Method and apparatus are disclosed for secure access to storage devices within vehicle cargo compartments. An example vehicle includes a rear gate including a gate lock, a cargo compartment accessible via the rear gate, a storage device positioned within the cargo compartment and including a storage lock, and a body control module (BCM) communicatively coupled to the gate lock and the storage lock. The BCM is to simultaneously unlock the rear gate and the storage device for a predefined period-of-time responsive to receiving a storage-access request.

In one aspect the invention features a weapon maintenance stand that includes a base plate, a support flange, and a wall structure. The support flange is spaced from the base plate and defines a first plurality holes extending through the support flange. A subset of the first plurality of holes are configured to match a pattern of bolt holes of a deck-mounted weapon system and at least one of the first plurality of holes is configured to receive an alignment structure of the deck-mounted weapon system. The wall structure is attached to the base plate at a first end and attached to the support flange at a second end. The wall structure defines at least one tunnel extending through the wall, with the at least one tunnel being sized to accept umbilical components of the deck-mounted weapons system.

In one aspect the invention features a weapon maintenance stand that includes a base plate, a support flange, and a wall structure. The support flange is spaced from the base plate and defines a first plurality holes extending through the support flange. A subset of the first plurality of holes are configured to match a pattern of bolt holes of a deck-mounted weapon system and at least one of the first plurality of holes is configured to receive an alignment structure of the deck-mounted weapon system. The wall structure is attached to the base plate at a first end and attached to the support flange at a second end. The wall structure defines at least one tunnel extending through the wall, with the at least one tunnel being sized to accept umbilical components of the deck-mounted weapons system.

Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide a seat attachment assembly to receive and to support an implement (such as a handgun, for example) or an implement holster (such as a handgun holster, for example), in a variety of configurations. The seat attachment assembly includes a planar seat attachment unit arranged to be mounted in various locations using one or more straps threaded through a portion of the seat attachment unit, for temporarily and safely stowing the implement, while making the implement easily accessible to the user.

A holding apparatus mountable to a vehicle is provided. The apparatus comprises one or more mounting members; one or more rear holding members; one or more front holding members; and one or more clamping actuators operatively associated with the front and/or rear holding members. The one or more clamping actuators are capable of moving the front holding members and/or the rear holding members to thereby releasably, clampingly engage an object placed between the front and rear holding members. The apparatus may be particularly adapted for holding firearms. The apparatus may be particularly adapted for use with all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). Also provided are methods of holding and/or securing an object such as a firearm using the apparatus, before or after mounting the apparatus to a vehicle.

A holding apparatus mountable to a vehicle is provided. The apparatus comprises one or more mounting members; one or more rear holding members; one or more front holding members; and one or more clamping actuators operatively associated with the front and/or rear holding members. The one or more clamping actuators are capable of moving the front holding members and/or the rear holding members to thereby releasably, clampingly engage an object placed between the front and rear holding members. The apparatus may be particularly adapted for holding firearms. The apparatus may be particularly adapted for use with all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). Also provided are methods of holding and/or securing an object such as a firearm using the apparatus, before or after mounting the apparatus to a vehicle.

An apparatus for covering a seat may have a seat cover that may be positioned in an installed configuration. The apparatus may further comprise a load bearing element comprising a flexible strap attached to the seat cover. A first anchoring mechanism may attach to the flexible strap at a first inflection point of the flexible strap. A central load support mechanism may attach to the flexible strap at a second inflection point of the flexible strap. A second anchoring mechanism may attach to the flexible strap at a third inflection point of the flexible strap. In the installed configuration, the first anchoring mechanism attaches to a first headrest column and the second anchoring mechanism attaches to a second headrest column.

A fixture is provided for supporting load from weapons recoil, being mountable on a flat bed of a road vehicle disposed on ground. The flat bed can receive a weapons mount. The vehicle has longitudinal, lateral and vertical orientation directions. The fixture includes a horizontal deck, a slide assembly, a dampener housing, port and starboard lateral beams, together with first, second and third posts. The horizontal deck receives the weapons mount. The slide assembly supports the deck. The dampener housing receives the slide assembly. The port and starboard lateral beams extend laterally from the dampener housing. The first and second posts extend vertically downward from their corresponding beams to engage the ground. The third post extends vertically downward from the housing to engage the ground. Brackets on the slide assembly extend longitudinally from the platform for enabling the vehicle to drive away from the fixture. The posts are retractable for stowage and extendible for raising the flat bed above the ground.

A fixture is provided for supporting load from weapons recoil, being mountable on a flat bed of a road vehicle disposed on ground. The flat bed can receive a weapons mount. The vehicle has longitudinal, lateral and vertical orientation directions. The fixture includes a horizontal deck, a slide assembly, a dampener housing, port and starboard lateral beams, together with first, second and third posts. The horizontal deck receives the weapons mount. The slide assembly supports the deck. The dampener housing receives the slide assembly. The port and starboard lateral beams extend laterally from the dampener housing. The first and second posts extend vertically downward from their corresponding beams to engage the ground. The third post extends vertically downward from the housing to engage the ground. Brackets on the slide assembly extend longitudinally from the platform for enabling the vehicle to drive away from the fixture. The posts are retractable for stowage and extendible for raising the flat bed above the ground.

In one aspect the invention features a weapon maintenance stand that includes a base plate, a support flange, and a wall structure. The support flange is spaced from the base plate and defines a first plurality holes extending through the support flange. A subset of the first plurality of holes are configured to match a pattern of bolt holes of a deck-mounted weapon system and at least one of the first plurality of holes is configured to receive an alignment structure of the deck-mounted weapon system. The wall structure is attached to the base plate at a first end and attached to the support flange at a second end. The wall structure defines at least one tunnel extending through the wall, with the at least one tunnel being sized to accept umbilical components of the deck-mounted weapons system.