Abstract:
The present invention relates to all terrain vehicles having at least a pair of laterally spaced apart seating surfaces. More particularly, the present invention relates to side-by-side all terrain vehicles having plural rows of seats.

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present invention relates to side-by-side all terrain vehicles having netting enclosing the seating area. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Generally, all terrain vehicles (“ATVs”) and utility vehicles (“UVs”) are used to carry one or two passengers and a small amount of cargo over a variety of terrains. Due to increasing recreational interest in ATVs, specialty ATVs, such as those used for trail riding, racing, and cargo hauling have entered the market place. Most ATVs include seating for up to two passengers which are either seated side-by-side or with the passenger positioned behind the driver of the ATV. Side-by-side ATVs, in which the driver and passenger are seated beside each other on laterally spaced apart seats, have become popular because of the ability to allow the passenger to share the driver&#39;s viewpoint. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a utility vehicle is shown comprising a frame extending in a generally longitudinal direction, a drive train supported by the frame, a plurality of wheels operably coupled to the frame, a first seating area, and a side net assembly comprised of a pivotal bar and a net supported by the pivotal bar. The bar is pivotally mounted at a first end to the vehicle, and is latchable to the vehicle at a second opposite end, whereby the side net assembly can be in a latched position when a rider is in the vehicle and can be collapsed to allow ingress and egress of a rider. 
     According to a further illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a utility vehicle is shown which comprises a frame extending in a generally longitudinal direction, a drive train is supported by the frame, a plurality of wheels are operably coupled to the frame, a first seating area is positioned at a first longitudinal position relative to the frame, and a frame canopy encloses the first seating area, defined by a plurality of frame tubes coupled to the frame defining an envelope around the first seating area. A side net assembly is supported by one of the frame uprights and being latchable to another of the frame tubes, whereby the side net assembly can be in a latched position when a rider is in the vehicle and can be collapsed to allow ingress and egress of a rider. 
     According to a further illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a side net assembly is provided for a utility vehicle, where the vehicle includes a frame extending in a generally longitudinal direction, a first seating area at a first longitudinal position relative to the frame and a frame canopy enclosing the first seating area. The frame is comprised of a plurality of frame tubes coupled to the frame defining an envelope around the first seating area. The side net assembly comprises a pivotal bar and a net supported by the pivotal bar, where the side net assembly is supported by one of the frame tubes and is latchable to another of the frame tubes. The side net assembly can be in a latched position when a rider is in the vehicle and can be collapsed to allow ingress and egress of a rider 
     The above mentioned and other features of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a left front perspective view of the vehicle of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  shows a left rear perspective view of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows a left side view of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  shows a top view of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  shows a front view of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  shows a rear view of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  shows a left side view of the vehicle similar to that of  FIG. 3  showing the chassis removed; 
         FIG. 8  shows the right side view of the vehicle of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of the vehicle frame and roll cage; 
         FIG. 10  shows an enlarged view of the vehicle main frame; 
         FIG. 11  shows an enlarged view of the vehicle front frame; 
         FIG. 12  is a partially exploded and fragmented perspective view showing the coupler for coupling the main frame and front frame together; 
         FIG. 13  shows a top perspective view of the roll cage; 
         FIG. 14  shows a cross-sectional view through lines  12 - 12  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 15  shows an enlarged view of the seat belt retractor; 
         FIG. 16  shows a perspective view of the seat poised for receipt in one of the seating areas; and 
         FIG. 17  shows a side view of an embodiment of the vehicle described above including collapsible side nets, with the nets in the up and latched position; 
         FIG. 18  shows a side view of the embodiment of the vehicle of  FIG. 17  with the nets in the collapsed and unlatched position; 
         FIG. 19  shows a top perspective view of the pivotal bar; 
         FIG. 20  shows a bottom perspective view of the pivotal bar of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  shows a bottom perspective view of the pivotal bar of  FIG. 19  with the end cap removed; 
         FIG. 22  shows an enlarged view of the portion denoted in  FIG. 21 ; 
         FIG. 23  shows an enlarged view of the portion denoted in  FIG. 21 ; 
         FIG. 24  shows a plan view of the pivotal bar separated, showing the netting poised for attachment to the bar; 
         FIG. 25  shows a plan view of a first clasp; 
         FIG. 26  shows a plan view of a second clasp; 
         FIG. 27  shows an assemble view of the pivotal bar; 
         FIG. 28  is a right hand side view of an alternate side net assembly; 
         FIG. 28A  is an enlarged view of the portion denoted in  FIG. 28 ; 
         FIG. 29  shows the side net assembly of  FIG. 28  with the side net collapsed; 
         FIG. 30  shows a view of the side net post poised for receipt in the pivotal link; and 
         FIGS. 31-33  show a diagrammatic progressive view of the side net post and pivotal link. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent embodiments of the present invention, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explain the present invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings. For example, while the following description refers primarily to UVs, certain features described herein may be applied to other applications such as ATVs, snowmobiles, motorcycles, mopeds, etc. 
     With reference first to  FIGS. 1-6 , the vehicle of the present disclosure will be described. The vehicle is shown generally at  10  and is commonly referred to as an all terrain vehicle (ATV), a side-by-side vehicle (S×S) or a utility vehicle. As shown, vehicle  10  generally comprises a frame  12  ( FIG. 2 ) supported by ground engaging members  14  and  16 . As shown in this disclosure, ground engaging members  14  and  16  are comprised of wheels  18  and tires  20 ; and wheels  22  and tires  24 . Vehicle  10  further comprises a drive train  30  ( FIG. 2 ) operatively connected to frame  12  and drivingly connected to one or more of the ground engaging members  14 ,  16 . In the present disclosure, the drive train  30  is comprised of a fuel-burning engine and transmission combination, together with a driveshaft extending between the drive train and the front ground engaging members  14 . However, any drive train could be contemplated such as hybrid, fuel cell or electric. The drive train  30 , the front and rear suspension assemblies, and steering assemblies are more thoroughly described in our pending application Ser. Nos. 11/494,891 filed Jul. 28, 2006 and 11/494,890 filed Jul. 28, 2006, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , vehicle  10  further includes a body portion or chassis shown generally at  40  to include a hood  42 , front fender  44 , dash  46 , sideboard  48 , front floorboard  50 , rear sideboard  52 , rear floorboard  54  and rear cargo area  56 . As also shown, vehicle  10  is comprised of two seating areas, namely a front seating area  60  and a rear seating area  62  where front seating area  60  is comprised of side-by-side seats, shown as bucket seats  64 ; and rear seating area  62  is comprised of side-by-side seats, shown as bucket seats  66 . As shown best in  FIG. 3 , front seats include a seat bottom  64   a  and a seat back  64   b , while rear seat  66  includes a seat bottom  66   a  and a seat back  66   b . Vehicle  10  also includes a roll cage  70  comprised of a front section  72 , a center section  74 , and a rear section  76 , where the front  72 , center  74  and rear  76  sections are comprised of a plurality of frame tubes attached to each other and to frame  12  as more fully described herein. 
     With respect now to  FIGS. 7-12 , frame  12  will be described in greater detail. Frame  12  is generally comprised of a main frame section  80  and a front frame section  82 , where the two sections are interconnected by way of couplers  84 . With reference first to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the main frame section  80  is generally comprised of two longitudinal frame rails  90  interconnected by a plurality of struts such as  92 ,  94 ,  96  attaching frame rails  90  together in a predefined spaced-apart relation. Main frame section  80  also comprises a drive train mounting section  102  extending at a rear portion of main frame  80 . 
     With respect now to  FIG. 10 , frame  80  also defines front seat support platform  110  and rear seat support platform  112 . Front seat support platform  110  includes a transversely extending tube  114  having legs  116  attached to outer frame rail  118  and inner legs  120  directly attached to frame tubes  90 . Frame tube  114  spans the distance across frame rails  118  and the frame tubes  90 . With reference still to  FIG. 10 , frame tubes  114  include a latch hook  122  as described further herein. Front seat support platform  110  further includes a transverse frame member  124  which as best shown in  FIG. 9  is attached to roll cage center section  74  as further described herein. Frame tube  124  includes latching pins  126  for inter-engagement with seats  64 . 
     With reference still to  FIG. 10 , rear seat support platform  112  is comprised of frame tubes  130  which provide an elevated platform for transverse frame tubes  132  and  134 . Frame tubes  132  have latch hooks  136  (similar in nature to latch hooks  122 ) and frame tube  134  has latching pins  138  (similar to latching pins  126 ). 
     With respect still to  FIG. 10 , main frame member  80  further includes roll cage mounting sections  150  and  152 . As shown, mounting section  150  includes a plate  154  on each side spanning tube  90  and frame rail  118 . Mounting section  152  is provided by a plate  156  provided on frame tube  158  which spans uprights  160  of frame rail  118 . 
     With respect now to  FIG. 11 , front frame member  82  will be described in greater detail. Front frame member  82  includes frame tubes  170  which complement frame tubes  90 , and are held in a fixed relation by tubes  172 ,  174 . Frame rails  178  are fixed in relation to frame tubes  170  by way of a strut  180 . Front frame  82  further comprises front roll cage mounting sections  182  comprising plates  184  positioned between cross tubes  186 ,  188 , and elevated by way of uprights  192 ,  194 . 
     As described, frame  80  is comprised of main frame member  90  and front frame member  82 . Splitting the frame into two separate modular subassemblies allows for easier processing of the entire vehicle  10 . Due to the load on the frame tubes  90 ,  170 , the connection provided by coupler  84  takes place at a longitudinal position from either end of the frame  80 , within a distance from the end, of approximately 30% of the length of frame  80 . The coupler  84  could also be placed at the rear of frame tubes  90 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 12 , frame tube coupler  84  is shown poised for receipt within frame tubes  90 ,  170 . As shown, coupler  84  is comprised of individual coupler members  200 . The coupler members  200  are identical, and each comprises a tube connecting section  202  and an alignment or interengaging section  204 . The interengaging sections  204  include interengaging elements, shown here as projections  206  and recesses  208 . Projections  206  are shown as frusto-conical in shape, and recesses have a complementary frusto-conical recessed configuration. The interengaging sections  204  further comprise apertures  216  which self align with apertures  216  in the opposite interengaging section  204  when complementary projections  206  and recesses  208  align. As also shown in  FIG. 12 , tube connecting sections  202  include legs  210  and stand-offs  212 . Finally, a connecting bracket  220  is provided for connecting frame rails  118  and  178 . 
     To connect main frame member  80  and front frame member  82 , the individual coupler members  200  are each inserted into respective ends of the frame tubes  90 ,  170  until such time as stand-offs  212  abut an end edge of the frame tubes  90 ,  170 . Stand-off  212  leaves a weld gap for welding the individual couplers  200  to the frame tubes  90 ,  170 . The individual couplers  200  are shown welded in place to respective frame tubes  90 ,  170  in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . 
     Coupler  84  allows alignment of frame tubes  90  and  170  as individual couplers  200  are each aligned with respective frame tubes  90 ,  170  and individual couplers  200  are alignable to each other. Couplers  84  also allow alignment of frame tubes  90 ,  170  when the main frame  80  and front frame  82  are not themselves perfectly aligned. That is, once individual coupler members are close to alignment, fasteners (not shown) are positioned into and through complementary apertures  216 , whereby the fasteners may be drawn tight until the projections and recesses are in engagement with each other. This aligns the tubes  90 ,  170 . At the same time, any shear forces on the coupler  84  is taken up through the projections and recesses, not through the fasteners. 
     With respect now to  FIG. 13 , roll cage  70  is shown comprised of front  72 , center  74  and rear  76  roll cage sections. Each of athe cage sections comprise plural frame tubes as shown. The cage sections are shown connected at connection joints  230  and  232 . Such joints are known in the industry. 
     Front roll cage section  72  is comprised of uprights  234 , transverse sections  236 , and longitudinally extending sections  238 . Mounts  240  are provided at the front and extend from uprights  234 . It should be appreciated that mounts  240  cooperate with mounting sections  182  ( FIG. 11 ) by way of fasteners (not shown). 
     Center roll cage section  74  is comprised of uprights  246 , transverse section  248  and longitudinally extending sections  250 . Mounts  252  are provided at the lower end of upright  246  and is comprised of stand-offs  254  and mounting brackets  256 . It should be appreciated that mounting brackets  256  cooperate with mounting section  150  ( FIG. 10 ) by way of fasteners (not shown). 
     Rear roll cage section  76  is comprised of uprights  260 , transverse section  262 , and longitudinally extending section  264 . Mounts  268  are provided at the lower end of uprights  260  which cooperate with mounting sections  152  ( FIG. 10 ). 
     Roll cage assembly  70  comprises ergonomic features for the driver and passengers. First, supports  276  are provided on uprights  246  extending forwardly. These supports are positioned adjacent to seats  64 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and enclose the driver and front passenger. Second, supports  280  are provided between uprights  246  and  260 , and include an upper portion  282 , lower portion  284  and transition portion  286 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , support  280  is shown in position where lower portion extends across the entry spaced above floorboard  54 . Transition section  286  and upper portion  282  extend across the seat  66  and enclose the rear passengers. Finally, rear passenger hand bar  290  extends between uprights  246 , and as best shown in  FIG. 14 , extends behind front seats  64 , as described below. 
     As shown in  FIG. 14 , rear seat bottoms  66   a  are shown elevated relative to front seat bottoms  64   a . Thus the rear passenger hand bar  290 , which extends behind front seat backs  64   b  is, positioned at shoulder height relative to the persons in front seats  64 . As shown best in  FIG. 15 , seat belt retractor  300  is positioned on hand bar  290 , and is attached to bracket  302  which is connected between hand bar  290  and upright  246 . This places the seat belt retractor  300  in a convenient location for those in front seats  64 , yet keeps the retractor away from the rear passengers. 
     Vehicle  10  is also ergonomically designed for the rear passenger&#39;s riding experience. For example, and with respect still to  FIG. 14 , uprights  246  are shown flaring outwardly. For example, uprights at the frame are spaced apart by a dimension of D 1  but extend upwardly to a dimension of D 2  which is larger than D 1 . This provides a spacing at  310  between uprights and seat backs  64   b  providing extra room for the passenger&#39;s knees. 
     The vehicle design also provides easy ingress and egress. As shown best in  FIG. 14 , the driver and front passenger may easily enter vehicle  10  without contacting longitudinally extending sections  238 . This is due to the fact that the distance (D 6 ) between sections  238  is less than the extreme position adjacent the top of uprights  234  (D 5 ) and is less than the distance between the extreme position adjacent the top of uprights  246  (D 4 ). This insetting of longitudinally extending sections  238  provides easy ingress. In a like manner relating to the rear passengers, and as best shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  6  and  14 , longitudinally extending section  264  are inset from extreme positions of both uprights  246  and  260 , that is D 6  is less than both D 2  and D 7  ( FIGS. 4 and 6 ). This provides easy ingress for rear passengers. 
     The design also provides an enhanced ride for the rear passenger. Due to the elevated rear seats  66 , the rear passengers can view over the top of the front seats  64 . As shown best in  FIG. 7 , the elevation of the seats is such that the hip pivot axis (H-point) of the rear passenger (H 2 ) is higher than the H-point of the driver (H 1 ). Also, for ride purposes, the H-point of the rear passenger (H 2 ) is positioned either over, or forward of, the centerline of the rear axle. As shown best in  FIG. 7 , H 2  and the axle centerline are spaced apart by a distance D 8 . Also, in order to enhance the ride of the rear passenger, as well as keep the center of gravity low, a seating position  310  of the rear passenger is positioned lower than a top  320  of the engine  322 . The seating position is the location on the seat having the highest distribution of load from the passenger while idle. This area is normally substantially adjacent to an intersecting line through the torso of the passenger and the seat bottom  66   a . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 7 , this distance is shown as D 9 . Finally, seating position  310  is also forward of, a forward most point  330  of engine  322 , and as shown best in  FIG. 7 , this distance is depicted as D 10 . It should be appreciated that the seating positions could also be lower than the highest point  320  of engine  322  and behind the forward most point  330 , if the seats laterally straddled the engine  322 . 
     With respect now to  FIG. 16 , the vehicle  10  provides enhanced serviceability and functionality. As shown, each seat  64 ,  66  may be removed. The seat  64  is shown having a lower base  350  having locking feet  352  receivable under latch hook  122  and a latch  354  which is receivable over latching pin  126 . Latch release  356  releases latch  354  from the latch-locked condition. Latch  354  is substantially similar to the latch shown in pending U.S. application Ser. No. 12/246,948 filed Oct. 7, 2008, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. This provides access to a battery (not shown) in battery box  360 . Also as transverse tube  124  is bolted to stand-offs  254  ( FIG. 9 ), removal of tube  124  allows the molded covering  360  to be easily removed. 
     It should be appreciated that one or more of the rear seats  66  may be removed in an identical manner to that described with respect to front seats  64 . Removing one or more of the rear seats may be desired if extra storage space is required and the space is not required for a rider. Also, accessory mounts could be provided (having a similar construction and footprint to that of seat base  350 ) and snapped in place in one or both seat positions. For example, such accessories could include coolers, tool boxes, trunks, water tanks, fuel containers, camping/fishing gear, a dog crate/kennel, and the like. This enhances the functionality of vehicle  10 . 
     With respect now to  FIG. 17 , another embodiment of utility vehicle is shown at  410 . The vehicle is substantially similar to that as described in  FIGS. 1-16 . Vehicle  410  includes a frame  412 , with ground engaging members  414  and  416  in the form of tires, which are driven by a drive train  430 . A body  440  surrounds the frame and forms the outer shell of the vehicle. A front seating area  460  and a rear seating area  462  are formed and would include seats similar to that described above as  64  and  66 . 
     Vehicle  410  also includes a roll cage  470  which defines a canopy around first and second seating areas  460 ,  462 . Roll cage  470  includes a front section  472 , a center section  474  and a rear section  476 . Roll cage  470  includes a front frame upright  534 , a center frame upright  546  and a rear frame upright  560 . As shown, a driver&#39;s ingress/egress  570  is defined between the center upright  546  and a front left fender  572 . Similarly a left rear ingress/egress  574  is defined between center upright  546  and rear upright  570 . Right side ingress/egress would also be provided in mirror image to the left hand side of the vehicle. 
     In this embodiment, and with reference to  FIG. 17 , a front side net assembly  600  is shown in the latched position and substantially encloses the driver&#39;s ingress/egress  570 . In a similar manner, a left rear side net assembly  602  is shown which substantially encloses the left rear ingress/egress  574 . 
     As shown, front side net assembly  600  is comprised of a pivotal bar  610  having an end which attaches to a pivot link  612  on the center upright  546  and an opposite end which is attached to a latching tongue  614  attached to front upright  534 . Side net assembly  600  further comprises netting  620  fixed to the pivotal bar  610  as further described herein. 
     In a similar manner, rear side net assembly  602  is comprised of a pivotal bar  630  attached to a pivot link  632  attached to the rear upright  560  and to a latching tongue  634  attached to the rear side of center upright  546 . 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 19-23 , pivotal bar  610  will be described in greater detail. As shown, pivot bar  610  includes a first end  640  and a second and opposite end  642 . As shown best in  FIG. 19 , first end  640  includes an aperture  646  for pivotally mounting pivotal bar  16  whereas second end  642  includes a latch assembly  648  which is substantially similar to a seatbelt buckle having a slot  650  for receipt of tongue  614  ( FIG. 17 ). Pivotal bar  610  further includes an end cap  652  comprised of cap parts  654  and  656  which are coupled together to surround latch assembly  648 . Pivotal bar  610  further includes elongate halves  660  and  662  which define clamp parts which couple together in a clamshell-style to encompass the netting as described herein. As shown best in  FIG. 20 , clamp parts  660  and  662  define a slot  664  to receive the netting therethrough. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 21-24 , pivotal bar  610  will be described in greater detail. Elongate halves  660 ,  662  of pivotal bar  610  each include ribs  668 , having interruptions at  670  as described herein. An aperture  672  is located opposite to aperture  646 . A first clasp  680  is provided at the rearwardmost end of the net  620  ( FIG. 24 ) and as shown best in  FIG. 25 , includes an aperture  682  and a slot at  684 . A second clasp  690  is provided at the forwardmost end of the net  620  ( FIG. 24 ) and as best shown in  FIG. 26  includes an aperture  692 , slot  694 , apertures  696 , and slots  698 ,  700 . 
     As also best shown in  FIG. 24 , buckle  648  includes a mounting post  710  having an aperture  712 . Buckle  648  also includes a release button  714 . Fasteners in the form of a bolt  716 , and nut  718  are also provided, as described herein. Furthermore, each of the end caps  654 ,  656  includes standoffs  720  which include apertures therethrough for receipt of other fasteners, as described herein. 
     With reference still to  FIG. 24 , netting  620  includes an upper marginal edge  730  having a plurality of openings  732  therethrough which are reinforced by eyelets  734 . Netting  620  also includes vertical strap portions  740  and horizontal strap portions  742  which define openings  746  of the netting. It should be appreciated that any material could be used for the netting such as nylon strapping or it could be a one-piece molded pliable plastic material. 
     To assemble the netting  600 , upper marginal edge  730  of the netting is sewn into slots  684  and  694  of the respective clasps  680 ,  690 . Post  710  ( FIG. 24 ) is placed in position adjacent to aperture  692  of clasp  690  ( FIG. 26 ) and bolt  716  may be positioned through apertures  672  of halves  660 ,  662 , passing through aperture  712  of buckle post  710  and through aperture  692  ( FIG. 26 ) of clasp  690 . Nut  718  may then be placed on the opposite side of elongate half  660  and joined with bolt  716 . It should be appreciated that interruptions  670  provide recesses for the receipt of eyelets  734  and aperture  682  ( FIG. 25 ) is positioned adjacent to apertures  646  of elongate halves  660 ,  662 . 
     Fasteners may then be positioned through apertures  750  (see  FIG. 27 ) which pass through apertures  732  of eyelets  734  (see  FIG. 24 ) which retain net  620  to the pivotal bar  610 . Fasteners are now positioned through apertures  752  ( FIG. 27 ) which extend through standoffs  720  ( FIG. 24 ) and which also pass through apertures  696  ( FIG. 26 ) between the two end cap halves  654 ,  656 . When in position, end cap  648  encompasses fasteners  716 ,  718 , and also positions buckle  648  in its proper upright position. As assembled, side netting  600  can now be attached to central upright  646  by positioning a fastener through aperture  646  ( FIG. 27 ) and through pivot member  612 . The lower end of the netting would also include eyelets which are fastened to the vehicle floorboard. 
     With reference again to  FIG. 17 , side netting  600  substantially encloses the driver ingress/egress  570  when the buckle  640  is latched to the associated latching tongue  614 . When the release button  714  is actuated, the buckle  648  is released from the latching tongue  614  which allows the pivotal bar  610  to rotate counterclockwise to the position shown in  FIG. 18 , where the pivotal bar  610  and the net  620  are in a collapsed position. This opens up the driver&#39;s ingress/egress  570  allowing the driver to enter or exit from the vehicle. It should be appreciated that, and as best viewed in  FIGS. 19 and 20 , the pivotal bar  610  is bowed outwardly which provides increased interior room for the driver. It should also be appreciated that a pivotal bar  610  on the front passenger side, would also be bowed outwardly, or would be a mirror image of the pivotal bar  610  as described and as displayed in  FIGS. 19 and 20 . Finally, it should also be appreciated that pivotal bar  602  could be assembled in an identical manner as just described to cover the ingress/egress  574  for the rear passengers. 
     With respect now to  FIGS. 28-33 , another embodiment of utility vehicle is shown at  810 . The vehicle is substantially similar to that as described in  FIG. 1-16  or  17 - 27 . The vehicle  810  includes a frame  812 , and although not specifically shown, would include ground engaging members in the form of tires, which are driven by a drive train. A body  840  surrounds the frame and forms the outer shell of the vehicle. A front seating area  860  is formed and would include seats similar to that described above as  64  and  66 . Vehicle  810  could be a 2 passenger or a 4 passenger vehicle, but as shown is a 2 passenger vehicle. 
     Vehicle  810  also includes a roll cage  870  which defines a canopy around front seating area  860 . Roll cage  870  includes a front section  872  and a rear section  876 . Furthermore, the vehicle would include a driver&#39;s ingress/egress and a passenger&#39;s ingress/egress. The passenger&#39;s ingress/egress is shown at  874  between front section  872  and rear section  876 . 
     In this embodiment, and with reference to  FIG. 28 , a side net assembly  900  is shown in the latched position and substantially encloses the passenger&#39;s ingress/egress  874 . As shown, side net assembly  900  is comprised of a pivotal bar  910  ( FIG. 28A ) having an end which attaches to a pivot link  912  on the floorboard  922  and an opposite end which is positioned within a marginal edge  936  of netting  920 . A latching tongue  914  attaches to front section  872 . Latching tongue  914  is tethered to front section  872  by a strap or clamp, and a clip  916  ( FIGS. 28 and 29 ) is clipped to the front section  872 . The clip  916  has arms which surround and rigidify the latching tongue  914 , in order to make the latching process a one handed operation. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 28A and 30 , pivotal bar  910  will be described in greater detail. As shown, pivotal bar  910  includes rod  920  having a first end  940  and a second and opposite end (not shown). As shown best in  FIGS. 28A and 30 , first end  940  includes an enlarged end  946  for pivotally mounting pivotal bar  910  whereas second end is positioned and fixed within the marginal edge  936  of netting  920 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 30 , pivot link  912  will be described in greater detail. Pivot link  912  includes a trapezoidally shaped body  960  having an upper wall  962 , lower wall  964 , side walls  966  and  968 , and rear wall  970 . Upper wall  962  includes a semi-circular opening  972  (opening rearwardly) and lower wall  964  includes a semi-circular opening  974  (opening forwardly). Rear wall  970  includes a slot  976  which feeds into semi-circular opening  974 . Semi-circular opening  974  is larger than a diameter of rod  920  but smaller than a diameter of enlarged end  946 . Slot  976  is larger than a profile of enlarged end  946 . 
     With reference again to  FIG. 28 , netting  920  includes an upper marginal edge  930 , lower marginal edge  932 , rear marginal edge  934  and front marginal edge  936 . Netting  920  also includes strap portions  940 . It should be appreciated that any material could be used for the netting such as nylon strapping or it could be a one-piece molded pliable plastic material. 
     As also best shown in  FIGS. 28 and 29 , net assembly  900  would include buckle  948  attached to an end of marginal edge  936  of net  900 . Buckle  948  includes a release button (not shown) substantially the same as that shown in  FIG. 24 . Side net  920  is also hinged about the rear section  876  at points  950 ,  952 ,  954  and  956 . This allows the side nets  020  to swing open when latch  948  is released. 
     With reference still to  FIG. 28 , side net assembly  900  substantially encloses the driver ingress/egress  874  when the buckle  948  is latched to the associated latching tongue  914 . When the release button is actuated, the buckle  948  is released from the latching tongue  914  which allows the net  900  to rotate to the position shown in  FIG. 29 , where the pivotal bar  910  and the net  920  are in a collapsed position. This opens up the driver&#39;s ingress/egress  874  allowing the driver to enter or exit from the vehicle. 
     To latch the net assembly  900 , and with reference to  FIGS. 30-33 , the pivot bar  910  is positioned with enlarged end  946  towards pivot link  912 , such that the enlarged end  946  is positioned through slot  976  ( FIG. 30 ). Pivot bar  910  is then rotated as shown in  FIG. 32  which positions enlarged end  946  below opening  974 , and rod portion  920  in opening  974 . Continued rotation of pivot bar  910  to the position of  FIG. 33  causes the pivot bar  910  to also be positioned in opening  972 . The buckle  948  is then latched with latch  914  to create the latched condition of  FIG. 28 . 
     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.