Cargo carrying compartments of an all terrain vehicle

• US 20020033287A1
• Filed: 09/13/2001
• Published: 03/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Incorporated (Bombardier Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Incorporated (Bombardier Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bombardier, Charles
• Granted Patent: US 6,659,566 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/89.1
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 33/02 Platforms; Open load compartments flat wagons including posts or standards B61D3/08
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 1/12 Box-shaped seats; Bench-type seats, e.g. dual or twin seats

Abstract

An all-terrain vehicle (ATV) includes various storage compartments so that the weight loaded onto the vehicle may be evenly distributed between the front and rear suspension of the ATV. The ATV is capable of hauling a variety of loads over various terrains. The ATV contains a rear storage compartment, at least two side storage compartments, a front storage compartment, and a front rack to enable the rider to carry or attach a wide variety of loads onto the ATV without causing the vehicle to overturn or flip up due to the additional weight. Additionally, the ATV may also include a tree guard positioned on each side of the ATV to protect the rear storage and side compartments and to prevent cargo on the rear storage compartment from being dislodged by trees that might protrude into the rider'"'"'s path.

Claims

1. A straddle-type vehicle comprising:

a frame;

a pair of front wheels suspended from a front portion of the frame;

a pair of rear wheels suspended from a rear portion of the frame and defining a rear axle;

a power unit mounted on the frame; and

a rear storage compartment pivotally mounted to and disposed above the rear portion of the frame, the rear storage compartment having a center of gravity positioned over the rear axle.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the rear storage compartment is fixedly connected to a pivoting frame that is pivotably connected to the frame, the pivoting frame includes a first link supporting the rear storage compartment and a second link extending away from the first link and pivoting coupled to the frame, the second link being fixed to a central portion of the first link.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising:

a receptacle provided on the frame; and

a pin mounted to the rear storage compartment, the pin being insertable into an aperture of the receptacle.

4. The vehicle according to 3, wherein the pin is movable to ensure registration between the aperture and the pin.

5. The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising:

a fender positioned over the front or rear wheels; and

at least one side compartment provided to the fender, the side compartment being positioned between the front and rear wheels.

6. The vehicle according to claim 5 further comprising a front storage rack and a front storage compartment.

7. The vehicle according to claim 6, wherein a weight of the vehicle is evenly distributed between the front wheels and the rear wheels.

8. The vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the at least one side compartment is formed in one piece with the fender.

9. The vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the at least one side compartment is detachable from the fender.

10. The vehicle according to claim 5 further comprising a cover structure which substantially encloses the side compartment.

11. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the power unit is configured so as to be capable of providing power to each of the front and rear pairs of wheels.

13. The vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the power unit is configured so as to be capable of providing power to each of the front and rear pairs of wheels.

15. The vehicle according to claim 14, further comprising a rear fender structure mounted to the frame, the at least one side compartment structure having a rear wall that is integrally formed with the rear fender structure.

16. The vehicle according to claim 14, wherein the at least one side compartment structure is configured to hold about 15 pounds therein.

17. The vehicle according to claim 14, wherein the at least one side compartment structure is detachably coupled to the frame.

18. The vehicle according to claim 14, further comprising a fender structure, the at least one side compartment structure being detachably mounted to the fender structure.

19. The vehicle according to claim 14, wherein the at least one side compartment structure is aligned with one of a left and right one of the pairs of front and rear wheels.

20. The vehicle according to claim 14, wherein the at least one side compartment structure includes a bottom wall and a plurality of upstanding walls.

21. The vehicle according to claim 20, wherein the plurality of walls includes a rear wall, a front wall, an inside wall, and an outside wall.

22. The vehicle according to claim 21, wherein the front and outside walls are shorter than the rear and inside walls.

23. The vehicle according to claim 21, wherein the inside wall is formed as part of an engine enclosure wall.

24. The vehicle according to claim 21, wherein the rear wall is formed as part of a fender structure.

25. The vehicle according to claim 14, wherein the power unit is configured to provide power to each of the front and rear pairs of wheels.

26. The vehicle according to claim 14, wherein the at least one side compartment includes a cover structure which substantially encloses the side compartment.

12. A straddle-type vehicle comprising:

a frame;

a pair of front wheels suspended from a front portion of the frame;

pair of rear wheels suspended from a rear portion of the frame;

a power unit mounted on the frame;

a seat positioned over the power unit;

a rear storage compartment positioned over the rear portion of the frame;

a front storage rack and compartment positioned adjacent the front wheels; and

a side compartment on each side of the seat, each side compartment being positioned between the front and rear wheels,

wherein the rear storage compartment, the front storage rack and compartment and the side compartment provide an even distribution of load between the front and rear pairs of wheels.

14. A straddle-type vehicle comprising:

a frame;

a pair of front wheels suspended from a front portion of the frame;

a pair of rear wheels suspended from a rear portion of the frame;

a power unit mounted on the frame; and

at least one side compartment structure coupled to the frame on a lateral side of the frame between the pairs of front and rear wheels, wherein the side compartment structure is configured to define a storage receptacle.