Textured all-terrain vehicle fenders

• US 7,669,678 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2004
• Issued: 03/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arctic Cat Incorporated (Textron Inc)
• Original Assignee: Arctic Cat Incorporated (Textron Inc)
• Inventors: Benedict, Timothy W., Tweet, Ole E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ilan; Ruth
• Application Number:
  US11/018,516
• Publication Number:
  US 20060131827A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,898 Days
• Field of Search: 180/89.1, 180/311, 296/198, 296/181.2, 296/901.01, 280/304.3, 280/304.4, 280848-850, 280/770
• US Class Current: 180/89.1
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 15/00 Mud-guards for wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 5/01 Motorcycles with four or more wheels specially adapted for disabled riders B62K5/003

Abstract

The present disclosure describes an all terrain straddle-type vehicle for carrying a load including a rider. The vehicle includes a frame, a plurality of wheels, a rear fender, a front fender, and a body panel. The wheels, including front and rear wheels coupled to the frame. The fenders are secured to the frame for covering the wheels. The fenders are formed from a plastic material having a smooth portion and a textured portion thereon. The smooth and textured portions are disposed adjacent to one another and formed integrally on the fender. The textured portion is positioned on the fender in a location of frequent rider or other load contact. The body panel is secured to the frame forward of the rear fender. The body panel includes a textured portion situated in a location of frequent rider contact. A method of manufacturing a fender is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A body panel for a straddle-ridden type vehicle for use by a rider wherein the rider comes in frequent contact with the body panel during use, the panel comprising:

a. a smooth exterior portion; and

b. a textured exterior portion adjacent said smooth portion, said textured portion being positionable adjacent the leg of the rider in a frequent rider contact zone of the vehicle, wherein said smooth exterior portion and said textured exterior portion are formed of the same unitary body panel, said textured portion being molded unitarily with said smooth portion.

2. The body panel of claim 1, wherein said smooth exterior portion and said textured exterior portion both comprise a portion of a fender.

3. The body panel of claim 2, wherein said textured exterior portion is situated on said fender in a location of frequent rider leg contact.

4. The body panel of claim 3, wherein the vehicle is an all-terrain vehicle having a seat, said fender being a rear fender, said textured portion being a portion of the fender adjacent the seat.

5. The body panel of claim 3, wherein the vehicle is an all-terrain vehicle, said fender being a front fender, said textured portion being a portion of the front fender adjacent the front of the leg of the rider.

6. The body panel of claim 3, wherein said fender is formed of a plastic material.

7. The body panel of claim 1, wherein said textured exterior portion is situated on said body panel in a location of frequent rider leg and knee contact.

8. The body panel of claim 7, wherein said textured exterior portion is situated generally beneath and forward of a seating location of the vehicle.

9. The body panel of claim 7, wherein the vehicle is an all-terrain vehicle.

10. The body panel of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is configured for carrying a load, said textured exterior portion extending to location of frequent vehicle load contact.

11. The body panel of claim 10, wherein the vehicle is an ATV and wherein said smooth exterior portion and said textured exterior portion both comprise a portion of a fender.

12. The body panel of claim 11, wherein said fender is formed of a plastic material.