The present invention relates to all terrain vehicles having at least a pair of laterally spaced apart seating surfaces. More particularly, the present invention relates to trail compliant side-by-side all terrain vehicles.
대표청구항▼
1. An all-terrain vehicle including: a frame, comprising a front frame portion, a mid frame portion and a rear frame portion;an engine supported by the rear frame portion;a transmission coupled to the engine;a pair of front wheels operably coupled to the front frame portion, and drivingly coupled to
1. An all-terrain vehicle including: a frame, comprising a front frame portion, a mid frame portion and a rear frame portion;an engine supported by the rear frame portion;a transmission coupled to the engine;a pair of front wheels operably coupled to the front frame portion, and drivingly coupled to the transmission;a pair of rear wheels operably coupled to the rear frame portion, and drivingly coupled to the transmission;a pair of laterally spaced-apart seating surfaces supported by the mid frame portion;the engine is positioned longitudinally behind the pair of laterally spaced-apart seating surfaces;the rear frame portion comprising a lower rear frame portion and an upper rear frame portion, the rear frame portion being comprised of at least one vertical member extending between the lower rear frame portion and the upper rear frame portion,the upper rear frame portion is comprised of at least one frame member which extends in at least a partial lengthwise direction of the vehicle and at least one cross member, the upper rear frame portion at least partially extending over at least one of the engine and transmission rearward of the pair of laterally spaced-apart seating surfaces, and the upper rear frame portion further comprises a rear brace positioned over the engine and rearward of the pair of laterally spaced-apart seating surfaces, the rear brace being readily removable from the frame;wherein the lower rear frame portion at least partially supports the engine or transmission and the lower rear frame portion is comprised of cross members; anda passenger compartment intermediate the front and rear wheels, the passenger compartment comprising a front panel rearward of the front wheels, a floorboard rearward of the front panel, a base portion extending under the seating surfaces and a protective panel positioned rearwardly of the seating surfaces and forwardly of the engine. 2. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 1, wherein a low point of the seating surfaces is below a top of the engine. 3. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 2, wherein the wheels have a wheel base and a ratio of the wheel base to a distance from the frame to the low point of the seating surfaces is at least 6.0to 1. 4. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 1, wherein the pair of laterally spaced-apart seating surfaces are defined by a pair of bucket seats, having seat backs and seat bottoms. 5. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 4, further comprising a shift lever for the transmission extending through a floor board and positioned between the seat bottoms. 6. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 1, wherein the rear brace is coupled to the rear frame portion. 7. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 1, further comprising an engine cover positioned over a top of the engine and over the upper rear frame portion. 8. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 7, wherein the engine cover is supported by the upper rear frame portion. 9. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a rear axle assembly supported by the rear frame portion and positioned rearwardly of the transmission to drivingly couple the rear wheels. 10. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 9, further comprising a front axle assembly supported by the front frame portion and a front drive shaft extending forwardly from the transmission to the front axle assembly to drivingly couple the front wheels. 11. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 10, wherein the front drive shaft extends longitudinally while remaining laterally intermediate innermost sides of the laterally spaced apart seating surfaces. 12. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 11, wherein the pair of laterally spaced-apart seating surfaces are defined by a pair of bucket seats. 13. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 12, further comprising a fuel tank, the spaced-apart seating surfaces including a driver seating surface and a passenger seating surface, the fuel tank being positioned below one of the seating surfaces. 14. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 13, further comprising a battery positioned below the other of the seating surfaces. 15. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 14, wherein the front drive shaft extends laterally between the fuel tank and the battery. 16. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 1, wherein a front drive shaft extends under the protective panel and extends longitudinally while remaining laterally intermediate innermost sides of the pair of laterally spaced-apart seating surfaces. 17. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 1, further defining a power to weight ratio, the power to weight ratio being equal to at least 0.045/1 horsepower/pound. 18. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 1, further comprising an outer body panel supported by the frame. 19. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 18, wherein the outer body panel comprises a front body panel and a hood. 20. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 19, further comprising a front storage area positioned under the hood. 21. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 20, further comprising a rear axle assembly positioned rearwardly of the transmission and coupled to the rear wheels. 22. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 1, wherein the vehicle defines an overall width that is less than 54 inches. 23. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 22, wherein the overall width is approximately 50 inches. 24. An all-terrain vehicle including: a frame, comprising a front frame portion, a mid frame portion and a rear frame portion;a pair of laterally spaced-apart seating surfaces supported by the mid frame portion;an engine supported by the rear frame portion and the engine being positioned longitudinally behind the pair of laterally spaced-apart seating surfaces;a transmission coupled to the engine;a pair of front wheels operably coupled to the front frame portion, and drivingly coupled to the transmission;a pair of rear wheels operably coupled to the rear frame portion and drivingly coupled to the transmission; anda rear axle assembly supported by the rear frame portion to drivingly couple the rear wheels;the rear frame portion supporting the engine, transmission, and rear axle assembly, rearward of the laterally spaced-apart seating surfaces, the rear frame portion comprising a lower rear frame portion and an upper rear frame portion, the lower rear frame portion at least partially extending under the engine, transmission and rear axle assembly, and the upper rear frame portion at least partially extending over the engine, transmission and rear axle assembly, the upper rear frame portion including an outer portion and a removable inner portion, the inner portion being removably coupled to the outer portion. 25. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 24, wherein the lower rear frame portion at least partially supports the engine or transmission. 26. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 25, wherein the lower rear frame portion is comprised of cross members. 27. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 26, wherein the rear frame portion is comprised of at least one vertical member extending between the lower rear frame portion and the upper rear frame portion. 28. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 27, wherein the upper rear frame portion is comprised of at least one frame member which extends in at least a partial lengthwise direction of the vehicle. 29. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 28, wherein the upper rear frame portion is comprised of at least one cross member. 30. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 29, wherein the upper rear frame portion further comprises a rear brace positioned over the engine and transmission. 31. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 30, wherein the rear brace is coupled to the rear frame portion. 32. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 24, further comprising an engine cover positioned over a top of the engine, wherein the engine cover is defined as a rear bed. 33. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 32, wherein the engine cover is supported by the upper rear frame portion. 34. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 24, further defining a power to weight ratio, the power to weight ratio being equal to at least 0.045/1 horsepower/pound. 35. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 24, further comprising an outer body panel supported by the frame. 36. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 35, wherein the outer body panel comprises a front body panel and a hood. 37. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 36, wherein a front storage area is positioned under the hood. 38. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 24, wherein the upper frame outer portion is a fixed portion of the frame and the inner portion is readily removable. 39. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 24, wherein the upper frame outer portion defines a first plane, the upper frame inner portion defines a second plane, and when assembled, the first and second planes are coplanar. 40. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 24, wherein the inner portion includes two brace members that cross such that a first member is to the right of a second member proximate the mid frame portion, and the first member is to the left of the second member proximate a rearmost portion of the upper rear frame portion. 41. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 24, wherein the upper frame outer portion is more narrow proximate the rear of the upper rear frame portion relative to a portion of the upper rear frame portion proximate the mid frame portion. 42. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 24, wherein the upper frame inner portion is more narrow proximate the rear of the upper rear frame portion relative to a portion of the upper rear frame portion proximate the mid frame portion. 43. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 24, wherein the upper frame inner and outer portions define three points of removable coupling therebetween. 44. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 43, wherein a forward end of the upper frame inner portion defines two points of removable coupling to the upper frame outer portion and a rear end of the upper frame inner portion defines one point of removable coupling to the upper frame outer portion, the point of removable coupling at the rear end being positioned laterally between the two points of removable coupling at the forward end. 45. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 24, wherein the upper frame outer portion defines an aperture sized to receive the engine therethrough. 46. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 45, wherein the upper frame inner portion is received within the aperture and coupled to the upper frame outer portion such that passage of the engine through the aperture is blocked. 47. An all-terrain vehicle, comprising: a frame, comprising a front frame portion, a mid frame portion and a rear frame portion;a pair of laterally spaced-apart seating surfaces including a driver seating surface and a passenger seating surface supported by the mid frame portion;a fuel tank positioned below one of the seating surfaces;a battery positioned below the other of the seating surfaces;an engine supported by the rear frame portion and the engine being positioned longitudinally behind the pair of laterally spaced-apart seating surfaces;a transmission coupled to the engine;a pair of front wheels operably coupled to the front frame portion, and drivingly coupled to the transmission;a front drive shaft extending forwardly from the transmission to a front drive to drivingly couple the front wheels, the front drive shaft being located laterally intermediate the laterally spaced apart seating surfaces and extending laterally between the fuel tank and the battery;a pair of rear wheels operably coupled to the rear frame portion;a rear drive supported by the rear frame portion and drivingly coupled to the rear wheels;the rear frame portion supporting and encompassing the engine, transmission, and rear drive, rearward of the laterally spaced-apart seating surfaces, the rear frame portion comprising a lower rear frame portion and an upper rear frame portion, the lower rear frame portion at least partially extending under the engine, transmission and rear drive, and the upper rear frame portion at least partially extending over the engine, transmission and rear drive, the vehicle defining a power to weight ratio, the power to weight ratio being equal to at least 0.045/1 horsepower/pound. 48. An all-terrain vehicle, comprising: a frame, comprising a front frame portion, a mid frame portion and a rear frame portion;a pair of laterally spaced-apart seating surfaces including a driver seating surface and a passenger seating surface supported by the mid frame portion;a fuel tank positioned below one of the seating surfaces;a battery positioned below the other of the seating surfaces;an engine supported by the rear frame portion and the engine being positioned longitudinally behind the pair of laterally spaced-apart seating surfaces;a transmission coupled to the engine;a pair of front wheels operably coupled to the front frame portion, and drivingly coupled to the transmission;a front drive shaft extending forwardly from the transmission to drive the front wheels, the front drive shaft extending laterally intermediate the laterally spaced apart seating surfaces and extending laterally between the fuel tank and the battery;a pair of rear wheels operably coupled to the rear frame portion;a rear axle assembly supported by the rear frame portion and drivingly coupled to the rear wheels; andan outer body panel supported by the frame;the rear frame portion supporting and encompassing the engine, transmission, and rear axle assembly, rearward of the laterally spaced-apart seating surfaces, the rear frame portion comprising a lower rear frame portion and an upper rear frame portion, the lower rear frame portion at least partially extending under the engine, transmission and rear axle assembly, and the upper rear frame portion at least partially extending over the engine, transmission and rear axle assembly. 49. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 48, wherein the outer body panel comprises a front body panel and a hood. 50. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 49, wherein a front storage area is positioned under the hood. 51. An all-terrain vehicle, comprising: a frame, comprising a front frame portion, a mid frame portion and a rear frame portion;a pair of laterally spaced-apart seating surfaces including a driver seating surface and a passenger seating surface supported by the mid frame portion;a fuel tank positioned below one of the seating surfaces;a battery positioned below the other of the seating surfaces;an engine supported by the rear frame portion and the engine being positioned longitudinally behind the pair of laterally spaced-apart seating surfaces;a transmission coupled to the engine;a pair of front wheels operably coupled to the front frame portion, and drivingly coupled to the transmission;a front drive shaft extending forwardly from the transmission to drive the front wheels, the front drive shaft extending laterally intermediate the laterally spaced apart seating surfaces and extending laterally between the fuel tank and the battery;a pair of rear wheels operably coupled to the rear frame portion;a rear axle assembly supported by the rear frame portion and drivingly coupled to the rear wheels;the rear frame portion supporting and encompassing the engine, transmission, and rear axle assembly, rearward of the laterally spaced-apart seating surfaces, the rear frame portion comprising a lower rear frame portion and an upper rear frame portion, the lower rear frame portion at least partially extending under the engine, transmission and rear axle assembly, and the upper rear frame portion at least partially extending over the engine, transmission and rear axle assembly, the upper rear frame portion including an outer portion and a removable inner portion, the inner portion being removably coupled to the outer portion, and the upper frame outer portion being a fixed portion of the frame and the inner portion being readily removable. 52. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 51, wherein the upper frame outer portion defines a first plane, the upper frame inner portion defines a second plane, and when assembled, the first and second planes are co-planar. 53. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 51, wherein the inner portion includes two brace members that cross such that a first member is to the right of a second member proximate the mid frame portion, and the first member is to the left of the second member proximate a rearmost portion of the upper rear frame portion. 54. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 51, wherein the upper frame outer portion is more narrow proximate the rear of the upper rear frame portion relative to a portion of the upper rear frame portion proximate the mid frame portion. 55. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 51, wherein the upper frame inner portion is more narrow proximate the rear of the upper rear frame portion relative to a portion of the upper rear frame portion proximate the mid frame portion. 56. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 51, wherein the upper frame inner and outer portions define three points of removable coupling therebetween. 57. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 56, wherein a forward end of the upper frame inner portion defines two points of removable coupling to the upper frame outer portion and a rear end of the upper frame inner portion defines one point of removable coupling to the upper frame outer portion, the point of removable coupling at the rear end being positioned laterally between the two points of removable coupling at the forward end. 58. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 51, wherein the upper frame outer portion defines an aperture sized to receive the engine therethrough. 59. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 58, wherein the upper frame inner portion is received within the aperture and coupled to the upper frame outer portion such that passage of the engine through the aperture is blocked. 60. An all-terrain vehicle including: a frame, comprising a front frame portion, a mid frame portion and a rear frame portion;a pair of laterally spaced-apart seating surfaces supported by the mid frame portion;an engine supported by the rear frame portion and positioned longitudinally behind the pair of laterally spaced-apart seating surfaces;a transmission coupled to the engine, the transmission including a portion positioned rearward of the engine;a pair of front wheels operably coupled to the front frame portion, and drivingly coupled to the transmission;a pair of rear wheels operably coupled to the rear frame portion, and drivingly coupled to the transmission;a front axle assembly supported by the front frame portion drivingly coupled to the front wheels;a front drive shaft extending forwardly from the transmission wherein the front drive shaft extends laterally intermediate innermost sides of the laterally spaced apart seating surfaces, and is drivingly coupled to the front axle assembly;a rear axle assembly supported by the rear frame portion and drivingly coupled to the rear wheels;the rear frame portion comprising a lower rear frame portion and an upper rear frame portion, the upper rear frame portion at least partially extending over at least one of the engine and transmission rearward of the pair of laterally spaced-apart seating surfaces; anda passenger compartment intermediate the front and rear wheels, the passenger compartment comprising a front panel rearward of the front wheels, a floorboard rearward of the front panel, a base portion extending under the seating surfaces and a protective panel extending rearwardly of the seating surfaces and forwardly of the engine. 61. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 60, wherein a low point of the seating surfaces is below a top of the engine. 62. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 61, wherein the wheels have a wheel base and a ratio of the wheel base to a distance from the frame to the low point of the seating surfaces is at least 6.0 to 1. 63. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 60, wherein the pair of laterally spaced-apart seating surfaces are defined by a pair of bucket seats, having seat backs and seat bottoms. 64. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 63, further comprising a shift lever for the transmission extending through a console positioned between the seat bottoms. 65. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 60, wherein the lower rear frame portion at least partially supports the engine or transmission. 66. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 65, wherein the lower rear frame portion is comprised of cross members. 67. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 66, wherein the rear frame portion is comprised of at least one vertical member extending between the lower rear frame portion and the upper rear frame portion. 68. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 67, wherein the upper rear frame portion is comprised of at least one frame member which extends in at least a partial lengthwise direction of the vehicle. 69. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 68, wherein the upper rear frame portion is comprised of at least one cross member. 70. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 69, the upper rear frame portion further comprises a rear brace positioned over the engine and transmission, the rear brace being readily removable from the frame. 71. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 70, wherein the rear brace is coupled to the rear frame portion. 72. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 71, further comprising an engine cover positioned over a top of the engine and over the upper rear frame portion. 73. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 72, wherein the engine cover is supported by the upper rear frame portion. 74. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 60, wherein the pair of laterally spaced-apart seating surfaces are defined by a pair of bucket seats. 75. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 74, further comprising a fuel tank, the spaced-apart seating surfaces including a driver seating surface and a passenger seating surface, the fuel tank being positioned below one of the seating surfaces. 76. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 75, further comprising a battery positioned below the other of the seating surfaces. 77. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 76, wherein the front drive shaft extends laterally between the fuel tank and the battery. 78. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 60, wherein the front drive shaft extends under the protective panel. 79. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 60, further defining a power to weight ratio, the power to weight ratio being equal to at least 0.045/1 horsepower/pound. 80. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 60, further comprising an outer body panel supported by the frame. 81. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 80, wherein the outer body panel comprises a front body panel and a hood. 82. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 81, further comprising a front storage area positioned under the hood. 83. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 60, wherein the vehicle width is less than 54 inches. 84. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 83, wherein the vehicle width is approximately 50 inches. 85. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 83, further comprising a front stabilizer bar coupled between the front wheels. 86. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 60, wherein the rear axle assembly is positioned rearwardly of the transmission. 87. An all-terrain vehicle, comprising: a frame, comprising a front frame portion, a mid frame portion and a rear frame portion;a pair of laterally spaced-apart seating surfaces including a driver seating surface and a passenger seating surface supported by the mid frame portion;a fuel tank positioned below one of the seating surfaces;a battery positioned below the other of the seating surfaces;an engine supported by the rear frame portion and the engine being positioned longitudinally behind the pair of laterally spaced-apart seating surfaces;a transmission coupled to the engine;a pair of front wheels operably coupled to the front frame portion, and drivingly coupled to the transmission;a front drive shaft extending forwardly from the transmission to drive the front wheels, the front drive shaft extending laterally intermediate the laterally spaced apart seating surfaces and extending laterally between the fuel tank and the battery;a pair of rear wheels operably coupled to the rear frame portion;a rear axle assembly supported by the rear frame portion and drivingly coupled to the rear wheels;the transmission being coupled to the rear axle assembly to drivingly couple the rear wheels;the rear frame portion supporting and encompassing the engine, transmission, and rear axle assembly, rearward of the laterally spaced-apart seating surfaces, the rear frame portion comprising a lower rear frame portion and an upper rear frame portion, the lower rear frame portion at least partially extending under the engine, transmission and rear axle assembly, and the upper rear frame portion at least partially extending over the engine, transmission and rear axle assembly. 88. An all-terrain vehicle including: a frame, comprising a front frame portion, a mid frame portion, and a rear frame portion;an engine supported by the rear frame portion;a transmission coupled to the engine;a pair of front wheels operably coupled to the front frame portion, and driven by the transmission;a pair of rear wheels operably coupled to the rear frame portion, and driven by the transmission;a pair of laterally spaced-apart seating surfaces supported by the mid frame portion;the engine being positioned longitudinally behind the pair of laterally spaced-apart seating surfaces;a utility bed positioned over the engine and rearward of the pair of laterally spaced-apart seating surfaces;the rear frame portion comprising a lower rear frame portion and an upper rear frame portion, the upper rear frame portion supporting the utility bed and the lower rear frame portion supporting at least one of the engine and transmission rearward of the pair of laterally spaced-apart seating surfaces;a front axle assembly supported by the front frame portion and a front drive shaft coupling the transmission to the front axle assembly to drive the front wheels, the front drive shaft extending longitudinally while remaining laterally intermediate innermost sides of the laterally spaced apart seating surfaces;a rear axle assembly supported by the rear frame portion and coupled to the transmission to drive the rear wheels; anda passenger compartment intermediate the front and rear wheels, comprising a front panel, a floorboard rearward of the front panel, a base portion positioned under the seating surfaces and a protective panel positioned rearward of the seating surfaces and forward of the engine. 89. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 88, wherein the pair of laterally spaced-apart seating surfaces are defined by a pair of bucket seats. 90. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 88, further comprising a fuel tank, the spaced-apart seating surfaces including a driver seating surface and a passenger seating surface, the fuel tank being positioned below one of the seating surfaces. 91. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 88, wherein the vehicle width is less than 54 inches. 92. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 91, wherein the vehicle width is approximately 50 inches. 93. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 88, further comprising a battery positioned below one of the seating surfaces. 94. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 88, wherein a low point of the seating surfaces is below a top of the engine. 95. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 88, further comprising a shift lever for the transmission extending through a console positioned between seat bottoms. 96. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 88, wherein the transmission is coupled to the engine through a continuously variable clutch. 97. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 88, further comprising a front suspension coupling the front wheels to the front frame portion. 98. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 97, further comprising a front stabilizer bar supported by the front frame portion and coupled to the front suspension, the front stabilizer bar being configured to transmit at least a portion of an upward force exerted on one of the front wheels to the other of the front wheels. 99. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 88, further comprising a rear suspension coupling the rear wheels to the rear frame portion. 100. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 99, further comprising a rear stabilizer bar supported by the rear frame portion and coupled to the rear suspension, the rear stabilizer bar being configured to transmit at least a portion of an upward force exerted on one of the rear wheels to the other of the rear wheels. 101. The all-terrain vehicle of claim 88, further defining a power to weight ratio, the power to weight ratio being equal to at least 0.045/1 horsepower/pound.
Horiuchi,Yoshifumi; Nakatani,Yasunobu; Bessho,Hiroki; Nakamura,Norimi, Change-speed control system for utility vehicle having stepless change-speed apparatus for speed-changing engine output and transmitting the speed-changed output to traveling unit.
Nakatani, Yasunobu; Horiuchi, Yoshifumi, Change-speed control system for utility vehicle having stepless change-speed apparatus for speed-changing engine output and transmitting the speed-changed output to traveling unit.
Washburn David J. (194 E. 1200 South Orem UT 84058) Enke Glenn L. (Orem UT), Low profile self propelled vehicle and method for converting a normal profile vehicle to the same.
Tanaka Hiromasa,JPX ; Ohta Noboru,JPX ; Sakane Hideto,JPX ; Yamazaki Yuichi,JPX ; Kobayashi Masaki,JPX ; Tanaka Yasuyoshi,JPX, Mid-engine vehicle with engine and driver's seat located laterally on either side of a longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
Deckard, Aaron D.; Swain, Phillip B.; Ives, Andy T.; Schlangen, Adam J.; Roytek, Corrie S.; Goffman, Daniel L.; Johnson, Clinton A., Side-by-side vehicle.
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