A motor vehicle having an auxiliary stowage compartment for transporting a compact scooter. The motor vehicle having an engine compartment, a passenger compartment, a luggage compartment in addition to the auxiliary stowage compartment. The auxiliary stowage compartment is accessible from the outside of the motor vehicle, and is opened and closed by a cover that is part of the outer skin of the vehicle wherein the additional stowage compartment is configured to receive a compact scooter.

A motor vehicle having an auxiliary stowage compartment for transporting a compact scooter. The motor vehicle having an engine compartment, a passenger compartment, a luggage compartment in addition to the auxiliary stowage compartment. The auxiliary stowage compartment is accessible from the outside of the motor vehicle, and is opened and closed by a cover that is part of the outer skin of the vehicle wherein the additional stowage compartment is configured to receive a compact scooter.

One embodiment of an unmanned protective vehicle (UPV) includes a chassis, wheels, an engine, a barrier fixed to the chassis, and an autonomous driving system. The UPV has an opening which enables a manned vehicle to enter a space that is protected by the barrier. And the autonomous driving system is configured to drive the UPV in cooperation with the manned vehicle, while the manned vehicle is located inside the space. Having the manned vehicle inside the space of the UPV improves the survivability of the manned vehicle following a collision, while the manned vehicle is located inside the space, compared to the survivability of the manned vehicle following a collision, while the manned vehicle is not located inside the space.

One embodiment of an unmanned protective vehicle (UPV) includes a chassis, wheels, an engine, a barrier fixed to the chassis, and an autonomous driving system. The UPV has an opening which enables a manned vehicle to enter a space that is protected by the barrier. And the autonomous driving system is configured to drive the UPV in cooperation with the manned vehicle, while the manned vehicle is located inside the space. Having the manned vehicle inside the space of the UPV improves the survivability of the manned vehicle following a collision, while the manned vehicle is located inside the space, compared to the survivability of the manned vehicle following a collision, while the manned vehicle is not located inside the space.

A tie down strap system is provided. The system includes a first flexible strap, a first hook disposed on the first flexible strap, a pair of adjusters disposed on the first flexible strap on each side of the first hook, a first connector attached to a first end of the first flexible strap, and a second connector attached to a second end of the first flexible strap. The system may be used to secure an item, such as a two-wheeled vehicle, to an object, such as a bed of a tow vehicle.

A method for securing a vehicle to a vehicle transport includes placing a first strap about a portion of a vehicle wheel, the first strap intersecting a circumference of the vehicle wheel, positioning a second strap about another portion of the vehicle wheel, the second strap intersecting a circumference of the vehicle wheel, connecting the first strap to the second strap with a connecting strap, and securing the connecting strap to the vehicle transport.

An impact detection device for a system for locking the kingpin of a semitrailer on a railway unit includes a rigid connecting piece connected to a kingpin receiving structure and a connecting shaft connecting the rigid connecting piece to the railway unit, mounted on the railway unit, received with the ability to pivot in an oblong provided in the rigid connecting piece and capable of moving in the oblong. The device also includes a shear pin that prevents the connecting shaft from moving in the oblong and which breaks in the event of an impact so as to allow the connecting shaft to move in the oblong, a bypass pipe mounted as a bypass on the general pipe of the railway unit, and a cutoff tool secured to the railway unit, which cuts off the bypass pipe when the shear pin is broken and a connecting shaft is moving in the oblong.

An impact detection device for a system for locking the kingpin of a semitrailer on a railway unit includes a rigid connecting piece connected to a kingpin receiving structure and a connecting shaft connecting the rigid connecting piece to the railway unit, mounted on the railway unit, received with the ability to pivot in an oblong provided in the rigid connecting piece and capable of moving in the oblong. The device also includes a shear pin that prevents the connecting shaft from moving in the oblong and which breaks in the event of an impact so as to allow the connecting shaft to move in the oblong, a bypass pipe mounted as a bypass on the general pipe of the railway unit, and a cutoff tool secured to the railway unit, which cuts off the bypass pipe when the shear pin is broken and a connecting shaft is moving in the oblong.

Vehicle securing apparatuses may include a main support arm. A base arm may be carried by the main support arm. A retainer assembly arm may be carried by the main support arm in spaced-apart relationship to the base arm. A retainer space may be defined by and between the base arm and the retainer assembly arm. A retainer assembly may include a retainer hasp pivotally carried by the retainer assembly arm. The retainer hasp may be pivotal between a retaining position extending into the retainer space and a release position substantially clearing the retainer space by application of force from outside and toward the retainer space against the retainer hasp. A hasp retaining member may be disposed in mechanical cooperation with the retainer hasp to normally maintain the retainer hasp in the retaining position on the retainer assembly arm. Accordingly, a structural member on an ATV or other vehicle may be extended into the retainer space as the structural member pushes the retainer hasp from the retaining position to the release position. The retainer hasp may return to the retaining position to retain the structural member in the retainer space as the structural member clears or passes beyond the retainer hasp.

Vehicle securing apparatuses may include a main support arm. A base arm may be carried by the main support arm. A retainer assembly arm may be carried by the main support arm in spaced-apart relationship to the base arm. A retainer space may be defined by and between the base arm and the retainer assembly arm. A retainer assembly may include a retainer hasp pivotally carried by the retainer assembly arm. The retainer hasp may be pivotal between a retaining position extending into the retainer space and a release position substantially clearing the retainer space by application of force from outside and toward the retainer space against the retainer hasp. A hasp retaining member may be disposed in mechanical cooperation with the retainer hasp to normally maintain the retainer hasp in the retaining position on the retainer assembly arm. Accordingly, a structural member on an ATV or other vehicle may be extended into the retainer space as the structural member pushes the retainer hasp from the retaining position to the release position. The retainer hasp may return to the retaining position to retain the structural member in the retainer space as the structural member clears or passes beyond the retainer hasp.