2176results about "Vehicle carriers" patented technology

Systems and methods include UAVs that serve to assist carrier personnel by reducing the physical demands of the transportation and delivery process. A UAV generally includes a UAV chassis including an upper portion, a plurality of propulsion members configured to provide lift to the UAV chassis, and a parcel carrier configured for being selectively coupled to and removed from the UAV chassis. UAV support mechanisms are utilized to load and unload parcel carriers to the UAV chassis, and the UAV lands on and takes off from the UAV support mechanism to deliver parcels to a serviceable point. The UAV includes computing entities that interface with different systems and computing entities to send and receive various types of information.

An apparatus comprises a base vehicle, a takeoff and landing system, a rack system, a refueling system associated with the base vehicle, and a controller. The rack system comprises a group of racks with slots in which the slots receive unmanned aerial vehicles, provide refueling connections that facilitate refueling of the unmanned aerial vehicles located in the slots, and provide data connections that facilitate data transmission with the unmanned aerial vehicles located in the slots. The refueling system refuels an unmanned aerial vehicle located in a slot using a refueling connection in the refueling connections. The controller communicates with the unmanned aerial vehicle using a data connection and control the refueling of the unmanned aerial vehicles by the refueling system while the unmanned aerial vehicle is in the slot, enabling exchanging data with the unmanned aerial vehicle and the refueling of the unmanned aerial vehicle simultaneously.

Systems and methods include UAVs that serve to assist carrier personnel by reducing the physical demands of the transportation and delivery process. A UAV generally includes a UAV chassis including an upper portion, a plurality of propulsion members configured to provide lift to the UAV chassis, and a parcel carrier configured for being selectively coupled to and removed from the UAV chassis. UAV support mechanisms are utilized to load and unload parcel carriers to the UAV chassis, and the UAV lands on and takes off from the UAV support mechanism to deliver parcels to a serviceable point. The UAV includes computing entities that interface with different systems and computing entities to send and receive various types of information.

Wheel chock restraint system comprising a wheel chock, a supporting element mounted on the ground in vicinity of a loading dock and a wheel chock support assembly connected by one end to the wheel chock and by another end in vicinity of the loading dock. A base portion of the chock is provided with first engagement elements and the supporting elements are provide with corresponding second engagement elements. The first engagement elements are adapted to cooperate with the second engagement elements, thus creating a retention force directed away from the loading dock and preventing the chock from sliding away from the wheel of a vehicle making an attempt to depart prematurely from the loading dock. Wheel chock support assembly is adapted to ensure a secure positioning of the chock under the wheel of the vehicle during loading and unloading operation by creating an engagement force directed towards the loading dock and pressing the chock against the wheel. The first engagement elements comprise a plurality of teeth extending downwardly from the base portion of the chock under a predetermined angle and the second engagement elements are a plurality of stoppers extending upwardly from the supporting element.

The invention is a device for securing a wheelchair to a vehicle. The invention incorporates a pair of belts disposed near a wheelchair station in a vehicle, the belts being remotely operable between tension and release positions. When not in use, the belts are stowed in compartments beside and underneath the floor of the vehicle to eliminate potential obstacles. The rear of the wheelchair is secured to the vehicle using remotely lockable anchor elements which are also retractable when the wheelchair station is not in use.

Systems and methods include UAVs that serve to assist carrier personnel by reducing the physical demands of the transportation and delivery process. A UAV generally includes a UAV chassis including an upper portion, a plurality of propulsion members configured to provide lift to the UAV chassis, and a parcel carrier configured for being selectively coupled to and removed from the UAV chassis. UAV support mechanisms are utilized to load and unload parcel carriers to the UAV chassis, and the UAV lands on and takes off from the UAV support mechanism to deliver parcels to a serviceable point. The UAV includes computing entities that interface with different systems and computing entities to send and receive various types of information.

A horizontally extending body or base member includes a forward portion and a rearward portion and has downwardly projecting teeth for engaging a wire grid mounted on a bed or floor. The forward portion of the base member supports a wheel engaging head member for relative horizontal movement between extended and retracted positions, and compression springs bias the head member to its extended position. A lock member is supported by the rearward portion of the base member for pivotal movement between released and locked positions and also has downwardly projecting teeth for engaging the wire grid. The head member carries a wheel engaging extension member for pivotal movement between retracted and extended positions. A side paddle member is also carried by the head member to resist lateral movement of the wheel, and preferably all of the members are each molded of a liquid thermoset plastics material.

A tailgate barrier system designed to maintain cargo within the cargo bed of a transport vehicle when the tailgate of the vehicle's cargo bed is lowered. The barrier stores within a storage compartment in or on the tailgate of a vehicle, and extends linearly upward from the storage compartment for use. An arrangement of extendable supports, pivotally coupled to the tailgate and top rail of the barrier system, enable the preferred upward movement. The system further comprises electrical connections. Groups of accessories mountable to the tailgate barrier system are also disclosed.

A low elevational profile of each of a pair of first and second wheel chocks for restraining a current “low-drag” motor vehicle in a carrier, such as a railway car, is derived from each wheel chock having an internally webbed, elongated stepped-box body terminated with a relatively short rectangular box having its inner wall integrally formed with the stepped-box body. The body of the first chock is essentially a mirror-image of the second chock body. The low profile of a wheel chock allows each to be positioned under a vehicle the rocker panel of which has its lower edge only 148 mm (5.82 inches) above the surface upon which the vehicle's tire rests, so that the installed chock height is reduced to 47.6 mm (1.87″) under the components of the vehicle's body. The assembly may include a pair of “active” chocks; or, one active chock and one anchor chock. A single window in the upper portion of the stepped-box provides access for a strap of a wheel harness, which strap is wrapped around a torque tube in an active chock. The torque tube in one chock is rotatable in a direction opposite to that of the torque tube of the other chock. With a pair of active chocks, hooks on straps of a prior art harness are eliminated because it is difficult and time-consuming to manipulate a tire harness with its straps and hooks to secure the tire between the wheel chocks. When one chock is an anchor chock, one end of the strap is provided with a hook which is anchored to a rod or tube which is substituted for the rotatable torque tube.

A method and system using a compressed display mode list is disclosed. In particular, the compressed display mode list includes a plurality of data representing the display modes. The data is formatted according to a plurality of compression format rules. The compression format rules reduce and minimize the size of the compressed display mode list. A driver controls a graphical processing unit that renders an image for displaying on a display device according to a selected display mode from the compressed display mode list. Moreover, a computer-readable medium can store the compressed display mode list.

A motorized apparatus for towing a wheelchair includes a framework, a handle assembly, a motor driving assembly and a wheelchair connecting assembly. The framework includes a chassis. The handle assembly is adjustably mounted on the chassis. The motor driving assembly is mounted on the chassis and includes a wheel assembly with a single wheel rotatably mounted on the chassis, a combined clutch and brake assembly connected to the wheel assembly, a motor assembly connected to the combined clutch and brake assembly to drive the single wheel assembly through the combined clutch and brake assembly and a one-hand operated battery assembly coupled electrically to the motor assembly to drive the control unit and the motor assembly. The wheelchair connecting assembly interconnects the framework to a wheelchair. Consequently, the motorized apparatus will tow the wheelchair along a path, road and so on.

Systems and methods include UAVs that serve to assist carrier personnel by reducing the physical demands of the transportation and delivery process. A UAV generally includes a UAV chassis including an upper portion, a plurality of propulsion members configured to provide lift to the UAV chassis, and a parcel carrier configured for being selectively coupled to and removed from the UAV chassis. UAV support mechanisms are utilized to load and unload parcel carriers to the UAV chassis, and the UAV lands on and takes off from the UAV support mechanism to deliver parcels to a serviceable point. The UAV includes computing entities that interface with different systems and computing entities to send and receive various types of information.

A mobile base assembly wherein a plurality of wheels 12 are attached to a frame 14 for movably supporting the frame 14 on a support surface 16 and an anchor mechanism 10 lifts the wheels 12 from the support surface 16 and anchors the frame 14 to the support surface 16. A pair of spaced plates (20 or 22) are attached to the frame 14 and an anchor member 34 is pivotally mounted between the plates (20 or 22) for pivotal movement between an anchor position (FIG. 4) and a retracted position (FIG. 3). A lever 70 is pivotally mounted between the plates (20 or 22) and presents a cam 72 for engaging and pivoting the anchor member 34 against the biasing reaction of a spring 60 from the retracted position to the anchor position. A foot 40 is attached to a foot flange extending from the anchor member 34 and has a base 42 for engaging the support surface 16 in the anchor position.

An aircraft handler (10) for use with an undercarriage of an aircraft, the handler being self-propelled and comprising a generally “U” shaped body (11) having arms (12 &13) linked by a bridge (14) at one end thereof with a pair of drive wheels (16 &17) located one at the free end of each arm, with at least one wheel(15) located adjacent the bridge(14). A pair of clamping jaws (51) are mounted on the body (11) between the drive wheels (16 &17) and the bridge (14)and jaws (51) have a lower profile than the arms (12 &17). The drive wheel (16 &17) are driven by DC electric motors powered by batteries stored in the arms.

An apparatus for restraining a mobility aid in the interior of a vehicle includes two or more retractor spools contained within a common housing. The retractor spools carry flexible webbed belts, and are operated by common actuator mechanism having a direct mechanical attachment to the spools. The various elements of the apparatus are contained within a common housing which is easily mounted to a bulkhead or under a foldable seat. A third retractor is mounted in opposition permitting both the front and rear of the mobility aid to be easily secured by the occupant of the mobility aid without assistance of the operator of the vehicle. The operative portions of the retractor are designed to be positioned so as not to present an obstacle to other users of the vehicle in which the apparatus may be installed. A timing mechanism is provided for at least one of the retractor spools to allow at least one of the retractor spools to be freely manipulated during a predetermined time interval.

A tie-down (9, 38) includes two straps (12, 21) with hooks (17, 24) secured to their ends, the other end (29) of a first strap (21) being workable with a buckle (15, 39) to provide tension. The buckle is captured in a loop (13) formed in the second strap (12), along with a soft loop (10), into which the hook (17) can be engaged so as to avoid damaging an article being restrained by the tie-down. The soft loop (10) is fashioned by stitching (33) of three contiguous layers of strap in a region (32) between the two loops, adjacent to the buckle; the stitching being perpendicular to the direction of tension (35) in the strap.

A retractor anchor for releasably engaging a track. The retractor anchor has a body member which is slidably receivable on the track, and a plunger, which is moveably connected to the body member. A release member is connected to the plunger for moving the plunger between an engaged position, wherein the plunger engages the track to restrain the body member from sliding with respect to the track, and a disengaged position, wherein the body member is slidable with respect to the track. A mounting member is connected to the body member for mountably receiving an attachment for rotation of the attachment around the release member.

A vertically stowable modular multi-purpose trailer is provided. The trailer includes a forward support section including a first tubular frame having a main body portion with a first upper platform and rear interface side, and forward trailer neck; a pair of caster wheels attached proximate said rear interface; and a first planar deck substantially covering the first upper platform. The trailer further includes a rear support section including a second tubular frame having a second upper platform and a forward interface; and a second planar deck substantially covering the second upper platform. A pair of hinge assemblies interconnecting rear interface and said forward interface. The trailer is adapted to be configured in a deployed configuration, wherein the forward support section and rear support section are longitudinally positioned next to each other forming a generally horizontally oriented common planar platform for supporting a payload. The trailer is further adapted to be configured in a vertically stowed configuration, wherein the forward support section and rear support section are adapted to be folded about the pair of hinge assemblies such that the forward support section and rear support section are latitudinally positioned next to each other in a generally vertical orientation.

A wheel chock for restraining movement of a vehicle tire on a supporting grating during transit includes a base, a grate lock mechanism for locking the base to the grating, and a ramp on the base for engagement with a circumference of a vehicle tire. A strap connected with the base is extensible around the vehicle tire to help restrain movement of the tire on the grating. The chock includes a retractor for retracting the strap and for taking up slack that forms in the strap during transit.

An apparatus for restraining a mobility aid in the interior of a vehicle includes two or more retractor spools contained within a common housing. The retractor spools carry flexible webbed belts, and are operated by common actuator mechanism having a direct mechanical attachment to the spools. The various elements of the apparatus are contained within a common housing which is easily mounted to a bulkhead or under a foldable seat. A third retractor is mounted in opposition permitting both the front and rear of the mobility aid to be easily secured by the occupant of the mobility aid without assistance of the operator of the vehicle. The operative portions of the retractor are designed to be positioned so as not to present an obstacle to other users of the vehicle in which the apparatus may be installed. A timing mechanism is provided for at least one of the retractor spools to allow at least one of the retractor spools to be freely manipulated during a predetermined time interval.

A versatile equipment-hauling expandable shelter is disclosed configured to both provide shelter and store, transport, and launch equipment, such as motorized toys, military equipment, tools, and the like. The equipment-hauling expandable shelter includes a chassis and a shelter attached to the chassis, such as one of a tent, a container, and a cover. The shelter is configured to be stowed on the chassis at a small exterior profile size with a maximum equipment / storage volume and erected on or around the chassis into a spacious shelter with more than double the volume of the equipment / storage volume. The center roof section rises automatically by lift assemblies to provide adequate head room for standing. Drop assemblies allow for solid / sealed wheel fenders and solid inner side panel extensions which in turn provide for a continuous floor and ramps. Portable interior components provide changeable / versatile interior configurations.

The present invention features a combination utility / camper tow trailer capable of being converted between a first utility functioning configuration or position, a second utility functioning configuration or position, and a sleep functioning configuration or position via first and second configurable panel members. In the first utility functioning position, the combination utility / camper tow trailer is capable of supporting and carrying a load atop the panel members, while simultaneously providing storage in the trailer bed below. In the second utility functioning configuration, the trailer is configured to increase the volume of the interior storage portion of the trailer bed by positioning first and second configurable panel members in an upward extending manner. In the sleep functioning position, the combination utility / camper tow trailer is converted into a tent trailer by positioning first and second configurable panel members in an outward position and removably coupling a tent assembly to the combination utility / camper tow trailer to provide an enclosed sleeping area in which each panel member functions to provide a bed.

A cargo carrier (10) for bicycles (Y1, Y2) is removably installable in the bed (B) of a truck (T) and has a base plate (12) which mounts on top of the truck bed. One side of the base plate bears against one wall (W1) of the truck bed and an adjustable stop (14) is adjustable to bear against the opposite wall (W2) so to allow the carrier to be installed in trucks having different bed widths. Saddles (40) have risers (42) extending vertically upwardly from the base plate. An attachment screw (62) extending between the risers is used for securing bicycles to the carrier. The base plate may include an offset section so two bicycles can be carried in a side-by-side, staggered formation. The saddles are removable and can be replaced with posts or mounts for carrying other items in the bed. The carrier is in kit form for quick assembly, when needed.

A compact mobile fire attack vehicle detachably mounted to an emergency vehicle. The compact mobile fire attack vehicle is intended to be mountable to the rear end of a fire truck. In response to an emergency call, the mobile fire attack vehicle can be quickly disengaged and deployed to the fire. Likewise, after the emergency has been mitigated, the mobile fire attack vehicle can be quickly and conveniently be re-mounted to the fire truck.

A davit system includes an elongate base having a straight part and a leading part that is angled downwardly relative to the straight part at a predetermined angle. An elongate boom arm is slideably disposed in a hollow interior of the elongate base. The boom arm is fully retracted within the hollow interior of the elongate base when an elongate screw is rotated in a first direction a predetermined number of times and the boom arm is fully extended from the hollow interior of the elongate base when the elongate screw is rotated in a second direction a predetermined number of times. The boom arm is downwardly angled at the predetermined angle when the boom arm is in its fully extended position. In a first embodiment, two elongate bases and boom arms are provided and each boom arm supports a cradle at its leading end for lifting a boat.

A portable component assembly device for extending the length of the pickup bed for hauling objects longer than the bed of the pickup is adapted to the receiver hitch attached to the rear end of a pickup with a primary support bar inserted within the receiver hitch with a first upright horizontal support bar extending upward from the primary support bar beyond the tailgate to support objects up to ten feet in length with a second upright horizontal support bar connected to the primary bar having a second upright horizontal support bar extending upward from the secondary support bar to support objects longer than ten feet. Each first and second upright horizontal support bar includes a set of adjustable width anchor chocks attached to each support bar, with the second upright horizontal support bar including running lights with brake and turn indicators connected to the vehicle wiring system by a wiring harness.

Systems and methods include UAVs that serve to assist carrier personnel by reducing the physical demands of the transportation and delivery process. A UAV generally includes a UAV chassis including an upper portion, a plurality of propulsion members configured to provide lift to the UAV chassis, and a parcel carrier configured for being selectively coupled to and removed from the UAV chassis. UAV support mechanisms are utilized to load and unload parcel carriers to the UAV chassis, and the UAV lands on and takes off from the UAV support mechanism to deliver parcels to a serviceable point. The UAV includes computing entities that interface with different systems and computing entities to send and receive various types of information.

In the step of sintering a compact that is finally to be a magnetostrictive element, when the temperature in a furnace is elevated, the atmosphere in the furnace is evacuated by a vacuum pump to keep the pressure in the furnace at negative pressure in a temperature range that allows thermal decomposition of hydride present in the compact to release hydrogen gas to accelerate release of hydrogen from the compact.