Patent Publication Number: US-7717495-B2

Title: Vehicle with space utilization

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/918,444, filed Mar. 16, 2007 titled “VEHICLE WITH SPACE UTILIZATION”, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
     The disclosures of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/918,502 filed Mar. 16, 2007, titled “VEHICLE”, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/918,556, filed Mar. 16, 2007, titled “VEHICLE”, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/918,356 filed Mar. 16, 2007, titled “UTILITY VEHICLE HAVING MODULAR COMPONENTS”, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/918,500, filed Mar. 16, 2007, titled “METHOD AND APPARATUS RELATED TO TRANSPORTABILITY OF A VEHICLE”, are expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Portions of this application may be subject to the terms of contract number H92222-06-C-0039 with the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM). 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a vehicle and in particular to a utility vehicle with space utilization features for storage, component access, and for other reasons. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Vehicles including utility vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, tractors, and others are known. It is known to provide a vehicle with a hitch and to attach sub-assemblies having axles to the hitch in a pivotal manner. Sub-assemblies generally include trailers. The vehicle&#39;s hitch powers such sub-assemblies. The hitch is configured to allow sub-assemblies to pivot vertically or horizontally or both about the hitch. It is also known to provide a vehicle with a cargo bed and with platforms covered by roofs or hoods. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Multiple embodiments are disclosed herein which display a utility vehicle with space utilization features. The utility vehicle has a main frame supported by a plurality of ground engaging members, an engine, an operator area, a dashboard, and a cargo platform. The cargo platform is normally exposed and is located forward of the dashboard and at least partially between the front ground engaging members. 
     In still another embodiment, the vehicle has at least three spaced-apart main couplings and a detachable subsection. The detachable subsection has a subframe including a plurality of frame members cooperating to define an interior storage region. The subsection also has at least two ground engagement members and at least three subsection front couplings. The subsection front couplings are adapted to detachably couple the subsection to the main couplings of the main frame. The subsection front couplings are spaced apart to substantially prevent the modular subsection from pivoting relative to the main frame when the modular subsection is coupled to the main frame. 
     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  is a rear, perspective view of a vehicle from a first side of the vehicle, the vehicle including a front platform and a rear platform; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the first side of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear view of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear, perspective view of the vehicle of  FIG. 1  from a second side of the vehicle; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the vehicle  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged perspective view of the front of the vehicle of  FIG. 1  showing the front platform in a closed position; 
         FIG. 9  is showing a front platform of the vehicle moved to an open position; 
         FIG. 10  is a view similar to  FIG. 8  showing the front platform removed from the vehicle; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of portions of a brake system of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a side elevation view of portions of the brake system shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is an elevation view of a dashboard of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  14 - 14  of  FIG. 13  showing an air intake positioned under the dash board of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of a front end of the vehicle of  FIG. 1  taken along line  15 - 15  of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a portion of the vehicle of  FIG. 1  below the driver&#39;s seat; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment storage arrangement for the vehicle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment storage arrangement for the vehicle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view showing a center console between the driver&#39;s and passenger seats of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 20A  is a perspective view of a portion of the vehicle of  FIG. 1  below the passenger seat showing a fuel tank; 
         FIG. 20B  is a view similar to  FIG. 20B  with the fuel tank removed; 
         FIG. 21  is a top plan view of the operator area of the vehicle of  FIG. 1  showing the seats removed; 
         FIG. 22  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  showing the rear platform removed; 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of a base frame of a modular sub-section of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 24  is an enlarged rear view of the modular sub-section of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Unless stated otherwise the drawings are proportional. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     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. While the present disclosure is primarily directed to a utility vehicle, it should be understood that the features disclosed herein may have application to other types of vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, watercraft, snowmobiles, and golf carts. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an illustrative embodiment of a vehicle  100  is shown. Vehicle  100  as illustrated includes a plurality of ground engaging members  102 , illustratively wheels. A first set of wheels, one on each side of vehicle  100 , generally correspond to a front axle  106 . A second set of wheels, one on each side of vehicle  100 , generally correspond to a middle axle  108 . A third set of wheels, one on each side of vehicle  100 , generally correspond to a rear axle  110 . 
     In one embodiment, one or more of the wheels may be replaced with tracks, such as the Prospector II Tracks available from Polaris Industries, Inc. located at 2100 Highway 55 in Medina, Minn. 55340. In one embodiment, a track is placed around the tires of the wheels middle axle  108  and rear axle  110  on each side of vehicle  100 . 
     Vehicle  100  further includes a frame  104  supported by the plurality of ground engaging members  102 . As explained in more detail in U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/918,502 filed Mar. 16, 2007, titled “VEHICLE”, frame  104  may include a modular subsection  112  which is supported by rear axle  110 . Modular subsection  112  may be removed from the remainder of vehicle  100  to convert vehicle  100  from a six-wheeled vehicle to a four-wheeled vehicle. Further, additional modular subsections  112  may be added to vehicle  100  to convert vehicle  100  from a six-wheeled vehicle to an eight-wheeled vehicle or more. 
     Vehicle  100  includes an operator area  114  which includes seating  116  for one or more passengers. Operator area  114  further includes a plurality of operator controls  120  by which an operator may provide input into the control of vehicle  100 . Controls  120  include a steering wheel  122  which is rotated by the operator to change the orientation of one or more of ground engaging members  102 , such as the wheels associated with front axle  106 , to steer vehicle  100 . 
     Controls  120  also include a first foot pedal  124  actuatable by the operator to control the acceleration and speed of vehicle  100  through the control of an engine described in more detail in U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/918,502 filed Mar. 16, 2007, titled “VEHICLE”, and a second foot pedal  126  actuatable by the operator to decelerate vehicle  100  through a braking system described in more detail in U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/918,502 filed Mar. 16, 2007, titled “VEHICLE”. Additional details regarding the operator area, including controls  120 , are provided in U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/918,556 filed Mar. 16, 2007, titled “VEHICLE”. 
     Frame  104  includes a portion  130  extending above operator area  114 . Portion  130  is provided to protect the occupants of operator area  114  if vehicle  100  tips or rolls over. In the illustrated embodiment, portion  130  is a roll cage  132 . In one embodiment, portion  130  is moveable from a first position protecting operator area  114  to a second position which provides vehicle  100  with a smaller envelope than when portion  130  is in the first position. Additional details about exemplary moveable portions are provided in U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/918,500 filed Mar. 16, 2007, titled “METHOD AND APPARATUS RELATED TO TRANSPORTABILITY OF A VEHICLE”. 
     Vehicle  100  further includes a front platform  140  supported by frame  104  and a rear platform  150  supported by frame  104 . Both front platform  140  and rear platform  150  are shown having a support surface  142  and  152 , respectively. Support surfaces  142  and  152  may be flat, contoured, and/or comprised of several sections. In addition, one or both of front platform  140  and rear platform  150  may include upstanding walls to define a cargo box extending over at least a portion of the respective platform  140  and  150 . The platforms are not covered by any vehicular components and are therefore normally exposed. 
     Further, portions of front platform  140  and rear platform  150 , along with portion  130  of frame  104  may include devices for attaching various types of assets to vehicle  100 . Exemplary assets including cargo containers, seats, gun mounts, footrests, and other suitable assets. Additional details regarding rear platform  150  are provided in U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/918,356 filed Mar. 16, 2007, titled “UTILITY VEHICLE HAVING MODULAR COMPONENTS”. 
     Several areas of vehicle  100  are designed to utilize the available space for storage, providing access to vehicle components, mounting or supporting equipment and other items, and for other functions. As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , front platform  140  is configured to support various pieces of equipment, provide storage, and provide access to vehicle components. 
     Front platform  140  includes an upper plate  154  and a pair of sidewalls  156 ,  158 . The preferred embodiment of upper plate  154  is about 60 inches wide (from Driver&#39;s side to passenger side), about 22 inches deep (from front to back), and substantially flat, but may be contoured. Plate  154  defines support surface  142  that supports various pieces of equipment, such as storage containers, weapons (guns, artillery pieces, etc.) ammunition, passenger seats, etc. Support surface is about 38.5 inches above the ground, but may be higher or lower. 
     Support surface  142  is positioned relative to operator area  114  to facilitate carrying cargo and preserving the sight line of the occupants in operator area  114  and the ability of the occupants to use equipment. As shown in  FIG. 2 , support surface  142  is positioned below an upper-most surface  160  of dashboard  162 . A vertical distance  164  between upper-most surface  160  and support surface  142  is about 10 inches. According to other embodiments, distance  164  may be other values, such as about 6, 8, 12, 14, or 16 inches or other values. By providing vertical distance  164 , 10 inches of cargo can be mounted to front platform  140  without substantially obstructing the view of the occupants of vehicle  100 . Additionally, equipment mounted on or near dashboard  162  may extend over front platform  140 . Such equipment may include a machine gun or other weapon mounted on dashboard  162 . An operator, such as a passenger positioned in operator area  114 , can fire the machine gun from within operator area  114  without interference from cargo stored on front platform  140 . Distance  164  and the elevation of the machine gun barrel above dashboard  162  allow the barrel to extend over front platform  140  and the cargo stored thereon without substantially interfering with the use of the machine gun. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , front platform  140  includes a plurality of D-clips  166  and recesses  168  are provided in upper plate  154  and sidewalls  156 ,  158  to receive D-clips  166 . When in a storage position, D-clips  166  are positioned within recesses  168  so they are below the respective cargo supporting surfaces. When in a use position, D-clips  166  extend from recesses  168  so that straps, ropes, stretchable cords, and other tie downs can catch or extend through D-clips  166  to hold a piece of equipment in place. 
     According to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, through mounting apertures (not shown) are provided in upper plate  154  and sidewalls  156 ,  158  to receive expansion retainers (not shown) with or without D-clips  166 . Additional details of such mounting apertures and expansion retainers are provided in U.S. Pat. No. 7,055,454, to Whiting et al., filed Jul. 13, 2004, titled “Vehicle Expansion Retainers,” the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein. Front platform  140  may also be provided with the various mounting devices, mounting patterns, and other mounting features of rear platform  150  described in U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/918,356 filed Mar. 16, 2007, titled “UTILITY VEHICLE HAVING MODULAR COMPONENTS”, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein. Because the mounting features of front and rear platforms  140 ,  150  match, equipment that can be mounted on rear platform  150  may also be mounted on front platform  140  and vice versa. 
     Upper plate  154  and sidewalls  156 ,  158  are coated with a non-slip material to reduce sliding or shifting of equipment. According to a preferred embodiment, upper plate  154  and sidewalls  156 ,  158  are sprayed with a polymer, such as polyurethane, polyurethane with urea, and other coating materials used for spray-on truck bed liners. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , front platform  140  can be moved to an open position to permit access to vehicle components positioned under platform  140 . Such components may include a radiator  170 , suspension components  172 , rectifier  174 , and other components shown in  FIGS. 10 and 15 . Front platform  140  includes a pair of brackets  176  that are mounted to an underside of upper plate  154 . Frame  104  of vehicle  100  includes a pair of corresponding brackets  178  and a bolt or other hinge member is provided between brackets  176 ,  178  to define an axis about which front platform  140  rotates. 
     A gas spring (not shown) extends from front platform  140  to another component of vehicle  100 , such as frame  104 , to support front platform  140  in the raised position. Other devices, such as torsion springs, may be provided between brackets  176  of front platform  140  and brackets  178  of frame  104  to assist in holding front platform  140  in the raised position. 
     When in the lowered position, brackets  181  (shown in  FIG. 10 ) support front platform  140  in the closed or lowered position. To hold front platform  140  in the closed position, a fastener (not shown) is provided that extends from front platform  140  to brackets  181 . For example, according to on embodiment, bolts (not shown) are provided that extend from front platform  140  to brackets  181  of frame  104 . According to another embodiment, over-center latches (not shown) are provided that extend from rearward portions of sidewalls  156 ,  158  to dashboard  162 . 
     Several components of vehicle  100  are positioned within dashboard  162 . A master cylinder  184  (shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 ) of the brake system of vehicle  100  is positioned within dashboard  162 . Master cylinder  184  is positioned behind a sidewall  186  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) of dashboard  162  and is accessible through an opening  188  provided on a front portion  190  of dashboard  162  shown in  FIG. 13 . Opening  188  is normally covered with a panel (not shown). To check the brake fluid level of master cylinder  184 , the panel is removed or swung open to provide access a filler cap  196  (shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 ) of master cylinder  184 . If necessary, brake fluid can be added to master cylinder  184  through dashboard  162  through opening  188  uncovered by the panel. To facilitate checking the brake fluid, opening  188  is large enough for filler cap  196  to pass through. Other components, such as fuses, air filters, etc. may also placed behind opening  188  to permit access through dashboard  162 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , master cylinder  184  is mounted to a frame member  192  of dashboard  162  that has a profile matching the outer profile of dashboard  162 . Master cylinder  184  includes a fluid reservoir  194  with filler cap  196  mounted thereon, a piston cylinder  198 , and a piston  200 . To pressurize the brake fluid, the driver presses on brake pedal  126 . Brake pedal  126  is pivotably coupled to frame  104  and rotates about axis  202 . An upper arm  204  of brake pedal  126  is pivotably coupled to piston  200 . When the driver steps on brake pedal  126  in direction  206  to slow vehicle  100 , piston  200  moves in a substantially opposite direction  208  to pressurize the brake fluid. 
     According to one embodiment of vehicle  100 , the electrical fuses (not shown) of vehicle  100  can be accessed through a panel  210  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) provided on sidewall  186  of dashboard  162 . Panel  210  is removed or swung open to provide access to electrical fuses positioned behind sidewall  186 . According to another embodiment, an opposite sidewall  212  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) is provided with a panel  214 . Panel is removed or swung open to provide access to electrical fuses positioned behind sidewall  212 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 13 , dashboard  162  includes several controls  120  and instruments. From left to right, dashboard  162  includes a speedometer mode switch  217 , a speedometer  216 , master cylinder access panel  188 , steering wheel  122 , brake lever  218 , high, low, and reverse shift lever  220 , wheel drive switch  222 , active-descent-control (ADC) switch  223 , ignition switch  224 , visible light switch  225 , IR light switch  226 , blackout switch  228 , and a plurality of 12 volt power outlets  230 . Ignition switch  224  is preferably a toggle switch that does not require a key to start the engine. 
     Speedometer  216  displays vehicle speed and various distance and operational indicators. Speedometer  216  includes a plurality of modes controlled by speedometer mode switch  217 . These modes may include a vehicle odometer reading, multiple trip indicators, a vehicle hour meter, a trip hour meter, and other operational values of the vehicle, such as oil pressure, fuel level, and other operational values. When pressed, mode switch  217  activates a menu displayed on speedometer  216 . Each time mode switch  217  is pressed, it switches to a different mode. For example, when pressed the first time, a first trip indicator is displayed. If the operator repeatedly presses mode switch  217 , it will scroll through the various modes and display the information associated with the mode. Some modes can be reset. For example, if the operator holds mode switch  217  for a predetermined time, such as three seconds, while displaying the first trip indicator, the first trip indicator resets. 
     To switch the vehicle brake between the parked and released positions, the operator moves brake lever  218 . To switch between high gear, low gear, reverse, and park, the driver moves shift lever  220  up and down to the appropriate position. 
     Headlights  232  and other light sources on vehicle  100  emit visible light. To turn headlights  232  on and off, the driver operates visible light switch  225  between high beam, low beam, or off. Vehicle  100  is also provided with IR headlights (not shown) and other IR emitting lights that permit an operator wearing night vision goggles to see when it is dark. Normally, when the IR lights are running, the visible lights, such as headlights  232 , are turned off to avoid detection. To turn the IR lights on and off, the driver operates IR light switch  226 . In some circumstances, it is desirable to operate vehicle  100  without any lights (visible or IR). In these circumstances, the driver operates blackout switch  228  that turns both the visible and IR lights off. Additional details of a light system having both visible and IR lights is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 7,125,134 to Hedlund et al., filed Oct. 15, 2003, titled “Switch Enabled Infrared Lighting System With Non-IR Light Elimination,” the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
     The drive characteristics of vehicle  100  can be altered with wheel drive switch  222  and ADC switch  223 . The driver uses wheel drive switch  222  to toggle between two-wheel drive, two wheel drive with a locked differential, and all wheel drive. The driver uses ADC switch  223  to turn the all drive control on and off. Additional details of the various transmission modes of vehicle  100  are provided in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/918,502 filed Mar. 16, 2007, titled “VEHICLE”. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 14 , air intakes  234 ,  236  are also positioned within dashboard  162 . Air intake  234  provides air to the engine and air intake  236  provides cooling air to continuously variable transmission (CVT)  238 . Additional details on CVT  238  are provided in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/918,556 filed Mar. 6, 2007, titled “VEHICLE”. Respective tubes  240 ,  242  are provided to route air to the engine and CVT  238 . Tubes  240 ,  242  extend downward through the bottom of dashboard  162  (shown in  FIG. 10 ) and rearward along an upper surface  244  of a floorboard  246  of vehicle  100 . A cover  248  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) is positioned over tubes  240 ,  242  and coupled to upper surface  244 . Tubes  240 ,  242  then extend under seating  116  to the engine air intake manifold and CVT  238 , respectively. Each air intake  234 ,  236  includes an air filter  237  to prevent dirt and other debris from enter the engine and CVT  238 . 
     Because air intakes  234 ,  236  are positioned in dashboard  162 , they are positioned above the engine and CVT  238 . This permits the engine and CVT  238  to operate without the intrusion of water if the engine and/or CVT  238  are submersed in water, for example, when crossing a ditch, creek, river, pond, or other body of water. According to the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, air intakes  234 ,  236  are positioned about 42 inches above the ground. Additionally, because air intakes  234 ,  236  are preferably positioned in dashboard  162 , they are partially positioned rearward of a footrest portion  250  of floorboard  246 , above and rearward of front platform  140 , forward of steering wheel  122 , and forward of the engine and CVT  238 . Additional relative relationships of air intakes  234 ,  236  are inherent based on the figures. 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , rectifier  174  is mounted to an underside of upper plate  154  of front platform  140 . Rectifier  174  may also be mounted in other locations, such as on the middle, upper surface of frame member  251  shown in  FIG. 10 . Rectifier  174  receives AC current from a stator (not shown) coupled to the engine. Rectifier  174  converts the AC current to a DC current and provides the DC current to battery  260  which is coupled to DC power outlets  230  and other DC devices of vehicle  100 . Rectifier  174  produces waste heat during conversion of the AC current to DC current. To remove this waste heat and avoid overheating, rectifier  174  includes a plurality of heat fins  252 . Preferably, heat fins  252  are exposed to a relatively cool source of air to increase the heat transfer rate. 
     According to the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, rectifier  174  is positioned on the cool side of radiator  170  as shown in  FIG. 15 . In the present configuration, the cool side of radiator  170  is on the front side and the hot side of radiator  170  is on the back side of radiator  170 . Because radiator  170  transfers heat from the engine coolant to the air, the air on the back or hot side of radiator  170  is hotter than the air on the cool side of radiator  170 . Because rectifier  174  is positioned on the cool side of radiator  170 , it is not exposed to the hotter air exiting radiator  170  and has a higher heat transfer rate at heat fins  252 . 
     In addition to front and rear platforms  140 ,  150 , vehicle  100  includes other areas for storage of cargo. One such area includes spaces below seating  116 . As shown in  FIG. 16 , an access and storage area is provided on the driver&#39;s side of vehicle  100  under seating  116 . Vehicle  100  includes a driver&#39;s side door  254  that rotates from a closed position (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) to an open position (as shown in  FIG. 16 ) about hinges  257 . When open, side door  254  provides access to an interior region  256  defined by compartment body  258 . Battery  260  is positioned within interior region  256 . According to one embodiment, interior region  256  defines a through passage that extends to CVT  238  to permit servicing thereof. As shown in  FIG. 16 , an area rearward of battery  260  is available for storage of tools, ammunition, and other items. According to another embodiment, compartment body  258  is sealed and a seal or gasket is provided for door  254  to seal off interior region  256  when door  254  is closed. When sealed, battery  260  and the other items in interior region  256  are protected from liquids, such as water. According to another embodiment, battery  260  and the other electrical components are not positioned in interior region  256  and compartment body  258  is removable. 
     Another alternative embodiment under-seat storage arrangement is shown in  FIG. 17 . A compartment  262  is supported on tracks  264  mounted underneath seating  116 . Tracks  264  may be of any type including those provided on cabinet or desk drawers. Compartment  262  includes a handle portion  266  and includes a latch mechanism (not shown) to hold compartment  262  in the closed position. As shown in  FIG. 17 , compartment includes an upper shelf  268  and a lower shelf  270 . An area below upper shelf  268  may contain another vehicle component(s), such as battery  260 , CVT  238 , portions of the engine, or any other vehicle component. Compartment  262  may be provided with a seal or gasket (not shown) so that an interior region  272  of compartment is air and liquid tight when closed. Additionally, compartment  262  may be removed from tracks  264 . 
     Another alternative embodiment under-seat storage arrangement is shown in  FIG. 18 . Driver&#39;s seat  274  and passenger seat  275  pivot forward to expose storage tray  276 . When exposed, items  278  can be removed from storage tray  276  or storage tray  276  can be removed by grasping handles  280 . Seats  274 ,  275  include a downwardly facing recess  282  that receives and seals with an upper portion of storage tray  276 . A seal or gasket  284  may be provided to facilitate this sealing. In this arrangement, seats  274 ,  275  act as roofs over storage tray  276  to keep rain water and other liquids from entering storage tray  276 . Seats  274 ,  275  may also be provided with rubber grommets or other fasteners permitting them to be completely removed to expose the area normally underneath seats  272 ,  275 . 
     In addition to under-seat storage, vehicle  100  also includes above seat storage. As shown in  FIG. 19 , seating  116  includes a center console  286  between driver&#39;s seat  274  and passenger seat  275 . Driver&#39;s seat  274  and passenger seat  275  are preferably padded with foam or other resilient material. Center console  286  is preferably made of a substantially rigid material, such as metal. Center console  286  is normally secured to middle portion  287  of seating  116  with rivets, adhesive, or other fasteners. Center console  286  is configured to hold a container  289 , such as an ammo box. Container  289  is coupled to center console  286  with latches  291  or with straps. Another alternative center console  290  is shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 . Center console  290  includes a storage compartment  292  and a hinged top  295  that covers storage compartment  292 . Vehicle  100  may also include a foam filler (not shown) that substantially fills the space between driver&#39;s seat  274  and passenger seat  275  to define a relatively flat third seat. 
     Fuel storage is also provided under seating  116  as shown in  FIG. 20A . A fourteen gallon fuel tank  294  is positioned under seating  116  on the passenger side of vehicle  100 . Frame  104  includes a platform  296  that supports fuel tank  294  and two mirror-image but otherwise identical brackets  298 ,  299  (shown in  FIG. 20B ) that couple to flanges  300 ,  301  (one shown) on fuel tank  294 . The driver&#39;s side of fuel tank  294  includes a flange  303  that couples to bracket  302 . Fuel tank  294  includes a filler cap  306  and an outlet  304  that couples to a fuel line (not shown) extending to the engine. Fuel tank  294  is also shown in  FIG. 21 . According to an alternative embodiment, a thirteen gallon fuel tank is provided for vehicle  100 . The thirteen gallon fuel tank is identical to fuel tank  294  except that the rear wall does not extend as far back as rear wall  308  of fuel tank  294 . 
     Additional storage is provided in a base frame  310  of modular sub-section  112 . As shown in  FIGS. 22-24 , base frame  310  includes a plurality of frame members  312  that cooperate to define a trapezoidal interior region  314 . A storage compartment  316  is provided (shown in phantom) in interior region  314  to hold various items, such as tools, weapons, ammo, spare parts, and other items. The exterior of storage compartment  316  is contoured to match the inner perimeter of interior region  314 . According to one embodiment, a rearward portion of compartment  316  is provided with a sealed door similar to door  254  discussed above. According to other embodiment, storage compartment  316  rides on tracks similar to tracks  264  discussed above. According to an alternative embodiment, compartment  316  is configured as a fuel tank. 
     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.