Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
ALL TERRAIN VEHICLE HAVING LAYERED BODY PANEL CONFIGURATION
Stephen Hlopick
Darin D. King
Daniel Thomas Sellars
Matthew Alexander
Scott Daniel Batdorf
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Serial
No. 60/833,885, filed July 27, 2006. The present application also claims
priority of U.S. Non-
Provisional Patent Application Serial Nos. 11/821,909, 11/821,921, 11/821,922,
11/821,9597
11/821,963, 11/821,964, 11/821,970,11/8-2 1,972, and 11/823,065, each filed
June 26, 2007.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to vehicles such as, for example, all terrain
vehicles
("ATVs"), as well as methods for making vehicles. The present invention also
relates to
components and assemblies such as for use upon vehicles such as ATVs.
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
BACKGROUND
A conventional body for an ATV can be formed as a panel from a single piece of
material, such as from plastic or fiberglass. Such an ATV body can include
wheel fenders,
side panels, a gas tank cover, and other features. As such, an ATV body can be
quite large in
size, making it difficult and expensive to effectively and efficiently
manufacture. In
particular, it can be difficult to manufacture such a large component from
plastic (e.g., due to
injection molding limitations), though plastic is often the material of choice
for
manufacturing a body for an ATV.
Also, since a conventional body for an ATV is often formed as a single
component,
any damage to the body during use of the ATV can require costly replacement
parts as well
as significant labor. Likewise, in order to service the engine or other
components of the
ATV, it may be necessary to remove the body which can be difficult and time
consumning.
Manufacturers of ATVs must often stock different colors of bodies for a given
ATV
in order to provide a selection to customers. However, as conventional bodies
for ATVs are
relatively large, stocking different colors can be expensive and may require
large volumes of
warehouse space.
Wheel fenders on conventional ATVs are typically attached to the frame through
use
of stay structures. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, a rear fender assembly
556 of a
conventional ATV includes a rear fender panel 561 which is attached to a frame
541 of the
ATV through use of a stay 557. The stay 557 is formed from spring-type steel,
and is
attached to a leg 503 depending from a lower surface of the rear fender panel
561. The rear
fender panel 561 is also shown to be bolted directly to the frame 541 at an
attachment
2
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
location concealed by a seat 596. The seat 596 is configured for supporting an
operator of the
ATV. The stay 557 helps an outer perimeter 563 of the rear fender panel 561 to
resist
vertical deflection, and accordingly provides at least some stiffness and
rigidity to the rear
fender panel 561 with respect to the frame 541. However, as the stay is
separate from the
rear fender panel 561, manufacturing and installation of the stay 557 can be
time-consuming
and expensive. Also, the stay 557 is aesthetically unattractive and can be
prone to snagging
upon debris. Because the supporting force of the stay is localized to the leg
503 of the rear
fender panel 561, damage to the leg 503 and/or other. portions of the rear
fender panel 561
can arise due to stresses from repeated vertical deflection of the outer
perimeter 563 of the
rear fender panel 561.
A conventional ATV also includes mudguards 512 and 513 which can be supported
with respect to a frame of the ATV through use of a stay assembly 520, as
shown in FIG. 33.
The stay assembly 520 includes elongated metal wires 522 and 524 which are
formed from
spring-type steel. The elongated metal wires 522 and 524 are configured to
attach the
mudguard 512 to the ATV's frame. In particular, bolts 530, 532, 534, 536 and
corresponding
swivel clips 529, 531, 533, and 535 are provided to attach the elongated metal
wires 522 and
524 to the mudguard 512. An end 525 of the elongated metal wire 524 is bent to
receive a
bolt 568 to facilitate attachment of the end 525 to the ATV's frame. The
opposite end of the
elongated metal wire 524 is configured to slidably engage a frame-mounted
footrest (not
shown). An end 542 of the elongated metal wire 522 is bent to receive a bolt
543 to facilitate
attachment of the end 542 to the footrest. The opposite end 540 of the
elongated metal wire
522 is attachable to the mudguard 512 through use of the bolt 532 and swivel
clip 531. A
similar arrangement of elongated metal wires, bolts, and swivel clips is shown
for attachment
3
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
of the mudguard 513 to the ATV's frame. Another elongated metal wire 526 is
separate from
the stay assembly 520 and extends between respective ends 527 and 528. The end
527
attaches to a lower end of a left rear fender panel 558, while the end 528
attaches to a lower
end of a right rear fender panel 559. The elongated metal wire 526 is also
attached to the
ATV's seat through use of brackets 538 and 539. It can be seen in FIG. 33 that
the
arrangement of elongated metal wires is complex, costly, unsightly, and time
consuming to
install.
Conventional ATVs are often manufactured in such a manner that an operator's
seat
is first attached to a fender assembly, and the fender assembly is
subsequently attached to the
ATV's frame. Attaclunent of the fender assembly to the ATV's frame can
accordingly be
complicated and time consuming, and access to components of the ATV underlying
the seat
and/or other portions of the ATV can be difficult.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one embodiment, an all terrain vehicle comprises a frame, a
first
wheel, a second wheel, a first fender panel, and a second fender panel. The
first wheel and
the second wheel are each supported with respect to the frame. The first
fender panel is
attached to the frame and extends at least partially over each of the first
wheel and the second
wheel. The second fender panel at least partially covers the first fender
panel and extends at
least partially over each of the first wheel and the second wheel.
In accordance with another embodiment, an all terrain vehicle comprises a
frame, a
plurality of wheels supported with respect to the frame, afirst panel, and a
second panel. The
first panel is attached to the frame and has a first top surface and a first
bottom surface. A
4
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
portion of the first top surface provides a decorative body surface for the
all terrain vehicle.
The first panel continuously extends from a left side of the all terrain
vehicle to a right side of
the all terrain vehicle and extends over at least two of the wheels. The first
bottom surface is
positioned to receive contact from debris thrown by said at least two of the
wheels. The
second panel is removably attached to the first panel and has a second top
surface and a
second bottom surface. At least a portion of the second top surface provides a
decorative
body surface for the all terrain vehicle. A portion of the second bottom
surface is adjacent to
at least a portion of the first top surface. Another portion of the second
bottom surface is
positioned to receive contact from debris thrown by at least one of the
wheels.
In accordance with yet another embodiment, an all terrain vehicle comprises a
frame,
a plurality of wheels supported with respect to the frame, a first fender
panel, and a second
fender panel. The first fender panel is attached to the frame and has a first
top surface and a
first bottom surface. The first bottom surface is positioned to receive
contact from debris
thrown by at least one of the wheels. The second fender panel is attached with
respect to the
first panel and has a second top surface and a second bottom surface. A
portion of the second
bottom surface is adjacent to at least a portion of the first top surface.
Another portion of the
second bottom surface is positioned to receive contact from debris thrown by
said at least one
of the wheels.
In accordance with still another embodiment, a panel assembly comprises a
first
panel, a T-nut, a second panel, and a bolt. The first panel defines an
aperture. The T-nut
comprises a base portion and a neck portion. The neck portion defines a
threaded aperture.
The second panel comprises a pocket which defines an opening extending through
the second
panel. The pocket is configured to receive the base portion of the T-nut in a
snap-fit
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
arrangement such that the neck portion of the T-nut extends into the opening.
The bolt is
configured for insertion into the aperture in the first panel and into the
threaded aperture in
the T-nut to facilitate attachment of the first panel to the second panel.
In accordance with yet another embodiment, a panel comprises a pocket. The
pocket
defines an opening extending through the panel. The pocket is configured to
receive a base
portion of a T-nut in a snap-fit arrangement such that a neck portion of the T-
nut extends into
the opening.
In accordance with yet another embodiment, a vehicle comprises a first body
panel, a
T-nut, a second body panel, and a bolt. The first body panel defines an
aperture. The T-nut
comprises a base portion and a neck portion. The neck portion defines a
threaded aperture.
The second body panel comprises a pocket. The pocket defines an opening
extending
through the second body panel. The pocket is configured to receive the base
portion of the T-
nut in a snap-fit arrangement such that the neck portion of the T-nut extends
into the opening.
The bolt is configured for insertion into the aperture in the first body panel
and into the
threaded aperture in the T-nut to facilitate attachment of the first body
panel to the second
body panel.
In accordance with another embodiment, an all terrain vehicle comprises a
first plastic
fender panel, a T-nut, a second plastic fender panel, and a bolt. The first
plastic fender panel
defines an aperture. The T-nut comprises a base portion and a neck portion.
The neck
portion defines a threaded aperture. The second plastic fender panel comprises
a pocket. The
pocket defines an opening extending through the second body panel. The pocket
is
configured to receive the base portion of the T-nut in a snap-fit arrangement
such that the
6
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
neck portion of the T-nut extends into the opening. The bolt is configured for
insertion into
the aperture in the first body panel and into the threaded aperture in the T-
nut to facilitate
attachment of the first body panel to the second body panel.
In accordance with yet another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a vehicle
comprises providing first and second body panels in at least a partially
overlapping
arrangement. The first body panel defines an aperture, the second body panel
defines a
pocket, and the pocket defines an opening extending through the second panel.
A T-nut is
inserted into the pocket in a snap-fit arrangement such that a neck portion of
the T-nut
extends into the opening in the second body panel. The first body panel is
attached to the
second body panel by inserting a bolt into the aperture in the first body
panel and into a
threaded aperture in the neck portion of the T-nut.
In accordance with still another embodiment, an all terrain vehicle comprises
a frame,
a wheel supported with respect to the frame, and a fender assembly. The fender
assembly
comprises a lower fender panel and an upper fender panel. The upper fender
panel at least
partially overlaps the lower fender panel. A portion of the upper fender panel
cooperates
with a portion of the lower fender panel in a spaced relationship to define
both an access
opening and a channel. The channel at least partially overlies the wheel and
is configured to
facilitate passage of fluid along a predetermined pathway from the access
opening to a
predetermined egress opening.
In accordance with still another embodiment, a fender assembly is provided for
an all
terrain vehicle. The fender assembly comprises a lower fender panel and an
upper fender
panel. The upper fender panel is configured for attachment to the lower fender
panel in a
7
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
partially overlapping relationship such that a portion of the upper fender
panel cooperates
with a portion of the lower fender panel in a spaced relationship to define
both an access
opening and a channel. The channel is configured to facilitate passage of
fluid along a
predetermined pathway from the access opening to a predetermined egress
opening.
In accordance with yet another embodiment, an all terrain vehicle comprises a
frame,
a left wheel supported with respect to the frame, a right wheel supported with
respect to the
frame, and a fender assembly. The fender assembly comprises a lower fender
panel and an
upper fender panel. The upper fender panel at least partially overlaps the
lower fender panel.
A left portion of the upper fender panel cooperates with a left portion of the
lower fender
panel in a spaced relationship to define both a left access opening and a left
channel. The left
channel at least partially overlies the left wheel and is configured to
facilitate passage of fluid
along a left predetermined pathway from the left access opening to a
predetermined egress
opening. A right portion of the upper fender panel cooperates with a right
portion of the
lower fender panel in a spaced relationship to define both a right access
opening and a right
channel. The right channel at least partially overlies the right wheel and is
configured to
facilitate passage of fluid along a right predetermined pathway from the right
access opening
to a predetermined egress opening.
In accordance with another embodiment, an all terrain vehicle comprises a
frame, a
wheel supported with respect to the frame, and a fender assembly. The fender
assembly
comprises a lower fender panel and an upper fender panel. The lower fender
panel has a first
top surface and a first bottom surface and extends from a first inner end to a
first outer end.
The first inner end is attached to the frame. The first bottom surface is
positioned to receive
contact from debris thrown by the wheel. The upper fender panel has a second
top surface
8
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
and a second bottom surface and extends from a second inner end to a second
outer end. The
second inner end is attached to the frame. The upper fender panel is attached
to the lower
fender panel at an attachment location adjacent to at least one of the first
outer end and the
second outer end. The second bottom surface is positioned to receive contact
from debris
thrown by the wheel. Each of the lower fender panel and the upper fender panel
extends at
least partially over the wheel. The lower fender panel and the upper fender
panel cooperate
to facilitate resistance of the attachment location to vertical deflection.
In accordance with yet another embodiment, an all terrain vehicle comprises a
frame,
a wheel supported with respect to the frame, and a fender assembly. The fender
assembly
comprises a lower fender panel and an upper fender panel. The lower fender
panel extends
from a first inner end to a first outer end. The upper fender panel extends
from a second
inner end to a second outer end. The upper fender panel is attached to the
lower fender panel
at an attachment location adjacent to at least one of the first outer end and
the second outer
end. Each of the lower fender panel and the upper fender panel extends at
least partially over
the wheel. A portion of the upper fender panel cooperates with a portion of
the lower fender
panel in a spaced relationship to define both an access opening and a channel.
The channel at
least partially overlies the wheel and is disposed between the first inner end
and the
attachment location. The channel is configured to facilitate passage of fluid
along a
predetermined pathway from the access opening to a predetermined egress
opening. The
lower fender panel and the upper fender panel cooperate to support the
attachment location
with respect to the frame to facilitate resistance of the attachment location
to vertical
deflection.
9
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
In accordance with still another embodiment, an all terrain vehicle comprises
a frame,
a left wheel supported with respect to the frame, a right wheel supported with
respect to the
frame, and a fender assembly. The fender assembly comprises a lower fender
panel and an
upper fender panel. The lower fender panel extends from a first inner end to a
first outer end.
The first inner end is attached to the frame. The upper fender panel extends
from a second
inner end to a second outer end. The second inner end is attached to the
frame. The upper
fender panel is attached to the lower fender panel at an attachment location
adjacent to at
least one of the first outer end and the second outer end. Each of the lower
fender panel and
the upper fender panel extends at least partially over each of the left wheel
and the right
wheel. The lower fender panel and the upper fender panel cooperate to support
the
attachment location to facilitate resistance of the attachment location to
vertical deflection.
In accordance with yet another embodiment, an all terrain vehicle comprises a
frame,
a rear wheel, a fender assembly, a footrest, a mudguard, and a stay assembly.
The rear wheel
is supported with respect to the frame. The fender assembly extends at least
partially over the
rear wheel. The stay assembly comprises a first elongated metal wire and a
second elongated
metal wire. Each of the first elongated metal wire and the second elongated
metal wire are
attached to each of the frame, the fender assembly, the footrest, and the
mudguard.
In accordance with yet another embodiment, an all terrain vehicle comprises a
frame,
a fender assembly, a mudguard, and an elongated metal wire attached to each of
the frame,
the fender assembly, and the mudguard. The elongated metal wire is configured
to facilitate
consistent spacing between the mudguard and the fender assembly.
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
In accordance with still another embodiment, an all terrain vehicle comprises
a frame,
a fender assembly, a mudguard, and a stay assembly attached to each of the
frame, the fender
assembly, and the mudguard.
In accordance with still another embodiment, an all terrain vehicle comprises
a frame,
a wheel, a fender assembly, and a seat. The wheel is supported with respect to
the frame.
The fender assembly extends at least partially over the wheel and comprises an
inside edge
portion. The seat comprises a compression surface and is configured for
selective attachment
to the frame. The compression surface is configured, upon attachment of the
seat to the
frame, to contact and sandwich the inside edge portion of the fender assembly
between the
compression surface and the frame.
In accordance with yet another embodiment, an all terrain vehicle comprises a
frame,
a wheel, a fender assembly, and a seat. The wheel is supported with respect to
the frame.
The fender assembly comprises an upper fender panel and a lower fender panel
which each
extend at least partially over the wheel. The upper fender panel comprises an
upper inside
edge portion. The lower fender panel comprises a lower inside edge portion.
The upper
inside edge portion overlaps the lower inside edge portion. The seat comprises
a
compression surface and is configured for selective attachment to the frame.
The
compression surface is configured, upon attachment of the seat to the frame,
to contact the
upper inside edge portion and to sandwich both the upper inside edge portion
and the lower
inside edge portion between the compression surface and the frame.
In accordance with another embodiment, an all terrain vehicle comprises a
frame, a
left wheel, a right wheel, a fender assembly, and a seat. Each of the left
wheel and the right
11
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
wheel are supported with respect to the frame. The fender assembly comprises a
left upper
fender panel, a left lower fender panel, a right upper fender panel, and a
right lower fender
panel. The left upper fender panel and the left lower fender panel each extend
at least
partially over the left wheel. The right upper fender panel and the right
lower fender panel
each extend at least partially over the right wheel. The left upper fender
panel comprises a
left upper inside edge portion. The left lower fender panel comprises a left
lower inside edge
portion. The left upper inside edge portion overlaps the left lower inside
edge portion. The
right upper fender panel comprises a right upper inside edge portion. The
right lower fender
panel comprises a right lower inside edge portion. The right upper inside edge
portion
overlaps the right lower inside edge portion. The seat comprises a left
compression surface
and a right compression surface and is configured for selective attachment to
the frame. The
seat is configured, upon attachment of the seat to the frame, such that the
left compression
surface contacts the left upper inside edge portion to sandwich both the left
upper inside edge
portion and the left lower inside edge portion between the left compression
surface and the
frame, and such that the right compression surface contacts the right upper
inside edge
portion to sandwich both the right upper inside edge portion and the right
lower inside edge
portion between the right compression surface and the frame.
In accordance with yet another embodiment, an all terrain vehicle comprises a
frame,
a front fender assembly, a rear fender assembly, and a midpoint fastener. The
frame extends
from a forward end to a rearward end. The frame comprises a forward attachment
structure
disposed adjacent to the forward end, a rearward attachment structure disposed
adjacent to
the rearward end, and a midpoint attachment structure disposed about midway
between the
forward end and the rearward end. The front fender assembly is attached to
each of the
12
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
forward attachment structure and the midpoint attachment structure and extends
at least
partially over a front wheel. The rear fender assembly is attached to each of
the midpoint
attachment structure and the rearward attachment structure and extends at
least partially over
a rear wheel. The midpoint fastener is inserted into first aligning apertures
defined by each of
the front fender assembly, the rear fender assembly, and the midpoint
attachment structure.
In accordance with still another embodiment, a method of assembling an all
terrain
vehicle comprising providing a frame extending from a forward end to a
rearward end. The
frame comprises a forward attachment structure disposed adjacent to the
forward end, a
rearward attachment structure disposed adjacent to the rearward end, and a
midpoint
attachment structure disposed about midway between the forward end and the
rearward end.
A front fender assembly is attached to each of the forward attachment
structure and the
midpoint attachment structure such that the front fender assembly is
configured to extend at
least partially over a front wheel. A rear fender assembly is attached to each
of the midpoint
attachment structure and the rearward attachment structure such that the rear
fender assembly
is configured to extend at least partially over a rear wheel. A midpoint
fastener is inserted
into first aligning apertures defined by each of the front fender assembly,
the rear fender
assembly, and the midpoint attachment structure.
In accordance with still another embodiment, a vehicle comprises a frame, a
first body
panel, a second body panel, a sleeve, a grommet, and a fastener. The frame
defines a
threaded aperture. The first body panel defines a first aperture. The second
body panel
defines a second aperture. The sleeve defines a longitudinally extending
sleeve bore. The
sleeve extends into the first aperture in the first body panel. The grommet
has a grommet
exterior surface and defines a grommet bore extending longitudinally from a
first end to a
13
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
second end. The grommet bore surrounds the sleeve. The grommet exterior
surface defines
an annular channel having a reduced diameter as compared to longitudinally
adjacent annular
portions of the grommet disposed upon opposite sides of the annular channel.
One of the
longitudinally adjacent annular portions defines the first end, while the
other of the
longitudinally adjacent annular portions defines the second end. The second
aperture
surrounds the annular channel such that a portion of the second body panel is
retained within
the annular channel. The first end contacts the first body panel adjacent to
the first aperture.
The fastener extends through the first aperture and the sleeve bore and into
the threaded
aperture in the frame. The fastener is configured to compress the grommet
between the first
body panel and the frame.
In accordance with yet another embodiment, a vehicle comprises a frame, a
first body
panel, a second body panel, a fastener, and a grommet. The frame defines a
threaded
aperture. The first body panel defines a first aperture. The second body panel
defines a
second aperture. The first body panel at least partially overlaps the second
body panel such
that the first aperture aligns with the second aperture. The fastener extends
into each of the
first aperture, the second aperture, and the threaded aperture to facilitate
attachment of the
first body panel and the second body panel to the frame. The grommet surrounds
a portion of
the fastener. The grommet is disposed between the first body panel and the
second body
panel to prevent the first body panel from contacting the second body panel
adjacent to the
fastener. The grommet is disposed between the second body panel and the frame
to prevent
the second body panel from contacting the frame adjacent to the fastener.
In accordance with yet another embodiment, a method of assembling a vehicle
comprises overlapping respective first and second body panels such that a
first aperture in the
14
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
first body panel aligns with a second aperture in a second body panel. A
grommet is disposed
between a portion of the first body panel adjacent to the first aperture and a
portion of the
second body panel adjacent to the second aperture. The grommet is additionally
disposed
between a frame and a portion of the second body panel adjacent to the second
aperture. The
grommet defines a grommet bore. A sleeve is inserted through the grommet bore.
The
sleeve defines a sleeve bore which aligns with the first aperture and the
second aperture. A
fastener is inserted into the first aperture, the sleeve bore, and a threaded
aperture in the frame
to facilitate attachment of the first body panel and the second body panel to
the frame.
In accordance with another embodiment, an all terrain vehicle comprises a
frame, a
body panel, an elongated metal wire, and a ribbon. The elongated metal wire is
attached to
the body panel and has a longitudinal portion. The ribbon extends from a first
end to a
second end. The ribbon at least partially surrounds the longitudinal portion
of the elongated
metal wire such that the first end overlaps the second end. The first end and
the second end
are attached to the frame such that the elongated metal wire is movably
attached to the frame
by the ribbon.
In accordance with yet another embodiment, an all terrain vehicle comprises a
frame,
a fender assembly, a mudguard, an elongated metal wire, and a swivel clip. The
elongated
metal wire has a longitudinal portion. The elongated metal wire is attached to
the fender
assembly and the mudguard on opposite sides of the longitudinal portion. The
swivel clip
comprises a retention portion and a mounting portion. The retention portion at
least partially
surrounds the longitudinal portion of the elongated metal wire. The mounting
portion is
attached to the frame such that the elongated metal wire is movably attached
to the frame.
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
In accordance with yet another embodiment, a method of attaching a body panel
to a
frame of an all terrain vehicle comprises attaching an elongated metal wire to
a body panel.
A ribbon is wrapped at least partially around a longitudinal portion of the
elongated metal
wire. Respective apertures are aligned in respective ends of the ribbon. A
fastener is inserted
through the respective apertures in the ribbon and into another aperture
provided in the frame
of the all terrain vehicle to facilitate movable attachment of the elongated
metal wire with
respect to the frame of the all terrain vehicle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and
distinctly
claiming the present invention, it is believed that the same will be better
understood from the
following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in
which:
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view depicting an ATV in accordance with one
embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view depicting the ATV of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a front perspective view depicting the frame, the lower front fender
panel,
and the lower rear fender panel of the ATV of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view depicting the components of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a front perspective view depicting the upper front fender panel and
the upper
rear fender panel of the ATV of FIG. 1 in exploded association with the
components of FIGS.
3-4;
16
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
FIG. 6 is a front perspective view depicting the components of FIG. S as
assembled
and in association with a bolt;
FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view depicting certain of the components of FIG.
6;
FIG. 8 is a top plan view depicting the lower front fender panel and the lower
rear
fender panel of FIG. 3 apart from the frame;
FIG. 9 is a top plan view depicting a rear portion of the ATV of FIGS. 1-2,
wherein
the seat has been removed for clarity of illustration;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view depicting a rear portion of the ATV of FIGS. 1-
2,
wherein the seat and other components have been removed for clarity of
illustration;
FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view depicting a rear portion of the ATV of
FIGS. 1-
2;
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along section lines 12-12 in FIG. 9;
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view depicting a fender assembly of a-
conventional ATV;
FIG. 14 is a top plan view depicting a portion of the rear fender assembly of
FIG. 9;
FIG. 15 is a top perspective view depicting a portion of the lower rear fender
panel
apart from the other components of FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is a bottom perspective view depicting the portion of the lower rear
fender
panel of FIG. 15;
17
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
FIG. 17 is a top perspective view depicting the portion of the lower rear
fender panel
of FIG. 15 in association with T-nuts;
FIG. 18 is a bottom perspective view depicting the portion of the lower rear
fender
panel of FIG. 16 in association with T-nuts and bolts;
FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along section lines 19-19 in FIG. 14,
wherein
both of the bolts are depicted in elevation and one of the bolts is shown to
be partially
removed;
FIG. 20 is a side elevational view depicting selected components of the ATV of
FIGS.
1-2;
FIG. 21 is a side elevational view depicting an enlargement of a portion of
FIG. 20;
FIG. 22 is a rear perspective view depicting the components of FIG. 20 in
association
with a portion of a frame;
FIG. 23 is a rear perspective view depicting the components of FIG. 22 wherein
the
fuel tank cover has been removed for clarity of illustration;
FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along section lines 24-24 in FIG. 21,
wherein
the bolt and the push pin are shown in elevation;
FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view taken along section lines 25-25 in FIG. 21,
wherein
the bolt is shown in elevation;
18
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
FIG. 26 is a perspective view depicting an enlargement of a portion of FIG.
10,
wherein a bolt and collar is shown to be removed;
FIG. 27 is a bottom perspective view of the seat removed from the ATV of FIGS.
1-2;
FIG. 28 is a side elevational view depicting the seat in association with the
rear fender
assembly and frame of the ATV of FIGS. 1-2;
FIG. 29 is a perspective view depicting selected components of the ATV of
FIGS. 1-
2;
FIG. 30 is a bottom plan view depicting the components of FIG. 29;
FIG. 31 a perspective view depicting an enlargement of a portion of FIG. 29;
FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view taken along section lines 32-32 in FIG. 31,
wherein
the bolt is shown in elevation;
FIG. 33 is an exploded perspective view depicting a conventional rear fender
assembly, mudguards, and certain other components such as provided upon a
conventional
ATV;
FIG. 34 is a sectional view of a fastener arrangement involving two
overlapping
panels, wherein the bolt is depicted in elevation and in an untightened
orientation;
FIG. 35 is a sectional view of the components of FIG. 34, wherein the bolt is
depicted
in elevation and in a tightened orientation;
19
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
FIG. 36 is a front perspective view depicting a frame, a lower front fender
panel, and
a lower rear fender panel of an ATV in accordance with another embodiment;
FIG. 36a is a rear perspective view depicting the components of FIG. 36;
FIG. 37 is a front perspective view depicting an upper front fender panel and
an upper
rear fender panel in exploded association with the components of FIGS. 36-36a;
FIG. 38 is a front perspective view depicting the components of FIG. 37 as
assembled; and
FIG. 38a is a rear perspective view depicting certain of the components of
FIG. 38.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments are hereinafter described in detail in connection with the views
and
examples of FIGS. 1-12, 14-32, 34-36, 36a, 37-38 and 38a, wherein like numbers
may
indicate the same or corresponding elements throughout the views. Certain
embodiments
will be described herein with reference to an ATV. It will be appreciated that
an ATV can
comprise a saddle-type vehicle suitable for off-road, sport and/or utility use
by a driver and
perhaps one or more passengers. Although many of the examples provided herein
relate to an
ATV, it will be appreciated that certain embodiments may also have
applicability to other
types of vehicles such as, for example, automobiles, trucks, vans, personal
watercraft,
aircraft, motorcycles, boats, toys, and construction equipment, for example.
In one embodiment, such as that depicted in FIGS. 1-2., for example, an ATV 40
can
comprise four wheels supported with respect to a frame 41 of the ATV 40. In
particular, the
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
ATV 40 is shown to comprise a left front wheel 42, a right front wheel 43, a
left rear wheel
44 and a right rear wheel 45. however, in alternative embodiments, an ATV can
comprise a
differing numbers of wheels. For example, an ATV might comprise a total of
three wheels,
wherein one wheel is a front wheel and the remaining two wheels are rear
wheels. As
another example, an ATV might comprise a total of five wheels, wherein one
wheel is a front
wheel and the remaining four wheels are rear wheels in a tandem axle
configuration. In still
another example, an ATV might comprise a total of six wheels, wherein two
wheels are front
wheels and the remaining four wheels are rear wheels in a tandem axle
configuration.
Regardless of the number of wheels provided upon an ATV, the ATV can include a
fender assembly. The fender assembly can be configured to prevent debris from
being
thrown from the ATV's wheels and upon an operator and/or passenger(s) of an
ATV during
travel of the ATV. Such debris might include, for example, dirt, brush, rocks,
or moisture. In
one embodiment, the fender assembly can be configured to provide at least some
coverage of
each wheel present upon the ATV. However, in another embodiment, the fender
assembly
might only provide at least some coverage of certain wheels present upon the
ATV. In one
embodiment such as, for example, in FIGS. 1-2, an ATV 40 is shown to comprise
a front
fender assembly 46 and a rear fender assembly 56. The front fender assembly 46
is shown to
be configured to prevent debris from being thrown from the left and right
front wheels 42 and
43 and upon an operator and/or passenger(s) of the ATV 40 during travel of the
ATV 40.
Likewise, the rear fender assembly 56 is shown to be configured to prevent
debris from being
thrown from the left and right rear wheels 44 and 45 and upon an operator
and/or
passenger(s) of the ATV 40 during travel of the ATV 40. It will be appreciated
that fender
21
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
assemblies can be provided upon an ATV or other vehicle in any of a variety of
other suitable
configurations or arrangements.
The structure of the front and rear fender assemblies 46, 56 of the ATV 40
will now
be described with reference to FIGS. 1-12 and 14-32. Referring now,
collectively, to FIGS.
1-12, it can be seen that each of the front and rear fender assemblies 46, 56
can comprise a
layered arrangement involving fender panels which at least partially overlap
one another. In
particular, the front fender assembly 46 is shown to comprise a lower front
fender panel 47
and an upper front fender panel 50 which together provide a fender for the
left and right front
wheels 42 and 43 of the ATV 40. The lower front fender panel 47 is shown to
comprise a left
lower front fender portion 48 and a right lower front fender portion 49. The
lower front
fender panel 47 can be attached to the frame 41 such that the left lower front
fender portion
48 extends at least partially over the left front wheel 42, and such that the
right lower front
fender portion 49 extends at least partially over the right front wheel 43.
The lower front
fender panel 47 is shown to comprise a top surface 48a and a bottom surface
48b. Portions of
the top surface 48a corresponding with each of the left and right lower front
fender portions
48 and 49 can provide a decorative body surface for the ATV 40. It will be
appreciated that
decorative body surfaces are those body panel portions which are readily
apparent to an
onlooker of the ATV_ It would be common for an operator to wash, wax, and
perhaps even
buff such surfaces to improve the aesthetic appearance of the ATV. Portions of
the bottom
surface 48b corresponding with each of the left and right lower front fender
portions 48 and
49 are shown to be positioned for receiving contact from debris respectively
thrown by the
left front wheel 42 and the right front wheel 43.
22
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
The upper front fender panel 50 is shown to at least partially cover the lower
front
fender panel 47 and to comprise a left upper front fender portion 51 and a
right upper front
fender portion 52. The upper front fender panel 50 can be attached to the
frame 41 and/or the
lower front fender panel 47 such that the left upper front fender portion 51
extends at least
partially over the left front wheel 42, and such that the right upper front
fender portion 52
extends at least partially over the right front wheel 43. The upper front
fender panel 50 is
shown to comprise a top surface 51 a and a bottom surface 51 b. At least part
of the top
surface 51a corresponding with each of the left and right upper front fender
portions 51 and
52 can provide a decorative body surface for the ATV 40. Portions of the
bottom surface 51 b
corresponding with each of the left and right upper front fender portions 51
and 52 are shown
to be positioned for receiving contact from debris respectively thrown by the
left front wheel
42 and the right front wheel 43. In this manner, it will be appreciated that
both the lower and
upper front fender panels 47 and 50 can each receive contact from debris
thrown from the left
and right front wheels 42 and 43, and can also each serve as decorative body
panels.
The lower and upper front fender panels 47 and 50 can be attached with respect
to the
remainder of the ATV 40 such that a portion of the bottom surface 51b of the
upper front
fender panel 50 is adjacent to at least a portion of the top surface 48a of
the lower front
fender panel 47. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the bottom surface 5
lb of the upper
front fender panel 50 contacts at least a portion of the top surface 48a of
the lower front
fender panel 47. Also, the upper front fender panel 50 is shown to
continuously extend from
a left side of the ATV 40 to a right side of the ATV 40. In certain other
embodiments, one or
both of the lower and upper front fender panels might or might not
continuously extend from
a left side of the ATV to a right side of the ATV. As shown in FIG. 6, for
example, the lower
23
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
front fender panel 47 can extend to an outer perimeter 53, and a portion of
the lower front
fender panel 47 can extend beyond a portion of an outer perimeter 54 of the
upper front
fender panel 50. In addition or alternatively, a different portion of the
upper front fender
panel might extend beyond a portion of an outer perimeter of the lower front
fender panel.
In one embodiment, the lower and upper front fender panels 47 and 50 can be
formed
from similar materials (e.g., plastic), and might even have the same color. In
other
embodiments, the lower and upper front fender panels 47 and 50 can be formed
from
different materials (e.g., one from plastic and the other from steel), and/or
to have different
colors. The upper front fender panel 50 can be removably attached to the frame
41 and/or the
lower front fender panel 47 so as to enable an operator to easily, quickly and
inexpensively
change the color profile of ATV 40 by simply replacing the upper front fender
panel 50 and
without replacing the lower front fender panel 47. In addition, it will be
appreciated that a
layered body panel configuration as described herein can provide certain
structural
advantages, aesthetic advantages, and other advantages in manufacturing or
servicing the
ATV 40, or otherwise, some of which are described herein.
The rear fender assembly 56 is shown to comprise a lower rear fender panel 57
and an
upper rear fender panel 60 which together provide a fender for the left and
right rear wheels
44 and 45 of the ATV 40. The lower rear fender panel 57 is shown to comprise a
left lower
rear fender portion 58 and a right lower rear fender portion 59. The lower
rear fender panel
57 can be attached to the frame 41 such that the left lower rear fender
portion 58 extends at
least partially over the left rear wheel 44, and such that the right lower
rear fender portion 59
extends at least partially over the right rear wheel 45. The lower rear fender
panel 57 is
shown to comprise a top surface 58a and a bottom surface 58b. Portions of the
top surface
24
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
58a corresponding with each of the left and right lower rear fender portions
58 and 59 can
provide a decorative body surface for the ATV 40. Portions of the bottom
surface 58b
corresponding with each of the left and right lower rear fender portions 58
and 59 are shown
to be positioned for receiving contact from debris respectively thrown by the
left rear wheel
44 and the right rear wheel 45.
The upper rear fender panel 60 is shown to at least partially cover the lower
rear
fender panel 57 and to comprise a left upper rear fender portion 61 and a
right upper rear
fender portion 62. The upper rear fender panel 60 can be attached to the frame
41 and/or the
lower rear fender panel 57 such that the left upper rear fender portion 61
extends at least
partially over the left rear wheel 44, and such that the right upper rear
fender portion 62
extends at least partially over the right rear wheel 45. The upper rear fender
panel 60 is
shown to comprise a top surface 61a and a bottom surface 61b. At least part of
the top
surface 61a corresponding with each of the left and right upper rear fender
portions 61 and 62
can provide a decorative body surface for the ATV 40. Portions of the bottom
surface 61b
corresponding with each of the left and right upper rear fender portions 61
and 62 are shown
to be positioned for receiving contact from debris respectively thrown by the
left rear wheel
44 and the right rear wheel 45. In this manner, it will be appreciated that
both the lower and
upper rear fender panels 57 and 60 can each receive contact from debris from
the left and
right rear wheels 44 and 45, and can also each serve as decorative body
panels.
The lower and upper rear fender panels 57 and 60 can be attached with respect
to the
remainder of the ATV 40 such that a portion of the bottom surface 61b of the
upper rear
fender panel 60 is adjacent to at least a portion of the top surface 58a of
the lower rear fender
panel 57. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the bottom surface 61b of
the upper rear
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
fender panel 60 contacts at least a portion of the top surface 58a of the
lower rear fender
panel 57. Also, each of the lower and upper rear fender panels 57 and 60 are
shown to
continuously extend from a left side of the ATV 40 to a right side of the ATV
40. In certain
other embodiments, one or both of the lower and upper rear fender panels might
not
continuously extend from a left side of the ATV to a right side of the ATV. As
shown in
FIGS. 9 and 12, for example, the lower rear fender panel 57 can extend to an
outer perimeter
63, and a portion of the lower rear fender panel 57 can extend beyond a
portion of an outer
perimeter 64 of the upper rear fender panel 60. In addition or alternatively,
a different
portion of the upper rear fender panel 60 might extend beyond a portion of the
outer
perimeter 63 of the lower rear fender panel 57.
In one embodiment, the lower and upper rear fender panels 57 and 60 can be
formed
from similar materials (e.g., plastic), and might even have the same color. In
other
embodiments, the lower and upper rear fender panels 57 and 60 can be formed
from different
materials (e.g., one from plastic and the other from steel), and/or to have
different colors.
The upper rear fender panel 60 can be removably attached to the frame 41
and/or the lower
rear fender panel 57 so as to enable an operator to easily, quickly and
inexpensively change
the color profile of ATV 40 by simply replacing the upper rear fender panel 60
and without
replacing the lower rear fender panel 57.
The front fender assembly 46 is shown to be provided separately from the rear
fender
assembly 56. However in an alternative embodiment, it will be appreciated that
at least part
of a front fender assembly might be provided integrally (e.g., through a
common molding
process) with at least part of a rear fender assembly. For example, in one
alternative
embodiment, a lower front fender panel might be formed integrally with a lower
rear fender
26
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
panel (e.g., such that the panel may extend from a forward end of an ATV to a
rearward end
of the ATV). An upper front fender panel might additionally or alternatively
be formed
integrally with an upper rear fender panel (e.g., such that the panel may
extend from a
forward end of an ATV to a rearward end of the ATV). However, by facilitating
provision of
separate front and rear fender assemblies, it will be appreciated that
manufacturability of the
fender assemblies can be rendered more efficient and less costly such as, for
example, by
enabling use of smaller molding equipment. Also, while certain fender panels
are described
and/or depicted herein as extending at least partially over two respective
wheels of an ATV, it
will be appreciated that in certain circumstances, one or more fender panels
can extend at
least partially over only one wheel of an ATV, or alternatively over three or
more respective
wheels of an ATV.
It will be appreciated - that a layered fender assembly in accordance with one
embodiment, and such as described above with respect to the front fender
assembly 46 and
the rear fender assembly 56, can exhibit sufficient strength and rigidity so
as to eliminate
need for certain or all of the elongated metal wire stays (e.g., 557 in FIG.
13 as described
above) which are conventionally employed for supporting fender assemblies upon
ATVs. As
wire stays are cumbersome, difficult to install, prone to snagging, and
expensive, it will be
appreciated that a fender assembly in accordance with one embodiment can
provide
significant advantages by removing the need for certain or all supporting wire
stays. For
example, with reference to FIGS. 3, 5, and 12, it can be seen that the left
lower rear fender
portion 58 extends from an inner end 58c to an outer end 58d. Likewise, the
left upper rear
fender portion 61 extends from an inner end 61 c to an outer end 61 d. Each of
the inner ends
58c and 61c are shown in FIG. 12 to be attached to the frame 41 of the ATV 40.
In
27
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
particular, the inner end 58c of the left lower rear fender portion 58 is
shown in FIG. 12 to
contact the inner end 61c of the left upper rear fender portion 61, and a bolt
122 is shown to
pass through a collar 123 and into aligned apertures in each of the inner ends
58c, 61 c and the
frame 41. However, the inner ends 58c and 61c can be directly or indirectly
attached to the
frame 41 of the ATV 40 in any of a variety of suitable alternative
configurations which may
or may not involve fasteners such as bolts.
In one embodiment, the left lower rear fender portion 58 is shown in FIG. 12
to
integrally comprise a leg 103 depending beneath the left lower rear fender
portion 58 adjacent
to the inner end 58c. The leg 103 can be configured to laterally compress
against the frame
41, as shown in FIG. 12, such as for transmitting forces to the frame 41
arising from
downward vertical deflection of the rear fender assembly 56 (e.g., such as if
a heavy object
were dropped upon the rear fender assembly 56). The leg 103 is shown to
comprise a rubber
bumper 104 which is configured to contact the frame 41.
The left upper rear fender portion 61 can be attached to the left lower rear
fender
portion 58 at an attachment location 90. While the attachment location 90 can
be provided
adjacent to at least one of the outer ends 58d and 61d, it can be seen in
that, in the
embodiment of FIG. 12, the attachment location 90 is adjacent to the outer end
61 d of the left
upper rear fender portion 61, and that the outer end 58d of the left lower
rear fender portion
58 defines at least a portion of the outer perimeter of the rear fender
assembly 56. In an
alternative embodiment, the attachment location can be adjacent to the outer
end of the left
lower rear fender portion, and the outer end of the left upper rear fender
portion can define at
least a portion of the outer perimeter of the rear fender assembly.
28
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
The left upper rear fender portion 61 can be attached to the left lower rear
fender
portion 58 at the attachment location 90 in any of a variety of suitable
configurations. One of
these configurations is described in detail below in connection with FIGS. 14-
19. In one
embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19, for example, the left upper rear fender
portion 61 contacts
the left lower rear fender portion 58 at the attachment location 90.
However, regardless of how the left upper rear fender-portion 61 is attached
to the left
lower rear fender portion 58 at the attachment location 90, it will be
appreciated that the left
upper rear fender portion 61 and the left lower rear fender portion 58 can
cooperate to
facilitate resistance of the attachment location 90 and/or an outer perimeter
of the rear fender
assembly 56 to vertical deflection (i.e., without the use of convention
elongated metal wire
stays such as 557 in FIG. 13). By attaching the left upper rear fender portion
61 to the left
lower rear fender portion 58 at the inner ends 58c, 61c and at the attachment
location 90, it
will be appreciated that the portions of the left upper rear fender portion 61
and the left lower
rear fender portion 58 spanning this distance enter a tension/compression
relationship as a
vertical load is applied to the left portion of the rear fender assembly 56.
This
tension/compression relationship facilitates resistance to vertical
deflection, and without the
presence of elongated metal wire stays such as 557 in FIG. 13, as well as
sufficient resilience
to recover from such vertical deflection. It will be appreciated that a fender
assembly can be
subjected to vertical deflection such as when a heavy object falls upon the
fender assembly,
when an operator leans or sits upon the fender assembly, when excessive cargo
is hauled
upon the fender assembly, or when the vehicle collides, for example.
It will be appreciated that the right portion of the rear fender assembly 56
can be
provided in an arrangement similar to that described above with respect to the
left portion of
29
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
the rear fender assembly 56 for avoiding the presence of one or more elongated
metal wire
stays as are conventionally employed to facilitate resistance of a fender
assembly to vertical
deflection. In particular, each of the right lower rear fender portion 59 and
the right upper
rear fender portion 62 can have respective inner ends and respective outer
ends. The
respective inner ends can be attached to the frame 41, and the right lower
rear fender portion
59 and the right upper rear fender portion 62 can be attached together at an
attachment
location 91 disposed adjacent to at least one of the respective outer ends
(e.g., the outer end
of the right upper rear fender portion 62 as shown in FIG. 6).
Additionally, it will be appreciated that the front fender assembly 46 can be
arranged
similarly to the rear fender assembly 56 to avoid the presence of one or more
elongated metal
wire stays as are conventionally employed for resisting vertical deflection of
a fender
assembly. For example, each of the left lower front fender portion 48 and the
left upper front
fender portion 51 can have respective inner ends 48c, 51 c and respective
outer ends 48d, 51 d.
The respective inner ends 48c, 51c can be attached to the frame 41 as
described above with
respect to the inner ends 58c, 61c. The left lower front fender portion 48 and
the left upper
front fender portion 51 can be attached together at an attachment location 88
disposed
adjacent to the outer end 51 d of the left upper front fender portion 51.
Likewise, each of the right lower front fender portion 49 and the right upper
front
fender portion 52 can be provided in a similar arrangement which avoids the
presence of one
or more elongated metal wire stays as are conventionally employed. In
particular, each of the
right lower front fender portion 49 and the right upper front fender portion
52 can have
respective inner ends and respective outer ends. The respective inner ends can
be attached to
the frame 41, and the right lower front fender portion 49 and the right upper
front fender
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
portion 52 can be attached together at an attachment location 89 disposed
adjacent to at least
one of the respective outer ends (e.g., the outer end of the right upper front
fender portion 52
as shown in FIG. 6).
One or more channels can be provided in the front fender assembly 46 and/or
the rear
fender assembly 56 to facilitate the passage of fluid along one or more
predetermined
pathways. Such fluid can include, for example, mud, air, and water. The
channels can be
configured to facilitate cleaning of mud from between overlapping fenders on
the ATV 40,
and can also facilitate passage of air for cooling of components (e.g.,
radiator, transmission,
engine, or electronics) of the ATV 40, and can additionally provide aesthetic
value.
In one embodiment, the rear fender assembly 56 can define two channels 73, 76.
In
particular, the left upper rear fender portion 61 is shown to cooperate with
the left lower rear
fender portion 58 in a spaced relationship to define both an access opening 72
and the
channel 73. The access opening 72 is shown to be directed toward a forward end
106 of the
ATV 40. The channel 73 is shown to be partially defined by a depressed portion
in the lower
rear fender panel 57. The channel 73 is shown to be disposed between the inner
ends 58c,
61c and the attaclunent location 90 such that the left upper rear fender
portion 61 is attached
to the left lower rear fender portion 58 on opposite sides of the channel 73.
The channel 73 is
shown to at least partially overlie the left rear wheel 44 and to be
configured to facilitate
passage of fluid along a predetermined pathway 80 from the access opening 72
to
predetermined egress openings 74 (see FIGS. 9 and 11) and 77 (see FIG. 9). The
channel 73
can extend in a direction which is generally longitudinally oriented from the
forward end 106
of the ATV 40 to a rearward end 107 of the ATV 40 such that the predetermined
pathway 80
31
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
is so routed, as shown best in FIG. 9. However, it will be appreciated that a
channel can be
defined between overlapping body panels in any of a variety of other
configurations.
Much as described above with respect to the access opening 72 and the channel
73,
the right upper rear fender portion 62 is shown to cooperate with the right
lower rear fender
portion 59 in a spaced relationship to define both an access opening 75 and
the channel 76.
The channel 76 is shown to at least partially overlie the right rear wheel 45
and to be
configured to facilitate passage of fluid along a predetermined pathway 81
from the access
opening 75 to the predetermined egress opening 74 (see FIGS. 9 and 11) and to
a
predetermined egress opening 87 (see FIG. 9). The channel 76 can extend in a
direction
which is generally longitudinally oriented from the forward end 106 of the ATV
40 to the
rearward end 107 of the ATV 40 such that the predetermined pathway 81 is so
routed, as
shown best in FIG. 9.
The predetermined egress opening 74 is shown in FIGS. 9 and i 1 to be directed
downwardly and to be at least partially defined by the lower rear fender panel
57 at a location
near a rearward end 107 of the ATV 40 and disposed midway between the left and
right sides
of the ATV 40. The predetermined egress opening 74 might additionally or
alternatively be
at least partially defined by the upper rear fender panel 60. In this
configuration, it will be
appreciated that a substantial portion of the fluid captured by the access
openings 72, 75 and
the channels 73, 76 can be directed through the predetermined egress opening
74 to a location
behind the ATV 40. Much or all of the remaining fluid (e.g., slower-moving
fluid) captured
by the access openings 72, 75 and the channels 73, 76 can be directed through
the
predetermined egress openings 77, 87 to a location beneath the ATV 40. Inside
portions of
the lower and upper rear fender panels 57, 60 (e.g., adjacent to left lower
and upper inside
32
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
edge portions 84, 83 discussed below) can be raised or otherwise formed to
prevent such fluid
from accessing certain areas disposed beneath a seat 96 of the ATV 40 which
might, for
example, include an air intake box for the engine of the ATV 40. However, it
will be
appreciated that one or more predetermined egress openings might be provided
in any of a
variety of alternative locations and arrangements (e.g., see the embodiment of
FIGS. 36, 36a,
37, 38, and 38a).
As described above with respect to the rear fender assembly 56, the front
fender
assembly 46 can define two channels 67, 70. In particular, the left upper
front fender portion
51 is shown to cooperate with the left lower front fender portion 48 in a
spaced relationship
to define both an access opening 66 and the channel 67. The channel 67 is
shown to at least
partially overlie the left front wheel 42 and to be configured to facilitate
passage of fluid
along a predetermined pathway 78 from the access opening 66 to a predetermined
egress
opening 68. The channel 67 can extend in a direction which is generally
longitudinally
oriented from the forward end 106 of the ATV 40 to the rearward end 107 of the
ATV 40
such that the predetermined pathway 78 is so routed.
As described above with respect to the access opening 66 and the channel 67,
the right
upper front fender portion 52 is shown to cooperate with the right lower front
fender portion
49 in a spaced relationship to define both an access opening 69 and the
channel 70. The
channel 70 is shown to at least partially overlie the right front wheel 43 and
to be configured
to facilitate passage of fluid along a predetermined pathway 79 from the
access opening 69 to
a predetermined egress opening 71 (shown in FIG. 4). The channel 70 can extend
in a
direction which is generally longitudinally oriented from the forward end 106
of the ATV 40
to the rearward end 107 of the ATV 40 such that the predetermined pathway 79
is so routed.
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
As previously indicated, the lower and upper rear fender panels 57, 60 can be
attached
to the frame 41 by passing fasteners (e.g., bolt 122 in FIG. 12) through
aligned apertures in
inner ends (e.g., 58c, 61c) of fender portions (e.g., 58, 61) and into
apertures (e.g., threaded
apertures) in the frame 41. In accordance with one embodiment, the lower and
upper rear
fender panels 57, 60 can be attached to the frame 41 prior to attachment of
the seat 96 to the
frame 41. The seat 96 is shown in FIG. 27 to include hooks 92 and 93 for
respectively and
selectively interfacing catches 94 and 95 which are attached to the frame 41,
as shown in
FIG. 10. Through use of the hooks 92, 93 and catches 94, 95, for example, the
seat 96 can be
configured for selective attachment to the frame 41. When the seat 96 is not
attached to the
frame 41, as shown in FIG. 10, it can be seen that the area beneath the seat
can be accessible
for servicing and cleaning, for example. Accordingly, it will be appreciated
that an ability to
conveniently remove and attach the seat in this manner can be advantageous.
The seat 96 is shown in FIG. 27 to include a left bumper member 97 and a right
bumper member 99 which each depend from a bottom surface of the seat 96. The
left
bumper member 97 is shown to comprise a left compression surface 98, and the
right bumper
member 99 is shown to comprise a right compression surface 100. In one
embodiment, each
of the left and right compression surfaces 98, 100 comprise rubber. In another
embodiment,
each of the left and right bumper members 97, 99 are formed partially or
completely from
rubber. While one or more of the compression surfaces and/or bumper members
might be
provided integrally with other portions of the seat, it will be appreciated
that they might
alternatively be attached to other portions of the seat with adhesives,
fasteners, interlocking
mechanical structures, or the like.
34
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
When the seat 96 is attached to the frame 41, as shown in FIG. 28, the left
compression surface 98 is shown to contact a left upper inside edge portion 83
of the left
upper rear fender portion 61 provided at the inner end 61c of the left upper
rear fender
portion 61. The left upper inside edge portion 83 is shown to overlap and
contact a left lower
inside edge portion 84 of the left lower rear fender portion 58 provided at
the inner end 58c of
the left lower rear fender portion 58 (see also FIG. 12). A portion of the
left lower inside
edge portion 84 which corresponds with the left compression surface 98 is
shown in FIG. 28
to contact the frame 41 as well as to contact a portion of the left upper
inside edge portion 83
which corresponds with the left compression surface 98. In this manner, upon
attachment of
the seat 96 to the frame 41 as shown in FIG. 28, the left bumper member 97
sandwiches both
the left upper inside edge portion 83 and the left lower inside edge portion
84 between the left
compression surface 98 and the frame 41. Similarly, upon attachment of the
seat 96 to the
frame 41, the right bumper member 99 sandwiches both a right upper inside edge
portion 85
(see FIG. 5) and a right lower inside edge portion 86 (see FIG. 3) between the
right
compression surface 100 and the frame 41. In doing so, and by assisting the
aforementioned
fasteners (e. g., bolt 122 in FIG. 12), the left and right bumper members 97,
99 sandwich the
respective edge portions 83, 84, 85, 86 of the respective fender portions 61,
58, 62, 59 to
facilitate securement of the rear fender assembly 56 with respect to the frame
41. The left
and right bumper members 97, 99 can also serve to prevent vibration of the
rear fender
assembly 56 with respect to the frame 41.
An attachment location of overlapping fender panels can be achieved in any of
a
variety of suitable configurations. One of those configurations will now be
described with
reference to the attachment location 90 and in connection with the views of
FIGS. 14-19. It
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
will be appreciated that the attachment location 91 (see FIG. 10) can be
provided in an
arrangement similar to that described below with respect to the attachment
location 90. It
will also be appreciated that the attachment locations 88 and 89 can also be
provided in an
arrangement similar to that described below with respect to the attachment
location 90,
except that instead of two bolts (i.e., 330, 380 shown in FIG. 19) and pockets
(i.e., 312, 362
also shown in FIG..19) as are shown in connection with the attachment location
90, each of
the attachment locations 88 and 89 are shown to only comprise a single bolt
(which would
accordingly each involve only a single pocket). It will be appreciated,
however, that an
attachment location involving overlapping panels can involve any number of
bolts and
pockets.
In particular, at the attachment location 90, bolts 330 and 380 are shown to
pass
through respective apertures 310 and 360 in the left upper rear fender portion
61. The left
upper rear fender portion 61 can comprise annular portions (e.g., 358 in FIG.
19) surrounding
and interiorly defining each of the apertures 310 and 360. The annular
portions can be raised
with respect to and/or have a greater thickness than portions of the left
upper rear fender
portion 61 exteriorly adjacent to the annular portions. The annular portions
can be
configured to contact respective compression surfaces (e.g., 384 in FIG. 19)
of respective
bolts (e.g., 380 in FIG. 19), and can be configured to mitigate creep effects
in the left upper
rear fender portion 61 resulting from tightening of the ' bolts (e.g., 380).
For example,
referring to FIG. 19, when a pan head 382 of the bolt 380 is tightened until
the compression
surface 384 contacts a T-nut 370 (as shown with respect to the bolt 330 and a
T-nut 320), the
annular portion 358 is compressed, thus providing tension upon the connection
between the
bolt 380 and the T-nut 370, but without resulting in any substantial
deformation to the left
36
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
upper rear fender panel portion 61 at areas other than beneath the compression
surface 384 of
the bolt 380. Accordingly, due to the presence of these annular portions
(e.g., 358 in FIG.
19), no significant aesthetic deformation is likely to result to the left
upper rear fender portion
61 despite full tightening of the bolts 330, 380 (as shown with respect to the
bolt 330 in FIG.
19).
The left lower rear fender portion 58 is shown in FIGS. 15-19 to comprise two
pockets 312 and 362 at the attachment location 90. Each of the pockets 312,
362 defines a
respective opening 314, 364 extending through the left lower rear fender
portion 58. For
clarity of disclosure, it is noted that while pockets corresponding to the
respective attachment
locations 88, 89, 90 and 91 are visible in FIG. 8, the pockets are not
depicted in FIGS. 3-5, as
overlapping fender panels might be attached without use of pockets (e.g., as
shown in FIGS.
34-35).
For example, the pocket 312 is shown to be configured to receive a base
portion 322
of the T-nut 320 in a snap-fit arrangement such that a neck portion 324 of the
T-nut 320
extends into the opening. The pocket 362 can be similarly configured to
receive the T-nut
370. The neck portion (e.g., 324) of each T-nut (e.g., 320) can define a
threaded aperture
(e.g., 326) such that a threaded end of a corresponding bolt (e.g., 330) may
be received by the
neck portion when the neck portion extends through the opening (e.g., 314).
The pocket 312 can comprise a perimeter 313 which is configured to receive the
T-nut
320, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 18. The perimeter 313 can include two beveled
corners 317
and 318 but can be otherwise generally rectangular, as also shown in FIGS. 16
and 18. The
pocket 312 is shown to also include a wall 343 and two corner stops 315 and
316. In
37
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
particular, the wall 343 can extend from the perimeter 313 and can include
notches 345 and
346 adjacent to each of the beveled corners 317 and 318. In one embodiment, as
shown in
FIGS. 15-18, the notches 345 and 346 can comprise apertures extending entirely
through the
left lower rear fender portion 58. The beveled corners 317 and 318 and the
notches 345 and
346 are shown to together define the corner stops 315 and 316.
Once the T-nut 320 is inserted into the pocket 312, the corner stops 315 and
316 can
cooperate with the wall 343 and the aperture 310 to facilitate retention of
the T-nut 320 in the
snap-fit arrangement within the pocket 312. In particular, once the T-nut 320
is inserted into
the pocket 312, interaction of the neck portion 324 with the aperture 310 and
interaction of
the base portion 322 with the wall 343 and the corner stops 315, 316 can
prevent the T-nut
from easily being removed from the pocket 312. The pocket 362 can be
configured similarly
to the pocket 312 as shown, for example, in FIGS. 15-19.
In order to facilitate attachment of the left upper rear fender portion 61 to
the left
lower rear fender portion 58 at the attachment location 90, the T-nuts 320,
370 can be
inserted into the respective pockets 312, 362 in a snap-fit arrangement as
described above.
The bolts 330, 380 can then be inserted into the respective apertures 310, 360
in the left upper
rear fender portion 61 and into the threaded apertures (e.g., 326) of the
respective T-nuts 320,
370 disposed within the respective pockets 312, 362 of the left lower rear
fender portion 58.
As described above, once the T-nuts 320, 370 are inserted into the respective
pockets 312,
362, removal of the T-nuts 320, 370 from the respective pockets 3 12, 362 may
not be easily
accomplished. Accordingly, there is typically no need to manually hold the T-
nuts 320, 370
during insertion of the bolts 330, 380 into the respective threaded apertures
(e.g., 326) of the
T-nuts 320, 370 because the pockets 312, 362 can be configured to provide this
holding
38
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
function. Because this configuration provides for automatic, hands-free
retention of the T-
mrts 320, 370, the process of assembling the left lower rear fender portion 58
and the left
upper rear fender portion 61 at the attachment location 90 is rendered quite
simple.
It will be appreciated that overlapping panels might be attached (e.g., at an
attachment
location) through use of any of a variety of alternative fastener
arrangements. For example,
in one alternative embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 34-35, respective panels 657
and 660 (e.g.,
vehicular body panels such as fender panels) can be attached through use of a
bolt 630, a
rubber boot 619, and a nut 620 which defines a threaded aperture for receiving
a threaded end
of the bolt 630. The rubber boot 619 can be inserted through an aperture in
the panel 660,
and the panel 657 can be arranged such that an aperture in the panel 657 is
aligned with the
aperture in the panel 660. The bolt 630 can then be threaded into the nut 620,
as shown in
FIG. 34. When the bolt 630 is tightened, the nut 620 is drawn toward the
panels 657, 660,
thus compressing and diametrically expanding the rubber boot 619, and
resultantly securing
the panels 657, 660 together.
As body panels for an ATV are typically manufactured (e.g., molded) within
certain
tolerances, a body panel can be slightly larger or smaller than optimally
desired, yet still fall
within an acceptable tolerance limit. Accordingly, mounting apertures (e.g.,
for bolts)
provided in body panels are often elongated to accommodate for tolerance
variations.
Variations in a body panel's dimensions within the tolerance range are often
not visible to an
onlooker of the vehicle. However, these variations can be noticeable,
particularly when
respective body panels meet at an irregular interface due to one or both of
the body panels
having dimensions approaching a tolerance limit.
39
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
One interface between respective body panels on the ATV 40 is shown to be
provided
near the center of the ATV 40 (i.e., at the midpoint fastener 118 shown in
FIG. 20) where the
front fender assembly 46 meets the rear fender assembly 56, as described
below. Each of the
front and rear fender assemblies 46, 56 can be attached to the frame 41 of the
ATV 40 at this
interface. Since the location of this interface might be a common focal point
of the ATV 40,
substantially no irregularity in this interface may be acceptable. As such,
and in order that
the ATV 40 may consistently display an image of quality and durability, it can
be important
that minimal variation/irregularity is provided between the front and rear
fender assemblies
46, 56 at this interface. To the extent that either of the front and/or rear
fender assemblies 46,
56 approaches a tolerance limit, any variations can be accommodated by
adjustable fastener
arrangements (e.g., involving elongated apertures in the body panels) provided
adjacent to
respective forward and rearward ends 106, 107 of the ATV 40, as described
below. In this
arrangement, because the interfaces between the front and rear fender
assemblies 46, 56 and
other parts of the ATV 40 disposed near the forward and rearward ends 106, 107
of the ATV
40 are not particularly prominent to onlookers of the ATV 40, it is unlikely
that any variation
in tolerance of either of the front or rear fender assemblies 46, 56 would be
noticeable by an
onlooker of the ATV 40.
In particular, the frame 41 is shown in FIG. 3, for example, to extend from a
forward
end 108 to a rearward end 109. The frame 41 is shown to comprise forward
attachment
structures (e.g., 110 in FIG. 6) disposed adjacent to the forward end 108 of
the frame 41. The
frame 41 is also shown to comprise rearward attachment structures (e.g., l l l
in FIG. 26)
disposed adjacent to the rearward end 109 of the frame 41. The frame 41 is
additionally
shown to comprise midpoint attachment structures (e.g., 112 in FIGS. 22-23)
disposed about
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
midway between the forward end 108 of the frame 41 and the rearward end 109 of
the frame
41.
The front fender assembly 46 is shown to be configured for attachment to each
of the
forward attachment structure 110 and the midpoint attachment structure 112.
The rear fender
assembly 56 is shown to be configured for attachment to each of the midpoint
attachment
structure 112 and the rearward attachment structure 111. As shown in FIGS. 21,
24, and 25,
and as described in further detail below, a midpoint fastener 118 (e.g., a
threaded bolt) can be
inserted into aligning apertures 113, 115, 116 respectively defined by the
midpoint
attachment structure 112 and by overlapping portions of the front and rear
fender assemblies
46, 56 (e.g., left lower front and rear fender portions 48 and 5 8,
respectively) to attach these
overlapping portions to the midpoint attachment structure 112. In one
embodiment, as shown
in FIGS. 24 and 25, the aperture 113 in the midpoint attachment structure 112
comprises a
threaded aperture which is configured to receive a threaded end of the
midpoint fastener 118.
In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 24 and 25, for example, the aligning
apertures 115 and
116 defined by the front fender assembly 46 and the rear fender assembly 56
are shown to be
substantially round so as to allow little, if any, variability in terms of
positioning of a forward
end of the rear fender assembly 56 with respect to a rearward end of the front
fender
assembly 46. In one embodiment, and with reference to FIGS. 2 and 20, the
aligning
apertures 115, 116, and 113 and the midpoint fastener 118 can be disposed at a
location
vertically beneath a lowermost portion of the seat 96, and at a location
horizontally forward
of a forwardmost portion of the seat 96. However, it will be appreciated that
these features
might be located in any of a variety of suitable configurations and
arrangements on a vehicle.
41
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
Also, while the midpoint fastener 118 is depicted for attachment of the front
fender
assembly 46 and the rear fender assembly 56 on the left side of the ATV 40, it
will be
appreciated that another midpoint fastener might be provided for similarly
attaching the front
fender assembly 46 and the rear fender assembly 56 on the right side of the
ATV 40. In
particular, the midpoint fastener can comprise a left midpoint fastener (e.g.,
118) and a right
midpoint fastener which are correspondingly disposed upon opposite sides of
the ATV 40,
wherein the left midpoint fastener (e.g., 118) is inserted into the respective
aligning apertures
(e.g., 115, 116, 113) defined by left portions of each of the front fender
assembly (e.g., 46),
the rear fender assembly (e.g., 56), and the midpoint attaclunent structure
(e.g., 112), and
wherein the right midpoint fastener is inserted into respective aligning
apertures defined by
right portions of each of the front fender assembly (e.g., 46), the rear
fender assembly (e.g.,
56), and the midpoint attachment structure (e.g., 112).
In this configuration, the interface between the forward end of the rear
fender
assembly 56 and the rearward end of the front fender assembly 46 can be
substantially
uniform or tight, and any variability in the dimensions of the front and rear
fender assemblies
46, 56 can be accounted for at respective forward and rearward ends 108, 109
of the frame
41, at which locations the front and rear fender assemblies 46, 56 typically
are not expected
to tightly interface with other body components, and slight variations in fit
(e.g., arising from
irregularity during molding of the fender assemblies) are not likely to be
noticeable. In order
to provide this flexibility, the forward end of the front fender assembly 46
can be provided
with elongated slotted apertures (e.g., 114 in FIG. 6), and the rearward end
of the rear fender
assembly 56 can be provided with elongated slotted apertures (e.g., 117 in
FIG. 26).
Fasteners (e.g., a bolt 121 in FIG. 6) can pass through the elongated slotted
apertures (e.g.,
42
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
114 in FIG. 6) in the front fender assembly 46 and into threaded apertures in
the forward
attachment structure 110 of the frame 41. Likewise, fasteners (e.g., a bolt
122 in FIGS. 10,
12 and 26) can pass through the elongated slotted apertures (e.g., 117 in FIG.
26) in the rear
fender assembly 56 and into threaded apertures (e.g., 136 in FIG. 26) in the
rearward
attachment structure III of the frame 41. The midpoint fastener 118
accordingly provides a
datum to facilitate a consistent interface between the front fender assembly
46 and the rear
fender assembly 56 such that tolerance variability in at least one of the
front fender assembly
46 and the rear fender assembly 56 results in variation in attachment to at
least one of the
forward attachment structure 110 and the rearward attachment structure 111
(instead of to the
midpoint attachment structure 112).
The midpoint fasteners (e.g., 118) can be provided in any of a variety of
suitable
configurations for attaching respective portions of the front and rear fender
assemblies 46, 56
to the frame 41. For example, in one particular embodiment, as shown in FIGS.
21-25, the
midpoint fastener 118 is shown to comprise a bolt having a head 120 and a
threaded end 119.
A grommet 216 is shown to surround a portion of the midpoint fastener 118. The
grommet
216 can be disposed between the front fender assembly 46 (e.g., the left lower
front fender
portion 48) and the rear fender assembly 56 (e.g., the left lower rear fender
portion 58) to
prevent the front fender assembly 46 from contacting the rear fender assembly
56 adjacent to
the midpoint fastener 118. By preventing such contact, the grommet 216
prevents abrasion to
the respective front and rear fender assemblies 46, 56 resulting from contact
of the front and
rear fender assemblies 46, 56. The grommet 216 can also be disposed between
each of the
front and rear fender assemblies 46, 56 and the frame 41 to prevent each of
the front and rear
fender assemblies 46, 56 from contacting the frame 41. In this configuration,
heat from the
43
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
frame 41 (e.g., initially radiated from the ATV's engine) is less likely to be
conducted to the
front and rear fender assemblies 46, 56, and warping and discoloration of the
front and rear
fender assemblies 46, 56 can accordingly be prevented. Accordingly, in the
fastening
arrangement of FIGS. 21-25, portions of both the front and rear fender
assemblies 46, 56 can
be attached to common locations of the frame 41, but without contacting each
other or the
frame 41.
In accordance with one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 22-25, the grommet 216
can
have an exterior surface 218 and can define a bore 220 extending
longitudinally from a first
end 222 to a second end 224. The midpoint fastener 118 can pass through the
bore 220, as
shown in FIGS. 24-25. The exterior surface 218 can define an annular channel
226 having a
reduced diameter as compared to longitudinally adjacent annular portions 228,
230 of the
grommet 216 disposed upon opposite sides of the annular channel 226. One of
the
longitudinally adjacent annular portions (i.e., 230) is shown to define the
first end 222, while
the other of the longitudinally adjacent annular portions (i.e., 228) is shown
to define the
second end 224. The grommet 216 can be disposed, as in FIGS. 22-25, such that
the aperture
115 in the front fender assembly 46 surrounds the annular channel 226, and
such that a
portion of the front fender assembly 46 (e.g., a portion of the left lower
front fender portion
48) is retained within the annular channel 226. In one embodiment, as shown in
FIGS. 22-25,
the first end 222 of the grommet 216 can contact the rear fender assembly 56
(e.g., a portion
of the left lower rear fender portion 58) adjacent to the aperture 116 in the
rear fender
assembly 56. Though the grommet 216 can comprise any of a variety of
materials, in one
embodiment, the grommet 216 can comprise a resilient material such as rubber.
44
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
In one embodiment, a sleeve 210 can be provided within the bore 220 of the
grommet
216 such that the bore 220 surrounds the sleeve 210. The sleeve 210 can define
a
longitudinally extending bore 212. As shown in FIGS. 24-25, the midpoint
fastener 118 can
pass through the bore 212 in the sleeve 210 such that the sleeve 210 surrounds
a portion of
the midpoint fastener 118 and is disposed between the grommet 216 and the
midpoint
fastener 118. In this embodiment, the midpoint fastener 118 is configured to
compress the
grommet 216 between the rear fender assembly 56 and the midpoint attachment
structure 112
of the frame 41.
The sleeve 210 can be positioned and configured so as to limit compression of
the
grommet 216 by the midpoint fastener 118. In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS.
24-25,
the sleeve 210 can contact the midpoint attachment structure 112 of the frame
41 and can
additionally extend into the aperture 116 in the rear fender assembly 56 for
contacting the
head 120 of the midpoint fastener 118 upon tightening of the midpoint fastener
118. The
head 120 can also contact the rear fender assembly 56 as shown in FIGS. 24-25.
As also
shown in FIGS. 24-25, the sleeve 210 can comprise a radially extended portion
214 for
contacting and distributing force across a larger surface area of the midpoint
attachment
structure 1 12 of the frame 41. In such circumstance, the second end 224 of
the grommet 216
can contact the radially extended portion 214 such that the grommet 216 is
compressed
between the rear fender assembly 56 and the radially extended portion 214 of
the sleeve 210.
Though the sleeve 210 can comprise any of a variety of materials, in one
embodiment, the
sleeve 210 can comprise metal such as stainless steel. In addition to limiting
compression as
described above, the sleeve 210 can also serve to help prevent transfer of
heat from the frame
41 and/or midpoint fastener 118 to the front and rear fender assemblies 46,
56. It will be
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
appreciated that, in other embodiments, the positions of the front and rear
fender assemblies
46, 56 may be reversed with respect to the midpoint fastener 118, the grommet
216 and/or the
sleeve 210.
A fuel tank cover 190 is shown in FIGS. 20-22 to comprise a body panel which
is
disposed adjacent to the left lower rear fender portion 58 and the left lower
front fender
portion 48. In one embodiment, the fuel tank cover can be integrally provided
by the upper
front fender panel 50. However, in another embodiment, the fuel tank cover can
be provided
as a separate component from the upper front fender panel 50. In either
circumstance, the
fuel tank cover 190 can comprise a tab 194 which defines an aperture 191. A
fastener (e.g., a
push pin 192) can be inserted through the aperture 191 and through an aperture
196 (FIG. 23)
in a portion of the left lower front fender portion 48 to facilitate an
indirect attachment of the
fuel tank cover 190 to the midpoint attachment structure 112 of the frame 41.
In particular,
the push pin 192 is shown to be located adjacent to the midpoint fastener 118
such that the
fuel tank cover 190 is indirectly attached to the frame 41 by way of the
midpoint fastener 118
and the left lower front fender portion 48. In one embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 21, the push
pin 192 can be concealed from view by the left lower rear fender portion 58.
In another
embodiment, a fuel tank cover might additionally or alternatively be attached
with one or
more push pins or other fasteners to one or more components of the ATV 40
other than the
left lower front fender portion 48.
The rear fender assembly 56 can be supported with respect to the frame 41
through
use of fewer elongated metal wire stays than are present upon conventional
ATVs for
supporting fenders. However, a limited number of elongated metal wire stays
might be
provided in some circumstances to support portions of the rear fender assembly
56. In
46
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
particular, as shown in FIGS. 29-30, the lowermost portion of the left lower
rear fender
portion 58 can be supported by a stay assembly 420 with respect to the frame
41 and with
respect to an adjacent mudguard 412 and footrest 410. A similar arrangement
can be
provided upon a right side of the ATV 40.
In particular, as shown in FIGS. 29-30, it can be seen that the stay assembly
420 can
comprise two elongated metal wires 422 and 424. Although it is contemplated
that the
elongated metal wires 422, 424 can be formed from spring-type steel, it will
be appreciated
that the elongated metal wires 422, 424 might alternatively be formed from
some other
material(s). Each of the elongated metal wires 422, 424 are shown to be
attached to each of
the frame 41, the left lower rear fender portion 58, the footrest 410, and the
mudguard 412.
In other embodiments, it will be appreciated that a stay assembly might
comprise only a
single elongated metal wire, or might alternatively comprise more than two
elongated metal
wires.
Each of the elongated metal wires 422, 424 are shown to be attached to the
left lower
rear fender portion 58 at a common location. In particular, a bolt 428 is
shown to be provided
for passage through an aperture in the left lower rear fender portion 58,
through an end 440 of
the elongated metal wire 422, and into a swivel clip 427 which wraps around a
portion of the
elongated metal wire 424. In other embodiments, the elongated metal wires of a
stay
assembly can be attached to a fender portion in alternative configurations
(e.g., at different
locations).
The elongated metal wires 422, 424 are shown to attach to the frame 41 at
differing
locations. In particular, the elongated metal wire 424 is shown to have an end
425 which is
47
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
wrapped around a bolt 426 which can be inserted into a threaded aperture in
the frame 41.
While this configuration is effective for attaching an end of an elongated
metal wire to a
frame of a vehicle, it does not provide an effective arrangement for attaching
a middle portion
of an elongated metal wire to a frame, as it would require overly complex
bending of the
elongated metal wire and would facilitate insufficient flexibility of movement
by the attached
components. An attempt to weld a mounting bracket to a middle portion of an
elongated
metal wire can result in disadvantageously affecting the resiliency and
tensile strength of the
elongated metal wire.
As such, the elongated metal wire 422 is shown to be attached to the frame 41
through
use of a swivel clip 454 which surrounds a longitudinal portion 423 of the
elongated metal
wire 422. As described in further detail below, the swivel clip 454 can
facilitate attachment
of the elongated metal wire 422 to the frame 41, but can also facilitate at
least some
movement of the elongated metal wire 422 with respect to the frame 41. The
elongated metal
wire 422 is shown to be attached to the left lower rear fender portion 58 and
the mudguard
412 on opposite sides of the longitudinal portion 423 of the elongated metal
wire 422. The
elongated metal wire 422 is also shown to be attached to the mudguard 412 on
opposite sides
of the longitudinal portion 423 of the elongated metal wire 422. The swivel
clip 454 can be
attached to the frame 41 through use of a bolt 468, for example. In other
embodiments,
respective elongated metal wires may be attached to a frame in any of a
variety of alternative
configurations.
The elongated metal wires 422, 424 are shown to be attached to the mudguard
412 at
differing locations. In particular, the elongated metal wire 424 is shown to
be attached to the
mudguard 412 with bolts 430, 434 inserted through apertures in the mudguard
412 and into
48
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
respective swivel clips 429, 433. The elongated metal wire 422 is shown to be
attached to the
mudguard 412 with bolts 432, 436 inserted through apertures in the mudguard
412 and into
respective swivel clips 431, 435. In other embodiments, respective elongated
metal wires
may be attached to a mudguard in any of a variety of alternative
configurations for at least
partially supporting the mudguard with respect to a footrest, frame, and rear
fender assembly
of an ATV.
The elongated metal wires 422, 424 are shown to be attached to the footrest
410 at
differing locations. In particular, an end of the elongated metal wire 424 is
shown to be
inserted into an aperture in the footrest 410 for securement to the footrest
410. An end 442 of
the elongated metal wire 422 is shown to be wrapped around a bolt 443 which
can be inserted
into a threaded aperture in the footrest 410. In other embodiments, respective
elongated
metal wires may be attached to a footrest in any of a variety of alternative
configurations.
It can be seen that the stay assembly 420, and in particular the elongated
metal wires
422, 424, can be configured to facilitate consistent spacing between the
mudguard 412 and
the left lower rear fender portion 58 of the rear fender assembly 56. As such,
during use of
the ATV 40, the position of the mudguard 412 is unlikely to move significantly
with respect
to the rear fender assembly 56, and debris is less likely to be caught within
a gap between the
mudguard 412 and the left lower rear fender portion 58 of the rear fender
assembly 56 (e.g.,
as compared to a conventional ATV having the arrangement depicted in FIG. 33).
As previously indicated, and as shown in further detail in FIGS. 31-32, the
elongated
metal wire 422 is shown to be attached to the frame 41 through use of a swivel
clip 454. The
swivel clip 454 is shown to comprise a retention portion 456 and a mounting
portion 458. In
49
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
one embodiment, the swivel clip 454 can comprise a ribbon 462 which is formed
from metal
or some other material(s). The ribbon 462 can extend from a first end 464 to a
second end
466. A portion of the ribbon 462 (e.g., the retention portion 456) can at
least partially
surround the longitudinal portion 423 of the elongated metal wire 422 such
that the first end
464 overlaps the second end 466. The retention portion 456 is shown to be
located about
midway along the ribbon 462 between the first end 464 and the second end 466.
Once overlapped in this manner, and as shown in FIGS. 31-32, the first and
second
ends 464, 466 can be attached to the frame 41 such that the elongated metal
wire 422 is
movably attached to the frame 41 by the ribbon 462. In particular, the
mounting portion 458
of the ribbon 462 can include the first end 464 of the ribbon 462 which
defines an aperture
465, and the second end 466 of the ribbon 462 which defines an aperture 467.
The frame 41
can define a threaded aperture 470. The bolt 468 can pass through a washer
469, through the
apertures 465, 467, and then into the threaded aperture 470 to facilitate
attachment of the
swivel clip 454 to the frame 41.
It will be appreciated that this movable attachment of the elongated metal
wire 422 to
the frame 41 by the swivel clip 454 can involve at least some rotation of the
longitudinal
portion 423 with respect to the frame 41 and/or at least some longitudinal
motion of the
longitudinal portion 423 with respect to the frame 41. By allowing some
movement of the
longitudinal portion 423 with respect to the frame 41, it will be appreciated
that the swivel
clip 454 reduces the amount of bending or other force which might otherwise be
imposed
upon the rear fender assembly 56 and/or the footrest 410 if the longitudinal
portion 423 were
rigidly secured to the frame 41.
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
To attach a lowermost end of the left lower rear fender portion 58 to the
frame 41 of
the ATV 40, the elongated metal wire 422 can be attached to the left lower
rear fender
portion 58 and to the mudguard 412 on opposite sides of the longitudinal
portion 423 of the
elongated metal wire 422, as shown in FIGS. 29-30. The elongated metal wire
422 can also
be attached to the mudguard 412 on opposite sides of the longitudinal portion
423 of the
elongated metal wire 422, as also shown in FIGS. 29-30. The ribbon 462 can be
wrapped at
least partially around the longitudinal portion 423 of the elongated metal
wire 422 such that
the respective apertures 465, 467 in the first and second ends 464, 466 of the
ribbon 462 are
aligned. The bolt 468 can then be inserted through the apertures 465, 467 in
the ribbon 462
and into the threaded aperture 470 provided in the frame 41 of the ATV 40 to
facilitate
movable attachment of the elongated metal wire 422 with respect to the frame
41 of the ATV
40.
It will be appreciated that fender panels can be provided for a vehicle such
as an ATV
in any of a variety of other suitable configurations. For example, in one
alternative
embodiment, as shown in FIGS 36, 36a, 37, 38, and 38a, an ATV can include a
frame 741
and front and rear fender assemblies 746, 756 provided in an overlapping
arrangement. In
particular, the front fender assembly 746 is shown to comprise a lower front
fender panel 747
and an upper front fender panel 750. The lower front fender panel 747 is shown
to extend to
an outer perimeter 753, and the upper front fender panel 750 is shown to
extend to an outer
perimeter 754. The lower front fender panel 747 is shown to comprise a left
lower front
fender portion 748 and a right lower front fender portion 749, and to have a
top surface 748a
and a bottom surface 748b. The upper front fender panel 750 is shown to
comprise a left
upper front fender portion 751 and a right upper front fender portion 752, and
to have a top
51
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
surface 751 a and a bottom surface 75lb. Both the lower and upper front fender
panels 747
and 750 can together provide a fender for left and right front wheels of an
ATV, can each
receive contact from debris thrown from the left and right front wheels, and
can also each
serve as a decorative body panel, such as described above with respect to the
embodiment of
FIGS. 1-12 and 14-32.
The rear fender assembly 756 is shown to comprise a lower rear fender panel
757 and
an upper rear fender panel 760. The lower rear fender panel 757 is shown to
extend to an
outer perimeter 763, and the upper rear fender panel 760 is shown to extend to
an outer
perimeter 764. The lower rear fender panel 757 is shown to comprise a left
lower rear fender
portion 758 and a right lower rear fender portion 759, and to have a top
surface 758a and a
bottom surface 758b. The upper rear fender panel 760 is shown to comprise a
left upper rear
fender portion 761 and a right upper rear fender portion 762, and to have a
top surface 761a
and a bottom surface 76lb. Similar to the arrangement described above with
respect to FIGS.
1-12 and 14-32, both the lower and upper rear fender panels 757 and 760 can
together
provide a fender for left and right rear wheels of an ATV, can each receive
contact from
debris thrown from the left and right rear wheels, and can also each serve as
a decorative
body panel. Channels are shown in FIGS. 36, 36a, 37, 38, and 38a to be
provided in the front
and rear fender assemblies 746 and 756 to facilitate passage of fluid along
one or more
predetermined pathways, such as described above with respect to the embodiment
of FIGS.
1-12 and 14-32. Some or all of the other features described above with respect
to the
embodiment of FIGS. 1-12 and 14-32 may also be provided in the embodiment of
FIGS. 36,
36a, 37, 38, and 38a, some of which are depicted in FIGS. 36, 36a, 37, 38, and
38a.
52
CA 02726108 2010-12-14
While many of the foregoing features involve respective fender panels, it will
be
appreciated that other embodiments might involve other types of respective
panels which
may or may not comprise body panels such as might be provided upon a vehicle.
The foregoing description of embodiments and examples has been presented for
purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive
or to limit the
invention to the forms described. Numerous modifications are possible in light
of the above-
teachings. Some of those modifications have been discussed, and others will be
understood
by those skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in
order to best
illustrate various embodiments as are suited to the particular use
contemplated. It is hereby
intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended
hereto.
53
