An expandable cargo bed system for a vehicle includes a front shell having a front shell first sidewall. The front shell first sidewall includes at least one cargo bed access passage extending between a first side of the front shell first sidewall and a second side of the front shell first sidewall opposite the first side. A rear shell is operably coupled to the front shell so as to be movable with respect to the front shell between a retracted position and an extended position so as to vary a length of the cargo bed. The rear shell has a rear shell first sidewall. The rear shell first sidewall is structured to cover the at least one cargo bed access passage when the rear shell is in the retracted position. The rear shell first sidewall is also structured so that the at least one cargo bed access passage is exposed when the rear shell is in the extended position.

A ROPS frame for a work vehicle includes: a first pipe having an end; a second pipe having an end facing the end of the first pipe; a plate-shaped first joint coupled to the end of the first pipe and oriented orthogonally to a longitudinal direction of the pipes; a plate-shaped second joint coupled to the end of the second pipe and oriented orthogonally to the longitudinal direction of the pipes, the second joint being placed on the first joint; and a bolt extending through the first and second joints and fastening the first and second joints to each other.

A ROPS frame for a work vehicle includes: a first pipe having an end; a second pipe having an end facing the end of the first pipe; a plate-shaped first joint coupled to the end of the first pipe and oriented orthogonally to a longitudinal direction of the pipes; a plate-shaped second joint coupled to the end of the second pipe and oriented orthogonally to the longitudinal direction of the pipes, the second joint being placed on the first joint; and a bolt extending through the first and second joints and fastening the first and second joints to each other.

An expandable cargo bed system for a vehicle includes a front shell having a front shell first sidewall. The front shell first sidewall includes at least one cargo bed access passage extending between a first side of the front shell first sidewall and a second side of the front shell first sidewall opposite the first side. A rear shell is operably coupled to the front shell so as to be movable with respect to the front shell between a retracted position and an extended position so as to vary a length of the cargo bed. The rear shell has a rear shell first sidewall. The rear shell first sidewall is structured to cover the at least one cargo bed access passage when the rear shell is in the retracted position. The rear shell first sidewall is also structured so that the at least one cargo bed access passage is exposed when the rear shell is in the extended position.

A modular rack system, for adjustably attaching equipment to a vehicle, includes a base mountable on a side wall of the vehicle. The rack system has a first wall that is disposed on and upwardly emanating from the top surface of the base that defines a lower seat. One end of a vertical member resides in the lower seat and is secured thereto. The other end of the vertical member resides in a upper seat defining by a downwardly depending wall from a saddle and is secured thereto. The first and second walls laterally stabilize the vertical member relative to the base and saddle to permit the base to be mounted to a side wall of a vehicle and a top rail to be secured to the saddle without the use of gussets or cross-braces.

A vehicle apparatus comprises an airbag secured to a roof rail of a vehicle and a trim cover. The trim cover has a base member fastened to the roof rail, a flap member, and a living hinge integrally molded between the base and flap members. The flap member rotates on the hinge when the airbag deploys. The flap member also, in a covering position, has a distal edge fastenerlessly clipped to the vehicle.

A ROPS frame for a work vehicle includes: a first pipe having an end; a second pipe having an end facing the end of the first pipe; a plate-shaped first joint coupled to the end of the first pipe and oriented orthogonally to a longitudinal direction of the pipes; a plate-shaped second joint coupled to the end of the second pipe and oriented orthogonally to the longitudinal direction of the pipes, the second joint being placed on the first joint; and a bolt extending through the first and second joints and fastening the first and second joints to each other.

Methods and systems for preventing serious injury or vehicle damage resulting from collisions between automotive vehicles and people, animals, or other objects are described. In some instances, the system may comprise an object detection system configured to detect a human prior to impact with an automotive vehicle comprising the object detection system, and further configured to send a first activation signal upon detection of the human; a first actuator attached to the automotive vehicle; and a protection plate operatively connected to the first actuator and mounted on a structural component of the automotive vehicle; where upon receipt of the first activation signal by the first actuator, the protection plate is deployed from a non-vertical orientation into a vertical orientation and is vertically-positioned between a level of a front bumper of the automotive vehicle and a surface on which the automotive vehicle is traveling.

A vehicle apparatus comprises an airbag secured to a roof rail of a vehicle and a trim cover. The trim cover has a base member fastened to the roof rail, a flap member, and a living hinge integrally molded between the base and flap members. The flap member rotates on the hinge when the airbag deploys. The flap member also, in a covering position, has a distal edge fastenerlessly clipped to the vehicle.

A modular rack system, for adjustably attaching equipment to a vehicle, includes a base mountable on a side wall of the vehicle. The rack system has a first wall that is disposed on and upwardly emanating from the top surface of the base that defines a lower seat. One end of a vertical member resides in the lower seat and is secured thereto. The other end of the vertical member resides in a upper seat defining by a downwardly depending wall from a saddle and is secured thereto. The first and second walls laterally stabilize the vertical member relative to the base and saddle to permit the base to be mounted to a side wall of a vehicle and a top rail to be secured to the saddle without the use of gussets or cross-braces.