A rod-end front suspension is provided for an off-road vehicle. The rod-end front suspension comprises a spindle assembly that is pivotally coupled with an upper suspension arm by way of a first rod-end joint and pivotally coupled with a lower suspension arm by way of a second rod-end joint. A steering rod-end joint coupled with the spindle assembly pivotally receives a steering rod. An axle assembly coupled with the spindle assembly conducts torque from a transaxle to a wheel coupled with the spindle assembly. Each of the first and second rod-end joints comprises a ball rotatably retained within a casing. The ball is fastened within a recess between parallel prongs extending from the spindle assembly. A threaded shank extending from the casing is threadably fixated with the suspension arm, such that the spindle assembly may be moved with respect to the casing and the suspension arm.

A vehicle assembly includes, among other things, a bumper assembly, a skid plate, and a capacitive sensor system of the skid plate. A sensing method for a vehicle includes using a capacitive sensing system to detect a proximity of a vehicle to an object. The capacitive sensing system is incorporated into a skid plate that is vertically beneath a portion of a bumper assembly of the vehicle.

A deflector assembly for protecting a driver of an open-topped vehicle includes a pair of rods, a connector, and a pair of couplers. The connector is coupled to a first end of each rod so that the connector extends between the rods. Each coupler is coupled to a second end of a respective rod. The coupler is configured to couple to an open-topped vehicle proximate to a respective front corner of the open-topped vehicle so that the rods extend upwardly from the open-topped vehicle. The rods are configured to sweep an object from a path in front of a driver of the open-topped vehicle to prevent contact between the object and the driver.

A deflector assembly for protecting a driver of an open-topped vehicle includes a pair of rods, a connector, and a pair of couplers. The connector is coupled to a first end of each rod so that the connector extends between the rods. Each coupler is coupled to a second end of a respective rod. The coupler is configured to couple to an open-topped vehicle proximate to a respective front corner of the open-topped vehicle so that the rods extend upwardly from the open-topped vehicle. The rods are configured to sweep an object from a path in front of a driver of the open-topped vehicle to prevent contact between the object and the driver.

A bumper assembly for a material handling vehicle is provided. The material handling vehicle includes a vehicle frame. The bumper assembly includes a first bumper coupled to a first side of the vehicle frame and having a first slot extending along a portion of the first bumper and a first protruding portion. The first protruding portion extends outwardly at an angle past a plane defined by the first side of the vehicle frame. The bumper assembly further includes a second bumper coupled to a second side of the vehicle frame opposite to the first side and having a second slot extending along a portion of the second bumper and a second protruding portion. The second protruding portion extends outwardly at an angle past a plane defined by the second side of the vehicle frame.

A modular chassis is provided for an off-road vehicle to improve assembly, servicing, and repairing of a drivetrain of the off-road vehicle. The modular chassis includes a chassis to support components of the off-road vehicle. A front frame module couples with a front of the chassis, and a rear frame module couples with a rear of the chassis. The front frame module supports lower suspension arms of the off-road vehicle by way of inboard bushing joints. The front frame module supports at least a steering gear and a front differential of the off-road vehicle. The rear frame module is a tube-frame structure that supports components of the off-road vehicle. A lower portion of the rear frame module extends rearward and acutely upward to a top frame member that couples with upper side portions of the chassis. Several cross-members impart structural integrity to the rear frame module.

A modular chassis is provided for an off-road vehicle to improve assembly, servicing, and repairing of a drivetrain of the off-road vehicle. The modular chassis includes a chassis to support components of the off-road vehicle. A front frame module couples with a front of the chassis, and a rear frame module couples with a rear of the chassis. The front frame module supports lower suspension arms of the off-road vehicle by way of inboard bushing joints. The front frame module supports at least a steering gear and a front differential of the off-road vehicle. The rear frame module is a tube-frame structure that supports components of the off-road vehicle. A lower portion of the rear frame module extends rearward and acutely upward to a top frame member that couples with upper side portions of the chassis. Several cross-members impart structural integrity to the rear frame module.

A frontal safety guard which functions to prevent objects lying in the path of a vehicle, such as a school bus, from entering beneath the vehicle for safety purposes includes a central guard portion hingedly connected to the bumper such that the central guard portion can pivot, against a biasing force, relative to the bumper, and side extensions hingedly interconnected to and extending laterally from opposing end portions of the central guard portion such that the side extensions can pivot in unison with the central guard portion relative to the bumper and also individually pivot relative to both the bumper and the central guard portion.

A vehicle shield is provided according to the invention. The vehicle shield is constructed to avoid excessive hood flutter. The shield includes a vehicle shield region and an attachment region. The vehicle shield region is constructed for extending across at least a portion of a vehicle hood for protecting the vehicle hood. The attachment region is constructed for attaching the vehicle shield region to a vehicle. Also provided is a method of installing the shield to a motor vehicle.

A vehicle shield is provided according to the invention. The vehicle shield is constructed to avoid excessive hood flutter. The shield includes a vehicle shield region and an attachment region. The vehicle shield region is constructed for extending across at least a portion of a vehicle hood for protecting the vehicle hood. The attachment region is constructed for attaching the vehicle shield region to a vehicle. Also provided is a method of installing the shield to a motor vehicle.