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US 9,895,946 B2Granted
Vehicle
AssigneePolaris Industries Inc.
InventorsAdam J. Schlangen, Jason K. Raska
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A utility vehicle with ergonomic, safety, and maintenance features is disclosed. A vehicle is also disclosed with improved cooling, suspension and drive systems. These features enhance the utility of the vehicle.
Claims20
A utility vehicle comprising:
- a main frame;
- a plurality of ground engaging members adapted to support the main frame above the ground, the ground engaging members comprising front and rear ground engaging members;
- a first seating area supported by the main frame;
- an engine supported by the main frame, forward of the first seating area;
- a front suspension, the front suspension comprising:
- a lower control arm coupled to the frame at first and second coupling points;
- an upper control arm coupled to the frame at third and fourth coupling points;
- and
- a shock absorber coupled to the frame at an upper end thereof and to the lower control arm independent of the frame, the shock absorber being positioned between the second and fourth coupling points, and the upper end of the shock absorber is coupled to the frame at a position above the upper control arm;
- and
- a steering assembly including at least a steering wheel and tie rods operably coupled to the steering wheel, and the shock absorber is positioned rearward of the tie rods.
8 more elements
A utility vehicle comprising:
- a frame assembly including a front portion having an upper frame member defining an upper extent of the front portion;
- a body assembly comprising a plurality of body panel including a hood, and the hood is operably coupled to the upper frame member of the front portion;
- a plurality of ground-engaging members adapted to support the frame assembly above a ground surface;
- a first seating area supported by the frame assembly and including at least a first seat for an operator and a second seat for a passenger;
- an engine supported by the frame assembly at a position forward of the first and second seats;
- and
- a front suspension comprising:
- a lower control arm operably coupled to the frame assembly at first and second coupling locations;
- an upper control arm operably coupled to the frame assembly at third and fourth coupling locations;
- and
- a shock absorber operably coupled to the frame assembly and extending between the lower control arm and the upper frame member, and the shock absorber is spaced apart from the upper control arm, and the shock absorber is positioned rearward of both the third and fourth coupling locations of the upper control arm.
8 more elements
A utility vehicle comprising:
- a main frame;
- a plurality of ground engaging members adapted to support the main frame above the ground, the ground engaging members comprising front and rear ground engaging members;
- a first seating area supported by the main frame;
- an engine supported by the main frame, forward of the first seating area;
- a front suspension, the front suspension comprising:
- a lower control arm coupled to the frame at first and second coupling points;
- an upper control arm coupled to the frame at third and fourth coupling points;
- and
- a shock absorber coupled to the frame at an upper end thereof and to the lower control arm independent of the frame, the shock absorber being positioned between the second and fourth coupling points, and the upper end of the shock absorber is coupled to the frame at a position above the upper control arm;
- and
- a cooling assembly fluidly coupled to the engine and including at least a radiator, and the shock absorber is positioned rearward of the radiator.
8 more elements
A utility vehicle comprising:
- a main frame;
- a plurality of ground engaging members adapted to support the main frame above the ground, the ground engaging members comprising front and rear ground engaging members;
- a first seating area supported by the main frame;
- an engine supported by the main frame, forward of the first seating area;
- a front suspension, the front suspension comprising:
- a lower control arm coupled to the frame at first and second coupling points;
- an upper control arm coupled to the frame at third and fourth coupling points;
- and
- a shock absorber coupled to the frame at an upper end thereof and to the lower control arm independent of the frame, the shock absorber being positioned between the second and fourth coupling points, and the upper end of the shock absorber is coupled to the frame at a position above the upper control arm;
- and
- a steering control positioned forward of the first seating area for operation of the ground engaging members, the steering control being mounted to a steering control bracket and is configured to support a steering wheel, wherein the upper end of the shock absorber is positioned above the steering control bracket and the steering control bracket is positioned longitudinally rearward of the shock absorber.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.