Cargo carrying compartments of an all terrain vehicle

Details Cargo carrying compartments of an all terrain vehicle Cargo carrying compartments of an all terrain vehicle

2001-09-13

2003-12-09

Pape, Joseph D. (Department: 3612)

Land vehicles: dumping

Tilting

Operating mechanism

C298S01700B, C224S401000, C296S037100

Reexamination Certificate

active

06659566

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to the field of all terrain vehicles, and more particularly, the invention relates to a vehicle including storage compartments that are capable of hauling a variety of loads over various terrains.
2. Description of Related Art
During the last decade or so, the popularity of all terrain vehicles (also referred to as “ATV's”) has greatly increased. These types of vehicles are indeed very practical and versatile since they may be used for work or leisure related tasks. By virtue of their relatively compact nature, their great mobility and their traction, they are capable of maneuvering over all types of surfaces, from the common back yard to more challenging off-the-road terrain. Since ATVs are also fairly powerful, these vehicles may be used to pull or push various objects such as a trailer or a snowplow.
FIG. 1
illustrates a saddle-type vehicle
2
conventionally found in the prior art. The vehicle
2
comprises four wheels
10
mounted to a frame
12
. The front wheels are steerable through a steering member
14
connected to a steering mechanism (not shown). The frame
12
comprises an upper member
12
′ extending on an upper portion of the vehicle
2
above a power unit
20
and a lower member
12
″ extending on a lower portion thereof. A fuel tank
16
and a seat
18
are disposed on an upper portion of the frame
12
. The power unit
20
, which represents one of the heaviest components of the vehicle, is typically mounted in a central portion of the vehicle, usually below the fuel tank
16
and at a front portion of the seat
18
. The vehicle
2
includes a rear storage rack
22
and a front storage rack
24
, both of which are supported by the frame
12
. However, the load capacities of the storage racks
22
,
24
are limited. Furthermore, the shape and location of some storage racks, including the storage racks
22
,
24
can adversely affect the vehicle's handling and stability.
Another conventional four wheeled ATV is designed with a flat bed rear cargo support attached to the rear of the vehicle, above the rear wheels and behind the seat. However, this ATV has a tendency to overturn when loaded with heavy rear cargoes and/or is driven over uneven off-road terrain, because its design is incapable of compensating for the dynamic force created on the vehicle due to the load. It is believed that this inability to handle a heavy load is due, at least in part, to the fact that the wheel base of these vehicles is too short. Other factors that may contribute to the instability of this prior art vehicle relates to the poor weight distribution between the front and rear wheels, and the suspension design. One such prior art vehicle that is susceptible to overturning is the PROHAULER™, which is manufactured by YAMAHA™. Moreover, while other ATVs may have greater load capacities, such as about 800 lbs., they generally require three sets of wheels to support such a load. Also, prior art ATVs require multiple steps to secure and unsecure the flat bed rear cargo support.
Other vehicle designs are shown in U.S. Design Pat. Nos. D445,066; D422,938; D439,549; D439,548; D427,109; D436,557; and D364,590. Each of these designs is capable of carrying a load in a rear bed, or box structure. These vehicles, however, are not considered to be true ATV's since they provide seating for a passenger, either with two separate seats (which are side by side) or with a long bench-style seat. Additionally, these vehicles share common characteristics, which are disadvantageous for purposes of operating as an ATV. In particular, the majority of these vehicles have a relatively low ground clearance, which prevents them from traversing rough terrain in true all-terrain conditions. However, those vehicles that are provided with a relatively high ground clearance also have a high center of gravity. The high ground clearance may allow for the traversal of rough terrain, but the high center of gravity makes these vehicles unstable while traversing this terrain.
Furthermore, these vehicles have a decreased maneuvering capability, as compared to other ATV's. In particular, the turning radius is significantly increased. Additionally, the vehicles have a relatively wide stance due to their two person seating arrangement. The wide stance decreases the vehicle's ability to access some terrain features and makes it prone to hang-ups when traversing rough terrain, especially when coupled with a low ground clearance.
Of course, these vehicles are able to carry relatively heavy loads, which makes them advantageous for certain applications. However, a high load capacity often is provided for by or necessitates an additional set of wheels at the rear of the vehicle. An extra set of wheels further decreases the vehicle's maneuverability and increases the overall weight of the vehicle. Additionally, when loaded, it has been found that the steerability of these vehicles is degraded due; at least in part, to the inability to appropriately distribute the load between the front and rear wheels of the vehicle.
Another vehicle is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,387, which includes a storage receptacle that is integrally formed with a rear fender. The storage receptacle is formed as a recess within the rear fender. The recess extends below upper frame members of the frame of the vehicle. Additionally, the recess extends forwardly within the rear fender to a position beneath a seat of the vehicle. In this manner, the storage receptacle is not moveable, in particular pivotable, so as to facilitate removal of load therefrom.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an aspect of the invention to overcome the deficiencies noted above with respect to prior art ATVs, for example, by providing a four-wheeled ATV with a relatively high load capacity, while maintaining substantially all ATV functionality.
It is another aspect to provide an ATV with a relatively high load capacity, while maintaining a high degree of maneuverability.
It is another aspect to provide an ATV that has a high ground clearance and a low center of gravity when loaded.
It is yet another aspect to provide an ATV that has a distribution of unloaded weight providing 50% of the weight of the vehicle on the front wheels and 50% of the weight on the rear wheels.
It is another aspect to provide an ATV with a high load capacity that has four-wheel drive capability.
It is yet another aspect to provide an ATV with a high load capacity that maintains steerability when loaded.
It is another aspect to provide an ATV with a box bed situated at a rear portion thereof such that the bed is easily tilted by a user to dump a load from the box bed.
It is another aspect to provide an ATV with a rear storage compartment having a high load capacity, without the tendency of the ATV to overturn when traversing over various terrain.
Another aspect of the invention is to provide additional storage compartments formed on the fenders of the ATV. These additional storage compartments may be formed integrally with or attached to the fenders.
A further aspect of the invention is to provide an ATV having a rear storage compartment that can be easily (un)secured and in which the load can be deposited a safe distance away from the rear of the ATV.
Other aspects of the invention relate to providing a tree guard, preferably connected to the frame and/or the floorboards of the ATV, that can protect the rear storage compartment from damage caused by traveling close to trees. The tree guard may also provide a support for the additional side storage compartments that are integrally formed with or separately attached to the front and/or rear fenders of the ATV.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention a straddle-type vehicle is provided that includes a frame, a pair of front wheels suspended from a front portion of the frame, and a pair of rear wheels suspended from a rear portion of the frame and defining a rear axle. The vehicle also includes a power unit mounted on the fra

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Cargo carrying compartments of an all terrain vehicle does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Cargo carrying compartments of an all terrain vehicle, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Cargo carrying compartments of an all terrain vehicle will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3174520