Off-road utility vehicle

Abstract

An off-highway recreational vehicle having a longitudinal centerline includes a frame and a rear suspension. The rear suspension includes a left A-arm, wherein the left A-arm has a pivot axis, the pivot axis being on a right-hand side of the longitudinal centerline.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An off-road utility vehicle having a longitudinal centerline, the vehicle comprising:
 a frame;   a seating area; and   a brake pedal assembly and a front splash panel, the brake pedal assembly comprising a fill tube, the fill tube passing through an aperture in the front splash panel.   
     
     
         2 . The off-road utility vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein brake pedal assembly further includes a first reservoir located rearward of the front splash panel and a second reservoir located forwardly of the front splash panel, wherein the first reservoir is fluidly connected to the second reservoir via the fill tube, wherein the fill tube slopes downwardly from the second reservoir to the first reservoir. 
     
     
         3 . The off-road vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the brake pedal assembly comprises a brake pedal, a brake pedal arm connected to the brake pedal, a fork connected via a pivot pin to the brake pedal arm, a master cylinder having a piston connected to the fork via a rod, wherein actuation of the brake pedal arm via the brake pedal actuates the piston within the master cylinder. 
     
     
         4 . The off-road vehicle of  claim 3 , wherein the brake pedal assembly has a pedal ratio of between 4:1 and 7:1, wherein the ratio defines movement of brake pedal in relation to movement of the pivot pin. 
     
     
         5 . The off-road vehicle of  claim 3 , wherein the brake pedal assembly has a pedal ratio of between 5.5:1 and 6:1 wherein the ratio defines movement of brake pedal in relation to movement of the pivot pin. 
     
     
         6 . The off-road vehicle of  claim 1 , further including:
 a steering wheel;   a steering rack; and   an electric power steering unit connected between the steering wheel and the steering rack, wherein the electric power steering unit includes a motor positioned in a vertical plane passing through the motor and a brake pedal associated with the brake pedal assembly.   
     
     
         7 . The off-road vehicle of  claim 6 , further including a roll over protection system (ROPS) positioned over the seating area, wherein the ROPS includes a plurality of members 
     
     
         8 . The off-road vehicle of  claim 7 , wherein one or more of the plurality of ROPS members comprise a connection member having a first connection portion, a second connection portion, and a third connection portion. 
     
     
         9 . The off-road vehicle of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of ROPS members comprise one or more of a rear lateral ROPS member, at least one longitudinal ROPS members, a forward overhead ROPS member, at least one A-frame member, a rear ROPS member, and a ROPS cross member. 
     
     
         10 . The off-road vehicle of  claim 7 , wherein one or more of the plurality of members includes a channel, wherein the channel provides a mating surface for interacting with one or more of doors, windshield, rear window, and/or roof. 
     
     
         11 . The off-road utility vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more doors, wherein the doors comprise at least one composite material. 
     
     
         12 . The off-road utility vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein at least one composite material has ballistic protection. 
     
     
         13 . The off-road utility vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising a continuously variable transmission (CVT) cover assembly, the CVT cover assembly including an inner CVT cover, an intermediate CVT cover, and an outer CVT cover, wherein a drive clutch and a driven clutch are located between the outer CVT cover and the intermediate CVT cover, and wherein a flywheel is located between the engine and the inner CVT cover. 
     
     
         14 . The off-road utility vehicle of  claim 13 , wherein the outer CVT cover is coupled to the intermediate CVT cover via one or more CVT cover fasteners that are releasable by hand, wherein the outer CVT cover is removable from the intermediate CVT cover without the use of tools. 
     
     
         15 . An off-road utility vehicle having a longitudinal centerline, the vehicle comprising:
 a frame;   an oil pan;   a prime mover coupled to the frame;   a continuously variable transmission (CVT) cover assembly, the CVT cover assembly including an inner CVT cover, an intermediate CVT cover, and an outer CVT cover, wherein a drive clutch and a driven clutch are located between the outer CVT cover and the intermediate CVT cover, and wherein a flywheel is located between the prime mover and the inner CVT cover;   a transmission configured to receive power from the prime mover via the CVT; and   a front drive shaft coupled to the transmission, wherein a portion of the front drive shaft extends between the oil pan and the inner CVT cover.   
     
     
         16 . The off-road utility vehicle of  claim 15 , wherein the outer CVT cover is coupled to the intermediate CVT cover via one or more CVT cover fasteners that are releasable by hand, wherein the outer CVT cover is removable from the intermediate CVT cover without the use of tools. 
     
     
         17 . The off-road utility vehicle of  claim 16 , wherein the CVT cover fasteners are spring-type retainers. 
     
     
         18 . The off-road utility vehicle of  claim 15 , wherein the inner CVT cover and the intermediate CVT cover include ridges that mate with one another to provide positive interaction between the inner CVT cover and the intermediate CVT cover.