Unibody suction mount having a compact design allows for a plurality of products to be fastened onto the mount. The mount portion includes an integral threaded portion that cooperates with suction cup having a threaded post. The mount includes direct engagement with the suction cup to hold the suction cup in place as the vacuum is being created in the suction cup. The suction mount utilizes one or more nuts to allow for attachments to be fastened onto the suction mount. The attachments may include a variety of brackets used to connect a variety of accessories. The accessories can be designed for specific activities.

A package stabilizing device for use in transporting a package in a vehicle includes a bracket assembly that is configured to couple to an element of a vehicle so that an arm of the bracket assembly extends into an interior space of the vehicle. A sling is coupled to and extends from a distal limit of the arm. The sling is configured to position a package so that the package is suspended within the interior space. The sling is configured to swing within the interior space to diminish forces that are applied to contents of the package as the vehicle traverses an uneven surface, accelerates, brakes, and turns.

A removable vehicle exterior door guard device comprising an elongate panel and a plurality of vacuum seal suction cups. The panel can comprise a foam pad or other flexible polymer coupled to one or more suction cups configured to hold the panel to a vehicle surface. The device can comprise a foam pad having suction cups configured to provide a vacuum seal to a vehicle exterior door, for example using screw-tightening suction cup mechanism or a lever tightening suction cup mechanism. The vacuum seal suction cups are configured to maintain a strong seal against the vehicle surface over extended periods of time, even if the panel is bumped or the vehicle surface is not clean. The device can additionally include a theft deterrent system comprising a cord attached at a proximate end to the panel and at a distal end to an anchor that is secured inside the vehicle.

A method of recording and reporting traffic violations using a central recording unit that has at least one video camera and possibly additional still and video cameras. Additionally, there may be other cameras that interface with the central recording unit. The central recording unit is mounted to a vehicle in which it is used and may be connected to a separate gateway device that can transmit data to a violation recording center that will process data taken by the central recording unit. The violation recording center will evaluate whether data taken regarding other motorists warrants sending a fine to a non-compliant driver who is violating traffic laws. The method of this system provides for recording data regarding the non-compliant driver for a time before activation to a time after activation so that a full data bundle may be reviewed to determine whether a violation of traffic laws has occurred.

An illuminated message display indicator system for vehicles is disclosed herein. There is to be one illuminated message display indicator system on each of the left and right side on the rear windshield of a vehicle. The illuminated message display indicator system communicates with the turning lever found inside of a vehicle wherein a driver uses the lever to indicate their intended turn direction. So, if a left turn is to be made, the illuminated message display indicator system found on the rear left windshield illuminates to display a message. The illuminated and displayed message may be customized per the choice of the user. This illuminated message display indicator system promotes manners and safer driving to reduce dangers on the road.

A dashboard attachment device is disclosed for mounting an electronic device within a vehicle. The dashboard attachment device is installed between at least two interior surfaces of a vehicle (e.g., a windshield and a dashboard). The dashboard attachment device may have a wedge shape to fit the intersection between the two interior surfaces. A beam or arm extends away from a base portion of the dashboard attachment device to a mount portion. The mount portion may be used to mount an electronic device that may include one or more sensors directed to the vehicle's environment and/or to position the electronic device in the vehicle operator's field of view to aid the operator (e.g., with navigation). The mount may be interchangeable subject to the interface to the electronic device. The dashboard attachment device may include an adherence point to secure the dashboard attachment device to one or both of the interior surfaces. The shape of the dashboard attachment device may be tapered to minimize its weight and profile. The dashboard attachment device may include cable routing facilities to route a cable between the electronic device to the vehicle's electrical or computer systems.

A system and method for calibrating a forward-facing camera or sensor of a vehicle is provided. The system includes a calibration tool, the position of which can be adjusted on the vehicle to align a presentation screen of the calibration tool with the vehicle camera. A processor performs a method to determine the size and position of a calibration target to be displayed on the presentation screen, based on a position of the calibration tool relative to the vehicle camera and generates a calibration target image to be digitally transmitted to the presentation screen. The presentation screen displays the calibration target image at an appropriate height, angle, and distance from the camera or sensor being calibrated.

A stowable enclosure assembly that includes a storage unit configured for being removably connected to a surface of an existing structure and a stowable framework that includes at least one arm and at least one arm mount connected to the storage unit. The at least one arm is connected and movable relative to the at least one arm mount. The stowable enclosure assembly further includes an enclosure material connected to the at least one arm. The stowable framework and the enclosure material are together configured for moving in between a folded stored position and an unfolded position for defining an enclosure.

An image capturing device according to one embodiment includes a camera unit configured to capture images of a surrounding environment and generate image data, a suction-attachment unit configured to support the camera unit and be fixed on a suction-attachment subject surface by a user, a determination unit configured to determine whether or not the image data can be output to a recording unit, and a controller configured to control output of the image data to the recording unit, based on a determination result by the determination unit.

A carrier system for a vehicle having a pair of vacuum devices shaped and sized to mate and secure to a recreational article. Each vacuum device includes a pad shaped and sized to detachably seat with a vehicle to form a vacuum cavity. The frame is configured to detachably attach to a mounting surface, is generally arcuate, and has a front frame pivotally connected to a rear frame member to pivot between operating and storage positions.