An attachment system is provided for attaching an external component to a chassis of a vehicle, such as components for performing snow clearance, road measurements, road surface marking assemblies, transport of vehicles or gear, including salvaging work and transport of heavy duty vehicles. The attachment system includes at least an elongated chassis coupler element, a fastening mechanism for fastening the chassis coupler element to the chassis when in a mounted position, a distance element, and a clamping mechanism. The coupler element is shaped to fit inside a hollow space of the distance element, and the clamping mechanism is operable to control an insertion length of the coupler element into the hollow space thereby controlling the clamping of the distance element and the chassis when the attachment device is in a mounted position.

Methods, systems, and apparatus for providing a view of an environment behind a vehicle. The system includes a camera located on a track and connected to the vehicle, the camera configured to detect image data of the environment behind the vehicle. The system also includes an actuator configured to move a position of the camera along the track. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to determine, based on the image data, whether the view of the environment behind the vehicle is obscured. The ECU is configured to adjust, using the actuator, the position of the camera along the track when the view of the environment behind the vehicle is obscured until the view of the environment behind the vehicle is unobscured or less obscured. The system includes a rear-view mirror connected to the ECU and configured to display the view of the environment behind the vehicle.

An assembly for a vehicle having a closure panel is disclosed. The assembly includes a sensor, a housing supporting the sensor within the closure panel between a first deployed position and a second deployed position, a link rotatably attached to the housing and a plunger coupled to the link. The sensor is operable to sense an area proximate to the closure panel in the first deployed position and in the second deployed position. The plunger is operable to selectively engage a surface of the vehicle to move the housing between the first deployed position and the second deployed position via the link.

A locking hinge device may be selectively engaged in accordance with different configurations between elements of the device. The elements may include a locking gear configured to travel along an axis to engage a receiving gear. The elements may include a second receiving gear to which the locking gear is engaged. A system comprising the locking hinge device may be locked at an opening angle between components of the system when elements of a locking hinge device are selectively engaged in a hinge of the system. The system may be a locking hinge system for a camera mount and the components may include a component configured to couple to a camera. The camera may be a body-wearable camera.

A structure such as a recreational vehicle includes a guide member coupled to a wall of the structure, a carriage member slidingly coupled to the guide member, a mounting bracket coupled to the carriage member, and a bed coupled to the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket can be coupled to the carriage member in a readily releasable manner. The mounting bracket can also be slidably received by a bed support member that is coupled to or part of the bed.

A vehicle mountable holographic promoting system and method of use; the vehicle mountable holographic promoting system includes a body with at least one light, a mount, and a controller in communication with a software application and the body. The body is mountable to the vehicle via the mount. The mount is able to be removably attachable or otherwise secured to roof of a vehicle. The controller controls the body such that the body is able to visually promote via an image display at least one promotable item using the at least one light. The promotable item appearing to float on a plane above the vehicle.

A vehicle side light (VSL) that is secured to a side of a vehicle such as a car or truck to provide illumination to an area adjacent the side of the vehicle. The VSL has an attachment plate, a gasket, a heat sink, a power/light emitting diode (LED) board, a reflector, and a cover. At least one LED and preferably multiple LEDs, on the power/LED board provide the illumination. The reflectors has a metallic reflective front surface with outward extending members that create reflecting chambers. At the bottom of each chamber is an opening that allows a LED to illuminate outward to the chamber. The reflector's surface and reflecting chamber design the increase the LEDs illuminative strength. The cover is either a flat front surface with angled side sections, or a convex front surface. The VSL can also function as an auxiliary turn signal with red or yellow LEDs in the side sections. The USLVSL can also include a camera that interfaces with the vehicle's audio/navigation system. While the VSL can be used with may vehicles, the VSL is optimally designed to be secured to a four-door Jeep vehicle, onto a lower area of a B-pillar, between the Jeep's front and rear doors. To facilitate the securement, the attachment plate has right and left angled sections, with angles of 55 which allows optimal placement on the B-pillar.

Systems, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to a manner of extending the use of originally-equipped automotive vehicle sensors to other types of transportation. In one embodiment, a method includes acquiring data from a vehicle-equipped detachable sensor about one or more object in an environment around a non-automotive entity when the vehicle-equipped detachable sensor is mounted to the non-automotive entity. The vehicle-equipped detachable sensor is capable of sensing a portion of an environment around an automotive vehicle and configured to communicate with a mobile device. The vehicle-equipped detachable sensor is also structured to be detached from the automotive vehicle and mounted to the non-automotive entity. The method includes determining, based on the acquired data, whether a detected object impinges upon a current travel trajectory of the non-automotive entity. The method also includes, in response to determining the detected object impinges upon the current travel trajectory of the non-automotive entity, outputting at least one notification signal to the mobile device.

Methods, systems, and apparatus for providing a view of an environment behind a vehicle. The system includes a camera located on a track and connected to the vehicle, the camera configured to detect image data of the environment behind the vehicle. The system also includes an actuator configured to move a position of the camera along the track. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to determine, based on the image data, whether the view of the environment behind the vehicle is obscured. The ECU is configured to adjust, using the actuator, the position of the camera along the track when the view of the environment behind the vehicle is obscured until the view of the environment behind the vehicle is unobscured or less obscured. The system includes a rear-view mirror connected to the ECU and configured to display the view of the environment behind the vehicle.

A sensor pod module, that attaches to a vehicle, includes: a structural base, being adapted to a contour of a surface of the vehicle, including a first connector and a vehicle connector; a sensor housing including a second connector that form fits with the first connector; and a plurality of sensors disposed within the sensor housing. The structural base secures to the vehicle with the vehicle connector. The sensor housing interchangeably secures to the structural base by form fitting the second connector and first connector together.