IP Library Granted Patent US 10,017,090
Granted Patent B2
US 10,017,090 · App. 15/154,375 · Granted Jul 10, 2018

Utility vehicle

Inventors: Steven R. Franker (Bethel, MN); Aaron J. Nysse (Stacy, MN)
Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
B60P1/04B60G3/02B60G3/20B60G11/48B60G15/062B60G15/065B60J5/0487B60K5/04B60K11/06B60K13/02B60K13/04B60K17/06B60K37/02B60N2/01B62D21/183B62D33/02E05D5/0207E05D11/06B60G2200/14B60G2200/156B60G2202/312B60G2300/02B60G2300/07B60G2300/124B60K17/08B60K2005/003B60K2350/40B60K2350/407B60Y2200/20B60Y2400/72B62D1/18E05D2003/027E05Y2900/531
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,017,090
App. No.
15/154,375
Granted
Jul 10, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A utility vehicle includes a plurality of ground-engaging members, a frame, a powertrain assembly, a front suspension assembly, and a rear suspension assembly. A cargo bed may be supported by the frame at the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes an operator seat and at least one passenger seat positioned within an operator area. In one embodiment, the vehicle includes doors to enclose the operator area.

Claims (57)

1. A utility vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of ground-engaging members;

a frame supported by the plurality of ground-engaging members;

an operator area having at least one seat comprised of a seat bottom and a seat back;

a powertrain assembly supported by the frame and including an engine and a continuously variable transmission operably coupled to the engine; and

a suspension assembly operably coupled to at least one of the plurality of ground-engaging members, the suspension assembly including a control arm having a frame mount operably coupled to the frame, and the frame mount including:

an outer member;

an inner member positioned within the outer member;

at least one bearing member positioned between the inner and outer members;

an end cap sealingly positioned within the outer member and adjacent the inner member; and

a sealing member positioned axially adjacent an interface of the bearing member and the end cap, and the end cap includes a circumferential groove configured to receive the sealing member.

2. The utility vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the interface of the bearing member and the end cap defines a thrust surface of the frame mount.

3. The utility vehicle of claim 2 , wherein the sealing member is spaced apart from the bearing member by a lip of the end cap.

4. The utility vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the end cap includes a lip adjacent the circumferential groove, and the lip is positioned intermediate the bearing member and the circumferential groove.

5. The utility vehicle of claim 1 , wherein an inner surface of the outer member includes a recess and a portion of the bearing member is positioned within the recess.

6. The utility vehicle of claim 5 , wherein the bearing member abuts a shoulder of the recess.

7. A utility vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of ground-engaging members;

a frame supported by the plurality of ground-engaging members;

an operator area having at least one seat comprised of a seat bottom and a seat back;

a powertrain assembly supported by the frame and including an engine and a continuously variable transmission operably coupled to the engine; and

a suspension assembly operably coupled to at least one of the plurality of ground-engaging members, the suspension assembly including a control arm having a frame mount operably coupled to the frame, and the frame mount including:

an outer member;

an inner member positioned within the outer member;

at least one bearing member positioned between the inner and outer members, and an inner surface of the outer member includes a recess and a portion of the bearing member is positioned within the recess;

an end cap sealingly positioned within the outer member and adjacent the inner member; and

a sealing member positioned axially adjacent an interface of the bearing member and the end cap.

8. The utility vehicle of claim 7 , wherein the bearing member abuts a shoulder of the recess.

9. The utility vehicle of claim 7 , wherein the interface of the bearing member and the end cap defines a thrust surface of the frame mount.

10. The utility vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the sealing member is spaced apart from the bearing member by a lip of the end cap.

11. A utility vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of ground-engaging members;

a frame supported by the plurality of ground-engaging members;

an operator area having at least one seat comprised of a seat bottom and a seat back;

a powertrain assembly supported by the frame and including an engine and a continuously variable transmission operably coupled to the engine; and

a suspension assembly operably coupled to at least one of the plurality of ground-engaging members, the suspension assembly including a control arm having a frame mount operably coupled to the frame, and the frame mount including:

an outer member;

an inner member positioned within the outer member and a length of the inner member is less than a length of the outer member;

at least one bearing member positioned between the inner and outer members;

an end cap sealingly positioned within the outer member and adjacent the inner member; and

a sealing member positioned axially adjacent an interface of the bearing member and the end cap.

12. The utility vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the at least one bearing member is positioned at a distal end of the inner member.

13. The utility vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the end cap protrudes from the outer member.

14. A utility vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of ground-engaging members;

a frame supported by the plurality of ground-engaging members;

an operator area having at least one seat comprised of a seat bottom and a seat back;

a powertrain assembly supported by the frame and including an engine and a continuously variable transmission operably coupled to the engine; and

a suspension assembly operably coupled to at least one of the plurality of ground-engaging members, the suspension assembly including a control arm having a frame mount operably coupled to the frame, and the frame mount including:

an outer member having a first central opening;

an inner member positioned within the first central opening of the outer member, and the inner member including a second central opening configured to receive a fastener;

at least one bearing member positioned between the inner and outer members;

an end cap sealingly positioned within the outer member and adjacent the inner member; and

a sealing member positioned axially adjacent an interface of the bearing member and the end cap.

15. The utility vehicle of claim 14 , wherein the interface of the bearing member and the end cap defines a thrust surface of the frame mount.

16. The utility vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the sealing member is spaced apart from the bearing member by a lip of the end cap.

17. The utility vehicle of claim 14 , wherein an inner surface of the outer member includes a recess and a portion of the bearing member is positioned within the recess.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 3, 2017
From: FRANKER, STEVEN R.; NYSSE, AARON J.
To: POLARIS INDUSTRIES INC.
Reel/Frame 042233/0252 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62162354 · May 15, 2015
Related Publication 20160332495A1 · Nov 17, 2016
Cited By (18)
US 1,103,845 US 1,120,805 US 1,135,764 US 12,187,127 US 12,194,954 US 12,208,706 US 12,214,664 US 12,258,077 US 12,337,690 US 12,384,464 US 12,385,429 US 12,391,199 US 12,510,013 US 12,552,238 US 12,552,246 US 12,630,098 US 12,686,442 US 12,722,708