A control system for controlling a plurality of manufacturing capsules in a manufacturing system for assembling a vehicle includes a processor and a nontransitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that are executable by the processor. The instructions include generating vehicle assembly instructions based on the vehicular manufacturing process, one or more selected levels from among the plurality of levels, and one or more selected manufacturing cells disposed at the one or more selected levels, defining a nominal path based on the one or more selected manufacturing cells and the one or more selected levels, and controlling movement of the manufacturing capsules based on the nominal path.

A vehicle is disclosed that includes a vehicle body and at least one sensor assembly that is supported on the vehicle body. The at least one sensor assembly is configured to detect an external object and includes a housing portion and a sensor that is supported within the housing portion such that the sensor is oriented at a fixed (e.g., downward) angle.

The present disclosure provides a fastener. The fastener includes an elongated body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The fastener also includes a head having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first end of the elongated body is coupled to the second surface of the head, and a diameter of the head is greater than a diameter of the elongated body. The fastener also includes a sleeve positioned over at least a portion of the elongated body and the second surface of the head. The fastener also includes a plurality of textured elements positioned on an exterior surface of the sleeve adjacent the second surface of the head. One or more of the plurality of textured elements extend from the exterior surface of the sleeve to the first surface of the head.

An easily attachable and removable self-contained slide in storage, safety and warning light chassis assembly for use by the traffic control industry and others is described. The chassis assembly includes a bed portion that is built to slide into a pickup truck bed. Associated removable jacks can be used to raise and support the chassis while a truck is backed up under it, or where the jacks include castors, the assembly is rolled into the truck. Additionally, a safety platform portion is included on the rear portion of the chassis assembly, so that when installed it is disposed behind the bed of the truck for use in the placement and pickup of traffic control devises. The chassis assembly can be mounted securely to the factory hitch of truck as well as additional locations in the bed.

A work machine, an implement control console, a plurality of unique implement control pods, and a method of installing an implement control pod onto a work machine are disclosed. The work machine comprises a power unit, a locomotive device, an implement arm, a work tool, and an implement control console for controlling one or more functions of the work machine's components. The implement control console comprises a universal mounting bracket and an implement control pod, where the plurality of unique implement control pods may be installed, one at a time, to the universal mounting bracket. Advantageously, the plurality of unique implement control pods share a number of components, while the design of each implement control pod allows for concurrent one-handed operation.

A work machine, an implement control console, a plurality of unique implement control pods, and a method of installing an implement control pod onto a work machine are disclosed. The work machine comprises a power unit, a locomotive device, an implement arm, a work tool, and an implement control console for controlling one or more functions of the work machine's components. The implement control console comprises a universal mounting bracket and an implement control pod, where the plurality of unique implement control pods may be installed, one at a time, to the universal mounting bracket. Advantageously, the plurality of unique implement control pods share a number of components, while the design of each implement control pod allows for concurrent one-handed operation.

Presented are fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite components for vehicle body structures, methods for making/using such components, and motor vehicles equipped with such components. A vehicle body structure includes one or more elongated support rails (e.g., a pair of lateral roof rails) each with an inner contoured rail panel joined to an outer contoured rail panel to define an internal rail cavity. One or more elongated support pillars (e.g., front, side, and/or back vehicle pillars) adjoin the support rail(s) and each includes an inner contoured pillar panel joined to an outer contoured pillar panel to define an internal pillar cavity coupled to the internal rail cavity. One or both contoured pillar panels and one or both contoured rail panels is/are formed, in whole or in part, from an FRP material. A structural reinforcement insert may be located inside the adjoined pillar and rail, filling a discrete region within the internal cavities.

The present invention relates to a truck topper supporting table device for removing and storing a truck topper from a pickup truck. The truck topper table enables a single individual to easily remove and install the topper on their own, and avoids the topper from having to be placed onto the ground when it is not on the truck. The truck topper table has two pairs of scissor-style collapsible legs that can be adjusted to a desired height. The table has a pair of horizontal rails positioned on the collapsible legs with rollers disposed along the length of the rails for easily rolling off the topper of the truck and onto the table. The table has cross members for increasing strength of the table to withstand heavy truck toppers.

The present disclosure provides a workpiece conveyance system that can be configured at a low cost. A first exemplary aspect is a workpiece conveyance system configured to convey a first workpiece inside a facility and raise the first workpiece, the workpiece conveyance system including: an on-floor carriage configured to be movable on a floor of the facility, the on-floor carriage including a placement part on which the first workpiece is placed; and an elevating machine configured to push up the placement part, the elevating machine being configured separately from the on-floor carriage.

A system and method providing truck-mounted sensors to detect trailer following vehicles and trailer conditions are disclosed. A system of an example embodiment comprises: a vehicle control subsystem installed in an autonomous truck, the vehicle control subsystem comprising a data processor; and a truck-mounted sensor subsystem installed on a portion of a tractor of the autonomous truck to which a trailer is attachable, the truck-mounted sensor subsystem being coupled to the vehicle control subsystem via a data connection, wherein the truck-mounted sensor subsystem is configured to emit electromagnetic waves propagating in a space under the trailer, to generate object data representing objects detected by receiving a reflection of the electromagnetic waves, and to transfer the object data to the vehicle control subsystem.