Patent ID: 12240534

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The description below deals with a work vehicle as an embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to drawings. The present embodiment described below is, as an example work vehicle, a utility terrain vehicle (UTV) including a body with a carrier box. The present disclosure is, however, not limited to the embodiment below, and may be altered variously within its scope.

The description below uses terms such as “front” and “forward” to refer to the front side in the front-back direction of the body (indicated as “F” in the drawings), terms such as “back” and “backward” to refer to the back side in the front-back direction of the body (indicated as “B” in the drawings), terms such as “left-right direction” and “lateral” to refer to the horizontal direction perpendicular to the front-back direction of the body, terms such as “below” and “downward” to refer to the gravitational direction (indicated with “D” in the drawings), and terms such as “above” and “upward” to refer to the direction opposite to the gravitational direction (indicated with “U” in the drawings).

FIG.1illustrates a UTV100(which is an example of the “work vehicle”) including a body1and four wheels2(namely, two front wheels2A and two rear wheels2B) each supported by the body1with a suspension in-between. The UTV100is a four-wheel drive vehicle configured such that the wheels2are drivable by a power source such as a motor and an internal combustion engine. The UTV100is usable for multiple purposes such as farmwork and transportation.

The body1is provided with a pair of left and right front wheels2A at a front portion and a pair of left and right rear wheels2B at a back portion. The body1includes a driver section TA backward of the front wheels2A and a carrier box1B backward of the driver section TA. The carrier box1B is configured such that a front portion thereof is liftable for a slanted position in response to an operation of a dump cylinder (that is, the below-described fluid cylinder31) to allow a load to be dumped backward by its self weight.

The driver section TA includes a driver's seat11for a driver to sit on and a steering wheel12positioned forward of the driver's seat11and operable to turn the front wheels2A. The driver section TA further includes two ROPS frames13respectively at the left and right sides of the driver section TA to protect the driver and any other occupant in the event of a roll-over accident of the body1.

The carrier box1B is an open-top box including (i) a floor panel14as a bottom wall, (ii) a pair of left and right side panels15connected with respective lateral sides of the floor panel14, (iii) a front panel16connected with the front end of the floor panel14, and (iv) a rear gate17connected with the back end of the floor panel14. The floor panel14is a rectangular plate. The side panels15are connected respectively with the entire lateral sides of the floor panel14. The front panel16is connected with the entire front side of the floor panel14. The rear gate17is connected with the entire back side of the floor panel14. The carrier box1B for the present embodiment has a large capacity. Approximately two-thirds or smaller of its area lies forward of the rear axle21for the rear wheels2B, while approximately one-third or larger of the area lies backward of the rear axle21.

For normal use, the floor panel14, the side panels15, and the front panel16are so fixed as to be unmovable relative to one another, and the rear gate17is movable rotationally about the back end of the floor panel14as a rotary shaft. The rear gate17is capable of being restricted in its backward movement with use of wires34hung between the respective side panels15and the rear gate17(seeFIG.8as well). The side panels15are each provided with a lock member15cunlockable to allow the corresponding side panel15to move rotationally outward relative to the front panel16.

The carrier box1B is provided with a winch18fixed to the floor panel14or the front panel16at a central position of the connection between the floor panel14and the front panel16. The winch18is forward relative to the floor panel14to allow a largest possible load capacity for the carrier box1B. The winch18as installed on the carrier box1B is lower in position than the front panel16and the side panels15. The winch18may alternatively be absent.

The side panels15are each fixed to the front panel16with use of a lock member15c. The front panel16is fixed to the floor panel14with use of fastener members such as bolts. The front panel16is provided with a lighting section5including a light51configured to emit light backward and a support panel52detachably attached to the front panel16and supporting the light51. The light51is at such a position on the lighting section5as to illuminate the winch18. The light51is in the form of a pair of LED units51aeach including a plurality of linearly arranged LEDs (light emitting diodes). The LED units51aare disposed at respective upper corners of the support panel52, and each have an inclined arrangement. The light51does not necessarily include LEDs, and may be any illuminator.

The lighting section5includes an inclined plate53coupled to an upper portion of the support panel52with use of fastener members such as bolts and extending forward of the support panel52. The inclined plate53extends across the gap between the driver section TA and the carrier box1B (specifically, the front panel16) and obliquely upward from the carrier box1B toward the driver section TA. The inclined plate53, which extends forward of the support panel52as described above, prevents an object in the carrier box1B from falling into the gap in front of the front panel16.

The side panels15are provided with an engagement section19to which a plate-shaped member20(which is an example of the “height extension”) such as a wooden frame is detachably attachable. The engagement section19is in the form of a plurality of (six for the present embodiment) insertion hole forming members19A which are provided for each of the side panels15and in each of which a protrusion20aof a plate-shaped member20is insertable. The side panels15are each provided with insertion hole forming members19A at least one of which is backward of the rear axle21. The insertion hole forming members19A are provided for the side panels15in left-right symmetry.

As illustrated inFIG.2, the insertion hole forming members19A each include a bottom wall22facing the floor panel14, a facing wall23facing the corresponding side panel15, and a pair of side walls24each connecting the facing wall23with the corresponding side panel15. Providing the insertion hole forming members19A for the side panels15allows each side panel15to have openings at a top wall15athat are configured to receive the protrusions20aof a plate-shaped member20as inserted. The bottom wall22is connected with the corresponding one of the left and right end portions of the floor panel14. The facing wall23has rectangular through holes23aeach configured to receive a partition plate as inserted (not illustrated in the drawings) that is configured to partition the space of the carrier box1B. The insertion hole forming members19A each have a plurality of (two for the present embodiment) through holes23aarranged in the up-down direction. The side panels15are each provided with ribs25each in the shape of an angular pipe. The ribs25are arranged and oriented in the front-back direction of each side panel15at a central position of the side panel15in its up-down direction. The ribs25each connect a side wall24of an insertion hole forming member19A with that side wall24of an adjacent insertion hole forming member19A which faces the above side wall24in the front-back direction.

As illustrated inFIGS.3A to3D and4, the rear gate17includes a first panel17A connected with the floor panel14in such a manner as to move rotationally and a second panel17B connected with the first panel17A in such a manner as to move rotationally. The first panel17A includes a first end17Aa connected with the back end of the floor panel14in such a manner as to move rotationally and a second end17Ab with which the second panel17B is connected in such a manner as to move rotationally. The second panel17B includes a third end17Ba connected with the first panel17A in such a manner as to move rotationally and a fourth end17Bb as an open end.

As illustrated inFIG.4, the carrier box1B is connected with a frame1C of the body1with use of a hinge30in such a manner as to move rotationally. The hinge30connects the lower face of the floor panel14with the frame1C. The floor panel14is capable of moving rotationally about the hinge30up to an angle of 45 degrees to 60 degrees relative to the frame1C. The UTV100includes a fluid cylinder31configured to lift and lower the carrier box1B relative to the frame1C. The fluid cylinder31includes a first end31aconnected with the frame1C and a second end31bconnected with the lower face of the floor panel14.

FIGS.3A to3Dschematically illustrate how the rear gate17is moved rotationally.FIG.3Aillustrates a hold position, in which the rear gate17is folded into two (namely, the first panel17A and the second panel17B) and closes the back portion of the carrier box1B.FIG.3Billustrates an up position, in which the second panel17B is over the first panel17A so that the rear gate17has an additional height.FIG.3Cillustrates a flat position, in which the first panel17A and the second panel17B are aligned with the floor panel14and parallel to the ground surface.FIG.3Dillustrates a ramp position, in which the first panel17A and the second panel17B are aligned with the floor panel14and inclined to be close to the ground surface.

The hold position illustrated inFIG.3Ais such that the second end17Ab and the third end17Ba are at the same level as the respective top walls15aof the side panels15, while the first end17Aa and the fourth end17Bb are at the same level as the floor panel14. In the hold position, in other words, the second end17Ab and the third end17Ba are above the first end17Aa and the fourth end17Bb.

The up position illustrated inFIG.3Bis such that the second panel17B has been moved rotationally counterclockwise by 180 degrees about a first rotary shaft32from the hold position so that the second end17Ab and the third end17Ba face each other and that the fourth end17Bb is above the third end17Ba and separated therefrom by the panel width W. In the up position, in other words, the fourth end17Bb is above the respective top walls15aof the side panels15, and the rear gate17closes the back portion of the carrier box1B and has a height increased by the panel width W.

The flat position illustrated inFIG.3Cis such that the first panel17A and the second panel17B have been moved rotationally clockwise by 90 degrees about a second rotary shaft33from the up position to be aligned with the floor panel14. In the flat position, in other words, the fourth end17Bb of the second panel17B is below the respective top walls15aof the side panels15, and the back portion of the carrier box1B is open. The flat position allows an object to be loaded onto the carrier box1B from backward. The flat position may alternatively be such that as illustrated inFIG.8, the first panel17A and the second panel17B have been moved rotationally clockwise by 90 degrees about the second rotary shaft33with the rear gate17folded into two.

The ramp position illustrated inFIG.3Dis such that the carrier box1B has been moved rotationally about the hinge30from the flat position relative to the frame1C with use of the fluid cylinder31to be so obliquely inclined that the carrier box1B has a lifted front portion and that the fourth end17Bb of the second panel17B is close to the ground surface. In the ramp position, in other words, the fourth end17Bb of the second panel17B is below the frame1C, and the back portion of the carrier box1B is open. The ramp position allows an object to be pulled with use of the winch18onto the carrier box1B. The carrier box1B may additionally be in an intermediate position between the flat position illustrated inFIG.3Cand the ramp position illustrated inFIG.3D. The intermediate position is, as indicated with double-dashed chain lines inFIG.3C, such that the first panel17A and the second panel17B have been moved rotationally clockwise about the second rotary shaft33from the flat position so that the floor panel14is parallel to the ground surface and that the first panel17A and the second panel17B are inclined to be close to the ground surface.

In the up position illustrated inFIG.3B, in which the second panel17B has been moved rotationally to be over the first panel17A, simply attaching plate-shaped members20that are, for instance, prepared by the user to the engagement section19on the side panels15allows the carrier box1B to have an increased capacity (seeFIGS.1and5as well). This means that the above configuration allows the user to change the capacity of the carrier box1B according to the type of load, thereby imparting greater convenience to the UTV100. Further, the engagement section19is in the form of a plurality of insertion hole forming members19A in each of which a protrusion20aof a plate-shaped member20is insertable. The engagement section19is thus easily produced by simply fixing insertion hole forming members19A to the side panels15of the carrier box1B. In addition, the insertion hole forming members19A on each side panel15include at least one insertion hole forming member19A backward of the rear axle21, thereby allowing the carrier box1B to have a further increased capacity.

FIGS.6and7are an enlarged rear view and an enlarged side view respectively of the rear gate17in the up position illustrated inFIG.3B. The rear gate17is provided with a pair of first lock mechanisms41configured to restrict rotational movement of the second panel17B with the second panel17B over the first panel17A. The rear gate17is also provided with a pair of second lock mechanisms42configured to restrict rotational movement of the first panel17A. As illustrated inFIGS.1and6, the second lock mechanisms42include a pair of operation bars42aso positioned at opposite lateral end portions of the first panel17A as not to hinder rotational movement of the second panel17B while the second lock mechanisms42is in the locking state. The pair of first lock mechanisms41and the pair of second lock mechanisms42are both at opposite lateral end portions of the rear gate17in left-right symmetry. The description below deals with the first lock mechanism41and the second lock mechanism42on the left side.

As illustrated inFIGS.6and7, the first lock mechanism41is so positioned at a lateral end portion of the first panel17A as not to hinder rotational movement of the second panel17B. As illustrated inFIGS.9A,9B,10A, and10B, the first lock mechanism41includes (i) a semicircular rotational movement plate41afixed to the corresponding side face of the second panel17B, (ii) a lock pin41bconfigured to engage with the rotational movement plate41ato lock the second panel17B, (iii) a coil spring41curging the lock pin41btoward the second panel17B, (iv) an operation pin41dfixed to the lock pin41b, and (v) a support plate41efixed to the first panel17A and having an L-shaped hole41elconfigured to guide the operation pin41d.

As illustrated inFIG.10A, while the operation pin41dis at that end of the L-shaped hole41elwhich is close to the second panel17B, the lock pin41bis engaged with the rotational movement plate41adue to the urging force of the coil spring41c, so that the first lock mechanism41is in the locking state, that is, it restricts rotational movement of the second panel17B. Moving the operation pin41din the locking state to that end of the L-shaped hole41elwhich is apart from the second panel17B against the urging force of the coil spring41cas illustrated inFIG.10Bdisengages the lock pin41bfrom the rotational movement plate41a, rendering the first lock mechanism41in the unlocking state. As illustrated inFIGS.9A and9B, the rotational movement plate41ahas a first hole41aland a second hole41a2which are positioned symmetrically with respect to the first rotary shaft32and with each of which the lock pin41bis capable of engaging.

The hold position illustrated inFIG.3Ais such that the rear gate17is folded into two (namely, the first panel17A and the second panel17B). Engaging the lock pin41bwith the first hole41alin this position achieves a locked state as illustrated inFIG.9A. The up position illustrated inFIG.3Bis such that the rotational movement plate41ahas been moved rotationally counterclockwise by 180 degrees about the first rotary shaft32together with the second panel17B. Engaging the lock pin41bwith the second hole41a2in the up position achieves the locked state as illustrated inFIG.9B.

As illustrated inFIGS.6and7, the second lock mechanism42is fixed to the corresponding lateral end portion of the first panel17A. The second lock mechanism42includes an operation bar42aas a handle, a support member42bsupporting the operation bar42ain such a manner that the operation bar42ais movable rotationally, and a loop-shaped latch42cengageable with the support member42b. The operation bar42ais movable rotationally about the rotary shaft42b1of the support member42balong the outer face of the first panel17A. Moving the operation bar42a, positioned at a lateral end portion of the first panel17A and oriented in the up-down direction as illustrated inFIG.11A, rotationally in the left-right direction away from the position indicated with a double-dashed chain line inFIG.6and then pulling the operation bar42abackward into the position illustrated inFIG.11Bmoves the support member42band the latch42coutward. This achieves an unlocked state, in which the latch42cis disengaged from a hook15bfixed to the back end of the corresponding side panel15. In this state, pushing the operation bar42aforward moves the support member42band the latch42cinward to achieve a locked state, in which the latch42cis engaged with the hook15b. In the locked state, the operation bar42ais movable rotationally in the left-right direction about the rotary shaft42b1of the support member42band also in the up-down direction.

The first lock mechanisms41described above allow the second panel17B to be stable, and are so positioned at opposite lateral end portions of the first panel17A as not to hinder rotational movement of the second panel17B, with the result of improved operability. Further, the operation bars42a, which are for use to lock the first panel17A, are so positioned at opposite lateral end portions of the first panel17A as not to hinder rotational movement of the second panel17B, with the result of improved operability. Unlocking the second lock mechanisms42involves moving each operation bar42arotationally along the outer face of the rear gate17and then moving it outward. This prevents an operator from rotationally moving the second panel17B by mistake instead of the first panel17A.

Alternative Embodiments

(1) The embodiment described above is configured such that the side panels15are connected respectively with the entire lateral sides of the floor panel14. The side panels15may alternatively be connected respectively with portions of the lateral sides of the floor panel14. The embodiment described above is configured such that the front panel16is connected with the entire front side of the floor panel14. The front panel16may alternatively be connected with a portion of the front side of the floor panel14. The embodiment described above is configured such that the rear gate17is connected with the entire back side of the floor panel14. The rear gate17may alternatively be connected with a portion of the back side of the floor panel14. In other words, the carrier box1B, which has a first dimension from its front end to its back end, may alternatively include a left side panel15, a right side panel15, and a floor panel14each extending in the front-back direction over at least a portion of the first dimension, a front panel16positioned at the front end of the carrier box1B and extending over at least a portion of a second dimension between the left side panel15and the right side panel15, and a rear gate17positioned at the back end of the carrier box1B, extending over at least a portion of the second dimension, and movable to close the space defined by the left side panel15, the right side panel15, and the floor panel14.

(2) The embodiment described above is configured such that the side panels15are provided with an engagement section19to which a plate-shaped member20such as a wooden frame is detachably attachable. The plate-shaped member20may, however, be replaced with any other height extension that the user prepares as desired to provide an additional height for each side panel15. The engagement section19may be in the form of a hole(s) in an upper portion of a sufficiently thick side panel15.

(3) The embodiment described above is configured such that the light51is in the form of a pair of inclined LED units51aat respective upper corners of the support panel52. The light51may, however, be in any form as long as the light51is at such a position on the lighting section5as to illuminate the winch18. Further, the support panel52may alternatively be detachably attached to the ROPS frames13.

(4) The work vehicle described above is not limited to a utility terrain vehicle (UTV), and may alternatively be, for example, a vehicle with a carrier box such as a pickup truck as long as the vehicle is capable of, for example, farmwork and transportation.

[Outline of Embodiment Described Above]

The description below outlines the work vehicle described above as an embodiment.

(1) A work vehicle, including: a carrier box including: a floor panel; a pair of left and right side panels; and a rear gate supported by the floor panel in such a manner as to be capable of being opened and closed, the side panels being provided with an engagement section to which a height extension is detachably attachable, the rear gate including: a first panel connected with the floor panel in such a manner as to be movable rotationally; and a second panel connected with the first panel in such a manner as to be movable rotationally, wherein attaching the height extension to the engagement section and positioning the second panel over the first panel provides an additional height for both of the side panels and the rear gate.

With the above configuration, after moving the second panel rotationally so that the second panel is over the first panel, simply attaching a height extension that is, for instance, prepared by the user to the engagement section on the side panels allows the carrier box to have an increased capacity. This means that the above configuration allows the user to change the capacity of the carrier box according to the type of load, thereby imparting greater convenience to the work vehicle.

(2) The work vehicle may be configured such that the engagement section is in a form of a plurality of insertion hole forming members which are provided for each of the side panels and in each of which a protrusion of the height extension is insertable.

With the above configuration, the engagement section is in the form of a plurality of insertion hole forming members in each of which a protrusion of the height extension is insertable. The engagement section is thus easily produced by simply fixing insertion hole forming members to the side panels of the carrier box.

(3) The work vehicle may be configured such that the insertion hole forming members provided for each of the side panels include at least one insertion hole forming member backward of a rear axle of the work vehicle.

With the above configuration, the insertion hole forming members on each side panel include at least one insertion hole forming member backward of the rear axle, thereby allowing the carrier box to have a further increased capacity.

(4) The work vehicle may be configured such that the insertion hole forming members are provided for the side panels in left-right symmetry.

Providing insertion hole forming members in left-right symmetry as with the above configuration allows the user to prepare identically shaped height extensions, thereby ensuring greater convenience.

(5) The work vehicle may be configured such that the insertion hole forming members each include: a bottom wall facing the floor panel; a facing wall facing a corresponding one of the side panels; and side walls connecting the facing wall with the respective side panels.

With the above configuration, each insertion hole forming member includes a bottom wall, a facing wall, and side walls. Such insertion hole forming members are easily produced.

(6) The work vehicle may be configured such that the facing wall has a through hole configured to receive a partition plate as inserted that is configured to partition a space of the carrier box.

With the above configuration, the facing wall has a through hole configured to receive a partition plate as inserted. This allows the user to change the capacity of the carrier box according to the type of load.

(7) The work vehicle may be configured such that the rear gate is provided with a first lock mechanism configured to restrict rotational movement of the second panel with the second panel over the first panel.

With the above configuration, the rear gate is provided with a first lock mechanism, which allows the second panel to be stable.

(8) The work vehicle may be configured such that the first lock mechanism is so positioned at a lateral end portion of the first panel as not to hinder the rotational movement of the second panel.

With the above configuration, the first lock mechanism is so positioned at a lateral end portion of the first panel as not to hinder rotational movement of the second panel, with the result of improved operability.

(9) The work vehicle may be configured such that the rear gate is provided with a second lock mechanism configured to restrict rotational movement of the first panel, and the second lock mechanism includes an operation bar for the first panel which operation bar is so positioned at a lateral end portion of the first panel as not to hinder rotational movement of the second panel while the second lock mechanism is in a locking state.

With the above configuration, the second lock mechanism includes an operation bar for use to lock the first panel which operation bar is so positioned at a lateral end portion of the first panel as not to hinder rotational movement of the second panel, with the result of improved operability.

(10) The work vehicle may be configured such that unlocking the second lock mechanism involves moving the operation bar rotationally along an outer face of the rear gate and then moving the operation bar outward.

Unlocking the second lock mechanism as with the above configuration prevents an operator from rotationally moving the second panel by mistake instead of the first panel.

The arrangements disclosed for the above embodiments (including the alternative embodiments; hereinafter the same applies) may each be combined with an arrangement disclosed for another embodiment, as long as such a combination does not cause a contradiction. Further, the embodiments disclosed in the present specification are mere examples. The present disclosure is not limited to those embodiments, and may be altered as appropriate, as long as such an alteration does not result in a failure to attain an object of the present disclosure.