Running board for an all-terrain vehicle, and vehicle incorporating same

• US 20040201197A1
• Filed: 03/31/2004
• Published: 10/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Inami, Shigeto, Takeshima, Masao
• Granted Patent: US 7,097,188 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/163
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 3/002 Running boards for vehicle tops B60R3/005; at the sides of the vehicle for carrying loads B60R9/02

Abstract

A running board for an all-terrain vehicle includes structure for substantially blocking snow, mud and the like from landing onto the running board during operation, and also for blocking engine heat from excessively warming the feet of a rider. In a running board including a step portion which is positioned on a side of a powertrain unit having an operation pedal in a side portion thereof, a partition is provided between the engine and the step portion, the partition including an insertion opening portion into which the operation pedal is inserted. The partition can be made wider since the operation pedal is inserted into the insertion opening portion blocking snow, mud and the like from coming through a space between the running board and the engine. The partition plate also tends to block engine heat from excessively warming the feet of a rider.

Claims

1. A running board apparatus for an all-terrain vehicle, said running board apparatus comprising:

a step portion for lateral placement on a side of a powertrain unit having an operation pedal extending outwardly from a side portion thereof, said step portion adapted to support a foot of a rider thereon; and

a partition plate for placement on the vehicle between the engine and the step portion, the partition plate having an insertion aperture formed therein for allowing the operation pedal to extend therethrough, wherein the insertion aperture extends along the partition plate in both a front-rear direction and an upper-lower direction.

2. The running board apparatus for an all-terrain vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the step portion is provided as part of a running board main body;

and wherein the partition plate is provided as a separate body from the running board main body, and includes a slot extending from the insertion aperture to an edge of the partition plate.

3. The running board apparatus for an all-terrain vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a peripheral portion of the partition plate, surrounding the insertion aperture, is formed with a stepped structure, such that in an installed configuration thereof, a front side of the peripheral portion is positioned to an engine side of the operation pedal, and a rear side thereof is positioned on the opposite side of the operation pedal from the front side.

6. The all-terrain vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a peripheral portion of the partition plate, surrounding the insertion aperture, is formed with a stepped structure, such that a front side to the peripheral portion is positioned to an engine side of the operation pedal, and a rear side thereof is positioned on the opposite side of the operation pedal from the front side.

4. An all-terrain vehicle, comprising:

a frame;

a powertrain unit operatively attached to the frame and having an operation pedal extending outwardly from a side portion thereof;

a body cover for covering the frame, said body cover comprising a running board apparatus which comprises;

a running board main body for placement on a side of said powertrain unit, said running board main body comprising a step portion adapted to support a foot of a rider thereon; and

a partition plate disposed between the engine and the step portion, the partition plate having an insertion aperture formed therein, allowing an end portion of the operation pedal to extend therethrough.

5. The all-terrain vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the partition plate is provided as a separate body from the running board main body, and wherein the partition plate includes a slot extending from the insertion aperture to an edge thereof.