Abstract:
An environmental enclosure device for a vehicle includes a passenger compartment formed therein for receipt of an occupant. The device includes a roof portion disposed substantially over the passenger compartment to protect the occupant seated therein from undesirable weather elements or conditions. The device also includes at least one transparent portion extending generally downwardly from the roof portion toward the vehicle such that a space remains between the vehicle and a bottom edge of the transparent portion to allow the occupant to interface with fresh air elements of the outdoors while the enclosure device is in a closed position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/324,145, entitled “Canopy and Visor Windshield For A Mobility Vehicle,” filed Sep. 21, 2001; and U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/293,877, entitled “Floor Closure For Assisted Entry Vehicle,” filed May 25, 2001. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to a weather protection device for a vehicle. More specifically, the present invention relates to a environmental protection device for a mobility vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventional vehicles, as are well known, have passenger compartments that are typically surrounded by glass or the frame of the vehicle, such as A-pillars, a B-pillars, and a roof. These structures of the vehicle are intended to provide protection and safety for the occupants, particularly since these vehicles are driven at high speeds adjacent other vehicles. Further, the glass in the form of the windshield and the windows are intended to allow the occupant or operator to experience the outdoors by providing a visual line of sight from the interior of the vehicle to the exterior of the vehicle. While the occupant or operator can roll down the windows to allow some interaction with the outdoors, the occupant is still surrounded by the vehicle. 
     To enhance an operator&#39;s or occupant&#39;s interaction with the outdoors while operating or riding in a vehicle, convertible tops have been developed. The convertible tops can be moved from a closed position, such as when the operator needs protection from weather elements, to an open position to allow the operator to enjoy the outdoors while operating the vehicle. While convertibles improve the operator&#39;s ability enjoy the outdoors, the transparent windshield which fully extends from the vehicle body to the roof line limits the operator&#39;s interface with the outdoors. Similarly, the front portion of the vehicle limits the operator&#39;s line-of-sight to the areas adjacent the front of the vehicle, which further limits the operator&#39;s ability to interface with the outdoors. Moreover, most convertible vehicles are not intended for off road travel and thus the operator&#39;s outdoor interface is limited to travel on highways, streets, and roads. 
     As is also known, four wheel drive vehicles have been produced in the past that have a front windshield that can be folded down in conjunction with a convertible top in order to maximize the outdoor experience. This configuration still, however, leaves the folded down windshield in front of the operator or occupant thereby still restricting forward interaction with the outdoors. While there have been forward opening windshield/doors in the past, as in an early BMW design, the designs as such do not provide outdoor interface while operating or a significantly open environment to the operator or occupant when parked. 
     Vehicles that are intended principally for off road travel, such as all terrain vehicles (“ATVs”), have been developed. These vehicles, however, are more akin to motorcycles in method of operator use, but have four low pressure wheels to accommodate off road travel. These vehicles allow an operator to interface with the outdoors. However, they do not have any weather protection device that is intended to shield the operator from the elements when weather conditions are poor. 
     It would thus be desirable to provide an environmental enclosure device for a vehicle that allows an operator improved interface with the outdoors during operation of the vehicle, and further readily enhanced interface with the outdoors when parked. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an environmental enclosure device for a vehicle that provides weather protection for an operator seated therein. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an environmental enclosure device for a vehicle having all terrain capabilities that is designed to maximize operator interface with the outdoors. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an environmental enclosure device for a vehicle that is readily removable by an operator as desired to provide further interface with the outdoors with use of the vehicle when weather protection is not desired or needed. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide an environmental enclosure device for a vehicle that can be readily moved from an open position to a closed position by an operator. 
     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an environmental enclosure device for a vehicle that when opened with the vehicle parked, fully unobstructs the operator&#39;s view and peripheral view of the outdoors for maximum interface with the outdoors environment, yet still provides a level of weather related shielding. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an environmental enclosure device for a vehicle that provides optimal interface with the outdoors for an operator while also providing protection from direct contact with weather elements. 
     It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an environmental enclosure device that utilizes an upwardly extending floor segment that, similar in nature to the effect of the roof and transparent portion&#39;s weather protection, is moved in position to effectuate protection from the road environment while closed and full interface with the outdoors when open. 
     It is still yet a further object of the present invention to provide an environmental enclosure device for a vehicle that is light weight and simple to operate. 
     It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an environmental enclosure device for a vehicle that performs its function without the necessity for complete environmental sealing of the operator area. 
     In accordance with the above and the other objects of the present invention, an environmental enclosure device for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a passenger compartment formed therein for receipt of an occupant. The device includes a roof portion disposed substantially over the passenger compartment to protect the occupant seated therein from undesirable weather elements or conditions. The device also includes at least one transparent portion extending generally downwardly from the roof portion toward the vehicle such that a space remains between the vehicle and a bottom edge of the transparent portion to allow the occupant to interface with fresh air elements of the outdoors while the enclosure device is in a closed position. 
     Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an environmental enclosure module for a personal mobility vehicle in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is side view of an environmental enclosure module for a personal mobility vehicle in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a latch for retaining an environmental enclosure module in a closed position in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a floor closure portion for a vehicle desiring environmental enclosure in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 3, which illustrate an environmental enclosure device  10  in accordance with the present invention. The environmental enclosure device  10  is preferably intended for use with a personal mobility vehicle  12 , such as shown in the drawings. However, it will be understood that that the preferred environmental enclosure device  10  can be utilized with a variety of other modes of transportation including all mobility vehicles, boats, and the like. 
     As shown, the mobility vehicle  12  has a passenger compartment  14  formed therein. The passenger compartment  14  is preferably defined by open front portion  16 , a pair of opposing side portions,  18 ,  20 , and a back portion  22 . The open front portion  16  allows easy entry and exit into the passenger compartment  14 . The passenger compartment  14  preferably has a seat  24  secured therein. The seat  24  is preferably a comfort seat that can recline as desired. However, as shown in FIG. 2, the passenger compartment  14  may also accommodate a wheelchair  26  or other mobility assistance device such that the physically handicapped, the elderly, or those that need assistance can utilize the mobility vehicle  12  to interface with the outdoors. 
     The vehicle  12  also preferably includes a roll bar structure  28 , or ‘B’ pillar structure in the nomenclature familiar to those skilled in the art of automotive design, which preferably supports the environmental enclosure device  10  on the vehicle  12 . The environmental enclosure device  10  provides a secure wrapped design windshield having a front portion  30  and a pair of opposing side portion  32 ,  34 . The front portion  30  and the pair of opposing side portions  32 ,  34  are preferably constructed of a single integral piece, however, it will be understood that they may be constructed of multiple independent pieces and with respective supporting methods. The front portion  30  and the pair of opposing side portions  32 ,  34  are preferably constructed of a transparent material, such a plastic or glass. As will be understood, these portions  30 ,  32 ,  34  can also be tinted to provide protection from the sun. 
     The front portion  30  and the pair of opposing side portion  32 ,  34  each have a respective upper portion  36 ,  38 ,  40  and a respective lower portion  42 ,  44 ,  46 . The upper portion  36  of the front portion  30  and the upper portions  38 ,  40  of each of the opposing side portions  32 ,  34  are secured to a roof portion  50 . The roof portion  50  is pivotally attached to the roll bar  28 . The front portion  30  and the pair of opposing side portion  32 ,  34  extend downwardly toward the vehicle  12 . However, the lower portions  42 ,  44 ,  46  terminate at a height substantially above the vehicle  12 . Specifically, the lower portion  42  is located at a height substantially above the open front  16 . Similarly, the lower portion  44  is located at a height substantially above the side portion  18  and the lower portion  46  is located at a height substantially above the side portion  20  of the vehicle  12 . 
     This configuration allows air movement under the roof portion  50  and the windshield resulting in operator interaction with the fresh air elements of the outdoors, while at the same time shielding the operator from direct rain, light rain and the larger effects of the wind. Also, for those who are susceptible to sunburn due to the adverse affects from the sun, the environmental enclosure device  10  can protect an occupant from direct exposure to the sun. In this case, the front portion  30  and the side portions  32 ,  34  can be treated with a uv blocker or otherwise be configured to have a higher spf protection rating. 
     The environmental enclosure device  10  also preferably includes a rear transparent portion  52  that wraps behind the operator to provide protection to the operator&#39;s back while not obstructing the operator&#39;s forward and peripheral interface with the outdoors. The rear transparent portion  52  preferably has an upper portion  54  that is secured to an upper structure secured to the roll bar  28  and a lower portion  56  which is sealingly secured to the back portion  22  of the vehicle  12 . The rear transparent portion  52  may or may not also be sealingly secured at either side  58 ,  60  to roll bar  28 . It will be understood that the rear transparent portion can be constructed of a variety of materials and can take on a variety of different configurations. 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the environmental enclosure device  10  in a closed or down position in accordance with the present invention. The environmental enclosure device  10  is preferably pivotable from the closed position to an open position. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a canopy portion  70 , which consists of the roof portion  50 , the front portion  30  and the opposing side portions  32 ,  34  can be pivoted between a closed position providing a vehicle operation position and weather protection to an occupant in the passenger compartment and an open position providing an occupant an open unobstructed interface with the environment while retaining a portion of the weather protection capability. By pivoting the canopy portion  70  to an open position, an opening is provided for ease of entry to and exit from the passenger compartment  14  of the vehicle. The canopy portion  70  being in the raised or open position during parked use of the vehicle  12  is optimal for relaxation, observing the environment, for talking with other people, or a variety of other purposes. It is understood that the canopy portion  70  can also have a mechanical extension to provide sun blocking protection for an occupant when it is in the open position or that the structure of canopy portion  70  can also provide simple support for a thrown sun curtain or fabric awning. 
     The canopy portion  70  is preferably releasably secured to the roll bar  28  by a latch mechanism  80 . The latch mechanism  80  includes a latch portion  82 , which is secured to roll bar  28  and a corresponding locking engagement portion  84  that is attached to the canopy portion  70 . The locking engagement portion  84  is preferably secured to a respective grab bar  86 , which is secured to the inner side of each of the opposing side portions  32 ,  34  and the roof portion  50 . The engagement portion  84  is preferably actuated such that by pulling on a trigger portion  88  of each of the grab bars  86  such that the respective locking engagement portions  84  will become detached from their respective latch portions  82  allowing the canopy portion  70  to pivot to an open position. 
     The roof portion  50  preferably includes a hinge portion  90  located at a rear portion thereof which hingeably secures the roof portion  50  to the roll bar  28 . The rearwardly extending position of the hinge portion  90  is preferably intended to allow raising of the canopy portion  70  such that only a minimum angle of opening is required to provide access and/or an open viewing situation when the vehicle  12  is parked. The canopy portion  70  is preferably maintained in an open position by a gas assist strut  92 . However, it will be understood that a spring arrangement may utilized instead of or in connection with the gas assist strut to hold the canopy portion  70  open. Moreover, power activation for opening and closing the canopy portion  70  and other suitable devices may be utilized to hold the canopy portion  70  in an open position as well as to latch it to vehicle  12 . 
     The canopy portion  70  together with the grab bars  86  can be readily removable and installable in an manner either requiring or not requiring tools. Similarly, the rear transparent portion  52  can also be readily removable and installable. This allows the vehicle  12  to be readily used as either an open vehicle or a weather shielded vehicle. Additionally, the canopy portion  70  also can include a rain gutter  94  to control rain runoff from the canopy portion  70  and prevent rain from dripping or draining into the passenger compartment  16 . Further, the canopy portion can extend all the way down and sealingly contact the vehicle on the sides so that at least a portion of the front portion remains open or exposed to the outdoors or, alternatively, to provide a completely sealed passenger compartment. As will also be understood, the canopy portion  70  can be utilized with a vehicle having a shorter roll bar  28 , shortened rear glass portion  52 , and lowered seating position, such that said canopy portion effectively seals the vehicle&#39;s primary body panels thus effectuating a further weather shielding capability. 
     The preferred vehicle  12  has an open front  16 , which can leave the operator exposed to the elements. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 5, the mobility vehicle  12  preferably includes a weather and road splash protection device  100  that at least substantially closes off the open area in the lower area in front of, and beneath the operator after they have been positioned within the passenger compartment  14  of the vehicle  12 . 
     The weather and road splash protection device  100  preferably includes a floor closure panel  102 . The floor closure panel  102  is moveable between a closed position where it is extended and generally providing parallel clearance to the ground and an open position where it is lowered and from beneath the passenger compartment  14  of the vehicle  12 . The movement of the floor closure panel  102  is controlled by a floor panel actuator  104 . The actuator  104  is preferably also in communication with the controls of the vehicle such that an operator can control the movement of the floor closure panel  102 . It is understood that the floor panel actuation may also be performed manually or by other power activation. 
     In operation, to move the floor closure panel  102  away from the closed position, an operator activates the floor panel actuator  104 . The floor panel actuator which controls a linkage system preferably slides and/or pivotably moves the floor closure panel rearwardly and downwardly. 
     The advantage of the disclosed environmental enclosure device  10  is the optimal interface with nature during operation of the vehicle  12 , while also providing protection from direct contact with weather elements, such as road splash from rain or snow. The disclosed design is also of simple construction, is of lighter weight, and requires little sealing, when compared to a full weather enclosure design. 
     While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described so as to enable one skilled in the art to practice the present invention, it is to be understood that variations and modifications may be employed without departing from the purview and intent of the present invention, as defined in the following claims. Accordingly, the preceding description is intended to be exemplary and should not be used to limit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined only by reference to the following claims.