Abstract:
A ROHVA compliant side restraint is disclosed which is movable between first and second positions wherein the first position the side restraint encompasses Point R, and in the second position the side restraint does not encompass Point R, increasing the accessibility for ingress and egress.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/280,976, filed Jan. 20, 2016, the entire disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to utility vehicles and in particular to a side by side vehicle having a driver and passenger side restraint. 
         [0003]    Many types of utility vehicles are configured with side by side seats for recreational or utility use. Such examples include our U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,613,335; 8,973,693 and 8,302,711, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference. The placement of any occupant restraints for such vehicles is governed by ANSI/ROHVA 1-2014, particularly Section 11. This section indicates that a point P should be provided for the foot, where a restraint is provided to block a shaded area defined forward of, and below a point P; where point P is no further than 229 mm (9 in.) forward of the seat base, and no less than 109 mm (4 in.) above the floor. 
         [0004]    This section also indicates that a point R should be provided for the shoulder/hip, and that point R should be encompassed when viewed from the side of the vehicle. The measurements for the point R are taken with respect to the base of the seat back. The base of the seatback lies on the surface of the seat base along the centerline of the seating position and is measured without an occupant weight on the seat. Point R is located 432 mm (17 inches) along the seat back above the base of the seat back. Point R is also 152 mm (6 inches) forward of and perpendicular to the seatback surface. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In a first embodiment, a utility vehicle comprising at least one seat having a seat bottom to support the weight of an occupant, and a seatback to support the occupant&#39;s back; the vehicle having a point R defined by the seatback wherein Point R is located 432 mm (17 inches) along the seat back above an intersection of the seat back and the seat bottom and 152 mm (6 inches) forward of and perpendicular to the seatback surface without an occupant&#39;s weight on the seat; and a side restraint adjacent to the seatback having a first position encompassing Point R when viewed from the side of the vehicle, and a second position to assist ingress and egress of the occupant when the vehicle is not moving. 
         [0006]    In a second embodiment, a utility vehicle comprising at least one seat having a seat bottom to support the weight of an occupant, and a seatback to support the occupant&#39;s back; the vehicle having a point R defined by the seatback wherein Point R is located 432 mm (17 inches) along the seat back above an intersection of the seat back and the seat bottom and 152 mm (6 inches) forward of and perpendicular to the seatback surface without an occupant&#39;s weight on the seat; and a side restraint adjacent to the seatback being movable between first and second positions, where in the first position the side restraint encompasses Point R when viewed from the side of the vehicle, and in the second the side restraint moves to a position not encompassing Point R. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The invention will now be described in relation to the drawing figures where: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a first embodiment of utility vehicle as disclosed in the present disclosure; 
           [0009]      FIG. 1A  shows an enlarged portion of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  shows a left rear perspective view of the foot restraint shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a left front perspective view of the side restraint shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a front left perspective view similar to that of  FIG. 3 , showing the side restraint in an open position; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the side restraint shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view taken through lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a side view of a second embodiment of utility vehicle as disclosed in the present disclosure; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a left front perspective view of the side restraint shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a side view of a third embodiment of utility vehicle as disclosed in the present disclosure; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a left front perspective view of the side restraint shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a right front perspective view of the side restraint shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is an exploded view of the side restraint shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  shows the side restraint of  FIG. 10  in an upright position; 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is a side view of a fourth embodiment of utility vehicle as disclosed in the present disclosure; 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  is an enlarged view of the locking member shown in  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 16  is a side view of the locking bracket which cooperates with the locking member; 
           [0025]      FIG. 17  is an end view of the locking bracket of  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 18  shows an enlarged view of an integrated locking bracket, integrated into the front fender; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 19  is a cross sectional view through lines  19 - 19  of  FIG. 18 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 20  shows a left side view of an alternate vehicle for use with an alternate side restraint; 
           [0029]      FIG. 21  shows a cover for placement over the rear post of the vehicle as shown in phantom in  FIG. 20 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 22  is an outer side view of the side restraint for use with the vehicle of  FIG. 20 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 23  is a left front perspective view of the side restraint of  FIG. 22 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 24  is right front perspective view of an inside of the side restraint of  FIGS. 22 and 23 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 25  is a right side plan view from the inside of the vehicle showing the side restraint of  FIG. 22 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 26  is an enlarged view of the latch of the side restraint of  FIG. 22  in the latched position; 
           [0035]      FIG. 27  shows the side restraint in the perspective of  FIG. 23  with the side restraint rotated open by 90°; 
           [0036]      FIG. 28  shows a right front perspective view of the side restraint of  FIG. 26 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 29  is a front end view of the side restraint in the open position; 
           [0038]      FIG. 30  is a rear end view of the side restraint in the open position; 
           [0039]      FIG. 31  is an outer side view of another side restraint for use with the vehicle of  FIG. 20  and the cover of  FIG. 21 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 32  is a left front perspective view of the side restraint of  FIG. 31 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 33  is right front perspective view of an inside of the side restraint of  FIGS. 31 and 32 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 34  is a right side plan view from the inside of the vehicle showing the side restraint of  FIG. 31 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 35  shows the side restraint in the perspective of  FIG. 33  with the side restraint rotated open by 90°; 
           [0044]      FIG. 36  shows a front left perspective view of the side restraint rotated open by 90°; 
           [0045]      FIG. 37  is a front end view of the side restraint in the open position; and 
           [0046]      FIG. 38  is a rear end view of the side restraint in the open position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0047]    With reference first to  FIG. 1 , a utility vehicle is shown at  2  comprising a frame  4  supported by front wheels  6  and rear wheels  8 . Vehicle  2  includes a front body portion  10  and a rear body portion  12  including a utility bed defined at  14 . An operator&#39;s compartment is defined at  16  including a seating area defined at  18 . Operator&#39;s compartment  16  is enclosed by a cab frame  20 . Seating area  18  could be defined by two bucket seats or a bench style seat having seating positions for two-three persons. As shown, a bench-type seating area is defined by a seat bottom  22  and a seat back  24 . Operator&#39;s compartment  16  further includes operator controls such as a steering wheel  26  and a gear shift lever  28 . Finally, operator&#39;s area further includes a foot restraint at  30  and a side restraint at  32 . 
         [0048]    With reference now to  FIG. 1A , a reference line  36  is shown at a front end  22 A of seat bottom  22 . A second reference line  38  is shown at a distance  40  forward of reference line  36 , where distance  40  is a maximum of 229 mm (9 in.). A third reference line  42  is defined at a vertical distance  44  from a top of floor  46 , where distance  44  is a minimum of 102 mm (4 in.). When distance  40  equals 229 mm and when distance  44  equals 102 mm, point P 1  is defined (as per ROHVA 1-2014) at a corner of foot restraint  30 . It should be realized that distance  40  could be less than 229 mm and that distance  44  could be greater than 102 mm which would show foot restraint  30  encompassing point P which is shown in  FIG. 1A  at P 2 . 
         [0049]    With reference now to  FIG. 2 , foot restraint  30  is shown as a solid bar  50  where each end is flattened to define a first and upper mounting bracket  52  and a second and lower mounting bracket at  54 . Each bracket has an aperture at  56  for mounting of the restraint to the vehicle frame  4 . Bar  50  is defined with a vertical portion  57  and a horizontal portion at  58 . Foot restraint  30  may be fastened to the frame by way of fasteners  60  ( FIG. 1A ) such as bolts. As opposed to a metal foot restraint, the foot restraint may be plastic, and may be trapezoidal in configuration to fit against the rear edge of the front body panel and against the floor board. 
         [0050]    With reference now to  FIG. 3 , side restraint  32  is shown as coupled to rear post  62  of cab frame  20 . Side restraint  32  includes a restraint bar  64 , upper bracket  66 , upper detent  68 , lower bracket  70 , and lower detent  72 . It should be appreciated that bar  64  may be moveable between a first position shown in  FIG. 3  and into a second and open position shown in  FIG. 4 . With reference now to  FIG. 5 , the details of side restraint  32  will be described in greater detail. 
         [0051]    Side restraint  32  includes a moveable restraint bar  64  having an upper mounting leg  80  having an aperture at  82 , which transitions into first and second radiused portions  84 ,  86 , to provide an upper horizontal portion at  88 . Portion  88  transitions into radiused portion  90  which then provides a vertical portion  92  which transitions into radiused portion  94 . Radiused portion  94  transitions into lower horizontal section  96  having an aperture at  98 . 
         [0052]    Upper bracket  66  is mounted to post  62  by known mechanical means such as by fasteners and or welding. Bracket  66  includes two threaded apertures at  100  for mounting detent  68  as described herein. 
         [0053]    Detent  68  includes a detent section  102  and a mounting bracket  104 . Detent section  102  includes a first semi-cylindrical detent portion  106  and a transverse detent portion  108 . It should be appreciated that detent portion  106  is profiled to receive leg  80  of restraint bar  64  as shown in either of  FIG. 3 or 6 . With reference to  FIG. 6 , detent portion  102  includes a counterbore at  110  which is coaxially aligned with an aperture  112  which aligns with aperture  82  of leg  80 . A fastener  114  is provided having a head  116  and a threaded shank  118 , where shank is receivable through apertures  82  and  112  to position the threaded portion into counterbore  110 . A compression spring  120  and washer  122  are receivable over the end of shank  118  and a fastener  124  such as a nut may be threaded onto threaded shank  118 . Thus, compression spring  120  spring loads the restraint bar  64  in the downward position as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0054]    Mounting portion  104  of detent portion  68  includes two apertures  130  to receive fasteners  132  to couple detent  68  to bracket  66 , where fasteners  132  are received in threaded apertures  100 . 
         [0055]    Bracket  70  includes a box-shaped bracket portion  140  having a outer side wall  142 , front and rear walls  144  and  146 , and an inner wall at  148 , where the box-shaped section may be coupled to post  62  by way of fasteners  150 . Bracket  70  further includes a depending bracket portion  152  having legs  154  and a lower mount portion  156  having apertures  158  for coupling to a portion of frame  4 . 
         [0056]    Lower detent  72  includes a first detent portion  160  and a second detent portion  162 . Detent  72  is mountable to front side wall  144  by way of a fastener  164  extending through aperture  166  and threadably engaged in threaded aperture  144 A. As shown best in  FIG. 6 , detent  72  also includes a counterbore at  170  which receives the fastener  114  compression spring  120 , washer  122  and fastener  124  as described above. Thus, in the assembled position as shown in  FIG. 6 , each of the fasteners  124  are partially threaded onto threaded shank  118  so as to compress spring  120  but ample room exists between a top of counterbore  110  and  170  and washers  122  such that the restraint bar  64  may be lifted (under spring load from spring  120 ) to a position where legs  80  and  96  clear their corresponding detent portions  106 ,  160 . At that position, the restraint bar  64  may be turned outwardly to the position of  FIG. 4  whereby release of the restraint bar spring loads the restraint bar downwardly to the position where the restraint bar now resides in detent portions  108 ,  162 . 
         [0057]    With reference again to  FIG. 1A , an axis  180  is shown along the base of seat back  24  extending to the seat bottom  22 . Another axis  182  is shown extending from axis  180  in a perpendicular sense, and extending from the seat bottom  22 . Therefore, a point R is defined at a distance  184  measured from axis  182  and a distance  186  measured form axis  180 . As mentioned above, and according to ANSI/ROHVA 1-2014, position R should be located where distance  184  is at least 432 mm (17 in.) and wherein distance  186  is at least 152 mm (6 in.) forward from axis  180 . This positions point R in the upper loop portion as defined by restraint bar portions  84 - 92  ( FIG. 5 ). Thus, when the vehicle is in an operable mode, the restraint bar is positioned in the configuration of  FIG. 3  whereby the point R is encompassed by the restraint bar  64  and when the vehicle is stopped, the restraint bar may be moved to the position of  FIG. 4  allowing a larger opening for ingress and egress. It should also be appreciated that the restraint bar could be equipped with a sensor system such as that described in our U.S. Pat. No. 8,534,397 to provide an auditory signal or a reduced throttle opening, if the restraint bar were in the position of  FIG. 4  and the vehicle were attempted to be operated. 
         [0058]    With reference now to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a second embodiment of the side restraint will be shown at  202  where all of the components with the exception of the restraint bar  204  are identical to that described above with respect to restraint bar  32  and therefore will not be described again in detail. 
         [0059]    In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , restraint bar  204  is configured to have an upper shoulder restraint portion  206  and an extending portion at  208  which is forward of and lower than shoulder restraint portion  206  for restraining the operator&#39;s thigh. Thus, restraint bar  204  is defined by an upper leg  210  positioned in detent  106  having an aperture at  212 , where leg  210  transitions into radiused portions  214  and  216 . A horizontal section  218  extends forwardly transitioning into radiused portion  210  which extends downwardly to transition into a vertical portion at  222 . At this position, the restraint transitions forward by way of radiused portion  224  into a straight section  226  and then transitioning into radiused section  228 . A second and lower leg  230  extends rearwardly and has an aperture at  232 . Leg  230  is positioned in detent section  160 . Restraint bar  204  may be raised upwardly under the influence of compression springs  120  whereby the horizontal portions  210  and  230  may be rotated into the detent sections  108  and  162  in a similar manner as described above with reference to restraint bar  64 . 
         [0060]    With reference now to  FIGS. 9-13 , a third embodiment of side restraint will be described. With reference first to  FIG. 9 , a third restraint is shown as  302  which is shown in the down position, that is the position where the vehicle is not moving. It should be appreciated that in this embodiment the side restraint moves upwardly to a position as shown in  FIG. 13 . With reference now to  FIGS. 10-12 , the side restraint  302  will be described in greater detail. In this design, the side restraint  302  generally comprises a retaining mechanism in the form of a lever arm  304  coupled to bracket  70  by way of a secondary bracket  306 . Lever arm  304  is coupled to a link arm  308  ( FIG. 11 ) which in turn couples to moveable restraint  310  with moveable restraint  310  being coupled to rear post  62  by way of bracket  312 . 
         [0061]    With reference to  FIG. 12 , lever arm  304  includes a pivot mount  320  having apertures  322  about which an arm  324  may pivot. Lever arm  304  is similar to an automotive emergency brake type handle having a handle grip  326  and a release button  328 . A pad could be added over the top of lever arm for an arm rest. It should be appreciated that pulling the handle upwardly causes an internal ratchet and pawl system to lock whereas depressing button  328  releases the pawl from the ratchet, allowing the lever arm to be rotated downwardly. Lever  324  includes an aperture at  330  for coupling to link arm  308 . Bracket  306  is L-shaped having an upper portion at  336  with apertures  338  for mounting to bracket  70 . A lower portion of bracket  306  includes wall portions  340  and  342  having apertures at  344 . Link arm  308  has a lower aperture at  350  and an upper aperture at  352 . 
         [0062]    Moveable restraint  310  includes an outer tubular portion  360  and an inner sheet  362  where sheet  362  includes an aperture at  364  and an axle  366 . Bracket  312  includes a portion  370  fixed to post  62  such as by fasteners or welding and includes a coupling at  372  profiled to receive axle  366 . 
         [0063]    Thus, in this design, lever arm  304  is coupled to bracket  306  by aligning apertures  322 ,  344  whereupon a fastener (not shown) is positioned through both apertures allowing lever  324  to move relative to bracket  306 . Moveable restraint  310  is coupled to bracket  312  where sleeves  380  are received in coupling  372 , and axle  366  is positioned through sleeves  380 . A fastener  382  couples moveable restraint  310  to bracket  312  by way of fasteners  394 ,  396 . Meanwhile, link arm  308  is coupled to both moveable restraint  310  by positioning sleeves  386  in apertures  350 ,  352 , whereupon a fastener (not shown) can be received through sets of apertures  352 ,  364 ; and  330 ,  350 . 
         [0064]    Thus, in this design, moveable restraint  310  may be moved from the position shown in  FIG. 9 , allowing ingress and egress to the vehicle, to the position shown in  FIG. 13 . In the  FIG. 13  position, lever arm  304  is raised, causing moveable restraint  310  to move upwardly in the direction of arrow  390  to a position where restraint  310  encompasses point P. 
         [0065]    With reference now to  FIG. 14 , vehicle  2  has a side net assembly  400 , where the side net assembly generally comprises a net portion  402 , a retractor  404  and a locking member  406 . Net  402  includes a top strap  408  coupled to the vehicle by way of a bracket  410  and coupled to the locking member  406  at the front end. At a front edge of the net assembly  402 , a rod  412  is provided which pivots to the vehicle at point  414 . While the pivot could be a ball socket allowing multiple degrees of freedom, the pivot is preferably a pin socket allowing rotation only forward and rearward to provide some stiffness to the net  402 . The rod is fixed at point  416 , however another pin socket could be provided at  416  allowing the rod  412  to be rotatably coupled to the locking member  406 . 
         [0066]    With reference still to  FIG. 14 , the net portion  402  includes connecting strap portions  420  coupled to the top strap  408  and to the rod  412 . It should be appreciated that other strap portions  422  could be provided along multiple transverse positions to the strap portions  420 . It should also be appreciated that the configuration of the net itself can modified in almost any manner and still operate with the embodiment shown. For example the net could be a more rectangular configuration having generally horizontal and vertical straps. 
         [0067]    With reference still to  FIG. 14 , the retractor  404  includes a retractor body  426  and a retracted belt  428 . The retractor is similar to a seat belt retractor where the belt is spring loaded towards the retractor body  426 . A leading end of the belt  428  is also coupled to the locking member  406 . Locking member is best shown in  FIG. 15  as having a cylindrical configuration with upper  406   a , middle  406   b  and lower  406   c  portions, where the top strap  408  and retractor strap  428  are coupled to the middle cylindrical portion  406   b.    
         [0068]    The locking member  406  is coupled to the vehicle frame  4 , by way of a counterpart locking bracket  430 . Bracket  430  is coupled to the vehicle frame  4  and also couples the locking member  406  to the bracket  430 . Locking bracket  430  could be similar to that shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , where bracket  430  includes a flange  432  having apertures  434  for mounting to the vehicle frame. A hook portion  436  extends from the flange  432  and includes a notch at  438 . Notch  438  defines an upper hook portion  436   a  and a lower notch portion  436   c.    
         [0069]    Thus when bracket  430  is coupled to the vehicle frame, locking member  406  may be coupled within the arcuate hook portion  436 , as best shown in  FIG. 17 . In this position, the retractor belt  428  and the top strap  408  would be received in the notch  438 , and the cylindrical portions  406   a  and  406   c  would be coupled within their corresponding hook portions  436   a  and  436   c , respectively. 
         [0070]    When the net assembly needs to opened for ingress or egress, the locking member  406  is removed from the bracket  430 , and the tension on the retractor belt  428  pulls the locking member (and the accompanying net) to the retractor body  426 . It should be understood that the retractor strap is not connected to the net along its length; rather the net straps  420 ,  422  are simply braided around the retractor strap  428 . 
         [0071]    Alternatively, the locking bracket could be integrated into the front body portion  10 . More particularly, and with reference to  FIG. 18 , the counterpart locking could be provided by an integrated member  440 , integrated into a rear face of the front fender  450 . The member  440  would include an entry slot  442 , a notch  444  and integrated hook portions  446 . This configuration could all be a molded part, molded with the front fender  450 . This is best shown in  FIG. 19  with integrated hook portions  446  molded into the fender. As the body portions of utility vehicle  2  are typically comprised of a plastic material, this integration would be accomplished at the molding phase. 
         [0072]    With reference to  FIGS. 20-24 , a further embodiment of side restraint will be described. With reference first to  FIG. 20 , vehicle  2  is shown having a cover  500  (shown in phantom) which covers a portion of rear post  62 , upper bracket  66  and box-shaped bracket portion  140 . Vehicle  2  would accommodate the mounting of side restraint  502  ( FIG. 22 ) over cover  500 . 
         [0073]    With reference to  FIG. 21 , cover  500  includes an outer wall  504 , an upper angled wall at  506  having a slot at  508  and an arcuate opening  510  which would encompass the rear post  62 . Cover  500  also includes a front wall  512  and a rear wall  514 . It should be appreciated that slot  508  allows access to threaded apertures  100  ( FIG. 5 ). With reference now to  FIGS. 22-25 , side restraint  502  will be described in greater detail. 
         [0074]    With reference first to  FIGS. 22 and 24 , side restraint  502  generally includes a mounting bracket  520 , a restraint bar assembly  522  comprised of a vertical support  524 , a restraint bar  526 , and a latch  530 . As shown best in  FIG. 23 , latch  530  is coupled to assembly  522  by way of a strap portion  536  and restraint bar assembly  522  is coupled to bracket  520  by way of hinges  540  ( FIG. 24 ). Latch assembly  530  includes a striker  544  having a mount portion  546  coupled to bracket  520  and a U-shaped striker bar  548 . 
         [0075]    As best shown in  FIG. 24 , bracket  520  includes wall  550  to which striker  544  is mounted, and an L-shaped leg  552  having a leg portion  554  having an aperture at  556 . Bracket  520  further includes an angled leg portion at  560  having apertures at  562  and side wall  564 . It should be appreciated that bracket  520  can be mounted to upper bracket  66  and lower bracket  140  ( FIG. 20 ) where a fastener could be positioned through aperture  556  and into threaded engagement with threaded aperture  144 A ( FIG. 5 ) and fasteners could be positioned through apertures  562  and into threaded engagement with threaded apertures  100  ( FIG. 5 ). It should be appreciated that the fasteners extending through bracket apertures  562  would extend through slot  508  ( FIG. 21 ). 
         [0076]    With reference still to  FIGS. 22-25 , side restraint assembly  522  will now be described in greater detail. Vertical support  524  is shown as including a channel shaped member having a vertical wall  570  and side walls  572  and  574 . Side wall  574  is notched at  576  to allow clearance for rotation of the side restraint assembly as described herein. As shown best in  FIG. 27 , hinges  540  include hinge portion  580  coupled to wall  570  and hinge portion  582  coupled to wall portion  564  of bracket  520 . Hinges  540  would also include a pin through aperture  590  and  592  so as to rotate about a vertical axis  594 . 
         [0077]    As shown in  FIG. 23 , restraint bar  526  includes an upper bar portion  526   a  coupled to a top edge of vertical support  524 , a lower bar portion  526   b  coupled to a lower edge of vertical support  524  and a front bar portion  526   c . Strap portion  536  is coupled between bar portion  526   c  and side wall  572  of vertical support  524  to retain latch  530  in position. 
         [0078]    With reference now to  FIG. 26 , latch  530  will be described in greater detail. As shown, latch  530  includes a mounting tab at  600  which couples to apertures  602  of strap portion  536 . Latch  530  includes a base portion  604  which rotatably couples an actuator  606  thereto, where actuator  606  rotates about an axis  608 . A torsion spring  610  is coupled around the axis of rotation  608  and includes a spring leg  612  positioned behind actuator  606  such that actuator  606  is spring loaded into the position shown in  FIG. 26 . Latch  530  further includes a U-shaped latch  620  (only one leg of which is visible in  FIG. 26 ) encompassing striker  548 . 
         [0079]    Thus, when actuator  606  is moved in the direction of arrow  624 , U-shaped latch  620  is released and the door may be swung to an open position whereby U-shaped latch  620  rotates into an open position in the direction of arrow  626 , where it remains while in the open position. When the side restraint assembly  522  is then again moved to the closed position, the U-shaped latch  620  hits the striker  548  where upon the U-shaped latch returns to the position shown in  FIG. 26 , latching the door to a closed position. 
         [0080]    The open position of the side restraint  502  is shown in  FIGS. 27-30 , where the restraint allows ingress/egress to the vehicle  502 . It should be appreciated that the side restraint  502  of  FIGS. 22-30  encompasses the point R for vehicle  2  as shown in  FIG. 20  when closed, and does not encompasses the point R when open. 
         [0081]    With reference now to  FIGS. 31-38 , another embodiment of side restraint will be described. With reference first to  FIGS. 31-34 , side restraint  702  generally includes a mounting bracket  720 , a restraint bar assembly  722  comprised of a vertical support  724 , a restraint bar  726 , and a latch  730 . It should be appreciated that side restraint  702  is mountable to the vehicle  2  as shown in  FIG. 20 . As shown best in  FIG. 34 , latch  730  is coupled to assembly  722  by way of a strap portion  736  and restraint bar assembly  722  is coupled to bracket  720  by way of hinges  740 . Latch assembly  730  includes a striker  744  ( FIG. 36 ) having a mount portion  746  coupled to bracket  720  and a U-shaped striker bar  748 . 
         [0082]    As best shown in  FIG. 33 , bracket  720  includes wall  750  and an L-shaped leg  752  having a leg portion  754  having an aperture at  756 . Bracket  720  further includes an angled leg portion at  760  having apertures at  762  and side wall  764 . Bracket  720  further includes leg  766  to which striker  744  is mounted. It should be appreciated that bracket  720  can be mounted to upper bracket  66  and lower bracket  140  ( FIG. 20 ) where a fastener could be positioned through aperture  756  and into threaded engagement with threaded aperture  144   a  ( FIG. 5 ) and fasteners could be positioned through apertures  762  and into threaded engagement with threaded apertures  100  ( FIG. 5 ). It should be appreciated that the fasteners extending through bracket apertures  762  would extend through slot  508  of cover  500  ( FIG. 21 ). 
         [0083]    With reference now to  FIG. 32 , side restraint assembly  722  will now be described in greater detail. Vertical support  724  is shown as including a channel shaped member having a vertical wall  770  and side walls  772  and  774 . Side wall  774  is notched at  776  to allow clearance for rotation of the side restraint assembly as described herein. As shown best in  FIG. 33 , hinges  740  include hinge portion  780  coupled to wall  770  and hinge portion  782  coupled to wall portion  750  of bracket  720 . Hinges  740  would also include a pin through aperture  790  and  792  so as to rotate about an axis  794  offset from vertical. In the embodiment shown, side restraint  702  rotates about axis  794  where an angle θ (see  FIG. 34 ) between axis  794  and a vertical axis is 15°. The axis could be in a range of 5°-30°, but preferably in the range of 10°-20°. 
         [0084]    As shown in  FIG. 33 , restraint bar  726  includes an upper bar portion  726   a  coupled to a top edge of vertical support  724 , a lower bar portion  726   b  coupled to a lower edge of vertical support  724  and a front bar portion  726   c . Strap portion  736  is coupled between bar portion  726   c  and wall  770  of vertical support  724  to retain latch  730  in position. Strap portion  736  is coupled to wall  770  at edge  798 . Latch  730  is the same as latch  530  and therefore will not be described again here. Suffice it to say that latch  730  includes an actuator  806  which couples and decouples the side restraint assembly  722  to striker  744  in the same manner as described above with reference to  FIG. 26 . 
         [0085]    The open position of the side restraint  702  is shown in  FIGS. 35-38 , where the restraint  722  allows ingress/egress to the vehicle  2 . It should be appreciated that the side restraint  702  of  FIGS. 31-38  encompasses the point R for vehicle  2  as shown in  FIG. 20  when closed, and does not encompasses the point R when open. 
         [0086]    While this invention has been described as having an exemplary design, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains.