Composite body for a golf car and utility vehicle

Abstract

A golf car or utility vehicle having a composite body. In some aspects of the invention, the golf car or utility vehicle has a composite body assembly that includes a front clam shell assembly and a rear shell-like body. In other aspects, the golf car or utility vehicle includes a composite body assembly having a periphery and one or more decorative body panels, the decorative body panels being recessed inwardly relative to the composite body assembly periphery to prevent impacts to the panels.

1 - 16 . (canceled)  
   
   
       17 . A golf car, comprising: 
 a high-strength molded composite body assembly, formed from at least one molded fiber-reinforced polymer panel, the composite body assembly having a periphery;    a plurality of wheels supporting the body for movement along the ground; and    at least one decorative body panel disposed on the composite body assembly, the body panel being recessed inwardly relative to the periphery of the composite body assembly such that the body assembly extends outwardly of the decorative body panel so as to prevent impact with the body panel.    
   
   
       18 . The golf car as set forth in  claim 17 , further comprising a frame to which the wheels and the composite body assembly are attached, the frame including two longitudinally extending, laterally spaced-apart rails and at least one crossbeam extending laterally between and connecting the two frame rails.  
   
   
       19 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . The golf car as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein the frame further includes a dashboard support bar connected with the two rails and configured to support a dashboard of the golf car.  
   
   
       22 . The golf car as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein the composite body assembly is formed of at least one compression molded panel.  
   
   
       23 . The golf car as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein the composite body assembly includes a front body section, the front body section including at least two molded fiber-reinforced polymer panels connected together so as to form a clam shell assembly, and a rear body section formed of a fiber-reinforced polymer.  
   
   
       24 . The golf car as set forth in  claim 23 , wherein the clam shell assembly and the rear composite body are each independently attachable to a frame.  
   
   
       25 - 30 . (canceled)  
   
   
       31 . The golf car as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein the decorative body panels are formed of a high-gloss polymer.  
   
   
       32 - 41 . (canceled)  
   
   
       42 . A method for manufacturing a vehicle comprising the steps of: 
 providing a frame;    connecting two molded fiber-reinforced polymer panels to form a clam shell assembly;    mounting the clam shell assembly to a front portion of the frame;    mounting a rear body section to a rear portion of the frame, the rear body section being formed of a fiber-reinforced polymer, the clam shell assembly, the rear body section and the frame forming a substantially rigid high-strength frame and body assembly; and    connecting at least one decorative body panel to the frame and body assembly, wherein the at least one decorative body panel is are recessed inward relative to a periphery of the frame and body assembly such that the frame and body assembly protects the decorative body panel from damage.    
   
   
       43 - 61 . (canceled)  
   
   
       62 . The golf car as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein: 
 the composite body assembly includes a front body section and a rear body section, the rear body section including a shell with an open lower end, the shell at least partially bounding an interior chamber; and    the at least one decorative panel includes a rear decorative panel disposed about a portion of the rear body section of the composite body assembly.    
   
   
       63 . The golf car as set forth in  claim 62  further comprising a motor and associated drive system components connected with the frame and at least partially disposed within the interior chamber of the rear body section.  
   
   
       64 . The golf car as set forth in  claim 17  wherein: 
 the composite body assembly includes a rear body section having an upper portion and a lower portion each having a periphery, the periphery of the upper portion being recessed inwardly relative to the lower portion;    the at least one decorative body panel includes a rear decorative body panel configured to fit about portions of the upper portion of the rear body section.    
   
   
       65 . The golf car as set forth in  claim 64  wherein the lower portion of the rear body section is visible when the rear decorative body panel is disposed on the composite body assembly.  
   
   
       66 . The golf car as set forth in  claim 64  wherein the rear decorative body panel includes a front wall section and two sidewall sections, the decorative body panel enclosing the upper portion of the composite body rear section such that the rear body section upper portion is disposed generally between the front wall section and two side wall sections.  
   
   
       67 . The golf car as set forth in  claim 64  further comprising one of a battery and a fuel supply, the rear decorative body panel enclosing the one of the battery and the fuel supply.  
   
   
       68 . The golf car as set forth in  claim 17  wherein the composite body assembly includes front and rear body sections and the at least one decorative body panel includes a front decorative body panel connected with the composite body front section.  
   
   
       69 . The golf car as set forth in  claim 68  wherein the composite body assembly includes a brow connected with the front body section and a fascia connected with and extending forwardly from the brow, the front decorative body panel being mounted to the brow.  
   
   
       70 . The golf car as set forth in  claim 69  wherein the front decorative body panel is rounded to match and cover the underlying brow.  
   
   
       71 . A golf car comprising: 
 a high-strength molded composite body assembly formed from at least one molded fiber-reinforced polymer panel, the composite body assembly including a front body section with a periphery and a rear body section with a periphery;    a front decorative body panel disposed on the front body section of the composite body assembly, the front decorative body panel being recessed inwardly relative to the periphery of the front body section such that a portion of the front body section extends outwardly of the front decorative body panel so as to prevent impact with the front decorative panel; and    a rear decorative body panel disposed on the rear body section of the composite body assembly, the rear decorative body panel being recessed inwardly relative to the periphery of the rear body section such that the rear body section extends outwardly of the rear decorative body panel so as to prevent impact with the rear decorative panel.