8 and 9 that are separable. The first portion 8 includes an electric motor 5 and connection structure 15 for connecting the actuator to an external control structure 4. The second portion 9 including a slidable pusher 6, the second portion 9 also including measurement structure 21. The first portion 8 includes a first antenna 14 connected to the connection structure 15, and the second portion 9 includes a second antenna 22 connected to the measurement structure 21, the two antennas 14, 22 being arranged to be electromagnetically coupled together when the first portion 8 and the second portion 9 are coupled together, so as to enable electrical signals to be transferred between the measurement structure 21 and the connection structure 15.

Abstract: In a hydraulic brake system including a cylinder device that includes a front chamber and a rear chamber located on front and rear sides of a pressurizing piston, respectively, presence or absence of liquid leakage from a brake line is detected based on a hydraulic pressure in the rear chamber. Where a state in which a subtraction value obtained by subtracting an actual rear hydraulic pressure from a target rear hydraulic pressure is larger than a first malfunction determination threshold value has continued for a time not shorter than a first malfunction determination time, and then an increase of the actual rear hydraulic pressure at a rate not lower than a set rate has caused the subtraction value to become smaller than a return determination threshold value, it is determined that the pressurizing piston has been bottomed due to liquid leakage from the front chamber.

Abstract: A main brake cylinder, for use within an electronic braking system for motor vehicles, having a device for contactless monitoring of a position of a piston that can be linearly moved along a piston axis. The device includes a movable element and a sensor unit. The sensor unit is fixedly arranged on a housing of the main brake cylinder and is connected to an electronic evaluation unit for processing signals from the device. According to the invention, in order to further increase function precision, to lower manufacturing expenditure, number of components, and costs, to reduce overall length, and to improve calibration options, a magnetic field is realized such as to be emittable from the sensor unit, and a yoke is dedicated to the piston for position-dependently changing the magnetic field such that the change can be detected by the sensor unit.

Abstract: Control apparatus for internal combustion engine in which alcohol fuel can be used includes: acquisition unit for acquiring alcohol concentration of fuel; electric motor for driving internal combustion engine; and a control unit configured to control the internal combustion engine and the electric motor. The control unit is configured, when the running time from a low-temperature start to the stoppage of the internal combustion engine or a parameter increasing with an increase of the running time is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, to cause, after the stoppage of the internal combustion engine, the electric motor to subject the internal combustion engine to motoring and to set the motoring time of the motoring to be shorter when a fuel alcohol concentration acquired by the acquisition unit is relatively high compared to when a fuel alcohol concentration acquired by the acquisition unit relatively is low.

Abstract: A transmission controller executes synchronization shift of shifting a variator in a direction opposite to a speed ratio change direction of a sub transmission mechanism when shifting a sub transmission mechanism. When a gear position of the sub transmission mechanism is at the second gear position and an output increase request of a power source is made, the transmission controller prohibits the synchronization shift and shifts only the sub transmission mechanism from a second gear position to a first gear position.

Abstract: A drive control device includes: a meshing engagement unit; an engine; a rotary machine; a detector detecting a predetermined parameter; and a controller configured to perform a release control of causing the rotary machine to output a second rotation torque in a direction opposite to a first rotation torque applied from the engine to the engagement unit at a time the engagement unit is released. The release control includes setting a magnitude of the second rotation torque to a predetermined value larger than a magnitude of the first rotation torque at a time the predetermined parameter change degree is not smaller than a threshold value and gradually decreasing the magnitude of the second rotation torque, and setting the magnitude of the second rotation torque to a magnitude smaller than the predetermined value at a time the predetermined parameter change degree is smaller than the threshold value.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle has a rechargeable battery, an internal combustion, a generator, and a control unit that controls the driving of the hybrid vehicle. The control unit determines a utilization mode of regenerated energy in the hybrid vehicle, according to a charged ratio of the battery and a braking force of the hybrid vehicle, from a first mode in which the regenerated energy is charged in the battery, a second mode in which the regenerated energy is consumed to drive the generator with the internal combustion engine as a load, and a third mode in which a part of the regenerated energy is charged in the battery and the remainder is consumed to drive the generator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, operation of a driveline disconnect clutch is adjusted to compensate for clutch wear and manufacturing tolerances.

Abstract: A vehicle and a drive control method for the same are provided. The vehicle includes an engine unit, a transmission unit configured to selectively coupled with the engine unit, a first motor generator coupled with the transmission unit, an output unit configured to transmit a power transmitted by the transmission unit to at least one of front and rear wheels of the vehicle, a power switching device configured to adjust a power transmission between the transmission unit and the output unit, a second motor generator configured to drive the at least one of the front and rear wheels, and a power battery coupled with the first and second motor generators respectively. The drive control method includes: acquiring an operation parameter of the vehicle; and performing a drive control of the vehicle based on the operation parameter and an operation mode selected from operation modes of the vehicle.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a vehicle behavior control system. The vehicle behavior control system includes a steering angle obtaining module, a steering angular velocity obtaining module, a vehicle speed obtaining module, a standard yaw rate calculation module, a limit yaw rate setting module and a behavior stabilization control module. The behavior stabilization control module executes a behavior stabilization control so as to stabilize a behavior of the vehicle by giving a braking force to a turning outer wheel of the vehicle based on a target braking force. The behavior stabilization control module sets a control intervention threshold based on the limit yaw rate and the steering angular velocity, and determines that the behavior stabilization control is to be started in case the standard yaw rate exceeds the control intervention threshold.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments enable masked priming stimuli to be provided to machine operators in advance of audible warnings issued by a safety warning system of a manned machine system when an emergency is imminent. In the various embodiments, the safety warning system of the manned machine system may output a masked priming stimulus in response to the machine operator performing a target action to teach a machine operator to take the target action associated with an emergency.

Abstract: A method predicts trajectories of traffic objects to avoid collisions. The method estimates the probability for at least two traffic objects to collide, and predicts a potential movement of the traffic objects presumably involved in the collision after the collision. This information about a potential movement of the traffic objects can be used to plan a suitable trajectory path of an evasion maneuver for a host-vehicle employing the method. A system detects the collision situation and applies crash situation models to predict the future dynamic properties of other traffic objects that collide or are about to collide with each other. The method and system applies specific crash models like collision models, models derived from crash simulations and tests or models of human reactions in emergency situations.

Abstract: A method and system of generating a horizon for use by an ADAS of a vehicle involving recording the historic movements of the vehicle on a road network, and using the recorded data to determine at least a most probable path that the vehicle will take at decision point of the road network.

Abstract: A vehicle, method, control arrangement, and autonomous drive arrangement are provided. The control arrangement is for controlling an autonomous drive arrangement in a host vehicle including an autonomous drive arrangement configured to control steering and velocity of the host vehicle up to an autonomous drive maximum velocity of the host vehicle, a speed limit determination unit, and a communication unit arranged to receive, from at least one external source, real time preceding vehicle velocity for one or more preceding vehicles. The control arrangement is configured to control the autonomous drive arrangement in dependence on a difference between the autonomous drive maximum velocity and at least one of a speed limit and at least one preceding vehicle velocity.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicle including: an internal combustion engine that generates a driving force; and a motor connected to the internal combustion engine via an elastic body to allow torque transmission, wherein the control apparatus performs a specific control that controls a rotational speed of the internal combustion engine by a generated torque of the motor, and the control apparatus performs a control so that, even when the strength of the generated torque accompanied with releasing elastic energy accumulated in the elastic body in the specific control is required to be changed, the strength is not changed when an absolute value of a torque change ratio which is the amount of change per unit time is larger than a predetermined change ratio threshold and an absolute value of the elastic energy is larger than a predetermined elastic energy threshold.

Abstract: A method for monitoring an electrically-powered torque machine configured to generate torque in a hybrid powertrain system includes monitoring signal outputs of a resolver configured to monitor rotational position of the torque machine. Upon detecting a fault warning state associated with the signal outputs of the resolver, a motor torque capacity of the torque machine is derated. Upon a clearing of the fault warning state, a torque ramp-up state to increase the motor torque capacity of the torque machine is executed. Notice of an incidence of a fault associated with the signal outputs of the resolver is provided only when the motor torque capacity fails to achieve a threshold motor torque capacity within a threshold recovery time period while executing the torque ramp-up state.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, system, and/or computer program product controls a driving mode of a self-driving vehicle (SDV). Sensor readings describe a current operational anomaly of an SDV that is traveling on a roadway. One or more processors compare a control processor competence level of the on-board SDV control processor that autonomously controls the SDV to a human driver competence level of a human driver in controlling the SDV while the SDV experiences the current operational anomaly. One or more processors then selectively assign control of the SDV to the on-board SDV control processor or to the human driver while the SDV experiences the current operational anomaly based on which of the control processor competence level and the human driver competence level is relatively higher to the other.

Abstract: A high-speed transportation system, the system having at least one enclosed volume that is configured to be maintained as a low-pressure environment, at least one track along a transportation path within the at least enclosed volume; and a plurality of capsules configured for travel through the at least one enclosed volume between stations. The at least one enclosed volume is at least partially defined by at least one flexible material structured and arranged to withstand a tensile load.

Abstract: A method for locating a rail vehicle along a rail route, along which a waveguide is laid. Temporally successive electromagnetic pulses are fed into the waveguide and, for each emitted pulse, at least one back-scattering pattern generated by vehicle-induced back-scattering of the electromagnetic pulse is received and evaluated. The waveguide has at least one locating section along the rail route, in which locating section the vibration sensitivity of the waveguide and/or the vibration acting on the waveguide is greater or less than outside the locating section. The amplitude of the received back-scattering pattern is evaluated and a location signal is generated if the amplitude of the received back-scattering pattern increases or decreases over the course of time.

Abstract: A railway safety critical application system substitutes commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware and/or software for railway-domain specific product components, yet is validated to conform to railway safety critical system failure-free standards. The safety critical system uses a pair of tasks executed on a controller of a COTS personal computer or within a virtual environment with asymmetric communications capability. Both tasks receive and verify safety critical systems input message data and security code integrity and separately generate output data responsive to the input message. The first task has sole capability to send complete safety critical system output messages, but only the second task has the capability of generating the output security code. A failure of any of systems hardware, software or processing capability results failure to transmit a safety critical system output message or an output message that cannot be verified by other safety critical systems.

Abstract: A container constructed and arranged to be connected to other containers is provided. In an embodiment, the container may comprise a container portion with an opening into an interior space in which articles to be transported can be stored; a lid for closing the opening; a handle for carrying the container; a front latch for securing the lid to the container portion; and a pivotable side latch, pivotally connected to the lid, that is moveable between a retaining position and a storage position. The pivotable side latch may be configured to engage a retaining structure of another container when the pivotable side latch is in the retaining position. The lid may comprise a depression, and the pivotable side latch may be further configured to be in the depression when the pivotable side latch is in the storage position.

Abstract: A collapsible trolley features a body including a back panel, a shelf panel pivotally attached to a bottom edge of the back panel, a pair of back wing panels pivotally attached one each to opposing side edges of the back panel, a pair of shelf wing panels pivotally attached one each to opposing side edges of the shelf panel and one each to bottom edges of the pair of shelf wing panels. The body is movable between an unfolded use configuration and a folded storage configuration. A latching member is attached to the body and adapted to secure the body in the folded storage configuration. A pair of wheels are also attached to the body.

Abstract: Integrated banana transport system from the banana plantation to the retail point of sale. The system consists of twelve baskets and a wagon. A bunch of bananas is placed on each basket. The basket can be used at all stages of harvesting, washing, processing, storage, transportation and final disposal. The contact with the bananas, which causes an aesthetic degradation of the product, is minimized. The bunch of bananas is placed on the basket. The upper part of the stalk is nailed on the nail (1) of the hanger (2), while the lower part is placed on the embossed area of the basket's base (3). Beams are placed at the corners of the wagon's base where the rack is attached at the desired height. Six baskets are placed at the bottom of the wagon's base and six on the rack. The basket and the wagon can be assembled and disassembled by hand without any need of tools. The disassembled system occupies minimal space, making less expensive the return to the plantation.

Abstract: A dolly assembly including a plurality of hollow interior guide members and one or more rail members, cooperatively structured, configured and dimensioned to be selectively disposed in an operative, weight supporting orientation or a self-contained orientation of reduced dimension and configuration, which facilitates storage. The operative orientation comprises the one or more rail member removably interconnecting the two guide members in spaced relation to one another, wherein a plurality of castors are removably connected to and disposed in movable supporting relation with the interconnected guide and rail members, when in the operative orientation. The self-contained orientation comprises the guide members detached from the operative orientation and the guide members removably connected in confronting, predetermined facing relation to one another, such that the rail members and castors are enclosed within one or both of the hollow interiors of the confronting guide members.