Air intake apparatus

1. An air intake apparatus for a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine, the apparatus having means for fluidly communicating, in the direction of the engine, cleaned intake air for combustion, an air filter element on the communicating means, and a case for housing the air filter element, wherein the communicating means is hingeable such that the air filter element is movable from within the case to an open position while the air filter element remains located on the communicating means.

2. The air intake apparatus as set forth in claim 1 , wherein:

the communicating means comprises a lid section to which the air filter element is releasably attached; and

the lid section is contactable with a top of the case to provide a lid for the case.

3. The air intake apparatus as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the communicating means comprises:

a curved element opening towards and attachable to the lid section; and

a duct portion fluidly communicating cleaned intake air and comprising:

a closed profile cross-section integrated with the curved element; and

an output end portion opposite the curved element.

4. The air intake apparatus as set forth in claim 3 , wherein the duct portion of the communicating means is flexible whereby the communicating means is hingeably movable from the top of the case.

5. The air intake apparatus as set forth in claim 3 , wherein the duct further comprises within its closed profile at least one longitudinal bracing rib.

6. The air intake apparatus as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the air filter element comprises a dome-shaped foam plastic element with a sealing edge, and further comprising:

a ported retainer, disposable between the lid section and the filter element, for stabilizing the foam plastic element; and

a spring clip for urging the sealing edge into contact with the lid section.

7. The air intake apparatus as set forth in claim 6 , wherein when the sealing edge of the foam plastic element is in contact with the lid section, the foam plastic element is suspended in the case.

8. The air intake apparatus as set forth claim 1 , wherein the case is integrated with mudguards extending in the longitudinal direction of the case and away therefrom on both sides.

9. The air intake apparatus as set forth in claim 3 , wherein the duct fluidly communicates intake air in the longitudinal direction of the case, and further comprising, longitudinally opposite the output end portion of the duct, an air intake snorkel for fluidly communicating ambient air into the case.

10. The air intake apparatus as set forth in claim 9 , wherein the intake snorkel is adapted for arrangement below a rider saddle of the vehicle.

11. The air intake apparatus as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the case comprises:

side walls;

a case floor, integrally formed with the side walls, and defining, in a section transversely to the longitudinal direction of the case, an inverted saddle-roof shape; and

a drain port at a lowest point of the case floor.

12. The air intake apparatus as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the communicating means is arranged beneath a rider saddle of a vehicle.

13. The air intake apparatus as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the communicating means is disposed at a frame structure of the vehicle.

14. The air intake apparatus as set forth in claim 12 , wherein the vehicle is an all-terrain vehicle.

15. An air intake apparatus for a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine, the apparatus having means for fluidly communicating, in the direction of the engine, cleaned intake air for combustion, an air filter element on the communicating means, and a case for housing the air filter element, wherein the communicating means is hingeable such that the air filter element is movable from within the case to an open position at least partially outside the case while the air filter element remains located on the communicating means.