Patent classifications
B60R19/54
Modular chassis
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.
Adjustable rotary brush
A rotary brush assembly for a paving machine may comprise a frame mount for mounting the rotary brush assembly to a chassis frame of the paving machine, as well as a plurality of adjustable mounting arms. The rotary brush assembly may further include a motor having a drive shaft. A pair of mounting plates may be coupled to the drive shaft. The rotary brush assembly may further include a plurality of blades. Each blade may include a mounting end installed between the pair of mounting plates, as well as an opposite free end.
Adjustable rotary brush
A rotary brush assembly for a paving machine may comprise a frame mount for mounting the rotary brush assembly to a chassis frame of the paving machine, as well as a plurality of adjustable mounting arms. The rotary brush assembly may further include a motor having a drive shaft. A pair of mounting plates may be coupled to the drive shaft. The rotary brush assembly may further include a plurality of blades. Each blade may include a mounting end installed between the pair of mounting plates, as well as an opposite free end.
DEPLOYABLE BARRIER FOR CROWD CONTROL VEHICLE AND ASSOCIATED CROWD CONTROL VEHICLE
A deployable crowd control barrier comprises a first barrier wall and a second barrier wall, both adapted to be affixed to opposing sides of a vehicle. The first barrier wall comprises a first vertical pivot post adapted to be affixed to the vehicle and a first base wall portion pivotably affixed to the first pivot post. The second barrier wall comprises the second barrier wall comprising a second vertical pivot post adapted to be affixed to the vehicle and a second base wall portion pivotably affixed to the second pivot post. The first base wall portion is adapted to selectively pivot relative to the vehicle when the first barrier wall is affixed to the vehicle. The second base wall portion is adapted to selectively pivot relative to the vehicle when the second barrier wall is affixed to the vehicle.
LOW SUSPENSION ARM STRUT COUPLING
A low suspension arm strut coupling is provided for a suspension of an off-road vehicle. The suspension comprises a lower suspension arm that is hingedly coupled between a chassis of the off-road vehicle and a spindle assembly that is coupled with a front wheel. An upper suspension arm is hingedly coupled between the chassis and the spindle assembly. A strut is coupled between the lower suspension arm and the chassis. A lower pivot couples the strut to the lower suspension, and an upper pivot couples the strut to the chassis. The upper and lower pivots provide a lower center of gravity of the off-road vehicle and a relatively smaller shock angle. The lower suspension arm is reinforced to withstand forces due to movement of the front wheel and operation of the strut in response to travel over terrain.
LOW SUSPENSION ARM STRUT COUPLING
A low suspension arm strut coupling is provided for a suspension of an off-road vehicle. The suspension comprises a lower suspension arm that is hingedly coupled between a chassis of the off-road vehicle and a spindle assembly that is coupled with a front wheel. An upper suspension arm is hingedly coupled between the chassis and the spindle assembly. A strut is coupled between the lower suspension arm and the chassis. A lower pivot couples the strut to the lower suspension, and an upper pivot couples the strut to the chassis. The upper and lower pivots provide a lower center of gravity of the off-road vehicle and a relatively smaller shock angle. The lower suspension arm is reinforced to withstand forces due to movement of the front wheel and operation of the strut in response to travel over terrain.
ROD-END FRONT SUSPENSION
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.
ROD-END FRONT SUSPENSION
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.
Universal axle-hub assembly
A universal axle-hub assembly is provided for an off-road vehicle. The universal axle-hub assembly comprises a wheel hub that receives a constant velocity (CV) axle snout into an opening extending through an axle support of the wheel hub. An outboard-most portion of the opening is a splined portion that engages with similar splines disposed on an outboard-most portion of the CV axle snout. An inboard-most portion of the opening is a smooth portion that receives a smooth portion of the CV axle snout. The axle support extends through an entirety of the width of a bearing that supports the wheel hub, such that the bearing supports the smooth portion of the CV axle snout and substantially eliminates shear forces acting on the splined portion of the CV axle snout. A bearing carrier supports the bearing and may be fastened onto a trailing arm or a spindle of the off-road vehicle.
Universal axle-hub assembly
A universal axle-hub assembly is provided for an off-road vehicle. The universal axle-hub assembly comprises a wheel hub that receives a constant velocity (CV) axle snout into an opening extending through an axle support of the wheel hub. An outboard-most portion of the opening is a splined portion that engages with similar splines disposed on an outboard-most portion of the CV axle snout. An inboard-most portion of the opening is a smooth portion that receives a smooth portion of the CV axle snout. The axle support extends through an entirety of the width of a bearing that supports the wheel hub, such that the bearing supports the smooth portion of the CV axle snout and substantially eliminates shear forces acting on the splined portion of the CV axle snout. A bearing carrier supports the bearing and may be fastened onto a trailing arm or a spindle of the off-road vehicle.