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US 10,239,571 B2Granted
Off-highway recreational vehicle
AssigneeArctic Cat Inc.
InventorsCraig R. Kennedy, Ryan J. Hughes, Adam Eric Kuiken
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle configuration wherein the center of mass of the vehicle is approximately superimposed upon the passenger and driver centers of mass when seated within the vehicle. An occupant's center of mass can be approximated using a standard center of mass position approximation, or a combination of any number of standard center of mass position approximations. The vehicle's center of mass can be approximately superimposed upon the occupant's center of mass in at least the longitudinal and vertical directions.
Claims17
An off-road vehicle comprising:
- a frame, a roll cage, and a passenger area;
- at least one seat located within the passenger area;
- an engine, the engine positioned rearwardly of the passenger area;
- a continuously variable transmission operatively connected to the engine;
- a front axle and a rear axle, the front and rear axles being operatively coupled to the engine via the continuously variable transmission, wherein the front axle is positioned forwardly of the passenger area and the rear axle is positioned rearwardly of the passenger area;
- and
- a radiator positioned rearwardly of the at least one seat, wherein at least a portion of the radiator is above at least a portion of the continuously variable transmission and wherein the radiator is titled such that a top of the radiator is positioned forwardly of a bottom of the radiator.
4 more elements
An off-road vehicle comprising:
- a frame, a roll cage, and a passenger area;
- at least one seat located within the passenger area;
- an engine, the engine positioned rearwardly of the passenger area;
- a continuously variable transmission operatively connected to the engine;
- a front axle and a rear axle, the front and rear axles being operatively coupled to the engine via the continuously variable transmission, wherein the front axle is positioned forwardly of the passenger area and the rear axle is positioned rearwardly of the passenger area;
- a radiator positioned rearwardly of the at least one seat, wherein at least a portion of the radiator is above at least a portion of the continuously variable transmission and wherein the radiator is angled rearwardly from top to bottom, the top being closer to the seat than the bottom;
- and
- a cargo-carrying portion positioned rearwardly of the passenger area, at least a portion of the cargo carrying portion positioned above the bottom of the radiator.
5 more elements
An off-road vehicle comprising:
- a frame and a passenger area, the passenger area having at least one seat with a seat back;
- an engine positioned rearwardly of the passenger area;
- a continuously variable transmission operatively connected to the engine on a side thereof;
- a front axle and a rear axle, the front and rear axles being operatively coupled to the engine via the continuously variable transmission, wherein the front axle is positioned forwardly of the passenger area and the rear axle is positioned rearwardly of the passenger area;
- a radiator positioned rearwardly of the at least one seat and directly above at least a portion of the engine, the radiator being angled to direct air towards the engine, wherein the radiator is positioned above a center of gravity of the vehicle and behind a longitudinal center of the vehicle, and wherein the seat bottom is positioned below a center of gravity of the vehicle;
- and
- a cargo area adjacent the radiator.
4 more elements
An off-road vehicle comprising:
- a frame and a passenger area, the passenger area having at least one seat with a seat back;
- an engine positioned rearwardly of the passenger area;
- a continuously variable transmission operatively connected to the engine on a side thereof;
- a front axle and a rear axle, the front and rear axles being operatively coupled to the engine via the continuously variable transmission, wherein the front axle is positioned forwardly of the passenger area and the rear axle is positioned rearwardly of the passenger area;
- a radiator positioned rearwardly of the at least one seat and directly above at least a portion of the engine, the radiator being angled to direct air towards the engine, wherein at least a portion of the radiator is positioned directly above at least a portion of the continuously variable transmission;
- and
- a cargo area adjacent the radiator.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.