Apparatuses, methods and systems are provided for forming an autonomous vehicle of an upper body unit configured to consume space in an upward direction to minimize a horizontal footprint and enable a stacking of vehicle components on top of each other in the upward direction; a lower chassis unit configured to oppose the upper body unit and include a structure for supporting the modular unit with prismatic cross members to configure to a range of module unit widths, the lower chassis unit including: a set of structural rails on either side of the lower chassis unit configured in a rigid frame unit with longitudinal members wherein the structural rails can be attached to another corresponding set of structural rails; a plurality of compartment units including: front-compartment, rear-compartment, and mid-compartment units configured to be attached on either side of the lower chassis unit for the forming of the autonomous vehicle.

Apparatuses, methods and systems are provided for forming an autonomous vehicle of an upper body unit configured to consume space in an upward direction to minimize a horizontal footprint and enable a stacking of vehicle components on top of each other in the upward direction; a lower chassis unit configured to oppose the upper body unit and include a structure for supporting the modular unit with prismatic cross members to configure to a range of module unit widths, the lower chassis unit including: a set of structural rails on either side of the lower chassis unit configured in a rigid frame unit with longitudinal members wherein the structural rails can be attached to another corresponding set of structural rails; a plurality of compartment units including: front-compartment, rear-compartment, and mid-compartment units configured to be attached on either side of the lower chassis unit for the forming of the autonomous vehicle.

A vehicle bed extender for increasing cargo capacity of a storage area is presented. The vehicle bed extender includes a flexible member, a bracket, and at least one stiffener. The flexible member defines a back wall disposed between a pair of extension walls. The back wall and the extension walls have an upper end and a lower end. Each extension wall is separately and removably attachable to a side wall of a vehicle. The bracket is secured to a top end of a tailgate at two or more mount points. The bracket and the tailgate define a slot between each adjacent pair of mount points. At least one tab extends at the lower end along the back wall. The tab slidingly engages the slot to secure the flexible member to the tailgate. The stiffener is removably attached to the flexible member at the upper end.

A vehicle bed extender for increasing cargo capacity of a storage area is presented. The vehicle bed extender includes a flexible member, a bracket, and at least one stiffener. The flexible member defines a back wall disposed between a pair of extension walls. The back wall and the extension walls have an upper end and a lower end. Each extension wall is separately and removably attachable to a side wall of a vehicle. The bracket is secured to a top end of a tailgate at two or more mount points. The bracket and the tailgate define a slot between each adjacent pair of mount points. At least one tab extends at the lower end along the back wall. The tab slidingly engages the slot to secure the flexible member to the tailgate. The stiffener is removably attached to the flexible member at the upper end.

A lockable cargo retaining apparatus is a user-configurable modification to existing cargo vehicles, specifically pickup trucks with folding tailgates. The lockable cargo retaining apparatus utilizes a carrier rail and carriage to create an adjustable backstop for any cargo in the bed of any truck, preventing the load from slipping or shifting during transport. A locking mechanism is engaged between the carrier rail and the carriage to fix the carriage in position, with the carriage further supporting at least one load-securing element to directly secure any cargo within the bed of the truck. At least one load-securing mechanism is also interchangeable with multiple proposed embodiments to enable the effective retention of various types of cargo.

A transportation arrangement (10) includes a dolly and a clamp (20) secured to the dolly (14). The clamp (20) includes a frame (30) having a lower portion (32) coupled to the dolly (14) and an upper portion (34) selectively rotatable relative to the lower portion (32), a saddle (100) positioned on the lower portion of the frame, a jaw (130) movably positioned on the upper portion (34) of the frame (30), and an actuator (150) operatively coupled to the jaw (130) and configured to move the jaw (130) relative to the saddle (100) to apply a clamping force on a blade (16). The actuator (150) is configured to extend the jaw (130) toward the saddle (100) in response to the clamping force being less than or equal to a minimum threshold clamping force, and may be configured to retract the jaw (130) away from the saddle (100) in response to the clamping force being greater than or equal to a maximum threshold clamping force. A method of transporting a blade (16) is also disclosed.

A pipe securing system for modular heavy-duty vehicles includes at least one support beam and at least one bearing device that is arranged on the support beam in the bearing state and next to the support beam in the resting state. A method for supporting a pipe on a modular heavy-duty is also provided. The pipe securing system and the method provide a space-saving system that dispenses with external lifting equipment, such as forklifts or cranes, and can be used both in a production hall and outside in the open.

A pipe securing system for modular heavy-duty vehicles includes at least one support beam and at least one bearing device that is arranged on the support beam in the bearing state and next to the support beam in the resting state. A method for supporting a pipe on a modular heavy-duty is also provided. The pipe securing system and the method provide a space-saving system that dispenses with external lifting equipment, such as forklifts or cranes, and can be used both in a production hall and outside in the open.

A rail fixture system for wind turbine blades on a consist three flatcars, includes a root-support fixture that enables lateral movement, a mid-support fixture with a pair of lateral guides on opposing sides of the to limit the blade's lateral movement, and blade-pusher posts adjacent a curved portion of the blade, coupled to gravity weights, that intermittently engage sides of the blade and apply gravity forces in response to relative lateral movement thereof around rail curves, and which bends the blade, applies a fulcrum force against the lateral guides, and translates the root end of the blade in an opposing lateral direction.

A rail fixture system for wind turbine blades on a consist three flatcars, includes a root-support fixture that enables lateral movement, a mid-support fixture with a pair of lateral guides on opposing sides of the to limit the blade's lateral movement, and blade-pusher posts adjacent a curved portion of the blade, coupled to gravity weights, that intermittently engage sides of the blade and apply gravity forces in response to relative lateral movement thereof around rail curves, and which bends the blade, applies a fulcrum force against the lateral guides, and translates the root end of the blade in an opposing lateral direction.