Land vehicles, powertrain units for land vehicles, and methods of using land vehicles are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the land vehicles are provided as delivery vehicles and/or utility vehicles. A land vehicle includes a frame structure having a front cage that defines an operator cabin and a rear floor positioned rearward of the front cage. The frame structure supports a plurality of wheels to permit movement of the vehicle relative to an underlying surface in use of the land vehicle. An underside of the frame structure is disposed in confronting relation with the underlying surface.

Land vehicles, modular systems for forming monocoques of land vehicles, and methods of forming monocoques of land vehicles using modular systems are disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, the land vehicles are provided as delivery vehicles and/or utility vehicles. A land vehicle includes a monocoque supporting a plurality of wheels to permit movement of the vehicle relative to an underlying surface in use of the land vehicle.

A core layer suitable for a multilayer composite including at least one surface layer and one core layer, the surface layer arranged to at least partially cover the core layer and be fixedly connected thereto, wherein the core layer has elements composed of wood, which elements have plate-like regions arranged in zig-zag-shaped fashion, wherein a plate-like zig region of an element with an adjoining plate-like zag region of the element form a common edge between them, in such a way that the wood element of zig-zag-shaped form is formed, wherein elements of zig-zag-shaped form are arranged in the core layer such that two such edges of two different elements cross one another at a non-zero angle, and wherein the two elements are fixedly connected to one another at the crossing point. In one embodiment, a wood element of zig-zag-shaped form may be adhesively bonded to a planar wood element.

A core layer suitable for a multilayer composite including at least one surface layer and one core layer, the surface layer arranged to at least partially cover the core layer and be fixedly connected thereto, wherein the core layer has elements composed of wood, which elements have plate-like regions arranged in zig-zag-shaped fashion, wherein a plate-like zig region of an element with an adjoining plate-like zag region of the element form a common edge between them, in such a way that the wood element of zig-zag-shaped form is formed, wherein elements of zig-zag-shaped form are arranged in the core layer such that two such edges of two different elements cross one another at a non-zero angle, and wherein the two elements are fixedly connected to one another at the crossing point. In one embodiment, a wood element of zig-zag-shaped form may be adhesively bonded to a planar wood element.

An access panel for a body of a vehicle is provided that includes a dome portion, a flat portion, and an extension portion. The dome portion has a reinforcing element. The extension portion extends from the flat portion. A floor panel structure for a vehicle is also provided that includes a metal sheet and an access panel. The metal sheet includes an aperture. The access panel includes a dome portion, a flat portion, and an extension portion. The access panel is coupled to the metal sheet over the aperture, and the flat portion and the extension portion are configured to transmit a downward force applied to the access panel to the metal sheet.

An access panel for a body of a vehicle is provided that includes a dome portion, a flat portion, and an extension portion. The dome portion has a reinforcing element. The extension portion extends from the flat portion. A floor panel structure for a vehicle is also provided that includes a metal sheet and an access panel. The metal sheet includes an aperture. The access panel includes a dome portion, a flat portion, and an extension portion. The access panel is coupled to the metal sheet over the aperture, and the flat portion and the extension portion are configured to transmit a downward force applied to the access panel to the metal sheet.

A hydraulic drop frame trailer for a tow vehicle, the hydraulic drop frame trailer including a trailer frame having two sides and a hitch, a pair of wheels, a first and second frame bracket, a trailer bed mounted over the trailer frame, a first and second pivoting hydraulic cylinder, a plurality of hydraulic hoses, a first and second pivoting arm, an operating station connected to a power supply, a first and second axle-less wheel mount with independent suspension mechanism mounted to the first and second pivoting arm, and a plurality of safety locks, each securing an arm to the trailer frame for locking each rotating arm to the trailer bed during transport.

A hydraulic drop frame trailer for a tow vehicle, the hydraulic drop frame trailer including a trailer frame having two sides and a hitch, a pair of wheels, a first and second frame bracket, a trailer bed mounted over the trailer frame, a first and second pivoting hydraulic cylinder, a plurality of hydraulic hoses, a first and second pivoting arm, an operating station connected to a power supply, a first and second axle-less wheel mount with independent suspension mechanism mounted to the first and second pivoting arm, and a plurality of safety locks, each securing an arm to the trailer frame for locking each rotating arm to the trailer bed during transport.

The present disclosure relates to laminate composite panels comprising a first layer of fiberglass reinforced polyester (FRP) and a second layer of a polyurethane material. The polyurethane layer can comprise a reaction product between an aromatic polyester polyether polyol and a diisocyanate. The polyurethane is cured-in-place on a surface of the FRP, thus creating a laminate composite material wherein the layers are adhered together without application of a separate adhesive layer. The panels exhibit improved water resistance and strength properties. The laminate composite can be adhered to a second material such as wood, polystyrene, polyurethane, or non-wovens. Such panels are particularly suitable for use in recreational vehicles, motor homes, trailers, and as building materials. Methods of making such laminate composite materials are also provided.

A low-floor electric bus includes a plurality of battery packs mounted under the floor of such that the floor inside the bus between a front axle and a rear axle of the bus is substantially flat. Each battery pack may include an enclosure and multiple battery modules positioned within the enclosure. And, each battery module may include a plurality of battery cells electrically connected together.