Abstract:
Removable cab components and a removable cab assembly for a vehicle. A durable cab assembly is provided, which generally includes a roof, a windshield and a rear panel that is removably attachable to the vehicle. In certain embodiments, the roof, windshield and rear panel are separate components, each separately removably attachable to the vehicle. In certain embodiments, each component of the cab assembly is removably attachable to the roll cage of the vehicle without comprising the integrity of the roll cage. The attachment and detachment of the cab assembly can be carried out manually, by a single person, in a short period of time, without requiring separate tools. The invention is also directed to the windshield, roof and rear panel as individual components adapted for quick attachment/detachment to a vehicle, and a method of attaching or detaching cab components or a cab assembly.

Description:
This application claims priority of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/923,313 filed on Apr. 13, 2007, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Motorized vehicles used for sport, recreation or utility, such as neighborhood electric vehicles (NEV&#39;S, which can be street-legal), tractors, and other 2-wheel drive, 4-wheel drive, all-wheel drive capable vehicles, on or off-road, all terrain vehicles (ATV), sport utility vehicles and utility vehicles (UTV), have become extremely popular. Such vehicles typically have gasoline-powered engines and have three or four wheels designed for carrying one or more passengers in off-road terrain. UTV&#39;s, which generally are larger than traditional ATVs, but still much smaller than pickup trucks, are often intended for towing, carrying cargo and plowing, although they do not have the power capabilities of larger trucks. UTV&#39;s are commonly used by golf courses, refineries, utilities, municipalities, and construction companies. Sport utility vehicles are a more powerful and faster version of the utility vehicle. Sport utility vehicles are generally used for trail and open country riding by hunters and pleasure riders. Engines in sport utility vehicles can range up to about 60 horsepower. Most sport utility vehicles have towing or plowing capabilities and also a cargo bed on the back. ATVs are frequently used by hunters for transportation to campsites, for transporting animal carcasses (often with the aid of a winch), etc. These types of vehicles generally include a vehicle chassis, one or more seats, a steering mechanism such as handlebars or a steering wheel, and a roll cage. The engine of an exemplary UTV delivers 30 horsepower, as compared to over 200 HP for a typical pickup truck, limiting the UTV&#39;s to lower maximum payloads and lower towing capacities. The electrical systems of UTV&#39;s and ATV&#39;s are also inferior in terms of power capability. The alternator of a typically pickup truck is capable of delivering 130 amps, allowing it to supply energy to high-power external attachments, such as winches, hydraulic snow plows, and the like. However, the alternators for traditional ATV&#39;s and UTV&#39;s are capable of delivering only about 15-40 amps. 
     As such vehicles become more popular, it is desirable to be able to offer removable cabs for such vehicles. Cabs offer environmental protection to the passengers, and quick and easy attachment and detachment of such cabs would provide clear advantages. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide quick attach/detach cab assembly for vehicles, especially off road vehicles, such as tractors, ATV&#39;s, sport utility vehicles and UTV&#39;S. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The problems of the prior art have been overcome by the present invention, which provides removable cab components and a removable cab assembly for a vehicle. More specifically, a durable cab assembly is provided, which generally includes a roof, a windshield and a rear panel that is removably attachable to the vehicle. In certain embodiments, the roof, windshield and rear panel are separate components, each separately removably attachable to the vehicle. In certain embodiments, each component of the cab assembly is removably attachable to the roll cage of the vehicle without compromising the integrity of the roll cage. The attachment and detachment of the cab assembly in accordance with the invention can be carried out manually, by a single person, in a short period of time, without requiring separate tools. The invention is also directed to the windshield, roof and rear panel as individual components adapted for quick attachment/detachment to a vehicle, and a method of attaching or detaching cab components or a cab assembly. A kit comprising, as individual components, a windshield, roof and rear panel, each having a fastening system for quick attachment/detachment from a vehicle, is also provided. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an off-road vehicle including attachments for attaching a windshield, roof and rear panel in accordance with certain embodiments; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view the vehicle of  FIG. 1  with a roof attached in accordance with certain embodiments; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the vehicle of  FIG. 1  with a windshield attached in accordance with certain embodiments; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the vehicle of  FIG. 1  with a rear panel attached in accordance with certain embodiments; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the vehicle of  FIG. 1  with a windshield, roof and rear panel attached in accordance with certain embodiments; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a striker pin and bracket assembly being attached to a post of a vehicle in accordance with certain embodiments; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a first roof bracket being attached to a post of a vehicle in accordance with certain embodiments; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a second roof bracket being attached to a post of a vehicle in accordance with certain embodiments; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view a roof of a cab assembly in accordance with certain embodiments; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the front portion of a roof just prior to engagement with the vehicle in accordance with certain embodiments; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the rear portion of a roof just prior to engagement with the vehicle in accordance with certain embodiments; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the inside of a windshield in accordance with certain embodiments; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a top portion of a windshield just prior to engagement with the vehicle in accordance with certain embodiments; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a bottom portion of a windshield just prior to engagement with the vehicle in accordance with certain embodiments; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a rear panel bracket being attached to a post of the vehicle in accordance with certain embodiments; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the inside of a rear panel in accordance with certain embodiments; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a portion of the rear panel just prior to engagement with the vehicle in accordance with certain embodiments; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a portion of the rear panel just prior to engagement with the vehicle in accordance with certain embodiments; and 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a portion of the rear panel engaged with the vehicle in accordance with certain embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Turning first to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an exemplary vehicle  1  on which the quick attach/detach cab assembly of the present invention can be used. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the vehicle shown is for illustrative purposes only; other vehicle designs and configurations can be used and are within the scope of the present invention. Preferably the vehicle has a four-post roll over protection structure (ROPS) 2 or other suitable cage structure or the like. Exemplary vehicles that are commercially available include the Yamaha Rhino®, Kawasaki Mule®, Polaris Ranger®, John Deere Gator®, Club Car 4×4, Easy-Go 4×4, Cub Cadet 4×4, etc. The vehicle shown is motorized, includes four wheels (only three shown), a steering wheel  3 , passenger seats  4 A,  4 B and a rear utility bed  5 . 
     The roll over protection structure shown as exemplary includes driver&#39;s side front  6 A and rear  6 B substantially vertical posts, which, in the embodiment shown, are part of a single substantially U-shaped member having a top portion  6 C. The base of the front  6 A and rear  6   b  posts are attached to the vehicle in a conventional manner. Similar passenger side front  7 A and rear  6 B substantially vertical posts, which also are part of a single substantially U-shaped member having a top portion  7 C are provided. The base of the front  7 A and rear  7 B posts are attached to the vehicle in a conventional manner. Top lateral members  8 A,  8 B extend between top portions  6 C and  7 C as shown. Other configurations are available. For example, the four substantially vertical posts can be separate posts and/or can be integrated with other members of the roll over protection structure or vehicle structure. It should be understood that the terms “roll over protection structure” and “roll cage” as used herein are interchangeable and can include any roll cage or other combination of structural members that extend from the vehicle and can protect the vehicle passengers from injury in the event of a roll over, whether certified or not. In preferred embodiments, the roll over protection structure serves as the support for the cab assembly. 
     In accordance with certain embodiments, the quick release fasteners used to couple the cab assembly to the vehicle may include a series of latches, slots and pins. A preferred latch is a rotary latch that is triggered by a striker pin, which engages respective latch cams in the rotary latches and slides back into the latch body along with the cam. The striker pins remain within the body of the latch, providing a strong and secure connection. No additional tools or manual manipulation is necessary to engage the striker pins in respective latches. Suitable latches include single actuation and dual actuating rotary latches. On opening, the latch cam rotates out of the body to disengage from the striker pin. Although rotary latches and striker pins are illustrated in the drawings, other latches are within the scope of the invention, such as sliding spring latches. 
     Because of the different style roll over protection structures available, the particular location of the fasteners can vary without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Latches shown on cab components could be instead located on the vehicle, and pins shown on the vehicle could instead be located on the cab components. Furthermore, depending on the size and weight of each cab component, and the nature of the latch used, a single latch or multiple latches (including more than the two latches per component as exemplified below) can be used to removably attach each component to the vehicle. An exemplary quick release fastening system will now be described. 
     Coupled near the base of each front post  6 A,  7 A and each rear post  6 B,  7 B is a striker pin  13 . In order to maintain the integrity of the posts  6 A,  6 B,  7 A,  7 B, preferably each striker pin  13  is attached, via a respective bracket  14 , using existing bolts  12  that attach the posts to the vehicle. Thus, referring to  FIG. 6 , the bolts  12  are loosened or removed, each bracket  14  (with suitable slots or holes to receive the bolts) is placed against a respective post, and the bolts are tightened or reinserted and tightened to secure the brackets to the posts and the posts to the vehicle. The brackets should be made of a rigid and durable material, such as mild steel, hard plastic or composites. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that although each striker pin  13  is shown having a cylindrical pin body and a pin head extending therefrom and having a larger diameter than the body, other configurations are possible and within the scope of the invention. The diameter and length of each pin body are configured to be received by a corresponding pin slot, or by a corresponding latch, as discussed in greater detail below. It is noted that when the pin is engaged by a latch, it is generally referred to as a striker pin, although the terms “striker pin” and “pin” can be used interchangeably, since in preferred embodiments the striker pin and pin can have the same or similar configuration. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate the attachment of roof brackets  18 ,  18 ′ between the lateral members  8 A,  8 B ad top portions  6 C,  7 C of the roll over protection structure. Thus, bolts  122  that secure the lateral members  8 A,  8 B to the top portions  6 C,  7 C are loosened or removed, and the slotted brackets  18 ,  18 ′ are slipped into place between end plates  19 ,  19 ′ on each side of the lateral members  8 A,  8 B. The bolts  122  are then tightened, or reinserted and tightened, thereby securing bracket  18  between the end plates  19 ,  19 ′ and the top portion  7 C, and bracket  18 ′ between the end plates  19 ,  19 ′ and the top portion  6 C. The brackets could also be secured to the inside or outside surface of the roll over protection structure, if desired. The brackets should be made of a rigid and durable material, such as mild steel, hard plastic or composites. Like pins  13 , the brackets are attached without compromising the integrity of the roll over protection system, by using existing structure and not creating any additional holes or other weak points in the bars. Preferably the brackets  18  are made of a resilient, durable material such as steel or hard plastic. 
     Each roof bracket  18 ,  18 ′ includes a striker pin  113  having a cylindrical pin body and terminating in a pin head having a larger diameter than the pin body. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the pins  113  extend laterally inwardly and are positioned and configured to be received by a corresponding roof latch as discussed in greater detail below. Each roof bracket  18 ,  18 ′ also includes a forward slot  21 , positioned and shaped to receive a corresponding pin on the windshield, a rear slot  22 , positioned and shaped to receive a corresponding pin on the rear panel, and an angled roof slot  23 , positioned and shaped to receive a corresponding pin on the roof. Each bracket  18 ,  18 ′ may also include a seal or other weather stripping  24 , which is compressed under the weight of the roof and helps weatherproof the interior of the cab. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a typical roof  30  for a cab in accordance with certain embodiments. The roof  30  includes a roof body and has been equipped with a first front pin  31  that extends downwardly from the undersurface  29  of the roof  30 , and a first rear latch  32  that also extends downwardly from the undersurface  29 . The latch  32  is spaced longitudinally from the front pin  31  as shown. In the exemplary embodiment shown, each latch  32  is a rotary latch that is triggered by a striker pin. 
     Bar  33 , with downwardly extending flanges  34 ,  34 ′, can be used to attach the pin  31  and the latch  32  to the underside  29  of the roof  30 . Bar  33  can be attached to the roof by any suitable means, such as bolts  36 . A second bar  33 ′, laterally spaced from the first bar  33 , is also provided and holds a second front pin  31 ′ and a second spaced rear latch  32 ′ as shown. The bars should be made of a rigid and durable material, such as mild steel, hard plastic or composites. Bolts  36 ′ secure the bar  33 ′ to the underside  29  of the roof  30 . Preferably the pins  31 ,  31 ′ are positioned so that they are equidistant from the front  30   a  of the roof, and the latches  32 ,  32 ′ are positioned so that they are equidistance from the rear  30   b  of the roof. Similarly, preferably the pins  31 ,  31 ′ are each positioned about the same lateral distance from the respective sides of the roof, as are the latches  32 ,  32 ′. The pins define a pivot axis about which the roof body can pivot with respect to the vehicle when the pins  31 ,  31 ′ are received by corresponding respective slots on the vehicle. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that although each pin  31 ,  31 ′ is shown having a cylindrical pin body  39  and a pin head  40  extending therefrom and having a larger diameter than the body  39 , other configurations are possible and within the scope of the invention. The diameter and length of each pin body  39  are configured to be received by a corresponding pin slot, or by a corresponding latch, as discussed in greater detail below. When received by a pin slot, the pin head of larger diameter acts as a stop, limiting lateral movement of the pin when in the slot-received position. Although the pins are shown near the front  31   a  of the roof and the latches near the rear  30   b,  the precise location of the pins and latches is not particularly limited. For example, the pins could be near the rear  30   b  and the latches near the front  30   a.  Also, although bars  33 ,  33 ′ extend in the longitudinal direction, they could be laterally placed such that a front bar supports the pins  31 ,  31 ′ and a rear bar supports the latches  32 ,  32 ′. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates the insertion of front pin  31  extending from roof  30  into a corresponding slot  23  in bracket  18 . Preferably each slot  23  is angled to facilitate insertion of the front pins. To attach the roof  30 , the roof  30  is positioned above the brackets  18 ,  18 ′, and held at an angle such that the rear of the roof  30  is held higher than the front. The pins  31 ,  31 ′ are then inserted into respective slots  23  in the brackets  18 ,  18 ′ and the roof is pushed forward (towards the front of the vehicle) until the body of each pin  31 ,  31 ′ engages the end  23   a  of each respective slot  23 . Once the pins  31 ,  31 ′ are so received by the slots  23 , the roof  30  is pivoted on the pivot axis defined by the pins  31 ,  31 ′ and the rear of the roof is lowered so that the latches  32 ,  32 ′ can engage striker pins  113  on each bracket  18 ,  18 ′, as best seen in  FIG. 11 , and lock the roof in place.  FIGS. 2 and 5  show the roof  30  in its attached position on the vehicle  1 . Again, the pins and latches could be reversed, so that the rear of the roof is attached first, followed by the roof front. 
     The windshield  40  and rear panel  60  are attached to the vehicle in a similar manner. Specifically, with reference to  FIG. 12 , the windshield  40  includes a body having first upper pin  131  and a laterally spaced second upper pin  131 ′ affixed to the windshield  40  with brackets  77 . Each upper pin  131 ,  131 ′ extends laterally outwardly and terminates in a pin head as shown. Depending upon the configuration of the roll over protection structure of a particular vehicle, the pins could extend laterally inwardly. The pins  131 ,  131 ′ define a windshield pivot axis. A pair of spaced latches  132 ,  132 ′ are affixed to the lower portion of the windshield  40 , one each below a respective upper pin  131 , 131 ′. Each upper pin  131 ,  131 ′ is received in a respective front slot  21  in roof bracket  18 ,  18 ′ to mount the windshield onto the vehicle, as shown in  FIG. 13 . Once the upper pins  131 ,  131 ′ are received in respective slots  21 , the windshield  40  is pivoted on the upper pins  131 ,  131 ′ about the pivot axis, and the lower end of the windshield  40  is swung towards the vehicle as shown by the arrows in  FIG. 14 , so that each of the spaced lower latches  132 ,  132 ′ on the windshield  40  engages a respective striker pin  13  on posts  6 A,  7 A and locks the windshield in place ( FIGS. 3 and 5 ). Again, the location of the pins  131 ,  131 ′ and latches  132 ,  132 ′ could be reversed. 
       FIG. 15  illustrates an exemplary attachment of striker pin  13  to the post  6 B. Bracket  134  to which striker pin  13  is attached includes slots  71 ,  71 ′ that slide around loosened bolts  122 . Tightening of the bolts  122  secures the bracket  134  to the post  6 B. The bracket  134  may also include an arcuate cutout  72  to accommodate bar  75  that is located between the seats  4 A,  4 B. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 16 and 17 , the rear panel  60  includes a body having first upper pin  231  and a laterally spaced second upper pin  231 ′. Each upper pin  231 ,  231 ′ extends laterally inwardly and terminates in a pin head as shown. Depending upon the configuration of the roll over protection structure of a particular vehicle, the pins could extend laterally outwardly. The pins  231 ,  231 ′ define a rear panel pivot axis. A pair of spaced latches  232 ,  232 ′ are affixed to the lower portion of the rear panel  60 , one each below a respective upper pin  231 ,  231 ′. Each upper pin  231 ,  231 ′ is received in a respective rear slot  22  in roof bracket  18 ,  18 ′. Once the upper pins  231 ,  231 ′ are received in respective slots  22 , the rear panel  60  is pivoted on the upper pins  231 ,  231 ′ about the pivot axis, and the lower end of the rear panel  60  is swung towards the vehicle as shown by the arrows in  FIG. 18 , so that each of the spaced lower latches on the rear panel  60  engage a respective striker pin  13  on posts  6 B,  7 B and lock the rear panel in place ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ). As was the case with the windshield  40  and roof  30 , the location of the pins  231 ,  231 ′ and latches  232 ,  232 ′ could be reversed. 
     Alternatively, rear panel  60  could include a single latch  232 ″ centrally located along the lower edge of the panel as shown in  FIG. 19 . A corresponding striker pin  231 ″ can be affixed to the bracket  240  connecting bars  78 ,  79  of the roll over structure as shown. 
     Providing with the windshield, roof and rear panel as separate components allows for the selective attachment and removable of each individual component. For example, a passenger may desire to travel in the vehicle with only a roof, or with only a windshield, or with a roof and windshield but no rear panel, or with any other combination of roof, windshield and rear panel. Since the windshield, roof and rear panel can be independently attachable and detachable from the vehicle, selectively using one or more of these cab components is easily achieved. However, where desired, one of more of the components can be integral to another, such as a single windshield/roof component or a single rear/panel roof component. 
     To remove each cab component from the vehicle, the latches are manually actuated to release the striker pins held thereby. The attachment process is then reversed, by pivoting the component about the striker pins and removing those pins from their corresponding slots. The components can then be stored for future use, or carried in the bed of the vehicle if desired.