A system for a truck bed extender including a shield assembly, a frame assembly and a vehicle assembly is disclosed. The shield assembly includes a shield that is secured to a frame of the frame assembly. The frame is secured to a truck bed of a vehicle with mounting members. The shield includes a first shield portion and a second shield portion that are slidably attached together by a shield pin. The shield has an L shaped configuration to prevent items from sliding off of the truck bed. The shield provides protection to the top of the truck bed. The second shield portion is adjustable in length to secure items of different lengths onto the truck bed. The frame is adjustable in height to help accommodate and secure items of different heights onto the truck bed with the shield.

A cargo box extension assembly for a cargo box of a vehicle and method of operating the extension assembly. The assembly includes a center panel configured and arranged for pivotally connecting to a front surface of a tailgate of the cargo box; a left panel; and a right panel, each of the left and right panels being rotatable between an open position and a closed position where the left and right panels are aligned with each other, when the cargo box extension assembly is installed on the tailgate of the vehicle and the center panel is pivotally connected to the front surface of the tailgate: the cargo box extension assembly being selectively movable between a collapsed position and an extended position; in the collapsed position, the cargo box extension assembly being at least partially received in a recess of the tailgate.

A tailgate enclosure for use with a vehicle can include a plurality of cross-members, a first upright, a second upright, and only one additional upright. Each of the cross-members can be vertically spaced apart from an adjacent one of the cross-members and can include a first beam, a second beam, and a central beam having a first end and a second end, the central beam positioned at least partially between the first and second beams. The first upright can secure the first beam of each of the cross-members to a first sidewall of the vehicle and the second upright can secure the second beam of each of the cross-members to a second sidewall of the vehicle. The additional upright can be positioned along the central beam of each of the cross-members between the first and second ends of the central beam.

A tailgate enclosure for use with a vehicle can include a plurality of cross-members, a first upright, a second upright, and only one additional upright. Each of the cross-members can be vertically spaced apart from an adjacent one of the cross-members and can include a first beam, a second beam, and a central beam having a first end and a second end, the central beam positioned at least partially between the first and second beams. The first upright can secure the first beam of each of the cross-members to a first sidewall of the vehicle and the second upright can secure the second beam of each of the cross-members to a second sidewall of the vehicle. The additional upright can be positioned along the central beam of each of the cross-members between the first and second ends of the central beam.

A tractor unit is disclosed for transporting an elongated load such as a wind turbine blade or wind turbine tower segment. The tractor unit body is supported, driven and steered by a wheel set comprising at least three ground-engaging wheels. At least two of the wheels are steerable and can transform between an aligned mode of operation and a carousel mode of operation. In the aligned mode, the wheels are aligned with one another in a neutral steering position, and steerable to vary the direction of steering. In the carousel mode, the wheels of the wheel set are oriented with their axes of rotation intersecting at a substantially common vertical axis located within the lateral extent of the tractor unit body, so that when the wheels are driven the tractor unit spins about this common vertical axis. A load engagement mechanism is mounted pivotally on the tractor unit body about the common vertical axis. This allows the load engagement mechanism to be counter-rotated in an equal and opposite amount to the angular rotation of the tractor unit body in carousel mode, keeping the load in fixed position relative to the ground as the tractor unit spins.

A tractor unit is disclosed for transporting an elongated load such as a wind turbine blade or wind turbine tower segment. The tractor unit body is supported, driven and steered by a wheel set comprising at least three ground-engaging wheels. At least two of the wheels are steerable and can transform between an aligned mode of operation and a carousel mode of operation. In the aligned mode, the wheels are aligned with one another in a neutral steering position, and steerable to vary the direction of steering. In the carousel mode, the wheels of the wheel set are oriented with their axes of rotation intersecting at a substantially common vertical axis located within the lateral extent of the tractor unit body, so that when the wheels are driven the tractor unit spins about this common vertical axis. A load engagement mechanism is mounted pivotally on the tractor unit body about the common vertical axis. This allows the load engagement mechanism to be counter-rotated in an equal and opposite amount to the angular rotation of the tractor unit body in carousel mode, keeping the load in fixed position relative to the ground as the tractor unit spins.

At least one and, preferably, a pair of generally parallel side wall assemblies for use in a pick-up truck bed are provided. Each of the assemblies includes a vertically extending side wall having an upper surface and a set of linearly spaced pockets extending from the upper surface and into the side wall. Each of the pockets receives and retains a stake in a stowed position within the side wall wherein the bed has a first storage capacity. Each of the pockets allows its stake to move therein to an extended position above the upper surface wherein the bed has a second storage capacity greater than the first storage capacity in the extended positions of the stakes.

At least one and, preferably, a pair of generally parallel side wall assemblies for use in a pick-up truck bed are provided. Each of the assemblies includes a vertically extending side wall having an upper surface and a set of linearly spaced pockets extending from the upper surface and into the side wall. Each of the pockets receives and retains a stake in a stowed position within the side wall wherein the bed has a first storage capacity. Each of the pockets allows its stake to move therein to an extended position above the upper surface wherein the bed has a second storage capacity greater than the first storage capacity in the extended positions of the stakes.

A replacement tailgate for the purpose of elongating the pick up truck may be installed on a truck bed wherein the replacement tailgate can be unfolded in order to elongate a length of the truck bed. The replacement tailgate may have front and rear shells that are used to support objects placed in the truck bed as well as act as the new tailgate when the truck bed length is elongated. Various panels may be unfolded in order to trap objects within the truck bed when the replacement tailgate is unfolded in order to elongate the truck bed length.

A wind turbine blade apparatus comprising a root device including: a base having an upper surface with a radius of curvature and configured to receive a root portion of a blade, with housings disposed on lateral sides of the base. The housings including a groove configured to receive a bearing and a shaft extending at least partially through the base and housing. A tip device is also provided which includes a base, a rotatable support frame having: a first support configured to receive a pressure side of a wind turbine blade, a second support configured to receive a suction side of a wind turbine blade, and an opening, the opening configured to receive a portion of a wind turbine blade.