Removable quarter panels for open-air style vehicles
An open-air vehicle includes a rear cargo area having a floor, a pair of opposing side walls, and a weather-resistant quarter panel of molded polymeric material removably secured to each of the side walls. Each quarter panel can be disengaged from a respective side wall by hand by a person, without requiring tools. The aesthetic appearance of each of the quarter panels can match the aesthetic appearance of the floor and/or one or more trim components within a passenger compartment of the open-air vehicle. Removable quarter panels may also include various amenities found within the passenger compartment of vehicles such as cup holders, armrests, and receptacles for storing articles.
1 . An open-air vehicle, comprising:
a rear cargo area comprising a pair of opposing side walls; and
a weather-resistant quarter panel of molded polymeric material removably secured to each of the side walls, wherein each weather-resistant quarter panel can be disengaged from a respective side wall by hand by a person, without requiring tools.
2 . The open-air vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the rear cargo area comprises a floor, and wherein the aesthetic appearance of each of the quarter panels substantially matches the aesthetic appearance of the floor.
3 . The open-air vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the aesthetic appearance of each of the quarter panels substantially matches the aesthetic appearance of one or more trim components within a passenger compartment of the open-air vehicle.
4 . The open-air vehicle of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the quarter panels comprises one or more cup holders.
5 . The open-air vehicle of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the quarter panels comprises an armrest.
6 . The open-air vehicle of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the quarter panels comprises a receptacle formed therein that is configured to receive articles therein.
7 . The open-air vehicle of claim 1 , wherein each quarter panel is removably secured to a respective side wall via one or more quick-release fasteners.
8 . The open-air vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the rear cargo area comprises a tailgate door pivotally secured thereto and movable about a substantially vertical axis between an open position and a closed position, wherein the tailgate door comprises an interior portion; and
a weather-resistant cargo storage apparatus secured to the tailgate door interior portion.
9 . The open-air vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the cargo storage apparatus has an aesthetic appearance that substantially matches the aesthetic appearance of each of the quarter panels.
10 . An open-air vehicle, comprising:
a rear cargo area comprising a floor and a pair of opposing side walls;
a weather-resistant quarter panel of molded polymeric material removably secured to each of the side walls, wherein each weather-resistant quarter panel is removably secured to a respective side wall via one or more quick-release fasteners and can be disengaged from a respective side wall by hand by a person, without requiring tools, and wherein the aesthetic appearance of each of the quarter panels substantially matches the aesthetic appearance of the floor.
11 . The open-air vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the aesthetic appearance of each of the quarter panels substantially matches the aesthetic appearance of one or more trim components within a passenger compartment of the open-air vehicle.
12 . The open-air vehicle of claim 10 , wherein at least one of the quarter panels comprises one or more cup holders.
13 . The open-air vehicle of claim 10 , wherein at least one of the quarter panels comprises an armrest.
14 . The open-air vehicle of claim 10 , wherein at least one of the quarter panels comprises a receptacle formed therein that is configured to receive articles therein.
15 . The open-air vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the rear cargo area comprises a tailgate door pivotally secured thereto and movable about a substantially vertical axis between an open position and a closed position, wherein the tailgate door comprises an interior portion; and
a weather-resistant cargo storage apparatus secured to the tailgate door interior portion.
16 . The open-air vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the cargo storage apparatus has an aesthetic appearance that substantially matches the aesthetic appearance of each of the quarter panels.
17 . An open-air vehicle, comprising:
a rear cargo area comprising a pair of opposing side walls;
a passenger seat secured within the rear cargo area; and
a weather-resistant quarter panel of molded polymeric material removably secured to each of the side walls, wherein each quarter panel comprises a cup holder and an arm rest, and wherein each quarter panel can be disengaged from a respective side wall by hand by a person, without requiring tools
18 . The open-air vehicle of claim 17 , wherein the rear cargo area comprises a floor, and wherein the aesthetic appearance of each of the quarter panels substantially matches the aesthetic appearance of the floor.
19 . The open-air vehicle of claim 17 , wherein the aesthetic appearance of each of the quarter panels substantially matches the aesthetic appearance of one or more trim components within a passenger compartment of the open-air vehicle.
20 . The open-air vehicle of claim 17 , wherein each quarter panel is removably secured to a respective side wall via one or more quick-release fasteners.