Patent ID: 8123279

Claim:
A vehicle comprising: a seat configured to support an operator during operation of the vehicle; a roll cage at least partially defining a protected area adjacent to the seat, the roll cage additionally at least partially defining an access opening configured to facilitate passage of an operator through the access opening and into the protected area; a net structure attached to the roll cage and configured to selectively block at least a portion of the access opening; and a latch assembly comprising first and second interlocking portions which are configured to selectively interlock with one another, wherein the first interlocking portion is attached to the net structure, and wherein the second interlocking portion is attached to the roll cage; wherein the net structure defines a hand opening adjacent to the first interlocking portion and configured to facilitate passage of a portion of an operator's hand to facilitate grasping of the first interlocking portion; and wherein the roll cage comprises a rearward tubular member, the net structure comprises a fastener arrangement having first and second mating portions, one of the first and second mating portions is provided adjacent to the first interlocking portion, the other of the first and second mating portions is provided adjacent to the rearward tubular member and, when the first and second mating portions are engaged with one another, at least a portion of the access opening remains unblocked by the net structure to facilitate passage of an operator through the access opening and into the protected area.