Utility vehicle

[0001] The present application claims priority from Provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/162,354 filed May 15, 2015, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a utility vehicle and, more particularly, to an all-terrain utility vehicle

[0003] Generally, all-terrain vehicles (“ATVs”) and utility vehicles (“UVs”) are used to carry one or more passengers and a small amount of cargo over a variety of terrains. There is increasing recreational interest in the market for ATVs, specialty ATVs, and UVs, such as those used for trail riding, racing, and/or cargo hauling. However, some UVs and/or ATVs are configured for utility and cargo hauling needs and, as such, may not be configured for fast speeds or racing. Alternatively, some UVs and/or ATVs are configured for sport and racing and, as such, are configured for faster speeds but may only be configured for limited cargo hauling.

[0004] According to a further illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a utility vehicle comprises a plurality of ground-engaging members, a frame supported by the plurality of ground-engaging members, a powertrain assembly including an engine and a continuously variable transmission supported by the frame, and an operator area supported by the frame and having at least an operator seat including a seat bottom and a seat back configured to support an operator. Additionally, the utility vehicle comprises at least one visual display positioned within the operator area and indicating dynamic vehicle parameters to the operator and a steering assembly operably coupled to the plurality of ground engaging members and including a steering column and a steering wheel extending into the operator area. The steering wheel is at least vertically movable between at least a first position and a second position, and the at least one visual display being configured to move with the steering wheel.

[0005] According to another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a utility vehicle comprises a plurality of ground-engaging members, a frame supported by the plurality of ground-engaging members, a powertrain assembly including an engine and a continuously variable transmission supported by the frame, and an operator area supported by the frame and having at least an operator seat including a seat bottom and a seat back configured to support an operator. Additionally, the utility vehicle comprises a dashboard assembly positioned within the operator area and forward of the operator seat bottom, at least one visual display supported by the dashboard assembly, and a steering assembly operably coupled to the plurality of ground engaging members and including a steering column and a steering wheel extending into the operator area. The steering wheel is at least vertically movable between at least a first position and a second position, and the at least one visual display is in a first position when the steering wheel is in the first position and the at least one visual display being in a second position when the steering wheel is in the second position.

[0006] According to another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a utility vehicle comprises a plurality of ground-engaging members, a frame supported by the plurality of ground-engaging members, a powertrain assembly including an engine and a continuously variable transmission supported by the frame, and an operator area supported by the frame and having at least an operator seat including a seat bottom and a seat back configured to support an operator. Additionally, the utility vehicle comprises a dashboard assembly positioned within the operator area and forward of the operator seat bottom. The dashboard includes a stationary portion and a movable portion, and the movable portion is configured to move between at least a first position and a second position. Additionally, the utility vehicle comprises a first visual display supported by the stationary portion of the dashboard assembly and having a first indicator for vehicle parameters, a second visual display supported by the movable portion of the dashboard assembly and having a second indicator for vehicle parameters, and a steering assembly operably coupled to the plurality of ground engaging members and including a steering column and a steering wheel extending into the operator area.

[0067] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent embodiments of the present invention, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explain the present invention.

[0068] The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings. While the present disclosure is primarily directed to a utility vehicle, it should be understood that the features disclosed herein may have application to other types of vehicles such as other all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, snowmobiles, and golf carts.

[0069] Referring to FIGS. 1-7, an illustrative embodiment of a utility vehicle 2 is shown. Vehicle 2 is configured for off-road conditions. Vehicle 2 includes a plurality of ground-engaging members 4, illustratively front wheels 6 and rear wheels 8. In one embodiment, one or more of ground-engaging members 4 may be replaced with tracks, such as the Prospector II Tracks available from Polaris Industries Inc., located at 2100 Highway 55 in Medina, Minn. 55340 or non-pneumatic tires, such as those shown in U.S. Pat. No. 8,176,957 and U.S. Pat. No. 8,104,524, the complete disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

[0070] Vehicle 2 further includes a frame assembly 10 supported above a ground surface G by ground-engaging members 4. Ground surface G may be a generally level and horizontal dirt, grass, concrete, ceramic, polymeric, or other surface. Frame assembly 10 extends along a longitudinal centerline C_L of vehicle 2 (FIG. 5). Frame assembly 10 includes a lower frame assembly 12 defining a front frame portion 14, a rear frame portion 16, and an intermediate frame portion 18 extending therebetween. Lower frame assembly 12 supports a rear cargo area 30 and a vehicle body 32, which includes a plurality of body panels.

[0071] Additionally, and as shown in FIGS. 1-3, frame assembly 10 includes an upper frame assembly 20 extending vertically above lower frame assembly 12 and, more particularly, above at least intermediate frame portion 18 of lower frame assembly 12. In one embodiment, the region bounded by upper frame assembly 20 and lower frame assembly 12 is referred to as an open-air operator area 34 of vehicle 2. Upper frame assembly 20 includes front upstanding members 22, rear upstanding members 24, longitudinally extending members 26, a front lateral member 27, a rear lateral member 28, and at least one brace 29.

[0072] As shown in FIGS. 1-6, operator area 34 includes seating 36 for an operator and one or more passengers. Illustratively, seating 36 includes an operator seat 38 and a passenger seat 40, however, seating 36 may also include rear seats for additional passengers.

[0073] Referring to FIGS. 8-11, lower frame assembly 12 is shown. Lower frame assembly 12 includes front frame portion 14, intermediate frame portion 18, and rear frame portion 16. In one embodiment, the wheel base length of vehicle 2 extends from front frame portion 14 to rear frame portion 16 and may be approximately 81 inches. Front frame portion 14 includes longitudinal members 48 (FIG. 10), lateral members 50, rear upstanding members 52, front upstanding members 54, and a cross brace 56. Additionally, front frame portion 14 includes a front plate 58 for supporting components of the vehicle, such as a front differential 297 (FIG. 12).

[0074] Intermediate frame portion 18 is coupled to front frame portion 14 and includes longitudinal members 60, lateral members 62 coupled to longitudinal members 60, a first upstanding member 64 coupled to longitudinal members 60, a second upstanding member coupled to longitudinal members 60, a third upstanding member 68 coupled to longitudinal member 60, and a diagonal member 74 coupled to upstanding members 64, 66, and 68. Intermediate frame portion 18 also includes a plurality of diagonal braces 70, 71 coupled to third upstanding member 68. Additionally, intermediate frame portion 18 includes a plate or base member 72 which defines a skid plate and is positioned below at least operator area 34. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, plate 72 of intermediate frame portion 18 extends laterally along the full lateral width of vehicle 2. A center portion 72a of plate 72 is recessed relative to right and left side portions 72b of plate 72. As such, center portion 72a is closer to ground surface G than left and right side portions 72b. By configuring plate 72 with the recessed center portion 72a relative to right and left side portions 72b, vehicle 2 has increased clearance along the sides thereof.

[0075] Rear frame portion 16 is coupled to intermediate frame portion 18 and includes lower longitudinal members 76, upstanding members 78, lateral members 82, and upper longitudinal members 80. Rear frame portion 16 also includes a plate 84 which may be integral with or separate from plate 72. Plate 84 supports a portion of a powertrain assembly 292 of vehicle 2. Additional details of frame assembly 10 may be disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/477,589, filed on Sep. 4, 2014, and entitled “SIDE-BY-SIDE VEHICLE”, the complete disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 12, powertrain assembly 292 includes at least an engine 294 (FIG. 29), a continuously variable transmission (“CVT”) 296 (FIG. 27), a shiftable transmission 298 (FIG. 2), front differential 297, a rear differential 299, and a drive shaft 295. CVT 296 is operably coupled to engine 294 and shiftable transmission 298 to drive front wheels 6 and/or rear wheels 8 through front and rear differentials 297, 299, respectively. As shown in FIG. 32, plate 84 of rear frame portion 16 is positioned rearward of seat frame 197 and, therefore, is positioned rearward of a forward most edge 43a of seat bottom 42 (FIG. 20). As such, engine 294 and CVT 296 are positioned rearward of forward most edge 43a of seat bottom 42.

[0077] Referring to FIGS. 13A-13C, vehicle 2 includes a front suspension assembly 90. Front suspension assembly 90 includes upper control arms 92, lower control arms 94, and linear force elements, illustratively, shock absorbers 96 (FIG. 6). Upper control arms 92 include inner mounting members 98a, 98b for coupling to front frame portion 14 of lower frame assembly 12 and an outer mounting member 102 for coupling to a knuckle 104 of a wheel hub assembly 106. Lower control arms 94 include inner mounting members 108a, 108b for coupling to front frame portion 14 of lower frame assembly 12 and an outer mounting member 110 for also coupling to knuckle 104 of wheel hub assembly 106.

[0078] As shown in FIGS. 13B and 13C, mounting member 98a of upper control arm 92 may include an outer member 112, an inner member 114, bearing members 116, end caps 118, and seals 120. In one embodiment, inner member 114 may be hardened during formation thereof such that inner member 114 is comprised of a hardened metallic material. Illustratively, inner member 114 is received within outer member 112 and has a length less than that of outer member. Additionally, the length of inner member 114 and the length of bearing members 116 define the tolerance of mounting member 98a. Each bearing member 116 is positioned intermediate the inner surface of outer member 112 and the outer surface of inner member 114, and is positioned adjacent each end portion of inner member 114. More particularly, in one embodiment, the inner surface of outer member 112 includes recesses 122 and each recess 122 receives a portion of one of bearing members 116. Bearing members 116 are received within recess 122 and contact a shoulder 113 of the inner surface of outer member 112. Shoulder 113 may be machined into outer member 112, thereby making outer member 112 simple to manufacture. Bearing members 116 permit movement of outer member 112 relative to inner member 114 without the need for any grease or additional lubrication. Therefore, mounting member 98a may be greaseless while still permitting movement of outer member 112 relative to bearing member 116. For example, bearing member 116 may be comprised of a material containing Nylon 6/6 with glass fiber, PTFE, and silicone which allows for lubrication without grease. The Nylon 6/6 with glass fiber, PTFE, and silicone may be present in any amount within the material comprising bearing member 116. In one embodiment, bearing member 116 provides a self-lubricating surface for movement of outer member 112 relative to inner member 114 because of the addition of PTFE.

[0079] To seal the internal volume of outer member 112 from water, debris, dust, and other liquid or particulate matter, which may increase the friction between bearing member 116 and outer member 112, end caps 118 may be sealingly received within the end portions of outer member 112. Illustratively, end caps 118 may be positioned adjacent the end portions of inner member 114. End caps 118 each include a recess 126 for receiving seals 120, which, illustratively, are o-rings. In this way, end caps 118 and seals 120 seal the internal volume of outer member 112 to prevent dust, debris, water, or other matter from entering the internal volume of outer member 112 which may affect the movement of outer member 112 relative to inner member 114 during operation of vehicle 2. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 13C, seals 120 are fully positioned within outer member 112 and inward of the outer end of end cap 118 such that contaminating matter (e.g., dust, liquids) does not contact seal 120. In this way, seal 120 is not exposed to any liquids, dust, or other matter which may work its way inside outer member 112 and increase friction between bearing member 116 and outer member 112. Seals 120 also may be embedded with a wax material to increase resistance to wear.

[0080] Additionally, seals 120 are axially adjacent thrust surfaces 117 of mounting member 98a. More particularly, an axial load may be exerted on mounting member 98a in the direction L (FIG. 13C) during operation of vehicle 2 such that interface between bearing members 116 and end caps 118 defines thrust surfaces 117 of mounting members 98a. As shown in FIG. 13C, seals 120 are axially spaced apart from thrust surfaces 117 by lips 119 of end caps 118, however, seals 120 are axially aligned with thrust surfaces 117 and are not positioned radially inward or radially outward from thrust surfaces 117. By axially aligning seals 120 with thrust surfaces 117, the likelihood of water and debris contacting bearing members 116 in an axial direction of mounting member 98a is reduced. Additionally, inner member 114 and outer member 116 seal the radial surfaces of bearing members 116 from water and debris.

[0081] End caps 118 each include an aperture or channel 128 which aligns with an inner channel 124 of inner member 114. Additionally, the diameter of channel 128 is approximately the same as the diameter of inner channel 124. A fastener (not shown) is received through inner channel 124 and channel 128 for coupling upper control arm 92 to lower frame assembly 12.

[0082] Vehicle 2 also includes a rear suspension assembly 130, as shown in FIG. 7. Rear suspension assembly 130 may include a sway bar 132, an upper suspension member 134, a lower suspension member 136, and a linear force element, illustratively, a shock absorber 138. Upper and lower suspension members 134, 136 may be mounted to rear frame portion 16 of lower frame assembly 12 with mounting members (not shown) similar to mounting members 98a of front suspension assembly 90.

[0083] Additionally, both front shock absorbers 96 and rear shock absorbers 138 may be hydraulic or pneumatic shocks with a single spring or coil. Alternatively, shock absorbers 96, 138 may be hydraulic or pneumatic shocks with progressive-coil tender springs, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. When shock absorbers 96, 138 include progressive-coil tender springs, the suspension travel may have an auxiliary spring rate to keep the main spring from becoming loose when at full suspension extension. Additionally, a progressive-coil tender spring may be used in suspension tuning to maintain a soft spring rate in certain riding events while allowing for a transition to the stiffer main spring during other riding events.

[0084] Illustratively, shock absorbers 96, 138 include a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 140, a main or primary spring 142, and an auxiliary or secondary spring illustratively shown as a progressive-coil tender spring 144. Springs 142, 144 generally surround cylinder 140 and tender spring 144 is positioned in series with main spring 142. Tender spring 144 also may have a length which is less than the length of main spring 142 when both tender spring 144 and main spring 142 are in the extended position shown in FIG. 14. Tender spring 144 may be coupled to cylinder 140 with a first coupler 141a and a second coupler 141b. Additionally, main spring 142 may be coupled to cylinder 140 with second coupler 141b and a third coupler 141c. Couplers 141a, 141b, 141c may be adjustable along the length of cylinder 140 such that the couplers 141a, 141b, 141c may be used to adjust the length of springs 142, 144.

[0085] Illustrative tender spring 144 has first, second, third, and fourth coils 144a, 144b, 144c, 144d, however, tender spring 144 may have any number of coils. Tender spring 144 is a progressively wound spring such that the pitch of first, second, third, and fourth coils 144a, 144b, 144c, 144d of tender spring 144 is different throughout the length of tender spring 144. Additionally, the distance between adjacent coils 144a, 144b, 144c, 144d varies such that a distance d₁ between first coil 144a and second coil 144b is less than a distance d₂ between second coil 144b and third coil 144c. A distance d₃ between third coil 144c and fourth coil 144d is greater than distance d₂. In this way, when tender spring 144 is compressed towards the position of FIG. 15, each individual coil 144a, 144b, 144c, 144d lays on top of the coil below one at a time. By varying the distance between each of coils 144a, 144b, 144c, 144d, noise is minimized or eliminated when tender spring 144 collapses to the compressed position of FIG. 15 because there is a gradual collapse of tender spring 144 rather than all coils 144a, 144b, 144c, 144d collapsing simultaneously, which may cause spring “chatter” or a “clap” noise. In one embodiment, suspension travel between the extended position of FIG. 14 and the compressed position of FIG. 15 may be approximately 12 inches. However, suspension travel may be more or less than 12 inches in alternative embodiments. Additional details of front suspension assembly 90 and/or rear suspension assembly 130 may be disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/477,589, filed on Sep. 4, 2014, and entitled “SIDE-BY-SIDE VEHICLE”, the complete disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

[0086] Referring to FIGS. 16-20C, a plurality of body panels of body 32 may extend into operator area 34. For example, body 32 may include inner panels 450, a center console 452 positioned between inner panels 450, a floorboard 454, outer panels 462, and a dashboard assembly 150. Inner panels 450, outer panels 462, and center console 452 may be positioned laterally along seats 48, 40, floorboard 454 may be positioned below seats 38, 40, and dashboard assembly 150 is positioned forward of seats 38, 40. Floorboard assembly may include a dead pedal 456 for the operator to rest his/her left foot on during operation of vehicle 2. A throttle pedal 458 and a brake pedal 460 are both positioned towards centerline C_L from dead pedal 456 such that throttle pedal 458 and brake pedal 460 are positioned intermediate dead pedal 456 and inner panels 450.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 16, dashboard assembly 150 includes a plurality of storage areas 152, 154. Additionally, dashboard assembly 150 may include a plurality of displays, such as a display 156 positioned generally in the middle of dashboard assembly 150 and a gauge 158 positioned forward of operator seat 38. Alternatively, display 156 may be removed from dashboard assembly 150 to expose an additional storage area for cargo within operator area 34. As shown in FIG. 16, display 156, or the storage area concealed by display 156, are positioned below upper surface 151 of dashboard assembly 150. Display 156 may be configured for GPS, entertainment, information about vehicle parameters, terrain data, and any other features and information related to vehicle 2.

[0088] Gauge 158 is configured to display various dynamic vehicle parameters to the operator, such as speed, fuel level, engine temperature, rpm, and other data. Illustratively, gauge 158 is positioned below an upper surface 151 of dashboard assembly 150. Additionally, gauge 158 is forward of a portion of a steering assembly 160, which includes at least a steering wheel 162, a steering column 163, a steering shaft 164, tie rods 166 (FIG. 6), and a tilt assembly 168. Tilt assembly 168 includes a hydraulic or pneumatic shock 170, a piston 172 configured for reciprocal movement within shock 170, and a lever 174 which actuates movement of piston 172 within shock 170. In one embodiment, steering assembly 160 may be a sub-assembly configured to couple with vehicle 2 as a fully-assembled unit, rather than requiring each individual component of steering assembly 160 to be coupled to vehicle 2 one at a time.

[0089] Referring to FIGS. 17A and 17B, dashboard assembly 150 includes a stationary portion 157 and a movable portion, illustratively a bezel 159. Stationary portion 157 is defined at an upper end by upper surface 151 of dashboard assembly 150. More particularly, an upper surface of gauge 158 and an upper surface of bezel 159 are positioned below upper surface 151 of dashboard assembly 150. The movable portion, defined by bezel 159, supports gauge 158 and is configured to move between a raised and a lowered position. As such, because at least a top portion and a bottom portion of gauge 158 are supported by bezel 159, gauge 158 moves with bezel 159 between the raised and lowered positions. Additionally, bezel 159 and gauge 158 move within dashboard assembly 150 and are positioned below upper surface 151 of dashboard assembly 150 in both the raised and lowered positions.

[0090] More particularly, and referring to FIGS. 17D and 17C, gauge 158 is configured to move with steering wheel 162 when tilt assembly 168 is actuated to adjust the position of steering wheel 162 for the operator. More particularly, gauge 158 is supported within bezel 159 of dashboard assembly 150 which is coupled to steering column 163 through a bracket assembly 175. For example, as shown in FIGS. 17C and 17D, gauge 158 is coupled to steering column 163 through a bracket 176 of bracket assembly 175 and is fixed thereto with a fastener 177. Additionally, bracket 176 is pivotably coupled to a brace 178 which is supported by frame assembly 10 and is coupled to tilt assembly 168 through support members 180, 182. Illustratively, a lower end of support member 180 is pivotably coupled to shock 170 of tilt assembly 168 and an upper end of support member 180 is coupled to support member 182. In this way, the position and orientation of gauge 158 is fixed relative to steering wheel 162 such that when tilt assembly 168 allows steering wheel 162 to move between a raised position (FIG. 17C) and a lowered position (FIG. 17D), gauge 158 also moves with steering wheel 162 to maintain its position and orientation relative to steering wheel 162. As such, the operator's view of gauge 158 is not blocked or obstructed by the position of steering wheel 162. Additionally, the operator's line of sight out of the front of vehicle 2 is not obstructed by gauge 158 or steering wheel 162 because both are positioned below upper surface 151 of dashboard assembly 150.

[0091] Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, body 32 of vehicle also includes additionally storage areas 184, 186 within operator area 34. More particularly, storage areas 184 may be positioned rearward of seats 38, 40 and include panels or doors 190 which are sealed against body 32 of vehicle 2. Storage areas 184 may contain an engine control unit (“ECU”) (not shown) or an open volume for cargo or personal effects of either the operator or a passenger. One side of panels 190 is adjacent a recess 194 for opening panel 190 when accessing storage areas 184.

[0092] Additionally, storage areas 186 also are positioned within operator area 34 and are positioned on either side of a center console 185 and below operator seat 38 and passenger seat 40. Storage areas 186 may contain batteries (not shown) for vehicle 2, the fuel tank (not shown) of vehicle 2, or an open volume for cargo or personal effects of the operator and/or passenger. Similar to panels 190, storage areas 186 include panels or doors 188 which also abut recess 194. In one embodiment, panels 190 are generally identical to panels 188. Recess 194 assists the operator or passenger when opening or closing panel 190. As with panel 190, panels 188 also may seal against body 32 when in the closed position. In one embodiment, panel 190 is provided for both storage areas 184, 186. Alternatively, panel 190 is provided for storage areas 184 rearward of seats 38, 40 and also for storage area 186 positioned below passenger seat 40 while panel 188 is provided for storage area 186 below operator seat 38.

[0093] Referring to FIG. 20A, operator seat 38 and passenger seat 40 may be in a side-by-side configuration within operator area 34 and supported by a seat frame 197 of lower frame assembly 12. Alternatively, seats 38, 40 may be in a fore and aft configuration such that passenger seat 40 is positioned rearward of operator seat 38. Seats 38, 40 each include a seat bottom 42, a seat back 44 positioned above seat bottom 42, and a head rest 46 positioned above seat bottom 42 and seat back 44 for at least the operator and a passenger. Seat bottom 42 may be separate from seat back 44, however, head rest 46 may be integrally formed with seat back 44. Alternatively, head rest 46 may be separate from seat back 44. In a further embodiment, seat bottom 42, seat back 44, and head rest 46 all may be coupled together or integrally formed together.

[0094] Seat bottoms 42 include forward most edge 43a, a rearward most edge 43b, and a seating surface 45 which are all supported above seat frame 197. Seat bottoms 42 may be coupled to a seat slider assembly 196 such that at least seat bottoms 42 slide in a fore and aft direction relative to seat frame 197. In one embodiment, seat backs 44 are coupled to seat bottoms 42 such that seat backs 44 move with seat bottoms 42 when seat slider assembly 196 is actuated. Additionally, each seat 38, 40 may include a seat belt assembly 198 which may include a shoulder strap 198a and a lap restraint 198b to secure the operator and the passenger within operator area 34 when vehicle 2 is operating.

[0095] Referring to FIGS. 20B and 20C, the position of seats 38, 40 allows for additional leg, hip, and elbow room for the operator and/or passenger. For example, in one embodiment, a lateral distance D₁ defines a hip width of seat bottoms 42 and may be approximately 18-25 inches and, illustratively, is approximately 21.7 inches. Additionally, a lateral distance D₂ between longitudinal centerline C_L and doors 200 defines the elbow room for the operator and/or passenger and may be approximately 25-30 inches and, illustratively, is approximately 28 inches. Referring still to FIG. 20B, a lateral distance D₃ between inner panel 450 and outer panel 462 defines the operator's legroom and may be approximately 16-30 inches and, illustratively, may be approximately 20 inches. A lateral distance D₄ between inner panel 450 and the lower, inner corner of dead pedal 456 defines the operator's pedal input legroom and may be approximately 10-20 inches and, illustratively, may be approximately 16 inches. Referring to FIG. 20C, the longitudinal and vertical position of operator seat 38 also affects the operator's legroom such that a longitudinal distance D₅ extends between a vertical plane P₁ which includes the front edge of throttle pedal 458 and front edge 43a of seat bottom 42 may be approximately 20-30 inches and, illustratively, may be approximately 25 inches. Also, a distance D₆ defines the vertical legroom for the operator and extends between front edge 43a of seat bottom 42 and floorboard 454. Distance D₆ may be approximately 20-30 inches and, illustratively, may be approximately 16.6 inches.

[0096] Also shown in FIG. 20C is an opening 470 in body 32 and, more particularly, in inner panel 450, which extends between the operator side and the passenger side of operator area 34. Opening 470 is positioned forward and inward of seats 38, 40 and rearward of pedals 458, 460. Additionally, opening 470 is forward of and below center console 452 and above floorboard 454. Opening 470 is bounded by body panels, such as a floor panel 472, a rear panel 474, a front panel (not shown) generally opposite rear panel 474, and an upper panel (not shown) generally opposite floor panel 472. Any of floor panel 472, rear panel 474, the front panel, and/or the upper panel may include a removable access cover (not shown) which may be removed to expose additional components of vehicle 2. By removing the access cover, other components of vehicle 2 (e.g., drive shaft 295) may be serviced. Additionally, nets or cover members may be movably coupled to inner panels 450 to retain cargo within opening 470. In addition to cargo, opening 470 is configured to receive accessories for vehicle 2, such as a subwoofer, speaker, audio components, or any other vehicle accessory. Furthermore, air vents, a baffle, or other air flow member may be included within floor panel 472, rear panel 474, the front panel, and/or the upper panel of opening 470 and/or may be positioned adjacent opening 470 to direct air flow through a lower portion of operator area 34.

[0097] As shown in FIGS. 21-26, vehicle 2 also may include doors 200 for partially enclosing operator area 34. Doors 200 are supported by intermediate frame portion 18 of lower frame assembly 12 and are pivotably coupled thereto. More particularly, doors 200 are pivotably coupled to upstanding members 66 of intermediate frame portion 18 of lower frame assembly 12 through a plurality of hinges 202. In this way, doors 200 pivot about upstanding members 66 when moving between a closed position and an open position to allow ingress and egress from operator area 34.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 22, doors 200 include an outer panel 204, an inner panel 206, and a door frame assembly 208 positioned therebetween. Outer panel 204 and inner panel 206 may be comprised of a polymeric material while door frame assembly 208 may be comprised of a metallic material (e.g., steel, aluminum). Door frame assembly 208 may be die cast, rather than stamped, during formation thereof. Inner panel 206 may include pockets or storage compartments (not shown) for maps, route information, or other items brought into vehicle 2 by the operator and/or passenger. Doors 200 also may have a contour which bows or extends outwardly from vehicle 2 to increase the operator space within operator area 34. Additional details related to the contour of doors 200 may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/434,685, filed on Apr. 9, 2015, and entitled “SIDE-BY-SIDE VEHICLE”, the complete disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

[0099] An inner surface of outer panel 204 includes a plurality of brackets for supporting various components of doors 200. More particularly, brackets 210 on outer panel 204 align with apertures 212 on hinges 202 and apertures 214 on door frame assembly 208 to couple hinges 202 to door frame assembly 208 and outer panel 204. Additionally, a bracket 216 on outer panel 204 aligns with an aperture 218 on the outer surface of inner panel 206 to couple inner panel 206 to outer panel 204. Outer panel 204 is also coupled to door frame assembly 208 and inner panel 206 through a bracket 220 on the inner surface of outer panel 204. More particularly, as shown in FIG. 22, bracket 220 aligns with an aperture 222 on door frame assembly 208 and an aperture 224 on inner panel 206 for coupling together outer panel 204, inner panel 206, and door frame assembly 208. Similarly, a bracket 226 on the inner surface of outer panel 204 aligns with an aperture 228 and an aperture 230 on door frame assembly 208 and aligns with an aperture 232 on inner panel 206 to also couple together outer panel 204, inner panel 206, and door frame assembly 208.

[0100] Doors 200 also include an outer handle or latch 234 which is operably coupled to outer panel 204 with fasteners 236. When entering vehicle 2, the operator or passenger may pull on outer handle 234 to release a latch mechanism of doors 200 to open doors 200. A latch assembly 240 also may be coupled to door frame assembly 208 and inner panel 206 to facilitate opening the doors when the operator and/or passenger are exiting vehicle 2. Latch assembly 240 includes an inner handle or latch 242, a latching member 244, a tension or spring assembly 248 operably coupled to inner handle 242 and latching member 244, and a bracket 246 for supporting spring assembly 248. To support latch assembly 240 on doors 200, a bracket 250 on the inner surface of outer panel 204 aligns with an aperture 252 on door frame assembly 208 and an aperture 254 on inner handle 242 and a fastener is received therethrough. Latching member 244 is supported on door frame assembly 208 with fasteners received through apertures 256 on latching member 244 and apertures 258 on door frame assembly 208. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 24, a grab bar 270 is coupled to at least inner panel 206 of doors 200 and may be coupled or adjacent to inner handle 242 and latching member 244. Spring assembly 248 is coupled to door frame assembly 208 with fasteners received through apertures 260 on bracket 246 which are aligned with apertures 262 on door frame assembly 208 assembly. As such, spring assembly 248 is fully concealed between door frame assembly 208 and inner panel 206 such that spring assembly 248 is not visible to the operator, the passenger, or anyone outside of vehicle 2.

[0101] Spring assembly 248 is movably coupled to inner handle 242 and latching member 244 such that when the operator or passenger pulls on inner handle 242, spring assembly 248 releases and doors 200 are able to open. As shown in FIGS. 21-23, spring assembly 248 also includes a catch member 264 which is configured to receive and release a latch 266 coupled to third upstanding member 68 through a bracket 268. More particularly, catch member 264 may be a detent member configured to receive latch 266 to secure door 200 in the closed position during operation of vehicle 2. However, when the operator or passenger opens doors 200, the operator or passenger pulls on inner handle 242 which causes catch member 264 to release latch 266, thereby allowing doors 200 to pivot to the open position. Similarly, when the operator or passenger opens door 200 with outer handle 234, catch member 264 releases latch 266 to allow ingress into operator area 34.

[0102] Additionally, when opening and closing doors 200, outer panel 204, inner panel 206, and door frame assembly 208 are fixed relative to each other and pivot together about upstanding member 66 through hinges 202. As shown in FIG. 21, hinges 202 are concealed because hinges 202 are positioned along the inner surface of outer panel 204 such that hinges 202 are not visible from the outside of vehicle 2. More particularly, as shown in FIGS. 25-26B, hinges 202 are concealed when doors 200 are in the open position (FIG. 25), the partially closed position (FIG. 26A), and the fully closed position (FIG. 26B). Hinges 202 are pivotably coupled to arms 274 on upstanding members 66. In one embodiment, hinges 202 are removably coupled to arms 274 with a fastener 272. Illustratively, fastener 272 is received vertically through vertically-oriented apertures 273 of hinges 202 and a vertically-oriented channel 275 of arms 274. Arms 274 may be removably or permanently coupled to upstanding members 66. Arms 274 include an engagement surface 276 for engaging a stop surface 278 on hinges 202 when doors 200 are in the open position (FIG. 25). As such, when doors 200 are open, engagement surface 276 is in contact with stop surface 278 to which prevents over-rotation of doors 200. Conversely, when closing doors 200, engagements surface 276 is spaced apart from stop surface 278 and is not in contact therewith. As such, doors 200 pivot freely to the closed position (FIG. 26B). A seal 286 (FIG. 22) may be coupled to a portion of doors 200 such that doors 200 seal against body 32 of vehicle 2.

[0103] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, doors 200 have a longitudinal width W_D which is approximately equal to a longitudinal width W_O of an opening between front and rear upstanding members 22, 24. As such, in one embodiment, doors 200 generally extend completely across the longitudinal opening of operator area 34. As shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 22, an upper portion 280 of outer panel 204, an upper portion 282 of inner panel 206, and an upper portion 284 of door frame assembly 208 each extends upwardly from outer handle 234 and latching assembly 240 such that doors 200 contact a portion of rear upstanding members 24. Illustratively, upper portions 280, 282, 284 are positioned below head rests 46 and are adjacent seat backs 44 but extend into upper frame assembly 20 and are positioned above an upper surface of rear cargo area 30. As such, doors 200 are positioned within a bolster area of lower frame assembly 12 adjacent seat backs 44 such that additional frame members are not required in that area. More particularly, and as shown in FIG. 3, upper portion 280 of doors 200 is positioned at approximately the shoulder height of the operator and the passenger to extend along the entire body below the head of the operator and/or the passenger. Additionally, the height of a forward portion of doors 200, defined by a forward portion 288 of outer panel 204 and a forward portion 290 of inner panel 206, is approximately the same as the height of upper portions 280, 282, 284, relative to longitudinal member 60 and ground surface G when in the position shown in FIG. 3. For example, in one embodiment, a height H₁ from the bottom surface of longitudinal member 60 to upper portion 280 of door 200 may be approximately 32-38 inches and, illustratively, may be approximately 35 inches. Conversely, the height of a portion of doors intermediate forward portions 288, 290 and upper portions 280, 282, 284 may be less than the height of forward portions 288, 290 and upper portions 280, 282, 284, relative to longitudinal member 60 and ground surface G when in the position shown in FIG. 3, thereby increasing the operator's line of sight over doors 200.

[0104] Upper portion 284 of door frame assembly 208 may be configured as an accessory mount. For example, while illustrative doors 200 are shown as half-doors, an upper portion of doors 200 may be coupled to upper portion 284 of door frame assembly 208 to define a full-door for vehicle 2. More particularly, upper portion 284 of door frame assembly 208 includes a plurality of slots or apertures 263 which are configured to receive fasteners for coupling an accessory to doors 200, such as a hard plastic upper door, a canvas upper door, fabric side nets, or any other accessory configured for attachment to doors 200. Alternatively, the upper door or any other accessory may be coupled to upper portions 280, 282 of outer and inner panels 204, 206, rather than coupled to door frame assembly 208.

[0105] Referring to FIGS. 27-37, vehicle 2 further includes an air intake assembly 300. Air intake assembly 300 includes a first conduit 302 and a second conduit 304. First and second conduits 302, 304 are fluidly coupled to at least one application device of vehicle 2, for example powertrain assembly 292 of vehicle 2. More particularly, in one embodiment, first conduit 302 defines a first flow path fluidly coupled to engine 294 and second conduit 304 defines a second flow path fluidly coupled to CVT 296. First and second conduits 302, 304 each include an air inlet 306, 308, respectively. Air inlets 306, 308 each have an air opening or intake 310, 312, respectively, which may be angled relative to each other or parallel to each other. For example, in one embodiment, air intakes 310, 312 are angled relative to each other such that air intake 312 may generally face an operator side or a left side L of vehicle 2 and air intake 310 may generally face a passenger side or right side R of vehicle 2 (FIG. 33). Illustratively, air intake 310 may be angled toward right side R at approximately 45° from centerline C_L and air intake 312 may be angled toward left side L at approximately 45° from centerline C_L. However, in a further embodiment, air intake 312 may be oriented at any angle relative to air intake 310. Alternatively, air intakes 310, 312 may be parallel to each other such that each air intake 310, 312 receives air from the same direction and from the same side of vehicle 2. For example, both air intakes 310, 312 may face towards right R, left side L, a front side F, or a rear side RS of vehicle 2 to pull air into first and second conduits 302, 304.

[0106] Referring to FIGS. 27 and 28, first and second conduits 302, 304 each may include a single or unitary member extending between air inlets 306, 308 and the at least one application device (e.g., powertrain assembly 292). Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, first and second conduits 302, 304 may be comprised of multiple members fluidly coupled together and extending between air inlets 306, 308 and the application device. For example, illustrative first conduit 302 includes a first member 314a, a second member 316a, a third member 318a, and a fourth member 320a, and illustrative second conduit 304 includes a first member 314b, a second member 316b, a third member 318b, and a fourth member 320b. Fourth members 320a, 320b define the outlets of first and second air conduits 302, 304, respectively, and the outlets are positioned rearward of seat frame 197. Additionally, at least one of the outlets defined by fourth members 320a, 320b is positioned rearward of rearward most edge 43b of seat bottom 42. As shown in at least FIG. 32, the outlet defined by fourth member 320a is positioned in a generally vertical direction and may be angled relative to the directions of first and second intakes 310, 312 and the outlet defined by fourth member 320b is positioned in a generally rearward direction and may be angled relative to the directions of first and second intakes 310, 312.

[0107] Illustratively, first and third members 314a, 314b, 318a, 318b may be rigid housing members comprised of a rigid polymeric or metallic material while second and fourth members 316a, 316b, 320a, 320b may be flexible housing members comprised a flexible polymeric material. In one embodiment, first and third members 314a, 314b, 318a, 318b are formed through a blow-molding process and second and fourth members 316a, 316b, 320a, 320b are formed through an injection molding process.

[0108] As shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, first air conduit 302 is fluidly coupled to an airbox assembly 322 of vehicle 2, which includes a chamber 324, a housing 326, and a conduit 328. Chamber 324 is configured as a tuning chamber to adjust the noise from the air flowing through first air conduit 302 and into housing 326. Chamber 324 is fluidly coupled to housing 326 which includes a filter therein for filtering debris, contaminants, particulates, and other matter from the air flowing from first air conduit 302 and into engine 294 through conduit 328. More particularly, conduit 328 is fluidly coupled to an intake manifold 332 of engine 294, as shown in FIG. 29, for passing filtered air into engine 294 for combustion therein.

[0109] Referring to FIGS. 27-31, second air conduit 304 is fluidly coupled to CVT 296 and, more particularly, is coupled to intake port 330 of CVT 296. CVT 296 also may receive a secondary source of air from an auxiliary conduit 334. Auxiliary conduit 334 is fluidly coupled to one of the clutches of CVT 296 and provides cooling air to CVT 296. Air from both second air conduit 304 and auxiliary conduit 334 is exhausted through an exhaust port 336 and an exhaust conduit 338 which faces either right side R or left side L of vehicle 2. Alternatively, exhaust conduit 338 may face rear side RS of vehicle 2 to expel air from CVT 296.

[0110] As shown in FIGS. 29-31, auxiliary conduit 334 may receive ambient air from either right side R or left side L of vehicle 2. More particularly, auxiliary conduit extends between CVT 296 and an intake port 342 supported by body 32 of vehicle 2. A screen or filter 340 may positioned outwardly from intake port 342 and supported by body 32. Screen 340 prevents debris, contaminants, and other matter (e.g., stones) from entering CVT 296. In one embodiment, screen 340 is flush with body 32 and coupled thereto with fasteners 339. In this way, CVT 296 receives cooling air from two distinct sources of air—second air conduit 304 and auxiliary conduit 334—each positioned at different locations within vehicle 2. Illustratively, CVT 296 receives a first flow of air from air inlet 312 forward of operator area 34 and a second flow of air from a location rearward of air inlet 312. In particular, air inlet 312 is positioned forward of forward most edge 43a of seat bottom 42 and intake port 342 is positioned rearward of forward most edge 43a. Therefore, should either of these air sources become clogged or otherwise have a decreased air flow, the other conduit continues to provide cooling air to CVT 296. Additional details of CVT 296 may be disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/475,385, filed on Sep. 2, 2014, and entitled “CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION”, the complete disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

[0111] Referring to FIGS. 32-37, in one embodiment, powertrain assembly 292 is supported above plate 72 and/or plate 84 and is positioned generally rearward of seats 38, 40 in operator area 34. However, a portion of air intake assembly 300 may be supported by front frame portion 14 such that first and second air conduits 302, 304 extend from front frame portion 13, through intermediate frame portion 18, and into rear frame portion 16. For example, as shown in FIG. 32, air inlets 306, 308, first members 314a, 314b, and at least a portion of second members 316a, 316b may be positioned within front frame portion 14. Additionally, a portion of second members 316a, 316b, third members 318a, 318b, and fourth members 320a, 320b extend through intermediate frame portion 18. Chamber 324 of airbox assembly 322 also may be positioned within intermediate frame portion 18. Fourth member 320b may extend into rear frame portion 16 to couple with intake port 330 of CVT 296, which is rearward of intermediate frame portion 18. To limit interference with components within operator area 34, first and second air conduits 302, 304 extend through intermediate frame portion 18 at a position adjacent plate 72 and below seat frame 197.

[0112] Alternatively, air intake assembly 300 may be supported by only rear frame portion 16 or intermediate frame portion 18. Additionally, as shown in the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 33, first air inlet 306 may be supported by front frame portion 14 while second air inlet 308 may be supported by rear frame portion 16. As such, first air conduit 302 extends from front frame portion 14 to rear frame portion 16 while second air conduit 304 is positioned at rear frame portion 16 only. Furthermore, while the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 33 discloses both first and second air inlets 306, 308 positioned along longitudinal centerline C_L of vehicle 2, first and/or second air inlets 306, 308 may be positioned along right side R and/or left side L of vehicle 2, or along any portion of vehicle 2 between front frame portion 14 and rear frame portion 16 and between right side R and left side L. For example, as shown in FIG. 33, the configuration of vehicle 2 may define an envelope when viewed from above which includes right side R, left side L, front side F, and rear side RS, and first and second air inlets 306, 308 may face right side R, left side L, front side F, and/or rear side RS.

[0113] Referring to FIGS. 32 and 34-37, when air intake assembly 300 is configured as shown in FIG. 32 such that first and second air conduits 302, 304 extend from front frame portion 14 to rear frame portion 16, first and second air inlets 306, 308 may be supported below a hood 344 of body 32 (FIG. 36). By coupling first and second air inlets 306, 308 to body member 346, first and second air inlets 306, 308 are positioned forward of forward most edge 43a of seat bottom 42 and also are positioned vertically above seating surface 45 of seat bottom 42. In one embodiment, first and second air inlets 306, 308 may extend through openings in a body member 346, illustratively a hood liner, positioned below hood 344 and extend upwardly therefrom. Additionally, an upper end of first members 314a, 314b also may extend upwardly through the openings in body member 346 to couple with the lower ends of first and second air inlets 306, 308. Collars 348 may be provided around the upper ends of first members 314a, 314b to couple the lower ends of first and second air inlets 306, 308 thereto. In this way, first and second air inlets 306, 308 are supported above body member 346 but are not directly coupled thereto, which may reduce the number of components under hood 344 that are needed for supporting first and second air inlets 306, 308 on front frame portion 14. Additionally, collars 348 may couple first members 314a, 314b to second members 316a, 316b, second members 316a, 316b to third members 318a, 318b, and/or third members 318a, 318b to fourth members 320a, 320b.

[0114] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 34, air intakes 310, 312 may be angled away from each other such that first air intake 310 is angled toward right side R of vehicle 2 and second air intake 312 is angled toward left side L of vehicle 2. In one embodiment, first air inlet 310 is angled approximately 45° from longitudinal centerline C_L and toward right side R while second air inlet 312 is angled approximately 45° from longitudinal centerline C_L and toward left side L. Alternatively, as disclosed herein, first and second air intakes 310, 312 may be parallel to each other or may be angled relative to each other at any orientation between left side L and right side L of vehicle 2. By angling first and second air inlets 310, 312, the intake of water, dust, or debris may be minimized.

[0115] Referring to FIG. 36, during operation of vehicle 2, ambient air flows into air intake assembly 300 to provide combustion air to engine 294 and cooling air to CVT 296. More particularly, ambient air A is received at front side F (FIG. 33) of vehicle 2 and initially flows through a grille 350 supported by body 32. After ambient air A passes through grille 350, the air flow divides into two separate air paths, where one air path B flows toward air inlets 306, 308 and another air path C flows toward radiator 352. Air path C may be cooling air for engine 294 which flows through a radiator 352 before reaching engine 294.

[0116] Because body member 346 (FIG. 36) has a recess at portion 354 which vertically overlaps a portion of grille 350, air path B is able to flow upwardly over body member 346 and toward air inlets 306, 308. Additionally, other openings (not shown) in hood 344 may also receive air above body member 346 which combines with air path B and flows toward inlets 306, 308. The air path B flows into first and second air inlets 306, 308 and through first and second air conduits 302, 304 toward an application device (e.g., powertrain assembly 292). Additionally, because illustrative air intakes 310, 312 are angled relative to each other, air intakes 310, 312 do not scavenge air from each other such that each air intake 310, 312 receives approximately the same quantity of air therein. Alternatively, air intakes 310, 312 may be sized to receive different quantities of air.

[0117] As a portion of air path B flows through first air inlet 306, air flows through first member 314a, through second member 316a, through third member 318a, and through fourth member 320a before flowing into chamber 324 of airbox assembly 322 and flowing through the filter (not shown) within housing 326 and ultimately into manifold 332 of engine 294 through conduit 328. A portion of air path B simultaneously flows through second air inlet 308, into first member 314b, through second member 316b, into third member 318b, and through fourth member 320b before flowing into intake port 330 of CVT 296.

[0118] As shown in FIG. 37, third members 318a, 318b may be integrally formed within a single or unitary housing member 356. Housing member 356 is positioned below seat frame 197 and, therefore, below seat bottoms 42 (FIG. 32). Additionally, housing member 356 may extend generally longitudinally along centerline C_L. In one embodiment, housing member 356 may be a blow-molded component defining a portion of both first air conduit 302 and second air conduit 304. Illustratively, housing member 356 includes a wall or separation member 357 positioned intermediate first and second members 318a, 318b which maintains separation between first and second air conduits 302, 304 such that air flowing through first air conduit 302 is not mixed with or scavenged from the air flowing through second air conduit 304. Therefore, by including baffle 357, first and second air conduits 302, 304 are not starved for air and air from one of first and second conduits 302, 304 is not recirculated through the other of first and second conduit 302, 304. Similarly, in one embodiment, first members 314a, 314b also may be contained within a single or unitary housing member and separated by a baffle.

[0119] Additionally, baffle 357 and/or other portions of housing member 356 may define a routing tray 358 for supporting a plurality of tubes, conduits, or wires from front frame portion 14 to intermediate frame portion 18 and/or rear frame portion 16. In one embodiment, housing member 356 includes an integral coupling member, illustratively a tab 355, for coupling housing member 356 to a tunnel or floor member 360 of body 32 with a fastener 359. Tunnel member 360 may extend through a portion of operator area 34 and generally conceal portions of air intake assembly 300, drive shaft 295 (FIG. 12), or other components of vehicle 2. Alternatively, fastener 359 may couple housing 356 to a portion of lower frame assembly 12.

[0120] Any of inlets 306, 308, first members 314a, 314b, second members 316a, 316b, third members 318a, 318b, and/or fourth members 320a, 320b may include a filter member (not shown) for filtering debris, contaminants, particulates, or other matter from ambient air A entering air intake assembly 300. Additionally, any of inlets 306, 308, first members 314a, 314b, second members 316a, 316b, third members 318a, 318b, and/or fourth members 320a, 320b may include a drain line (not shown) for draining water or other fluids from air intake assembly 300. Also, the size, orientation, or position of any of first members 314a, 314b, second members 316a, 316b, third members 318a, 318b, and/or fourth members 320a, 320b may be adjusted or tuned to accommodate various performance and/or noise requirements.

[0121] Referring now to FIGS. 38 and 39, vehicle 2 further includes an exhaust assembly 362. Exhaust assembly 362 includes a first heat shield 364, an exhaust manifold 366, exhaust tubing 368, a muffler or silencer 370, a second heat shield 372, an exhaust pipe or tailpipe 374, a sensor 376, illustratively an oxygen sensor, a third heat shield 378, and a fourth heat shield 380. In one embodiment, first heat shield 364 is positioned forward of exhaust manifold 366 and has a generally concave or semi-circular configuration. Exhaust manifold 366 is generally surrounded by third heat shield 378 defined by members 378a, 378b, 378c, 378d, 378e which are coupled together through collars 382. Third heat shield 378 also surrounds at least a portion of exhaust tubing 368. For example, at least members 378c, 378d generally surround a portion of exhaust tubing 368. Fourth heat shield 380 also surrounds a portion of exhaust tubing 368 and may be coupled to exhaust tubing 368 and/or third heat shield 378 with collars 382.

[0122] Second heat shield 372 generally surrounds at least a portion of muffler 370 and includes a first member 372a and a second member 372b. Illustratively, second member 372b is positioned forward of first member 372a such that second member 372b is intermediate the outer surface of muffler 370 and the inner surface of first member 372a. In one embodiment, first and/or second members 372a, 372b of second heat shield 372 may be comprised of a plurality of different layers therein. For example, first and/or second members 372a, 372b of second heat shield 372 may be comprised of six layers of insulating material. By providing first, second, third, and fourth heat shields 364, 372, 378, 380, the heat dissipated by exhaust assembly 362 may not affect other components of vehicle 2.

[0123] Referring to FIGS. 40-49, rear cargo area 30 of vehicle 2 is supported on rear frame portion 16 and, more particularly, is supported on upper longitudinal members 80. Rear cargo area 30 includes a cargo box 384, a cargo box frame 386, and a tilt assembly 388 which includes a shock absorber 390 having a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder 392 and a piston 394. Additionally, tilt assembly 388 includes mounting members 396, pins 398, fasteners 400, and bushings 399. As shown in FIG. 3, rear cargo area 30 is positioned above exhaust assembly 362 and cargo box frame 386 may be generally parallel to upper longitudinal members 80 of rear frame portion 16 when cargo box 384 is in a lowered position.

[0124] As shown in FIGS. 40-43B, cargo box 384 is configured to pivot between the lowered position (FIG. 3), in which a cargo surface 422 of cargo box 384 is generally parallel to the ground, and a raised or tilted position (FIG. 40), in which cargo surface 422 is angled relative to the ground. More particularly, cargo box 384 is pivotally coupled to upper longitudinal members 80 with mounting members 396 of tilt assembly 388. Mounting members 396 are coupled to cargo box frame 386 and are configured to receive pins 398 through apertures therein. Pin 398 is received through bushing 399 which is supported on the rearward ends of upper longitudinal members 80 and is secured to bushing 399 and mounting members 396 with fasteners 400. As such, cargo box 384 is configured to pivot about pin 398 between the lowered position and the raised position. As shown in FIGS. 40 and 43, cargo box 384 is configured to pivot above exhaust assembly 362 and, more particularly, to pivot above muffler 370. In particular, the pivot point for cargo box 384, defined by pin 398 and bushing 399, is positioned forward of a mid-line M_L of muffler 370 (FIG. 43B). By positioning the pivot point for cargo box 384 above muffler 370 and forward of mid-line M_L, rather than rearward of mid-line M_L of muffler 370, the length of lower frame assembly 12 remains the same and does not need to be extended to accommodate the pivoting movement of cargo box 384. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 40, second heat shield 372 is positioned immediately adjacent muffler 370 such that second heat shield 372 is close to the outer surface of muffler 370. In this way, additional clearance is provided for tilting cargo box 384 without cargo box contacting second heat shield 372.

[0125] Tilt assembly 388 may prevent cargo box 384 from contacting muffler 370 or another component of exhaust assembly 362 when in the raised position. More particularly, shock absorber 390 may be used to assist in pivoting cargo box 384 between the raised and lowered positions. Illustratively, an upper end of shock absorber 390 is pivotably coupled to cargo box frame 386 with a pin 402 and a lower end of shock absorber 390 is pivotably coupled to a bracket 406 of rear frame portion 16 through a pin 404. In this way, shock absorber 390 is configured to pivot relative to rear frame portion 16 and cargo box frame 386 when raising and lowering cargo box 384. In one embodiment, shock absorber 390 is configured to raise cargo box 384 to a predetermined height and angle to avoid over-pivoting cargo box 384 to a position in which cargo box 384 contacts other components of vehicle 2, for example exhaust assembly 362. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 47, rear cargo area 30 may include a lever 424 to actuate shock absorber 390 when raising and lowering cargo box 384.

[0126] Alternatively, if shock absorber 390 is not provided, cargo box 384 is still prevented from over-pivoting to a position in which cargo box 384 contacts a portion of exhaust assembly 362. For example, cargo box frame 386 includes a stop member 408 positioned within a gap 387 defined between a bottom surface 385 of cargo box 384 and an envelope 389 of vehicle including rear frame portion 16 (FIG. 43A). Stop member 408 is configured to contact an engagement surface 410 of upper longitudinal members 80 of rear frame portion 16 when cargo box 384 is in the raised position. As such, the cooperation between stop member 408 and engagement surface 410 provides a hard stop when tilting cargo box 384 such that cargo box 384 does not over-pivot and contact any component of exhaust assembly 362. As such, both with and without shock absorber 390, cargo box 384 remains spaced apart from exhaust assembly 362 when in both the raised and lowered positions. Alternatively, upper longitudinal members 80 may include stop member 408 such that stop member 408 may be configured to contact an engagement surface on cargo box frame 386.

[0127] Referring to FIGS. 44-46, rear cargo area 30 may include a tailgate 412 rotatably coupled to cargo box 384. Illustrative tailgate 412 includes an outer member 414, an inner member 416, and an intermediate member 418 positioned therebetween. Inner and outer members 416, 414 may be comprised of a polymeric material and intermediate member 418 may be comprised of a polymeric and/or metallic material. Outer, inner, and intermediate members 414, 416, 418 are coupled together with a plurality of fasteners 419a. Alternatively, inner and intermediate members 416, 418 may be coupled together with fasteners 419a and outer member 414 may be configured to snap onto intermediate member 418 through the plurality of friction fit fasteners 419b. Outer, inner, and intermediate members 414, 416, 418 are configured to rotate together between a raised and lowered positioned to add or remove cargo from cargo box 384. Straps 420 are coupled to inner member 416 and cargo box 384 to hold tailgate 412 in a predetermined position when rotating to the lowered position. As such, straps 420 allow tailgate 412 to remain in a horizontal configuration when in the lowered position to become an extension of cargo surface 422 (FIG. 47) of cargo box 384, rather than rotating to a position below cargo surface 422 of cargo box 384.

[0128] A latching member 436 is operably coupled to inner member 416 and extends through an opening 438 in intermediate member 418 and an opening 440 in outer member 414. Latching member 436 latches and releases tailgate 412 to allow tailgate 412 to pivot between the raised and lowered positions.

[0129] Referring to FIG. 47, cargo box 384 also includes side walls 426 positioned generally perpendicular to tailgate 412 and a front wall 427 of cargo box 384. In one embodiment, side walls 426 include at least one storage area 428. Storage area 428 may be integrally formed within side walls 426 and can be used to contain various objects, such as jumper cables, tow ropes, tools, personal effects of the operator and/or passenger, and other item which may be positioned within storage area 428. To contain cargo positioned within storage area 428, a cover 430 may be rotatably coupled to side walls 426. More particularly, cover 430 may include latching members 432 which are received within recesses 433 on side walls 426 when cover 430 is in the raised position and cargo is contained within storage area 428. Additionally, hinge members 434 couple with hinge members (not shown) on cover 430 to allow cover 430 to rotate to between the raised position and a lowered position in which storage area 428 is exposed. Illustratively, because storage areas 428 are integrally formed within side walls 426 of cargo box 384, storage areas 428 are configured to pivot with cargo box 384.

[0130] By including storage areas 428 in side walls 426 of cargo box 384, the dimensions of cargo box 384 are not reduced to accommodate the additional storage. For example, cargo box 384 may extend approximately 20-35 inches in the longitudinal direction, approximately 40-50 inches between the inner surfaces of side walls 426 in the lateral direction, approximately 55-65 inches between the outer surfaces of side walls 426 in the lateral direction, and approximately 5-15 inches in the vertical direction. Illustratively, cargo box 384 extends approximately 27 inches in the longitudinal direction, approximately 45 inches between the inner surfaces of side walls 426 in the lateral direction, approximately 60 inches between the outer surfaces of side walls 426 in the lateral direction, and approximately 12 inches in the vertical direction.

[0131] An alternative embodiment of rear cargo area 30 is shown as a rear cargo area 30′ in FIGS. 48-50. Rear cargo area 30′ includes a cargo box 384′ with a front wall 427′, side walls 426′, and a cargo surface 422′. Cargo is configured to be positioned on cargo surface 422′ and contained between side walls 426′ and front wall 427′. Additionally, rear cargo area 30′ includes storage areas 428′ positioned on one or both lateral sides of cargo box 384′ for containing additional cargo in rear cargo area 30′. Storage areas 428′ may be removably coupled to rear frame portion 16. Storage areas 428′ include covers 430′ which are rotatable about hinge members 434′ between a raised position in which storage areas 428′ are exposed and a lowered position in which cargo is contained within storage areas 428′. Covers 430′ are sealed against storage areas 428′ such that storage areas 428′ define dry storage for rear cargo area 30′.

[0132] Cargo surface 422′ of cargo box 384′ is configured to tilt between a raised and a lowered position. However, storage areas 428′ remain stationary relative to cargo surface 422′ and lower frame assembly 12 and are not configured to pivot with cargo box 384′. As such, cargo within storage areas 428′ remains stationary while cargo within cargo box 384′ pivots with cargo box 384′. In this way, cargo box 384′ includes a first storage area defined by cargo surface 422′ and configured to pivot relative to lower frame assembly 12 and a second cargo area defined by storage areas 428′ and fixed to lower frame assembly.

[0133] Additionally, and as shown in FIG. 50, because storage areas 428′ are removably coupled to rear frame portion 16, side walls 426′ of cargo box 384′ may be configured to pivot laterally to define a full-size, flat-bed style cargo box. More particularly, side walls 426′ include extension portions 442 which are received within the lateral ends of front wall 427′ when storage areas 428′ are included on vehicle 2. However, when storage areas 428′ are removed from vehicle 2, side walls 426′ pivot laterally outwardly from front wall 427′ to expose extension portions 442 such that extension portions 442 define an extension of front wall 427′ and side walls 426′ define an extension of cargo surface 422′. When in the extended position shown in FIG. 50, side walls 426′ and extension portions 442 are configured to tilt with cargo surface 422′ between the raised and lowered position.

[0134] In one embodiment, each storage area 428′ extends approximately 20-35 inches in the longitudinal direction, approximately 5-12 inches in the lateral direction, and approximately 5-15 inches in the vertical direction. Illustratively, each storage area 428′ extends approximately 28 inches in the longitudinal direction, approximately 8.5 inches in the lateral direction, and approximately 10 inches in the vertical direction. Additionally, when storage areas 428′ are included on vehicle 2, cargo box 384′ extends approximately 20-35 inches in the longitudinal direction, approximately 30-40 inches in the lateral direction, and approximately 5-15 inches in the vertical direction. Illustratively, cargo box 384′ extends approximately 28 inches in the longitudinal direction, approximately 36 inches in the lateral direction, and approximately 10 inches in the vertical direction. However, when storage areas 428′ are removed and side walls 426′ are pivoted to the lowered position such that extension portions 442 are exposed, cargo box 384′ may extend approximately 28 inches in the longitudinal direction, approximately 56 inches in the lateral direction, and approximately 10 inches in the vertical direction.

[0135] While this invention has been described as having an exemplary design, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains.