UTILITY VEHICLE WITH FOLDING REAR CAB FRAME

Abstract

A utility vehicle (2) includes front and rear ground-coupling members (6, 10) configured to make contact with a ground surface (G), a drivetrain assembly operably coupled to the ground-coupling members, and a frame (20) supported by the ground-coupling members and extending along a longitudinal axis of the utility vehicle. The utility vehicle also includes a rear cargo platform assembly (250) supported by the frame and extending over a portion of the rear ground-coupling member. The rear cargo platform assembly has a rear platform (300) with at least one first seating position. Additionally, the utility vehicle includes a rear platform frame assembly (500) with an upright position and a folded position.The vehicle has a first height (h1) from the ground surface when the rear platform frame is in the upright position and a second height (h2) from the ground surface, lower than the first height, when the rear cab frame is in the folded position. The second height is 182.8-213.36 cm (72 to 84 inches).

Description

UTILITY VEHICLE WITH FOLDING REAR CAB ARMORY Carago gives the invention The present invention relates in general to a vehicle and in particular to a vehicle with ergonomic, safety and maintenance characteristics, and others. Background of the Invention Vehicles such as utility vehicles, off-road vehicles, tractors, and other similar vehicles are common. These vehicles may include front and rear storage compartments, as is the case with trucks. Vehicles are also configured to accommodate sub-mounts with axles, such as trailers. Utility vehicles are also configured to support at least one operator. Some utility vehicles can support one or more passengers. Passengers may share a bench seat, or the vehicle may have individual seats in a side-by-side configuration. Brief Description of the Invention In one embodiment, a utility vehicle comprises at least one front ground contact member configured to make contact with a surface of IR L Lnn / įZРZ / B / YILI ground, at least one rear ground contact member configured for contact with the ground surface, a drivetrain assembly operably coupled to the ground contact members, and a frame supported by the ground contact members and extending along a longitudinal axis of the utility vehicle. The utility vehicle also comprises a rear cargo platform assembly supported by the frame and extending over a portion of the rear ground contact member. The rear cargo platform assembly has a rear platform having at least a first settling position. Additionally, the utility vehicle comprises a rear cab frame assembly having an upright position and a folded position.The vehicle has a first height from the ground surface when the rear cab frame is in the upright position and a second height from the ground surface, lower than the first height, when the rear cab frame is in the folded position. The second height is 198 to 213 cm (72 to 84 inches). In another embodiment, a utility vehicle comprises at least one front ground contact member configured for contact with a ground surface, at least one rear ground contact member configured for contact with a ground surface, a IR L Lnn / ίΖΠΖ / Β / ΥΙΛΙ - 3 drive train assembly operably coupled to the ground contact members and a frame supported by the ground contact members and extending along a longitudinal axis of the utility vehicle» The utility vehicle also comprises a cab frame coupled to and extending upwards from the frame, a rear cargo platform assembly supported by the frame and extending over a portion of the rear ground contact member, and a rear cab frame assembly having an upright position and a folded position, when the rear cab frame assembly is in the folded position, the vehicle has a folded height from the ground surface of 198 cm (78 inches) or less and defined by a member of the rear cab frame assembly. In a further embodiment, a utility vehicle comprises at least one frontal ground contact member configured for contact with a surface of λ ™ λ Ί ~ η* 4 £3ΤΊ ί* Ί ΐ“ Λ V ¿25 ΥΊ Uí»< A Ai UÍ X Λ^β·* jf A· '*»! il 1 i^íi· A ¿LvJ ti Wa A hl 5 A hi lA· Ai V· íi + l W %w4A Λ L· ¿A tw^AA VU ​IR L Lnn / įZРZ / B / YILI a first seating area supported by the frame and configured for an operator, a second seating area positioned behind the first seating area, and a third seating area positioned behind the second seating area and extending over a portion of the rear ground-contacting member. The utility vehicle further comprises a rear cab frame assembly having an upright position and a folded position. The rear cab frame assembly extends over the second and third seating areas when in the upright position. The vehicle height is 198 cm (78 in) or less from the ground surface when the rear cab frame assembly is in the folded position. bravee bescri^dón de las figuras The features mentioned above and others of this invention, as well as the manner of obtaining them, will become more evident and the description itself will be better understood with reference to the following description of the embodiments of the invention taken together with the accompanying figures, where: Figure 1 is a front left perspective view of a vehicle according to the present description; IR L Lnn / Lznz / E / YILI - 5 Figure 2 is a perspective view of the lower right rear side of the vehicle in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a left side view of the vehicle in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a right side view of the vehicle in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a top view of the vehicle in Figure 1; Figure δ is a bottom view of the vehicle in Figure 1; Figure 7 is a front view of the vehicle in Figure 1; Figure 8 is a rear view of the vehicle in Figure 1; Figure 9 is a front left perspective view of a vehicle frame according to the present description; Figure 10 is a right rear perspective view of the frame of Figure 9; Figure 11 is a left side view of the vehicle frame of Figure 9; Figure 12 is a perspective view of the underside of the vehicle frame of Figure 9; Figure 13 is a rear left perspective view of the folding vehicle frame; LR L Lnn / ίΖΠΖ / Β / ΥΙΛΙ - 6 Figure 14 is a view similar to that of Figure 13 showing the frame in the folded position; Figure 15 is a view similar to that of Figure 13, showing the folding frame deployed from the vehicle; Figure 16 is a perspective view of the folding frame; Figure 17 is an exploded view of the folding frame; Figure 18 is a view showing the seat belt mounting clamps for the third area and rear seat area; Figure 19 is a view showing the seat belt assembly; Figure 20 is a front right perspective view of the vehicle of Figure 1 with an alternative embodiment of a rear folding cab frame assembly in a vertical position; Figure 21 is a rear left perspective view of the rear folding cockpit frame assembly of the alternative modality of Figure 20 in the upright position; Figure 22 is a rear left side view of a rear folding cockpit frame assembly of the alternate modality of Figure 20 in the position LA L Lnn / ίΖΠΖ / Β / ΥΙΛΙ vertical; Figure 23 is a rear view of the rear folding cockpit frame assembly of an alternative embodiment of Figure 22 in the upright position; Figure 24 is a front right perspective view of the rear folding cockpit frame assembly in a partially folded position; Figure 25 is a rear left perspective view of the rear folding cockpit frame assembly in the partially folded position of Figure 24; Figure 26 is a front right perspective view of the rear folding cockpit frame assembly in a folded position; Figure 27 is a rear left perspective view of the rear folding cockpit frame assembly in the folded position of Figure 26; Figure 28 is a left side view of the rear folding cab frame assembly in the folded position of Figure 26; and Figure 29 is a rear view of the rear folding cab frame assembly in the folded position of Figure 26. The corresponding reference numbers indicate corresponding parts and various views. Unless otherwise stated, the figures are proportional. IR L Lnn / ίΖΠΖ / Β / ΥΙΛΙ Description of the Invention The embodiments described below are not intended to be exhaustive, nor to limit the invention to the precise forms described in the detailed description below. Rather, the embodiments are selected and described in such a way that other persons skilled in the field may benefit from their teachings. Although the present description relates primarily to a utility vehicle, it should be understood that the features described herein may have application to other types of vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, snow sleds, and golf carts. With reference to Figure 1, an illustrative embodiment of a vehicle 2 is shown. The vehicle 2, as illustrated, includes a plurality of ground-contacting members 4, illustratively wheels. A first set of wheels 6, one on each side of the vehicle 2, generally corresponds to a front axle 8 (Figure 6). A second set of wheels 10, one on each side of the vehicle 2, generally corresponds to a rear axle 12 (Figure 6). It should be understood that the vehicle described herein may include any of the components of the prior military vehicles as described and shown in US patents 7,795,602 (WO2008115463); 8,029,021 (WO2008115461); 7,717,495 and 8,205,910 (WO2008H5459); - 9 subject matter which is incorporated herein as a reference. In one embodiment, one or more of the wheels may be replaced by tracks, as for example. Prospector II Tracks available from Solaris Industries, Inc., located at 2100 Highway 55 in Medina, MN 55340. As shown, the wheels include pneumatic tires mounted on conventional steel rims. Alternatively, the tires may be non-pneumatic, as shown in US patents 6,176,957 (WO2011011419) and 0,104,524 (WO200@1189S3) or in our US patent application publication number 20130240272 (WO2O13138540), the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference. Vehicle 2 further includes a frame 20 (Figure 6) supported by a plurality of members 4 in contact with the ground. The frame 20 supports a vehicle body 22, a rear support area 24, and an operator area 30. Vehicle 22 defines an operator area 30, which includes seat 32 for one or more passengers; and as described more fully in this document, the rear support area 24 may include additional seats. As shown in Figure 4, the operator area 30 further includes a front seating area 42 having front seats 44, with seat bottoms 44a and seat backs 44b; and a rear seating area 46 that IR L Lnn / Lznz / E / YILI - 10 has seats 48 with seat bottoms 48a and seat backs 48b. Although not shown, the operator area 30 may further include passenger seat belts and harnesses to secure the passenger in their respective seats 44, 48, as more fully described in US Patent 8,640,914 (WO2010148014), incorporated herein by reference. In addition, the operator area may include side nets, again to add extra passenger safety, as more fully described in US Patent 9,329,235 (WO2010148014), incorporated herein by reference. Frame 20 includes a cab frame 50 that extends above the operator area 30. The cab frame 50 is provided to protect the occupants of the operator area 30 from tilting or rolling of vehicle 2. In one embodiment, the cab frame 50 can be moved from a first position that protects the operator area 30 to a second position that provides vehicle 2 with a smaller enclosure than when the cab frame 50 is in the first position. Additional details about the exemplary movable portions are provided in US Patent 7,871,106. In a second embodiment, the cab frame 50 can be folded from a first position to a second position, as shown in US Patent Application Serial Number - 11 8,998,253 (WO2013149106), the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference. With reference to Figures 9 through 12, frame assembly 20 will be described in more detail. Frame assembly 20 includes a front frame portion 62, a middle frame portion 64, and a rear frame portion 66. In addition to providing structural support, rigidity, and defining the vehicle 2, each of the front frame portion 62, middle frame portion 64, and rear frame portion 66 is configured to support accessories and various components of the vehicle 2. As shown in Figure 9, the front frame portion 62 is defined by a plurality of frame members, which may be comprised of any structural support material, for example, polymeric materials, metallic materials such as steel, aluminum, and / or any other material configured to support the vehicle 2 and its various components and systems located on the front frame portion 62. For example, the front frame portion 62 may be at least partially comprised of a high-strength steel material such as chromium alloy. Additionally, the frame members defining the front frame portion 62 may be coupled together with fasteners. - 12 such as welding, rivets, bolts, adhesive or any other type of fastener. The front frame portion 62 includes upper front members 70 and a cross member 72 extending between them. For illustrative purposes, the upper front members 70 and / or the cross member 72 may be made of a high-strength steel material (e.g., chrome alloy). The upper front members 70 are also coupled to the ten lower front members 74. The lower front members 74 are coupled to a mounting plate 75, which supports a portion of a drivetrain, a portion of the steering assembly, and / or a portion of the front suspension assembly. The mounting plate 75 extends 1S rearward to engage with a removable portion 68 of the frame assembly 20. The removable portion 68 provides lower access to the frame assembly 20 for assembly, disassembly, and servicing of the drivetrain assembly, as detailed in US Provisional Patent Application Publication No. 20140124279, filed September 20, 2012 (WO20140474g8), entitled VEHICLE; US Provisional Patent Application Publication No. 20150343900, filed May 10, 2013, entitled “VEHICLE’1 (WO2014047488); and US Utility Patent Application Publication No. 20140124279, filed on IR L Lnn / Lznz / E / YILI - 13 September 19, 2013 entitled VEHICLE (WO2Q14047488); the full descriptions of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. Positioned above the removable portion 68 and the mounting plate 75 are the front upper longitudinal frame members 76. The front upper longitudinal frame members 76 are coupled to the transverse member 72 and extend rearward to couple with the intermediate frame portion 64. More specifically, the front upper longitudinal frame members 76 bend outward and rearward. The vertical members 84 can be used to couple the front upper longitudinal frame members 76 to the front upper members 70. A pair of front lower longitudinal frame members 88 are supported below the front upper longitudinal frame members 76. The front ends of the front lower longitudinal frame members 88 are coupled to the front lower members 74 and the rear ends of the front lower longitudinal frame members 88 are coupled to the front upper longitudinal frame members 76. The front frame portion 62 also includes frame members 78 and frame members 80. As IR L Lnn / ίΖΠΖ / Β / ΥΙΛΙ - 14 shows in Figure 9, the frame members 78 and 80 <*Ύ 6» TI £& T'JSS S Ί 13 Τ'! 13 1 Γ*Χ CS ΓΓΐ 3 iSS'ÍVl}'·'» Ví“\ tn “Ρ ΤΑΤΊ 4~ U Ί £S CU « ϊ ϊ Τ*» ΊΡ*· Ί / *% Τ' £& β! ¿¿HS £ to £ m λX V- “ ti* ti%^ £ <Α i 1 to £ w ill£ “ hIX / X v / ti X £ £3 iiw ti £ C ti tí ν£Χ3 ΐΐ £ £ X3 X “ ti y se exteniden hacia atrás to acoplarse with la porción de armazón intermedia 64. Los miembros verticales 84 se pueden utilizador para acoplar los miembros de armazón longitudinales superiores frontales 76 a las miembros de armazón 80. Additionally, the frontal arm portion 62 includes transversal members 85 which are coupled to the vertical members 84 and the superior frontal longitudinal members 76. The transversal members 85 are also coupled to the intermediate arm portion 64 as detailed further herein. With reference to Figure 9 through Figure 10, the intermediate frame portion 64 is positioned behind the front frame portion 62 and is coupled to it by frame members 78, the upper front longitudinal frame members 76, the vertical members 84, the transverse members 85, and the removable portion 68. More particularly, at least one transverse member 82 of the intermediate frame portion 64 is coupled to frame members 78, 80, and the vertical members 84 of the front frame portion 62. The transverse members 82 of the intermediate frame portion 64 are also coupled to the cab frame assembly 50, as detailed herein. - 15 mq FT^nci'vís'rc'ail. ac* P9 fpinhi ¿rí « a αγ^έ^Ί λ ή a 1J V^í IK l 4- ζί t > Lfar JC. C»?YES& 1^· JL C¡hj, i xP ϊΓ í^e JL fat L ζΛ 5 Urce ot» X·^* £ X So? ice 5»Λ S <e>1> CX XXA the longitudinal truss members 96 of the intermediate truss portion 64. As shown in Figure 9, the longitudinal truss members 96 include a vertical portion 5 coupled to the transverse members 32 and a longitudinally extending portion. The longitudinally extending portion of the longitudinal truss members 96 generally defines an outer lower boundary of the truss assembly 20 and is positioned 10 laterally away from the floor boards 98. For illustrative purposes, vehicle 2 may include a floorboard 98 on each side of vehicle 2. Alternatively, the floorboards 98 may be divided into multiple portions and may be attached to the frame assembly 15 20 with conventional fasteners such as welding, rivets, bolts and / or adhesives. As shown, the intermediate frame portion 64 includes a plurality of frame rails, illustratively the upper frame rails 100 and the lower frame rail 102 (Figure 11). The upper frame rails 100 are generally positioned above the lower frame rails 1C2, and both the upper and lower frame rails 100, 102 are generally parallel to a longitudinal axis L (Figure 5) of the vehicle 2. More specifically, as best shown in Figure 12, IR L Lnn / ίZРZ� / Β / YΙΛΙ The lower frame rails 102 are positioned below and laterally outwards from the upper frame rails 100. The lower frame rails 102 are coupled 5 to the removable portion 68 of the frame assembly 20, as further detailed herein. The upper and lower frame rails 102 define a tunnel area for housing and supporting at least a portion of the drive train assembly. The lateral offset of the lower frame rails 102 relative to the upper frame rails 100 is designed to accommodate the minimum width of the drive train assembly. Walls 108 may be coupled to the upper and lower frame rails 100, 102 and extending between them to protect the operator area 30 from the drive train assembly. More particularly, the upper frame rails 100 define an internal boundary of the front and rear seating sections 42, 46 and thus the walls 108 protect the operator and passengers within operator area 30 from heat, noise, vibration and movement of the powertrain assembly. As shown in Figure 9 and Figure 10, the intermediate frame portion 64 further includes front seat frames 110 and rear seat frames 120. 25 The front seat frames 110 are positioned within IR L Lnn / ίΖΠΖ / Β / ΥΙΛΙ - 17 of the front seat section 42. The front seat frames 110 support the operator and front passenger seats 44 in a side-by-side configuration. The front seat frames 110 are configured to engage with the lower portions of the operator seat 44a and the front passenger seats 44. At least the front passenger seat may be removably engaged with the front seat frames 110. Similarly, the rear seat frames 120 are positioned within the rear seat section 46. As shown in Figure 10, the rear frame portion 66 is generally positioned behind the intermediate frame portion 64 and supports the rear support area 24. The rear frame portion 66 includes a cross step 130, clamps 132, a tailgate support member 134, rear plates 136, an accessory mount, illustratively a trailer hitch 138, and a plurality of rear longitudinal support members 140, frame members 142, footrests 144, and a crossbar 146. As best shown in Figure 10, the cross step 130 engages the cab frame assembly SO and is positioned behind the operator area 30. The cross step 130 generally spans the width of the cab frame assembly 50 and is engaged with the support members. LA L Lnn / Ι7Ω7 / E / YΙΛΙ - 18 rear longitudinal 140. The rear longitudinal support members 140 extend rearward from the transverse footrest 130 and are configured to support a loading surface or platform, as further detailed herein. A forward end of the rear longitudinal support members 140 is coupled to the transverse footrest 130, and a rear end of the rear longitudinal support members 140 is coupled to the tailgate support member 134. The tailgate support member 134 generally defines the rear boundary of the frame assembly 20 and is coupled to the rear longitudinal support members 140 with clamps 132 (Figure 9). The tailgate support member 134 may be integrally formed with, or otherwise coupled to, the rear plates 136, which may support rear lights, such as taillights, turn signals, reverse lights, and auxiliary lights on the rear frame portion 66. The rear plates 136 also include integral accessory mounts 148. For illustrative purposes, the rear frame portion 66 includes at least two accessory mounts 148 integrally coupled to and / or formed with the frame portion. LR L Lnn / Lznz / Ε / ΥΙΛΙ rear 66. Missionarily, the tailgate support member 134 may additionally include integrated couplings to support a rear bumper on vehicle 2. Because the rear bumper is supported by couplings that are integrally formed with the rear gun portion 66, the loads and forces applied to the rear bumper can be transmitted directly to the frame assembly 20, thereby increasing the structural integrity of vehicle 2. With reference to figures 5 to 11, the cabin frame assembly 50 is shown. The cabin frame assembly 50 includes a front portion 202, an intermediate portion 204, and a rear portion 206. Portions 202, 204, and 206 of the cabin frame assembly 50 can be integrally coupled together or coupled together with conventional fasteners such as welding, rivets, bolts, and / or adhesive. The cabin frame assembly 50 can be made of a structural material, such as a metallic or polymeric material, for example, steel. The front portion 202 of the cab frame assembly 50 includes a plurality of frame members 208 (Figure 9) coupled to the cross members 82 of the intermediate frame portion S4. For illustrative purposes, vehicle 2 includes four frame members 208 that are LR L Lnn / ίZΖΠZ / Β / YΙΛΙ extend upwards and backwards from the transverse members 82. More particularly, the frame members 208 include outer and inner frame members that extend from the transverse members 82. The intermediate portion 204 of the cab frame assembly 50 is generally positioned rearward of the front portion 202. The intermediate portion 204 includes a front cross member 212, a rear cross member 214, and longitudinally extending members 216 that span between them. The longitudinally extending members 216 of the cab frame assembly 50 define an outer boundary of the cab frame assembly 50. For illustrative purposes, the rear cross member 214 is coupled to longitudinally extending members 216. Similarly, the front cross member 212 is also coupled to longitudinally extending members 216 and is further coupled to the mounting plate 220. In one embodiment, the front cross member 212 is a single member spanning between the longitudinally extending members 216.Alternatively, the front transverse member 212 may consist of at least two separate members that are coupled together. For example, the various members of the transverse member. - 21 front 212 can be coupled together on the mounting plate 220. As shown in Figures 10 to 11, the rear portion 206 of the cab frame assembly 50 includes vertical members 230 and diagonal members 232. The vertical members 230 are coupled to and extend upward from the rear longitudinal support members 140 of the rear frame portion 66. Additionally, the vertical members 230 are angled forward relative to the rear longitudinal support members 140 in order to couple with the rear transverse member 214 of the cab frame assembly 50. The diagonal members 232 of the rear portion 206 of the cab frame assembly 50 are coupled to the rear transverse member 214 and / or the longitudinally extending members 216 and are angled rearward and downward from them in order to couple with the tailgate support member 134. With reference now to Figures 13 and 14, the loading platform assembly 250 is shown and includes a loading platform frame assembly 252 (Figure 10) and a loading platform surface or deck 254 (inner walls 256, outer walls 258 and top wall 260). The width of the rear loading platform assembly 25Q, which includes the platform frame assembly The loading platform 252 and the loading platform decking 254 can be approximately 1850 to 1950 mm and, for illustrative purposes, is approximately 1880 mm. The loading platform frame assembly 252 is shown in Figure 10 and includes outer vertical members 270, outer longitudinal members 272, stirrups 274, rear vertical pillar members 275, inner longitudinal members 276, and inner vertical members 278. The outer longitudinal members 272 are coupled to the outer vertical members 270, the stirrups 274, the diagonal members 232, and the rear vertical pillar members 275. The outer and inner vertical members 270 and 278 are coupled to the rear gate support member 134 and the stirrups 274. The cargo platform frame assembly 252 defines spaces for cargo and other vehicle components 2. For example, the outer vertical members 270, outer longitudinal members 272, footrests 274, inner longitudinal members 276, and inner vertical members 278 define two raised spaces of the rear cargo platform assembly 250. The inner and outer walls 256 and 258 are coupled to outer vertical members 270, outer longitudinal members 272, footrests 274, inner longitudinal members 276, and inner vertical members 278 to define containers. - 23 storage on the rear loading platform assembly 250. The loading platform decking 254 is positioned between these two storage containers. As best shown in Figure 13, the rear support area 24 further includes seating for four additional passengers. For example, the rear support area 24 defines a rear and third seating area comprising a seating platform 300 supported by footrests 274, 276 and defining seating positions 300a and 300b. A rear cab frame is defined in 310 and includes a laterally extending support 312 and longitudinally extending supports 314, 316. Since supports 314, 316 are mirror images of each other, only one will be described in detail. The rear cab frame 310 can be positioned in the configuration of Figure 13 for π tb v esa €31 ώ es ay'f' £>¢3 en 'K*Ί cs o JC ¿ ob, ¿i $nr X· Lr t* tí Vn'iVMf w OL £? Sr» A? S3 JC» Mn Xn Sn* iwQ-td ív3· Passenger heads in the rear and the entire rear cabin frame 310 is foldable to the position in Figure 14 to provide a lower profile height for transport. With reference now from Figure 15 to Figure 17, the cabin frame 310 will be described in further detail. With reference first to figures 16 to 17, the laterally extending support 312 generally includes a U-shaped frame 320 and clamps 322. The LRLLnn / LZnZ / E / Yli - The U-shaped frame 320 is inverted and has a horizontal portion 320a and vertical portions 320b, 320c. Each of the vertical portions 320b, 320c includes lower openings 320d and upper openings 320e. The braces 322 include parallel plates 322a and 322b, each with aligned openings 322c and 322d. As best shown in Figure 17, the plate portions 322a and 322b extend rearward from the U-shaped frame member 320, which positions the openings 322d rearward from the U-shaped frame portion 320, as described herein. The longitudinally extending support 314 generally includes a longitudinally extending frame member 330, a generally vertically extending frame member 332, and a vertical support 333. The frame member 330 includes a front end 330a and a rear end 330b. The front end 330a includes openings 330c and 330d, which, as can be seen, align with openings 322c and 322d. It should also be noted that the plate portions 322a and 322b are separated to provide a sliding fit of the frame member 330 thereon, as described herein. The frame member 332 is generally configured as an inverted J-shaped member, having a top end 332a extending above the frame member 330 with an end 332b mated to a top edge. - 25 330e of frame member 33 0. Frame member 332 further includes a generally vertically extending member 332c which is coupled to the rear end 330b of frame member 330. Support 314 further comprises clamps 334 and 336 coupled to the vertically extending portion 332d of frame member 332. Clamp 334 includes plate portions 334a having openings 334b ​​extending therethrough. Clamp 336 includes plate portions 335a and openings 336b extending therethrough. As best shown in Figure 17, support member 314 further includes a clamp 33 8 having a bottom plate portion 338a and separate plates 33 8b each having an opening 338c. The vertical section 333 includes openings at 333a and 333b. With reference now to Figure 15, the rear cab frame 310 further comprises a frame tube 350 coupled between frame tubes 232 and 275. Clamps 360 are coupled between frame tubes 216, 232, and 350. Clamp 360 includes a plate portion 360a having openings 360b and 360c through it. It will be seen that opening 360b aligns with opening 32Od and that opening 320c aligns with opening 32Oe on a U-shaped frame member 312. It will also be seen that the clamps 360 are IR L Lnn / ίΖΠΖ / Β / ΥΙΛΙ - 26 separated laterally so as to allow a sliding fit between the vertical portions 320b and 320c, as described herein. Figure 15 also shows the frame tube 370 extending upward through the plate 300 and having openings at 370a. With reference now from Figure 15 to Figure 17, the joining and operation of the rear cab frame 310 will be described. With regard to Figure 15, the U-shaped frame member 320 is coupled to the clamps 360 by means of fasteners 380, 382, ​​which are intended to be a semi-permanent connection. That is, while fasteners 380 and 382 include bolts and nuts, respectively, these fasteners are not intended to be removed for operation of the rear cab frame 310. As shown, fasteners 380 extend through openings 360b of clamps 360 and through openings 320d of the U-shaped frame member 320. As further described herein, fastener 380 becomes a pivot axis for the U-shaped frame member 320. Figure 15 also shows locking bolts 384 which are positioned through openings 360c of clamp 360 and through openings 320e of the U-shaped frame member 320. The immobilization bolts are intended to be removable and therefore have an immobilization feature lr l Lnn / ίZΖΠZ / Β / YΙΛΙ - 27 such as a retaining clasp or a circular clasp (not shown) to retain the 3Θ4 immobilization clasp in position. As also shown in Figure 15, clamps 336 align with frame member 370 with openings 336b that align with openings 370a. The locking pin 390 can then be inserted through openings 336b and 370a to attach clamp 336a to frame member 370. The locking pin 390 is similar to locking pin 384 and is removable. Referring again to Figure 15, fasteners 400 can be inserted through clamp 338 and attached to threaded openings 300c. The vertical frame member 333 is coupled to the clamp 338 by means of fasteners 402, 404 (Figure 17), wherein fasteners 402 and 404 are intended to provide a semi-permanent connection of the frame tube 333 to the clamp 338 as described above. The frame tube 333 is coupled to the clamp 334 by means of a removable locking bolt 40S.Finally, the frame member 330 is coupled to the clamp 332 by means of fasteners 410, 412 (Figure 17) wherein fastener 410 extends through openings 322d and 33Od to ​​retain the frame member 330 to the U-shaped frame member 320 in a semi-permanent manner. The bolts of. IVIA / a / ZU¿ I / uurror immobilization 414 extend through openings 322c and 330c and are removably coupled to it, as described above. The operation of the rear cab frame 310 will now be described. The fully vertical position of the rear cab frame 310 is shown in Figure 13. To move the rear cab frame 310 to the folded position of Figure 14, the locking bolts 406 are first removed, which allow the vertical frame members 333 to rotate about fasteners 402 to the position shown in Figure 14. The locking bolts 390 and 414 (Figure 15) are then removed, which allows the frame members 330 to rotate about their respective fasteners 410. This allows the supports 314, 316 to rotate against the U-shaped frame member 320, after which the locking bolts 384 (Figure 15) can be removed and the combination of supports 312, 314, and 316 can be rotated around fasteners 3 90 to the position shown in figure 14.As the members 330 rotate around the fasteners 410, the front ends 330a rest on the top wall 260 when it is in the folded position, as shown in Figure 14. With reference now to Figure 18 and Figure 19, a seat belt assembly 420 will be described for - 29 the rear seat atheist. As best shown in Figure 18, the seat belt assembly includes two clamps 422, 424 that are welded or otherwise attached to the outer longitudinal members 272. The clamps 422, 424 are positioned below the seat platform 300. A third clamp 42S is attached to clamp 370 (Figure 15) by means of coupler 428. A seat belt buckle assembly 430 attaches to clamp 424 and includes a slat 432 and a buckle 434. A second buckle assembly (not visible in Figure 19) attaches to clamp 422. Two snap assemblies attach to clamp 424 and comprise slats 442 and snaps 444. A snap assembly 440 is associated with each buckle assembly 430. Seat cushions 450 can be placed over each seating area 300a and 300b. Additionally, Figure 18 shows an alternative version of longitudinally extending supports, shown as 454, 456 where frame supports 460 and 462 have been added to provide stiffness to the longitudinally extending supports 454, 456. With reference to Figures 20 through 29, an alternative embodiment of the 310 rear cab frame is shown as a 500 rear cab frame assembly. The 500 rear cab frame assembly may be an optional feature of the vehicle. The frame assembly of - Rear cab 500, 30, is positioned behind the cab frame 50, which is positioned over an operator area 30 and a rear seating area 45. More specifically, the rear cab frame assembly 500 is configured to extend over at least a portion of the rear cargo platform assembly 250. For illustrative purposes, the rear cab frame assembly 500 extends over at least a portion of the seating platforms 300, which are configured to support additional cargo and / or passengers. For example, the seating platforms 300 can be configured to support up to four additional rear passengers positioned behind any passengers seated in the operator area 30 and the rear seating area 46. As shown from Figure 20 to Figure 29, the rear cab frame assembly 500 includes first rear longitudinally extending members 502, second rear longitudinally extending members 504, a first rear vertical member 514, and a second rear vertical member 516. The first rear longitudinally extending members 502 are configured to removably engage with a portion of the cab frame 50 and, more particularly, with the transverse members 506 of the cab frame 50, which extends transversely to the longitudinally extending members. - 31 longitudinally 216 of the cab frame 50 and the longitudinal axis L of the vehicle 2. In one embodiment, a forward end 502a of the first rear longitudinally extending members 502 includes clamp members 508 5 which are coupled to the transverse members 506 and a rearward end 502b of the first rear longitudinally extending members 502 is movably coupled to the first rear vertical member 514. As shown from Figure 20 to Figure 25, the first 10 rear longitudinally extending members 502 extend over a portion of the rear seating area 46 and the cab frame 50. The clamp member 508 includes a handle S1Q which moves a body 512 of the clamp member 508 between an open position and a closed position. When the body 512 is in the closed position, it defines a circular opening that has a cross-section complementary to the cross-section of the transverse members 506 of the cab frame 50. The circular opening of the body 512 receives cross members 506 when the clamp member 508 is in the closed position. However, to remove the first rear longitudinally extending members 502 from the cross members 506, the handle 510 is released, which opens the body member and allows the first LA L Lnn / ίΖΠΖ / Β / ΥΙΛΙ - 32 rear longitudinally extending members 502 can be moved away from the transverse members 506. Additional details of the clamp members 508 can be found in US patent number 8,998,253 issued on April 7, 2015 (WO2013149106) entitled “FOLDING CAB ERAME”, the full description of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein. The rear end 502b of the first rear longitudinally extending members 502 includes a pivot member 518 which is pivotally coupled to the first rear vertical member 514. In this way, the first rear longitudinally extending members 502 are configured to rotate about the first rear vertical member S14 such that the first rear vertical member 514 defines the pivot axis of the first rear longitudinally extending members 502, as further described herein. The pivot members 518 may include an extension member 520 which is configured to facilitate the rotational movement of the first rear longitudinally extending members 502 about the first rear vertical member 514. In one embodiment, the extension member 520 may be a locking pin for the pivot member 518.Additional details of pivot members 518 can be described in US patent number 8,998,253 issued on 7. LR L Lnn / ίZΖΠZΖ / Β / ΥΙΛΙ * April 33, 2015 (WO2013149106) and entitled "'FOLDING CAB FRM4B", the full description of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein. The rear longitudinally extending second members 504 extend rearward from the rear longitudinally extending first members 502 and, as shown from Figure 20 to Figure 22, can extend between the first and second rear vertical members 514, 516. Additionally, the rear longitudinally extending second members 504 extend over a portion of the rear cargo platform assembly 550 and the seating platforms 300. In this way, the rear longitudinally extending second members 504 extend over any of the passengers seated on the seating platforms 300. A front end 504a of the second rear longitudinally extending members 504 is coupled to the pivot members 508 such that both the first and second rear longitudinally extending members 502, 504 are pivotally coupled to the first vertical member 514 via the pivot members 518. In one embodiment, the pivot members 518 define a first pivot member 518a coupled to the rear end 502b of the first rear longitudinally extending member 502 and a - 34 second pivot member 518b coupled to the front end 504a of the second member extending longitudinally rear 504. A rear end 504b of the longitudinally extending second rear members 504 is removably coupled to the second rear vertical member 516 by the clamp members 522. Similar to the clamp members 508, the clamp members 522 include a body 524 which defines a circular opening when in a closed position around the second rear vertical member 516. In this way, a cross-section of the circular opening of the body 524 is complementary to the cross-section of the second rear vertical member 516 so that the body 524 can receive a second rear vertical member 516, as shown from Figure 20 to Figure 22.The clamp member 522 also includes a handle 526 configured to engage the body 524 with the second rear vertical member 516 in the closed position and disengage the body 524 from the second rear vertical member 516 in the open position. In this way, the handle 526 facilitates the movement of the clamp members 522 between the open and closed positions. Additional details of the clamp members 522 are described in U.S. Patent No. 8,998,253, issued April 7, 2015. - 35 (WO2013149106)fla full description of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein. The first rear vertical member 514 is positioned intermediate between the rear seating area 46 and the rear cargo platform assembly 250. As shown from Figure 20 to Figure 25, the first rear vertical member 514 extends vertically upward from the rear cross member 214 of the cab frame 50. The first rear vertical member 514 includes pivot members 534, which are pivotally coupled to the rear cross member 214. In this way, the rear cross member 214 defines a pivot axis for the first rear vertical member 514. Further details of the pivot members 534 can be described in U.S. Patent No. 8,998,253, issued April 7, 2015 (WO2013149106), the full description of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. The second rear vertical member 516 is positioned rearward of the seating platforms 300 and longitudinally rearward of the rear cargo platform assembly 250. The second rear vertical member 516 is pivotally coupled to the outer vertical members 270'. For illustrative purposes, the outer vertical members 270' are coupled to the frame members 530 of the cab frame assembly. LR L Lnn / ίΖΠΖ / Β / ΥΙΛΙ - 36 rear 500 which may include backrest supports 532 for rear passengers on the seating platforms 300. More particularly, a pin 528 or other pivot member may extend between a portion of the second rear vertical member 516 and an outer vertical member 270', thereby allowing the second rear vertical member 516 to pivot relative to the outer vertical member 270'. In this way, the pin 528 defines a pivot axis of the second rear vertical member 516. The rear cab frame assembly 500 is configured to rotate between a first or upright position (Figure 20 to Figure 22) and a second or folded position (Figure 25 to Figure 29). When in the upright position of Figure 20 to Figure 22, the rear cab frame assembly 500 is positioned over at least a portion of any of the passenger or cargo supported on the seating platforms 300 for superior protection during vehicle operation 2. However, when Vehicle 2 is not in operation, it can be transported to various locations by aircraft, vessels, or other vehicles. During transport, the height of Vehicle 2 can be reduced by moving the rear cab frame assembly 50 to the folded position shown in Figures 26 through 29. LR L Lnn / ίΖΠΖ / Β / ΥΙΛΙ - 37 folded, vehicle 2 is sized to fit inside a transport compartment on an aircraft, vessel, or other vehicle transporting vehicle 2. For example, in one configuration, as measured from a ground surface G (Figure 22), a height hi of the rear cab frame assembly 500, when in the upright position, and therefore the overall height of vehicle 2 when in operation, is 259 cm (102 in) or less. On the other hand, measured from the ground surface G (Figure 20), a height ha of the rear cab frame assembly 500 in the folded position, and therefore the overall height of vehicle 2 during transport, would be 183 to 213 cm (78-84 in), and more specifically, is 190 cm (72 in). As shown in Figure 22, a general height hj of the cabin frame 50 from the ground surface G is 183 to 198 cm (72 - 78 inches) and, more particularly, 184 cm (72.5 inches). In this way, l. I a rear cab frame mounting component 500 i can define the reduced height hj of the vehicle 2 in the folded position, as described above. When vehicle 2 is transported, the rear cab frame assembly 500 moves to the folded position by uncoupling the second frame members that - 38 extend longitudinally rear 504 from the second rear vertical member 516. More particularly, the handle 526 opens the body 524 of the clamp member 522 to release the second members extending longitudinally rear 504 from the second rear vertical member 516. If bolt 528 is then released or otherwise actuated to allow the second rear vertical member 516 to pivot forward from the outer vertical members 270' around bolt 528 and into a portion of the rear cargo platform assembly 250. As shown from Figure 24 to Figure 25, the second rear vertical member 516 can be supported on the frame members 530 of the rear cab frame assembly 500. Additionally, the first rear longitudinally extending members 502 are decoupled from the transverse members 505 of the cab frame 50. More particularly, the handle 510 opens the body 512 of the clamp member 508 to release the first rear longitudinally extending members 502 from the transverse members 506. The first rear longitudinally extending members 502 can then be swapped upward and rearward around the pivot member 518 to extend along a portion of the second rear longitudinally extending members 504. - 39 Alternatively, the first rear longitudinally extending members 502 can continue to extend forward from the first rear vertical member 514 when uncoupled from the transverse members 506, as shown from Figure 25 to Figure 29. With the first rear longitudinally extending members 502 released from the transverse members 506 and the second rear longitudinally extending members 504 released from the second rear vertical member 516, the first rear vertical members 514 can be rotated rearward around the rear transverse member 514 and into a portion of the rear loading platform assembly 250. As shown from Figure 26 to Figure 29, the first rear vertical member 514 can be positioned above and supported by the second rear vertical member 516 in the folded position. The first and second rear longitudinally extending members 502, 504 extend rearward from the first rear vertical member 514 and can be extended to a rearward position of the rear loading platform assembly 250 when in the folded position.Alternatively, as shown from Figure 25 to Figure 29, the rear longitudinally extending second members 504 can be extended towards the rear in the loading platform assembly viaA / a / í'Uí'i / uuiiui. - 40 rear 250 but the first rear longitudinally extending members 502 can extend forward from the first rear vertical member 54 and into a portion of the front and / or rear seating areas 30, 46. As shown in Figure 29, the first rear longitudinally extending members 502 can be positioned below a portion of the cab frame assembly 50 when the rear cab frame assembly 500 is in the folded position. As shown from Figure 26 to Figure 29, the extension members 520 can be angled upwards from the first rear vertical member 514 when the rear cab frame assembly 500 is in the folded position, such that the extension members 520 define the highest point of vehicle 2 when the rear cab frame assembly 500 is in the folded position. More specifically, the extension members 520 can define the height h2 of vehicle 2 during transport, which can be from 183 to 213 cm (72–84 in.) and, for illustrative purposes, is 198 cm (70 in.) as shown in Figure 28 and Figure 29. Although this invention has been described with an exemplary design, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this description. Therefore, this application should be understood to mean that LR L Lnn / ίΖΠΖ / Β / ΥΙΛΙ - 41 covers any variation, use, or adaptation of the invention using its general principles. Furthermore, this application is intended to cover variations of the present description that are within known or customary practice in the field to which the invention belongs. It is hereby stated that, as of this date, the best method known to the applicant for putting the aforementioned invention into practice is the one that is clear from the present description of the invention. CLAIMS< / e>

Claims

Having described the invention as above, the following claims are claimed as property:

1. A utility vehicle, characterized in that it comprises: at least one front ground contact member configured for contact with a ground surface; at least one rear ground contact member configured for contact with the ground surface; a drive train assembly operably coupled to the ground contact members; a frame supported by the ground contact members and extending along a longitudinal axis of the utility vehicle; a rear cargo platform assembly supported by the frame and extending over a portion of the rear ground contact member, the rear cargo platform assembly having a rear platform with at least a first seating position;and a rear cab frame assembly having an upright position and a folded position, the vehicle that LR L Lnn / įZРZ / B / YILI has a first height from the ground surface when the rear cab frame is in the upright position and a second height from the ground surface less than the first height when the rear cab frame is in the folded position, the second height being 182.8 to 213.36 cm (72 to 84 inches), wherein the rear cab frame is placed over the rear cargo platform assembly when it is in both the upright and folded positions.; 2. The utility vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, when in the upright position, the rear cab frame is generally placed on the rear platform.

3. The utility vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the second height is 198.12 cm (78 inches).

4. The utility vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a first seating area for the operator and a second seating area towards the rear of the first seating area, and the rear platform is positioned towards the rear of the second seating area.

5. The utility vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that a portion of the rear cab frame extends over the second seating area when in the upright position.

6. The utility vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that it further comprises a cab frame assembly coupled to the frame and positioned over the first and second seating areas, and the rear cab frame assembly positioned towards the rear of the cab frame assembly when it is in the folded position.

7. The utility vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that, when in the upright position, at least a first portion of the rear cab frame assembly extends over a portion of the cab frame assembly and a second portion of the rear cab frame assembly extends rearward from the cab frame assembly.

8. A utility vehicle, characterized in that it comprises: at least one front ground contact member configured for contact with a ground surface; at least one rear ground contact member configured for contact with the ground surface; a drivetrain assembly operably coupled to the ground contact members; a frame supported by the ground contact members and extending along a longitudinal axis of the utility vehicle; a cab frame coupled to and extending upwards from the frame; a rear cargo platform assembly supported by the frame and extending over a portion of the rear ground contact member;and a rear cab frame assembly having an upright position and a folded position, and when the rear cab frame assembly is in a folded position, the vehicle has a folded height from the ground surface of 198.12 cm (78 inches) or less and defined by a member of the rear cab frame assembly, wherein the rear cab frame assembly extends over the cab frame and the rear cargo bed assembly when in the upright position.

9. The utility vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that it further comprises a first seating area for at least one operator and a second seating area positioned towards the rear of the first seating area and configured to support at least one passenger, and the cab frame extends over the first and second seating areas.

10. The utility vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that it further comprises a third seating area located within the rear loading platform assembly and towards the rear of the cab frame.

11. The utility vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that the rear cab frame assembly is positioned towards the rear of the cab frame assembly when it is in the folded position.

12. The utility vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that the rear cab frame mounting member that defines the height is a bolt-on member.

13. The utility vehicle according to claim 12, characterized in that the bolt member is coupled to a pivot member of the rear cab frame assembly.

14. A utility vehicle, characterized in that it comprises: at least one front ground contact member configured for contact with a ground surface; at least one rear ground contact member configured for contact with the ground surface; a drive train assembly operably coupled to the ground contact members; a frame supported by the ground contact members and extending along a longitudinal axis of the utility vehicle; a first seating area supported by the frame and configured for an operator; a second seating area positioned towards the rear of the first seating area; a third seating area positioned towards the rear of the second seating area and extending over a portion of the rear ground contact member;and a rear cab frame assembly having an upright position and a folded position, the rear cab frame assembly extending over the second and third seating areas when in the upright position, and a vehicle height of 198.12 cm (78 inches) or less from the ground surface when the rear cab frame assembly is in the folded position.

15. The utility vehicle according to claim 14, characterized in that it further comprises a cab frame extending over the first and second seating areas and positioned forward of the third seating area.

16. The utility vehicle according to claim 14, characterized in that the rear cab frame assembly is positioned above and separate from the third seating area when in the folded position.

17. The utility vehicle according to claim 14, characterized in that it further comprises a rear loading platform assembly and the third seating area is positioned within the rear loading platform assembly.

18. The utility vehicle according to claim 14, characterized in that the height of the vehicle when the rear cab frame assembly is in the folded position is defined by a distance between the ground surface and a member of the rear cab frame assembly.

19. A utility vehicle, characterized in that it comprises: at least one front ground contact member configured for contact with a ground surface; at least one rear ground contact member configured for contact with the ground surface; a drivetrain assembly operably coupled to the ground contact members; a frame supported by the ground contact members and extending along a longitudinal axis of the utility vehicle; a first operator seating area supported by the frame; a second seating area towards the rear of the first seating area; a cab frame assembly coupled to the frame and positioned over the first and second seating areas;a rear cargo platform assembly supported by the frame and extending over a portion of the member in contact with the rear ground, the rear cargo platform assembly having a rear platform with at least a third seating area positioned towards the rear of the first and second seating areas; and a rear cab frame assembly having an upright position and a folded position, the vehicle having a first height from the ground surface when the rear cab frame is in the upright position and a second height from the ground surface less than the first height when the rear cab frame is in the folded position, the second height being 182.8 to 213.36 cm (72 to 84 inches), and the rear cab frame assembly positioned towards the rear of the cab frame assembly when in the folded position.

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