Polaris Industries Inc.

The Hilliard Corporation

Mitchell D Johnson

Richard Louis Nelson

Brian D Krosschell

Joshua J Leonard

James Bergman

Larry Holter

Lionel Hoff

Doug Moman

Bradley Robert Morisch

Richard Raymond Maki

Michael D Schneider

Eric D Bjerketvedt

Louis James Brady

Kenneth Terry Higgins

Keith D Ruby

Craig Andrews

Matthew David Parks

Michael A Klein

Patrick Johnson

Tim Spahr

Jeff Sajna

Mark Thomas Karl

Robert A Lowery

Rhonda L Davis

Alton Mitchell

David C Ochab

Michael R Trihey

Robert A Eastman

Steven D Corneliusen

Barry Walton

Robert Bradley Morisch

Steven L Johnson

Brent Barron

Eric Bjerkelvedt

Gregory G Lislegard

Joel H Anderson

Multiple embodiments are disclosed which display modularity for accomplishing multiple modes of operation for a utility vehicle. The utility vehicle () may include a rear cargo platform (), a plurality of connection points () disposed in matrix and adapted to couple an item to the rear cargo platform, and three or more couplings () for adding a subsection () in a non-pivotable manner or pivotably coupling the rear cargo platform. The vehicle may be a four-wheeled vehicle that coverts to a six-wheeled vehicle by the addition of the subsection. The utility vehicle may include a subsection cargo platform which may be coupled to the rear cargo platform and may pivot rearward. The utility vehicle may include couplings for adding a second subsection.

Utility vehicle having modular components

A utility vehicle with space utilization features is disclosed. The space utilization features provide storage and access to components.

Vehicle with space utilization

A utility vehicle with ergonomic, safety, and maintenance features is disclosed. The ergonomic, safety, and maintenance features enhance the utility of the vehicle.

Vehicle

A vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle may include a plurality of attachment devices to couple the vehicle to a harness. The vehicle may include a moveable roll cage which is moveable from a raised position to a lowered position.

Method and apparatus related to transportability of a vehicle

A utility vehicle () with ergonomic, safety, and maintenance features is disclosed. The ergonomic, safety, and maintenance features enhance the utility of the vehicle.

Injection molded bumpers for off-road recreational and utility vehicles such as ATV's, snowmobiles and the like. In one embodiment, the invention provides an injection molded bumper comprising a fiber-filled plastic resin body. Optionally, the fiber-filled plastic resin may have fibers of a length of at least about &frac14; inch. The body has an overall thickness substantially less than its width and length, and includes a generally vertically oriented front surface having upper and lower peripheral edges. At least a portion of the upper peripheral edge and at least a portion of the lower peripheral edge each has a flange extending generally horizontally away from the front surface. The flanges have thicknesses substantially less than the lengths they extend from the front surface and thereby define generally horizontally extending reinforcing ribs. Additional reinforcing ribs may also be provided intermediate the flanges.

Injection molded components for off-road recreational and utility vehicles

Injection molded components for off-road recreational and utility vehicles such as ATV's and snowmobiles. In one embodiment, the invention provides a rack having a fiber-filled plastic resin body. The body has an overall thickness substantially less than its width and length, and includes a generally flat, horizontal top having a plurality of slots. Each of the slots is defined by a flange extending downwardly the flange having a thickness that is substantially less than its height to define a downwardly extending reinforcing rib, which also provides a point of attachment for straps such as bungee cords. Preferably the rack includes integrally molded transverse reinforcing ribs extending across the slots, the reinforcing ribs having a top surface which is recessed downwardly from the top surface of the rack. In another embodiment, the invention provides an injection molded foot rest for an off-road recreational or utility vehicle. The foot rest is similarly made from a fiber-filled plastic resin body having a nominal thickness of less than about &frac14; inch. In another embodiment, the invention provides a bumper similarly made from such fiber-filled plastic resin.

A continuously variable transmission (CVT) system for use on snowmobiles, ATV's and similar vehicles. The CVT includes a rotatable drive clutch connected to an input shaft (the input shaft being connectable to an engine), and a roller clutch carried on the input shaft. The CVT also includes a rotatable driven clutch connected to an output shaft, the driven clutch having a laterally stationary sheave and a laterally movable sheave that is normally biased toward the stationary sheave. An endless flexible drive belt is disposed about the drive and driven clutches. The clutches and drive belt are configured so that when the engine is idling the belt firmly engages a drive surface of the roller clutch that is connected to the drive clutch. The roller clutch permits the drive surface (and, therefore, the belt) to remain stationary when the input shaft is rotating, thereby preventing vehicle 'creep' when idling, and, yet, the roller clutch also firmly engages the drive clutch's drive surface with the input shaft when the driven clutch attempts to drive the belt faster than the speed at which the drive clutch and input shaft are rotating, thereby permitting the driven clutch to backdrive the input shaft and engine to provide engine braking to the vehicle.

Continuously variable transmission system with engine braking

Injection molded components for off-road recreational and utility vehicles such as an ATV's, snowmobiles and the like. In one embodiment, the invention provides a rack having a fiber-filled plastic resin body. The body has an overall thickness substantially less than its width and length, and includes a generally flat, horizontal top having a plurality of slots. Each of the slots is defined by a flange extending downwardly the flange having a thickness that is substantially less than its height to define a downwardly extending reinforcing rib, which also provides a point of attachment for straps such as bungee cords. Preferably the rack includes integrally molded transverse reinforcing ribs extending across the slots, the reinforcing ribs having a top surface which is recessed downwardly from the top surface of the rack. In another embodiment, the invention provides an injection molded foot rest for an off-road recreational or utility vehicle. The foot rest is similarly made from a fiber-filled plastic resin body having a nominal thickness of less than about 1/4 inch. In another embodiment, the invention provides a bumper similarly made from such fiber-filled plastic resin.

Injection molded racks and components for off-road recreational and

A multiple driven axle vehicle, such as a four-wheel drive recreational vehicle having its front, steerable wheels being optionally driven by providing double acting overrunning clutches in the hubs of the front wheels. A transmission mechanism is provided for driving the front, optionally driven wheels slower than the driving surface otherwise drives those wheels so that the slower driven wheels overrun and do not engage when the steerable wheels are turned as the vehicle is driven through a turn, thereby eliminating the need for a differential between the steerable wheels and between the front and rear wheels. The overrunning roller clutches of the optionally driven hubs desirably include an intermittent friction apparatus operative between the roller cage and the vehicle chassis to intermittently exert a force tending to retard rotation of the cage with respect to the chassis, thereby indexing the roller cage and rollers to the forward or reverse engagable position. The intermittent nature of the friction permits the roller cage and rollers to return to the central, neutral position when rotation of the cage with respect to the chassis stops. The roller clutches further include a generally cylindrical cam driven by the transmission and located radially inward of the rollers and roller cage. The cam surface includes a ridge associated with at least some of the rollers for inhibiting inertial movement of the rollers from the forward engagable position to the reverse engagable position, as for example during sudden braking.

Multiple axle drive vehicle with overrunning roller clutch hubs

Growing community of inventors

Roseau, MN, United States of America

Mitchell D Johnson