Patent ID: 7866736

Claim:
A utility vehicle comprising: ascent structure configured and arranged to permit an operator to ascend the vehicle; a cover assembly including a cover element and a handle element fixed to the cover element, said cover assembly being selectively placeable in either a covering position in which the cover element is spaced above and at least partially covers the ascent structure or an open position in which the cover element uncovers the ascent structure for use by the operator; and guide unit mechanism including a stationary part, a shiftable part carried by said stationary part, and a hinge pivotally attaching the cover assembly to said shiftable part to permit the cover assembly to be selectively pivoted about a pivot axis associated with said hinge between said covering and open positions, said shiftable part being selectively shiftable relative to said stationary part between retracted and extended positions for permitting the cover assembly to be shifted away from the ascent structure before the cover assembly is pivoted to said open position, said guide unit mechanism further including a retaining element connected between the stationary part and the cover assembly for preventing the cover assembly from pivoting beyond said open position, said handle element being fixed to the cover element in such a manner that when the cover assembly is in said covering position the handle element is disposed beneath the cover element in overlying relationship to the ascent structure and when the cover assembly is in said open position the handle element projects upwardly alongside the ascent structure for grasping by the operator during use of the ascent structure.