Utility vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11987288-B2
Application number	US-202117214241-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 26, 2021
Priority date	Mar 27, 2020
Publication date	May 21, 2024
Grant date	May 21, 2024

Abstract

A utility vehicle is configured for off-road terrain and may include a plurality of mounting members configured to support a load and/or support the vehicle during transport. The utility vehicle also includes an upper frame assembly which is movable between a first position and second position. The upper frame assembly may be moved to the second position during transportation of the utility vehicle. Further, the utility vehicle includes a plurality of configurations for a rear cargo area, thereby allowing for passengers or cargo to be supported.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A utility vehicle, comprising:
a plurality of ground-engaging members;
a frame assembly having a front frame portion and a rear frame portion;
an operator area supported by the frame assembly, the operator area including at least one seat configured to be removably coupled to the frame assembly;
a seat harness configured for a shoulder belt of the at least one seat; and
a cargo platform supported by the frame assembly and having a first position in which a forward extent of the cargo platform is positioned rearward of the operator area and a second position in which the forward extent of the cargo platform is positioned within the operator area, and when in the second position, the cargo platform extends over the seat harness, and
wherein the at least one seat is coupled with the frame assembly when the cargo platform is in the first position and the at least one seat is removed from the frame assembly when the cargo platform is in the second position.

2. The utility vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the seat harness is rotatable between a first position and a second position.

3. The utility vehicle of claim 2 , wherein the first position of the seat harness defines an upright position and the second position of the seat harness defines a folded position.

4. The utility vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the frame assembly defines a lower frame assembly and an upper frame assembly coupled to the lower frame assembly, and the cargo platform is at least partially positioned within an envelope defined by the upper frame assembly when in the second position.

5. The utility vehicle of claim 1 , wherein a height of the cargo platform is constant relative to a ground surface when the cargo platform is in both the first and second positions.

6. The utility vehicle of claim 5 , wherein, when in the second position, the cargo platform includes a rearward portion positioned outward of the operator area and a forward portion positioned at least partially within the operator area, and a height of the forward portion is equal to a height of the rearward portion relative to the ground surface.

7. The utility vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the at least one seat is a passenger seat, and the passenger seat is removed from the frame assembly when the cargo platform is in the second position.

8. The utility vehicle of claim 7 , wherein the cargo platform extends laterally along an operator seat when the passenger seat is removed.

9. The utility vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the at least one seat is one or more rear seats, and the one or more rear seats are removed from the frame when the cargo platform is in the second position.

10. The utility vehicle of claim 1 , wherein, in the second position, the cargo platform is positioned directed rearward of an operator seat.

11. The utility vehicle of claim 1 , wherein, in the second position, the cargo platform may accommodate at least one carrier or stretcher.

12. The utility vehicle of claim 1 , wherein cargo platform includes at least one wall extending upwardly from the cargo platform when the cargo platform is in the first position.

13. The utility vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the cargo platform further includes a tailgate positioned at an angle to the at least one wall when the cargo platform is in the first position.

14. The utility vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the tailgate is configured to rotate between an open position and a closed position.

15. The utility vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the cargo platform supports one or more additional seats in the second configuration.

16. A utility vehicle, comprising:
a plurality of ground-engaging members;
a frame assembly having a front frame portion and a rear frame portion;
an operator area supported by the frame assembly, the operator area including at least one seat removably coupled to the frame assembly; and
a cargo platform supported by the frame assembly configurable in a first configuration and a second configuration, the cargo platform including a floor having a front side and a first longitudinal side and a first wall extending upward relative to the floor of the cargo platform and extending along the first longitudinal side of the floor in the first configuration, and wherein the first wall is extending along the front of the floor in the second configuration, the first wall extending into the operator space in the second configuration.

17. The utility vehicle of claim 16 , wherein in the first configuration the first wall is angled relative to the floor and in the second configuration, the first wall extends parallel to the floor.

18. The utility vehicle of claim 16 , wherein in the second configuration the first wall is in a non-overlapping relationship with the floor.

19. The utility vehicle of claim 16 , further comprising a seat harness configured for a shoulder belt of the at least one seat.

20. The utility vehicle of claim 19 , wherein the seat harness is movable between a first position and a second position, and a portion of the seat harness is fixed during movement between the first and second positions.

21. The utility vehicle of claim 16 , wherein the at least one seat is coupled with the frame assembly when the cargo platform is in the first configuration and the at least one seat is removed from the frame assembly when the cargo platform is in the second configuration.

22. The utility vehicle of claim 16 , wherein operator area includes a rear seating area having one or more rear seats, and the one or more rear seats are removed from the frame when the cargo platform is in the second configuration and the first wall is positioned within the rear seating area in the second configuration.

23. The utility vehicle of claim 16 , wherein the frame assembly defines a lower frame assembly and an upper frame assembly coupled to the lower frame assembly, and the first wall being at least partially positioned within an envelope defined by the upper frame assembly when in the second configuration.

Assignees

• Polaris Inc

Inventors

• Thomas Michael A
• Markstrom Jeremy M
• Rutkowski Johannah E
• Kathiriya Chirag
• Eichenberger Jeremy R
• Bracht Bradley A
• Borud Eric J
• Johnson Forrest W

Classifications

• B62D21/11 Primary

  with resilient means for suspension {, e.g. of wheels or engine; sub-frames for mounting engine or suspensions} · CPC title

• B60G17/0408

  details, e.g. antifreeze for suspension fluid, pumps, retarding means per se · CPC title

• B62D21/09

  Means for mounting load bearing surfaces · CPC title

• B62D25/2018

  the subunits being front structures · CPC title

• B62D25/2027

  the subunits being rear structures · CPC title