The present disclosure describes an accessory mounting system for vehicles. The mounting system is reconfigurable between collapsed and expanded configurations, and includes first and second brackets. The first bracket is configured for releasable connection to a vehicle (e.g., via a utility track), and the second bracket is movably connected to the first bracket and configured to support an accessory, such as a speaker, a television, a monitor or other such display, and the like. The first bracket includes a rotatable locking mechanism that is engageable with the second bracket, as well as at least one fastener that is configured to releasably engage the vehicle (e.g., the utility track). The at least one fastener is positioned between the first and second brackets such that the at least one fastener is inaccessible when the mounting system is in the collapsed configuration.

This disclosure details multi-purpose brackets for mounting accessory devices within vehicle cargo spaces. Exemplary multi-purpose brackets include a doubling flange, a first opening formed through the doubling flange, and a second opening formed through another location of the bracket. A first accessory device may be mounted within the first opening, and a second accessory device may be mounted within the second opening. The multi-purpose bracket may be formed in a stamping process that involves folding and clinching the doubling flange to a platform of the bracket.

A storage container securing system, in one embodiment, may include a base for receiving container brackets configured to matingly engage opposite surfaces of a storage container.

A vehicle may include a roof, a glass mounted on a rear end portion of the roof and having a black coating region on a portion of the glass adjacent to the rear end portion of the roof, a rear rail mounted on a lower portion of the rear end portion of the roof, and an antenna mounted on the rear rail to be positioned below the black coating region.

A method for aligning a removable sensor on a vehicle includes connecting the removable sensor to a sensor mounting device. The method further includes connecting a connector of an alignment apparatus to either (i) the removable sensor such that a spatial reference component of the alignment apparatus has a known position and orientation relative to a current position and orientation of the removable sensor or (ii) a fixed connection location on the vehicle such that the spatial reference component indicates a desired position and orientation of the removable sensor. In addition the method includes adjusting the current position and orientation of the removable sensor by reference to the alignment apparatus to cause the current position and orientation of the removable sensor to match the desired position and orientation of the removable sensor.

Accessory attachments systems for use with turf vehicles are described and illustrated. Such systems permit outdoor maintenance tools to be secured and transported by the vehicle, e.g., in locations conveniently accessible by an operator of the vehicle without leaving the operator platform (e.g., seat), and removed from the vehicle when desired. In some embodiments, the system includes one or more connectors each having: a mounting portion adapted to be removably secured to a panel attached to the vehicle; and a tool holding portion adapted to receive and hold an outdoor maintenance tool. The mounting portion of each connector may attach to any one of a plurality of receivers formed on panels secured to various locations on the vehicle.

Attachments, attachment hardware for securing attachments to a window frame of a vehicle and related methods are disclosed herein. The attachment hardware for securing a mountable product to a window frame for a windshield of a vehicle can comprise a nut and a T-shaped washer comprising a top cross-bar section and a stem section extending downward from the top cross-bar section. The T-shaped washer can have a washer aperture therethrough. The attachment hardware can also comprise a fastener side washer having a washer aperture therethrough and a threaded fastener configured for insertion through the washer aperture of the fastener side washer and the washer aperture of the T-shaped washer and for screwingly engaging the nut. The top cross-bar section and the stem section of the T-shaped washer can be configured to fit through an engagement aperture in a tab extending from a frame of a windshield when turned at an angle to the engagement aperture and have a shape that contacts an upper wall of the tab that defines the engagement aperture when the threaded fastener is tightened in the nut.

Systems and methods are provided for securing an enclosure to an autonomous vehicle. The enclosure can be translated to a final alignment location on a fixture of the autonomous vehicle. The enclosure can include one or more piezoelectric sensors disposed underneath one or more mounting points of the enclosure. The one or more piezoelectric sensors can be initialized to an initial value. Changes in values from the one or more piezoelectric sensors can be measured as the enclosure is being secured to the fixture by one or more mechanical coupling devices through the one or more mounting points.

An attaching structure for a bracket used to attach a kick sensor to a body of a vehicle includes a bracket attachment portion arranged on the bracket, an attaching portion arranged on the body, and a fastener that couples the bracket attachment portion and the attaching portion to each other. The fastener is attachable to and detachable from the bracket attachment portion and the attaching portion.

A containment arrangement is provided having a container with vehicle connection structure which allows an opening in the container to move through a variety of different planes without limiting accessibility to the opening. In addition, the present invention includes means for attaching a container to the vehicle at a corner of the vehicle, and allowing a vertical opening in the container to be fully accessible as the container is moved from a location adjacent one side of the vehicle to a location adjacent another side of the vehicle. Preferred embodiments of the invention include a double pivot structure connecting a container, such as an exterior kitchen, to a RV, where the front of the container serves as a kitchen counter when opened, and provides access to a stove and refrigerator. In those preferred embodiments, the exterior kitchen can be selectively locked into a variety of positions, rotated with respect to the corner of the vehicle, and vertically supported on the vehicle side wall and/or the ground, without manual lifting of the container.