Patent ID: 8899364

Claim:
A frame assembly for an off-road vehicle, comprising: an elongate, pivotable chassis, the pivotable chassis having a front chassis section, a rear chassis section, and at least one pivotable joint pivotally coupling the front chassis section with the rear chassis section to move the front chassis section relative to the rear chassis section; wherein the front chassis section extends at least about a third of the length of the pivotable chassis; an upper frame extending upwardly from the pivotable chassis, the upper frame adapted to provide a compartment for a user and for components of the off-road vehicle, the upper frame having a top; and a suspension assembly extending at an angle between the upper frame and the front chassis section, the suspension assembly being pivotally coupled to the top of the upper frame at one end and pivotally coupled to the front chassis section at an opposite end, the suspension assembly adapted to dissipate impact energy acting thereon and to adjust a length thereof between extended and retracted positions in reaction to corresponding movement of at least the front chassis section, the suspension assembly forming substantially elongate, variable length front pillars of the frame assembly; wherein the front chassis section has an angular motion in a direction upward from a terrain surface.