A vehicle including a rear bumper having an upper surface, a power source, and a heating element in communication with the power source is provided. The heating element extends in a vehicle lateral direction and along substantially an entire portion of the upper surface of the rear bumper. The heating element may operable when a tailgate is in a closed position. Thus, debris, such as ice, dirt, and the like, accumulating on the upper surface of the rear bumper may be melted by the heating element prior to the tailgate opening. The heating element may be configured to heat substantially an entire portion of the upper surface of the rear bumper. The heating element may be configured to heat upon a condition being satisfied such as, for example, a vehicle start operation or outside temperature being below a predetermined threshold.

A vehicle including a rear bumper having an upper surface, a power source, and a heating element in communication with the power source is provided. The heating element extends in a vehicle lateral direction and along substantially an entire portion of the upper surface of the rear bumper. The heating element may operable when a tailgate is in a closed position. Thus, debris, such as ice, dirt, and the like, accumulating on the upper surface of the rear bumper may be melted by the heating element prior to the tailgate opening. The heating element may be configured to heat substantially an entire portion of the upper surface of the rear bumper. The heating element may be configured to heat upon a condition being satisfied such as, for example, a vehicle start operation or outside temperature being below a predetermined threshold.

A vehicle includes a body, a rear bumper, and a sweeper assembly is provided. The body has a forward end, a rear end, and a cavity provided therein extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction. The cavity has an opening at the rear end of the body. The rear bumper has an upper surface and is provided at the rear end of the body of the vehicle. The sweeper assembly includes a push plate movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The push plate is stored within the cavity of the body when in the retracted position and extends over the upper surface of the rear bumper when in the extended position to clear debris off the upper surface of the rear bumper.

Rock rail assemblies are provided for motor vehicles. An exemplary rock rail assembly may include a beam structure, an energy absorbing structure, and an outer skin. The energy absorbing structure may reinforce the beam structure and may be configured to distribute point loads when an obstacle impinges upon the rock rail assembly. The beam structure may be made of a metallic material, the energy absorbing structure may be made of a foamed polymer-based material, and the outer skin may be made of a polymer-based material. The rock rail assemblies may be constructed in a manufacturing method that involves roll forming and extrusion processes.

A primary support has an upper surface, a lower surface, an outer surface, and an inner surface. The upper and inner surfaces form an arcuate upper-inner corner. The upper and outer surfaces form an arcuate upper-outer corner. The lower and outer surfaces form an arcuate lower-outer corner. The primary support is extruded of a polymeric material. A decorative panel has an upper region positioned over the upper surface of the primary support with an inner end terminating adjacent to the upper-inner corner. The decorative panel has an outer region positioned over the outer surface of the primary support with a lower end terminating adjacent to the lower-outer corner. The decorative panel has an intermediate region formed arcuately and positioned over the upper-outer corner. The decorative panel is fabricated of a rigid, shiny material.

Motor vehicles may be equipped with running board activated powered closure member systems. A powered opening or closing sequence of a closure member may be initiated by activating a running board assembly of the powered closure member system in response to a user input. The user input can be provided by a limb of the user, for example. In some embodiments, the running board assembly may include integrated sensors for receiving the user input. In other embodiments, the running board assembly may be configured to function as a switch for receiving the user input.

The present invention relates to a vehicle accessibility ramp. The device is an adjustable ramp for loading pets and other animals into a vehicle in an easy and safe way for both the user and animal. This structure includes a plurality of platforms which act as ascending steps for the animal in an easy-to-follow path design. The device has the ability of unfolding into three main platforms with an additional ramp component connecting the ground to the third step platform. Furthermore, the device attaches to a standard square trailer receiver fixture and is easily transportable.

A foldable guard rail assembly for a chassis of a vehicle, such as, e.g., mining and excavation vehicles, is provided. In one form, the rail assembly includes at least one guard rail and two or more support members having an upper end pivotally coupled to the at least one guard rail and an opposed lower end pivotally mountable to the chassis such that the two or more support members and the at least one guard rail are configured to be raised and lowered relative to the chassis between a folded position in which the two or more support members and the at least one guard rail are folded relative to the chassis and an operable position in which the two or more support members extend proud from the chassis with the at least one guard rail extending therebetween.

A retractable handrail arrangement arranged for assisting a vehicle operator during entry and/or exit of a vehicle, the retractable handrail arrangement comprising a grab handle comprising an elongated upper grab handle portion and a lower grab handle portion, the lower grab handle portion being movable along at least a portion of the elongated upper grab handle portion; a reciprocating connecting element comprising a first portion fixedly connected to the elongated upper grab handle portion, and a second portion comprising an upper hinge portion, the upper hinge portion being rotatably connectable to a stationary portion of the vehicle; and a first rotatable connecting element comprising a grab handle connecting portion rotatably connected to the lower grab handle portion, and an inner connecting portion comprising a lower hinge portion, the lower hinge portion being rotatably connectable to a stationary portion of the vehicle.

A cargo bed system includes a side wall assembly of a cargo bed. The side wall assembly is configured to transition back-and-forth between a standard wall position and an extended wall position. The side wall assembly includes an extendable wall section and a fixed side wall section. The extendable wall section extends and retracts relative to the fixed side wall section when the side wall assembly transitions back-and-forth between the standard wall position and the extended wall position. The side wall assembly in the extended wall position provides a cargo bed access opening within the side wall assembly.