A utility vehicle having a cabin-frame assembly coupled to the vehicle body so as to cover rows of seats is provided. Typically, the assembly includes a main frame extended in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle substantially arcuately over the rows of seats, and an intermediate frame extended substantially arcuately and laterally across the vehicle body between the seat rows to support the main frame.
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0. 19. A utility vehicle comprising:
a vehicle body;
a plurality of rows of seats coupled to the vehicle body, including a rear seat and a front seat, at least the rear seat being configured to be retractable from a deployed configuration to a stowed configuration;
a cabin-frame assembly coupled to the vehicle body so as to cover the rows of seats to define a cabin space of the vehicle, the cabin-frame assembly including a main frame extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle over the rows of seats, the main frame having a rear frame structure that is coupled to the vehicle body adjacent the rear seat, and a front frame structure that is coupled to the vehicle body at a location of the vehicle in front of the front seat, the main frame being comprised of metal pipes; and
a cargo bed adjustably provided behind the rear seat such that a part of the cargo bed is configured to be moved into an area formerly occupied by the rear seat after the rear seat is retracted to the stowed configuration.
0. 53. A utility vehicle comprising:
a vehicle body;
a plurality of rows of seats coupled to the vehicle body, including a rear seat and a front seat;
a cabin-frame assembly coupled to the vehicle body so as to cover the rows of seats to define a cabin space of the vehicle, the cabin-frame assembly including a main frame extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle over the rows of seats and defining a passageway through which passengers may enter and exit the seats, and having a rear frame structure that is coupled to the vehicle body adjacent the rear seat, wherein the rear frame structure is formed in an inverse u-shape extending laterally across the vehicle body, the main frame being comprised of metal pipes; and
a cargo bed adjustably provided behind the rear seat, the cargo bed including a surrounding panel assembly formed around a perimeter of the cargo bed, the panel assembly having extendable portions that are configured to be extended from a retracted configuration that does not extend through the inverse u-shaped rear frame structure, to an extended configuration that does extend through the inverse u-shaped rear frame structure.
0. 36. A utility vehicle comprising:
a vehicle body;
a plurality of rows of seats coupled to the vehicle body, including a rear seat and a front seat, at least the rear seat being configured to be retractable from a deployed configuration to a stowed configuration;
a cabin-frame assembly coupled to the vehicle body so as to cover the rows of seats to define a cabin space of the vehicle, the cabin-frame assembly including a main frame extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle over the rows of seats and defining a passageway through which passengers may enter and exit the seats, the main frame having a rear frame structure that is coupled to the vehicle body adjacent the rear seat, and a front frame structure that is coupled to the vehicle body at a location of the vehicle in front of the front seat, the main frame being comprised of metal pipes, wherein each of the front frame structure and rear frame structure are formed in an inverse u-shape extending laterally across the vehicle body; and
a cargo bed adjustably provided behind the rear seat such that a part of the cargo bed is configured to be moved through the rear frame structure into an area formerly occupied by the rear seat after the rear seat is retracted to the stowed configuration.
13. A utility vehicle having a plurality of rows of seats and a cabin-frame assembly coupled to the vehicle body so as to cover the rows of seats to define a cabin space of the vehicle, the cabin-frame assembly comprising:
a main frame extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle substantially arcuately over the rows of seats, wherein a front end of the main frame is coupled to a front portion of the vehicle body and a rear end of the main frame is coupled to a rear portion of the vehicle body;
an intermediate frame extending substantially arcuately and laterally across the vehicle body between the seat rows, wherein respective ends of the intermediate frame are coupled to opposite sides of the vehicle body, and the intermediate frame is coupled to and configured to support the main frame; and
a cargo bed disposed behind a rearmost seat row, the cargo bed being configured to tilt;
wherein the main frame includes a joint formed at an intersection of the main frame and the intermediate frame, the main frame being configured to be divisible at the joint;
wherein a rearmost part of the main frame includes a rear frame structure formed in an inverse u-shape extending laterally across the vehicle body, and a rear roof structure extending forward from a top portion of the rear frame structure, wherein a front end of the rear roof structure is configured to connect with the intermediate frame; and
wherein the top portion of the rear frame structure is bent forward to form a portion of the rear roof structure, and the bent portion is configured not to interfere with the cargo bed when the cargo bed tilts.
1. A utility vehicle having a plurality of rows of seats and a cabin-frame assembly coupled to a vehicle body so as to cover the rows of seats to define a cabin space of the vehicle, the cabin-frame assembly comprising:
a main frame extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle substantially arcuately over the rows of seats and having a foremost part and a rearmost part; and
an intermediate frame extending substantially arcuately and laterally across the vehicle body between the seat rows, and having a pair of pillar portions extended upwardly and a cross portion extended laterally, wherein lower ends of the pillar portions are detachably coupled to opposite sides of the vehicle body by fastener means, and the cross portion is coupled to upper ends of the pillar portions, the intermediate frame is coupled to and configured to support the main frame;
wherein the foremost part of the main frame includes a front frame structure extending substantially arcuately and laterally, and a front roof structure extending rearward from a top portion of the front frame structure, wherein the front frame structure includes pillar portions extended upwardly and detachably coupled to opposite sides of a front portion of the vehicle body in front of a foremost seat row by a fastener means, and a cross portion extended laterally and coupled to upper ends of the pillar portions;
wherein the rearmost part of the main frame includes a rear frame structure extending substantially arcuately and laterally, and a rear roof structure extending forward from a top portion of the rear frame structure, the rear frame structure includes pillar portions extended upwardly and detachably coupled to opposite sides of a rear portion of the vehicle body near a rearmost seat row by a fastener means, and a cross portion extended laterally and coupled to upper ends of the pillar portions; and
wherein the foremost part and the rearmost part are detachably coupled to each other by fastener means.
0. 52. A utility vehicle comprising:
a vehicle body;
a plurality of rows of seats coupled to the vehicle body, including a rear seat and a front seat, at least the rear seat being configured to be retractable from a deployed configuration to a stowed configuration, wherein the rear seat is configured to be retracted into a leg space of the rear seat, the leg space being defined as a space in front of the rear seat, to be in the stowed configuration;
a cabin-frame assembly coupled to the vehicle body so as to cover the rows of seats to define a cabin space of the vehicle, the cabin-frame assembly including a main frame extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle over the rows of seats and defining a passageway through which passengers may enter and exit the seats, the main frame having a rear frame structure that is coupled to the vehicle body adjacent the rear seat, and a front frame structure that is coupled to the vehicle body at a location of the vehicle in front of the front seat, the main frame being comprised of metal pipes, wherein each of the front frame structure and rear frame structure are formed in an inverse u-shape extending laterally across the vehicle body; and
a cargo bed adjustably provided behind the rear seat such that a part of the cargo bed is configured to be moved through the rear frame structure into an area formerly occupied by the rear seat after the rear seat is retracted to the stowed configuration, wherein said part of the cargo bed includes extendable portions of a surrounding panel assembly formed around a perimeter of the cargo bed, the extendable portions being configured to be extended from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration, when the rear seat is in the stowed configuration, wherein the extendable portions are pivotably attached to respective side panels of the cargo bed, and are configured to pivot from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration, and wherein the extendable portions form part of a front panel of the cargo bed in the retracted configuration.
14. A utility vehicle having a plurality of rows of seats, a cargo bed disposed behind the seats, rear wheels located below the cargo bed, and a cabin-frame assembly coupled to the vehicle body so as to cover the rows of seats to define a cabin space of the vehicle, the cabin-frame assembly comprising:
a main frame extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle substantially arcuately over the rows of seats, and having a foremost part and a rearmost part, wherein a front end of the foremost part is coupled to a front portion of the vehicle body and a rear end of the rearmost part is coupled to a rear portion of the vehicle body; and
an intermediate frame extending substantially arcuately and laterally across the vehicle body between the seat rows, and having a pair of pillar portions extended upwardly and a cross portion extended laterally, wherein lower ends of the pillar portions are coupled to opposite sides of the vehicle body, the cross portion is coupled to upper ends of the pillar portions, and the intermediate frame is coupled to and configured to support the main frame;
wherein the foremost part of the main frame includes a front frame structure extending substantially arcuately and laterally, and a front roof structure extending rearward from a top portion of the front frame structure, wherein the front frame structure includes pillar portions coupled to opposite sides of the vehicle body in front of a foremost seat row and extended upwardly, and a cross portion extended laterally and coupled to upper ends of the pillar portions;
wherein the rearmost part of the main frame includes a rear frame structure extending substantially arcuately and laterally, and a rear roof structure extending forward from a top portion of the rear frame structure, wherein the rear frame structure includes pillar portions extended upwardly, and a cross portion extended laterally and coupled to upper ends of the pillar portions; and
wherein a lower end of the pillar portions of the rear frame structure are coupled to opposite sides of the vehicle body adjacent corresponding sides of a rearmost seat row, the pillar portions of the rear frame structure pass through the corresponding sides of the rearmost seat row and extend above the rearmost seat row at a slant rearward, and thereby a rear end of the pillar portions is located between the rearmost seat row and the cargo bed.
2. The utility vehicle of
3. The utility vehicle of
a rear end of the front roof structure and a front end of the rear roof structure are configured to connect with the intermediate frame by the fastener means.
4. The utility vehicle of
wherein the bar-shaped members are welded to the front frame structure to form an integral unit.
5. The utility vehicle of
an air intake;
an air outlet connected to at least one of the air cleaner and the CVT cooling system of the vehicle; and
an air passage formed inside the rear frame structure so as to communicate with the air intake and the air outlet.
6. The utility vehicle of
wherein the top portion of the rear frame structure is bent forward to form a portion of the rear roof structure, and the bent portion is configured not to interfere with the cargo bed when the cargo bed tilts.
7. The utility vehicle of
wherein the bar-shaped members are configured to be detachably coupled to the top portion of the rear frame structure.
8. The utility vehicle of
wherein respective pillar portions of the rear frame structure pass through the corresponding sides of the rearmost seat row and extend above the rearmost seat row at a slant rearward.
9. The utility vehicle of
wherein the middle cross member is detachably coupled to middle positions of the pillar portions of the intermediate frame in the vertical direction of the pillar portions to pass through the cabin space.
10. The utility vehicle of
11. The utility vehicle of
12. The utility vehicle of
15. The utility vehicle of
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17. The utility vehicle of
18. The utility vehicle of
wherein the top portion of the rear frame structure is bent forward to form a portion of the rear roof structure, and the bent portion is configured not to interfere with the cargo bed when the cargo bed tilts.
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This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/785,201, filed Feb. 23, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,994,388 entitled PICK-UP STYLE UTILITY VEHICLE WITH ADJUSTABLE CARGO BED, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.
The present invention generally relates to a pick-up style utility vehicle with a cabin-frame coupled to the vehicle body so as to cover seats to define a cabin space of the vehicle.
Pick-up style utility vehicles are typically characterized by a cargo bed located behind one or more rows of seats, each row having one or more seats. Each seat typically has a leg area positioned immediately in front of the seats, such that a person may ride in a sitting position. A steering wheel is typically positioned above the leg area of one of the seats. Pick-up style utility vehicles may be contrasted with other utility vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), which have a seat that is straddled by a rider and a handle bar for steering. Pick-up style utility vehicles are used for a wide variety of off-road utility applications, such as moving materials including lumber, farm and ranch tasks, golf course maintenance, hunting, etc.
Prior pick-up style utility vehicles with two rows of seats generally suffer from the drawback that less cargo may be accommodated, since the cargo bed must typically be shortened to allow room for an additional row of seats. Prior pick-up style utility vehicles with only one row of seats are typically equipped with larger cargo beds, but cannot accommodate a larger number of passengers. Thus, users that occasionally carry a large number of passengers, and occasionally carry large loads find that they cannot accomplish both tasks well with the same vehicle.
A utility vehicle having a plurality of rows of seats and a cabin-frame assembly coupled to the vehicle body so as to cover the rows of seats to define a cabin space of the vehicle is provided. According to one aspect of the invention, the cabin-frame assembly includes a main frame extended in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle substantially arcuately over the rows of seats, wherein a front end of the main frame is coupled to a front portion of the vehicle body and a rear end of the main frame is coupled to a rear portion of the vehicle body. The cabin-frame assembly further typically includes an intermediate frame extended substantially arcuately and laterally across the vehicle body between the seat rows. Respective ends of the intermediate frame are coupled to opposite sides of the vehicle body, and the intermediate frame is coupled to and configured to support the main frame.
The main frame may be detachably coupled to the front portion and the rear portion of the vehicle body.
The intermediate frame may be detachably coupled to the vehicle body.
The main frame may include a joint formed at an intersection of the main frame and the intermediate frame, the main frame being configured to be divisible at the joint.
A foremost part of the main frame may include a front frame structure formed in an inverse U-shape extending laterally across the vehicle body; and a front roof structure extending rearward from a top portion of the front frame structure, wherein a rear end of the front roof structure is configured to connect with the intermediate frame.
The front roof structure may include a pair of bar-shaped members arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, substantially in parallel with each other.
The front roof structure may be welded to the front frame to form an integral unit.
Respective ends of the front frame structure may be configured to be detachably coupled to opposite sides of the vehicle body in front of a foremost seat row.
A rearmost part of the main frame may include a rear frame structure formed in an inverse U-shape extending laterally across the vehicle body.
The utility vehicle may further comprise an air cleaner and a CVT cooling system, and the rear frame structure may include an air intake, an air outlet connected to at least one of the air cleaner and the CVT cooling system of the vehicle, and an air passage formed inside the rear frame so as to communicate with the air intake and the air outlet.
The rearmost part of the main frame may further include a rear roof structure extending forward from a top portion of the rear frame structure, wherein a front end of the rear roof structure is configured to connect with the intermediate frame.
The utility vehicle may further include a cargo bed disposed behind a rearmost seat row, the cargo bed being configured to tilt, and wherein the top portion of the rear frame structure is bent forward to form a portion of the rear roof structure, and the bent portion is configured not to interfere with the cargo bed when the cargo bed tilts.
The rear roof structure may include a pair of bar-shaped members arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, substantially in parallel with each other.
The rear roof structure may be configured to be detachably coupled to the top portion of the rear frame structure.
Respective ends of the rear frame structure may be configured to be detachably coupled to opposite sides of the vehicle body adjacent corresponding sides of a rearmost seat row, and respective pillar portions of the rear frame structure may pass through the corresponding sides of the rearmost seat row and incline rearward.
The intermediate frame may be formed in an inverse U-shape.
The intermediate frame may include a cross member extending laterally between pillar portions of the intermediate frame, and detachably coupled to the pillar portions of the intermediate frame.
The cross member may support a backrest portion of a seat row in front of the cross frame.
At least a portion of the cross member may be configured to be a supporting grip graspable by a passenger seated in a seat row behind the cross frame.
The intermediate frame may include a pair of side guides being coupled to and extending forward from respective locations on opposite sides of the intermediate frame.
According to another aspect of the invention, a cabin-frame assembly for a utility vehicle with a plurality of rows of seats is provided. The cabin-frame assembly may be coupled to the vehicle body so as to cover the rows of seats to define a cabin space of the vehicle. The cabin-frame assembly typically includes a main frame extended in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle substantially arcuately over the rows of seats. A front end of the main frame is coupled to a front portion of the vehicle body, a rear end of the main frame is coupled to a rear portion of the vehicle body, and an intermediate frame extends substantially arcuately and laterally across the vehicle body between the seat rows. Respective ends of the intermediate frame are attached to opposite sides of the vehicle body, and the intermediate frame is configured to support the main frame.
The above and further objects and features of the invention will more fully be apparent from the following detailed description with accompanying drawings.
The present invention will now be described in detail referring to the accompanying drawings illustrating the embodiments thereof.
A cabin frame 6 is provided over the seats, and defines a cabin space for the driver and passengers. The cabin frame 6 includes a pair of side bars 61 provided on the right and left sides of the vehicle body to define side face of the vehicle 1. Typically the side bars arc from the front to the rear of the vehicle to define a passageway through which passengers may enter and exit seats 3, 4. A front portion of each side bar typically attaches to the vehicle body at a respective mounting location adjacent a right or left side of a hood 8 of the vehicle, and extends rearwardly and upwardly to a roof. The roof is typically substantially flat, and defined by a middle portion of each of the side bars and a plurality of transverse bars 62 stretching between the side bars. The roof is typically formed to provide sufficient head room for any passengers seated in seats 3, 4. A rear portion of each of the side bars extends downward from the roof and attaches to the vehicle body adjacent the rear seats 4. Arm bars 30 may also be provided adjacent a right and left side of seat 3, and typically mount the seat back to the seat base of seat 3. Alternatively, the cabin may be formed in another shape suitable to hold passengers.
As shown in broken lines in
In this embodiment, cargo bed 2 is configured to be extendable forward into a space at least partially occupied by the rear seat 4 when the rear seat was in the deployed configuration, as described in more detail hereinafter. The screen shield 5 may be manually removed from the cargo bed 2 and reattached to a foremost end of an extendable portion 21 of the cargo bed 2, to enable the screen shield 5 to be repositioned from a position adjacent the forward end of the cargo bed in the retracted configuration to a position adjacent the forward end of the cargo bed in the extended configuration.
Thus, a user who desires to carry a large load rather than passengers in the rear seat 4, may move the rear seat from the deployed to the stowed configuration, thereby freeing space formerly occupied by the rear seat in the deployed configuration. This may be accomplished by folding down the back portion 41 to the intermediate position, and pivoting the bottom portion 42 with the folded backrest portion 41 into the stowed configuration in leg space 7. Once the seat is in the stowed configuration, the user may remove the screen shield 5 from the cargo bed 2, and extend an extendable portion of the cargo bed from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration, into the space freed by moving the seat. The user typically may accomplish this by extending the sides of the cargo bed, by pivoting or sliding, as discussed below. Once the cargo bed is in the extended configuration, the user may reattach the screen shield 5 adjacent a forward end of the cargo bed 2 in the extended configuration, thereby providing extended cargo space for the large load.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, shown in
A portion of the lower bottom plate 20b is positioned beneath the bottom portion 42 of the rear seat 4 to stably hold the bottom portion 42 thereon when the entire rear seat 4 is not retracted. Typically, this embodiment is manufactured using substantially the same chassis as the embodiment shown in
With this configuration, even when the rear seat 4 is occupied by one or more passengers, the cargo bed 2b can carry a large load. However, in this embodiment, since an upper part of the cargo bed 2b, excluding lower bottom plate 20b, protrudes to the rear of vehicle 1 well over a pivot 22 around which the entire cargo bed 2b can be tilted for unloading when unlocked, a load in a rear portion of the cargo bed 2b creates a moment around the pivot 22. Therefore, as shown in
Returning to the embodiment discussed with respect to
According to another embodiment of the present invention, shown in
The extension of the cargo bed 2 may be achieved as shown in
As also shown in
Accordingly, when user wants to extend the cargo space, the user pulls out the screen shield 5 from the openings 24 of the side panels 26. Then, the user rotates each of the extendable portions 21 from the solid-lined retracted position to the two-dot-chain-lined extended position, each rotating approximately 90 degrees. The user then reattaches the screen shield 5 to the openings 25 of the extendable portions 21. Here, the narrowed lower section of the screen shield 5 is configured to reach down to the upper surface of the bottom plate 20 so that it also serves as the front panel of the cargo bed 2 when the extendable portions 21 are extended.
The extension of the cargo bed 2 may also be achieved as shown in FIG. 7. In this example, the extendable portions 21 are provided so as to slide relative to the cargo bed 2 in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The extendable portions 21 may be provided to the bottom plate 20 or the side panels 26 through an appropriate sliding means such as a combination of rollers and rails. In this example, the extendable portions 21 typically do not serve as the front panel of the cargo bed 2 since they are forwardly extendable to an extended configuration (as shown with two-dot-chain lines in
In the above embodiments, it has been described that the back portion of the bench-type rear seat is foldable to provide the space for the cargo bed, however, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that only a section thereof may be foldable and moveable between the deployed and retracted positions, or the rear seat may have a plurality of independently stowable and deployable sections. In addition, while a two-seat type vehicle has been illustrated, it will be appreciated that the present invention is also applicable to utility vehicles with only one seat, in which the seat's backrest portion on a passenger's side is independently foldable relative to the driver's side. Further, while bench seats have been illustrated, it will be appreciated that the present invention is applicable to utility vehicles of a non-bench-seat type in which the passenger's seat is foldable and the entire passenger's seat is independently formed from the driver's seat. Further, as described above, it will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention is also applicable to utility vehicles with three or more rows of seats.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, shown in
The cabin frame assembly 6B includes a main frame 60 extended in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle substantially arcuately over the rows of seats 3B and 4. A front end of the main frame 60 is coupled to a front portion of the vehicle body, typically at frame portions 81 exposed on opposite sides of the hood 8. A rear end of the main frame 60 is coupled to a rear portion of the vehicle body, typically at opposed side frames 82 that extend in the longitudinal direction, on which a floor plate or foot step is located.
An intermediate frame 68 extends substantially arcuately and laterally across the vehicle body between the seat rows 3B and 4. In this embodiment, there is provided a single intermediate frame 68 between the front seat 3B and the rear seat 4; however, if the vehicle is configured to have more than two rows of seats, vehicle 1 may be provided with additional intermediate frame in between the additional rows of seats. Respective ends of the intermediate frame 68 are coupled to opposite sides of the vehicle body at a location such as the opposite side frames 82, which extend in the longitudinal direction and parallel with each other, and on which the floor plate or foot step is located. The intermediate frame 68 is coupled to and configured to support the main frame 60 at a top portion thereof.
In this embodiment, the main frame 60 is detachably coupled to the front portion and rear portion of the vehicle body. In this embodiment, the intermediate frame 68 is also detachably coupled to the vehicle body.
In this embodiment, the main frame 60 is constructed from two parts, a foremost part 65 and a rearmost part (a combination of 66 and 67), divided by the intermediate frame 68 therebetween.
As shown better in
The foremost part 65 further includes a pair of front roof structures 651 extending rearward from a top portion of the front frame structure 650. The front roof structures 651 are typically made of metal pipes and both extend horizontally and parallel with each other. The distance between the front roof structures 651 is made narrower than the overall width of the front frame structure 650 in this embodiment. Front ends of the front roof structures 651 are welded to the front frame structure 650 to form an integral unit. Rear ends of the front roof structures 651 are provided with L-shaped brackets 653 to be connected with the intermediate frame 68.
The intermediate frame 68 is also made of a metal pipe and formed in an inverse U-shape extending laterally across the vehicle body. Each end of the intermediate frame 68 includes dividable brackets 680a and 680b. The upper brackets 680a are fixed to the lower ends of the intermediate frame 68. The lower bracket 680b is configured to be separated from the upper bracket 680a and be in a shape so as to cover a lower surface of the respective upper bracket 680a. As mentioned above, the intermediate frame 680 is detachably attached to the opposite side frames 82, by coupling the dividable brackets 680a and 680b together and fastening the brackets by fastening members such as bolts which penetrate holes formed in the brackets 680a and 680b. Further, side guides or arm bars 681 typically made of metal pipes are formed in pillar portions of the intermediate frame 68 corresponding to a height of the front seat 3B. The arm bar 681 is typically in a C-shape, welded to the intermediate frame 68 at ends, and the closed or looped end of the arm bar 681 is facing forward.
The intermediate frame 68 typically includes two cross members 69a and 69b extending laterally between the pillar portions of the intermediate frame 68. In this embodiment, the cross members 69a and 69b are located above the arm bars 681. The cross members 69a and 69b are typically configured to be in widened U-shapes in the lateral direction and, typically spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction to give the intermediate frame 68 more strength. Ends of the cross members 69a and 69b are provided with brackets 691 and 692, respectively, which are formed in the same shape as the brackets 653 of the front roof structures 651. The cross members 69a and 69b are detachably coupled to the intermediate frame 68, by coupling the respective brackets 691 and 692 onto brackets 682 and 683 which are formed in corresponding locations on the intermediate frame 68 and fastening with fastening members such as bolts which penetrate holes formed in the brackets 691 and 692, and 682 and 683.
The lower cross member 69b is located behind a backrest portion 31 of the front seat 3B (see
Typically, channel-shaped brackets 684 are formed in corresponding locations on the top portion of the intermediate frame 68, protruding forward. The brackets 653 of the front roof structures 651 are coupled to the respective brackets 684 by fastening members such as bolts. Another pair of channel-shaped brackets 685 are formed in corresponding locations on the top portion of the intermediate frame 68, protruding rearward.
The rearmost part of the main frame 60 is typically constructed from two parts, a pair of rear roof structures 66 and a rear frame structure 67. The rear roof structures 66 are typically both made of metal pipes and extend in the longitudinal direction parallel with each other. The locations of the rear roof structures 66 correspond to locations of the brackets 685 of the intermediate frame 68 to which the rear roof structures 66 are detachably coupled. A front end of each of the rear roof structures 66 is provided with an L-shaped bracket 661 to be connected with the bracket 685 of the intermediate frame 68. Similarly, each rear end of the rear roof structures 66 is provided with an L-shaped bracket 662 to be connected with a bracket 671 formed in a corresponding location on the rear frame structure 67. The brackets provided in the rearmost part of the main frame 60 are formed in similar shapes to those provided in the foremost part 65 and the intermediate frame 68.
The rear frame structure 67 is typically formed in, generally, an inverse U-shape extending laterally across the vehicle body. The rear frame structure 67 is made of a metal pipe and each end of the rear frame structure 67 includes dividable brackets 670a and 670b which are configured to be in the same shape as the dividable brackets 680a and 680b provided in the intermediate frame 68. As mentioned above, the rear frame structure 67 is detachably attached to the opposite side frames 82, by coupling the dividable brackets 670a and 670b together and fastening the brackets by fastening members such as bolts which penetrate holes formed in the brackets 670a and 670b.
Further, the rear frame structure 67 is typically provided with a pair of lateral frames 672. Each of the lateral frames 672 is typically made of a straight metal pipe. One end of the lateral frame 672 is welded to a lower position corresponding to a portion of the vehicle body below the rear seat 4. Other end of the lateral frame 672 protrudes laterally inside the vehicle such that the pair of the lateral frames 672 are opposed to each other. The other end of the lateral frame 672 is provided with a bracket 673 to be connected with a bracket (not shown) of the vehicle body. The brackets 673 provided in the lateral frames 672 are in similar shapes to those provided in the foremost part 65 of the main frame and the intermediate frame 68. As the rear frame structure 67 is connected to the vehicle body by the lateral frames 672, the lateral frames 68 can add the rear frame structure 67 more strength, especially in the lateral direction.
As shown better in
Since the transverse top portion of the rear frame structure 67 is forwardly extended, a top end of the screen shield 5 does not interfere with the rear frame structure 67 when the cargo bed 2 (2b) is tilted, even when the screen shield 5 is moved into a forward position as the cargo bed is extended forward or moved forward while the rear seat 4 is stowed as described in the above embodiments, as shown with a dashed line in FIG. 8. Rather, the rear frame structure 67 is provided with a screen shield accommodating void formed therein.
As shown in
As described above, in this embodiment, the vehicle includes the cabin frame assembly 6B coupled to the vehicle body so as to cover the rows of seats to define a cabin space of the vehicle. The cabin frame assembly 6B includes the intermediate frame 68 placed between the rows of seats coupled to the vehicle body. The intermediate frame 68 is also coupled to the main frame 60 of the cabin frame assembly 6B to strengthen the main frame 60 which extends arcuately over the rows of seats in the longitudinal direction. The cabin frame assembly 6B may be configured to detach from the vehicle body as shown in the above embodiment, to make whole vehicle compact for storage, shipping or some other purposes.
The cabin frame assembly 6B may be broken down to many discrete frame structures, as shown in the above embodiment, such as to the main frame 60 and the intermediate frame 68. Further, the main frame 60 may be broken down to the foremost part 65 and the rear most part 66 and 67 at a joint (such as the combination of brackets) formed between the main frame 60 and the intermediate frame 68. As already described in the above embodiment, the cabin frame assembly 6B may be broken down to smaller parts that fit into spaces formed around foot areas in front of the seats 3B and 4, inside the cargo bed 2 (2b), and underneath the vehicle body.
The intermediate frame 68 divides the rows of seats in the longitudinal direction, and also includes one or more cross members to give more strength to the intermediate frame 68 and, therefore, to the whole cabin frame assembly 6B.
As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiments are therefore illustrative and not restrictive, since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the description preceding them, and all changes that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds thereof are therefore intended to be embraced by the claims.
Saito, Hideo, Hisada, Kazumasa, Bahner, Aaron
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